Sharing the Stories

My summer was jump-packed with traveling and reading. Summer gives me the opportunity to read outside my regular genres with extra time to delve deeply into my reading and savor stories. This summer's travel included Idaho, Spain, Utah, and South Dakota. Most of my books continue to be audiobooks provided by Libro.fm, Libby, and/or Hoopla. My books came from local Indie bookstores at each location and local Free Little libraries. Reach out for extra details on any of these titles.    How to Stop Time by Matt Haig is a love story across time📚 Day Zero by Kelly deVos fast-paced moving survival story that takes step-siblings on a "save the world" type of adventure🎧 Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle. Heart-warming🎧 The Paris Model by Alexandra Joel on the power of taking chances📚 Happy Place by Emily Henry to survive love takes acceptance🎧 El Viento Sabe Mi Nombre (The Wind Knows My Name ) by Isabel Allende immigrant stories across time 📚 Demon Cooperhead by...

  April showers brought an abundance of books. The perfect balance of physical books to audiobooks, non-fiction & graphic novels to love stories, and good mysteries.  Most of my physical books were from my public and school libraries and a few Indie bookstore purchases. My audiobooks were courtesy of Sora and Libro.fm . You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith was actually an author event at Women & Children First . This rare memoir in prose from a poet proved to be insightful, and moving, with raw grief and hope for transformation.  The Lost Art of Running by Shane Benzie was another Indie bookstore purchase after completing a race. Shane's approach brings a technical/informative perspective to the art of running while incorporating a narrative of his own experiences. The Weight of Blood by Tiffany Jackson- Lincoln Award Nominee 2024- from one of my favorite authors. This mystery/horror with deadly consequences, in a town divided by a racial conflic...

I'm extra grateful this reading month for Spring Break and the chance to get lost in great stories. Lots of audiobooks thanks to libro.fm 🎧 and Libby.   Mysteries continued strong with two additional titles from the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French . I'm loving following characters from one book to another and seeing them change, know their backstories, and figure out the mysteries together. Broken Harbor #4 The Secret Place #5 #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil a Lincoln Nominee for 23-24 was my additional mystery. I wanted to like the story but honestly, I found it hard to follow at first, the characters were predictable, and overall the story wasn't anything new or engaging. Realistic Fiction and Romance made a comeback this month with titles I had on my TBR list and a few surprises. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt was on my TBR and a book club option. While it started to slow it quickly got a hold of my attention. With a strong resemb...

February was a month full of international mysteries. All my audiobooks, courtesy of Libro.fm and Libby were excellent mysteries. And almost by accident, all my  paper books were mysteries as well, with the exception of Kindred by Octavia E. Butler a time travel sci-fi tale that was capturing and thought-provoking.  I continued Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series with #2 The Likeness  and #3 Faithful Place . Each book gives the reader an in-depth perspective on a detective introduced in the previous books. While you could read them out of order it helps to better understand the characters to go in sequence. Each book revolves around one main mystery/murder but there are so many underlying stories to shape the main character's experiences, personalities, motives, and behaviors.   Nick Brooks's first novel Promise Boys is a mystery set in a private school run more like a military academy. Our main characters find themselves in detention with no alibi when the...

  November flew by with a handful of books read and many more added to the TBR list.  A good mix of audiobooks and hardcovers. A mix of sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and strong realistic fiction. Just one non-fiction/ autobiography by Amy Roe.  All The Bad Apples by Moira Foley. Magic realism is set in Ireland. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. Two dads coming to terms with their sons' murder seek revenge. In the process, they learn how to let go of prejudice, injustice, and racial differences. Becoming Boston Strong by Amy Roe. Inspirational as I'm getting ready to run Boston 2023. Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Mother and son reunited under a system that punishes those that are different. The Wilderwomen by Ruth Lang. Sisters possess unique abilities, sensing and predicting past and future. Reunited to find their lost mother, they will travel far following their instincts, and meet strangers that will point them in the right direction. Sometimes not all that are wonde...

Late posting what this past reading month, October, had in the books for me. It was a month of variety with various genres, and surprisingly more actual books than audiobooks, which are my preferred option. Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry~ what could be the worst thing that happens to an atheist? For Michael that is having to attend a new school in a new town, but not just any school. A Catholic School. No friends until he meets Lucy, possibly another non-believer after she challenges a school teacher, a nun nonetheless! But Michael is in for a world of revelations.  Great humor story.  The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune. Loved this slow-building fantasy world with the most lovable characters. Linus Baker has always followed the rules until he's assigned to the Marsyas Island Orphanage where six dangerous magical youths live. His mission is to be impartial and report on his findings. But how does he that when the secrets he uncovers challenge everything he has t...

Powerful. Moving. Tragic. Hopeful. Imagine navigating middle school when you already stand out because you are the poor kid in a school of wealthy kids. Imagine showing up to school with a black eye and no money for lunch. Instead, you have to tell the cashier that you are in the free lunch program, and because of that, you are made fun of endlessly.  Imagine going from a run-down apartment to living in your car to ending in housing projects. Instead, you stay behind and walk home to avoid other kids knowing where you live.  That was Rex Ogle's experience growing up in Texas, living in poverty, struggling to make friends, navigating his mom and stepdad's violent mood swings, overcoming teachers who just look at him and decide he’s trouble, to not being able to participate in sports, or having to wear handmade Halloween costumes.  Through all his experiences Rex finds moments of hope, friendship, laughter, and authenticity. Listening to the audiobook I fell in love with Re...

This collection of short stories brings together six teens under Mr. Nak's angry management group.  With a short introduction to each teen's background story, Mr. Nak sets the stage for moments in which each character shares their insecurities, their anger, and the prejudice they have lived with. But also they have the opportunity to find love, freedom, and the power of their stories.    This quick read is about surviving, hope, and the power of the human spirit. Ms. Galan