#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.
I'm
following the lead of Shaye at The Miller Memo, so if you clink on the title
link for each book, it will take you to the GoodReads page for that book.
It's
getting close to the Christmas season so I'm busy working on projects and going
to craft fairs just for the fun of it. I've finished piecing the quilt I was
working on and am trying to decide if I want to quilt it myself or send it off.
It's all about time...
I
have discovered and been watching Anne of Green Gables on Netflix. I read all the novels
in my late teens and twenties. Did you know that the first book was published
in 1908? I'm not really sure how I feel about this version as it seems darker
than the books, but I'll probably watch another episode before abandoning
it. Maybe I'll just end up going back and watching the CBC production and or
reread the books!
PICTURE
BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
Willow
is a good witch who uses only good magic. In this version of the classic tale,
Hansel and Gretel are two despicable children who would try the patience of a
saint. By the end I’m sure you will agree they get what they deserve!
 |
| 5 stars |
I
adore that this book shows us how straightforward it is to stand against fear
and hate. Kindness and acceptance are such simple things that make a profound
difference in all parts of our world.
 |
| 4 stars |
Abbie
Cameron's gorgeous illustrations highlight Nicola Davis rhyming text in this
homage to all kinds of birds. The rhyme mostly worked for me and I appreciated
the places where the poem morphed into concrete format.
 |
| 4 stars |
I
fell head over heels for this book on the first page with these lines:
"The
speckled horse made his way through the field, softly, trying not to step on
any insects of worms.
After
all, he wouldn't have wanted anyone to step on him."
This
is a deeply philosophical book about finding our place in an interconnected
world.
Clare
Rojas art is gorgeous!
 |
| 3 1/2 stars |
I
like the idea of this book more than how it works with my seventeen month
granddaughter. She loved the front cover but couldn't make the connection to
the imaginary building. Unfortunately our library copy is not a board book like
the other Leslie Patricelli books we have come to love. We'll try this again
when she is older.
 |
| 5 stars |
Three
times I've gone through this book. Each time I find something I missed and end
up appreciating it more. It's an homage to the power of libraries, but even
more, its overflowing with the power of love.
 |
| 4 stars |
When
the darkness comes to his land, Marwan and others have to leave. It's filled
with sadness and loss as all he carries with him of his Mommy is a photograph.
At the same time there is resilience and hope as he dreams of returning home
and rebuilding when the darkness is gone.
NONFICTION
 |
| 4 stars |
If
my mother was alive still, she would be a couple of years older than Margaret
Hamilton. While Mom was busy raising a brood of children, Margaret was
programming how to get to the moon. My mom could never have envisioned that
kind of reality for herself but Margaret’s story is now here to inspire girls
today. I’m so glad it is.
NOVELS
 |
| 4 stars |
This
is the second Susin Nielsen book I've read this fall. I love, love, love her
writing. I especially appreciate that her work is set here in my hometown so I
can envision her characters in places I know. Petula De Wilde, Jacob and the
rest of their art therapy group have all kinds of difficult issues to deal
with. Petula is full of anxiety and guilt after her baby sister's death. Jacob
has just moved to Vancouver from Toronto to escape from his own secret tragedy.
They all end up helping each other; even Jacob, when his story finally comes
out. This is more of a YA book than an elementary title since the romantic
relationship between Petula and Jacob includes (very positive) sexual activity.
GRAPHIC
 |
| 4 stars |
I
think I liked this even better than Honor Girl. It's sort of a continuation of
her memoir, but this one is full of magic and mystery. A lot is going on at
many different levels. Perhaps because there are fewer characters, I
appreciated Maggie Thrash's stylistic art work in this one more fully.
When
Maggie's cat goes missing in her house, she ends up meeting a strange kind of
ghost boy. As the story unfolded, I wondered a lot about the relationship
between the two events, and you will too. It probably won't be what you think.
I
don't want to spoil the story for you, but these lines on pages 160 - 161 echo
a profound truth: “There’s a part of you that dies when you grow up. A ghost
you have to leave behind.”
CURRENTLY
I
was listening to Transcription by Kate Atkinson as fast as I could, but ended
up being called in to work and my audiobook expired with just 90 minutes left.
It's going to take me months to get it again! I thought maybe the book would be
faster but the reserve list for those is very long too. I did find a fast read
ebook so I'm trying to finish up with that. It's probably a good thing since I
can skim over all the really scary bits anyway! I'm about half way through
Elephant Secret by Eric Walters and am now listening to The Parker Inheritance
by by Varian Johnson.
UP
NEXT
I
have a pile of fabulous books from the library and I have no idea how I will find time to get to all of them.
PROGRESS
ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2018
23/25
#MustReadNFIn2018
12/12
25
Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 24/25
Goodreads
Reading Challenge 399/333
