April Wrap Up

This month I took on a mammoth task: Book Roast's OWLs Read-a-thon 2019. Book Roast has hosted this on her YouTube channel and bookstagram before, but this is my first time looking into her challenge. The challenge itself is pretty flexible, but encourages you to read five to seven books in April. She has prompts for each of the OWLs tested classes per Hogwarts and Harry Potter lore. You can also pick a career to "study" for, which may dictate what prompts you seek to fulfill. I chose professor as it was the most flexible and, well, my actual career.

Here's the breakdown for this year's challenge:

• Ancient Runes: Retelling
• Arithomancy: Written by more than one author
• Astronomy: "Star" in the title
• Care of Magical Creatures: Land Animal on the cover
• Charms: Age-line: Adult work
• Defense Against the Dark Arts: Reducto - book that starts with "R"
• Divination: Set in the Future
• Herbology: Plant on the Cover
• History of Magic: Book published 10+ years ago
• Muggle Studies: Contemporary read
• Potions: Next ingredient - sequel
• Transfiguration: Sprayed Edges

For my chosen career, I was to complete Defense Against the Dark Arts and six other courses. I almost made it.

Astronomy

Stardust - Neil Gaiman

I have started this book, but did not finish before the end of April. I adore the movie, so I knew I would love the book. And I do, so far. But I especially love the way Gaiman introduces Wall and Tristan and prefer the books version of Tristan entering the land beyond the wall. 

Care of Magical Creatures

The Tea Dragon Society - Kate O'Neill

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This cute graphic novel was included in OwlCrate's February box. 

Charms

The Wild Card - Hope & Wade King

I am reading this along with other middle school teachers in my district as part of a team-building, career-focused Twitter chat. Initially, I was bummed because I felt I already include much of the content in my classroom, however, as I have progressed through the book I realize while I have a solid foundation on how to be creative and engaging in my classroom, I still have more to learn.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Renegades - Marissa Meyer (audiobook)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

First of all, this book was the perfect book to listen to at 2x the speed. Second, it is a brilliant superhero versus supervillain retelling that challenges the reader to truly consider who the good guys really are. I appreciate that the protagonist views herself as a villain, but her values and the actions of the antagonist cause the reader to question the morality of the "heroes". 

Divination

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (book + audio)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I nearly missed finishing this book in time for the Read & Gush session, but the library's audiobook selection saved me. I was able to work in the yard and listen to the final third of the book. Again, I wasn't sure how Collins would increase the anticipation and intensity of her series, but I found this to be a fitting ending to the story she created. I was happily Team Peeta all the way through and truly enjoyed discussing the characters, plot, and conflicts with the Read & Gush team, even if we did disagree about Gale.

Herbology

Four Dead Queens - Astrid Schlote

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Fitting this book into herbology is a bit of a stretch, but one of the crowns is embellished with leaves and flowers, so I counted it. Because I was already reading and loving this book and couldn't live with reading a book that didn't fit within the challenge. 

Four Dead Queens is a captivating whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end. While there were elements that were not my favorite, the mystery itself was fantastic. The twist was completely unexpected, which drove the plot to its final, fulfilling conclusion.

*OwlCrate March selection

History of Magic

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When given the chance to squeeze in an older book, I will generally pick up a classic that I've been dying to reread. That's exactly what I did with this prompt. Fahrenheit 451 is probably my favorite book of all time (yes, I think it even outranks Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice). Rereading this lit a fire in me once again about the importance of reading and learning a variety of different topics and views. Knowledge is power.

Transfiguration

Crown of Feathers - Nicki Pau Preto

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Did I maybe cheat by including this one? Yes, because I was already about 100 pages in when April started. But, Book Roast said this is for fun and qualifications are really up to me, so yes, I counted it. OwlCrate's edition of this book has a gorgeous purple cover with purple sprayed edges! It's so pretty!

Unfortunately, I don't think the story lived up to my expectations. The premise is amazing: a girl who seeks out Phoenix Riders (hello?!) and a central relationship focused on two sisters (Val and Veronyka). The story flowed well when focusing on the sisters and their goal, however, there were a couple internal romances and a secondary plot that halted the flow for me. In fact, I would have been fine not knowing the other side of the story. Also, the book had a satisfying conclusion, but the author is writing a sequel, which kind of confuses me. What more is there?

If you tally the scores you'll notice that I was one book shy of meeting the requirements for my chosen profession. But two half-read books can count as one, right?

February Wrap Up

Love is in the air and, while this is the shortest month of the year, I finished seven books this month, which is far more than usual!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wow, this was a truly magical tale about the power of sorrow and the healing power of hope.
My students were reading "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson at the time and the introduction to Barnhill's enchanting tale reminded me of Jackson's theme of blindly following traditions. Although things with the reading club have fallen through, I have already discussed this book with several students!

Dear Martin - Nic Stone
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I walked in to work one day and this book was waiting for me as a gift from my "Morale Pal" who is like a Secret Santa. This short book shook me to my core. I don't know exactly how to write a review for it, but I can say that everyone should read this book. It is similar to The Hate U Give (which I am nearly finished with), but I appreciated this book a little more. In writing to Martin Luther King, Jr., Justyce challenge himself and the reader to ponder these questions: Who do I want to be? Am I making choices so I can become that person?

Barefoot in the Park - Neil Simon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As a theatre minor, I always love taking a couple of hours to read a new play, but this play is special: I'm going to be directing a production of it at my local community theatre in September! As I have not already seen it, I am prohibiting myself from watching the movie until I have read through the play a few more times and selected my creative direction. This is a touching, hilarious comedy of newlyweds who discover that while a couple can share love, they may have different views on just about anything else. 

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
⭐⭐☆
I FINALLY FINISHED listening to this book and, dear readers, I am not a fan. Gone Girl made landmark changes to the mystery and suspense genre and I did enjoy the twists and turns along the way. I desperately wanted to like this book because Flynn is from my home town (Kansas City) and it came as a recommendation from a bibliophile friend and my husband, who loves the movie.
So, what didn't I like? Far too much cursing (the F-word does not have to be used one every page) and description of genitalia. I also had a difficult time buying in to the characters. Both Nick and Amy were vile, selfish, manipulative human beings. Even when watching movies, I just cannot buy in when none of the prominent characters are redeemable or moderately moral. Was the story shocking? Absolutely. Could I have lived without reading (listening to) it. Absolutely.

The Gilded Wolves - Roshani Chokshi
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Mysteries have captivated me of late and I truly enjoyed following this band of outcasts as they sought to capture a hidden treasure. Chokshi did an excellent job separating the personality of the six (you read that correctly) major characters, making the story engaging from all angles.
*OwlCrate January selection

The Glass Castle - Tricia White Priebe
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This isn't the book you're thinking of, but you should check it out! Tricia babysat my siblings and I when we were younger and has always been a gifted writer. She worked for Jerry B. Jenkins (co-author of the Left Behind series) for some time and teamed up with him to publish her own trilogy. The Glass Castle is the first book in that trilogy and is a magical, coming-of-age novel.  The reading level is lower than I generally go for (lower middle grade, 3-5th grade), so I felt the story was a little slow in creating  the setting, but the pace quickened and I am interested in reading the next two of the series.

January Wrap Up

New Year, New (extensive) TBR!

My goal this year is to read one book a week or a total of 52 books. 

A few of my book purchases this month!
All of these were purchased for my classroom.

At the end of the first month, I'm off to a great start! I completed five books, with another book and an audiobook that have significant progress.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase - Cynthia Hand
☆☆☆☆☆
A truly imaginative and well-written, modern retelling of A Christmas Carol. I did guess the twist, but I love the way Hand  flushed out Holly's character development--arguably better than Scrooge in the original. Also, I firmly believe Boz is Dickens.

Amber & Dusk - Lyra Selene
☆☆☆☆
I was skeptical about this story at first: it felt too similar to two other books I have read, Tangled Webs (Lee Bross) and The Glass Spare (Lauren DeStephano), but eventually the plot evolved into something uniquely its own. I am interested in what will be coming next.
*OwlCrate selection, December 2018

The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris
☆☆☆☆☆
A poignant love story blooms during one of the cruelest events in human history, the holocaust. Morris writing style of vignette-like memories made me feel as though I was sitting with her as Lale shared his story.

Cress: The Lunar Chronicles Book 3 - Marissa Meyer
☆☆☆☆☆
This second installment has only made me fall deeper in love with Cinder and Kai. Cress's character building has made Thorne more likable, but Scarlet and Wolf are still growing on me. Meyer has done a fantastic job creating a truly vile evil queen in Levana, but I have mixed feelings about Kai's adviser. Is he supporting Kai or Levana?

This Splintered Silence - Kayla Olson
☆☆☆☆☆
Olson wrote one of my favorite reads from last year, The Sandcastle Empire, so I have truly been looking forward to reading this sci-fi mystery. I was cautious at first because Lindley's narrative voice was similar to Eden's from TSE. However, this story quickly took on a personality of it's own and drew me in completely! I was constantly guessing who was guilty and how the love triangle would work out.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (audiobook)
I'm started listening to this in April 2018 and I still have not finished it because I have a difficult time buying in to the motivations of these two selfish, vile characters. But I'm no quitter--I will finish this. Eventually.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill
My mentor teacher and a school librarian are leading a reading club at our middle school and have encouraged teachers to choose one of the "32 Best Middle School Reads" to discuss at one of their book talks. While I have not read this book yet, I selected it because I had already purchased it because the story intrigues me.

More detailed summaries and my progress on my goal can be found on my GoodReads account. Feel free to follow me (Lynnae Rachele Andersen) there and let me know what you're reading!

Fel's Manteca Colora (almost)

Now Fel stood in the Nomeolvides kitchen, melting down manteca, dyeing it red with paprika and chili powder. He tore green herbs into pieces, letting them fall into the bright sauce.

. . . He sliced day-old bread and spread it over a metal sheet. He brushed it with olive oil and garlic cloves and left it in the oven until the edges browned.

As he swirled the spoon through the wide copper pot, this family and this kitchen felt so much like his that he didn't worry about the paprika staining the wooden spoon. He stirred in bay and oregano leaves, and they sank into the manteca colora. The stems gave off a low, bitter smell that made him remember the gold and orange of fall leaves. (Wild Beauty, 108-109) 

Let me begin by stating, I know this recipe is wrong. But, I'm also okay with that because from what I can tell, manteca colora is a family-by-family recipe. Even Fel and Estralla disagree on what exactly the meal consists of.

Last night, I invited a friend over to help me make Fel's version of manteca colora, as described in the quotation above. I also searched online to find a similar recipe, and found this definition:

Manteca colora (Andalusian for "red lard") is a food item prepared by adding spices (usually bay leaf and oregano) and paprika--which is what gives the dish its characteristic orange color--to lard, which is then cooked with minced or finely shopped pieces of pork. (wikipedia)

McLemore mentions that Fel pulls out day old bread, manteca, and meat, so we started there.

Day Old Bread: I must admit, I do not keep day old bread in my house, so . . . I faked it. I toasted two slices of bread then, as described above, my friend set it on a pan, brushed it with olive oil, and sprinkled on a little garlic salt. The bread was placed in the oven at 200F for about six minutes.

Manteca: I'm supremely embarrassed to tell you thatnothing. So, all I can tell you is I used a bunch of butter--probably close to two sticks or one cup. What I should have done: combine the butter/fat and spices (I used cumin, oregano, and paprika, totally overlooked the chili) in a bowl and melt in microwave or stove. Hey, I'm sure Fel would have used a microwave if he had one.
my dish was missing the main ingredient, lard. I don't keep that on hand (don't judge me, I'm a newlywed who has only just started to cook). What do I have in my kitchen to substitute? Butter. I wanted to be true to the story, so I measured

Meat: Traditional menteca colora recipes use pork, but the meat I had on hand was canned chicken. I had a total brain fart and threw everything into one bowl before melting the butter/spices. Next time, I'll follow the directions I listed above. Shred the meat and add to the manteca mixture.

Spanish rice and Manteca Colora.
Notice: mine is not a rich red color.
I believe adding chili will help with
that in the future. 

From here, I know what I made was wrong. Next time, I will let the meat simmer in the manteca to ensure it thickens a little. As Fel did, I served mine warm: a foundation of toast with the manteca colora spooned on the top. My friend and I felt something was missing, so we added cheese. As I read more about the dish, I realized it is generally served at breakfast, so I drizzled honey over mine (so incredibly amazing), but my friend chose to go without.

There you go! My failed attempt at Fel's Manteca Colora as described in Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore.

Fel spooned the manteca colora over the bread, softening the edges. He served the Nomeolvides women, grandmothers and mothers and daughters, hoping they would speak, talk to one another about anything, knowing they wouldn't He sat down with them, and they ate. The paprika's spice slid over their tongues, the herbs coming up through the red enough that they still tasted green and alive. (Wild Beauty, 110) 

Wild Beauty

"Readers Block" maimed me through most of 2016-2017, partly due to the aggressive pace I set for completing my graduate degree and partly due to lesson planning as a middle school English teacher. But with the completion of my course work in January, my husband encouraged me to actually read the books I had received. My sister recently began a subscription as well, and recommended I move Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore up on my TBR list. I loved several of my other OwlCrate books (reviews may come later as I play catch-up), so McLemore's text became my mid-December read.

What attracted me to the book?

To begin with, Wild Beauty  has a beautiful cover, and, isn't that what initially draws us to any book? I love flowers--even though I have a tendency to kill them--so our apartment is filled with living, dying, and faux flora.

Second, I loved the premise of a book that centered on familial relationships. The main characters are five female cousins with a powerful bond of family and friendship.

Third, I've been missing my Hispanic students since moving back from Texas and I love that this book blends Spanish vocabulary into the text and introduces the reader to some of the intimacy and delicacies of the culture.

I must be honest, this one was hard for me to get into.

The first hundred pages seemed to drag on. Yes, I said the first hundred pages, but I was determined to make it through, so I kept reading and moving my motivation Post-It fifty pages ahead. 

What made the book difficult to read?

I didn't know exactly how to put this, but when reading a random review on GoodReads, I realized I agreed with another reader: the author was too descriptive. And odd drawback, no? Especially coming from me, the girl who loves to read the amplified Bible. McLemore was so descriptive, that the reader hardly had room to imagine the space. And example of too much "show" in places. The descriptions made the story lag a bit, for me. 

The element that irritated me the most was the authors way of including an LGBT theme. While I have no problem with the inclusion of LGBT content, the content of this book--as explained in the first hundred pages--seemed forced.

* * * * * SPOILER WARNING * * * * *

 All five cousins were in love with the same girl. And they all knew it. And they all kept trinkets. I don't have five close female cousins [I was blessed to have a multiplicity of boy cousins], but I have had  many close girlfriends throughout high school and college and, let me tell you, there's is no jealously and rivalry like two girls in love with the same person. LET ALONE FIVE. McLemore painted the cousins' relationship as friendly and accepting that they were all in love with the same person, but I just couldn't buy in. 

Now, I will say, my feelings changed quite a bit at the twist in the story. McLemore nearly redeems herself with a solidly realistic explanation. 

Estralla and her cousins blessed one another's love for Bay, not only because they share it, but [also] because they considered it impossible (174).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 What redeemed the book?

There several wonderful things about Wild Beauty that allow me to comfortably recommend this to other readers, with a fair warning that it has a slow start. 

First, the enchantment of the story. Without spoiling any more of the story, the magical garden that McLemore created is truly enchanting and the curse that binds the Nomeolvides women together will keep you reading from cover to cover.

Second, the mysterious boy that appears keeps you involved because, like Estralla and the rest of the women, you want to learn more about who he is, who he was, and why the garden released him from the ground (that's no spoiler, it's on the book jacket). 

Third, the twist does exactly what the author intended: I couldn't set the book down for another few chapters because I wanted to read the twist through to the peak of the climax. 

Finally, McLemore resolves her tale beautifully. Again, I won't give away any more, but by the final paragraph, Estralla has had a true coming of age: acceptance of self, love lost and gained, and a rebirth of who she will be. 

Rating: ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐

A New Evolution

New Year, New Me, right?

I can't believe it's been five years since I last blogged, but one of my resolutions for 2018 was to get back to blogging, specifically blogging about books I'm reading.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Quick Overview:

In the past 5 years I have

• completed my undergraduate: English Ed
• taught English, theatre, yearbook, and computer applications
• completed my graduate degree: English: Creative Writing
• moved to Texas
• moved back to Missouri
• married the love of my life

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This blog started as part of a class assignment during my undergrad--my online reader's journal. From there, I shared a few books I liked, but at not consistent rate. That's about to change.

Over the past year, I had the pleasure of subscribing to a monthly book box: OwlCrate (definitely recommend). Unfortunately, I had to cancel the subscription because adulating takes money, but I hope to renew the subscription soon. Less than a week after cancelling OwlCrate, I found an ad on Intagram from another subscription box, PageHabit, looking for a new moderator for one of their book box genres. I applied.

And they accepted me!

So, how is this blog evolving? Subtly.

From Cover to Cover will still cover books I'm reading and I promise to be open about the good, the bad, and the ugly about each text. My aim is to write a literary analysis of the text. Some will be longer than others.

The main difference will be that each month you will find my review of the PageHabit book assigned to me for the previous month (head's up--I'm moderating Romance). So, expect quite a few plugs for PageHabit within posts.

But there will be other texts, too. I have several books from OwlCrate to complete and I want to read a variety of genres this year.

Here's to a new year, a new me, and a (slightly) new evolution to this blog. Come back often to see what I've been reading from Cover to Cover.