Another month down! August absolutely flew by for me. The past few days I felt frustrated that I hadn’t done much, but in reality I did. I started apartment hunting which has been going sooo poorly. I think I want to try to save up some extra money before getting back into it. And I got to see some friends which was nice. September and the fall are going to bring a lot of socialization into my life. I just need to keep safe and mask up to make sure I can enjoy time with my loved ones safely.
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I’m a children’s librarian, so I read books for kids and for grown-ups. This month, I read 7 picture/early reader books and 16 “big” books, including audiobooks, adult novels, and chapter books for children. My average rating this month was 4.5 stars.
Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wish I had checked this out on audio but reading was such a good experience.
Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very cute.
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I simply adored this second person middle grade novel that put me right in Ari’s shoes. Tackles so much and does it so well!
Look out for my full review on February 27.
The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Absolutely great resource. Wish pronoun chart and glossary had pronunciations. Will share with teachers, colleagues, friends, and parents!
The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Such a cute read. I loved that Xavier stutters but the book isn’t about him stopping stuttering and he still has a speech impediment at the end.
Look out for my full review on February 28.
Anthony and the Gargoyle by Jo Ellen Bogart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Absolutely adorable.
Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This graphic novel is a quick but powerful read. I did feel it could’ve used more detail at times but I really enjoyed it.
Look out for my full review on March 4.
Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Super funny.
Look out for my full review.
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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You All Grow Up and Leave Me: A Memoir of Teenage Obsession by Piper Weiss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Part memoir. Part true crime.
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I adored this story with an important message about consent, emotional vulnerability, and empathy.
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Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Heart-warming and interesting.
Look out for my full review on March 6.
Crossing the Stream by Elizabeth Irene-Baitie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, this one really grew on me as I read it. Powerful.
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I don’t know, early 2000s Kleypas just hasn’t been doing it for me. This was pretty good. I loved the hero and heroine and their sexual tension but the last chapter just annoyed me. A very late third act miscarriage, not talking for weeks and then reuniting over sex after such trauma, and then food-related oral sex which is sure to cause a yeast infection… I am out.
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Hollow Chest by Brita Sandstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ohhh my goodness, what an emotional fantastic read! Such a great metaphor for mental illness/PTSD. I didn’t feel the illustrations added anything other than some possible kid appeal, but the story itself was gorgeously written and so memorable.
Look out for my full review on September 7.
Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats: Urban Ecology, Community Science, and How We Share Our Cities by Cylita Guy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The format of my eARC was not so good, but the content in this one is STELLAR!!
Look out for my full review.
We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not really sure why it’s in a class presentation format but the content is important, both the info and the message.
Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez by Larry Dane Brimner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I like the art. Text is informative and approachable.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love both of these creators and they’ve combined to make something really special with this one.
Look out for my full review.
African Icons: Ten People Who Built a Continent by Tracey Baptiste
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellently researched and gorgeous illustrations.
Look out for my full review.
My City by Joanne Liu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A mostly wordless picture book with a lot to talk about with the reader!
Living with Viola by Rosena Fung
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Really captures the experience of anxiety.
Look out for my full review.
The Golden Hour by Niki Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful story and art. The way the author represented panic attacks was so spot-on and well done.
Look out for my full review.
Power Up by Sam Nisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a fun read!!
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Look out for my full review.
Additionally, I DNF’ed a lot of books. I usually talk about that in my review but they were all books for a work project. I don’t feel the need to go through all of them.
A Peek Into My Planner
I’ve been trying to fill out my planner each day to keep myself organized and to use the plethora of planner supplies and stickers I possess. (I use The Happy Planner.) In July 2020, I started a brand new planner, which I hope to use through 2021. Here are my weekly spreads for August.
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I’ve been keeping track of my moods to keep an eye on my depression and anxiety. In August, I felt:
- Good – 10 days
- Okay – 6 days
- Productive – 4 days
- Frustrated – 2 days
- Great – 2 days
- Lazy – 2 days
- Annoyed – 1 day
- Bored – 1 day
- Emotional – 1 day
- Happy – 1 day
- Relaxed – 1 day
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I have been posting almost every day about my witchier interests on a new TikTok channel which has been a lot of fun.
@daily.manifestationxWhat is your interpretation of this reading? ##threeofwandsreversed ##threeofwands ##3ofwands ##3ofwandsreversed ##tarot ##tarotreading ##tarotreader ##witch♬ Paper Birds – Jordan Halpern Schwartz
I also watched Love Is Blind: After the Altar, Lady Bird, The Avengers, Shadow and Bone Season 1, and finished Sex and the City Season 3.
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Because I’ve been blogging about more than just book reviews, I wanted to share some of our “other” posts from this month:
Lifestyle
Other Bookish Posts
Blogging
Blog Hops, Memes, and Challenges
@daily.manifestationxJust August things 💕 happy September babes ##august ##nyc ##statenisland ##nycsubway ##nyclife ##TalkCurlyToMe ##UltaBeautyatTarget
Looking Ahead: September
I don’t know… Last month, I was planning to move some time this fall. Now I will just be happy if I can do it before spring of next year. Whatever happens happens. Right now I’m working on writing a novel and just enjoying all the awesome things I have to look forward to, whether it’s already penciled into my calendar or an idea I’m still developing. I’m excited for the future to come!
