Monday, February 19, 2018

The RAHM Report for 2/19/18

What My Kids Are Reading


Read this week's Read-at-Home Kids Report to learn the fate of our copy of Blueberries for Sal and which book my four-year-old read cover to cover one morning before breakfast. 

What I Finished Reading

 

  • Happy Little Family by Rebecca Caudill
    This was our most recent lunch-time read-aloud. It's a very sweet story, reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie, but with more kids and fewer life-and-death situations. There are sequels, but not all of them are easy to find, so it might be a while before I get to them. 
  • Lucky Enough by Fred Bowen (ARC)
    I always enjoying Fred Bowen's books, and this was no exception. This one is about sports superstitions and the importance of working hard rather than relying on good luck charms. I don't think it's his best book, but I still really liked it.
  • I Know You, Al by Constance C. Greene
    There is a lot more frank puberty talk in this book than in the first of the series, which kind of surprised me, but it wasn't anything more than you'd find in a Judy Blume book. I do like how quirky Al is, and the way this book explores more of her family dynamics. 
  • The Dark Stairs by Betsy Byars
    This is the first book in Byars's Herculeah Jones series. It's different from her other books - more mainstream and formulaic - but not bad. I'll be reviewing it, probably along with the rest of the series once I finish reading it.

  • Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien (ARC)
    This is a really good new cozy mystery coming out at the end of March. (I had an ARC from Edelweiss.) The plot was a little bit predictable, but the setting (a shopping plaza dedicated to Asian businesses) and the characters (the various merchants who work in the plaza and their friends and family members) were really well-done. I'm already eager for the second book, which has a great title: Dim Sum of All Fears.
  • Clouds in My Coffee by Julie Mulhern
    I liked this book both because the mystery was intriguing and because it focused so much on relationships between sisters. I didn't think it was quite as strong as the first book of the series, which is still my favorite, but it was a quick and enjoyable read.

What I'm Currently Reading


  • All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot
    It's taking me a long time to read this, but I'm making steady progress and enjoying it just as much as All Creatures Great and Small
  • The Julius House by Charlaine Harris
    I'm not crazy about Aurora's love interest and impending marriage in this book, but I am intrigued by the mystery surrounding the former owners of her newly-purchased house. I expect this to be a quick read.
  • Fatal Frost by Karen Macinerney
    I was fortunate to win a prize from the Winter's Respite Read-a-thon I did in January. I won a Kindle book up to $2.99, and this book, which I've been wanting to read and which my local libraries don't have, happened to be $2.00. I've just glanced at the first page so far, but I'm excited to get back into the series.
  • Bingo Brown's Guide to Romance by Betsy Byars
    For some reason, I never finished this series. I'm reading it now as part of my quest to read all of Betsy Byars's books by the end of 2018.
  • The Little Oratory by David Clayton & Leila Marie Lawler
    My book club is reading this for our March meeting. I've been wanting to read it for a long time, so though I haven't really started it yet I'm excited for it. 
I'll be linking up today with Unleashing Readers/Teach Mentor Texts and Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


11 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your books! I looked for the series by Rebecca Caudill on paperbackswap and indeed, there is a waiting list....sigh.... Clouds in My Coffee sounds good! I'll have to check it out!

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  2. Death by Dumpling caught my eye and I'm a little disappointed knowing it isn't out yet.

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  3. I'll look for those first four to keep on the list for my granddaughter, 3rd grade. They sound like good reads for her. Thanks!

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  4. It is nice to see that those older children's books are still being read. I have read some by Betsy Byars but have many more to go. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  5. Death by Dumpling looks like a good mystery!

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  6. Oh wow, I remember Bingo Brown, I haven't seen those books in years! Talk about a blast from the past!

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  7. Lucky Enough looks very interesting, especially because I grew up following my little brother around in sports (and eventually to full scholarship at college). I was reading the plot and thinking about how interesting that research might have been (all the obsessive sports behavior linked to superstitious beliefs). HAHA! Thanks for sharing your current reads and TBR list. Have a great week of reading!

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  8. When your four year old is older, they might like A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord. My post this week.

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  9. I remember Blueberries for Sal. I read it in school when I was really young.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  10. Oh I love the look of Death by Dumpling!! And Clouds in My Coffee-which is also a phrase from Carly Simon's song-"You're So Vain",LOL. Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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  11. I love the throwback look of your post - always. I am intrigued by Clouds in My Coffee - looks promising! :) Have a great reading week!

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