Starting Out 2017 With a Bang! (And I Don't Mean Fireworks)

I finished ten books on January 1, 2017. Huh? I can hear you say. Are you pulling my leg? Exaggerating? Lying? Nope. I honestly and truly finished ten books on January 1st. I do it every year.  So what is my secret?  I finish off my list for 2016 just before the Christmas break from school. Then I read like crazy for the week or so before the first of the new year. I read like crazy, but I don't quite finish the books I'm reading; I leave the last chapter or the last few pages for the first day of the year.  Result: I start each year confident. Excited to work on my yearly reading challenge. With a bang. (And I don't mean fireworks.) I guess it's a bit of a cheat of a sort but it works for me. It's fun to tell people when I am asked that I've already read ten books by day one of the new year. Lots of Oooos and Aaaaahs and the "You are an amazing reader!" sort of comments. Well, yes, I am. Here's what I have finished last week: cover title author review But What If We're Wrong? Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past Klosterman, Chuck This is a wonderfully refreshing idea for a book: how will the present look from the future? What will we think about the way we looked at sports and ...more  From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books Horning, Kathleen T. Evaluating and reviewing children's books is something I do a lot. I could benefit from reading this book, I thought. I was disappointed to find that ...more  The Monks and Me: How 40 Days in Thich Nhat Hanh's French Monastery Guided Me Home Paterson, Mary * Mary Paterson spends forty days at Thich Nhat Hanh's monastery in France and returns home to Canada calm and peaceful. This book is a collection of re ...more  I'll Give You the Sun Nelson, Jandy* Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance Wow. Wow. Wow. (That doesn't tell you much, does it? Let's see if I can tell you a little bit of what this story is about....) T ...more  The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia Booth, Michael The question of everyone's mind these days seems to be: What's so great about Scandinavia? Michael Booth, an Englishman living in Denmark, decides to ...more  Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders Foer, Joshua * Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge, using junk cars. The Museum of Bad Art, where nine of every ten submissions are rejected for being too good. Ozyman ...more  Hating Alison Ashley Klein, Robin I didn't know a thing about this book except (1) it is a 1001 Children's Book and (2) one of the main character has the same name as I originally had ...more  The Battle for Room 314: My Year of Hope and Despair in a New York City High School Boland, Ed Let me start by telling you the ending.... *****SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!***** ...he quits. Yes, he gives it a year, one year, and he ...more  More Letters of Note: Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience Usher, Shaun* It's a book of letters and, if that sounds boring, you obviously haven't read this book. These are brilliant missives, some funny, some sad, some zany ...more  The Diary of a Country Priest Bernanos, Georges If I was more clever, I'd rate this a five and if I went by what a struggle it was to get through it, I'd rate it a three, so I suppose this is a spot ...more  I'll be at my dad's 90th birthday party most of today. My dad is just like a five year old before Christmas! What are you reading today? What is the Sunday Salon? Imagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon. The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week. Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week.   It is now being hosted here. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.

Pawpaw Reads at Christmastime

For more wordless photos, go to Wordless Wednesday.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky at West Metro Mommy Reads.

The Books I Will (Finally!) Read in 2017

The Eight by Katherine Neville (I have two copies of this in my TBR...That's crazy....)

Jellicoe Road (I have two copies of this one, too. Sigh.)

Any Human Heart by William Boyd

Appointment in Samarra (I've had this book in my TBR for a ridiculous seven or eight years.)

Barkskins by Annie Proulx (She's coming to Houston in January. Must read before then.)

News of the World by Paulette Jiles (I am reading this one now.)

Holding Up the Universe (I loved All the Bright Places. This one looks to be equally good.)

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham (It sounds like a book I would love.)

The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen (I'll take this one on during Paris in July, I think.)

This is My Best: Over 150 Self-Chosen and Complete Masterpieces by Whit Burnett (I picked up this book at a used bookstore way out in West Texas last summer. The copyright is 1942 and it has pieces by all sorts of amazing writers.) 

The 100 Most Influential People Who Never Lived (This book has been parked on my shelf for over a year. It's a BookCrossing book. I probably need to get it read and back on the road soon.)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Announcing the 2016 Cybils Fiction Picture Book and Board Book Shortlists!

I'm so proud of these Cybils Fiction Picture Book and Board Book Shortlists; you'd think I'd written and illustrated all these books myself.  Between the seven of us panelists, we read and considered 1,716 books, which is 97% of the nominated books. Somehow, we managed to agree on our favorite fiction picture books and our favorite board books. We did all of this in less than two months. Pretty amazing work.  Huge thanks go to Jennifer Wharton of Jean Little Library, Kirstine Call of Reading for Research, Sue Morris of Kid Lit Reviews, Ami Jones of A Mom's Spare Time, and Kate Unger of Mom's Radius. And, now, the shortlists. Watch for the winners which will be announced on Valentine's Day. The 2016 Cybils Fiction Picture Book Shortlist A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins Atheneum Books for Young Readers Nominated by: Sondra Eklund "Once upon a time there was a hungry lion" the book begins, and then lists all the other adorable animals surrounding him. Oh wait, that's not quite right. Let's try listing those animals again. And again. And... where did everybody go? Surprise! Of course the lion didn't eat them all! It's a party! Um....they're going to eat the cake, right? Well....maybe not.... There are quite a few "a hungry animal is going to eat you, no, wait, it's just a party" books, but this one stands out with its triple-twist and giggle-worthy ending. Cummins' bright, colorful illustrations feature an adorable assortment of animals - and a stoic lion with a glare that fits his naughty personality perfectly. Cummins has a perfect sense of timing as she plays out the joke and surprises readers on every page. A Hungry Lion will keep your storytime audience and classes laughing hysterically as they request multiple readings so they can catch every detail. Jennifer Wharton Jean Little Library Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso Atheneum Books for Young Readers Nominated by: Jennifer Rumberger Filled with lyrical language and vivid verbs, this book reads like poetry.  The story of Gus and Ida touches on death and friendship in a peaceful and hopeful way. The illustrations add depth and power to the well chosen words. The unmistakable bond between Ida and Gus creates an emotional resonance that stays with you long after you’ve read it.  You’re reminded that those you’ve lost are right there with with you.  Always. Kirstine Call Reading for Research They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel Chronicle Books  Nominated by: PragmaticMom “The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . .” When you see a cat, what do you see? A child sees a cute calico cat and wants to pet the kitty. But a mouse sees a large black cat with yellow crazed eyes, large pointed teeth, and long sharp claws ready to pounce. It is all a matter of perspective in Brendan Wenzel’s debut. He gives children twelve animals' visions of the cat.  The beautiful images will have children thinking about size and perspective, giving them a new view of their world. Sue Morris Kid Lit Reviews One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom and Brendan Wenzel  HarperCollins Nominated by: Heidi G. "One day in the leaves of the eucalyptus tree hung a scare in the air where no eye could see, when along skipped a boy with a whirly-twirly toy, to the shade of the eucalyptus,  eucalyptus tree." Are your toes tapping? There's a definite rhythm going that makes this book a natural read-aloud. Children can of course see the snake peeking out of the eucalyptus tree, and that snake gobbles up that boy with the whirly-twirly toy. The boy keeps calm and immediately hatches a plan, convincing the snake to swallow more and more adorably illustrated creatures, until he is finally so full, he...er...burps them all out. Early literacy skills, a feeling of empowerment, fun illustrations, science and social studies extensions, and just plain fun make this a well-rounded addition to the list. Ami Jones A Mom's Spare Time The Night Gardener by Terry and Eric Fan Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Nominated by: Betsy The Night Gardener is a magical book. A small town is forever changed by the works of the Night Gardener, a mysterious man who creates new topiaries out of the local trees each night. One little boy, William, is impacted a bit more. One night after celebrating with the neighbors late into the night, William comes upon the Night Gardener and gets to help him create many creations in the local park. Though the trees only last until fall, the community is never the same again. And a small gift from the Night Gardener inspires William for a life time. The text in this book is fairly minimal, with no more than a few sentences per two-page spread. The illustrations begin in muted tones with only the topiaries in color. But as the story progresses and the people in the neighborhood are impacted by the Night Gardener's sculptures, they begin to appear in color as well. By the end of the book, the whole town is in full color, appearing as vibrant and alive as the people of the town. This book is perfect for kids ages 4-8. Kate Unger Mom's Radius There’s a Bear on My Chair written and illustrated by Ross Collins Nosy Crow  Publisher/ Author Submission "There's a bear on my chair!" Where?  On my chair! I declare! A bear on my chair! A mouse arrives home and discovers an enormous polar bear is sitting on his chair. How far will the mouse go to remove that bear from his chair?  There's a Bear on My Chair is a exuberant tale filled with surprising rhyme and unexpected plot twists and wild mouse mood swings. This is a book children will ask to hear over and over again, with side benefits: you will love reading it over and over, and it will soon be a book children will find they can read solo.  Dare to ensnare this rare and extraordinaire bear-chair affair, There's a Bear on My Chair.  Deb Nance Readerbuzz Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books Nominated by: Flowering Minds When one little boy and his tiny pet elephant try to participate in Pet Club Day, they are met with a sign that says: Strictly No Elephants. Despite their sadness, they push forward together and ultimately travel from the realization that they do not fit in that club, to a joyful accomplishment and a place  where they can celebrate their differences with friends. This well-written and aptly-illustrated book conveys the sadness and sweet success often found in the process of finding true friends and subtly suggests the meaning of friendship.  Lynne Marie My Word Playground The 2016 Cybils Board Book Shortlist Dinosaur Dance! by Sandra Boynton Little Simon Nominated by: Alysa Stewart Filled with pitch perfect rhymes and onomatopoeia, Dinosaur Dance waltzes from one page to the next with daring illustrations and colorful dinosaurs.  The words are fun to say and create a rhythm that encourages small children to dance with the dinosaurs.  Reading this board book provides the ideal environment for learning, laughing, and of course, dancing. Kirstine Call Reading for Research Look, Look Again by Agnese Baruzzi minedition Publisher/ Author Submission Look, a donut! Or is it? Unfold the (sturdily constructed) flap, and you find those are actually the curves of a lounging cat. A green apples becomes two crocodiles, and so on, in this playful counting book. The counting part of it is almost an extra. The real fun comes in learning to look at each shape differently, and in guessing what else it might be. Adults may remember similar photo games in magazines like National Geographic for Kids, or in the back pages of Reader's Digest. The pages are easily manipulated by little hands, and while younger readers will enjoy marveling at the transformation, older children can be led in games of, "What else could this shape be?" Ami Jones A Mom's Spare Time Follow the Yarn: A Book of Colors by Emily Sper Jump Press Nominated by: ediew Follow the Yarn is a creative new take on the basic color board book. Each page shows yarn of a different color being unraveled by a cat, and the featured color is written in big, bold, color appropriate text. On each subsequent page, the previous colors are still displayed in what creates a fun web of colors by the end of the book. The yarns crisscross each other, so toddlers will enjoy following each color's yarn to the end. The last page, white, is stunning with the colors contrasted against a black background. This book will make the task of teaching colors a delightful experience for both parents and children. Kate Unger Mom's Radius Cuauhtémoc: Shapes – Formas: A Bilingual Book of Shapes by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein Lil' Libros Nominated by: PragmaticMom What in the world is Cuauhtémoc? And what is it doing in a child's board book?  The charm of this little board book is the surprising variety of learning the author and illustrator have included in twenty-two pages. Cuauhtémoc is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces the youngest of our future readers to shapes. But that's not all: it also names the shapes in both English and Spanish. And this book has still more: it focuses on one of the most neglected groups in children’s literature, indigenous American culture. You can find this all in a package that is perfect for 0-2 year olds, with simple text and large bright pictures. Cuauhtémoc is a wonderful book for your baby or your library system. Deb Nance Readerbuzz Cityblock by Christopher Franceschelli and Peskimo Harry N. Abrams Nominated by: Becky L. Your little one will have fun while learning as he/she travels through a generic city in this quality board book with engaging lift flaps and cut page turns via a variety of city transportation methods. Fabulous city destinations await, including a museum, a carousel, a sports stadium and more! And that is not all – in this “big city – all you can eat city,” there are many cultural treats to discover. This fabulous book slices up the essence of a big city in manageable bites, just perfect for a little one’s mind to chew on. Chock full of art to enjoy, words to learn, details to savor and most importantly, it’s a city block little ones will want to revisit again and again.  Lynne Marie,  My Word Playground  What is the Sunday Salon? Imagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon. The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week. Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week.   It is now being hosted here. Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.