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.
Last Week on the Blog:
I celebrated "right now"
(as part of a new meme hosted by Katie from The Logonauts Blog)
Review of Traveling the Underground Railroad by Kesha Rushing
Last Week in Books:
I really enjoyed Free Verse by Sarah Dooley even though I cried most of the way through. It was a great book to read right as poetry month was about to begin as poetry plays a part in the plot. Sasha is a young girl going through difficult times. She stole my heart and I wanted so much for things to get better for her.
Rad American Women A-Z was excellent! I loved finding out more about women I already knew about and even better was learning about women I'd never even heard of before. They selected some awesome women to share.
All of the picture books I read this week were good, but my overall favorite was Ideas Are All Around by Philip C. Stead. I really believe that is true. Ideas are everywhere, we just have to notice them and nurture them. We have to be observing and wondering or we miss them. I loved the idea of the book, but I also loved the design and illustration too. By the way, this is one where you should peek under the dust jacket for a different view. I've had a typewriter in my library since September and so I noticed immediately that the font was in type. He used paint and what looked like polaroid pictures for most of illustrations. I found it to be really fun even though it is anything but a typical picture book. Matthew Winner did a great job explaining the book in his Let's Get Busy podcast with Philip C. Stead. If you haven't heard Matthew gush about Ideas Are All Around, you really should.
The Coming Week:
I'm reading The Rest of Us Just Live Here with my ears. I will be seeing Margarita Engle Saturday, so I may try to read some more of her books before then. I wish you great week filled with fabulous books.
Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge - 192/550
Diversity on the Shelf 2016 - 92/225 (goal = 50% of my books by and/or about POC)
LGBTQIA Challenge - 8/31
ReadPOC Challenge - 61/125
#MustReadin2016 - 12/54
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge - 43/100
Around the World with Books 2016
Born Confused! I'll be interested to hear what you think of that one.
ReplyDeleteRad American Women A-Z looks really great - plus it looks perfect for our current reading theme. I so envy you that you'd be seeing Margarita Engle - she was one of our featured guests here in Singapore for the Asian Festival of Children's Content a few years back - please say hello to her for me if you can. :)
ReplyDeleteI've avoided Free Verse so far, but it sounds like a good one to try!
ReplyDeleteLove the new meme, Crystal, will try to join in when I can and when I have something good to share! I loved Ideas all Around, too. Thanks for all the titles!
ReplyDeleteMy boss who makes dioramas of picture books she enjoys recently made one for Ideas Are All Around. It's a great book.
ReplyDeleteIdeas are all around sounds so fascinating and encouraging, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like the sound of Rad American Women, even if I'm not an American woman ;)
ReplyDeleteYes! Rad American Women is awesome! Loved that book. I am chomping at the bit to read Ideas are All Around. My library doesn't have it yet (which is weird because the Steads are from Ann Arbor and that's where I live).
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing such good things about Ideas Are All Around. Rad American Women sounds awesome. There are so many incredible women to read about and learn from.
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to taking part in the diversity blog hop! What a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week :)
I must read Ideas All Around. The more I hear, the more I am convinced I will love it!
ReplyDeleteThe Rest of Us Just Live Here is at the top of my list. It is even on my #mustreadin2016 list! I am excited to hear what you think about it. :) I will be reading it shortly after you!
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