Harry Potter Audiobooks

I have recently started listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks on Libby from my library. I actually am enjoying them as an escape. I know there have been some recent issues with the writer and all but they actually are enjoyable.

I so far have listened to books 2-4 since this summer and the characters and story are interesting and the reader is good. I have actually found it a good means to read and be engaged with a book.

Note On Audiobooks 

A note about audiobooks, they are reading. I like listening to them because they allow me to read while doing projects or chores. I have a busy schedule and the audiobooks offer an escape.

Life Update

 

Well, I've been busy and now I hope to get back to updating this more regularly. I just posted a book review. I might start posting about shows I watch, as I do watch more TV than read right now. My new job is keeping me busy and while I read updating my blog has fell by the wayside. Though hopefully after summer things will even out as I'm settling in! 

This blog was a passion project and way for me to have some where to put thoughts down while job searching to be a librarian. Now that I am a librarian I hope to be able to update so I have something of an outlet for expressing my thoughts on books I really enjoy. Like Odder the book I just posted about!

So, read it and enjoy or not but maybe this blog will see some changes and maybe not will see what happens.

Review of Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder by Katherine Applegate
Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Squiggles and Splash by Applegate
Pg. 11

Odder is a novel in verse by Katherine Apple Gate which I picked up because well I love otters. I have visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium where the little otter in this story is rescued and rehabilitated at.  

This children’s book is written from the perspective of a little otter who is orphaned in a storm and rescued by the team at the Aquarium, which the otters call “Highwater.” Each of the poems presents a different aspect of Odder’s life and why there are so few of them and why we need to help them. 

I found the book an easy read and can see why children enjoy it. Certainly, recommend the book for all those who love otters and want a fun quick read! 

The Story (spoilers): 

Illustration by Charles Santoso
pg. 121

Odder is born in the wild of Monterey Bay where she is learning all about being an otter and her mom is teaching her what to fear sharks, humans, and the unknown. Until one day a mom goes hunting for food and Odder is left tied in kelp (a real thing that mamma otters do) to keep her safe and secure, but a big storm comes
and separates Odder. Odder ends up washed ashore and the team at the Aquarium raises her back to health until one day she is released back to the wild.  

However, after being taken back to the wild she is still curious about humans and often gets too close, repeatedly needing to be relocated. She meets friend otters in poems and all is well...until one day she ventures too far with a friend and a shark attacks. Landing her back at Highwater! 

This is sadly her last stay at Highwater as she is determined to be un-releasable because of her injuries but then gets to join a new program for raising baby otters. 

The Review: 

This book is written in verse with a look at both the present and past mixed. While Odder is currently telling the story from her perspective of being at Highwater after her capture it does start out when she was a baby. Each section tells a different aspect of her story. Applegate draws the reader in and even though I typically do not enjoy novels in verse this book reads easily and is cohesive. It does not feel like a set of disjointed poems but a single working unit.  

Overall, the work is well put together and an enjoyable piece of children’s literature for any collection. Especially for those who love otters and/or are familiar with Monterey Bay. 

Resource 

Applegate, K. Odder. (2022). Feiwel and Friends. New York. 

 

2022 Review, New Year

 2022 saw a big change for me. I moved to a new city and changed jobs. I am now a Youth Services Librarian in a larger library! This was the culmination of my job search that was a long time coming with many different hurrdles to cross. I have left the library that was my start and working in a city library now. This has been a big change for me, though I am loving it. But I have neglected my personal reading for fun and this blog. I do have some that are waiting to be written and am reading new books. 

My TBR pile is still growing, and I am still working to finish Cloud Cuckoo Land that I have been reading for much of 2022, maybe 2023 will actually see me finish the book!

I have always wanted to be a Children's Librarian, well since I started going into libraries in 2015 and worked on my MLIS from SJSU where I did have a focus on children & teens. I had started out to be a teacher, as that was my first career (still seems strange that I already am on my second career in my mid-thirties). I still love teaching and this position allows me to teach but not be responsible for the wellbeing of each child as their guardian is with them, except the older children. 

I love being able to work as part of a team which this new move has enabled and provided, unlike my old position where I was a solo-librarian and manager. Now I have a manager over me as well as many associates under me who work with me in providing excellent service to the community.

I am going to continue to update this blog periodically with some book reviews, maybe finally Cloud Cuckoo Land and possibly add ideas for Youth Services Librarianship as I continue to grow in my position. I have my review coming soon and look forward to continuing for much longer in this position.

Here's to a Wonderful New Year!