Today I will be sending out the new issue of the Growing Bookworms email newsletter. (If you would like to subscribe, you can find a sign-up form here.) The Growing Bookworms newsletter contains content from my blog focused on children's books and raising readers. There are currently 843 subscribers.
Newsletter Update: In this issue, I have two book reviews, two posts with Kidlitosphere news, two children's literacy round-ups (one here and one at The Reading Tub), and an installment of my recurring Reviews that Made Me Want the Book feature. I also have an announcement about the finalists for a new book award from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents. Not included in the newsletter, I have: a two-part post about series books featuring strong girl heroines over at Booklights (part 1 and part 2).
Reading Update: In the past two weeks, I took a bit of a blog break, mostly reading books that I didn't feel like I would have to review. I read:
- Janet Evanovich: Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum novels). St. Martins Press. Completed July 7, 2009, on MP3. I love listening to these books, I really do. This one is no exception.
- Laura Lippman: Life Sentences. William Morrow. Completed July 7, 2009. I thought that Lippman had some brilliant insights and interesting characters, but overall I found this standalone novel a bit disappointing. I was frustrated by a significant plot point left dangling, and found the parts of the plot that were resolved a bit anti-climactic. But most people loved it (including Lenore).
- John Hart: The Last Child. Minotaur Books. Completed July 9, 2009. Quite compelling. I read this in two sittings, and spent time thinking about it afterwards. Standalone thriller/mystery about a 13-year-old boy looking in dark places for his missing twin sister.
- Craig Johnson: Death Without Company. Penguin. Completed July 13, 2009. Second book of a really smart series about a stubborn and realistically flawed Wyoming sheriff. Excellent characterization and plotting.
- Craig Johnson: Kindness Goes Unpunished. Penguin. Completed July 21, 2009. Third book of above series - even better than the second.
- Charlie Higson: Double or Die (The Young James Bond, Book 3). Hyperion Books. Completed July 17, 2009. These books are pure fun, and recommended for early teen readers, especially boys.
- Pam Bachorz: Candor. Egmont. Completed July 19, 2009. Review to come, closer to publication (very interesting book!).
How about you? What have you been reading and enjoying? Thanks for reading, and for growing bookworms!
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on CANDOR. I'm intrigued by its premise.
Posted by: Parker Peevyhouse | July 22, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I've been on a blog break too. I've been reading Diana Gabaldon -- adult historical fiction and since I don't blog adult books, I haven't been blogging. Her books average 1,000 pages each, so it's taking me some time to get through all six.
I'm saving the John Hart for my vacation the first week of August. I'm looking forward to it -- I really enjoyed his other two books. I'm also looking forward to the next Daniel Silva book, due out next week. The Craig Johnson books sound good -- I may pick them up for my vacation also.
Posted by: Paige Y. | July 23, 2009 at 05:10 AM
Sounds like you're doing some great reading, Paige. Enjoy it! I do recommend the Craig Johnson books, too.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | July 23, 2009 at 12:08 PM