#IMWAYR FEBRUARY 12, 2018

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

The group of jurors I was lucky to be part of managed to come up with winners for the Cybil Graphic Novel awards. It was not easy. All of the contenders, especially at the elementary level, were fabulous reads. Stay tuned for Wednesday when the winners will be announced.

PICTURE BOOKS

The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

This book is very clever. It shows readers that through our mistakes we can achieve big things. It also reveals how mistakes that might seem insurmountable in the moment, can become insignificant when we look at the big picture. It all works because while the text is minimal, the gorgeous illustrations are laden with meaning.

Claymates by Dev Petty & Lauren Eldridge (Illustrator)

This is laugh out loud fun! I can't wait to read this to a group of children this coming week. When a clay artist leaves her work alone it comes to life. There is a playful mischievousness to their shenanigans that I know will appeal to children of many ages.

I Wrote You a Note by Lizi Boyd

I appreciate Liza Boyd's unique illustrations in this book a lot. I like that all the different creatures viewed the note from their own unique perspectives. I'm just kind of confused as to how many notes the girl wrote before it was magically received by the recipient for who it was intended.

Owl Bat Bat Owl by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

This wordless picture book tells of a wee owl and bat who become friends, much to the chagrin of their mothers. When troubles hit both families, the adults and the rest of clans learn to appreciate one another.

Through this fiction, an important truth about how the world evolves socially is revealed. If you are lucky enough for your children to go to a multicultural school, they will make friends with all kinds of students who are different from them. As adults who are interested in our children's friends, we can't help but get to know and appreciate their families. This is how immigrants are regularly integrated into life here in Canada.

NOVELS

Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh

I ended up loving this book much more than I anticipated. It’s got fabulous characters placed in a dystopian, futuristic Korean world. I loved the concept of genetic engineering to create superhumans who still have the capacity to choose what is right. I appreciated the creative technology and the numerous political and criminal factions warring with each other. This is a love story. There is traditional romantic love, but also aspects of love on all kinds of levels. It's these friendships and family bonds that are most fascinating. I handed this off to my Korean daughter in law to see what she has to say.

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali & Ariana Delawari (Narrator)

I really liked the collection of characters in this book. Still, there were times when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue reading because I was worried Janna’s assaulter would try again and be successful. I’m glad I went on because ultimately this is the story of a young woman’s empowerment. I think Muslim readers will see themselves in this book, but it is also a coming of age story that will resonate for all kinds of people.

CURRENTLY

I'm totally enthralled by the audiobook, La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman and Michael Sheen (Narrator.) I'm reading The Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Now that I've finished with the Cybil graphic novels, I've finally started Palestine by Joe Sacco. Talk about intense!

UP NEXT

I think Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski will be the next audiobook. Kellee's (from Unleashing Readers) enthusiasm for the series convinced me to give one a try. I have Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar and This Is Not A Border: Reportage & Reflection From the Palestine Festival of Literature due back at the library soon so I will try to get to those. 

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 6/25 1 in process

#MustReadNFIn2018 2/12

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 2/25

Cybil Graphic Novels 12/12

Goodreads Reading Challenge 50/333