Spring break is coming to an end. I did something unusual this break.

I relaxed.

Usually break is a time to get work done, finish work projects, clean my office, etc. Instead, I worked on crafts that I wanted to work on - I sewed the top of my quilt I’m making, I made a zillion pillows for my nieces’ stuffed animals, I made matching games for the girl, and I read a few books.

It was lovely. Amazing. Rejuvenating.

And now, I’m ready to return to work. Sure, yes, we can joke that it would be great to have a few more days off. But, eventually, my brain begins to thirst for knowledge. I crave the daily adventures of my job and look forward to the conversations and learning that occur throughout. I’m eager to get back into problem solving around student work. I’m interested in engaging teachers in conversations about their craft and practices. I’m ready.

The students will be returning to school after their spring breaks ready to learn, I hope. They have also had time off and are hopefully eager to get back to learning. But, as we continue throughout the remainder of the year, perhaps we can take a small amount of time once in a while to laugh, relax and bring back some of the joy we felt on spring break.

With so much content to cover and so many goals to reach, sometimes it is hard to take seven minutes and just enjoy a good book. While students should know that reading can help them learn and think more deeply, I want them to also know that sometimes books are just fun to read. Sometimes, they just make us laugh. And that is a perfectly acceptable reason for reading a book.

Here’s a list of my recent favorites that are just great ones to share for no other reason than just because.

Dangerously Ever After by Dashka Slater