Distance Learning = No blog writing

 I do hope to update my blog shortly, probably over the Thanksgiving break.  I have read books since my last post in July, but haven't posted. Instead I merely posted titles and gave star ratings on Goodreads.

Differing paths.

This was different from the previous books I have read of Picoult's, but I enjoyed it.  I was thinking it was going in a few different directions, but was ultimately pleased with the path it led the reader on.

There are philosophical discussions on the paths we choose, and take in our lives. The character development and various reveals are all quite good.  There is a quote I would love to use, but can't until the book is published. I also think though, that the quote is best read within the text, when it is said, so I guess I will simply say it is a quote that will truly stick with me. 

This will be published in September; put it on your TBR list now :-). 

Couldn't put it down

I truly enjoyed this unique thriller.  It was well paced, an engaging plot, with characters you root for. I couldn't put it down, and loved every minute of this. The red herrings were nicely placed, and had me guessing for most of the book.

Incredible world building

This past year has been a year of debuts, in my opinion.  Worthy debuts, I should say.  Hush by Dylan Farrow is an incredible debut. 

I was drawn in instantly, and loved every minute of this incredible book.  The world building is incredible, the characters engaging, and the protagonist so worthy of a reader's hopes and expectations.

It is a story dealing with finding our truths, and story-telling itself. How propaganda works, and how to fight it, in a beautiful told allegory.

It won't be on the shelves until October, but I suggest all put it on your TBR lists.

All The Feels

I can't even express how beautiful this book is.  Each poem is a thing of beauty.  Both girls have strong voices.  I loved Poet X, and really enjoyed With the Fire on High, but this one just kept evoking all the feels with each and every poem. 

I am adding this to the must read titles, all students/teachers and parents should read (Parachutes by Kelly Yang, Chirp by Kate Messner, Stamped by Kendi and Reynolds).

library holds, and a book that made me say, Wow.

This past week, my local library started providing curbside pick-up for books we had placed on hold, prior to the pandemic, that arrived during it.

I had many books for my students, in this batch, that now I won't be able to use (but will read, and hopefully buy/then utilize in the fall).

This title, A Song for a New Day, I couldn't remember why I had placed it on hold.  Reading the back blurb was astonishing.  There's been a pandemic, large crowds are prohibited etc. I had heard, and later read, The End of October was prescient, but that title while yes, had many sentences/issues that were pretty spot on to what we were dealing with, it wasn't that great a book.  I love Wright's nonfiction, but this fiction novel just didn't do it for me.

Pinsker's debut novel is however wonderful.  Much of it is eerily what we are dealing with (this was published in 2019). The other aspect, is it is beautifully written, with great character development.  It features Luce Cannon and Rosemary Laws as the main characters.  Their two timelines are handled quite well, and yes, do eventually come together.

I loved how the author handled their timelines, and their eventual encounters.  Music is key in this novel.  So is hope, and the notion that change can come from within, or without an institution/society.

I highly recommend this novel. 

2nd in series is enjoyable

This was a great follow up to Camino Island; I really enjoy the characters, the pace and plot were both escapist from this pandemic, and it was a nice sequel. 

You didn't really have to have read the first, but enough little hints in this one, would probably make you want to read it, if you read this prior to reading the first book.

It is truly more of a cozy mystery series than a legal thriller, but I enjoyed this new genre of Grisham's.

The master storyteller

I loved this. I mean, really, King is a master storyteller, and each story here is just beautiful.  4 differing novellas, with interesting themes and plots. The beautiful part is each is comprised of heartfelt, well developed characters.

There wasn't a misstep in any of the four.  I love his prose, and fell into each story easily.  Highly recommend. 

Christie like

This is what you expect, if you are looking for an Agatha Christie type of book.  Told from various viewpoints at a wedding, that takes place on an island. 

I enjoyed this escapist mystery, and really liked the ending. 

Lovely

This is just a great story. What it means to be a family, have dreams (small or big), respecting differences, being kind, and some wonderful magic. If you need a nice, fairy-tale like pick me up, read this.

Books featuring bookstores

I enjoyed every minute of this book.  It does get mixed reviews on Amazon, but I honestly don't understand the low ratings.  I thought of it as a well-written homage to some classic mysteries.

I enjoyed the narrator, and the supporting characters. I had picked it because I found myself seeking out books (particularly mysteries) with bookstores, or bookstore owners as part of the plot.  The first I read was part of my new book club, and was The Bookish Life of Nina Hill which was an enjoyable, and fun read.  The only negative was when the author switched perspectives to the boyfriend inexplicably at times, and the flow just didn't work then. I then read Camino Island written by John Grisham. It is definitely not his usual style, but I enjoyed this first in a series, of what I think of as kind of a borderline cozy.  I have ordered the second, Camino Winds, which should arrive next week.

I then read a true cozy mystery, an ARC via Netgalley (will be published in July). The author of this one is apparently an author who has written numerous books, set in a variety of towns (all cozies), using various names.  Well, based on the one I read, I gather she changes names when people catch on that the writing and plot are pretty awful  I won't name the book here, or the author, because I dislike trashing someone's work, but I will give you a brief outline: a woman goes back to her mom's bookstore, somewhere in N.C after her mother suddenly dies.  When she gets there she gets suspicious that her mom was murdered. Well, once that takes root in all honesty the mystery could have been solved within the hour, but it drags on for weeks prior to the protagonist finally solving it. That, combined with a ridiculous, I meant truly stupid reason, for the protagonist being forced to leave her university job, caused me to find out if this was a debut novel. It isn't, as shared above.  Wow....

I then came across The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. This was definitely better than the unnamed book above, but wasn't as good, in my opinion, as either Camino Island, or Eight Perfect Murders.  The humor was great in the beginning, and the plot was loads of fun, but there is a weird 3 year gap in the story, that irritated me, and it made me a bit mad at the main characters...I just didn't understand why they waited for 3 years, when the vampire was pretty much known, but I did finish it.  It does get a bit gory, for no real addition to the plot (other than to again make me ponder, if so gross, and obvious, why the 3 year gap?), but...again, the premise was fun.

I will review Camino Winds after I finish it, and this might end my theme of bookstores.  To sum it up: 1st: Eight Perfect Murders Tied for 2nd: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and Camino Island 3rd: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

Compelling and Fun

I first read Ponti's work, when hosting a student mystery book club, with the librarian at my school.  I read the first few chapters of his Framed series aloud; it hooked me, and it hooked a few others.

This book has the same great captivating writing, with some wonderful characters.  The main characters are kids whose varied skills lend themselves to the spy business.

We are introduced to Sara, when she is brought to a court in NYC.  Sara is a foster child, and she is suddenly represented by an attorney who isn't part of the public defender system.
This introduction, his getting her out of the juvenile justice system, and flying to a new location overseas, starts her new life as a spy.

It is a compelling, yet very fun read, and I highly recommend it for children, and all who love MG or YA books.

Great Graphic Novel

 Gene does it again.  I so wanted to share this book in person, with my students.  However, it arrived during the first week our district closed schools.  The cover is what will attract readers first: it feels very similar to an actual basketball.

Yang was teaching for many years at a high school, while working on his graphic novels.  Shortly after Boxers and Saints was published, he started paying attention to the basketball team at his school.

While the plot sounds simple, looking at one season of his high school's team, it delves into many more topics. These include, the history of basketball (here and in other countries), the history of the team, as well as Yang's story development process.

These transitions occur naturally, and somehow it all blends seamlessly.  A very enjoyable read for YA fans, graphic novel fans, and spots enthusiasts.

Nice YA mystery

I enjoyed this mystery, and think many YA readers will as well.  Despite it centering on a missing girl, who is presumed dead, it has many light moments, due to the protagonists' sense of humor.

The main character Pippa is engaging, and believable. She sets out to prove the boy accused of the murder, which took place 5 years earlier is innocent.  Her main companion during this, is the suspect's brother, and he is quite likable as well.

She does this through a senior Capstone project, and so it does venture from 1st person (when she is writing it in some chapters) to 3rd person, when the plot moves along.

While some aspects were obvious to me as an adult mystery reader, I think the various mysteries will intrigue, and stump newer mystery readers.

Lovely story

Not sure I love this cover, but the story is great. The characters were believable, helped each other, overcame differences, and worked together quite well.

Theater groups, and Mock Trial are the main groups featured in this YA novel. Narrated by two protagonists, you learn bits about them with each chapter, thus the character development is quite nice.  The chapters are set up as if they are part of a trial, which is nicely done.

I never heard about "yarn bombing" prior to this book, but it features prominently in this novel.
If you are looking for heartfelt drama (with plenty of humor) this book is for you.

                                                       ANOTHER GREAT DEBUT!
We are so fortunate that we have another wonderful author coming to our school. She is a debut author, whose wonderful debate experiences in college, led to her job as the debate consultant for the Tony-nominated Best Play on Broadway: What the Constitution Means to Me.

Her Debut novel, is a middle grade book titled Pippa Park Raises her Game.  It is essentially an ode to Great Expectations, or perhaps a wonderful new version of it.

Pippa lives with her sister and brother-in-law, since her mom had to move back to Korea.  She is dealing with juggling her love of basketball, her struggles with math, and just generally being a young teen, when she suddenly receives a scholarship to a private school.

She now has to adjust to new friends, and a host of other issues.

This was a great story, and will make a wonderful read aloud as well.

Another Debut: this one a compelling MG novel

Wow, another compelling middle grade novel. I have had some ups and downs with "adult" books, but the MG and YA novels I have read recently have been home runs. 

From the Desk of Zoe Washington is a debut novel from Janae Marks.  I loved it. In addition to being a MG novel, it is a mystery. It touches on friendship, families, racism, and the issue of wrongly convicted prisoners.  The Innocence Project, and other groups like it, have recently been in the news for freeing innocent prisoners.  It is a complex topic, that is beautifully, and skillfully told here.

I will wager that any young person reading this, will want to explore the issue more, after reading this lovely novel.

Decent Debut

I truly enjoyed this well written debut.  Had recently read a self-published book whose plot left quite a bit to be desired, then read a new best seller that has been promoted everywhere, and was bored by that (try not to name books that disappoint me).
The Tenant featured characters I cared about, and a plot that kept me guessing.
I am hoping it might be the start of a series, as the police detectives would be a good pair to follow.
I enjoyed the fact that the plot involved a landlady writing a book, a murder mystery, only to realize her plot has been put into reality.

There were perhaps a few too many red-herrings that proved to be awful people, but not the murderer; made me think parts of Denmark are just too bleak, but I really enjoyed figuring out who the guilty party was.

 








I have loved everything I have read by Kate Messner, so I was really looking forward to this book.  She surpassed my high expectations.

Chirp is a beautifully told story.  Mia is in Vermont for the summer, dealing with new activities, friends, and helping out her grandmother.  She is also dealing with a secret.  The plot and character development are simply masterful. 

The mystery of who might be sabotaging the cricket farm is also developed nicely. I loved how Messner discusses other middle grade mysteries, via Mia's friend, Clover's love of mysteries.

Ideally this book will be available in all middle schools.  I think it pairs naturally with Kelly Yang's Parachutes, for teens who are a bit more mature.  Both tackle the issue of sexual harassment/abuse beautifully.

Highly recommend, Chirp! 

A perfect MG read

This was a perfect MG read.  The protagonist is believable and likable.  Her mom, grandparents, even dad are all drawn out well.  I loved her friends, and the school settings were accurately portrayed.

It is one of those books that not only was enjoyable to read, but one that I know will be a good read aloud.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I downloaded sample chapters of all of his other books. Not all of those are grabbing me, but a few are. The Passengers is essentially a Black Mirrors story in novel form. I loved the premise: it's set in the near future where driver less cars are mandatory in England; some cars are suddenly taken over, and the passengers have no control, and no way to leave the car. Marrs pulls it off quite well. I enjoyed the character development, the plot and the pacing.If you enjoy thrillers, light sci-fi, and if you are a fan of the show Black Mirrors, I recommend this book.

I loved the premise of the book, and am very happy it didn't disappoint me in any way.

The character development, and plot were excellent; I mean truly it was just great.  The narrative style was nice, and the ending was perfect.

I think this is the author's first book. It is truly hard to believe it is a debut.  If you like the TV show The Good Place, you will really enjoy this novel. 

If you enjoy YA novels, you will also enjoy this.  Highly recommend.

Required Reading

This novel enthralled me from the beginning.

Firstly, I learned a great deal about international high school students from China.  I also learned about the host families these students live with (the good and the bad, and the perhaps dubious process of becoming a host family).

Secondly, the character development was beautiful.  The friendships formed throughout the novel, good and bad, were  deftly drawn out. The issues that arise were believable, and relate-able for anyone who has ever attended school as a teen.

Thirdly, the issues the book raises were beautifully handled. Sexual harassment, abuse and rape were all discussed forthrightly, and the victims reactions were believable, and heartbreaking.  I think the way the school handled each situation was sadly true to reality as well.

I think this book should be required reading for all hs students. It touches on so many issues that need frank conversations.  Sexuality, racism, classicism, relationship, friendships..and what it really means to be a friend.

The novel might be a bit mature for my 6th graders, but I am going to recommend this novel to older students, and their classroom teachers.