With 2026 staring me right in the face, I dusted off my laptop and got to work on my Reading Wrapped that nobody asked for. While I don't set New Year's Resolutions anymore, I do like to set reading goals and reflect on those goals at the end of each year. Spoiler Alert: This year I did not reach my reading goal.

In 2025, I set a goal of 52 books--one for each week of the year. This goal was completely doable and has been achieved in previous years with ease. The problem? This was truly my year of the reading slump.

I can name a couple of reasons for this: 1. A rough start to this school year that lasted until the end of October made me less interested in reading and more interested in coming home to disassociate rather than engage my brain with more words. 2. Quite a few books this year were a SLOG to get through (I'm looking at you The Heartbreak Hotel and Great Big Beautiful Life). 3. My favorite author put out a book that I genuinely did not enjoy, took me 2 months to read, and generally bummed me out (again, looking at you Great Big Beautiful Life).

Regardless, I still managed to read 48 books, which I'm counting as a win. So, as always, I'm documenting my 5-star reads for the year. If you've read this far and you're looking for new reads in the new year, maybe something on this list will catch your attention.

But first--the Honorable Mention.

Honorable Mention: Animal Farm by George Orwell (dystopian fiction)

I participate in Ohio State Alumni's Reading Challenge twice per year. One of the prompts from the last challenge was to read a 'Classic.' I won't lie to you... the book being only 140 pages was a huge draw in selecting this particular classic. Plus, I hadn't read the book since high school, so I figured, what the heck? Maybe it's cliche to say at this point, but this book is genuinely still as relevant today as it was when it was published in 1945. If you've never had to read this in English class, it's worth it to give it a shot. It's a little scary (or a lot scary) how much like these characters our society is today. Yikes!

Now for my 5-star reads of the year...

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (dystopian fiction)

Synopsis: This story follows Haymitch Abernathy through the 50th Hunger Games, when twice the number of children were reaped. It follows the story of President Snow in The Battle of Snakes and Songbirds and precedes The Hunger Games trilogy.

Suzanne Collins clearly made a deal with some witches because how she can continue to crank out these incredible books almost 20 years after her meteoric rise to fame is truly inconceivable to me. And this book? Well, it just might be one of my favorites in the entire saga. No Hunger Games book has made me cry like this book has. I don't know how Collins made Haymitch's story even more heartbreaking than the already gruesome and depressing stories of the other Hunger Games characters, but she did. I'm already looking forward to the movie coming out in November and will probably give this book another read before seeing it.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (romance)

Synopsis: After one incredible date, Samantha realizes her life is too much of a mess to pursue a relationship. So, she tells her perfect match, Xavier, to forget her and move on, but both Samantha and Xavier find this task difficult.

Remember how I said my favorite author really let me down this year (cough, cough Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life)? Well, my other favorite author did not. Jimenez continues to write great romances, and this novel was no exception. This book is full of heart, and I loved every second of reading it.

One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune (romance)

Synopsis: Years after spending the summer at the lake and snapping a picture of a local boat, Alice returns to the lake with her Nan and runs into the owner of that very same boat, Charlie Florek.

Carly Fortune books are very hit or miss for him. She consistently writes a fun romance novel, but they don't always land. This one did. What can I say? I love a summer read and a long drawn-out romance.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (romance)

Synopsis: Emma is a screenwriter who lands her dream job writing with her idol, Charlie Yates. She's tasked with writing a rom-com. The problem? Charlie doesn't believe in love.

Katherine Center has become a recent favorite for me. She writes romance in such a fun way. The premises are usually a little zany, but there's still heart and realism at the center (no pun intended) of it all.

If You Tell by Gregg Olsen (true-crime)

Synopsis: Three sisters share childhood trauma stemming from the abuse they endured growing up. When their childhood secrets threaten to come out, they must explore together how to deal with what they desperately want to leave in the past.

Make no mistake; this was a tough read. Based on a true story, this novel explores the trauma that three sisters endured at the hands of their mother. If you like true crime, this just might be the book for you.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (thriller)

Synopsis: When Grady's wife, Abby, disappears, he is led to a deserted island in Scotland. Once there, he finds a woman who looks exactly like Abby, and Grady must figure out what truth is out there.

Feeney is another author that is hit or miss for me. Some of her books are better than others, but this one was a success for me. Any book that keeps me guessing until the last second would be hard pressed to not earn a 5-star rating from me. If you're into thrillers, this is a good one.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (contemporary fiction)

Synopsis: Years after a week-long love affair, Eva and Shane reconnect at an author's event. While the love they have for each other still strong, there are also many unanswered questions that persist after years apart.

You ever just read a good contemporary novel, finish the last page, close the book, and say, "Wow"? That was this book for me. This novel is a fresh story with a unique perspective on our world today and the issues that many people face. I loved it.

Most years, I don't have a 'Book of the Year.' Instead, I have a collection of 5-star reads that all jumble together in my mind (I am admittedly one of those people who forgets whole plots of stories right after reading them). This year, though, I have a definitive book of the year. Without a doubt.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (fiction)

Synopsis: Joan's goal is to make it to space as one of NASA's first female astronauts. In pursuit of that goal, she meets other NASA scientists that slowly become her family and one particular scientist that quickly becomes the great love of her life.

Holy smokes was this book great. TJR rarely misses anyway, but she outdid herself with this one. This book kept me turning the pages, made me cry, and made me want to learn more about space (and I'm generally pretty afraid of space). This is a love story, a historical fiction piece, a story about family, and an ode to women everywhere. It is a truly excellent read, and it's my favorite of 2025.

One year later, and I'm back with my lone blog post for the year. What can I say? I like to reflect on what I've read in a year and then never use my blog for anything else ever.

This year of reading felt a little 'meh.' I ended the year with 55 reads, but there were quite a few months where I either A) didn't read at all or B) read but it felt like a chore to get through the novel I was reading.

In previous years, I've felt like I couldn't keep up with all of the excellent books I read. This year feels more lackluster.

That being said, there are some self-appointed 5-star reads that I do want to share. Buckle up. Here's my much-anticipated (all jokes) 2024 list of 5-star reads:

New-to-Me Books (Published before 2024)

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

Summary: Set in 1994, April Sawicki is a 16-year-old living a less-than-ideal life with her negligent father in a small town. When she gets into a fight with her dad, she packs up what little possessions she owns and sets off to make a new life for herself. Paying her way by singing anywhere that will have her and meeting new friends along the way, April learns that she is in charge of her own destiny.

This book was so beautifully written and intriguing, I didn't want to put it down. This is a story about heartbreak, strength, and courage. I loved it to say the least.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Summary: Trevor Noah, comedian and talk-show host, details his upbringing in this honest and funny memoir. From the trials his family went through living in South Africa to the ramifications of apartheid, Trevor details how growing up the way he did made him who he is today.

I've always been a fan of Trevor Noah and this book has been on my list for years to read. This summer, I finally made it happen. I felt like this book was honest and real while also being full of humor. I really enjoyed the voice that the story was written in and felt like I learned more about a celebrity I already admired.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Summary: When Leni's unpredictable, abusive, and volatile father moves their family to rural Alaska, darkness and hardship descend on the family like never before.

I have yet to meet a Kristin Hannah book I didn't thoroughly enjoy (stay tuned for yet another Hannah novel later on this list). She just writes with such an eloquent voice and crafts such compelling characters. This story was truly a page-turner as well as deeply depressing. I cried while reading it which is always the mark of a good book (in my humble opinion).

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Summary: When Tova is widowed and still reeling from the loss of her adult son several years earlier, she finds solace in her work at a nearby aquarium. Her unlikely friend at the aquarium is an octopus named Marcellus. Marcellus has made it his mission to uncover the truth about Tova's son's passing to finally bring his friend peace.

I didn't think I would like this book. I mean, a woman and an octopus becoming friends? I was skeptical. But, this book was at the top of everyone's list a few years ago, so I figured, what the heck? This book is phenomenal. Also, I cried. Again, that's the mark of a great read.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Summary: Technically a young adult novel, this story follows Lakshmi, a thirteen-year-old girl living in Nepal. When she is sold into prostitution to raise money for her family, Lakshmi learns of the true evils this world can contain.

This novel was absolutely heartbreaking, and I mean that. While this was a very difficult read, it was an important one. Also, interestingly enough, this book is on the banned book list despite this story being an absolute true retelling of what children in our world face to this day.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Summary: Set in a futuristic society where people are delivered a length of string to determine how long their life will be, this novel follows 8 individuals as they grapple with the decision to look at their string or leave it a mystery.

If there's one thing about me, it's that I love a dystopian read. This was exactly that. It was also heartwarming, heartbreaking, and everything in between. I also thoroughly enjoy a book that makes me reflect, and I thought about this book for quite some time after finishing as I reflected on whether I would want to look at my string. I'm still not sure what I would do.

New-to-the-World in 2024

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

Summary: Marley West is 17-years-old when she finds herself in Mercury, Pennsylvania looking for a family to call her own. When she finds herself entwined with the Joseph family, she finally feels she has a place to call home. However, her complicated relationship with the Joseph brothers makes the family she wanted less attainable.

This was one of the first novels I read in 2024, and it really raised my expectations for this year of reading. While this novel has mixed reviews on Goodreads, I really enjoyed this contemporary tale. This is one of those mundane stories about small details that still tugs on your heart strings. I thought it was great.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Summary: Daphne and Miles are people with one thing in common, their exes are dating one another. When these two look for solace in one another, they realize there might be more there than just a shoulder to cry on.

Emily. Henry. Does. Not. Miss. Again, this is a novel with some mixed reviews on Goodreads, but I disagree 100% with anyone who didn't love this book. If you're a fan of romance and great storytelling, this is a story for you. Come back next year when Emily Henry releases her next book and I undoubtedly rate it 5-stars yet again.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Summary: Frankie is a 20-year-old nursing student during the Vietnam War. When she makes the decision to enlist, she learns that not everyone is in favor of her courageous choice. What Frankie finds in Vietnam and beyond is devastating and loving all at once.

It's a wonder Kristin Hannah can keep writing these phenomenal novels, and, yet, here we are. This novel was a feat. I cried (because of course I did) and I learned more about women serving in the Vietnam War. This book was eloquent, compelling, and devastating all at once.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Summary: Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend. Years later, a true-crime podcast decides to uncover the truth of that fateful night.

I won't lie... I can't remember specific reasons why I loved this book. I enjoy a good thriller, but I've read so many of them all the details start to blend together. I do know it takes A LOT for me to rate a thriller 5-stars... so, maybe just take my word on this one?

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Summary: Phoebe arrives at a beautiful Newport, Rhode Island resort ready to enjoy her final moments. She intends to kill herself after a day of pampering. When she runs into a soon-to-be bride who has rented out the resort for her wedding, the two become unusual friends and Phoebe's plans are sidetracked.

While this novel seems dark (i.e. a woman intending to take her own life), it is full of humor, lightheartedness, and tenderness. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this story. It's a good one, and I recommend it regularly.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Summary: Lucy meets Felix while vacationing on one of her favorite small town islands. The two hit it off. The problem? Felix is Lucy's best friend's brother.

This was a stereotypical cheesy rom-com that I absolutely love. It was everything I want a good rom-com to be: corny, heartwarming, and predictable. Perfect.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Summary: Justin and Emma have deemed themselves cursed. Whenever they date someone, that person ends up breaking it off with them just to find their true love shortly after. When these two decide to date each other assuming it'll be a short-lived fling, they realize they bit off more than they can chew and Fate may be acting in their favor for a change.  

Abby Jimenez is another author that truly does not miss. All of her romance novels are top-tier and some of my very favorites. Each time she releases a new novel, I hold my breath in fear that it won't be as good as her last. So far, that hasn't happened. This was a great romance read.

Down the Drain by Julia Fox

Summary: An honest and raw memoir, this story details Julia Fox's life growing up in New York City.

I kind of can't believe this book made the list, but, alas, here we are. I unapologetically loved this book. It was wild and truly unbelievable. Julia Fox has lived more life than I've lived and will probably ever live. This was a wild ride to read, and I enjoyed every single minute of it.

If' you've made it to the end of this blog, first of all, thank you for reading my words. Second of all, please tell me your favorite reads of 2024. I'm hoping 2025 is a more exciting reading year for me, and I could use all the help I can get.

Happy Reading in 2025!

Ah, the end of another year... Another chance for me to dust off this blog and use it for its sole purpose once more.

2023 was a great reading year for me. I actually read less this year than the last two years (105 books in 2022 and 106 books in 2021). That being said, I put significantly less pressure on myself this year than in years past.

I'm ending 2023 having read 76 (technically 77 since I was a Beta reader for a book that couldn't be logged on my reading apps) books.

After getting back into reading during the pandemic in 2020, I set a goal for myself to read 100 books during 2021 and 2022. While I enjoyed reaching those goals and reading all the books that I did, I was stressed. I felt like a failure if I didn't reach that goal and I read books in a panic rather than just reading for fun.

I also ventured onto Bookstagram (book Instagram) in the last two years and felt some self-induced pressure from some amazing readers over there. There are people that are reading 200+ books a year. How!?  

So, this year, I set my reading goal at 12 books. I knew reading a book per month was an achievable goal for me, and if I ended up reading more it would just be a bonus.

I am extremely proud of my 76 reads for the year. I actually listened to myself and didn't read when I didn't want to. There were times this year where I didn't pick up a book for a whole month. There are other times where I read 5 books in a week. I really tried to tune into how I was feeling. If I didn't want to read, I just didn't. In that way, I actually think I enjoyed my year of reading more than I did in previous years.

So, all that being said and my long-winded soliloquy that nobody asked for finished, here are my 5-star recommendations from 2023:

Favorite Read of 2023

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

I'm starting this list with my absolute favorite read of 2023. If you stop reading this blog here or only pick one book off my recommendations to read, I encourage you to read this book. This novel was so well-written. That's probably one of the reasons why it won the Pulitzer Prize. The author, Barbara Kingsolver, took the classic story of David Copperfield and made it into a modern-day tale. It's a hard novel to read. The main character, Demon, has a tough life. From drug addiction to parental neglect to homelessness to poverty, Demon can't seem to catch a break. I loved this novel because it really examines issues that our society is facing today, and it does it in such a heartfelt way. I was rooting for Demon the entire time I was reading, and I couldn't put this novel down. Truly, this novel is a masterpiece. Read it.

Favorite Romance Reads

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

This book was heartbreaking and beautiful all the same. I was enchanted from beginning to end.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

I am nothing if not an Emily Henry fan. The consensus around this book seems to be that it isn't as good as her first three novels. I, however, thoroughly disagree. I loved this, and I am eagerly awaiting Henry's next novel.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

I had no expectations going into this book, and I was very, very surprised. I LOVED it. This is a romance book with a little bit of magic--a magic apartment to be specific. I usually hate magical elements in my books, so it's really saying something that I enjoyed this read.

Favorite Historical Fiction

First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

This book is about the friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and activist Mary Bethune. The novel explores the unlikely friendship between these two ladies as they navigate politics and race relations. I am a sucker for historical fiction, and Marie Benedict is one of the best.

Favorite Thriller

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

2023 was not my favorite year for the thriller genre. My criteria for a solid thriller is one that keeps me guessing until the very end. Not many thrillers did that for me this year, but this was a thriller I genuinely enjoyed.

Contemporary Novels

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

If I had to rank my 2023 reads, this book would be in the top 3. This book is heartbreak after heartbreak. Genuinely, this was a hard read. It was the only book from this year that made me cry while reading. It explores Appalachia circa the early 1900s, racism, poverty, and abuse. Again, it's a hard read. But, wow, was it fantastic.

Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

This was part romance and part tale-of-friendship, and I loved it. Jojo Moyes is genuinely such a tried and true author, and I'm convinced everything she writes will be likable.

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

This is a novel I never expected to enjoy so much. It tells the story of an ultra rich family in Upper East Side New York. That whole sentence I just wrote is everything I don't care about... and yet, I loved this story. To make me have empathy for selfishly rich individuals? That's talent.

A Year of Re-Reads

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I haven't ventured back to The Hunger Games series since I was in high school. I did a reading challenge through Ohio State's Alumni Association this year, and one of the prompts was to re-read a favorite book. I picked up The Hunger Games with low expectations. How good can a young adult series be that you enjoyed at age 13? Well, these books hold up. I highly recommend rereading or picking this series up for the first time if you missed The Hunger Games bandwagon all those years ago.

Favorite Memoir

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

I'm rounding out this list with my favorite memoir of the year. This book was raw and honest and engaging. I have always been a Britney fan, and this truly is a behind-the-scenes look at all the parts of her life we weren't privy to. It's a good one.

At this point, this blog is solely for my end-of-year reading recaps... Oh well.

This year, I set a goal to read 100 books and I ended up at 105. Some of them were phenomenal and now solidly live in my top favorites of all time. Some I'm disappointed that I ever finished, but they can't all be winners.

As is now my yearly tradition, I'm sharing which books I absolutely loved in case any of my reader friends are looking for recommendations. One of my favorite things about reading is sharing what I love and hearing about what others love. That being said, if any great books you read this year didn't make my list, please share them!! I'm always looking for new books to add to my ever-growing list.

P.S. If any book lover friends want to connect via Instagram, I ended up making a bookstagram account last December. It's where I post my daily thoughts and reviews about the books I read so as not to annoy people on my regular social media feed. I ended up making quite a few book-y friends via Instagram, and I've really found a community that lets me talk about one of my passions--reading! Feel free to message me for my Instagram handle.

Without further ado, here are my 5-star reads from this year (in no particular order because I am not a decisive person):

***I typically gravitate toward thrillers, romance, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction, but a few other genres made the cut this year.

1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

If I truly had to pick one favorite from this year, it might be this book. Kristin Hannah has never written a bad book in my humble opinion, but this one, wow. I think this was the only book I cried while reading this year. The story takes place during World War II and explores the choices and relationship between two sisters that find themselves estranged during the war. This book truly blew me away.

2. The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson

I had no expectations going into this book, and I kind of feel that's how you have to read it. Dawson created a story about a new pandemic only in this one, you don't get COVID; you get an uncontrollable urge to harm those around you. This book has violence (hence the name), a traveling wrestling group, and political undertones (read at your own risk). It's wacky, but it was also highly addictive. I recommend!

3. The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

Well, if you didn't like the office, you probably won't like this book. If you listen to the Office Ladies podcast religiously, there's a high chance you will love this book. I obviously fall into the latter camp. This is essentially a behind-the-scenes book with anecdotes from Jenna and Angela's time on set and there's about a million pictures. It's an easy and fun read for any Office fan.

4. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

If she wasn't already, Emily Henry has firmly earned her spot as my #1 author. I devour everything she writes, and her books only continue to get better. This enemies-to-lovers book is a must-read for anyone who loves romance and books.

5. The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

Indie rock star, Greta James, joins her father on an Alaskan cruise after her mother passes and her career is at an all-time low. While this book also delves into romance, it read to me like a story about complicated family relationships and navigating grief. I genuinely enjoyed this one.

6. His & Hers by Alice Feeney

It takes a lot to leave me genuinely surprised in a thriller. I read so many of them, many of the plot devices and twists end up blending together. NOT this book. This book left me sincerely shocked. I could not put it down. If you're a thriller fan, do yourself a favor and add this one to your list of must-reads.

7. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry was a total 'females rule' book, and I loved every second of reading it. After being doubted her whole life in the sciences, single mother Elizabeth Zott finds herself transitioning from a brilliant chemist to a daytime TV chef in order to support her child. I've never rooted for a main character more than Elizabeth Zott.

8. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

At 600+ pages, this book is no joke. Spanning six centuries and 5 characters' lives, this book finds connection through a single shared story. This story was a challenging one to get into at first (give it the first 100 pages or so before abandoning it), but when the connections started to form I was sold. This book is a feat.

9. How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur  

If you liked The Good Place, I think you'll like this book. Michael Schur does a nice job of explaining typically confusing (at least to me) ethical philosophies and giving modern day examples so they relate to your own life. I felt smarter after reading this book, and that's a win to me.

10. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

I am the first to admit I am not the world's biggest CoHo fan. She can certainly write, but her books aren't always my cup of tea. That being said, this book was perfect. This is a sequel to It Ends With Us (which admittedly wasn't my favorite). This book took all the heartache that existed in It Ends With Us and turned it into a beautiful and loving story about soulmates. I was so happy with how Colleen Hoover chose to wrap up this story.

11. Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

I don't really know how to explain this book other than saying it was very angsty and chaotic. Regan is a girl who sees the world as boring and mundane; she wants chaos and less impulse control. Aldo is a boy who thinks the world is too unpredictable and who craves routine. When these two meet by chance, their world opens up to new possibilities. This book felt like something I would have read and loved in high school, and maybe I loved it for that nostalgia factor.

12. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

This book won Book of the Month's Book of the Year and Goodread's Choice Fiction for a reason. Set around the world of video games, this novel follows two friends, Sam and Sadie, as they set out to make a game together. This book spans 3 decades of their lives as the two grow impossibly close and then estranged over and over again. It should be noted that this book isn't a love story but rather a story about the complicated nature of relationships--friendship and otherwise.

13. The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

I am unapologetically a Michelle Obama fan. I loved her book Becoming, and this one was no different. In this memoir, Michelle gives advice for how to face obstacles that life throws at you while connecting to her own circumstances.

14. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Again, if I had to pick a favorite book from this year, this one would rival The Nightingale. This book takes place in the past, present, and future all connected by a culminating and mysterious event. This is a short read at only 255 pages, but Mandel packs a good chunk of story into those pages. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it, and I thought about it for days afterward.

15. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In second place to Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors of all time. Her books are magic. She has this masterful way of connecting all of her stories through familiar background characters but still manages to create new and exciting tales with each new book. This one follows a former tennis pro as she makes a comeback to defend her titles. It also explores her complicated relationship with her father. This was a great read.

16. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

The title of this book is jarring, I know. I wasn't sure what to expect from this read, but WOW. McCurdy writes with such vulnerability and strength. I was flummoxed from start to finish. This book is a masterpiece in storytelling, but it is also extremely hard to read with page after page filled with mentions of abuse and manipulation.

Exactly one year later–with no blog posts whatsoever in between–I'm back with more book recommendations. While I did not uphold my 2021 intention to use this blog more, I did make good on my intention to continue reading.

This year, I read 106 books. That probably says something poor about my social life, but I feel accomplished regardless. I know I love to look to friends and family for book recommendations, and I hope I can offer some suggestions to my fellow readers in 2022.

5-Star Reads

In total, I ranked 15 books as 5-star reads this year. I simply could not whittle down to a top 5 or 10, so here are all 15 in no particular order:

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren (Romance)

I thought about this book for at least 2 weeks after I finished it.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction)

Pro-tip: Have your tissues nearby. This book is DEPRESSING but so, so good.

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead (Thriller)

This book is what all thrillers should be. This is my gold standard of the thriller genre.

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks (Romance)

LISTEN. I know how it looks to slap a Nicholas Sparks' book with a 5-star rating, but I don't care. I still read every novel this man writes no matter how foolish that makes me, and I'll be the first to admit his recent novels have not been the greatest. But this book– It did it for me. Take this rating with a grain of salt.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (Contemporary/Romance)

This book is SO good. It's a real will-they, won't-they, should-they-even type of story, and it's just well-written. I've made 3 of my friends either start reading this already or put it on their To Read lists.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (Romance)

This is a spicy read. That's all I'll say. Read at your own discretion.

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (Historical Fiction)

This was such a beautiful, intriguing look at the creation of the first Oxford English dictionary and the lack of women involved in the process.

The Push by Ashley Audrain (Thriller)

This novel left me unsettled in the best way possible.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Romance)

If you like romance, you should read all of Emily Henry's books. Next.

Yearbook by Seth Rogen (Biography)

This book made me audibly laugh more than once while reading. Also, I love Seth Rogen.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (Dystopian Fiction)

When I tell you this book brought me back to my Hunger Games reading days... I LOVED this book and the concept of this world. I'm patiently waiting for this author to write the second book and make it a series.

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (Historical Fiction/Contemporary)

This book is short and not-so-sweet. It's actually heartbreaking and important.

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer (Historical Fiction)

This story is set in both Nazi-occupied Poland and modern day, and it is absolutely heartbreaking. And beautiful. Please read it.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Historical Fiction)

Two identical sisters lead very different lives as one lives in the rural south with her Black daughter and the other passes for white in a rich neighborhood with a husband that knows nothing of her past. It was difficult for me to put this book down.

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict (Historical Fiction)

I think I'm in the minority with this being a 5-star read, but the classic "mystery" novels are what got me into thrillers– now one of my favorite genres. I loved this twist on the real instance of Agatha Christie's disappearance in 1926.

Honorable Mentions

These books didn't quite reach 5-stars for me, but they were very close and still deserve some recognition.

1. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse (Thriller)
2. No Exit by Taylor Adams (Thriller/Suspense)
3. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (Suspense)
4. The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker (Thriller)
5. The Therapist by B.A. Paris (Thriller) *
6. The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace (True Crime Nonfiction)
7. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle (Romance)
8. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (Romance)
9. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney *
10. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult **

*=I would suggest reading anything by either of these authors (B.A. Paris and Sally Rooney). They are excellent always.

**I genuinely enjoyed this one, but it is about the current global pandemic. So, if you're trying to escape the pandemic through reading, don't choose this book.

1-Star Reads

To each their own, but I highly suggest never reading these books. I only had four 1-star reads this year, but they were truly bad.

1. The Vacationers by Emma Straub
2. 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
3. The Jetsetters by Amanda Ward
4. The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

This year has been a wash in more ways than one. My fitness goals went out the window, this blog has lain dormant, Kurt and I don't leave our apartment except to grocery shop and hike, and any plans we had for travels and exploring went out the window (for good reason!).

It hasn't been exactly the year of growth I was hoping for. However, this year did teach me to be a little extra thankful for the people in my life. It also taught me patience and understanding. It taught me to be grateful for strangers and to think of others before thinking of myself.

This year also allotted me plenty of time to complete one of my 2020 New Years intentions. What i didn't accomplish in fitness, traveling, and new experiences, I made up for reading!

A simple intention I had for 2020 was to read more. I think I accomplished just that! In 2019, I probably read roughly 10 books. In 2020, I can proudly say that I have finished 54 books (+ 2 half read books that I abandoned after realizing I just didn't care for them).

This is a huge accomplishment for me, because as much as I've always loved reading I never made time for it in the past. This year it was a staple of my daily life to pull out a book and relax on the couch or read as I drifted off to sleep at night.

If you're looking for books to read in 2021, maybe there will be something on this list you'll want to try!

Top 10 favorite books (in no particular order because I'm very indecisive):

1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama
2. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
5. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
7. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
8. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
9. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
10. Educated by Tara Westover

Books that taught me something:

1. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
2. Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan Metzl
3. Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

Books that didn't work for me, but might work for you:

There were only 2 books I read this year that I just couldn't finish. I firmly believe that any book I invest in, I need to finish... even if I don't love it. I reached a point with these two books, though, that I just couldn't keep pretending I was enjoying myself; if this year taught me anything it's that we shouldn't spend time doing something we don't genuinely love. Maybe you'll like these more than me.

1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (I might revisit this one at some point... maybe.)
2. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson (I usually LOVE history books and I LOVE Erik Larson's writing, but this just didn't do it for me. After giving up on it, I saw it was featured on President Obama's top books of 2020, and then I felt like a real loser for not liking it.)

Top 5 thrillers:

If you really know me, you know that thrillers are undoubtedly my favorite genre to read. I never get tired of the predictable set-ups and whodunit plot. I love books that keep me guessing, and I live for all the red herrings that thriller authors throw in. These were my favorites from this year:

1. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
2. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
3. Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris
4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
5. Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger

Phew. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of news, hysteria, and everything Coronavirus.

If you know me, you know that I'm a person that gets stressed about getting sick. Any bump or bruise or tickle in my throat makes me think I'm headed straight for the ER. That's just who I am.

I would be lying if I said the Coronavirus news hasn't freaked me out. I have learned to be rational about it, though, and can confidently say I am now signficantly less stressed about the fast-spreading virus. Working with kids, though, brings on a whole other challenge I wasn't expecting.

I honestly wasn't too worried about my students at first. There's a lot that happens in our sometimes scary world (i.e. mass shootings, international tensions, etc.). My class this year isn't the most nervous about this stuff. I'm sure learning about it or seeing it on the news causes them anxiety, but they never really brought that worry with them into the classroom.

Coronavirus was another situation entirely. My students were stressed.

If someone so much as brought up the name of the virus, I had kids panicking and on the verge of tears. I knew we had to talk about it rather than pretend it wasn't happening. My students were going to hear about the virus from the news, their parents, or in passing from another class' students.

I am a firm believer that scientific facts can make a situation better. Having all the facts can make someone feel better, more relieved, and lessens the fear of only knowing bits and pieces about something scary.

Here's what we did to tackle Coronavirus in the classroom:

We printed off a zine and read it together.

NPR specifically made this zine for children. It explained exactly what the virus is and everything we know about it so far, especially who is really at risk when they contract this sickness. If we were going to tackle the issue of Coronavirus, we needed to know exactly what it is first.

We listed to a podcast.

NPR has a great 3-minute podcast for children. It puts the virus into a context kids can understand and really helps them to lessen their anxiety about this new and scary thing.

Both the zine and the podcast can be found here: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

As a class, we discussed handwashing and ways to stop the spread of sickness.

Did you know you should be washing your hands for 20-seconds at a time? My students know now! They also know that they can sing the Happy Birthday song, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, or hum the Imperial March from Star Wars to make sure they're washing for the full 20 seconds. We also did a great deal of work around remembering to keep our hands out of our mouths and noses and making sure to wash our hands when we do accidentally touch our faces.

We watched BrainPOP's free video.

Sometimes it just takes a cartoon for kids to feel more comfortable with information. BrainPOP has a free video on their site (usually you need a subscription to view) about the Coronavirus.

It can be found here: https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

At the end of every day, we wipe down our desks with a Lysol wipe.

To really promote better health practices, we started to wipe down our desks at the end of every day right before my students do their class jobs. To set an example, I wipe down my desk while they're cleaning theirs. We can all feel a little better when we are actively trying to stop the spread of germs.

We had a discussion about civic responsibility.

Though students now understand they are at the lowest risk for contracting or being seriously harmed by the Coronavirus, they also (hopefully) now understand they have a responsibility to keep others safe. Though we aren't worried for our safety, persay, we should still be washing our hands to keep others (especially those in high-risk groups) safe. We should also be responsible and stay home if we're feeling sick so we can stop the spread of germs to others.

After all this, it's apparent my kids are less stressed than they once were. Their anxieties probably aren't completely assuaged, but they know they can come to any teacher at our school to talk about their fears and the facts. Facts are most important during this time of hysteria, and real information is really what I'm trying to promote in my classroom.

Remember when I said I was going to start blogging more and be more consistent with my writing this year? Yeah, me too. Oh well! Maybe I'll add that to my list of intentions for 2020.

This year has been a whirlwind. It's felt like the shortest and longest year at the same time, and I actually can't believe how much has been packed into this year for me.

In 2019, I left my first teaching job at the end of the year, got really into yoga, moved across the country, started a new teaching job in a different grade, and found a new love of hiking. Obviously, some of those things are more important and life-altering than the others.

I wanted to take a moment at the end of this year to reflect on the different aspects of my life and to voice some intentions for the coming year of 2020.

The Move

After living in California for almost 6 months now, I can confidently say I really do enjoy it. Things are WAY more expensive than in Ohio and the traffic makes me want to pull my hair out, but the weather is beautiful all year and I love the active lifestyle that so many people in California seem to lead.

Kurt and I have settled into our apartment nicely and really turned it into a home. I have met many new faces that have all welcomed me to the Golden State. We have enjoyed exploring all that the Bay area has to offer from restaurants to hiking trails to tourist traps and everything in-between.

This move has really challenged me in a great way this year. I wasn't sure if I could actually pick up and move across the country, but I did it! There are days that I really, really miss my hometown and the home that I made in Columbus. There are times that I miss my friends and family and would give anything to just hop on a plane to see them. But I really challenged myself and proved that I can take a risk this year. I'm grateful for that (and for Kurt since I guess he has really made the transition easier for me...).

I don't know if we'll stay in California forever, but I sure am enjoying living here for now.

Teaching

I feel like I have grown so much as an educator this past year. I got the opportunity to use what I had learned in my first teaching job to help me be an even better teacher in my new teaching job.

This year, though there are plenty of bumps in the road and plenty of things I need to improve on, I feel more in control. I feel confident. That's huge for me, because my first year of teaching made me feel like I wasn't even sure if I was in the right field. I just felt like I was drowning or failing all of the time.

This year has taught me that this is undoubtedly the career I want to be in. I'm learning so much from the current role that I have. I have new behavior management skills and partnership skills especially. The kids themselves have taught me so much.

I'm happy with the way my career is headed. I'm not sure what's in-store for me 5 years from now, but, as of now, I am happy with my school and the challenges that we deal with. I feel like I'm growing and learning something new every single day.

Yoga

I know it seems silly to make a whole section about yoga, but I have to say that discovering my love for this practice has really impacted who I was this year. Yoga has given me a sense of calmness and has helped exponentially with my anxiety.

Before moving, it provided me with a routine in Columbus and a chance several times a week to move my body and connect with different people.

In Redwood City, it has helped me form connections with others and given me a relief from anxiety when I needed it.

I continue to practice yoga (though less frequently now) and I continue to love it. I am lucky enough to work with an individual that also enjoys yoga, so we practice together afterschool in our classrooms. I have also gotten into the habit of practicing in my living room when I need it.

I haven't found a yoga studio that I genuinely enjoy like I did in Columbus, but I'm still on the hunt.

Hiking

Another huge part of my 2019 has been my newfound love of hiking. I always liked to hike when living in Ohio. Now that I'm in California, though, I feel like I can hardly call what I was doing in Ohio metroparks "hiking."

Kurt and I have gotten into the habit of doing a "Sunday Hike" every week. We pick a new place and explore with 1-5 mile hikes. The views on these hikes are breathtaking, and the steepness is no joke.

Some weeks, we manage to fit hikes into our schedule after work or on a Saturday with nothing to do. It's been a great practice for us to stay active, explore different parts of our new home, and connect with each other.

We're working on way up to more intense and longer hikes. We have plans this summer to hike some 10-milers that are a little further away from our home.

Looking Ahead to 2020

I hate the concept of "New Year's Resolutions." I think it's great to better yourself and set goals, but New Year's (to me) is such an arbitrary date. If you want to better yourself, why wait until the 1st of the year? Just start now. I also feel like when I do set resolutions, they are unrealistic and set me up for self-sabotage (but that might just be a personal issue).

Even though I'm not setting "resolutions" this year, I do like to set intentions for what I want my life to encompass. These aren't huge life decisions like, "Lose 30 lbs" or "Travel to 4 countries." They're just little themes that I want to incorporate into my life daily and that I have already tried to involve myself with.

This year my intentions are:

1. Spread kindness by asking what I can do for others. I really received so much kindness in 2019 from so many different people in my life. I had wonderful support systems and people were always quick to offer me a helping hand. I want to do the same for others. I want to lead with kindness.
2. Appreciate nature. This is simple and cliche, I know. But really... hiking has gotten me so excited about being outdoors and just appreciating what the Earth has to offer. I just want to slow down more this year and take everything in. There's a moment on every hike when I'm sweating and struggling up the incline only to stop at an opening and look out at the view in front of me. It makes the whole hike worth it and makes me realize how lucky I am to live where I do. I don't want to take that for granted.
3. Be open to learning. 2019 taught me that I have a lot to learn still. I want to read more, talk to more people, listen to different podcasts, really anything to just take more in. Heck, maybe I even want to learn a new hobby. I'm not really sure what this intention means yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out in the new year.

It's been a while since I've written a blog post. The school year is in full swing, and it is absolutely exhausting and rewarding all at the same time. We've had plenty of challenges and successes in 3rd grade.

While we've been figuring out our classroom community and working hard to grow as academics, I've noticed something: My kids are NOT OK with mistakes.

Even the smallest of mistakes sends them into a panic. It's like they feel unworthy after making a mistake.

Of course, as adults we know that mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and they can actually help our brains to grow stronger. We learn from our mistakes and grow as individuals.

I had spent some time talking to my students about this concept of mistakes being OK, and our mindsets seemed to get a little more forgiving in the classroom. But it wasn't enough. We were still panicking when we multiplied wrong, read a word incorrectly, or just forgot expectations or directions.

I wanted a concrete way for students to track and celebrate their mistakes. Enter: The Mistake-o-Meter.

Since it was introduced (about 3 week ago), we have been tracking our mistakes. When one of us makes a mistake (myself included because, hey, teachers make mistakes, too!), we fill in part of our chart and we celebrate that mistake. We make sure to tell each other that mistakes are OK and we're still smart even though we might have messed up.

When we reach each star on our chart, we learn about a successful person that might have hit some bumps in the road on their way to their successes. We'll learn about famous mistake-makers, like Bill Gates, Paul Erdos, Helen Keller, and Serena Williams. These are all people that weren't perfect; they faced challenges, failures, and mess-ups and still ended with success.

At the end of our OK! chart, we will celebrate our mistakes with a party. I'm still working on what this will look like, but I'm sure it will include some mismatched clothing!

My goal with this chart and initiative is to make my students feel comfortable with making mistakes. I don't expect they will ever just stop caring about the mistakes they make, but I don't want them to spiral over small problems with easy fixes.

When I first introduced this chart, my students didn't really seem to get what we were doing. They were less-than-thrilled with our meter. Today? My students cheer when a mistake is made, and they jump at the change to be the one to fill in our chart. That's pretty awesome, if you ask me.

School is off to a great start. Sure, we've had a few bumps in the road getting things moving, but overall I have a great class.

I noticed something this week, though. My class was going through a negative rut. There were always choruses of "I can't do this!" and "I'm horrible at ____!" when something was assigned. There was also a good deal of negativity on the playground, too. The typical "You're mean!" and the occasional "You're annoying!" were pretty standard.

Obviously, no lesson I teach is going to immediately stop this behavior in its tracks, but I wanted to plant a "seed" of positivity into my classroom so we could refer back to it when we were feeling down on ourselves.

Enter the book Seeds and Trees:

If you haven't heard of this children's book, it focuses on a young prince that sets out to water his seeds every day. These "seeds" are actually words and they blossom into huge trees. The prince plants both the kind words that are spoken to him and the not-so-kind words. The beautiful words grow into green trees, while the mean words turn into red and black trees covered with thorns.

The prince enlists the help of a friend who helps him to dig out the black seeds and replant them with green seeds.

The book teaches children that their words carry meaning. and we have the power to focus on the good words rather than the mean ones. We can also plant green seeds in our friends' gardens rather than black, hurtful seeds.

I used this book with my students by reading it and then having them first come up with some "dark seed" words that they have heard and been hurt by or that they have maybe even said themselves.

**Note: "Fartfase" isn't one I typically hear, but, hey, it can be a hurtful comment.

After we brainstormed the words that make us feel bad or that we might use to make others feel bad, we decided we needed to change our thinking. We turned those thoughts into positive words for ourselves and for our friends.

**Note: I LOVE that a student wrote "empathy." Proud teacher right here.

This activity got us thinking about growth mindset and perspective-taking. We got a chance to turn our negative thoughts into positive ones, and now these charts are hanging in our classroom to utilize in times of frustration and moments of "I can't do this!"

Teacher Tip: Pair this book/activity with the book The Word Collector by Sonja Wimmer. It also discusses collecting positive words and spreading them to people that need them.

You could say I'm a real "yogi" these days... I'm mostly kidding, but kind of not.

Yoga has been something that I have enjoyed since high school, but I never really found the time to do it. I also never wanted to pay for a membership (broke college student and then broke teacher didn't leave me a lot of yoga money).

About 3 months ago, though, I heard about a donation-based yoga studio in Columbus called Replenish. All of their offered yoga classes are donation based, meaning you can give exactly what you can. All classes take place in a magical, little carriage house.

I've become a regular at 4 different classes each week and have found teachers that don't expect perfection but rather progress and passion.

Yoga has given me so much in the 5 months since I've been practicing it. It offers me a release from my anxiety, a good workout and chance to move my body, practice in concentrated breathing, and a productive hobby to occupy my time.

I'm a pretty competitive person, so yoga was initially a little tricky for me. I wanted to hit every pose perfectly and push myself. Practicing for a while now, though, has given me a chance to focus on my individual progress. I can now focus on the process and find joy in my practice even if I don't nail every balance or pose.

If anyone is looking for a way to relax, gain flexibility, and get in an extra workout, I cannot recommend yoga enough. I especially recommend Replenish if you're in the Columbus area.

I am so sad to be leaving Columbus, but I am on the hunt for a new, accepting studio in California. And I am ready to keep progressing in a practice I have learned to love.

It's crazy to type, but there are only 6 days left in this school year. 6!!

It's hard for me to fathom how this year went by so fast or how we managed to learn so much. Before I started teaching, I worried that I wouldn't be able to grow my kids. I worried that at the end of the year, they would have learned nothing and I would have failed them. All of my education friends (those that had already been doing this for a bit) told me that the kids would grow undoubtedly. I just had to let it happen and try my best.

They were right. 170-ish days ago, I had a group of (basically) 1st graders enter my room. They were dependent and full of energy. Now, they are independent thinkers and doers (and still very much full of energy). I can't believe how much I have seen them grow both in their academics and in their personalities.

Everyday now that I come to school, I make a conscious choice to try and look for the light in every single moment. Even when I'm frustrated (end-of-the-year behaviors are real and hard), I try to remember that I only have so much time left with these kids. And I remember who they were when they first entered my class so I can remember the joy I have in seeing who they have become.

I started really reflecting on my first year this past week. I reflected on the ways I could improve as an educator next year. I thought of the parts of my teaching that I actually found pretty successful and patted myself on the back for those (gotta take small victories when they come!). And I really tried to pinpoint my favorite memories from the year... the moments I know I won't forget.

Just so they're in writing, here are the moments I will hold onto from this year and the wonderful group of kiddos I had the pleasure of teaching:

The first day of school

The anxiety I felt on that first day is something I haven't felt since. I can't begin to explain how much of a fraud I felt like when parents first started dropping their kids off. I really had that moment of "Am I actually prepared and ready for this?" When I realized the kids were just as nervous (and excited) as me, though, we figured it out together and stumbled our way through the first day of 2nd grade.

Words and Your Heart activity

I read a book to my class called "Words and Your Heart." The book focuses on how words can affect you and those around you, both positively and negatively. It encourages kids to watch what they say and to use kind words to build each other up. I stole an idea from a Facebook teaching group I'm in to further the lesson of this book. I cut out enough big hearts for every child and wrote their name in the center of it. I created and passed out a list of adjectives (or "strong 2nd grade describing words"). I gave students time to walk around the classroom and choose a different adjective to write on every students' heart. By the end of the activity, each student had a heart full of positive words that their classmates thought about them. Though the activity was cute by itself, what blew me away was how seriously my students took it! The classroom was SILENT. Students were searching their papers so hard to find the perfect word for their classmate. When we wrapped up, students were so happy to sit and read all the words their classmates used to describe them. It really filled their hearts (and mine!).

Dandelion Day

This was not an official day but rather what I'm calling it. One day in April, our recess field was BURSTING with dandelions. They had literally appeared overnight and they were everywhere. Because teachers aren't perfect, none of us thought to tell the students to stay out of the field. So, naturally, all of the students ran straight for it and were picking dandelion bouquets for their teachers and guardians. Seasonal allergies are REAL and some students were walking back from the field with a handful of dandelions and a red splotchy face. What really got me was how proud the students were of their huge bouquets and their thought process for picking the "flowers" (for example, "My mom loves flowers!!") At the end of recess, all dandelions were designated to stay on the playground, but I won't get over the sight of so many students running around the blacktop with huge yellow bouquets.

Coding with Kurt

I had Kurt come into my classroom a few times this year, but my favorite memory is the first time he showed up. He got to tell the kids what he does for a living (coding) and what coding can be used for (namely, video games). Nothing lights up a second grader's face more than the realization that it's possible to grow up to be a person that MAKES video games. Kurt showed my kiddos code.org, a website that breaks coding down to it's simplest form so elementary students can start learning it. Everyone was so into this lesson and working so hard to get their code just right. And since I have no idea how to code, I got to sit back and listen to the choruses of "Mr. Lewis, I need help!" that kept ringing out.

Word Guessing

Around midyear, I came up with an idea for transition periods and the random times we had a moment to kill in the classroom (think: We cleaned up a little too early and now there are 4 minutes before specials). I started writing "hard" words on the board and having my students guess what the word was and what it meant. Students got to use their phonics knowledge to try and break apart the words. It is immensely entertaining to listen to a 2nd grade student try to break apart words like 'mischievous' and 'academic.' This was such a small part of our year, but little moments of engagement and giggles like this are what really made the year what is was for me.

Kid Quotes

I'm sure this will be a highlight of my year every year that I teach, but my students really made me laugh this year. I can't pinpoint this to a specific moment, but I have to pause and remember the great one-liners my students produced this year. From "Miss Radich, my cat is having babies... but she isn't even married!!" to "Drinking apple juice really calms me down in the mornings," I spent most of my days (even the frustrating ones) laughing at something a student shared in class.

Bookmaking

After a year of working on narrative, opinion, and informational writing over and over and OVER again, I wanted to give my students some choice. I let them write a story about anything they wanted. It could be an About Me book, a fictional story, a memory story, an opinion piece, or a researched book. They got to write it and then got a blank white book to copy their story into. To see the pride that they took in crafting their stories was incredible. We struggled with writing all year. It definitely wasn't a favorite subject in my class, but this project really turned it around. I had students begging me to give them extra writing time, and any day that we didn't get to writing was a huge letdown for my kids. We ended up with stories ranging from our favorite birthday party to a history of the Bermuda Triangle. I hope my students take these books home and share them with their families. I'm hopeful they'll look back at them in a few years and remember just a little bit of the time we shared together in 2nd grade.

Daily Dismissal

Dismissal has been and will continue to be a little chaotic for the duration of the year. By the end of a day full of learning, my consistently energetic class is ready to go. My favorite part of this crazy process is the moment I dismiss the kids by bus riders, car riders, walkers, etc. I stand by my classroom door and offer every student a high five, a "Have a good night," and some encouraging words for the next day. What's special about this time has been getting to know my specific students and what they need at the end of the day. I know which students are going straight in for a hug instead of a high five. I know which students think it's funny to duck my high five but still turn around and smile at me as they walk down the hall. I know which students linger in the classroom and want to stay at school longer. I know which students need some extra encouraging words for the day to come and some support for the potentially rough day they might have had. That moment is a moment we get to share just us, and it's become so special to me. It's a moment I will undoubtedly miss when I say my final goodbye at my spot at the door.  

This year has been a learning experience. It's been exhausting, fun, stressful, special, and transformative. I don't know what next year holds, but I'm positive I'll be perusing this blog post from time to time to remember the important moments from my first year of teaching.

Well... after months of stress, big decisions, and figuring things out, I can finally say that I am officially California bound.

I am so excited to have accepted a job in the Bay Area! I will be teaching 3rd grade next year and working at an independent school focusing on social-emotional learning, processing skills, and behavior management. I am very eager (and nervous!) for this new opportunity.

My new school will definitely be very different from the public school setting I am so used to, but I am ready for a new challenge and the growth that awaits me.

This decision is nothing if not bittersweet. I have found a school that I absolutely love and will miss in East Franklin. My 2nd graders were the best group of students I could have imagined having for my 1st year of teaching. The staff at my school is INCREDIBLE, and I am beyond sad that I won't have the chance to continue to work with and learn from those amazing educators. I have also made a lot of supportive friends that I am so sad to leave.

This decision wasn't an easy one to come to, but it feels like what's right and what's next. Kurt accepted a job earlier in the year at Google. He will be relocating to the Bay Area in July. Moving together was something we had talked (and talked and talked) about, but I knew that unless I found a job I was genuinely excited about in California it would be almost impossible for me to leave my job now.

Accepting this new position felt like everything fell into place and made me feel assured that this was the right decision for me.

Kurt and I are excited to settle into the area, explore what California has to offer, and start a new chapter in our lives.

It's not going to be easy leaving my family (or my friends, that have become like family). I've never lived so far from home before, and Columbus has truly become my second home. It's going to be surreal living thousands of miles away from the only state I've known. Regardless, I'm excited for what's to come.

I know that this is going to be a year of change and growth, but I am feeling ready to try and jump right in.

You know that person that pins everything on Pinterest or saves ideas from Instagram but will never actually do anything with those ideas? That was me (and still partially is).

But I really decided that I wanted my 2019 to be the healthiest, most motivated year-to-date. One of my longtime goals was to get into bullet journaling. I knew it would help me to stay focused on certain aspects of my life and to stay on-track with my goals.

So, this year I finally made it happen. And let me just say: Best. Decision.

This little journal helps me track my water intake (something I wanted to get so much better at), my workouts, and my mood. It's so interesting to look back at a month full of different mood colors and really track how my mood fluctuates.

I also decided to track spending (still getting better at this one...), books read, and movies seen with this journal, as well. Every month, I also make an overarching goal to strive toward.

Because of this journal (and my own personal guilt that will not let me lie even though I would only be lying to myself), I have done so much better at working out and drinking at least 64 oz. of water every single day. I don't want to look down at my journal and feel bad about myself because I took 3 weeks off from working out.

This journal has also encouraged me to read at least a book a month. I used to be an avid reader. Then life got busy and reading wasn't my priority anymore. Now, because I don't want to stare at a blank "Books" page, I make sure to finish at least one book a month. (I'm currently reading Michelle Obama's Becoming and it's a must-read, just saying!)

Truly, I am so excited to finish this year of bullet journaling. I'll get to look back at a year of fulfilled goals and reminisce about the different books and movies I devoured. It'll also help me to set new goals for 2020.

If you're already bullet journaling, I'm sure you understand the usefulness of it. If you're not, I would at least encourage you to write down some goals or free journal some of your workouts, spending, etc. habits. You become so much more accountable when you have to stare at your progress on the page in front of you and reflect on how you're really doing.

**Disclaimer: I definitely stole this idea from Pinterest and altered it to make it my own. The original idea is not my own.

Lately, I have been noticing myself coming to school in weird moods. I have a lot of stress and big decisions happening in my personal life, so it's no surprise that some days I'm not always feeling it.

When you're not in the best mood (or just happened to wake up on the wrong side of the bed), it's easier to get annoyed and feel frustrated throughout the day. I realized I was letting my mood affect my interactions with my students. I was getting more easily frustrated over small things.

I've made a conscious effort lately to notice my mood and shift my thinking so that I can give my absolute best to my students.

Then I started thinking... if my students don't know how I'm feeling, they can't give me what I need throughout the day to make me have a better day. And vise versa.

My students come from diverse circumstances and backgrounds. If I can't pinpoint how they're feeling when they enter my classroom, I can't provide them with the best teaching or care. I can also take an attitude or frustration personally when actually my students are still reeling from something that happened at home before school.

This thought process got me searching on different Pinterest pages for some inspiration, and that's when I found this gem of an idea: A morning check-in! It takes no more than 5 minutes in the morning, let's the kids keep their feelings anonymous, and gives me an idea of how they are feeling when they arrive to school in the morning.

The Concept: Each student grabs a sticky note and writes their name on the back. Then they can stick the note where they feel they are in that moment. We have expectations in place that students should never flip anyone's sticky note over or move them around.

I get to quickly see how my students are feeling at a glance and follow-up with any students that need to talk.

By doing this morning check-in, I found out that one of my student's dogs had passed away right before school had started that morning. Without doing this activity, this student might not have opened up to me and I wouldn't have known why they were upset that day.

I'm always looking for new ways to engage my students in social-emotional learning and to check in with their own feelings. I can definitely say this Pinterest steal was a huge success in my classroom. I can't wait to keep using it for the rest of the year, and to start the year off with it next year.