July 5, 2024
Hey, folks!
We’re halfway through 2024 (idk about you but this year has been both very fast and snail-pace slow), so what better time to show off some of my favourite books so far?
Poetry and Verse
Climate by Whitney Hanson
I fell in love with Whitney Hanson’s poetry on Instagram (it was so beautiful I cried), so of COURSE I had to get one of her books. It was beautiful, and heartfelt, and everything I hoped it would be. I felt supported, and hopeful, and a sense of calm. I’m 100% going to get her other collections. If you’ve read her books, let me know which is your favourite in the comments!
A Warning About Swans by R.M. Romero
This was a beautiful fantasy novel set in verse. Honestly, I don’t think it would’ve been the same if it had been written in prose. Hilde’s story begged to be in poetry. The fairytale and mythological inspirations begged to be in poetry. Her relationships with Richter and Franz and even (in some ways, especially) Ludwig were so well done, the subtleties written so skillfully. If you’re a fantasy lover and want to try a novel in verse, I highly suggest this one.
Picture Books
I read a lot of awesome picture books this first half of the year, and I didn’t even list all of the ones I adored here. Buckle up.
Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand
This book made me emotional! Body hair – especially facial – isn’t spoken about much as kids, especially with girls. Unfortunately, it can make kids self-conscious about theirs as a result. So seeing a little girl learn to be unapologetic about hers was beautiful!
“Have whiskers, will roar.”
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
From the author’s note: “I hope that more and more children begin their lives knowing that they are beautiful.”
Not enough children grow up knowing they’re beautiful the way they are. They get teased by their peers, they don’t see themselves reflected back in media. Sulwe takes a necessary and beautiful step to change that.
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
This is a gentle and sweet story incorporating Inuit themes, placing Kulu (term of endearment) in the loving care of the world, which will in turn be looked after by Kulu. It’s a story of connecting, of well-wishes and love, and of mutual respect. I felt simple peace reading this. A perfect bedtime story for any kid!
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and SK Ali
The pride and strength I felt oozing from this book is unmatched. It shows wearing a hijab is beautiful, even if others try and tell you otherwise. It shows that even when there are differences between you and others, you don’t have to let them get to you. Be loud and proud.
“Don’t carry around the hurtful words that others say. They are not yours to keep. They belong only to those who said them.”
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
I may be late to this train, but I am now on it and happy to be here.
I really loved this book! When you’re grumpy, so many people try and tell you what to do to fix it – but sometimes you just need to feel grumpy. And that’s ok. It’s wonderful that kids can find this book and see that whatever they’re feeling, whatever the day, it’s valid.
Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka
Once again crying over a picture book. This beautifully captures the moment you find someone who gets you. It shows kids that that person is out there – you may just not have met them yet – and to hold on and keep being you because you’ll find your people eventually (a feeling I know and cherish myself).
Craft Books
The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction by Amy J. Schneider
This is a must-have for editors and writers alike. The Chicago Manual of Style focuses largely on nonfiction, and while big chunks can be applied to fiction, there are still areas that fall into a grey zone. This book addresses those.
Whether you edit or write novels, short stories, picture books, fiction poetry (or poetry in general, really), etc., this book has some great tips to keep in mind. I know I’ll be using it for both client work and my own writing!
What books did you love in the first half of the year? Can be part of these categories or otherwise!