It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.
My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.
On my teaching blog, check out my weekly roundup of links.
Last week I reviewed (ranted about):
Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada by Jimmy Fallon
Honestly, it pains me to even write the words "by Jimmy Fallon" when writing about this book.
I finished reading:
The Truth Commission by Susan Juby
This book started off strong, I lost some interest in the middle, and then it picked back up again about 2/3 of the way through. I'm glad I stuck with it. I'll be writing a longer review of this one soon.
Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Nate Wragg
I love how endearing Elwood is. I just want to give him a hug.
Currently reading:
Macbeth: A Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds
I have a dirty little secret to confess: I am an English teacher that doesn't get Shakespeare. I want so badly to like him, I really do. But I just can't weed past the difficult language to find the meaning. So I'm hoping the graphic novel adaptation will better help me understand what I've been missing all these years.
Still reading with my ears:
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
I look forward to meeting Elwood and to reading A Night Divided. The Fallon title - well, uh, hmm . . .
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize Gareth Hinds has a Macbeth adaptation! I use his Beowulf when I teach the Brit Lit survey course, and it often hooks many students who are new to graphic novels. Several students have recommended his other Shakespeare adaptations to me, but I haven't read them yet. Have you tried the comedies? Macbeth bores me to tears (actually most of the tragedies do), but 12th Night is really fun. It's always the play I choose when I have to teach one. I looked at the Jimmy Fallon title at the bookstore and found myself utterly perplexed as to how it could be published.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with your Dada rant. I'm such a huge believer of giving credit where credit is due and to not include the illustrator's name on the cover is very insulting. Although, I guess it's common with celebrity releases when it shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteI won't find the Fallon title, already suspected it was his name & nothing else to recommend it. I will be glad to 'someday' read A Night Divided, am sure it is good. Thanks, Beth.
ReplyDeleteI totally agreed with your review of Dada. Not a book I will purchase. I was glad that I only read it in the store. I have the Hinds adaptation of Macbeth, but haven't read it yet. I have long been a Shakespeare fan, but definitely prefer the comedies. I enjoyed Hind's version of Romeo & Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Elwood pop up on several Goodreads updates now. I passed on the book, just too busy, but now I need to look for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "Dada" post. I agree, and it seems to be the norm more and more with celebrity "authors"....
You can't go wrong with Gareth Hinds. My 13 year old girl and I read quite a few of his adaptations last year and she enjoyed it. :) Romeo and Juliet is one such favourite adaptation.
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