It’s a new year, and a good time to change my book report format! Reading will always be one of my favorite activities, and I still enjoy sharing what I read with friends. I hope that over the years, I have introduced you to some titles that you’ve tried and liked.
I watch a fair amount of YouTube book videos and reels. I enjoy it when content creators provide a brief synopsis with a simple ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or maybe’ if they recommend the book and why. That’s the direction I’m going to go with!
As many of you may know, I was employed by Scholastic Book Fairs as a Field Representative for almost 9 years. Part of our job was to talk about books we read that were sold at the school book fairs.
We were taught to give a brief overview, no more than a minute. Many employees didn’t follow these instructions. The “book talks”, as they were called, were too detailed and had spoilers! As a potential reader of the book, it was so frustrating! If a Field Rep went this route, I never picked up the book they talked about, because why bother? They ruined it.
So, without further ado, I want to share the latest book I read..
The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon (Click here for her website!)
It’s a historical fiction/ mystery novel, a Good Morning America Book Club pick in December 2023, and a Goodreads Choice Award nominee.
This book is based on the true story of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife in Maine in 1789. Interesting story, Lawhon was in the waiting room to see her doctor when she found the devotion of Ballard’s life as a midwife in a pile of pamphlets. She researched her story, and the rest, they say, is history.
The premise of the book is the murder of a man found frozen in the river, and a possible connection to a rape.
Should you read it? MAYBE…..
I liked the story, and winter is the perfect time of year to read this book!
The language was too contemporary for the time period it was written about, and it was lengthy for my taste. It didn’t hold my attention as I thought it would, through the hype the book was getting.
Please keep in mind that books are subjective. You may love a title that’s not my favorite, and vice versa.
I hope you enjoy this new little change for 2026. Cheers to books!
Kari
I learned two new things from this post: that I could use YouTube to find new books and that you worked for Scholastic. What a cool job! I’ve been struggling to find books that hold my attention for the last few months. I’m reading one book that Nicole recommended and I love it so far, but it’s taking me a long time to get through. I think a lot of it is that I’m not prioritizing reading time. I may have just figured that out in this comment section. I also want to read more fiction in 2026 as a way to step away from reality for a bit, so I’m adding this book to my TBR list. Thank you for the suggestion. 💜
myheartinpen
I didn’t realize I never wrote a blog on my Scholastic job! I’m putting that into my rotation. Thanks for that! I feel you on the lack of attention span. I need something to COMPLETELY grab me. I AM reading a book right now that is doing its job. I’ll post it probably in Feb. Many vloggers use the words yes, no, or maybe in a quick manner of saying if it’s worth reading or not. So that’s the direction I thought I would go, especially if you find someone who has the same taste in books as you do and trusts your judgement. It’s snowing here. I need to read today!..lol
Kari
Yay! I can’t wait to read about it!
It’s snowing here too! I did a lot of reading this morning…what is it about snow and reading? So cozy. 💜
Nicole MacPherson
I DID NOT KNOW THAT!!! I was the Book Fair Lady at the kids’ elementary school for 8 years! I coordinated all the fairs (as a volunteer, not employed). Ah, the book fair! So much fun! So much work! So many cupcake-shaped erasers!
myheartinpen
I just told Kari I will be writing a blog about my Scholastic employment very soon! It was a great job, but certainly not all fun and games. It was a serious sales job. There is nothing like a Scholastic Book Fair, that’s for sure! Thanks for your 8 years of volunteering!
Suz
I didn’t know about your position as the Scholastic Book Fair Rep. How cool. Like Nicole, I volunteered for years at our Elementary school Book Fairs.
I’ve seen a lot of hype about this book and I might have saved it for a future read for me. I agree, no one should give too much information about a book—don’t ruin it. Most of the books I DO read, I go in blindly, not knowing anything bout the story.
myheartinpen
I guess I have to started writing about my Scholastic job! I love sharing the books I read, but want to emphasize how subjective books are. There have been many that haven’t got the best reviews that I have loved. My book share posts are probably going to be pretty short and simple!