Although I’m on the panel for Fiction Picture Books for this year’s Cybils, one thing I’m really enjoying is reading a smattering of historical fiction and books based on true stories as well. Below are some I’ve really enjoyed. There are, of course, far more books based on true stories on the nominations list that I haven’t written about, but this may get you started.
Reading Journal (July 19): Summer Blogging
I’m finding that summer is just not a good time for blogging for me. I’m reading a ton, but I’m certainly not feeling the blogging groove. I want to read and then move on to the next book. Writing about the awesome books I’ve read just feels like it will be painful. It probably won’t be, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
Has this happened to you too?
As a result, my responses to the books I’ve read will be a bit brief in the next few weeks. I won’t say “goodbye” to blogging like I tried to do last July; I’m just going to take it easy and not post if I don’t feel like posting.
I have a post ready for tomorrow about two wonderful graphic novels I enjoyed. Here are the other wonderful books I’ve read in the past weeks but have yet to write about.
- The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I loved this! I keep staring at it and wondering how to respond to it. Definitely one to reread and savor next summer.
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. A reread for me. I found it a fascinating read (I really hadn’t remembered it very well) and wish I could pull together thoughts on just why.
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stow. I read this for my book club, which meets tomorrow night. I still need to pull together discussion questions about it. I can see why it was a classic of it’s time, yet the book was very sentimental and left me feeling rather manipulated. An “eh” book for me.
- Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. A perfect summer break read about an aging retired British general who is lonely and looking for his place in the shockingly modern world.
Also reading or need to read:
- The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I was listening to the audiobook via library’s Overdrive, but it expired on me before I could finish it. Twice. So I really just need to read my hard copy. This is getting old. Good book, but surprisingly long when listening to it on audio.(OK, only 10 hours, but I really have a hard time remembering audiobooks, I guess.)
- Why Jane Austen? by Rachel Brownstein. Review copy via Netgally. It expires in 8 days and I’m not sure I can download it again. I really need to find time to finish reading it, as it gets me excited about Jane Austen. I read it on my netbook, which isn’t the most comfortable.
- My Business is to Create by Eric Wilson. Review copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers. About William Blake. I’ve started it. I’m hoping this gets me in the mood to read some of Blake’s poetry — or other poetry. I have lots of poets awaiting my attention.
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. For the upcoming Classics Circuit. I haven’t started yet.
- The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. My hold just came in.
- Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. My hold just came in.
- Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch. My hold (placed first) just came in.
Why do holds all come in at the same time?!
I have a few other review copies to get to as well. I’m starting to remember why I never before accepted review copies. It’s hard to find time to read all I want to read.
What are you reading this summer? Is blogging harder for you too come the nice weather?
Library Summer Reading Programs Completed!
I approached my library summer reading programs with the goal of reading lighter things, but also to read a variety of different kinds of things. I sometimes find that I read the same types of books, and my goal was to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. It was a mini-challenge for the five or six weeks of the summer.
For one the programs, I succeeded in reading books that didn’t count for any other challenge. For the other, I just kept track of the books that I read; they did count for other challenges. I tried to have a variety of books, and I did. It was fun.Continue Reading
Reading Journal (5 August): Library Loot
I love libraries, and I particularly love my library system. I’ve found that I can get any book, essentially. The one I wanted to read this month that they didn’t have in the huge system (Abraham Lincoln), I requested, free of charge, via Inter-Library Loan. It came within a week.
I’ve found that since I started “reporting” to you what I read each week, I’m being less irresponsible with my library requests. I used to just put a hold request anytime I wanted a book, and then I’d pick it up, change my mind and return it. Now I’m thinking more carefully about what I’ll actually get done before I have to return it to the library. I’m being more responsible. I’m not starting (or even requesting) books that I don’t intend to finish.
I’m checking out fewer books as a result, but I feel good because I know I’ll get to them. I even went to the library today and didn’t get any new books for myself! Of course, I also go through 5-10 picture books for my son every week!
What’s your library loot plan?
Do you just get whatever you want on a whim, do you browse at the library, or do you plan and structure your library pick-ups to only get what you are planning on reading that week?
How many books do you normally have checked out at a time? How many of them do you read? Continue Reading
