Bud Finds Her Gift by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Cute and lovely children’s book about a girl who finds purpose noticing the things around her especially in the natural world. There is an actual poop song relating to the circle of life. That made me laugh. Sweet.

March 31, 2026.

Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry with Imani Perry (Narrator)

I listened to this for a black history month challenge. It was an African-American history book through the colour of blue. It was an intersecting intersection of history, art, and race. The narration was great. I just found it hard to get into and it was not my kind of history book. I appreciated its originality.

March 25-30, 2026.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

I knew going into to this novel that it was one of the less popular works of Ishiguro. I loved The Remains of the Day and really likede Never Let Me Go. Ishiguro is such a talented writer. That was displayed in this strange mythological retelling of Britain after the Romans and King Arthur. Aside from the writing, I liked the main older couple Axl and Beatrice. Their ending was beautifully written and the novel had themes about collective memory, love, and death. It was a moving and sad ending. I would have preferred the whole book about this couple since I did not really care for the other characters. I actually was impatient when reading about the boy Edwin but I can see how his chapters were to showcase a young person’s perspective and to feature on the other pivotal character Wistan. Still, this novel’s slow pace and long chapters dragged. I read most of the book in one day propelled mostly by the great prose and the deadline for a challenge. I still like Ishiguro because all three of the books have different premises yet interesting and heartbreaking character writing.

March 27-31, 2026.