KateKintail's April Reading Log

[katekintailbc]

This is a recap of my April reading, for a swap-bot swap I signed up for (might as well put it here as well!)

I am usually in the middle of three or four books at once in various locations--the one by my bed, the one in my car (audio book), the one in my purse (lines/doctor's appointments), etc. I also occasionally stand in the middle of the children's section at the library during my volunteer shift and read picture books. It just happens. LOL

Here's a list of books I read during April but didn't finish:

• A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (Audio- re-read parts for a book discussion group meeting)
• Wormwood by G.P. Taylor (Audio)
• Star Wars Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival by Jude Watson
• The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to their Younger Selves by Sarah Moon and James Lecesne (and others)
• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

And here are the books I finished in April:

1. Kisses for Elizabeth: A Common Sense Approach to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care by Stephanie Zeman: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/128554.html
   A great, accessible list of common sense guidelines to help you understand and care for people with Alzheimers or dementia. There's no one in my life who fits that description right now, thankfully, but I still learned a lot and really enjoyed the stories in this book.
2. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Vol 5: Death of Spider-Man Fallout by Brian Michael Bendis, others: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/128948.html
   What happens when the world goes on without Spider-Man to protect it? This book explores that. It's a little all over the place, and I think I need to read the other books in this 'verse to understand it completely. But I did like a lot of this book
3. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Vol 1: The World According to Peter Parker by Brian Michael Bendis, others: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/129112.html
   This is a great series and it kicks off with a whole lot of drama and characters from all over the Marvel universe.
4. Matchless: A Christmas Story by Gregory Maguire: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/129528.html
   Adapted from an NPR story and using Hans Christian Anderson's story of the Little Match Girl, Maguire gives new life to this story and infuses it with Christmas spirit while still staying true to the original.
5. Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan, Emily MacLachlan Charest and Katy Schneider: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/129622.html
   A really adorable children's book of poetry, written by dogs! Well, it's as IF it were written by dogs. All the different dogs have such vastly different priorities and styles. Such a cute, fun read!
6. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathanial Hawthorne: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/129806.html
   After visiting the house in Salem, I felt the need to read this book. I enjoyed it (witch curses, people shunned by society, devious characters, DRAMA GALORE!), but didn't realize there wasn't supposed to be much of a plot so I kept waiting for something that wasn't there.
7. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/130272.html
   It definitely made me cry, but it also warmed my heart and made me take a look at my priorities and the way I spend my time. Definitely a good reminder about what matters in life.
8. The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/130369.html
   I liked this book better when it was called Jumanji. But this was a good read with a few fun twists and turns thrown in. I'm still waiting for a book that makes me really impressed with M.T. Anderson, though.
9. Underground Train by Mary Quattlebaum: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/130576.html
   Amazing how the METRO in Washington, D.C., here hasn't changed that much over the years! See through the eyes of a child, it's a really neat look at one part of a METRO line that kids could follow along with.
10. Star Wars Jedi Apprentice, Book 1: The Rising Force by Dave Wolverton: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/130976.html
    I bought the whole series off eBay and I'm finally getting around to reading it! I can't wait for more adventures with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
11. The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrich Boser: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/131725.html
    I almost managed to go to this museum when I was in Boston last month. I had no idea about this theft. It was really neat learning the details and finding out about all the possible leads and suspects. I really hope the art turns up one day.
12. Ball by Mary Sullivan: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/132151.html
    Absolutely adorable and clever! If my dogs could speak, they would say everything that's in this book!

That's my April! Here's to a fun May!