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My name is Ardis and I am an avid reader and budding writer. I want to share my love of books with others. I work with kids and am interested in finding and creating books that will ignite the reader in everyone. Contact me at: ardis.atkins@gmail.com

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MsArdychan's bookshelf: read

I Owe You One
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Love, Hate & Other Filters
The Wartime Sisters
The Belles
The Gilded Wolves
Hey, Kiddo
Blackberry and Wild Rose
Queen of Air and Darkness
Firestarter
The Retribution of Mara Dyer
The Evolution of Mara Dyer


MsArdychan's favorite books »

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Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Saturday, February 1, 2020

Stacking The Shelves & Sunday Post #5



I am combining two great weekly blog hops:  Stacking The Shelves by Team Tynga's Reviews, and Sunday Post by Caffeinated Reviewer.  I hope to read as many of the blogs from these two hops as possible because I love to see what everyone is reading!

If you enjoy my blog, please consider following me at Bloglovin, Goodreads, or Twitter.  Let me know you're a new follower so I can follow you back!

Happenings:
This week, we took a very quick trip across the country to see our sweet kid in Providence, Rhode Island.  Her professor put some of her work in the Triennial show for their department, and we wanted to support her!
 
While it did not snow, it was really cold!  The temperature was mostly in the 20's (Fahrenheit), and we did a lot of walking around those hills.  But it was so worth it.

We got to see my daughter working on a project, loving the moment it all came together to look like what she envisioned.  The class theme is Monsters...



We also helped her move this giant sculpture from the dorm workroom to the classroom (several blocks away).  While decidedly NOT fun, I was happy to assist. 

The next day was her show.  It was so fun to see, not only her work, but those of many of her friends.



She also got to get a glimpse of what her professors might assign next semester! 

We had to leave the next day, but I loved that we got to spend this time with our kid.

Reading:
With all that travel time, I read two books and enjoyed them both very much.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48381373-far-away-bird?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=PVX4xWPiJ7&rank=1https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38325332-all-the-stars-and-teeth?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0NooJFPZ9X&rank=1
 Reviews will be posted this week on the blog, and on Goodreads.

New Books:
Library:
 
I'm currently reading Almost American Girl, by Robin Ha.  

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45449811-almost-american-girl?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=YlHg1WOIju&rank=1

This is a graphic novel by an alum of RISD (where my daughter goes to school).  It is quite emotional, and I am loving it.

I am happy to be back in sunny California!  Stay warm and I hope you read something wonderful this week!
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Monday, December 21, 2015

As We Stress, So Do Others...

                    
via GIPHY

 Tis' the season for Stressing Out! So many people I know are really stressed this time of year.  For a mom like me, the triggers are trying to get Christmas stuff together (teacher gifts, gifts for friends, gifts for family, etc.), worrying about money, and wondering how we are going to get everything done on time.  For students, the worries are about getting projects and homework done, and thinking about Finals.  The pressure to get perfect grades, particularly in high school is intense.

 I have read two separate blog posts of late where students are so stressed out and they are silently screaming to their parents to back off.  I have high school students and I know first hand that the pressure is real.  I have tried to let my kids know that passing grades are what matters.  But some of the biggest pressure comes from teachers and other students, especially at competitive schools.  It is heartbreaking to see all these very bright students freaking out.  But what can be done?

 While we can't control how teachers and other students behave, we can think about our own actions.  How about as adults that we, ourselves, calm down.  I need to do this as much as anyone.  I have one kid who is doing well in school and another kid who is close to failing.  I am been so worried and I know I am projecting this on to this kid.  My fear is that this kid won't be able to go to a U.C. (University of California).  But, maybe that is not the worst thing in the world to occur?  I myself went to a community college for two years before transferring to a great university.  It took me five years to get my degree, but I did it.  I think as parents (and teachers) we need to stop buying in to the notion that all kids need to go to university right after high school.  Some students may need time to experience life before they are ready to commit to college.  Some others will find another path entirely.  But THIS IS THEIR JOURNEY, NOT OURS.  

 Let's show some respect for all that these young people are doing.  High school is very demanding.  If we adults had to work 8 hours a day, and then come home and do 4 more hours of work (plus volunteer and participate in a sport), we would be tearing our hair out, too.  We would either ask for more money or look for another job, right?  But kids are stuck in this job until they graduate.

 I hope in the new year that we can make a point to care, to guide, and then to BACK OFF of our students.   And I need to do this as much as anyone.
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Monday, September 7, 2015

One false word



via GIPHY

As I have become more involved with social media over the past few months, I have noticed how easy it is to offend others.  On Twitter, I follow several famous people such as Taylor Swift, and Maggie Stiefvater.  They seem to step in to controversy every time they tweet.  People are eager to pass judgement on each tweet, looking for offense.  I have even been flamed by some white supremacists for liking a tweet on social justice.  Even on a small scale (as in my case), it is extremely upsetting.  I can't imagine how someone with thousands of haters could handle all that negativity.

 The problem with tweeting (and writing in general) is that things such as tone of voice, humor, sarcasm, and all the other subtleties of speech cannot easily be conveyed through reading.  Misunderstandings will inevitably happen.  "Oh", you say, "I knew exactly what that person really meant".

 But did you?

 I may be naive to say this, but I am making a plea:  When you see a tweet or post you think is offensive, take a breath before responding.  Will your retort help the situation?  Is it kind?  Will you change the person's mind?  Or are you going to haul off on someone to make yourself feel better?

 I know that it may feel good to give your two cents and reply to what you think is an obnoxious tweet or post.  But what will this really add to the conversation?

 I have a lot of friends on Facebook.  Many are people I knew in high school and I am happy that there is a way to keep in touch with them.  But as a new Presidential campaign heats up, I dread even going online.  Much to my chagrin, many of my Facebook friend's views are on the opposite end of the idealogical spectrum from my own.  Very often they write or like posts that make me cringe.  But I need to remember that it is NEVER a good idea to get into a cyber-fight over ideology.  I value my friends and respect that they may have different opinions from me. Happily, most of these people are also respectful of my views and don't attack me either.

 And it is perfectly acceptable to take a break from social media when the atmosphere becomes too toxic.  I would rather step back, than get involved in depressing arguments with my friends.

 What do you think?  Am I a spineless wimp for not being vocal and standing up for my beliefs?  Or am I practicing diplomacy?  I would love to hear your (respectful) opinions.  What do you do in these situations?
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Friday, July 17, 2015

Reading multiple books at the same time

I have a confession to make.  I have an entire shelf filled with 44 TBR books!  It's situated right next to my bed, so my eyes can drift over there throughout the night and I can feel guilty.  What guilt, you may ask?  For spending so much money on books, for buying a book I know will Rock, but then letting it languish on the shelf for months.

 So, I have tried  to start reading multiple books at once.  Take a look at my GoodReads list right now, and I think it has 7 books under "Currently Reading".  Try as I might, I just can't seems to flip between all these different books.

My mom, Rita, was also an avid reader.  I would be astonished as went to the library to pick up her many books from the Librarian.  She seemed to have a system:  Put a different book near each chair she sat in along the day.  She then would sit in a chair and pickup that book.  Move to another room?  Start reading a different book.  It was like flipping between channels on the TV.

 For me, I struggle to read more than one book at a time.  Firstly, if I get really into a story, I don't want to stop reading it.  I want to see the book through to it's resolution.  Secondly, reading two or more books at once feels to me like channel surfing; it is impossible for me to follow different stories at the same time, particularly since I tend to read mainly one genre.  Which dystopian society are we in now?  Which plan will they use to save the world?  Did this heroine have a superpower or a hidden talent?  It's just too confusing!

 So, for me, I will be a one-book-at-a-time kind of girl.  How about you?  Leave a comment and tell me if you can do the reading shuffle.
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MsArdychan has read 7 books toward her goal of 96 books.
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