It was a lovely week. Not only did I read some spectacular books, I finished piecing two quilt tops and got some knitting accomplished. Ada's baby doll now has her own knitted outfit. Now I'm trying to get a couple of pumpkin hats finished for my grandchildren and work on some Christmas projects.
The larger of these two quilt tops is from a kit that was given to me and I created the smaller one from the leftover fabric. I'll be taking those in to be quilted this week.
The larger of these two quilt tops is from a kit that was given to me and I created the smaller one from the leftover fabric. I'll be taking those in to be quilted this week.
Because I have appreciated other bloggers who link their reading to Goodreads, I've decided to do that here. If you click on the title, the link will take you there.
PICTURE BOOKS
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| 5 stars |
Drawn Together by Minh Lê &
Dan Santat (Illustrator)
I now get what all the buzz is about.
This book is visually stunning. The ultimate connection through art by an
estranged grandfather and grandson makes my heart sing. Hope and love vibrate
through it!
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| 4 stars |
Please, Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt & Matthew Forsythe (Illustrator)
This reminded me of a Sesame Street book, There is a Monster At the end of this Book, that I read to my boys over and over and over again when they were little. Please, Open This Book! is hilarious and I'm sure will entertain many new generations of youngsters. Whatever you do, don't close the book!
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| 4 stars |
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jess Walton & Dougal MacPherson (Illustrator)
I like the simple, straightforward way gender is dealt with here. Aside from the fact that we are talking about a Teddy Bear acknowledging it's true gender, the responses from the friends feels genuine. My suspicion is that adults make way more fuss about this than children would.
GRAPHIC
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| 5 stars |
Crush (Awkward #3) by Svetlana Chmakova
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Don't tell anyone, but my middle school self has a huge crush on Jorge. I can't help it. He's sweet, honest and exceptionally kind. He’s an athlete but not into toxic jock culture. Alas Jorge already has a crush on someone else.
Seriously, this book captures the essence of the tumultuous time of adolescence. It's all completely believable. I love how earnest Jorge and Olivia are about making their school a safe place. Sure there are the usual insecure, nasty jerks, one of whom is near to them. but ultimately these are great kids with good teachers.
Now I have to go back and read Brave, the second in this series. I am loving this high caliber graphic series. If you haven't read them yet, I encourage you to find and read Awkward, the first one. You too will be hooked.
NOVELS
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| 5 stars |
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo (From Netgalley)
Oh my, if I could, I would give this book more stars. Louisiana just jumps off the page and into your heart. There is just so much I adore about this book. It's deeply philosophical. It's gut wrenching. It's got heart and soul. I cried with sorrow and joy. This is a must read middle grade novel that celebrates the best in all of us.
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| 4 stars |
The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm & Georgette Perna (Narrator)
This was a satisfying sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish. I love the characters. This one has lots of science, a bit of romance on multiple levels, positive friendships, and a tragedy. It's so delightful to read about a healthy functioning family. I adore this school librarian!
ADULT NONFICTION
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| 5 stars |
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk & Sean Pratt (Narrator)
Sometimes a book can change the way you see the world, others and yourself. This is one of those. If you work with children, or people of any age group, you must read this. If you have ever experienced trauma, or know someone who has, you need to read this. If you just want to understand yourself better, read this book. Ultimately this book is about hope. The author, Bessel van der Kol, shows that there are many ways to help PTSD and other survivors of childhood abuse recover and live meaningful lives.
CURRENTLY
These days I'm listening to Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo. I'm in the middle of Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol and am almost finished Barbara O'Connor's Wonderland.
UP NEXT
I hope to start listening to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, one of my Mustread titles for this year. I fear that I will not meet my goals if I don't get really really busy reading from those lists! Other than this, I'll see what strikes my fancy in the pile of books here.
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2018 21/25
#MustReadNFIn2018 9/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 20/25
Goodreads Reading Challenge 355/333
Yes, yes, YES on Louisiana's Way Home! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I'm going to have to hunt down Please, Open This Book after your description. My kids will love that one! And now I will go read up on The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma because that's a new title to me and it sounds very good. Thank you for sharing, Cheriee, and thank you for the Goodreads links! I have always appreciated having one less step to add a new title to my GR list. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Body Keeps the Score is such an important book Shaye! I'm trying to convince everyone I know that they must read it!
Delete"It's deeply philosophical. It's gut wrenching." You pinned down exactly why I DIDN'T like it! Good job on the quilt tops and knitting-- I rarely do either during the school year. Have to break down and take some 20 year old tops to be quilted because my 20 year quilts are falling apart! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteIt helps that I am retired and only work as a substitute teacher in libraries so I have more time than those of you who are working full time. Good luck with your quilts!
DeleteDid you enjoy Raymie?
Drawn Together is a book I could read again and again because the illustrations are amazing. I agree about Louisiana's Way Home. I got to see Kate DiCamillo at the Boston Book Fair and she was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations are indeed stunning, but it's the connection between the two of them because of it that really wowed me.
DeleteI have no chance of meeting my #MustRead goals. There are just too many books. . . I'm glad you liked Louisiana's Way Home, a marvelous book to savor. I've noted Please Open This Book, sounds cute. My youngest granddaughter's classmate just made a change last week & started wearing dresses. She says it's okay & the class seems fine, too. I am wishing her a good journey and loved Introducing Teddy! Love your new quilts, too, Cheriee. You are a busy woman!
ReplyDeleteThat transition sounds positive Linda. I only need to read five more of my mustreads so it doesn't seem overwhelming, but getting to it is the challenge. And then, it's not my only goal.
DeleteI should probably remind myself of the books on my #mustread list and try to get to a few more of them! I've decided to try SKIMMING Raymie so that I can get to Louisiana. I tried Raymie a couple of times and it just didn't connect with me, but I have high hopes for Louisiana! I agree that The Body Keeps the Score is a must-read for teachers, especially the chapter about children. Such an important book.
ReplyDeleteRaymie never really worked for me, but Louisiana captured my heart from the get go!
DeleteWe felt the same way about Lousiana's Way Home - It is absolutely beautiful. Please, Open this Book looks adorable. We have a collection of books where the character talks back to the reader - It sounds like this book will fit into that collection. Thanks for sharing photos of your quilts - They are incredible. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI think Louisiana's Way Home is Kate at her finest!
DeleteI loved both Louisiana's Way Home and The Third Mushroom! Such wonderful middle grade books that are coming out for kids lately. Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilts. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteYou too. I agree. These are some of the best that are out there.
DeleteI really appreciated Introducing Teddy's straightforward tone - gender identity becomes a big "sensitive" topic when adults are uncomfortable with the subject. Kids often don't give two hoots what someone is called or how they identify! Kids are so often much more open-minded and accepting than we give them credit for.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I think also Jane. Kids are more concerned about the kind of person you are than what your gender is.
DeleteI've got to find a copy of Please Open This Book, I used to love those Sesame Street books you're talking about!
ReplyDeleteHere's what I'm currently reading: https://bookloaner.wordpress.com/2018/10/21/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-october-22-2018/
It's pretty funny Hallie. I saw this Sesame Street book for sale last week and almost bought a couple of copies as stocking stuffers for my sons.
DeleteSo many wonderful books! I loved Awkward and I have Brave. I need to pull it out! I already preordered Crush, even though I doubt I'll be able to put it in our primary library! They are just wonderful books to own. Although I do have Awkward in there now....
ReplyDeleteLoved Drawn Together too!
I wouldn't hesitate to put Crush in my elementary school library, but I think your students are younger than mine were. I'm really looking forward to reading Brave.
DeleteI felt the same enthusiasm for Louisiana's Way Home. I remember liking Awkward, but totally missed Brave. I'll need to go back and catch up. I also really want to read A Monster Calls, but I also don't want to cry, so I keep putting it off!
ReplyDeleteI was worried that A Monster Calls was going to be creepy! I think I would rather cry than be terrified.
DeleteI echo the Lousiana joy! SO SO love that book. Wow. Those quilts are incredible!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt tops are beautiful! And I appreciate the range of books you share.
ReplyDelete