Some reflecitons on my reading stats this month:

• This month was by far the most books I've read in a month in a long time. It was so fun just loooooving reading. It brought me so much joy.

• Although most books I read this month were just okay, I still had a great time, which is all that matters.

Favorite non-fiction book: "Original Sins" by Eve L. Ewing

Synopsis: Why don’t our schools work? Eve L. Ewing tackles this question from a new angle: What if they’re actually doing what they were built to do? She argues that instead of being the great equalizer, America’s classrooms were designed to do the opposite: to maintain the nation’s inequalities. It’s a task at which they excel.

Review: I'm so mad at myself because I've had an arc of this book for over a year now and it took me this long to read it. This book desperately made me want to become a teacher again and I think it's absolutely required reading for all educators. The bibiliography of this book alone is enough to recommend it--so impressive! And I got chills reading the last chapter.

Favorite fiction book: "A Mouth Full of Salt" by Reem Gaafar

Synopsis: "A Mouth Full of Salt" uncovers a country on the brink of seismic change as its women decide for themselves which traditions are fit for purpose – and which prophecies it’s time to rewrite

Review: While the pace of the beginning of this book was a little slow, I was wholly captivated by it. Such a powerful mix of mystery, tension, and folklore. It’s an important look at Sudanese history and the racism/classism present in its past that still dictates its future. And the ending? It hit me in the chest; absolute perfection.

What I’ve added to my TBR (to-be-read)

• "Japan's Infamous Unit 731" by Hal Gold: This is a piece of history I knew nothing about, so naturally now I need to know everything.

• "Shorelines" by Alycia Pirmohamed: A memoir that explores migration, memory, and home.

• "Our Cut of Salt" by Deena Helm: A Palestinian horror from a debut author that explores the idea of home.

• "Exiles" by Mason Coile: I've been coming to realize that I really like short sci-fi books, so I had to add this one to my list.