It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journey. Kellee and Rikki at Unleashing 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.

Last week was filled with appointments and college visits. This week coming up is looking to be just as full. I am glad, though, that I managed to keep the sourdough starter warm enough to stay alive and make a couple of loaves this weekend. We enjoyed some snow last week, but the brunt of the big blizzard missed us. I hope those of you who got snowed under are finding a way to dig out!

I finished…

Birdwing by Rafe Martin – This retelling of the fairy tale of the swan brothers picks up where the fairy tale leaves off. From the fairy tale, six brothers were turned into swans. Their sister wove shirts of nettles to turn them back into humans, but she didn’t finish the last shirt. The youngest brother was left with one wing once he regained human form. Ardwin–that youngest brother–struggles to find his place in the world. When he fears his father might cut off his arm to make a political alliance, Ardwin escapes the palace and begins a journey of discovery. Along the way he meets people who accept him or fear him (including a witch, a magician and a goose girl) and he finally learns what strengths and gifts his wing brings him. I loved this exploration of a fairy tale that I’m not as familiar with.

I’m currently reading…

My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Stephen Alcorn – This week I visited the South (where I grew up) and the Midwest (where I currently live). I love how a few lines of words can capture the soul of a place–or at least a glimpse of it.

Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor – I’m rereading this book since my Bible study group has chosen to read it. I’m looking forward to some interesting discussions. Taylor challenges conventional notions of darkness. (How often do you hear someone describe darkness as good rather than fearful or evil?) I am also fascinated by what she learned about darkness. Did you know there are three different twilights that measure the coming of evening? I didn’t.

Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva J. Dawn – This year I am exploring the practice of keeping the Sabbath, and Dawn’s book is the first I’m reading this year. The book is organized into four weekly themes with daily readings for each. This past week focused on the theme of ceasing–from work, productivity, worry, control. It’s hard for me to let go even for one day, but I am learning the gifts of Sabbath as I try it out and reflect.

The Anatomy of Curiosity by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, Brenna Yovanich – This week I read Gratton’s story “Desert Canticle.” When Gratton writes, she begins with a world–in this case a desert world with magical IEDs. I was fascinated with how she uses elements of world building to develop and reveal character and plot and how the smallest of details can show so much about a world, both the created world and the real world.  Now I’m eager to create a world to learn what I can discover about both the story I am writing and the world I live in.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – My daughter still says she doesn’t like it, but she still asks me to read every night and often begs for “just one more” chapter. She may pretend to be asleep, but she still laughs at the right parts (even though the book is strange and mysterious, there are many funny lines) and asks questions. I love the chance to reread at a slower pace and appreciate just how brilliant this book is. I’m eagerly waiting the fourth book in the series which will be out this spring.

Raising Chickens for Dummies by Kimberly Willis and Rob Ludlow – This week I’m reading about housing my (future) chickens. Who knew there were so many choices for coops, shelters and runs. While the little coops at the local farm store are adorable, I don’t think they are very practical. While it is too cold and snowy to get outside to build much, we can start drawing up plans and supply lists.

Coming up…

I rediscovered the joys of Overdrive from our library last week, but the two books I wanted I had to put on hold. I hope they will become available soon. Meanwhile, I think it’s past time for a trip to the library to what books they have on the shelves!

What books are you reading this week?

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.