Books Read in September

[orangerful]

Lucy and Linh by Alice Pung

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


One of the more low-key "outsider trying to fit" stories I've read in awhile. I mean, there was some drama with the entire "Mean Girls" dynamic of the Cabinet girls, but otherwise this was kind of calm? Or maybe it is just that whole thing about how teen girls bully and it is all psychological, though I really felt like most of Lucy's torture was her own because she couldn't quite fit in.

I will be leading the discussion for this book during the 'Books for the Beast' conference in October so I will be curious to see what others have to say about it, especially the teachers and students, who are more "in" this world than I am as a public librarian.



How to Fake a Moon Landing: Lies, Hoaxes, Scams, and Other Science Tales by Darryl Cunningham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really liked the *idea* of this book but the execution, not so much. I wish it had just been straight text, maybe with a few graphics to illustrate some of the issues, but the graphic novel format did not help the author make his case any better. I could have read more on some of these subjects and perhaps even more rumination on why "deniers" have become so trendy and pervasive in society over the last few years (though I'm sure The Internet is part of the problem).

Still, I did learn from this so extra star for that.



The Quest for Z: The True Story of Explorer Percy Fawcett and a Lost City in the Amazon by Greg Pizzoli

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I went into this book knowing NOTHING about "The Lost City of Z" or Percy Fawcett (I have not even seen the movie). This was a great introduction for an adults and I think middle grade kids would eat this book up. It is kind of a sad story though, as Pizzoli says in his notes at the end, that Fawcett's tale really has no finale. I think this would be a great book for a kids book group because I think discussing Fawcett's choices would make for some deep thoughts that everyone would want to discuss.



Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I saw this book on the new cart and could not resist - the colors on the cover POPPED and, wait, is that a BATTLESHIP?

An amazing bit of history that will pull in both students interested in war and those interested in art. It's all about thinking outside the box (or boat?). I wish color photos of these ships existed, they must have been a site to behold!

This would be a fun class project, to learn about the Dazzle ships and perhaps paint a small model of your own.



Momma, Did You Hear the News? by Sanya Gragg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So sad that this book has to exist, but I am glad that it was published and that my public library has it available. Important little book, very well done.



The Wendy Project by Melissa Jane Osborne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I put this book on hold and then forgot why by the time it appeared on my desk so I went into it not remembering that it was a reinterpretation of a classic story. I think it was better this way, to read and slowly piece things together, the same way Wendy does as she searches for her lost brother. It works well as an extension of the Peter Pan story. Beautiful but sad, yet the ending touches upon an issue that I'm sure a lot of people have with the original story - would you abandon your parents for Neverland?



Alone by Christophe Chabouté

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There are more words on the jacket flap then are in this book, but it is just as rich in character and story as any prose novel. I think this one will stay with me as time goes on, as I think about Alone and his lighthouse world. The dictionary. And the two sailors, sometimes talking, sometimes yelling.

Beautiful black and white illustrations, I read all 400 pages in half an hour, though with more time, I'm sure each panel has more details than I saw on my lunch break.




Currently Reading:
Prophecy by Ellen Oh - my last Books for the Beast book yay! It's okay but not something I would have kept reading if I wasn't required.

Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager - fascinating collection of LGBTQ+ historical individuals. Pretty much like short stories so easy to pick up and put down during lunch break.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero - Only a few pages into this but it feels like Scooby-Doo meets IT. We shall see if it can keep it up. Has a long holds list so I might not finish it before it is due back.

All in all, not a bad month of books. At least I'm on track to finish my assigned reading for the conference on October 28th!

How did everyone else do this month? Hope you had a few good reads of your own!

Comments

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Ooh, the queer history book sounds fun!
Same old, I'm reading fanfic & a lot of it is good. ^^

[orangerful]

As long as you are enjoying it! I finally finished my last "assigned" book for my conference and now I'm staring at my huge TBR pile trying to decide what I want to read the most!