In So Many Words

It’s been a good month for reading. I am starting to get into ebooks a bit more, although it’s still disconcerting at times not to have the feel a real book gives you.

I have posted a few more reviews at 5 Minutes for Books since last month’s post. My favorite was a short novel by teaching pastor Stephen Arterburn called The Encounter – very powerful story. I also really enjoyed Susan May Warren’s new novel The Shadow of Your Smile and got in some useful nonfiction reading with 7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt.

My most recent read was Gun Games by Faye Kellerman. Loved it, although I know it won’t be to everyone’s taste! While I’m still writing up that review, here are my thoughts of some of the other books I’ve read over the last month:

The Litigators by John Grisham – Not as gripping or fast-paced as some other Grisham books, but had some enjoyable moments. I’m not sure what it was specifically, but I just didn’t find that the characters or their problems pulled me in as much as I usually find with his stories. Still highly recommended compared to much of what is out there, just not my favorite of his. 3 out of 5 stars.

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata (2005 Newbery Medal Winner) – The writing seemed flat to me, and the outcome of the book seemed a foregone conclusion. Perhaps it might have been a better short story – the only part I really liked what the description of the word “kira-kira” in the beginning of the book. 1 out of 5 stars.

The Baker’s Wife by Erin Healy – Tough book to review, as my opinion on it kept changing. There’s something about Healy’s writing that kept me coming back even when I wasn’t sure I would pick the book up again. I found the characters of Audrey and Diane to be mesmerizing, while the rest seemed woefully underdeveloped by comparison. I thought there would be much more of a sense of urgency throughout the book as well, but I only really sensed it toward the end. 3 out of 5 stars.

Beauty and the Werewolf (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 6) by Mercedes Lackey – I think this was my favorite of this whole series so far. I read it in less than a day and enjoyed it thoroughly! Although it is essentially the tale of Beauty and the Beast, it opens with hints of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood and alludes to a number of other traditional tales as well. Isabella was the most intelligent and likable heroine in the 500 Kingdoms. I would definitely recommend this book. Reading the first book in the series might be a good idea, although not mandatory, as it would give you some background on how things work with Godmothers, the Tradition and such. 5 out of 5 stars.

Long Drive Home by Will Allison – This short but powerful novel is gripping in its intensity. The main character is a work-at-home dad who learns firsthand how seemingly insignificant choices can change your life, and that of your family, forever. 4 out of 5 stars.

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey – Personally, I started reading the book without realizing that it was part of a series, and I don’t feel like I missed a thing. I was instantly drawn into the action and found the characters to be well-drawn and intriguing. I always enjoy reading Tricia’s books (and not just because we share a first name!), but I think the co-writing effort with Mike Yorkey added another dimension to the story, and it was great. I am definitely planning to go back and read the first book now. 4 out of 5 stars.

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

How about you – what was your favorite read this month?

What a whirlwind of a month this has been for books – and not just because of what I’ve been reading, although I did finish 11 books since my last WOYN post.

No, the big news this month is that I have been asked to join the team at 5 Minutes for Books as a reviewer! This is such an awesome opportunity to find even more great reads and to share them with many more people than I can here, and I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing group of women (and bloggers).

So far, I have posted four reviews at 5MFB, one of which was actually for a children’s book app called The Sounds of Night. The books I reviewed are The Mercy by Beverly Lewis, 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber, and The Queen by Steven James. My next review will be for The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn, which I absolutely loved!

I read a bit more young adult fiction this month, plus the latest from Terri Blackstock (a favorite author), another short Christmas novel, and a fantastic new novel from Tracie Peterson:

• Messenger by Lois Lowry
• The Mirror of N’de by L.K. Malone
• The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
• Entwined by Heather Dixon
• Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock
• A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman
• House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

I also reviewed a couple of books that I had mentioned in my November post but hadn’t written about yet. Both were quite good.

• Asperger’s From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome by Michael John Carley
• Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber

Currently, my nightstand and bookshelf are overflowing with books, between my library stacks and all the review copies that have been coming in, so I’ll just show you a couple of pictures rather than try to list them all here.

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 11 books, bringing my total for the year to 109.

It’s been a good month for reading. This month I read a couple more books on my itouch, and I am definitely getting more comfortable with that format. It’s not as hard to focus on the text as it was in the beginning, which is nice.

For this month, I am planning to read a few more of the Newbery Winners as well as to get through a number of the non-fiction books I agreed to review. I also have a bunch of books requested through the library, so there are some fun ones coming in the near future, I hope!

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH

(click on the title for my review)

Fiction

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander – Enjoyable inspirational/ historical read – this was part of a blog tour.

Escape by Barbara Delinsky – A moderately engaging novel about a woman who loves her husband but isn’t sure what she wants out of her life.

Changes by Mercedes Lackey – A solid but predictable ending to the Collegium Chronicles trilogy, albeit with a number of unanswered questions still hanging about.

The Sleeping Beauty by Mercedes Lackey – Another fun installment in her Five Hundred Kingdoms fairy tale series.

Harvest Moon by Mercedes Lackey, Michelle Sagara, and Cameron Haley – A collection of three novellas. I did not finish this book, but am counting it since I read at least half of it.

Remembering You by Tricia Goyer – An inspirational story that is also a timely reminder about honoring those who fight for freedom, as well as about the importance of love and family in our lives. This was part of a blog tour, which includes a giveaway of her book as well as 2 Kindle Fires – one for you and one for a friend! You can enter here through 11/29.

An Engagement in Seattle by Debbie Macomber – Standard romance novel fare – two stories about someone searching for a spouse quickly and finding true love in the process. Totally formulaic and unrealistic, but fits the bill when you just have to have something to read!

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (2008 Newbery Winner) – An utterly enchanting collection of 19 short plays that explore the world of a medieval village through the eyes of the various children who live there. I loved this so much, I checked out the CD version to hear it performed aloud and am excited to see how it translates to this medium.

Non-Fiction

How Do I Teach This Kid to Read: Teaching Literacy Skills to Young Children with Autism, from Phonics to Fluency by Kimberly A. Henry – A very nice selection of activities for teaching phonics, fluency, and early reading comprehension, plus it includes a CD of printable resources.

Asperger’s From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome by Michael John Carley – review coming soon

Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber – review coming soon

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND

Fiction

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (2007 Newbery Winner) – about halfway through, withholding judgment until I finish
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins (2006 Newbery Winner)
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata (2005 Newbery Winner)
Messenger by Lois Lowry
Vicious Cycle by Terry Blackstock
Worth Dying For by Lee Child
House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

Non-Fiction

Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety by Tony Attwood
More Behavior Solutions In and Beyond the Inclusive Classroom by Beth Aune
No Longer A SECRET: Successful Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges by Doreit Bialer and Lucy Jane Miller
The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray – reading with Michael
Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined by Lisa Lewis
Asperger Awareness: A Key To Success For IT And Technical Managers by Stephen Plowright
Autism and Reading Comprehension: Ready-to-use Lessons for Teachers by Joseph Porter

What was your favorite read this month?

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 17 books, bringing my total for the year to 98. Wow – I didn’t realize there were so many until I counted them up for this!

I guess you can tell what I’ve been doing with all of my free time. Part of the additional reading can be attributed to the fact that I have increased my hours at work. Counter-intuitive, I know, but the change means that I am now taking a lunch break, otherwise known as reading time with no husband or child trying to get my attention!

I didn’t pull pictures for all of them since there are more than usual, but I tried to group them a bit so people can find what they are most interested in. Hopefully there’s something for everyone in this list!

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH
(click on the title for my review)

Contemporary Fiction
Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister
Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge
Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax
The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax

Fantasy
The Snow Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Inspirational Fiction
Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer
Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer
Learning by Karen Kingsbury
The Judgment by Beverly Lewis
Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Mystery
Spider Web by Earlene Fowler
New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb

Newbery Winners
Moon Over Manifest by Claire Vanderpool
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Non-Fiction
Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Young Adult
Turning Point by Melissa Luznicky Garrett

WHAT I’M PLANNING TO READ NEXT

Fiction

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
Remembering You by Tricia Goyer
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (2008 Newbery Winner)
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (2007 Newbery Winner)

Non-Fiction

Asperger’s From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome by Michael John Carley
The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray
How Do I Teach This Kid to Read?: Teaching Literacy Skills to Young Children with Autism, from Phonics to Reading Comprehension by Kimberly A. Henry
Autism and Reading Comprehension: Ready-to-use Lessons for Teachers by Joseph Porter

So, what’s on your nightstand?

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 10 more books, bringing my total for the year to 81.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH – (click on the title for my review)

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque

The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly

The Wedding Promise by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

Sensational Journeys: 48 Personal Stories of Sensory Processing Disorder by Hartley Steiner

Healer by Carol Cassella

Move About Activity Cards: Quick and Easy Sensory Activities to Help Children Refocus, Calm Down or Regain Energy by David Jereb, OTR/L & Kathy Jereb, COTA/L

Stress-Free Believers: Turn Worry into Faith, Turmoil into Peace by Harold Metzel

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Surrendered Sleep: A Biblical Perspective by Charles W. Page, MD

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND

Fiction

Read but haven’t written my review yet:
Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister
Spider Web by Earlene Fowler
Turning Point by Melissa Luznicky Garrett
The Snow Queen by Mercedes Lackey
Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax

To Read:
A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer
Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer
The Judgment by Beverly Lewis
The Mercy by Beverly Lewis
Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2009 Newbery Winner)
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2010 Newbery Winner)
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011 Newbery Winner)

Non-Fiction

Boundaries by Henry Cloud
The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray

So, what book are you in the middle of right now?

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 11 more books, bringing my total for the year to 71.

A couple of interesting things have happened this month on the reading front. Although I had been using Shelfari to keep track of my books, I decided to give Goodreads a try and am completely hooked. It’s the Facebook for readers, and I love it!!

Another thing that happened was my running across an intriguing young adult book by chance and being captivated enough to give it a read. It was an amazing book, and so I have decided to see what else I am missing and read through the Newbery Medal award winners. I checked out the 2010 and 2011 books today.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH – (click on the title for my review)

#61. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

#62. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

#63. Nobody Ever Told Me (or My Mother) That! by Diane Bahr

#64. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

#65. Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey

#66. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

#67. Friendship Bread by Darien Gee

#68. The Giver by Lois Lowry

#69. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

#70. The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Elwell Hunt

#71. Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND

Fiction

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Separate Beds by Elizabeth Buchan
Healer by Carol Wiley Cassela
The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2010 Newbery Winner)
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011 Newbery Winner)
Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax

Non-Fiction

Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Manage Anxiety by Tony Attwood – just started going through the workbook section with Michael
The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray – reading through with Michael, we’re somewhere around chapter 3 and learning a lot
MoveAbout Activity Cards by David & Kathy Jereb – have tried out quite a few and need to go through all of them to see what might be doable at school
The Book on Writing by Paula LaRocque – read and loved it, but haven’t written review yet
Stress-Free Believers by Harold Metzel – one chapter in, not totally on the same page with his theology but interested to read more
Sensational Journeys by Hartley Steiner – am about halfway through and enjoying it so far

So, what book are you most glad you read this month?

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 9 more books, bringing my total for the year to 60.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH – (click on the title for my full review)

#52. Chalk Line: A Ben Gallagher Mystery by Paula LaRocque ~ This is an ARC of her first novel, which is coming out on September 1st. I’m already looking forward to her next one.

#53. Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber ~ A Christmas novel from a few years ago that I just read on my iTouch Kindle app, thanks to my good friend L., who lets me borrow her books after she’s done with them.

#54. Time and Again by Nora Roberts ~ Romance novel with a time travel twist.

#55. The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs ~ A heartwarming story that makes you think about yourself, as a wife and mother, and as a person. without being preachy or pedantic.

#56. One of Our Thursdays Is Missing by Jasper Fforde ~ The sixth in the tongue-in-cheek series about Thursday Next, ace literary detective, and her adventures in the BookWorld.

#57. On Christmas Eve by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer ~ Maybe if I keep reading Christmas stories, the 90 degree heat will go away! I liked this book a lot, as I have the first 10 in the series up ’til now.

#58. The Child with Autism Learns about Faith by Kathy Labosh ~ An ideal resource to share with your children’s director or pastor, with its warm and inviting style and tons of useful information.

#59. Unlocking the Mysteries of Sensory Dysfunction by Elizabeth Anderson & Pauline Emmons ~ A good book for parents who are new to the idea of sensory dysfunction and trying to get an idea of what may be happening with their child and what they should do about it.

#60. Insights into Sensory Issues for Professionals by Kathleen Morris ~ With over 30 articles pulled from the S.I. Focus magazine, this book provides a window into some of the current research and clinical insights surrounding sensory processing disorder.

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND TO BE READ

After going through my TBR list and putting a bunch of stuff on hold at the library, I now have quite the stack of novels sitting next to my bed.

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Separate Beds by Elizabeth Buchan
Healer by Carol Wiley Cassela
The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee
How to Knit a Heart Back Home by Rachel Herron
How to Knit a Love Song by Rachel Herron
Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner
Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Everybody Loves Somebody by Joanna Scott
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax

I have also been letting the non-fiction pile up and am determined to make a dent on them in the next few weeks. They are mixed between personal purchases and review copies that I have received.

The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood
Exploring Feelings: CBT to Manage Anxiety by Tony Attwood
Nobody Ever Told Me (or My Mother) That! by Diane Bahr
The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray
Lost at School by Ross W. Greene
How Do I Teach This Kid to Read? by Kimberly A. Henry
MoveAbout Activity Cards by David & Kathy Jereb
You’re Going to Love This Kid! by Paula Kluth
The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque
Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis
From Anxiety to Meltdown by Deborah Lipsky
The Hidden Curriculum by Brenda Smith Myles
Autism & Reading Comprehension by Joseph Porter
Sensational Journeys by Hartley Steiner
Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids by Timothy E. Wilens
Pretending to Be Normal by Liane Holliday Willey

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

So, what’s your favorite book from the last month?

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 6 more books, bringing my total for the year to 51.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH
2011 Reads – Books 46-50 (review post)
Big Daddy’s Tales From the Lighter Side of Raising a Kid With Autism by F. Lewis Stark (read full review here)
Times Tables the Fun Way: A Picture Method of Learning the Multiplication Facts by Judy Liautaud and Dave Rodriguez
The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing in Children by Roya Ostovar, Ph.D. (read full review here)
Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

I’ve decided going forward to start posting my reviews separately instead of 5 at a time. While a lot of them will probably be fairly short, there are some books I want to say more about and it would help me to categorize them more clearly as well. I have also started keeping a master list for the year.

#51: Sarah’s Choice (Brides of Lehigh Canal, Book 3) by Wanda E. Brunstetter ~ review here

ODE TO A DNF
The Union Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
As much as I love the Elm Creek Quilts series, I just couldn’t get into this one. I much prefer the contemporary stories to the historical ones. I thought she did a good job of introducing the characters and setting up the story, but unfortunately it lagged a bit for me after that. If you haven’t read any of the other novels, however, I would recommend the first several in the series very highly!

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND TO BE READ
The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque
Chalk Line: A Ben Gallagher Mystery, also by Paula LaRocque ~ This is an ARC of her first novel, which is coming out on September 1st.

I don’t currently have any library books hanging around, which is very unusual for me. I do have a number of autism-related non-fiction books to review, so hopefully I can get caught up on those over the next month.

I have to admit, I have had a hard time focusing on novels lately and have been watching more TV shows – primarily because I can view an entire season at a time on Netflix without any commercials. I think I need to take time to check my TBR list against what’s available at the library to jumpstart my fiction reading again.

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 10 more books, bringing my total for the year to 45.

More importantly, I finally read one of the non-fiction books that has been on this list for months, plus a few others as well! To reward myself, I allowed myself to let loose on the fiction new arrivals shelf the last time I was at the library and ended up with the pile that is currently waiting to be read.

WHAT I’VE READ THIS MONTH
2011 Reads – Books 36-40 (review post)
The Damascus Way (Acts of Faith Series, Book 3) by T. Davis Bunn & Janette Oke
A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Treasured One (The Dreamers, Book 2) by David & Leigh Eddings
The Child with Autism at Home and in the Community by Kathy Labosh and LaNita Miller (read full review here)

2011 Reads – Books 41-45 (review post)
Starting Sensory Therapy: Fun Activities for the Home and Classroom! by Bonnie Arnwine
The Uncharted Path: My Journey with Late-Diagnosed Autism by Rachel B. Cohen-Rottenberg
The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism by Dr. Temple Grandin and Sean Barron
Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope
The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie by Wendy McClure

WHAT’S ON THE NIGHTSTAND TO BE READ
NON-FICTION
Times Tables the Fun Way: A Picture Method of Learning the Multiplication Facts by Judy Liautaud
iPod touch For Dummies by Tony Bove
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them by Ross W. Greene
Pretending to Be Normal: Living With Asperger’s Syndrome by Liane Holliday Willey
Big Daddy’s Tales From the Lighter Side of Raising a Kid With Autism by F. Lewis Stark

FICTION
Crystal Gorge (The Dreamers, Book 3) by David & Leigh Eddings
The Younger Gods (The Dreamers, Book 4) by David & Leigh Eddings
Sarah’s Choice (Brides of Lehigh Canal, Book 3) by Wanda E. Brunstetter
The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards
The Union Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel by Jan Karon

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books. You can also see all the books I’ve finished so far this year on the bookshelf on my Books page or check out all of my reviews by clicking on the 2011 Reads tag.

Since my last WOYN post, I have finished 10 more books, bringing my total for the year to 25.

I have broken down the list of what I read over the last month by which post included my (brief) comments on them so that you can easily check them out if you are so inclined. Just click on the links that say “mini review post” if you’d like to read any of them.

2011 Reads – Books 16-20 (mini review post)
The Best Kind of Different: Our Family’s Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome by Shonda Shilling
What I Didn’t See and Other Stories by Karen Joy Fowler
Fortune’s Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey
Reserved for the Cat (Elemental Masters, Book 5) by Mercedes Lackey
Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar, edited by Mercedes Lackey

2011 Reads – Books 21-25 (mini review post)
The Elder Gods (The Dreamers, Book 1) by David & Leigh Eddings
The Bishop (The Patrick Bowers Files, Book 4) by Steven James
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses!: The Sensory Avoider’s Survival Guide by John Taylor, PhD (click for full review)
Solemnly Swear by Nancy Moser

Notes on a Couple of DNFs
I would like to give a shout out to two books that I didn’t finish because they had to go back to the library and weren’t able to be renewed. Although I didn’t read every page, I was inspired by what I read in each of them (in different ways) and wanted to at least mention them here:

The first one is Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents’ Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. & Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D. This book is for anyone with a child who has difficulty with executive function skills, which include but are not limited to emotional control, planning and organization, working memory and the ability to shift from one thing to another. As the authors say, “If all you are doing is getting your child through the day, then you are only doing half your job! Adults working with disorganized children also need strategies that help kids to be successful and independent in the long run.”

The first half of the book focuses on the what, how and why of executive function skills and weaknesses, and the second half goes into much more detail on how to support a child with these difficulties both now and in the future. Although I personally have read much of this information in other books about autism, this particular text would be good for someone who really wants to focus on this area or who has a child with these types of difficulties that is not diagnosed with autism, or any other disorder for that matter.

The other book I wanted to mention is The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality by Sandy Coughlin. As someone who loves the idea of welcoming people into her home but is quite intimidated by the prospect, I really appreciated that this book offers down-to-earth advice along with practical tips on what to do. Although I did not finish the entire thing this go-around, I did find out that she has a blog, also called Reluctant Entertainer, so I can learn as I have time and opportunity.

“What’s On the Nightstand” to be read:
Lydia’s Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland
The Fire Rose (The Elemental Masters Fairy Tales) by Mercedes Lackey
Phoenix and Ashes (Elemental Masters, Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey
Changelings (The Twins of Petaybee, Book 1) by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
Washington’s Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) by Nancy Moser
The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism by Dr. Temple Grandin and Sean Barron
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them by Ross W. Greene

To read more posts or join in yourself, visit What’s On Your Nightstand? at 5 Minutes for Books.

You can see all the books I’ve finished so far this year on the bookshelf on my Books page or read all of my mini reviews by clicking on the 2011 Reads tag. I am also joining in on the Spring Reading Thing hosted by Callapidder Days, and you can see my list of what I plan to read this spring at my SRT11 post.