Some of my best friends are books. And some books never make it to the friend level. That’s just how it is. There are too many books and too many people to form lasting relationships with all of them. But that’s okay. The ones that matter to me are perfect. It’s the realization that I will never be able to read all the books I want to read or meet all the people I know I could be friends with that somehow brings me peace. It’s no longer a race. I can slow down and enjoy the books and people that I cross paths with. That also means, it’s okay to close a book without finishing it if it’s just not the right one for me. And I don’t have to force friendships where there isn’t any common thread to hold onto. A friend of mine recently introduced me to the phrase taking attendance. Now as a former teacher, I thought I knew that one, even if I was forgetful with the afternoon check-ins. But she used it in a new way. It’s important to take attendance of the people who matter to you and check in with them. These checks strengthen those bonds and ensure those friends are still there and doing well. It’s kind of like keeping books on bookshelves in my house. I like to run my fingers along their spines and remember the stories they shared with me. Sometimes I may pull one down and read the jacket flap to remind me of a forgotten detail, or even re-read it and enjoy the differences I pick up on this time around. Sometimes, I’ll even find a book to share with a new friend. The important thing is to not forget the friends and books I have brought into my life and not worry so much about chasing all the others making their way in the world. It’s enough to know there are more possibilities, of friends and books, but to be patient and wait for them to cross paths with me. An added bonus is when a new book was written by a friend. That earns bonus stars.
Reading News: I have read so much this summer. I will list titles and authors, but there are too many to give many details. Sorry I haven’t given any updates since early July. That’s what happens when the sun is shinning, my chair on the porch is waiting, and my library books need returning.
Kid Lit:
Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron: A girl with depression but not a depressing story.
Styx and Stones by Gary D. Schmidt: Modern day friendship mixed with Greek mythology.
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia by Leia Ham: Family and friendship mixed with magic
Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka: A 7th grade girl starting at a new school with the added worry of how her blind parents will be seen.
Incredibly Penelope by Lauren Myracle: A charming new take on A Little Princess.
Lelani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly (audio): The story of a brave girl facing a patriarchal society mixed with Filipino folklore.
Leonard by Carlie Sorosiak: How can you beat an alien cat story?
Away by Megan E. Freeman (audio): A full cast of characters narrating this favorite.
The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber: A girl trying to find her way as a scholarship kid at a private school.
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (audio): If the written book doesn’t pull at your heart strings, the audio one will.
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good by Kirsty Applebaum: Makes you wonder who would come looking if the world forgot you.
The Beatrice Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo: A charming story with a goat that reads like a fairy tale.
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents by Nicki Pau Preto (audio): A fun magical story that I may have liked better as an audio.
Young Adult
The Secret to Belonging by Megan E. Freeman: A quick novel in verse read that will leave you wishing for a year in Norway.
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet: One of only a few Little Women retellings I enjoyed.
Adult
The Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne: A cozy read that didn’t require any thinking.
The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love by Alice Hoffman (NF): Collection of stories told by different authors about heir dogs – some stories better than others, but all good dogs.
The Calamity Club by Kathyrn Stockett (audio): I had to start this a few times to get into it, but then worth it.
The Take by Kelly Yang: First you have to forget she usually writes for kids, and then you can settle in for a twisted adult story about how much you would pay to get ahead.
The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (audio): A look back through time at the unraveling of a love story.
The Small and the Mighty: Twelve unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History by Sharon McMahon (NF): I’m afraid this was not a favorite for me, not because of the people written about, but because the organization of the book was confusing and their was an animal POV that seems wrong in nonfiction.
Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery by Fleur Bradley (NF): It’s always nice when a writer shares her tools with fellow writers.
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page: Such a lovely book that uses literature to help a character move forward from grief.
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (audio): A short story (under 4 1/2 hours) about a woman navigating her daughter’s wedding weekend.
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark: Nothing good can come from being stuck on a private island for 72 hours – except this book.
Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell (NF); Some good strategies to help avoid the bother middle when writing.
Go As a River by Shelley Read: A beautiful story that will bring tears and smiles.
8/1
through the looking glass
getting to know each other
watching every move
9/7
clouds gather above
bringing last of summer rain
hot, dry land awaits
9/9
another season
anticipates transition
golden leaves highlight
9/15
watching from down here
safe place to take it all in
no one will notice
9/27
splashing of color
pushing way through evergreens
drawing drivers out
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