Recap Book Chat

Recap Book Chat

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Recap Book Chat episodes

  • The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
    Andy Crouch gives readers a plethora of ways to put technology in its proper place in his book, The Tech-Wise Family. "To be a child, teenager, or young adult these days is to navigate a minefield of potentially life-altering choices."
    His daughter wrote in the forward explaining "...the best part of tech-wise parenting is focusing on something older and better than the newest thing. The key word is better."
    This better way involves choosing:
    Character, Shape Space, and Structuring Time.
    Character develops slowly, daily, as we painstakingly overcome problems.
    Shape spaces are places in our homes that are device free and packed with supplies to create or practice a skill which could include everything from books to board games and paints to a piano.
    Structuring time is intentionally setting time aside to rest from devices such as spending intentional time being grateful without instantly scrolling.
    Change is challenging but worthwhile. "We will have to teach our children, from early on, we're not here to make their lives easier but to make them better."
    Andy's Ten Tech-Wise Commitments
    1. We develop wisdom and courage together as a family.
    2. We want to create more than we consume. Fill the center of the home with things that reward skill and active engagement.
    3. We are designed for a rhythm of work and rest.
    4. We wake up before our devices do and they "go to bed" before we do.
    5. We aim for no screens before double digits. Avoid tethering to the glowing screen as long as you can.
    6. We use screens for a purpose and we use them together.
    7. Car time is conversation time. It takes 7 minutes to get a 'real' conversation going.
    8. Spouses have each other's passwords. Parents have total access to kids' devices.
    9. We learned to sing together. (Powerful picture book, Christmas in the Trenches, shows the power of song. A German soldier started singing
    Silent Night, and both sides sang together in different languages. They also shared what little treats they had been sent from home)
    10. We show up IN PERSON for big events in life. (weddings, births, & funerals)
    Interesting point, "...the quest to cure boredom with entertainment makes the problem worse, the more you entertain kids, the more bored they will get." When we choose the easy way, we miss cultivating patience. The first people to be bored were the first people who did not do manual labor.
    Frederick Douglass said, "Without struggle, there is no progress." The last thing learners need is for it to be too easy. Difficulty and resistance press learners forward and make the learning stick.
    We hope you glean much from the pages of this little jewel to bring your precious family closer together as routines are established and memories are made. Screens are probably here to stay, but our children are with us for but a season, may we live life well preparing them for the road ahead.
    52 min
  • Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

    Join us as we discuss a kid friendly gem similar to the classic, Robinson Crusoe. Michael Morpurgo, War Horse author, spins a tale of wonder and suspense in Kensuke's Kingdom, which is based on a true story. 

    After young Michael's parents simultaneously lost their jobs, his dad shocked the family by using their savings to buy a yacht. After 6 months of training, their journey around the world began! The adventure takes a surprise turn when Michael and his dog, Stella, end up overboard! Thankfully, they wash up on an island and meet a man, Kensuke, that had been living there since WWII! Michael thought  the old man wanted him for a prisoner. His assumption was proved wrong when the old man saved his life.

    A lesson for us all that first impressions are not always accurate. The beautiful story of how Michael and Kensuke learn from each other even though they are from different places and generations is too good to miss.

    When Michael told Kensuke that back home in England many things had, 'Made in Japan' on them, Kensuke replied, "I 'made in Japan' person." He laughed, "Very old machine, still good, still very strong." If you loved Kensuke's Kingdom, check out The Cay, by Theodore Taylor. Both stories tell about people making the best of things in the worst of times. Inspirational indeed!


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    Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, Recap Book Chat or leave us a voice memo.


    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.


    Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

    Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com


    Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!

    28 min
  • West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
    West With Giraffes follows a 17 year old dust bowl orphan across America in the journey of a lifetime in the company of a couple of Giraffes. Based on a true story, Lynda Rutledge beautifully weaves together fact and fiction in this adventure packed story of healing, hope, perseverance and love.
    37 min
  • Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
    A foundational and illuminating read from one of the great intellectual giants. C.S. Lewis takes us on a journey of unpacking and unlearning misconceptions we have been taught about Christianity and uncovering it’s simplicity and beauty. Lewis is an allegory master, breaking complex ideas into understandable and relatable bites.
    41 min
  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
    This classic 1883 iconic pirate adventure story did not disappoint! Robert Louis Stevenson created pop cultures vision of a buccaneer with his character Long John Silver. This book was a swashbuckling fun ride full of great quotes and memorable adventures.
    33 min
  • Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
    Utterly charming and captivating, Maisie Dobbs will forever have a place in our hearts. Jacqueline Winspear does and excellent job of melding historical fiction and mystery.
    Maisie Dobbs is set post WWI in London England, but has flash backs before the war and during the war where we get to see pivotal moments of her childhood and youth and young adulthood.
    33 min
  • 21 Reading Challenges and Our Awesome List of Picks

    In this episode we throw out a reading challenge to you, literary warrior. We go over our list and share books we have read from each category. Enjoy this free printable from our website to help you stay on track and keep track of your reading goals. I also provided links to the versions of each book we recommend and the link to the episode if we have reviewed it on the show. You are welcome, that was a chore! Ha!

    Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky are our favorite Russian translators. Be sure to look for them if you are wanting to read a Russian novel. I couldn't remember their name during the show but have linked to all their versions of the classic we read that were translated by them below.


    1. Book written by someone on a different continent or translated -

      2. Count of Monte Cristo episode 65 episode 68

      Dr Zhivago episode 18⁠, ⁠episode 20⁠

      Anna Karenina episode 14

      Alchemist episode 40

    2. Book written before 1900-

      3. Oliver twist written in 1837, episode 49

      Count of Monte Cristo 1844,

      Pinocchio,

    3. Graphic Novels- I survived series

      4. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic 1912

      I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916

      I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

      I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001

      I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967

      I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

      I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871


      Investi Gators series episode 62

      Amulet Series 1-8

    4. Book set in wartime-

      5. War and Peace episode 29

      Beneath a Scarlet Sky episode 21

      The Last Green Valley episode 26

      Unbroken episode 7

      The Blackout Book Club episode 71

      Nightingale

      A Place to Hang the Moon episode 5

      Book of Lost Names episode 50

    5. Book recently turned into a movie-

      6. Where the Crawdads Sing episode 33

      Redeeming Love,

    6. Book set in dystopian future-

      7. Among the Hidden

      Hunger Games

      Giver

    7. Pulitzer Prize book-

      8. All the Light We Cannot See episode 12

      Gone With the Wind

      To Kill A Mockingbird

    8. Newbury Award-

      9. A Door In the Wall episode 36

    9. Book about religion or spirituality-

      10. Unoffendable episode 61

      Joyous Leadership episode 16

      Live No Lies episode 24

      Imprinted episode 48

      A Lineage of Grace

      Sons of Encouragement

      Goliath Must Fall episode 70

    10. Book written in year you were born-

      11. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

      Polar Express

      Sarah Plain and Tall

      Berenstain Bears

      Perilous Road episode 55

      Witch of Black Bird Pond

    11. A mystery-

      12. Agatha Christie And Then There Were None episode 35

      The Golden Spyder episode 44

      Peppermints in the Parlor

    12. Book narrated by child-

      13. Words On Fire episode 59

    13. AScary book-

      14. Crime and Punishment episode 2

      Frankenstein episode 1 (our first episode!)

      Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde episode 51

    14. Memoria -

      15. The Reading Promise episode 41

      Broken Places and Outer Spaces.

    15. Book about spy’s -

      16. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

      How I Became a Spy

      Book of Lost Names

    16. Romance-

      17. The Second Mrs. Astor episode 6

      The Masterpiece

      Book Woman of Troublesome Creek episode 22

    17. Fantasy-

      18. The Hobbit (If reading to kids this version is a must! The illustrations are great!) episode 13

      The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

      Wind in Willows episode 4

    18. Plays -

      19. Shakespeare’s episode 39

    19. Western-

      20. Call of the Canyon episode 10

    20. Series-

      21. Among the Hidden episode 15

      Agatha Christie Poirot's 1st book The Mysterious Affair at Styles

    21. Depression era

      22. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn episode 3

      The Four Winds

      Some Place to Call Home episode 9

      Nothing to Fear episode 57

      Items mentioned in the show:

      My Book Journal: A 100-Book Reading Diary for Bibliophiles


      Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

      Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com


      Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!




      44 min
    22. The Great Alone By Kristin Hannah

      A beautiful, intense and thought provoking novel from Kristin Hannah left our tissue boxes empty but our hearts full. The Great Alone set in Americas last frontier, follows a girl named Leni who is 13 at the beginning of the book. We get a look into her tumultuous childhood and her transition into womanhood amid the beautiful yet brutal Alaskan landscape.

      Leni's dad came back from the Vietnam war a forever changed and volatile man. Upon receiving land in Alaska from a fallen solder buddy, Leni, her mom and Dad head north with all they owned in VW van. Hoping the remoteness will bring peace they soon find the opposite is true. On top of her dads mental issues she now has to learn how to survive the many deadly forces of nature Alaska has to offer.

      The people they meet in the small town close to their homestead are a shining light for Leni and her mom. The power and need of community is life changing and eye opening. Matthew, the only child the same age as Leni becomes best friends and help each other through different tragedies they are faced with.

      Very unpredictable and extremely unforgettable, The Great Alone is a book I was not able to put down.

      ======================================================================================================================


      Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, Recap Book Chat or leave us a voice memo.


      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.


      Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

      Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com


      Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!



      33 min
    23. The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

      The Blackout Book Club is a unique WWII story set on the coast of Maine that highlights the power of books and the importance of connections. The story follows five main characters who are all dealing with secret issues that are all brought to light. Amy Lynn Green beautifully weaves their lives together and shows how we all need community to thrive. 


      This is our first Amy Lynn Green novel but for sure not our last. We loved learning new historical facts about the Hooligan Army and the what life was like on the coast during this time.


      The Blackout Book Club is a fantastic story that was captivating from cover to cover. A feel good, and feel informed book that left us wishing the story didn't end.


      ======================================================================================================================


      Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, Recap Book Chat or leave us a voice memo.


      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.


      Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

      Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com


      Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!


      42 min
    24. Goliath Must Fall By Louie Giglio

      Well all have giants in our lives that taunt us and try to crush us. Some mock us or pretend to be our friend yet all of these giants ultimately want our destruction. 

      Louie Giglio does an excellent job in Goliath Must Fall of bringing an awareness to these giants and a strategy to not let them have a place at our table. 


      Fear, rejection, addiction, anger and comfort are the giants that are discussed in the book. We look at these giants and share the ones we struggle with in our own lives. We unpack how some giants are hard to see such as perfectionism, aka fear in a tuxedo.


      If you are curious about the tea stain picture from the story we talked about you can view it and find out more about the artist here.


      We finished the book feeling empowered and motivated to take responsibility for what we are allowing in our daily lives and to be intentional about our thoughts and actions.


      Louie Giglio also has written devotional books for families. We have How Great is our God and Indescribable at home and my kids love them. Louie combines scientific findings and scripture in a quick to read, fun format. We always learn a cool new scientific fact and experience awe and gratefulness to the one who created it.

      =======================================================================================================================


      Be sure to let us know if you have read this novel or if you have books you would like to recommend.  You can join our Facebook Group, Recap Book Chat or leave us a voice memo.


      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.


      Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

      Connect with Kate and Sheila online at www.recapbookchat.com


      Note that some of the links above are affiliate links to books and brands we love and ones we think you will too! Keep those pages turning and those book lights burning!


      43 min

    About Recap Book Chat

    From the publisher's feed

    If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an…

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