Great list. I've only read "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" (loved it) and "Happy Place" (I always enjoy her books). I've added a bunch of these to my Libby holds. I'm bummed that Kate Morton's book isn't available as an audiobook there, since I get totally intimidated by long physical books these days :).
I haven't read most of these books! I picked up Kate Morton's new book, but felt overwhelmed because it was so long. Ha! I also loved Maggie Smith's memoir!
Interesting list! I’ll be looking into the ones I haven’t read! We’ve read all the Vanderbeekers except the last one. I loved them at first, but have mixed feeling about the last couple. My reasoning is more of a conversation than a comment though. 😅 I started reading the Wingfeather Saga to my kids, and they want me to finish before reading that before anything else. Parable of the Sower sounds interesting. Have you read The Story of More by Hope Jahrens? Sounds like it says a lot of similar things, but I found it very hopeful and inspiring.
I am so intrigued about your thoughts on Vanderbeekers! We didn't love the Wingfeather Saga - isn't it funny how book tastes can be so different?? Have you read The Wild Robot series? Those are fantastic read alouds too. I'm putting a hold on The Story of More right now!
Okay, I have to add a PS. Because I was wondering why preachiness/ sanctimony bothers me so even if I don’t disagree. I just think truly excellent storytelling--for kids and adults, but somehow especially for kids--should trust that enough has been said for the readers to draw their own conclusions.
I haven’t read that! Just to be clear, I’m not the biggest fan of Wingfeather. 😅 Fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, but my son really loves it, and my youngest daughter is developing her tastes so I want to give her a fair introduction. And I’m trying to stretch my own reading a little with it. Lol! I will say, though, that Andrew Peterson is very descriptive and I appreciate the detail he puts in. I think that’s my biggest critique of the Vanderbeekers. Karina Yan Glaser doesn’t do the best job of “writing to show” in my opinion. I always had a hard time getting a really good mental picture of what the family looked like. She described them as “biracial” but doesn’t even tell us one race is Chinese until The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish. Why? I’m still not sure what the other race is. I always assumed black, but now I wonder if I’m wrong about that too. It’s just really hard to fully embrace characters when you can’t picture them. I thought at first maybe she was keeping it vague deliberately, but there were other little things that to me as a writer just felt like she could definitely have said more. She also seems to take on a bit of a sanctimonious tone. I don’t disagree with what she is saying but don’t love the tone, especially since they’re kid books.
What a wonderful roundup of books! I'm not a graphic novel reader either but loved the Charlie Mackesy gorgeousness of a novel!
Great list. I've only read "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" (loved it) and "Happy Place" (I always enjoy her books). I've added a bunch of these to my Libby holds. I'm bummed that Kate Morton's book isn't available as an audiobook there, since I get totally intimidated by long physical books these days :).
Love you! Love this list!
I also enjoyed Maggie Smith’s memoir! Just finished “Better” and would highly recommend that book/memoir.(:
I loved House of Eve, too! And Bess Kaleb’s memoir is one of my all time favorites. I think of her grandmother a lot!
I haven't read most of these books! I picked up Kate Morton's new book, but felt overwhelmed because it was so long. Ha! I also loved Maggie Smith's memoir!
Am here for all the book lists!! Adding many to my cue!!
Interesting list! I’ll be looking into the ones I haven’t read! We’ve read all the Vanderbeekers except the last one. I loved them at first, but have mixed feeling about the last couple. My reasoning is more of a conversation than a comment though. 😅 I started reading the Wingfeather Saga to my kids, and they want me to finish before reading that before anything else. Parable of the Sower sounds interesting. Have you read The Story of More by Hope Jahrens? Sounds like it says a lot of similar things, but I found it very hopeful and inspiring.
I am so intrigued about your thoughts on Vanderbeekers! We didn't love the Wingfeather Saga - isn't it funny how book tastes can be so different?? Have you read The Wild Robot series? Those are fantastic read alouds too. I'm putting a hold on The Story of More right now!
Okay, I have to add a PS. Because I was wondering why preachiness/ sanctimony bothers me so even if I don’t disagree. I just think truly excellent storytelling--for kids and adults, but somehow especially for kids--should trust that enough has been said for the readers to draw their own conclusions.
I haven’t read that! Just to be clear, I’m not the biggest fan of Wingfeather. 😅 Fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, but my son really loves it, and my youngest daughter is developing her tastes so I want to give her a fair introduction. And I’m trying to stretch my own reading a little with it. Lol! I will say, though, that Andrew Peterson is very descriptive and I appreciate the detail he puts in. I think that’s my biggest critique of the Vanderbeekers. Karina Yan Glaser doesn’t do the best job of “writing to show” in my opinion. I always had a hard time getting a really good mental picture of what the family looked like. She described them as “biracial” but doesn’t even tell us one race is Chinese until The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish. Why? I’m still not sure what the other race is. I always assumed black, but now I wonder if I’m wrong about that too. It’s just really hard to fully embrace characters when you can’t picture them. I thought at first maybe she was keeping it vague deliberately, but there were other little things that to me as a writer just felt like she could definitely have said more. She also seems to take on a bit of a sanctimonious tone. I don’t disagree with what she is saying but don’t love the tone, especially since they’re kid books.