1Merryann
Here I am, starting very late in the year, but if time gets tight, I will read a bunch of hitherto unread picture books and be able to make my goal.
That's not the plan at the outset, though. The plan right now is to read any one book that I've never read before off each shelf. If I run out of shelves before 100, I will wrap around and start with book two off the shelf.
It's nice to be back in this community. :)
2Merryann
My first book, read before I took time to figure out again how to join this group, was Peeled by Joan Bauer.
I found this a good book to remind me why impartial and factual journalism is very important. It also makes me think about how fiction can sometimes explore truths better than my (usually) preferred nonfiction.
I found this a good book to remind me why impartial and factual journalism is very important. It also makes me think about how fiction can sometimes explore truths better than my (usually) preferred nonfiction.
7rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have fun!
8MissWatson
Welcome and good luck with your goal!
11Merryann
Book 2: A Nest for Celeste
Gorgeous illustrations! Touching story of loneliness conquered, with some side history of how Audubon drew the birds. Made me sad sometimes.
Book 3: The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt
Set during the Korean War, published in 1983, this book dips into the supernatural and wraps up unexpectedly quickly. I was sad about the (to me) needless death in it.
Book 4: Phineas L. MacGuire Gets Cooking
Cute book! Likening cooking to chemistry. Zipped right along. I was sad that it didn't wrap up at the end...just directs me to the next book...which I don't own. Sigh.
Book 5: Trixie Belden and the Case of the Vanishing Victim
Finally, a book that didn't make me sad! These good old Trixie Belden books have aged surprisingly well! I liked this one, contrived as bits of it were.
Book 6: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Missing Millionaire
Eh, Trixie is not herself in this one. Back to being sad, hahaha.
Gorgeous illustrations! Touching story of loneliness conquered, with some side history of how Audubon drew the birds. Made me sad sometimes.
Book 3: The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt
Set during the Korean War, published in 1983, this book dips into the supernatural and wraps up unexpectedly quickly. I was sad about the (to me) needless death in it.
Book 4: Phineas L. MacGuire Gets Cooking
Cute book! Likening cooking to chemistry. Zipped right along. I was sad that it didn't wrap up at the end...just directs me to the next book...which I don't own. Sigh.
Book 5: Trixie Belden and the Case of the Vanishing Victim
Finally, a book that didn't make me sad! These good old Trixie Belden books have aged surprisingly well! I liked this one, contrived as bits of it were.
Book 6: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Missing Millionaire
Eh, Trixie is not herself in this one. Back to being sad, hahaha.
12Merryann
Book 7: The Gigantic Balloon by Ruth Park. Nice picture book about a young man working toward and realizing his dream of a better life. I didn't realize until last week that my entering such a goal so late in the year would impact the group's goals. I could adjust my goal...but think it will be better to just read more shorter books to get caught up with the year. It has been hard for me to read, so short books fit the bill right now anyway.
Book 8: Rolling Along. A school reader for elementary readers. Good stories, nice pictures!
Book 9: Zen Ghosts by Jon Muth. If I needed to choose only 25 picture books, the Zen books by Jon Muth would take two of the precious slots.
Book 10: If... by Sarah Perry. Wonderfully imaginative illustrations invite the reader to make the story.
Book 11: Fox at School by Edward Marshall. Three stories about Fox and his friends. I laughed out loud at one point.
Book 12: The Great Royal Race by Carl Sommer. Princess must choose suiter to wed. Two of the three are interested only in her money or fame. Will she make the right choice? (Yes, thanks to her listening to her father's advice.)
Book 13: Bad Kitty Drawn to Trouble by Nick Bruel. Oh, how I loved this Bad Kitty story! Can't wait to read more! Not only was I hugely entertained, I learned a lot about how to craft a story.
Book 14: The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr. I'd read this before but wanted a refresher since reading The Gigantic Balloon. This book is based on real aeronauts.
Book 15: The Feester Filibuster by Molly Levite Griffis. This was actually the second book I read but I forgot to list it in order. It's the rootiest of ROOTS, being a book I've owned a good long while. John Alan forges friendship with his former enemy. Handled in a realistic and touching way. I liked this book.
Book 16: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire: Explores how unsubstantiated rumor can get out of control and hurt people. A worthwhile read.
Book 8: Rolling Along. A school reader for elementary readers. Good stories, nice pictures!
Book 9: Zen Ghosts by Jon Muth. If I needed to choose only 25 picture books, the Zen books by Jon Muth would take two of the precious slots.
Book 10: If... by Sarah Perry. Wonderfully imaginative illustrations invite the reader to make the story.
Book 11: Fox at School by Edward Marshall. Three stories about Fox and his friends. I laughed out loud at one point.
Book 12: The Great Royal Race by Carl Sommer. Princess must choose suiter to wed. Two of the three are interested only in her money or fame. Will she make the right choice? (Yes, thanks to her listening to her father's advice.)
Book 13: Bad Kitty Drawn to Trouble by Nick Bruel. Oh, how I loved this Bad Kitty story! Can't wait to read more! Not only was I hugely entertained, I learned a lot about how to craft a story.
Book 14: The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr. I'd read this before but wanted a refresher since reading The Gigantic Balloon. This book is based on real aeronauts.
Book 15: The Feester Filibuster by Molly Levite Griffis. This was actually the second book I read but I forgot to list it in order. It's the rootiest of ROOTS, being a book I've owned a good long while. John Alan forges friendship with his former enemy. Handled in a realistic and touching way. I liked this book.
Book 16: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire: Explores how unsubstantiated rumor can get out of control and hurt people. A worthwhile read.
13Merryann
Book 17: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage. This was a reread. Such a wonderful book! I don't remember reading the second; I may or may not have, memory is not my strong suit. I definitely haven't read the third. I just ordered the fourth book in the set and am super excited about it. Sheila Turnage has an awesome skill with writing!
Excerpt: 'I tried not to sound impressed. "You stole Mr. Jesse's boat?"
He studied his fingernails. "I wouldn't say stole," he said. "But I did borrow it pretty strong."'
It's refreshing to hear southern characters speak in a real way, not that super syrupy southern talk that, for me, too often ruins books set in the southern states.
Book 18: Guinea Dog 3 by Patrick Jennings. I haven't read Guinea Dog 1 or 2 yet but that didn't keep me from knowing what was going on in this story. I like that this story has a bit of a Fairy Unicorn Butterfly Princess 'feel' but is staffed with boys and guinea pigs so that its lighthearted feel-good magical tone doesn't become the property only of girls.
I just made up Fairy Unicorn Butterfly Princess. Ha! Maybe I will go write a story about one now.
Book 19: Those Darn Squirrel and the Cat Next Door by Adam Rubin. This is a reread because I recently read Those Darn Cats and was excited when I unexpectedly came across this subsequent book. It's not as good as Those Darn Cats, but it's not a bad story either.
Book 20: Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin. Raccoon wants pizza. It's a shame he doesn't know how to ask politely. This book isn't going to teach him how, either. But it did make me laugh. Will Raccoon ever learn that stealing and sneaking around aren't going to get him what he wants? Maybe Adam Rubin will write a sequel so I can find out.
Excerpt: 'I tried not to sound impressed. "You stole Mr. Jesse's boat?"
He studied his fingernails. "I wouldn't say stole," he said. "But I did borrow it pretty strong."'
It's refreshing to hear southern characters speak in a real way, not that super syrupy southern talk that, for me, too often ruins books set in the southern states.
Book 18: Guinea Dog 3 by Patrick Jennings. I haven't read Guinea Dog 1 or 2 yet but that didn't keep me from knowing what was going on in this story. I like that this story has a bit of a Fairy Unicorn Butterfly Princess 'feel' but is staffed with boys and guinea pigs so that its lighthearted feel-good magical tone doesn't become the property only of girls.
I just made up Fairy Unicorn Butterfly Princess. Ha! Maybe I will go write a story about one now.
Book 19: Those Darn Squirrel and the Cat Next Door by Adam Rubin. This is a reread because I recently read Those Darn Cats and was excited when I unexpectedly came across this subsequent book. It's not as good as Those Darn Cats, but it's not a bad story either.
Book 20: Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin. Raccoon wants pizza. It's a shame he doesn't know how to ask politely. This book isn't going to teach him how, either. But it did make me laugh. Will Raccoon ever learn that stealing and sneaking around aren't going to get him what he wants? Maybe Adam Rubin will write a sequel so I can find out.
14Merryann
21: The Odds of Getting Even by Sheila Turnage
I sure wish Sheila Turnage would write more Tupelo Landing stories! These are the best!
22: The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli
Sensitively written story. I was touched by it, and felt it portrayed inmates both realistically and with the dignity of humanity.
23: The Day it Rained Money by C.L. Keyworth
24: The Loser List by H.N. Kowitt
25: Mystery on October Road by Alison Cragin Herzig
I sure wish Sheila Turnage would write more Tupelo Landing stories! These are the best!
22: The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli
Sensitively written story. I was touched by it, and felt it portrayed inmates both realistically and with the dignity of humanity.
23: The Day it Rained Money by C.L. Keyworth
24: The Loser List by H.N. Kowitt
25: Mystery on October Road by Alison Cragin Herzig
15Merryann
26: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I've had this book for years (ha!) and I might be ready to put some of the suggestions in it to work for me now.
27: Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
I expected to like this because I love Sharon Creech's Pleasing the Ghost. I was hugely disappointed in this book. Oh well.
28: Mystery of the Hidden Book by Helen Fuller Orton
I expected to have to plough through this one and am glad to say I was wrong; I enjoyed these nice kids and their search for the book.
29: Fox Investigates: A Whiff of Mystery by Adam Frost
30: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Antique Doll
I've had this book for years (ha!) and I might be ready to put some of the suggestions in it to work for me now.
27: Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
I expected to like this because I love Sharon Creech's Pleasing the Ghost. I was hugely disappointed in this book. Oh well.
28: Mystery of the Hidden Book by Helen Fuller Orton
I expected to have to plough through this one and am glad to say I was wrong; I enjoyed these nice kids and their search for the book.
29: Fox Investigates: A Whiff of Mystery by Adam Frost
30: Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Antique Doll
16Merryann
31: The Heartbreak Messenger by Alexander Vance
Oh, this book was every bit as good on this reading as it was the first go around! One of my favorite books...I wish Vance would write more about Quentin and friends.
32, 33, 34: Pig the Pug, Pig the Winner, and Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
35: Let the Hurricane Roar by Rose Wilder Lane
Now, this was interesting! Rose Wilder Lane is a very good writer! I'm glad I finally read this!
Oh, this book was every bit as good on this reading as it was the first go around! One of my favorite books...I wish Vance would write more about Quentin and friends.
32, 33, 34: Pig the Pug, Pig the Winner, and Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
35: Let the Hurricane Roar by Rose Wilder Lane
Now, this was interesting! Rose Wilder Lane is a very good writer! I'm glad I finally read this!
17Merryann
36: Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
37: April Bubbles Chocolate: an ABC of Poetry selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Nicely satisfied my decision to get a bit more poetry in my life.
38: Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe
39: Moosetache by Margie Palatini
40: The Secret Kitten by Anne Mallett
37: April Bubbles Chocolate: an ABC of Poetry selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Nicely satisfied my decision to get a bit more poetry in my life.
38: Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe
39: Moosetache by Margie Palatini
40: The Secret Kitten by Anne Mallett
19Merryann
>18 connie53: Thank you, Connie! I'm hanging in there.
20Merryann
Here's my ROOTs since September.
41. Hank Zipzer the World's Greatest Underachiever by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
42. The Steal: A Cultural History of Shoplifting by Rachel Shteir
43. Purrmaids: the Scaredy Cat Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
44. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I just want to stop at this point and say to anyone out there who is like me, BEWARE of this book! It is an excellent book. I do not fault the book in any way. However, it is true that all of my clothing has been heaped in a huge, bedroom-filling pile for the last two months now. I have a problem with follow-through.
The up side of this is that my closets look GREAT. The down side to this is I've realized I do only wear the same six tee shirts and could get rid of the entire pile of clothing. But I don't want to do that. I'd rather grow back into a person who enjoys dressing nicely again.
I'm a project, that's for sure. Okay, back to the list.
45. The Tunnel of Hugsy Goode by Eleanor Estes
46. A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
47. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
48. Let's Go to a Supermarket by M. Goodspeed
49. Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds
50. The House that Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Edited to say, well, I actually counted The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up last month. I'm not going to renumber everything, but I will change the last number to reflect the right one. Yep, I'm currently a piece of work all right.
41. Hank Zipzer the World's Greatest Underachiever by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
42. The Steal: A Cultural History of Shoplifting by Rachel Shteir
43. Purrmaids: the Scaredy Cat Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
44. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I just want to stop at this point and say to anyone out there who is like me, BEWARE of this book! It is an excellent book. I do not fault the book in any way. However, it is true that all of my clothing has been heaped in a huge, bedroom-filling pile for the last two months now. I have a problem with follow-through.
The up side of this is that my closets look GREAT. The down side to this is I've realized I do only wear the same six tee shirts and could get rid of the entire pile of clothing. But I don't want to do that. I'd rather grow back into a person who enjoys dressing nicely again.
I'm a project, that's for sure. Okay, back to the list.
45. The Tunnel of Hugsy Goode by Eleanor Estes
46. A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
47. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
48. Let's Go to a Supermarket by M. Goodspeed
49. Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds
50. The House that Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Edited to say, well, I actually counted The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up last month. I'm not going to renumber everything, but I will change the last number to reflect the right one. Yep, I'm currently a piece of work all right.
21Merryann
51. The Exquisite Corpse Adventure by 20 Celebrated Authors and Illustrators
52. All About Sailing the Seven Seas by Ruth Brindze
53. Chinatown by William Low
54. What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
55. Machines at Work: Crane by Fleur Star
56. Duck by David Lloyd
57. Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B. Williams
58. Steal Back the Mona Lisa by Meghan McCarthy (actually Book 57. I will start next time with book 58.)
52. All About Sailing the Seven Seas by Ruth Brindze
53. Chinatown by William Low
54. What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
55. Machines at Work: Crane by Fleur Star
56. Duck by David Lloyd
57. Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B. Williams
58. Steal Back the Mona Lisa by Meghan McCarthy (actually Book 57. I will start next time with book 58.)
22Merryann
58. Strays Like Us by Richard Peck
59. The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
60. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
61. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (nope, I'd never read it before. It was good!)
62. Drawing a Blank by Daniel Ehrenhaft
63. John Willy and Freddy McGee by Holly Meade
64. The Bus Trip by Eleanor Frances Lattimore
65. Confectionately Yours: Taking the Cake! by Lisa Papademetriou
66. The Boy Next Door by Meggin Cabot
67. Help Me, Mr. Mutt! by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
68. Confectionately Yours: Save the Cupcake! by Lisa Papademetriou
69. Owl Diaries: Eva and the New Owl by Rebecca Elliott
70. Miss Suzy by Miriam Young
59. The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
60. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
61. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (nope, I'd never read it before. It was good!)
62. Drawing a Blank by Daniel Ehrenhaft
63. John Willy and Freddy McGee by Holly Meade
64. The Bus Trip by Eleanor Frances Lattimore
65. Confectionately Yours: Taking the Cake! by Lisa Papademetriou
66. The Boy Next Door by Meggin Cabot
67. Help Me, Mr. Mutt! by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
68. Confectionately Yours: Save the Cupcake! by Lisa Papademetriou
69. Owl Diaries: Eva and the New Owl by Rebecca Elliott
70. Miss Suzy by Miriam Young
23Merryann
71. Cotton by O.B. Gregory
72. Rubber by O.B. Gregory
73. Drip Drop by Barbara Seuling
74. A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann
75. Casey Over There by Staton Rabin
76. The Rattlebang Picnic by Margaret Mahy
77. Read About Birds by Jen Green
78. Rolling the Cheese by Patricia Miles Martin
I've started reading picture books so I can make the goal. Well, they all need to be read. I've owned Rolling the Cheese for over a decade, I think, and just now read it. And it's a wonderful, heartwarming book. Such a good use of my time!
72. Rubber by O.B. Gregory
73. Drip Drop by Barbara Seuling
74. A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann
75. Casey Over There by Staton Rabin
76. The Rattlebang Picnic by Margaret Mahy
77. Read About Birds by Jen Green
78. Rolling the Cheese by Patricia Miles Martin
I've started reading picture books so I can make the goal. Well, they all need to be read. I've owned Rolling the Cheese for over a decade, I think, and just now read it. And it's a wonderful, heartwarming book. Such a good use of my time!
25Merryann
>24 connie53: Thank you, Connie!
26Merryann
79. ABeCedario Salvaje by Yanitzia Canetti
80. Seven Brave Women by Betsy Hearne
81. Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine
82. A School for Brides by Patrice Kindl
83. Widget and the Puppy by Lyn Rossiter McFarland
84. The Sea of Sleep by Warren Hanson
85. The Quiet Evening by Thacher Hurd
86. Jessica by Kevin Henkes
87. Mama Don't Allow by Thacher Hurd
88. Moon Mouse by Adelaide Holl
80. Seven Brave Women by Betsy Hearne
81. Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine
82. A School for Brides by Patrice Kindl
83. Widget and the Puppy by Lyn Rossiter McFarland
84. The Sea of Sleep by Warren Hanson
85. The Quiet Evening by Thacher Hurd
86. Jessica by Kevin Henkes
87. Mama Don't Allow by Thacher Hurd
88. Moon Mouse by Adelaide Holl
27Merryann
89. Space Case by Edward Marshall
90. The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
91. Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller
92. The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park
93. Folks Call Me Appleseed John by Andrew Glass
94. My Great-Aunt Arizona by Gloria Houston
95. Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell
96. Maria's Comet by Deborah Hopkinson
97. Nora's Ark by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
98. John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco
99. Rockwell: a Boy and His Dog by Loren Spiotta-DiMare
100. Zuzu's Wishing Cake by Linda Michelin
All done!
90. The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
91. Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller
92. The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park
93. Folks Call Me Appleseed John by Andrew Glass
94. My Great-Aunt Arizona by Gloria Houston
95. Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell
96. Maria's Comet by Deborah Hopkinson
97. Nora's Ark by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
98. John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco
99. Rockwell: a Boy and His Dog by Loren Spiotta-DiMare
100. Zuzu's Wishing Cake by Linda Michelin
All done!
30MissWatson
Congratulations!
