Back At It

Hi all, how was everybody's week?  It's been absolute craziness over here.  We had an unexpected family emergency (no worries all is well now).  I am now back at home trying to catch up on all my homework and assignments and duty and teaching and reading and writing and laundry and
everything else.  On a happy note I got two and a half books read despite the unforeseen twists in our "vacation" and the porch time was perfection.  I also got to read multiple stories to my younger nephews and took the older ones to the book store.  I have to say I adore the fact that K-guy, my oldest nephew is as addicted to reading as I am.  It was cool to see him get so engrossed in his book that he didn't even hear us.  There were multiple times where he would disappear only to be found tucked away with his book.  Definitely my nephew lol.   Anyways I have A LOT of ramblings to start working on an will try and get those up soon.  In the meantime, Happy Reading Everybody!

Books For The Road

Hola Readers!  It's road trip time again!!!  This time I'm doing double duty with a quick Chicago/Rockford trip to see G-man and L-bud, then down south to meet up with K-dude and R-boy.  Totally excited to all my babies (who are no longer babies...sniff).   I've been packing all day...which pretty much means perusing my bookshelf trying to decide what to bring.  Here is what  I came up with.

Cosmic Powers edited by John Joseph Adams - My go to editor, especially for sci-fi collections that for some reason always seem to fit my summer/road trip mood short story collection book.

Street Magics edited by Paula Guran - The alternate short story collection for in case I finish my primary short story collection and want some more short stories book.

Spellcast by Barbara Ashford - The summer stock theatre, magic, new town book that not only seems to sum up so many of my younger summers but just sounds like the perfect summer read book.

Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez - My humorous yet well written and kind of weird yet makes total sense 'cause you know book.

One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey - The I need a fantasy book  in a series I know I like and I've been slacking book.

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip - The wildly atmospheric and dreamy and worst case scenario it's got an amazing cover to look at book.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi - The one of my favorite books and requisite ocean book 'cause it's summer books

The Last Treasure by Janet Anderson - My middle grade story 'cause I love these books when I'm in a nostalgic mood especially with the little boys book

Alice by Christina Henry - My WTF is going on her, but it's and Alice in Wonderland book so it will be awesome or horrific but either way I'll get a great rambling out of it book.

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex  - The I'm really sick of Hubbin asking me about this book so I'm gonna read it so he'll shut up book

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - The firehouse book club recommendation and loan and also it sounds pretty cool so why not book.

Boneshaker by Cheri Priest - The this has been on my TBR pile forever and I've been dying to read and just haven't yet book

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund - The OMG I totally forgot I had this on my bookshelf and dude killer unicorns awesome book

Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie -  The I love a good mystery especially in the summer and might as well read the queen of mystery book

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien - My I'm obsessed with the classics at the moment and also I need at least one high fantasy and do I really need a reason for Tolkien book.

The Masterharper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey - Dragons!!!!!!!!!  Also I always need at least one Anne McCaffrey book with me on vacation book.

Since I'm gonna be gone there will be no posts next week :-(  BUT my rambling pile is growing pretty quickly so be prepared for that.  Also I'm working on a couple other ideas.  Happy Reading Everybody!!!

A Week Of Bits Of Reading

Hi All,  as usual it's been an overly busy week with absolutely no signs of slowing down...and to be honest I wouldn't have it any other way.  Amongst the crazy however, there were little spots of perfect reading times that kept me sane.

Big Monster

Here we have one of my nephews starting to learn how to read as we cuddled up just the two of us for a read out loud marathon

Little Monster

Even the little monster found a book that he refused to let go through out the whole day.

Nice Day

Here I am sneaking a bit of outdoor reading time while the monsters are sleeping...ah sanity

New Stash

Here is my current reading pile...added to by one of my favorite firehouse book buddies

Dinner and Reading

After a looooooong day, some homemade dinner, a glass of wine and uninterrupted reading

All of these little moments of reading really do add up, and they are crucial to keeping my sanity.  I am glad that I get to have these moments and that I get to share them.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Book Of Imagination

Been getting a lot of reading time in with the nephews lately, I love how it expands their imagination.

Book of Imagination

I really don't think there is anything better we can do for the young ones then encourage a love of reading.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Here A Page There A Page

Not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but I've got a new job as a nanny for my nephews E and N. It's an interesting experience and I'm never gonna be upset about spending time with my boys so, so far all good.  One of the things that  I never realized...though I am sure any full time caretaker would probably already know this...but sometimes watching small people gets a bit boring.  Seriously one more episode of Dugee and I may lose it lol.

Anyways, lucky for me technology has come to rescue and I have learned to keep a book open on my phone at all times.  It's actually really great, while I am pooping the kids lunch in the oven, or watching them bounce in the bouncy, or build an epic building I can sneak a page or two in.  I also have the advantage of being a super fast reader so I can get a couple pages in fairly quickly.  Since its super easy to pick up and put down my indestructible phone I can still pay plenty of attention to the little guys.  So far in the last week and a half I've gotten three or four chapters read so YAY ME!  At this rate I might actually get a couple extra books in this year...Also gives me an excuse to buy more books online...oh darn.  Happy Reading Everybody!!!!!

Stuffed Reading

It's birthday season for my nephews...seriously all 6 of them were born within months of each other.  They range in age from 8 months to 9 years and one thing they all have in common is a love of what they call stuffy's.  These are what they call there stuffed animals.  They also love reading...'cause what kid with me for an aunt wouldn't.  Here are a couple literary stuffy's for you tiny tot.

A Bear Called Paddinton

I loved this book so much growing up, it's such a classic.

Curious George

This monkey has been a favorite of every nephew at some point in time.

The Story of Babar

This book series is STILL one of my go to's...I just love it

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Instant nostalgia with this set

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Who didn't love this canine growing up?

Just a couple of ideas for the little guys and gals in your life.  Of course these are just a few...the possibilities are ENDLESS!  Happy Reading Everybody!

Everything Is Bigger In Texas

I'm back and mostly all in one piece! WOOHOO!  The trip was awesome, I got to go to several places I've never been before.  I got to meet the rest of my Hubbin's family and see where he came from (I never realized just how Mexican the family was...in a good way...if that makes any sense).  I got to hear family stories going back to the 1700's involving kidnappings, elopement's and Pancho Villa.  Later we traveled to San Antonio and got even more history and fun.  Over all it was pretty awesome mostly 'cause I got to spend so much time with people I like and love so much.

On a literary note I finished four, yep that's right count 'em FOUR full length books, which is essentially a vacation dream come true for me.  In fact I read so much that we had to find this great little bookstore and buy me some more books.  Including a book full of Texas ghost stories.  I also got to snuggle and read with a whole bunch of my nephews so pretty much the whole trip was awesome!  Stay tuned for some epic rambling.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Quote Quote Baby

We are on baby watch here at The Super Bookworm Girl household.  I have a new nephew coming in the next week or two (that makes six!!!!)  In the meantime, here are some ways to ensure that the little ones get off to the right start.

Pride and Prejudice

Harry Potter

Alice in Wonderland

Lord of the Rings

The Tempest

I think dressing the littles in these fun outfits will give them perfect literary start to life.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Family Book Club

My whole entire family reads, my parents read, my siblings read, my in-laws read, my nephews read, we all read and it is awesome.  The best part of this extended reading family is that my life has turned into a bit of a family book club.  We call each other all excited when we have read a great new book, laugh when we realize that we have already read it, buy each other a book that they just have to read ('cause none of us shares our books very well we always buy each other our very own copies), are thrilled when we agree on books, get upset when we don't...it's all rather hilarious really.

Many memories my family has is based around books, being read to, library time, group reads.  Now that my family has grown to include in-laws and nephews, the book memories have as well.  I now have literary moments with all of my nephews forever happily etched in my brain, discussions with my brothers and sisters in law who have added a ton of variety to my approach to reading, and a mother and father in law who avidly support my literary habits in various ways.  I love this shared pool of books, reading and memories I have with all of these people whom I love so much.  It makes a wonderful thing like reading all that much better.  Happy Reading Everybody!

On Solid Ground Again

I made it home finally!  I have a 102 degree temp, an ear infection, and I miss my boys like crazy, but I am home!  I had a great trip filled with laughing, playing, and reading.  Here are some of the highlights of my Chicago trip.

Lil G is reading now!!!!  I am a super super proud aunt.  I got to snuggle with him while he read to me from his level 5 book.  He could also read some of the basic words from the aquarium signs, which showed him an actual application of his reading skills, which made him very excited and me want to cry with proud happiness.

Blackbeard

L Bub is also very into books, any time a grown up sits down for any reason he runs to his book shelf, grabs a book and sits on your lap all expectant.  He can point out pictures knows characters.  It's really cool to see a kid so young, so into books.

Curious George

The biggest part was our trip to one of my favorite places in the world, the Shedd Aquarium!  I was trying to temper my expectations of a 2 and 6 year old's reactions.  I figured the older one would have fun for a while, and the younger one would not understand what was going on, but I was pleasantly surprised when both boys were over the moon excited the whole time.  Lil G (6) was able to read and learn about the fish and animals and would gently lead his little brother around by the hand.  L Bub is apparently a fan of fish and would sit on the floor and wouldn't leave until he had poinred out EVERY fish in EVERY tank :-)  We hit the gift shop in the end for some toys and books, which made me the favorite, but the whole experience was just awesome.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean

My last day with the boys was marked by reading, playing, egg dying and the aquisition of even more books from Nana (my Mamma).  It was a lot of fun to spoil the boys, and being a bit spoiled by Mamma myself was very cool.

Shedd Aquarium

I love visiting with my family, I love traveling, I love watching the little boys grow up and explore their world, I love reading with them to expand their horizons and I can't wait to do it all again.  Happy Reading Everybody! (All the books I put in the blog are ones we got on this trip)

Alphabet By The Books

I am SOOOO EXCITED!!!  Get to go see my nephews due to an impromptu road trip on my part.  Yep my impulsivenessstrikes again resulting in plane tickets for a weekend in Chicago.  Maybe while I am there we can learn the alphabet.

Book Alphabet

In case you hadn't noticed I am a wee bit excited :-)  I will be sure to have a post chock full of the nephew goodness when I get back.  But in the meantime HAPPY READING EVERYBODY!

Story Room

I love the fact that all of my nephews love to read or be read too!  I think reading is one of the absolute best gifts we can give our children...I know it has made my life amazing.  In that vein here are some libraries that are using their resources to make reading spaces that inspire and revel in the magic of reading.

Brentwood TN

I need somebody to come to my house right now and build this for me...I'm waiting :-)

Om Tio Tretton

I could probably live in this Swedish Childrens library forever and ever...especially with my new fluffy birthday blankie

Central Library Kansas City MO

Is it bad when you can't even get to the bookshelves because your too busy reading the walls?

Park Falls WI

I want to grab a cup of coffee, a bunch of pillows and a great MG book and curl up in this tree of awesomeness!

Camarillo CA

How could you not feel a sense of magic and adventure waiting for you behind those doors?

These are just a few of the magical places the kids (and maybe their awesome aunts?) can go and get lost in the wonder of books.  I hope we continue to make the effort to show kids what an amazing thing a book can be...also if you need me I'll be in one of these libraries rediscovering my favorite childhood books.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Back In Action...Finally

Hello all of my wonderful readers, I appreciate your patience while I ran around the countryside with little to no Internet access. Never fear though I am back and ready to ramble on and on and on.  I had a great time with my nephews K-man and R-boy they were awesome.  I am still trying to decide if my favorite part was having K-man read aloud to me, all by himself, sounding out each word and getting so excited and proud when he figured a word out.  Or maybe it was having both boys snuggled up tight with me under a blanket while going through my Graeme Base collection (Discovery of Dragons was there favorite).  Possibly it was when K-man and I tagged team read The Dark by Lemony Snicket to R-boy.  I also got some solid reading time in myself, finishing two books and getting about half way through three others, but more on that in my future ramblings.  I also got to spend some time at Barnes and Nobles with the boys and my sis in law E (who has excellent taste in books) which helped with some of the brutal humidity.  I also acquired

 three new tomes to add to my growing collection of TBR's so overall it was a good break.  Now I have to get back into the habit Hubbin waking me up on time, putting on big girl clothes and getting my hinney to work on time.  On the plus side I also get to go back to my station and start running with my crew again so I am looking forward to that.  I have a couple of things planned to finish of the summer, and am gearing up for a couple of great reading projects for the fall, so stay tuned as we now return back to our regularly scheduled programming.
What have you been doing with yourself this summer?  What books are you getting crossed off your summer reading list?  Do you keep buying books to add to the list?  Is your beach/pool bag packed with more books than swim stuff?

Cough, Hack, Wheeze

Not feeling it at all today folks

Can't even concentrate to read I feel so blechy!

Plus side is that my awesome amazing nephews come in tomorrow night so that is making me feel better already!  Happy Reading and have a great weekend everybody!

Art Of The Fart

Been spending a lot of time with the nephews and at this age they are all obsessed with bodily functions, more specifically farts.  These little boys can have a whole 45 minute conversation on the art of the fart.  They love the sound, the love to say the word, they laugh hysterically whenever one happens, it's pretty cute.  Here are some books devoted to the art of the fart to enjoy with your little (or not so little) ones.

Walter the Farting Dog

There are several books in this series, each of them hilarious and the best part is you can get your munchkin one of these

Farting Walter Dog

So that you kiddo can fart along with the books, my sister may or may not want to ban me from her house after sending this to Lil G.

The Fart Fairy

You've heard of the Tooth Fairy, the Sugarplum Fairy, and even Evil Fairies...but the Fart Fairy, that is a new one.

Fart Jokes

Because if there is one thing better than a fart it is a good fart joke!

The Farting Dead

Flatulent Zombies OH NOES!

I hope you all enjoyed today's foray into the fascinating world of flatulence and will take some time to share a good fart joke with a special child (or child like man) in your life.  Happy reading everybody 

Welcome To The World

I am the proud Aunt of a brand new perfect baby boy!!!!! He is my fourth nephew and I am already in love!!!! Welcome to the world Baby L!

Blessings For A Baby Boy

An Interview With Two Young Gentelmen

An interview with K-man (4 years old) and R-boy (2 years old) about books.

SBWG: Do you guys like books?
K: Mmmhmm
R:Yup
SBWG: What is your favorite book
R: Superhero books 'cause there cool but not so cool
K:The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe because of the lion.
SBWG: Who is your favorite person to read to you?
R: Mommy because I like her
K:I like one of my uncles to read to me, because I just like them so much

Ok we are off to read somemore books, Happy reading all!

Dream Come True

Been spending some time with my nephews K-man and R-boy here on the farm and having a great time.  I think my favorite moment is something I have been waiting to do since they were born, I got to sit down and read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to them.  It was so amazing, they both sat and listened and asked and answered questions and really enjoyed it.  This is the first book I remeber reading by myself, and is still my favorite book of all time.  To be able to share it with my nephews is a dream come true.

What book are you dying to read to your kid/grandkid/niece/nephew?   What was the first book you remember reading?  What book was read to you?

Tracking Santa

It's almost that time, almost ready to start the countdown to Santa's visit!  My nephews (and me and the Hubbin too!) love tracking Santa on the NORAD Tracks Santa site.  I recently found out about the history of the Santa tracking and it's pretty cool.

The program began on December 24, 1955 when a Sears department store placed an advertisement in a Colorado Springs newspaper which told children that they could telephone Santa Claus and included a number for them to call. However, the telephone number printed was incorrect and calls instead came through to Colorado Springs' Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Center. Colonel Shoup, who was on duty that night, told his staff to give all children that called in a "current location" for Santa Claus. A tradition began which continued when the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) replaced CONAD in 1958. -found at wikipedia here

I think just the simple fact that the Colonel decided to play along instead of just dismissing the screw-up is a Christmas Miracle in and of itself.

Another great article on the history of and continuation of the NORAD Santa Tracking program can be found at Tracking "Big Red" NORAD's Secret Santa Mission .

There are not too many books on the subject of tracking Santa, which is odd 'cause I can think of a million great stories that could be told.  Here are a couple I did find

NORAD Tracks Santa
Around the World in One Night
Santa Tracking Tales (The Christmas Connection)

How do you think Santa makes it around the world in one night?  Do you track Santa?  Do you know any good books about Santa Tracking?  Will you write one for me?