Today’s post is a way of looking closer at things, at the wondrous world around us, and within us, through books and thoughts and quotes and more.
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Looking Closer Through Books
Books are a portal to worlds after all. And today’s books offer a look at many things. One looks closer within by offering an idea of being content in today’s increasingly materialistic world. Another looks at nature and the myriad cycles of life including animals (mayfly to human and others in between), plants (from the dandelion to the oak and the wood wide web!), and the whole of earth and space too (even that beam of sunlight that reaches us and the sand under our feet at the beach!).
Yet others explores amazing ways we look at ourselves and others through poems. And one book looks closer at an unsung hero looking closer at things that helped bring important achievements to the forefront. Regardless, each one of them is simply what books are – a collection beautiful words containing wondrous worlds.
Radically Content
Radically Content: Being Satisfied in an Endlessly Dissatisfied World by Jamie Varon (Self-Help | Rock Point | April 12, 2022)
Description: Blending memoir, sharp social insights, and unique practical tools, author Jamie Varon is your guide to radical contentment—a satisfied life outside the bounds of societal expectations.
My Quick Thoughts: I consider myself a pretty content person but am discovering a whole new perspective of contentment through this book. A must-read in today’s world of FOMO and other similar emotions in the chaos of our minds, for it is sure to help – a lot…
And before I forget, it has really gorgeous artwork too within.
Read to Your Baby Every Night
Read to Your Baby Every Night: 30 classic lullabies and rhymes to read aloud (Stitched Storytime, 3) by Lucy Brownridge with art by Chloe Giordano (Nursery Rhymes | Baby – 2 years | Frances Lincoln Children’s Books | June 20, 2023)
Description: A single volume of tried-and-tested lullabies and rhymes designed to share with your baby, illustrated with beautiful embroidery art.
My Quick Thoughts: A well-thought out selection of rhymes and lullabies (many of which I know and love, and new ones I am going to savor as well) with artwork done in embroidery that is simply beautiful.
The Red Ear Blows Its Nose
The Red Ear Blows Its Nose: Poems for Children and Others by Robert Schechter and illustrated by S. Federico (Children’s Humorous Verse | 8 – 12 years, and up | Word Galaxy Press | April 1, 2023)
Description: The Red Ear Blows Its Nose will delight both children and adults alike, and is destined to become a classic, standing alongside A Child’s Garden of Verses, Now We Are Six, and Where the Sidewalk Ends on children’s and library bookshelves for years to come.
My Quick Thoughts: Delightful and thoughtful poems you will want to read repeatedly! Some poems make you wonder, others are simply silly; but each and every one will leave you wanting to keep smiling and learning and reading on. And the illustrations – simple yet perfect for the poems! Can’t pick a favorite here.
Rosalind Looked Closer
Rosalind Looked Closer: An Unsung Hero of Molecular Science by Lisa Gerin with illustrations by Chiara Fedele (Children’s Biographies | 5 – 8 years, and up | Beaming Books | August 30, 2022)
Description: Rosalind persisted even when men took credit for her work, going on to research the molecular shape of the viruses. This book is sure to inspire educators and parents interested in encouraging curiosity and a passion for STEM in girls and boys.
My Quick Thoughts: While I had heard of Franklin’s contribution to the world of DNA, this book proved to be a rich resource to learn more about her life. Truly an inspiration! I loved the artwork here.. and do not miss the rich back-matter (author’s note, glossary, timeline, and more)
Round and Round Goes Nature
Round and Round Goes Mother Nature: 48 Stories of Life Cycles Around the World (Nature’s Storybook) by Gabby Dawnay with illustrations by Margaux Samson Abadie (Children’s Nonfiction | 5 – 8 years, and up | Wide Eyed Editions | May 2, 2023)
Description: This truly beautiful and wonderfully illustrated book introduces children to the magic of nature, through the stories of 48 fascinating life cycles.
My Quick Thoughts: Stunning artwork and a unique way to learn about our world! I learned so much here despite all I thought I already knew about many of the included life cycles
Looking Closer at Life Through Quotes from Robin Williams
Sure, some of these quotes are from his characters in movie, but others have been attributed to him. So here is a closer look at life through Robin Williams’ (whose birthday is on 21st July) quotes.
About Challenges and Change
“You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” – Life can be challenging, but this quote also reminds us to find beauty in the little things and appreciate the positive moments.
“Change is not popular; we are creatures of habits as human beings. ‘I want it to be the way it was.’ But if you continue the way it was there will be no ‘is.’”
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” — Dead Poets Society. I truly believe in the power of words (as you already know) and one small idea can make a big impact.
And this one made me smile and realize that we can fight our battles in so many ways.
“We’re going to fight fire with marshmallows.” — Toys
About Being You
“You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” – Let us embrace our uniqueness and find joy in our quirks and eccentricities.
“I believe in destiny. There must be a reason that I am as I am. There must be.” – Celebrating who we are as we are is so important. Be-You!!
“We get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds.” — Good Will Hunting
Life and More
“If women ran the world we wouldn’t have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days.” – made me smile despite myself!!
“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.” — Patch Adams.
“Sometimes you can have a whole lifetime in a day and never notice that this is as beautiful as it gets.” – Be mindful; every moment matters.
“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” – We should always treat others with kindness, as we never truly know their struggles.
“To be free. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world.” — Aladdin
And Now, the End of This ‘ Looking Closer ‘ Post
Dear reader, have you read any of these books? Or similar ones? I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations and first choice (among these). What do you want to be looking closer at today? Or think you need to be looking closer at – either in your life or in the world around you?
I will have to read these books. They all sound like fabulous ones.
I am already looking to buy some of these books. I do like the topics.
“Read To Your Baby Every Night” looks and sound lovely. I can see my granddaughters enjoying this.
Those Robin Williams quotes made me miss him. I need to watch Dead Poet’s Society. That was such a great movie.
A couple of these books I had on my “to buy” list. Now I’ve added a couple more. Thanks for sharing your list.
I think I’m gonna buy and check out some of these books! Thanks for sharing this with us
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your “Looking Closer Through Books” post. Your passion for books shines through, and your concise yet insightful reviews make me eager to explore these titles. The addition of Robin Williams’ quotes added a touch of inspiration. Keep up the excellent work!
These look like wonderful reads! I will have to send this list to a good friend of mine who is reading every book she can get her hands on.
I love to read to my kid and Read to your baby every night is the book that I really need!
These books are so interesting! It is nice to find something different to read through.
What a tremendous list! I would love to tear into several of these, especially Radically Content. I am super excited by this book.
I would love to check out Round and Round with Nature for sure and you always ahem the best list of book suggestions! Thank you for these!
Unfortunately, the world around us can be quite scary. There was a bomb threat at one of the local malls and Walmart yesterday. It’s a sad world. 🙁