Quick Lit: What I’ve Been Reading Lately

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

Michael is a quiet middle schooler who’s embarrassed he still has a babysitter (Gibby) and is scared of the upcoming possible end-of-the-world disaster Y2K. So when he meets a weird kid in his apartment complex parking lot dressed in strange clothes and asking where he is, Michael isn’t sure what to think. Soon he and Gibby befriend the boy who says he’s named Ridge and has come from the future. As Michael and Gibby start to believe Ridge, Michael is full of questions about the months ahead, and Ridge is unsure he’ll ever make it home again.

Told through a variety of formats, this book skillfully captures what it means to live in the present and look to the future while realizing “not knowing is a part of life.”

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

Eleven-year-old Hank Hooperman and his little sister, Boo, haven’t seen their mom for a week. The landlord is pounding on the door threatening eviction, and Hank has run out of food and ideas. Then he remembers the name of a woman his mom wrote as his emergency contact on a field trip form. Hank has never met her, but with her address in hand, he and Boo take a bus across town and knock on Lou Ann’s door.

Lou Ann, who runs a daycare at her house, tentatively takes them in, letting Hank know she’s smitten with Boo but not fond of older kids like him. How long will Lou Ann let them stay? As Hank goes to a new school and makes new friends, he’s hard at work trying to find his mom. He’s going reunite his family, whatever it takes.

The love this older brother has for his little sister; the adult responsibilities this boy is forced to take on; the adults who stand up for Hank and Boo, the others who fail them miserably, and those who fall somewhere in between; the pain of loving someone who can’t be trusted — Oh, this book. It really moved me. I’m so glad it’s in the world.

Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means, MD
The Oxygen Advantage: Simple, Scientifically Proven Breathing Techniques to Help You Become Healthier, Slimmer, Faster, and Fitter by Patrick McKeown
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

I’ve read these three health books in the last few months and decided to mention them all here because of the connections I found. (I know I’ve already talked about Why We Sleep in a previous post, but the similarities were so strong with the other two I wanted to mention it again).

Most of us overbreathe (hyperventilate), meaning we actually don’t effectively use the oxygen we inhale. Most of us don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Only 6.8% of the US population has optimal metabolic health. (Here are five markers a person has to reach to be included in this small group.) Overbreathing, undersleeping, and poor metabolic markers open us up to poor health. It was fascinating to see the parallels as I read. While each book focused on one aspect of overall well being, there is a lot of overlap — a reminder of the interconnected ways the human body operates.