Surprises and Slam Dunks

I think it’s only fitting that I closed out my March reading with Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover. Not usually one for basketball, I didn’t participate in March Madness (not even a book bracket!), and I wasn’t sure what I’d think of the book. Actually, I do know. I thought it would be, as a Newbery winner, worthwhile, but ultimately something I wouldn’t be terribly interested in, or be able to relate to, or want to read again. Well Kwame Alexander did a crossover on me because I honest-to-goodness was crying through the last few pages. (it was probably not the best book to bring to read at work, but hey! I didn’t know that was going to happen). I can’t describe it or what makes it work; you’ll have to read it for yourself. Its fresh free verse bounces, spins, and swishes – and mesmerizes with every step. (plus: it’s a quick read).

I had a few other surprises in this month’s line-up…

Red Harvest, one of the first hard-boiled detective novels that I had a hard time taking seriously, regardless of how innovative it is (but it was enjoyable nonetheless).

Sanctuary, which was both disturbing and confusing, and Absalom, Absalom, which I do not regret to tell you I did not finish.

The Conjure-Man Dies, another mystery, but set in Harlem, which I had never heard of but fascinated me from start to finish.

Disquiet Time, an essay collection about quirky, confusing, unsettling, and surprising passages in the Bible, which was a nice reflection over Spring Break.

also over Spring Break: In Defense of Food, which convinced I am probably going to die soon unless I start eating less cereal. But everyone should read it, as it is excellent, and we should probably stop obsessing over nutrition and just eat regular, whole food (cereal doesn’t count, apparently). 

And finally, in prep for my upcoming return to the Kaigler Children’s Book Festival, I read Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo and a whole stack of books illustrated by Bryan Collier. I have about 60 more books out from the library to read in between now and Tuesday, which isn’t going to happen, but I still have hope!

So it wasn’t a bracket, but it was a bit of madness! And I’m happy to say that I think all of my reads this month were totally worth it – a slam dunk, perhaps?

Month Two, Take Two, Two Days Late...

I spent February, the so-called month of love, revisiting some literary loves of my own. I re-read The Great Gatsby and The Sun Also Rises for my class, which I thought would be kind quick and easy, but as it turns out I was an idiot young the last time I read them so this run was basically like reading them for the first time. The good news is that I still love them both. I’m still working my way through the audiobooks of Harry Potter; I finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this month and was shocked at how much I had forgotten. My experience with these re-reads inspires me to re-read more, if it wasn’t for my never-ending stacks and lists to books to read for the first time!

I also read In Our Time and Winesburg, Ohio for class: short story collections by Ernest Hemingway and Sherwood Anderson, respectively, that I totally loved. I don’t read short stories often, and forget how much I enjoy the genre. Anderson, in particular, reminds me of Flannery O’Connor, which honestly seems unfair, since he wrote first – but I read O’Connor first, so, it is what it is. The Hemingway, on the other hand, was fascinating, since In Our Time is his first published collection and really lays the groundwork for all of his later, longer, titles.

I diversified my list this month with Difficult Conversations, a fascinating read about how we discuss what matters most, and how we often go wrong. I got it from the library in order to read it for my Management class, but will definitely be purchasing it. It’s the kind of hands-on, practical-application book you’ll want to refer back to again and again as you practice the skills in day-to-day life.

Lastly, I was inspired by the documentary Holy Hell on Netflix to do some more reading on cults, so I got Prophet’s Prey from the library and read the e-book at work. I’d read a few books and articles about the FLDS before, but Sam Brower’s book covered more time and activity than anything I’d encountered prior to it. I look forward to watching the documentary of the same name in the near future.

I’m still on a quest to find a book that isn’t depressing, and now that Lent has begun I’m a little doubtful I’ll encounter one soon, but you never know! I might have to break up my required readings with some more light-hearted titles…