The Week in Review: 1.27.2017

Between the Covers

Finished last week:

If you know any kids who love animals, be sure to get a copy of ANIMAL PLANET: STRANGE, UNUSUAL, GROSS & COOL ANIMALS by Charles Ghigna into their hands.  I can’t say enough good things about this book that’s full of gorgeous illustrations and fun facts.  The title fits the book perfectly!  There are even pages about poop and throw up – what kid wouldn’t love that?  I adored this book and learned lots of fun and useful facts like a tarantula’s venom is less potent than a bee sting.  (Review copy provided by Blue Slip Media.)

I wanted to love HIDDEN FIGURES by Margot Lee Shetterly but I can’t say that I did.  It’s the story of five black female mathematicians who were instrumental in the early days of NASA and the race to the moon.  This is such an important story and it sounded like just the kind of book I’d love but, for me, it was too dry and impersonal.  I wanted less technical details and more personal stories about the women.  In the end, I’m sad to say, I liked the book but didn’t love it. I’m still glad I read it, though.   (Review copy provided by Harper Collins.)

I listened to BETWEEN BREATHS: A MEMOIR OF PANIC AND ADDICTION by Elizabeth Vargas in December.  It’s the story of her battle with alcoholism.  She was an anxious child and contributes her addiction to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder she suffered as a child.  What struck me the most about her story was the fact that, because she was a well known journalist, the media felt entitled to her story so they invaded her privacy, making it more difficult for her to heal.  Vargas narrates the audio version of her book and, as you’d expect, does an outstanding job.  I give Vargas a lot of credit for being brave enough to tell her story but I found the book good, but not great.

Currently reading:

• TIME For Kids presents PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
• A STOLEN LIFE by Jaycee Dugard

On the Screen

• We’re not big pro football fans but did turn the NFL conference championship games on and were happy to see the Atlanta Falcons win since our nephew lives in the ATL and we will be rooting for them in the Super Bowl.

Off the blog

• My mom will be 90 years old tomorrow and I’m heading down to celebrate with her!
• My friends and I came in first place at trivia this week.
• I walked three miles every day, averaging just over 15,000 Fitbit steps a day.

• I was lucky enough to attend a Karen White event at Fiction Addiction on Monday.  Karen spoke to a packed audience and told us all about her latest book, THE GUESTS ON SOUTH BATTERY, as well as her upcoming April release, THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, and a yet to be named collaboration with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig.  Karen is a great author and speaker so her event was loads of fun.  I’ve got an autographed copy of THE GUESTS ON BATTERY for one lucky reader. You can enter by filling out the form below and I’ll pick a winner on February 3.