This is an excellent board book for parents and librarians to read to the youngest of children to begin a foundation of antiracism and diversity. The book advocates 9 steps to “make equity a reality,” and counting each one would be great practice for toddlers. Some vocabulary may need further explaining for curious youngsters, but rhyming steps make fun-reading and bright, bold illustrations of families of color will hold young ones‘ interests!

That‘s quite a part one cliffhanger! On to part 2! #ReverseReadathon @DeweysReadathon

Stacks & a variety of digital options ready for #reversereadathon! @DeweysReadathon

“Lonely in America” By Wendy S. Walters. Wow. #BlackLivesMatter

My husband made me let the dogs out early this morning and I discovered it‘s #readathon day! Serendipity! 1. Central Iowa 2. The Water Dancer 3. Idk, I didn‘t plan ahead! 4. I miss baseball desperately. 5. Since I didn‘t plAn ahead, I‘ll just wing it today! Looking forward to having a purpose for focusing on my reading! @DeweysReadathon

I listened to this with my husband. I debated between 2 and 3 stars mainly because this is very technical. The book is almost an ode to NYC as much as it‘s their story. Between the descriptions of places in NYC and the endless lists of bands, songs, and equipment that I don‘t know much about, it was tedious at times. However, I think that technicality is part of the beauty of the book. I really felt their love for each other, NYC, and music.

This is a great read about Maya‘s coming of age. I thought I‘d read it before, but reading it now, I think previously I only read an excerpt. This book only made me more curious about her life and how she became the incredible woman and author we all know. The ending was abrupt as was the end of her childhood. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book, but the ending felt a bit abrupt. This novel is the love story of Jonathan and Annika, a neurodiverse librarian. The characters felt very authentic and I liked the alternating POV and shifts in time. A quick read from a local author for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just finished this one on audio. I liked the full cast and listening to Gentry speak in his Old English rather than reading. Greenwood does a great job of creating dysfunctional stories and characters and still drawing in the reader‘s empathy. My only qualm was Gentry hearing voices as an autistic person. In my experience that isn‘t a trait of those on the spectrum and seemed to portray him as “crazy” rather than different.

A must read for writers, but also for those who appreciate writers and their craft. This was a reread for me and I listened to King narrate the audio version. At first his voice bothered me but I settled in and I loved hearing him give his own advice and tell his own story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A perfect ending to the Mercy series. Once again Mercy and Truman team up in a way to solve area murders, only this time they are mostly separated. The fresh take in this book was Mercy‘s undercover assignment in a cult-like group and subsequent fight for survival. The ending was satisfying. My favorite in this series since the first one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really fascinating look at Takei‘s life as well as a general history of the Japanese internment camps of WWII. I‘ve read Farewell to Manzanar and knew some of this history but not enough. I wonder what parts of this era America will be ashamed about in 50+ years?

Wow. This book packs a punch. Vanasco interviews her former friend/rapist and analyzed her own feelings and tendencies to gender perform. I was annoyed with her much of the time, but she was annoyed with herself too. This book is a fascinating look at gender roles and sexual assault in society.

Getting my “library” together. Still need to sand and stain the shelves but decided to just sit and read for a bit. I can already tell this is going to be my favorite space in our new house!

We moved from Omaha to Des Moines in August, and I‘ve still barely unpacked. Every day I look at this shelf and feel some peace because at least I have one tiny corner of my new life organized! These are my physical “to reads”. My niece helped color code them for the shelf@.

Gah! It came and it‘s beautiful!

This is a quick read - Set in Ireland, the story of Marianne and Connell and their inability to have a “normal” relationship, yet complicated pull to one another hooked me from the start. Rooney‘s minimalistic style worked well with the complex inner-workings of the protagonists‘ minds - a more convoluted style would have made this less enjoyable. The end was abrupt, but ultimately perfect for the story Rooney told.

Great way to start #24in48 by finishing this light, romance. It‘s super cute and I love the tie-ins to Guillory‘s other novels. @24in48

I‘ll be honest, I really did not like Queenie the first half or so, but she grew on me and so did the book. She‘s incredibly flawed but I appreciate that she by the end readers learn that her biggest flaws are her self esteem and mental health, not her narcissism and bad choices. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

1. My lilies are blooming now so those are my current favs!
2. The Bride Test - light, easy, read it in a day. Just what I needed!
3. Criminal Minds.
4. I‘ve been reading more Joy Harjo now that she was named poet laureate!
@DebbieGrillo @MinDea

I‘ve been reading a lot on our justice system and this book really takes a deep dive into the story of one juvenile who committed an atrocious act, and how the system treated him. The story of Sasha, a genderqueer young adult with Asperger‘s was also enlightening. I liked how the book showed both sides of the story but didn‘t end with any big conclusions. The agenda was there, but the author left it open for the reader.

#Bookfitnesschallenge Week 1 Update: I walked 5 miles last week and finished one book I had started pre-challenge and am about 1/3 of the way through this one! Last week was crazy busy for me so I‘m hoping this week to pick up the pace!

This was so good. I loved the narrator and I‘ll never look at my pups The same way again! The voice he uses for Lily is perfection. Rowley really hits a nerve with what it‘s like to truly love a doggo.

Last day to sign up for @wanderinglynn ‘s audiobook fitness challenge! My personal goals are 6 books and 60 miles in 6 weeks! Join us! #fitnesschallenge #audiowalk

Great read about the injustices and inequality in the American justice system. I didn‘t love the author‘s voice as narrator but the content was fantastic. I learned a lot.

This was a great read on the what ifs that I‘m sure many people were terrified of after electing #45. Hard to read at times but ultimately it was powerful and heartbreaking all at the same time.

Love this idea for a discussion in American Lit. Sad in this context though....

Blanche is just so tired tonight. I feel the same way!

Such a powerful book about family. Three teens discover they are biological siblings and learn to lean on each other through the trials and tribulations of their present lives with their families, and unravel their past. Get tissues ready.

This is my classroom & I love Donors Choose to add books to my classroom library. I‘ve got a project focusing on books with social justice issues at their core for a book club we are going to do this spring. Donations are currently DOUBLED with code pwcbasics at checkout! Littens are awesome so I thought I‘d throw it out here in case anyone can help my kids out! https://www.donorschoose.org/project/social-justice-book-club-warriors/3834154/

This memoir in verse is stunning. A must-read in this #metoo era.

Why did it take me so long to start this? So good! #litsywalkers

Today was gorgeous out! I forgot to take a photo on my walk, but this book was great company. I‘m in Omaha and there is crazy flooding in eastern NE and western Iowa that many are dealing with, so I‘m especially grateful for the simple pleasure of a good book and a nice walk today. #litsywalkers

A new ARC. Sadly it needs to wait until I finish a few current reads!

I loved this collection essays. Gay is one of my favorite authors I‘ve recently decided. Thoughtful and interesting even if I didn‘t always agree with her. This brings in ideas beyond feminism as well. Turpin is an excellent narrator.

Way early for an appointment so just chilling in my car listening to this. I‘m about 1/3 done, and it is phenomenal. Laymon‘s narration is outstanding; it feels as if he‘s just telling a story. So natural. I‘m also really loving his writing style. It‘s incredibly real, and poetic almost.

Excellent book. I read it in 2 days so I could get it in the hands of my students. I love how Thomas brings social issues into entertaining and interesting narratives of young, black females.

⭐️⭐️⭐️. This is a good, pretty quick read. I liked hearing more about her why than her how. Giving up shopping is something I know I should do and maybe I‘ll try to implement some of these things in my own life. Almost more of a memoir than a how-to though.

I read 15 books this month including the tagged! I really loved a lot of them. None were disliked. I chose a lot of short books this month for 24 in 48 and that helped up my total!

Wow.

Great memoir. His artwork really kept me interested. It‘s nice seeing success stories especially in light of adversity.

Finished book number 4 of #24in48. I was already halfway through this before this weekend but it was a great book and I‘m glad I had the dedicated time to read it. If I ever go to LA the Central Library is my first destination! This book also #remindsmeofmyhappyplace for #booked2019.

#24in48 #favoriteseries challenge. This is one of my favorite new series I‘ve been reading! Kendra Elliot‘s Mercy Kilpatrick series is set in Oregon. I love crime thrillers and this is the newest in the series. I plan to start this one today. These are great, quick reads! And cheap on kindle usually!

Book number 3 done for #24in48. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I read Speak in college 15 years ago. The graphic version brings even more power to Melinda‘s story and her story is more relevant and urgent than ever in this era of #metoo.

The Roll of Thunder series by Mildred D. Taylor left a lasting impact on me. Growing up in small town Iowa, I had little understanding of other races. When I read this series in third or fourth grade, I was riveted. I‘ve always loved African-American literature and even focused my master‘s in it. Now I‘m expanding my horizons to a world view in my reading. Next year, I‘ll get to teach a multicultural lit class! #24in48 #weneeddiversebooks

Finished book number 2 for #24in48. Thank goodness for audio books! Rory Gilmore has been keeping me company during my reading. This Book combined Bosch with Renee Ballard. The audio was great with Christine Larkin and Titus Welliver. #dogsoflitsy #booked2019 #femaledetective

#24in48 hour 12 #shelfie! Currently hitting 7 total hours and listening to the tagged book. Almost time for a nap I think! @24in48

#24in48 hour 6 challenge. Two great dedications! The top from Ghost Boys and the bottom from the Speak Graphic Novel. Both fill me with hope. @24in48

My first read for #24in48 was amazing. Such a powerful book. I can‘t cry because I just had lasik but I would‘ve been a blubbering mess in this one! I highly recommend for middle grades, YA, and adults. @24in48

#24in48 here I come! My first goal is to finish the tagged book. I‘m over the halfway point. Then I‘ll see what floats my boat from this giant stack of middle grade, graphic novels, YA, and new fiction. I‘ve got audio and kindle ready. I just had lasik yesterday, so hoping my eyes can handle the strain! @24in48