#9 What to Read
what I read this month, and more good stuff
book header artwork by elizabethwadestudios
Hello friends. How are you?
We were hit with a monster snowstorm this weekend. Buried in snow and ice, it was the perfect reason to snuggle under the covers with the hot pad (our pellet stove also decided to die) to read, nap, and watch episodes of Gilmore Girls (unlike many in New Hampshire, we thankfully had power). These blissful activities were enjoyed with my birthday girl, Paige, who said, “this is my last year as a child.” I weep.
Every hour or so, we let the dog out to romp, shoveled (which felt fruitless because it.just.kept.snowing) but it was good exercise and, fine - so beautiful. The snow turned into icy rain which made shoveling feel like we were shoveling concrete. Bless the neighbors who came over with a tractor plow. The next morning the whole world was white and all of the trees were covered with glass. We were cold but we had books.
On that note, here is what I read (and listened to) in March….
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer: a lonely teacher looking for love, a little boy looking for a mother, a mystery on Clock Island. If you love riddles, this one’s for you.
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono: Written in 1953, a narrator in the French Alps meets a shepherd who is quietly taking on the task of planting one hundred acorns a day to reforest his desolate home region. Simple. Unforgettable.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg: How does a deeply divided jury come to a consensus? How does a young CIA officer recruit a reluctant foreign agent? Charles Duhigg (The Power of Habit) blends research and storytelling to show what and how to deeply communicate with others. I was especially intrigued by what happened in the writers’ room of The Big Bang Theory to make it such a hit (after the first pilot was a major fail). Great book!
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie: years ago as a teenager, I could be found in the Omaha Public Library trying to decide which Agatha Christie book to check out. Roger Ackroyd is one of my favorites starring “the little man” Hercules Poirot with a twist ending that my mother accidentally blurted out last week :) This was an audiobook listen through hoopla (free library app!) and I highly recommend if you like clean, brilliantly-plotted mysteries that keep you guessing - and hold up decades later.
The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale; lillustrated by LeUyen Pham: Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when the monster alarm rings. A cute and action packed chapter book for those who like their princesses prim and proper and also dressed in black…Shannon and LeUyen will be at Gibson’s Bookstore (MY BOOKSTORE) in Concord, NH, this Friday, March 29th at 6:30p.m.
More books I’m excited to read:
It’s MIDDLE GRADE MARCH and I have a whole stack of great middle grade books on my bedside table I’m excited to share with you next month.
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (2017)
wrote such an excellent description that this sounds like a must-read.On All Other Nights: A Passover Story in 14 Stories, edited by author Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, and Naomi Milner, “is a joyful middle-grade anthology centered around Passover—from an exciting array of bestselling and award-winning Jewish creators.”
Leif Enger has a book coming on April 2! “Set in a not-too-distant America, I CHEERFULLY REFUSE is the tale of Rainy, an aspiring musician setting sail on Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife.” Intriguing, no? Enger’s first novel, PEACE LIKE A RIVER (2001) remains a favorite book EVER.
Mae Respicio and Laurie Morrison both have middle grade books coming on April 9!
As per usual, SO MANY GOOD BOOKS, so little time…
What are you reading?
Amy ☘️
Easter: Do you celebrate? It’s Holy Week. A family Easter plan I’m studying.
Watching: Author, podcaster, and Duke divinity instructor Dr. KateKate Bowler’s daily lent devotionals on Instagram. Short, deep, so good.
Eating: Our favorite chocolate cake recipe. Paige made me do it - it was her birthday!!!! Watch her walk into the ocean. In March. It’s a grandma tradition thing.
Not Drinking: Diet Coke. I gave it up for lent and I’m so proud of myself for not perishing. or sneaking it. The psychology of habits and “habit triggers” and “habit replacements” is so intriguing.
Price Drop: The McNifficents in hardcover has dropped to $12.99 on Amazon!
School Visits: I’ll be at Keene State College talking to a creative writing class on April 1. I’d love to visit your school, too. Be in touch, will you?!
I’m curious about THE WISHING GAME. Does it lean more commercial or literary? Also glad you never lost power!
I picked up Boy Called Bat from my library because of that review too! Excited to read it :)