The Language of Flowers

I recently read a book called The Language of Flowers. It was fabulous. You should read it. But that book isn't necessarily what this post is about. The important piece is that, throughout the story, the main character, who struggled to open herself up to others or share thoughts or feelings, used flowers and their inherent meaning (according to what she learned) to communicate with others. She would hand someone a peony symbolizing anger to let out her frustration for example.

While I found that there are a million different meanings online for every flower, so the world isn't as concrete as Victoria (the main character) tried to make it be, I became very in tune to flowers and how they made me feel. I was surprised by how many flowers I encounter in an average week, whether in pictures or in offices or in my neighborhood.

I've always said I wasn't a "flower person" because I'm not that thrilled with the idea of receiving a bouquet as a gift and watching it die, but I do think fondly of the sweet scent of lilacs in May and the breeze blowing over cherry blossoms on campus, and the bold colors of tiger lilies in July. Flowers are not only beautiful, but memorable and tie us to different moments and feelings easily. I can definitely understand why Victoria was drawn to them.

Something to do With My Hands (or Brain)

In the school year full of slime, flipped water bottles, rubber bands, and fidget spinners, I've heard my fair share of "I just need something to do with my hands." Of course, I tell my students most of this time that this is just an excuse for being obnoxious, but it seems that we are now in an era where focus on one task is hard to come by. I know I struggle to watch an entire television show without eating or playing on my phone or doing some other task during the show. This week without Internet or television drove me completely crazy.

While I'm not exactly a "fidgeter", I prefer to be busy and always doing something. I think that is part of the reason I tend to overbook myself, working several jobs and taking grad classes and volunteering when I can. I don't need the extra job at the Haymarket, but there is something totally satisfying to me about a 6 hour shift in which I never had any down time. I'm exhausted at the end, but feel like my hours went to good use. When I don't have grad papers and reading to do after school (like now when I'm on a short break), I actually make myself lists of things to do like alternating between reading a book and doing dishes and writing lesson plans and going to the gym, just so I don't have to sit and let my mind wander to overthink something stupid instead.

Of course, there are times when no plans and no obligations and relaxation is important. I'm sure I could use some more of that. But for now, I'm okay with keeping my body and brain busy.

Books From the Last Five Years

For someone who read over 60 books last year, you would think I would be the source to go to for what the hot book is right now. I'm actually not. Although I see books that are getting attention on Amazon and Goodreads, I don't usually read them right away. If they look interesting, I add them to a list and someday I'll read them, but not when they are "hot." I actually do the same thing with movies and shows and podcasts. I have lists full of Stranger Things and S-Town and all the other trends and recommendations over the past years. There is just so much to consume. I'm always trying to discover classics that I missed or books my students might read or just reading something from a new genre (or a loved one). I take one at a time, usually at random, without looking up descriptions or having someone tell me about them first.

I do read some recent books though. I've been trying to do more, so always feel free to suggest something new. I made a list of recent books that I have read (published within the last five years) that I loved just in case you're looking for a summer read.

General Fiction (and one memoir)

A House in the Sky (memoir)-Amanda Lindhout

Gone Girl-Gillian Flynn

The Husband’s Secret-Liane Moriarty

Life After Life-Kate Atkinson

And the Mountains Echoes-Khaled Hosseini

Young Adult Fiction

Monument 14-Emmy Laybourne

The Darkest Minds-Alexandra Bracken

Second Chance Summer-Morgan Matson

Infernal Devices Series-Cassandra Clare

Graceling Series-Kristin Cashore

Poetry

Father, Child Water-Gary Dop

Brown Girl Dreaming-Jacqueline Woodson