Monday, April 27, 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: 



I have been participating in my own Pura Belpré reading challenge over the past year or so. If I have counted correctly, there are 86 award and honor books so far. I had read quite a few and put the rest on my 'Must Read' shelf to encourage completion of the list this year. After this past week, I have 16 left to read. I especially enjoyed The Poet Slave of Cuba and Barrio: Jose's Neighborhood


Jimmy the Greatest! was an unexpected find at the library. It's a story to make you smile as a young man discovers a love for boxing. Weasels had me laughing out loud multiple times. It is too funny. 



Five, Six, Seven, Nate! and Glory O'Brien's History of the Future were audiobooks I took on a road trip this weekend. Nate was fun. Glory O'Brien was intense and quite unique. A.S. King knows how to get me thinking. I was super excited to finish Octavian Nothing. It did get a little more interesting toward the end, but I am happy to be done and if there was ever another one, I don't think I would read it. Purple Hibiscus was my favorite of the bunch by a long shot. It tore up my heart more than once and was also beautiful.

The Coming Week:
I don't have a plan for this week, but will be reviewing The Hunted on Friday for Rich in Color. Last week I reviewed Crazy Horse's Girlfriend and will be posting an interview with the author there tomorrow. Other than that, I am not sure what to grab next. I may start Surviving Santiago. We'll see what the days bring. Happy reading.

Reading Challenge Update
Goodreads - 146/520
#MustRead2015 - 25/53

16 comments:

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    1. I loved seeing the murals and the many other distinctive characteristics of The Mission District where Jose lives.

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  2. I'm interested in Glory O'Brien & the Nate book. I love A.S. King & the first Nate book was good. Weasels is one I'll look for Crystal, looks very fun. Thanks for the mention of the Pura Belpre award. I should look at it more. I loved The Poet Slave of Cuba, will also look for Barrio: Jose's Neighborhood. FYI-I couldn't even get through the first Octavian book!

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    1. The weasels are trying for world domination. It's hilarious. I'm glad I'm not alone with Octavian being a struggle.

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  3. I don't think I finished Octavian Nothing, either. I love that you are reading the Pura Belpre books. The former Spanish teacher in me approves, as does the TL in me as well, of course.

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    1. It's fun to see the variety within the Pura Belpre books.

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  4. I love that you are doing a Belpre challenge for yourself!
    I love Nate! And the audiobooks are so much fun!
    I have Glory O'Brien on my soon TBR pile, so I look forward to read it. King is such an innovative author.
    I agree about Octavian. It was very slow, but thought-provoking and the end was better than the rest. I think it was smart for them to start promoting it as an adult book.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. Yes, Octavian doesn't strike me as YA even though they both got Printz awards. It's so dense. I'm glad I read them, but am also glad they are behind me. :)

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  5. The Glory O'Brien book is on my list. The more I read about it, the more I think I need to get to it. I've loved both of the Nate books. I'm also very impressed you finished Octavian Nothing. I eventually abandoned it.

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    1. There is nothing quite like Glory O'Brien. Magical realism/sci-fi elements along with feminism, politics and typical high school senior stuff too. There's a lot going on in that book.

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  6. I think I am going to get 5, 6, 7, Nate as an audiobook in a few weeks. I've heard good things about Federle's reading!

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    1. I read the first one, but had heard good things about the audio so nabbed it for the second installment. Federle does a great job both writing and reading.

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  7. Whenever I come to your blog, I think, "She must be magical." Great list this week. You read so many good ones. I have had Glory O'Brien on my nightstand since 12/26 (I received it for Christmas). I will definitely need to read it soon. Thanks for sharing these!

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  8. Agreed Glory O'Brien was an intense read. I love A.S. King! Her books are all so very different. But, have loved everyone so far. Think there is just one that I have yet to read.

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  9. Glad to hear about your Pura Belpre challenge - I must have binge-read quite a few of Margarita Engle's novels-in-verse when we had that reading theme a few years back - I just love her exquisite voice. Have you read Surrender Tree yet? Beautiful and heartbreaking.

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