Author: Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
Hello! I’m Earl.
I live in Portland, Oregon- a city of readers, a wonderland for book lovers.
I work at a wonderful children’s bookstore where I am surrounded by amazing, inspiring stories and come across many “kindred spirits.”
I volunteer with various literary nonprofits.
For fun, I love to visit other bookstores and libraries.
I firmly believe that book people are the best people.
I hope you join me as I share some of my recent reads, my bookish travels, and my ups and downs as I try to get published.
Once again, I’ve been slacking off in terms of blogging. But I really do appreciate the #IMWAYR and #NFPB communities. I love when people want to read a book I recommend. And I love getting recommendations from others, as well.
Some book related events I went to were Happier Hour with Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft. I’ve been a fan of Gretchen since The Happiness Project and I love everything about happiness and habits! And listening to their Happier Podcast is part of my weekly routine. I don’t know why I expected Liz to sound different in person but she sounded the same!
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I knew it was going to be a wonderful time when the first thing was a two-minute Try This Now where people cleared their bags of trash. I’d been wondering why our seats had those pooper scooper bags. I think any self-help and productivity event should have this interactive and productive component! I also loved the 19 for 2019 segment because goals.
I was definitely surrounded by my people. It did feel like a cult or a super bad pick up line when I would ask, “What’s your tendency?” Overall, it was a great evening.
The other event I went to was Pinyx All Stars Literaoke. It featured poetry readings (centering around Michelle Penaloza’s latest collection, Former Possessions of the Spanish Empire) followed by them singing karaoke like David Bowie’s Modern Love, Sharon Cuneta’s Mr. DJ, Lizzo’s Coconut Oil, and Bjork’s It’s So Quiet. I thought it was such a unique event and I loved it was a showcase of Filipino talents.
An absolutely beautiful book about a girl who worries about her older sister who is finally wearing a hijab at the start of a new school year. When schoolmates tease, point, and stare, she wants to do everything to make sure it won’t affect her sister. But she learns her sister may be strong enough for both of them especially when she’s wearing a hijab of the proudest blue.
I could relate to the main character since I’m not really into being outdoors- unless it’s on my way to being indoors. But I loved the story and how the text contrasts with the beautiful illustrations.
I enjoyed the Cozy Classics series and this was a new book to me. Felt illustrations are paired with a sweet text about the different jobs a parent has. A behind the scenes look on how he creates his books is included at the back.
While I’m probably not the target demographic of this picture book since I don’t like animals and I hate emotional manipulations, I can see why people would love this story. The art is gorgeous. The story is sweet.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book. I enjoyed this fable about a man who thinks everything belongs to him. For some reason, it reminded me a bit of The Little Prince. And while I liked it, I think it’s a picture book aimed more for adults rather than kids.
It’s that time to nominate a bookseller who you think deserves a holiday bonus! James Patterson is once again awarding independent booksellers bonuses totaling $250,000. I encourage you to visit your favorite independent bookstore and get to know the staff. And nominate the one that has gone above and beyond your expectation! Deadline is October 12th. For complete rules and the nomination form, click here or the image below. And, why not give them a shout-out in the comments!
I’ve been wanting to read this since it was the 50th anniversary of the moon landing recently and I loved his Locomotive. Then it was recently mentioned in a podcast I enjoy listening to so I just had to read about this. With detailed illustrations and great read-aloud text, Moonshot provides a fascinating account of this momentous mission that will leave readers as exhilarated like they were part of it themselves. I loved hearing the backstory about the revisions made to the story to have it be more inclusive and factual.
Poverty and Hunger by Louise Spilsbury
Racism and Intolerance by Louise Spilsbury
Global Conflict by Louise Spilsbury
Refuges and Migrants by Ceri Roberts
All books illustrated by Hanane Kai
I’d been wanting to read this series- Children in Our World- but I only wanted to read them when I had all four titles so I can connect the covers. Important topics that are difficult to talk about are tackled in a way that- though may seem oversimplified at times- is sensitive and appropriate for young readers. I appreciate that it gives them action plans that they can do to help out. A glossary is also included at the back of each book.
It’s that time to nominate a bookseller who you think deserves a holiday bonus! James Patterson is once again awarding independent booksellers bonuses totaling $250,000. I encourage you to visit your favorite independent bookstore and get to know the staff. And nominate the one that has gone above and beyond your expectation! Deadline is October 12th. For complete rules and the nomination form, click here or the image below. And, why not give them a shout-out in the comments!
Alison Jay delivers another winner not only with her classic illustrations but also with a story that celebrates all the wonderfulness the future holds even after experiencing the perfect day.
I’d been wanting to read this since everyone I knew was raving about it. I was also super impressed by the artwork. But I do have an aversion for animal stories. Based on OR-7’s long journey home, a young wolf gets separated from his pack and must navigate a whole new world unfamiliar to him full of wonder and danger. This novel reminds me of Jack London’s works, Sara Pennypacker’s Pax, Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan, and Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot.
Review Notes
***= Liked It
****= Recommended
*****= Favorite
I’m at 228.75 volunteer hours for the year. I’m at 1728 soul boxes of my stretch goal of 2000.
I’m up to 444 books read for 2019.
Reading Challenges Update:
-Nonfiction Picture Books- 80 out of 104
-Middle Grade & Early Chapter- 48 out of 104 (I may have overshot my expectations with this one.)
September is like January for lots of people with the start of a new school year. It’s always great to have a sense of a fresh start. I’m looking forward to the arrival of fall. My cruise is coming up at the end of the month.
I visited a couple of new bookstores- and a hotel library- this past weekend! Read about it here.
It’s that time to nominate a bookseller who you think deserves a holiday bonus! James Patterson is once again awarding independent booksellers bonuses totaling $250,000. I encourage you to visit your favorite independent bookstore and get to know the staff. And nominate the one that has gone above and beyond your expectation! Deadline is October 12th. For complete rules and the nomination form, click here or the image below. And, why not give them a shout-out in the comments!
This was a delightful book I stumbled upon at the library. I was attracted by the artwork and the fact that the main character is blind. A fun take on how Daruma Dolls came to be incorporating a wonderful Buddhist philosophy that if you fall seven times, you must get up eight times. Bilingual Japanese and English.
A feel-good book celebrating boyhood veering away from toxic and outdated ideas and instead encouraging a strong sense of self and treating others with kindness.
This wordless picture book captures the relationship we have with the natural world as a father and son discover a whale tangled up in the nets they cast.
I really didn’t know what to expect when I picked this upcoming graphic novel by the author/illustrator of The Prince and the Dressmaker but I was quite taken in by the story about new friendships and secrets.
Review Notes
***= Liked It
****= Recommended
*****= Favorite
Agatha Christie is one of my favorite writers. I remember being introduced to her in elementary school. At that time, I was sure I was going to be a detective when I grew up because I was able to solve Donald J. Sobol’s Two-Minute Mysteries without having to flip the book to figure out whodunit and how! I fancied myself as the living incarnate of Encyclopedia Brown.
One day, finding myself with nothing to read, I stumbled upon an Agatha Christie omnibus. I’ve been trying to recall what stories they were. It may have had three novels- or five. It may have included Cards on the Table, Thirteen at Dinner, Elephants Can Remember, or any or none of those combinations. All I know for sure was that it introduced me to the Belgian detective with his egg-shaped head, famous mustache, and amazing deduction skills using his “little grey cells.”
I didn’t understand everything I was reading then- especially the French words- and I still don’t- but I was hooked. Agatha Christie is able to tell a story that’s just so well-crafted everyone can enjoy it. The more I read of her books, the more amazed I was. I tended to read mostly the Poirot mysteries but have read a few of her stand-alone books, including some Miss Marple and Tommy and Tuppence.
When Harper Collins began republishing her entire work, I knew I wanted to start collecting them! It would give me a reason to read everything she’s written. According to her website, she’s written 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, 19 plays, and 6 novels written under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott- the latter weren’t reprinted so I didn’t include them. I was looking forward to enjoying the books and perhaps learn a thing or two about how to write great stories from “the Queen of Mystery!”
Here I am nerding out in the Agatha Christie room!
I had no specific timeline to complete this reading challenge but I felt it was going to take me forever if I didn’t step up my game! All I knew was that I wanted to read them in chronological order. As a reward for completing it, I wanted to stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel– at their Agatha Christie room, of course!- where a friend had taken me to tour the place a few years ago and fell in love with the place. (I had since gone back to stay at the Dr. Seuss room earlier this year.) I also wanted to see if I could donate my books to them.
After five years, I finally completed my Agatha Christie Reading Challenge! I’ve developed even a greater respect for what she has accomplished- stories that continue to entertain and astonish readers decades after their first publications. It was interesting to see how her style and subject matters reflected her time period- through war, the advancement of cars and airplanes, and the modernization of the world.
Hercule Poirot continues to be by far my favorite character of hers. I was new to her skills as a playwright and delighted in getting to experience them the first time. I can say without hesitation that my least favorite novel of hers is Passenger to Frankfurt. Other than that, readers really can’t go wrong with an Agatha Christie story and there are some that will be classics forever.
The Reviews
The Mysterious Affair at Styles- 5 stars
The Secret Adversary- 4 stars
The Murder on the Links- 4 stars
The Man in the Brown Suit- 4 stars
Poirot Investigates- 3 stars
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie. While she is one of my favorite writers, it was mostly because I liked her Hercule Poirot mysteries so much. This thriller, although not featuring any of her other famous detectives, was still much praised. Fun and full of likable characters, brilliant with twists and turns befitting her classic novels, it did not disappoint. It left me racing through the pages to see what would happen next.
I haven’t been reviewing any of the Agatha Christie novels I’ve been reading but this is such a genius piece of work which is why she is undoubtedly hailed as the Queen of Mystery.
The Big Four- 4 stars
The Mystery of the Blue Train- 3 stars
The Seven Dials Mystery- 3 stars
I usually don’t write reviews for Agatha Christie books since how many times can I say how much I liker her and how brilliant she is.
While I enjoyed the characters of husband and wife adventurers, Tommy and Tuppence, and the humor of using the different detecting skills of various famous sleuths including Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, the mysteries were kind of weak and basic.
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie. This is the first novel featuring her other famous detective, Miss Marple. The story’s enjoyable narrative, interesting characters, style, and solution is classic Christie and I will definitely check out more Miss Marple.
The Sittaford Mystery- 3 stars
Peril at End House- 4 stars
Maybe I just don’t like Agatha Christie’s short stories. It doesn’t help if it doesn’t feature Hercule Poirot. But I was surprised to see familiar names like Miss Lemon (who would later work for the Begian detective) and Adriadne Oliver (the novelist who I’ve never been quite fond of.) These are more along the lines of Alexander McCall Smith “mysteries.”
Three Act Tragedy- 3 stars
Death in the Clouds- 3 stars
Classic Christie! A large cast of memorable characters. A murder most baffling. And Hercule Poirot with his little grey cells to work things out only he can.
[Agatha Christie Reading Challenge]
[Off the Shelf Reading Challenge]
Murder in the Mews- 3 stars
Appointment with Death- 4 stars
I didn’t really like this one. Maybe it was because I remembered who the murderer was so the clues seemed heavy handed. Plus this edition needed better editing which bothered me. Still brilliant, though.
Even though I was wrong about who the murderer was, I still felt it was predictable. The red herrings were obviously red herrings. The main character wasn’t likable and not very smart- and not in an endearing way.
And, I can’t stand anything were relationships are so fragile that people are willing to cheat all for the name of “love.”
I’ve said it before but I’m not really a fan of Agatha Christie’s short stories- unless they feature Hercule Poirot, which makes them slightly tolerable- especially if they feature the other detectives I don’t care of like Parker Pyne (which there are two) and Miss Marple (which thankfully there’s only one).
On a cozy vacation spot, a beautiful woman sets up the stage for drama resulting in her own murder. Fortunately, Hercule Poirot is there to set things right, to make right all the evil under the sun!
I was originally just going to give this 3 stars because I thought I had things figured out- or, to be honest, I thought I remembered the twist. But that’s the thing about Agatha Christie’s genius. She will manage to surprise you all the time.
I wasn’t really feeling this since I can’t stand Miss Marple. Even when I started to like the narrator, the fact that she was part of the story, ruined it for me. I felt she was completely unnecessary. The solution was surprising even though it seemed like it was going to be someone else. I would have given it four stars but… Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed the story structure of this novel. It felt a bit different from Agatha Christie’s other books. The characters were fascinating but the plot and resolution seemed too convenient- and admittedly a bit confusing. My favorite parts were any recollections of Hercule Poirot by his good friend Superintendent Battle.
I was surprised to discover this was an Egyptian historical murder mystery. Something I never expected from Agatha Christie. And despite me having a slight trepidation of actually reading it, I didn’t absolutely hate it. I was engrossed and fascinated by the mastery of the Queen of Mystery’s ability to make this kind of story work.
I do have to say this version needed serious editing!
It’s always fun to run across Agatha Christie’s secondary characters in other novels. In this case, it’s Colonel Race (and a mention of Superintendent Battle.) Sharing a plot with one of her short stories, this was like reading just an extended version of it which I didn’t particularly enjoy since I kept comparing the two. It still managed to fool me in regards to whodunit.
Not only does this feature my favorite detective doing what he does best but Agatha Christie has managed to write characters who are fascinating and complex and who you wouldn’t want to be victims or murderers!
I admit I’m not a fan of short stories but this contains one of Agatha Christie’s most popular one. “Philomel Cottage” is a must read!
Crooked House- 4 stars
A Murder Is Announced- 3 stars
Three Blind Mice and Other Stories- 3 stars
They Came to Baghdad- 4 stars
The Under Dog and Other Stories- 3 stars
Mrs. McGinty’s Dead- 4 stars
They Do It with Mirrors- 3 stars
One of the most fun Hercule Poirot mysteries with memorable characters and, of course, an ingenious plot.
A Pocket Full of Rye- 3 stars
Destination Unknown- 3 stars
Hickory Dickory Dock- 3 stars
Dead Man’s Folly- 3 stars
4:50 from Paddington- 3 stars
Cat Among the Pigeons- 4 stars
The Pale Horse- 3 stars
Double Sin and Other Stories- 3 stars
The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side- 3 stars
The Clocks- 4 stars
A Caribbean Mystery- 3 stars
At Bertram’s Hotel- 2 stars
Third Girl- 3 stars
One of the cool things about my Agatha Christie Reading Challenge is getting to read books of her I normally wouldn’t have. Endless Night is quite different from her other books but then again that can be said with the ones when wrote later on in her career. An interesting read.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs- 3 stars
Hallowe’en Party- 3 stars
WTF? When I started this, I told myself to have an open mind and go along for the ride. But then things got even more preposterous and I struggled to finish. This has got to be Agatha Christie’s worst novel.
This took forever for me to read. And the only thing that got me going was that I thought this was the final Miss Marple novel. (Unfortunately, I’m mistaken!) The mystery took forever to start and the plot was predictable.
Goodbye Poirot and Hastings! Even though I’ve read this a couple of times before, I was still surprised by the solution. And maybe because I was reading this after so many years, it seemed like a real goodbye.
Yay! The last Miss Marple! The story started out like it was going to be a whole other genre at first (like a supernatural thriller) but it reeled itself back and became a mystery. While supposing to be the final mystery featuring Miss Marple, this was written a couple decades ago so it almost read as an earlier case. Some of the reasons behind certain actions were hard to swallow.
The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories- 3 stars
Star over Bethlehem: Poems and Holiday Stories- 2 stars
The Mousetrap and Other Plays- 4 stars
In my goal to read all my Agatha Christie books in chronological order, it was time for this nonfiction. Knowing her from mostly mysteries, this took a little bit of getting used to but it was a fascinating read regardless. It doesn’t feel like a textbook since she focuses on her experiences. It’s like a travelogue more than anything.
After being a fan of her books for forever it seems, I really didn’t know much about Agatha Christie. This was my final book to read for my reading challenge and a part of me didn’t want it to end. The fact that it was over 500 pages sometimes made it seem like it was never going to end.
It was such a wonderful glimpse into her life- from childhood to her seventy-fifth year. I was surprised by how much traveling she actually did- even surfing in the beaches of Hawaii! My favorite parts were her talking about her work and seeing what experiences inspired them.
This edition came with a CD of her dictating her autobiography and it was wonderful to hear her voice!
That’s it!
I’m tempted to extend this challenge by reading her Mary Westmacott novels, rewatching the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series starring David Suchet and maybe other series or movies, the adaptations by Charles Osborne, or the continuations by Sophie Hannah. But that will be for another time if I do decide to do that!
Here are some other books about Agatha Christie that I read:
I’ve had copies of this book over the years depending on how fanatic I was about my Agatha Christie obsession. I loved it as a resource of her novels (without ruining the surprise of any of them) and all the adaptations of her stories (up to the book’s publication). It also provided a biography of Agatha Christie’s life. A must have for Agatha Christie fans and Charles Osborne really knew his stuff. He also adapted three of her plays into novels.
I stumbled upon this while browsing a new comic books store. I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie but didn’t really know much about her life. This was a quick overview of that with her major disappearance as the center point. Fun for fans are when her characters make appearances. Enjoyable.
I love any biography series where they focus on the not-already-written-about-multiple-times subjects. And with Agatha Christie being my favorite writer of all time, I was excited for this one. I didn’t learn anything new but people will get the important details of her life and work- creating mysteries (and the detectives who solve them) that have entertained readers for almost a hundred years!
A collection of quotes by my favorite detective of all time- Hercule Poirot.
A Mystery of My Own
There is a short story I want to read that is only available overseas. The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding (alternatively known as The Theft of the Royal Ruby) was expanded from a short story Christmas Adventure which starts “The big logs crackled merrily in the wide, open fireplace…” If anyone has access for me to read it, please let me know. There was a site that claimed to have it but it was poorly formatted and had whole sections out!
I really enjoyed Anh’s Anger and didn’t know there was a companion book. This one provides readers a way to deal with their anger by following the footsteps of Anh after his friends decide to play a different game than he wants to and he entertains the idea of getting revenge.
A great book for Mister Rogers fans sure to bring fond memories of watching the show and listening to the songs. Or, if you weren’t alive during those times, checking them out on YouTube!
I’ve been in the search of a feel-good novel that wasn’t too sentimental- and I found it with A Drop of Hope. Perfect for fans A Snicker of Magic and Circus Mirandus.
Three kids become the secret keepers of the mysterious goings-on in their troubled town involving a wishing well.
I love the bite-sized sections that provide an appetizing meal of a story.
A graphic novel that shares an actor’s childhood growing up in a Japanese interment camp and drawing parallels to the current situations happening in our country’s borders. A powerful read about a heinous crime committed against Americans of Japanese descent and how we’re bound to repeat past mistakes if we don’t acknowledge them and try to make amends.
I’m also sharing nonfiction picture books that I’ve read recently.
The world will be a better place if more people knew about Mister Fred Rogers. This picture book biography is a wonderful introduction to a man whose words and talents have made so many feel like they belong somewhere for being just who they are.
Keep an eye out for this book since you’ll want to add it to your library. Many books have been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. but this one is a cut above the rest. It felt more detailed or all-encompassing somehow. And all the backmatter materials provides even more information without giving the reader a sense of being overloaded.
A fun picture book to teach young readers about skulls. Although it would probably have freaked me out if I read this as a kid. But then I would blame it on how we’ve been conditioned to think skeletons are scary!
I made a mistake of thinking this was going to be a dumbed down manual on how to write. While written for kids, any one regardless of age will pick something up from this book full of exercises to get the creative juices flowing. If nothing else, readers will remember to “Have fun. Save what you write.”
Review Notes
***= Liked It
****= Recommended
*****= Favorite
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden by Heather Smith
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad
The Not-So Great Outdoors by Madeline Kloepper
Great Job, Dad! by Holman Wang
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
What You Know First by Patricia MacLachlan
Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home by Guojing
The Fate of Fausto by Oliver Jeffers
The I Wonder Bookstore by Shinsuke Yoshitake
