Two Book Tuesday

It's been rather a long while since my last Two Book Tuesday post.  A fact, for which, I am sorry, but I let both work and school distract me from this blog and am now working to remedy that failure.  While I haven't been posting, I have continued reading and rediscovering the joy of having a book in my hands, turning the pages and wanting to make notes about each new story.  So, let's get this post started!

I am currently reading The Sky Below by Stacy D'Erasmo, an interesting piece of literature that follows the life of one Gabriel Collins, who writes obituaries for a "ratty paper in lower Manhattan."  Honestly, I can't stand Gabriel.  He is exactly as the author has written him, a drug-dealing thief who manipulates those around him for his own gain.  However, his life story is a pretty compelling one and, as much as I dislike Gabriel, I can't stop reading.

 

As for my second book in this post: Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee is a story I have wanted to read since I came across a review for it in a professional library journal and decided to purchase it for my library's collection.  It is a super terrific sounding tale of a girl who is trying to find her way in a world full of superpowers, heroes, and villains.  Along the way, she gets the chance to be closer to her crush, Abby, takes a job interning for a supervillain to spite her superhero parents, and discover that maybe she has more power than she originally thought. 

Seriously, I can NOT wait to start reading this book!  It was ridiculously cool to meet the author at the 2017 Romantic Times Book Convention in Atlanta this year and to have her sign my book.  I can admit to feeling a little awestruck to meet C.B. Lee, she is super sweet and was giving away the best buttons at her signing table!

Review of Unicorn Tracks

I really enjoyed this book.  It seamlessly combines elements of our world with the fantastical to create a place full of excitement and wonder.

Both of the main characters are interesting and well rounded. I found myself rooting for Mnemba from the first and was desperate to learn more about her life before becoming a guide for her cousin's business.  Kara took a little longer to warm up to, but I enjoyed how independent and curious she was... even with the mermaids, lol.

Unicorn Tracks doesn't shy away from the topic of rape or the aftermath of it.  While Mnemba's attacker was punished for his crimes against her, she still ended up leaving her home because of the judgement and expectations of those who would claim he was a good man and this was a one-time incident.  It was an especially heartwarming moment when her father said that he would kill Mnemba's attacker if ever he were set free.

Her relationship with Kara was slow going, as they figured out how to work past the trauma of the past, but it was all the sweeter when they were finally able to connect.  At the end of the story, Mnemba isn't "over" what happened to her, but she is able to keep moving forward with the support of her lover, friends, and family.  <3

I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, or alternate histories.  It's a quick read, but a darned good one!

Review of George

Written by Alex Gino, George is the story of a child who is struggling in a world that doesn't see her for who she is.  All they can see is a boy when George knows in every part of her that she is a girl.  Early on, we learn that George's greatest wish this school year is to play Charlotte in the fourth grade production of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web.  She struggles against a teacher who believes that George's audition is a joke, a classmate who is vicious and cruel, and a mother who doesn't know what to do with a son who says he is a girl.

Throughout the story, George finds strength and encouragement in her best friend Kelly.  The daughter of a musician, Kelly takes the revelation that George is a girl quite well.  She still needs some time to think things through, but is ultimately both accepting and supportive of her friend going so far as to allow George to wear some of her clothes on a trip to the zoo and calling her Melissa, as George has requested.

Ultimately, George is able to take on the role of Charlotte, a performance that is surprisingly well-accepted by her peers and most of the school faculty.  A blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment is when the Principal quietly lets George know that her door is always open if George should need someone to speak to.  Support like that is hard to find in the cis world and is nigh impossible to come across in the trans world.

While I could feel my heart breaking from the first moment that George has to hide in the bathroom with her girl magazines and the way she is subtly disgusted with her own body, this story has a happy ending that will leave readers with a sense of hope in the future.

One of the things I liked most about this story is that it is told from George's point of view and George never once sees herself as a boy.  From the beginning of the book all the way to the last page, George is a girl.  Readers immediately understand that this is a girl who just happens to be in the body of a boy and, hopefully, will encourage tolerance and understanding in those who read this story.

This is a fairly short book, easy to read through in one sitting, and is perfectly relatable to the audience it was written for...  It is of note that George is the first book of its type to be written for middle grade readers.  It was an enjoyable read for me, as an adult, and was a great way to read about a child transgender character.  The author has written an amazing book that will appeal to reader's of all ages, but one that is also accessible to children and that presents the transgender topic in a way that is easy to understand.

Review of Baby Penguins Everywhere!

As a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, I grabbed this book on first glance simply because penguins and then because BABY PENGUINS!!!

What starts out as a cute story about a lonely lady penguin finding a magical hat, from which emerges an astonishing number of baby penguins, soon becomes a lesson in self-care.  Even in the midst of those we know and love, people (and penguins) sometimes need a moment to themselves... to regroup, to think, or just to catch one's breath.

Sometimes, in the struggle to be supportive and make ourselves available for friends and family, we forget all about me-time.  It is important to take some time for ourselves, to reflect on our lives and where we are headed, and it is my plan in 2016 to devote at least a morning to spending time with myself.

Parents will probably enjoy the moral of the story more than their children, but this book is a great way to let kids know that its okay to need alone time.

In the end, Ms. Penguin and her flock of baby penguins are happy as can be spending time with each other as they frolic and play in their frozen home, even while they remember that it's okay to need alone time... That there will always be people (or penguins) there for them when they come back into the craziness of family and friends.

A solid book to start the new year of with!

Top Ten Young Adult Fiction at GCL

Is it any surprise that a list of the top ten young adult fiction titles checked out in 2015 contains The Hunger Games trilogy? There are five different dystopian series on this list, one classic, and one John Green novel (of course).

Whatever it is, you sure did enjoy these books this year... In fact, many of these titles were checked out OVER 50 TIMES! That is an extraordinary number for any young adult fiction collection. Good job, y'all!

Comment and let me know what you thought about these books, the movie adaptations, and anything else that tickles your fancy.  :)

1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
   
2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
   
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
   
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
   
5. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
   
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   
7. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
   
8. Divergent by Veronica Roth
   
9. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
   
10. Matched by Allyson Condie
    

Review of A Tale of Two Daddies

One of my favorite things about A Tale of Two Daddies were the illustrations...  Many of the playground pieces that the children use throughout the story are things that I used when I was a kid and which I remember quite fondly.

After watching Credence (you can read my review by clicking HERE), this title felt like the perfect addition. Told through a daughter's voice and explained as only a child can, this story isn't about gay couples, it is about family and this family is a happy one. At the end of the day, what more can a family ask for?

The simple way that the little girl explains to her friend what each of her daddies do is both sweet and undeniably real. It was nice to see that both Poppa and Daddy had individual things that they were able to provide to their daughter and then there were things that they were both good at.  :)

All in all, a cute story about family and friends. This picture book would be a wonderful addition to any library collection.

A copy of this title was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheShelfieHop Blog Tour

I am super excited to participate in #TheShelfieHop with so many book bloggers that I've followed and adored from afar!  Thank you, Bookiemoji and MyFriendsAreFiction, for hosting this challenge.

I considered doing something completely crazy and re-organizing my book collection(s) by color, but the mere thought of all that disorganization made my librarian-heart panic. Instead, I'll share with you some shelfies of my personal book collection and hope that you can't see the dust.  :)

First, are my main three book shelves which contain my childhood favorites, young adult titles, graphic novels, science fiction, and more!!!  As you can see, these shelves are also home to many of my nick-knacks and Precious Moments snow globe collection.  The messy shelf on the bottom, left corner is my catch-all shelf and currently holds books that I need to find a home for, my book mark collection (in the green box), and video game guidebooks.

 

Next, is the small shelf of graphic novels that I couldn't bare to part with when I cleaned out my book shelves a year or two ago.  These are some of my absolute series and if you haven't read them, you should see if your library can get a copy for you!  Personally, I would suggest starting with Meru Puri and then reading either Baby & Me or DNAngel next.

I have two other book shelves, but they are terribly disorganized and I was too embarrassed to show them, lol.  And, of course, there are the books on my bedside table, but my #bedsideshelfies will be posted to my Instagram, so I didn't include a picture of it here.

Here are all of the wonderful participants in #TheShelfieHop!  You should check them out, too.  Thank you for stopping by!  Hope you've enjoyed my bookshelves and rambling.  :)

Bookiemoji
My Friends Are Fiction
Between Fantasy and Reality
The Literary Hedonist
Books and Ladders
Bellsiebooks
Let's Take A Shelfie
The Bookkeeper's Apprentice
In Love With Handmade
Ex Libris
Just Another Bookish Blog
Here's to Happy Endings
DEA LENIHAN'S BLOG
A Tree Grows in Bookland
BookCatPin
Please Feed the Bookworm
Perks of Being a Book Nerd
Bookmark Lit
Christina Writes
By Breenah
BIBLIOPHIBIAN INC.
Novel Ink
Adventures of a Book Junkie
The YA Book Traveler
The Bookish Emporium
Books In My Suitcase
The Green Reader
BooksABlog
Big Books & Grande Lattes

The Green Reader
YA Indulgences
Hope To Read
coffee-inked tales
The Reader & The Chef
Yellow, Green, & Read All Over
It Starts at Midnight
Blame It On the Books
Wandering Bark Books
thoughts and afterthoughts
Here be Me Shelf
A Reader Under the Sea
Books and Prejudice
Lauren Skidmore
The Best Books Ever
Cruising Pages
Loving My Lit
Pretty Deadly Reviews
Chasing Faerytales
Savings in Seconds
The O.W.L.
Word Revel
Follow the Yellow Book Road
Rebelle Reads
A Perfection Called Books
The Magical Adventures of Cassie the Weird
Once Upon A Dream Books
Reading Among the Stars

thebibliophagist
The Reading Nook Reviews
The Novel Orange
Betsy's Random Assortment of Thoughts
Vi3tbabe
Fiery Reads
The Fox's Hideaway
bookishnessandtea
Rattle The Pages
Beauty and the Bookshelf
Shelfie
Bookish Bevil
Spines & Covers
Quality Fangirls
Ohana Reads
Bookish Unicorn
Mia in Narnia
ADDLEPATES AND BOOK NERDS
somethinglikelydia
There were books involved...
Literary, etc
The Book Addict's Guide
My Thoughts...Literally!
Books and Swoons
The Psychotic Nerd
The Novel Hermit
Read.Sleep.Repeat.
Writer of Wrongs
Only True Magic

Sticky Note Review of Raptor Red

Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker is best described as biographical fiction.  It is the story of a young Utahraptor as she tries to find her place in a world without her mate, struggles to survive the dangers of a prehistoric North America, and find a new mate to start a family with.

My sticky note review for this is simply: Biographical fiction... of a RAPTOR! <3 <3 <3 <3

Two Book Tuesday

There are a number of upcoming releases that I am super excited to read, but seeing as I've called it "Two Book Tuesday," I will limit myself to just two books from entirely different collections... all the while wondering just what titles you are looking forward to this Autumn?

The first title is Lizard Radio and it is a young adult science fiction novel written by Pat Schmatz. What I noticed first about this title is the cover and if the novel is half as good as the cover then this should prove to be quite an interesting read.

Having just finished reading Static by L.A. Witt, I was surprised to see another title with a main character who does not fit the mainstream image of a single-gendered person. Kivali, the fifteen-year-old protagonist of Lizard Radio has grown up in a gender-rigid world that doesn't accept her status as a "bender." Abandoned as a baby, she doesn't know where she came from or what she is, but she does have a special gift... Kivali is able to enter a trance-like state to harness the "knowings" inside her. Just what are these "knowings" and how do they help Kivali in this coming-of-age story? Well, I guess we will have to read this book and find out!



The second book that I am excited to see is a picture book written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (who may be a new favorite illustrator of mine). The Day the Crayons Came Home is a companion to the insanely popular The Day the Crayons Quit! and is sure to be just as popular with children and parents as the first book.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Duncan is about to take on the task of rescuing crayons from beneath sofa cushions and inside of socks. This is a story about finding friends in the unlikeliest of places, surviving the tough times in life, and coming home (to the crayon box).

#AtMyBookstore campaign

What is the #AtMyBookstore campaign?  Boy, am I glad you asked!

The challenge runs from August 17 - 31 and is an effort by bloggers to raise awareness about local book stores and the fact that people still love to visit (and continue to use) these physical locations.  It is part shelfie challenge as well, with participants encouraged to take a selfie/shelfie of themselves at book stores they visit and with titles they purchase from those stores.

I will be participating in this challenge and already know of three book stores that I'm going to visit.  Follow me on Instagram @s_michellehos to see my shelfies for the #AtMyBookstore challenge!

Review of Sandman by William Joyce

I can't believe that Mr. Joyce had to to end the fourth book in this series on cliffhanger!  I don't know if I can take much more of this and will be waiting on the edge of my seat for book five to be released.

Truly, I enjoyed just about every page of The Sandman and the War of Dreams.  This book is so wonderful!  William Joyce is able to create perfect imagery in his writing, starting with Mr. Qwerty crying out the words of Katherine's stories to Sanderson Mansnoozie discovering Nightlight's past to the overarching story of the battle with Pitch.  I was entranced by every word!

Have I mentioned yet how  enamored I am with Nightlight?  I am dying to learn more about this boy who has never slept and where his story will go in future books... Perhaps, he will get his own book in the series?

I think the only thing that disappointed me in this book is Pitch's fate.  In the deepest part of my heart, I long for there to be a redemption arc for this character.  I want for him and his daughter to reconcile and finally be allowed to have their happily ever after together.  Sadly, I do not think that this will happen.

Sometimes, in stories, not everyone gets to have a happy ending.  No matter how much we wish it were otherwise.

NetGalley Open For Business

One of my goals for the year is to read more; whether it be reading for pleasure, school, or work I just want to READ.

To help keep me on track, I've hopped back on the NetGalley website as a "professional reader" to help encourage me to both read and review the material that I am reading.  I've already got one neat badge and hope to unlock more as I go.  :)

Wish me luck!

Two Book Tuesday

I do have two titles for Two Book Tuesday this week.  My favorite thing about this week is how odd the two books are, lol.

First, we have a book that I desperately wanted to find and read.  Sadly, I couldn't remember the title or author, and I barely remembered the cover art and general premise of the story.  Emily B., a co-worker of mine, was kind enough to help me dig through the depths of the internet until we found it!  So, the first book for Two Book Tuesday is The Cure by Sonia Levitin.

A strange mixture of science-fiction, dystopian fiction, and historical fiction, I first read The Cure when we lived in Baltimore, MD.  If you are a fan of the recently-popular Divergent series, then The Cure is right up your alley with "factions" and forced conformity into these factions.  Deviants are criminals with only two options: to die and be recycled or to accept a mysterious cure that is supposed to bring them back into the fold.

Gemm, a deviant and the main character of the story, chooses to take the cure and suddenly finds himself living the live of a 16-year-old Jewish musician in 1348 at the beginning of the Black Death.  As a young reader, this book was such a great experience that is has stayed with me over a decade later and is a title that I re-read every few years.

The absolute terrible part of this whole search process is that the library no longer owns this title and I need to look elsewhere if I decide that I want to read it, which I do.  I cannot put into words the sense of betrayal I felt that this book was no longer available at my library.  I have to wonder if this is how most patrons feel when we go through a period of healthy weeding of our collections.

And the second book I have for you this week is Beauty written by Hubert, with art by Kerascoët.

Apparently, I placed an Inter-Library Loan request for this title a few weeks ago and it finally arrived...  The strange thing is that I don't remember anything about the request or the book itself!  So, I find myself with the opportunity to read a pretty great looking graphic novel that I may not have otherwise picked up.

I'll let you know how it is.  :)