Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 5

For me, one of the fun things about working at a library has been reading ARCs (Advance Reader Copy). This is actually the second batch of ARCs I’ve been given to read, but I’m posting it first, as there were far fewer books in this batch than the first one (which will be split into two posts). These three came from Chronicle Books.

            Note: What I read were unfinished proofs. No quotes will be provided, as nothing has been checked against any final copies.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publisher, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

The Callers (Apr. 5, 2022) by Kiah Thomas.

   Genre: Middle-grade fantasy fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            The ability to Call (summon objects) is a coveted skill, the people of Elipsom depending on Callers’ abilities to sustain their way of life. Quintus Octavius is going to be the first in his illustrious family (his sister is a Calling prodigy; their mom has been Chief Councilor for a decade) without the ability. Everything changes when Quin winds up in Evantra, on the other side of the planet from Elipsom. He didn’t know Evantra existed. It appears that nothing can come from nothing. Elipsom’s Calling isn’t free; it’s continually taking from Evantra, and the Vine is dying. Quin envisions living on Evantra; he feels anchored there, and he befriends an Evantran named Allie. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle-grade tale. It’s fantasy, but it shines a light on consumerism, how easy it is to exploit natural resources and wanting more than is needed. It reads quickly and the magic sweeps you up, but it’s all balanced with hard truths that make a person think. A strong story for anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure and magic. P.S. I want to meet a rhinodrite.

Harvey and the Collection of Impossible Things (Apr. 19, 2022) by Garret Weyr.

   Minnie Phan, illustrator.

   Genre: Middle-grade fiction, animal perspective

   Type: Chapter book

            The narrator of this tale and the main character, Harvey, is a city cat. He lives on the streets and has a collection (list) of impossible things, such as “Catch safety.” Harvey isn’t shy about relaying how dangerous it is to live outside, though he loves life under the sky, but one needs luck to find food, find safety and find warmth. He’ll tell you about how Chester taught him that to be attached is to be brave, how he found the “woman in the blue shirt,” and how he’s friends with three sparrows. Here is a story of a homeless cat surviving and how he isn’t some creature to treat poorly. Like our own beloved pets, he is an animal of worth, deserving of kindness and empathy. Despite the cute kitty on the cover, this is not a fluff tale. The author advocates for adoption and fostering.

            (I’ve done neither; I’ve also never bought cats. Sadly, the cats that I’ve taken in – my family, too – have always been strays or the kittens of stray mamas. Oftentimes, we suspect those cats have been dumped, as most of those times, the cats have been tame, not feral. For the record, my three cats are fixed.)

Shine On, Luz Véliz! (May 3, 2022) by Rebecca Balcárcel.

   Genre: Middle-grade realistic fiction

   Type: Chapter book

            It’s After. After is the time after Luz Véliz blows out her knee. She’s a soccer star who’s been sidelined by injury, and she doesn’t know who she is without her sport. Her dad never seems to be around for her anymore. But thanks to a chance encounter with R2-D2 propping open a classroom door and her neighbor, Mr. Mac, Luz discovers an interest and skill for coding and robotics. Being able to present at the May Showcase, only weeks away, may allow her to skip a level, impressing not only the teacher, Ms. Freeman, but a certain boy in robotics named Trevor. She pictures her parents cheering her on like they did when during Before, when she played soccer. But how will that picture work when Solana arrives? No one expected Luz to have a half-sister, especially not Luz. How can she create a new self with all of this extra in her life? This middle-grade story is realistic and this STEAM-positive story showcases a female youth who’s encouraged to develop that interest. Her only hindrance is the bitterness and close-mindedness within herself. It’s a story of human connection, not only in families, but with surrounding people one never gave a chance of friendship to. There’s heritage to explore and change to grow with. It’s a smart, charming story.

"Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality" by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality (Apr. 5, 2022) by Roshani Chokshi.

*This is the final book in a pentalogy.*

Note: SPOILERS ahead, but nothing outside of the dust jacket.

Without Vajra, the celestial lightning bolt, Aru Shah feels powerless, and doubts plague her on their (Aru, the other Pandava sisters, Aiden and Rudy) journey to reach the nectar of immortality, exacerbated by her half-sister's betrayal and her feelings toward the villainous Sleeper (a.k.a. Suyodhana). Aru, Mini, Brynne, Aiden and Rudy are given one piece of the Sun Jewel by Agni, the god of fire, when Aru initiates the IO(F)U coin. They have to reunite its other two pieces, which will mean encountering more Otherworld characters, fighting more battles (not all with physical weapons) and risking death. Everyone has a story, as evidenced by those Aru and her friends encounter, but when stories become lost or forgotten, bitterness can make a ferocious adversary. Aru, Mini and Brynne have been told they may earn back their celestial weapons, which they must do, as they won't otherwise be able to access the labyrinth, in which somewhere hides the nectar. The Sun Jewel will lead them there, but the Sleeper and his army have a great head start with Kara leading them, along with Sunny, her trident. The twins, Nikita and Sheela, mostly visit through dreams and their powers have been unaffected, younger as they are, but they are doing what they can and are prepared to join the final battle in full battle regalia (so Nikita will be in a ball gown, of course). Sheela has been trying to reach Kara, and when she does, what Kara learns will flood her with doubts. And anger, sadness and hurt. When they reunite, will it be like the most awkward family reunion ever? How will Aru decide who gets immortality? Why must such weight rest on her shoulders, especially when she feels such powerlessness?

            What a series ender! There are supporting characters with murderous intent who are really only misunderstood, devastated by choices foisted upon them to make them the killers they are and those embittered by their lost stories. Aru mires in such doubt in herself, as do Mini and Brynne at points along the way. No one wants to find oneself at the lowest point, but sometimes that's what it takes to begin reaching for the light. The final book is heartfelt and hilarious with fierceness and sincerity that can occur within paragraphs of each other. The story runs the gamut of emotions, and Chokshi writes in such a way as to make them almost palpable on this adventure that doesn't stop until the story ends. It shines with love and with strength, including the strength of sisterhood (blood relation not required), but shows readers vulnerability in the characters, too. The Hindu mythology and the South Asian representation are wondrous, and Chokshi's wit has kept me rolling through the entire series. Awesome. Superb. Deeply entertaining. Go Potatoes! (And Ammamma.) (And Rudy Rocks.) :-)

            P.S. I would still adopt that Palace of Illusions.

            P.P.S. I want a battle ball gown.

            Pandava Series Book One: Aru Shah and the End of Time

            Pandava Series Book Two: Aru Shah and the Song of Death

            Pandava Series Book Three: Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

            Pandava Series Book Four: Aru Shah and the City of Gold

A Poem: "Days of Random Thoughts"

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán via Pexels

Days of Random Thoughts

Do you ever consider your random thoughts in a day?

Most of the thoughts that I have in my mind should stay.

But plenty of my random is safe to share,

Like the day I pictured if I could pull off light-up footwear.

 

There was the time at work when the gate creaked open itself,

Prompting visions of a horror movie and a sinister bookshelf.

On that same day, one of the lights did something weird.

In a movie, it'd probably mean someone disappeared.

 

Weekly I wish for a retractable third arm.

It'd be retractable, see, no cause for alarm.

But where would it reside, front of my torso or back?

The downfall is that it'd be hard to buy clothes off the rack.

 

What fun would I have if each day bore a new wig?

I occasionally think of that one playful guinea pig.

My thoughts never seem to wind up in a drought.

These are some of the random things that I think about.

A Poem: "What's for Supper Tonight?"

Photo by Cats Coming via Pexels

What's for Supper Tonight?

Suppertime must be close, because I'm thinking about food.

What I'll decide upon for supper, I can't conclusively conclude.

Are you a person who plots out meals in advance?

That's not my norm unless for a planned circumstance.

 

I have hotdish in my freezer; it's my go-to comfort food,

But then I need to make a new batch, as it's not in plentitude.

I definitely don't feel like making a big meal from what's in-stock,

Because I don't get done with work until eight o'clock.

 

My stomach is growling, prompting me to focus on food.

When I'm hungry, tempting thoughts of junk food intrude.

Dreams of chips, crackers, cookies, and fried foods galore

Tell me I should most certainly avoid the grocery store.

 

My thoughts keep running around a wheel about food.

With the exception of this poem, these thoughts are kept in solitude.

I don't want to prep or cook and so I think I might

Go on through a drive-through on my way home from work tonight.

 

* * * * * * *

 

(This post was scheduled to publish at 8 p.m. Hopefully, I'm walking right out the door at this time.)

A Poem: "The Thing About Reading"

Photo by mentatdgt via Pexels

The Thing About Reading

The thing about reading is that there's not time enough

To read about this, that and the other stuff.

From books that are fact to books that are fiction,

Readers read with impressive conviction.

 

I always have books on my T-B-R shelf,

And there are always more I want to gift to myself.

With work and a homestead, I can't read all the time,

But I am certainly guilty of reading past my bedtime.

 

Since working in a library, it's only gotten worse.

Fortunately, my choice of books remains quite diverse.

The conundrum is that I always want to check books out,

But recall my T-B-R shelf that I told you about.

 

From Amish fiction to those with a character lowborn,

From magic to mayhem and one with a sparkly unicorn,

From sweetness to suspense and joy to distress,

What I read makes me a grand adventuress!

 

Does your reading list go for miles and miles?

What are you reading, my fellow bibliophiles?

I ne’er catch up on reading, but if I may be so bold,

I plan to by the time I'm 913 years old!

National Poetry Month 2022

Photo by Kelly L via Pexels

National Poetry Month 2022

Written to-do lists and mental to-do lists tally so much to get done,

But for the sake of sanity, let's make a poem that's fun.

If you're looking for pranks on this April the First, you won't find them here.

Here is a safe space for imagination, just so we are clear.

 

I would like a vehicle that's purple and have it not a custom color be,

But one I can purchase from the dealer's lot and drive away with glee.

The vehicle will run on naught but my feelings and pizzazz

And music while we're at it, from K-pop to classical to jazz.

 

I want a "mowersaurus"; I saw it in a children's book.

Would it be sustained on grass alone? I should take another look.

Let's also imagine a contraption that makes dust no more,

Because that has always been a much-despised chore.

 

Let's live in a world that's bright like candy; it'd be a candyscape

With no detriment to health and no stickiness to escape.

Maybe some days I'd want a world of chocolate that won't melt

Or a salty day of chips with no need to loosen my belt.

 

Think how convenient it'd actually be if money grew on trees.

They'd fare well in a Minnesota winter, as they'd be hardy like me.

Or perhaps I'd simply find my way to a rainbow's end

Where there'd be a giant pot of gold and a unicorn friend.

 

What I really want is for every one of you to know love,

To have the love of family and friends that fits like a glove.

Gloves, for me, tend to run on the big side,

So let's love BIG, let's love wide. Let love never be denied!