Our Library Bag: October 2020

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Library days are always good days.  

Our library bag, as always, is overflowing with books.  This month we also borrowed some movies.  After reading all of the Hunger Games books last month I was curious to re-watch/watch them.  The ever-present bibliophile complaint, that the movies can't even begin to compare to the books, holds true--but overall I thought that they were done fairly well. 

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927 pages. 7 day loan. No renewals. Challenge accepted. #library #librarybooks #troubledblood #robertgailbraith #cormoranstrike #letsread #maketimeforbooks

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Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

I intensely dislike when authors let you inside the characters' heads until they make the final deduction.  After 850 pages of being privy to so very many of Robin and Strikes' private thoughts, being excluded for the denouement is just . . . irritating and insulting.  Also, enough with the "will they/won't they" relationship!  That being said, Galbraith knows how to tell a story and I am already looking forward to the next book.     

If you're curious, I totally finished in time. 

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Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

I had a little bit of difficulty immersing myself into this book at first.  Last year I read, and really enjoyed, the Renegades Trilogy.  (It made my Top Five Books of 2019.)  This book felt oddly similar early on.  (In fairness, Steelheart came first.)  I did get into it eventually and am now looking forward to continuing the series.

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The kids and I are enjoying all of our old fall favorites while discovering some new ones!  Sarah Mackenzie's September and October picture book lists are fantastic.  Based on how many holds are placed on these books once Sarah's list hits my email, I know that there are other RAR devotees local to me.  I'm tempted to put little notes into the books saying something to the effect of, "We like the same books, let's be friends!" But I worry that it might be too bizarre . . . 

What is in your library bag this month?

Our Library Bag: August 2020

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Summer reading is about to give way to autumn reading. I've been busy preparing for the school year, but since so many things are cancelled (like our Disney Annual Passes), I've been able to squeeze in some extra reading time.  My last Library Bag post was June, but never fear, we've been keeping our dear librarians busy. 

I'm curious: how is your library currently operating? Are things "back to normal"? Is your library even open yet? Can you place holds?  Inter-library Loans?  Pay fines?  We have reduced hours, a three day holding period for returns, most (but not all) branches are open, limited resources, and large sections of the library are blocked off from patrons.  However, I did just get an email that fines will be re-instated for overdue books starting Monday, so I wonder if other things will be returning to normal operations. 

Skyward and Starsight

My husband recently introduced me to the writings of Brandon Sanderson.  As soon as he finished reading Skyward he told me that he thought it might be one that I would enjoy.  Thirty-six hours and over 500 pages later . . . well, he was right.  Of course, I devoured the squeal, Starsight immediately afterwards.  I was more than a little disappointed to learn that the third book isn't due to come out until Spring of 2021.  

The Guest List

Lucy Foley's telling of this tale is masterful.  I saw someone say it was better as a retelling of "Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie than the original story.  I was dubious, because Christie is in a league of her own; however, I must say, it is very good.  It's a twisting whodunit, while also being a who's-going-to-get-it.  It's an incredibly entertaining thriller.  (It's definitely a grown up book though, with very adult themes and probably could use some trigger warning labels.)

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I picked this book up because it's the Mama Book Club pick over at @readaloudrevival. It's really good. (I think Fall of Merigolds was better, but this one is really solid.) #secretsofacharmedlife #susanmeissner #summerreading #yesthatsafrozenbook

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Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Fall of Marigolds

With its vivid characters and gripping story this is an engaging read.  A modern day American scholar interviews an elderly woman about her WWII memories.  Most of the book is the story of Emmy trying to find her place in a torn apart world. (I may have geeked out a bit when Susan Meissner commented on my Instagram post!)  

If you follow me on IG, then you might have seen another Meissner book, A Fall of Marigolds.  This book had me in tears.  For whatever reason, this book was hard to pick up, but once I did I couldn't put it down.  It also had a modern and a historical story line: one character from 1911 who lost a loved one in the tragic Triangle Park fire; the second character is from modern times and lost someone in the horrific 9/11 attacks.  It's all tied together by a marigold scarf.  While I thought both books were good, I think Marigolds is a bit better: the intertwining stories were more developed.

That's all for now, the children are going to go wild if we don't go swimming right this minute.  Ah, summer!  (And spring, and fall, and even winter . . . we live in Florida.)  

What have you been reading lately?

Our Library Bag #8 & My Five Favorite Books from 2019

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A great way to start the new year is with books, so here's another round of Our Library Bag.  In keeping with the plethora of "Best of 2019" posts I'll be finishing up this post with my Five of my Favorite Books from 2019.

If you follow me on Facebook you probably saw at least one of my Christmas picture book posts.  Throughout December we read quite a few!  The goal was every day, but we didn't quite get there.  (You can check out a list of some of our favorites here.)  Since it's still the Christmas season we're going to finish up our stack of library Christmas picture books this week.  (That's right, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a season!  It doesn't end until Epiphany . . . or even Candlemas.)

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Here are a few of the library books that I read in December:

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The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

A heroine that loves to read?  Who works in a bookstore? Is a bit introverted?  I mean, who doesn't want to read more?  Hasn't every book lover dreamed of opening a bookstore? There's a lot to like with just the set-up.    

I have a weird complaint about this book.  Nina, the protagonist, is supposed to be incredibly well-read and you see that by the various name drops, references, allusions, etc.  (Very Gilmore Girl-esqu.)  However, they are all pretty easy.  I do read a bit, and have always been a reader, but I wouldn't say that I am incredibly well-read.  I wish that there had been some that I needed to Google.  Also, a lot of the references are more "pop-culture-ish" than "book-ish".  It felt to me that the author couldn't quite capture the essence of a bibliophile resorted to creating a character largely based on characterizations and stereotypes. 

Oh, another complaint!  Nina is supposed to suffer from social anxiety, but it seems to have a particularly thriving social life.

It's definitely an adult book, with multiple adult themes.

When I first finished the book, I thought it overall was a nice fluffy read; however, the more that I ponder the book the less I like it . . .

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The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

I had added this book to my list due to Modern Mrs. Darcy's recommendation.  This one was a miss for me.  There were several reasons that this book fell flat for me:

1. The narrator is recounting her life as an author in 2079.  There are various allusions to a catastrophic event that has resulted in a somewhat dystopian society (maybe?), but we never really learn anything.  It's just rather bizarre and has absolutely zero to do with the story.  
2. The characters weren't very likable, especially as adults.
3. The final denouement was a bit, "Wait, that's it!?"
4. There was a strong anti-mariage theme.  Perhaps even anti-men.
5. It was overall boring, boarding on depressing.

I think the idea of this book is interesting, and could make a riveting and thought provoking novel, but this wasn't it.  (Random note, but all I could think when I was reading was, "Wow, these people need Jesus!")

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Supernova by Marissa Meyer

I really, really enjoyed this book. I find Meyer's books just plain enjoyable to read.  They are fun, the characters are interesting, and the pages just fly.  Supernova was the third book in the Renegades Trilogy.  (At least, I'm pretty confident that it's just a trilogy.)  The whole series gets included in my Favorite Books from 2019!

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My Five Favorite Fiction Books of 2019

It's so hard to limit myself to just five! I think it would be more apt to say "Five OF MY Favorite Fictions Books". If you allow me to cheat just a little by counting a trilogy as one, then here's my list:

1. The Renegade Trilogy: Renegades, Archenemies, and Supernova by Marissa Meyer

This fast paced series has it all: supervillains, heroes, a dystopian society, super powers, interesting characters, page turning suspense, and more! I really enjoyed the whole series.  Just as a waring, the first book doesn't really end with any type of satisfying resolution.  This trilogy really is a three part book.

2. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Both my nine year old and I read and loved this book in 2019. This book surprised me a little by how simply delightful it was. The story is well told.  The themes of friendship, family, and the value of learning (among others) are all woven together in a truly beautiful manner.  There's the teeniest bit of romance.  While the target audience might be girls somewhere around 10-12 I have to say that I wish more adult fiction was like this!  (This book is the first of a series, all of which are awesome, but the first one is great as a stand alone book.)

3. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

This is the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series by J.K. Rowling written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.  Rowling/Galbraith knows how to tell a story!  The twists and turns this complex mystery takes had me on the edge of my seat, all the while further developing the characters and relationships of Strike and Robin.  It should be noted that this book is very much NOT for children or teens.

4. Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

This was one of the historical fiction novels that I read for Library Book Club; I am so glad that it was assigned, because I might not have discovered on my own. It's a delightful bit of the history surrounding Clara Driscoll and her importance in the Tiffany glass department.  I've always had a soft spot for the famous Tiffany lamps so I found the story of the woman responsible for so many of them to be surprisingly spellbinding.

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have to admit, I was quite torn on which book would round out my top five, but I decided to give the honor to this dystopian novel.  It was a really fun read, and quick despite its numerous pages.  The characters and the world were interesting and I felt invested quickly.  This might have been one of the best entertainment books that I read this year.  (I do have concerns that it's a wanna be Hunger Games series . . . but I'll reserve judgement on that for later.)

What is in your library bag?  Which fiction makes your top five list for 2019?

This is my Review of the Month for the review collection on LovelyAudiobooks.info

Summer Reading & Our Library Bag #7

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It's summer reading season!  I love that "summer reading" is such a powerful phenomenon.  Last night while organizing digital photos I listened to a Libromania podcast simply titled "The Summer Reading Episode".  It was quite delightful, and in it a question was posed that I'm curious how other book loving people would answer: 

Is your summer reading different from your regular reading?

I don't think my summer reading is different from my spring, fall, or winter reading in any remarkable way.  I have added quite a few more titles to my Want To Read list due to so many favorite bloggers publishing summer reading lists . . . but I think that I work through that list pretty equally throughout the year.  (Of course, there are times when I read more than other times.  I'm currently in a book heavy period of time and loving it.)

With all this talk about books, I think that it might be time for another episode of "Our Library Bag"!

1.   I finished The Shadow Throne.  It's the third book in Jennifer A. Nielsen's Ascendance Trilogy.  It's really good!  Having said that, it might be the most predictable and least exciting of the series making it the weakest of the trilogy.  I think The False Prince was the best, it just seemed the most clever.  By the third book the "twists" weren't surprises.  Definitely recommend this series and I'm very sad to say goodbye to these characters. (The Shadow Throne is free right now with an Audible trial.)

2. & 3. I really enjoyed Renegades.  Marissa Meyer just knows how to tell a story.  The pages flew by and I eagerly dug into the second book, Archenemies.  The conclusion to the trilogy, Supernova, doesn't come out until November and I can hardly wait!  At this point, I give these a qualified recommendation.  It's targeted to a YA audience, but some of the themes are a little more on the mature side.  The first two books read very much as "part 1" and "part 2" of a larger whole, so while I enjoyed reading both books, a part of me wishes I hadn't begun until all three were available.

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#books #whatimreading #marissameyer #archenemies #renegades #YA #summerreading #library

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4. I checked out every single National Geographic Reader that is in our library system for the kids.  These readers are super simple, and vary in the quality of writing, but most have great pictures and some basic factoids.  My middle child loves the "Stump Your Parents" section.

5.  My daughter read Princess Academy and now I'm reading it.  This morning I set the kids up with play-doh and managed to read about 150 pages.  (Play-doh for the win!)  I discovered this positively delightful book via Read Aloud Revival's book list for girls 8-12.  I think both my daughter and I will devour the entirety of this list. 

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6.  Once I finish Princess Academy I am going to start The Accident.  I added this to my list courtesy of The Modern Mrs. Darcy.

7.  This one isn't a library book, but since it is currently the most read book in the house it deserves honorable mention: Barnyard Dance.  As far as toddler books that are read on repeat ad nauseam, it's rather enjoyable.  It has a pleasant rhythm and watching the various dancing antics of the toddler are pretty adorable.

That's all for now, everyone!  I'm going to go read. Do tell me about your summer reading plans and habits!  I'm really curious. 

I'm going to link this little blog post of mine around the blogosphere. Some places that I like to link include: 

This Ain't the Lyceum

This is my Review of the Month for the review collection on LovelyAudiobooks.info

My Library Bag #6

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We read.  We read a lot.  I haven't done one of these Our Library Bag posts in a while, but it is time for another! As of this moment I have 77 books, and one DVD, checked out on my library card.  Here's a sampling of what is in our bag this week!

100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson
This is one of current read alouds.  I'm not sure who's enjoying this book more, Catherine or me.  Mysterious.  Intriguing.  Engaging.  It's really well written and I'm absolutely loving it.

Since I am enjoying this book so much I decided that it would be the focus of my questions for the "What Are You Reading Wednesday" link up.

Why did you decide to pick up this book - cover or content?  Well, I'm going to be un-original here.  Remember last week, when I said I was reading The False Prince based on a Read Aloud Revival recommendation?  Well . . . this was another one of Sarah's picks.  I suppose that means content?

Who is your favorite character so far, and why?  I'm going for the obvious answer here, Henry.  At this point, it is his story and everyone else just isn't fleshed out enough.  (Uncle Frank gives me some pause though, he seems like he's a lot deeper than we might expect.  I'm really hoping to see that developed!)  However, Catherine says that Henrietta is her favorite because she's a girl and in on the action.

Will you finish this one?  Of course.  And judging from what we've read so far, we will also pick up the rest of the series.

Finish the sentence: This book reminds me of... Right now?  I am seeing echoes of Narnia: the mystery behind closed doors.

What type of read is this one? A great read aloud!

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Such a great read.  I really enjoyed this one.  I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! (This is the book I mentioned in WIPS: Yarn and Books.)  I have a feeling this series will get a blog post all of its own once I'm finished!

17th Suspect by James Patterson
Well, there's not much to say here.  It's the next book in a long line of unoriginal-just-barely-interesting enough crime mysteries.  But for some reason I keep picking them up.  I liken these books to the multitude of CSI: Name Your City available on TV these days: mildly entertaining and easily accessible.  There's also the fact that these are page turners.  I mean, quite literally, page turners.  With huge margins, extremely short chapters, and generous spacing there are barely any words on a page!

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (And Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham
What can I say?  I'm a Gilmore Girls fan.  Haven't finished it yet . . . however, thus far the overall feel of the book is exactly as it should be, or at least what I want as a GG fan girl.  It just feels like Lorelai.

The Ultimate Dick and Jane Storybook Collection
Dominic has enthusiastically been reading this book aloud to anyone who will listen for the past week or two.  He has read every page on his own.  I'm so proud of him!

General Relativity for Babies (etc.) by Chris Ferrie
When I stumbled across the books, not just this one, but ALL of them, quite by accident, at the library I was super excited.  I don't generally borrow board books from the library but these quickly made their way into my bag.  (Although, they seem brand new, we might be the first people to check them out.) In a nutshell, they are totally awesome.  I highly recommend them!

Lea Dives In by Lisa Yee
Catherine wanted to include this book as a notable read for this week.  She really enjoyed it.  I knew she did, since it was started and finished in less than 24 hours.

Mr. Popper's Penguins Richard Atwater
Technically, this isn't a library bag book.  I picked this up (for FREE!) from a homeschool curriculum swap.  It's a hilarious classic and I'm happy to add it to our shelves.  And again, Catherine devoured it.  I loved that she would read the amusing bits aloud to the family.

I think that's enough for now!  I hope that you find some time to cuddle up with a good book this week!

Our Library Bag #5

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This is the catch up Our Library Bag post.  We've read a lot since the last post; here are some books from the past six months or so:

For the kids:

ABC Animals is the new Freight Train for Dominic.  This means that we read this book approximately 27 million times a day when it was checked out.

The Book With No Pictures made my "big" kids laugh hysterically.  I think this will be one of those books that you either love or hate, so just be warned.  (Did you see that this book was written by B.J. Novak?  I've actually met him in real life!)

The Magic Tree House books are immensely popular with my seven year old.  I think she's read about thirty-five of them so far.


For me:

Mortal Engines  "It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea."
That's the first sentence of the book.  Quite a fascinating visual image, isn't it?  A city, quite literally, chasing another city?  This is a fairly quick read, and it was enjoyable.  I haven't decided if I will read the rest of the Predator Cities Series, but I have added them to my list, just in case.  

Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle)  Once I started this book I couldn't put it down.  There's just something about this series that draws me in.  It's a bit grittier than a lot of the other YA that I read.  It does read as a "middle" book -- it's neither the beginning nor the end of the tale.

Maybe in Another Life Have you heard of Modern Mrs Darcy?  It's fast becoming one of my favorite blogs.  This was one of her "Unputdownable: 17 books I read in 24 hours or less (because they were just that good)" picks.  I totally understand why it made the list.

The Blue Castle L.M. Montgomery wrote more than just Anne of Green Gables.  This is just such a sweet little romance.  I laughed.  I cried.  I loved it.  (I might have been a tad hormonal since I read it while pregnant.)

I'm going to stop there for today!  It's my hope that this will be a weekly post . . . but we'll have to see how things go!