This week, I’m asking ShelfTalker readers to tell the world what it is they’re reading "for pleasure" these days. In yesterday’s post I asked booksellers, librarians, and teachers to chime in. Tomorrow I’ll be asking the same of folks in publishing. Today, though, is reserved for responses from authors and illustrators. What are you folks currently reading?
To get the ball rolling with your group, I asked the author/illustrator at my house (how convenient!) to tell us what he’s reading. Gareth Hinds says:
"I’m in the middle of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves (an advance reader’s copy). Like the first volume I find it exceedingly well-written, well-researched, full of serious ideas, and intellectually stimulating. I don’t really find it to be a page-turner, though there is more action than in the first book. The last graphic novel I read was the exquisite rumination on mortality, The Three Shadows by Cyril Pedrosa."
Okay, fellow authors and illustrators, now it’s your turn!
I am a huge fan of Chris Raschka and he has a new book on Peter and the Wolf, Atheneum/Richard Jackson (November 2008). The illustrations are cut outs set on small stages – I was fortunate enough to see the originals at the office of Executive Art Director, Ann Bobco. The book is laugh-out-loud funny and the illustrations simply delicious. Brilliant storytelling, both verbal and visual. Thanks for asking us, Katherine
I’m also an aspiring author, besides being an aspiring editor so I think I’ll answer your post today. I’m reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (behind the times I know) and I like how she’s developed the characters, particularly Jacob, but this book isn’t nearly as good as Twilight. I’ve also read Bats at the Library by Brian Lies, I think it’s a great book and I’m hoping that it will be a finalist for the Caldecott. And sitting on my Need-to-Read Bookshelf is the Korean manga Phanatom book 1 that is just begging me to set aside a few hours to read it all the way through.
The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen. I read my first Dessen book about three weeks ago and I’m smitten.
It’s summer, so I’m into my summer Sci Fi phase (something I established in High School, when I would check out every Asimov book at the local libraries). I’m actually currently re-reading the Foundation trilogy this very second. I just finished Frederik Pohl’s Gateway, Beyond the Blue Event Horizon, and The Boy Who Would Live Forever. In graphic novels, I recently read the next Buffy collection (No Future for You), which was not, IMO, as good as The Long Way Home. I also, sheepishly, finally got around to reading Batman: Year One. Good, but way too short. Dark Knight Returns is still the greatest graphic novel of all time. Oh, and I read the first hardcover collection of Brian K. Vaughn’s Ex Machina, which was rather a let-down after the fantastic Y: The Last Man, which I finished early in the summer. I can’t connect with Tony Harris’s illustrations, I’m afraid–they’re too stiff. They read like “Get Your War On” clip art to me. Next on my plate: Twilight, which my next-door neighbor just loaned me.
This is great- I’m always cutious about this. For me right now in the picture book catagory it’s The Girl in the Castle inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer and Nicoletta Ceccoli, 17 Things I’m not Allowed to do Anymore by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter and Beegu by Alexis Deacon. All of them are delicious eye candy and lovely stories. I’m also reading The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex which has be laughing and snorting on the elipical machine at my gym.
I just finished an ARC of a friend’s book, SHADOWED SUMMER, by Saundra Mitchell (Delacorte, Feb. 2009) — so beautifully written. I’m excited to start reading Ingrid Law’s SAVVY next!
I am reading The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fford. It’s like Lemony Snickett for adults and I find myself laughing (or snorting) out loud on the Metro. Also rereading Barchester Towers. Definitely Trollope’s funniest novel. Most recent YA I read was Jay Asher’s Th1rteen R3asons Why, which was great, and for PBs Duck Dunks, by Lynne Berry illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. Quite darling!
I just had my birthday, so I am heavy with new books to read — I have kith and kin well trained. I just got Barbarians to Angels, which looks promising. I’m trying to jump on the bandwagon and read Twilight, but I have to agree with my daughter, it’s little better than fan fiction and not very original. And I just finished my second classic for the year (I try to read two every year), a book of Sherlock Holmes.
Just recently finished The Walls of Cartegena by Julia Durango. (A silly chick who knows how to tell a great lyrical adventure tale, besides!) This book drew me into a whole new place and time I’d never thought about. Loved it. Am currently reading The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn-Zimmer. Historical fiction about a boy who finds a home on a showboat circus. (Who knew such things existed?) This book is poetic and adventurous at the same time. A very tight rope act to follow and done beautifully. (Like that circus reference?)
I’m reading the ARC of NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL by Justina Chen Headley, which releases January 2009, and loving it.
I am midway through John Scalzi’s first YA, a fun science fiction page-turner, ZOE’S TALE, and can already tell I’m going to have to go back to the adult books for the backstory.
I’m another author who is behind the times, but earlier this summer I finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak–an astonishing read. It’s actually on my adult book club’s reading list for this year, and I can hardly wait for the discussion. I have a new book coming out next year called Eye on the Universe: The Story of the Hubble Space Telescope. As part of my research I read The Mysterious Universe by Ellen Jackson, illustrations by Nic Bishop. It’s a beautiful book, chock full of information presented in an accessible way that kids will enjoy. On the adult side of the spectrum, I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed Natalie Angier’s The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science. But with a deadline of November 15 looming, most of my time now is spent writing–and reading what I’ve written.
I just devoured A la Carte by Tanita Davis, and am about to start the graphic novel Into the Volcano, by Don Wood. I’m also treating myself to a very slow, admiring read of Jan Peinkowski’s The Fairy Tales. I love the silhouette illustrations so much that it’s hard to turn the pages! I also have Leonard Marcus’s The Minders of Make-Believe cued up for a long weekend. Thanks for asking! This is fun to watch the answers roll in.
I’m reading Sherwood Smith’s Inda, which is the first “adult” fantasy novel I’ve read in some time (I’ve been focusing heavily on the MG and YA lately). When that’s done I’m moving on to Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind and Jeffrey Greenwood’s Auralia’s Colors, both of which I’ve seen highly praised elsewhere. But these, too are adult books and really I am jonesing for some more fantastic, quasi-historical, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink MG like the two I read most recently, Ysabeau Wilce’s Flora Segunda and Philip Reeve’s Larklight. Meanwhile, I am also reading Kenneth Oppel’s Skybreaker to my eight-year-old son. He LOVES it.
Departing from my usual fare, I’m reading Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, by Temple Grandin, who has autism. It’s fantastic because it really makes you think about how humans perceive the world, and how much we’ve given up to get our big brains.
I’m indulging in a bunch of mid-grades this summer (I normally don’t read them because I don’t write them). Savvy by Ingrid Law was fantastic- one of the best books I’ve ever read. Ellie McDoodle: New Kid In School by Ruth McNally Barshaw was a terrific, fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry too. I also read My Dad’s A Birdman by David Almond and The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, which were both good. I just started Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley. And I’ve read a ton of chapter books as well- my favorites of the summer have been Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes by Peggy Gifford and Fowl Language: Supernatural Rubber Chicken by D.L. Garfinkle. My favorite PBs so far have been Monkey With A Toolbelt by Chris Monroe and Boogie Knights by Lisa Wheeler and Big Plans by Bob Shea. And I’d like to mention that I made my son read The True Meaning Of Smekday after I heard so many great things about it- and he said it’s one of his all-time favorites. So I’ll recommend that, even though I haven’t even read it, because my son has great taste in books 🙂
I find myself deep in YA too, thanks to my 16 year old daughter who is reading and recommending books she’s been reviewing for her teen book blog. Recently I have loved Cecil Castellucci’s BEIGE and Patrick Ness’s THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO — which is definitely not a stand alone and when’s the next book I beg to know? Finally read Jeanne DuPrau’s CITY OF EMBER series in time for the movie and the upcoming fourth book, THE DIAMOND OF DARKHOLD which I’m looking forward to. I’m in the middle of the grim TWEAK by Nic Sheff. I admit I’m skimming, but do plan on picking up the companion book BEAUTIFUL BOY by Nic’s father, David Sheff.
The Olympics in Beijing–seeing pictures of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City–motivated me to start Lisa See’s lyrical, “Peony in Love.” I remember getting lost in the world of old China in her earlier “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.” Summer reading is the perfect time for me to travel, even if it is only through reading!
I just spent the summer with THE ROAD FROM COURRAIN and TRUE NORTH by Jill Conway, then headed for THE SHADOW CATCHER by Marianne Wiggins and am in the middle of Tracy Chevalier’s BURNING BRIGHT. For those who wonder if they are on the right path, I really recommend Jill Ker Conway’s books. And for those that love history with a realy story head for the other two.
I’m reading a few books at one time, because the summer is close to ending and it’s my fave summer activity. I’m loving Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass, and I just finished and loved Nancy Werlin’s Impossible, I read Wake, by Lisa McMann and The Underneath by the talented Kathi Appelt. When I’m done I have a small stack waiting for me: Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor, How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and last but not least, my 12-year-old daughter wants me to read Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott. I better learn to read faster!
I’m reading UN LUN DUN by China Mieville, which I’ve wanted to get to for a while. I’ve got the new PENDERWICKS book on my To Read pile as well as the first BENEDICT SOCIETY. I also just received an ARC for STONEWALL HINKLEMAN AND THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN by Michael Hemphill and Sam Riddleburger.
This summer I am enjoying, in the heavily illustrated category: The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam by Ann Marie Fleming and The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman. READING-reading: Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, and Anne Enright’s The Gathering I tend to like the Booker Prizewinners). Looking forward to I am the Messenger by Zusak because I loved The Book Thief, and also looking forward to Sherman Alexie’s the Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian.
I’m halfway through Neil Gaiman’s AMERICAN GODS and really liking it. I’m not usually a fantasy fan, but my daughter assured me I’d like this one and I do. Next up: Paper Towns by John Green.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look. Adorable and funny!
I’m reading The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay. I’m about 100 pages in, and it feels like I’m still waiting for the story to begin. I’m also re-reading Ida B by Katherine Hannigan for my daughter’s book club.
I’m enjoying this thread and making a list of ‘things to read’ that have been recommended and commented on by others! Don’t you love summer reading? (It ranks right up there with winter reading. Oh wait! Reading is an all year thing, thank goodness!) I’ll only mention those I really enjoyed. BILLIE STANDISH WAS HERE by Nancy Crocker – touching story with an interesting mix of characters. THE THING ABOUT GEORGIE by Lisa Graff – I really liked the main character and how he faces problems. JUMP THE CRACKS by Stacy DeKeyser – Well-written with memorable characters and thought provoking premise. (Can you tell I’m hooked on good characters?)
Hi Alison — I’m re-reading the amazing “Wolves Chronicles” by Joan Aiken — I’ve finished “The Wolves of Willoughby Chase” and am now on to ” Black Hearts In Battersea.” Dido Twite is, by far, (for me) the best children’s book character ever!
Back in the late spring I started a non-fiction reading jag that has continued. I read “American Eve” (about Evelyn Nesbit), Architect of Desire (about the family of Stanford White), and Everybody Was So Young ( which chronicled the lives of Sarah and Gerald Murphy and the “lost generation” of the 20’s). I seem to be stuck in the first 30 years of the 20th century. For fiction I read “Enemy Women.” Since I have been busy with illustration work, I have also been on a great audio book whirlwind. I did Rules of Survival, The Book Thief (simply wonderful), Water for Elephants, among others. I just did Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing because I had to illustrate a poster of the story and I also listened to Maniac Magee which I had never read and which was filled with great heart and warmth. My guilty listening pleasure was Duma Key, by Stephen King. I listened to that and Maniac while I painted my owl for the Keene Festival. I am totally addicted to audible.com.
My recently read books include Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reason Why and Stacy DeKeyser’s Jump The Cracks. Both kept me glued to the pages with fascinating premises, well-drawn characters and packed with emotion. I love books like these that make me eager to return to the story at the next available moment.
I’m almost finished reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer and when I’m done, I’ll pick up Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. I also enjoy reading picture books that have illustrations that pull me into the story and I forget where I am.
An early readers copy of “Gamadin: Word of Honor” by Tom Kirkbride. Fabulous YA book for Star Wars fans and sci-fi fans alike!
Ever, by Gail Carson Levine and The Most Haunted House in England by Harry Price, plus Eyewitness to Discovery, edited by Brian Fagan. It’s a bad idea to read true ghost stories after dark, so I have to have two main books going while I’m reading the Price (the story of Borley Rectory, which I’ve been reading about in secondary sources since I started reading true ghost stories), and Eyewitness is in the bathroom. It’s a collection of primary sources on major archeological discoveries – Zoudoukien, Tut, Zinj, Clovis, all that good stuff. You can read long sustained stuff in the bathroom, but anthologies of short pieces are better for obvious reasons.
This summer my reads had a magical realism bent.I just finished The Confessions of Max Tivoli— loved it, The Sea, and The Monsters of Templeton. I’m always drawn to a YA narrator and atmospheric setting. All three were great reads and got me through the slow wind up to and launch of my own Travelers’ Market.
Always behind the times as well, but really enjoying The Book Thief! Robot Dreams by Sara Varon was also lovely and I have Kevin Henkes’ Olive’s Ocean waiting in the wings. Any short story by Rick Bass is excellent, usually sobering fare. The Lives of Rocks is currently stashed in my backpack.
Howdy – I just finished reading Gone by Michael Grant. Couldn’t put it down. Before that was The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (fun!), That Girl Lucy Moon by Amy Timberlake (gads I wish I was that brave), etc. The latest picture books I couldn’t live without were The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share and Mem Fox’s latest, Where the Giant Sleeps. Gads, the illustrations in both are mesmerizing! 🙂 e
I’m enjoying The Manley Memoirs, by Beverly Manley the former first lady of Jamaica. She has a great voice. Also, I’m reading every novel in several paranormal romance series.
In my to-read stack are So Totally Emily Ebers by Lisa Yee, Good Enough by Paula Yoo and Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I recently finished the True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, The Wand in the Word by Leonard Marcus, The Reach of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman and Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. Currently reading Dear Genius by Leonard Marcus and The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam. I’m also awaiting delivery of the 2009 Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market.
I’m reading THE BOOK THIEF, BANG! (by Sharon Flake), BIRD BY BIRD (Anne Lamott), and SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS (Browne & King). My to-read pile includes TWILIGHT, LARKLIGHT (Reeve), THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, RULES (Lord), and THE GIVER (Lowry).
A book I am loving is non-fiction by the amazing Susan Ohanian,ONE SIZE FITS FEW: The Folly of Educational Standards. What a cool writer and thinker! Also reading LOOKING FOR ALASKA (John Green), TWISTED (Laurie Halse Anderson), and (adult) ON KINGDOM MOUNTAIN, by Howard Frank Mosher. Just finished and enjoyed A DROWNED MAIDEN’S HAIR (delightful)and A BRIEF CHAPTER IN MY IMPOSSIBLE LIFE. Adult books I recently enjoyed were FUGITIVE PIECES, by Anne Michaels (great!); SONGS OF THE GORILLA NATION: My Journey through Autism, by Dawn-Prince Hughes (terrific); The Tenderness of Wolves (really good!) and THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE (somewhat of a letdown after all the hype, but it’s good)) August is my reading month! And I’m taking note of all the other recommendations. Thanks.
Just read, belatedly, The Higher Power of Lucky (S.Patron), which to me seemed heavily reminiscent of Because of Winn-Dixie…motherless girl-and-her-dog story. Also just read Madapple, which was really intriguing but a little unsatisfying in the end…. And I think Mike Jung, in his comment above, meant Dear Genius by Ursula NORDSROM, not Leonard Marcus. I just finished that wonderful book too, and it is definitely by UN. Although I haven’t researched it, I doubt Marcus would co-opt such a well-known title…
Opps, I misspelled the Korean manga Phantom, Phanatom, my bad. I began reading it today and it is REALLY good, its a mecha (giant robot) manga that reminds me of the Gundam series in all the best ways. There’s even a nod to Gundam in one line that I think is pretty cool, of course you would have to be a mecha fan understand it and why its so funny.
I’ve been on a reading frenzy lately. Just read and loved: Violet in Private by Melissa Walker Sweethearts by Sara Zarr Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
I just finished proofing the final galleys of my debut young adult novel, so it was a pleasure to relax and reread THE BOOK THIEF. Enjoying Zusak word by word, phrase by phrase is restorative and enriching. A course on perfecting your prose wrapped in an unforgettable, heart wrenching story I could read again and again and again. Then I finally got my hands on BREAKING DAWN–and devoured it. I read it overnight and found it as addicting as the rest of the series. Stephanie’s prose style continues to improve and her storytelling has done for the YA world what Rowling did for kid’s books. I, for one, am grateful.
I heartily recommend CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER by Gigi Amateau. Not your typical “horse story” it will tap into your heart like the beloved classic, Black Beauty. One of the best books to come along in years.
Just back from vacation, during which I read adult books, since the rest of the year I read children’s & YA almost exclusively. This time my pick was The Toss of a Lemon, by Padma Viswanathan, an ARC I picked up at ALA. It’s a multi-generational family saga set in South India from the 1890’s to the 1950’s. Totally engrossing.