#IMWAYR January 29th, 2024

 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.

Winter finally arrived and for two weeks we had snow and unusually cold weather. Then it warmed up. One day we had snow all over the ground and by the next afternoon it was almost gone. Now we have low cloud, fog, and rain. I'm not complaining. We need the moisture.

According to Goodreads, I am two books behind schedule. I figure it's a small miracle that I'm only this far behind. Between having a houseguest for a week, and then coming down with a sinus infection, it's amazing I managed to read at all.

Because of the sinus infection I missed a quilting workshop, but luckily had all the information already so I just sewed on my own at home. The workshop taught a relatively easy strategy for creating bargello quilts. I made two cushion covers instead of a quilt. Now that they are finished, it looks like we need a new sofa. 

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

NO! Said Custard the Squirrel by Sergio Ruzzier September 6, 2022

Don't ask me what this book is all about because I'm still trying to figure it out. I really wish my grandkids were here so I could read it to them and we could talk about what they think. 

Custard the Squirrel looks a lot like a duck, but when asked all kinds of questions about his identity by a little rat in a diaper, he consistently replies no. 

Is this a celebration of being who you truly are? Maybe. 

MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS

4 stars

The Portal Keeper The Misewa Saga #4 by David Alexander Robertson October 10, 2023  🍁

"Morgan and Eli are Indigenous children who discover a portal at their foster home to another world, Askī; there they discover talking animal beings who connect them to traditional ways, as well as help them deal with the challenges in the real world. A fantasy for readers aged ten and up, the Misewa Saga (“misewa” is Cree for “all that is”) series reflects stories of the sky and the constellations held within its great canvas."

 Eli, Morgan, and her friend, Emily have located another portal into Aski. They end up in World's End,  a different place than usual, and discover that something terrible is happening to the animal people there. Back in their own world they are horrified to discover what is going on and must come up with a way to save them. 

This is my favourite series by Robertson. I like that we have two queer characters, but it's not all there is. I like the closeness of the two foster children. I like that Eli is coming into his own kind of super power. 

4 stars

The Oceans Between Stars Chronicle of the Dark Star #2 by Kevin Emerson & Kevin T. Collins (Narrator) February 13, 2018

I read the first in this series ages ago and finally got around to reading the next one.
Liam and Phoebe are two teens who barely escaped with their lives when Mars, the planet they were living on, exploded. They are travelling in stasis with JEFF, their panda shaped robotic  assistant, as they try to catch up to the main ship and reunite with their parents. When they finally arrive, they discover their family's starliner has been destroyed.
Phoebe has secrets of her own. In the prelude we learn that her real name is Xela and her family ended up on Mars when their planet of Telos was destroyed in a ball of fire by humans. She and her people want vengeance. At the same time, she and Liam have become close friends. He accepts her when she finally reveals her true self. Unfortunately she is still keeping some dangerous secrets.
I liked so much about this book. I appreciate that nothing about space and time travel is dumbed down for younger readers. I appreciate the connection between what happened on Telos and colonialism here on our real world. It feels realistic that the two children who want to end the conflict between their two peoples, are mostly ignored by the adults around them. 

If I didn't already have so many books to read, I would probably have started on the final book in the trilogy right away. 

MIDDLE GRADE GRAPHIC NOVELS

5 stars

Dear Rosie by Meghan Boehman & Rachael Briner July 11, 2023

This is a profound novel about losing a friend. When a member of close knit group of girls dies suddenly, the remaining girls deal with grief in different ways.
The story is based on the death of one of the authors’ friends. It’s set in the same town as where they grew up. I like that each character is based on one of the local animals of the area. 

YA/ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS

5 stars

In Limbo by Deb J.J. Lee March 7, 2023

In this gorgeous, debut graphic memoir, Lee shares her story of growing up Korean in America. It's a painful story of trying to fit into a world where you are an outsider.  While her mother was supportive of her desire to create art, she was prone to violence and physically abused Lee. Her father let it happen. As her close friend began to distance herself she became increasingly insecure and depressed. By the time she graduated from high school, she had attempted suicide twice. 

ADULT/YA FICTION

4 stars

Shut Up You're Pretty by Téa Mutonji & Jemeni (Narrator) April 1, 2019  🍁

For me, this Canada Reads title was a window into a world I scarcely new existed. It's a compelling narrative that reads like a collection of short stories with the same main character. It starts with a young Congolese  girl, Loli, shaving her head in order to pass a boy so she can get into Canada. This sets the stage for a gritty exploration of gender, sexualization of girls and women, mental health, and poverty. It's also a story of resilience and overcoming. It isn't for the faint of heart. 

4 stars

The Catch by Mick Herron January 28, 2020

This continues the story of John Bachelor, a character first introduced in the novella, The List. His many screwups have left him in financial straights. When a couple of Dogs (the service's internal security division) from MI5 rough him up and tell him to find one of the retired spies he's supposed to be minding, he thinks he might be able to find his way back into the good graces of the agencies leader. He's wrong of course, but the machinations of all the actors makes for a great read.

CURRENTLY

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon

Almost Brown: A Mixed-Race Family Memoir by Charlotte Gill

UP NEXT (MAYBE)

Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice

READING GOALS 

#MustRead2024 2/25 one on the go

NonFiction 1/25 one on the go

Canadian Authors 3/50

Indigenous Authors 1/25 

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 13/200 

#IMWAYR August 21, 2023

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. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next.

We have the worst air on the planet these days. It's nasty. Forest are burning all around us, but not close enough to us that we are worried for our own safety. Still, friends, family and so many other people are either on evacuation alert, or have been evacuated that our provincial government has stopped all nonessential traffic into our region. 

I think I complained about the smoke last time I posted. We had a fabulous family reunion on the August long weekend in spite of it. Then we had a bit of respite for about a week after the fire to the south of us was brought under control. This was good because two of our granddaughters stayed with us and besides reading books together, going outside to tire them is part of our keeping sane strategy. Then their parents came and collected them just before all hell broke loose. This link will take you to a time lapse video of the fire about 100 kilometres north of us.

We started out their visit with trip to the library where we stocked up on books. I've shared some of them here. 

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

 

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

MOST RECENT BLOG POST

FREE VERSE FRIDAY #8 AUGUST - VACATION

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff January 1, 1958

My three year old granddaughter chose this (as well as a whole lot of other dinosaur books) from the library. There can be unfortunate consequences when a dinosaur practices its manners. We all laughed at this one.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague (Illustrator) January 1, 2009

This is another one the dinosaur mad granddaughter picked from the library. We read it at least three times during the 7 days she and her older sister were with us.

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague (Illustrator) February 1, 2003

We read this at least once a day during the 7 days my granddaughters were with us. After the youngest had gone to sleep, her six year old sister chose it as one of the books to read with me.
This one is a winner.

Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn & Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator) January 1, 2006

This is one of the books my six year old granddaughter picked to bring home from the library. She read it on her own a number of times. It wasn't til they returned to their parents that I found time to read it myself. I can see why she loved it.
Rosalind Beardshaw's art is gorgeous. I love how multicultural the characters are.

Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon May 17, 2016

My granddaughters and I enjoyed this hilarious graphic novel for beginning readers. The six year old could read it by herself. We will definitely read more of this series!

Dragon's Halloween by Dav Pilkey January 1, 1993

My six year old granddaughter loved this beginning chapter book. I read it to her and her little sister first, then she picked it up and read it on her own.

Perfectly Imperfect Mira by Faith Pray April 12, 2022

My six year old granddaughter picked this out from the library shelves. I'm so glad she did, as I might have overlooked it.
Mira wants to be perfect and frets when she can't do things perfectly the first time. Eventually she realizes that she needs to do something and so she begins to practice different gymnastic moves on her own. Even though she doesn't do them perfectly, she doesn't give up and continues to improve. In the end Mira realizes she is perfect at growing.
This is a brilliant book that shows all of us how perfection is the enemy of the good.
I love Faith Pray's soft illustrations and how rounded and healthy Mira looks.

Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey & Kass Reich (Illustrations) May 30, 2017 🍁

When Annie Magruder learns that her sister, who lives on the other side of Canada, is ill, she decides to go see her. She fills her VW Bug up with her tent, baloney sandwiches, her dog Carson, and his favourite toy, Squeaky Chicken. She promises Carson there will be a surprise for him when they get there. We enjoyed reading about their adventures in the different parts of the country. The best part is when Annie goes to get a souvenir at Niagra Falls, and Carson leaves his own souvenir there.
Eventually they make it to Annie's sister's place and Carson is delighted with his surprise.

CHILDREN'S NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS

A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis June 21, 2022

I wish I had remembered that I had this book on my iPad when my grandchildren were visiting. We could have read the book and then, after reading about the different phases of a this plant, gone outside and admired the sunflowers growing in my garden.
Not only do I love the illustrations here, I love how the simple text can be embraced by beginning readers.
I appreciated the additional information at the back of the book that includes a visual lifecycle.
This is a brilliant nonfiction text for new readers.

Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre February 4, 2020

This was a reread for me, but I had to introduce my grandchildren to the wonders of frogs. I chose this and the following title. You can read my original review of this book here. 

The Frog Mother (Mothers of Xsan, 4) by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson), Natasha Donovan (Illustrations)  🍁

The Mothers of Xsan Series highlights the Gitxsan’s way of knowing the world by showing the integration of culture and nature. I've reviewed this one in full here.
Not only were the grandchildren engaged by this one, the six year old, just after we started reading, remarked that it seemed like an indigenous book.

What Will Hatch? by Jennifer Ward & Susie Ghahremani (Illustrator) February 5, 2013

This is a delightful information board book. Each section is made up of two, two page spreads. The first includes a setting with a clutch of eggs and includes the question? What will hatch? The next page names and shows the hatched creatures. Each set of pages also includes a rhyming couplet. Readers will learn about turtles, tadpoles, penguins and crocodiles. Did you know that crocodiles are doting mothers?

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt & Fred Berman (Narrator)

Gary Schmidt is one of a handful of authors who I read just because I am guaranteed to fall in love with their male characters. 

There is a lot going on here. Hercules Beal and his brother, Achilles, are left to run their family farm and nursery after their parents are killed in an automobile accident. 

Hercules starts out at a new school with a hard core, ex marine, home room teacher who assigns unique projects for each of his students. Hercules’ assignment is to find parallels between his life and the labours of his mythical namesake. 

The book is full of adventure punctuated by ethereal moments of calm as Hercules, his dog, and pirate cat greet each dawn on a sand dune by the ocean. It’s also loaded with screaming hilarity. 

It shows a community, even the most crotchety members, stepping up to support their own when they need it. It shows us a boy dealing with grief and coming into his own. It’s just bloody lovely. 

Winterkill by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch &. Michael Gallagher  (Narrator) September 6, 2022

I become besotted with Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's writing all over again after reading one of her novels. She writes about historically horrific and brutal times with such compassion and tenderness for her characters, without whitewashing any of the reality.
This book is very timely since it is set in the Ukraine. It deals with the Holodomor, a genocide by famine deliberately engineered by Stalin.

ADULT/YA NONFICTION

 

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green May 18, 2021

I savoured this book. I mostly listened to one or two essays at a time. If it was at night and I fell asleep, I was happy to go back and start where I began the night before.
At one point I stopped reading and spent the rest of the afternoon listening to The Mountain Goats.
I give The Mountain goats 4 stars.
John Green narrated this himself. His voice added layers of nuance to the pieces. While some pieces might be more personal than other's I really appreciated Green's honesty & ability to make a personal connection to everything in the book.

I give "The Anthropocene Reviewed" five stars.

CURRENTLY

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

Global by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (Illustrator)

UP NEXT 

I have no idea.

READING GOALS 

#MustReadFiction 16/24 

#MustReadNonFiction 12/20

Canadian Authors 29/75 

Indigenous Authors 12/20 

Big Books Summer 2023 - 12 - one in progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 127/200 

 

A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel. It will be released March 07, 2023, by Tundra Books.

Yardley (Ya Ya) and her grandmother, Gidge, a retired teacher and costume designer, are as close as two best friends could ever be. Gidge is flamboyant, outgoing, and deals with problems straight on, so when she receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, she lets her family know with helium filled silver balloons and a champagne breakfast. 

As she begins to get her affairs in order, Grandmother and granddaughter continue to be inseparable. Gidge works on her Karma, by sitting in the garden writing letters to people in her past who she has wronged while Yardley weeds. The two of them go through a life time of Gidge's clothing to take to a consignment shop to sell. The best place is owned by Conrad Kim (Connie) one of Gidge's former students. After a joyful reunion Gidge and Yardley spend a lot of time at the store. Connie's nephew, Harris, is always there working on his puzzle books. Gidge and Connie encourage a friendship between the two twelve year olds, but Harris wants nothing to do with her. 

As Yardley and Gidge spend more time together readers become aware of Gidge's failing health. Eventually she decides to stop chemotherapy and makes arrangements for a medically assisted death at home. Ya Ya is not ready for this, but the date arrives and her family is there with her as Gidge breathes her last breath. I'm not going to lie, I pretty much bawled my eyes out along with Yardley, her father and mother. 

Yardley continues to spend time at the shop, organizing clothes and helping set up displays. Harris remains aloof. Then one day she receives a letter from Gidge. Yardley gets it in her head that Gidge has been reincarnated. One day an older women comes into the shop claiming she is there to pick up a parcel she won. When she opens it up in the shop, it's Gidge's green velvet dress. Yardley becomes certain the woman is Gidge. As she sinks into magical thinking, Harris begins to take note of what's going on and tries to help her out. His actions are somewhat misguided at times, but it all turns out well by the end of the book.  

I loved so much about this book. The characters are brilliant. Yardley's quirkiness and unique fashion flair reminded me of one of my students. I liked that while the parents, both actors in a small theatre company, are also a bit odd, they have their daughters best interests at heart. 

I adored the glorious descriptions of vintage clothing!

It’s interesting to be reading this book at the ripe old age of almost 70. I can connect with Yardley, a young girl losing her grandmother, because I had two dearest grandmas I loved to spend time with. One of them lived with us at the end of her life. Now I have grandchildren of my own, so I am able to connect with Gidge, a grandmother having to say that final goodbye to her beloved granddaughter. I'm pretty sure that people will connect to both these fabulous characters even without this kind of background knowledge. 

In spite of the fact that this book is about grief and the magical thinking that accompanies the death of someone important, it’s chock full of laughter too. Be prepared for joy, laugh out loud humour, and tears. 

#IMWAYR December 5, 2022

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. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next.

I have been sick. I hate being sick. 

I ended up with influenza. That morphed into a secondary bacterial infection in my lungs. It's been about a month, and even after a mess of prednisone, my asthma is still out of control. 

I hate being sick, but I'm starting to feel human again. 

I have a specialist appointment in Vancouver, BC on Monday. We will be staying with friends so I will just post this whenever I get a chance and link up as connections become available. 

I will start reading your posts as soon as I get home on Tuesday. 

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

MG NOVELS

4 stars

Butt Sandwich & Tree by Wesley King August 23, 2022 🍁

This is a book with a lot of heart. It's the story of two brothers. Cedar, the eldest, is a basketball star, and hopes to garner TikTok fame with his home movies. His younger brother, Green, is neurodivergent and pretty much happy with his life as it is. Cedar is sure that Green can make the basketball team, become popular, and have a normal life. Green agrees to try out. After a debacle on the practise court, Green leaves early. When the coach realizes his dead wife's wedding ring is missing, he accuses Green of stealing it. Everyone at the school believes it. Cedar is sure Coach is wrong and he and Green become detectives to find out who really took it. Along the way they come to understand other students and staff, Green makes his first friend, and they even drag their Opa along on a stakeout.
What's really obvious in this book is that these two brothers love each other. It's also clear that they are just right being who they are.
While reading this I couldn't help but wonder if these two brothers will solve any more mysteries.
In the back matter King talks about how the story is based on his younger brother, who, now an adult, is doing just fine. He also discusses the diagnostic term Aspergers. It's no longer used in the USA because of Hans Asperger's work with the NAZI's, but unfortunately, is still used here in Canada.

 

MG GRAPHIC NOVELS

4 stars

Enemies (Berrybrook Middle School #4) by Svetlana Chmakova September 27, 2022 🍁

This might not be my favourite, but I really like this series.
In this one we see two girls trying to come up with a viable business plan in order to win a contest. As with the other books, the characters have much to learn about themselves and others. In the end, the winning or losing is secondary.

YA & ADULT FICTION

4 stars

Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam September 26, 2006 🍁

This collection of short stories focus around a group of medical students, Fitz, Ming, Chen, and Sri, and follows them once they are doctors. It's brilliant look into the profession. It's full of romance, plenty of dark humour, and a few terrifying moments.

 

LANE WINSLOW SERIES by by Iona Whishaw & Marilla Wex (Narrator) 🍁 4 stars average

#2 Death in a Darkening Mist April 11, 1917 🍁

I really appreciated learning more about the Doukhobor history of the Kootenays. I wish there was more explicit details about how their successful way of life was destroyed by the government. Unfortunately what we see here is the after effects of it.
I admit though that I am getting tired of the conflicted romantic relationship.

#3 An Old, Cold Grave September 26 2017 🍁

I am addicted to this series. I love the integration of Canadian history and place. I'm thankful to see something positive come out of the romantic piece.
Marilla Wex does a brilliant job as narrator.

#4 It Begins In Betrayal April 10, 2018 🍁 

This was a great read. Readers are returned to England where Inspector Darling has been framed for murder. Lane is ready to do almost anything to get him released. At the same time, Ames is on his own to figure out who murdered an elderly woman.

5+ stars

The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3) by N.K. Jemisin & Robin Miles (Narrator) August 15, 2017

This was as brilliant an ending to this trilogy as could be imagined. I would give it more stars if I could.
I'm not sure I can ever read fantasy again after finishing this book. I  suspect nothing will compare. It's the holy grail of fantasy writing. It might just be the pinnacle of all writing. 

ADULT & YA GRAPHIC NOVELS

5 stars

Ducks by Kate Beaton September 13, 2022 🍁

Kate Beaton is brilliant. When I finally sat down to read this, I didn't stop till it was done. This memoir spans the years she spent working in Northern Alberta in the Oil Sands. Being one of the few women there made for emotionally exhausting and even traumatic experiences. 

ADULT NONFICTION

4 stars

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie May 11th 2021

This reminded me of Joan Didion's Year of Magical Thinking.
The raw pain of loss resonates equally. It took me back over three decades ago to the death of my own father and opened old wounds. It isn't full of global cultural and historical connections like Didion's is, but it does address the ones specific to Nigeria. 

CURRENTLY

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel September 6th 2022  🍁

As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie, Constance Brissenden, & Heather D. Holmlund (Illustrator) 🍁

No Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen  🍁

A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant  🍁

UP NEXT - MAYBE

Narwhalicorn and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #7) by Ben Clanton

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 24/24 one in progress

#MustReadNonFiction 16/18

Canadian Authors 76/100 four in progress

Indigenous Authors 18/25 one in progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 266/250

2022 Big Book Summer Challenge 7

Canada Reads shortlist 5/5 

#IMWAYR June 5, 2022

Welcome readers! 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. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next. 

Well, it finally happened. My cousin and I, even though we wore our N95 masks, picked Covid up at a celebration of life last weekend.  My sister, who was with us, managed to escape the bullet. Six days in and I am still testing positive. The worst of it is that it has triggered my asthma which will take some time to get back under control. I sure am glad I have had all my vaccinations. I shudder to imagine what this would be like without them. 

Aside from that I had a wonderful time with my women friends in our three bedroom cabin on the beach. I got no reading accomplished while with them except for listening to a bit of Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett before going to sleep.

I was visiting with the grandkids for a couple of sleeps before the weekend and enjoyed reading with them. I did nothing for the first few days of Covid, but I've managed to read a bit with my eyes and my ears since then.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

PICTURE BOOKS 

3 stars

The Blur by Minh Lê & Dan Santat (Illustrations) May 03, 2022

I get why this might be a popular giveaway at graduation. However, unlike Oh, the Places You Go! by Dr Seuss, which I have read to children of many ages, this one feels focused on adults and older readers. My five year old granddaughter wasn’t interested at all.

NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS 

5 stars

Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma by Joanna Ho & Teresa Martínez (Illustrator) September 28, 2021

This book provides a vignette from Yo-Yo Ma's Bach Project, a two year endeavour to connect people through music. In this instance we see him playing at the Mexican/United States border in Texas. It is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. 

Extra material in the back matter tells us more about Yo-Yo Ma, the project, and Petunia, his cello. If you are like me, you will want to go and listen to the music as soon as you are done reading. 

CHAPTER BOOKS

5 stars

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate DiCamillo & Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator) July 22 14, 2009

My granddaughter and I are huge fans of Mercy Watson. I had to explain about drive in movie theatres back in the day when I was young. Aside from that we both laughed and laughed at Mercy's exploits. Alas there was no hot buttered popcorn waiting for us when we finished.

5 stars

Belly of the Beast by Jonathan Auxier & Olga Demidova (Illustrations) January 1, 2022  🍁

My granddaughter and I enjoyed this third adventure at The Fabled Stables. It's a story about belonging and attachment. With Fen claiming that caretakers don't stay forever, Auggie is worried that he might have to leave. The two of them end up chasing after a new beast, a Shibboleth. It leads them to the lair of the nasty Rooks. After the Shibboleth swallows Auggie whole, it's up to Fen to save the day.

4 stars

Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire & David Litchfield (Illustrations) March 29, 2022

This is a lovely tale about community. Cress, her mother, and younger brother have to leave their warren and move into an apartment in an old tree. There is much going on: grief for the father who went out one night and didn't return, wild precarious adventures, making new friends, and becoming part of a loving community. David Litchfield's artwork is glorious.

NOVELS

5 stars

Cold by Mariko Tamaki February 08, 2022  🍁

Once I started this book, I couldn't stop. It's a coming of age tale that includes a murder mystery. It's told from the perspectives of Todd, the ghost of the murdered young boy, and Georgia, a girl who becomes fascinated with the case. Both are queer kids finding it almost impossible to fit in. Georgia is sure she has seen Todd somewhere before. I found it interesting that while it's a murder mystery, Georgia does not try to be a detective. She still ends up discovering what happened to Todd and why. 

Tamaki's depictions of winter will have you going and putting a jacket on.

5 stars

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee & Yu-Li Alice Shen (Narrator) February 01, 2022

I'm always excited when Ms. Yingling gives a book 5 stars because I know it will be brilliant. 
This is the kind of historical MG novel I love best. While set in modern times, it educates readers, through the story telling of the grandfather, about what it was like to be Chinese American across the span of the last 100 years or so. There is also a solid story line relevant to the characters experiences today. Lisa Yee's characters deal with just the right amount of conflict that ends up getting resolved in a healthy manner. There is a bit of a mystery to solve. I appreciate how it shows us both overt and covert racism across all eras.

ADULT NOVELS 

5 stars

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro & Sara Siu (Narrator) March 02, 2021

Klara is a highly observant artificial friend. The story is told from her perspective. In the first part of the novel, she waits in the shop taking in the world around her while waiting to be picked by a girl or boy. Then she is chosen by Josie, a young girl with a strange sickness. Being solar powered, Klara sees the sun as a kind of mystical being who can be convinced to heal her.
I was completely mesmerized by this book. It's a book that examines relationships, childhood, love, and what it means to be human. Yet that ending was brutal. Klara is a character I won't be able to forget.

CURRENTLY

An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives by Matt Richtel

Satellite Love by Genki Ferguson  🍁

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

UP NEXT 

Rez Rules by Chief Clarence Louie

Worser by Jennifer Ziegler

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 12/24 

#MustReadNonFiction 8/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 31/100

Canada Reads shortlist 5/5 

Indigenous Authors 11/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 128 /250