July reading notes: variety is the spice of life

In July, I read a nice mix of fiction and nonfiction.  I really enjoyed the three novels I read, which were from three completely different areas - contemporary adult, young adult historical fiction and children's classic.  Variety is good!  I was very interested in the content of the two nonfiction works that I read.  One did not satisfy, but the other was fantastic and inspiring.  A great month of reading overall.


The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This is the heartwarming and engrossing summer novel I had been hoping to read.  According to the author's website, this novel is "is a love letter to the world of books—and booksellers—that changes our lives by giving us the stories that open our hearts and enlighten our minds."

I can't help but like a plot that takes place largely in and around a bookstore.  This story does have some tragedy and sadness in it, too.  Its main characters are quirky and loveable.  The novel is full of literary references; some I got and others I didn't.  Now I have a list of short stories and books to add to my TBR list.

The Path to Purpose: How Young People Find Their Calling in Life
by William Damon

I wanted to like this book, and I do agree with with the theme.  According to his website, the author is "one of the world’s leading scholars in human development."  He writes a lot about why young people need to have purpose and what happens if they don't, and he gives examples of young people who have found purpose.  However, the material is not presented in an interesting or compelling way.  I think most people who work with children understand the WHY, but want more of the HOW.  Only at the end of the book does the author give some specifics as to how we can help young people find their purpose.  There are other books that do a much better job.  Off the top of my head, I would suggest Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners by Lori Pickert.  That book, which I recommend to all parents/teachers and not just homeschoolers, explains how we can observe, recognize and encourage children's interests and passions.  That's one of the best ways to help them find their purpose, in my opinion.  

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg.  Beloved children's author E.L. Konigsburg died last year at the age of eighty-three.  Konigsburg won two Newberry medals, as well as many other honors during her distinguished writing career.   

This novel, one of her Newberry winners, was the selection for our mother-daughter book club last month.  It was great to revisit this title, which I never read as a child but read many years ago as a children's bookseller.  It was even better to share that experience with my eleven year old daughter.  We both thoroughly enjoyed this classic story with its mix of mystery, adventure and coming-of-age elements.

 

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My sister Ann recommended this book to me, which she heard about from her local independent bookstore.  See the author's website here.  This is young adult historical fiction, written about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911.  The story focuses on three young women whose paths cross - two are immigrants who work at the factory and the third is a privileged high-society girl.  The book excellently portrays the immigrants' struggles, the horrible and exploitative working conditions of the time, and the solidarity of the immigrants and workers.  It's a sad story dealing with the tragedy of the fire and the loss of so many lives but does offer hope in the end.  It's also an entertaining and informative history lesson that gives voice to those who lost their lives and the struggle for humane working conditions. 

The Urban Bestiary: Encountering the Everyday Wild by Lyanda Lynn Haupt.  I'm kind of in love with this book.  The author is a nature writer who lives in Seattle.  She observes the wildlife in her own yard and surrounding neighborhood, and then expands into the background, history and science of the various animals that live among us in urban and suburban settings.  Mixed in with that, Haupt delves into mythology, philosophy and practical advice for observing, appreciating and/or dealing with the creatures in our midst.  Although my children and I have done various nature observation projects in the past, I have not done much lately.  This book has really inspired me to: closely observe the animals that visit my yard and neighborhood, take more nature walks/hikes, and start a nature notebook or journal.  I'll definitely be referring to and rereading parts of this book.  Highly recommended!    

*****

P.S.  Currently I'm reading:

Enrique's Journey:  The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite with His Mother (Adapted for Young People) by Sonia Nazario - This book is a required summer read for my sons' high school.

Hold On to Your Kids:  Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., and Gabor Mate, M.D. - I read this book several years ago and am revisiting it.