and now for a new kind of post: a favorite book recap!! imagine coming to the library with me, and i'll pick out my favorites from this year so far ◡̈
click on each book cover for the goodreads link, and click here to check out my full goodreads profile!
ain't burned all the bright
jason reynolds & jason griffin
this book is truly like nothing like i've ever seen before the style. the art. the pure honesty. & the hope!
highly recommend to all ages! it's almost a combo of a picture book with collages & a poem. on my wishlist for sure.
the silence that binds us
joanna ho
made me smile, made me cry, made me giggle, and made me really think about society, racism and family. this story tackled racism so dang well. i've read lots of books about racism and activism and such but none of them resonated like silence did. i'll be thinking about it for a long time, and i definitely see myself rereading in the future. i love the idea of #takebackthenarrative. sharing experiences is powerful. “people who won't listen to arguments or facts can still be changed by stories. ... we're taking back the narrative, and people are listening. our voices are more than sword and shield. they are bridges too.”
i wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. it will build you up in so many ways.
and by the way, it's really quite beautiful.
in the wild light
jeff zenter
the way this story expressed pure emotion was just incredible. zentner's words pierce your heart in the most gentle and beautiful way. and the pov! i love cash. he has such a wholesome heart. the way he loves life inspires me. it was a wild ride.. man it made me cry multiple times. we need more books like this one.
“i lower the visor against the sinking sun. a ray catches a crack in the windshield and illuminates it, a tiny comet. i've always loved when the light finds the broken spots in the world and makes them beautiful.” & “this world is knives and wolves but also swans and stars.” & "she hugs me hard and deep - the kind of hug when you're trying to get past muscle and bone to hug someone's soul." & "i once thought of memory as a tether. i still do, in a way. but now i also see memory as the roots from which you grow toward the sun."
essentialism
greg mckeown
i kid you not, i think about this book almost every single day.
it's the inspiration for many of my upcoming blog posts, my decisions to drop things this year because i was doing too much, and just overall one of the most life-changing books i've ever read.
skim through the examples for sure, but get your hands on it. you'll thank me.
to kill a mockingbird: a graphic novel
harper lee, adapted & illustrated by fred fordman
in my opinion, everyone should read to kill a mockingbird.
it's a true classic, and i love how funny yet deep and beautiful it is. but personally, i had a bit of trouble understanding it. and guys. this graphic novel is so precious. so much easier to follow, yet with the same grace and depth of the novel. i've yet to find a graphic novel that adapts a classic better than this.
the next new syrian girl
ream shukairy
i seriously cannot believe this is a debut. it was that good.
i first came across this book in the st. paul library while visiting minnesota. most books i just look through, but this one resonated & i wanted to get my hands on it as soon as possible! i tried to request it but the library didn't get it for over three months & i was SO excited when it came in! and y'all: it did not disappoint !!
i learned so much about what it means to be a hijabi! so much respect <33
white fragility: why understanding racism can be so hard for white people (adapted for young adults)
robin diangelo, adapted by toni graves williamson & ali michael
this book changed my view of the world so drastically.
toni and ali explained each concept so well, helping me understand so many parts of racism i had never seen before. i literally bought this book, it's that good.
definitely a book i will rec to everyone and go back to many times!!!
how to
julie morstad
the simplicity & essential beauty of this book!!
a picture book, but it's not just for kids: it's for dreaming,
and remembering how to go slow, see the wind, disappear, be faraway, wonder, be brave ..and so much more.
i think i'm in love with this book.
heartbreak symphony
leakan zea kemp
so much more than a romance: i wish the cover encapsulated the depth of this story. it's broken & raw, and more gorgeous because of it.
five stars all the way.
i adored the way music was portrayed—reading this book made me fall in love with it again. it heals so much hurt, draws people together, and helps the community come together.
oribiting jupiter
gary d. schmidt
the book had a short spine, but it made me sob.
how can a story be so awful, so sad, but so beautiful?
as a goodreads reviewer named jessica said, "this book is proof that stories do not need to be long and extravagant or deep with hidden meanings. some of the most touching stories are those that are humble and speak plainly. the kind of stories that dont beg for attention, and yet strongly influence the reader regardless. <3"
the mountain is you
brianna wiest
i love wiest. she words things beautifully & i've learned a lot from her.
this was a good one. good like i wrote over five pages of quotes i loved in my journal. so much truth, esp about emotions!
def rec skimming through!! don't feel like you have to memorize every word, but for sure take some notes.
the hate you give
angie thomas
this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
i wish this wasn't the first book i've read with gangs, "ghettos," and a life i don't live, but want to know about.
"what's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be? "
lil note: please be thoughtful about the books you chose to read! not all books are the best for everyone :)
trust me, i do not recommend books lightly, and this list is stacked. personally, i love books that teach me in a beautiful way. that means lots of types of books, so on this list you'll find non-fiction, verse, fiction, a picture book, & self-improvement. i hope you request a few from your local library! let me know if you've read any of these or plan to! ◡̈
and ofc, if i'm i missing any gems, make sure comment with your recs!
hope you all are having a gorgeous summer!! stay tuned for lots of posts coming soon!! y'all i've had so much on my mind & it is coming to the blog asap!
xo, kate ♡
Commenti