Anything But Groovy: Catholic YA meets Freaky Friday
Let's talk body-switching and time travel, shall we?
Welcome! Join me as I chronicle my reading, random observations, and share the things that catch my eye, all while chasing kids and chugging coffee.
THE FACE BEHIND THE WORDS
JUST ENTER YOUR EMAIL AND I'LL EMAIL YOU NEW POSTS WHEN THEY'RE UP
- Reviews
- book lists
- Catechist Resources
- Marian Resources
Anything But Groovy: Catholic YA meets Freaky Friday
Let's talk body-switching and time travel, shall we?
2020 Books Read
Here's what I read in 2020 (regularly updated throughout the year).
Catechist Resources
This is a listing of catechist resources I've found helpful over the years. Hope it helps you!
Marian Resources
My devotion to Mary has grown over the years, and since I've been getting an increasing number of requests for my favorite Marian recommendations, here you go.
My Books
Wait, what??????
Surely you’ve noticed this: You nail a presentation mid-morning but can’t function in early afternoon. You’re having a better day when you get a week of good sleep. But the impact of your biorhythm and chronotype is more far-reaching than just mood and performance. This book cites a ton of research and points to science that has me wondering how a little nip here and a small tuck there could make my schedule and my life better. There are health benefits worth exploring too. This is one of those books I’m going to force my husband to skim. 🥸 Have you read this? Tried this approach? Loved this life? Honestly, it seems very natural to me, and a lot of it makes sense...
#thepowerofwhen
If only I could share the smell too...
The love notes I find on my desk delight me.
Not a bad way to start my day.
He says he’s going to pick me ALL the flowers. 💐 Turns out, he’s been paying attention to where vases are kept. 🌸 As a special no-extra-kisses-required feature, he also pees on the unbloomed greenery. You know, because they need watered. 👀 #yourewelcome #juniebjacob
File this under “books I read because someone I know asked me to and wow, it’s so good that I’m glad I read it.” 🙌 What Mark & Melanie Hart have done his create a gem that is NOT
- a book to shame you for what you are or are not doing
- an exhausting how-to
- filled with holier-than-you-can-imagine examples of their perfect life
🤨👍🏻
Instead, you’ll spend the introduction laughing out loud, rereading sections out loud to whoever happens to be in earshot (including pets), and maybe feeling the first surge of hope you’ve felt in a while. 🤣 Mark and Melanie are my people...and I’ve never even met her. (I do know Mark. Sorta. Kinda. #fangirlfriend) Even so, as I traveled through the 7 chapters and 2 appendices (one of which has a collection of other real-life parents sharing stories and encouragement, I just knew. Melanie Hart is the kind of friend we all need. The one who speaks the hard truth, but with a smile and in a way that motivates you and gives you hope that you can attain the goal. And Mark is the husband of that friend, the one who makes you pretty sure that yeah, they can come into my messy house and they won’t see anything that’s new or strange. 🤓 Mark and Melanie have years of wisdom and experience, but even more powerfully, they have a love of God and respect for the Church that shines through and puts perspective into everything they offer. 🔥 Highly, highly recommended.
A walk through the city nature preserve took me back in time. So much to see, so much to hear, so much to smell... #someonehadsometokes #butitwaslovelyevenso
Read in record time, maybe because I had a relief in a certain kind of stress, but more likely because it was just a good story. Captured my imagination. Made me realy consider the difference between “the big regrets” and “the things that made a big difference.” This was the kind of book that will have me delving into thoughts about living in the moment and forgiveness too. Highly recommended.
I finished this the other day, and I’m so torn. The story is great. The theme is fabulous. The execution is nearly flawless. But I felt, as I got deeper into it, that there may be a bit of an agenda. I want a story, not an agenda. That said...I wish I had someone to discuss it with, to see if I’m being weird or if I can trust my spider sense. But, realy, does it even matter? It’s a solid four-star book, and it’s highly acclaimed for a reason. I was thrown by it being categorized as sci-fi; I’d call it slightly fantasy but more YA with some elements of surrealism. When you read it, let me know. I’m dying to discuss it.
Hope...
1️⃣...the daffodils are (finally) blooming (out here in the field). 🌼
2️⃣...they taste as good as they look. 🧁
3️⃣...it never gets old at the end of the day. 🌅
#daffodils #cupcakes #sunset #nofilterneeded
Not a bad way to spend the waiting time I’ve had thanks to basketball lately. @jeanniegaffigan shares her story, some laugh out loud stories sprinkled with tears rolling down your face. She turns what could have been a nightmare into a tale that all too many of us can probably relate to (aside from the pear-sized tumor, that is). There’s plenty of wisdom, and quite a bit to share with the person sitting next to you (even if it’s a stranger who’s a bit surprised by the laugh that’s so loud and fill of air that your mask goes askew).
