2018: By the Books

2018 is the year my reading exploded. It helped that a lot of it was required for classes, so I never felt guilty about reading all day and/or long into the night. It also helped that I was reviewing books at work, which meant a sizable portion of my day was spent paging through picture books and checking out new publications. I'm not sure I'll ever read the same quantity of books in a year ever again, but if I can read a similar quality of books in the future I'll be happy.

Books Read: 325

Shortest Book: All of the board books I read at work.

Longest Book: The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm (880 pages...but it should be noted that there were some pages I skimmed!)

Average Rating: 4.0 stars

Most Popular (according to Goodreads): Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling (read by 5.6 million & reread by me)

Highest Rated (by Goodreads): March: Book Three by John Lewis (4.69 stars)

Highest Rated (by me): 5-star books abounded this year once again - I've gotten to know myself!

Re-reads: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, The Outsiders by SE Hinton, The Pigman by Paul Zindel, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde, and the first three Harry Potter books (the new illustrated versions!).

Series I Finally Finished: The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Women Authors: 73% (236/325)

Authors of Color/Minority Authors: 27% (89/325) I definitely want to work on this number. I will say that race and ethnicity are not the only way to diversify your reading - though they are usually the most visible way. So while I want to seek out more non-white authors, I also want to be better at reading LGBTQ+ authors, nonbinary authors, disabled authors, Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu authors, and authors whose first language isn't English.

Translations/Bilingual: This year I read 14 books that were translated into English from other languages including German, Japanese, and French - again, I'm going to keep looking out for books in translation in 2019!

Most Popular Authors: JK Rowling since I started her new adult series AND reread a few HP books, Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles), Maggie Stiefvater (Raven Cycle).

Audiobooks: I got so much better at choosing audiobooks for myself this year! In total, I listened to 44 books. Lots of poetry, suspense, and mysteries kept me engaged.

Fantasy: 85

Horror: 32

Comedy: 18

Mystery: 35

Nonfiction: 40

Nonfiction for Adults: 14

Sci-Fi: 19

Biggest Surprise: I didn't think My Love, My Love: or The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy would affect me so much. I cried a good cry after finishing that Little Mermaid retelling. The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming was another good surprise - it's a historical nonfiction book, but the drama had me staying up way past my bedtime.

Biggest Letdown: Jackson Pearce's fairy tale retelling series - I love fairy tales and I LOVE a good YA retelling, but these were just blah. I had to read Sweetly (Hansel & Gretel) for a class and barely made it through, then I tried Fathomless (The Little Mermaid) and was even more disappointed. Other people seem to enjoy the series, so maybe it's a me thing, but these retellings just don't compare to some of the others I read in 2018.

Still Thinking About: How funny Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu and Bull by David Elliott are.

Something I Learned (about reading): There's no wrong way to read. I've had many people (family, friends, patrons, students) tell me they "don't read" or "only read comics" or apologize for liking certain genres more than others. I'm not sure if other librarians get these Reading Confessions, but I'm here to say You Are Doing Just Fine. Whatever you read (genres, format, amount) - it's all good. Of course, I'd always suggest reading more...but even if all you have time/emotional and mental capacity for is reading work emails or letters to the editor or picture books to your kids before bed, that's still reading! Listening to audiobooks is reading. Listening to podcasts is reading. Reading comics is reading. Reading comics on your phone or a tablet is reading. Reading pulp sci fi is reading. Don't sell your reading short - people are diverse, and so are our reading tastes and preferences.

Goal For 2019: I want to be better about not separating books from their authors - there are SO.MANY.BOOKS. to read, I don't have to settle for ones written by problematic people. To help me, I found a tracking sheet that I'm going to modify for what I'm looking for. This will also help me read more diversely in general. I have a few older books on my to-read list for 2019, but I also want to make sure I stay informed about what's new (especially in YA), so I've got librarian and book reviewing blogs bookmarked to help me there. I'm excited for reading in 2019!

Extras: 2017 By the Books and 2016 By the Books.

2018 Winter Solstice Check-In

Two years ago I was newly engaged and teaching middle school, last year I was newly married, deep in librarian coursework, and reviewing all the books, and this year I'm comfortably and happily married, DONE with library school, and working in a public library. While so much seems to have changed, the undercurrent of my life remains: collaboration with tween/teen learners in school-adjacent spaces is my "work" and often my "play" as well.

All of the late nights, frustrations with technology and humans, tears in the shower and in my car, small successes AND minor setbacks tend to fade into the background when I put things into perspective this way, but I think it's important to acknowledge that it's the little things that make a life. Big changes happen one day at a time, and it does my work a disservice to gloss over the papers, missteps, book reviews, anxieties about my future, presentations and interview practice, privileges (my race, education, health, citizenship status, sexual orientation and preference, family support, and more all helped or at least did not hinder my work), and impostor syndrome feelings that got me to where I am now. I didn't just wake up one day and become a teen librarian...some might argue it took me over 10 years to get here, if we count from the beginning of my college career.

So that's what I'm feeling on this longest night of the year - gratitude for where I am, with acknowledgement of how of got here.

Extras: 2017's check-in, 2016's check-in, & 2014's check-in.

The Brilliant Death

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Historical fantasy and romance collide in this captivating tale set in Vinalia, a fictional land inspired by mountain villages of old Italy. Teodora di Sangro is well aware of and versed in the di Sangro way of life, which places loyalty to the family above the self, and the opinions of men above women – but she yearns for more: the power of a di Sangro son, and to use the magic she holds inside of her. With her magic, she changes her family’s enemies into trinkets that decorate her room, but Teo knows she could do more, if only her father trusted the strega way in addition to practicing and teaching political strategy to his sons.

When Teo meets Cielo, a young genderfluid strega who can teach Teo how to use her power to become the di Sangro son she longs to be, Teo realizes there may be a way to be her true self and save her family from the Capo’s plans to weaken each of the Five Families of Vinalia. With challenges to traditional gender roles, exploration of what it means to feel at home and whole in your body, and poetically descriptive language, The Brilliant Death elevates a coming-of-age story into a thoughtful consideration of who we are when we let go of society’s expectations and trust the magic inside of us.


Extras: More Teen Reads, Another Fantasy Series,  A Book about Mental Health and Travel, or View All My Reviews.

My Favorite Children's Fiction of 2018

I mentioned in my bookish survey last week that children's fiction has impressed me this year. I've read several 2018 titles (written for 8 to 12-year old readers specifically) that I wouldn't hesitate to also recommend to teens or adults. Whether because of the intricate world-building, authentic character portrayals, meaningful plots, or a combination of these aspects, these four titles stuck with me long after I finished reading.

Snow Lane by Josie Angelini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's 1985 and 10-year old Annie is the youngest of 9 kids in a Catholic family living in a small town. This might not be enough description for some people to want to read Snow Lane, but that's all I needed. I saw my family and friends' families reflected in so much of Annie's life - the fun and joy of being part of a big family and the difficulties and ugly parts. Angelini doesn't glamorize big family life: she includes all the details of forgotten birthdays, older kids stepping in as parent figures, and the struggles of affording clothes and food for 11 people. Her depiction of young Catholic guilt (saying Hail Marys after "cursing" - aka "shit" or "crap") is spot on.

It's clear from several Goodreads reviews that some people don't feel these topics are appropriate for young readers, but for those young readers who are living this life, Angelini brings a sense of being seen and understood. Covering up painful childhoods doesn't make the reality of them go away. All readers deserve to see themselves in books. All readers deserve to see a diversity of experiences in books.

The Turnaway Girls by Hayley Chewins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a gorgeous cover! And the inside of this book is similarly gorgeous - I was right there with Delphernia Undersea, wanting to sing. I initially picked this book up hoping it would be a reverse Little Mermaid, and it kind of is? Delphernia wants to sing, and she finds her voice and family with/through the sea.

A few quotes to show the beautiful language:

"She knew the sea would take her if she sang. She made a sound anyway."

"People will use any words they can find to convince themselves that their cruelties are useful."

"Even if the sea doesn't drag singing girls into its waters, men armed with silence can do their part to ensure that they taste salt."

Dear Sister by Alison McGhee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Written as letters/notes/drawings passed between a reluctant older brother and his adoring (and adorable) younger sister, this story chronicles the ups and downs of sibling relationships. It begins with the brother halfheartedly welcoming his sister to the family, and through illustrations readers see the subtext of a few of his less-than-loving letters. Younger sisters get away with a lot sometimes! By the end of this epistolary graphic novel, readers see how the siblings' relationship has developed and only those with ice for hearts won't feel emotional at the last image.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie   Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marinka is being raised by her grandmother and their house. Her grandmother is a Yaga - a spiritual guide for the dead traveling to the afterlife - and their house has chicken legs, which it uses to move them to new locations so that Marinka and her grandmother never become too familiar to locals. Marinka is meant to become a Yaga someday, but she would rather have friends who are alive.

This book reminded me of Disney's Coco - it has the same themes of choosing your own path, despite what people/family say is your "destiny" along with heavily focusing on the afterlife and how we remember and honor the dead. It's also a great example of frenemies, or people who are only your friends if you look/act a certain way (a way that isn't authentic to you). I found the world-building to be rich, and I understood Marinka's motivations to go her own way as much as I feared for her safety while doing so.


Extras: Middle Grades Graphics, Spooky Children's Books, or view all my reviews.

A-Z Bookish Survey 2018

I want to start December with something a bit different: a bookish survey! I've done this particular one before (in 2014), and while I'm in the midst of finishing my graduate portfolio and transitioning into my new job, I wanted to check in with my reading self again.

Author(s) you've read the most: Any author of a series has an edge here, so I'll note those with a (*)

Dave Eggers
Neil Gaiman
Jhumpa Lahiri
Marissa Meyer* (Luna Chronicles)
Donna Jo Napoli
Jenny Nimmo* (Charlie Bone Series)
Jason Reynolds
Kwame Alexander
Ransom Riggs* (Peculiar Children Series)
JK Rowling** (Harry Potter + Cormoran Strike Series)
Jon Scieszka* (Time Warp Trio Series + others)
David Sedaris
Maggie Stiefvater* (Raven Cycle + bonus material)
Wendelin Van Draanen* (Sammy Keyes Series)
Scott Westerfeld* (Uglies Series + related Impostors Series)
Meg Wolitzer

Best sequel ever: Okay, usually I find the second book in a series is my least favorite (ie Scarlet, Hollow City, HP and the Chamber of Secrets, The Silkworm...), but The Dream Thieves (from Stiefvater's Raven Cycle) was a solid read. I am also excited to read Muse of Nightmares, the follow up to Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and A Closed and Common Orbit, the sequel to The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.

Currently reading:
Scythe - Neal Shusterman
Once Upon a Dream - Liz Braswell
The House With Chicken Legs - Sophie Anderson
Picture Us in the Light - Kelly Loy Gilbert

Drink of choice while reading: Water, wine, coffee, tea.

E-reader or physical book?: Physical book because I still don't have an e-reader, and haven't had the urge to get one. I'm also a big audiobook listener!

Fictional character you would have dated in college: Because I just finished the series (Raven Cycle), I would have crushed on Ronan Lynch, befriended Adam Parrish, and hated Gansey's perfect face.

Glad you gave this book a chance: Most of the recent children's fiction I've read falls into this category - I've been pleasantly surprised at the depth these books have, coupled with characters to root for and lush settings to get lost in.

Hidden gem book: The Wolf Hour by Sara Lewis Holmes - a Little Red Riding Hood/Three Little Pigs retelling I never knew I wanted.

Important moment in your reading life: Whenever I made the decision to stop reading books and be okay with it (and, following that, when I let go of any and all reading rules I held).

Just finished: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater and The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson.

Kinds of books you won’t read: Books with problematic messages and/or authors. (I still have work to do with this one, because I've been guilty of separating the book from the author and/or not being aware of racist, sexist, homophobic, or other problematic beliefs authors hold.)

Longest book you’ve read: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace will forever be the longest book I've attempted to read. My longest ever cover-to-cover read is A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin at 848 pages.

Most major book hangover: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo...that book ruined me (in a good way).

Number of bookcases you own: Eight?

One book you have read multiple times: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Preferred place to read: in bed on a weekend morning!

Quote that you like, from a book you’ve read: "If you can't be unafraid, be afraid and happy." (The Raven King, Maggie Stiefvater)

Reading regret: the entirety of the self-help genre.

Series you started and need to finish: the Wayfarers Series by Becky Chambers

Three of your all-time favorite books: Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli, The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo, and My Love, My Love: or The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy

Unapologetic fangirl for: fairy tale retellings (& more specifically mermaid stories).

Very excited for this release more than all the others: Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor (It came out in October, but I'm psyched!)

Worst bookish habit: Setting open books pages-down on random surfaces.

X marks the spot (start at the top of your shelf and pick the 24th book): Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

Your latest book purchase: Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli and Atlantia by Allie Condie (both mermaid books).

Zzz snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY too late): It's gotta be The Raven King. And Blue Lily, Lily Blue before that.