Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give Kathryn’s (at Book Date) “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” meme a kidlit focus, reviewing books in children’s literature (picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, or anything in the world of kidlit). If you enjoy this type of reading, join us every Monday to share what you’ve been reading!
Like so many others, I was horrified by the spa shooting in Georgia this past week, killing 8 people, most of which were Asian-Americans. To raise awareness, I’m so pleased to see that a fellow #IMWAYR blogger of Completely Full Bookshelf is hosting a 2021 Books by Asian-American Voices Giveaway, today. Even better, they’ve included a host of links to organizations, articles, resources, as well as places to help support the families of victims. Please click over and scroll to the very bottom of today’s post to see how you can get involved and/or to participate in the book giveaway!
In happier news, I was absolutely STUNNED to learn that my widdle alma mater from dusty West Texas beat University of Texas on Saturday evening. WOW! I’m not a huge sports fanatic, but since this has to do with tiny ole Abilene Christian University (where my family has attended since shortly after it opened in 1906 and where hubby and I met), pardon me just a moment while I save links to document this memory for my future self (HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE). 😁 Go Wildcats!
It’s been a crazy busy weekend with my just-turned-seven year old’s birthday and slumber party, so I’m taking the easy route this Monday and will skip meaningful reviews and simply share book covers of the books I read this week.
Adults & YA Books
Both of these were fantastic and unputdownable! As a nonfiction book, Radium Girls felt more like a horror story. Absolutely terrible treatment of these women for years and years (and probably the worst deaths I could imagine)! And Amelia Unabridged was such a pleasant surprise from debut author, Ashley Schumacher. It wasn’t on my TBR list and I knew nothing about it, but once I started I didn’t EVER want to stop. So beautifully intricately woven and heartbreaking!!
Picture Books
These picture books are stories I watched as virtual read alouds this past week. I enjoyed them all and can’t wait to get my hands on the print copies!
Currently Reading:
I’m still reading The Jumbies to my kiddos each morning. I’m listening to Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything as an audiobook. And I’m reading an e-ARC of When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie from Netgalley.
Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge: 131/365
#MustReadIn2021: 14/49
The Miller Memo 
Ooh, I want to read Radium Girls! I just added it to my TBR list!
I LOVED I Talk Like a River! Did you get to hear the audio by the author? So amazing.
Have a great week!
Jennifer Sniadecki
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No, I’ve not yet heard the audio by the author. And I cannot believe I didn’t comment on this ancient post. I’m going back through the whole year to see any comments I might have missed. Soooo embarrassing! Thanks for visiting, Jennifer!
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It was a sad week last week, and there are a lot of organizations that are helping which is so good. Now we just had the shootings today in Boulder and don’t know who or why yet, but another one within a week is just too much. I have Radium Girls & still have never read it. I know the story of it, but I’m sure not the details the book gives. I will note Amelia Unabridged! Thanks, Shaye!
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I’m hopeful that you’ve gotten to Radium Girls, but if not – I highly recommend. It was horrifying, but such an important true event. Let’s hope history doesn’t keep repeating itself (though I’m sure it is through other companies doing similar things). I was just sharing with Jennifer, above, that I’m going back through the whole year and can’t believe comments scattered here and there that I missed. Not been my best year.
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Thank you so much for linking to my resources and giveaway—I appreciate you making sure that stuff will be more visible to everyone! Congrats to Abilene Christian University on their win—that’s very exciting! I’m sorry your weekend was frantic, but I appreciate you sharing these neat books—a lot of the picture books look great, as does When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie. Thanks for the great post!
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I’m always happy to link to great resources and giveaways. Thank you for offering them!
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Lots of great picture books here Shaye. The YAs are new to me so I will check them out. I really enjoyed The Jumbies. I seem to be writing this in a lot of comments, but its another book I liked, but did not read the sequel. I brought it home for Spring Break but honestly, I have about 30 novels like that. Thanks for the post, and have a great week!
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I got started with Jumbies so late that I decided not to following through with the sequel. I have a list of those – only so many books I can get to in a year. #superlateresponse
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You are doing great with your reading challenge goals. I loved Jumbies and the sequel too. I adore the title When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie. 🙂
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Oh and it was such a cute story, too! Thanks for dropping by, Crystal!
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