Before I share my reading list, I need to update (and apologize for) a couple of books on last month’s list.

The first book is Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman.

It got great reviews on Amazon.

But frankly, I don’t know why.

It was disjointed, rambling, boring.

I expected SO much more from this author.

The best things I can say about it are the illustrations were good and the book was short.

The other book was The Feather Chase by Shannon L. Brown.

I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

The dialogue was stilted.

The story dragged.

I’m so sorry, Shannon Brown.

I wanted to love it.

With that out of the way, here are the books on my March list.

Hopefully, I won’t need to apologize for anything.

Since I’ve already started reading all of these, I think we’ll be good!

Flying Lesson & Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh with various authors.

This collection was published in 2018.

If you know a child who is a hesitant reader of longer books, gift them this one.

It’s not easy to find short stories for middle grade readers.

These stories are relevant for boys or girls.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt.

Published in 2008, the story is timeless.

Appelt has a beautiful writing style.

She paints word pictures and really knows how to draw a reader in and keep them interested.

If you’re interested in writing, this book is a good one to study.

AND it’s her debut novel.

But here’s a WARNING: This riveting book is at times very difficult to read.

If it was a movie, I’d be covering my eyes in some parts.

My daughter would never have tolerated this book because she’s such an animal lover.

I know middle grade novels usually end on a hopeful note, which is why I’ll keep reading.

That and because it’s an animal book and I want to see how the author brings animal characters to life without being cutesy.

Definitely not cutesy.

This story is about a dog who is chained under a house, the Underneath, by a very bad man.

Eventually, a calico cat wanders onto the property and befriends the old dog but has to hide from the man—or else she might become alligator bait.

To make matters worse, the cat gives birth to two kittens that are not so easy to control or keep in the Underneath.

The Snow Girl is the story of Tasha and a friend “made of winter…What do you do when the spring comes?”

The story is inspired by the traditional Russian fairy tale, The Snow Maiden.

Again, if you’re interested in writing, retellings of fairy tales are having a moment right now.

So this would be a good one to study.

Also, if you’re like me and like to read books that take place in the same season we’re living, this is for you.

But we’d better hurry on this one because I understand spring is on its way even though it doesn’t feel like it.

On that note, did you feel like February lasted for two years?

For a short month, it just seemed to go on and on and on.

I’m ready for spring!

Wishing you happy reading and good days.

Until next week,

~ Gail

Countdown: 42 more weeks of 2024

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