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.