We have officially made it into February! This weekend is actually the #24in48 Readathon, which means I plan on reading for the rest of the night. Definitely going to try to power through some of the graphic novels that I have checked out from the library! As well as finish Bitterblue. But, for the Week of 1/30, I read 7 books! I’ll admit, I did a lot of reading yesterday. Plus, I had two book reviews I had to finish. Yay for getting my reading mojo back, honestly!
Anyway, as we move into 2021, I think I’m going to try to do some more library-themed posts. Since that’s my profession and all. I have some reader’s advisory themed ones, but I’m also thinking about branching out. If there’s a topic relating to libraries that you’d like to see me write about, definitely let me know!
Bite Size Reviews: Week of 1/30
A Map to the Sun by Sloane Leong (1/31)
This graphic novel follows a group of girls who start a basketball team at their school. A school that doesn’t let girls play sports because they don’t have the funding. While this is the plot of the story, this is very much a character driven book. It’s more about the lives of these girls and how basketball fits (or doesn’t fit) into that. This felt realistic, authentic, and had a great cast of diverse characters. And beautiful, vibrant art! The only thing I wanted to chance was the contrast between images and text from time to time, as it was difficult to read (4 stars).
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco (2/1)
Emilia has grown up knowing about the Wicked and knowing that they’re extremely dangerous, especially after an encounter on her 8th birthday. However, when her twin sister turns up dead, it appears that it may be because of the Wicked. And her sister might have been involved with them. Maniscalco shines in world-building here, especially with the audiobook. Sound effects and other music is scattered throughout to help. Though the beginning is a bit slow, it picks up in the middle and doesn’t let go until the very end (4 stars).
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland (2/1)
This is a sequel to Dread Nation, an alternate version of the Civil War where the dead rise. After the events of the first book, Jane just wants her life to get simpler. But that won’t be the case as she makes her way West to find her mother. Told with alternating narrators, I love the way Ireland weaves real history into this fantasy world with zombies. There are a lot of truths throughout the book, especially when it comes to racism and slavery. While I do think this could have been split into two books, it definitely does the first book justice and is just as action packed (4.5 stars).
As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper (2/3)
I already posted a review for this book that comes out next week, so just a few thoughts here! The way Stamper writes anxiety and panic attacks is realistic and you can almost feel Marty’s anxiety coming off the page. Where I wish Stamper would have dived deeper was with eating disorders. It feels like this issue is brushed over and could have been discussed in so much more detail. But I love the message this book sends about found family and finding a place to call home (4 stars)
Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease (2/5)
This is another one I already posted a review for, so just a few thoughts here too! This is a series that was re-branded, about the French Revolution if there would have been magic. I loved the magic and the authenticity of the French Revolution, as you don’t see that topic in a lot of YA historical books. However, the book itself felt like it got a little on the long side and parts of the plot felt drawn out. But the characters were great and were really what made the story (4 stars).
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters (2/5)
Shady Grove has the ability to call up ghosts by playing the fiddle, just like her dad did. However, she knows that the fiddle just brings sadness and darkness with it. But when her brother is accused of murder, playing her fiddle might be the only thing that can save him. This was definitely haunting and atmospheric, which propels much of the novel. Where it fell flat for me was the characters. Many of the important side characters didn’t feel developed enough, pulling me a little bit out of the story. Shady has a great cast of friends, I just wish they had been developed a bit more (3 stars).
Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug (2/5)
This graphic novel memoir delves into Nora Krug’s journey to finding out her family history in Germany. What’s great about this book is the way it sheds light on German life right after WWII. There aren’t a lot of books that show the after effects of the war in Germany, and Krug shows that a lot of Germans didn’t want to talk about it. They wanted to keep it hidden. There is so much great information in this book, and while I didn’t like the page design a lot of the time, the history here is important. Because we don’t want to repeat it (4 stars).