Places In Books I’d Love to Live

First, I'd like to make it clear that are a lot of places I don't want to be. I do not want to travel with the folks in Grapes of Wrath from Oklahoma to California and live in a migrant Hooverville camp. I wouldn't make a good sailor aboard the Pequod in Moby Dick. I can't see myself as a soldier in Vietnam alongside Norman and Henry and Rat in The Things They Carried. And I'd be dead in hours if I went to live with Wang Lung and O-lan in the China of The Good Earth.

On the other hand, I'd love to live...

..."in an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, with twelve little girls in two straight lines." I'll take Paris in any time period, in any circumstances. Madeline.

...any house on Mango Street. Yes, Esperanza wanted to leave her barrio at first, but she gradually came to know what a wonderful community it really was. The House on Mango Street.

...Call me crazy, but I think it would be delightful to live in a rabbit warren in Hampshire in England.  Watership Down.

...Wouldn't it be fun to ride with Gus and Woodrow in 1870s Texas on a cattle drive? Lonesome Dove.

...I'd love to travel with Rincewind and Twoflower and the Luggage (made of Sapient Pearwood) throughout Discworld. The Color of Magic and other Discworld books. 

...Talk about an inclusive community. In Who-ville, the folks love each other and sing well together, but they are also willing to bring in to dinner a fellow who stole all their Christmas presents, decorations, and food. How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

...I don't know what town they live in, but I can't think of anything I'd rather do than find a magic coin and travel through time with Katherine, Mark, Jane, and Martha. Even if the coin only half-works. Half Magic.

...I feel sure I'm not the only one who might enjoy being a hobbit in The Shire. Just think about Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, and Supper. The Hobbit.

I've wanted to be a dog that drives and heads to that fabulous dog party all my life. Go, Dog, Go. 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each Tuesday That Artsy Reader Girl assigns a topic and then post her top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join her and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information.

Multicultural Children's Book Day 2021: The Scrumptious Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith

I was gifted a copy of The Scrumptious Life of Azaleah Lane, written by Nikki Shannon Smith @nikki2smith and illustrated by Gloria Felix @GloriaFelixArt, from Capstone @CapstonePub. The opinions expressed are my own.

"Mama always said cooking for someone was like giving them a gift."

When Mama and Daddy head out of town to a food-truck festival, their three daughters, Tiana, Azaleah, and Nia, are delighted to get to spend the weekend with their Auntie Sam. Azaleah gets the idea to make cookies for her parents, so with Auntie Sam’s permission and little sister Tiana’s help, she carefully makes a batch. But the cookies are awful, and it takes all of Azaleah’s skills of solving a mystery to figure out what went wrong.

The Scrumptious Life of Azaleah Lane is a refreshing book, with its story of a family of people who have occasional little difficulties in their relationships but who genuinely care about each other. There’s no over-the-top drama; the story is a gentle look at regular life. The little details---instant oatmeal for breakfast, buying groceries at a convenience store---offer windows and mirrors to contemporary readers. The characters are charming without being unbelievable, and that’s a difficult tightrope to walk. I especially loved how the characters are persistent at working to change their behavior when they fall short. The aunt, especially, is a model of ideal behavior. She spoils the children just a bit but she always draws the line at going too far. The story’s heart is a little mystery that draws the reader in, and I don’t mind admitting that I, happily, didn’t figure it out before the reveal at the end. Yes, I’d call The Scrumptious Life of Azaleah Lane completely refreshing and delightful.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8^th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators. Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com) Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone,  Hoopoe Books,  KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate, Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child  

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Poster Artist: Nat Iwata Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids,  Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club,  Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing, Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher,  Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit Gallery of Our Free Posters FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

TWITTER PARTY! Register here!

 

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children's Book Day Twitter Party! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. ** Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter! Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Multicultural Children's Book Day: Hello, Mandarin Duck! written by Bao Phi and illustrated by Dion MBD

I was gifted a copy of Hello, Mandarin Duck! written by Bao Phi and illustrated by Dion MBD @DionMbd, from Capstone @CapstonePub. The opinions expressed are my own.

It’s time for the May Day Parade, and twins Hue and Hoa are waiting for the parade to begin when they see a duck who appears to be new to the neighborhood and confused by all the goings-on. How can the duck get to the pond? Lots of neighbors stop by and offer suggestions, and, by working together and supporting each other, the duck both arrives at its destination and is welcomed warmly.

The May Day Parade is a delightful celebration of peoples and cultures, with an explosion of colors and talents. In the midst of the celebration is a lost and lonely duck who can’t find the pond the duck seeks and who doesn’t feel like it quite fits in. But it’s the exuberant welcoming stances of all the other neighbors that help the duck feel accepted in its new environment. I loved this celebration of a multiplicity of talents and skills and cultures, and I loved the way the duck found a place in a new community by taking the lead as the head of the parade. What duck wouldn’t love becoming part of this diverse and joyful community?!

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8^th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators. Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com) Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone,  Hoopoe Books,  KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate, Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child  

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Poster Artist: Nat Iwata Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids,  Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club,  Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing, Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher,  Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit Gallery of Our Free Posters FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

TWITTER PARTY! Register here!

 

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children's Book Day Twitter Party! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. ** Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter! Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Multicultural Children's Book Day: TimTimTom Personalized Books

I was gifted a copy of Annie and the Dolphin/Annie y el Delfin written by Saskia Reusens @saskiareusens and illustrated by Katrien Van Schuylenbergh by TimTimTom @Timtimtombooks. The opinions expressed are my own.

Annie is my granddaughter and she has long brown hair and brown eyes and she is the hero of this story. Is your child the hero of a story? This is his or her chance.

I’ve seen personalized books in the past, and they can be disappointing, with amateurish illustrations and weak storylines. But this personalized book did not. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The child is the center of the story and she does heroic things---swimming to the bottom of the ocean, facing sharks, acting courageously---to save a turtle tangled in a net. I’m not an expert in Spanish, as Spanish is my second language, but the translation appears to be faultless. The text is easy to read, but also contains some strong new vocabulary. 

Annie and the Dolphin is one of the personalized, bilingual books published by Timtimtom Books. What child wouldn’t enjoy seeing herself as the star of a story? What child wouldn’t love to hear a story about himself written in his own first language? 

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8^th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators. Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com) Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone,  Hoopoe Books,  KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc. Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate, Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child  

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Poster Artist: Nat Iwata Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids,  Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club,  Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing, Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher,  Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit Gallery of Our Free Posters FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

TWITTER PARTY! Register here!

 

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children's Book Day Twitter Party! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. ** Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter! Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Announcing The 2020 Cybils Fiction Picture Book Finalists! Plus All the Other Marvelous Cybils Finalists for 2020

Here they are! Announcing the 2020 Cybils Fiction Picture Book finalists!

The Camping Trip, written and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann @jensredwagon, published by Candlewick Press @candlewick, nominated by Deb Nance at Readerbuzz @debnance.

Reviewed by Nicole of Bluestocking Thinking:

Ernestine is thrilled when her aunt and cousin invite her on a camping trip. She packs everything she'll need for a successful trip into the great outdoors. But the woods and the wide-open land are a far cry from what Ernestine's familiar with in the city. The lake has things living in it, hiking is exhausting, and the night is so, so dark. When Ernestine begins to have her worries take over, her aunt and cousin lead her to a star-filled sky to soak in nature's beauty at night. It is in this moment that Ernestine begins connecting with the outdoors. This story is for all the nature lovers; present, or yet to come!

Dozens of Doughnuts, written by Carrie Finison @CarrieFinison, illustrated by Brianne Farley @briannefarley, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers @putnamBFYR, nominated by Darshana Khiani @darshanakhiani. 

Reviewed by: Kirsti Call of Picture Book Look:

This delicious read-aloud pairs perfect rhyme with expressive illustrations to create the ideal recipe for heart and humor. LouAnn is generous with her doughnuts, but she gets "FED UP" with sharing when there aren't any left for her! This engaging story presents math in a fun way that will keep kids guessing and learning. Themes of sharing, caring, friendship, forgiveness, apology, and teamwork make this the kind of book that begs to be re-read. And who can resist doughnuts?

I Am Every Good Thing, written by Derrick Barnes @Author_DDB, illustrated by Gordon C. James @GordonCJamesArt, published by Nancy Paulsen Books @nancyrosep, nominated by kelstarly @kelstarly.

Reviewed by Sandy Brehl of Unpacking the Power of Picture Books:

The creative pair behind this amazing new picture book first proved their synergy in 2017 with Crown:  An Ode to the Fresh Cut. They’ve returned with direct and exuberant text, illustrated with densely saturated color, bold lines, and empowering perspectives. Rhythmic and resolutely joyous proclamations of "I am ..." are undeniable for every child around the world, or they should be. In this case, though, in this country (USA), in our schools and neighborhoods and culture, such fully realized experiences of life are rarely revealed in picture books for Black children, most especially so for Black boys. Each page elicits smiles, generates memories, evokes connection, and warms the heart. A celebration of Black boys’ lives bursts from each spread with brilliance and agency. Their magnificence is undeniable to readers of every age, race, or experience.

In a Jar, written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero @deborahmarcero, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers @putnamBFYR, nominated by Emma Manolis.

Reviewed by Deb Nance at Readerbuzz, Readerbuzz:

Llewellen collects things. In jars. Lots of things. Feathers. Stones. He meets Evelyn, and they collect things together. Things that are hard to hold. Things that they thought might not fit in a jar. But they did. And then Evelyn moves away. What will happen now to their connection of collecting things together? Sometimes you see a book and you know it's just the book for you. This is a book that feels like it is just for me. But here. I've collected it. In this jar. I'd love to share it with you, too.

I Talk Like a River, written by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith @Sydneydraws, published by Neal Porter Books @NealPorterBooks, nominated by Sandy Brehl @SandyBrehl.

Reviewed by Emma Manolis of Ever Emma: 

I Talk Like a River is a powerful, poetic read that successfully articulates what it feels like to struggle with speech fluency. Based on the author's own experiences, the carefully worded text and stunning illustrations work together to illuminate one boy's journey to self-acceptance. This is a title that will leave its reader with the desire to be a kinder, more patient, & empathetic person. 

The Paper Kingdom, written by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion @pascalcampion, published by Random House Books for Young Readers @RandomHouseKids, nominated by happiestinthewoods.

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel of YA Book Nerd:

Daniel's parents work at night and sometimes struggle to find him a babysitter. One night, they're forced to take him with them. They work as janitors, cleaning the larges messes left behind in a large office building. Daniel doesn't understand why everything is so messy. His parents make a game out of their work, creating a paper kingdom rules by dragons and kings. This imaginative story (based on the author's own family) shares the struggles of one family, while they work hard and teach their child to be considerate, compassionate, and kind. 

We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom @CaroleLindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade @MichaelaGoade, published by Roaring Book Press, nominated by Charlotte.

Reviewed by Lynne Marie Pisano of My Word Playground:

This lyrical text presents the benefits of water in an informative and whimsical way. In it, the Granddaughter of Nokomis shares what she has learned from her Native American Grandmother and takes up the task of protecting it. She does this for her community, as well as all the creatures the water serves. The author also weaves a cautionary tale of the black snake into the story to make it even more appealing. The text is supported by beautiful, flowing, and colorful art that will engage and inspire the reader and make them want to soak in it as long as they might. Those who open the door to the world of this book will truly leave changed and will value water and Native American culture all the more.

What other 2020 children's/YA books are Cybils Finalists? Here are all the lists:

What do you think? Any of your favorites on these lists? Please share your thoughts with me.

A Dozen Great Reads; Cybils Changes; a Humphrey Bogart Mini-Marathon; and a Bioblitz

I'm not sure I have room on my blog to tell you about all the good books I read last week.

Last week I had several outta-nowhere-didn't-see-ya-comin' 5-star reads:

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: An Introvert's Year of Living Dangerously

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad

And I also read a bunch of wonderful 4-star reads, too:

God Got a Dog written by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Marla Frazee

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

Feed Your Mind: A Story of August Wilson by Jen Bryant

No Ordinary Men: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Hans von Dohnanyi, Resisters Against Hitler in Church and State

The Black Kids by Kristina Hammons Reed

Have you read any of these? Thoughts?

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

The 2020 Cybils Awards will be making some changes this year.

I shared some thoughts this week about classic books: 

What Makes a Classic Book? Some Thoughts about Classics, Reading, and Venomous Snakes

I shared a list of Books I Loved But Never Reviewed.

I enjoyed Dewey's 24-Hour Reverse Readathon.

My husband and I had a mini-Humphrey Bogart marathon this week.

I strongly recommend both of these: The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep.

My husband and I participated in the Texas Mid-Coast Bioblitz last week. 

It was a relaxing experience, and it felt great to be outdoors.

1. Walking two miles every morning at 6:30. 

2. Curbside service at my library.

3. New jigsaw puzzle.

How are you doing this week? 

What were the good things from your week?

Any good books to share with me?

Now more than ever I'm very happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon. There are no requirements for linking up at Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:

• What was your week like?
• Read any good books? Tell us about them.
• What other bookish things did you do? 
• What else is going on in your life?

Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are below. Click on the picture to visit the site.

My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.