But What to Read?

By Kelly Carey


In celebration of National Reading Month, I thought I’d share
the ways I add books to my KidLit reading wish list.




Publisher’s Weekly Newsletters 
First, I use the free Publisher’s Weekly Newsletter to learn about new KidLit books. You can opt for a variety of different PW Newsletters that arrive in your email inbox daily or monthly, and cover everything from general publishing news to reviews of newly released children’s books. Those reviews are “want to read list” gold. These books are all newly published, hot off the press, and if they are in my genre, I want to read them. Check out this link and pick the PW Newsletter that works best for you: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/email-subscriptions/.

A Kids Book A Day
I’m a big fan of Janet Hamilton’s blog, A Kid’s Book A Day. Janet is an elementary school librarian who reviews a recently published children’s book every day on her blog. You can sign up to receive her free daily blog emails. This blog is a great quick hit reminder to add current books to your reading list. Information on Janet’s blog can be found here: https://kidsbookaday.com/ .

ReFoReMo
 
ReFoReMo stands for Reading for Research Month and it coincides with National Reading Month in March. This great challenge produces blog posts from industry professionals who recommend picture book mentor texts and offer guided advice on how to learn from the best in KidLit books. ReFoReMo’s recommended reading list is always available, as are the blog posts. For more info on ReFoReMo check out the 24 Carrot Writing blog http://www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/take-the-reforemo-challenge and http://www.reforemo.com/p/reforemo-mission.html.
 
Goodreads
 
Goodreads is a great online website that acts as your own virtual library. See the 24 Carrot Writing blog about the benefits of using Goodreads for cataloging the books you’ve read, and finding those comp titles you need http://www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/use-goodreads-to-build-your-virtual-library. An added benefit of Goodreads is automatic email notification if authors of books in your Goodreads virtual library come out with new books. Goodreads also sends a monthly email newsletter that includes reviews of newly published books, a list of the Goodreads Best Books of the Month, and suggested reading lists from authors.Check out www.goodreads.com.
 
Around and About Recommendations
 
I keep a special “Want to Read” journal with me all the time. (Okay, truth. Sometimes I don’t have it on me so I have to resort to scribbling a book title on a scrap of paper. But eventually all these titles make it into the journal. They do. Really. I swear!)This journal helps me track books I hear about when chatting with other writers, when taking workshops, while strolling through the library or my favorite books store.
 
There are more books to read then space in my journal. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. The industry newsletters, targeted blogs, and websites are a way to make sure the best books bubble up to the top of my “Want to Read” list.
 

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