Recent Reads - Find Momo Across Europe

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - Let me start by saying I bought this book with the intention of sharing it with our dog-crazy granddaughter. When we showed her the book she recognized Momo (the dog) because she has a 'find Momo' book geared to children. We have spent some time with our granddaughter picking out Momo in the photographs, and some are quite challenging. I initially hesitated on including this book in the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge because it looks like a children's picture book, but it's full of information and insights about traveling in Europe.

Author and photographer Andrew Knapp travels with his faithful border collie named Momo and has a series of Find Momo books about their adventures. The photos feature breathtaking landscapes, rural villages, bustling cities, historic sites, and more; and in each photo the reader is invited to find Momo posing somewhere. It's not always easy! I found myself studying the details of architecture and landscapes and even the people while wondering where Momo might be.

Knapp includes brief commentary on the places visited, giving tips on places to see that might be off the usual beaten path of tourists, and he makes a point of telling readers which places are dog-friendly. I don't have a dog and don't have plans to travel in Europe in the near future, but I found it interesting that it seems like European cities are much more amenable to patrons bringing their dogs into cafes and other places than most American cities. 

This book has a cover without people on it (#24) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

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 ©2008-2024 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Composition as Conversation

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

Composition As Conversation by Heather M. Hoover - Although this concise guide to writing well is not a traditional textbook, it does offer valuable advice to students and instructors alike on how to improve the craft. Based on her experience as a college writing instructor, Hoover approaches composition as an ongoing conversation between the writer and readers. She begins with a question asked of her students about what makes a person an excellent conversationalist, and then applies seven of the top characteristics to the discipline of writing. This paradigm shift can invite and inspire writers to be more respectful and willing to continue learning about their subjects.

The suggestions and instructions are geared for college level students and classrooms, but I think the ideas could be adapted and incorporated into high school classrooms as well. In fact, high school students would benefit from learning how to be attentive and open-minded as they are developing their writing skills in preparation for college research. 

In my opinion, this book is best suited as a resource for writing instructors who wish to make their classroom more interesting and engaging, and inspire quality conversations and writing from their students. There is no lesson plan or syllabus, but many ideas for engaging students in ongoing discussions that will help them learn to listen and read attentively, and put their research and thoughts into more meaningful and relatable written conversations. There is an appendix of samples and templates for revision guides and peer reviews and the like that would be very helpful to many instructors. Certainly more advanced writers, especially at the college level, will find the book very helpful as well.

In keeping with her theme, Hoover's writing is conversational in tone and inspired me to ponder the ideas more deeply and consider how the suggestions could be useful in my high school level class for homeschool students. I was intrigued enough to purchase a paperback of the book when I was only about halfway through the digital ARC I received, so that I could easily highlight and annotate the instruction ideas I most wanted to incorporate into my classroom. 

From the publisher:

Teaching writing is not for the faint of heart, but it can be a tremendous gift to teachers and students. Students often approach writing courses with trepidation because they think of writing as a mystical and opaque process. Teachers often approach these same courses with dread because of the enormous workload and the often-unpolished skills of new writers. This approachable composition textbook for beginning writers contends that writing can be a better experience for everyone when taught as an empathetic and respectful conversation. In a time in which discourse is not always civil and language is not always tended carefully, a conversation-based wrirting approach emphasizes intention and care.

Written by a teacher with more than fifteen years of experience in the college writing classroom, Composition as Conversation explores what happens when the art of conversation meets the art of writing. Heather Hoover shows how seven virtues―including curiosity, attentiveness, relatability, open-mindedness, and generosity―inform the writing process and can help students become more effective writers. She invites writers of all skill levels to make meaningful contributions with their writing.

This short, accessible, and instructive book offers a reflective method for college-level writing and will also work well in classical school, high school, and homeschool context. It demystifies the writing process and helps students understand why their writing matters. It will energize teachers of writing as they encourage their students to become careful readers and observers, intentional listeners, and empathetic arguers. The book also provides helpful sample assignments.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Academic through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

#CompositionasConversation  #NetGalley

This is a book under 200 pages (#6) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for June 23, 2023

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Before I share my teasers, I'm going to do a quick tease on the Book Review Bulletin, a monthly link-up for review posts. I'm just starting out with this project, and will see how it goes! The Book Review Bulletin for July will open on June 28th (yes, a couple days before the beginning of July!), and I hope you'll drop by and share a review or two. 

And now for some First Lines:

I'm featuring something a little more academic this week. One of my side gigs for the past several years has been teaching Literature and Writing to high school age students at a homeschool co-op. It is one of my favorite things to do, honestly! I've taught both Fiction and Non-fiction writing, and this coming school year the current plan is for me to teach the Non-fiction class remotely. So when the following book was available for me to review, I thought it would be very useful and interesting as I prepared to teach. It is good reading for me, and I'm enjoying it, but I suppose it's not for everyone!

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Introduction

Composition as Conversation: Engaging in Meaningful Academic Dialogue

The composition classroom is much more than word counts and gallons of spilled red ink, and yet even the most enthusiastic writing instructor may have difficulty fostering a love of academic writing in students.

~From the beginning of Composition As Conversation by Heather M. Hoover

Teaching writing is not for the faint of heart, but it can be a tremendous gift to teachers and students. Students often approach writing courses with trepidation because they think of writing as a mystical and opaque process. Teachers often approach these same courses with dread because of the enormous workload and the often-unpolished skills of new writers. This approachable composition textbook for beginning writers contends that writing can be a better experience for everyone when taught as an empathetic and respectful conversation. In a time in which discourse is not always civil and language is not always tended carefully, a conversation-based wrirting approach emphasizes intention and care.

Written by a teacher with more than fifteen years of experience in the college writing classroom, Composition as Conversation explores what happens when the art of conversation meets the art of writing. Heather Hoover shows how seven virtues―including curiosity, attentiveness, relatability, open-mindedness, and generosity―inform the writing process and can help students become more effective writers. She invites writers of all skill levels to make meaningful contributions with their writing.

This short, accessible, and instructive book offers a reflective method for college-level writing and will also work well in classical school, high school, and homeschool context. It demystifies the writing process and helps students understand why their writing matters. It will energize teachers of writing as they encourage their students to become careful readers and observers, intentional listeners, and empathetic arguers. The book also provides helpful sample assignments.

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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Rodin's famous sculpture The Thinker at first seems to support the idea of an individual pondering powerful questions alone. But Rodin's Thinker emerged from the clay only with the help of the artist, who in turn was deep in conversation with his artistic community, particularly Michelangelo, and with Dante's Inferno, which inspired the work.

~at 56% of Composition As Conversation by Heather M. Hoover

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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And here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: What questions would you ask any author if you had the chance?

My Answer: Wow, I do not know. I think that in general I'm curious about the writing process for authors - how they develop their ideas and plan out the plots, especially for mysteries. There are some authors I think I'd just enjoy sitting with for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee, and see what kinds of questions come up in conversation.

Book Blogger Hop

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - After The Boxes Are Unpacked

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In by Susan Miller - A little time has passed since I finished reading this helpful guidebook, and I realized I hadn't written a review! I guess I'll try to keep  it short.

I received this book from a dear friend who discovered that it was given to wives of seminary students at a particular school, in order to help them navigate their experiences. It's also especially helpful for military wives who are so often on the move. Author Susan Miller had moved many times throughout her marriage and drew from her experiences, both positive and negative, to develop a ministry and this book that would help women in "Moving On After Moving In".

The biggest challenge that often faces us after a move is making the new place our home instead of just our new address. Learning the way around the new neighborhoods, figuring out new schools and shopping and doctors and churches, settling into the new house or apartment, and perhaps most importantly, making new connections and relationships can be daunting. It's all exacerbated if the move was unexpected or unwanted, or if it accompanies other losses. Miller gives permission to acknowledge all the losses and the grief that accompanies a move, but also firmly and gently points out that it's necessary to move on. She offers sound advice about planning logistics as well as adjusting thinking and attitudes to embrace the reality of a new situation gracefully. 

I believe this book was first published in the mid-1990s when internet resources and connections weren't quite as ubiquitous as they are now, but from my own experience I'd say the virtual connections and abundant online resources are both blessing and curse for movers. Finding information about a new locality and doing all the things like address changes and finding new doctors can certainly be done with ease thanks to the internet. It's also easier to stay in touch with friends "back home" and I didn't have to miss a beat with my online friends. But in my opinion, that also takes away some of the urgency of finding new friends and connecting personally at a church or other local community. 

If you or a loved one has recently made a move or will be making one soon, I do recommend this book. It's full of common sense wisdom from someone who has been there, both practical and spiritual. It's encouraging and kindly challenging in its reminders to keep growing closer to God during times of transition and transplanting.

This is a book that doesn't fit any of the other prompts (#51) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't) by Betty White - Everybody loved Betty White. Absolutely everybody. She was sweet and funny, and we all thought she would live forever. This particular memoir was written about ten years before this beloved actress did pass away, and it's been on my To-Read list for many years. It was a delight to finally read it.

Betty starts out with a Foreword in longhand, and in a couple of places in the book she mentions that she writes exclusively in longhand. She makes quips about getting older and seems quite willing to laugh at herself, but always with cheerful optimism and a sense of gratitude and appreciation for all that she has in life. The book is a series of short anecdotes and reflections organized into sections. She talks about her career and some of the people she's been lucky to work with, about friends and how she likes to spend her time. 

Although there's a whole section of stories about animals, stories and mentions of her pets and her love for animals are sprinkled throughout the book. Betty was well-known as an animal lover and she worked with many animal welfare groups like the SPCA. 

Her positive attitude and joy in life comes through in every little story. She was kind and gracious to everyone―no jokes at anyone's expense, and you won't find her dishing any dirt. Betty was the consummate good sport about everything, and in my opinion she represented the best of what Hollywood has ever had to offer. She was one of a kind.

This is a book featuring a character that works with animals for the March 2023 Mini-Challenge.

This is a book with a subtitle (#1) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - It Happened In Ohio

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

It Happened In Ohio by Carol Cartaino - On my very first trip to my local library here in my new home state of Ohio, I wandered up and down several shelves, including the section where one would find books on the history of the state. I picked up this easy-to-read overview of many of the events and people that have been important in Ohio's history.

Author Cartaino is herself a transplant to the state, having lived here since 1978. She admits in the Introduction that she knew very little about Ohio when she first arrived, and even "wondered . . . whether you could take a state with only four letters in its name seriously". Her research and the years spent here getting to know Ohio personally combine in the book with brief history lessons presented almost like a series of short stories. The history starts with a discussion of the Serpent Mound and other similar sites attributed to ancient Indians, and then jumps forward to the time of the French and Indian War. From there the stories march through Ohio's history touching on armed conflicts, founding of towns, westward migration, crime stories, and student and worker protests of various types. Sprinkled throughout are one-page biographies of famous Ohioans including Ulysses S. Grant, Jesse Owens, Paul Newman, and Erma Bombeck. 

When I was partway through the informative book, I began to bemoan the lack of a map so I could see where all the historic sites are in relation to where I live. And then discovered, there is indeed a map in the front matter, but on the back side of one of the Table of Contents page, which is why I initially missed it. I would have appreciated a summary of museums and other sites that can be visited today, as that would save much of the guesswork. Overall, an interesting history in short chapters, all presented in a conversational and unbiased tone.

This title starts with the letter I (#5) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

 ©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for January 6, 2022

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Just over a month ago, we moved to Ohio, and just before the holidays, I got my new local library card. I tested it out by borrowing a book about Ohio history, because isn't that what readers do?

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The solid oak planks of the boat held, but the treasured pie safe - and the crate of chickens - toppled into the roiling water. Peter could swim, but it was dark and the waves were moving fast, so he only managed to save the chickens, since they were easy to locate by their shrieking.

~from page 56 of It Happened In Ohio by Carol Cartaino

True Tales from the Buckeye State's Past - from the birth of Tecumseh to the Bicentennial Barnstorm

For a small state, Ohio has had a big impact on America. This agricultural, political, and industrial power has long been known for the vigor, earnestness, and imagination of its citizens. It Happened in Ohio goes behind the scenes to tell its story, in short episodes that reveal the intriguing people and events that have shaped the Buckeye State.

 

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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I moved to southern Ohio in 1978 from what the people around here call "up East." I wondered before I left whether you could take a state with only four letters in its name seriously and knew only that Ohio seemed to be a fairly flat, bland place beyond the mountains of Pennsylvania. 

~From the beginning of It Happened In Ohio by Carol Cartaino

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

***************

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

***************

And here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: What was the first book you read this year?

My Answer: I haven't quite finished it yet, but I will count Obedient Unto Death by Liisa Eyerly as my first book completed. I actually started it in the summer but was unable to finish at the time, so I was able to skim the beginning to remind myself before settling in to find out how all the clues in this murder mystery fit together. Review coming soon!

Book Blogger Hop

 ©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - Atomic Habits

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Atomic Habits by James Clear - This practical guide to building beneficial habits gives lots of background information, research data, anecdotes, and examples of how making small incremental changes can have a big impact. The author begins with his own background story of a devastating injury in his teens compelled him to work on developing daily habits to help him recover and feel some control and order in his world. He kept notes about his own experiments in building habits and began writing about it, eventually delving into the related research and developing a blog and newsletter to help others in this area. 

The concepts he presents make sense, and the basic premise is quite simple. By making productive habits easy and rewarding through small but smart strategies, those good habits become part of you and compound into successful changes. The same approach can be used in reverse to break harmful habits. 

After establishing the fundamentals of how small changes result in big differences, the strategies are presented as four Laws - make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. Clear explains how to put each of these laws into practice to intentionally build habits, and gives the reader charts (and access to his resources online) to help. 

Overall, this book is easy to read and encouraging; and would be practical for almost anyone - students, parents, business people, or anyone who sees the need to make changes to their daily routines in order to achieve their goals and be more productive. 

This is a Non-Fiction Bestseller (#7) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for December 17, 2021

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

The key to creating good habits and breaking bad ones is to understand these fundamental laws and how to alter them to your specifications. Every goal is doomed to fail if it goes against the grain of human nature.

~from page 55 of Atomic Habits by James Clear

(page 56 is blank!)

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

***************

On the final day of my sophomore year of high school, I was hit in the face with a baseball bat. As my classmate took a full swing, the bat slipped out of his hands and came flying toward me before striking me directly between the eyes. I have no memory of the moment of impact.

~From the Introduction to Atomic Habits by James Clear 

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

***************

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.