It's Monday, glorious Monday, a time to anticipate another week of possibilities and another week of reading. As importantly, if it's Monday, then #IMWAYR time again. Check in with Jen from Teach Mentor
Texts and Kellee and Rickie from Unleashing
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It has been a very crazy week, although I did get some reading in. The Scholastic Book Fair arrived in the library on Friday, but I didn't have much time to peruse books once it was set up because I had to rush off with one cousin to pick up another cousin from the ferry terminal. We had a wonderful Friday evening and Saturday morning together. The rest of the weekend consisted of two funerals, more guests for dinner, and running around like a chicken trying to get ready for this upcoming week.
I always have an
audiobook on the go. In fact, it's the book that makes having to take care of
the basics (cleaning, shopping, etc) worthwhile.
I've just finished listening to Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. It did not work
for me. Honestly, it is soooo slow; it's like listening to paint dry. I'm not
kidding. It takes me 15 to 20 minutes to drive to work. During the entire drive
one day last week, all that happened was that our heroine put on a new dress and
hat, and then walked through a building (blindfolded) to find something called a chronograph.
Absolutely nothing of note happened. I really expected more from a book with
time travelling. Now that I have finally completed the book, I'm even more disenchanted. Just
as the story finally started to get interesting, it was done, and ended on a
kind of a cliff hanger! For certain I will not be
reading, in any shape or form, any more of this series.
One of my goals this year was to read and blog about more Canadian titles. In this week's reading I remembered why. Where we come from gives us a sense of place and identity. Reading stories that reflect this confirms to ourselves who we are. So reading these two middle grade novels was like coming home.
Finding Grace by Becky Citra
I'm always happy to read anything Becky Citra writes. This is the story of Hope, a girl who writes letters to an imaginary person. Finding Grace is one of those stories with a happy ending, even if it isn't the kind of ending you might have expected.
Red River Raging by Penny Draper
Everything that I have read in Draper's
Disaster Strikes series has been worthwhile; both for her development of time
and place, as well as her capacity for creating authentic characters readers
can connect to. Red River Raging is no exception. Readers who like to read
about disasters and children like themselves who are in the middle of them,
will like these books. Heck, I'm no longer really a child, and I enjoy
them.
I'm afraid I've got too many books on the go. I've got The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson on my iPad (not yet started.) I'm about halfway through Bone Gap which I'm reading on my iPhone. Greenglass House by Kate Milford (in real book format) is waiting much more patiently for me than the reader from our school who wants me to hurry up so we can chat about it.
I've come to realize that I am ready for a grown up book! Thankfully, I've got The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman waiting for me.
I think part of the problem with the Gier books is that they are translated from German. I did buy the series, but they don't circulate very frequently. Greenglass House has done better than I expected!
ReplyDeleteI saw that they were translated, and by Anthea Bell who also translates for Cornelia Funke. I don't think I will purchase this series. If students suggest it, then I'll contemplate it. I look forward to getting to Greenglass House soon!
DeleteThanks for those two last titles. Finding Grace sounds especially good. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them. Both are amazing writers!
DeleteI haven't particularly enjoyed many of Gaiman's books but Ocean was great. And it's a quick read!
ReplyDeleteI adored American Gods and Anansi Boys and mostly everything else of his I've read. So far I'm enjoying it.
DeleteI have Bone Gap in my very soon pile! I've heard amazing things. Greenglass House is a book I tackled earlier this year. I had a hard time getting through that one. I liked it, but it really didn't hold my attention. I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much stunned by Bone Gap so far. It isn't easy reading on my iphone, but I've discovered I can only download a title from the library onto one device. In spite of this, I am reading it every chance I get.
DeleteI really had fun with Ocean at the End of the Lane. I also enjoyed Bone Gap and Greenglass House. What a nice lineup you have there.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Having great reading materials on hand makes it easier to keep on reading even when the rest of my life falls apart.
DeleteOkay - I was totally laughing at your description of your audio book experience on your a.m. drive - now, Doll Bones happens to be an awesome listen! We all listened to it and commented multiple times that you should be with us!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha - Maybe it wouldn't be so creepy if I had company!
DeleteI can really appreciate your comments about listening to an audiobook that d-r-a-g-s. Ugh! There isn't much worse. I can relate to your comment about reading an "adult" book. I'm ready for one, too. Gaiman's is one that is on my short list-- I've never read anything he's written for grown-up people though I love his kids' books. Thanks for sharing your thinking and reading!
ReplyDeleteI loved American Gods. If you haven't read or listened to it, I recommend it. I listened to it as an audiobook and then went on to listen to the sequel, Anansi Boys.
DeleteAhh... I have a student carting around Greenglass House and it looks great. I really enjoyed Ocean at the End of the Lane (but then I adore anything Gaiman writes). If you want a great audiobook, try anything he narrates.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently listening to Glory O'Brien's History of the Future and I really like this narrator.
I am a big fan of Gaiman's work. Last year I listened to American Gods and the sequel. Holy smokes that was some read! I've got Gory O'Brien's History of the Future on my to read list. I'll ask the library to bring it in as an audiobook.
DeleteI'm not familiar with Becky Citra but your description of this book has me intrigued. Will be on the lookout for it. I listened to Ocean on audio and did enjoy it though it didn't entirely work for me as a story. I'm doing a much better job this year of balancing books for grown-ups with my usual kidlit and YA fare, and I think I feel happier as a reader as a result! I think what I especially appreciate about reading books for grown-ups is that they aren't for work. They're just for me so they feel indulgent and special. I'm super lucky that I get to read kids and YA and call it work, but at the same time, because it's for work sometimes it feels like I'm always working when I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel Elizabeth. If I don't get some adult reading in, reading begins to feel like work and all the joy gets sucked out of it.
DeleteHi there Cheriee, not sure if Ocean at the End of the Lane can be strictly classified as adult - it defies easy categorization, I guess - definitely a lot of overlaps there. I enjoyed The Sky Is Everywhere - but I do know a few people who thought it was overdone, so I'd be intrigued about what you think about it. Had to laugh at your description of Ruby Red. I also read so many great things about Bone Gap - excited to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to this book off and on all day so I realize what you mean. It's an older man remembering when he was 7. And what a memory it is indeed. I might take my paper copy and catalogue it for my elementary readers if nothing really untoward happens.
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