Author: Sweater and Raindrops

The adventures of a Canadian book-loving scientist with a passion for writing!

April 2024 Wrap-Up

Sweater and Raindrops

April was a pretty busy month between the end of Ramadan, celebrating with family, and seeing friends! I’m glad the social stuff kept my mind away from the wild weather we’ve been having, from snow storms to June-type temperatures!

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[Nakba Day] “The Nakba never ended. The colonizer lied.” – Five Books on the (True) History of Palestine

Sweater and Raindrops

This Nakba day, we remember that Israel exists on stolen Palestinian land, built on the murder, rape and chasing off of the indigenous people–Muslim, Christian and Jewish alike. Here are some books to help you decolonize your brain and set you on the path to understanding the history of Palestine’s colonization and the continued struggles that come out of the Nakba.

“The Nakba never ended. The colonizer lied.” – Mackelmore

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[Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month] 5 Books to Recommend and 5 To Look Forward To

Sweater and Raindrops

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!! In honour of this month, I’ve listed some books below by or about AAPI peoplethat I recommend and books by or about AAPI people I’m looking forward to picking up!

In the meantime, also check out this database for AAPI non-profits to donate to this month!

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Entry 198: The One and Only Ivan

Sweater and Raindrops

Author: Katherine Applegate
Genre: Fiction ; Middle Grade ; Animals ; Fantasy ; Realistic
Publication: January 17, 2012 by HarperCollins
Pages: 307
Format Read In: Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads (GOODREADS LINK)

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

Trigger warnings: Animal death ; Death of a parent (off-page, described) ; Abuse of animals (past, described) ; Threat to animals (on-page) ; Cancer (off-page, described)

My Review:

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