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July - August Titles // 2023

 
                                             summer's evening scene on the Glen Valley dyke trail 

I've prepped this months ago, but I'm writing this post (and sharing it on it's proper share date, ahem) on December 29, 2023. I just can't seem to get these posts up on time, at any time, during my very active life. I have a good life, but those who warned me the teen years are just a different kind of busy (mostly driving) were telling the truth. These two weeks of school break I decidedly am doing only about 3 things, and outside of that, have 16 days of REST. Reading, catching up on my computer tabs (I think the highest point was over 60 (!!), cue embarrassment), and getting these forsaken book posts out. 
I like to record my reading, and I like sharing it with others, I just have to have time, and BRAINSPACE to do it. Here we are. Enjoy!

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes - I've read a ton of comic book books (?) this year and this was another middle-grade/YA comic book about a young boy who has an interest in space and science, while his dad seems to have other plans. I think I read this in one or two sittings; it was really sweet.

Canadian Geographic (July/August) - Although I rarely remember specifics about each issue, I know my geography, climate understanding, species knowledge, and general Canadian history gets more thorough every time I read this magazine cover to cover. I truly love it!

Gigglepuss by Carlie Blume - Shoot. This is one poetry collection that I just can't remember, though I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't like it. I actually think this one had some funny poems in it, but it's been too far now. The link can take you a better description.

Wildheart by Julie Bertagna - This book is like part-picture book, part biography, and all in comic form. It gives a great description of John Muir's life and what he's known for.  

Ejaculate Responsibly by Gabrielle Blair - You can't really know what this book is about until you read the subtitle, which is "A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion". It's VERY good. It completely revamps the argument and puts the onus on men, using condoms more regularly or getting vasectomies. She makes '28 brief arguments' (each are about 1-3 pages) and I'd say a solid 20 are *excellent* arguments. If you're already having your hackles raised, you should really read this book before you make a judgement call. It's not really what you think. 

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton - This memoir is another comic-book that is a story about a woman from Nova Scotia who decided to work in the Albertan oil sands to make a big chunk of money to pay off her school loans. There are VERY few women in this area of Northern Alberta, and conditions are dangerous, lonely, and intense - more so if you're a woman. 

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega - This was a cute middle-grade story about a girl with frizzy hair (comic book form) but actually a tug of war with her mom about things under the surface. 

March: Book 1 by John Lewis - This is the first book is a trilogy of the biography of Senator and Civil Rights Activist John Lewis, of whom I really knew almost nothing about before reading this. It's also in comic form and I liked that because you can get through a lot of history in a short amount of time with fewer words and have a similar understanding of the context. I plan on reading Book2 and Book3 in 2024. 

Button Pusher by Tyler Page - This is another comic (surprise!! the summer of comics) book memoir that is written for perhaps junior high students and older, all about the author's childhood and diagnosis (and outcomes) of living with ADHD. As someone who knows very well what that looks like, it was an interesting look into the many facets of behavior, medication, adverse effects, and adulthood accommodations. 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson - This was a really cute middle-grade/YA comic memoir of a girl who tries out for the roller derby and how hard she has to work at it. Great inspiration for perseverance!
 
When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson - This comic memoir was written by a boy living in a refugee camp in Kenya. His life is hard but he has his brother (who is disabled) and an older woman who cares for them like a grandmother. It's his story of trying to come to the US on an education visa, and the book is riddled with the desperation, hard work, and little food. It's a good book to give a kid who perhaps can't travel around the world, but can walk in someone else's shoes. National Book Award Finalist. 


Read Alouds:

The Princess and the Goblin by George McDonald - This longer fairy tale was a book that Anikka received for a birthday gift by her great aunt Jan. It's a classic in English fairy tales and she loved it. It's just over 150 years old and completely stands the test of time!

A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle - Although this was the first one (book 3) that Lukka decided not to listen in on by L'Engle, Ani and I still enjoyed it. Sometimes it was hard to follow. Charles Wallace (CW) time travels with a unicorn and you see how everyone he encounters' stories are intertwined. We hope to read the final 2 over the next two years. 


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