#IMWAYR April 10, 2017

#IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. The adult version of this meme is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. The kidlit rendition is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I've been focused on sewing quilts. Also, we had a crowd over for dinner last Sunday and I had to do some housecleaning before they arrived so I didn't have time to write a blog post. Besides, I hadn't read that much. While I'm still getting my bookish fix through audiobooks, I really wish that more of the books for my goals were available in this format.

I actually accomplished more on this quilt, but this is all I could fit onto my wall. I've got to finish another 21 blocks, but that will only take me around 30 hours or so. 

I've got one more of these to finish up for my grandbabies to be. I'm still trying to decide if I should put a border on it, and if I do, what colour it will be. 

BLOG POSTS THIS WEEK

#MustReadIn2017 Spring Update

PICTURE BOOKS

I know I read more picture books at the book fair last week, but the few here are the ones that left an impression on me. 

4 stars

Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty & Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Illustrations)

I love the contrast between the text and images in this hilarious picture book. They take stereotypes of girls and turn them upside down. I want my own copy of this one.

4 stars

We Are Growing! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! #2) by Laurie Keller, Mo Willems

This series is so much fun! The story is told from the point of view of grass growing. As they grow they argue over who is the most in certain qualities. The illustrations and text had me laughing out loud.

NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

I Have the Right to Be a Child by by Alain Serres, Aurélia Fronty (Illustrations), & Helen Mixter (Translation)

I found this book at the Scholastic Book Fair I was helping out at last week. The simple text explains each right. These rights are exquisitely illustrated in glorious colour. I ordered two copies for each of my grandchildren to be. My heart ached upon realizing that the USA has not yet ratified this convention. It breaks even more to realize that while Canada has signed it, there are many children in our country whose rights continue to be violated.

3 stars

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrations)

Kate Messner's text is lovely, and I am sure that Neal's illustrations are glorious, but in the Scholastic version I looked at, they were flat. I've put a hold on a Chronicle Books edition from my local library because I suspect that I should be more impressed than I was.

NON FICTION

4 stars

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (author and narrator)

I was completely lost in the ancient norse world as read by the author himself. As I listened to this I realized how having a background understanding of mythology has the capacity to enrich the rest of my reading life. Gaiman made these Gods and Goddesses seem like real people with superpowers, so it's easy to make the connection from these ancient stories to the world of Marvel and other comic book heros. As I listened to this, I kept thinking about Going Bovine by Libba Bray. While I realized that her novel referenced these Gods, I now know that my appreciation for that book would have been much richer had I read this first. After finishing this I want to reread American Gods, because I will get much more from it. At the very least, I'm looking more forward to watching the TV series of it.

5 stars

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I've been listening to this in bits, hoping to get motivated to write, but since I've mostly been listening before going to sleep or when I am busy working on a quilt, that hasn't occurred. In spite of this, I enjoyed Lamont's sense of humour, and found that she does indeed offer up some good advice on living. Maybe when/if I ever finish these quilts, I'll go back and reread sections and start writing.

4 stars

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Jesse L. Martin (Narrator)

This is scarily still relevant today, although it was first published in 1963. Ever since I read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, I've wanted to read James Baldwin. I've been recommending this book to others since finishing it. I can't help but wonder how different the world might be if more people had read Baldwin's work during the time it was published.

NOVELS

4 stars

Everyday Hero by Kathleen Cherry CL

Alice and Megan are unlikely candidates for friendship, but friends they become when Megan stands up for Alice at school. Through Megan, Alice, who has Asperger's, learns what it means to be a friend. Through Alice, Megan, who lives in an abusive home, learns that life is much more straightforward than she imagines. Both are everyday heroes dealing with nearly overwhelming obstacles. 

I really loved this book. Alice's parents may not always get it right, but it is obvious that they have their daughter's best interests at heart. The two girls are authentic characters I couldn't help but worry about and care for. At one point, I even cried a few tears.

4 stars

Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy by Wendelin Van Draanen & Tara Sands ((Narrator)

Sammy Keyes is my go to when I am feeling like I need a reading treat. In this one, Sandy and her friend, Marissa, head off to Hollywood to visit with her soap opera star mother. (Although in this one, she isn't yet a star) While there, Sammy has to solve a murder and save her mother's life. At the same time, Sammy and her mother manage to repair their fractured relationship. I did not see this end coming at all!

4 stars

Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz

This is just a PERFECT middle grade read! Swartz' first novel is comprised of heart and soul. It provides a window and mirror into the world of a twelve year old who is becoming overwhelmed by her OCD symptoms. It's a story about the joys of friendship and family, in spite of how messy they get. It's also a story about resilience and healing. I adore Molly Nathans!

3 stars

Bungee Jump by Pam Withers CL

This short read is packed with lots of action. Lots of scientific information about leprosy and engineering are embedded in this story of a family who own an island that was once housed a leper colony. There is also a missing treasure. The characters could be better developed, but I think this is a good read for reluctant readers.

3 stars

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas & Elizabeth Evans (Narrator)

This was ok, but there was too much romance and not enough action. I liked the friendship between Celaena and Nehemia and the world Mass has created kept me reading even though I was underwhelmed by the overall general focus on beauty and clothing.

ABANDONED

2 stars

The Left Handed Fate by Kate Millford

I really wanted to love this book because The Greenglass House knocked my socks off. I read almost 100 pages and couldn't get into it. It just didn't work for me.

CURRENTLY

I'm currently listening to South and West: From a Notebook by Joan Didion.  I'm reading Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by Shari Green.

UP NEXT

MY next audiobook will be Still Alice by by Lisa Genova. I'm planning on reading even this page is white by Vivek Shraya (a library book) and then I must read at least these three from my Chocolate Lily box! (I really really need to read more than this since the deadline is coming up and I have many to get through) Dukes's Den by Becky Citra, Shot in the Dark by Janet M. White, and Panda's on the Eastside by Gabrielle Pendergast.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MUSTREADIN2017 8/36 1 in progress

#MUSTREADNFIN2017 2/12, 1 in progress

50 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 11/50

Chocolate Lily (CL) 35/52

Goodreads Reading Challenge 121/333