A Bibliophile’s Pile (as in TBR pile) is a new feature for 2017. It’s going to be very similar to my Mini Review posts, but instead of theming each post, I’m just going to list what I’ve read in the past week. Easy peasy.
Read
The Soccer Fence: A story of friendship, hope, and apartheid in South Africa by Phil Bildner (physical / library / with kids)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A beautifully illustrated book with a hopeful story. The back of the book provides historical context (and I had already read about apartheid with my children). One egregious grammatical error (not in dialogue) prevents me from giving the book 5 stars.
Dandelion by Don Freeman (physical / library / re-read)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I stumbled across this book at the library – it’s a childhood favorite that I had all but forgotten. Such a sweet story about being yourself.
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk (physical / library)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
As a picture book for children, this is fun. The rhyming scheme works well, and the illustrations are cute. As an adult, I have questions: 1) Why is. One of the food in the refrigerator wrapped / in containers? 2) Why does this family have so much fresh produce, and can they possibly eat it all before it goes bad? 3) All of the food in the story is not only sentient, but actually *talks* – so, did Lady Pancake and Lord French Toast eat their friend?! Cleary, this book is meant for kids, not over-analytical moms.
The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket (audiobook / library / re-read / with kids)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The audiobook version we listened to was narrated by Lemony Snicket himself. Wonderful fun!
The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World by Katie Hurley (physical / audiobook / library)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
My daughter has a tendency to overreact with negative emotions when she’s frustrated. I also struggle with my emotions ruling me, and I want to help her so that she doesn’t continue to struggle into adulthood. I’m not sure exactly how helpful this book is, but it did make me realize that a few of the coping strategies I use (allowing myself a good cry, deep breathing, and talking back to my negative thoughts) are things that I can teach my daughter to do. It’s a very anecdotal book, and I would’ve preferred more research to balance the anecdotes. A number of chapters were dull for me, because they were “preaching to the choir” – I *know* over scheduling is stressful for kids and parents, I *know* kids need a schedule, lots of sleep and plenty of unstructured playtime.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (eBook (library) / physical (own) / re-read)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I simply do not understand the people who hate on this book, or complain about “second book syndrome” in general. I *love* second books! They aren’t just filler, they’re where everything changes! THG could’ve stood alone. Instead, Collins continued the story, and in Catching Fire she expands the scope of the story dramatically, changing it from one person’s struggle to a whole *nation’s* struggle. It’s epic and wonderful!
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley (audiobook (library) / physical (own) / re-read)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Always and forever my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling! I literally hugged the book when I finished re-reading.
Challenges
GOODREADS
66 of 260
AGATHA CHRISTIE READ ALONGS
None
CLASSICS CHALLENGE
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
BACKLIST READER CHALLENGE 2017
None
CRUISIN’ THRU THE COZIES 2017
None
POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2017
A book with career advice – The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World by Katie Hurley
A BIBLIOPHILE'S STYLE 
I’m intrigued by the the Audio of the Unfortunate Event books read by Lemon Snicket – I never got past book 3 of that series and audio sounds like a fun way to get back in!
Unfortunately I’m one of those that loved THG but could have happily gone the rest of my life not having read the two sequels. I don’t think I really have a problem with the story and where it went, I think my issue was with Katniss who for me was incredibly compelling and interesting in the first book but did not work for me in books 2 and 3. That said I’ve only read them once long ago, so my feelings may change on a re-read!
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Snicket only narrates books 4-6, and then it switches back to Tim Curry. As great as Curry is, I actually Snicket.
Yes, Katniss does change, due to PTSD. Her character “growth” is actually a regression, because of the horrors she’s experienced. It’s sad, but it seems real to me (especially knowing that Collins’ father fought in Vietnam and suffered from PTSD).
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