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Monday, April 20, 2015

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. Jen Vincent over at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye from Unleashing Readers decided to put a children's and YA spin on it and they invite anyone with an interest to join in. You can participate by creating your post then visit one of their sites to add your site. Finally, visit at least three participant blogs and comment to spread the love.

If you want to know more about what I am reading, visit me at my Goodreads shelf. Images via Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

The Past Week: 
Picture Books


My favorites of these were Magic Windows/Ventanas magicas (because I'm having a great time with papel picado), Wolfie the Bunny (because it's too funny), and My Diary from Here to There (because I enjoy memoirs and always love illustrations by Maya Christina Gonzalez. By the way, Mr. Schu had a fantastic interview with her this past Friday.

Middle Grade


I had a fantastic time reading Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer. It is super funny. I reviewed it here.


Young Adult


The Firefly Letters was an interesting look at the roles of women in the 1800s. The roles and privileges were very different depending on class, race, and where a woman was born. Crazy Horse's Girlfriend was one I had been looking forward to after hearing Debbie Reese promote it. I really enjoyed the main character, Margaritte, and will be reviewing the book on Rich in Color later this week. Strange Fruit introduced me to many Black Americans unknown to me and seeing them in a graphic novel format made the stories even more interesting - less like a history textbook.

Adult Fiction


The Fishermen was an ARC that I picked up at ALA Midwinter. It was the only one I picked up that wasn't for school, my blog, or for Rich in Color. It was simply because it caught my eye. The author was there too, so it's signed. The main character is nine, but it is in no way a children's book. It was much more grim than I had anticipated. The writing had me right there with Benjamin and his family. Chigozie Obioma will be a writer to watch.

The Coming Week:
Would you believe that I'm still listening to the second Octavian Nothing book? I started it about a month ago. I have 4 more CDs left, but I have a long drive later this week so I will definitely finish. I started Purple Hibiscus and am enjoying that one. I will probably grab at least one more audio book for my road trip, and I have The Poet Slave of Cuba checked out right now. We will see what else jumps into my hands.

 Reading Challenge Update
Diversity on the Shelf/Diverse Books - 73/100
Goodreads - 135/520
#MustRead2015 - 19/53
Diversity Reading Challenge - 8/12
Around the World With Books 2015
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11 comments:

  1. Cheriee WeichelApril 20, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    I enjoyed reading your comments on these books. After reading your full review of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, I feel almost desperate to get it into my hands.

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    1. CrystalApril 21, 2015 at 11:51 AM

      Yay! I hope you like the chicken book once you get it. :)

      Delete
  2. Michele KnottApril 20, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    I put Unusual Chickens on my list after reading your goodreads review too!

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    1. CrystalApril 21, 2015 at 11:51 AM

      I'm glad you'll be reading it. It's one I want to hand to lots of people.

      Delete
  3. Kellee Moye (@kelleemoye)April 20, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    Wolfie is great!!!
    You are the second place I have seen Carmen Lomas Garza! I wonder why she is making the rounds. I was introduced to her artwork when I was in middle school, and I actually have a signed print hanging right in front of me. She artwork is brilliant, and her stories are epic. You should check out her Family Pictures.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    Replies
    1. CrystalApril 21, 2015 at 11:53 AM

      Yes, I've shared Family Pictures with students before. It's a great mentor text when writing brief personal narratives or writing to go with art. It's also a nice book for family themes.

      Delete
  4. Linda BApril 20, 2015 at 8:38 PM

    I'll look for The Fisherman, sounds good, but creepy too. I've read the two by Margarita Engle-she's so good! I'm also interested in My Diary from Here to There, also seems like a good book. Thanks, Crystal!

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    1. CrystalApril 21, 2015 at 11:54 AM

      The Fisherman is kind of a sibling situation gone wrong. There's a prophecy involved that causes all kinds of internal family strife.

      Delete
  5. Carrie GelsonApril 20, 2015 at 8:51 PM

    It took my family and me over a month to listen to a book on CD - 6 weeks actually! We only listened in the car and we were seldom all in car together for very long! Love the cover of the Engle book. Sounds so interesting.

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    1. CrystalApril 21, 2015 at 12:03 PM

      For a speedy reader (often a book in a few hours), a month is almost excruciating for me. ;) Yes, the Firefly cover is unique. I had no idea that ladies adorned their hair with fireflies.

      Delete
  6. GatheringBooksApril 23, 2015 at 3:29 AM

    I love how you've been reading so many of Margarita Engle's novels-in-verse. Have you read her Surrender Tree? That one is just beautiful. I am really looking forward to reading her memoir, Enchanted Air. So many interesting books you have here.

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