Bout of Books 2021 - wrap up for January

 After seven days of reading 30 minutes in place and uninterrupted, I've either finished books that were enticing or read a few shorter ones just for fun.

Today I'm reading   The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45186669-the-book-charmer

 It's a clever romance featuring a woman who can hear books and the need to save their town. So far, so good.

If you are following me on Goodreads, you'll notice I'm currently reading it. As soon as I finish it, I'll add a review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2936144696. In case you are wondering, I use Goodreads to keep track of what I read, what I abandon, and where I am in a series.

 I'm going to be writing about books, reading, and more in this blog. I hope you'll read my posts. And yes, I'll put them in my FB feed also.

 Thanks for following my adventures on the Bout Of Books 2021.  There's another starting May 10.

  

Bout of Books 2021 - Day 7

Welcome to day 7, the last day of the 2021 (Winter) Bout of Books. 

Looking through some of my oversize books, I came across The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey" by Louise Borden and Illustrated by Allan Drummond.

 

 

Yes, it's a wonderfully illustrated tale of the early writing career of H.A. Rey and his wife Margret and their lengthy stay in France, particularly Paris.  They escaped from Paris in May 1940 just as the Nazis invaded the City of Lights. It took them four months to travel by bike, train, and ship from that city through the countryside to first the Spanish border, then Portugal, and finally to Rio de Janeiro and at last to New York City. 

 

The Rey's had emigrated to Rio in the 1920s, became citizens there but wished to write their children's books in France. They were fortunate to be citizens of Brazil when WWII broke out. 

This slim book is filled with photographs and illustrations that show the evolution of Curious George and many of their other tales for children. 

I smiled at the illustrations, remembering the stories first read to me by my parents and then by myself. Knowing more of the Rey's history and career adds to my love of these books.

 

Here's my Goodreads review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3761858556

 

For those of you who enjoyed my commentary about books I've been reading, you'll be happy to know I have more posts coming out on this blog starting mid week. I'll probably post once a week. You can follow me through this blog and on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1557957-miriam. I don't post on FB too often.

 

Bout of Books 2021 - Day 6

Today was a quiet day of relaxation and intensive reading. I'll admit that I read more than 30 minutes, more like all day. 

This charming book East by Edith Pattou is written for teens and is a retelling of Andrew Lang's "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" fairy tale. East is definitely written for children, definitely a chapter book. Unfortunately, there are no pictures.

 

I just loved how the fairy tale unfolded. There's a second book in entitled West that I'm looking forward to reading. It's the continuing adventures of Rose and her prince who was once a polar or white bear. 

Why read another children's book? I'm reviewing the second for the Ohioana Library Association Quarterly http://www.ohioana.org and wanted to know what the first book was about.  

You can read my review on Goodreads here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3759149702

Tomorrow, I'm delving into something short, I think. You'll have to wait until then to see what I picked.

 

Bout of Books 2021 - Day 5

 Today, I’ve selected a lovely illustrated edition of Aesop’s fables and reread it with delight. It has not only morals but also fabulous woodcuts and engravings by famous late 19th / early 20th century illustrators.  I’ve included images of the cover and two pages spreads.

 

Here's my review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3756874860

So far, the reading-in-place readathon has taught me that I have lots of different types of books, that it's important to take time each day to read, to meditate, and to explore the writings of others. On top of that, I've been enjoying writing about what I'm reading and  thinking about.

What will I read tomorrow? I have no idea but I'm bound to find something on my shelves.

Don't forget to read today!

Bout of Books - Day 4

 Today, I’m shifting gears and reading some political science / economic commentary by Fareed Zaharia entitled “Ten Lessons For a Post-Pandemic World.”  Zaharia host’s CNN’s international affairs desk, writes for the Washington Post and more. 

I purchased the book a few weeks ago and am excited to dive in and read an essay or two today. Here's my review on Goodreads so far https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3590650843.  I'll modify my review as I consume each essay.

I will admit that 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading per day is pretty easy. I usually read for two or three hours, depending upon my schedule. I'm taking advantage of my semi-retirement to delve into the books I’ve been accumulating and acquiring over a career in librarianship and history. 

I got hooked on Goodreads quite a while ago and now keep track of everything I read and listen to, and yes, write some type of review. You can follow me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1557957-miriam

So on to this timely collection of essays that look at our world with hope for more equitable and just future.

I hope you take some time to read today.

Bout of Books 2021 - Day 3

 Happy Wednesday to all of you. It’s the third day of the Bout of Books Read-a-thon and I’ve just finished another 30 minutes of uninterrupted immersion into another wonderful book.  

Yesterday’s book The Sea in Winter by Christine Day, written for tweens, was a quick and interesting read. Here’s the review I’ve posted on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3739920061

Today, I dove into  Separate No More: The Long Road to Brown v. Board of Education” by Lawrence Goldstone. It’s the perfect book learn about Voters’ rights, especially the fight for equality by and for African Americans. I didn’t realize that the NAACP was founded in 1909 and was run by whites and blacks. 

The book also talks about injustices and inequality in living conditions, housing, and wages, as well as the military. Throughout the book, I’m struck by the racism. A book for today and tomorrow.

I haven’t finished reading the book yet, so no full review. 

Tomorrow, I’ll dip into something else. Stay tuned.

Bout of Books 2021— day 2

 It’s day 2 of the Bout of Books Read-a-thin. I’ve put in more than 30 minutes reading and am enjoying having some quiet time to disappear into a book.

I finished the Karen Harper books Under the Alaskan Ice, her ultimate book. You can read my Goodreads review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3039469426

For day 2, I decided to read a book for tweens that was released today (Jan 5) called The Sea in Winter by Christine Day. I’ll have a review of it tomorrow since it should be a quick read.  (Day 4) See my review on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3739920061

Those of you who follow me on Goodreads know that I read an eclectic variety of books on every imaginable topic. To prepare for the Bout of Books Read-a-then, I picked seven different books, each in a different genre. 

Tomorrow, is a non-fiction day.

Until then....