Recommded Summer Vacation Reads

A few months back, someone sent me a copy of Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson (See Ari's review). I carried the book with me on my bus commute with the intent to read it over a couple of rides and lunches at work. Well when I got to work, I shared the book with a co-worker whose son is a reluctant reader. She's always looking for something for him. Without thinking, I offered the book. Later when I asked her if he liked it she told me her son started reading it but she could tell he was reading it because she wanted him to so she gave it to her niece (she wasn't happy about the girl's normal reading choices). She said her niece immediately got into the book so much so she apparently told her cousin about the story then he wanted it back. When the niece finished the book, my friend asked if her son could finish reading it. This go round he, too, became engrossed with the book staying up late to read, something my friend says never happens. When he was done with the book, his younger sister wanted to read it so he gave it to her without telling his mom he had finished. In the end my gifted, soft cover book endured a real good wearing from three teens. My co-worker felt so bad about the condition of the book, she got me a hard cover. So to Varian, I apologize for not reviewing your latest but I hope you and other readers will appreciate how well received the book was among these teens, two of whom are preacher kids.

Before summer I read Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes. I wrote about it though not a full review. Loved it. Before I went on leave I shared this book with the same co-worker mentioned above. I'm pretty sure I know what she's going to say.

Next is One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia. I love this author's work and this book is no exception. Do check out the video clip at Zetta Eliott's blog. I was twenty pages shy of finishing when I made the same mistake of sharing a book too soon. I told a friend of my daughter's how much I enjoyed it. Actually, she had come to see my daughter and while waiting she noticed the book on the hallway bookcase ( my daughter's friends often eye my books and then shyly they will sometimes ask to borrow one). I watched her her read the book titles and I knew she was going to ask. I started to say let me finish but I couldn't risk her not coming back (she's actually a regular reader and likely would ask) but I seize all opportunities to give kids books.

Last book is Elizabeti's Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen. I received this book from the publisher. It's a lovely book about a little girl who wants to emulate her mother. Her mom recently had a new baby and Elizabeti wants one to care for, too. The story takes place in Tanzania. The little girl doesn't own a doll so she searches for something to be her baby. She settles for an oval not to heavy or large rock. She takes good care of her baby. She makes the sweetest comments such as she's relieved her baby doesn't make the same mess in her cloth like her new baby brother does. Really enjoyed this. Look for it.

From Biggest Loser To Injury To 100 Days

Back in April I joined a group of co-workers in a biggest loser weight loss challenge. Eight weeks in, my cousin died. He was the ultimate health enthusiast. He trained every day and was a healthy vegetarian for more than two decades before his spinal injury two years ago and later the heart attack that killed him. Week nine, three weeks before we concluded the challenge, I injured my knee at the gym. I've been homebound since.

Each member in the challenge sought her own way to lose the weight. Four weeks in, I joined Weight Watchers with a co-worker who was really getting it done. Access and cost were restraints for me so for support and ideas, I joined the online community.

I had surgery last week and it went well. I'll likely be hobbling back to work soon. The challenge at work has ended. My efforts have stalled. I'm still eating well and tracking my food most of the time but not being able to go to the gym and the financial strain of being off work has distracted me from setting new goals and working towards them. When I hurt my knee, my biggest fear was gaining weight back. When I continued to eat sensibly and continued to lose, I stopped worrying but I was stuck.

While the past few months have been rough, they don't compare to how I felt knocked on my ass when Mikey died. There are still days when I feel stunned. Before his death, I felt burdened and I couldn't see a direction. I injured my knee running into an immovable object. I went down hard. I was disoriented and I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I felt this way emotionally before my accident and at times after Mikey died, I've felt the same way.

This is the strangest segue I'll probably ever write, but through a book, I'm embarking on a lifestyle change. I'm participating in a challenge based Linda Spangle's book, 100 Days of Weight Loss. Based on my family and our medical history it makes sense that I'd latch on. I've busied myself with losing weight. I have withdrawn from those who know me and the things I love. I couldn't fix my knee or stop my grieving or pay the rent but losing weight was something tangible. This book is about by creating balance and letting go of the weight. I want to let go of the weight, the hurt and the imbalance in my life. I want what Mikey showed me was possible: to lead a life I love, to be whole, to be healthy and happy.

One of the reasons I've been successful with my weight loss so far is because I thrive in community efforts. I do well with group support and structured activities. I am blogger. I write. I need to record what I think and feel. So here I go again. I won't be blogging every assignment (another goal is to get back to books) though I will complete them.

Assignment #1

Make a list of any fears or negative behaviors that have hurt your weight-loss success in the past. Read each one out loud, and then say, "I used to be that way, but now
I'm different." •Then write new endings for them by completing this sentence: I used to ______________ (fill in your old behavior), but now I __________________ (write in your new ending). •Read these new outcomes often, and then live in a way that makes them true.

My list:

I refused and was afraid of tracking my food.
I refused to total calories.
I refused to measure my food.
I refused to join any weight loss program.
I refused to consider I could weigh 130 pounds.
I feared trying to become really lean; what would I look like lean? Would I recognize myself?
I feared taking pictures.
I feared I wouldn't be able to maintain a healthy weight.

Then and Now:

I used to be afraid to track my food, but now I do track and it's not as scary as I had feared.

I used to refuse to total my calories but now I do and it's empowering to know what I'm eating and learning where I can improve.

I used to refuse to measure my food, but now I find myself doing it without thinking about it.

I used to refuse joining any weight loss program, but now I belong to a wonderful community and I have a plan that is working for me.

I used to refuse to believe I could weigh 130 pounds, but now I don't think that's impossible. I can achieve a weight that is good for me.

I used to fear trying to become really lean. I couldn't imagine what I'd look like or if I'd recognize me, but now I'm open to seeing a me I haven't seen before.

I used to fear taking pictures, but now I want to get to place where I want lots of pictures. I'm moving in that direction.

I used to fear I wouldn't be able to maintain a healthy weight, but now I 'm eating better, losing weight and not feeling hungry. These experiences have bolstered my confidence that I can maintain.

Starting weight: 171 lbs.
Current weight: 154.6 lbs.
Current week loss: 0 lbs.
Total weight loss: -16.4 lbs

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?

Each week readers share what they are reading for the week. I joined because there is no way I can review every book I read.

Very hectic week. See my Sunday Salon post.

Read:

The Most Loved In All The World: a story of freedom by Tonya C. Hegamin, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. This children's book tells a compelling story in a way small children can comprehend. It might raise some worry or concern but the tenderness is clear. Focusing on the love, a caregiver or teacher can help a child understand why a mother would send her child away to freedom. Ms. Cabrera's illustrations are impressive. The colors are vibrant and warm, and her images translate the urgency and passion of the undertaking. Ms. Hegamin's measures up, too. Writing isn't easy for any writer but for the children's writer, the challenge is even greater. The language has to be precise and accessible. The writer has to have a keen awareness of how children process language and information. Ms. Hegamin's has that skill. I am so glad I read this. I'll be sharing it often with as many readers as possible.

In the queque: see last week's post.

Another good week for donations. See my New Crayons post here and the one at Color Online. Looking forward to reading the Aya Sequels.


What did you read this week? What's next on your tbr? Find more posts at One Person's Journey. WAYR is hosted by Sheila.

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?

Each week readers share what they are reading for the week. I joined because there is no way I can review every book I read.

Read:
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. Verse novel for younger end of YA. Familiar immigrant story told in a fresh an intimate way. Fits my YA and POC challenge.


Wait For Me by An Na. I am biased. I love poetry and Na's prose reads like poetry. This is romantic, lyrical and hopeful. Everything you hope young love will be. Fits my YA, POC and Women Unbound Challenges.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli. Love the intimate look at culture and history of the Ming Dynasty period. Far more impressed with this take on a classic fairy tale. Fits my YA, POC, Women Unbound challenges.

Picked up several titles I had on hold at the library. I sorely need to get to some adult titles and nonfiction so we'll see how it goes this week. In the queue:

The Pistachio Seller by Reem Bassiouney. Translated by Osman Nusairi. Saw this at Feminist Review. Fits my Women Unbound and POC challenge.
A devout Muslim, Wafaa desires Ashraf, but hates herself for lusting. Her desire is driven by imagination, prejudice, and the unachievable. This is where the beauty of Bassiouney’s complex characters shines. No character is singularly blameless or nefarious. Do I love Wafaa for being honest and passionate, or hate her for being judgmental and dogmatic?

Naming Maya by Uma Krishnawami. Reading this for YA, Women Unbound, South Asian and POC challenge. First saw this title at Reading In Color.
“Language can make you a stranger in many places, but only if you let it,” Maya observes in a place where Hindi, English, and Tamil all compete for her attention. How does Kamala Mami bring Maya’s family together in spite of their differing languages and customs? Read full review at Papertigers.org.


Babyji by Abha Dawesar. Reading this for YA, Women Unbound, South Asian and POC, LBGT challenge. Don't know much about it but I've learned it fits several challenges so I'm giving it a go.
To my knowledge,this is the first book by an Indian author,esp a female which has so explicitly dealt with lesbianism. See review by Abha Deveshar.

Feminsita by Erica Kennedy. Heard nothing but good things about this book and I sorely need an adult read. Reading this for Women Unbound and POC. My most recent review read was at Doret's.
Kennedy created an honest, take no crap, flawed, strong, smart, vulnerable, funny character in Sydney. Whenever Sydney is asked about her heritage she quickly responds with Afro Cuban, Portuguese, French and Irish. Feminista is as diverse as a novel set in the city of Manhattan should be. Kennedy's writing is seamless, everything from Sydney's inner monologues to the dialogue is spot on good.

An Ocean Apart, a World Away by Lensey Namioka. Fits my Women Unbound, YA and POC Challenge
Yanyan is not a girl who bows down to conformity. She is fascinated by science, the treating of wounds and health improvement. That’s why she wants to study medicine so she can become a doctor and save other people’s lives. Lucky for her, her father fully supports her decision considering it’s 1921 in China where women rarely attend university. See full review at Books Love Me.

Also got several books in the mail for Color Online. See my New Crayons post here and the one at Color Online.

I tend to read in binges and multiples books in a similar vein and that's how I like to talk about them. I think this year I'm really ready to let go of my guilt about individual book reviews. I love reading reviews, but I neither have the time nor the interest to review every book I read. I'm in oh, seven book challenges. I do however want to promote and support writers so for me I have to find other ways to engage readers here in book chat.

What did you read this week? What's next on your tbr? Find more posts at One Person's Journey. WAYR is hosted by Sheila.

New Crayons: What's New On Our Shelves

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a booka t Color Online is a good week.

We received so many books that this week I'm blogging here and at Color Online about the wonderful donations we received. Check these out:

Michelle and First Family by Deborah Hopkins, illustrated by AG Ford. Mr. Ford is featured during the celebrated 28 Days series hosted by The Brown Book Shelf. Friend and illustrator, Don Tate sent us a box full of titles that I will be sharing with parents, educators and young readers. Thanks to all the authors and illustrators who shared with Don who in turn was generous to us.


The Adventures of Sili Page: The Case of Benjamin Laire by Dew Platt
Silli Page is no ordinary teenager with her sleepwalking and lucid daydreams. But when fifteen year old Benjamin Laire drops dead after a lab accident, she begins a new adventure in reality.

Legacy: The Becoming by Dew Platt. Eighteen-year-old Tutu Bade has it all going for her: a bright future, a loving family, and great friends. But what she inherits from her grandmother sends her life into a different direction. With a new supernatural awareness, when her best friend's cousin's death is labeled a suicide and the dead sixteen year old cries foul, she is thrown into an investigation.
Saw these at Reading In Color. I confess I was jealous. Listen, it helps to know Ari. Thanks Ari and Dew for sending us copies. Will be sharing these with the community.

Retaliation: What Would You Do If.... by Yasmin Shiraz. Saw an interview with the author at The Brown Bookshelf and wanted the book then. Thanks to the folks at Rolling Hills Press for sending us two copies. We will be connecting readers with Ms. Shiraz' work.
My novel Retaliation aims to shed light on how no one really wins when retaliation against others is the focus. I don’t think the general public realizes how violent girls and young women have become. The number of women incarcerated continues to grow annually at an alarming rate.

Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda. I've heard about this novel and I was psyched to get an ARC in the mail. I've been working on reading more titles with male leads and this looks like something this is going to be a satisfying read.
One of the great joys of this novel is in trying to figure out if Xing is a “reliable” narrator (in the grand tradition of Ishiguro and Highsmith), piecing together clues from what is said, or, more importantly, what is left unsaid. It’s a tricky, subtle high-wire act that Fukuda pulls off with the skill and élan of a seasoned novelist. Terry Goodman (Senior Acquisition Editor, AmazonEncore).

What did you get this week in the mail, at the book store or from the library this week? Drop a link at New Crayons at Color Online and you'll be entered in a monthly drawing for a book of your choice from the Prize Bucket.

Girl Power List: Celebrating Women's History Month

For me, it's about girl power 365 a year and during March my fanaticism- eh, my passion is deemed appropriate. I wanted to put this up earlier but life with a female teen is uh, well, let's say, requires spending less time here.

With the exception of the adult sisters in the first title, the others have girl leads. Some show how girls from different cultures find a way to affect their own destinies within the culture they live in and the beliefs they hold while other main characters are openly rebels. Many of these books I have talked about previously and likely will be talking about again. Each title is followed by a brief annotation with the main genre identified. I've link to reviews when I readily knew who and where.

In The Time of The Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Three sisters rebel against a corrupt and oppressive regime. The fictional account of the real Mirable sisters is told in alternating voices of the sisters. The sisters were brave, flawed and committed to what they believed in. I recommend this book every chance I get. It made that kind of impression on me. Historical fiction.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. A young woman leads a small group out of a dystopian community to build a new one based on a new religion she reluctantly accepts as her destiny. Lauren is fifteen. To lead any group is a daunting task for any leader. Imagine being fifteen, the world is pretty close to hell on Earth and then you get visions that you are to start a new way of life in the middle of chaos. Butler is brilliant in how she challenges the reader with her critiques of our society. Science Fiction

Down To The Bone by Mayra Lazara Dole. A young woman grapples with her sexual orientation and identity.Laura is funny, honest and authentic. Her denial and missteps are frustrating but they also make her believable. Soli is kickass. And the food references- I was always hungry, wishing I was at their table. YA. GLBT. My review.

M+O 4EVR by Tonya Hegamin. Opal and Miriam have been friends forever. Marianne spins out of control while Opal attaches her dreams and hopes on a future life with Marianne. Interwoven is the story of Hannah, a runaway slave who chooses to risk her life for freedom, unexpectedly falls in love and ultimately loses her life on her own terms. YA. GLBT


A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott. Genna is fifteen. Life at home is rough. She's not happy with her looks or place in any group. Then she meet Judah and things are looking up. Life isn't suddenly perfect and that's why she makes a wish. She couldn't have thought a wish could transport to 1863 Brooklyn. Historical/sci-fi. YA. Read Neesha's review at Cynical, Ornery and Sublime.

Does My Head Look Big In this? by Randa Abdel-Fattah. Amal is Muslim. Home is Australia. When she decides to wear the hijab she has to contend with a variety of reactions. Amal is a teen and like most teen girls, she's concerned about her looks, how she is perceived and boys. Now balance all that and religion. YA. Multicultural. Read Allison's review at Read Into This.

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman. 15-year-old Vidya has plans: college and a career. Her progressive father supports her. Her family is very different from her father's conservative, tradition family in Madras. When tragedy strikes, Vidya's family has to move to Madras. It's 1941, the war is on everyone's mind and Vidya is determined to still realize her dreams even in a house where girls aren't allowed upstairs. YA. Multicultural. Read Natasha's review at Maw's books.

Beneath My Mother's Feet by Amjed Qamar. Nazia is pulled from school to help her mother find work when her father doesn't return to work after an accident. Cleaning houses compromises Nazia's marriage prospects. The setting is modern Pakistan. Ultimately, Nazia chooses a life for herself on her own terms. Highly recommend reading this and Wanting Mor. Both are modern stories with young girls who do not romanticize the West or its culture. Read review at Regular Rumination.


Mare's War by Tanita Smith. Octavia and Tali take a road trip with their colorful grandmother, Mare. Just before turning 18, Mare joined the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Told in alternating points of view from Mare, Talia and Octavia. YA. Read Ari's review at Color Online.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith. Ida Mae has to make tough decisions like choosing to pass for white in order serve in Women Airforce Service Pilots. See Akilah's review at the Englishist.

Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan. A young woman in the wake of the conflict in Afghanistan has to grow quickly when her mother dies unexpectedly and her irresponsible father moves her to Khabul so he can find his opportunity to improve his lifestyle. He marries a widow and Jameela's life becomes even bleeker. Jameela, a conservative, religious girl learns to be less judgmental while remaining true to the religion and beliefs she shared with her mother. YA. Multicultural. Read Edi's review at Crazy Quilts.

What's on your girl power list?

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?

Each week readers share what they are reading for the week. I joined because there is no way I can review every book I read. Up this week:

Just finished:

Taneesha Never Disparaging by M. LaVora Perry. Really enjoyed this. Review this week.

Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes. As I mentioned last week this has magic and the magic is real. The book deals with death and loss but treated in a way a young reader can process it and the magic, it pulls everything together.

Just started:

M+O 4EVR by Tonya Cherie Hegmain. I have really wanted to read this. This is a belated birthday present from Ari. She has really been after me to keep a book instead of giving them away. This one I'm keeping. I've been stalled on my GLTB Challenge reads.


This week in the mail:

Foxy: My Life in Three Acts by Pam Grier with Andrea Cagan. I love memoirs and my formative years were the 70s so I'm really hoping this lives up to the fantasy. Ms. Grier wasn't just beautiful she embodied power, independence, a woman who did what she pleased.

The Big Book of Soul by Stephanie R. Bird. Stephanie is a new author for me. We recently connected and I'm really excited about reading her book. I want to read more nonfiction and her topic is so where I am right now. Coming behind my read of Carleen Brice's book, Children of The Waters where the main character is immersed in her ancestry, herbs and holistic living this is right on time.


Sweet Hereafter by Angela Johnson. This is the final book in the Heaven triology. I've read and loved both First Part Last and Heaven. If you don't know these books, do check them out.

Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel book by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Unexpected surprise. Two copies so we'll put one in our Prize Bucket and the other I'll likely donate.

Still reading:
Awakening Iran by Shrin Ebadi. I've stalled on this one. It is good but there are some really good YA and MG distracting me at the moment.

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz. See review at La Bloga. Hope to finish this soon.

Find more posts here at One Person's Journey.

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming....

Cross-posting from Color Online. If you like free books, come by. If you like a good book chat, come by.

Community,

I want take a moment to reiterate our commitment to connecting readers with books so this is a reminder about how to get free books from Color Online:

Participate in CORA Diversity Roll Call. Each month, we will draw a name randomly to win a book from our Prize Bucket. Participation is down and this bothers me. We run a new assignment roughly every two weeks, here or at Worducopia. Join us. It's fun and the exercise introduces participants to new reads and different perspectives on our reading habits.

Participate in Women Unbound. Great challenge and aren't we about women? I have not been shy. I'd like to color up the challenge. Join us. Once a month I draw a name.

The POC Challenge. Color Online is a sponsor. This is really simply. You review a POC title then post your link at the challenge. No count requirement. Post and bounce. How easy does it have to be?

Color Online Quiz. Every month we try to post four quizzes. Random monthly drawing.

Every week I post a query for Sunday Salon and we share what new books we have in our New Crayons post. Starting this week, if you comment to Sunday Salon or you post a New Crayons post on your blog, you'll be entered in a monthly drawing.

We also host giveaways. Stay tune for some wonderful giveaways in March for Women's History Month.

Deadline for A Wish After Midnight giveaway is Sunday.

Life is crazy busy for most of us. I don't always post four quizzes and sometimes I don't announce all winners but I am very serious about redistributing books. Our review policy says we connect readers with books. We honor that commitment.

Today I'm updating the Prize Bucket and the Book Loan page.

If you want to donate books to schools or Color Online, check our contact page. When we get requests or I hear about a school/program looking for books, I send them.

If you don't have books, send me $1 stamps. We don't have a fund. We have you and me, a sister with more passion than cents.

We all do what we can and my part includes shipping books. Special thanks to Barb who sent me a book of stamps. I'm off to the post office today.

Check this post later for contest winner announcement on Sunday.

Happy reading,
S

It's Monday: What Are You Reading?

Each week readers share what they are reading for the week. I joined because there is no way I can review every book I read. Up this week:

Still reading:
Awakening Iran by Shrin Ebadi

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz. See review at La Bloga. The male point of view requires a mental adjustment for me. No exception here but once I fell into step with Zach's train of thought and language I was hooked.


Up next:
Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes. I like magic so I'm looking forward to this.
When twelve-year-old Izzy discovers a beat-up baseball marked with the words 'Because magic' while unpacking in yet another new apartment, she is determined to figure out what it means.

Taneesha: Never Disparaging by M. LaVora Perry. LaVora is a warm and kind person, and her book is turning out to be a real treat. Taneesha and her family are Buddhist. I know nothing about the religion. Learning about it through the eyes of a child is really fun. I wish I had finished this last month for Social Justice: Religion. I hope I'll be able to add the link anyway.


Underlife by January O'Neil. Last week I shared I need poetry in my life. Can't go wrong with January. If you're intimidated by poetry, try to let go of the days in class. Pick up this collection and discover how easy it is to relate to life when shared by a woman whose own life has been filled with love, loss and the chaos called parenthood. Great review at Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene.



Find more posts here at Sheila's One Person's Journey.

GLBT Reading: Jacqueline Woodson

GLBT Reading: Guest Post: Jacqueline Woodson

I'm a guest blogger at the GLBT Challenge and yes, talking about my girlcrush, Ms. Woodson. Please come by.

When Ms. Woodson explores race and sexual orientation, it’s always in the context of personal relationships. Her language and the dialogue between characters aren’t political but intimate and this matters. It is much easier to examine social mores and societal norms in the context of our personal lives.