I’ve been saying that I’m not usually a fan of fiction in historical settings for years. I think it’s about time for me to rescind that comment. I also do not have much experience with literature set in historical times and other countries. After reading Razorhurst, I want to remedy that reading gap.

Read Razorhurst last week. This isn’t a #stickynotereviews, but it models the thinking I’m trying to help my students have as they go into reading a new book. Music is “Sweeter Vermouth” by Kevin MacLeod of incomptech.com. Used under the CC 3.0 attribution license. #bookstagram

A video posted by the (book) supplier (@thebooksupplier) on Mar 28, 2016 at 1:31pm PDT

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I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables. I’ve been told, however, that it is (at the very least) a movie I need to see. It just never spoke to me. Ana of California, on the other hand, had me drawing on some of the experiences of my students. Needless to say, I was engaged. And enjoyed it.

#bookaday Ana of California by Andi Teran. Anne of Green Gables Retelling (I’ve never read it). Complicated characters and plenty of artists and music to keep you googling for a while (if you’re into that sort of thing. #stickynotereviews #bookreview #bookstagram

A photo posted by the (book) supplier (@thebooksupplier) on Mar 28, 2016 at 4:57pm PDT

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A friend of mine suggested I read Small Steps at brunch about a month ago. I’m usually not a fan of sequels told from the point of view of another character (which is why I didn’t read this back in 2006), but I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued. This is actually the book that propelled me into my new research topic.

#bookaday Small Steps (sequel to Holes) by Louis Sachar. I must remember that this was written in 2006. A decade later and my reader-self is left a little wanting. Small Steps is the story of Armpit and X-Ray three years after Camp Green Lake. Theodore (aka Armpit) is dealing with budding romance, economics and communication (both in school and in life), life post incarceration (which I thought was interesting, but can’t speak to because I know nothing about it), and friendships that build him up or pull him back… I felt like the racial issues were glossed over – but that may be my 2016-reader perspective influencing my reading. #stickynotereviews #bookstagram #bookreview #books

A photo posted by the (book) supplier (@thebooksupplier) on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

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Read any of these? What are your thoughts?