Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Category Archives: The Writing LIfe


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Book Share: Spying on Spies, How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes by Marissa Moss

Spying on Spies, How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes

Written and illustrated by Marissa Moss

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2024

I usually feature picture books on my blog, but after receiving and reading a copy of this book from Darlene Beck Jacobson, I thought there might be others who would be fascinated by the tenacity and brilliance of code breakers!

Secret codes are a thing! Decoder rings, special clues, ciphers, and so on are intriguing. I love watching movies where puzzles and special codes are solved on the journey to success (whatever that goal might be). But being clever enough to solve intentionally secretive and difficult secret codes-eek!

Spying on Spies was an amazing chapter book to read. The strategies, machines, and secrecy kept me captivated. I loved that this book focused on a woman code breaker. Go girls! Each chapter begins with a short cartoon/graphic novel type illustration, and then jumps into the chapter. The back matter is glorious! There is not just a glossary, but also photos, additional information and explanations about ciphers and codes, notes, timeline, and bibliography, all of which provide more opportunities to dive deep into the world of code breaking.

You can read more about this book in Darlene’s post here.

Two thumbs up for this fascinating historical book! Perfect for the code breakers in your life!


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Haiku Moment: anything

lines, zags, speckles, dots, holes

heart, tower, treasure, or picture

rocks can be anything

anything by Angie Quantrell

rocks from her enormous rock collection

Sunday Peace

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Sunday Peace

Welcome to 2025! Over the years, I’ve changed the name of this type of post. Sunday Moments and Sunday Joy are just a few of the titles I’ve used. This feels like a good year to focus on Sunday Peace.

Whether rain, snow, ice, or sun, be brave and stand strong like this little pansy in one of my uncovered plant pots. Peace to you.


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More (A Letter for 2025)

Dear Lord,

Thank You in advance for the many blessings You bestow and will shower down upon me and my family this year. Bring each blessing to mind so I can notice and give thanks.

Help me, Lord, to

move more

think more

laugh more

learn more

care more

dream more

create more

write more

thank more

reach out more

encourage more

forgive more

LOVE more.

Let this be a year when WE grow closer as I lean into You.

Amen.


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A Giveaway for Middle Grade Readers

Written by Darlene Beck Jacobson, Wishes, Dares, and How to Stand Up to a Bully might be just what your middle grade reader needs! OR maybe you also write for middle grade and want to do some research about middle grade books. Either way, thanks Darlene, for this opportunity!

Darlene is offering a copy of her book to someone who comments over on Kathy Temean’s blog. I mean, I would love to hear from you as well (wink, wink), but to get in her drawing, you need to hop over to Kathy’s blog and comment there.

Click the link below to comment. Happy reading, everyone!

HOLIDAY BOOK EXTRAVGANZA: WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND UP TO A BULLY by Darlene Beck Jacobson


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The Christ Candle: Advent 5

On this, the 5th day of advent, we remember the Christ Child. Read the full story of Jesus in Luke 1-2.

Rejoice! Worship and give thanks! Long ago, a Child was born, a horn of salvation for us from the house of David. Jesus, the Messiah, God made flesh. For all of us.

Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank You for being clothed in humanity for our benefit. You came because You loved us, will always love us.

Hallelujah! Sing with joy and great adoration!

Let our hearts celebrate the birth of Jesus.


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The Wise Men Candle: Advent 4

On this, the 4th Sunday of advent, we consider the wise men, otherwise called the Magi. It was not on a whim they traveled long distances to find the One who was born King of the Jews. Studiers of the stars, they discovered one very special star announcing the birth of a king. The King. So they set out seeking He who was heralded by the Star. Matthew 2:1-12 tells the rest of the story.

The Magi came prepared to worship and honor the new King, placing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh at the foot of the Child. Gifts fit for a King. Oh, my heart, what gift can I place at the feet of the King?

Let us prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.


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Haiku Moment: icy fingers

splayed digits pose

winter encases

icy fingers

icy fingers by Angie Quantrell


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The Shepherds and Angels Candle: Advent 3

On this, the 3rd day of advent, we take a peek into God’s birth announcement. Luke 2:8-20 gives the full account.

With great exultation, He sent angels to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with shepherds who were out in the fields watching over their flocks.

Even though they had cold and lonely jobs and were considered to be low on the societal scale of popularity, the shepherds were the first ones to see and hear God’s announcement of the birth of His Son. To add icing to the birthday cake, God’s messengers, His angels, filled the sky with the brilliant joy-filled news and praise music!

The shepherds believed the news and rushed to see this Babe lying in a manger. Oh, to believe and seek the Messiah.

Let us prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.