I've recently read a ton of graphic novels and memoirs - some I loved and others not so much but were still a thrill to read. Guts by Raina Telgemeier I am always on the lookout for Raina Telgemeier's comics, so when I found Guts available at my library's Overdrive catalog last year, I had to request it right away. Her comics are always delightful, designed for the middle-grade audience, and written very well. Guts is a continuation of her Smile nonfiction graphic memoir series (see Smile and Sisters ) and recounts a period in her childhood when she experienced IBS for the first time. When Raina wakes up one night with an upset tummy, she just assumes it's a stomach bug as her mom is also showing the same symptoms. But when it doesn't go away soon but is instead influenced by the daily highs and lows of being a middle grader - good friends, not so good ones, and then the bullies, she realizes there's something else going on. If you have not read the previous
After much consideration, browsing (and snooping) through other bloggers' posts, and loving the idea of this event, I've decided to take part in the Bout of Books readathon. I've seen this event mentioned many times in the blogosphere, but have never been a part of it before. Now is probably a good time to do it. My reading has considerably slowed down, my trysts around the online book world has reduced, and I find myself often wondering what happened to my dedicated reading hours. It took finishing an amazing book in four hours to make me want to do this. Bout of Books starts today and runs all the way to the 18th. It will be great to be able to just read and rediscover all the thrills it brings with it.
So here are my goals for the week:
1. Find at least two hours every day when I can just read. I need to get away from online and TV distractions as much as I can. I also need to not read unless I will get a good amount of undistracted time with the book. My enjoyment of the book tends to suffer when I am reading a sentence here or there and doing something else.
2. Finish at least two books. Try to aim for a third as well.
3. Keep my reading as diverse as possible. I need to stick to the goals of my Armchair Reading Project.
As far as books go, I am mostly going to read what I am in mood for but I do have four books I am hoping to get to.
1. Delusions of Gender by Cordelia Fine
2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
3. The People of Forever are not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu
4. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

Comments
I have heard good things about We Need New Names and The People of Forever are not Afraid. I loved The Joy Luck Club and the movie is a favorite.
I'm reading We Need New Names too, just started it today and so far it's very good. I also really enjoyed People of Forever, so you have some great reading ahead of you this week!
I really enjoyed The Joy Luck Club when I read it and hope you will too. Delusions of Gender sounds like an interesting read. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but the subject matter interests me so I might pick it up if it's good.