Adventures: It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

What I’m Reading
Kraken by China MievilleI (finally!) finished China Mieville’s Kraken this weekend. I definitely got into the last 20% more than the rest of the book. Billy finally took control of his destiny in the last 20% of the book and I really warmed to him as a character so I was rooting for him during the final showdown. What I really liked about Kraken was the magic; it was plausible and fascinating.

The book’s ending was very hollywood-adventure-movie — just when I thought the hero had defeated the villain, the music got creepy again and there was a second showdown with a villain I didn’t expect. I liked the first ending (the showdown at the Sea’s consulate) best… the final resolution felt less satisfying.

I don’t think I will reread Kraken, but I will try Railsea or City and the City.

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Cover of Smile

Smile by Raina Telgemeier (YA, graphic novel, dental woes) ★★★★★

My dentist friend loaned my son Smile. We loved it so much we bought it and reread it, repeatedly. It perfectly captured the trauma my son had been going through and his fears about returning to school in a couple of weeks. My son said, “I feel like it’s an autobiography I didn’t write myself.” It’s a gem. Goodreads Review

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The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten MillerInside the Shadow City (Kiki Strike #1) by Kirsten Miller (older MG/younger YA, adventure, strong girls, mystery) ★★★★☆
The Empress’s Tomb (Kiki Strike #2) by Kirsten Miller ★★★★★
While I thoroughly enjoyed Inside the Shadow City, I loved the second book so much I couldn’t put it down — not even Olympic equestrian events distracted me from the book. The characters really grew in this book and the story felt better paced. The tension was higher and the descriptive language was stronger.

I’ll post full reviews on Goodreads this week, but I highly recommend this one for kids who want to read about a heist foiled by girls that are talented and smart and interesting.

What’s on my TBR pile
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Babymouse For President by Jennifer Holm

For more It’s Monday, What Are You Reading, visit Kellee and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Sheila at Book Journey.

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5 Responses to Adventures: It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

  1. I have not heard much about Kiki Strike and I have not even picked these books up at the library or bookstores. Thank you so much for bringing them to my attention!

  2. Linda Baie says:

    I’ll definitely take note of the Kirsten Miller books. They sound good. I have both of your To Be Read books-will be interested to see what you think of the Miss Peregrine book especially. Hope things are moving along okay with your son, Katya!

  3. Beth Shaum says:

    I adore Smile! And I love it even more that it’s kind of a girly book but boys read it in droves. I think the gender neutral cover helps.

  4. I love that your son has found solace in Raina’s story. How great that the book was there for him.

    Happy reading this week! :)

  5. Earl says:

    I love hearing the effects of books to their readers. They help so much in helping us understand ourselves and our situations! I’ll have to check out Smile based on your reviews!