I was able to get a great deal of reading done last week due to our school's midwinter break so that made me very happy.
Books I finished last week:
The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman
Artists and Writers of the Harlem Renaissance by Wendy Hart Beckman
The Harlem Renaissance: An Explosion of African American Culture by Richard Worth
I've been on a huge Harlem Renaissance kick lately. I just love this era of American history.
Graphic Novels:
Babymouse Monster Mash by Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
I will fully confess that I didn't finally decide to read Lunch Lady until I received an ARC of Jarrett's latest book from Walden Pond Press last week called The Platypus Police Squad and in his bio, I read that he has a pug. Well, being a crazy pug owner myself, I can't not read an author's entire body of work once I realize they are a fellow pug lover. :)
Audiobooks:
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
I'm sorry to announce that I didn't love Code Name Verity with the same fervor as so many others did. I just could not emotionally connect with the characters. I didn't even cry, which was a huge shock to me given the fact that oft dry-eyed readers even admitted to sobbing over this book. I will fully admit I am perplexed over my lack of crying with this one.
Picture books:
The Lonely Moose by John Segal
Bink and Gollie: Two for One by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile
The Great Migration: Journey to the North by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy by Will Wise, illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Currently reading:
Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
Wow! This book is fantastic! No wonder it won so many awards! It reads just like a spy novel. If only all nonfiction were this exciting to read. But based on the first sentence of Sheinkin's author bio, you can definitely tell he's not your run-of-the-mill nonfiction writer: "A former textbook writer, Steve Sheinkin has dedicated his life to making up for his previous crimes by crafting gripping narratives of American history." Boom. I'm sold.
Currently listening:
The Big Sea by Langston Hughes
Again with the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes is my favorite poet of all time so I wanted to learn more about his life by reading his autobiography. So far I have to say I prefer his poetry to his prose writing, but I'm enjoying learning more about his life nonetheless.
Last week I reviewed:
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis.
Current giveaway:
Notes from Ghost Town and The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison
Other posts from last week:
Probiotic drinks: I'm here for the flavors, the healthy part is just a bonus
A poem to start a conversation about bullying and self-worth
I think you're the first person I've seen who hasn't loved Code Name Verity - now I really must get to it ASAP so I can see what all the fuss is about :-)
ReplyDeleteI own a copy of Peter Sis' The Wall which I bought while I was in Prague - but haven't read it yet as I am saving it for our 'war and peace' theme probably next year (haha). My daughter is enjoying the Babymouse books we found in our libraries - this title though, we haven't seen yet. The Lonely Moose also seems to be receiving a lot of love, will check that one out too. Thanks for sharing all these.
ReplyDeleteI loved Bomb! I agree.. it is like reading a spy novel. I learned so much about the race to build the atom bomb that I had never known before, even though I am a history buff.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read more about The Great Migration since reading Mathis' "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie," which I thoroughly enjoyed. I too love reading Langston Hughes but I have never read The Big Sea. I am adding it to my list now. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteRebecca @ The Key to the Gate
I applaud your candor about Code Name Verity! I feel the same way about The Fault in Our Stars. I feel lonely over here in the Did-Not-Love-Do-Not-Think-It-Is-The-Very-Best-Book-In-The-Entire-History-Of-The-World Camp. It's a sad team, but you're welcome to join your meh feeling about Code Name Verity! Bomb is definitely on my TBR list. Have a great week! http://wp.me/pzUn5-1qI
ReplyDeleteI think the Wall is such a fantastic read! I also love The Golden Keys (fictional) by Sis Have you read it? RE Code Name Verity - I did really love it. But it is a different sort of book so I can see there being other reactions. I even suggested it to my Dad as he loves all things WWII - even though he doesn't typically read fiction.
ReplyDeleteYay! I pick up Bomb from the library tomorrow. So glad to hear it is living up to the hype and accolades. P.S. I didn't cry at Code Name Verity either.
ReplyDelete