Tag: suggestions

Oh So Delicious

KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST by J. Ryan Stradal

            An expertly interwoven tapestry of unique perspectives, character development, subtle mystery, and exquisite recipes, KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST is a must read. Stradal has established a steady, even paced plot that brings the main character Eva Thorvald to life amidst the crises of a world that is sure to resonate with all audiences. Readers should appreciate the opportunity to be immersed in the life of Eva Thorvald and all those who leave lasting impacts on her kitchen; their hearts will break with hers and their minds will grow strong with her undeniable determination. In an act of wizardry, the elements of this novel form a world so real that readers will begin to love and care for Eva as if she was a dear childhood friend. What is more, readers will be inspired to continue the pursuit of their wildest ambitions after being part of Eva’s journey. It is recommended that this novel be read with snacks at hand as the mouth-watering descriptions of Eva’s creations are sure to make you hungry! This novel integrates the use of varying perspectives and would prove to be a wonderful opportunity for high school students to analyze how character voice can be a tool to manipulate information provided to readers. It should be noted that issues explored within KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST include loss of a parent and struggles with substance use that may be sensitive to some readers.

Why Blog It?

I believe that reading offers the opportunity for escape to unknown or newly imagined lands, to participate in adventure through narrators’ descriptions, and to benefit from the intense emotions elicited during character development. As an avid reader I appreciate the many facets of a good read, but prioritize accuracy of information, complexity of plot development, relatability of characters, and descriptions that maximize sensory information. Most significantly though, I value novels that evoke strong feelings and encourage a greater understanding of our world. It is my goal that each blog post will serve as a suggestion for worthwhile reads that other readers may use as suggestions to guide their To Be Read lists, and to engage with my peer readers so that I may learn from their perspectives. As an educator, I also look forward to suggesting reads that may be beneficial in classroom settings and exploring how they might be extended for student learning. Growing up I had the good fortune of being surrounded by family, friends, and educators who supported my reading and writing endeavours. Reading was and always will be valued in my home as a happy adventure, and I hope that you will find happiness in the reading suggestions found within this blog.

Cheers to reading!