Ann Leach

I got the ok from the library to start a new discussion group, and I've decided to go with Parenting as the topic! I'm sooooo excited!! Meetings will be the last Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm, at the Wapakoneta Library, downstairs. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, June 28 and will be a meet and greet for everyone to come in, share some of their parenting successes and challenges, and help set the direction for future books. The first book up for discussion is The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler. I came across this book recently on a random stroll through the parenting books, am so  inspired by it, and am looking forward to discussing it with other parents. "In  The Secrets of Happy Families ,  New York Times  bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports...

In another post, I mentioned joining a book discussion group, which has to be one of the best decisions I've made in a while. I am having so much fun meeting the other members and talking about books. It's adding a whole layer to reading that I haven't ever had before. And I'm inspired to kick off another discussion group (or two). One on sustainable living, much like the one I started back in Australia. And another on parenting. Although I'm not sure I really want to take on two at the same time. I have asked the adult program coordinator at the library about these topics and am still waiting to hear back. But both of these topics are passions for me and to meet with like-minded folks, share ideas, and talk about books on the topics would be wonderful! For the sustainable living, of course it would be driven by the members, focusing on topics the group is asking about and suggesting. But that's not to say I don't have ideas and books o...

WHO has time to read? I mean really.. between running the children here and there, work, errands, meeting with friends, cleaning, and everything else...  who has time to read??!! You do. And I believe reading, whether it is for enjoyment or education, work or pleasure, is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. And your children. By taking just 30 minutes to read every day, in one year, you will read 182 hours. How many books can you read in 182 hours? 40? Probably. How much could you learn? How many times would you LOL? (Wait maybe I'm the only one who LOL when reading.) How much more relaxed might you be? Take the time. Every day. And read. Books Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- a stand-by that I always enjoy diving back into for some escapism Talkers, Watchers, & Doers  by Cheri Fuller - a talk about learning styles, how to identify them, and the strengths & weaknesses of each How to Teach Your Child: Simple Tools for Homesch...

 This week, I have somehow ended up with two books for entertainment, and none for education or enhancement. Not exactly sure how that happened as I do have some other books selected and even on my table, but I didn't open them for some reason. For next month's book discussion group, the book is "The Humans" by Matt Haig. I'm not sure what to say about this book. I guess it has me stumped. It's a sci-fi book with an alien visiting earth, taking on a human form and inserting himself into the life of the (now dead) human. And when he first arrives, he makes some profound observations about (western European style) human culture. And it doesn't take him long to start questioning his main objective and finding value in the messed up lives that humans live. At this beginning, I really like this book with it's observations of our culture, but as the alien acclimated, these stopped happening and the story was a moderate story to me. ...

I picked up Minimalist Parenting thinking I'd get through it in a couple days, and sadly I was mistaken. There is a lot of (good) information in this book, and it was a lot to take in so I only got about half way through. And I'm good with that. I'm going to set it aside (return it to the library, my off-site book storage unit), and work on some of the suggestions. If you're looking to make life simpler by cutting back in commitments, working hours, housekeeping hours, stuff, etc; this book can be a good help. I wouldn't recommend reading the whole thing and trying to do it all though. I'd focus on just one area. What did you read last week? What are you planning to read this week? Let me know in the comments. Cheers! Ann

Books, books, books...  I love books. I love to read them, and I especially love to talk with friends about them. Bowling Fundamentals  ....   Hi my name is Ann Leach, and I bowl on a league. There I've said it. It's true. I joined a daytime women's bowling league last autumn, not because I am a great and dedicated bowler, but because I needed something fun and social to do. Bowling meets both those criteria. And yes, I picked up a book about bowling technique from the library, not because I want to be a great bowler, but because I thought I was making some of the same simple mistakes over and over which were costing me points. And I was right! By reading this beginner book and taking away from it just two pointers, I have increased my average by about 15 pins per game. And that's pretty darn good for this beginner bowler. If you're a beginner bowler, like me or just enjoy bowling for fun, but want to have fun rather than all gutter balls, I do recom...