#IMWAYR October 15, 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.

Today I'm sharing two weeks of reading because last week we were celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. I couldn't get it together with all the food preparation. We feasted on the usual turkey and trimmings but added a kimchi dish this year to celebrate our Korean daughter in law and some of her friends who came for dinner. 

Other than that and reading, I've been subbing in school libraries and working on another quilt. Cutting out all the different sized pieces turned out to be the most challenging aspect to it, although I admit that squaring it up is turning out to be more difficult than I anticipated. I might just send it off to be quilted as it is and trim it later. I'm also in the middle of planning another couple of quilts. There are many new babies in our world. 

BLOG POSTS

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith

Out of the Ice: How Climate Change is Revealing the Past by Clair Eamer & Drew Shannon (Illustrator)

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

I Hate Everyone by Naomi Danis & Cinta Arribas (Illustrator)

This book reveals the complicated feelings of a young child at her birthday party. When I read these kinds of books I always try to make connections to my own life and the children I know. I live with a toddler and see this tension between the need for closeness and the desire to have things their way. Even though she can't explain what's going on, we try to reflect her feelings back to her. I wish I had had this book when I brought my second child home from the hospital. It makes my heart ache to see how this book captures my older son's conflict. 

Give this book to parents of young children. 

My daughter in law just told me it reminded her of herself at 14, so maybe just give it to parents with children at all ages. 

5 stars

Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto & Olivier Tallec (Illustrator)

Raphael loves his friend Jerome unabashedly. This book pays homage to these kinds of close friendships.

It's beautifully written and translated.

"But she never says anything about how warm his smile is. She doesn't seem to notice that I have a secret hideout there, where I feel protected by Jerome's two eyes."

Olivier Tallec's illustrations have a warm tenderness that captures this relationship.

This is a feel good book, but there is also a bit of tension in the parent's inability to fully understand how and why Jerome is so important to Raphael.

4 stars

You're Finally Here! by Mélanie Watt

I read this one at work this week. What can I say? It's Mélanie Watt so it's hilarious. As someone who hates to wait, I feel much compassion for this overwrought bunny.

5 stars

Orca Chief by Roy Henry Vickers & Robert Budd

This beautifully illustrated book reminds all of us to be mindful of the world around us. It shows us how connected we are to the rest of the planet and to give thanks for what we get from it.

3 stars

Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler

A boy dives deep into a pond and discovers an unimaginable world on the other side. Upon his return home, he sees his ordinary world isn’t so ordinary after all.

3 stars

In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

Gorgeous illustrations take the reader through the beginning to the end of fall.

4 stars

Moon Glowing by Elizabeth Partridge & Joan Paley (Illustrator)

The art in this is just stunning! With simple poetic text, it shows animals getting ready for winter. At the back of the book is a page of information about each of these animals. I and the kindergarten class I read this to, had fun transforming ourselves into the animals and preparing for fall. 

4 stars

Sun by Sam Usher

I love the granddad grandson duo in this series of books about weather. Here they head off for a picnic on a scorching hot day. Poor Granddad has to take a lot of rests, but they still have a fabulous adventure. The way Usher shows the sun getting hotter and hotter is brilliant. The picture of the cover here doesn’t show the glitter on the actual cover that makes it sparkle and shine.

GRAPHIC

4 stars

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

I liked this a lot even if i do have problems with parts. I can't help but wonder where staff are when bullying takes place and why something isn't done about it. That said, I liked the way two feuding school clubs were forced to come together to save themselves. I also loved the artwork and appreciated all the information in the back matter about Chmakova's working process.

4 stars

Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton

Jelly finally convinces Narwhal to try a taste of peanut butter cookie, and ends up on an out of control peanut butter eating binge. Like the other Peanut Butter and Jelly books, there is plenty of humour, sweetness and even some scientific facts. While this isn't my favourite of the series, I adore the puns on the back cover!

5 stars

The Broken Vow (Spill Zone #2) by Scott Westerfeld, Alex Puvilland (Artist) & Hilary Sycamore (Colorist)

I’ve been waiting for this book for what seems like forever. Spill Zone 1 won the Cybil teen graphic award last year. I expect this will be a contender this year.

It continues where the last one ended. Addie has collected dust from the spill zone to sell, but touching it changed her. Don Jae, a North Korean teen, has also been touched by the zone and has super powers. When Lexa, Addie’s sister is taken over by a being and is being stalked by another from the zone, it’s up to them to save her.

The colours in this are gorgeous! It’s emotional and exciting with a complex storyline and compelling characters. Now I have to wait for the next one! I hate waiting.

NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS

3 stars

Ada Lovelace by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara & Zafouko Yamamoto (Illustrations)

This very simple biography of Ada Lovelace has charming illustrations. The additional information about her life at the end rescues it from being too simple.

4 stars

The Mushroom Fan Club by Elise Gravel

This delightful book will teach young readers a lot about mushrooms! The illustrations are fun and the text is simple. It's perfect for this time of year when mushrooms are popping up everywhere.

3 stars

Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer & Drew Shannon (Illustrations)

This is more than a picture book. It is a solid information book about glacial archaeology. There are plenty of text features. My complaint is that at no time do they come close to addressing the serious ramifications of climate change.

NOVELS

4 stars

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Jonathan Auxier sure can write. This novel looks at the plight of chimney sweeps in Victorian England. It's got a bit of a Dickensian feel, but it includes a loveable golem.

5 stars

Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith (for adults)

Tilly and a group of indigenous elders head out on a road trip to Albuquerque for the world's biggest Powwow. It ends up being a coming of age novel for the older crowd. Sure it's loaded with laughter and tenderness, but there is also loss, heartache and romance. A lot of learning and growing takes place. Each of them has issues to grapple with. Not the least are their histories of residential schools. I ended up weepy at numerous points in this book.

Ultimately it's a heartwarming feel good read about a group of people who are survivors. What more can you want?

NONFICTION

4 stars

A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright

I finished this one up for a book club and then we had to change our date. I hope I remember what it was all about by the time we meet. I seriously doubt that is possible. Wright takes us through the rise and fall of civilizations across time. I found it fascinating and depressing. Ultimately he brings us to a place where we have to face that we here now are repeating the same patterns as humans from earlier times, only this time we are destroying the entire planet, not just one part of it.

CURRENTLY

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is the audiobook I have on the go. I'm reading Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo as an ARC on my device.

UP NEXT

I have no idea, although I hope to dig into the pile of library books that I have here. I will start reading Crush, another graphic novel by Svetlana Chmakova.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 21/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 8/12 1 in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 20/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 349/333