January was a hectic month for me! I spent most of the month preparing for a new semester AND creating/editing/launching my new website. However, I’m determined to read more this year. I’m an English teacher so I’m basically reading 8 hours day, BUT, I want to get back to reading for fun and not necessarily for work/teaching.
You can actually check out my Good Reads list here and see my top choices in reading this year AND some things I’ve already read/rated.
I was only able to tackle 3 new books throughout January. One I loved, one I was iffy about, and one I had to push myself to finish. Here’s what I dove into last month and my quick and easy reviews for each.
This is, by far, one of the best books that I have read in YEARS. The main character, Ladydi Garcia Martínez, is born into a world where being a girl is incredibly dangerous. Along with a complicated, twisted history of women and their families, Ladydi grows up in the mountains of Guerrero, Mexico. Here, women must fend for themselves since “their” men have left to pursue opportunities in other places. The girls of these mountains must make themselves ugly and undesirable to fend off drug dealers and sex traffickers – all while avoiding chemical “attacks” and learning how to survive when coming of age is only a death trap.
This book seriously has it all – brilliant character development, bring-you-to-your-knees emotion, odd humor, and powerful, universal themes that grab onto the reader and refuse to let go.
I know I said I wasn’t reading for teaching material – but this piece would be PERFECT. I have a growing Hispanic population in my classroom, and I’ve been searching for pieces that better educate both myself and my nonHispanic students on this culture.
TRY THIS NOW and chat with me about it. I’m dying for someone else to read this magic!
2. Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins
I wanted to love this…I really did. I’ve heard such great things about it. However, I found it super predictable and not all that captivating. I love stories that are told from multiple perspectives but the character development in this was extremely lacking.
This novel is told from the perspective of Chiko, a shy Burmese boy whose father is imprisoned for resisting the government. Tu Reh also narrates the novel but he is feisty and out for revenge for the Burmese after watching them destroy his Karenni family’s home and crops. The boys cross paths and the novel unfolds from there.
Again, I really wanted to like this piece. However, it just fell short in so many ways. There were no real twists and the characters were almost stereotypical. I didn’t even learn any REAL, tangible information on the Burmese conflict. Bummer.
As a whole, I feel as if this novel may be better suited for younger readers.
One of my absolute favorite genres in memoir. This was such an interesting read as it gave me a “fresh” perspective on Education as a whole. This one is a #1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER. I was super anxious to read it because I had heard nothing but glowing reviews.
Tara Westover was born to “survivalists” out in an extremely desolate area in Idaho. She was actually 17 years old before she ever walked into a classroom. The story is riddled with dark family secrets and OMG moments that will leave you shaking your head. When one of her brothers gets himself into college, Tara’s entire world evolves into an open door.
Her hunger for knowledge is a catalyst that sparks her brand.new.life.
This is one that left my heading spinning. I feel like I might even need to read it again in order to get the full effect. If you’re at all interested in education or just a wild ride of family life, JUMP ON THIS ONE.
This month I’m looking to double my January reading. PLEASE send me your suggestions or your Good Reads lists!
