Currently Reading

Books In Progress

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

I'm at the Texas state library conference this week. I picked this one up from a publisher and had it signed. I started reading it in line and hated even putting it down long enough for her to sign it. I can't wait to see what Libby and Jack get up to. I'm only about 40 pages into it from reading in the signing line. There's so much potential for this one!

Still Life with Tornado by A.S. King

I'm so excited I got to meet Amy! And I even got a copy of another book of hers that I didn't even KNOW existed: Me and Marvin Gardens. And then I finally started reading Still Life because I was standing in line with a copy in my hand. I'm only about 20 pages into it, but I'll keep going until it's done because Amy's writing is beautiful and quirky and always so perfect.

Books Finished

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I picked this one and Dear Ijeawele up at Barnes & Noble when I was forced to buy something for myself. This was the hardest task ever, as I never shop for books to purchase for myself. If I'm going to read something, I acquire it through a library. If I'm buying books, it's generally for other people or for my library. You'd think as much time as I spend looking at things about books this would have been an easier task, but it wasn't. Nevertheless, this is one I picked up and read it the same night. It was eye-opening and I look forwards to reading Dear Ijeawele next. I think this would be a good intro/primer book to hand to someone who questions the term "feminism" just because it's not at all an intimidating read. It's so tiny it fits in the palm of your hand.

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan

I finally finished this one. It took me forever because it never became so compelling I couldn't put it down. The story was good and it did feature a young girl, Lily Shadow, exerting herself in the face of customs telling her she can't. If there is more to the series, I expect to see some good growth from her character as it continues.

Dear Ijeawele or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I read this book while killing time between sessions at the library conference. So many of the problems are systemic, but so many of the suggestions are easy to take to heart. And should be. By everyone. Not just for girls. I definitely need to re-read this one with a highlighter and pencil nearby for my own notes and thoughts and getting them formed into real words instead of the nebulous feelings trapped within.

On Radar

Having just spent the week at a library conference acquiring so many new books, this is going to expand a lot and may need its own post in the coming week.... These are just the first few that hit radar this week. There are more to come.

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

I keep hearing more and more about this series. I'm going to have to pick it up in the near future.

Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley

This sounds like an adorable premise for a book and I look forward to the road trip adventures of these sisters!

Up Next

Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King

I haven't even read the inside flap of this book, but I have a copy and I adore King. I will be reading it in short order. As soon as I finish something else first...

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

I was going to start Who Fears Death on my Kindle this week, but I've been very distracted by all the shiny new books I got. And since I just got a copy of Akata Witch and it sounds right up my alley, I'm going to start with this one. Even though the author herself suggested I read Who Fears Death first. I like to listen to advice and then do the exact opposite. Haha!

For Others

Aftermath by Clara Kensie

I have a lot of students on my campus that enjoy reading real life accounts from and about girls who have been abducted. I think this might be a good fiction read that might interest them.