For this feature, I curate a small list of books that make me think, “I can’t believe I haven’t read that”.  Then, you vote on which book I should read in the following month. I hope that I’ll be able to ‘catch up’ on certain books that I ‘should’ have read ages ago and finally be able to discuss those books with my fellow book lovers.

July’s Result – When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

You know that feeling when you start reading a book and it feels so right and fitting that you think early on, “Oh, this is a special one”, and you give it all your attention? By page 36, I knew for sure When You Trap a Tiger was one of those special ones. I had an inkling even before then! These kind of stories are hard to find. I may think I’ve just finished reading a great middle grade book, but then I read a novel like this one and realize, “Ah, this is different. It’s a whole different level.” Of course, that feeling can be very subjective. For me, I found a lot of personal resonance in this story, so that’s why it felt like such a special reading experience. Even taking that into consideration, I see why it won the Newbery. I reread the first Halmoni story a few times because I was so struck by it. When You Trap a Tiger isn’t my favourite genre of middle grade (I like my fantastical elements to be more real than allegorical), but this story is so well-written, you should give it a go.

And I’m angry. Because sometimes it’s like she has this whole other Lily in her head. An Almost Me that doesn’t match the Real Me. I don’t like tea. I don’t love libraries. And what if I’m not the best? How would she know? It’s not like she’s paying attention.

Pg 58

October’s Selection

It’s September now so you know what that means! Cozy fall spooky autumn sweater season. Here are four books from my Goodreads to-read shelf that I imagine will be a good fit for the season. I sorted my shelf by date added, ascending, and chose the first four titles that prompted the “can’t believe” feeling (…and are also available from my local library within a reasonable timeframe, which limits things further).

• The City & The City by China Miéville (added Apr 2013)
  • Weird fiction (urban SFF?). Miéville seems to me an author to read on a dark fall or winter evening.
• The Bone Key by Sarah Monette (added Nov 2013)
  • Horror/paranormal short stories. Could this be a hidden gem? I didn’t recognize the title or author at all when I was skimming through my list.
• Poppy and Ereth by Avi (added Nov 2013)
  • Middle grade starring woodland creatures. I still haven’t read Ereth’s Birthday but that’s not available at the library. I love walking through forests in autumn, so hear is forest-setting story.
• The Sleep Room by F.R. Tallis (added Dec 2013)
  • Horror. This one has quite polarizing reviews – the person who put it on my radar gave it five stars, though!

Which book should I read in October? Vote on the poll below or by leaving a comment on this post. (I can’t tell who voted on Twitter, so if you’re really keen you can vote in the comments AND on Twitter!) Voting closes on 30 Sept.