2021 -  A Love Letter to Reading

So 2021 is the year I’ve really gone for it with my reading – when it’s actually become a cherished hobby, a constant in my life. Twitter has absolutely galvanised me in regards to books. So here is a (rather self-indulgent) celebration of reading and a heartfelt thank you to some people:

@jonnybid – the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the reading community. Incredible knowledge, incredibly generous.

@one_to_read - #BooksNearBedtime (which will hopefully come back?) was a Thursday night staple. The way Ben thinks about books and stories blows my mind. Always ready to explore comments and thoughts more deeply, which always leads to a richer experience for all. Absolutely the guy I’d want to teach my kids.

@TJGriffiths – a danger to the purse strings but what a guy to know! Brilliant book reviews a plenty. An absolute reading machine and great reviewer. 

@teacher_mr_r - #SundayMorningBookBlether was another wonderful weekly discussion I became a part of. A fountain of book knowledge. And his reviews are ace.

@PaulWat5 – read his books reviews – that’s all I’ll say. OK, I’ll say a bit more – his reviews are always utterly brilliant.  Oh, that and he introduced me to Flying Eye Books.

@i_teach_things – I’ve lost count of the non-fiction wonders I’ve bought from your recommendations. And #ShareStuffSunday continues to be the best, free, CPD on Twitter.

@KarlDuke8 – his #CurriculumBooks resource is a phenomenal piece of work. He shared it for free. FOR FREE.  Was also the catalyst for my new favourite hobby - #CharityBookHaul

@smithsmm – a mortgage extension is worth it for the books I’ve bought from his recommendations. Nobody on Earth can come close to his picture book knowledge. Utter legend.

@RuddickRichard – that padlet… and I’ll talk more about GNs later.

@ANewChapterBks – opened the Crossley family’s eyes to the amazing books that are out there. #RepresentationMatters and with the wonderful #BookBingo, the Crossley household’s reading habits have been truly transformed.

@rumena_aktar – encyclopaedic knowledge and a champion for diversity and inclusivity

So now onto the books. I’ve decided that as there are 12 months in a year, I’m going with 12 books to sum up my year of reading. Worth noting that not all of these books were released this year - I am Late to the Party Reader for a reason…

 

The game-changer

So this was the first graphic novel I read after being invited to join the #LetsTalkGraphicNovels group. It’s not my favourite, but I will always look on it fondly for the world it introduced me to. To sit back and hear @Mat_at_Brookes, @fella_jane, @RuddickRichard, @rcharlesworth, @smerchant13, @sam_creighton @emmamaddenisme and @my_red_spark discuss graphic novels is a treat and a privilege. Oh, and if you didn’t know already, GNs must have a seat at the reading table.

 

The book that will stay with my daughter and I

My favourite thing to do is to read to my children – I love it. In February this came out and I read it to my 8-year-old. She keeps going back to it – it will become THE book for her, I think. I don’t blame her – it’s phenomenal. The important questions it raises about the world we live in and how we need to protect it is matched by the perfectly written relationship between a girl and polar bear. Magical stuff.

 

The series

Graphic Novel royalty. Don’t believe me? Ask any child who’s read them and they’ll say the same. What a rich and vast world Kazu Kibuishi has created, full of memorable characters – plus he talked at one of our meetings and is the coolest guy ever! The artwork is flawless and the multiple storylines never get away from you and all serve the overarching story perfectly. Read them all, please.

 

The modern masterpiece

I’d absolutely loved A Kind of Spark and whilst discussing it with a boy in Y6 he insisted on lending me this. It’s stunning. The high concept never feels contrived because the two main characters are so brilliantly written by Elle McNicoll. Two books in and she's shown what a special talent she is. That sucker punch, though…

 

The perfect book

The premise of this book is 10/10. But how it unfolds in the hands of Phil Earle is something quite special indeed. Someone more articulate than me said on twitter something to the effect that it breaks your heart and then puts it back together. 100% agree. I've bought my Dad it for Christmas and can't wait to talk about it with him. An absolute stunner.

  

The long-Awaited sequel that didn’t disappoint

I’ve made no secret of my love for The Murderer’s Ape, and so this year we finally (finally!) got the sequel. Could Jakob Wegelius pull it off again? Yes, yes he could. As beautiful, rich and kind as the first book, though with a darker streak running through it, it was everything I’d hoped for and more.

The book every KS2 teacher needs to read to their class at some point

The absolute joy I had doing my version of what I thought The Beast sounded like was an utter privilege, as were the conversations on twitter to see what other folk based their voice on. This book is ace and holds a beautiful memory of lying on the sofa and reading it to my daughter for 4 hours straight. It’s hilarious, with a huge heart – just like its author.

The other sequel that didn’t disappoint

My daughter described this book as, ‘Tense, and a bit of a death book.’ Yep, I’d agree! How do you top the first book, which has such a brilliant character arc for our main character? Well, the level of danger is upped and the triumphs of the first book are quickly forgotten as our hero faces a threat from his past. Nail-biting stuff with SF Said absolutely at the top of his game.

The non-fiction masterpiece

I had absolutely no idea about anything to do with Bandoola until this was recommended and I bought it. 1. It’s a feast for the eyes, a beautiful book 2. The true story is a belter enhanced by William Grill’s stunning illustrations and a colour palate that is a gorgeous homage to the natural world. @PaulWat5’s review is absolutely on the money for this book – check it out.

The picture book that flawed me

We’d gone away to Wales with my wife’s family and I’d taken a few books with me, one of them being this. I read it and immediately gave it to my in-laws to read as well. We all agreed it was something quite special. The inevitability of the narrator’s situation never seems desperate, yet is it what he truly wants? I don’t know, to be honest, and that’s where the discussion starts – always the sign of a good book.  An understated gem.

 The book that makes me happy that it’s in the world

I love everything about this important book. The story is beautifully told and the illustrations are exquisite but I think I love it the most for the fact that I can read it to my children, I can recommend it to children at school and it feels like it’s been around for years – like it’s a classic fairy tale.

My Book of the Year

From the stunning opening chapter this book was relentless excitement of the highest order. The bad guys are wonderfully vile who will stop at nothing to protect their product (and in their view, society!) at the expense of an innocent, resilient young hero.  It’s breathtakingly brilliant and the perfect class read for UKS2. If you haven't read it - read it. Cannot wait for Spark.

So there we go. 2021 has been a stonker.

Bring on 2022.