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Life · February 1, 2019

Currently Loving…| January

Hello there!

January felt pretty quick to me. What did you think? Did it feel like one long year to you? I hope not. This month flew by, and it was full of many beautiful things — in life and on the internet. As this post goes up, I’m also publishing a post about the 15 books I read in January (just in case you’re looking for more recommendations).

I’m keeping it short and sweet this week, because of work. But, let’s dive in!

Currently Loving…

Have you read Nicole Chung’s memoir, All You Can Ever Know? I loved it, as I did her new article on The Cut about what brought her adoptive and birth family together.

When food is your only link to your culture.

Love this interview with illustrator, Araki Koman, who’s lived in eight countries. Isn’t her art lovely?

Genesis Begins Again was one of my favorite reads last year. I enjoyed this interview of the author, Alicia D. Williams on NPR.

Did you know there’s a society for editors in Nigeria? This Guardian interview with Executive Director, Anwuli Ojogwu is eye-opening. I’ve been enjoying learning about writing and publishing in Nigeria — I even interviewed the managing editor of Farafina Books here (if you missed it).

I loved this interview with Marie Kondo, in which she shares the one thing she regrets giving away.

Taking notes from this list of Caribbean books out in 2019.

Five tips for freelancers trying to launch their business this year.

Finally, I listened to (and LOVED) this interview with author, Dani Shapiro, who discovered that her father was not her birth father. It’s the main focus of her recent memoir, Inheritance. This story is gripping. I can’t wait to read the book — it’s even on my list of 2019 anticipated reads!

 

 

If you’d like to see more links, I’ve been sharing more every other week on KacheeTee — check out this one and this. I’ll also be sending out a newsletter this weekend. Subscribing is easy as pie 😉 — just click here.

Don’t forget to see what I read this month here. How was January for you? Trial month? Or are you actually killing your goals? I’d love to know!

P.S – This weekend (Sunday, Feb 3), I’m taking over @bookgiftco Instagram stories to chat about my reading life and show you how I spend my Sundays! I hope you’ll join me 🙂

-Afoma

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Posted In: Life · Tagged: monthly favorites

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Comments

  1. Funmilola Ogunseye says

    February 1, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    Love this list 💕

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      February 1, 2019 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks, Funmi! I hope January was a good reading month for you too. 🙂

      Reply

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If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

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I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

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🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
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🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

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Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
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This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
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