The Return of Super Short Reviews!

Basically I wanted to let you all know that I'm still here, and I'm still reading, but not blogging as much. It's been one month since Mom passed and it feels like an eternity but also like it just happened yesterday, if that makes sense. I appreciate all the kind words you've shared with me. I know that time is the answer and I apologize for not posting at all, really, except for IMM posts.

But I have been reading, so I thought I'd let you all know some of what I've loved recently. All links will take you to Goodreads.

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson: read for 2012 Debut Author Challenge, and what a stunning debut it was. There's so much desperation in this novel, and you care so much about the characters. It's one of those books where you can tell early on that there are no easy answers, but you keep reading because you need to know which of the difficult answers is the least difficult. Does that make sense?

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea: I picked this one up because the author is going to be at the Collingswood Book Festival next week and, honestly, there aren't that many authors of middle grade books scheduled this year (i.e., not a lot to interest Best Girl). The book is about fifth graders so technically Best Girl could read it, but some of the topics are a little heavy for her right now. Perhaps towards the end of the school year, or over next summer. It is a wonderful novel of how one teacher can impact an entire class.

Trafficked by Kim Purcell: Almost, ALMOST, scary enough to be on my long-forgotten MAHROAT list. A girl comes to LA to work as a nanny but is instead kept as a slave. It's horrifying and I'm sure that it happens more often than we think. This book will leave you feeling really uncomfortable, I think.

Blizzard of Glass: the Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker: What can I say? I'm already trying to vet new titles for next year's summer reading lists at the middle school and the high school. The middle school list, in particular, was very well received this summer, and I was ASTOUNDED at how popular some of the titles were. I was quick to recommend Candy Bomber to any reluctant boy reader, and They Called Themselves the KKK was not on the summer reading cart AT ALL (and I "borrowed" several copies from other branches). So I definitely think more nonfiction should be added for next year, and I think Blizzard of Glass might fit the bill. It's a fairly quick read and an interesting part of history that I don't think gets covered much (in our area, at least).

Enjoy your reading!
Christi