Get a Life

My favorite teacherpreneur/teacher supporter/teacher blogger/adulting coach is Angela Watson. Teacherfriends, have you heard of her? You need to get to know this lady. She runs a Facebook page of which I am an avid member called The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek and publishes weekly bite-sized podcasts through her station Truth For Teachers. Two weeks of her podcast were covering 8 ways to avoid teacher burnout. It's that time of year when we teachers need that extra inspiration to not get overwhelmed with life and crawl into a hole. One of the items on that list made me chuckle, but it was this: GET A LIFE. I love it so much.

It is so easy to get sucked into teaching and make that into your de facto lifestyle. I have those weeks. All of we teachers do. Those weeks where there are no things on the schedule after school, you stay until 6, get home, make dinner, mindlessly consume some sort of media (hello Netflix) as you search Pinterest and teacherspayteachers for MORE teaching ideas and then go to bed. Rinse and repeat. Can we all agree that those weeks suck? I have a hard time finding my life very interesting if those weeks become my routine. People who only think about work are BORING and I don't like to be one of them. 

Although I sometimes fail at it, one of my real goals this year in moving to work at a school geographically closer to my home was to establish more of a rooted lifestyle, connected to real people. Essentially: I wanted to GET A LIFE and have more of a network and life outside of school. The truth of the matter is that I don't live close enough to see my college friends every day. I hate that, but that's okay! We keep up and see each other when we can. We are still so close and I wouldn't change it for the world. I also, though, need the day-to-day people in my life that can come over to my place for dinner, drop something off quickly, or say "hey, do you want to join something with me?" It's been really hard for me to make that happen, but moving to work at Timothy has been so amazing in making that sort of progress. 

Looking back, in fact, God's made this happen slowly but surely all over the place. I played in a local women's volleyball league on Thursdays (it became my absolute favorite night of the week), started working out after school one night a week with two people from school, joined a small group (not exactly local, but still. closer than the city!), and started going to a Bible study with my mentor from church and another coworker. It's felt really good to have those groups grow in my life. Another BIG one for me this year has been Book Club. Ohmygoodness how freaking great is Book Club?! 

Reese, Michal, Kim, and I meet every few months to hang out with the pretense of discussing books. But the cool thing is, while they are fun to just be around in general, they actually enjoy discussing books! It's incredible. We've read three books so far and are on our fourth. I love to read anyway, but it's been really good to read books outside my own choices. (Reese is the ultimate book-picker though so I trust her taste.) Here are a few we've read. Feel free to read 'em too.

#1 Bone Gap by Laura Ruby.  Okay. So I might have gotten a little overeager with this book. You would know that if you are my friend on Goodreads, because I recommended it to every single person I know in one fell swoop. This recommendation was for two reasons. First, I just died of it-too-good-to-be-true-ness when I read it. Second, I was just learning how stuff works on Goodreads and accidentally clicked a button that recommended it to everyone I know. But for real, go read it. It is so stinking original and beautiful and heartbreaking and victorious and for-the-underdog in all the best ways. It made me afraid and brave all at once (and isn't that what being brave is, anyway?). It's a ridiculous combination of Young Adult angst, magic realism, mythology, unreliable narrators, and coming of age goodness that makes it too good to be true except that it isn't. It's true.

#2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Now this one was wildly popular, but we all had somehow missed it in 2014, so we attacked it. I will say this: it is just absolutely beautiful. There were lots of times where I paused and was like: "Woah. That's just a pretty sentence." I love that there is an author out there who knows a bunch of stuff about World War II, radio waves, seashells, and diamonds. It makes me glad that we haven't specialized so hopelessly that people still like to learn about lots of different subjects. It surely isn't plot driven on the whole, but the sentences really are so pretty that it's okay. (It definitely helps if you're a person who appreciates pretty sentences, though.) And just be warned that this book will break your heart. Ahhh and can we just talk about the can of peaches! I have never felt like I tasted something just from reading it like I have with those peaches. And sweet goodness don't even get me started on Frederick.

#3. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.  The premise of the book feels oh-so been-there-done-that cliche, but the book itself is anything but. Here's the premise: a crazy flu epidemic kills off 99% of the world's population. The ones left behind lose all infrastructure and are jolted back to the Dark Ages as they band together and try to manage/survive life in this new world. Also, you get an inside view of a deceased actor whose tabloid fodder of a life turned out to be a bit more significant than we all initially thought. The thing is, there are so many great moments here. There's a lot of Shakespeare references that make you feel smart without requiring you to know a TON of Shakespeare in advance. The part that made me die right on the spot was one character's comic strip based off of the landscapes of Bill Watterson's Spaceman Spiff in his iconic Calvin and Hobbes. I didn't know anybody thought about Calvin and Hobbes as often as I did, so I just about fell off my chair when I found it in a mainstream book. There were definitely times where I wanted the book to be pushed in a different direction, or to be paced with a faster plot, but then again, I appreciate that there can be a book in the world about post apocalyptic teenagers that doesn't revolve around a will-they-or-won't-they love triangle. Basically, if you're a band geek, Shakespeare fan, or comic strip nerd, this is wonderful. 

Aren't they great? Go check them out. We decided to make a nonfiction pick this time and are currently working on Evicted by Matthew Desmond, a book that follows families struggling against poverty in Milwaukee. I'm naturally drawn to nonfiction like this, so I'm patiently waiting for my copy to arrive so I can swiftly devour it. 

Happy reading, friends. Isn't it fun to get a life? 

Wands in a Lifetime

So I'm hoping this wasn't just a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but visiting Hogwarts felt so magical. and wonderful. and precious. and perfect. 

Two weeks ago I accomplished one of my most exciting bucket list goals: visit Harry Potter World! This whole thing began when Reese, ever so supportive of book nerd goals everywhere, noticed that I was really getting into Harry mania. I read the entire series last year. She lent me the books, watched the movies with me (I still have to finish the last two), and planned this awesome weekend to Orlando to make these dreams a reality. I went with two people that I already know and love: Reese and Michal. Then I also got to meet their friends from college, Sarah and Esther, who went too, and now I know and love them as well! I know very few friend groups who can adopt a new girl into their plans so quickly and kindly like they have to me. I've been so blessed by Brian's college friends and this was just one of those icing-on-the-cake experiences. Waiting in line to ride the Hogwarts Express didn't feel so long with these four to talk to. 

We packed five of us into a one-room Airbnb condo and kicked off the weekend by meeting our enthusiastic 70-year-old hosts at midnight to get the keys, learn the layout of the area, and hear all of their precious musings and marriage advice. They must've thought we were here to party, because they decked out the room in Mardi Gras beads and decor, chocolates, brochures, and a bottle of Chardonnay that tasted like old perfume. The whole gesture was almost too adorable for me to handle. Little did they know we were totally here to pretend to be Hogwarts students for two days. No beads necessary. 

All I can say about the park is that IT EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS. The RIDES. The TRAIN. The DRAGON. THE FROZEN BUTTERBEER. (I was skeptical if I would like ButterBeer...ummm...so fantastic in frozen form.) It was all just magical. I took the quizzes to be sorted (we all did at some point either prior to this weekend or while in line for one of the rides) and was put into Ravenclaw, which I can embrace. Then I took the quiz for my hybrid house and it put me in RavenPuff, which is TOTALLY me. I am definitely interested in rebranding Hufflepuff as a baller house to join. Kindness, friendship, and loyalty? Yes please. 

At a few points throughout the weekend, I caught myself just looking around with a big dopey smile on my face. A thought creeped into my head: Am I too old to be this happy visiting a place like this? And that thought would quickly vanish when one of the other four would point to the next most awe-inspiring thing and we'd be off to visit that. Nope, not too old. I'm probably just now old enough to appreciate the place with some appropriate respect. With each passing year I'm kind of loving getting older. I don't wish to be 21 again or even 18. Sure, some memories make me nostalgic, but I like that with each stage of life comes its own dose of adventure and experience. I love that with each stage I find more people that prove to me that God is good. 

One funny little detail about this trip was that it coincided with Valentine's Day. Brian and some of his guy friends also had a little weekend trip, so I didn't feel too bad about leaving. I have to say, it was one of the best Valentine experiences of my life. To me, one of the things that makes J.K. such a strong voice is her intuition for eternal and important themes. I mean what on earth does Harry Potter stand for if not friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unconditional love? 

It only lasted for about 48 hours, but Valentine weekend seemed like it lasted for several sunlit days. It was that good. 

It's hard to take selfies sometimes. The other four look good, though :) 

Do You Believe in Magic?

I did something that felt super grown up yesterday. Over the last week I read the book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and took its advice. Written by Marie Kondo, a celebrity personal organizer and de-clutter-er from Japan, it tells you everything you need to know to employ the KonMari (her trademarked system) method of decluttering your life. I decided my closet was the perfect victim for this organizing trend, and so Monday was the day it happened. Be forewarned that if you drink too much of her kool-aid, you might start talking to your clothes, thanking your socks for their hard work, and greeting your home each time you arrive at the front door. Whatever, man. The closet looks good, so she must be on to something!

Before I go into the details of how and why this worked for me, let me just say I feel like I'm channeling Gwyneth Paltrow and all of her rich-person minimalism with this whole program. Suddenly I was like "Hmm maybe I'll make kale shakes for breakfast now...and name my firstborn child Apple...and be spiritual but not religious." Then I was all like, "But wait, Anna, remember how you like pop tarts and Jesus and not scarring children for life?" Right. So maybe not.

I digress.

First, I will say that it's always good to evaluate our relationship to stuff, and I found that this kind of confronted the root emotional reasons why we keep stuff, instead of doing a more legalistic "get rid of one thing each day" or "throw away everything you haven't worn in a year" type of method. Here are the steps she follows - distinctive from other advice you've probably heard about putting your house in order. The first step, obviously, should begin with getting rid of stuff.

1. Downsize by category, not by room. Don't go around the house tidying up one room at a time. Work on clothes first. (This is the only one I'm doing - since it's the only category where I had an extreme amount of excess, but you could apply this method to everything you own.)

2. Get ALL OF THE THINGS from one category and put them on the floor in one place. And I mean EV-ER-Y-THI-NG. Yikes. This is where my first-world-guilt kicked in. As I stared at that massive pile of possessions, I couldn't believe that this all belonged to me. Just look at that beaut.

My mountain of stuff. 

3. Physically pick up each item, and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy?" This was the most important question, and the central idea to why you should keep anything. You don't ask whether you wear the item a lot, whether you have worn it in the past two years, whether it is in good condition or not, or even whether somebody gave it to you as a gift. You should be surrounded only by things that you love, that spark joy for one reason or another.

4. Keep the joyful stuff - pitch the rest. For real. Get rid of every last item you own that doesn't have a spark of joy. Now, I had to think around a few things. For example, exercising is something I love to have in my life, but it doesn't spark joy at first - I know it always comes after the workout is finished. So I kept the workout clothes with this in mind. Or, while I don't absolutely love my school-issued Timothy Christian School polo, I do love my job, and it is a joy to work there, so I kept the shirt for our spirit day Fridays. Basically, I tried to be reasonable. After I got going, the "joy" test was very effective and I ended up making all of my decisions to keep or not to keep within about 90 minutes. I sent a crazy amount of stuff off to be donated. For those who are counting, that would be 9 large garbage bags filled to the top, along with a 3-drawer set and a huge storage container, all filled as well. I gave over half of my clothes away. 

5. Put each and every item that you keep back in a specific and intentional place. This seems simple, but it was a really important part of the book. One bonus tip she added: hang things on hangers so that they slope up and to the right. It just looks good that way. So I put my wedding dress on first, then maxi dresses, then regular dresses, followed by skirts on the end.

6. Reevaluate all you know about folding. You can see from some of my pictures how I've changed my folding habits. Here's an article with a few tutorial videos attached: http://goop.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-kondo-mari-method/. This is my favorite part, as I can get a good view of everything I own, and, unlike my old method of the stacked-up piles, I don't make a mess every time I want to pick one shirt off of the shelf.

Tank tops, sweaters, and t-shirts

My athletic t-shirts now all fit in one drawer! I gave 30 away in the donation pile. 

Jeans and other pants. 

So there you have it. My closet renovation. AKA, I have too much time on my hands because I'm a teacher on winter break. 

Happy tidying, everyone!

Hungry

Here is an excerpt from Shauna Niequist's book, Bread and Wine, an amazing read. I borrowed it from a friend and was immediately addicted; she writes directly to me, or at least it feels that way. This part of the book is from her chapter entitled "Hungry." It resonated with me, and, if this topic is something that you've had in your life, I hope it touches you too. 

Lynne Rossetto Kasper, the host of The Splendid Table, says there are two kinds of people in the world: people who wake up thinking about what to have for supper and people who don't. I am in the first camp, certainly. But it took me about twenty years to say that out loud. 

I've always been hungry. Always. I remember being hungry as a small child, as an adolescent girl, as an adult, and just after I locate those feelings and memories of hunger, in my peripheral vision another thing buzzes up, like a flash of heat or pain: shame. Hunger, then shame. Hunger, then shame. Always hungry, always ashamed.

I have always been on the round side of average, sometimes the very round side and sometimes just a little round. I was a round-faced, chubby baby, a little girl with soft, puffy cheeks, a teenager who longed to be skinny and never was, who routinely threw all her pants on the floor and glared at them like enemies. A woman who still longs to be skinny and never is, and who still, from time to time, throws all her pants on the floor and glares at them like enemies. After all these years, the heaviest thing isn't the number on the scale but the weight of the shame I've carried all these years - too big, too big, too big. 

I've always wanted to be thinner, and I've always loved to eat, and I felt betrayed by my appetites. Why couldn't I be one of those people who forgets to eat? Or who can't eat a bite when she's stressed or sad? When I'm stressed or sad, I eat like a truffle pig, hoping that great mouthfuls of food will make me feel tethered to something, grounded, safe. And I eat when I'm happy too - when the table is full of people I love, when we're celebrating.

My appetite is strong, powerful, precise, but for years and years, I tried to pretend I couldn't hear it screaming in my ears. It wasn't ladylike. It wasn't proper. So I pretended I wasn't hungry, pretended I'd already eaten, murmured something about not caring one way or the other, because I was afraid that my appetites would get the best of me, that they would expose my wild and powerful hunger. 

….

Part of being a Christian means practicing grace in all sorts of big and small daily ways, and my body gives me the opportunity to demonstrate grace, or to make peace with imperfection every time I see myself in the mirror. On my best days, I practice grace and patience with myself, knowing that I can't extend grace and patience if I haven't tasted it. 

I used to think the goal was to get over things - to deal with them once and for all, to snap an issue closed like slamming a locker door, washing my hands of it forever and always. What I know now after all these years is that there are some things you don't get over, some things you just make friends with at a certain point, because they've been following you around like a stray dog for years. That's how this is for me. I've been catastrophizing about my weight since I was six. I've lost the pounds and gained them, made and abandoned plans and promises, cried tears of frustration, pinched the backs of my upper arms with a hatred that scares me. 

And through all that, I've made friends and fallen in love, gotten married and become a mother. I've written and traveled and stayed up late with people I love. I've walked on the beach and on glittering city city streets. I've kissed my baby's cheeks and danced with my husband and laughed till I cried with my best friends, and through all that it didn't really matter that I was heavier than I wanted to be.

The extra pounds didn't matter, as I look back, but the shame that came with those extra pounds was like an infectious disease. That's what I remember. And so these days, my mind and heart are focused less on the pounds and more on what it means to live without shame, to exchange that heavy and corrosive self-loathing for courage and freedom and gratitude. Some days I do just that, and some days I don't, and that seems to be just exactly how life is. 

Back to Lynne Rossetto Kasper. I wake up in the morning and I think about dinner. I think about the food and th epeople and the things we might discover about life and about each other. I think about the sizzle of oil in a pan and the smell of rosemary released with a knife cut. And it could be that that's how God made me the moment I was born, and it could be that that's how God made me along the way as I've given up years of secrecy and denial and embarrassment. It doesn't matter at this point. What matters is that one of the ways we grow up is by declaring what we love.

I love the table. I love food and what it means and what it does and how it feels in my hands. And that might be healthy, and it might be a reaction to a world that would love me more if I starved myself, and it's probably always going to be a mix of the two. In any case, it's morning and I'm hungry. Which is not the same as weak or addicted or shameful. I'm hungry. And I'm thinking about dinner, not just tonight, but the next night and the next. There are two kinds of people, and I'm tired of pretending I'm the other. 

Currently...

Here's a post to check in with myself, and you guys, to let it be known "where I'm at" in this life of mine. I like to think of these posts as a way to give myself a more well-rounded status update. Here is what I'm loving, reading, watching, anticipating, listening to, planning, working on, and wishing for in October of 2013.

Loving: Fall break. As you can see from the picture above, it is absolutely beautiful in Clearwater, Florida. Hanging out and catching up with Hannah is so fun and so good. I've been able to go in to her school and observe some classrooms to get ideas for my own, have extended periods of time to catch up on finishing my report cards and schoolwork (a lot more to finish yet...), and have an hour here or there to lay out in the sunshine. I love the midwest dearly, but I love taking the trips away. 

Reading: A few books, actually! Look at me go. I've used this break to my advantage in the reading department. I've gone on a Shauna Niequist binge, reading two of her books in three days. I saw her book Bittersweet laying on the coffee table in Hannah's apartment, picked it up, and didn't put it down. Then her roommate asked if I wanted to borrow the other book of hers, called Cold Tangerines and now I'm finishing that as we speak. She has a way of writing that makes me feel like I'm not the only one with swirling thoughts, words, and sentence fragments floating through my brain at any given moment. I've also been reading How Children Succeed by Paul Tough, which has me considering so many important issues when it comes to my children, Chicago, and what it will take for the world to be a place of opportunity for them and not a place of constant heartbreaking disappointment. He champions the development of character in a child as the number one way to help him or her become successful in the future, and backs it with a flood of research. More of my thoughts on his book later. 

Watching: The headlines, dialogue, and circus surrounding this government shutdown. I suppose it's happened before in the 1980's and so I shouldn't be alarmed that the world is ending; we've made it through before. But what it does give me pause to consider is the way that we get along, the way we make decisions, and the way that we speak to one another in this country. Sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of such a selfish, illogical, and unjust society. What that means, I suppose, is that people need to start standing up for what is right and just and not what is ME. We are such a people obsessed with the idea of ME-ness, myself the first in need of an attitude makeover. 

Anticipating: So much in the YA literature department. I pre-ordered the third book in Veronica Roth's Divergent Series, which releases on October 22!! I plan on devouring that book the second it reaches my hands. Then, Catching Fire comes out that very week in theaters!!! My Katniss alter-ego has been laying dormant waiting for the next movie to be released. I'm so excited!!! There are so many exclamation points!!!! 

Listening to: The Cranberries. I have Linger on repeat right now. I can't explain it, but they speak to me. Sometimes I sing along in my own Celtic accent to feel like I'm really there. I also am listening to a million new bands I have never heard before, thanks to my boyfriend's addiction to music blogs that discover bands so he can say things like, "You've probably never heard of them before, but..." In all seriousness, he has really good taste. So I get the benefit of many cool suggestions. CHVRCHES, Grouplove, and Justin Vernon are my favorite additions he's given to my musical knowledge database. I feel more authentically like a resident of Pilsen with all of this hipster cred I'm getting. 

Planning: A few things: 1) More little get-togethers. No big parties or bachelorette parties to fund and coordinate, but I'm making a bigger effort to have coffe-shop-get-work-done-sessions with TFA friends, monthly dinner dates with my college friends, and visits to my family when I can make them. and I'm also planning 2) My effort at tackling making working out a more consistent and regular part of my life. It was one of my goals before I turned 25 to have a regular fitness routine, and I'm figuring out that plan these days. I don't want only to be working out excitedly when I have a half marathon or 15k looming, I want to be doing those runs and events in the midst of the good stuff I'm doing anyway. I still will sign up for any and every 5k and more that I can find, but you get the point. The gym has been joined and the plans are just starting to take shape. 

Working on: My master's degree. Doing school and work is exhausting. Particularly when the "work" part of that equation takes up much more time than 9-5 each day. By May I'll have my Master's of Arts in Teaching from Dominican University, if all goes well and the funds all go through. It's a weekly grind and routine, doing schoolwork throughout the week and attending long hours of night classes every Thursday in a classroom a half hour away, but I am excited to think about the light at the end of the tunnel, that is coming in the form of a certificate with my name on it, in about 8 months or so. I think I can, I think i can, I think I can...

Wishing: That I could freeze time. I love fall and all these changes we're seeing. I love how I feel at this point in my life right now and right here. I have so many blessings and struggles and bright spots and gray days. The mix of the sublime and the difficult and the mundane and the peaceful in my life right now gives me a sneaking feeing that I'm growing, stretching, and forming more into the person whom I was really meant to be. I love the hustle and bustle and twists and turns of becoming that person. I know that I can't freeze time, and that it will relentlessly bring me forward to much higher highs and even some lower lows, but the satisfaction I feel in this time in my life right now in working and living and dreaming and being is rich and full and good.

How about you? How are you currently living and doing and working? Let's get together and talk about it. 

Gents.

Okay this post is about gents. Not just about males, but other kinds of gents. Firstly and foremostly, it is about the lady and gentlemanly style of my current TV obsession. Secondly and middlemostly, it's about two books called DiverGENT and InsurGENT. Finally and lastmostly, it's about how you need to be a proud bandwagon jumper, like myself.

Of course you're all obsessed with Downton Abbey. (DownTON Abbey that is. I called it DownTOWN Abbey in the beginning and am now really embarassed to admit this. What a noob.) This show is just so stinking good. I'm not usually crazy about period pieces, but this one is perfect. It's early 20th-century Britain, and it takes you from 1912 and on as the historically stable family rooted in the tradition of British nobility faces the crazy changes that happened in the world at that time in history. Nerd alert. I know. I realize I have not captivated you. Yet. It's about the estate of Lord Grantham and the drama, excitement, and scandal of his family and the servants who work at his mansion. The beauty of the show, for me, exists in that juxtaposition; we constantly get to view every twist and turn from the perspective of both the family and their servants. Furthermore, the viewpoints are so rich because each character is fantastically human: each has the capacity for goodness and darkness. Although I have my favorites (Anna, Mr. Bates, Mary, Matthew, Tom Branson, Sybill, to name a few...) and of course those that I really can't stand (...ummmm THOMAS anyone? And can we just take a minute to realize the extent of lame-ness that is Edith?), it is really cool to see every character's choices as the show goes on. And, if all of that cool historical drama and social intrigue didn't do it for you, you should get into this show for my favorite character of all: VIOLET CRAWLEY played by the one and only Maggie Smith. She's the grandma in this whole rich family deal and her comments are perfect. PERFECT. She is the perfect example of English wit that makes me oh so happy. My favorite quote is in the picture above. This GRADE-A-JERK of a man was engaged to Mary, Violet's granddaughter, when finally Mary decided that he was, in fact, an evil piece of scum and dumped him, breaking off their engagement. He went to Violet coolly and says, "Lady Grantham, I doubt we'll meet again," as his final snotty goodbye and she snaps right back at him, "Do you promise?" in her understated way. Oh my goodness. So good. If by the end of this paragraph you haven't caught on to the greatness of this show, you may go ahead, consider me a lunatic, and move on with your life. If, however, your feelings have changed, I must tell you that this show has bewitched me both body and soul and I love, I love, I love it. (Pride and Prej reference for all you diehards. I know SOMEone out there has got to be appreciative of that last sentence.)

On to the next set of gents. Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. These books were recommended to me (and added to the book list!) by the one and only Nicole Ongna. This girl knows good books, apparently, because this series has grabbed me by the throat. I am almost done with Insurgent and can not bear the fact that I have to wait for Roth to come out with the final book to round out the trilogy. It's in the dystopian, young adult fiction, brave girl protagonist vein of the Hunger Games and delivers on all accounts. Brave underestimated girl as a main character? Check. A post-apocolyptic America facing corruption and merciless totalitarianism? Check. Hunky male character to supply the romance-in-the-face-of-crisis storyline? Check. Even as a bonus, this book series is set in the future ruins of the city of Chicago, so you get fun references to familiar buildings and landmarks throughout the series. Plus, on top of all of that, it explores cool concepts in humanity and worldview and what motivates people to do good and evil things. It is captivating. Don't be ashamed that you're reading a book meant for a 13-year-old because deep down we all have a little of that left over in us somewhere. Go buy it now.

I love this quote.

So. All in all. If you've made it this far and have reached the end of this rant, here are three things you should take away from these last few minutes of your life: A) You need to stop doing whatever things you're doing and start doing more important things like watching whole seasons of TV series in one sitting and ignoring life obligations to finish a book B) British people are cool and C) Bandwagons are fun. Hop on and enjoy the ride. 

101 Books. From Me (and friends) To You.

Well, people, my listing side has finally gotten the best of me. This is probably going to be the longest blog post on this thing to date, but I am so excited to put it up here!

I've been finding myself these days in constant need of a good, trustworthy book recommendation. A lot of my friends seem to be finding themselves in the same situation. Thus, this list was born. I reached out to some friends who I know are great readers and asked for some book titles that they would definitely recommend. I got an overwhelmingly positive response with lots and lots of wonderful books. 101 to be exact. Here is a list of 101 book recommendations. A few things you should know: the list is organized as Title - Author (Name of Recommender). This is important because if you buy the book and hate it, you now have the name of the person you need to find and slap in the face for recommending a crappy book. This is also important because if you buy the book and love it, you now have the name of the person you need to find and hug for recommending a fabulous book. It is also good to know that these are in no particular order. I'm just the messenger of quality information. Look up any titles you find interesting and give them a try!

Before I give you all of their favorites, I want to give you some must-reads from my life. Maybe I'll do a post that delves into why all of these particular books have so touched my heart, but for now I'll just give you the names of some books that every human being should read: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. And clearly, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (but I firmly believe that this book transcends any list). Also, although I'm not a Harry Potter expert, J.K. Rowling's series was recommended a million times. Clara's comment on getting into the series: "Don't give up after the first one. Harry's eleven. It was J.K.'s first book. Cut them both some slack. It's about to get way better." Okay. You have my picks. Ready for the list? Drumroll please....

1. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (Clara Connis, me, everyone else in the world)

2. Intensity – Dean Koontz (Karley VanDyke)

3.The Princess Bride - William Goldman (Sasha Blasen)

4. Brave New World - Aldus Huxley (Colin Shevlin)

5.  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller (Zak Hood)

6.  Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut (Colin Shevlin)

7.  In the Garden of Beasts - Eric Larson (Nicole Ongna)

8.  The Hours - Michael Cunningham (Liz Brice)

9.  Lord of the Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien (Jennie Hill)

10.  Les Miserables - Victor Hugo (Ryan Jensema)

11.  The River Wife - Jonis Agee (Jacquelyn Iwema)

12.  Atonement - Ian McEwan (Mike Merlino)

13.  Breakfast of Champions - Kurt Vonnegut (Mike Merlino)

14.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith (Katie Chappell)

15.  The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach (Andrew Knot)

16.  High Fidelity - Nick Hornby (Zach Blair)

17.  1984 - George Orwell (Andy Van Soelen)

18.  Divergent - Veronica Roth (Nicole Ongna)

19.  The Tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell (Rudi Gesch)

20.  The Red Tent - Anita Diamant (Sasha Blasen)

21.  Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison (Courtney Randle)

22.  Love Walked In - Marisa De Los Santos (Clara Connis)

23.  Green Eggs & Ham - Dr. Seuss (Andy Van Soelen)

24.  Three and Out - John U. Bacon (Andrew Knot)

25.  Along Came a Spider - James Patterson (Jenna VanMaanen)

26.  Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely (Sam Handel)

27.  On the Road - Jack Kerouac (Colin Shevlin)

28.  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling (Gina Ciametti)

29.  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek - Annie Dillard (Jennie Hill)

30.  Haunted Ground - Erin Hart (Clara Connis

31.  Einstein's Dreams - Alan Lightman (Zach Blair)

32.  Blink - Malcom Gladwell (Sam Handel)

33.  The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat - Oliver Sacks (Sam Handel)

34.  Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (Ashley Wisz)

35.  The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis (Andy Van Soelen)

36.  Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safron Foer (Andrew Knot)

37.  The Host - Stephanie Meyer (Ashley Wisz)

38.  Lamb – Christopher Moore (Steve Ragatzki)

39.  Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand (Ryan Jensema)

40.  Malcom at Midnight - W.H. Beck (Liz VanDrunen)

41.  His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman (Ryan Jensema)

42.  The Giver - Lowis Lowry (Alyssa Nekic)

43.  A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (Colin Shevlin)

44.  The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (Nicole Ongna)

45.  The Song of the Dodo - David Quammen (Jennie Hill)

46.  Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris (Katie Chappell)

47.  Scribbler of Dreams - Mary E. Pearson (Jenna Reidenga)

48.  Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (Nicole Ongna)

49.  The Crying of Lot 49 - Thomas Pynchon (Zach Blair)

50.  The Mistborn Trilogy – Brandon Sanderson (Steve Ragatzki)

51.  Number the Stars - Lowis Lowry (Liz VanDrunen)

52.  The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver (Sasha Blasen)

53.  Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott (Sasha Blasen)

54.  Good to Great - Jim Collins (Rudi Gesch)

55.  Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers (Karley VanDyke)

56.  The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Euginedes (Andrew Knot)

57.  The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath (Sasha Blasen)

58.  Straight Man - Richard Russo (Katie Chappell)

59.  Where The Red Fern Grows - Wilson Rawls (Alyssa Nekic)

60.  The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown (Rudi Gesch, with an anecdote to read the series)

61.  Counterfeit Gods - Tim Keller (Andy Van Soelen)

62.  The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (Mike Merlino)

63.  Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton (Ryan Jensema)

64.  Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (Jennie Hill)

65.  Outliers - Malcom Gladwell (Rudi Gesch)

66.  How to Cook Everything – Mark Brittman (Steve Ragatzki)

67.  Soul Pancake - Rainn Wilson (Gina Ciametti)

68.  Pale King - David Foster Wallace (Colin Shevlin)

69.  Map of Lost Memories - Kim Fey (Jacquelyn Iwema)

70.  Last Light - Terri Blackstock (Jenna VanMaanen)

71.  East of Eden – John Steinbeck(Courtney Randle, Jennie Hill)

72.  Palo Alto – James Franco (Courtney Randle)

73.  Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller (Zak Hood)

74.  The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne (Lauren Haney)

75.  The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (Katie Chappell)

76.  BossyPants - Tina Fey (Gina Ciametti)

77.  The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton (Clara Connis)

78.  A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (Liz Brice)

79.  Columbine - Dave Cullen (Sam Handel)

80.  Other People's Rejection Letters – Bill Shapiro (Gina Ciametti)

81.  The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan (Liz Brice)

82.  Heaven is For Real - Todd Burpo (Ashley Wisz)

83.  Freakonomics - Steven Levitt (Rudi Gesch)

84.  Wonder - R.J. Palacio (Liz VanDrunen)

85.  Through Painted Deserts - Donald Miller (Andy Van Soelen)

86.  The Fault in our Starts - John Green (Sasha Blasen)

87.  On the Road - Jerk Kerouac (Mike Merlino)

88.  Prodigal God – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

89.  The Reason for God – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

90.  The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory (Clara Connis)

91.  City of Bones - Cassandra Clare (Ashley Wisz)

92.  Frequently Avoided Questions – Smith and Whitlock (Lauren Haney)

93.  The Meaning of Marriage – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

94.  The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis (Liz Brice)

95.  Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (April Saxma)

96.  One For The Money - Janet Evanovich (Jenna Reidenga)

97.  Freedom - Jonathan Franzen (Katie Chappell)

98.  MAUS I and II - Art Spiegelman (Zach Blair)

99.  Molloy - Samuel Beckett (Zach Blair)

100.  Because of Mr. Terupt - Rob Buyea (Liz VanDrunen)

101. Every Love Story is a Ghost Story - D.T. Max (Andrew Knot)