Welcome! It's #IMWAYR time again, when bloggers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Christmas was chaotic around here with a house full of guests that included four grandkids. Whew! On a positive note, the grandkids all loved their little mice! I have continued to sew and knit little outfits for them. I have one adult who wants to purchase one. I'm just not sure I want to go there. How much would I charge? They might be small, but they are still a lot of work!
As I write this on New Year's Eve day, I'm looking forward to a quiet evening with crab cakes, oyster stew and a couple of glasses of bubbly.
I'm now contemplating what I want to have on my 2024 Must Read lists. I'm even contemplating having no list at all. On the other hand, the Canada Reads Longlist has been published and I will be trying to read as many of those as I can.
I ended up reading a lot with the grandkids while they were here, but am only writing about books that were new to us.
Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.
I Am Scary by Elise Gravel March 17, 2020 🍁
Hi! Fly Guy (September 1, 2005) & Buzz Boy And Fly Guy (September 1, 2010) by Tedd Arnold - 4 stars each
Matt Tavares' artwork will make having to read this again and again worthwhile. I read it a couple of times with the grandkids. It wasn't a favourite, but that's probably because we have so many seasonal books to read.
Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.
BOARD BOOKS
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| 5 stars |
I Am Scary by Elise Gravel March 17, 2020 🍁
This is part of Gravel's Funny Little Book series. They are perfect for 3 year olds (and their cool older siblings end up enjoying them too)
In this one, a monster tries to frighten a girl and her little dog. Not only is she not afraid, she thinks the monster is cute.
This is the first in Gravel's Funny Little Book series. Each two page spread begins with an inane question and matching illustration. The first page starts with the question, Have you ever seen a Carrot taking a Bath? On the responding page in large letters the answer is No Way! This pattern continues with zanier and zanier questions.
READERS
Hi! Fly Guy (September 1, 2005) & Buzz Boy And Fly Guy (September 1, 2010) by Tedd Arnold - 4 stars each
Earl @ THE CHRONICLES OF A CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER recommended this series for my sweet grandson. Thank you Earl, they were a huge hit! We read them numerous times.
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| 5 stars |
Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith October 3, 2023 🍁
A boy and his mother lie on a bed and share poignant memories of other times. We don't know how it happened that just the two of them are now living in an apartment in a city, but those memories are of a time in the country with a father who no longer there.
As usual, Sydney Smith blows me away with this intimate glimpse into these character's lives. Of course the dreamy artwork is just stunning!
As usual, Sydney Smith blows me away with this intimate glimpse into these character's lives. Of course the dreamy artwork is just stunning!
I had two strong grandmothers who I was close to when I was growing up. Now that I am a grandmother myself, I hope my grandkids feel as close to me as I did to them.
In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, we see a young girl learn many different things from her grandmother. In turn, the grandmother ends up learning from her.
I loved this book, so this little quibble I have is nothing in the great scheme of things, but it irks me. There is a part where the focus is on the grandmother winning against women half her age. It feels superfluous to me, but that just be because at this time in my life, I'm finally coming to understand that it's the doing and participating that is most important.
In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, we see a young girl learn many different things from her grandmother. In turn, the grandmother ends up learning from her.
I loved this book, so this little quibble I have is nothing in the great scheme of things, but it irks me. There is a part where the focus is on the grandmother winning against women half her age. It feels superfluous to me, but that just be because at this time in my life, I'm finally coming to understand that it's the doing and participating that is most important.
CHAPTER BOOKS
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| 4 stars |
Merry Christmas Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke & Lauren Tobia (Illustrator) September 26, 2023
I've been wanting to read an Anna Hisbiscus chapter book for a very long time. I downloaded this one to read to my two oldest grandkids in the evening when the little siblings had gone to bed. I knew it would take a few days, but we never got it finished. I hope it has inspired them to read more Anna Hibiscus books.
Anna is about to leave the family compound in Nigeria to head off to visit her Canadian grandmother, Granny Canada.
Canada is very different from Nigeria - especially at Christmas time when the land is full of snow. Anna has to learn to deal with this new culture - waking up in her own bed in her own room, befriending a dog, and making new friends.
I'm thinking I should zoom with my grandkids to finish reading this. It is just delightful.
I love the comparison between cultures. I love Anna's spirit and energy. If you haven't met Anna Hibiscus yet, you should remedy that ASAP.
NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS
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| 4 stars |
Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan April 11, 2023
I wanted more from this book, but it is still wonderful just as it is. One of my granddaughters got a stuffed spider for Christmas so it was opportune that I got myself this as a gift. All of the kids enjoyed learning about the life of a jumping spider. It does a great job of showing the differences between a spider's life and ours - especially with regards to perspective.
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| 5 stars |
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain & Yuval Zommer (Illustrator) March 1, 2017
This wasn't available in my local library to preview, but I ordered it for my grandson because it had such high praise on Goodreads. When it arrived I discovered why it's not a common library book. The pages don't fold over, but rather open up into a long - very long tapestry that reveals the layers of the earth. It begins with under a city block, goes deep into the earth's core and then, on the other side of this tapestry, travels back up until it emerges in a country side on the other side of the planet. Not only did he love it, he and his cousin spent hours poring over it.
Yuval Zommer's detailed illustrations are a brilliant complement to Charlotte Guillain's spare text.
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| 4 stars |
More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz Maclean September 5, 2023 🍁
This is an important book that shows readers that there are many different ways to make meaning and communicate with each other and the world.
I appreciate the diversity in this book. There are two pages full of additional information in the back matter.
What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski & various narrators January 10, 2023
Dogtown (Dogtown, #1) by Katherine Applegate, Gennifer Choldenko, Wallace West (Illustrator) & Cassandra Morris (Narrator) September 19, 2023
Dogtown is a shelter for dogs. What makes this one unique is that it includes ordinary dogs and robotic ones.
Chance is a three legged mutt who has the run of the place. The shelter has a reading buddies program that brings students into the shelter to read to the dogs. Quentin, a young boy who seems to have some kind of issues, bonds with one of the robotic pets who is able to help him learn to read.
I adored this book. It's full of tenderness and humour. I'm not really a dog person, but I would have taken Chance home in a heartbeat.
There is a lot happening here. It's a story about friendship between these different kinds of beings. It's about the important roles dogs play in children's lives. It's about abuse, loss, and finding a place to belong.
When Tom Bettany's son dies from a fall from a window, the retired spy returns home to say the final goodbye and find out what really happened and who, if anyone, is behind his son's death.
This book takes us behind the scenes of the gaming industry and into the higher echelons of MI5. It's a dismal story where the puppet manages to turn against the puppeteer, but at a gruesome price.
Dear Rosie by Meghan Boehman & Rachael Briner
I appreciate the diversity in this book. There are two pages full of additional information in the back matter.
MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS
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| 5 stars |
What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski & various narrators January 10, 2023
I'm certain I read positive reviews of this book because rather than just adding it to my want to read list, I actually put my name on a list for it at my local library. Thank you to whoever wrote about it.
Anna Hunthas just moved from the city to a smaller community. She want to be a podcast journalist more than anything. At her new school, the current events teacher gives the class an assignment to do a project on some kind of social issue. Anna decides she decides she wants to find out how and why Rachel Riley became a pariah. Even after she is told her idea is inappropriate, she continues since Rachel Riley herself gave her permission to find out what happened.
It turns out to be all about a toxic game the boys at her school have been playing. It isn't until she herself becomes a victim and tells her parents, that cultural change at the school becomes possible.
To be honest, I don't know if this kind of behaviour is going on in schools today, but I remember this kind of stuff when I was Anna's age. If I was still working in the library I would give this to grade 7 teachers and recommend they do it as a read aloud. It's a book that's important for girls and boys.
Anna Hunthas just moved from the city to a smaller community. She want to be a podcast journalist more than anything. At her new school, the current events teacher gives the class an assignment to do a project on some kind of social issue. Anna decides she decides she wants to find out how and why Rachel Riley became a pariah. Even after she is told her idea is inappropriate, she continues since Rachel Riley herself gave her permission to find out what happened.
It turns out to be all about a toxic game the boys at her school have been playing. It isn't until she herself becomes a victim and tells her parents, that cultural change at the school becomes possible.
To be honest, I don't know if this kind of behaviour is going on in schools today, but I remember this kind of stuff when I was Anna's age. If I was still working in the library I would give this to grade 7 teachers and recommend they do it as a read aloud. It's a book that's important for girls and boys.
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| 4 stars |
Dogtown (Dogtown, #1) by Katherine Applegate, Gennifer Choldenko, Wallace West (Illustrator) & Cassandra Morris (Narrator) September 19, 2023
Dogtown is a shelter for dogs. What makes this one unique is that it includes ordinary dogs and robotic ones.
Chance is a three legged mutt who has the run of the place. The shelter has a reading buddies program that brings students into the shelter to read to the dogs. Quentin, a young boy who seems to have some kind of issues, bonds with one of the robotic pets who is able to help him learn to read.
I adored this book. It's full of tenderness and humour. I'm not really a dog person, but I would have taken Chance home in a heartbeat.
There is a lot happening here. It's a story about friendship between these different kinds of beings. It's about the important roles dogs play in children's lives. It's about abuse, loss, and finding a place to belong.
ADULT/YA FICTION
When Tom Bettany's son dies from a fall from a window, the retired spy returns home to say the final goodbye and find out what really happened and who, if anyone, is behind his son's death.
This book takes us behind the scenes of the gaming industry and into the higher echelons of MI5. It's a dismal story where the puppet manages to turn against the puppeteer, but at a gruesome price.
This book just gobsmacked me. (Honestly, just about every T.J. Klune novel does.)
I loved this book so much, as soon as I finished it, I started listening to it all over again.
It's a story of hope, of found family, of love, loss and starting over again. It's kind of a cross between Pinocchio and Wizard of Oz, but it's oh so much more!
As usual, Klune crafts unforgettable characters. You really have to read this tale for yourself to fully appreciate their sweetness and laugh out loud hilarity. The book is loaded with both.
When his father is kidnapped, Victor Lawson and his collection of AI friends: Rambo, an anxiety ridden robotic vacuum cleaner; Nurse Ratchet, an AI health practitioner: and Hap, a refurbished killing machine with amnesia, set off to get him back. Their journey is fraught with terrifying and at the same time, madcap adventures.
CURRENTLY
Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will by Robert M. Sapolsky
The Black Friend: On Being A Better White Person by Frederick Joseph
UP NEXT (MAYBE)
Dear Rosie by Meghan Boehman & Rachael Briner
READING GOALS
#MustReadFiction 23/24
#MustReadNonFiction 14/20
Canadian Authors 58/75
Indigenous Authors 22/20
Goodreads Reading Challenge: 213/200
Happy New Year! I can't wait for Klune's upcoming book this year! Have you read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly? You may enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about the John Connolly title Earl. I've added it to my list. I will read anything by Klune. The science fiction of today is very different from the sci fi when I was in my teens. I loved Ursula K LeGuin, but most of the other stuff was really male centric.
DeleteOh, those mice are so cute! If you really want a price, check out Etsy to see what some charge for similar things! You have so many books that will go on my list, Cheriee. I loved Anna Hibiscus and the new Dasher, Potato on A Bike looks hilarious though I usually don't get books for the very young anymore. I did bookmark it with a few others! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. That is good advice to check Etsy. I've also talked to a few people around here who sell similar kinds of artwork.
DeleteI started reading Dogtown, but then put it aside and had to return it to the library. I didn't know anything about it and didn't expect the robot dogs. I might go back and try it again.
ReplyDeleteI listened to it while working on sewing projects. Cassandra Morris narrations was delightful.
DeleteOh, I need to read another Klune book! And I can't wait for the next Cerulean Sea book!!
ReplyDeleteYes you do! I had no idea there was going to be a sequel to Cerulean Sea. You can imagine me squealing in delight!
DeleteYour mice are adorable! The cover of Dasher really caught my eye. I was a little disappointed by In the Lives of Puppets but I've also never been a huge fan of Pinocchio or The Wizard of Oz. I'll still read anything else Klune publishes though. Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door were so good! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete