Author Archives: Danielle Murphy

Books have always been special to me. I remember going to the library as a middle schooler and beelining to the young adult section in search of my next read. I can still imagine that library so vividly, the arrangement of the books on the shelf, and the excitement of searching through them. I wasContinue reading “A Summary of What We Learned With OFR So Far”

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I didn’t read that many books last year, and many of the ones I did read were school assignments. However, the books I read last year underscored the importance of integrating reading into my everyday life and fueled one of my 2022 resolutions: read more books! I love toContinue reading “A Reflection on the Books I Read In 2021”

I was one of the lucky ones: I got a lot of books for Christmas. Like usual, there wasn’t many gifts I wanted this year, so I instead tasked my relatives with buying me some books. There was a catch, however; I didn’t specify what types or genres of books I wanted. Exhausted by collegeContinue reading “The Books I Got For Christmas (And Some Recommendations For Your 2022 Reading List)”

New Year’s resolutions are a yearly tradition for many. Most people like to set goals at the top of the year, a promise to be better and improve their health or lifestyle choices in the next 12 months to come. However, almost just as many give up their resolutions, often within the first 32 daysContinue reading “5 Books to Assist Your New Year’s Resolutions”

Some may know the phrase “something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read” to guide Christmas gift buyers, instructing them to purchase something their recipient wants, something they need, clothes for them to wear, and a book for them to read.

The holiday season—often thought of as the Christmas season—is a time of giving, family, and charity for many people. However, we sometimes forget, as we give thanks for our friends, families, and neighbors, to also celebrate what makes us unique. Many different holidays occur this time of year, and, of course, some cultures and religionsContinue reading “5 Non-Christmas Books For Your Winter Holiday Reading List”

The South Carolina Department of Education once referred to the engaged reader as someone who is “fully immersed physically, mentally, and emotionally” in their reading material.1 But what is an engaged reader really? Of course, we know a reader is someone who reads. In this case, a reader is someone who is reading a book, a piece of literature. But how is one engaged with the literature they are reading? And why is engagement important?

I still remember the peaceful nights of my childhood. Every evening, my mother would sit between my sister and I and read us a bedtime story. We had an impressive collection of picture books back in the day, and my mother, waiting for us in bed, would allow each of us to select one storyContinue reading “In Honor of the Picture Books I Once Loved”

While reading is beneficial for everyone, it is remarkably important for children and students as they develop and ascend through the levels of education. Reading assists kids’ growth as learners and people, improving their emotional intelligence and imagination, as well as strongly influencing their academic success.