#IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. The adult version of this meme is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. The kidlit rendition is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.
It's been a couple of weeks
since my last post. I've been focused on sewing quilts. Also, we had a crowd over for dinner last Sunday and I had to do some housecleaning before they arrived so I didn't have time to write a blog post. Besides, I hadn't read that much. While I'm still getting my bookish fix through audiobooks, I really
wish that more of the books for my goals were available in this format.
I actually accomplished more on this quilt, but this is all I could fit onto my wall. I've got to finish another 21 blocks, but that will only take me around 30 hours or so.
I've got one more of these to finish up for my grandbabies to be. I'm still trying to decide if I should put a border on it, and if I do, what colour it will be.
BLOG POSTS THIS WEEK
PICTURE BOOKS
I know I read more picture books at the book fair last week, but the few here are the ones that left an impression on me.
I know I read more picture books at the book fair last week, but the few here are the ones that left an impression on me.
 |
| 4 stars |
I love the contrast between the
text and images in this hilarious picture book. They take stereotypes of girls and turn them upside down. I
want my own copy of this one.
 |
| 4 stars |
This series is so much fun! The
story is told from the point of view of grass growing. As they grow they argue
over who is the most in certain qualities. The illustrations and text had me laughing
out loud.
NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
I found this book at the
Scholastic Book Fair I was helping out at last week. The simple text explains
each right. These rights are exquisitely illustrated in glorious colour. I
ordered two copies for each of my grandchildren to be. My heart ached upon
realizing that the USA has not yet ratified this convention. It breaks even
more to realize that while Canada has signed it, there are many children in our
country whose rights continue to be violated.
 |
| 3 stars |
Kate Messner's text is lovely,
and I am sure that Neal's illustrations are glorious, but in the Scholastic
version I looked at, they were flat. I've put a hold on a Chronicle Books
edition from my local library because I suspect that I should be more impressed
than I was.
NON FICTION
 |
| 4 stars |
I was completely lost in the
ancient norse world as read by the author himself. As I listened to this I
realized how having a background understanding of mythology has the capacity to
enrich the rest of my reading life. Gaiman made these Gods and Goddesses seem
like real people with superpowers, so it's easy to make the connection from
these ancient stories to the world of Marvel and other comic book heros. As I
listened to this, I kept thinking about Going Bovine by Libba Bray. While I
realized that her novel referenced these Gods, I now know that my appreciation
for that book would have been much richer had I read this first. After
finishing this I want to reread American Gods, because I will get much more
from it. At the very least, I'm looking more forward to watching the TV series
of it.
 |
| 5 stars |
I've been listening to this in
bits, hoping to get motivated to write, but since I've mostly been listening
before going to sleep or when I am busy working on a quilt, that hasn't occurred.
In spite of this, I enjoyed Lamont's sense of humour, and found that she does
indeed offer up some good advice on living. Maybe when/if I ever finish these
quilts, I'll go back and reread sections and start writing.
 |
| 4 stars |
This is scarily still relevant
today, although it was first published in 1963. Ever since I read Between the
World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, I've wanted to read James Baldwin. I've been
recommending this book to others since finishing it. I can't help but wonder
how different the world might be if more people had read Baldwin's work during
the time it was published.
NOVELS
 |
| 4 stars |
Alice and Megan are unlikely
candidates for friendship, but friends they become when Megan stands up for
Alice at school. Through Megan, Alice, who has Asperger's, learns what it means
to be a friend. Through Alice, Megan, who lives in an abusive home, learns that
life is much more straightforward than she imagines. Both are everyday heroes
dealing with nearly overwhelming obstacles.
I really loved this book.
Alice's parents may not always get it right, but it is obvious that they have
their daughter's best interests at heart. The two girls are authentic
characters I couldn't help but worry about and care for. At one point, I even
cried a few tears.
 |
| 4 stars |
Sammy Keyes is my go to when I
am feeling like I need a reading treat. In this one, Sandy and her friend,
Marissa, head off to Hollywood to visit with her soap opera star mother.
(Although in this one, she isn't yet a star) While there, Sammy has to solve a
murder and save her mother's life. At the same time, Sammy and her mother
manage to repair their fractured relationship. I did not see this end coming at
all!
 |
| 4 stars |
This is just a PERFECT middle
grade read! Swartz' first novel is comprised of heart and soul. It provides a
window and mirror into the world of a twelve year old who is becoming
overwhelmed by her OCD symptoms. It's a story about the joys of friendship and
family, in spite of how messy they get. It's also a story about resilience and
healing. I adore Molly Nathans!
 |
| 3 stars |
Bungee Jump by Pam Withers
This short read is packed with
lots of action. Lots of scientific information about leprosy and engineering
are embedded in this story of a family who own an island that was once housed a
leper colony. There is also a missing treasure. The characters could be better developed, but I think this is a good read for
reluctant readers.
 |
| 3 stars |
This was ok, but there was too
much romance and not enough action. I liked the friendship between Celaena and
Nehemia and the world Mass has created kept me reading even though I was
underwhelmed by the overall general focus on beauty and clothing.
ABANDONED
 |
| 2 stars |
I really wanted to love this
book because The Greenglass House knocked my socks off. I read almost 100 pages
and couldn't get into it. It just didn't work for me.
CURRENTLY
I'm currently listening to South
and West: From a Notebook by Joan Didion. I'm reading Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by
Shari Green.
UP NEXT
MY next audiobook will be Still
Alice by by Lisa Genova. I'm planning on reading even this page is white by
Vivek Shraya (a library book) and then I must read at least these three from my
Chocolate Lily box! (I really really need to read more than this since the deadline is coming up and I have many to get through) Dukes's Den by Becky Citra, Shot in the Dark by Janet M.
White, and Panda's on the Eastside by Gabrielle Pendergast.
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MUSTREADIN2017 8/36 1 in
progress
#MUSTREADNFIN2017 2/12, 1 in
progress
50 Books by Canadian Indigenous
Authors 11/50
Chocolate Lily (CL) 35/52
Goodreads Reading Challenge
121/333
