Book 2 out of 50: 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens

Book 2, I finished in a day... Mainly because I am using parts of it in my class and wanted to get it finished before the new semester starts. This book is great! I wish it had been around when I was a teenager because it had great tips on just coping with being a teenager and how to improve your lives. 

I am looking forward to using it in my classroom. I especially like that some of the materials I could relate to as an adult maybe I am acting like a teenager? :)

Any other teachers have books that they love to use with students?

Book 1 out of 50: To Marry an English Lord

My first book of the year is done. Phil have me this book for Christmas. I wanted to read it before I began the tv series of Downton Abbey. The book was extremely interesting considering in don't usually like to read historical books or haven't read one in a long time. I found the premise interesting that American Heiresses would marry Englishmen to gain titles in the Royal Family. 

After I finished it last week I began my 2 series of Downton Abbey which was over quite quickly. The episodes were great and I am glad that I read the book in conjunction with the tv show. 

I am working on a few books right now but keep bouncing back from one book to the next.

Any one else reading anything interesting right now?

50 Book Challenge

On my positively present email a few weeks ago, the blogger read 100 books in a year. Wow!

So, I decided to attempt a pledge of 50 books for 2014. Phil and I are going to take the challenge together which I am looking forward to. About a book a week. Durham has a wonderful library which will help me get through this challenge. I will post my challenge on here to share the books that I am reading in 2014.

Any book suggestions? 

Thrifting and new finds...

"Books may well be the only true magic." -Alice Huffman

This past weekend, I went thrifting for the first time ever and I scored some really awesome finds. I bought all books. I would have loved to pick up more but I feel like books are such a better investment. We started at Goodwill in Morrisville and I found:

The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (I own the movie and thought it might be a great read)

Everyone worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger (She wrote the Devil Wears Prada which I read quite a few years ago and loved it!)

He's Just Not Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (I also have this movie and my friend Beth says this is a must read)

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (I lent this book to a friend almost two years ago and miss having a copy) 

At the goodwill store, Dave and Phil decided it would be a genius idea to throw a thrift store themed party where all of the guests have to purchase their clothes at a thrift store. Dave and Phil had two great outfits of paisley working and Phil found me the most hideous pants I have ever seen. Even other shoppers thought they were hilariously hideous. :)

The second stop was Dorcas Mission store. Their books were 75 cents for hardcover! Yay! I bought:

The Five People you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie was a wonderful book and I have heard great things about this book)

I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson (Just picked it up; no particular reason)

The Lovely Bones by Alice Seabold (I have never seen this movie but it is on my list and I always love to read a book before a movie)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (A classic!)

My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler (this will probably be my first read; she is hilarious)

I also picked up a copy of Fight Club which I have always loved. I bought my brother a copy a few years ago and have wanted to buy it ever since.

The last stop was at an antique store near Dave's house in Raleigh. This had lots of cute finds and I almost was in tears with the beautiful collection of Nancy Drew books; the exact same as what I read from the Waterboro Public Library when I was a kid. These books were slightly more expensive but in excellent condition. I purchased:

Babar by Jean de Brunhoff (I watched Babar almost every day when I was a child)

Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (the first book in the series)

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (This sounded really interesting especially with all of the difficulties facing teachers nowadays)

All in all a successful day! Definitely an interesting way to spend a Saturday. I really enjoyed just looking at all the things people have no need for anymore. I would definitely go again.