Image Map


Teaching Sam and Scout

Teaching, Motherhood, and Life In-Between

Best Year Ever: 6 Ways Instagram Has Made Me a Better Teacher

Well, hello there friends! It’s been a minute (or several).

But, here I am, so… let’s just jump right in.

It is Week 3 of my 13th year of teaching – which is CRAZY to me. Yes, crazy that we started school at the beginning of August, but more crazy that I’ve been doing this for 13 years. I’m halfway through my career give or take a little… I’ve said this before, but when I first started teaching, I honestly could not IMAGINE how people did this job for 25+ years… Now, I see how fast the time FLIES by. I guess that’s what happens when you love what you do. And I really, really do: Every year more than year the year before. Last year, in fact, was one of my best years in the classroom EVER.

Today, I’m sharing five ways Instagram has inspired me and made me a better teacher recently. Hopefully, you’ll pick up an idea or two and even add to the list with your own inspiration in the comments!

1.) Classroom decor & set-up

I’ve always cared about the space I’m working in, but about a year ago, I finally felt like I had the energy and time/resources to go “all in” in creating a classroom that really felt like home to my students. (Please note, that was ELEVEN YEARS into my career. I don’t think this should be anyone’s first/top priority or that it makes anyone a good teacher!)

There are a lot of articles etc. out there suggesting that “flexible seating” options actually improve student focus and learning (and, in fairness, plenty saying the opposite too), but the bottom line – for me – is this: I want my students to WANT to come to my class, to ENJOY reading/writing/discussing/learning, and to get a sense that I care about them and I know them when they step through my door. A more casual, welcoming learning environment does that for us. Now, when we discuss books on the couch over coffee, it feels more like a Book Club than like being in school; and, I hear from them over and over again, that that matters. So, until it stops working for me, I’ll keep adding and adapting and making my classroom a safe, happy, and comfortable place for my kiddos!

2.) More diverse and current literature + More Book Clubs & student choice

Three years ago (ish), I wrote a blog post that shared my entire curriculum for ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade English. I was really proud to share it, and I got mostly positive feedback about it, except for one comment that has haunted me every since. The commenter basically called me out for only teaching books written by “white men,” and she was absolutely right. It was horrified to realize that I’d never even noticed how NOT inclusive my reading list was… I *believed* in featuring diverse voices in my classroom and giving kids literature that provided “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors,” but my syllabus sure didn’t show it…

Then and there, I vowed to do better, and I have. I still have a long way to go, but, slowly but surely, I am building a library I’m proud of that is representative of ALL my students. Because of funding, school norms, etc. it wasn’t an overnight change; but small steps – a new book or two every year, following organizations like @projectlitcomm on Instagram, giving my students choice in the things they read, taking risks and trying something different – have added up to a significantly more well-rounded library/curriculum; and my students and I both are SO MUCH better off as a result!

Speaking of student choice, as my classroom library has developed, I’ve been doing more Book Clubs / Lit Circles where students sample and choose from several different books to read and discuss in small groups OR simply choose a book they want/are excited to read to read independently instead of whole-class reads. *Full disclosure, I still do whole-class reads for a lot of the year, but I have implemented this methodology for at least one unit in each of my three classes, and it is a FAVORITE (of mine and theirs) every time. I hope to do even more in the future!

*One of my favorite ways to assess Independent reading is with creative One-Pagers (shown above).

3.) Teaching with Podcasts

I’ve taught the Serial podcast (using my own version of these plans) for awhile now, and it is one of our best units every year. Students get SO into the story, and we have a blast dissecting Koenig’s rhetoric, studying satire with the SNL spoof, and – ultimately – writing our own arguments for or against Adnan’s innocence. It is one of those lessons that checks all the boxes for my AP Language class, so it’s kind-of silly that it has taken me so long to add even more podcasts to my curriculum…

Podcasts are SUCH a big part of culture today, and I really suspect that they will be recognized more and more as a form of storytelling art (i.e. literature) in the future, so it makes sense to use them to supplement discussions and studies whenever I can. Thanks to lots of IG inspiration, I’m excited to use an episode of Gangster Capitalism this year with The Great Gatsby and American Hysteria with The Crucible, to start. I’m also working on an entire intro to persuasion unit with my ninth graders based on Smash Boom Best (one of my 2nd grader’s favorites) later this year that I think will be lots of fun and super effective.

4.) Classroom Transformations

A classroom transformation is, essentially, turning your classroom into something else (a masquerade ball for Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet, a crime scene for The Tell-Tale Heart, a funeral for the end of Gatsby) to bring the literature (or whatever it is you are studying that day) “alive” for students. These are super fun and, in my experience, the students (even high schoolers) REALLY get into them and appreciate the extra effort it takes on your part to transform your classroom..

There are some REALLY amazing examples of these on Instagram, but I tend to actually keep them pretty simple… For example, I just finished “Kindergarten Day” with my ninth graders where I set tables with brightly colored paper, markers, scissors, and glue, played “The Wheels on the Bus” over my speakers, and served goldfish crackers while we read children’s books to review the elements of a narrative. We all had a blast and the total money/energy exerted on my part was minimal.

I started small and have slowly added more and more of these. Last year, I “invested” in some yellow crime tape, black roses, cobwebs, and a cardboard casket (on sale at the Dollar Store after Halloween) + some battery operated tea lights, a wedding veil, and a bunch of cheap plastic tablecloths. (Target Dollar Spot is GREAT). You’d be shocked at how much I’m able to use just these few items! ALSO, when I’m in a hurry or on a strict budget, I’ve found that a great Google image projected onto the board + an Amazon Prime playlist goes a long way too!

5.) Stations instead of Power Points

This probably seems small, but it is the change that I have implemented the most easily and the most often over the last year… Though I occasionally still give a lecture with a Power Point, I have now adapted most of my lessons into more interactive STATIONS that get students moving around the room and actually ENGAGING with the content of the day instead of just staring at me / pretending to listen.

I did this the first day of school with “Back to School Stations” that had kids talking to each other, being creative, and close reading instead of just sitting in chairs reviewing the syllabus. I also love stations for introducing context before a novel study, reviewing concepts, and analyzing short works like political cartoons, speeches, quotes, etc. There are a ton of great station activities for high school English classes on Teachers Pay Teachers, but I’ve found that they are really easy to create in yourself PowerPoint too… Just ask yourself, “What do I want students to learn today?” then break that up into small, actionable parts, type up instructions on slides, print, and go!

6.) Daily Agendas

This is a last minute add-on, but also an ESSENTIAL part of the positive changes I’ve made over the last year or so: posting a Daily Agenda for students at the start of EVERY class. (Mine is from Write on with Miss G’s TPT store and WELL worth the $1.25 in my opinion.)

I LOVE lesson planning – really, I do – but I have long struggled with the most efficient and effective way to do it. Daily Agendas have been exactly what I needed! Basically, I write all my plans paper/pencil in my Simplified Teacher Planner (more on that soon – promise) and then I transfer them to student-friendly language and add a cute Bitmoji on my Daily Agenda slides. These slides (which I easily converted from Power Point to Google) are then linked on my class Blackboard page so that students can access the most up-to-date, real-time plans at any point. This saves me the extra step of having to “post” something every week, and the kids find it easy and accessible. THEN, during class, I project that day’s slide on my ActivPanel when students enter my classroom and serve as a guide through that day’s lesson. While I think having a clear agenda is great for my students, more than anything, it is a visual reminder FOR ME of what I need to get through each day + special announcements, reminders, etc. I need to make sure to share. This keeps me SO much for more organized / on track, and… they are fun to make too!

SO, there you go! If you want more from me / my classroom, please make sure you’re following ME on Instagram too @samandscout and especially watching #samandscoutclassroom.

For now, let me know what changes you’ve made in your classroom recently to keep things fresh, engaging, organized, etc. Are you using podcasts? Which ones? What’s on your Daily Agenda? What’s your favorite classroom transformation? Let’s chat!!!

XOXO,

E

P.S. Want to know exactly WHERE I got all these ideas and inspiration? Check out my blog post: My Favorite ELA Teachers on Instagram or the Instagram post where I tagged some of my tried and true favorites!

P.S.S. It’s also worth noting that I met many of the lovely ladies behind these Instagram accounts and got to experience some in-real-life inspiration at the Keeping the Wonder Workshop last fall. This was a GAME CHANGER for me, and I strongly recommend it if you ever have the opportunity to attend one of their sessions. (There’s also a Virtual Conference you can learn more about at the link too!)

When Someone You Love Loses Someone She Loves: Grief & The Tribe

*If you aren’t familiar with my sister’s story, you can read a little about it here and here, for context. Also, if you missed it, you should probably see what I had to say about her on her birthday earlier this month here too.

My mom took this picture back in February when we went with my sister to the Outer Banks to remember my brother-in-law on what would have been his 41st birthday and spread his ashes on the beach where they got married and spent many many happy days. It’s my favorite photo from that weekend because it so perfectly illustrates the grief experience from my perspective… Notice Kathryn is at the ocean alone. The water is rough and scary at times, and peaceful and calm at others. It is vast, and you can’t see where it ends…

When she looks only that one way, she’s all alone; but, from the other direction, it’s obvious that she is not. Right behind her, just a few steps back, are the people that loved DeWayne, and love her; the people that want to face that ocean with her. Her tribe.

It’s a beautiful picture, right?

We have been on this grief journey for ten months now. It is Kathryn’s journey really, but I say “we,” because I have truly tried to walk it with her. I knew from the beginning that it would be a marathon, and I promised her that – while there would be many people that loved her and cheered her on at different intervals along the path, I would be one of the few that took every step right beside her — stopping to nurse wounds or cry on the side of the road when necessary, coasting downhill on the “easy days,” and fighting to catch our breath on the hardest ones…

Ultimately, what follows is my experience of this season. While I do have her blessing to share all of this, it would be different if she wrote it. This isn’t a post about how to survive loss as much as it is about how to walk with someone else that has… I’ve tried to be honest and vulnerable about my own shortcomings and – in some cases – hers; BUT, I think it is worth saying, again, that my sister has been absolutely AMAZING through it all.

There is no “How to Survive Losing Your Husband at Only 32 for Dummies” book (trust me, I’ve looked for it), but Kathryn has taken each step along the way with strength, humility, and hope… From the very beginning, her goal has been to honor DeWayne – the man he was, and the legacy he has left – and she has done an INCREDIBLE job. It has not always been easy or pretty, but I am in awe of her strength and beauty during the hardest months of her life… She has taught me more than I could ever put into words. I am so ridiculously proud of her that it physically hurts sometimes. Seriously.

We still have a long way to go in healing, and I am far from an expert at any of this; but, with Kathryn’s permission (and insight in some areas), I wanted to share some of what I’ve learned so far in hopes that my lessons might help another tribe on this path and – years from now – serve as a reminder to Kathryn and me of the road we traveled and the distance we covered together.

Here we go.

How to love someone experiencing a loss:

Let them be sad/mad/whatever. Honestly, this has been one of the very hardest things for me; but, I really believe, it’s the most important… I’m a fixer; and, in this case, a big sister. My natural tendency, of course, is to want to STOP the pain and somehow make things “better” for Kathryn… Sadly though, I’ve learned that there is no bandaid or magic word for grief… On her hardest days, I have had to actively stop myself from saying things like “don’t be sad,” and trying to cheer her up / change the subject / etc. As much as I might want to do those things, that’s not my job; and, the truth is, experiencing her emotions NOW – when they are still so new and raw – is actually CRUCIAL to Kathryn’s healing in the long run… Seeing someone you love hurt is absolutely THE WORST, but I have learned to be OK with sitting there in the pain with her instead of trying to pull her up. Now, I say things like “of course that made you sad,” or “you have every right to be angry over that.” Sometimes I cry too. Sometimes I just hug her and say nothing at all.

Don’t say “I know how you feel” or “I understand.” Basically, unless your situation is *exactly* the same as the person who has experienced the recent loss’s situation, this is unhelpful and possibly hurtful. The truth is, you DON’T know, and you can’t. I honestly think these words just slip out sometimes because we want to say something, and we don’t know what to say. A better option though? Just say, “I don’t know what to say.” Or “This is unimaginable. I’m so sorry.”

Have a mantra. Because it is SO easy to say the wrong things in situations like this (see above; and, trust me, I’ve said LOTS of wrong things), I’ve found it helpful to have one or two things I/we say over and over when things are hard. A big one for Kathryn and I has been — “there’s only one first.” As you can probably imagine, the first time doing something without the person you love is SUPER hard; but, this reminder has been good in both the big things, and the little things… There is only one first night sleeping without him. Only one first Christmas without him. There is only one first vacation without him. Only one first tax filing without him. Only one first softball game without him. Only one first snow storm without him. Only one first dinner at home without him. Only one first first day of school without him. Only one first oil change without him. Sure, she’s going to have to do many of these hard things over and over without her husband (which 100% sucks); but, there is only one first; and, time has shown us, that it does get (a tiny bit) easier each time. *Edited to add: Don’t overuse your mantra. I think Kathryn is kind-of sick of this one now. Haha!

Give lots of grace. As you can probably imagine, the technical / practical / relational side of your losing your spouse can be super complicated and confusing… Like I said in my last point, this is the first time Kathryn has done any of this before; and, while she’s done a darn good job of managing ALL.THE.THINGS (while also dealing with extreme emotions, of course); the fact is, she’s human, and she has also made mistakes. She’s appeared “too happy” or “too sad.” She’s forgotten things. She’s missed important events, been short with people she cares about, and used a lot of four-letter words. (We giggle now thinking about the way she talked to our pastor – who was, of course, incredibly gracious and understanding – on the day of DeWayne’s memorial service!) Even in her imperfections though, her tribe knows her HEART. They know that the smiling Instagram photo doesn’t show her tears when she gets home, and how much – truly – is on her plate to keep up with these days. They know that her intentions are always good, and they are quick to give her the benefit of the doubt, offer forgiveness for missteps, and dole out generous doses of grace.

Comfort In, Dump Out.  I learned about the Circle of Grief / Ring Theory from our Pastor on the day after DeWayne died, and it has been immensely helpful to me in keeping things in perspective throughout the grieving process. If you aren’t familiar with this theory, you should definitely do a quick Google search; but, in a nutshell, you draw a circle with several rings and the person(s) most closely affected by the crisis go on the inside of the circle – in my case, Kathryn; the next ring includes the people next closest – best friends, family members, etc.; and so on. Then, you aim to give comfort to anyone in a more inner circle than you, and allow/ask for comfort from people in more outer circles than you. SO, especially in the beginning, I didn’t talk much with Kathryn about how sad and scared I was, but I DID talk to Jeff and a few best friends. Make sense? (P.S. I think showing some level of sadness with the person grieving is SUPER important/helpful – in fact, crying with them is often therapeutic for both of you. Just make sure you aren’t crying harder than the person at the center… If they are rubbing your back and telling YOU it’s going to be OK, you’re headed in the wrong direction…)

Show up. This seems obvious, but just BE THERE. Physically, if possible. But, texting, emailing, snail mail, etc. go a long way too. Be the friend that shows up on Thanksgiving morning (when he knows you’ll be cooking alone) with a Diet Coke to sit in the kitchen and chat. Send a text “just checking in” or mail a funny card (Emily McDowell has the BEST ones). Schedule the regular Tuesday night dinner or the monthly trivia games at the brewery. For Kathryn, staying busy and being with people has helped a lot. Others, I can imagine, might prefer being alone or at home. Either way, send the invite… just remember to show grace if it’s declined.

Don’t be afraid of being normal. I also think there is something to be said for acting “normal” after a reasonable amount of time. That amount is probably different for everyone, but don’t shy away from inviting your friend to watch bad reality tv just because it seems trivial after what she has experienced (it might be just the escape they need), or even from asking her to help with your kids/pets/home/etc. if you would have done this before the loss… Some of my best nights with my sister these last ten months have involved giving my kids baths and blowdrying hair and folding laundry… In a season where she absolutely deserved to be selfish, she’s been more giving than ever – picking Sam up at the bus stop, going to soccer games, attending dance recitals, etc. etc. etc. Maybe I’m just making myself feel better, but I think those things – those little bits of normalcy and purpose — can be super healing — especially if they involve cute kids and/or dogs. 😉

Help in practical ways. Offer to stop by and let her dogs out, drag her trash can to the street, shovel snow, mow grass, drop off a gift card to her favorite store, take the car to get it inspected, deliver dinner (stay and eat if you can), clean out the gutters, etc. etc. etc. Kathryn’s tribe has STEPPED UP, and it has been a huge blessing. Not only does it free up some mental space and physical time for her, but it is also a tangible picture of the love they have for her. PLUS, many of these tasks are especially sensitive and hard because they were things DeWayne would have normally done and, therefore, make his absence feel even more real/strong. The practical things are NEVER unappreciated, and they help more than you realize.

Still, you MUST take care of yourself too. You know the old “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and “put on your own oxygen mask before you help someone else” things. These are cute, but SUPER hard to actually implement in real life; and, I admit, I’m pretty terrible at taking care of myself most of the time. BUT, it is important… For me, self care has meant recognizing my own grief over the loss of my brother-in-law (someone I loved) and over the loss of “the old” Kathryn (she will never be the same after this in many ways). It has meant seeing a counselor once a month to talk about my own stuff, having good girlfriends that I can unload on once in a while; and, prioritizing time with my own husband and kids guilt free! To be fair, Kathryn has NEVER put pressure on me to do/be too much, but having boundaries for yourself can almost be harder than implementing them with other people… I have had to accept that I can’t “do” everything or be with Kathryn all the time; and I’ve learned to simply be grateful for the INCREDIBLE group of friends she has – many of whom are in different stages of life than me – that can (and are) there when I’m not (which is a lot), that step up to do the things I forget/can’t/don’t, and that have also come alongside her on this route. Like many things in life, this takes a village – and she has a REALLY good one.

Remember. If you can do nothing else, you can simply remember the person that was lost…. It has meant SO much to Kathryn to hear from people who’s lives were impacted by DeWayne, to hear the funny stories, to see pictures, etc. Don’t be afraid to talk about him (trust me, you won’t be “reminding” the person grieving of anything that isn’t already on his/her mind 24/7). Use their name. It’s ok to say things like “he would have loved this,” or “this song made me think of the time he…” Also, remember the date of the loss and other important ones (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). A quick text or email on a specific date goes a long way, but remembering on random days is great too! Put a reminder in your phone for months/years down the road… Remember, this is a marathon — while, in so many ways, our lives go back to regular programming after a while, hers will not. It can be incredibly comforting to remember that DeWayne is not forgotten, and neither is Kathryn, even as time passes.

And, there we go. Clearly I had a lot to say about this! Haha! I hope this was helpful/meaningful to someone out there in internet land, and if you’ve walked through a similar season with a friend/loved one (or gone through something and had people walk beside you), I’d LOVE to hear what you think of this list + what you would add.

Thanks for your continued prayers for my sister and our family. We are doing it!

E

Recent Reads: May 2019

May was a good reading month for me! There were a couple of misses, but there were also a couple of big wins! I even read a couple of books in (almost) one sitting because I got so wrapped up in them, and SUMMER HAS STARTED, so… why not?

Here’s what I read in May:

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People was a much-anticipated new release this month, and it’s already been short listed for several awards etc. I totally agree that the writing style is unique and strong; but, honestly, I just didn’t love it… It is the story of Connell and Marianne (I had to go look up their names to write this post, so, that probably tells you something). They begin an unlikely relationship in high school that follows them throughout college. The premise seemed like something I would enjoy, but I never really connected with the characters. Maybe because so much of their relationship was based on sexual chemistry / tension, but I didn’t feel invested. I didn’t really care if they ended up together; which, I guess was a good thing, because the ending left MUCH to be desired in my opinion… I’m not sad I read it – and obviously lots of other people are liking it – but it was just “meh” for me. (P.S. The author doesn’t use quotation marks in dialogue, which I found a little odd / distracting at the beginning, but I got used to it quickly!)

The Valedictorian of Being Dead: The True Story of Dying 10 Times to Live by Heather B. Armstrong (audio)

I recognized this author from her blogging days as Dooce, and – I admit – I was totally curious about the title… The memoir – which is about the author’s experience with an experimental treatment for severe depression that involved ten rounds of a chemically induced coma that made her effectively brain dead for a short time in an attempt to re-wire her mind – was extremely vulnerable and pretty fascinating from a medical perspective. It was also pretty dark and hard to read at times. I applaud Armstrong for courageously sharing her story – even the ugliest parts. I think her account of depression is one of the most realistic and authentic I’ve ever read. For someone struggling with severe mental illness, I think there is solidarity and – perhaps – options + hope to be found here. That makes this an extremely important book, for sure. From a strictly, “reader” perspective though, I’m kind-of undecided on the book… It was not enjoyable: at times it made me anxious, and, since she goes through the same treatment 10 times, it felt repetitive by the end… Still, I’m glad I read it, and learned a lot about both the human and the biological side of depression and the brain.

Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and The Way Forward by Gemma Hartley (audio)

This book probably wins the award for “most talked about” this month. I have found myself bringing this up in conversation ALL.THE.TIME since I read it. I resonated with SO much of it, and it really made me think about why things are the way they are for women in our society today. The best part though was that I felt like Hartley struck the perfect balance of being FOR WOMEN without being anti-men. This wasn’t a woe is me book, and it wasn’t about splitting household duties or marriage tiffs or even about politics — it was about the INVISIBLE work that women do all.the.time (mostly without even realizing it) and it offered hope and practical advice for taking some of that weight off of us now and for future generations. I really loved it and have been recommending it like crazy!!

Tomorrow There Will Be Sun by Dana Reinhardt

I was really excited about this one — about family friends on a “dream vacation” in Mexico — but it missed the mark for me. It was an easy summer read. Too easy, I think. The plot – which had a lot of interesting components but never really developed any enough for my taste – just never drew me in. Oh well.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (audio)

I don’t know why I’m just now discovering Sally Hepworth, but – in the vein of Lianne Moriaty – she is GOOD! I really, really enjoyed this book. It has some twisty mystery elements; but, even more than that, it explores female relationships (particularly the mother-in-law / daughter-in-law but also mothers and daughters, sisters, etc.) so authentically. My own relationship with my MIL is VERY different from the one presented here; however, I think lots of women will find it quite familiar. It also addresses some complicated issues of mental health in a way that makes you think, but not too much for a “beach read.” I’m already halfway through another Hepworth novel and loving it too. Yay for a new author to binge!

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

This book took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I read the last 200 pages in one sitting. Jonathan and Annika met in college and fell in love despite (or maybe because of) A’s atypical behaviors and awkwardness in social situations. They broke up rather dramatically and are reunited ten years later in 2001. The story alternates back and forth between the two time periods as their relationship develops and redevelops. I LOVED this love story. It was quirky and sweet, but also felt real and raw. Though I’ve read a couple of books featuring a male character on the autism spectrum, this was the first I’ve read about a female – and I thought it was very well done. There’s also a plot twist at the end that I 100% should have seen coming (the author basically BEGS you to notice the signs), but I completely missed it because I was so wrapped up in the relationship. I just loved this book. If you’re only taking one on vacation this summer, I strongly recommend it be this one!! #fivestars

And there you have it! I’ve got a BIG list ready for June and can’t wait to get going. Summer reading season is the BEST. What are you reading these days?!?! Have you read any of the above?!? Let me know in the comments!

XO,

E

P.S. Don’t forget to follow my reading in “real time” at #samandscoutreads on Instagram, and on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39685855-elizabeth

Fun Summer Things

Creative title, I know. 😉

Today marks the first day of SUMMER VACATION for me! Woohoo!

To celebrate, I thought I’d share a few summer-y things I’m loving these days!

Amazon Button-Down Midi Dresses

I got two of these (blue stripes & yellow palm leaves), and they are SO great! The material is kind-of odd – 85% polyester – BUT, I love that it makes the dresses mostly wrinkle-free and a good bit stretchy. Plus, they really don’t look cheap. I’ve also washed and hung to dry mine, and they held up great and dried SUPER fast. The length is just right, the straps are adjustable, and – my favorite part – the buttons are fake (just sewn on), so there is NO pull in the chest area!!! They can be dressed up OR down and I have gotten SO many compliments on these dresses. Oh, and they are only $21.99. Seriously, this is a unicorn. Go order one – or six!

Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Summer Reading Guide

This time of year is my FAVORITE for reading (duh), and I love all the guides that come out for “summer reading.” Especially, Modern Mrs. Darcy’s. I anxiously await its release every May and then add a bunch of books to my TBR list. This year, I love the format of the guide, and I found a couple of cute love stories, one family saga, and one riveting suspense title that I’m excited to dive into!

P.S. I just finished The Mother-in- Law and thought it was excellent! (Full review coming soon!)

Walmart Time & Tru

Have you seen all the hype this brand from Walmart is getting in the blog/Instagram world lately? I have to admit, I was suckered in, and I’ve not been disappointed!

Linen Pants
H Band Sandal (Cuter in person, but also a little small.)
Straw Circle Tote

I’ve purchased all of the above items recently have been pleasantly surprised by how much I like them! The quality (especially for the price) is great, and the styles really are on point!

Starbucks Blonde Iced Coffee

It’s no secret that I LOVE iced coffee – especially from Starbucks – and this (although still not super cheap) is a great alternative to spending $3.11 every afternoon for a Venti Iced Coffee from the drive-thru. 🙂 And this blonde roast? DELICIOUS. I top it off with a little half and half for a luxurious treat around 3PM most days.

Amazon One-Piece Swimsuit with Tummy Control

Another unicorn. This really is flattering/slimming, has great coverage (up top and from behind), AND it doesn’t look like an “old lady” suit. Plus, you can’t beat the $31.99 price! It comes in LOTS of different colors and patterns, and there is also a keyhole style that is SO cute and would look great on the right person (but didn’t work for me). You’re welcome. 😉

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Ok, my sister gave this to me, and I was SUUUUPER skeptical. I mean… LEG MAKEUP?!? But… It is so, so good. Basically, it’s a heavy spray that you rub into your legs (or wherever I guess). I have this light color, and it goes on very light and just evens out your skin and gives it a very subtle bit of color. Honestly, I don’t know how I ever wore shorts/dresses in the early summer without this. I LOVE it. (They also make a cream that I’m interested in, but I haven’t tried it yet.)

Target Universal Thread

My summer uniform = solid v-neck tee shirt + pull on shorts and Universal Thread has me 100% covered! I just stocked up on a couple of these (only $5 each right now) and a pair of these (only $12). They are PERFECT for running around with the kids etc.

Well, there you go! What are some of your favorites for summer?!? Please share in the comments!

Recent Reads: February – April 2019

Hey friends. Long time no chat. Happy May! I’m back… for today, at least. 🙂

While I haven’t done much any blogging lately, I have been doing some reading, so… let’s talk about that…

I read six books in February and March, and six books in April (hey spring break)! As usual, I got most of my recommendations from Laura Tremaine and Annie B. Jones (and, apparently, Reese Witherspoon); and it’s pretty diverse in terms of content — some self-help/motivation, some nonfiction narrative, some thrillers, some literary fiction, and some “light” fiction. Just the way I like it!

Shall we?

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book has gotten a lot of attention lately, and it’s for good reason. I’ve read quite a few books on habits actually, but this one definitely did introduce some new concepts, and I had a few “aha” moments while reading. In particular, I appreciated the way Clear connects our habits to our identity. For example, I have a habit of being late everywhere I go because I believe I am a person that is consistently late to things… On the contrary, I began identifying myself as a “writer,” once I developed the habit of consistently writing (here) and had the “evidence” (in the form of blog posts, followers, etc.) to back-up that identity… Anyway, this book was a quick, easy read that offered some new perspective on a subject I was already interested in and some practical tips for breaking and starting habits. I recommend!

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

The Great Believers is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It was my Book Club pick for February, and it was the first book we’ve ever that was unanimously adored… Honestly, it’s that good. There are two distinct storylines presented — one follows a community of gay men in 1980s Chicago at the peak of the AIDs epidemic, and the other takes place in modern Paris as a middle-aged woman (the sister of one of the men from the 80s) searches for her estranged daughter. The result is a powerful, beautiful, and incredibly well-researched novel. Honestly, I was kind-of amazed by Makkai’s ability to make every character so alive and to, so effectively, weave together the past and the present while also informing me about a topic I had very little prior knowledge on. This is a must read!

The Last Mrs. Parrish: A Novel by Liv Constantine

I listed to this on audio as just something “light” while I did house work etc. over the winter. Essentially, it is a “psychological thriller” type book that felt like a perfect mash-up of Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, and Behind Closed Doors. The story was definitely well-crafted and kept my attention, but it wasn’t my favorite just because it felt so familiar. 

The Dreamers: A Novel by Karen Thompson Walker

This book was very different from my normal fiction choices – a little science fiction/fantasy-ish – but I ended up reading it pretty much in one sitting. I loved it!! The premise is a college-town that is overtaken by a strange “sleeping illness” that is spreading quickly and cannot be explained. The style is very lyrical – almost poetic – but also scientific and mysterious. It really is unique and beautifully written. While I agree with my friend Erika’s comment (hi Erika) that I’d have appreciated more answers/closure at the end; overall, it’s been one of my favorites so far this year. Fair warning though, I recommended this to my mother-in-law, and she said it was the “worst book she’d ever read” so…. who knows. Haha!

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

It’s been a while since I’ve read a parenting book, and I really enjoyed this. I didn’t agree with every single thing the author said (of course), but I found that my parenting philosophies already lined up with hers in many ways, so I appreciated the practical tips for “raising adults.” There was a lot of talk about raising teenagers – which makes sense – but I guess I would have liked a little more about how to start this early too. Overall, a very worthwhile read that gave me lots to think about and felt VERY timely given the recent college admissions scandal in the news (which literally broke while I was reading this).

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Of all the books listed here, this is probably the most “popular one” these days. Prior to reading, I had heard SO many people rave about it!! To be honest, I’d actually put off reading it because I had heard it was very descriptive and “nature-y” (my word), and I’m not really into that. Then, our Book Club chose this for March, and I ended up being glad I read it… I did NOT love it the way some people seem to (definitely not one of my top for the year so far), but I did find the story compelling and the writing beautiful (although, yes, too wordy at times). Side Note: I listened to this on audio and the narration was great, but I had to speed it up to 1.5x, because it was soooo slow. At that pace, it was just right! 😉

Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

I admit, my feelings about Rachel Hollis have swung from being all-out obsessed (after reading Girl Wash Your Face in January of 2018), to being a little “overwhelmed” or even “annoyed” by some of her social media hype etc. in the last few months… I debated not even reading Girl, Stop Apologizing, but I am so happy I sucked it up and did. Nobody quite does motivational book writing (and narrating – I STRONGLY recommend this on audio) quite like Rach! She’s still got it, y’all!

Admittedly, some (a lot?) of this felt a little repetitive from Girl, Wash Your Face & her blog/podcast, and I thought there was a lot (too much) talk of money/wealth as a sign of success; BUT, in general, I still took a lot from this. Especially on audio, Hollis comes across as relatable AND inspiring. She is VERY honest, and, for the most part, I really appreciate that she practices what she preaches and makes no apologies for going after (and getting) the things she feels like she deserves. She isn’t preaching the gospel – this IS NOT a “Christian” book – and she shouldn’t be treated as an idol. Rather, she is a successful woman sharing what has worked for her and being PROUD of her accomplishments. Sometimes that pride comes across a little too strong, but as long as you can keep things in perspective (take what works and leave what doesn’t), it’s a great book. I got some practical advice and finished it feeling ready to tackle a challenge.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

I read this to my tenth grade English class, and we all really liked it! It was the perfect read aloud – especially during Poetry Month (April) – because of the verse style, and it kept their attention and went quickly. Jason Reynolds is a powerful writer – his themes make us think, and his use of language is *perfect* for the classroom.*

Daisy Jones & The Six by Tara Jenkins Reid

This is another book that’s gotten a lot of hype lately, but I think it is well-deserved. I’ve enjoyed other books by Tara Jenkins Reid, but this one was super different in terms of subject-matter and style. It’s about a rock band – which is NOT something I’d typically choose to read about (unpopular opinion: I don’t even really like music), but this book was SO good. I didn’t want it to end!!! It’s written like a really long interview piece in Rolling Stone or something, and it feels SO SO real — I can’t even tell you how often I wanted to Google the band to see pictures etc., but they don’t even exist! The character development is great, the plot is well-developed, and the unique format makes it easy/quick to read. ALSO, word on the street is that Reese Witherspoon has picked this up to turn into an Amazon Prime series so… you’re gonna read it ASAP! (P.S. I’ve heard a lot of people rave about the audio format for this one -several actors read the different parts, so I started it that way. However, I found the audio way too hard to keep up with, and I liked the written form MUCH better. To each their own I guess.  

Hey, Kiddo  by Jarrett Krosoczka

I read this over spring break in preparation for a Social Issue Book Club unit I started with my 10th graders when we came back. It came highly recommended from several trustworthy book-ish sites, and it’s a National Book Award Finalist, so I knew it would be good; BUT, I was a little nervous about it being a graphic novel (believe it or not, I’d never read one before)… I’m happy to report though, that I found the format SUPER easy to get in to, and I really enjoyed the book. It is a memoir about the author’s experience being raised by his “colorful” grandparents because his mom was a heroin addict and his dad was out of the picture. The topics it addresses are very real and important – especially for young people – and the style makes it incredibly accessible (almost fun, really). I also found out after the fact that Krosoczka wrote one of Sam’s favorite graphic novel series – Lunch Lady, so that was a fun connection for us, though he will NOT be reading this any time soon. Haha. Overall, I recommend this for anyone, but especially teens — by now, I’ve had five students read the book, and they all loved it too!! 

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks

This was another thriller-ish “quick read” that I listened to audio. The premise really interested me — a girl who takes part in an anonymous psychology study on human morality and ethics — and the plot, which took several unexpected turns along the way, kept my attention. The storyline was, for the most part, original and the character development was good. There was no MAJOR twist, but the end was satisfying and it did make me think some about my own morality and ethics. 🙂

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-up by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood is a long form investigative journalistic piece about Elizabeth Holmes – the founder and CEO of Theranos, a multi-billion dollar start-up that claimed to be revolutionizing blood tests – who has been in the news (and in a popular documentary and podcast) a lot recently after she has been charged with fraud. Carreyrou, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was the first to break the story of Holmes’ bad technology and misleading business. This book is the work of years of interviews and research that ultimately led to the charges against Holmes (and all the other “media” attached to her story). Overall, I typically enjoy this type of research-based-but-narrative-driven writing, and I found this very interesting! My only complaint was that it was a little too scientific and a bit too long to fully keep my attention for all 300+ pages. In other words, you could probably save yourself some effort and just watch the documentary or listen to the podcast instead; but I don’t think you’ll regret reading the book either. Haha.

So far, I’ve read 18 books out 52 (my goal for 2019), which Goodreads tells me is slightly ahead of schedule. 😉 Luckily, May – July is typically my best reading time (for obvious reasons), and there are SOOOO many good books and book lists coming out just in time for summer, so I’m hoping to keep up a strong pace. In fact, I will probably finish this one and this one over the weekend. 🙂

If you want to follow my reading in “real time” make sure you’re tracking #samandscoutreads on Instagram, and follow me on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39685855-elizabeth

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of the books I mentioned above and/or what you’re reading lately!

XO,

E

*Not that anyone really cares, but for the record: I only include books that I’ve read “for work” when it is my very first time reading them, and I read them cover-to-cover. 🙂