#IMWAYR August 26, 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 managed to get a lot of reading accomplished last week. I've discovered that I have to get up early to read before my granddaughter wakes up and demands my attention. Thanks to absorbing audiobooks, the garden is (temporarily) under control, I've cleaned out my closets and dressers, and I have washed all the crystals in the four chandeliers. They do look pretty and sparkly, but I would never put something like this in. They were here when we moved in.


If you clink on the title link it will take you to the book's goodreads page. 




BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK

Poetry Friday August 23, 2019: Honouring LBH and First Snow

PICTURE BOOKS


4 stars
Today by Julie Morstad 

This book is a wonderful celebration and acceptance of all the ways we humans are different.
Julie Morstad is a Canadian author who lives in my home town.🍁


3.5 stars
Another by Christian Robinson

I read this twice. I understand what the author is doing here - showing many different ways to see and be in the world, including possibilities for an individual to be more, but it didn't quite work for me.


5 stars
The Visitor by Antje Damm

This is one of those picture books that works for readers of all ages. On the one hand it's a lovely story about an unusual friendship. On a more profound level, it's a story about overcoming fear. Too many older people are fearful of, and complain about youth. The Visitor shows us how important multigenerational relationships are for all of us.

NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS


4 stars
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon by Suzanne Slade & Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)

I appreciate this biography for the younger set about Katherine Johnson, an important person in the history of NASA and space travel. I learned about her from the movie, Hidden Figures, but appreciated learning about her early life in this book.


5+ stars
The Crayon Man: the True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow & Steven Salerno (Illustrator)

Just Wow! I could go on and on and on about why you should own this book, but this review from SLJ, by Eliazbeth Bird says everything I can think of, only better.
I am thoroughly impressed by the words and the art. I love the historical perspective. It begins with what Edwin Binney was creating before he started working on coloured crayons for children. It takes us through the process of coming up with a finished product and then in the back matter, takes the reader into a factory where crayons are created today.
I would love to have a copy of this to read during the first weeks of school.

NOVELS


4 stars
Finding Orion by John David Anderson

Orion Kwirk's father and grandfather are estranged. When Papa Kwirk dies, he has set a sequence of events into motion, beginning with a singing clown bringing news of his death. When they return to his father's home town for the funeral, the family ends up on a scavenger hunt.
The title of this book is more profound upon finishing this book. When you are immersed in the story, on the surface it seems to be more about finding out where Papa Kwirk's body is, and apart from his annual Christmas visits, who he was as a person. In the process, Orion also discovers more about his immediate family, himself, and how he belongs in it.


3 stars
Under Suspicion (Friday Barnes #2) by R.A. Spratt

Mostly I liked this mystery. Someone is digging holes all over the grounds of the private school Friday attends. As Friday solves mini mysteries throughout the book, the holes create their own kind of chaos and seem to make no sense to anyone, not even Friday.
I mostly love the humour that flavours this book and had me laughing out loud a time or two. Here's a sample:
"Friday turned to Melanie, but she’d already dropped off to sleep again. Friday could see why Melanie never got in trouble. As far as teachers were concerned, she was the ideal student. She never interrupted or asked difficult questions, and they never had to grade her assignments because she never handed them in."
I found the description of the relationship between Friday and Ian, another student at the school, problematic. Melanie, Friday’s best and only friend, insists that Ian is infatuated with Friday. Most of the time though, Ian is essentially nasty to Friday. This is not what we want girls to accept under any circumstance. He manages to redeem himself by the end of the book, but I'm still not happy with this.


4 stars
The Tail of Emily Windsnap (Emily Windsnap #1) by Liz Kessler & Finty Williams (Narrator)

This was a delightful surprise. I would never have gotten around to reading this except that it was on my recommendations from kid readers list. Emily Windsnap lives with her single mom on a boat. She is a strong girl who, at her first swimming lesson, discovers that she is half merperson. The book is full of excitement, fantasy and adventure with a despicable villain to boot. Luckily, the power of love wins out in the end.


4 stars
The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #10) by Louise Penny & Ralph Cosham (Narrator)

When Peter Morrow does not return home after living a year apart from his wife, Clara, she eventually goes to Gamache for help. A collection of individuals from Three Pines set out searching for him.
I adore Louise Penny’s characters. This is why this ending is so devastating. I shouldn’t have stayed up late at night to finish it because afterwards I had trouble sleeping.
I'm obsessed with this series. I'm sure it has nothing to do with catching up to where my sister is, but she is the one who got me started.
Louise Penny is a Canadian author 🍁


4 stars
Just Call My Name (I'll Be There #2) by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I love connecting with characters I've met in previous novels, so it was a no brainer I would enjoy visiting with them again here. This sequel has lots of tension and suspense for those who like these things. I survived it. What I appreciate most about this novel, and the prequel, is how Holly Goldberg Sloan positions privileged teens with those who are in distress and brings them together with positive outcomes. This book shows us that being a survivor isn't easy, but that redemption is always possible, especially when we have help.


4 stars
Carnival Catastrophe (The Problim Children #2) by Natalie Lloyd

What I admire about these books isn't the plot so much as it is the character development. In this book it is especially true about Mona. While she is fair of face, Mona has a darker side. She has to learn to find the good in everyone and let them know she sees it. It isn't easy.
That said, the plot, full of suspense and action, is impressive too. I only wish it didn't end on a cliffhanger.

GRAPHIC

5 stars
Now You're Logging! by Bus Griffiths 

I started this book as research to understand the world of logging. It became much more than this. I am still blown away. Bus Griffith's graphic novel showcases logging in the 1930's. I know the kinds of men portrayed here. They are my grandfather and uncles, especially the older ones. My younger uncles and father logged using chainsaws instead of crosscuts, but much of the industry, and certainly the culture, were similar. The romantic sections are a bit hokey, but I was charmed by the innocence of it.
I appreciated Griffith's explanations of the logging vernacular and his detailed descriptions of the different tasks involved.
The art is gorgeously detailed while the text is nearly poetic in places. I plan to use the phrase, 'It's colder than a timber tycoon's heart,' this coming winter.
My library copy is a 35th anniversary edition of a book that was partly written in the 1940's and first published in 1978.
Try and get a copy for the loggers in your life. It would make a fabulous gift. You will enjoy it too.
I finished it yesterday but want to start reading it all over again. I'll have to return my library copy and purchase my own.
Bus Griffiths is a deceased Canadian author.🍁

CURRENTLY

I'm listening to Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I'm reading The Boy At the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf and a collection of poetry, Climbing Shadows: Poems for Children by Shannon Bramer. On my device I'm reading a Netgalley copy of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson.

UP NEXT

I'm hoping to get to Silver Meadows Summer by Emma Otheguy, The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman, A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, Just Lucky by Melanie Florence and Gondra's Treasure by Linda Sue Park. With luck I'll also get the picture book pile under control.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 17/25 one in process

#MustReadNFIn2018 10/12

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 18/25

25 books by Canadian Authors 45/25

Big Book Reading Challenge 9/4 one in process

Goodreads Reading Challenge 273/333

17 comments:

  1. I felt similar about Another. I have some of the Emily Windsnap books because the kids enjoy them, but have never read one. I should read one to see what it's all about.

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    1. That is how I felt about the series Lisa. I'm happy this one was available as an audiobook so I could listen to it while doing other stuff. I am impressed and can see why it's in demand.

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  2. I wish I could get into Louise Penney's books! I may be the only person I know who feels lukewarm about them. I adore similar writers like Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books and Tana French's every books she ever wrote. Big fan of Laura Lippman's too. Maybe I'll give Penney another read. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. I started reading all Kate Atkinson's work after discovering her Jackson Brodie books. I also love Tana French, although her work is sometimes very intense. I'll have to try Laura Lippman. Do you like Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce mysteries?

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    2. (trying again to reply. I guess it didn't work yesterday!) I don't know Alan Bradley's books but thanks for the recommendation. Checking for them now. John David Anderson's Ms. Bixby's Last Day is, to me, one of the best examples of "voice" in middle-grade fiction. You are right there with those boys and their teacher. I'll keep his new one on my radar for sure!

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  3. Someday I'm going to try Louise Penney. I think I would enjoy reading mysteries, but I usually read grown-up books before bed, and I wouldn't be able to do mysteries then. I need slow-paced stories that put me to sleep before bed!! I'm really intrigued by the logging graphic novel. I need to get my hands on that. And a new book by Julie Morstad! Crayon Man is one I really want to get my hands on. Wondering if I should just purchase because my library doesn't seem to be planning to buy it.

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    1. Penny's mysteries are kind of like a delightful aside to all the characters and their lives. I don't usually read anything before bed because I end up reading all night, or being unable to sleep because I need to know the ending, or am too disturbed to fall asleep. I do sudoku puzzles instead. Now You're Logging is available on Amazon. It's wonderful Elisabeth. I'm sad that you live so far away or I would loan you my copy when it arrives.

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  4. So many wonderful books! My hold for The Tail of Emily Windsnap just came in, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. And Finding Orion is going on my TBR. I love John David Anderson's books, but haven't read this one yet.

    https://wendimlee.blogspot.com/2019/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_26.html

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    1. I too an a fan of John David Anderson's books. I will read anything he writes, maybe even his grocery list. Each book is a new experience!

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  5. Thanks for the new picture books, at least some. I loved The Crayon Man, fascinating about the persistence to get it right. I still have Finding Orion on my list, maybe someday. A long time ago I bought this book, 'This Was Logging', fascinating. It feels like the one you shared, too, which I'll look for. https://smile.amazon.com/This-Was-Logging-Ralph-Andrews/dp/0887400353/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=This+Was+Logging+Andrews&qid=1566829014&s=books&sr=1-1 Thanks, Cheriee, glad you got so much done this week!

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    1. I adore The Crayon Man! His drive to serve the needs of children showed a happier side to capitalism. Thanks for the heads up about the logging book. My library has a copy so I've put a hold on it.

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  6. Wonderful books! Wow. I love the look of all these, especially The Visitor and Crayon Man.

    The Cybils Awards are seeking judges for the 2019 awards. They are especially in need of bloggers (and others who review children's and young adult books on social media) in the categories of nonfiction, poetry, and middle grade fiction. I'd love it if you'd pass along the word, and I hope you will also apply.

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    1. I will most definitely apply to be part of the judges for the graphic novel selection. I wish I had more time to work on more than one category!

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  7. Lots of great books to add here, but highlights for me were The Crayon Man, and Now We're Logging! (a book I might be able to get my Dad to read, as he had a logging company about 20 year ago). Thanks for the great post and the many additions to my TBR.

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    1. I hope you can get your dad to read Now You're Logging. I loved it and have been recommending it to everyone with a remote connection to the industry.

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  8. I cannot wait to read The Visitor, A Computer Called Katherine, and Carnival Catastrophe. I really loved The Crayon Man and the Emily Windsnap series. I read an ARC of book #8 this last year and think I only missed Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island. I would have never picked this series up on my own, but I found it delightful. Oh, and while I read some, I listened to others on audiobook -- the narration was great there, too! Now I'm going to have to hunt down Now You're Logging! and I'll look forward to your thoughts on Crooked Kingdom. Have a wonderful week, Cheriee!

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    1. Emily Windsnap was a delightful surprise! I listened to this one too and yes, Finty Williams' narration was wonderful.

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