#IMWAYR February 4, 2019

#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 reread a couple of graphic novels for the Cybils last week, and honestly, I am now at a place where I can live very happily without reading another graphic novel for awhile! It was a relief to go back to reading straight print. 
I am fighting a cold so it was a slow, take it easy kind of week for me. That meant more reading time and I almost have my reading life under control. It's a bit of a miracle that I only have seven items checked out of the library!

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page for the book if you want to add it to your list. 

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson

I really like a lot about this book. Oliver is looking for someplace to fit in but is repeatedly rejected because doesn't match the groups he tries to join. Eventually he tries to change himself so that he can be accepted. But he soon learns:

"If I have to hide and pretend I'm someone else, am I really still me? ... And if I can't be me, then what fun is it to fit in?"

That is an important lesson to learn.

Still, there has been something niggling me about this book. I finally figured it out. The onus is always on Oliver to 'fit in.' I was recently in a classroom that had posters on the wall speaking to the difference between fitting in and belonging. Belonging is being accepted for who you are. 

I wish there had been more of a focus on changing the culture of these "have to fit in kinds of groups" in this book. I will definitely talk about it if I share this book with students.

Cale Atkinson is Canadian! 🍁

4 stars

I Am Small by Qin Leng

A young girl bemoans being small and all the hardships it causes her. Eventually she acknowledges all the advantages there are to being who she is. Finally, a new surprise in the family helps her put her size in perspective.

Of course I love this. Qin Ling's illustrations are always poignant and they wrench my heart in this lovely picture book that is all hers.

Qin Leng is Canadian!  🍁

4 stars

The Dreamer by Il Sung Na

The illustrations in this book about a pig who follows his dreams are exceptional. It reveals a lot about following your passion at the same time as it shows how much is involved to become successful.

4 stars

Me And My Fear by Francesca Sanna

We all have things we are afraid of, but mostly they don’t get in the way of our living our lives. Francesca Sanna shows us what happens when these fears get out of control. I appreciate the diverse collection of students shown in these charming illustrations.

NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art by Barb Rosenstock & Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)

This is as beautifully written as it is illustrated. But then, what else can we expect from this creative team?

The back matter includes additional information about Chagall's life, and this quote, that I am going to carry around with me in my pocket for a while.

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." Marc Chagall

CHAPTER BOOKS

5 stars

The Monster Detector (Big Foot and Little Foot #2) by Ellen Potter & Felicita Sala (Illustrations)

Ellen Potter can do no wrong!

The Monster Detector is the second in this series that tell the adventures of two unlikely best friends: Hugo, a Sasquatch squidge, and Boone, a human boy. In this tale the two budding cryptozoologists end up chasing after a dangerous Green Whistler.
If you have squidges, or little people in your life, do them a favour and introduce them to these books. Read them aloud. You will all love them, but be warned, you might end up with a hankering for acorn butter sandwiches, mushroom tarts, and blackberry snarfles. 

GRAPHIC

4 stars

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

This is a reread. Previously I wrote, "I loved the story, the world building, the art and the characters in this science fiction graphic novel. I loved that it is entirely populated with individuals who are women or nonbinary. It showcases many different aspects of love within fully authentic relationships. Across the span of the book they all grow and change. Walden's artwork: the buildings, the different parts of the universe, and the boarding school are atmospherically gorgeous. I really appreciated the contrast between the expansiveness of her universe juxtaposed with the intimacy of the connections between the characters."

After reading this the second time there is still a lot I love about it, but I had trouble differentiating between the characters whose faces are nearly identical except for their hair. The font is very small.

4 stars

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

I finally found a copy of this to reread for the Cybils. Here's what I wrote the first time round, "Gorgeous artwork is the backbone of this story about a prince who likes to dress up in women's clothing. He hires his own seamstress, Frances, a talented clothing designer. Prince Sebastian becomes Lady Crystallia and her attire is copied by all the other ladies in the city. Unfortunately Frances gets none of the credit. Their lives become more and more complicated until things fall apart.

My heart ached for both of these characters who were caught in untenable circumstances. To be honest, while I liked the happy ending, it just felt too simplistic and outlandish."

While I liked this well enough the second time, the ending still bothered me.

NOVELS

4 stars

First & Then by Emma Mills

I was absolutely charmed by this book. It's like reading a modern day Jane Austen novel. There is romance for sure, (think along the lines of Pride and Prejudice set in a modern American high school) but, the book is also about finding the best in all kinds of people.

NONFICTION

4 stars

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari & Derek Perkins (Narrator)

I enjoyed listening to Derek Perkins narration, as well as reading sections of the book with my eyes. There were parts that fascinated me. At other times I questioned Harari's analysis. Mostly I learned a lot. Humankind's history is essentially dark and grim. Ultimately our relationship to the planet, each other, and all other living and nonliving things is toxic. 

CURRENTLY

I'm listening to Keeper'n Me by Richard Wagamese. I'm reading with my eyes, Lies Sleeping by by Ben Aaronovitch. I really miss Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's narration. I'm also reading Colville by Alex Colville, one of my MustRead nonfiction titles.

UP NEXT

I've got Saving Winslow available as an audiobook so that will probably be my next audiobook. Then I hope to start reading Cold Skies by Thomas King. 

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 3/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 3/12

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 2/25

  

25 books by Canadian Authors 12/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 48/333