Six-Word Saturday #79

Posted by: Allison on: June 4, 2016

In: Teasers
14 Comments

Stepping back but not stepping down

In six years, Allison’s Book Bag has seen a lot of changes. So has my life. And after a lot of conversation with family and a lot of reflection on my part, I’ve decided it’s time to take a step back from this blog.

Those of you who follow my blog will have noticed that in the midst of reviews and personal memes, I’ve started to post more pet-related content. There have monthly reviews of pet books, which I supplemented with some “Inspired By” essays. Once a month, you’ve been introduced to pet articles that I’ve written for a local animal welfare group. And finally, every two weeks, everyone has been hearing stories about our crew of critters known as The Cat Trio and the Solitary Dog.

Writing book reviews and pet articles on a regular basis, along with teaching and enjoying family, has required a bit of juggling act. Now that I’ve recently been invited to start writing press releases this fall for our local animal welfare group, I’ve decided to focus my writing energies on trying to improve the life of pets. For that reason, I”m taking a step back from this blog.

A side benefit is that I might get to enjoy a more diversified reading life. My husband has been asking me for a few years to read adult best sellers with him. Plus, there are some nonfiction books I’ve been piling up for the rainy day that never seems to come. I’ve also just started discovering the pleasure again of browsing magazines! To be honest, it’ll be fun to read again without having a review as an end goal.

Just because I’m taking a step back doesn’t mean I’m shutting down Allison’s Book Bag. After I take the summer off, I’ll pop back occasionally to participate in memes and to share some reading gems with my faithful audience here. I’ve appreciated getting to know many bloggers, readers, and writers though Allison’s Book Bag. So this isn’t farewell.

When August rolls around again, I’ll be at a new school. Near the end of May, I did get assigned my new teaching position. I’ve been to the school to meet the principal. She’s nice. The school is small. It’ll be a new teaching adventure! Which will coincide with a new writing adventure. I’ll be back occasionally to share news of family, school, and other experiences including my reading ones with you.

Thanks for the support. Enjoy the future!

14 Responses to "Six-Word Saturday #79"

1 | Jessica Haight
June 21, 2016 at 4:03 pm

It is always good to follow your heart. Blogging is a lot of work and so is writing reviews. So- reviewing what makes you happy is important and and taking breaks to do what you want keeps us fresh. Have a happy summer. 🙂

Allison
June 21, 2016 at 6:37 pm

You have a great perspective! My schedule will be fuller this fall, but I already have a few books in mind to share…. 🙂

2 | Linda
June 7, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Ah, and just as I am returning. Enjoy your summer!

Allison
June 7, 2016 at 4:26 pm

Linda, nice to hear from you again! Enjoy your return to the blogging world.

You can find me elsewhere at: https://lincolnanimalambassadors.wordpress.com/ This is where I live now as a writer. 😉

3 | http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
June 5, 2016 at 1:36 am

A change is as good as a rest. Good luck with your new role.

Allison
June 5, 2016 at 7:21 am

Thanks for the well wishes! By stepping back from my commitment to Allison’s Book Bag, I hope this next year to feel a little less as if I’m always juggle multiple tasks. I do need a rest. 🙂

4 | Marlo and the KNIGHT
June 4, 2016 at 5:24 pm

I think that it is really great that you are going to be focusing on making animal’s lives better with your writing. i think that is a great way to use your writing skills!

Allison
June 4, 2016 at 10:26 pm

Thank you! I appreciate your friendship and continued encouragement.

5 | Mlissabeth
June 4, 2016 at 2:06 pm

Glad to hear you have another teaching position. Good for you on taking the summer off. You will be missed.

Allison
June 4, 2016 at 2:27 pm

I’m blessed to have a permanent contract. There weren’t a lot of .5 positions available. I got one of them!

6 | Comedy Plus
June 4, 2016 at 10:19 am

Enjoy your stepping back from your blog and your summer. I’m glad you have a new teaching position. I hope it’s fulfilling for you.

Have a fabulous day and an even better summer. ☺

Allison
June 4, 2016 at 2:26 pm

A summer break is very much needed! I hope your months ahead are fabulous too. 🙂

7 | Bob Hunter
June 4, 2016 at 8:02 am

Best wishes in your new teaching position and changed reading and writing life.

Allison
June 4, 2016 at 2:25 pm

Thank you. It’s been good having support from family through all the recent changes in my life.

Summer Reviews

Books can take connect us with strangers, take us to unique places, and introduce us to new ideas. They can also offer hope in a chaotic world. And so I must share what I read!

Each week, I’ll introduce you to religious books, Advanced Reader Copies, animal books, or diversity books. Some I’ll review as singles and others as part of round-ups. Just ahead, there will be reviews of:

Joni: The unforgettable story of a young woman’s struggle against quadriplegia & depression by Joni Eareckson
The True Story of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary by Samantha Glen
Brothers in hope : the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan–refugees by Mary Williams
The Inner Life of Cats by Thomas McNamee

General Lists and Reviews

Award Lists and Reviews

Américas Award for Children’s & Young Adult Literature CLASP founded the Américas Award in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States.
American Library Association Awards awards include Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott, Sibert, Theodor Giesel, and Laura Ingalls Wilder medals
Book Awards for Children's and Youth Literature basic summary of purpose and criteria for each award
Canadian Children's Book Awards awards administered by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Children's Book Awards The Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards is the only national book awards program where the winning titles are selected by children and teens.
Christy Award The Christy Awards are awarded each year to recognize novels of excellence written from a Christian worldview.
CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Children's Book Awards The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals are the UK’s oldest and most prestigious children’s book awards.
Cybils children and young adult blogger literacy awards
Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award The Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award was initiated in 2000 to recognize authors, illustrators, and publishers of high quality fictional and biographical books for young people that appropriately portray individuals with developmental disabilities
Hans Christian Anderson Award The Hans Christian Andersen Awards is given to a living author and illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. The award is the highest international recognition an author can receive.
Middle East Book Award The Middle East Book Award recognizes quality books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East and its component societies and cultures.
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Honors fantasy books for younger readers, in the tradition of The Hobbit or The Chronicles of Narnia
National Book Award Established in 1950, the National Book Award is an American literary prize administered by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
Newbery Project reviews of Newbery Books
Notable Books for a Global Society books for enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world
Red House Book Award The Red House Children’s Book Award is a series of literary prizes for works of children’s literature published during the previous year in England.
Sydney Taylor Award The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
YALSA Awards YALSA honors the best teen literature each year with its six literary awards, including Alex, Morris, and Printz.

Cultural & Regional Reviews

MEMES I Participate In

Personal News

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