As many of you all know, this past weekend was kind of an emergency Reading Rush! Due to nearly everyone in the world being stuck at home for an unspecified amount of time, the organizers of the biggest summer read-a-thon created the Stay Home Reading Rush! So from April 16th to the 19th, I tried to read four previously chosen books to hit all of the prompts. I only finished three out of four of the books, but I’m proud of myself for getting that far. I was starting to get into a reading slump, and percentage-wise, it’s a lot better than I did for the Reading Rush last summer! Here are the books I attempted to read this weekend and how I did on each.
Prompt #1: Read a book with a house on the cover!
Book I chose: The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
(The house is small in the background, but it’s there! See it?) So I started reading this book last in the read-a-thon, and, unfortunately, it’s the one I didn’t finish. But! I fully expect to keep reading it an finish it in the next few days. I’m only a couple chapters in, but The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez is the kind of story that grabbed me and pulled me in right away, so I’m excited to pick it up again. I’m ready to fall into Nestor’s world and see him figure the mystery of this tule vieja. Plus, honestly, I could use a good middle-grade story right now.
Also really important side note: This book’s publication was pushed back, so look for it on the shelves on July 21st!
Prompt #2: Read a book in the same room the whole time
Book I chose: Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Ana Osorio all within about a 24 hour period. And, of course. I was in my bedroom the whole time (also playing Animal Crossing the whole time.) I really liked the world-building and the integration of magic and Bolivian culture in the book. Although there were a few things about the politics of the book that rubbed me the wrong way (which are so much better explained by Cande @ Latinx Magic than I ever could explain,) I really enjoyed Woven In Moonlight and Ximena’s journey in el Castillo, and I’m curious to see where the sequel takes these characters next.
Prompt #3: Read a book set somewhere you wish you could go
Book I chose: Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg
My goodness, what I wouldn’t give to be able to safely go to a baseball game with a bunch of friends and cheer in the crowd each time my team does something good. I’ve been reading as many books as I can about baseball and sports because I really miss them in my life, which is why I picked this book/play for this prompt. Take Me Out was recommended to me by several friends so finally broke down a bought a copy. It’s one of the few stories I really wish were longer! There were a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs in this play and I really enjoyed all of it, but I also wish it had gone deeper into certain plot points, you know? Like, it’s fine as it is, but also… give me more. Maybe I’m just not used to reading plays. Probably that. I seriously hope I get a chance to see this live one day.
Prompt #4: Read a book that will make you smile
Book I chose: Knit One, Girl Two by Shira Glassman
Did this book make me smile? It certainly did! It was short but super sweet and I loved the relationship between Clara and Danielle. The descriptions of Danielle’s art and Clara’s knitting and yarn were amazing, as if I could actually see it in my head, and I love how they added to the depth of each character. Knit One, Girl Two is one of those books I really liked but am having trouble explaining exactly why, so all I’m going to say to end this is that you should definitely pick this one up! (And yeah, okay, I finished this one a little bit after midnight, but it should count! It was still before midnight somewhere in America and I didn’t start on time anyway.)
Did you do the Stay Home Reading Rush? Which books did you pick for each prompt? How’d you do?
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I managed to complete three challenges by reading Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating and The Gravity of Us, and The Gravity of Us definitely made it all worth it!
Nice! I still have to read The Gravity of Us, but I’m glad to hear you really liked it!