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Life · August 29, 2019

Currently Loving…| AUGUST

Hello, hello!

August has been a wild ride — on and offline — with a ton of reviews, book lists and interviews on this blog! Summer is also winding down and the air is starting to feel different with kids returning to school and Instagram travel posts slowing down. I have some news for all the readers who enjoy this monthly collection of links and favorites.

Currently Loving is moving exclusively to the newsletter! So, if you enjoy this regular feature, it may be wise to sign up to my fortnightly newsletter.

What else will you find in the newsletter? Personal life updates, books I’ve enjoyed (exclusive newsletter book reviews), ARC excitement (in which I share one forthcoming title I’m excited about), freelance job opportunities, and the occasional personal essay.

Undecided still? Check out the old newsletters.

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Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get back to business — for one last time!

What I Loved in August

This Modern Love piece about a couple who mutually decided to take a five-year break and then find each other after made my heart so warm.

Why some people get burned out and others don’t 🙃

Six elevator pitch examples that will change the way you describe what you do and grab the attention of potential clients/investors.

I love the advice in this NPR article about making friends.

It’s OK to treat friendship as seriously as you would dating

Having friends is one of the most nourishing parts of being alive, so it’s not weird or bad or wrong to prioritize it. Get comfortable putting yourself out there a little bit. Carve the time and space you need to find and nourish your friendships.

– How to Make Friends, Julia Furlan

This article about men who’ve taken their wives’ last names is so fascinating.

Loved this interview with debut middle-grade author, Kate O’Shaughnessy.

8 realistic ways to stretch your food budget 🙌🏾

25 editing tips to make your writing better. If you need more help, you can always get one of these 20 books on writing and editing.

I love this essay about a woman’s journey to loving her brows.

Because I’m in a travel state of mind, I’ve been watching a few travel vloggers. It’s hard to find those who aren’t obnoxious or totally unrelatable but also have A+ filming skills. Until I found Flying the Nest, an Aussie couple who enjoy food and travel. Here’s a video of them eating different meals in Delhi, India.

On the Blog This August

Interviews:

paula chase interview banner
bassey ikpi interview banner

Book Lists:

ya books about music banner

For Freelancers:

tips for getting started on upwork

I wrote 10 book reviews in August — you can catch up here.

That’s all, folks! I hope to see you in the newsletter list. But even if you decide not to come along for the ride, it’s been wonderful sharing links, videos, podcasts, and more with you for the last four years. Thanks for always stopping by and raving with me about the things I’ve enjoyed.

Have a wonderful September!

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Posted In: Life · Tagged: monthly favorites

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Jane Rosebery says

    August 29, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    Yes, I agree with you. Flying the Nest is fab. I only discovered them in the last two weeks or so. They are lovely.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      August 30, 2019 at 8:47 am

      They’re just great! They really make you feel like you’re traveling with them.

      Reply
  2. vivian'sreveries says

    September 3, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Hello Afoma, how are you holding up? I love your blog so much, thanks for creating this space. So, I am signed up and subscribed to your newsletter but I have never received an alerts. Why though?

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      September 3, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Vivian! Thanks so much for reading and ! To receive alerts for new posts, please put your email in the space under “get my posts hand delivered.”

      As for the newsletter, I can put you on the mailing list, if you’d like. It automatically unsubscribes recipients who don’t open two newsletters, so maybe you were unsubscribed? Not sure! I’ll add you back on anyway 🙂

      Reply
      • vivian'sreveries says

        September 9, 2019 at 1:50 pm

        Thank you I’ll appreciate that

        Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      September 3, 2019 at 3:53 pm

      It says you’re definitely signed up! Please check your spam folder 🙂

      Reply
  3. Deizy says

    September 5, 2019 at 7:17 am

    Hi Ufuoma. Pls don’t stop the ‘currently loving’ segment on the blog please. It’s so rich and enlightening. I always come back to read your old ‘currently loving’ from months back. It wouldn’t be easy doing that from my mails cos yours is well curated. Also, i don’t think i have received newsletters since i signed up. Just signed up again, so let’s see x

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      September 5, 2019 at 7:45 am

      Hi Deizy, thanks so much for your kind words about the segment. It has already being discontinued but I can imagine your disappointment. Thanks for signing up to the newsletter. It’ll be just as good as the posts — even better! The blog is growing and some things have to change to move forward. I hope you can understand that, and thanks for your support 🙂

      Afoma

      Reply

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September 2019 Book Releases: 15 Books to Read This Month

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👯‍♀️ TWINS in middle grade literature 💕 

I love seeing more twins in middle grade books. For a long time, the only twins I knew in middle grade lit were the Sweet Valley High girlies. Then, I got a glimpse of twin life with Issa and Jessie in @karinaisreadingandwriting’s THE VANDERBEEKERS. 

Since then, we’ve seen more depictions of twins, including Varian Johnson’s TWINS (a graphic novel about twin sisters Francine and Maureen entering 6th grade), MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, and Hope and Gordon in THE WINTERTON DECEPTION (review to come)!

And of course, these two books, TWIN CITIES and SAVING SUNSHINE (which I just started and am loving)! While these stories will appeal to twins, I think everyone who’s ever been curious about twins will love getting a glimpse into what life feels like as one half of a whole. 

Which middle grade twin stories have you read and loved? 😍 

#middlegrade #twinbooks #mglit #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the 📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the truth 

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, Avvisi writer’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes when they tell the truth. 

After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, cinzia and her mestra are arrested at night and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. 

Besides the wonderfully imaginative and powerful storyline, loved the visuals and the diversity representation in this graphic novel. The main character has a bad leg and gets around with a walking stick, which is something rarely depicted in graphic novels (and it’s barely even discussed—it just is!).

Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

#graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites 🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites

Looking for an upper middle grade book about ballet, friendships, and body image? Meet TURNING POINT. 

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

Paula Chase is one of my favorite writers for this audience and this may be my favorite of hers so far. It’s in the same universe as two of her previous books, DOUGH BOYS and SO DONE but you don’t need to read them in order. 

I’d say her books are great for kids ages 12+
Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

#booksbooksbooks #mglit #bookstagram
🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

I’d seen this book floating around for ages but was never drawn to it (the cover maybe?) until I saw a review somewhere I can’t remember 🤪 I was pleasantly surprised!

Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

I’d recommend this one to 6th graders and up (heads up for content warning: text mentions and depicts illicit drug use by a minor, although portrayed in a negative light) as a fascinating look into Mexican culture, life as a twin, and finding your own identity.

#kidlit #graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man An ♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man

Ant isn’t your average 10 year old. He loves a good game of spades and he and his best friend are planning to revamp their reputation after losing badly at the last spades tournament. But things are changing in Ant’s life. His dad is acting weird, asking him to hide things from his mom. There’s a new girl in class who Ant maybe likes and who plays spades better than many boys he knows. 

When his best friend is grounded, Ant teams up with Shirley, hoping to impress his father and finally be tough like Joplin men should be. But instead, he learns what it really means to be a man—and it’s not about never crying.

There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

#mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebookies #kidlit #booksforkids
❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now. 

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

I really enjoyed Lolo’s story. It’s strongly reminiscent of classics like Ramona and Lolo’s voice leaps off the pages. The setting is also an unmistakable part of this story and the story feels drenched in summer. My heart went out to Lolo who always feels like she’s the reason why everything’s gone awry. I also laughed plenty at her way of seeing the world. 

This book is perfect for family readalouds especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too.

#mglit #summerbooks #booksforelementaryschoolkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
🎸 believe the hype I was very nervous about re 🎸 believe the hype

I was very nervous about reading a book about a kid with cancer, but there’s no better author than Rob Harrell to do this. 

When Ross is diagnosed with a rare lacrimal gland cancer (in his eye), it’s like a new trial for his seventh grade existence. Add to that the fact that his mom died from cancer years before, he’s going blind in one eye, his best friend is moving away soon, and mean kids at school are making terrible memes about his illness and you have a dumpster fire of a year waiting to happen. Or is it?

As heavy as everything I’ve mentioned above sounds, this book is more hopeful than anything else. We follow Ross through radiotherapy and the painful, sad side effects of cancer medications, but also through learning to play the guitar, an unlikely friendship with a school bully, and a closer relationship with his dad.

I especially loved the audiobook version which has fun interdissions featuring Will’s comic alter-ego BatPig (with a different narrator, background jingles and everything). 

I would recommend this book to 6th graders and up looking for funny books with male protagonists. It’s also a great one to hand to kids coping with cancer or chronic illnesses. 

If you’re in the WINK fan club, you just got a new member 😉

#mglit #books #bookstagram
🧽 an engaging, compelling story about addiction 🧽 an engaging, compelling story about addiction recovery

After years of dealing with opioid addiction, Franny’s mom is finally sober and on the right track with a cleaning job and a cozy apartment upstairs from a laundromat. But then she gets in an accident and has to be prescribed opioids again, sending Franny into a frenzy. 

Franny starts doing her mom’s cleaning jobs behind her back — even blackmailing a school rival into working with her — to ensure they don’t run out of money. But she soon learns that worrying about adult problems isn’t her job.

I read this book in one sitting and loved it—as I do everything Sumner writes. Maid for It is an informative, gripping, and accessible middle grade book about living with a parent recovering from addiction. This one is a page-turner.

Sumner does a great job tackling important issues like poverty, classism, and drug misuse and presenting everything in an age-appropriate fashion for middle schoolers. If you’re looking for books about parents with addiction, this is a great pick.

Have you read any books by this author? Which one is your favorite? I think this might be mine 🥰

#bookstagram #kidlit #mglit #bookworm #amreader
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