#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

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

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 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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


21 comments:

  1. I agree Ellen Potter is great! I've only read the first Big Foot and Little Foot, but I can imagine the second is also delightful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am also infatuated with her Piper Green chapter books!

      Delete
  2. Still reading Sapiens, might be quicker if I listened! I agree that some parts are interesting but perhaps not always agreed with by others. I loved The Dreamer & The Princess & The Dressmaker, but agree, too, that it seemed pretty easy which isn't always truth. Thanks, Cheriee for all. I bookmarked the Chagall book, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Chagall book is gorgeous! Il Sung Na's art is also impressive. I am contemplating checking out all his books from the library just to admire it and his storytelling.

      Delete
  3. I am dealing with a cold, too, and I hope this week will find me breathing more easily (and not sneezing so much!). I Am Small look so lovely. I have The Prince and the Dressmaker checked out -- just hope I can get to it before I have to return it! Oddly enough, I was flipping through my home bookshelves last week and I'm pretty sure I have a copy of First & Then. I didn't know this was like a modern day Jane Austen novel, so I'm going to have to slip this one into my reading schedule soon. Thanks for the shares, Cheriee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My 19 month old granddaughter, who we share a house with, also has this cold. It's hard on her but it breaks the rest of our hearts to see her so miserable. We are snuggling up lots with good board books and letting her watch videos on the ipad. I hope the latter isn't going to be a bad habit to break.

      Delete
    2. Awww, poor thing. My 4 year old has had a bit of this cold, too. The hardest part is when she's trying to sleep since it's harder for her to breathe in that position. She still sleeps with us, so I can easily hear her through the night. And guess what!! I just checked and, sure enough, I have a seemingly new hardcover copy of First & Then by Emma Mills. This is almost unheard of since I am severely limited in my personal budget. I was drawn to the colorful cover art and now I'm excited to dig in to the actual story.

      Delete
    3. It is a delightful fun read! I'm sure you won't regret purchasing it.

      Delete
  4. On a Sunbeam and Princess and Dressmaker weren't my favorites either. On a Sunbeam drove me nuts because I couldn't figure out which character was which, and I feel so relieved that you had the same struggle! The font was also absurdly small. I never could put my finger on my issue with Princess and Dressmaker. I actually didn't love the art and thought most of the dresses were boring rather than the astonishing confections they were supposed to be. Maybe it's just that? I had to laugh at your comment about being ready to be done reading graphic novels for awhile. I think I read 90 of them for the first round of Cybils judging, and I was really afraid I was going to burn out, but I think I took a week off from reading them after I finished the judging and then was ready to read more. So it was definitely the right category for me to judge! First & Then sounds wonderful--and new to me, as well. Off to request!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved much about both of those books. The problem with The Prince and Dressmaker is that the father's transformation is too abrupt. Perhaps if it had been longer she could have shown his gradual change, but as it is...
      The reason I am a second round judge is that I only have to read 14 or so....
      Enjoy First and Then. Sometimes you just need a simple romantic comedy.

      Delete
  5. All of your picture books look awesome this week and all of them are available at my library. So, I just now put in requests for them and am eagerly awaiting the e-mail that tells me they're ready. Hopefully I can get ahold of them before the next round of winter weather hits this weekend. Thankfully we have a little break with temps back up in the 40s and 50s. Thanks for sharing these titles and have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have had a brief brush with winter here. Yesterday it went down to just below freezing and we ended up with a skiff of snow (about 1 cm)
      Happy reading to you too!

      Delete
  6. Isn't Emma Mills just such a fun read?! Her books make me so happy! I love Prince and the Dressmaker as do my students. Also love The Dreamer and Barb Rosenstock!

    Happy reading this week :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly Kellee! I have become a fan of Emma Mills. Sometimes all you really need or want is a fun book that puts a smile on your face!

      Delete
  7. Your review of First & Then makes me want to stop everything and read it! I am going to search my office shelves and see if I have it. :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post, and my number one takeaway is that I still haven't read any of the Bigfoot series yet. I bought it when you recommended the first one, and gave it out to a student who saw me processing it. I haven't managed to get it back since (although he gave it a good review). Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is great news Aaron. It's wonderful to know that books we love are also appreciated by kid readers. It doesn't always happen like that. BTW, you better get reading because the third one is on the way!

      Delete
  9. I think First and Then has been in my pile.... well, for a very long time.
    That was a really interesting point about Oliver. I'm going to think about that one for awhile.
    I so loved The Prince and the Dressmaker!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michele. First and Then is perfect for a read that you don't want to have to think about. In The Prince and the Dressmaker, I just found that the about face by the father was incomprehensible given what had happened previously.

      Delete
  10. Oh wow - so many familiar titles to me here - some I've read, some I have yet to get to. I am Small, though, is one that I feel I MUST own - as it is the story of my life! :) I am pixie-sized and happy to be called a faery, but it hasn't always been that way, especially when I was growing up. I need to find that book! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete