Many of you know that I am a huge audiobook listener. I do my best to share the name of the narrators when I am talking about an audiobook and not just the author. After spending time responding to tweets regarding audiobook suggestions, it finally dawned on me that I need to have a place to quickly lookup these narrators and thought maybe you did too. Hence the start of something new and will be an ongoing project for me creating a database. Here we can learn more about various narrators, discover new narrators and most importantly ensure we can credit their work. So we have a new page on the blog titled NARRATORS which will host the database.
I will be using a Google sheet to list narrators with their Twitter and IG names with a link to their website, Audiofile Magazine (online magazine devoted to audiobook reviews, narrators and awards), Goodreads and Libro.fm so one can see a list of their books and where to purchase. If you decide to buy an audiobook, I highly recommend Libro.fm allowing you to support local indie stores. If you do not have an account, you could use my referral link, and we both would benefit from a new audiobook.
Please note this is in the very beginning stages and a work in progress.
Let me know in the comments or via Twitter (@lhnatiuk) the many narrators I need to add that we love and enjoy, so we can sing their praises. If there is something I have missed in the Google sheet you wish was there, feel free to add that too in the comments. Thanks in advance for your help.
I am pretty pleased with the start of my January reading – the question is, is it sustainable. I have made some changes based on how I read last year, and I know that I tend to go all-in and then have lost momentum, so we shall see how the year 2022 unfolds.
Trends that I discovered after actually tracking my books last year led me to set some goals for this year:
increase my YA numbers
increase the amount of nonfiction (particularly for middle grade and YA)
focus and spotlight Canadian authors (again for middle grade and YA)
#MustReadin22 (read 12 titles)
This past month I did manage to read more YA and nonfiction. My #MustReadin22 list has some overlap but that was deliberate to increase my numbers. My Canadian titles in my middle-grade goal were low this month, but that will change as I now have several books from the library. I did well tackling my #MustReadin22 and believe that is partially due to having choices. Last year, I read 7/12 of the books I wanted to read for #MustReadin21 and this month, I have read the same amount of titles. Reading what I want to read versus what I think I should read already has made a huge difference.
In addition, I wanted to make sure that I continued to read author debuts and books represented by authors who fell into these categories
BIPOC
LGBQTI+
Disability/Neurodiversity
I hope to increase my numbers, specifically in the disability and neurodiversity areas and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. All in all, off to a good start with 30/54 (56%) books falling into those categories, so I am pleased with that data.
DEBUT: Pizza My Heart: A Wish Novel Rhiannon Richardson (MG)
BIPOC: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, narrated by Frankie Corzo (MG)
LGBQTIA+: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé narrated by Jeanette Illidge and Tapiwa Mugweni (YA)
Disability/Neurodiversity: Fifty Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter, narrated by Hope Newhouse (MG)
In comparison to last year, I am up a little on the total number of books I read (54 vs 51). Data within my categories, such as the number of middle-grade books were the same or very close. I was kind of surprised by that as I thought I had read a bit more, but that’s why you track.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
We had some success using a theme approach to the #MGBookChat, so we will repeat the theme idea for February. Christie and I will announce the theme for February tomorrow and then post the questions on the 15th. Eventually, you will choose the theme or choose a book we all will read but know it is one more thing to do right now, so we are trying to take as much as possible off your full plates. So stay tuned later this morning for the theme announcement.
MAYBE YOU MISSED BRACKET CHALLENGES
For the past two years on the blog in December, I have included 12 titles that maybe you missed throughout the year. This year I am adopting and adapting @KathieMacIsaac’s idea to track books enjoyed each month. I am adapting the bracket template to showcase different Maybe You Missed categories to help track my books, making them easier to share at the end of the year. I adapted this idea from @Bookswithbuzz on Instagram. Below is one of the templates I adapted, and there is one for each category (picture books, middle-grade, young adult etc.).
UP NEXT
I will combine the #VillagePageTurners February theme with @KathieMacIsaac’s #FebruReads colouring challenge. Below is the colouring sheet that I will use that may give you a clue to the theme for February.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I love stories inspired by Asian mythology, and this YA novel is a retelling of the Korean legend “The Tale of Shim Cheong.” Though it was the cover that initially caught my eye, I was also drawn in when it was promoted as a feminist story about a girl who “travels to the Spirit World to break a curse that threatens the lives of her people.” Mina sacrifices herself by jumping into the sea and searching for the Sea God to become his bride so she can help restore order to the human world. She discovers he is under a curse that she must first break. An unexpected connection to a young lord named Shin, whose job it is to protect the Sea God, forces Mina to make difficult decisions about love, family, sacrifice, and fate.
Several supporting characters help Mina on her journey, and I liked that many of them were clever female spirits. The world-building was well done, especially considering the book is only 336 pages. Readers who enjoy romances will be satisfied by the connection between the two main characters, though I preferred watching Mina develop friendships with others around her.
I don’t read a lot of YA, so I can’t think of another book to compare it to, but if you enjoy middle-grade books based on Korean stories, I highly recommend The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim.
This year, I decided to participate in the #MustReadIn2022 reading challenge, hosted by Leigh Anne Eck and Cheriee Weichel. There are several books I didn’t get a chance to read last year, so I chose 8 middle-grade titles and 4 young adult titles published in 2021 to commit to reading in 2022.
My goal this year is to read more books by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, Canadian, and 2022 MG debut authors. Almost all of the titles on this list fit into one of those categories, but most importantly, they got a lot of buzz and rave reviews last year. I don’t have a plan to read one a month but will slip them in whenever they call to me.
If you’d like to participate in this challenge, you can find the roundup post here. Don’t forget to use the hashtag on social media if you take part so we can all see your list and progress.
What titles from last year do you plan to read this year?
December was not my lowest reading month but not my highest either. I found that my head was already thinking about the New Year by mid-December and what I wanted to change. The Maybe You Missed posts gave me a structure for December. Announcing the dates ahead of time for each post certainly helped me. As a result, I brainstormed things I could write about each month and then I have the flexibility for the timing of the post. So we will see how that works.
I have started to look at my stats for the entire year, and I will share them in a separate post, but I am noticing some trends from the posts this month and not having a lot of YA books. This decrease in the number of books will be something that I want to improve in 2022.
FALL READING CHALLENGE
Technically I have 48 hours to finish the challenge, and confident that I can finish reading a lower grade book. I have in my possession the next two books in the J.D. series, and who knows, maybe I will finish both after very much enjoying the first. I think we will take some time before we begin the next challenge. Kathie and I have some ideas ready to go if we sense the interest but for now, enjoy reading and creating your own challenges.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
We are deciding to do something different to start the New Year. Christie and I picked the theme of nonfiction, and we want YOU to choose a nonfiction book that you wish to read, and then we will discuss it on the last Tuesday in January (the 25th). We will post the questions on January 15. In the future, you will choose the theme, and then you can choose a book that you wish to read and again, we will post generic questions on the 15th and the last Tuesday of the month we discuss.
As always, I will leave you with some books that I enjoyed in December. I am looking forward to making some reading changes in the New Year and look forward to sharing and hearing about the books you have enjoyed.
Well, November has been my second-highest reading month, second only to June (82 books total with 50 books being picture books). It was a more balanced reading month missing a young adult and adult title. And as I write this, I am still thinking I can get even with that 82 titles as I attempt to finish two more middle-grade titles. I knew this would be a higher month as I read picture books to help select the SYRCA Shining Nominees for the 2022-2023 year.
Blogging is still on and off as I am figuring out my voice and what works for me. I am playing around with different ideas as I do not want to have post after post about reviews. I will continue to promote the eArcs and Arcs I am lucky to read, but, also want to move beyond that, hence the continued experimentation. So thank you for being patient as I evolve my thinking.
As we near the end of the year, I am starting to look at some specific. Currently, I have read 150 middle-grade books (excluding graphic novels), and as suspected, 92 of those books are audiobooks. Overall, I continue to read more print books because I want picture books, everyone nonfiction books and graphic novels in my hands to read. At the end of the year, I will compare those sections specifically to see what happens.
With two months left in the year, I am thinking about how I may want to tweak my tracking. Are you starting to think about the New Year and how you will track your reading?
FALL READING CHALLENGE
I finished one travel suitcase but decided to add another since there are so many great books available. I finished by reading Max Brailler’s The Last Kids on Earth for the tv movie adaptation and a heavier realistic fiction book, Emily Barth Isler’s After Math, one of my go-to genres. I will write a separate post regarding the details of those two books and my two activity pics.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
Today marks the third #VillagePageTurners online book chats hosted by Christie Megill and me. Tonight we are discussing Jasmine Warga’s Newbery Honor Book Other Words for Home. Participants have chosen the theme and the book each month, but we may switch it up a bit for the New Year. I feel rushed at times to get possible themes and then book selections out in a timely fashion. I want more structure (no surprise there) and recognize continuously changing things may confuse participants. Also, it may not be the right time as so many educators I know are just so overwhelmed.
I look forward to seeing what you are reading and year-end reflections as my mind drift off to thinking about next year. As always, here are some highlights of books I enjoyed this month. Some you may see again, as I intend to do some Maybe You Missedposts in December like I did last year.
Well, I am trying to get back on track with the blog and settle into new routines. I am hoping that November will be the turnaround month. I had a great reading month reading a high number of middle-grade books (18) along with a couple of YA books and a few graphic novels. It has not, however, been a good blogging month. I have several posts started, and I need to get into a routine of finishing. Fingers crossed, this post is the start. I am surprised that I read hard copies almost twice as much as I listen to books. I thought the numbers would be closer. As we get closer to the end of the year, I will look at the audiobooks that I listened to comparing middle-grade, young adult and adult versus the hardcopy or digital copies, as I think that is where I will see a preference with audiobooks leading. With two months left in the year, I am thinking about how I may want to tweak my tracking. Are you starting to think about the New Year and how you will track your reading?
FALL READING CHALLENGE
I have started Fall Reading Challenge and almost completed the first suitcase. I know the missing two images for the activities, but the last two books are the ones that I have not quite settled. I have several choices for my go-to genres, but I haven’t quite decided which one. The one I am somewhat stuck on is the MOVIE/TV ADAPTATION. I have read many of the adaptation books, so right now, leaning towards The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brailler. I welcome some suggestions!
I will write a separate post providing more details about what I have read thus far – remember how I said many started just not completed sadly, this is one example.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
Christie Megill and I have hosted two #VillagePageTurners online book chats. The first theme choice was 2021 Debuts, and the winning title was Christine Li’s Clues to the Universe, and the second was Spooky, and we discussed Lindsay Currie’s What Lives in the Woods. We learned a few things from the chat. We want participants to choose the theme and the book each month, and it will take time because it is new, so we need to be patient. We are still in the growing phase, and truth be told, I am a bit disappointed, but we hope to get some feedback to increase the number of participants. I know we are new and look forward to ways to improve. I am grateful that Christine Li and Lindsay Currie, both busy authors, came to their respective chats. It is always wonderful to have the author and get the inside scoop.
As the cooler weather moves in, I will be reading more Canadian picture books looking for the best nominees for the Saskatchewan Young Readers Choice Award (SYRCA) Shining books. I have read many picture books already, and many are highlighted this month in the slideshow.
I look forward to seeing what you are reading and your anticipated books as the weather grows cooler.
Oh my, I was saddened but not surprised by my reading numbers this month. It has been a month of being flexible, full of learning and spending time with my family. My son was here for the Labour Day weekend, and then we went out to see him for five days, so I read very little for almost two weeks. And that’s how it should be – family first.
The biggest reason for my low numbers is starting a new job. The only job I said I would ever do after retiring would be to work for the Saskatoon Public Library. That became true in August when I accepted a position as Casual Service Associate. I began training mid-September and been busy learning and shadowing Library Service Associates. Readjusting to a regular week of work after not working for two years tuckered me out. It was so exciting to be around library people and see how the public libraries worked. I am fortunate to be a part of this dedicated, passionate group. My training will be complete by the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, so my October numbers may lower too.
FALL READING CHALLENGE
I am looking forward to participating in our Fall Reading Challenge and sticking to some generic topics along with activities. I like the balance between the books and sharing the things we enjoy doing to get to know one another a little more. So yes excited to start this today, and you can find more details on the blog tomorrow.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
Christie Megill and I hosted our first #VillagePageTurners online book chat. The first theme choice was 2021 Debuts, and the winning title was Christine Li’s Clues to the Universe. We learned a few things from the chat. We want participants to choose the theme and the book each month, and it will take time because it is new, so we need to be patient. That said, we need to do a better job at promoting the chat.
So learning lots and now swamped with all kinds of titles in various formats and looking forward to listening, taking in all those gorgeous fall colours and travelling via the Bit About Books Passport Reading Challenge. We will hunker down as the COVID numbers sadly rise here and hope to have family here for Thanksgiving.
As always, I am ending off with books enjoyed in September, fewer than usual but including some anticipated reads as well. What are you looking forward to the most in the fall?
Well, July was a blur, and so was August, but at least this month, I was more aware of the dates to complete this post. Again, like July, I was fortunate to have another month of exceptional audiobooks to listen to and enjoy. My stats always go up when I go on a picture book splurge when seems to be every other month. There are just so many picture books that are engaging, entertaining and informative to read.
Overall I doubled the number of books I read in July but know that my September stats will be lower with a lot of company coming again. The number of middle-grade books was lower than usual, but I know this is because I read some YA and adult books. I am pleased with the number of books read despite it being a little lower than previous months. I am consistently reading around 15 middle-grade books a month and currently have 120 books read. I still would like to hit the 200 mark for middle-grade novels, so I will need to pick up the pace a bit to manage this goal.
31 PICTURE BOOKS
As I said in July’s What I Read post, I had such a high number of picture book images on my phone that my iCloud was at its max and my phone was no longer backing itself up. I did adapt Jessica Brody’s 30 books in 3 months challenge for August and posted a picture book every day. So yes, my phone is backing up, but I still have too many images on my phone. I will probably do a separate post on the remaining picture books on my phone and see some potential themes, so stay tuned.
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
I, along with many of you, wrapped up our Bit About Books Summer Reading Challenge. I enjoyed seeing different recipes and activities that all of you completed over the summer and added those recipes and many books to enjoy in the future. Kathie and I are looking to come back in October with something new to do, and we hope you will join us again and spread the word.
VILLAGE PAGE TURNERS
I am pleased to be part of something new at MG Book Village. Christie Megill and I will co-host an online book chat. The book club is designed to have input from the participants from the #MGBookChat Twitter chat. Participants vote on three themes and then three books from the winning theme. The first theme choice was 2021 Debuts, and the winning title was Christine Li’s Clues to the Universe. The questions will go out on Sept. 14th, with the chat on Sept. 28th at 7 p.m. EST. I am excited about the conversations and allowing the participants to direct the choices.
As always, I am ending off with books enjoyed in August. I know many of you are already back at work, while teachers here just started back last week, and tomorrow will be the first day for students. September may be my busiest month of the year. We have loads of company coming, and we are going to Vancouver to visit my son. I hope to have a few posts ready to go, but I will see how that pans out. There is a plan, but the trick will be if I can execute it. I am enjoying the cooler temperatures and the gradual changing of the leaves to show off their many colours. Autumn is my favourite time of year, particularly early fall when we get those still warm evenings to enjoy a walk or sit outside. Here’s to “falling” into a spectacular season of reading!
Set in the not too distant future, readers quickly learn about the religious and political wars and decisions that led to Planet Earth being in “Code Blue” due to global warming and climate change. Atlantic (Tic) Brewer and her mother live on The Edge – the constantly receding coastline due to rising sea levels. Tic loves science and received news of her acceptance into the North-East Science Academy (NESA) and can follow in her father’s footsteps studying glacier melting, despite never meeting him, having drowned in the North Atlantic before she was born. Discovering that the photo of her parents has a cryptic message on the back, Tic realizes there is something suspicious regarding her father’s death and his research. Along with trying to save the world from rising sea levels, Tic wants to figure out what happened to her father.
For further details, please refer to this GoodReads Link.
4 – Opinions
Marissa Slaven introduced the chapters by using questions on Tic’s entrance exam. These questions provide the necessary background information and history of global warming, which I thought was clever, and one can anticipate potential discussions from these questions. The next generations sadly have to deal with the many mistakes of generations before them. The close reality and similarities regarding the extremists (religious and environmental) may nudge more to be more active now and further research some of the scientific information presented. Readers will connect with Tic and the secondary characters because they are authentic, and the action and the mystery aspects of the story will keep them turning the pages to find out what happens. I am looking forward to the sequel!
Code Blue checks off all the boxes for young adult readers – acceptance at school, friends, relationships, sexuality, pushing boundaries and self-identity.
Bit About Books 