Epic Crush

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo 

by F.C. Yee

My third book to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.  Thanks to Amulet Books New York and Abrams The Art of Books for sending me this book to review.  #ReadYourWorld.

Star ratings to me are more about my enjoyment when reading a book (whether a book is for me or not) and less about writing critique. That said I’m not a fantasy person and this book is Asian fantasy. Genie-Lo is a high school volleyball player at a private school prepping her for Ivy League, fingers crossed Harvard. She’s a little unusual because she’s a really tall Chinese girl who likes to play front row blocking the ball. Genie quickly becomes involved in saving her Bay Area from Chinese demons with her new found friend Quentin (aka Sun Wukong~ half man half monkey ~ the monkey king). I think this book is right up junior high level reading and any kid into martial arts, fantasy or Chinese culture would enjoy this book. Just not one for me. Here is some further information on Multicultural Children's Book Day. Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators. Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

Thurgood Marshall

The Making of America Thurgood Marshall

by Teri Kanefield

I'm dealing with a nasty cold and laryngitis and so digging into my stack of books to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.  Thanks to Abrams Books for Young Readers New York for sending me this book to review. #ReadYourWorld

Embarrassed to say I knew very little about this amazing man.  Teri Kanefield's book tells the story of the man who won Brown vs Board of Education, reversed Plessy vs Ferguson and ended segregation in schools.  I enjoyed how she not only tells Thurgood's story in biography form starting from his childhood all the way to his death, but also the way she taught me about American history.

This book is a quick read.  Many other famous people who are connected through relationships or events with Thurgood Marshall are introduced throughout the book: Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, LBJ, Ruth Bader Ginsberg,  and Rosa Parks to name a few.  She also introduced information relevant to our American history: three branches of government, the supreme court, appellate courts, the Constitution and how different groups interpret what the amendments within the Constitution should mean for the American people .

I'd recommend this book for later elementary through junior high grades, but really as an adult I learned much through this reading experience.  I will be picking more of Teri's books up as she has many in "The Making of America" series: Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B Anthony, and FDR to again name a few.

Here is some further information on Multicultural Children's Book Day.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

This Train is Being Held

I am honored to again be reviewing books for the Multicultural Children's Book Day who's official date is 1/31/20.  I have been sent a box full of books to read and review in honor of MCBD.  My first pick from my pile was so enjoyable the other books have a lot to compete with in this one.

This Train is Being Held

by Ismee Williams

5 stars.  This book epitomizes what Multicultural Children's Book Day is all about.  Its topics span racism, profiling, mental health, and socioeconomic differences.  Thank you to Amulet Books, Abrams The Art of Books for sending me this book to review.

Isa Warren and Alex Rosario could not be any different.  Isa is a blond, half Cuban/half Irish, ballet dancer who lives on Park Avenue. Alex goes to a public high school near Yankees Stadium.  His school is known to produce some great baseball players and he is one of them.  He also is Dominican-American, parents are divorced and his father lives in Brooklyn, and used to play for the Yankees.  Alex is from the "other side of the tracks".  However, they have similarities.  They are both very passionate about their activities: dance and baseball.  They both are very close with their families.  They also have secrets in their lives that they aren't sharing with each other or anyone.  They meet on the train/subway and from there the relationship and story grows.  

What kept on striking me throughout this book is how I will never know what it feels like to not be a Caucasian woman.  I will never know how it feels to be judged by the color of my skin.  This book again and again reminded me about how easy it is to make judgment of others without really knowing their story, who they are, who they really are.  

I also loved the way the author used the subway as a setting, but it was more; it was a character in the book.  I loved visualizing the people, the sounds, and NYC through the subway's eyes.  

I also really enjoyed how she melded language in this book.  Some of the dialogue between Alex and his friends, parents and even Isa included Spanish.  The author did a great job of writing the dialogue in Spanish and then having the English fall behind it for those of us who've been away from our 8th grade Spanish class for too long.

I'd recommend this book for 8th-12th graders.  Perfect YA- I call it perfect because that type of YA is enjoyable for all readers, even adults. 

Lastly, I didn't read the bio of the author until the very end and she's not only an author, but a pediatric cardiologist.  I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner who works in pediatric cardiology so loved this extra connection.  

The following is further information about MCBD.  #ReadYourWorld
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

Let It Snow

Let It Snow

By Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle

4 star read. Good winter selection. 

My favorite story was the 1st one. “The Jubilee Express” by Maureen Johnson. Jubilee is on a train to be with her grandparents in Florida on Xmas Eve. She is traveling because her parents are in jail. They have been arrested as two of the Flobie 5. There is a annual Xmas eve sale of these small,decorative holiday homes/buildings and the crowds became “crazed” at this year’s sake (think Black Friday shopping but for Xmas decor). Jubilee’s train never makes it due to the weather and her train is stuck in Gracetown. Instead of staying in the train she heads to the town’s Waffle House. She is befriended by Stuart and from there the story evolves. I really liked this story for the quirkiness of both main characters and the descriptive writing ( I felt like I could visualize the setting so well). 

The 2nd story- The Cheertastic Miracle- is written by John Green ( yep Fault In Our Stars author). His story picks up from the Waffle House and the team of cheerleaders who were also on train to a cheer competition ( really on Xmas eve?).  The story line for this one is all about Tobin, Duke and JP’s adventure getting to the Waffle House where their friend Keun is working. Keun has challenged them to bring a game of Twister to the Waffle House so they can hang out with the group of cheerleaders. The catch two other workers at WH have called their friends (the Reston twins and the college guys) and given them the same challenge. First friend group to get there wins. Others will be left out in the cold. I liked the genuine friendships highlighted in this story. 

The 3rd story- The Patton Saint of Pigs- by Lauren Myracle focuses on Addie, a teenage girl who just recently broke up with her boyfriend right before their 1 year anniversary. The story follows Addie through Xmas day and highlights her friends Dorrie  and Tegan. A lot of Addie, Addie, Addie in this story. Drug on for me a bit. The story did connect the dots to the other Characters from the earlier stories and I liked the way the book wrapped up. 

Of note Netflix made this book into a movie. My son has seen the movie and read the book. His opinion the movie is better. 

Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller

3 stars.  Circe is a Greek enchantress "who lived with her wild animals on the island of Aiaia.  She is the daughter of Helios (Titan God of sun), and nymph Perse... In the Odyssey (side note- a book I didn't enjoy or follow when I read it in high school), she turns Odysseus' men into pigs, but after he challenges her, she takes him as a lover." (pg 386).  

This book read like an adventure story with a little romance thrown in.  I enjoyed the first 2/3's of the book, but the last 1/3 just drug on for me.  It became a "broken record" for me- who was going to screw Circe over again?  I was intimidated by this book because of the theme of Greek mythology and the fact that so many of my friends/family really enjoyed this book.  For some reason when things are hyped up for me I normally can guarantee disappointment.  Overall I found this book extremely "readable" I thought Madeline Miller did an impressive job writing about Greek Mythology in a "readable" fashion while introducing multiple characters throughout Circe's story.  I  did struggle to keep the characters straight (who's who of Greek gods and mortals) and would have appreciated a character list... oops there was a character list, but I didn't find it until pg 386- after the story was done.  Note to author/editors put the character list up front for us Greek Mythology challenged readers.  

I thank my friend/bookie for sending me this book to read and pushing me to my limits in the challenge to read about Greek Mythology.  We all need a little reading challenge sometime.  

2019 Year in Reading Review

I read 90 books (goodreads says only 89, but for some reason my review and rating of Edward Rutherford's "Paris" didn't get added to this year's count).  Approximately 29,209 pages with the longest book being 897 pages and the shortest book being 40 pages.  5 star reads from this past year- 13.  Here are my top picks from this past year's reading experience.

    

  

Ok so I lied, here are my top 6.  My best reading month was June- I read so many great picks from Anne Bogel's Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading list.  I had a goal of reading longer books this year and focusing on more quality and not just quantity.  Despite reading a handful of books that were longer (500+ pages) I still managed to get a lot of reading done this past year.  Audiobooks are one way I get more "reading" in my life.  When I'm walking/working out, when I'm driving into work, or on road trips I get some great reading in that way too.  Here are some of my favorite audiobooks from this past year.  If you haven't given audio a try I'd highly recommend it.  I first started with nonfiction/memoir/biography, but I have moved to fiction too.

     

Lastly, one of my favorite "reading" memories from this past year is being on What Should I Read Next's podcast hosted by Anne Bogel.  I was on episode 173 (https://modernmrsdarcy.com/173-episode/).  It was such a surreal experience.  I so enjoyed talking books with Anne and so appreciate her recommending some books to sink my time and teeth into.    The added bonus of being on this podcast are the added reading friends I have met via social media/internet world.  We now communicate via Instagram and get to share our love of books and recommendations.  One reading friend was even so kind to send me a little reading snail mail gift- so sweet!  Following that episode  I was then called back to be a part of Anne's 200th episode (https://modernmrsdarcy.com/200-episode/).  So thankful and grateful to be included in this "reading experience".  2019 was a great year of reading.  I'm excited to see what 2020 has in store for me.  

Still: 7 Ways To Find Calm In The Chaos

Still: 7 Ways To Find Calm In The Chaos

by Jenny L. Donnelly

2 Stars.  Thank to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending this book for me to review.

I was looking forward to this read due to wanting some REST in my life.  The premise of the book was the author was going to share how "to experience true, life-giving REST in the middle of chaos."  I thought it sounded perfect and much needed.  The author's answer, Jesus.

There is nothing wrong with this answer, and some of the book spoke to me and sounded reasonable, but I'm just in a different part of my faith journey.  I just felt like I was judging myself and my own relationship or lack of relationship with God while reading this book- not something I enjoy when trying to enjoy my reading experience.  

Jenny shares the 7 ways to "find full, surrendered REST" are:

1. Lean into God

2. Letting go and trusting God with your life.

3. Cultivating Intimacy with God

4. Putting on the Garments of Praise

5. Lying in the present in God's presence and power.

6. Entering the Garden, abiding with the Gardener

7. Wrestle into REST (deal with painful parts, irritations and frustrations in order to settle into REST).

I did find some favorite quotes from the book:

pg 60 "When we do 'religious' things but don't sense God's presence, we are alive and dead at the same time."

pg 73 "The key to total healing is found in total forgiveness."

pg 76 "I've heard it said that all fear can be narrowed down to one or more of the following 3 fears:

- I'm all alone

-I have no one to help me.

-I don't have what it takes."

pg 139 " To find REST, we must practice being right here in whatever conditions that we find ourselves."

pg 142 "Living in worry will steal your REST."

Not quite the way I wanted to start my 2020 reading season out, but alas you never know what your experience will be with a book until you dive in. 

December Reads

I'm finally sitting down to share my December Reads with you. I also plan to share my 2019 reading year in review later this week.   Wanted to let you know some changes will be coming with 2020 reading season.  I'm not going to post a month's worth of reading reviews any longer.  I'm going to move to an individual review for each book.  I will keep track of my "reads for 2020" with another graphic book case, but I won't being sending out a reading/month review.  I'm making this change because I feel as if my reviews are getting stale, less authentic and more forced.  I'm hoping spending time on each book individually will help improve my writing and will make the reviews more enjoyable for all involved.  So here in no particular order are my December reads.

The Nightingale Before Christmas

by Donna Andrews

3 stars.  Audiobook.  This time of year I am a sucker for a holiday story and the premise behind this one intrigued me.  It was a murder mystery set during the holidays.  The characters and suspects were primarily home decorators/interior designers.  These home decorators were assigned rooms in a house in which they were supposed to decorate in whatever holiday theme they wanted all vying for the big prize money to the room that was picked the holiday winner.  As can be suspected the designers were all full of different personalities.  The main character of the story was not a designer, but instead was the manager of the Christmas house project.  She is entangled in the murder from the start.  

I just couldn't get into this story.  I didn't overly enjoy the voice of the narrator on this audiobook and the characters were not likable.  

Knife by Jo Nesbo

4 stars.  I love this series.  It is #12.  I highly recommend starting from the beginning as there is back story from previous books that seem to build on each book in the series.  The detective Harry Hole is back at it again although he really isn't "legally" back at it.  This book just really caught me by surprise.  There is a murder that I just didn't seem coming and sometimes those type of murders make the best books. Harry, of course, is going to solve the mystery and find the murderer.   Jo Nesbo is a great writer and I find his style of unfolding a story so unlike other mystery writers.  I can't give you much more information otherwise I will spoil this book.  I have not read all the books in this series- for some reason I started toward the middle (my favorite is The Snowman # 7), but I will continue to be excited when I hear another Harry Hole book is out on the shelves.  

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

4 stars.  I love me a good romance/love story.  This is our book club pick for January and I finished it quite quickly as the story moved at a nice pace as it wasn't all hearts and flowers.  Meg is a professional, she gets paid to write.  She designs wedding invitations and one of her old clients (Reid) has an issue with a wedding invitation she worked on for him and his then fiance.  The invitation had a secret code within the lettering.  Reid wants to know why she wrote this code in his wedding invitation.  Due to needing the answer Meg and Reid become intertwined first as acquaintances, then friends, and possibly more.  I liked the realistic story line.  I liked that everything didn't seem to come easy to Meg and Reid and their relationship was tested.  

Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum

4 stars.  Abbi Hope Goldenstein is just trying to be a normal 15 year old girl.  She is working at a summer camp and really enjoying the status of being unknown.  For you see she is famous.  She was Baby Hope, the baby in the photo being carried out of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on that infamous day in September 2001.  At the camp Noah Stern discloses to Abbi that he knows who she is and if she helps him with a "project" he won't share her secret with the rest of the camp counselors.  His "project" is to interview all the other people caught in that iconic "Baby Hope" photo.  He tells Abbi he is doing this for his school newspaper, but he has ulterior motives for wanting to interview all who are in the picture.  

I thought this book did a great job of portraying not only the events on 9/11, but the aftermath of this horrible day in history.  Julie Buxbaum knows how to write in a respectful yet honest voice on tough subjects.  I had previously read her book "Tell Me Three Things" and loved it (5 stars), so this one had been on my TBR for awhile. I'm glad I was able to read it before 2019 ended.   I plan to pick up many more of her books as she knows how to keep a story moving and the content of the story is always multi-layered and deep.  

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

4 stars Audiobook.  This was my second try with listening to this book.  The first time I just couldn't get into it.  My second time was spurred on by a friend who highly suggested I give it another try.  So I did and I really enjoyed it, if you can say that about a book that has some tough subject matter (can't share much and give the story away).  The book is based on a hockey team and a town who loves and fully supports this hockey team.  The book revolves around the "big game" and there are multiple characters giving their side of the story.  Flash backs I enjoyed in this book.  The hockey parts of this story I enjoyed too, but were also tough sometimes to hear as the sport can be brutal to the body and the mind.  I was interested to hear there is a sequel to this book- "Us Against You" and I plan to put that on my audio listening list soon as I'd like to see how Backman develops the sequel and moves this story onward.  

Note to self- sometimes giving a book a second try, especially when a friend highly recommends it, is a very good idea.