Rec and To-Read (May 2025)

The premise of this new series is simple: I share one book I read this month that I loved, and show my current to-read pile.

First up, a book I read and loved this month:

Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger

In my Goodreads account, I started a new shelf called Best of the Year. After reading this comic by Origami Yoda author Tom Angleberger, I had to slap it with that “Best of” label. Angleberger is the master of riding the line between silly/funny and thoughtful, and this book is a prime example. His “Sharpie-on-a-notebook” style drawings make it accessible as anything, but the comedic exploration of poetry is rare in its depth. Completely entertaining and enlightening.

And heres a look at my current to-read pile:

For a lot of these, the reason why I want to read them is pretty explanatory, but here goes . . .

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin

One of the best in the business is back with a new novel. Grace Lin’s work is always must-read for me.

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming

Speaking of the best in the biz, Candace Fleming is one of the all-time best nonfiction writers, and this topic (the Jonestown cult) is a book she was born to write.

Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier by Raina Telgemeier

Remember when they published that expanded edition of Smile, with all the cool backmatter about how the book was made? That was great, and this appears to be a book-length version of that.

Brave by Weshoyot Alvitre

Last I saw the work of Weshoyot Alvitre, she was illustrating the excellent At the Mountain’s Base (written by Traci Sorrell). This is Alvitre’s author/illustrator debut, and that is always going to grab my attention (and speaking of, how about that cover?).

Bear by Natalia Shaloshvili

I’m calling this one New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book research. The book has already won some illustration awards and I want to check it out.

What to Do: When You’re Not Sure What to Do by Davina Bell, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

The power of a starred review. I saw SLJ gave this a star last month, and so I want to read it. That’s the reason.

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