Book Review: Trespassing Across America

This is a beautiful book. I had not read anything by this author before so I was tentative about reading it. However, Ilgunas was able to write about each of our states and why many people have hope for the pipeline. He writes about the splendor of the Great Plains and more. He talks about the wide open spaces and how it feels to touch the grass. He raises questions as to what will happen if we become so dependent on oil and don't learn to be more sustainable.
The author was anti-pipeline but he did not raise a stink about it with others, which I was able to relate to very much. I may argue with my husband but with others I tend to stay quiet and let them talk and then I vent later.
I loved this book and I recommend it to all who like this country's beauty.

Book Review: Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant

This is an interesting book. After Prince Albert died, the queen sought friendship in unconventional places. First their was her gilly at Balmoral. Then there was Abdul Karim, a young Indian Munshi. He arrived expecting to spend the year of her Jubilee  but then the Queen felt that she could not do without him at her side. He became her teacher, her counsel on Urdu and Indian affairs and a dear friend. The decade they were together was scandalous and her household did not like him or this closeness.
This book was written from letters and journals about this time. It left me at times puzzles and in awe of the lives of the people of that time. I felt the closeness and could understand it but I also felt the puzzlement felt by Queen Victoria's household.
This book was so well-written and filled with information. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Reading With Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-changing Friendship

After she graduated from Harvard, Michelle Kuo decided to join Teach for America. this sent her to Helena, Arkansas. This part of the country is poor and still feels the effects of slavery. She finds one student, Patrick Browning, who she decides to mentor, in addition to her teaching. She discovers that this broken school has a truancy and gun violence history.

Patrick is in the 8th grade at the age of 15, however, he is doing so well under Michelle tutelage. After two years, Michelle decides it is time to go to law school. After this grueling schedule, just as she is about to graduate, she finds that Patrick has been accused of murder. She feel responsible so she goes back to finish Patrick's schooling, while he is in prison. She can see his education is making a difference in this young man's life. What she wasn't expecting was the change it would make inn her life.

As an educator, I knew exactly what Michelle was talking about. I often was amazed at how much one-on-one teaching could change the student and myself. I felt she was able to relate this so well, with such a beautiful writing style. Others who read this book could also see that this does not only speak to teachers but each one of us and the impact we can have on  others.  What an inspiration.

I recommend this book highly.

I am so glad that I was given this book by NetGalley and Random House in exchange for my honest review.

This book can be found at Amazon HERE!
This book can be found at Barnes and Noble HERE!

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