Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

More books for the Foodies Read Challenge.

I spotted this one on the shelf at the library. I like Cat Cora and looking forward to reading more about her.

I have these fantasies of becoming a farmer. Now that we have a house, I know those are fantasies. I don't have the patience to grow plants, let alone food. But I'll keep reading about those growing food and dreaming.

The title and the comparisons to Bourdain were enough to make me pick this one up. 

This one just sounded good.

What about you? What did you pick up this week? Share your loot below.


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

I'm always looking for good non-fiction food books. Cheesemonger came highly rated so I'll give it a try. 

I picked this one up for the What's In A Name challenge.

I got sucked into looking for graphic novels by and about POC. This is one find.

Another from my previously mentioned search.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

When Reason Breaks by Cindy L Rodriguez

I'm sorry it took me so long to read When Reason Breaks. I must have checked out from the library multiple times before now when I actually read it. I wish I read it soon. It was a fantastic read but more than I was ever expecting.

Emily and Elizabeth are both in high school and are both struggling. Elizabeth's a little more outspoken so people see her as the problem child. Emily is quieter but still hurting. At the beginning both girls don't really know one another. But a class project about Emily Dickinson draws the two girls together and they realize they aren't that dissimilar. Friends, family, school puts pressure on Emily and Elizabeth. They both really see each other especially when they feel no one else sees them.

Rodriguez really wrote two very beautiful characters. Emily holds all her pain in. At the beginning of the book, it's starting to show. Sleeplessness, withdrawing from friends and activities she enjoyed. Elizabeth has been living with the pain longer. Elizabeth is starting to lash out-punching lockers, talking back to teachers. Rodriguez really explores depression and how it affects these two girls. I really loved Emily and Elizabeth. I did tear up at the end because watching them grow was so moving.

I was pleasantly surprised that Emily and Elizabeth were Latina and the book was set in a mostly Latino area. I enjoyed the Spanish sprinkled through the book.

I can't wait to read Rodriguez next book. When Reason Breaks would be a great read for older teens and up. A fantastic one for book clubs too. Plenty to discuss. Others who shared their thoughts on When Reason Breaks: Rich In Color, Disability In KidLit, and What Sarah Read.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.


I've been looking forward to another Moriarty book.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.


Thursday, August 11, 2016

July Book Tally

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
The Astonishing Ant Man vol 1 by Nick Spencer
Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz
Drowned City by Don Brown
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
Six Gun Snow White by Catherynne Valente
Southern Bastard vol 1 by Jason Aaron
Paper Girls vol 1 by Brian K Vaughan
Secondhand Souls by Christoper Moore
The Boy In The Black Suit by Jason Reynolds
The Crown by Kiera Cass

Fourteen this month! Woo Hoo! Great month. I hope I can keep this up!


Stats:
Graphic Novel Challenge: 4 (Paper Girls, Southern Bastards, Drowned City, The Astonishing Ant Man)  YTD: 11
Foodies Read Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 0
What's In A Name Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 1
LGBTQIA Reading Challenge: 1 (You Know Me Well)  YTD: 3
Total: 52

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Another sweeping family drama from Meacham.

I found Girl In Dior while browsing the graphic novel shelf at the library. Looked right up my alley.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

July Graphic Novel Review

I'm a huge fan of Brian K Vaughn so I really liked Paper Girls. The time period, the plot, it was all very cool. I look forward to more.

I'm not sure how I heard about Southern Bastards. The drawing was good. The story was good but brutal. I don't know if it's something I'll continue.

I remember Katrina vividly. This felt brief and would be better suited to someone who didn't remember Katrina. But a good primer on what happened there. A little gritty, better for an older teen reader. 

Meh. Not my favorite Ant Man volume. 

Monday, August 8, 2016

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

I don't remember how I heard about The Art of Being Normal, but I'm glad I did. Another great read.

David is a freak or so say the kids at his school. David's parents think he's gay but David is really a girl trapped in a guy's body. He desperately wants to be a girl but he doesn't know how to tell his family. Leo's new to David's school. The rumors that surround him make him sound like a monster. But David feels drawn to Leo. And when Leo stands up to David's tormentors, Leo and David start a friendship. Both boys are hiding something from everyone.

The story goes back and forth between Leo and David. Leo's a bit of a loner. David's got 2 friends who know his secret. I really liked getting to know Leo and David. I liked how their stories unfolded. I would love another book about Leo and David. Others who shared their thoughts on The Art of Being Normal: Shiny New Books, Pretty Books, and Inclusive Minds.
This is my sixth read for the LGBTQIA reading challenge.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

This one looked good.

I enjoyed the first in this series, Cold-Hearted Rake. I'm looking forward to this one. 
I'm not usually a fan of thrillers but this one caught my eye. 

What did you get this week? Share below!