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.

Fourth 6 Weeks Check In

 

Here we go again.  It's already time for the Fourth 6 weeks report.  The year is going by so fast, right?  I see that our top 5 books reverted back to manga again.  I always like to monitor the trend.  I believe last time, it was fantasy.  Before that was manga, and now we are back to manga.

As far as books checked out goes, the fourth six weeks did decline from the third six weeks in the same year.  However, it is still an increase from this time last year.  Since that is my goal - to raise the number of books checked out from the previous year- I'm still in good shape.  

It does irk me a bit, that my stats last 6 weeks were over 800, and this time it is down by almost half.  However, I will need to get over that, and decide what to do about the 5th six weeks.

Thanks for checking in!  See you next time.

Loving My Sora App!

 

As the title exclaims, I am loving my Sora app.  I'm not sure why it took me so long to get on the audiobook bandwagon, but I am so glad I did not purchase Audible or one of the other platforms for audiobooks.  Now I am enjoying them for free on my school issued Sora app.  I have access to my school district collection, my hometown collection, and the Harris County Public Library as well.  I think if you live in the state of Texas, anyone can apply for a Harris County Public Library digital card.  Looking at mine, it is called the "iKnow Digital Access Card."  Here is more about that . . . https://hcpl.net/library-cards/#iKnowCard 

Now I check out books for my commute to and from work.  I live in Dallas and travel to Mansfield 5 days a week. So that is a good chunk of time I spend in the car.  Here are a few of my more recent favorites.

The Way I Used to Be & The Way I Am Now - the main character is sexually assaulted, and both books document her struggle with living a normal life after the assault. Genre: Realistic Fiction

The Promise Boys - 3 boys all go to the same private high school.  The principal is murdered, and each of these boys are being accused of the murder.  Genre: Mystery/Thrillers

Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance - the two main characters dislike each other when Radha turns up as the "new girl" at the Arts Academy where Jai is the unofficial "king."  They do share a passion for dancing which bring them closer together as the year progresses, and they end up on the same dance team. Genre: Romance

Queen Bee - definitely a Bridgerton story for teens. Lady Dalvi is sent away to boarding school after her best friend Poppy betrays her.  Years later she is back and disguised as an heiress to infiltrate London's High Society to have her revenge. Genre: Romance

All of these are recommended if you like that particular genre.  I have way more recommendations based on my Sora history, but that's all the time I have for today.  Be safe!  Keep reading.

Third 6 Weeks Check in

In looking at the last six weeks, everything slowed down except the number of students coming to the library and the number of book check outs.  Our database usage slowed down to a crawl, but we did have a lot of state testing in December.  I guess that doesn't leave a lot of time for research.  

I also found it interesting that the top 5 books this 6 weeks were mostly fantasy, and the last 6 weeks it was manga.  So funny what the kids read, and how those trends go.

My goals for the 4th Six Weeks is to push Beanstack again.  I did a combo December/January challenge, and it didn't go over as well as I thought.  I think the students were so used to one challenge a month, & I need to stick to that.  Then I can just raise or lower the amount of minutes they need to complete.  Funny how I wasn't really pushing the Dec/Jan challenge yet there were so many more books checked out this six weeks compared to the 3rd Six Weeks last year.  It was 561 books circulated last year at this time, and this year it is 810.  Yay!   So something is going on.  I love students who love to read.