The Week in Review: 10.25.2019

Between the Covers

Finished last week:

THE SECRETS WE KEPT by Lara Prescott is set during the Cold War and tells the story of two women who are typists for the CIA and and asked to go on a secret mission to smuggle the novel DOCTOR ZHIVAGO into the Soviet Union.  The book has been banned there but published in Italy.   The CIA has printed some copies in Russian for the women to distribute at the World’s Fair.

Of course, the plot is more complicated than I’ve made it sound and I found it fascinating.  It got a lot of buzz at Book Expo and I can see why.  It’s based on a true story and is filled with fascinating characters, a terrific plot, and a peek into an interesting period of history.  It’s told from multiple perspectives, including Boris Pasternak’s lover.  I found the ending to be a little anti-climatic but that didn’t keep me from thoroughly enjoying this terrific novel. It’s made me want to read DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, or at least see the movie.  I listened to the audio version which is expertly narrated by a full cast including Mozhan Marnò, Carlotta Brentan, and Cynthia Farrell.  (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I AM LOVE: A BOOK OF COMPASSION by Susan Verde is a small picture book with a big message.  This sweet book shows how we can use love to help others as well as ourselves.  It teaches ways we can show love to others who are having a hard time, sometimes just by being present.  The beautiful illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds show love and compassion and feature a diverse group of characters.  Verde is a kids’ yoga and mindfulness teacher and includes yoga poses that allow us “to lead with our hearts” and instructions on heart meditation.  This is the perfect book to spark a discussion of emotions, love, and caring with your little ones.  It’s a lesson more and more people seem to need these days.  (Review copy provided by Abrams.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunny is back, learning the ropes of middle school.  Things are confusing because her best friend, Deb, is into clothes and boys and just wants to be cool.  Sunny doesn’t get it but she tries to play along, making herself feel very uncool.  She’s happiest and feels the most like herself when she plays Dungeons & Dragons with some new friends she’s made.

SUNNY ROLLS THE DICE by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm has a great message about being true to yourself that will resonate with most middle grade readers.  As they enter middle school, Sunny and her best friend are drifting apart.  Sunny doesn’t want to lose her friend but also wants to stay true to herself which is a situation many young people find themselves in.  I loved the 70’s pop references included in the book but have to admit that this was my least favorite of the Sunny graphic novel series.  It’s definitely worth reading but it had too many D & D references (a game the authors loved when they were young) for my taste.  (Review copy provided by Scholastic.)

Currently reading:

• FENTANYL, INC. by Ben Westhoff
• LET IT SNOW by John Green, Maureen, Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
• KID GLOVES by Lucy Knisley

On the Screen

I watched most of Dancing with the Stars.  I still don’t have a favorite but thought most of the dancing was good.  Sean Spicer is obviously the weakest dancer so I was disappointed he was safe.

Off the blog

• I finished the puzzle my sister gave me.  It was a fun one!
• We got a little bit of weather from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nestor – mostly rain.  Even though it made Saturday cold and dreary, we’ve been under drought conditions and were happy for the rain.  I think we experienced every single season before the week ended.
• I bought my first Christmas gift of the year this week.
• I walked at least three miles every day and averaged just under 16,500 Fitbit steps a day.

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