Since I attend a college out of state, I get the privilege of being able to extend the A to Z Literacy Movement beyond Illinois and Zambia, but to Michigan as well. As a junior at Oakland University, my classes are embedded in elementary schools, and this semester I am placed in the city of Troy. As I have been working in the Troy School District, I have learned so much about the city’s history and learned a lot about schools, libraries, and other important landmarks. Due to the close connection I have with the schools, I reached out to Friends of the Troy Library and they generously donated 9 boxes of books to our organization. These books include chapter books, nonfiction books, dictionaries, workbooks, and much more. The Friends of the Troy Library were kind, supportive, and are excited to continue to donate to our organization. Troy Library is helping us strive towards our mission – the movement to provide literacy for students all over the world. It is because of organizations, like the Friends of the Troy Library, that we are able to provide high-quality children’s books to students all over the world. With these donations, A to Z Literacy Movement continues to improve the literacy lives of students one book at a time.
In a world full of short-form content and an endless 24-hour news cycle, it’s no surprise that many of us are finding it difficult to make time for reading. I personally went through a long reading drought in 2021, when the novelty of quarantine had worn off, and I no longer set aside dedicated reading time as I had during the early days of staying in and distracting myself. Enter: audiobooks.
Having previously snubbed the audio format (does listening to a book even count as reading?) I’m now a convert, and constantly have an audiobook on the go, even while simultaneously reading a physical book. The multitasker’s dream, audiobooks allow me the freedom to get on with other things while taking in books, squeezing it in during car journeys and household chores in a way that wasn’t possible when reading a paperback or ebook.
With that in mind, I’m here to share my audiobook picks for those among us who struggle to fit in reading, but would like to get back into it. Happy listening!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
You’ve probably been told by at least one person when discussing favorite books, that The Alchemist changed their life. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been promising to get to it ever since.
Well, with the audiobook version, there’s now an easily digestible way to take in The Alchemist, even if you’re busy. Clocking in at around 4 hours, it’s on the shorter side and is a great way of getting your feet wet in the audiobook game. Warming and inspiring, this iconic coming-of-age story makes for a wonderful audio experience (bonus points for the velvety narration of Jeremy Irons in the most recent version).
With the help of the audiobook, you can tick off a classic over the course of one road trip — if only to let the book’s devotees know you have, in fact, read it.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Attwood
Although considerably longer than The Alchemist at 11 hours, what makes The Handmaid’s Tale so perfect as an option for the chronically busy among us is its bitesize chapters — 46 of them, to be precise, making for an average of about 15 minutes per chapter.
If dystopian literature with a feminist slant is your type of thing, the audiobook version provides the perfect companion to a commute, with the short chapters making it an ideal pick for pausing and restarting when you’re only able to squeeze in a little bit of listening each day.
Everything’s Eventual by Stephen King
If you find it difficult to keep your attention on longer stories, why not try a short story anthology on for size? Stephen King’s iconic horror collection Everything’s Eventual is an excellent place to start. Consisting of 11 short stories and 3 novellas, the varying lengths of these twisted tales mean you can tailor your listening to whatever task you’re doing so that you’ll always have the perfect soundtrack for your day.
A word of warning: while it’s the multitasker’s dream, I wouldn’t recommend bringing this spine-chiller along on your late-night dog walks. You’ll probably strain your neck from having to check over your shoulder, just one more time, just to be safe.
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
If I were a betting woman, I’d guess that you watched Game of Thrones while it was on TV. And, if we’re being completely honest with ourselves, if you had time to watch it on TV, you probably have time to listen to the audiobook, too.
It’s a lengthy book (33 hours, all told), but packs into those hours a lifetime’s worth of intrigue, action, and mystery. Next time you’re tempted to binge-watch that other HBO show, why not get this audiobook out instead?
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
This final pick is on the list not for the length of its chapters nor the manageable length, although both apply, but because it is simply an excellent listening experience.
If I had to prioritize recommending a single audiobook to the unconvinced listener, this would be the one. Gut-wrenchingly honest and beautiful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a masterpiece of the memoir genre, and listening to the incomparable Maya Angelou narrate her own words brings this essential reading to life even further than the written word on the page. You won’t regret parting with a few hours of your time to take this one in. Audio is the fastest growing book format in the world, and that means that both traditional and indie publishers have been dedicating a lot more time and resources to producing them. The upside for readers is that the quality and quantity of audiobooks available have grown massively over the past few years. That means now’s the perfect time to check out one of my picks, or discover one of your own — a whole world of beautiful stories awaits!
Rose Atkinson-Carter is a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects authors with the world’s best self-publishing resources and professionals like editors, designers, and ghostwriters. She lives in London.
(It is a pleasure to welcome Jalisa Cruz to the A to Z Literacy Movement team and hope you enjoy her first blog post.)
I have been blessed to watch A to Z Literacy Movement strive for the past decade from behind the scenes. This organization began when I was in middle school and I can vividly remember Mal Keenan coming into my classroom to share her experiences in Zambia, Africa. I was in awe of the organization’s selflessness, their passion to give back, and their determination as educators to provide literacy for students across the world. Fast-forwarding to my junior year of high school, I got the privilege to be able to work with A to Z Literacy as part of a semester-long project. As a class: we raised money for the organization, reached out to local elementary schools to donate books, made friendship bracelets and Christmas cards to students in Zambia, and lastly, we created engaging lesson plans for teachers to use with leveled books to support their students.
From the time A to Z began, it was a dream of mine to give back and make an impact. My junior year of high school fueled that passion and dream. Now, I am a junior at Oakland University studying Elementary Education, and witnessing more than ever the importance of literacy and supporting the learning needs of students. As I am approaching the end of my college education, I want to use my blessings and my education to make an impact. Education is a priceless gift –– a gift that I hope to be able to give kids across the world. I am humbled to be part of the next generation of educators providing an equitable education for students, supporting the needs of each student, and ensuring that each student has the opportunity to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. So, why A to Z? A to Z is a movement that fights to provide literacy and education for students in Zambia, Africa, and across the world. I am blessed to have been able to see A to Z from behind the scenes for so many years, and now I have the opportunity to fight alongside them in this movement. A to Z is supporting my passions, my dreams, and helping me be the best educator I can be inside and outside of the classroom.
Over the past 12 years, A to Z has hosted our annual FUNdraiser during the month of February. This event has generated the funds needed to meet our yearly literacy goals and continue our work in promoting the love of reading. You have played a major role in this event and have come out on cold winter nights to support us – year in and year out. You have been generous and you have helped us to continue to make a difference. Thank you! Unfortunately, we will not be able to host our fundraiser for the second year in a row due to COVID.
Moving into 2022, we want to keep the momentum of our nonprofit moving forward. You may remember Jonathan Mwale, our informal case study student. We have known Jonathan since 2010 and have been part of his academic and personal life, helping with tuition in secondary school, supporting him and his family after his father was killed, and connecting him with a few wonderful Zambian mentors. In his pursuit to become a medical officer/physician’s assistant, he is currently attending the University of Lusaka studying to receive his Bachelor of Medicine degree in 2026. We are committed to Jonathan’s academic success because his degree will not only impact his family, but his community, and the greater good of Zambia.
We are also striving to meet the needs of families here in McHenry county. We have partnered with the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and the Northern IL Food Bank to not only nourish children’s bodies but to nourish their minds with children’s books. Our global outreach continues with children’s books making their way to schools in Africa. In 2021, we were able to send 1,800 books (24 boxes) of beautiful books for boys and girls to Malawi. Each month, we receive requests from nonprofits, churches, and schools in Africa asking for books for children. While we wish we could fulfill all of the requests, we do our best to serve a few worthy groups.
So with things looking and feeling a little bit different this year, we are asking for your help via email. With a few quick clicks, you can head to our website (https://www.atozliteracy.org/donate-money) to make a small donation and keep us moving forward in 2022. Please know 100% of your donation goes to supporting our mission in promoting literacy development and academic support of underserved children. With your help, we can transform the lives of children locally and globally by promoting literacy, academic achievement, and the love of reading.
Thank you for joining us and for making an impact on the lives of children.
With Appreciation,
Mal Keenan, Dave Keenan, Betty Trummel, Stasia Gruper, Pat Kelly, Wendy Lasswell, Alia Bluemlein, Kate Hatfield, Taylor Crandall, and Tiffanie Jeffrey
To receive a book is a gift and an invitation. This season, I was blessed to receive several books that invited me to engage in meaningful reflection and several conversations. Perhaps, many of you did as well. Below are a few from my stack that made me wonder and brought moments of awe.
Self-reflecting on eighty-seven emotions is a journey. Every chapter gave me moments (sometimes days) of pause. Throughout the journey, I shared bits and pieces with Emma, my twenty-two-year-old daughter. I discussed thoughts with colleagues at the office and with friends on walks. It is the most I have talked about and actually had the language to articulate emotion. During this time in our world, there is no better way to open dialogue.
For seventy-five years, Highlights magazine has been answering letters they receive from children. This curated collection of letters gave me insights into the thoughts of children around topics such as family & friends, hopes & dreams, biases & exclusions, COVID-19 and so much more. Taking a lesson from HIghlights, I need to listen a little more to what the children are telling me and what I can learn from them.
Reviewing a well-curated stack sparks wonder for me. From the multicultural classics to current day titles, the legends and the newcomers are represented in these stacks–expanding my “must-read” list. Beyond the titles, this gem offered me suggestions of independent books stores to visit; Semicolon in Chicago will be the first one! And Michael’s wish to visit Washington D.C. may have gotten a little more likely as Loyalty Bookstore has been added to my list. Mike will also be happy to hear about my renovation ideas after reading about the writing rooms of authors. This is one I will refer back to again and again.
Lisa Aisato’s collection of illustrations took me on an emotional ride from my childhood to adulthood (and all the moments in between). I’ve reflected on the ones I love as well. Mike is riding the “A Grown-Up’s Life” with me. At twenty-two, Emma is seeking “A Life of One’s Own.” At thirteen, Michael is living “A Teenager’s Life.” And at 66, my mother is entering “A Long Life.” At each stage, I hope they felt they were loved; I know I have. Lisa’s ability to capture human experience has me in awe every time I open the book.
In school, when we ask children to tell their stories, we are inviting them to learn about the generations that have come before them. We are also inviting them to understand the world around them. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a student struggles to write about her family’s ancestry until her grandma tells the story of her family’s journey from West Africa. This book reminds me we must invite people’s stories into our conversations–we have so much to learn.
May these books and the ones in your stack this season spark wonder and give you moments of awe. Happy New Year, everyone!
Start them young and keep on reading to them, with them, and around them. Model a lifelong love of reading to nurture this in children and in others.
Our 4 month-old grandson…he already has two or more stories/books read to him a night!
I’ve loved reading throughout my whole life; books, magazines, and anything I could get my hands on. I loved reading with and to my students during my 35 years of classroom teaching. I enjoyed watching them read on their own or to each other as well. I always read with our kids at home and have continued now with our grandchildren.
I look back on the journal that lists the books I’ve read in 2021 and recall the stories, histories, facts, and mysteries that have enthralled me in the past year! I started this personal reading journal in 2005, and wish that I had done that much earlier. It’s awesome to look back and see the hundreds of books I’ve completed through the years!
Auntie Julie, getting in on the fun!
Don’t forget about audio books! It’s the ultimate joy of being read to! Whatever the reading activity…enjoy and have a Happy New Year of reading! I’ll be starting to read a new book soon!
I met Isaac on my first trip to Zambia with A to Z Literacy Movement, in 2010. At that point he was a beginning student at the age of 13, just learning to read as a pupil of Shine Zambia Reading Academy. Isaac had already lost both parents at a young age, and on all fronts, life was very difficult and many challenges had come his way. Things were definitely not stacking up for success.
But, Isaac was determined to do well in school and work hard. He rapidly became literate, and continued to learn and grow through his teen years. His extended family supported him in his efforts to become more educated.
Fast forward to 2021. Our family has helped sponsor Isaac’s college education in Lusaka, Zambia, and he is in his final year of the Environmental Health program at Evelyn Hone College. We couldn’t be prouder of him because he’s not only done well in his classes, but he is taking steps to learn and grow outside of his college setting. He’s becoming a young leader and mentor to others.
Here’s a message I recently received from Isaac:
“I attended the Africa Must Think conference held in the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. It was really amazing, learning from people who have made it in life. It was full of inspiration and there was so much to learn.
A certain farmer donated 20 gold tickets at our college, and I happened to be one of the people who got tickets. The program was focusing much on transforming our thinking as Africans, where we learnt about personal branding, investments, and being found with the right team /friends.
We learnt how we as Africans are contributing to the poverty of our continent. We learnt how we as young people can contribute positively to the development of our economy and how we can help others be better people.
We learnt how to use opportunities and how to add value to our lives, the importance of education, and why we should continue learning and read more books.
About 10,000 young people attended. Very important, I got a notebook for note taking. I am looking forward to more of such educational events.”
Much of Isaac’s success can be attributed to his hard work, determination, and motivation to learn. He’s a bright shining star in a place where it’s not always easy to be one. Young men and women like Isaac are needed to help lift Zambia up and move forward. With his leadership and mentoring younger pupils and peers, I have no doubt that he will inspire young Zambians to step up for their country.
Packing for this vacation was easy…a few warm weather clothes and lots of books! I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to read, uninterrupted, for months! Seems silly to some that I’d load my suitcases with books, instead of just carrying an e-reader (which I also have with me, by the way). But, I just love the feel of holding a real book…turning those pages, and seeing my progress add up with each hour of reading.
As an avid reader, educator, and life-long learner, I know the value of reading. For most of my life I’ve encouraged others to read anything and everything they can. It’s been a huge joy to travel with A to Z Literacy to Zambia, to put books in the hands of learners, to promote the fundamentals of literacy, and spread the joy of reading. At every opportunity I strive to motivate others to read, to talk about their reading, and to always keep learning!
As you can see from my large stack of books, I have an ambitious agenda for this vacation! I enjoy many genres…a good mystery, historical fiction, nonfiction, an action/thriller, and sometimes just a good fictional story will do. I’ve got my local library’s book club selection for December with me, too! I try to vary my reading, often adding magazine articles and shorter texts as well.
Of course, I don’t have to go on a vacation to find time to read, but it helps to have this time to relax and really dig into some great books.
What are you reading? What books will you take along on your next vacation or tuck away to read during some quiet time at home?
What do you consider reading? Is it still reading if you are just escaping and not learning something new? Does it count if you are reading for work? Should fiction and nonfiction be rated *equally*? Judging by the answers to the question “What are you reading?” at the end of our A to Z’s monthly team meeting, the answer is clearly “Yes” to all!
Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – a 4-star book on Goodreads for those who keep track of books using that app
The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn – Always fun to be able to compare and contrast with a TV show
Alias Anna by Susan Hood – a novel in verse – Yes, this is for the middle grades but some books are great for all ages
No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh – A wonderful book to help guide us through the times we are living in today
Becoming Literate by Marie Clay – A great book on the changes children go through when learning to read
And a few team members chimed in about not reading an actual book…
Reading how to do my job – learning as I go. Lessonly. Just proving the point that reading is essential in all aspects of our lives.
When your books are still packed in boxes due to moving and COVID protocols continually change. What can one read? Why everything on COVID guidance!
So, if the first questions were put in multiple-choice format, there would have to be the final answer of – all of the above!
As the season of giving and thankfulness drifts in this autumn, our non-profit team members reflect on all of the help we have received from people near and far. Truth be told, “It takes many hands to make light work.” And there have been many offering a helping hand.
We have had book donations and drives from clubs, schools and families wanting to assist in getting reading materials to children. We’ve received monetary donations which help to provide college classes for Jonathan Mwale, our sponsored student, and shipping of books overseas. We have people volunteering to help distribute books, donate books they have finished enjoying, host walkathons and CrAtoZy Sock Days just to name a few opportunities.
There have been so many selfless acts of kindness which have spread out like ripples in a pond. We thank the multitudes and welcome you if you are reading this and wondering where you, your organization, or your family might fit in. Visit our website and click on the “Donate” tab. You will find all kinds of suggestions for easily making a difference in a child’s life.
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