#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


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


16 comments:

  1. You are right, Jonathan Auxier can really write a story! The Mushroom Fan Club looks interesting! I love the cover illustration. I didn't know mushrooms could look so cute!

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    1. The Mushroom Fan Club is perfect for this time of year. When I'm out walking with my granddaughter, I'm much more aware of all the mushrooms we find!

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  2. I feel like I just need to go through your list and add anything to my list that I don't yet have there -- what an amazing reading week! I've been looking forward to reading Jerome by Heart -- can't wait to get it locally. And I originally heard about Tilly and the Crazy Eights through you (either Twitter or Goodreads, not sure which), so I just got that one added this last week. I'm grateful to get to follow your reading journey, Cheriee!

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    1. It was really two weeks Shaye! Jerome is a sweet loving book.
      I enjoy following your reading life too!

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  3. Ooh, The Body Keeps the Score! One of the most important books I've ever read (because of my son's background and parenting needs). Tilly and the Crazy Eights sounds excellent. I am so grateful for your commitment to sharing indigenous literature because I find out about a lot of great books through your blog. I don't know how The Spill Zone wasn't on my radar before, but now I've got to get to that series.

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    1. I am loving The Body Keeps the Score. I Hate Everyone takes on a whole new meaning in the context of it.
      You must read the Spill Zone series. The first is gorgeously stunning and fresh. This sequel is good, but loses some of the awe that the first evoked.

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  4. I agree with your review of Awkward and also loved the back matter. I had not seen Spell Zone. I will have to look for that series. I always enjoy Scott Westerfeld and didn't know he had a graphic novel.

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    1. Spill Zone is sublime on many levels - the story line, the characters and the artwork are all stunning!

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  5. You were a busy reader! I'm often jealous when you all read so much middle grade. That is def the area that gets abandoned lately because of time. I have Sweep and I'm anxious to get to it. Sounds like one I will enjoy!

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    1. IMHO there is nothing better than a well written middle grade novel! Jonathan Auxier always hits the sweet spot with them.

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  6. I still need to read Sweep! I keep hearing such rave reviews! Beyond the Pind is new to me so thanks for the recommendation!

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  7. Oh I need to get Tilly. I haven't read anything but Monique Gray Smith's picture books. I just heard about Jerome by Heart at the Zolotow symposium this weekend. I'll be sure to watch for it.

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  8. Looks like you got quite a bit of reading in, even though you're super busy. I loved the illustrations in Beyond the Pond and In The Middle of Fall. Thanks for sharing this great list. Have a wonderful week!

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  9. Wow, you've been reading LOTS of great books lately! I enjoy graphic novels but hadn't heard of Awkward or Spill Zone yet so thanks!

    Nice that you have so many new babies in your life :) Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebration!

    Sue

    Book By Book

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  10. Oh wow, Cheriee! What a lovely spread of books you got here - a few of the picturebook titles I already have in my radar, a few that are not (which I've added on Goodreads). I enjoyed Awkward, its sequel not so much, and quite happy to hear that there's a third book out! Awesome. :) Hope you have another great reading week ahead of you!

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