February 2019 Currently + When Sadness Is At Your Door

Posted February 6, 2019 by shooting in Book Review, Personal / 45 Comments

It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for another Currently with Anne of In Residence. I’ll also be linking up with What’s New With You tomorrow over at See You in a Porridge.

Anticipating: The AMC Oscar Showcase. I attended one day last year and I told everyone I would let them know beforehand this year in case they wanted to attend. Basically, a lot of AMC Theaters across the U.S. are showing the films nominated for Best Picture. They usually break it up into two days, though some places have 24 hour marathons. This will be my third year attending, and once again, I’m only going one day. I’ll be going on February 16 and seeing three of the movies: The Favourite, The BlacKkKlansman, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Regal Theaters have their own Showcase, so you can look that up too! Anyone else going? What movies are you seeing?

Going: I shared the local places I visited in January on my Local Tourist post last week if you want to check that out. You’re welcome to link up with us every month. For this month, I have quite a few plans so I’m excited. I love having things to look forward to!

Making: I attended a library event last week with a friend and we made silk paintings. I made this squirrel, which I think turned out kind of cute! It was a lot of fun.

Watching: I watched all of Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix. I find serial killers to be fascinating. I just cannot fathom what makes someone kill, over and over again. Ted Bundy is especially intriguing because he was attractive and charismatic. It’s how he got people to walk away with him and to believe in his innocence even. Definitely a fascinating documentary if you’re interested.

Wearing: Lots of layers, for the most part. That polar vortex last week was rough, though I did get a day off work so that was nice. It was warmer on Sunday, but that’s Cincinnati for you. It’s like all seasons in one week. At any rate, I’m just trying to keep up – and stay warm!

Feb. 2019 Currently: What are you wearing, watching, and anticipating? #ontheblog #currently Click To Tweet

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I’m part of a blog tour for a picture book, and I was given today as my posting date, so hopefully you won’t mind a mini review of this lovely book!

When Sadness Is At Your Door by Eva Eland

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add to Goodreads)In When Sadness Is at Your Door, Eva Eland brilliantly approaches this feeling as if it is a visitor. She gives it a shape and a face, and encourages the reader to give it a name, all of which helps to demystify it and distinguish it from ourselves. She suggests activities to do with it, like sitting quietly, drawing, and going outside for a walk. The beauty of this approach is in the respect the book has for the feeling, and the absence of a narrative that encourages the reader to “get over” it or indicates that it’s “bad,” both of which are anxiety-producing notions.

When Sadness Is At Your Door - a picture book review for young and old #ontheblog #bookbloggers Click To Tweet

Review: I think the official summary is a wonderful definition at what this book is about, so for my review, I’m going to talk about the things that I just really loved about When Sadness Is At Your Door.

  1. It’s written very simply, and has cute, easy to understand illustrations.
  2. Despite it’s simplicity, it deals with a big topic. What is sadness? How do you live with sadness? Will it ever go away?
  3. I loved that while this is a picture book, I could really see older kids and even adults enjoying and learning from this book.
  4. The “main character” who has Sadness following them around, is a child, but I liked that the end pages give a bit of another story. The end pages in the beginning of the book show people of all ages standing around, with Sadness doing the same. The final end pages show people of all ages (and Sadness) doing everyday things like eating ice cream, petting a cat, just sitting, doing yoga, etc. It really shows that Sadness can follow anyone around.
  5. This is such a lovely picture book, and I’m definitely a fan. I wish I could explain my thoughts a bit better, but this is one you might need to check out for yourself!

What do you think? Would you check out When Sadness Is At Your Door?

 

45 responses to “February 2019 Currently + When Sadness Is At Your Door

  1. RO

    Kudos on your artistic squirrel! He looks quite fabulous! Like you, I often wonder how people can commit such heinous crimes, so Ted Bundy is on my Netflix List to watch, as well. I just finished watching I Dream of Dance with Denise and Travis Wall. He is such a brilliant dancer and choreographer, and I was so intrigued with how she creates stars without any yelling or abusive behavior to her students. I think I’m going to try the AMC thing this year to see what it’s like. Hopefully I’ll be feeling better, and thanks for the reminder. Hugs…RO

  2. Many years ago, I read The Stranger Beside Me about Ted Bundy…haunting! I have heard about the movie showcase…sounds like a fun time. The squirrel is so cute!

  3. The Favourite and Bohemian Rhapsody are two films I’d have loved to have seen at the cinema. However being what they are I’ll have to be content to watch them online or on DVD.

    I’ve seen When Sadness Is At Your Door featured on several blogs now. It sounds like a truly relatable read.

    Tracy Terry recently posted: 2018: MY YEAR IN BOOKS ...
  4. Oh wow! I love your silk painting , the squirrel looks so beautiful. Makes me want to be artistic even though I am not gifted in that area.

  5. The kids book sounds really helpful for children (and adults)- both those who deal with daily “sadness” and those who don’t.
    I wish we had a day off for the polar vortex! Lol. We worked. That squirrel is super cute! Great job!

  6. Your squirrel is so cute! I have never thought to look into an Oscar showcase like that, how fun! I’m excited that I’ve seen two nominees already this year, that doesn’t always happen! The book you shared sounds like a great resource to help explain sadness a bit more.

  7. Kim

    When I was looking up words for my word of the year, I came across the word thrive and then google started suggesting all these Chris Watts stories and videos to me. And then before I knew it we had moved on to Ted Bundy. So I had to watch the tapes too. So creepy but I had to keep watching. I will have to give that book a look too! Ive got the tail end of the winter blues.

    Kim recently posted: February Goals
  8. Oooh I love new crafty things – your squirrel turned out so cute! All about the layers over here too. And this book looks so great for addressing big emotions with a kid – definitely going to have to check it out.

  9. I’ve always wanted to do the AMC Oscar thing, but never had the time. Actually this year, most of the movies were ones I wanted to see. I have seen all but one, sort of two of them. I have no desire to see Roma, and I tried to watch A Star is Born, but I walked out after about 20 minutes because I was bored and the acting was bad so far. I might try to watch it again at home when I can be doing something else at the same time, but we’ll see.

    Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted: Blog Tour Review with Giveaway: Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
  10. Oh that book looks fantastic—I will be sure to look for this one. Know so many people who would find comfort in its pages (myself included!).

    Yea I’m totally over this winter already. Also that theater day sounds really neat! Thanks for letting us know about it—I remember when you went last year.

    Xo

  11. What a sweet book! It sounds like such a good way to start talking about sadness with a child. I love books like that! My husband also loves watching shows about serial killers/true crime and he watched the Ted Bundy tapes too.

  12. Jen

    I like that book! We really need to talk about those things. I am so glad you made it through the polar vortex! What crazy weather we are having this winter!

  13. That squirrel is absolutely adorable Lauren! Your library is always amazing, I’ve been inquiring at mine and they only have children’s activities. Which is great for kids, sad for adults. I can’t believe the weather over there! I can’t even comprehend how cold it is, they must be record temperatures aren’t they? The weather is turning to shit here lately too. Half the country to burning and the other half is under water.

    Kelly recently posted: Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts)
  14. I also watched the Ted Bundy documentary on Netflix and found it incredibly fascinating. Quite haunting as well.

    I’m also a big fan of Criminal Minds! Did you see the season finale?

  15. Your squirrel is so HAPPY! I love it! I had no ideas theaters did showings like that. I’ll have to keep that in mind next year. And thanks for sharing that book review. My (grown) daughter and I have a thing for picture books, so we’ll have to scope this one out. (And thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!)

    Michael Ann recently posted: Voilà! February 2019
  16. I know! We got a sheet of ice and I am sooo over this cold stuff!! And more snow in the forecast. It is nice to get a day off and I am sure my kids are itching for another snow day. You just reminded me I need to look and see what events my library has… I keep forgetting to do that!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  17. Looks like you’ve kept busy lately with fun and engaging activities and plans for more. Love the squirrel- so bright and cheerful.
    The book would be great for the topics section of our family library. Thanks for sharing about it.

    Have a great week, Lauren!

  18. Whew, at first I thought sadness was at your door in real life.

    It was hot and humid here last week and then a cold front came through and now we’re freezing.

    Our local theater is showing all the Oscar movies but I don’t think I’ll get the chance to go.

  19. the hype for The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix is kind of crazy here in my place. I’ll probably watch it at some point since it does seem interesting but watching series isn’t really at the top of my to-do list.

    Picture books are actually really good. I used to read them when I work at my local bookstore 🙂

  20. I watched The Ted Bundy Tapes too! How utterly whacked… He freaked me out.
    I’m an odd one with stuff like that. I can’t read about it in a book (so crime, thrillers, mysteries are often a big hell no) but stick it on the tv in a documentary format and I’m all in! Like you said, I just don’t understand what makes those people tick…

    Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books recently posted: Weekly Update #47
  21. Ugh I am also wearing tons of layers lately, though it’s been said it will get a little warmer here this week. I just can’t wait for spring to come around haha 🙂
    I love that squirrel, SO well done!!
    I hope you’re having a wonderful February xx

  22. I’ve seen that picture book around twitter. The simple illustrations are so cute! I think parents should read more books about emotions to their kids. I don’t think many know how to deal with their child’s emotions/behaviors.
    You made a squirrel!!! Hahaha – I love it! I want to start joining in library events too. There was a drawing class I wanted to join in but it for 55 and older which stinks.

    Adriana @ BooksOnHerMind recently posted: Blog Tour and Giveaway: Fairy in Waiting by Sophie Kinsella
  23. So thankful for this book review. I need about a dozen copies of this little picture book. Sometimes, often times, the best messages come in children’s books filled with illustrations and a sprinkling of words.

    Your squirrel is adorable. Have never heard of silk painting. Or maybe that is the medium used in many oriental works of art, and I didn’t realize? Always fun to attend an art class and learn a new technique. How’s your scrapbook coming?

    I was interested in the Ted Bundy Tapes but figured it would keep me awake at night, so to this post, I have passed on watching them. We lived in Boston at the time of the Boston strangler who was killing young nurses around the corner from our neighborhood. My mother was terrified for a solid month when my father had to travel to Japan (he was in medical research) and we were left at home with the killer on the loose.

    If you haven’t watched Abducted in Plain Sight…oh, my gosh! I have whiplash from shaking my head violently NO NO NO over and over for two hours. Unbelievable.

    Leslie Susan Clingan recently posted: 10 Ways to Show Someone You Love Them: 10 on the 10th
  24. I’m very intrigued by When Sadness Is At Your Door…it reminds me a lot of Pixar’s Inside Out in that it doesn’t seem to present sadness as a bad thing but more or less a way to feel and cope. I’ll have to check it out, since sadness is very much a normal part of life.

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