Today I'm linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit to bring you some short and sweet reviews of what I've read in the past month. For longer reviews, you can always find me on Goodreads.
The first read on my list has been absorbing my time lately, so I've been reading a little less than usual. Totally worth it, though!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo: My favorite book of March. This is a practical guide to getting your living space in order and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. We've tackled clothes, books, and paper so far and it's been a wonderful feeling to be left with only what we want or need.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: A sweet children's book about a girl who's new to town and the dog who helps her make friends, land a job, and reconnect with her father. It touches briefly on some heavier topics like alcoholism, death, and mentally challenged individuals, but primarily it's a light-hearted read about overcoming prejudices and finding your community.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio: This was a fast and engrossing read about a young boy with so many craniofacial anomalies that he attracts a lot of stares and few friends. We get to see both his perspective and those of the people around him, and Palacio doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths in prodding her middle-grade readers to grow in empathy.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: I was disappointed in this, particularly as a fan of Lockhart. It's hard to explain why without spoiling the plot twist, but I was left with too many questions.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion: This was a fun read with action and mystery livening up an overdone plot (rigidly scheduled, socially awkward dude gets shaken out of his rut by a crazy, spontaneous, fun-loving Manic Pixie Dream Girl). I wish the characters had been more three-dimensional and the resolution less rushed.
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers: This would probably be enjoyable for a child who likes fantasy, but for me it can't hold a candle to the movie. The stories are fun and silly, but it's lacking the overarching story and character development that make the movie a classic.
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner: I found this slow to get into, but I ended up liking it a lot. It's a glimpse into life in the American frontier through the diary entries of a woman growing up there. I just wish it hadn't romanticized Captain Elliot's constantly kissing Sarah without her consent.
Boxers by Gene Luen Yang: A graphic novel about the Boxer Rebellion and some of its associated moral ambiguities. This was my first graphic novel and I don't have strong feelings one way or the other about the format, but I liked the story it told.
Saints by Gene Luen Yang: The companion book to Boxers, this was far more confusing and did not have a clear message. Its main redeeming quality was that at the very end we find out what actually happened to the main character of Boxers.
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden: This is a sweet children's story about friendship and the price of fame, among other things. The writing is beautiful and there would be plenty to discuss with a child about the various characters' decisions throughout the book.
What have you been reading this month? Share over at Modern Mrs. Darcy!
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I totally agree about Mary Poppins and also These Is My Words - which was slow to get into but then suddenly sucked me in to the point that I adored it.
ReplyDeleteSo much here I want to read! I have the life changing habit of tidying up in my stack. I just need to find a little time.
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