Call it Courage

From Goodreads:    A boy tries to overcome his fear of the sea in this treasured classic and winner of the Newbery Medal.

Maftu was afraid of the sea. It had taken his mother when he was a baby, and it seemed to him that the sea gods sought vengeance at having been cheated of Mafatu. So, though he was the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a race of Polynesians who worshipped courage, and he was named Stout Heart, he feared and avoided tha sea, till everyone branded him a coward. When he could no longer bear their taunts and jibes, he determined to conquer that fear or be conquered-- so he went off in his canoe, alone except for his little dog and pet albatross. A storm gave him his first challenge. Then days on a desert island found him resourceful beyond his own expectation. This is the story of how his courage grew and how he finally returned home. This is a legend. It happened many years ago, but even today the people of Hikueru sing this story and tell it over their evening fires.

My Thoughts:

-    I am doing really well with my Newbery goal this month! I'm proud of me!

-    This book definitely shows its age, but it wasn't as bad as previous Newbery books. The writing was more enjoyable. Most of the story was kinda slow though.

-    I liked Maftu's journey in finding his courage. It didn't come all at once. He had to face a few things before we tackled his biggest fear.

-    I loved that Maftu wasn't completely alone. He had his dog.

-    I'm hoping the 40s had better books than the 30s

Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads

Created by The Broke and The Bookish in June 2010 and moved to The Artsy Reader Girl in Jan 2018

Rainy Day Reads

What is considered a rainy day read? I'm going to go with books that leave me smiling at the end, and books that cheer me up when I'm feeling down.

 
 
 
 
 

Illuminae

Goodreads Synopsis:    This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

My Thoughts:

-    When I was first introduced to this book, I was blown away with the cover and the format. I knew I needed to read it. For some reason, I thought this was a crime book told through case files, interviews, etc. I had no idea it would be a thrilling sci-fi. 

-    I loved this book. It is truly a work of art. I can't even imagine how long it took the authors to come up with some of the pages. 

-    The story is a thrill ride, and I loved every moment. I had no idea what was going to happen next, and I couldn't even guess. The ending is awesome!

-    I haven't had a book hangover like this in a long time! I can't wait to read the sequel! 

Daniel Boone

Goodreads Says:    "Awarded the John Newbery Medal 'for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children' in 1940" James Daugherty has dipped his pen and his brush into our nation's most dynamic character whose life adventures are more exciting than the shadowy legend his name brings to mind. Daniel Boone was a farmer who couldn't stay put. Something was always pulling him westward into new and mysterious lands, and when this pull got so strong that he could no longer ignore it, and his wife and children could not persuade him to stay, he just went, with his toes pointing into the West and his eyes glued to the hills. The rugged sweep which has always distinguished Mr. Daugherty's illustrations and painting distinguishes his epic prose here as well, and makes for perfect portrayal of the vigorous character of Daniel Boone. It is interesting to recall that among the first book illustrations which Mr. Daugherty ever did were his interpretations of this same character for Stewart Edward White's "Daniel Boone".

My Thoughts:

-    Thank goodness this was really short. I was so bored.

-    Since the book is old, the natives were not portrayed in a very. . .kind? distinguished? proper? manner. I understand that the story was told from a certain perspective, but I'm glad people are getting better at how they portray other people. 

-    The illustrations were weird. I couldn't figure out what was going on in a few of them.

-    I learned a little bit about Daniel Boone, but I'm wondering why this guy was so great.

-    Hooray for another Newbery book read! 

March Stats

Books Read:  6

  

  

Pages Read:  1,493

1 Star:  0

2 Stars:  1

3 Stars:  3

4 Stars:  1

5 Stars:  1

My reading has become a pitiful shadow of what it used to be, and it makes me sad. Darn knitting has taken over my life! I vow to do better, especially for summer reading!

Goal Progress:

I am 19 books behind schedule on Goodreads!! *sob* I am farther behind than last month. (20/160)

One of the books I read last month was from my nightstand! Yay! BUT. . . I added 4 more. *hangs head*

I finished a Newbery Award Winner!! Yay me! (1/20)

As far as re-reads go, I haven't read any yet. The Secret Garden was a re-read, but I read the new pretty edition, so it didn't come off my shelf, so I'm not counting it. (0/20)

I checked off 4 more books on my Pioneer Book Reading Challenge! Woo! (11/44)

Fan Art Friday: Red Queen Series

Today I'm showcasing the Red Queen series. I didn't find very much, so I'm a little disappointed. I hope you enjoy!

I like the last one the best because someone spent the time to create multiple characters, and they were spot on.

Which one is your favorite?

Like always, the pictures are linked to the source. Feel to free to see what else these artists have to offer.

Top Ten Tuesdays: Spring TBR

Created by The Broke and The Bookish in June 2010 and moved to The Artsy Reader Girl in Jan 2018

Books on My Spring TBR

I hope I get to all of these! A couple of these were on my fall and winter TBRs.

 
 
 
 
 

Better Days

Goodreads Synopsis:    Serenity: Better Days follows everyone's favorite space cowboys in a thrilling, action-packed adventure, where Mal and his crew take on a heist that promises a big payoff. But when one of Serenity's crew is taken captive and tortured, the gang must put their enduring differences aside and work together to save one of their own, even if it means losing the cash prize of a lifetime!

Joss Whedon returns to the world of his blockbuster film Serenity, reuniting with Brett Matthews and Will Conrad, his collaborators on the bestselling 2005 series Those Left Behind.

My Thoughts:

-    This was another fun adventure with the Serenity crew. It was like reading an episode of the show.

-    I really liked the letter from Adam Baldwin. I liked how he kept saying he was the one with the girl's name, or that it wasn't a girl's name.

-    The artwork was really good.

Previous Book in the Serenity Series

Those Left Behind

From Goodreads:    Here's how it is -- in a universe filled with hearts and minds as cold and dark as the reaches of space, one small Firefly-class starship named Serenity takes its ragtag crew of mercenaries, outlaws, and fugitives in search of a job, any job, that'll earn them enough cash to afford that most elusive commodity -- peace.

Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, unveils a previously unknown chapter in the lives of his favorite band of space brigands in the prequel to the Serenity feature film -- the blockbuster followup to Whedon's cult-hit TV show Firefly.

My Thoughts:

-    My friends and I are watching Firefly together. I've only watched it once, and it has been a while. Jenni hasn't seen it at all! Hava is a brown coat veteran.

-    As many of you know, the series wasn't long enough, and it left its fans wanting more. . . lots more. Thankfully there are these graphic novels. 

-    I loved Nathan Fillion's note at the beginning. I love his history of comic book collecting, and I love that his role as Malcolm Reynolds fulfilled a life long dream of becoming a super hero. 

-    I wish I could read Chinese. I felt like I was missing out on stuff, but I used the Google Translate app, and I wasn't missing much. The app lets you scan the dialogue, and it will translate it into English for you. I was disappointed. 

-    There are a few violent moments. I would not recommend this to people who are more sensitive to blood and violence.

-    This volume was like an episode of the series. It didn't answer any of my burning questions, but it was another fun adventure with the Serenity crew. I enjoyed it.

February Stats

Books Read:  7

  

  

Pages Read:  1,643

1 Star:  0

2 Stars:  0

3 Stars:  3

4 Stars:  4

5 Stars:  0

I read some fun books last month. I'm still not reading as much as I usually do, but I'm squeezing in all I can.

Goal Progress:

I am 12 books behind schedule on Goodreads. Yikes! Maybe I'll participate in a Bout of Books or some other read-a-thon, so I can catch up a little. (14/160)

I didn't read any of the books on my nightstand last month. *hangs head in shame* 

Still no Newbery books read this year, but I will!! (0/20)

No re-reads either, but I will!! (0/20)

3 of the books I read last month counted for the Pioneer Book Reading Challenge, so that is a win! Yay! (7/44)