Alice Kuipers's Blog: Book Club, page 3

A gift from Yann for my new office. I have a #roomofmyown down...

A gift from Yann for my new office. I have a #roomofmyown down at the back of the basement—far nicer than it sounds. And now decorated with new plants so I can stare at them while #writing…

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A love of reading starts with someone who you love or admire who...

A love of reading starts with someone who you love or admire who shows you that they love #reading too. This is my dad reading with my kids, his voice full of fun and drama as his brings this #robertmunsch #picturebook to life. I was lucky to have this amazing man #read to me when I was little (my mum read to me lots too), and this special moment this #sundaymorning reminded me of where my own love for books comes from. So this post is for all the mums and dads and grandparents and caregivers and #librarians and #teachers who make #books come to life for #youngreaders Thank you!!!!

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@guardian #guardianweekly and a cuddle. #thebest #readingalways...

@guardian #guardianweekly and a cuddle. #thebest #readingalways #writersofinstagram #momlife

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I saw this on the wall of the #CrossFit gym that I go to...

I saw this on the wall of the #CrossFit gym that I go to (occasionally), and it made me think of some of the people I’ve met during this summer who live these words. There are many people in my life who I admire and feel grateful for, but today I’m particularly grateful for @katelynroberts417 , @she_will_roam , @greggbamford and @mtanton for showing me new ways to look at a city I’ve lived in for a long time. All of them make me want to do better, and they have all helped me figure out small ways I can be a part of #yxe and my #community Sometimes its hard to know what to do or how to get involved and these four have helped me, just by being who they are. Now, here at home I have five kids and a teenager, four of the kids are being weepy exhausted halloweened messes, and we have big #JustDance plans to get through the evening. But I just wanted to quickly share this because it made me feel very lucky today. X

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Getting everyone out the house (late for school, ish) was total...

Getting everyone out the house (late for school, ish) was total chaos today. The kids are already excited (before they even start eating candy and sweets) and our five year old really struggles when the day isn’t following routine. Once the hairspray came out, he lost it. And I struggled not to have a tantrum myself. Just letting you know what’s behind the smiling photo of #instagram_kids and #family Today, I get to spend the morning with READ Saskatoon, sharing stories and Polly Diamond, and fun with kids and parents who are gaining literacy skills. I love the work @readsaskatoon do and I’m delighted to be with them, before Halloween parades and trick or treating and more ‘quality’ family time ;-) #halloween #momlife #notwriting #writersofinstagram #pollydiamond

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I should be working, but I started reading this gem of a book by...

I should be working, but I started reading this gem of a book by @gail_bowen1990 and I love it. It’s so personal and smart and moves at a pace that makes it hard to stop reading. This is a hands on guide to writing mystery, and yet it’s also a beautiful book about a writer’s life. #writersofinstagram #books #mysterywriting #mustwork

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Loving a day in #yxe with my oldest three. Yup, much squabbling...

Loving a day in #yxe with my oldest three. Yup, much squabbling and dealing with no sleep as one was coughing all night, but the sun is shining, we’ve been hiking and after lunch we’ll decorate for Halloween. #notwriting #notreading but thinking of the book I’m going to finish reading over this week for @tanya_trafford and then planning some serious retreat from the world while I edit. Setting up my new office space during the week, but first #coffee in this never empty cup…

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My dog, Bamboo, and I are thinking about going for a walk (while...

My dog, Bamboo, and I are thinking about going for a walk (while lying on the coach). The kids are all ‘in flow’, my way of describing the fact that for a few moments they’ve found stuff to do happily. Minimal squabbling-give it five minutes, I know! I’ve been reading the astonishing Motherhood by Sheila Heti. It is a novel about the narrator’s choice not to have children, as far as I understand so that she can write. The language is brilliant and conceptually it inspires envy and admiration. But, I also remember when I heard author Elizabeth Strout speaking about her need and desire to write being equal to her need and desire to be a mother. That’s where I exist—in a space where my need and desire to care for this ragtag bunch of mine is matched by but not surpassed by my need and desire to write. So, no writing today but a dog walk once the squabbling starts #writersofinstagram #reading #motherhood #notwritingtoday #dogsofinstagram

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Being a mum, I mean being a tooth fairy (shhhhh!) is my...

Being a mum, I mean being a tooth fairy (shhhhh!) is my favourite ;-))))))) #writersofinstagram #notwritingtoday

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These two are happily (;-)))) reading the ARCS of the new Polly...

These two are happily (;-)))) reading the ARCS of the new Polly Diamond. It won’t be available until next May, so these two are beta testing it! It’s a beautiful feeling to have my kids read my book—I turned round and found them sitting like this and was delighted. My youngest has had croup this week and we’ve had a lot going on at our house, but this moment helped me stop and smile #writersofinstagram #momlife #pollydiamond #pollydiamondandthemagicbook

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