Tuesday's Tome - We Were Illegal

 

Here's is Today's Tome - We Were Illegal by Jessica Goudeau. This one was recommended to me by a former colleague and friend, and it did not disappoint. 

We Were Illegal is one of those reads that makes you stop and think about everything you thought you knew about immigration, legality, and what it means to belong. Jessica Goudeau doesn’t just write facts; she tells stories. Real ones. About her family.  Stories of people who’ve gone through things most of us can’t imagine, just to find safety or a better life.  She has traced her family back 5 generations and their migration to Texas.

What I liked most is how human the book is. It’s not preachy or overly political—it’s just raw, personal, and eye-opening. Goudeau weaves personal narratives with historical and legal context, but it never feels like a textbook. She makes complex immigration issues relatable by putting names and faces to them.

The writing style is easy to read which makes this book hard to put down. It feels like a conversation—like you’re listening to someone who really knows what they’re talking about and cares deeply. You can tell Goudeau has done a lot of research, but she leads with heart, not stats.

If you’re even remotely interested in social justice, immigration stories, the history of Texas, or just want to broaden your perspective, this is absolutely worth the read. It’s not always an easy book—emotionally, it can be heavy—but it’s one of those important ones that stays with you long after you’ve finished.

Tuesday's Tome - Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

Here is today's Tome - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This is a heartwarming, gently humorous, and deeply moving story about grief, unlikely friendships, and second chances. Set in a small coastal town in Washington, the book centers around Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old widow who works the night shift at the local aquarium. There, she forms an unexpected bond with Marcellus—a highly intelligent giant Pacific octopus.

Marcellus isn’t just any octopus; he’s the book’s breakout character, narrating some chapters with wit and insight. Despite his disdain for humans, he becomes oddly fond of Tova and takes it upon himself to help her uncover the truth behind her son’s mysterious disappearance thirty years earlier.

Van Pelt masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, including that of a young man named Cameron, who is drifting through life and searching for a sense of belonging. The characters are flawed but endearing, and their gradual convergence is both satisfying and emotional.

The novel shines with its themes of healing, found family, and the intelligence of non-human creatures. While some plot points are a bit convenient, the charm and emotional depth of the story make it a memorable and uplifting read.

Oops! Let's Talk About TLA

I almost always have an entry about TLA.  So here goes - a bit late.  TLA was in Dallas this year.  As I live so close to downtown Dallas, I could take the Dallas Street Car to the Omni each day.  It cost me $1 each way.  I believe parking was at least $20 per day at the convention center.  So - YAY!

I enjoyed the sessions but noticed that the author sessions were in these huge rooms, and the library programs and services sessions were in tiny rooms.  There were a couple of sessions I didn't attend because the room was full.  However, there is always the vendor area downstairs.  Everyone was so friendly giving out their pins, pens, books and bags.  Since I rode the street car, I didn't go hunting for books, but they somehow found me anyhow.  Always love that about TLA.

Here is my Wakelet of sessions I attended: https://wakelet.com/wake/G2I5PSCrQ8d_t9B8yrCTG 

Some of my favorite sessions are about what others do in their libraries.  I have always been fascinated by that.  This year the ones that really stuck out in my mind were . . .

Doing it All: Planning your Entire Library Year

Melissa and I went to this one together and even asked Pam if we could have some time at the last meeting to implement some of these techniques and get a head start planning or next year.

Get Teens in their Library Era

I really liked the comparison of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.  Also some great programs!

Are You There, Gen Z?  It's Me, Library

Funny enough, I really liked the faculty and staff programs the best here.  I am always looking for fun staff stuff.

I can't say that I missed presenting.  It was nice to take a break.  However, it was not the break I decided.  It was decided for me when TLA didn't want my proposal, or the one Pam & I submitted.  Of course, that won't stop me from putting in another proposal for next year.  LOL! 

Fifth 6 Weeks Check in

 So this is a bit late, but that is pretty much par for the course.  The end of the fifth 6 weeks was April 3rd.  Here are my usage statistics from February 18 - April 3, 2025.  I found the fact that 4 out of the top 5 check outs were Manga/Graphic Novels.  Only number 5 was a traditional novel.

My circulation statistics were just a few more than last six weeks, and just a few more than the 5th six weeks last year.  I'm not sure if that is good or bad . . . just an observation.

Our databases surged, but that is no surprise.  This is the time for the juniors and their research project.  So I hope they are using the databases I showed them, right?

To be honest, I am just tired.  Tired of promoting all the stuff we have in the library, tired of promoting reading, tired of promoting book check out.  It's been a lot this year, or maybe I am just slowing down.  I know it is also at the end of the year, and next year I will come back energized and ready to promote EVERYTHING the library has to offer.  But right now, I am exhausted.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my job.  I love my students, the library and everything it has to offer.  But sometimes I feel like I am beating people over the head just to use the library.  After being in education for 30 years, I think I am allowed to admit when I am exhausted.

I guess I needed the Fifth 6 Weeks Check in to be more than just our statistics.  Thanks for listening!

Tuesday's Tome - New Dragon City

 

Here is today's Tuesday Tome - New Dragon City by Mari Mancusi

New Dragon City is a gripping dystopian fantasy set in a world scorched by dragons. After a devastating apocalypse, the remnants of humanity are forced to hide underground for half the year—when dragons roam the skies, hunting without mercy. For the other six months, when the dragons hibernate, survivors cautiously emerge to reclaim what's left of their lives.

Three years into this harsh new reality, we meet Noah, a young boy living in a makeshift community in New York City alongside his survivalist father and a small group of survivors. While adults defend their fragile society, children like Noah scavenge for food, supplies—and hope. Noah has grown up believing dragons are the enemy, but everything changes when he discovers a baby dragon caught in a trap and makes the bold decision to save it.

This dragon, who later he finds out is named Asha, forces Noah to reconsider everything he thought he knew—not just about dragons, but about his own family. As he searches for the truth about his mother’s mysterious disappearance, Noah stumbles upon a hidden society where dragons and humans live together in peace, transforming what’s left of Columbia University into a symbol of hope.

Now, Noah and Asha must bridge the divide between their two worlds. Can they convince both humans and dragons that peace is possible?

New Dragon City is a powerful story about survival, empathy, and the courage to challenge old beliefs. With rich world-building and a heartfelt message, it’s a compelling read for fans of dystopian adventures and dragon lore alike.

Tuesday's Tome - Allegedly

 

Here is today's Tuesday's Tome - Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Tiffany D. Jackson’s Allegedly is a gripping psychological thriller that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. With its twists and turns, this novel is an emotional roller coaster that keeps you questioning what’s true until the very end.

The story follows Mary B. Addison, who, at just nine years old, allegedly killed a three-month-old baby named Alyssa—an infant who was in her mother’s care at the time. The case becomes a national media frenzy, and Mary is quickly labeled a monster. She’s convicted and sent to a harsh juvenile facility, referred to as "baby jail," where she spends years cut off from anything resembling a normal childhood.

Now a teenager, Mary lives in a group home under constant supervision. Her only connection to her past is the brief, strained visits from her mother every other Sunday. Isolated and abandoned, Mary finds solace in an unexpected friendship—and then discovers she’s pregnant. Fearing her baby will be taken from her by social services, Mary makes a bold decision: it’s time to tell the truth about what really happened the night Alyssa died.

Allegedly is a must-read for fans of suspenseful, thought-provoking fiction. With an unforgettable narrator(who is perhaps a bit unreliable), complex characters, and a chilling plot, this novel will leave you questioning everything you think you know. The ending? Let’s just say I didn’t see it coming—and that’s what makes it so powerful.

Tuesday's Tome - If the Shoe Fits

 I am starting to realize that I am racking up a lot of audiobook time in my car commuting to and from work.  So I am going to try and get some of the more enjoyable books out there.  These books are not brand new, and no one is paying me for these reviews.  Just me - enjoying books.  I've decided to call the segment "Tuesday's Tome" just because it's a catchy title.  Words are my own with the help of Chat GPT to make the review sound more polished.  I just love Chat GPT; don't you?

If you love a good fairy tale twist, If the Shoe Fits delivers in all the right ways. This contemporary romance follows Cindy, a recent fashion school graduate eager to break into the industry. Unfortunately, the job market isn’t cooperating, so she returns home to live with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine—a high-powered executive behind a hit reality dating show.

Cindy takes on the role of nanny to her younger half-siblings while figuring out her next move. Unlike the traditional Cinderella tale, Cindy’s stepmother and stepsisters are actually kind and supportive. When Erica finds herself short a few contestants for the upcoming season of Before Midnight, Cindy unexpectedly joins the show—despite never seeing herself as reality TV material.

As the show’s first plus-size contestant, Cindy faces unique challenges, from ill-fitting wardrobes to unexpected friendships—and maybe even real sparks with the bachelor, whom she actually met on a flight before the cameras started rolling. With a potential career boost and a cash prize that could kickstart her dream of designing shoes, Cindy's journey is anything but predictable.

Does she find love? Launch her fashion career? You'll have to read it to find out—but rest assured, it’s a charming, feel-good story with heart and humor.