My Printz Year – it’s getting wild

Hi all – thought I’d pop back in to do another Printz year update! Again, I can’t talk about any of the titles that I’ve been reading except to say that there are so amazing and incredible books being published this year. I feel so privileged and lucky to be able to be part of this committee. I get to read lots of books and discuss them with extremely thoughtful, accomplished, and funny librarians. It’s basically the dream.

I didn’t do an update after ALA in New Orleans because by the time I got back it was Summer Reading which is just so hectic. ALA was so much fun! There was great food, chatting with authors, going to ALA sessions, and of course talking about all the Printz books. I was thinking about this today: I don’t talk critically about YA books nearly enough. Some with my coworkers and some on that great platform for social discourse (sarcasm) Twitter, but not so consistently. It’s really wonderful. It makes me bookish-kid-and-snobby-English-major heart very, very happy.

Since I won’t talk about Printz reading here’s what I’ve been reading additionally. This reading is mostly on audio since my reading with my eyes time is really taken over by Printz.

Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation by Dan Fagin: This nonfiction about toxic waste dumping in New Jersey made me say, “oh no….” like hundreds of times while listening. Fagin spends so much time and detail going into the chemical dye industry, cancer and disease research, and so much more. Super fascinating and terrifying.

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers : This is the third book in Chambers’ loosely connected Wayfarers trilogy. It’s not as plot driven as the first two but I didn’t mind. It’s beautiful and made me think about what it might mean to be human if you don’t live on a planet, something that other sci-fi doesn’t always get.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren : A memoir about being a scientist and a woman and loving trees and so much more. My sister has been pestering me to read this (thank you!!) because she knew I would love it and I did. It made me cry so much. Go read this book and then plant a tree.

In my last Printz update I talked about reading the follow up to The War that Saved my Life, The War I Finally Won. I read it and I of course cried because it’s incredible. Invincible Ada indeed! Read it if you like plucky heroines or great historical fiction or just need a good weep.

Anyone else read any good books I need to add to my audiobook queue? I like to listen to adult nonfiction, especially science, history, and true crime. Gimme those recs!