Tonight 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. It is sent out once every two weeks. There are currently 1000 subscribers.
Newsletter Update: In this issue I have three book reviews (one middle grade and two young adult), two children's literacy round-ups (one here and one at The Reading Tub), and two posts with Kidlitosphere news. I also have posts about the ALA Youth Media Awards (Newbery, etc.). All of the posts from my own blog these past two weeks are included in the newsletter. At Booklights, I have a selection of links for parents related to raising readers, and a post about the 2009 Cybils shortlists.
Reading Update: I've had a pretty good reading year so far. In the past two weeks, I five middle grade novels (all from the Cybils shortlist for middle grade fantasy and science fiction, one middle grade graphic novel, two young adult novels, and one adult mystery. Note that because I am a second round judge for the Cybils, I have not posted reviews of the Cybils titles (the first five books listed below). But they are certainly all worth picking up.- Julianna Baggott: The Prince of Fenway Park. HarperCollins. Completed January 8, 2010.
- Neil Gaiman (ill. Brett Helquist): Odd and the Frost Giants. HarperCollins. Completed January 9, 2010.
- Wendy Mass: 11 Birthdays. Scholastic. Completed January 9, 2010.
- Grace Lin: When the Mountain Meets the Moon. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Completed January 11, 2010.
- Joni Sensel: The Farwalker's Quest. Bloomsbury USA Children's Books. Completed January 17, 2010.
- Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta. Knopf. Completed January 17, 2009. My review.
- Caroline B. Cooney: They Never Came Back. Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Completed January 12, 2010. My review.
- Dom Testa: The Comet's Curse: A Galahad Book. Tor Teen. Completed January 18, 2010. (Review to come)
- Harlan Coben: Long Lost. Dutton. The 9th Myron Bolitar mystery. Completed January 9, 2010. This book marks Coben's return to the Bolitar series after several years of publishing stand-alone thrillers. I found this one to be something of a cross between the style of the previous Bolitar novels and the thrillers. I read this one in one sitting - it's quite well-written and suspenseful (if occasionally a bit more violent than I would prefer).
How about you. What have you been reading and enjoying? Thanks for reading the newsletter, and for growing bookworms.
© 2010 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. All Amazon links in this post are affiliate links, and may result in my receiving a small commission on purchases (with no additional cost to you).
That's a lot of books in one week, Jen. i hope to pick up my reading now that football season is about over -- with the way my Tar Heels are playing I don't think I'll be watching much basketball.
By the way, do you review every book you read? I'm struggling with a couple of books I read this past week. I think they were both pretty weak but I'm not sure about how I feel about blasting them on my blog. One of the authors is a first-time author and I haven't seen any other reviews for this book on a blog. I"d love to have your input.
Posted by: Paige Y. | January 20, 2010 at 02:59 AM
That was actually two weeks of reading. So not quite as impressive. But still enough to please me, Paige.
I'd say that I'm sorry about your Tar Heels. But, um, I went to Duke.
Anyway, no, I don't review every book that I read. I try to review the ones that I've specifically requested. But apart from that, I generally do the review if I have something particular and constructive to say. I sometimes skip the review for books that are already hugely popular (since I wonder what difference one more opinion will have). For books that didn't work for me, I'll sometimes do a mixed review, especially if I think that other people will like the book more than I did. But if I have nothing positive to say, then I don't generally do a review at all.
And, of course, occasionally I just don't have time to do the review in a timely manner, and it slips through the cracks. I try to remind myself that this is an unpaid hobby, and that any review that I do find time for is a positive thing, and that I shouldn't beat myself up over the reviews not written. (Though this is not always successful).
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 20, 2010 at 09:44 AM
Just finished reading an ARC of Alice Hoffman's Green Witch, sequel to Green Angel. Extraordinary writing.
Posted by: Marge Loch-Wouters | January 20, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Thanks for commenting, Marge. I have not read any Alice Hoffman in ages. Glad to hear these are so good!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 20, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Oh, my reading has been woeful this month. I am still working to get a couple of books finished in December up on the website. If I fly from the east coast to the west coast daily, will I gain a few hours each day?
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1148479165 | January 20, 2010 at 04:39 PM
It's hard to find the time some months, Terry. I think that your flying west across the country every day would work, but only if you could figure out a way not to fly back... Of course, airplane time is still great reading time, regardless of timezones. Perhaps you'll have to come for a visit!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 20, 2010 at 04:44 PM
One of my students has me reading the comic adaptation of Artemis Fowl (which I've never read but always meant to) and it's pretty good. Also: Victory by Susan Cooper. She's just great.
Posted by: Jim | January 21, 2010 at 09:52 AM
Thanks for stopping by, Jim. I read the first Artemis Fowl book (non-comic), but didn't continue with the series b/c I didn't find Artemis very likable. But I know lots of kids LOVE the books. Victory has been on my radar (and I think is even on my shelf), but I haven't gotten to it yet. Oh, so many books, so little time... Have a great day!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 21, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Great newsletter I'm on my way to sign up!
I'm a big fan of Caroline B. Cooney, but have not yet read any outside of The Face on the Milk Carton Series. And cannot wait to read Odd and the Frost Giants this year. :D
Posted by: MillyMarie | January 21, 2010 at 11:55 PM