It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee atUnleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.
This week has been filled with balancing work with my daughter’s soccer schedule. They played four games in a week. At least three of them were home games. I’m glad next week slows down with just two games (Thursday and Saturday) before our big tournament Labor Day weekend. Thanks to my daughter, I’ve learned to enjoy watching soccer. I love the green of the pitch and the movement of the players across the field–especially when both teams are playing well. As an avowed non-sports person for much of my life, I’m delighted to find poetry in the game.
I finished…
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The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, narrated by Richard Davidson – Thanks to this one, I looked forward to mowing while my husband was gone fighting forest fires in Oregon. If I can talk him into trying an audio book, this is a book I think he would enjoy as well. Junger combines the danger and hard work of commercial fishing with one of the largest and deadliest storms to hit the northeast. The story of the crew of the Andrea Gayle, lost at sea in the storm, holds together a story that encompasses information about commercial fishing, the history of the New England fishing industry, weather and storm formation, and ocean rescues. At times I was overwhelmed by all the information, but I never lost interest. For anyone who thinks (as I used to) that nonfiction is dry and boring, this is another excellent choice that might change your mind.
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The Seer of Shadows by Avi – I am always amazed at the depth and variety of stories that Avi creates, and this one is no exception. Horace Carpetine is decidedly scientific. He appretices to a photograher in 1872 New York City to further his understanding of the scientific principles behind the new industry of photography. Into this focus on history and science, Ave weaves a most chilling ghost story. When the master photographer that Horace is apprenticed to decides to fool wealthy society matron with pictures of the “spirit” of her “dearly departed daughter,” Horace is shocked to find that his first real photos reveal, not a trick, but a real ghost. Through his friendship with Pegg, the black servant girl, he learns the truth about the dead Eleanora and her death. Can Horace use his scientific knowledge of photography to stop this vengeful ghost before more people die?
I’m currently reading…
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What Have You Lost edited by Naomi Shihab Nye – I found an old favorite poem among the ones I read this week–Jane Kenyon’s “What Came to Me.” There is something about that spot of gravy on the gravy boat that pulls at my heart every time I read it. Several of the other poems also focused on those small details that seem insignificant but are so poignant.
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Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – Our group had a good discussion on the chapter about worship this week. Don’t worry, we don’t have all the answers, but we are all more aware of what we can do each week to contribute to worship together. That discussion will lead right into the chapter we are reading this week on hospitality. What I am finding as I read and discuss this book on spiritual disciplines is that they are all interconnected. I am also excited that most of the group wants to continue another week to read and discuss the chapters we missed.
Coming up…
Sync YA may be over for the summer, but I still have lots of titles I downloaded through the summer that I have not listened to yet. I also have a few more chpaters in Soul Feast to finish. Beyond that, I am open to what the week surprises me with. I will be looking for just the right book to read in a hospital waiting room later this week. I need something that will distract me and hold my interest but that won’t require too much heavy thinking, Any suggestions?
What have you read this week?
Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.
Pat Klein
August 29, 2015 at 3:13 pm (9 years ago)I, too, have several SYNC YA books waiting. I was somewhat interested in The Perfect Storm, but I would have preferred the print version so I could skim through some of the technical info about boats and other fishing details. I feel the same way about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I honestly do not remember reading this classic before listening to it; after a while, I became annoyed at the dialect of the characters. Perhaps I could have skimmed parts in the print version.
Did you read Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus? I preferred her Shadow on the Mountain, but Heart is a Newbery Honor. I need to choose one of her books to read with my classes in advance of her visit to our school in April.
Mrs. McGriff
September 1, 2015 at 9:50 am (9 years ago)I enjoyed the technical parts more than I thought I would. Of course, I listen when I’m doing things like mowing the yard, so it’s all good for a distraction. I have listened to other books, though, when I wished I could skim through parts.
I have not read Heart of a Samaurai or Shadow on the Mountain. Enjoy the school visit with the author!
Kellee @ UnleashingReaders.com
August 24, 2015 at 9:26 pm (9 years ago)I read Seer of Shadows a few years ago, and I agree about his amazing ability to craft a story. He is brilliant.
Happy reading this week! 🙂
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 9:28 pm (9 years ago)I am always amazed at the variety of books he can write–and write well. EAch book is inded an adventure and a suprise.
Ricki Ginsberg
August 24, 2015 at 7:05 pm (9 years ago)I also love Avi! I found The Seer of Shadows to be just okay, but your review made me appreciate it more. Maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind when I read it. I wonder if I would like it now. Have a great week!
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 9:24 pm (9 years ago)I know I react to the same book differently at different times. Have a great week–go easy on that arm!
Cheriee Weichel
August 24, 2015 at 3:34 pm (9 years ago)I have read and loved some of Avi’s books, but not all of them resonate with my readers. The Poppy series is an exception. I also downloaded The Perfect Storm. I’m not sure my husband will want to listen to it on our next road trip since he has read the print book, but I’ll give it a try. I would like to recommend Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series for waiting in the hospital. It’s light and fun and takes you into a completely different world.
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 5:43 pm (9 years ago)I always told my students not to give up on AVI if they didn’t like one book. His other ones would be quite different! Light, fun and a different world sounds just like what I need for the waiting room. Thanks for the recommendation.
Holly Mueller
August 24, 2015 at 3:05 pm (9 years ago)I read The Seer of Shadows and agree that it is excellent! Prayers for you husband fighting forest fires and for you time in the hospital. Soul Feast intrigues me. I may check it out! What about a graphic novel for the waiting room? I loved Roller Girl this summer!
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 5:42 pm (9 years ago)I am enjoying Soul Feast immensely. It’s one of the best books on Christian formation/discipleship that I’ve read. Thanks for the well wishes. My husband is heading home to day and should arrive on Wednesday. I have been eyeing Roller Girl. If I can find it, it would be a great choice!
Linda Baie
August 24, 2015 at 9:49 am (9 years ago)I remember enjoying The Perfect Storm a long while ago, & hope your husband enjoys it. Best wishes to him in that hard work he’s doing. I will note the Avi title, haven’t read anything by him in a long time, but it sound intriguing. Don’t know why you’ll be in a hospital waiting room, but best wishes for that time. A short and sweet read is Rylant’s The Van Gogh Cafe.
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 11:11 am (9 years ago)I hope I can talk him into listening to it! He is headed home, starting today, but it will probably be Wednesday before he makes it. Thanks for the good thoughts.
Myra from GatheringBooks
August 24, 2015 at 9:43 am (9 years ago)Seer of Shadows sounds like a special book. I have a collection of Avi’s novels – but I don’t think I have this one yet. Will definitely try to find it.
Mrs. McGriff
August 24, 2015 at 11:11 am (9 years ago)I think Seer might be one of my favorites of Avi’s, though it’s hard to choose just one favorite. It’s a short novel that packs a lot in. My favorite is the friendship between Pegg and Horace.