I have a confession to make…I am a librarian who does not read.
Let me rephrase that. I read, but I am not a person who reads scores of books each week. Ever since the COVID-19 quarantine, I have struggled to get through a few pages of a book. After my surgery, the new meds I took caused my concentration to flitter away, and I reached for my phone to watch videos of people sharing what books they’ve read or watched reruns of Amen. (That was a dark time.)
Since my reading experience has been feast or famine, I get so excited when I find a good read. Last month — not counting the picture books I review for work— I completed SEVEN books!
I use the Beanstack App through my library to log my books. I am trying to use it to encourage patrons, but also because I am a sucker for the virtual raffle tickets that I win for completing tasks. I tried Storify, but I kept forgetting to log and I am still waging my one-woman anti-Amazon campaign, so no Goodreads for me. My books are a combination of books borrowed from the library, a few ARCs (advance reader copies) that I picked up during a conference, and listening to books through Libby, Hoopla and — new to me — the Libro app.
Print books
Wedding People by Alison Espach
I totally related to the main character Phoebe’s desire to end it all, a failed plan, and then a path to a whole new her.
Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina (ARC)
I adore Meg Medina, and this stunning novel of growth and friendship is beautifully written.
The Curse of Madame Petrova by Marjoljin Hof
A new take on a fairy tale in which twins (!) try to outrun the curse that has pitted them against each other. It’s a
Audiobooks
Butter Asako Yuzuki (Libby app)
I really enjoyed this book. It really hit home as the main character struggles with her weight, her feelings about how she shows up in a world where everyone offers an opinion on how she should present herself. There is a satisfying resolution, and it made me want to cook all of the things.
Royal Gambit by Daniel O’Malley (Libby App)
This is book four in The ROok series, and I think this may be my new favorite of the series. It was a quick read of magic, mystery, and pop culture.
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise (Libro app)
I am trying to read more middle-grade titles; this sweet read from Australia was a freebie from Libro. Queenie and her mom are searching for their forever home, and this sweet and tender book shares Queenie, our teen protagonist, and her mom’s search.
Too Old For This by Samantha Downing (Libro app)
I cannot stop raving about this book!
If you enjoy true crime and The Golden Girls, this is the book for you!
Lottie is the senior citizen serial killer that you will find yourself rooting for and literally laughing out loud as you read.
Books in progress
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. (Libby app)
I am struggling to finish this book. I just don’t care about Violet and Xaden. Or the dragons or saving their world. I have 18 days to finish, and may give it a go when I run later this week.
Nobody Wants Your Sh*t by Messie Condo. (Hoopla App)
This is a parody of Marie Kondo’s Magical Art of Tidying Up. It is info you already know, but it has encouraged me to clear some clutter, use the bar of decorative soap, and stop bringing more things into my life.
Nobody wants to have to clean up my mess when I die.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (Library book)
I keep hearing good things about this book, so I am excited to jump into this world. This is all I know, so I am going in blind.
What are you reading this month? Should I add it to my pile?
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