Forgotten

The Land of Forgotten Girls came out before Hello Universe, which won the Newbery last year.  Last year Kelly published You Go First which I actually liked better than Universe.  I also really liked TLOFG more than HU, but still these three are really great books.  This one was good even though I really didn't like the main character.  I could understand why she was so unlikable, having had a really raw deal all of her young life, but wow, she was just super not likable, which made her more real. 

Moving and Interesting....

Basically I am school junky!  I mostly love classes and subjects that won't lead to any kind of job or financial gain.  I wish I would have taken some anthropology classes. 
Renato Rosaldo is a cultural anthropologist and half of this book is an ethnographic exploration of grief.  I am not sure if I have the wording correctly, but that's the best I could do!  Obviously I am a layperson when it comes to ethnography and cultural anthropology, but I found this half of the book to be completely accessible and interesting. 
The first half of the book is a book of poetry.  Heart-breaking.  Beautiful.  It is the story of his wife's death, when she feel from a cliff while hiking in the Philippines.  Excellent poetry and a very interesting second part to the book. 

Falling Behind....

I am very happy that I went with my gut and didn't change my goodreads goal before I achieved it!  If July is any indication, I don't know if I will be even making the goal I set back in January  What has happened!  I've been caring for my folks and crazy (good crazy) busy at work and by the time I get home from work, I've been too beat to keep my reading eyeballs open!  Very sad!
Fresh Off the Boat was a sweet, quick read though, that gave me insight into a different culture, which is always a good thing.  It reminded me a bit of the Year of... series, but it isn't a copycat or anything like that at all, it just talks about folks making their way in a new country and adjusting, like Lovetorn was. Vicenzia and her family are from the Philippines where they lived a life of pretty serious luxury.  Now they are struggling paycheck to paycheck in San Francisco.  V has romance troubles and friend troubles and family worries just like all kids, but she also has to deal with the culture of a new country.  Good read.