The Week in Review: 07.28.2017
Between the Covers
Finished last week:
WEIRD BUT TRUE KNOW-IT-ALL: U. S. PRESIDENTS by Brianna Dumont is a great way to get middle grade readers turned on to history. This fabulous book gives facts about each president and briefly shares their accomplishments and failures in a very approachable manner. There’s also a little trivia and lesser known facts that bring the presidents to life and make them feel more human. Did you know Zachary Taylor was a champion spitter or that Benjamin Harrison wouldn’t touch light switches because he was afraid of being electrocuted? This book is chock full of facts, photographs, and graphics and includes a caricature of each president. I loved it and shared much of it to Carl, much to his dismay. (Review copy provided by Media Masters Publicity.)
THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER by Karen Dionne is the story of Helena, a young woman who was the product of a kidnapping. Her father captured her mother and kept her hidden in a remote cabin. She was raised to be tough and learned many survival skills but she’d like to put the past behind her so she’s kept it a secret from everyone, including her husband. All that changes, though, when her father escapes from prison and she realizes she’s the only one who can find him. I thought this story was well written and full of tension but the survivalist scenes became a bit too much for me after a while so, while I liked the book a great deal, I didn’t love it like a lot of other people have. The audio version of the book is very capably narrated by Emily Rankin – she brought Helena to life. (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Shaun Tan‘s books in the past so I was excited to pick up THE SINGING BONES. The book is composed of two page spreads with a paragraph or two about a fairy tale on the left side and a photograph of a sculpture that was created by the author on the right. With its full color photos and stunning sculptures, I found the book very visually appealing. Unfortunately, I wasn’t familiar with most of the fairy tales it referenced so was somewhat lost as I read many of the passages. I didn’t realize there’s an index with snyopses of the fairy tales at the back of the book until I was finished with it. I did read the ones about my favorite sculptures but, at that point, I didn’t read them all. This book is aimed at middle schoolers on up but I’m not sure how much it will appeal to that audience. I think those who enjoy fairy tales and sculptures will enjoy this book the most. (Review copy provided by Scholastic.)
Currently reading:
- SNAKES by James Buckley, Jr.
- FIERCE KINGDOM by Gin Phillips
- UNTIL I MET HER by Natalie Barelli
- HER EVERY FEAR by Peter Swanson
On the Screen
Not much of anything.
Off the blog
- Carl was out of town and then Vance was out of town so I worked a little extra this week.
- My friends and I had so much fun with our kindness rocks, we decided to paint more.
- I started a new jigsaw puzzle that’s proving to be a little more difficult than the last one.
- I walked at least three miles every morning and averaged just over 19,300 Fitbit steps a day.
What’s going on in your corner of the world?
I usually love Shaun Tan. so I plan to give his new one a try. I love the idea of kindness rocks.
I just came across Fierce Kingdom and it looks kind of intriguing…may give it a shot if I see others liking it
I didn’t like The Marsh King’s Daughter soI’m with you there. I’m on my library wait list for Fierce Kingdom which I’m really interested in.
Is that puzzle of lollipops? I love your Kindness rocks and definitely plan on making some of my own 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!! By the by, I’m glad you received your copy of White Fur – such a great read!
Those puzzle pieces look tiny! I want to read the weird but true book.
The one show that will make me sit and watch every time is American Ninja Warrior – and no one is more surprised about that than me, ha.
Joni and I finally got to celebrate our anniversary (it was in June) with a one-night stay in a very cool town called Healdsburg. It’s about 60 miles North of San Francisco. Being away for 2 days and a night feels like a real vacation.
Love your week…your books…your Rocks…and your puzzle!
What pretty rocks! It must be a relaxing pursuit, one that is satisfying with its results.
Enjoy your week, and I am eyeing Until I Met Her, which sounds so tempting. Thanks for sharing!
I didnt know anything about the rocks till last week. Such a nice idea. All new books here for me.
Where do you get your audio books? I am thinking of giving some a go even though I am usually not great at listening to books.
You’ve been busy! Love that puzzle. I just checked out the WEIRD BUT TRUE US PRESIDENTS book too — it’s fantastic!
I’ve got two more hours of The Marsh King’s Daughter to listen to and I’m really liking it. I agree though that the dad’s violence is a bit much.
I love the idea of painting rocks!
I so need to jigzaw
Last week you introduced at least me to Kindness Rocks. I had to Google it and that led me to a whole new world. I love it. Thank you Kathy. Your puzzle looks very hard – too many pieces of the same color! Good luck. Have a great week.
Aw, I love all of your kindness rocks!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
The President book sounds like it is a book I will enjoy. The kids at school like those types of books too. I have it in my to-read pile yet. I’m sure this one will be chosen out of my book bag quite frequently!
I am in awe of how many steps you walk every day! Even during the holidays at Barnes & Noble, I only walked an average of 14,000 steps. You are an inspiration!
The Marsh King’s Daughter sounds good, although I’m not fond of kidnapping stories. Your painted rocks are so pretty!
Kathy, the Kindness Rocks are so lovely! I would love to paint one. Your high step count is inspiring. Have a great week!
Pretty rocks and puzzle: is it lollipops? Thx for the report on the Marsh thriller by Karen Dionne. I’m wondering now if the survival stuff might be too much for me too … hmm.
I admire your patience with these tiny puzzle pieces. Each seems so unique and challenging.
You read so many great books this week.
I haven’t done a actual jigsaw puzzle in years. I do have an app on my tablet, but it’s not the same thing.