Recap Book Chat

An epic read of how a simple mindset change has a major life impact! Unoffendable is a witty, insightful, life changing beautiful book! We highly recommend it to everyone. It is in my “read once a year” list. We can’t wait to read more of Brant’s novels. Brant is a raw and authentic author as well as a nationally syndicated radio host and lover of toast. I love the way he breaks down misconceptions and inspires change in a beautiful and memorable way. Additionally Brant talks about how much more peaceful and fulfilling his life has been after implementing the major yet simple concept of being unoffendable. In this recap we make connections to other books we are reading and discuss our biggest takeaways. Mom mentions reading this book in her other book club with fellow teachers and how impactful if was. Recently an Unoffendable Study Guide was released and would be an awesome tool for any book clubs or small groups to dive deeper into the concepts explored in the novel. Correspondingly Unoffendable does not shy away from heavy issues such as trust, forgiveness, laziness, anger, grace and addiction but meets them head on and sheds light and hope where we need it the most.    The high and increasing anger in our society led Brant Hansen to release an updated version of Unoffendable at the beginning of 2023, hoping to remove some logs from the perpetually burning fire.  If you have read Unoffendable we would love to hear from you and your big takeaways. You can leave a voice memo, contact us on our website or join in and share your thoughts on our Facebook group Recap Book Chat. My favorite way to read is curled up with a soft blanket and a hot cozy drink in my hand. Currently my go to beverage is decaf coffee with Earth Echo's Cacao Bliss blended in. Ten powerful, organic superfoods that help with relaxation, joint pain, weight goals, and mental focus. Use my coupon code KATEM10 to get 10% off your order when you try their products. Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too!

A great read to jump start the new year by understanding habits! Charles Duhigg breaks down the mechanics of habits and explains the process of creating, changing and tweaking them. An overarching theme of the book is intentionally. Charles explains why our brain is constantly trying to make habits and how we have to be intentional to develop the habits we want. Duhigg uses many stories and examples from real life to explain and inspire the reader to take action. In the podcast we cover so of his big ideas and a few of our own connections.

Set in the mountains of Tennessee, William Steele paints us a picture of what life would of been like for those caught in the middle during the civil war. This was a quick, historical accurate, powerful read. With deep relatable themes and a timely message for our current society, this novel is an adventurous book not to miss.

Do you feel like you always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop? Do you wish you had some tools in your belt to help when negotiations in you life come up? One Step Ahead by David Sally may hold the answers you are looking for. A challenge and dense yet illuminating read! David Sally writes of many different stories, research and examples to help show the most effective ways of negotiating.

In the spirit of November and in this season of Thanksgiving we felt compelled to compile a list of our top 10 books we are grateful for. Enjoy!

“If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.” In honor of our one year anniversary on the Recap Book Chat podcast this October we wanted to do a bit of a scary read. Robert Louis Stevenson delivered. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written in 1886 gave us a lot to talk about even though it was not very long. The novella only took Stevenson three days to write. Masterfully done, witty and intriguing, this little book will keep you engaged and contemplating your own duality and interpersonal struggles.

A compelling WW2 historical novel that follows the life of a Jewish forger in occupied France. This is a book that will stay with you. Full of great quotes and extreme courage The Book of Lost Names is a well written look back in time.

This epic classic did not disappoint! Dickens tackles issues dealing with poverty, class and the choices we make head on. It was so fun getting to read the book from which so many adaptations have come.

Today we take a look at some of our favorite film adaptations of books. Let us know what some of your favorites are! Shelia’s List      Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Pollyanna by  Eleanor H. Porter True Grit by Charles Portis Secretariat by William Nack Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Christy by Catherine Marshall To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Anne of Green Gables by  L. M. Montgomery Princess Bride by William Goldman Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Kate's List Chronicles of Narnia Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Hunger Games by Suzan Collins Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Divergent by Veronica Roth How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss Matilda by  Roald Dahl Fellowship of the Rings  J.R.R. Tolkien Honorable mention We bought a Zoo The Kings Speech Quotes from the episode: “Once you have read a book you care about, some part is always with you.” Louis L'amour “I am a part of everything I have read” Theodore Roosevelt

Set in the 1950’s this is a brilliantly constructed story and coming of age story of troubled teens. Warning there is a spoiler section at the end where we discuss the surprise ending but we give a warning before diving into what happened.

A compelling and engaging historical fiction novel set in London during World War ll. We loved getting to discuss the gritty and compassionate characters and glean wonderful quotes from them. If you want a front row seat to living in London during years of bombs and rationing we highly recommend giving this book a read. Here is a link to the milkman photograph that Sheila mentioned in the episode. A picture really is worth a 1000 words. https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/london-milkman-1940/

Published in 1953, this noir mystery novel took us back in time with a Dick Tracy feel. This was a quick and fun read and our first of Rex Stout’s, a well know mystery writer of his day. Do not fret, we did not give any spoilers or disclose who the killer is. If you want to know that, you will have to read the book!

The story finds Honey, Cussy's daughter, alone at 16 and faced with navigating survival, grief, prejudice, corruption, love and hate. The Book Woman's legacy is shown beautifully through this sequel of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. This book is full of courageous women who fought against injustice and ignorance in order to pave the way for those that followed after them. If you haven't heard our review of the first book in this series you can check it out here https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/RABO6ZU8Ksb

This classic well know story is still powerful and applicable today. Our Kid Lit Locker group explores some of the simple yet needed life lessons we learned from Pinocchio.

Our first memoir to read together was a treasure trove of reading possibilities showing how daily reading is so impactful. Alice Ozma’s debut novel was sincere, authentic, and brilliantly captures how her fathers daily read aloud habit enriched both there lives.

A 1988 compelling story full of wisdom an inspiration to follow one’s dream. We take a look at the life of Paulo Coelho before the Alchemist was written and elements from his personal life that are whispered though out his book. We also discuss how the book impacted us and our favorite takeaways. A top shelf read for sure!

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a Shakespearean comedy, believed to have been written between 1589 and 1593. It is considered by several to be Shakespeare’s first play. It was so fun to jump back in time and read the literary genius’s beginning works.

When your past shows up at your door what do you do? This book follows Allyson Cole’s journey of heartbreak, adoption, trauma and reunion. Give a listen to our discussion of What I Left Behind to see if it is a fit for you.

Today my old friend and now middle school teacher Amanda Daughtery joins us to discuss Projek 1065, a book she suggested earlier this year. This is an excellent read for WW2 buffs and reluctant middle school readers. Alan Gratz does a beautiful job of blending history and fiction in this story of an Irish family working as spies in Berlin. You won’t be able to put it down!

This 1949 classic Newbery Award winner is a must read! Set in medieval times, a 10 year old boy is stricken with an illness that leaves his legs paralyzed. With help from a monk and a minstrel Robin learns lessons in kindness, grit, skill, and patience. Come along as we dive into this uplifting story of finding a door in the wall.