Reading Resolutions

So, we are over one month into a new year and a new decade. By now I am sure that many of us have abandoned our noble intentions of maintaining a healthy diet and exercising daily. What about reading goals for 2020, though?  If reading more isn't one of your aims for the upcoming year (and decade) there are a number of reasons why it should be.  Reading will not only make you smarter and increase your vocabulary, but studies have shown that readers are kinder, more empathetic, and even happier. Also, if you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, caregiver, etc. there is no better way to encourage little ones to be avid readers than to model that behavior.

There are oodles of apps and websites to track the books you read but the easiest and most popular of these is Goodreads. You can create an account, rate and review books, mark ones that you want to read, and set a goal number of books to read for the year. This is nice because if your resolution is just to read more, Goodreads just counts number of books. If you want to read only mysteries or romance novels or horror is your jam it doesn't really matter. Seriously, no judgement. You can read teen books, kids books, graphic novels, whatever gets you reading! I'll let you in on a secret (and I know that some people count this as cheating) but I also count audiobooks. Hey, there are only so many hours in the day and why not listen to a book while I am driving or folding laundry?

Now, if you want to go beyond just number of books and really challenge yourself to not only read but read outside your comfort zone there are a number of 2020 reading challenges available online. You can find one that you like or create one that suits you. Yep, I am a huge book nerd and also pretty low tech so I always set my own goals and keep track in just a spiral bound notebook.

Like I said I am a huge book nerd and a librarian so don't feel intimidated by my 2020 reading list/ Or maybe you think that I am a total slacker for being a librarian and if that is the case let me know in the comment section and I will try to up my game.

My 2020 Reading Resolutions

1. Newbery Medal winner-(hey, I order juvenile fiction so I like to know what other librarians think is the best book of the year for that age group). This is the first time ever that a graphic novel has won the Newbery Medal and I have heard amazing things about New Kid by Jerry Craft.

2. Printz Award Winner- This is the American Library Association award for the top teen book and since I have three teens I want to know what has been recommended for that age group. I have only read a couple of reviews for Dig, but this dramatic story of a wealthy older couple and their diverse descendants sounds very intriguing. 

3. A recommendation from my daughter- My oldest is 18 and is in her first year of college so reading something she loved makes me feel closer to her and gives us something to talk about.
4. A recommendation from my oldest son- He is 16 and spends 90% of his time playing video games so I feel like asking him for a recommendation is also encouraging him to read something.

5. A recommendation from my 13 year old son-Well, I cannot leave anyone out and this one makes me happy since my 13 year old has only recently become interested in reading. He has already asked me several times to read the Falling Kingdom series by Morgan Rhodes. Zane read this six book series in just over a week which has to be the fastest he has read anything that was not a comic book. I happen to adore fantasy so I am very excited to read this series that is being advertised as Game of Thrones for teens!

6. A book set in a country other than the United States, Canada, or England (and not written by an American, Canadian, or English author)-Unfortunately, I do not have the opportuntiy to travel very much so I just have to learn about the world and other cultures from books and I think it is important to hear stories from the people that live in those countries and cultures.
7. A nonfiction book-This is tough for me because I would much rather read fiction, but I always try to read at least one nonfiction book. I feel incredibly accomplished since I have already read a nonfiction book this year: 38 Nooses: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier's End  by Scott W. Berg. I started this in December but since I finished in January I think that it counts. If you are not familiar with the largest mass execution in American history I highly recommend this book. It is extremely well-researched and Berg's writing is exceptional. It took me a while to read because I was so emotional while reading this book, but I think that it is incredibly important that we familiarize ourselves with all part of our nation's history, even the ugly parts that we would rather be forgotten.
8. A book off of the New York Times bestseller list- I think I added this because I so rarely read what is popular.
9. A book by a debut author-Like most readers I have a tendency to stick to authors and genres that I know and love so I think that it is important to try something new and unfamiliar.
10. A classic-I was an English Literature major so I have read a lot of classics (some that I would rather forget) but there are so many amazing classic novels that I have not read yet.
11. A book that I loved as a child-I am a chronic re-reader of books, especially ones that made me a lover of books and reading. That is why I think that it is important to revisit some of these treasured favorites. Last year I re-read the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, a classic fantasy series that I first read when I was about ten years old. It was just as good, if not better, reading it as an adult because I understood the language more and I could appreciate the inspiration of Celtic mythology in the series. FYI: I still despise Disney's animated film, The Black Cauldron, which does not really follow that book at all. It more takes bits and pieces of the first two books and puts them together in ways that are just not good. Feel free to hate me for this opinion, but read the books and you will understand my feelings.
12. A book that inspires me-I know that this seems pretty vague, but I want to find a book that inspires me to do and be better. Whether that turns out to be a biography about a historical figure,  a parenting book, or something educational I am not sure yet

These 12 books are the only "specific" ones that I want to read in 2020. As far as number of books total, my goal is to read at least 75 books this year. There are already several sitting on my desk just waiting for me.

Big or small, I hope that this post inspires you to set your own reading resolutions for 2020!

The Magical World of Mordecai Gerstein

Forget about eating turkey and watching football, November is the month to celebrate your love for picture books. For those of you that were not aware that there is an International Picture Book Month you should check out the website. There are activities, links to author websites, reading guides, a cool twibbon you can add to your twitter and/or facebook profile, and each day there is an essay by a different author about why they think picture books are important.

In honor of International Picture Book Month I have decided to write about one of my favorite author/illustrators who sadly passed away on September 24th, 2019. Mordecai Gerstein may not be a household name but he is an amazing artist whose stunning illustrations are instantly recognizable.

Gerstein, who would have celebrated his 84th birthday this November, first entered the picture book world when he began illustrating the books of Elizabeth Levy. Encouraged by Levy, Gerstein began writing and illustrating his own stories and his first book, Arnold of the Ducks, was published in 1983.  Following the success of Arnold, Gerstein wrote and illustrated over forty more books during a career that spanned nearly four decades.

What makes Gerstein's work so special? Well, his stories are witty, original, heartfelt, and the painted illustrations are dreamy yet full of entrancing details. I particularly love A Book which is a hilarious portrayal of a young girl who lives with her family inside a book and goes on a journey to discover her story. I am a sucker for books that break the fourth wall (directly speak to the reader) and Gerstein does this brilliantly, even drawing the illustrations as if being looked at from an upwards angle complete with shadows. Readers of all ages will be entertained by this charming and original story, but A Book is also an excellent way to teach the concept of genre.

The Night World in which a young boy wakes up and explores his shadowed home and backyard before the sun rises is a favorite of my youngest son. It is a gorgeous but unusual picture book in that the majority of the pages are black, white, and grey. In the final pages of the story the sun rises and there is a riotous explosion of color. My son especially loves the dark pages because he enjoys  identifying all of the different animals and objects that appear only as black shapes. If you have a little one who is frightened of the dark, The Night World will hopefully show them that nighttime can be beautiful.

Gerstein's most well known book is probably The Man Who Walked Between the Towers which wonthe prestigious Caldecott Medal in 2004.  Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 Gerstein was inspired to memorialize the twin towers in picture book form. The book chronicles the daring actions of French high-wire artist, Phillipe Petit, who actually walked a tight rope between the two towers on August 4, 1971. It probably does not make sense that a book about something that happened in 1974 could be a tribute to the 9/11 tragedy. However, Gerstein's panoramic paintings of Petit walking between the towers from multiple view points are transcendent. The final picture shows two transparent, dream-like towers with a small figure suspended between them. Gerstein manages to take the horrible emptiness of the current New York skyline and remind us of the bravery, courage, and joy of humanity.

Here is a video of the real Phillipe Petit and his historic walk between the twin towers.

The Return of the Dark Crystal

Was I the only one howling and dancing like a fizzgigg when Netflix announced that they were releasing a prequel series of The Dark Crystal? I know that I am revealing my age, but I grew up with the work of Jim Henson. I carried a Dark Crystal lunch box to school, Fraggle Rock was my favorite TV show, and I desperately wanted to be Sara from Labyrinth.

Whether or not you were (and continue to be)  a Jim Henson-obsessed child of the 80s I highly recommend watching The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance.  The awesome thing about Netflix original shows is that they release an entire season at a time. The bad thing is that if you binge watch all ten episodes in one night you will have who-knows-how-long before the next season is released.

Lee with Naia of the Drenchen Clan

Luckily, there is a young adult prequel series of books to tide me over until Netflix releases season two. The author, J.M Lee, actually won the opportunity to write the prequel series in the Dark Crystal Author Quest in 2013. Grosset & Dunlap publishing company received nearly 500 submissions which they narrowed down to a top 25. Two of Jim Henson's children, Lisa and Cheryl, and famous puppeteer and fantasy artist, Wendy Froud, were part of the panel that chose the five finalists and, eventually, the winning story and author.

Lee's four book series gives an in-depth portrayal of Thra, Skeksis rule, and Gelfling civilization.The first novel, Shadows of the Dark Crystal, follows Naia of the Drenchen clan of Gelfling as she searches for her brother, a castle soldier who has been accused of treason by the Skeksis. This book was fantastic and I loved learning more about Naia, who is barely introduced in the first season of The Age of Resistance.

I have not read books two through four YET, but I am excited to learn more about Thra and the Gelflings as they unite the seven clans to battle the Skeksis. Lee is obviously a talented storyteller and chapter books can contain so much detail and back story that you cannot get from a television show.

I hope that I have piqued your interest about The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance as well as the prequel book series by J.M. Lee. Just in case you need more encouragement here is the trailer for the Netlix television show.