Has there ever been a book like that for you? Tell me about it!

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The Heat Will Kill You First scares the crap out of me. But I learned a lot. It took a minute for me to get into it bc the first few chapters are just laying background knowledge which I’m familiar with, but I thought the later chapters about mosquitoes and the blob to be the most illuminating. Now as LA gets another historically wet winter I sort of grimace because I understand now it’s happening because the ocean is too hot.

The Forest Brims Over was a weird little novel about a woman turning into a forest because of her husbands infidelity and stifling her career. An interesting metaphor but one I didn’t think really stuck the landing.

I picked up Nothing to See Here because it was on that great American novel list by the Atlantic and I’ve been wanting to read it forever. I thought it was adorable. Worthy to be on the list? I don’t know.

I listened to How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water and I LOVED IT. I forget who narrates it but wow, they did an outstanding job. A touching portrayal of an older Dominican woman combatting her traumas. I thought this was refreshing and innovative. She’s talking to a head hunter throughout the novel and each chapter is a different interview. Highly recommend.

And Babylons Ashes is book six? Five? In a series I’ve been reading forever. It was fine?

The YA and Middle Grade was great. Dragons in a Bag is PERFECT for third grade. My students LOVED it. I think the Mona Lisa Vanishes is better for the older set but I learned a ton and I’m hoping to see/read more narrative nonfiction like it. I love the authors portrayal of Leonardo de Vinci! I thought Squire was okay. Again didn’t go deep enough for me but it’s hard in a graphic novel and I still appreciated it.

That’s it! Also I have not bought a single book since January first. PLEASE CLAP. lol

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While I was charmed by Martyr! my feelings about it didn’t reach beyond that point. I thought it really precious and Akbar writes beautifully. It was cute. I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way at all but it was like a Wes Anderson movie. Everything was pretty and cute and of course really sad. I really want to read his poetry. And Cyrus Shams is definitely someone to root for.

My favorites though are When Crack Was King and What We Fed to the Manticore. The first taught me a lot I sort of knew about but it laid it out in a way that really brought it all home. Stellar nonfiction I recommend to everyone. What We Fed to the Manticore was devastating. I love the folktale vibe of some of the stories since it’s told through the eyes of animals. It was gorgeous and gut wrenching. My favorite kind of writing. The first story about the donkey in the Gaza zoo is one that haunts me.

When You Were Everything is definitely a book to file under “book I wish existed when I was a teenager” because wow. We don’t see books about friend break ups often but this one nailed it. The main character and her ex-friend were both dynamic. I’m so glad this one exists.

Salvage the Bones is a classic and I can see why. So glad I finally got around to that one. I was underwhelmed by both Legends and Lattes and The Matrjx. But I’m in the minority there. The slower pace of both books did not fit my mood but I finished them so they were enjoyable nonetheless.

Thank you everyone for the kind words about my Lola. I wanted to respond to everyone but alas life. I could go on about how I hope you’re all taking care of yourself but it feels hollow to say when the world is like :this: nevertheless I hope you are well and the world’s razor sharp edges haven’t made you mean.

I finished Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe and was utterly delighted. It was a perfect winter break read. It was fun and filled with lovable characters. I don’t read enough standalone fantasy but if that is something you’re looking for this one is absolutely charming.

I finally read Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward and completely understand why it’s a classic. It’s a rich text and deeply layered. It took me a minute to sink my teeth into but I’m so glad I stuck with it. It’s a look into the lives of an impoverished Black family and the horrors of Hurricane Katrina as told by Esch, who finds herself pregnant at 15 years old. There’s this feeling of dread as you read because you know what’s coming. Ultimately though this is a story about sibling love and loyalty. Skeetah absolutely pops off the page and he is one of my favorite fictional characters. Definitely one I can see myself thinking about years to come.

I opened What We Fed to the Manticore not really knowing what to expect. I like the idea that every story is told through the perspective of a different animal in the world as they witness habitat destruction and human greed. The first story is about a donkey and a zookeeper in Gaza. And yeah. I cried. This was written before the current genocide taking place so it cut deep. I’m interested to read the other stories when I’m ready.

Finally I started When Crack was King last night and I am hooked. I can tell it’s going to be a solid book. I absolutely love narrative nonfiction and the introduction is excellent. I heard he got his inspiration for the structure from the Warmth of Other Suns from his interview with Traci on @thestackspod and I immediately had to get to it!

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I did the thing in the laziest way possible for myself. Just the notes app and some books I remember loving. I definitely won’t be finishing up another book this year. But these were among my favorites. I’m sure there are more but when I went through my list these were the ones that jumped out. What I love about picking favorites is sometimes you just read a book at the right time. So it stays with you. I feel that way about Calling for a Blanket Dance. I remember reading it and just really having this feeling of peace. I am so grateful to all the good books this year. And I’m grateful for all of you too. #bestbooks #bestoflist #bestbooksof2023 #nonfiction #fiction #middlegradebooks #readersofinstagram

I am currently visiting family in Minnesota. When they asked what I wanted to do this was my only request. It is everything I wanted it to be and more. I could’ve spent hours browsing, the collection curation was on point, because of course it would be. For those who don’t know this bookstore is owned by Louise Erdrich and her family. She is one of my favorite authors. I walked away with signed copies of Louise Erdrich’s Plague of Doves and Love Medicine. I also bought a copy of The Marrow Thieves. What a lovely shop. Thanks for the vibes @birchbark_books !! #supportindiebookstores #independentbookstore #supportnativeartists #readmorebooks #alwaysreading