Death is the inevitable consequence of life. Unfortunately, no amount of love or youth or goodness can shield those dear to us from dying or protect us from the trauma of loss. Whether it is the death of a grandparent, pet, parent, or someone else, anyone who lives long enough will experience death. Of course, […]

At the end of each year, I love looking at all of the Best Of The Year lists that are published by magazines, blogs, libraries, and more. It is a great way to discover – or rediscover – some of the most celebrated books of the past year. I came across After the Fall by […]

With more holiday feasts on the horizon, it’s no wonder that most people think of “pigging out” as an act of mass consumption. When I talk about pigging out, though, I mean something somewhat different – thanks to Patrick who is 9 and loves pigs, I’ve been consuming (reading) lots of books featuring pigs. I’m […]

If I’m going to enjoy reading a book, I need it to fit with my personal reading needs: I have a short attention span and an imperfect memory. This means that dense books written for adults aren’t my first choice. Instead, I prefer reading non-fiction picture books. I can spend 30 to 60 minutes with […]

Is there a holiday road trip in your near future? Do you like to stay sane while driving around with your kids? Try these entertaining kids’ audio books, picked for their appeal to young-uns and parents alike: For young children: Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond How to Train […]

Reading, when done right, is joyful. It opens up the world to all kinds of possibilities. When I was a kid, though, some of my relatives thought I read too much, and some of my teachers thought what I was reading was “trash.” I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had such experiences. […]

                     Jalapeños in bagels? Yes, please! While the pairing might seem unlikely, it really is delicious. But who would’ve thought to make such a combination in the first place? In the heartwarming (and mouthwatering) Jalapeño Bagels, Pablo, whose mother is Mexican and whose father is Yiddish, […]