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KGlibrarian

KGlibrarian

Joined December 2016

High School Librarian, wife, mother of three, animal lover, outdoor enthusiast, obsessive reader📖💗
review
KGlibrarian
Small Fry | Lisa Brennan-Jobs
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Mehso-so

Well-written but I found this to be disjointed and not as in-depth as I would have liked. It‘s hard not to feel sorry for the girl Brennan-Jobs was as she looked to make sense of her identity but I found her stories to be odd at times and not a satisfying portrait of her life as Steve Jobs‘s daughter.

Lmstraubie Gretchen Rubin is going to have her on her Happier podcast, I believe some time this month, to discuss the book. 5y
KGlibrarian @Lmstraubie Yes, that was one of the reasons I read it—I love that podcast. I‘m excited to hear the conversation! 5y
23 likes2 comments
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KGlibrarian
The Great Believers | Rebecca Makkai
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Pickpick

Anyone who remembers the horror and panic of the peak of the AIDS crisis in the 80s will recognize the devastation and sadness that Makkai‘s characters represent. This is a moving, beautifully written, heartbreaking novel that will stay with me for a long time.

TrishB Loved this too 👍🏻 5y
23 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
Home Fire: A Novel | Kamila Shamsie
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This incredible book won my high school library‘s March Book Madness tournament🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

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KGlibrarian
Joy Enough: A Memoir | Sarah McColl
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I just finished this and it gave me a good cry. Such a moving memoir of the author‘s experiences growing up, navigating adulthood, and learning what it means to have a loving mother/daughter relationship.

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KGlibrarian
Picture Us In The Light | Kelly Loy Gilbert
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One of the most beautifully written, literary YA books I‘ve read in a long time. There are so many topics covered with such eloquence—immigration, suicide, sexuality, teen friendship—and I‘m in awe of how Gilbert weaves together the stories of all the complex characters. A must read!!

30 likes3 stack adds
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KGlibrarian
Fruit of the Drunken Tree: A Novel | Ingrid Rojas Contreras
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Hard to believe that this phenomenal novel is a debut. Contreras paints a chilling but intimate story of life in Colombia during the 90s. Alternately narrated by two young girls, it shows the horrific struggles their families deal with while also revealing the beauty of the country‘s landscape and culture.

19 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo
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A beautiful novel in verse focusing on a teenage Latina girl‘s struggle with identity, family, cultural tradition, and the strength to defend her desires.

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KGlibrarian
Washington Black | Esi Edugyan
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Though this page-turning book touches on the atrocities of slavery, it does so in a completely original way. At heart it is an adventure story that follows an 11-year-old slave from a plantation in Barbados as he travels across the world. Beautiful writing.

30 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
Homegoing: A novel | Yaa Gyasi
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A fascinating story spanning hundreds of years of slavery. It begins in 18th-century Ghana and follows the descendants of two half sisters whose lives take different paths. Using various perspectives coming from Africa, Harlem and other North American cities, the author weaves together all the individual stories and shows how deeply people are tied to their roots.

violabrain I loved this book!! 6y
KGlibrarian @violabrain Wasn‘t it great? It took me a few chapters to connect with the story but once I got into it I couldn‘t put it down. 6y
Suet624 Ohhhh, I loved this book so much. 6y
24 likes3 comments
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KGlibrarian
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Wow—this memoir of the author‘s escape from North Korea is fascinating, heartbreaking, and compelling. I can‘t wait to watch her TED talk.

violabrain This book is great! 6y
20 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

At first I thought this novel kind of dragged but after pushing myself to stick with it I came to love its gentle, slow pace. Rooney‘s writing is so beautiful and perfectly captures the intricacies of a 21-year-old college student in Ireland as she attempts to discover who she is.

26 likes3 stack adds
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KGlibrarian
On Turpentine Lane | Elinor Lipman
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After hearing Anne Bogel talk about Elinor Lipman on her latest podcast episode, I took this one home from my library and I was not disappointed! I loved every page of this charming, hilarious story about 32-year-old Faith, who is navigating her romantic life while dealing with her family members, her career, and a mysterious crime that took place in her new house.

Megabooks Her books are so fun! I‘ve read all of them and only one I didn‘t like. 6y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KGlibrarian
The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah
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Completely engaging story but a bit formulaic and predictable at times. I loved the descriptions of Alaska (ever since watching the show Northern Exposure in the 90s I‘ve had a thing for Alaska) and Hannah covers some important issues like domestic abuse, love, and PTSD. This was a page-turner but seemed a little like a soap opera toward the end.

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KGlibrarian
The Library Book | Susan Orlean
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What an incredible book! It focuses on the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library but also gives a fascinating account of the history of public libraries and the librarians who were, and are, the inspiring forces behind all the action.

Lmstraubie I really enjoyed this one too. The history was very interesting. 6y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KGlibrarian
Everyone Knows You Go Home | Natalia Sylvester
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This book has not been publicized nearly enough! A couple living in a border town in South Texas gets married on The Day of the Dead and encounters the groom‘s dead father‘s spirit on their wedding day and subsequent anniversaries. Chapters alternate between the present and the 1980s, when the groom‘s family experienced a harrowing journey while crossing the border from Mexico. A beautifully written, moving reflection on immigration and love.

Reggie This sounds great! 6y
28 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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KGlibrarian
Black Boy | Richard Wright
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Winter in my high school library (Black Boy is part of my snowman)🌲⛄️🕎📚

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KGlibrarian
Circe | Madeline Miller
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Panpan

After all the positive buzz about this book I was disappointed. The first half of the book was a mish-mash of mythology stories and characters. It seemed to be picking up a bit when Circe was exiled to her island but it never really did. I didn‘t connect with the characters and found the storyline shallow and trite. I praise Miller for her impressive feat of weaving together the Greek myths in this fictional account but it was not for me!

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KGlibrarian
Becoming | Michelle Obama
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Although I knew this already, Becoming truly highlights how brilliant, warm, funny, poetic, articulate, and ambitious Michelle Obama is. She tastefully leaves out any in-depth political analyses and instead focuses on her personal journey from the South Side of Chicago to the present day. Reading this reminded me of the uplifting, hopeful, and profound messages that true leaders impart on all those around them.

Suet624 💕💕 6y
37 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
Pride | Ibi Zoboi
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This urban retelling of Pride & Prejudice takes place in Bushwick and focuses on Zuri, whose family has Afro-Latino roots. The characterization is somewhat lacking at times but I still enjoyed reading this modern take on one of my favorite classics.

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KGlibrarian
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A heart wrenching account of what Sheff has gone through since his son became addicted to crystal meth. It makes you realize that no matter how much love and guidance you give your children, you have no control of who they become. Looking forward to seeing the movie.

Cortg I really enjoyed this book! I also read Tweak, Nic‘s view of things to give you a different perspective. I‘ll probably wait for the movie to come out on DVD so I can cry and be all ugly at home 😬 6y
KGlibrarian @Cortg I have to read Tweak—I‘m so curious about Nic‘s take on all he went through. And I‘ll probably wait until I can watch the movie at home too!😃 6y
29 likes2 comments
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KGlibrarian
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This inspiring book couldn‘t be more timely. Through research and personal anecdotes, Brown explores the feeling of belonging and how people‘s beliefs and identities shouldn‘t prevent them from relating to those who disagree with them.

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KGlibrarian
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Though the actual storyline was confusing in this version, I loved reading it because of the beautiful artwork and extras like a map of Wakanda, sketches, and a chronology of all the comics Black Panther appeared in. And the original 1961 Fantastic Four comic, in which he first appeared, is included in the back!

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KGlibrarian
The Dakota Winters | Tom Barbash
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I loved being transported back to the New York of the 1970s in this nostalgic, well-written novel. Narrated by the 23-year-old son of a famous talk-show host and socialite mother, the story follows the the Winters from their intriguing life in the Dakota apartment building, where they spend time with their friends John and Yoko, to campaign events they share with Ted and Joan Kennedy. A fascinating page turner filled with pain, love, and hope.

MemoirsForMe This sounds great! 6y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KGlibrarian
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Such a satisfying and enjoyable read! I loved all of these essays, which cover topics such as acknowledgement pages, book logs, and the anxiety that comes from the sheer volume of books to be read. I got the same pleasure from reading this charming book as I do from listening to Bogel‘s podcast.

LeslieO Stacking this one! 6y
26 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

This was one of my favorite reads of the year. Amanda Stern pours her heart out and through her beautiful writing makes her lifetime of anxiety fascinating, inspiring, and even humorous. She recounts her experiences as a child growing up in NYCity‘s West Village and explores how her fears and worries affect every area of her life. A true page-turner that could have gone on for another 200 pages without losing my interest!

23 likes2 stack adds
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KGlibrarian
Stay With Me | Ayobami Adebayo
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A fascinating story of a young married couple in Nigeria from the 1980s to 2008. Filled with troubling cultural traditions, complex emotions, and questionable decisions it highlights the effort it takes for a marriage to survive.

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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

I picked up this short 1979 novel in a quaint bookstore while in Ann Arbor (Literati). It‘s the story of a middle aged widow who uses her savings to open up a bookshop in her seaside town. Fitzgerald‘s writing is brilliant, with the slow, easy tone and understated humor typical of many great British writers.

36 likes2 stack adds
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

It took me a while to connect with this book at first because I had just watched the charming Netflix movie, which I loved so much that I bought the book. Han captures teenage emotions with honesty and humor and once I was able to forget the screen versions of the characters I enjoyed her writing. Now I‘ll go back to my rule of always reading the book first.

Liatrek It‘s such a good rule but with so many book adaptions it seems impossible sometimes 😊 6y
29 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

Mark Twain's masterpiece takes on an entirely new meaning for me as an adult. I grasped the humor and societal statements this time around in a way I hadn't before. Huck is hilarious and the mishaps he and Jim go through kept me laughing the entire book. Though it's uncomfortable seeing the N work so often, it highlights the racist world in which they lived and makes Huck and Jim's friendship even more poignant.

22 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
Something Borrowed | Emily Giffin
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I just reread Giffin‘s first novel and I think I loved it even more the second time! If you‘re looking for a page-turner with romance, humor, New York atmosphere, love, friendship, and realistically flawed characters, this is it!! (My daughter and I talk about the book and movie on episode 7 of our Bookscreenz podcast).

goodbyefrancie Dammit, #litsy! I'm trying to convince myself I don't need one of those carts, but I keep seeing them! It must be a sign...I need one! 6y
KGlibrarian @goodbyefrancie lol go for it! It‘s my favorite purchase of the summer—I put all my TBR books on it and it makes me happy every time I see it! 6y
goodbyefrancie @KGlibrarian Where did you get this one? 6y
KGlibrarian @goodbyefrancie michaels.com. They have it at IKEA too but not in white. 6y
GypsyKat I love the book cart! 6y
37 likes1 stack add5 comments
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KGlibrarian
The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood
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I always feel compelled to read the book before watching the screen version. I‘m excited to see how the TV series compares to this fascinating, depressing novel. Atwood‘s prose is stark and powerful and although I was eager to finish the book to escape from this dreary world, I loved being immersed in her language and style.

Lovesbooks87 The tv show is amazing! It is so scary watching it all play out! (edited) 6y
38 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
Fifteen Point Nine | Holly Dobbie
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Mehso-so

This YA book highlights the important issues of alcoholism, hoarding, and suicide but the author‘s character development, writing style, and structure are weak. The prose took on a slightly childish tone, especially when she used onomatopoeia for sounds like the phone ringing. Teens might relate to it but I think there are other YA books that cover these issues more skillfully.

18 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
This Must Be the Place | Maggie O'Farrell
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After Anne Bogel recommended this book on her podcast (What Should I Read Next?) I picked it up and was not disappointed! O‘Farrell‘s writing is drawn out and beautiful, focusing on the intimate details of her characters‘ lives and emotions. Told from many different points of view and changing time periods with each chapter, it is a family saga that is all-encompassing.

lynneamch 💖😊 6y
33 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
We Should All Be Feminists | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Picked up this little gem of a book at my favorite book store, The Strand. It‘s based on a TEDx talk of hers and is a brilliant commentary on feminism.

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KGlibrarian
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I‘m so happy to have discovered the amazing Anne Bogel. (Thank you@BookaholicNatty!). Her podcast is now my favorite and this book was an insightful, intelligent read.

BookaholicNatty @KGlibrarian yayyyyy!!!!! Oh I‘m so happy to hear this!!! This totally made my day!!!! @annebogel is the the best isn‘t she? I adore her podcast! And her love all the books she picks for her guests! I can‘t wait till her new book comes out!!!!!! 6y
HKGirl Yes!! Her podcast is the best and I enjoyed her book too. 💓 6y
MemoirsForMe Anne Rocks! Love her podcast too. 🙌🏻And I just ordered her new book coming out in Sept. 6y
36 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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KGlibrarian
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I couldn‘t put this book down! A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a corrupt agency in the early 1900s that stole children from poor families in the South to give to wealthy couples. There‘s also a modern-day perspective that‘s narrated by the daughter of a prominent senator; the author cleverly weaves the two threads together to make a real page turner.

lynneamch Talked about this one at bookclub, where several members remember when this actually happened. Tragic. Sounds like the book is a worthwhile read, and perhaps a cautionary tale relevant to children being separated from rightful parents. 6y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KGlibrarian
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Mehso-so

I know Didion‘s writing sets the standard for excellence but I found most of these essays about life during the 60s to be depressing and disjointed. The last two sections were much better than the first but I enjoyed her book The Year of Magical Thinking so much more.

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KGlibrarian
My Ex-Life | Stephen McCauley
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An enjoyable read about a woman who gets together with her ex-husband to get help with college plans for her daughter (from her 2nd marriage). I would have liked it better if the characters were more deeply developed. I also found that the author made a lot of judgmental remarks via characters‘ feelings and thoughts but they felt more like his own beliefs being injected into the book.

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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

I needed a short read after Hamilton and this was perfect. Each time I read this play I‘m amazed at how perfectly Wilder captures the human experience.

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KGlibrarian
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Just finished this tome and I can‘t do it justice with words. Chernow catalogues Hamilton‘s early years as a child in the Caribbean, his accomplished career as a lawyer and founding father of America, his endearing familial relationships, and his commitment to honor, which leads to the fateful mortal duel. One thing I realized while reading is that the irrational behavior and political tension of today was just as bad—maybe worse—back then!

25 likes1 stack add
blurb
KGlibrarian
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My 16-year-old daughter and I started a podcast where we discuss books that were adapted to movies. Our pilot episode is about Simon and in other episodes we talk about A Wrinkle In Time, Wonder, Bridge to Terabithia and most recently Call Me By Your Name (my sister guest co-hosts this one). If you like podcasts, check us out! We‘re beginners so I welcome any suggestions or criticism. Thanks!

ephemeralwaltz Fun!! Will definitely check this out. Just watched Simon yesterday! 6y
DivineDiana Fantastic! 👏🏻📚👏🏻 6y
RealLifeReading How fun! 6y
24 likes3 comments
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KGlibrarian
An American Marriage | Tayari Jones
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I loved this book!! There are many recent novels that deal with unjust treatment of African Americans but this one has an original slant by focusing on the deep-set emotions of the characters and their communication while one of them is incarcerated. The prose is lyrical and while the plot is not continually action-packed, that is what makes it seem more real.

49 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
The Upside of Unrequited | Becky Albertalli
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Another incredible YA book by Becky Albertalli! She is a master at capturing teenage emotions and in this story about 17-year-old twins she explores body image, same sex marriage, young love, and the many complex paths to friendships and relationships.

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KGlibrarian
The Immortalists | Chloe Benjamin
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As much as I appreciated the writing style of this book and loved the concept of four siblings facing their mortality, there was something about the novel that exhausted me. The first half was much stronger than the second. The last few chapters really dragged. But it is an original story containing illusion/magic, the AIDS epidemic, complex family dynamics, religion, and many more thought-provoking topics.

ahoffkosik One of my favorite reads of the last few months! 6y
Suet624 I‘m with you. 6y
34 likes2 comments
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KGlibrarian
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My heart broke so many times during this emotional novel about an 11-year-old boy who struggles to makes sense of his Chinese heritage while attempting to fit into a mostly white community. After Deming Guo says goodbye to his mother one morning in his Bronx apartment, he is shattered when she does not return. His search for her uncovers shocking circumstances that relate all too closely to our world today.

Samplergal I‘m thinking of choosing this for September book club. What do you think? Good discussion book? 6y
KGlibrarian @Samplergal Yes! So many issues raised and the characters make some controversial decisions which would make for great discussions. 6y
Samplergal @KGlibrarian Thank you. I have only read samples but it seems like that kind of book. And so timely to what is is happening in US. 6y
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

This book was phenomenal!! It‘s not often that a young adult book can poignantly comment on the cultural/political environment while also giving teen readers the romance and social interactions they crave. Mafi masters it in this story of a 16-year-old Muslim American girl in the aftermath of 9/11.

CouronneDhiver Sounds great but the cover is a little strange... 6y
bnp That's the back of the book, isn't it? 6y
KGlibrarian @CouronneDhiver @bnp Its a review copy and they don‘t have the cover yet—I thought the same when I got it! 6y
23 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KGlibrarian
Gone So Long | Andre Dubus III
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This book dragged a little for me but was a compelling story about a man who commits a horrific murder and leaves his young daughter behind. One thing that annoyed me (and I see this with many male authors) is that Dubus described all the female characters‘ breasts at some point—not necessary!

25 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
The Winters | Lisa Gabriele
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The classic novel, Rebecca, has always been a favorite of mine and this book, whose tone and plot parallels the original, is just as much of a page-turner. From the Grand Cayman Islands to an estate on the east end of Long Island, a couple‘s whirlwind romance turns into something terrifying in this riveting love story/thriller.

Yvonnel Great review. I‘m getting it for sure now! I love Rebecca. 6y
24 likes1 comment
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KGlibrarian
The Awakening | Kate Chopin
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I pulled all the classics from my library‘s fiction collection and gave them two bookcases of their own. The harder job will be to get teenagers to read them! #HSlibrarian #finalsweekprojects

saresmoore Put a bowl of candy nearby? Ooh or give them all manga covers?? 6y
saresmoore I think I just revealed that I am probably out of touch with teenagehood at this point in my life... 6y
KGlibrarian @saresmoore No, candy definitely still works for teens haha! 6y
MStew 😍 6y
33 likes4 comments
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

I did not expect to like this nearly as much as I did! The story is narrated by a young Nigerian woman, Korede, whose younger sister, Ayoola, has been casually murdering her recent boyfriends. Written in beautifully crisp prose that is filled with satire, the novel explores the ethics of supporting a loved one no matter how horrible her crimes are.

25 likes1 stack add