May-June Reading Roundup

I totally forgot to post last month's roundup so this is a big one. Probably not of any interest whatsoever but I like to see what I've been up to anyway.

We did okay on this challenge these two months. I only skived 3 days when I was too sick with strep throat to talk. That makes 48/61 days on my read aloud challenge this month, which means I gave $15 to Kiva! I loaned to a group of women selling Guiness and other drinks in Ghana.

Today is the last day of the Canadian Book Challenge #5. I read 10 books over May and June by Canadians (8 of which were picture books), which brings my year total to 48!

This was my first time participating in this challenge. I am so glad I did it. It definitely changed my reading habits. I had no idea there were so many amazing books in so many genres. Most of the books I read were picture books, and at first that felt like cheating. But I don't feel that way now. Some of the absolute best books coming out of Canada are picture books, and I am extremely glad I moved beyond Robert Munsch. Not just for my kids, but for me. I would put Virginia Wolf and its writing and themes up against any other Canadian book and it could hold its own.

I left only two books unread in this challenge this year. One is Colony of Unrequited Dreams, which I am in the middle of, but it's long! The other is Ashes, Ashes, the only audiobook I tried. I started that last August. I need to finished those.

Good thing I'll have another chance, as I am going to be participating in The Canadian Book Challenge 6! That starts tomorrow. Want to sign up? Head over to The Book Mine Set!

Next is the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2012. In total so far I have read 14/20 books marked off already, with 6 new (Space, Slither, Slide, What's Outside, The Everything Kids' Soccer Book, Plant a Seed, Swirl by Swirl, Loon) in May and June. I hosted Nonfiction Monday here at Perogies & Gyoza on May 28th, and it was great fun! My next hosting date will be July 23! Please mark your calendars and get a nonfiction children's book ready to share!

Yet again I read nothing for the Reading the World Challenge this month. That will change in July.

Trying hard to keep on track for the Read to Me Picture Book Challenge!
This month we read Millie's Marvellous Hat, Larf, Grandpa Green, Franklin Rides a Bike, Aoki, Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch, Because Your Mommy Loves You, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids, Let's Play Soccer, Goal!, Soccer Game, Pinkalicious Soccer Star, Soccer Sam, The French Fry King, Plant a Kiss, The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish, Space, Slither, Slide, What's Outside, The Everything Kids' Soccer Book, Plant a Seed, Swirl by Swirl, Loon, and Hey Canada! to make 64/120, 23 over the last two months. At least I am up-to-date on something!


Of course, summer vacation for my kids starts in the 4th week of July. We will only have the Obon holidays off, but I hope that their after-school care will let me send Spinky with some homework (aka reading books!).