April 2017

The Bluest Eye

By Toni Morrison

This was a good time to read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.  Although originally published in 1970, I’m sure that the living conditions of African Americans living in poverty still exist in many parts of our country today.  Any progress that we’ve made alleviating both poverty and racism is in the process of being undone by the current administration (2017).  The resurgence of white supremacy and ultra conservative politics has paved the way for a return to an America that doesn’t care about the lives of its poorest citizens.  Books, such as Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, can help us develop some understanding of what it is like to be an African American living in poverty.  The story is told through the eyes of children.  It’s emotional and moving.  Definitely a significant read!

There Are No Children Here

By Alex Kotlowitz

I listened to the reading There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz while reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.  The two books have many parallels, although they were written two decades apart.  Alex Kotlowitz is a writer and reporter.  There Are No Children Here is the true story of two young boys living in the Henry Horner Homes public housing project.  Originally published in 1991, the book is still relevant.  It gives real insight into some of the economic and racial issues that have led to the Black Lives Matter movement in our country today.  It is definitely a must read for anyone wanting to understand poverty and racial issues in America today in 2017.

The Giver

By Lowis Lowry

I recently discovered The Giver by Lowis Lowry.  I picked up a copy in Spanish from our local bookstore, but wanted to read it in English first.  It’s a dystopian young adult novel that held my interest as an adult, which is true of many of Lowry’s other books.  The story takes place in the future where life is safe but controlled.  The book was so enjoyable, I plan to read the rest of the series, in addition to trying to read it in Spanish.  The Giver is definitely a good read!

Everything We Keep

By Kerry Lonsdale

I picked Everything We Keep up as a Kindle First Read selection.  It was a mildly entertaining, chick lit book.  There was mystery and a romance, actually several romances.  It held my interest and was a quick break from heavier reading. 

The Happiness Project (addition)

By Gretchen Rubin

This year, I've also been reading Rubin's page-a-day calendar, A Happier 2017.  I've gotten it via daily emails and have totally enjoyed reading her daily happiness tips.  It's a daily reminder to focus on little moments of happiness in my life.

M is for Magic

By Neil Gaiman

I love to listen to Neil Gaiman read his own books and M is for Magic was not an exception.  His reading enhances the magic of the story, or in the case of M is for Magic, the stories.  It is a series of unrelated short stories.  As always, it was filled with unexpected twists and unusual stories.  Definitely a good read and a great listen!

Neil Gaiman Audio Collection

Written and Narrated by Neil Gaiman

Once again, I have to say how much I love listening to Neil Gaiman read his own work.  For this audio collection, he read three stories for children: Wolf is in the Walls, Cinnamon, Crazy Hair, and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish.  The stories included some suspense, some humor and lots of twists.  All four stories were definitely engaging for me, an older adult.  I plan to share them with my ten-year-old grandson the next time he visits.  Definitely a great listen!

The Last Séance

By Agatha Christie

The Last Séance is a short story by Agatha Christie.  I listened to the audio version and didn’t realize that.  I was a bit shocked when it was over.  The ending was a little bit of a twist, but it felt complete.  It was a short, but good listen.

The Night Bookmobile: A Graphic Novel

By Audrey Niffengger

The Night Bookmobile is a beautiful graphic novel by Audrey Niffenger.  It’s an intriguing story with lovely illustrations.  I love books about books and/or book readers.  This fit the bill perfectly.  It was my introduction to Audrey Niffengger, author of The Time Traveler’s Wife.  I plan give that one a try and look for other graphic novels by Niffengger. 

Crimes Against a Book Club

By Kathy Cooperman

Crimes Against a Book Club by Kathy Cooperman was another Kindle First Read book selection.  It was a better than average, chick lit book.  I always like books about books and/or book readers and Crimes Against a Book Club included both.  Each chapter began with a flashback to a book read by one of the members of the book club.  They were nicely selected to relate to what was going on in each chapter.  I found myself laughing at quite a few points.  Crimes Against a Book Club was a quick and entertaining read.

Hatchet

By Gary Paulsen

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen was a recommendation by my sister, who thought it might be of interest to my ten-year-old grandson… and it was.  He loved it and I did, too.  He is interested in anything survival related and is a big fan of The Hunger Games.  Hatchet was a perfect shared read-aloud.  (I have to mention that ten-year-olds are not too old to enjoy listening to a good story.)  We were both totally drawn into the world of the main character, Brian.  The story tells how a 13-year-old boy survived a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness.  It was graphic at times, but that added to the realism.  By the time the book was finished, we were both ready for more.  Thankfully, there are several sequels.  Hatchet, book 1 in the Brian’s Saga series, is definitely a great read!

Brian’s Winter: Bk 3

By Gary Paulsen

After reading Hatchet, my grandson and I decided to skip The River, book 2 in the Brian’s Saga series.  My grandson wanted to hear Brian’s complete survival story, including winter, so we chose Brian's Winter.  We agreed that we would go back and read The River later.  I think it was a good decision.  I, too, was left wondering what would have happened to Brian if he hadn’t been rescued.  Could he have survived a winter in the Canadian wilderness by himself?  I won’t give away any spoilers, except to say that this book did not disappoint.  Brian’s Winter was another great survival read.

Brian’s Return: Bk 4

By Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Return is the fourth book in the Brian’s Saga series by Gary Paulsen.  I read Hatchet and Brian’s Winter with my 10-year-old grandson.  My husband had joined us for the reading of Brian’s Winter.  He, too, became hooked on the story, so we decided to listen to book 4, Brian’s Return, on our way home to NJ.  It was a little bit different.  As you can tell from the title, this time Brian voluntarily returns to the woods.  The why and how are explained, along with a different survival adventure.  Both my husband and I loved the book.  It was a great audiobook and helped make a long road trip go quickly.  Definitely a good read and/or listen!

Brian’s Hunt: Bk 5

By Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Hunt is the fifth book in the Brian’s Saga series by Gary Paulsen.  Once again, Brian is alone in the Canadian wilderness… voluntarily.  In this book, he encounters a new adventure, where his survival skills are tested to their limits.  He helps to heal a wounded dog, which becomes a companion and significant part of his story.  Brian’s Hunt is just as engaging and exciting as all of the other books in the Brian’s Saga series.  It’s a great read.