Books I'm Awaiting for the First Part of 2021

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The Charmed Wife 

by Olga Grushin (January 2021)

The Children's Blizzard: A Novel 

by Melanie Benjamin (January 2021)

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: 

In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life 

by George Saunders (January 2021)

A Shot in the Moonlight: 

How a Freed Slave and a Confederate Soldier Fought for Justice in the Jim Crow South 

by Ben Montgomery (January 2021)

Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future 

by Elizabeth Kolbert (February 2021)

No One Is Talking About This 

by Patricia Lockwood (February 2021)

That Sounds Fun: 

The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby
by 

Annie F Downs (February 2021)

Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage 

by Anne Lamott (March 2021)

The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World: A Novel 

by Laura Imai Messina (March 2021)

Klara and the Sun: A Novel 

by Kazuo Ishiguro (March 2021)

The Five Wounds 

by Kirstin Valdez Quade (April 2021)

What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing 

by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey (April 2021)

Messy Truth: How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction
by 

Caleb Kaltenbach (August 2021)

The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 100 Poets on the Divine
by Kaveh Akbar (November 2021)

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.

So Very Glad (!) to See 2021

 

And 2020 is officially over. 

I love to start the new year with a bang. Here's my strategy: I start a stack of books during the last weeks of the old year, and then I finish them and review them on the first day of the new year. I finished fifteen books on January 1st. Starting with a bang. 

I've never done this before, and I don't know how it will turn out, but I decided to sign up for several reading challenges this year: Back to the Classics Challenge. Nonfiction Reader Challenge. Japanese Literature Challenge. Books in Translation Reading Challenge. Diversity Reading Challenge. Comment 4 Comment Challenge. For more information about these, take a look here.

Are you doing any of these challenges this year? Are you doing any other challenges?

My dad celebrates his 94th birthday on January 3rd. We, of course, won't be gathering for his birthday this year, but it's fun to remember his 90th birthday when he had to blow out all 90 of the candles on his cake.

Shall we try for a Happier January 2021? Print out your own Action Calender here.

Good Thing #1: 2020 is over.

Good Thing #2: It's a brand new year.

Good Thing #3: I am thankful 2020 is over and it's a brand new year.

I'm happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is a place for us to link up, to share what we have been doing during the week, to visit other blogs, and to join in the conversations going on. I encourage everyone to link up and then visit other blogs each week.

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.

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.

First Book of 2021, Plus One Word for 2021

 

In case 2021 is anything like 2020, I have Pie Academy ready and I will bake my heart out.

What books are others choosing for a First Book? Take a look at Book Journey here.

My #OneWord for 2021? I'm sticking with the same word I've had for the last three New Year's Days. Play. It reminds me to be in the moment, to be spontaneous, to enjoy my life, to draw upon the spirit of love and joy that abides within us at all times. Play. My One Word.

Want to pick your own One Word? Take a look here.

Do you have a First Book for 2021? Have you chosen One Word? I hope you will share in the comments.