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Hey, everyone! I’m so happy to say that it’s finally the last week of school. We had to go an extra week because of COVID, but this is it and it’s going to be a pretty easy week. I have to get grades done, attend a few virtual meetings, and go in to wave at kids who are “graduating” for a couple hours Thursday evening. Our governor announced that kids will be back in school next year, but social distancing guidelines have to be met and everyone has to wear a mask. School will not look like normal and there still could be some distance learning components. Like all my teacher friends, I’m anxious to know what it’s going to truly look like and what exactly my role will be. Should be an interesting summer break! Now, to books, where I had a second week in a row of finishing four!
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Reads
- I finished listening to Ta-Nehisi Coates read his memoir, Between the World and Me early in the week. I highly recommend this short audiobook to everyone trying to educated themselves on racism. He does a beautiful job sharing a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Black man in the U.S., as he’s writing to his son who’s reaching maturity. I’m not planning on “reviewing” the books I’m reading to educate myself on racism, my own role in the problem, and what I can do to help, so likely this will be the only place I share my thoughts. I’m not reading to critique, but to learn.
- The Margot Affair by Sanaë Lemoine turned out to be a very pleasant surprise and a bit of a respite in my reading. It’s the story of a married politician, his actress lover, and their secret child. I think it’s a book that hasn’t had much attention, so I’ll be giving it some with a full review on Thursday.
- I would call What’s Left of Me Is Yours by Stephanie Scott a literary legal mystery. It follows a young Japanese woman on her quest to find out the truth about how and why her mother was killed twenty years earlier. The story was great and I really enjoyed learning more a bout the Japanese culture, and especially its legal system. Mini-review at the end of the month.
- The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman was barely on my radar until I got an early copy of the audiobook from Libro.fm. I really liked her last book, The Gunners (my review),so was eager to give this one a try. What a great call on my part. I loved it and will have a full audiobook review tomorrow.
Currently Reading
- I am in the middle of Thin Girls by Diana Clarke and am completely gripped by this story. It’s told by Rose, a severely anorexic whose been living in a treatment facility for the last year. As she lost weight, her twin sister gained. In their story Clarke shines a light on this disease and the pressures society puts on women. It’s also a powerful story of a very close twin relationship.
- I’ve just started listening to Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. This book is a history lesson on racism written especially for YA readers, but it’s been widely touted as a great book for everyone. After only listening to the prologue, I can already tell that’s going to be true.
Likely to Read Next
- Another audiobook that came to my attention via Libro.fm was Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy. Part environmental story, part mystery, part love story, it sounds very interesting to me and it’s read by Barrie Krienik who’s great. However, I JUST realized that this book doesn’t publish until August 4th, so I may or may not listen to it next.
- I have EIGHT books to read that publish on July 7th, so will be beginning those this week. I might begin with what sounds like an interesting story, taking place in a single day, The Party Upstairs by debut author Lee Conell. It’s told alternately by the super of an Upper West Side co-op and his daughter whose home from college.
- I was a big fan of Robin Wasserman’s adult debut, Girls on Fire (my review), so I’m excited to see what she’s done in her sophomore novel, Mother Daughter Widow Wife. It’s the story of a woman with amnesia and the people trying to help her. We’ll see where my mood takes me this week!
Congratulations on reaching the end of the school year! I know this has been a huge challenge for everyone. My sister will finally finish next week… no announcement what they’ll be doing in the fall yet.
Between the World and Me was one of my favorite audiobooks a few years ago. I’m planning to listen to it again soon.
I can see why you would want to listen to Between the World and Me again. There is a lot to absorb in it. I may listen to it again at some point, too.
My granddaughters finish school this (remote) week. They still don’t know what fall will bring but, talks about small classes and (2) weeks in class (2) weeks home learning to accomplish small classes.
We don’t really know what fall will look like either, but are talking about some of the same things as your granddaughters’ schools. There will definitely still be some online component, but hopefully at school days, as well. It’s a moving target!
I’m glad that your school year is over. This was an especially stressful year for teachers, I think. I wonder how they will do the school year next year. I can’t imagine how they can have the little children, like those at my primary school, wearing masks. How can they keep little kids six feet apart? I wonder what will happen. Maybe they can figure all of this out.
I’m eagerly awaiting Stamped. I heard Jason Reynolds speak about this book at the virtual Texas Library Association Conference in May. It was powerful talk.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of the eight books that will be published in early July.
The masks and social distancing are big issues for reopening school. Even with middle schoolers, keeping them apart and enforcing wearing masks feels like a nightmare! It will be interesting to see where the final plans land.
Stamped was eye-opening and very well done.
I thought I had a bunch of review books for July 7. My five is easily trumped by your number though. It must be nice to finally see the end of this very odd school year. I hope next year is more normal despite the masks and social distancing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I just noticed one of my 7/7 books got pushed back to September, so I guess I only have 7 now.
That’s terrific you’ll be done this week, Congrats!! I hope it’ll be a long summer although it already seems to be going quickly. I too have my eye on The Margot Affair and the Stephanie Scott book. Both look good! Enjoy your reading & your days ahead.
Thanks, Susan. Unfortunately, I think this summer will include quite a bit of work to prepare for next year which will likely be a mix of online and in person learning. It’s still unclear how it will actually work next year.
Woo hoo, you made it! Now enjoy your much deserved vacation.
I really want to read Thin Girls, but am on the hold list at the library because I’m still hanging at NG.
I’m curious to see what you think about The Party Upstairs- you can vet it for me. I still have 2 June books to read before I leap into the July craziness!
Thanks, Catherine. I read one July book, but have now bounced back to a June book. It’s more of a mood thing right now. I really liked Thin Girls, but it is a book a lot of people shouldn’t read. (Big triggers!)