The end of the month seriously sneaks up on me, as I'm scrambling this morning to get my nightstand in order. Okay, truth be told, it's a shelf in my dining room, and it's actually quite orderly already, and it's this post that I'm scrambling to get together! Over at 5 Minutes for Books, the fourth Tuesday of each month finds us asking our readers to give us a sneak peek at their current reading lists with What's On Your Nightstand? and I take this opportunity to also shamelessly plug some of my most recently posted reviews. Let's do it!
* A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park -- Technically, I've already finished this one, but it's still on my shelf waiting to be reviewed. And let me tell you, it's going to be one absolutely rave review! This was a beautiful and touching middle grade novel about a "Lost Boy" from Sudan and his incredible struggles and unbelievable strength. Ten-year-old JAM and I read this together, a few chapters each night, and while my voice was often cracking from the threat of tears, we were both immensely absorbed in this novel. It comes out in November, and I HIGHLY recommend it to families as a perfect read-aloud and discussion starter.
* What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen -- I've only got a few pages left of this memoir left, and I wonder if my review will spark a bit of discussion when it posts... the author really puts herself out there with her brutal honesty about her reactions to a very shocking, late-in-life pregnancy that is fraught with health concerns. 
* The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman and Rob Shepperson -- I don't know much about this middle grade novel, but I think JAM and I will read this one together next. We had a rough summer with very little reading together, and even though he's older and VERY much a voracious reader on his own, I'm still a huge advocate for reading aloud with our older children. I've even found that he and I have much better feelings toward each other when we spend that time together each night curled up on the couch with a book. 
* The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Gross Junior Edition by David Borgenicht -- Okay, this might not qualify as the most sophisticated read, but just from my first peeks at it, I have a feeling that I will be learning a lot! I also imagine that as soon as it clears my review shelf, it will find a permanent home, along with a huge fan, in JAM's reading collection.
* Scream-Free Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel -- Not a review book, but a (much needed) personal read. I believe it came recommended by someone, but I can't remember exactly. It's been on my shelf for quite a while but kept getting pushed back by review books. It's time to give it a go. There's a look at what's coming down the pike in my reading world. How about you? Link up with us at 5M4B's What's On Your Nightstand? and let us know what books we should be adding to our own shelves!
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If you're so inclined, you can check out my reviews from the past few weeks:
We're nearing the end of our Fall Festival of Children's Books over at 5M4B, and there are tons of fabulous kids' book reviews, along with many giveaways.
* Eight Days: A Story of Haiti -- amazing tribute to Haiti and a touching story of survival during the Haiti earthquake
* Danger! and This Book Made Me Do It -- two DK books full of info and fun, also a GIVEAWAY!
* Rubia and the Three Osos -- an adorable new twist on the Goldilocks story
* Little Chimp's Big Day and Man Gave Names to All the Animals -- two cute animal books
* Far Away Across the Sea -- a beautiful little book of short stories, also a GIVEAWAY!
* A Long Piece of String and 1+1=5 -- two fun concept books
* Who Said Coo? -- my own two little ones LOVE this perfect bedtime book, also a GIVEAWAY!
* E is for Ethics -- a lovely book of short stories to share with your children to start discussions about tricky situations life can throw at us, and what kinds of choices we want to encourage, also a GIVEAWAY, just until tonight!
* Dot and Dash -- oh, the cuteness factor is WAY high in these books!
* Maybe This Time -- a fun novel with a cast that includes an ex-husband (who the protagonist may or may not still love), two surly kids, and a couple of ghosts.
* Spaceheadz -- a hilarious new series by Jon Scieszka. MUCH loved by JAM. And me!
* Day and Night -- a story book of the short film that appeared on screen before this summer's Toy Story 3.
* Mockingjay -- perhaps you've heard of this one? :)
* Mission:Explore -- a totally unique book of adventures for older children.
Happy reading,
What I Thought I Knew definitely sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI so so so need Scream-Free Parenting, ugh. I'm looking forward to your review of What I Though I Knew.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely got a few reviews in this last month! Way to go.
ReplyDeleteI'll be watching for your full review of A Long Walk to Water--You've got me intrigued.
That's a diverse pile! I was also scrambling to get my post up this morning. Sometimes I can't get my act together!
ReplyDeleteI have a Long Walk to Water on my Kindle. Glad you both enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI had thought that I might be reading it for Cybils, but if it doesn't come out until Nov, I guess not.
And yes, reading with those "old kids" is a really cool thing. I am enjoying reading aloud with Amanda right now -- our first read together in a long while.
Interesting list! I hope they're all great reads!
ReplyDeleteI've got both A Long Walk to Water and What I Thought I Knew on my to-read list. I thought they both sounded very good when I first became aware of them; I'm glad to hear that you have found them to be good reads.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!