My reading selections in January were a mixed lot. I chose one novel, three middle grade novels, and one writing craft book.
I’m a fan of Backman, having read many of his other books. His stories don’t always lead where I think they are going, but they lead to the right place. Bear Town is a story of family dysfunction. It’s also a story of small town camaraderie and survival with lots of truth and heartbreak.
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor
This is a story of how a homeless child hatches a plan to get enough money to move her family out of their car and into a house.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
I’m not sure how I ended up reading so much about this topic in one month, but Crenshaw is also about the struggle of childhood homelessness. An old imaginary friend shows up, uninvited, to help the child through a tough time.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
This is a must read for elementary students. It’s a story of a child with cerebral palsy who is frustrated because she understands words, but she can’t respond or communicate with others. Life changes for her when she receives a computer that allows her to communicate, but not everyone is ready to accept that a handicapped child can be “normal”.
On Writing by Stephen King
King intertwines his memoir with writing advice in this book. It was an entertaining and useful read.
I like Backman, too. I just finished a book that Judy and I had decided to read: The Seven Year Dress by Paulette Mahurin. It is about the Holocaust. I enjoyed it a lot.
Reading other writers helps a writer learn the techniques of fine writing. Writing is an art which needs constant improvisation.comment