I’ve had the privilege of running book fairs at both the elementary and middle school level for four years. Last month, I ran my last fair at the school where my youngest is an eighth grader.
One of my favorite things in the world is seeing kids getting excited about books. I love seeing what they choose to read, how they react when they discover that *perfect* book, and even occasionally getting to be a part of it.
One student came up to the register with a copy of A WRINKLE IN TIME. When I told him that it was one of my favorites, he was amazed. “You’ve read it?”
Each of us, in our own way, discover an author. Shirley Jackson’s books were considered classics well before I was old enough to appreciate her. I haven’t read anything by the late Octavia E. Butler (yet, but soon), but I know that she is celebrated by critics and dedicated fans alike. I’ve loved A WRINKLE IN TIME for decades, but this student is just now discovering Madeline L’Engle and making her book “his.”
It’s fascinating to watch what students, unencumbered by expectations, pick up off the shelves. I talk to parents who worry that their child isn’t reading the right books - too easy or not ‘literary’ enough. I tell them not to worry. It’s muscle memory they’re building - the feel of a book in their hands, the motion of turning pages. The content will come.
Personally, I have no particular rhyme or reason to the books I read. I enjoy everything from horror to non-fiction, from romance and sci-fi to YA and graphic novels. Some reads are challenging and thought-provoking, some are light-hearted and fun. Many of my newest discoveries come from observing what the students purchase. It’s how I met Nic Stone’s DEAR MARTIN and SMILE by Raina Telgemeier. I learned about the “I SURVIVED” series and Alan Gratz’s novels while working the cashier station. I’ve enjoyed seeing Gordon Korman, whom I read as a middle schooler, continue to delight students with his latest releases (if you haven’t read THE UNTEACHABLES, I highly recommend it).
It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to my book fair chairing years, but I take comfort in knowing that my exit opens up the opportunity for another book-loving parent to become a part of their students’ literary backstory.
Thanks, Book Fair. It’s been a blast.
October Wrap-up/Successes:
Writing: Officially, I took the month off. But I ended up writing almost 7k words during the month-long #TopsyTurvyTVTour on Instagram. You can read my daily installments at @joannamonahan27. I’ll also be posting it in its entirety later this month on my site (helloooo mid-month update!)
Querying: I participated in WFWA’s Prepare Your Pitch week, where small groups of writers reviewed and offered daily feedback on each other’s 75-word pitches.
Marketing: #TopsyTurvyTVTour was my two-birds-with-one-stone activity.
770 IG / 464 Twitter/ 75 Goodreads
Accountability/Education: Met with my writing coach and mentor. I also participated in a month-long weekly collaborative focused on intentions and connection. It just goes to show what doing something outside your comfort zone can do. It was a wonderful, powerful, emotional experience that I am still sitting with to process.
Books read in October: 4
IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover
SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller
DIAL “A” FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto
PROM HOUSE by Chelsea Mueller
2021 total: 64/60
November Goals:
Writing: Start round 2 of revisions on WELCOME TO BLOOMS. Research, research, research!
Accountability: Meet with my writing coach and critique partners
Querying: Drafting/sending my last round of queries for 2021
Participating in week-long Agent Pitch event (online). Fingers crossed!
Marketing: Not “marketing” as such, but I am looking forward to the next in-person gathering of local Women’s Fiction writers. Huzzah for social engagements!
November’s #TBR pile includes:
SUMMER BREEZE by Shail Rajan & NEW GIRL IN LITTLE COVE by Damhnait Monaghan (holdovers from October, which flew by!)
MARTITA, I REMEMBER YOU by Sandra Cisneros
The DOOR TO DOOR series by Tracy L. Brown
I AIN’T GOT NO BODY by Saffron Amatti
DIVINE GUIDANCE by Shari T. Mitchell
What’s your favorite Book Fair memory? Drop me a line and let me know!
Xoxo y’all!