A Fresh Start...
Meet "Books Are My Love Language"
Hi friends,
Is there anyone out there? If you’re reading this, thanks for being here. I began dabbling in this substack world as a way to escape the black hole that is social media. However, after some deep pondering, I’m going to try a more formulaic approach, with more structure in an effort to lend to a more consistent, reliable, weekly newsletter. And with all of that reshuffling comes a bit of rebranding and a new name. Welcome to Books Are My Love Language!
The name is an ode to our bi-weekly pilgrimage to our local library. Lovely Little Reads was a spinoff of my now-defunct blog, Lovely Little Things, but I’d like to pursue more books than those directed at “littles.” I’m going to start this off as a free newsletter, and see how it goes…
If you’re still reading this, almost a year after I send my last edition, genuine thanks for still being here. And if you’re new, well then, welcome!
New & Notable
I have one kiddo who is very into Greek mythology. An avid listener of the kids podcast, Greeking Out, we were delighted to see that National Geographic Kids published an accompanying anthology of Greek myths. Greeking Out the book, is a tangible version of the podcast, an epic collection of retellings of classic Greek myths. It is text heavy, but there’s plenty of graphic novel-esque illustrations throughout, a must-read for any Greek mythology enthusiast.
📚Middle Grade
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
So often with middle grade we think, this book is just for kids, but I have found myself thinking back to this revelatory novel many times in the months since reading it. Twelve-year-old Iris is the most tech savvy kid in her class. She’s also the only deaf person in her school, which subsequently means kids treat her as if she’s dumb. When Iris learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris feels a strong kinship toward this creature, and invests her time and energy into finding ways to communicate with him. A heartfelt story about determination and belonging, this one is a must read. Also great on audiobook!
📖🐛Picture Books
A House for Mrs. Mouse is a reprint of a 1983 picture book that has charmed readers for twenty years. So much so that Mrs. Mouse enthusiasts were paying upwards of $100 for used copies of this gem on ebay! Thankfully, a fresh batch has been printed in 2023 for your enjoyment. Mrs. Mouse is a savvy architect and entrepreneur who designs her own unique builds fit for mice families. For any child interested in design, architecture, or building, this book is a must-read. My middle child fits this bill and I’ve caught him pouring over the pictures more than once.
📓Non-Fiction
Stranded is a non-fiction picture book based on a true story recounting the time the author’s grandfather was stranded on a new volcanic island in Iceland. Colorful graphic novel-like layouts and engaging text plus a series of suspenseful challenges keep the reader hooked ‘til the end of this unexpected real-life adventure.
For the history-enthusiasts, History Smashers is a great series that breaks down true historical events in graphic novel form. My kids have recently been intrigued the the story of the Titanic and the questions surrounding it. Why didn’t they have life boats? Why didn’t they see the iceberg sooner? Why didn’t the lifeboats go back for more survivors? This any many other reader questions are broached in this non-fiction series.
⚡️Graphic Novels
My daughter loved this one, Lost Time by Tas Mukanik. This book exudes Jurassic Park vibes when a 12-year-old girl gets trapped in time, 65 million years ago amidst the dinosaurs. Packed with energy and adventure, she must learn to survive upon her wits alone, and the grace of a baby pterosaur. Will they survive?
🎧Audiobooks
The Last Beekeeper by Pablo Cartaya. Pretty sure I devoured all 7 hours and 15 minutes of this audiobook in a single day. The cover intrigued me, the narrator drew me in, and the futuristic, dystopian, climate change plot kept me on the hook. I haven’t read too many dystopian novels aimed at middle grade, but this one manages to engage the reader in the realities of nature in peril without being alarmist. Protagonist Yolanda Cicerón dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the closest, connected town that offers a pipeline to a better life. When Yoly discovers some uncertainty within her own family, she makes decisions to secure her future without recognizing the ramifications of her choices. One thing leads to another and she begins to unearth a series of smoke and mirrors. A suspenseful, thrilling adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This was probably my most recent favorite. The Labors of Hercules Beal by award-winning author, Gary D. Schmidt, Hercules Beal, a seventh grader who has encountered a lot of adversity in his young life. Despite his mythical name, Herc is the smallest kid in the class, unassuming, and definitely not a hero.
A new teacher takes an interest in Herc’s story, assigning him a lofty task - to fulfill the Twelve Labors of Hercules, essentially “duplicating” Hercules’ amazing feats in real life. Despite some stumbles and missteps, Hercules finds a way through the assignment, learning much about his own tenacity, perseverance, and the value of community along the way.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment or engage if you’ve read or enjoyed anything memorable this week.