Finished my reread just in time! Our book club decided to read a classic this month & this was picked when I admitted it was the first book that made me cry. I think it holds up. Lots that could be said about why it‘s a classic—too much for a short review but I couldn‘t help thinking how this book, Treasure Island & others like them—with young people overcoming obstacles, danger, adventure, world-saving—anticipate what we call YA today. Still fun!

Love the design of this 2018 reissue edition of the tagged book.

Diving into my TBR pile for my weekend read.

This comic started out weird & entertaining & just kept on getting weirder & even more entertaining as it powered through to a very satisfying end. Mutant unicorns, landlocked mermaids, demons, ogres, bandits & thieves (& more) inhabit a post-magic world in this rousing dystopian fantasy. I didn‘t love the artwork (though there were some visually stunning panels) but I do think it fit the story. Vol. 2 was good, Vol. 3 even better. Fun read.

How cool is this edition of Frankenstein? My daughter is in a STEM program that emphasizes science & technology (etc...) in all the core subjects including English—so, it makes sense they are reading what is regarded as the first science fiction story. Better yet, this edition has annotations to help direct discussions on the “social and ethical aspects of scientific creativity.” I almost want to go back to high school & sit in on their class...

Thought I‘d finish the day‘s reading with a little horror because why not?!? This comic just won the Eisner Award for Best New Series & it‘s definitely a trippy ride through an unending nightmarish landscape. It‘s about a priest named Father Burke who is chasing a murderer who happens to be able to travel through time & space (according to the blurb on the back). Yeah, this is a good one & can‘t wait to see where the story goes.

It‘s Wednesday #ncbd fans! Excellence #6 (not sure where this one is going but I‘m still along for the ride), Steeple #2 (this is the new comic from the writer of Giant Days) for the single issues. Coda Volumes 2 & 3 (read Volume 1 ages ago & remember enjoying it so excited to get back into it) and Gideon Falls Volume 3 because this is one very good, very creepy story (&, therefore, perfect for this time of year).

Just want to say...when you have 4th graders in the library and the room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop, you know you‘re reading them a good book. Love it when that happens and love sending this book home with an excited reader. Can‘t wait to hear what they think!

Three chapters in & I knew I had to stop reading this book. Why you ask?!? Because it is super fun, awesome & amazing (which our students could tell you I say when I really like a book)!!! And while I could keep reading it—& will at some point—I decided I needed to get it into the hands of a young reader. Like now. So I‘m going to preview it for fourth grade today & send it home with a lucky reader. Such a fun read...might have to get my own!

My next nonfiction read.

New books in the library—I brought the tagged one home to read.

This. Cover. 😍

New in the library and a book that had me laughing out loud. Can‘t wait to read it to classes.

❤️🐒❤️

Fascinating book about the behind the scenes diplomacy, spying, and negotiating it took to get the French to side with the colonists in the War of Independence. Colorful characters—the most intriguing of which is Chevalier d‘Eon—jealousies, rivalries, love affairs and more are woven into this fascinating story where luck, perseverance and sheer stubbornness all played a roll. Occasionally dense, the personalities involved make this a good read.

A cup of tea and a delightful Halloween story gloriously illustrated by Gris Grimly‘s quirky, creepy, atmospheric art made for a great start to the day. On Halloween, when a group of neighborhood boys happen upon a mysterious house where they are greeted by an equally mysterious man, they find themselves embarking on the adventure of a lifetime—through time and around the world and back again. A fun story with great illustrations.

I‘ve read a lot of good but not great books lately and certainly nothing that has really wowed me...all of which is to say, I feel like I‘m teetering on the edge of a reading funk. Soooo, I‘m going with a holiday read for my next book in the hopes that it will improve my reading mood. 🤞

Sometimes the publisher/marketing team does a book no favors & that‘s the case with this MG debut. It is, as a result, difficult to review. There is little forward momentum to the story outlined on the dust jacket & that is disappointing. There is, however, a nuanced examination of mental health & what happens not only to individuals but also their families. Not entirely what I expected—less adventure & mystery & more about family relationships.

Two girls, one living & one dead, navigate life & the afterlife in this book set in 1940s Chicago. In Ruby‘s return to YA she has written a powerful book about family, those we‘re born into & those we find, love & the resilience of people who somehow find a way to survive & even thrive. Inspired by the life of her mother-in-law, Ruby‘s book is perfect for readers interested in Chicago or historical fiction more generally.

Starting the morning with this. It‘s grey and cloudy, cold and breezy outside—perfect weather for reading!

Perhaps this will make for an entertaining tv show but, I almost can‘t believe I‘m writing this, I didn‘t love the book. (I‘m beyond surprised by this.) The premise—misfit at Yale, secret societies, magic, murder & mayhem—is fantastic but the pacing was off, the first thing that really grabbed my attention happened about 200 pages in, the characters flat, & its potential unrealized. Bardugo is a wonderful writer but this just wasn‘t my favorite.

Surprised to find this book is still not in Litsy—I‘ll have to add it when I‘m at the computer. Meanwhile, they revealed the cover of the U. S. edition on Epic Reads yesterday along with a story about the process of designing it. It‘s cool to see the various iterations it went through before they settled on this final design. (Image is from Patrick Ness‘ Instagram.)

Yesterday was also #ncbd...on a Thursday. Made it to the comic store a little late. Only thing on my pull list was Wonder Woman but I added the tagged book, my son is eager to see what happens next, Collapser #4 and some staff recommendations—Everything and Ignited. Looking forward to a good reading weekend.

Yesterday night was the Chicago Public Library‘s annual Carl Sandburg Literary Award dinner and, as always, it was super fun. Dr. Eve L. Ewing (writes nonfiction, poetry & comics) received the 21st Century Award while George R.R. Martin received the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Also enjoyed a great conversation with the author at our table who wrote a book about Chicago in the 60s. So many authors...so many books...so much fun.

A stormy morning definitely requires tea and a good book to start the day.

I don‘t suppose this news is at all surprising, with various streaming platforms competing for content, but it is still very exciting. Will I be watching? Yes, yes I will be. (From Bardugo‘s Instagram showing a Deadline Hollywood post.)

One more MG book to preview—this one caught my attention right away because...there‘s a hippo!!! When I was little, my go-to stuffed animal was a hippopotamus which, with all the wisdom & creativity of a child, I named...HIPPO. I can‘t wait to see what this book is all about. ❤️🦛❤️

There‘s a lot to like in this story about ten year-old Frank & his younger brother Max who is autistic. The story is at its best when it is exploring the relationship between the brothers & its unflinching look at Frank‘s journey from having a brother he loves to having a brother he loves & accepts for who he is. There‘s a twist I don‘t feel is necessary although I understand why it was included. Another great addition to the library.

Love Jason Reynold‘s writing and this book about what happens after the dismissal bell rings is a fantastic story about life inside and, especially, outside of school. Some chapters are stronger than others—one even made me a little teary—but I enjoyed them all. A rich exploration of the inner lives of young people and a call to look deeper, see more, and to think about what it means to be part of a community. A great addition to the library.

Tonight was the Chicago stop on Annalee‘s tour for The Future of Another Timeline. As expected, after a reading there was a wide-ranging discussion on time travel, feminism, punk rock, belly dancing, murder, Chicago and so much more—and yes, all feature prominently in the book. Entertaining and thought-provoking book + fascinating discussion = fantastic event. Such a fun evening!

Interrupting ALL previously scheduled activities to read this book! How could I not?!? Great bookish things happening this week. Yesterday it was Kim Liggett and The Grace Year, tonight it‘s Annalee Newitz and The Future of Another Timeline and Thursday it‘s George R. R. Martin (needs no introduction) and Eve Ewing (writes nonfiction, poetry & for comics fans out there, Ironheart)!!! Great. Bookish. Things.

New into the library and my next read...at least until I get home and hopefully find my copy of Ninth House waiting for me. Love Ruby‘s writing and I‘m anticipating another good read.

This book, which I really enjoyed even as it got weirder & weirder & yet somehow remained interesting (and always well-written), defies easy description. One storyline follows Mary Shelley & the writing of Frankenstein, the other follows a transgender doctor falling in love with a specialist in AI who is partnering with a cryogenics lab & a man manufacturing sexbots. Yes Winterson ties it all together, yes it somehow works, yes it is a good read.

“I want to live long enough to reach the future.”

“I didn‘t have a choice, I had to write the book,” Liggett explained tonight at an event celebrating the release of the tagged book as she discussed the moment that inspired it. Powerful, emotional, & inspirational panel with her, Jasmine Warga, Libba Bray, & Samira Ahmed (plus Laura Ruby & Michelle Falkoff in the audience.) During the signing @JoScho I mentioned how much you loved the book & she was thrilled to hear it! Can‘t wait to read it!

More news on Burn by Patrick Ness (from his Instagram). 1950s America...with Dragons!!! You can bet I‘ll be reading it!

It‘s a dark and stormy night so I‘m going with this one for my next book. Seems appropriate.

I really enjoyed this MG novel in verse about two middle school girls who meet and instantly fall into deep like. Tam is a volleyball player, Kate a cheerleader and when they meet, worlds collide—navigating different friend groups, parents, and the world at large, the two must decide to be true to themselves, and each other, or to what other people expect. A great story about first love and being comfortable with who you are. Recommended.

More new books in the library means more books to preview!!! Yay! Now reading...

16 years after the army of Unstoppable Creatures laid waste to the world, life goes on as it ever did in Eden, the underground bunker Austin, Robby & a handful of other people escaped into. Arek has only know life in Eden but he knows there has to be more & when his dads go missing, he decides to go looking for them. Just like Grasshopper Jungle, this book is fantastic & ridiculous & heartfelt & a heck of an adventure. Smith never disappoints.

Gorgeously illustrated book celebrating childhood, a time when nothing is impossible & imagination fuels our exploration of the world, and curiosity. As young people learn about the world around them they ask all the best sorts of questions—from “I wonder if books read us, too?” and “Is cereal afraid of the spoon?” to “Could there be a galaxy in my belly button?” So many questions, so much imagination, and so many possibilities. Recommended.

Neither untitled or unknown, just not in Litsy yet as far as I can tell. Patrick Ness posted the cover of the U.K. edition of his newest book Burn (on Instagram). It‘s out May 2020. U.S. cover coming soon.

Beautiful cover I must say.

Can one small word asked over & over by one small girl defeat the plans of Doctor X-Ray when he descends on the mall bent on world domination? You‘ll have to read this absolutely delightful picture book to find out but any parent or teacher who has had to deal with a curious mind & it‘s quest to know “why?” likely already knows the answer. Best of all? Villainous laughter is definitely required when reading aloud & that‘s always fun! Recommended.

And then Pierce Brown tweeted this!!! So much fantastic—and intriguing—bookish news yesterday. (Hopefully they don‘t gag him!)

And A Darker Shade of Magic movie news too!!! Schwab posted this not too long ago on her Twitter—so excited to see these books on the big screen.

😮

Rainbow Rowell posted this on her Instagram a few hours ago and, well, I thought I‘d post it under the tagged book because anyone interested in Wayward Son will be interested in this...RIGHT?!?

Might this be book three?!?!?!?!?

😍

Love this opening.

Snoopy themed Little Free Library!!! 😍

It is time to return to whatever remains of Ealing Iowa, after an army of six foot-tall praying mantises rampaged and destroyed everything in their path, and see what has become of the world. Excited to read the sequel to Grasshopper Jungle.

Did you see the news?!?

This. Is. Awesome.

Ben. Barnes.

Very excited about the casting (generally) and am very much looking forward to the show. Can. Not. Wait.

#NCBD! Champions #10, Man-Eaters #12, Runaways #25 (if you aren‘t reading Rainbow Rowell‘s reboot of Runaways, you really should—it‘s excellent—but only after reading the original first), Star Pig #3 (only one more issue to go), Marvel Comics #1001, free preview of upcoming Joe Hill comic, Nomen Omen #1 (going to see what this one is all about) & last but not least The Fade Out, Act One, a recommendation from the fabulous staff at Chicago Comics.