Reading

I'd like to share some good books I've been reading and I'm saving the best for last.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. I enjoyed this story of the orphan Keturah who only wants: “to have my own little cottage to clean, my own wee baby to hold and most of all, one true love to be my husband.” It's a tale of love and sacrifice, with a very fairy-tale like setting.

Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan: This is based on a true story about a little girl who was abandoned on the streets of Kabul. People ask me why I like such stories because they can be so depressing, and they are, but they are also uplifting. I have seen the most generosity in poor places, where a child will tear off pieces of a roti he's been given with younger siblings, instead of eating it all himself. Good will always prevail.

My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson: I had loved Wendy Lichtmann's book Do the Math: Secrets, Lies and Algebra and so when I came across another math-based novel I had to pick it up. Well, let me tell you that the two books are entirely different in nature. Do the Math is for MG and up, but Rhombus is definitely YA. It's a tale of love and forgiveness, of things that cannot be undone (abortion), and how one moves forward. The characters are believeable and I loved the ending. The last chapter was brilliant. In less than half a page, Johnson told me how the rest of the near future of these characters develops. Yup, math is succint.

The Migraine Brain by Carolyn Bernstein and Elaine McArdle: I'm educating myself. If you suffer from migraines, pick this up and learn what's available to developing strategies to having fewer migraines. There are many online resources as well.

Time to Write by Kelly L. Stone: Well, summer's here and I need to remind myself how to make time to write with kids and teaching and housework, etc. My plan is to write shorts this summer. I've got so many baseball stories percolating, it's time to start fleshing them out at the pool or park or backyard.

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson: This book is so insanely rich, I had to go back to page 1 as soon as I finished it. I wanted to eat this book. It's got stories within stories, folklore and more. It's a terrifying story of love and redemption, of love and sacrifice and the best love story ever that I've read in a long time. Even better than the Time Traveller's Wife.

Happy reading folks.
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