Ms. Anderson's ATM

The year is just flying by and I'm already behind on my posting! But there's good news...I am NOT behind on my reading. Hooray! What has been keeping me so busy? Well, planning and teaching and cataloging and processing new books. Just the regular life of a librarian!

And while I have remained way too busy to even sit down, I have been able to find my groove reading. Since my last post I've read a number of books that were average or above: Odder, Singing with Elephants, Maybe an Artist, Just Roll with It, The Door of No Return, Star Child, A Face for Picasso, and Animals on the Edge. None of the books were awful (thank goodness) but none among them resonated with me in that extra way. That elusive "best of..." territory.

But there were some outstanding candidates:

This Woven Kingdom was one of those books at the top of my TBR list because I liked the author and a loved the cover. So when it popped up available in audio form I admit I danced a little in my seat. And it was so good! This fantasy story had a strong female heroine and a fresh plot filled hidden turns and dark alleys. The best part? I waited so long to read book 1 that book 2 is about to be released! Winning!

I love science. I always have. But there is one topic that really makes my skin crawl, stomach hurt, and head itch. Parasites. In fact, I will never forget the trauma produced by my 8th grade science teacher. Oh. My. Goodness. Worms, worms, and more worms. American Murderer dredged up all of my imagined horrors surrounding hookworms. And for good reason. They are the things of nightmares. What else can burrow into your foot, travel through your circulatory system, get coughed up and swallowed, and then attached itself into your intestine. You guessed it. The hookworm. And Gail Jarrow captures not just the science of this little creature but also the impact infections caused around the world but specifically in the American South. It is a great and terrifying read.

Tumble has been on my love at first sight cover list so when it won a Pura Belpre Award it flew right to the top of my TBR pile. I started it yesterday and so far it has failed to disappoint. It's a little family, some mystery, and big mix of La Lucha Libre. So much fun (and a great antidote to worm worry! ;-P)

I felt like Revolution in Our Time would be perfect for Black History Month. And so far the audio book has been engaging, filled with interesting information, well narrated, and perfect for listening while driving, cleaning, or getting ready for work. It's a winner that I wish students would pick up but I think they overlook because of the size and length. One thing I'll admit that I miss while listening is immediate access to all of the great photos! I just have to remind myself to page through our copy each morning so I can get my visual updates.

That's about all for now.

Happy Reading!

Ms. Anderson