2022 Reading Plan

Goal: read more 5 stars books

I rated 17 of 79 (22%) books I read in 2021 as 5 stars. I'd like to increase that to 25%... but how? Here's my strategy:

1. Read more titles from authors I previously rated 5 or 4 stars

2. Read titles recommended based on books I've rated 5 or 4 stars

3. Continue to abandon books that are going to end up being rated 3 stars or less

Authors I rated highly (not including Children's books)

1. Brené Brown
2. Emmanuel Acho
3. Greg McKeown
4. Kristin Hannah
5. Lisa Scottoline
6. Michael Floyd
7. Philip Houston
8. Rebecca Eanes 
9. Richard Sheridan
10. Ryan Hawk
11. Susan Carnicero
12. Tiffany Shlain

Recommended Titles

Using Goodreads' "Readers Also Enjoyed" feature

Non-Fiction

1. A Place For Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order, by Judith Flanders
2. Dog Flowers: A Memoir, by Danielle Geller
3. Flipnosis: The Art of Split-Second Persuasion, by Kevin Dutton
4. Getting to Know YOU: Embrace Your Unique Blueprint to Make Decisions you Love and Trust - A Human Design Guidebook, by Karen Flaherty
5. Gratitude Daily: 21 Days to More Joy and Less Stress, by Nataly Kogan
6. How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority, by Clay Scroggins
7. How to Raise Kind Kids: And Get Respect, Gratitude, and a Happier Family in the Bargain, by Thomas Lickona
8. How to Spot a Liar: A Practical Guide to Speed Read People, Decipher Body Language, Detect Deception, and Get to The Truth, by James W. Williams
9. How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent, by Carla Naumburg
10. The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us, by Sheril Kirshenbaum
11. What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, by Bruce D. Perry
12. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero

Fiction

1. Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson
2. Color Me In, by Natasha Diaz
3. Invisible Girl, by Lisa Jewell
4. Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro
5. The Daughters of Erietown, by Connie Schultz
6. The End of Her, by Shari Lapena
7. The Girl from Widow Hills, by Megan Miranda
8. The Liar's Wife, by Samantha Hayes
9. The Marriage of Opposites, by Alice Hoffman
10. The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz
11. The Rib King, by Ladee Hubbard
12. The Wives, by Tarryn Fisher
13. Transcendent Kingdom, by Yaa Gyasi

What's your strategy for reading more "5 stars" books?

2021 Reading List in Review

My initial list had 111 titles. I set my Goodreads goal at 80 and will hit that as I currently have 3 books in progress (which is normal for me).

My 2021 list consisted mostly of what I considered 4 star ratings. 3 stars meant it was ok - I wouldn't recommend it but some might like it. 2 stars and 1 star were usually abandoned - I left at least 9 books unfinished this year.

My 5 star books were:

Non-Fiction

The Gift of a Happy Mother: Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Everyday Joy, by Rebecca Eanes 

Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear, by Richard Sheridan

Welcome to Management: How to Grow from Top Performer to Excellent Leader, by Ryan Hawk

The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connections and Courage, by Brené Brown 

Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho

24/6: Giving up screens one day a week to get more time, creativity, and connection, by Tiffany Shlain

Spy the Lie: Three Former CIA Officers Reveal Their Secrets to Uncloaking Deception, by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero

Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most, by Greg McKeown

Fiction

The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah

Eternal, by Lisa Scottoline

Children's

The Librarian's Stories, by Lucy Falcone, Anna Wilson 

Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It), by Carrie Finison, Daniel Wiseman 

Shin-chi's Canoe, by Nicola I. Campbell, Kim LaFave 

Shi-shi-etko, by Nicola I. Campbell, Kim LaFave

Nibi's Water Song, by Sunshine Tenasco, Chief Lady Bird 

My 2021 "Raves & Faves"

The Library system I work for has a "Raves and Faves" category of books. These are books that have been published prior to the current year, which staff have found meaningful, a "good read," and would recommend for a book club or to a customer.

Following are the titles I submitted:

Youth Fiction

• We Are Not From Here, by Sanchez, Jenny Torres pub May 19, 2020

• Brave New Girl, by Vincent, Rachel pub May 09, 2017

Adult Fiction

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by Schwab, V.E. pub Oct 06, 2020

• In Five Years, by Serle, Rebecca pub Mar 10, 2020

• What's Left of Me Is Yours, by Scott, Stephanie pub Apr 21, 2020

• When I Was You, by Garza, Amber pub Aug 25, 2020

• The Matchmaker's List, by Lalli, Sonya pub Jan 22, 2019

• The Dilemma, by Paris, B.A.  pub 2019

• The Farm, by Ramos, Joanne pub May 07, 2019

Non-Fiction

• Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, by Acho, Emmanuel pub Nov 10, 2020

• The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done, by Adachi, Kendra pub Aug 11, 2020

• You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters, by Murphy, Kate pub Jan 07, 2020

• How to Cook: Building Blocks and 100 Simple Recipes for a Lifetime of Meals, by Acheson, Hugh pub Oct. 20 2020

• Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life, by Kondo, Marie pub Apr 07, 2020

• The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan: Discover the Joy of Spending Less, Sharing More, and Living Generously, by Clark, Liesl pub Apr 14, 2020

• Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More, by Carver, Courtney pub Mar 03, 2020

• Noise: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus, by McCormack, Joseph pub Nov 26, 2019

• Happier Human: 53 Science-Backed Habits to Increase Your Happiness, by Scott, S.J. pub Feb. 27 2019

• 24/6 : the power of unplugging one day a week, by Shlain, Tiffany pub Sep 24, 2019

• Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear, by Sheridan, Richard pub Dec 04, 2018

• Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done, by Vanderkam, Laura pub May 29, 2018

What's on your "Raves & Faves" book list?

Aspirational Self

As a Librarian, one of my "job hazards" is my never-ending "to be read" (TBR) list. Recommendations from colleagues, friends, and customers get on the list. And I feel it's my duty to add books of various genres from new book lists. At the beginning of this year I compiled my TBR lists from my two library accounts (where I work and where I live) and Goodreads and narrowed it down to 111 titles.

Since January I have read (including those I abandoned) 70 books and am currently reading 4 so I am probably on track to finish 98 by the end of the year.

One of the books I'm currently reading is "Organized Enough: The Anti-Perfectionist's Guide to Getting—and Staying—Organized," by Helen Amanda Sullivan. Chapter 5 is called "Who Are You Now? or, Will You Really Use That Bread Maker?" It speaks about our aspirational selves - the people we think we want to be, the ones we keep stuff around for that we don't actually use.

It made me think about my aspirational self as a Librarian. Could I be a Librarian who didn't feel compelled to always be reading? To always be adding so many titles to my TBR list that I would need an extra lifetime to finish them? 

What I've noticed is that even when I have guilt-free time to read (meaning the laundry and administrative tasks at home are done), I don't dive into my TBR pile. Could it be that the pile is for my aspirational self and that maybe I don't want to read so much? 

Does that mess with my identity as a Librarian? Or as an intellectual? Or as a "productive" person? Reading is generally not seen as a waste of time (though some genres are vilified), whereas watching a movie or sitting and staring at the trees might be.

I'm going to try to keep letting go of collecting things for my aspiration self - including books. Although they are on loan and theoretically not taking up permanent space in my home, in reality they are permanent guests with their own shelves. I feel guilty for having them here instead of letting them be discovered by someone else in the Library, I feel badly for ignoring them.

So... time to send them back. This is the pile (minus two on lettering) currently taking up space in my mind. The Bible on top is a Catholic Bible because I want to read the Apocrypha books, I have already read the whole Protestant Bible.

I am going to narrow it down to three. Wish me luck!

333 update - one year later (Oct 2021)

In October 2020 I started my "333" project. The project involves wearing just 33 items for 3 months, with the goal of reducing decision fatigue about what to wear.

Season 1: October-December

Season 2: January-March

Season 3: April-June

Season 4: July-September

I found this very freeing. When clothing no longer sparked joy, I passed it along to someone else - knowing that opened up a spot for something else. I didn't buy anything to replace it, I just knew that I wouldn't miss it.

I found that two pairs of dress pants and five or six dress shirts were plenty for work. 

I wore my favourite t-shirts, not worried about saving them for fear of them wearing out. If they wore out, which they didn't, I would have room for a different favourite shirt to enter the rotation.

I have to make some decisions about jewellery. I have far more than I could even put into rotation and I don't really care about wearing it.

I did miss having more variety of footwear so I should consider where I can let go of an item to add another pair of shoes.

This was a great exercise and one I plan to continue.

NetGalley Book Reviews: July

NetGalley helps influential readers discover and recommend new books to their audiences. NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Publishers make digital review copies and audiobooks available for the NetGalley community to discover, request, read, and review.

July Reviews (Title, Author, Publication Date):

3,001 This or That Questions, Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books, 16 Feb 2021
#3001ThisorThatQuestions #NetGalley

This was enjoyed by my family, including children aged 10 to 16. With so many questions, this would improve mealtimes for a few years!

Description (from NetGalley)
3,001 This or That Questions is a journal for people who ask the big questions about themselves, like: Would you rather speak like a duck or look like a worm?

Alright, so these questions aren't the big questions, but knowing yourself better is no small task. So much of what goes on in your brain happens in snap judgements and feelings. When you sit with the answers to quick questions and ruminate on what they mean, a deeper understanding of yourself can result.

With over 3,000 thoughtful prompts to help you journal through a quest for self-discovery, you can start to definitively know who you are by examining your inclinations in minute detail. Thousands of questions for thousands of answers you never knew you needed. And, because you only have two choices, you can breeze through the journal in no time at all. Some questions are silly and pure fantasy, but others can possibly trigger a deeper need for journaling about yourself and your values.

Some such questions being: 

T/T: Say LOL after every sentence or every time you smile, you cry?

T/T: Only bathe or shower for the rest of your life?

T/T: Fight with a light saber or a sword?

T/T: Climb a mountain or swim to the bottom of the ocean?

T/T: Walk with your hands or type with your toes?

T/T: Watch only your favorite movie forever or watch a movie you hate once?

T/T: Eat dinner for breakfast for breakfast for dinner? 

If you are at a crossroads or are attempting to gain awareness of yourself through personal reflection, this is an excellent tool. Or, if you are a writer, use this as an exercise for fleshing out characters. This journal is also the perfect gift to a recent grad looking to carve out more of themselves in this expansive world.

Maximize 365, Kristin A. Sherry, 18 Feb 2021

#Maximize365 #NetGalley

Chapters:

Health & Wellness

- Emotional

- Environmental

- Intellectual & Mental

- Physical

- Social

Spirituality

- Spiritual Growth

- Purpose

- Belief & Inspiration

- Service & Social

Relationships

- Communication

- Conflict

- Couples & Family 

- Self-Development

 

Career

- Self-Discovery

- Career Management

- Entrepreneurship

- Job Search

- Professional Development

Finances

- Saving Money

- Managing Debt

- Building Wealth

- Financial Planning

- Family Money Matters

Includes Ideas for Action, References at the end.

Description (from NetGalley)

Maximize 365 will guide you to increased personal growth, satisfaction, and success. Daily tips in the areas of relationships, health and wellness, career, finances, and spirituality will help you level up your life. International bestselling author Kristin A. Sherry contributes over a decade of executive and career coaching expertise along with a treasure chest of actionable advice from additional experts.

Each daily topic is supported by an inspiring quote and specific ideas for action to realize immediate progress. From building wealth and passive income, productive approaches to conflict, discovering your purpose and leaving a legacy, to advancing your career, and a wide range of topics in between, Maximize 365 will help you transform and grow the vital areas of your life.

Sacred Holidays, Becky Kiser, 16 Oct 2018

Less Chaos, More Jesus

#SacredHolidays #NetGalley

Description (from NetGalley)

Do you enter every holiday wanting it to be meaningful, only to find that it feels chaotic with no direction? We set New Year’s goals we can’t keep, struggle to love or be loved on Valentine’s Day, and find it hard to celebrate the risen Jesus when we are searching for the perfect Easter dress. Our summer and back-to-school seasons are whirlwinds, even as adults; we aren’t quite sure what to do with Halloween as Christians; and we feel less than grateful at Thanksgiving because it is sometimes full of complicated people. Even Christmas becomes a challenge, as celebrating Jesus gets lost behind twinkling lights and a mountain of gifts. Holidays are meant to be more than chaos with glimpses of grace; they are meant to draw us closer to God and one another. We want all the whimsy and joy the holidays held when we were children, before life crowded it out. We want the holidays to reflect our love for Jesus and reveal the grace that has been lavished on us, but life is so busy that setting a game plan just doesn’t happen. No more. It’s time to stop trying to survive the holidays or over indulge the whimsy, and instead live in the abundant life God called us to live.

Sacred Holidays is part book and part resource: meant to help you avoid what has tripped you up in the past and give you insights, tips, and tools to make your holidays less chaotic and more about loving Jesus and others.

Don’t let your holidays be marked by regret, whirlwinds, or survival mindset. Let’s celebrate every holiday together purposefully and worshipfully–loving Jesus and others well in every moment.

NetGalley Book Reviews: June

NetGalley helps influential readers discover and recommend new books to their audiences. NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Publishers make digital review copies and audiobooks available for the NetGalley community to discover, request, read, and review.

June Reviews (Title, Author, Publication Date):

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer, 29 Oct 2019

How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World

#TheRuthlessEliminationOfHurry #NetGalley

Something with a foreword by John Ortberg catches my eye as I enjoyed his "If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat" (2001).

Part one: The  problem

Part two: The solution

Intermission: Wait, what are the spiritual disciplines again?

Part three: Four practices for unhurrying your life

Epilogue: A quiet life

A short workbook with exercises to get you started on each of the four practices is available at johnmarkcomer.com/howtounhurry

The Notes at the end are fairly humorous.

Description (from NetGalley)

“Who am I becoming?”

 

That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren’t pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:

 

“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.”

 

It wasn’t the response he expected, but it was—and continues to be—the answer he needs. Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.

 

Within the pages of this book, you’ll find a fascinating roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.

Lead Like It Matters to God, Richard Stearns, 30 Mar 2021

Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World

#LeadLikeItMatterstoGod #NetGalley

Chapters:

1. Leadership Changes the World

2. The Plans I Have for You (autobiography)

3. Surrender

4. Sacrifice

5. Trust

6. Excellence

7. Love

8. Humility

9. Integrity

10. Vision

22. Courage

12. Generosity

13. Forgiveness

14. Self-Awareness

15. Balance

16. Humor

17. Encouragement

18. Perseverance

19. Listening

20. Taking God to Work

Each chapter begins with a scripture, a leadership principle, and a quote or two. Notes with sources are included at the end of the book.

Description (from NetGalley)

Richard Stearns is a leader who has been tested as a CEO in both secular companies and also as the head of one of the world’s largest Christian ministries. After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history. During his tenure there he implemented corporate best practices, lowering overheads while tripling revenues. His leadership in calling the American church to respond to some of the greatest crises of our time, notably the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and the global refugee crisis, challenged Christians to embrace a bold vision for compassion, mercy, and justice. 

In Lead Like It Matters to God, Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve—that God is more concerned about a leader's character than a leader's success. With wisdom, wit, and biblical teaching, Stearns shares captivating stories of his life journey and unpacks seventeen crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations. When leaders embody values such as integrity, courage, excellence, forgiveness, humility, surrender, balance, generosity, perseverance, love, and encouragement, they not only improve their witness for Christ, they also shape institutions, influence culture, improve team performance, and create healthy workplaces where people can flourish. Through this book, Stearns will inspire a new generation of Christian leaders to boldly take their values into their workplaces to tangibly demonstrate the character of Christ, the love of Christ, and the truth of Christ as they live out their faith in full view of others.

Love Like You Mean It, Bob Lepine, 07 Jul 2020

The Heart of a Marriage that Honors God

#LoveLikeYouMeanIt #NetGalley

Chapters:

1. Everything Minus Love = Nothing

2. An odd Place to Begin

3. The Thing That is Better Than Life Itself

4. It's Not All About Me

5. It's My Way on the Love Way

6. Keep Calm and Keep Loving

7. It's Never Tight to Do What's Wrong

8. The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But

9. Be a Bulldog

10. Filling Up and Pouring Out

Each chapter has a few "Talk Together" section for reflection and discussion.

Includes a Notes section at the end showing sources.

Description (from NetGalley)

Every year, millions of men and women stand before friends and family to pledge their lifelong love to each other. Do they know what they’re getting into?

 

Unfortunately, many people have a shallow, superficial idea of what marriage is. As a result, many marriages don’t last, and many more married couples are trudging along looking for something more.

 

Love Like You Mean It gives husbands and wives a biblical understanding of what real love looks like in marriage by unpacking the ten attributes of genuine love listed in 1 Corinthians 13. Bob Lepine, marriage and family expert and host of the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today, helps husbands and wives discover that it’s not primarily emotions that define marital love, but actions and decisions that fuel emotions and cause marital love to grow.

 

Every person who is married, would like to be married one day, or wants to understand more about the biblical vision of marriage will find what they’re looking for as they dive deep into Love Like You Mean It.

Indigenous History Reading List: Non-Fiction

Picture Books

Grades 2-6

Non-fiction books

Treaty Words: For As Long As the Rivers Flow, written by Aimée Craft; illustrated by Luke Swinson 

The first treaty that was made was between the earth and the sky. It was an agreement to work together. We build all of our treaties on that original treaty.

On the banks of the river that have been Mishomis’s home his whole life, he teaches his granddaughter to listen—to hear both the sounds and the silences, and so to learn her place in Creation. Most importantly, he teaches her about treaties—the bonds of reciprocity and renewal that endure for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.

Accompanied by illustrations by Luke Swinson and an author’s note at the end, Aimée Craft communicates the importance of understanding an Indigenous perspective on treaties.

(Description from Goodreads) 

Truth and Reconciliation (Indigenous Life In Canada), written by Simon Rose

Published in 2017

Table of Contents:

1. Different Cultures

2. Residential and Day Schools

3. The School System

4. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission

5. The Commission's Work

6. The Future

Includes glossary, reading list, index.

Sharing Our Truths / Tapwe, written by Henry Beaver, Mindy Willett, Eileen Beaver; photographer Tessa MacIntosh 

Join the authors as they lead the children through important Cree cultural experiences, tell stories, and share their wisdom and truths with compassion. Learn the protocols for building a tipi, trapping a beaver, laying the grandfather stones for a fire, smudging, and harvesting salt from the Salt Plains in Wood Buffalo National Park. In Cree, tapwe means "it is so" or "the truth." In this, the ninth book in This Land is Our Storybook series, Henry writes, "We can tell you what to do with the truths we share in this book, but we hope that reading our story will help you get to know us a little better so that together we can make this nation a place we can all be proud of."

(Description from Goodreads)  

Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, written by Monique Gray Smith 

Canada's relationship with its Indigenous people has suffered as a result of both the residential school system and the lack of understanding of the historical and current impact of those schools. Healing and repairing that relationship requires education, awareness and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts still being felt by survivors and their families. Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action. 

(Description from Goodreads)  

As Long as the Rivers Flow, written by Larry Loyie, Constance Brissenden; illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund (Illustrator)

Winner of the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction

In the 1800s, the education of First Nations children was taken on by various churches, in government-sponsored residential schools. Children were forcibly taken from their families in order to erase their traditional languages and cultures.

As Long as the Rivers Flow is the story of Larry Loyie's last summer before entering residential school. It is a time of learning and adventure. He cares for an abandoned baby owl and watches his grandmother make winter moccasins. He helps the family prepare for a hunting and gathering trip. 

(Description from Goodreads)  

Online Resources

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

We Were Not the Savages: Residential Schools

Where Are the Children: Timeline

Indigenous History Reading List: Grades 2-6

Picture Books post

The following books are most appropriate for children in Grades 2-6

Junior Fiction

Dear Canada: These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens, written by Ruby Slipperjack

Violet Pesheen is struggling to adjust to her new life at Residential School. She misses her Grandma; she has run-ins with Cree girls; at her “white” school, everyone just stares; and everything she brought has been taken from her, including her name—she is now just a number. But worst of all, she has a fear. A fear of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishnabe language; the names of those she knew before; and her traditional customs. A fear of forgetting who she was.

Her notebook is the one place she can record all of her worries, and heartbreaks, and memories. And maybe, just maybe there will be hope at the end of the tunnel.

Drawing from her own experiences at Residential School, Ruby Slipperjack creates a brave, yet heartbreaking heroine in Violet, and lets young readers glimpse into an all-too important chapter in our nation’s history. 

(Description from Goodreads)

Junior Non-Fiction

When I Was Eight, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard 

Bestselling memoir Fatty Legs for younger readers. Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. The nuns at the school call her Margaret. They cut off her long hair and force her to do menial chores, but she remains undaunted. Her tenacity draws the attention of a black-cloaked nun who tries to break her spirit at every turn. But the young girl is more determined than ever to learn how to read. 

Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by stunning illustrations, When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. Now they, too, can meet this remarkable girl who reminds us what power we hold when we can read. 

(Description from Goodreads)

Fatty Legs: A True Story, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes 

The moving memoir of an Inuit girl who emerges from a residential school with her spirit intact.

Eight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving her village in the high Arctic. Faced with unceasing pressure, her father finally agrees to let her make the five-day journey to attend school, but he warns Margaret of the terrors of residential schools.

At school Margaret soon encounters the Raven, a black-cloaked nun with a hooked nose and bony fingers that resemble claws. She immediately dislikes the strong-willed young Margaret. Intending to humiliate her, the heartless Raven gives gray stockings to all the girls -- all except Margaret, who gets red ones. In an instant Margaret is the laughingstock of the entire school.

In the face of such cruelty, Margaret refuses to be intimidated and bravely gets rid of the stockings. Although a sympathetic nun stands up for Margaret, in the end it is this brave young girl who gives the Raven a lesson in the power of human dignity.

Complemented by archival photos from Margaret Pokiak-Fenton's collection and striking artwork from Liz Amini-Holmes, this inspiring first-person account of a plucky girl's determination to confront her tormentor will linger with young readers. 

(Description from Goodreads)

A Stranger at Home, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes 

Traveling to be reunited with her family in the arctic, 10-year-old Margaret Pokiak can hardly contain her excitement. It’s been two years since her parents delivered her to the school run by the dark-cloaked nuns and brothers. Coming ashore, Margaret spots her family, but her mother barely recognizes her, screaming, “Not my girl.” Margaret realizes she is now marked as an outsider. And Margaret is an outsider: she has forgotten the language and stories of her people, and she can’t even stomach the food her mother prepares. However, Margaret gradually relearns her language and her family’s way of living. Along the way, she discovers how important it is to remain true to the ways of her people—and to herself.
Highlighted by archival photos and striking artwork, this first-person account of a young girl’s struggle to find her place will inspire young readers to ask what it means to belong.

(Description from Goodreads)

Indigenous History Reading List: Non-Fiction

Indigenous History Reading List

June is not only National Indigenous History Month in Canada, but this year it also marks the horrific finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children buried on the site of what was once Canada's largest Indigenous residential school in Kamloops (Tk’emlups), British Columbia.

As someone who doesn't remember learning about this in high school, let alone knowing that it was still going on in my adolescence, it's important to me to learn about this now and teach it to my children.

Here are some resources you may find helpful too:

Picture Books

Stolen Words, written by Melanie Florence; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

The story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in his language, Cree, he admits that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive, beautifully illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of Canada's residential school system, which separated young Indigenous children from their families.(Description from Goodreads) 

 

Beautiful story of a child and her grandfather. As a librarian, I can't help but appreciate that the book she helped her grandfather with came from her school library.

Nibi's Water Song, written by Sunshine Tenasco; illustrated by Chief Lady Bird

Nibi is the Anishinaabemowin word for water. In Nibi's Water Song, Nibi is an Indigenous girl on the search for clean water to drink. Though she is faced with repeated obstacles, Nibi's joyful and determined energy become a catalyst for change and action as her community and, in widening circles, the country and government, rally around her to make clean drinking water available for all. There is a strong underlying message that even when a problem seems too large to face, every bit that everyone does helps. And inaction is not an option.

Sunshine Tenasco, an Anishinabeg activist for clean water, has an amazing optimistic spirit that shines through her writing. The hopeful tone and lyrical read-aloud quality of this gentle allegorical tale open the door to conversations and action aimed at young children, whether they are on a reserve that does not have clean water or they are living with access to clean water. Chief Lady Bird's stunning, original artwork carries through the themes of strength, hope, and resilience in an incredible collaboration of talent.

(Description from Goodreads)  

Shi-shi-etko, written by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Kim LaFave 

In just four days young Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school.

She spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world -- the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather's paddle song. Her mother, father and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. And so Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.

Richly hued illustrations complement this gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace all around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss -- a loss that native people have endured for generations because of the residential schools system.

Winner of the Anskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award. Finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Ruth Schwartz Award.

(Description from Goodreads)  

Shin-chi's Canoe, written by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Kim LaFave 

When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shinchi, her six-year-old brother, that they can only use their English names and that they can't speak to each other. For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, and work, punctuated by skimpy meals. He finds solace at the river, clutching a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river — a sign that it’s almost time to return home. This poignant story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history is told at a child’s level of understanding. 

(Description from Goodreads)  

Online

Indigenous history

Learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, Indigenous contributions to the War of 1812, reconciliation and more.

Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.

What other resources would you recommend?

NetGalley Book Reviews: May

NetGalley helps influential readers discover and recommend new books to their audiences. NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Publishers make digital review copies and audiobooks available for the NetGalley community to discover, request, read, and review.

May Reviews (Title, Author, Publication Date):

101 Leadership Insights, Bob Phillips; Del Walinga, 04 May 2021

Practical Tools, Tips, and Techniques for New and Seasoned Leaders

#101LeadershipInsights #NetGalley

This is 101 chapters, each of which is two pages long - making it an easy read during a break at work or first thing in the morning.

Each chapter begins and ends with a quote, and generally includes a diagram and a question to consider. The clipart doesn't add value and it's too bad it was included.

Description (from NetGalley)

Tools, Tips, and Techniques for the Leader on the Go

Whether you lead in an office, a jobsite, a church, or a classroom, 101 Leadership Insights is a handy guidebook guaranteed to help you better handle the challenges and conundrums that come with being a leader.

Written by bestselling author Bob Phillips and business owner Del Walinga, this book is packed with wisdom that will help you improve your skills as a manager, mentor, and communicator. This collection of short yet highly informative chapters takes on more than a hundred of the most common leadership issues, such as… 

• handling workplace conflict 
• maintaining a healthy work/life balance
• recognizing red flags in unfamiliar situations
• finding fulfillment even while working unsatisfying jobs

Featuring helpful personal checklists, solution-oriented questions, illuminating infographics, and valuable perspectives from well-known leaders, 101 Leadership Insights provides thoughtful and practical guidance that’s readily available when you’re in a pinch.

Passport to Heaven, Micah Wilder, 02 Jun 2021

The True Story of a Zealous Mormon Missionary Who Discovers the Jesus He Never Knew

#PassporttoHeaven #NetGalley

Description (from NetGalley)

How a Modern-Day Saul of Tarsus Encountered the Life-Changing Love of God

When Mormon missionary Micah Wilder set his sights on bringing a Baptist pastor and his congregation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he couldn’t have imagined that the entire trajectory of his life was about to be changed—forever.

Micah’s passionate effort to convert these Christians was met by a surprising challenge: to read the Bible through the eyes of a child, letting the Word speak for itself. He learned of a God whose love didn’t have to be earned, and he wrestled with the radical idea of God’s mercy for the remaining 18 months of his mission. As he struggled to reconcile the teachings of his Church with the truths revealed in the Bible, he encountered the true character of Jesus for the first time—and awakened to his need for His grace.

Passport to Heaven is a gripping account of Micah’s journey from living as a devoted member of a religion based on human works to embracing the divine mercy and freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Raising Resilient Kids, Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, DrPH, MPH, 15 Jun 2021

8 Principles for Bringing Up Healthy, Happy, Successful Children Who Can Overcome Obstacles and Thrive despite Adversity

#RaisingResilientKids #NetGalley

Before I can even consider the content I have to nit-pick about the format of the chapters. It's a bit confusing... There are two parts, but part two is divided not only chapters but into weeks. Why not just ditch the double labelling and remove the chapters from part two? Then there are five separate appendixes, which just seems like a lot.

Part One: Get Ready... Get Set

Chapters:

1: A Mom in Hiding - this tells me the book is geared to moms, rather than both parents, why does it all fall on Mom?

2: A Resiliency Capital: Uncovering their Secrets

Part Two: Go!

Chapters:

3: Week 1: Digging Goats and Gardens

4: Week 2: Creating Balanced Kids

5: Week 3: Raring to Go

6: Week 4: Cultivate Life-Giving Relationships

7: Week 5: Following Your Spiritual GPS

8: Week 6: Embracing a Mountain-Moving Mindset

9: Week 7: Becoming the Solution

10: Week 8: Building a Legacy of Health (and Happiness!)

Questions for Discussion Groups

Appendixes with Resiliency Program Assessment Survey, Evaluation, Maintenance Scorecard, Recipes

Dinner Conversation Kick-Starter Questions

The chapters include a quote, the body, "Homework Time" - questions to consider, and endnotes. Each chapter is so jam-packed I'm exhausted just thinking about reading the whole book.

Description (from NetGalley)

With so many “experts” touting different approaches to raising thriving children, how do you know which is the best one?

Dr. Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, professor of public health at Loma Linda University and mom of three, had the same question. As a member of a community known worldwide for its health and longevity, often referred to as a Blue Zone, she decided to study the area’s many centenarians to find out what they—or their parents—did right in childhood to make them so resilient to stress, disease, and the adversities of life.

In Raising Resilient Kids, Dr. Spencer-Hwang reveals the intriguing findings from her research and offers eight principles for raising happier, healthier children who are equipped to flourish despite life’s inevitable adversities. 

Readers of Raising Resilient Kids will learn how to: 

• Empower children with determination, motivation, and empathy. 
• Win over picky eaters and others who resist new routines. 
• Reduce negative stress and boost happiness. 
• Instill the values that motivate children to serve and help others. 
• Enhance academic performance through healthy habits. 
• Help kids begin to explore their passions and purpose.

Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, Andy Stanley, 20 Oct 2020

5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move

#BetterDecisionsFewerRegrets #NetGalley

Chapters:

More Than a Decision

The Integrity Question: Am I Being Honest with Myself... Really?

The Legacy Question: What Story Do I Want to Tell?

The Conscience Question: Is There a Tension that Deserves My Attention?

The Maturity Question: What is the Wise Thing to Do?

The Relationship Question: What Does Love Require of Me?

The five questions are neatly listed in the Appendix.

Description (from NetGalley)

Good questions lead to better decisions. Discover five game-changing questions to ask every time you make a decision--questions that will help you in your finances, relationships, career, and more.

Your decisions determine the direction and quality of your life. Your decisions create the story of your life. And while nobody plans to complicate their life with bad decisions, far too many people have no plan to make good decisions.

This book will help you live differently.

In Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, Andy Stanley will help you learn from experience and stop making bad decisions by integrating five questions into every decision you make, big or small.

You'll discover how to:

• Develop a decision-making filter that reveals which choices will likely lead to positive results in your life.
• Avoid selling yourself on bad ideas and making quick decisions when time is short.
• Find truth and clarity in any tricky decision.
• Improve relationships and heal division through better decisions.
• Discover the reasons behind your decisions so you can move forward with positive changes.
• Consider the long-term impact of your choices so you can write a life story worth celebrating.
• Easily identify any red flags that signal which decisions may result in future regrets.

Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets will set you up for success in every season of life, for the rest of your life.

NetGalley Book Reviews: April

NetGalley helps influential readers discover and recommend new books to their audiences. NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Publishers make digital review copies and audiobooks available for the NetGalley community to discover, request, read, and review.

April Reviews (Title, Author, Publication Date)

The Well-Watered Woman, Gretchen Saffles, 06 Apr 2021

Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith

#TheWellWateredWoman #NetGalley

Divided into three parts: The Well, The Word, The Way

Chapters include a quote, a story, affirmations connected to Scripture verses, a statement about the well-watered woman, and endnotes.

Includes a summary of statements at the end as refreshers "about what it means to live the well-watered life."

I think the chapters would be too long for a morning devotional but might be good for discussion as a Bible study.

Description (from NetGalley)

Discover the bottomless, refreshing Well of God’s Word—and experience a fullness and peace beyond your circumstances.

In the chaos of our everyday, it can be difficult to live out and apply the truths of Scripture. We want more of Jesus, but we find ourselves looking to our own lives and accomplishments for our worth and identity. And while that may buoy us for a time, we’re often left feeling dried up, discouraged, and longing for more.

Gretchen Saffles knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish. In The Well-Watered Woman, Gretchen leads us to the Well of fullness, the Word of freedom, and the Way of fruitfulness. She teaches that God’s Word will satisfy us for all eternity.

Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom.

Finding Jesus in Everyday Moments, Anne Cetas, 06 Apr 2021

100-Day Devotional Journal for Women

#FindingJesusinEverydayMoments #NetGalley

Each chapter begins with "The Context," giving the Bible passage being looked at. Includes a Bible verse, story, thought, "Jesus Moment" with a reflection question and space to journal. Chapters end with either a list of Bible verses, lyrics from a song, inspiring words, additional questions, a prayer, or action steps.

At two pages, this would make a good daily devotional book.

Description (from NetGalley)

Through 100 story-driven, Bible-focused devotions, you will be reminded that a personal relationship with your Creator changes everything. Popular Our Daily Bread author Anne Cetas invites you to wrestle with the peaks and valleys of life. “Jesus moments" journaling prompts you to draw near to God and reflect on His presence during everyday moments. Extra features will guide you toward a genuine encounter with the Lord each time you pick up the book. 

Lent in Plain Sight, Jill J. Duffield, 14 Jan 2020
A Devotion through Ten Objects

#LentinPlainSight #NetGalley

Designed as a six week devotional from Ash Wednesday through to Easter Sunday. 

Chapters include Bible verse, story, questions for reflection, prayer. There is some white space at the end of the third page where one could add their own thoughts if desired.

This book comes across as unpretentious. Nothing showy or flowery about it. Just the basics for a daily devotional to focus our thoughts on the meaning of the season.

Description (from NetGalley)

God is often at work through the ordinary: ordinary people, ordinary objects, ordinary grace. Through the ordinary, God communicates epiphanies, salvation, revelation, and reconciliation. It is through the mundane that we hear Gods quiet voice.

In this devotion for the season of Lent, Jill J. Duffield draws readers attention to ten ordinary objects that Jesus would have encountered on his way to Jerusalem: dust, bread, the cross, coins, shoes, oil, coats, towels, thorns, and stones. In each object, readers will find meaning in the biblical account of Jesus final days. Each week, readers encounter a new object to consider through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. From Ash Wednesday to Easter, Lent in Plain Sight reminds Christians to open ourselves to the kingdom of God.

Living into Lent, Donald K. McKim, 14 Jan 2020

#LivingintoLent #NetGalley

Divided into seven parts: 

Following Jesus

Meditating

Praying

Loving

Thanking

Enacting

Gathering

Each two page daily devotional begins with Pray (prayer provided), Read (Bible verse), Reflect (quote), Consider (reading on following page), and Action Step.

There are sessions for group study, which include: main idea, preparing to lead, gathering (logistics), opening worship (prayer and reading), conversation (questions), and conclusion (prayer and hymn). Though likely intended for a small group Bible study, I can see using this for a family devotional in this format.

Notes on quotes are provided at the end, adding information about the people quoted in the Reflect portion. Endnotes are also in included.

Description (from NetGalley)

The Lenten journey is a shared journey. Christians join with others along the way of faith, following Jesus and seeking to live out the will and purpose of God. Living into Lent, written by noted theologian, educator, and author Donald K. McKim, sets aside time during the Lenten season for readers to reflect on their Christian identities, listen to Gods Word and will, and engage in practices that deepen the Christian experience through discipleship.

Whether used for congregational study or personal reflection, each reading features Scripture, devotion, theological quote, response, and prayer. Theological quotes, drawn from the history of the Reformed church, will help readers better understand Gods Word and its implications for the Lenten journey. Readings are enhanced by a seven-session study guide and questions for conversation.

Project 333 - 3rd season

I'm on my 3rd batch of 33 items for 3 months (April/May/June) - first batch being October/November/December, then January/February/March.

My red golf shift that I wore with my long cardigan mysteriously disappeared (found it once with a child's clothes but not again after that) so that effectively brought me down to 31 items. I added an aromatherapy pendant necklace, bringing it up to 32 items.

To do my switch to Spring/early Summer clothes, I took down the three boxes from the closet - two were clothes; one also had shoes, a hat, and a backpack purse. I examined the items I had set aside for the previous 3 months and started a donation pile with the ones that I really hadn't worn, or that I didn't feel great in. I took the shirts and pants out of my drawers and had a look at them. One of the shirts had seen better days so it was set aside. As I pulled things out of boxes I decided to donate some of them too.

I packed up a box of winter items. I tried on all the pants and shorts, am not keeping the ones that didn't fit. Anything that needed a camisole under it was not a keeper. I don't need extra layers, and I didn't want one top to use up 2 items!

My 33 items for the next 3 months are:

(same as last time)

1 pair of sunglasses

1 right hand ring

1 silver medallion aromatherapy necklace

4 t-shirts (9/11, Joyful, plus 2 different ones)

1 long sleeve shirt (green with white stripes)

1 pair of jeans

1 belt

1 pair of black jogging pants

1 light blue hoodie

1 navy scarf

1 black jacket

1 pair of black and grey running shoes

1 pair of black work shoes

1 pair of indoor flip flops (have always used but hadn't counted)

1 backpack

(new this time)

2 long sleeve work tops

5 short sleeve (3/4 length) work tops

3 pairs of workpants

2 pairs of capris (olive, jeans)

1 pair of shorts

1 pair of silver thong Birkenstocks

That's only 32 items but since my birthday will fall during this period I reserve the right to add something.