The Week in Review: 10.19.2018

Between the Covers

Finished last week:

I picked up RUSH by Lisa Patton looking for something light to read and I got so much more.  This story, set around the fictional Alpha Delta Beta sorority at Ole Miss, is about young women who challenge the status quo in order to make a difference in the lives of others.  It tackles issues like race and class in a light hearted way.  The story is told from three different points of view:

• Miss Pearl, an African American woman who’s been a maid at the sorority house for 25 years.  She loves the girls like they’re her own and many of them confide in her.
• Wilda’s an alumni member of the sorority and serves as a Rush Advisor.  She hopes her daughter will become a pledge this year.
• Cali, a freshman from a small town who wants nothing more than to pledge a sorority, any sorority.

I loved Patton’s characters (even the evil one) and thought both her writing and the story were solid.  I was engrossed from the beginning and read the book in just a few days.  There’s a lot to discuss in this book and I think a book club could do a lot with it so I think RUSH would make a great book club selection.  (Review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press.)

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Viola Davis’s new book, CORDUROY TAKES A BOW, features the well known stuffed bear, Corduroy.  When Lisa takes Corduroy to the theater she drops him on the floor as she gets caught up in the excitement on the stage.  Corduroy wants to see what’s going on, too, so he makes his way forward, getting a grand tour of the theater.  Fans of Corduroy will love this new addition to the beloved series.  It’s a great way to introduce youngsters to the theater and would be an excellent book to read before a trip there.  Davis reads the audio version herself and does an outstanding job.  (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)

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If you know a young reader who wants to read a Halloween book but isn’t quite ready for something scary, grab a copy of MEGABAT by Anna Humphrey for them.  Daniel and his family have moved to a new house and Daniel hates it and his attic bedroom.  He keeps finding a wet spot on his floor and quickly realizes it’s from a fruit bat that was shipped when the piece of fruit he was on was picked and shipped across the sea.  Megabat is homesick and quite unique – because he can talk.  Daniel and his new friend Talia try to get Megabat home but come up on several obstacles.  They find some help in an unexpected place.  This book incorporates a little pop culture and some adorable illustrations by Kass Reich and it is tons of fun!  I found myself smiling a lot as I read it and I’m sure young readers will do the same.  (Review copy provided by Library Thing Early Reviewers.)

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Even though ANIMAL ZOMBIES! by Chana Stiefel is published by National Geographic Kids, I recommend it to anyone and everyone who’s curious about nature and animals.  Readers learn about all kinds of animals including parasites, bloodsuckers, animals who live in the depths of the ocean and so on.  There’s also information on those who study and photograph them and what they did to become qualified for their jobs.  The book is printed on heavy duty, glossy paper and includes amazing full color photographs.  I loved this book and was eager to share facts and photos with anyone and everyone who would listen.  ANIMAL ZOMBIES! is perfect for kids who love creepy facts as well as budding scientist and reluctant readers – what kid wouldn’t love learning about the giant jellyfish, a creature that “eats and poops through the same hole?”  (Review copy provided by Media Masters Publicity.)

Currently reading:

• THE ALMOST SISTERS by Joshilyn Jackson
• LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo

On the Screen

• I watched the Virginia Tech – North Carolina football game Saturday evening and boy, was it nerve wracking!  I’m happy the Hokies won but do wish they would have done it in a more convincing fashion.
• We watched Dancing with the Stars Monday night and thought it was good for the most part.  We felt Joe should have been voted off and were disappointed to see Tinashe go.

Off the blog

• I’m at the beach with my mother and sister and, unfortunately, our week is coming to an end.  We’ve had glorious weather and a wonderful time.
• I averaged just over 8,100 Fitbit steps a day.

What’s going on in your corner of the world?