what we're reading

The kiddos and I have been on a big reading kick lately, and we wanted to share some of our favorite recent/current reads!

Jackson cemented his status as Junior Bookaholic of the household (I'm Senior Bookaholic, duh!) when he begged me to stay up until almost midnight reading Stuart Little in one sitting. I hadn't read it since my own childhood, so I had forgotten it's many charms and was as delighted to devour it as he was. In the week since, we have gone back to our favorite chapters numerous times to be entertained and inspired by the larger-than-life exploits of the tiny New York City native.

I decided to keep our momentum going, so the day after we read Stuart Little I broke out Island of the Blue Dolphins. It's a significantly more advanced read, but I figured it would keep Junior Bookaholic hooked with its compelling mix of adventure, suspense, and intrigue. I was right. Not only did Jackson get sucked in to the story (which is based on true events) but I even found Taro reading it aloud on several occasions, and he often asked what he had missed when the kids and I read it without him. We were all transfixed and inspired by the tale of young Karana, who is left to survive alone on a remote island for years, relying on her wits and resourcefulness to evade the many dangers that stalk her.

George and Martha is another classic that we recently became enamored of. It's a totally delightful read, the brevity and simplicity of which belies it's rather profound depiction of love and friendship.

Abbey loaned me her beloved copy of Bird by Bird several months ago, and the fact that I am just now nearing the final chapters is simply an indication of how much I love it, and that I have wanted to savor it and re-read as I go, and basically never have it end. Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors (Operating Instructions is a must-read for anyone with kids), so reading her observations and advice on writing and life feels like an amazing privilege. As always, her voice is uniquely funny, honest, and humane.

I'm just two chapters in to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, but I've already laughed out loud at least ten times, and I'm more sure than ever that I would love to be friends with Mindy Kaling.

What are you reading? Share in the comments!