What’s On My Nightstand

We’re big fans of books in our house.  I’m actually reading quite a few that I thought you guys might like so I thought I’d share a little post on what I’m currently reading – what’s on my nightstand!

A love of reading was instilled in me at a very early age and you know my blog was named after a poetry book my mom gave me called Silver Pennies. Growing up, I kept journals and wrote poems.  It was always a dream to write which is how the blog began.

I feel so lucky for your visits here each day.

I know many of you also enjoy reading. Here’s what I’m loving right now.

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. Thank you for helping support our blog!

On my kindle, in the gray cover on the top of the pile, I just read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I had really bought this book for our trip to Spain but I ended up reading three other books while I was there. This is definitely a good beach read. I’m sure many of you have already read it or seen the movie. This is a suspenseful page turner and had me guessing all the way through. It’s about a flawed couple, Nick and Amy Dunne, on the morning of their 5th wedding anniversary Amy disappears. There’s signs of a struggle in the home and there are letters written to Nick. They also find a diary from Amy. Could Nick be capable of hurting or killing his beautiful wife? I was eager to keep reading to find out what happened next. Things aren’t what they appear to be; unreliable narrators, red herrings, botch police work and a commentary on today’s society all play a part in the twists and turns of this book. This is a great summer read if you’re looking for one. I’m not going to say you’ll love the characters because all are flawed, but well written and an interesting read.

My oldest and I read this book each night.  Wonder by RJ Palacio is a beautifully written children’s book about Auggie Pullman, a character who we’ve fallen in love with. Auggie was born with facial differences, these and his surgeries have kept him out of public school until entering the 5th grade. He makes friends in school but also has to deal with how other kids perceive him when he just wants to be ordinary. The story shifts narrators from his perspective to his sister’s and his classmates.  John is in the 4th grade and has had many similar instances with kids. Reading this book together has been wonderful. To ask, “What would you do if Auggie came into school?” “Why do you think that boy said that?” This book is a great way to frame questions and discuss why certain kids act certain ways. Why some people are mean. Also by giving different perspectives it illustrates that there are always multiple perspectives and sides to a story.

My parents gave me The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. If you’re interested in finding your creative path than you might really love this book. I’m only at the beginning chapters of this book but thoroughly enjoying it. The basic principal is creative expression (in any form) is the path of life. I know this is true. Days when I get a chance to write, play with my camera, work on furniture, paint watercolor or draw with my kids I feel happier and lighter. Creating is a stress reliever and also a great teacher of one’s self. Julia also writes about that little negative voice that’s in all of us and how to switch off. There’s a series of exercises to tap into creativity and I’m excited to take part in this journey.

The last book I’m reading is by Carly Simon.  How I love her! Her music is wonderful and guided me through high school and college and I love cranking it when painting furniture or writing. During my summer on Martha’s Vineyard in college I loved her shop, Midnight Farm, on Martha’s Vineyard.

Boys in the Trees is Carly Simon’s memoir and it’s beautifully written. This book is a reflection on a privileged, but bohemian upbringing in Connecticut and summers on Martha’s Vineyard. I didn’t realize Carly was the daughter of one of the owners of Simon & Schuster Publishers.  I didn’t know she struggled with a stammer and stage freight.  She writes freely and candidly and you feel as if you’re sitting right next to her on the Vineyard sipping coffee at the Black Dog.  I love her voice and her stories. Some sad, some funny and all so real.  This makes me look at her songs in a whole new light. I think you guys will love this one.

Well, that’s what’s on my nightstand!  What’s on your’s? Would love to hear what books you’re reading and what you guys recommend for summer!