It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Well, technically it's Tuesday! (I may have forgotten yesterday!)

You can view all of my June and July reads here, but below is a list of the books I read this past week and my thoughts. Comment below if you've read some of these or want to know more.

Books I Finished between June 27 and July 3

This week I finished 35 books-30 of which were picture books for my #picturebookfrenzy! I am not going to include all of the picture books below because you can read about each one over the next 30 days.

Middle Grade

One of my top reads for June was Thirst by Varsha Bajaj.

Thirst by Varsha Bajaj
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I learned so much from this book about water in India. I would say that this is a good companion to Long Walk to Water as it talks about the lack of water resources in the world and how girls are prevented from going to school because they have to take care of their family. It broke my heart to read about so many boys and girls who couldn't pursue an education because they had to take care of their family. I take for granted the privileges I have in my world-education is just something that you do. You have to do it to a point.

This book touches on a lot of tough topics, but is very accessible to readers of the middle grade range-4th grade and up. I think it's an important read and am so glad it was picked for the Global Read Aloud. I think it's a perfect book for everyone to read and discuss together.

Thank you Penguin and Nancy Paulsen Books as well as NetGalley for an early copy to read in exchange for a review. Definitely a book I needed.

View all my reviews

Young Adult

My Name Is Jason. Mine Too.: Our Story. Our Way. by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this collaboration. The combination of art and poetry is beautiful. It’s chaotic and wonderful and the journey of their friendship, their bromance, is pretty cool. You can feel the connection they share. Thank you Harper Teen and NetGalley for an early copy.

View all my reviews

Another top read for June was All Boys Aren't Blue by George M Johnson.

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s open. It’s inspiring. I loved how it was written-like you were right there with George talking with him. And oh my gosh-Nanny! ❤️ I think this book is a must read. Trigger warning for sexual assault and also mature content.

View all my reviews

Option Pile-Books I May Pick Up This Week

Challenges

30 books in 3 months

I am participating in Jessica Brody's 30 books in 3 months challenge. I have decided to adapt it to 30 ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) to help me stay focused on the books I NEED to read. I have so many ARCs, I need to be making a bigger dent than I have been. (I am a very distracted and moody reader!)

30 Arcs in 3 months by Alexis Ennis

Summer Book-A-Day

Each summer, I challenge myself to a book a day-inspired by Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer). This year, it is 74 days/74 books! I will update as often as I can! :)

2022 Summer Book-A-Day by Alexis Ennis

Library Summer Reading Challenge

I am also participating in our local library's summer book challenge. They have awesome prizes and I love being able to log my minutes that I read!

12 Books in 12 Months

These books were all recommended to me by other reading friends.

Add a little bit of body text by Alexis Ennis

Are you doing any challenges?

Legit KidLit

I also have a YouTube Channel and check out our latest episodes!

I hope you are having a great summer of reading!

Take care.