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
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.
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you like the chicken book once you get it. :)
DeleteI put Unusual Chickens on my list after reading your goodreads review too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you'll be reading it. It's one I want to hand to lots of people.
DeleteWolfie is great!!!
ReplyDeleteYou 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! :)
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.
DeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteThe Fisherman is kind of a sibling situation gone wrong. There's a prophecy involved that causes all kinds of internal family strife.
DeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteFor 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.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete