It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/26/12

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. I heard about it from the Teach Mentor Texts blog, which puts a "Picture Books to YA" twist on it. I like to post my MG/YA, adult, and professional reads here!

Last Week I Dived Into...
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. My teacher-book club picked this and we discussed it over sushi (ocean-themed meal?) last Sunday. It's not one that I would have normally picked up, but what a powerful first novel about choices. Every one of us that finished it cried in the final pages. I know I was overwhelmed with emotion over the pain that the characters faced because of their choices. If you are in need of a good, deep-down-in-your-guts cry, this will do the trick! 

This Week I'm Diving Into...

(still...) Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. I'm only reading this at school during our "Dive In" time, so I'm not making great progress. I did pick up the sequel Dust and Decay at our school's book fair, so I better pick up the pace!

This summer I read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, like every other woman in America, and promptly read her earlier work, Dark Places. I immediately picked up Sharp Objects as well, but only got to it this weekend after finishing my book club selections. So far, it's just as dark as her other books, and since my sister and coworker just finished it, I'm looking to carve out (eek, no pun intended) some time this week to finish it! There are moments in this book that literally make my stomach turn.

Professionally, I am reading Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement by Lucy Calkins. I've read the first chapter, and if it's possible, I am entertained by a book about teaching standards! I am also continuing to work my way through Everyday Editing by Jeff Anderson. This is quickly becoming my go-to reference book. Fabulous.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday - Prodigy by Marie Lu

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you highlight one book that you can't wait to hit the bookshelves!

I can't wait for the sequel to Legend, called Prodigy by Marie Lu! It hits shelves on January 29th, 2013!

Legend (from http://marielu.org/books.html): What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.


Prodigy (from http://marielu.org/books.html): June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—-June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. I heard about it from the Teach Mentor Texts blog, which puts a "Picture Books to YA" twist on it. I like to post my MG/YA, adult, and professional reads here!

Last Week I Dived Into...
I finally finished East of Eden!! What an amazing story. I do not recommend choosing it for your book club's September pick when all the members are teachers. Next September, I'm sure we will enjoying a much lighter read. It is a testament to the power of this book that I stuck with it in the busiest month of the school year. Even though I could barely eek out a couple of pages each night before zonking out, what I did get to read was captivating. Loved it.

I also finished How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life (Educators Edition) by Tom Rath on the recommendation of a coworker as a possible practice to start using at school.

Lastly, I finished Drama by Raina Telgemeier. Loved it! Like Smile, Telgemeier will have you laughing about the awkward years of teen relationships. A great read.

This Week I'm Diving Into...

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. I'm a huge fan of THE WALKING DEAD series on AMC, and to celebrate the season premiere, I picked this up from the local library. Set in a zombie-infested U.S., where most of America is known as "Rot and Ruin," Benny joins his famous zombie-fighting brother and learns what is out there.

 

I'm also reading an adult book called Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo. The murder of an Amish family hits home with ex-Amish police chief Kate Burkholder. It's definitely an intense read.

Professionally, I am reading Everyday Editing by Jeff Anderson for my own professional growth. I am also reading With Rigor for All by Carol Jago for an online book study group through my school district. They are both great reads!

 

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday - Requiem

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you highlight one book that you can't wait to hit the bookshelves!


I can't wait for the third book in the Delirium trilogy, Requiem, to hit shelves on March 5th!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. I heard about it from the Teach Mentor Texts blog, which puts a "Picture Books to YA" twist on it. I like to post my MG/YA, adult, and professional reads here!

Last Week I Dived Into...
East of Eden by John Steinbeck for my teacher book club. A 600-page book might not have been the best choice for the beginning of the school year, but I'm halfway there, and we are having our "Halfway Meeting" in two weeks, so I'm not stressing.

This Week I'm Diving Into...

Guitar Notes by Mary Amato, a new YA read about two musicians, one a guitar-playing guy, the other a classically trained cellist who share a practice room. The story is told mostly through the notes passed between the two musicians as they help each other through hard times in their life.

 

I'm also reading Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, in preparation for her upcoming Giver title, Son. We are also studying The Giver in our Communities unit, and my 7th graders are loving it!

 

For adult reads, I'm obviously still reading East of Eden, but hope to get to Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects next!

Professionally, I am reading Everyday Editing by Jeff Anderson for my own professional growth. I am also reading With Rigor for All by Carol Jago for an online book study group through my school district. They are both great reads!

 

Happy Reading!

I'm Back!

I haven't been posting as much since getting some work done in my classroom. Just wanted to share a few pictures of what I've been working on!



"iRead...Do U?"
Got this idea from Pinterest.
 I plan on rotating out the books as the year goes on!



"Shoot for the moon" quote.
Another Pinterest inspiration.



"Reading Gives You Power"
Bought old comic books with these superheroes on the front, cut them out, and put this together!

I'm working on some other stuff, but had to leave some projects unfinished on account of me melting from lack of A/C.

Only 7 days left until I meet my new 7th graders to start my 7th year of teaching! I am lucky indeed!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. I heard about it from the Teach Mentor Texts blog, which puts a "Picture Books to YA" twist on it. I like to post my MG/YA, adult, and professional reads here!

Last Week I Dived Into...
Fever by Lauren Destefano, a YA dystopian set in a world where women only live to 20 and men, 25. I enjoyed the first book in this planned trilogy, Wither. The cover was beautiful and the premise was intriguing. Destafano weaves some beautiful writing into these books.

Dark Life by Kat Falls had another intriguing premise: in the future, civilization is being forced from land due to land loss and overcrowding. Experimental communities underwater challenge humans to think about new ways to live, farm, and survive. With all the challenges that accompany a life underwater also comes the threat of corrupt government officials and vigilante groups. The sequel, Rip Tide is out, and I hope to pick up a copy from the library today!

This Week I'm Diving Into...

Bounce by Natasha Friend, which I wanted to read last week, but got caught up in surprising finds at the library. I'm trying to read every book on this year's Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (Illinois' Children's Choice Award 4-8).

I have one more impulse library read from last week, Going Bovine by Libba Bray. The impulse was fueled by this post from the Nerdy Book Club blog, and after seeing Libba in person at an Anderson's event, I couldn't wait to read some of her books! I follow and am entertained by her on Twitter, so it's a sacrilege that I haven't read anything by her yet, really. I will fix this.

For adult reads, I was on a waiting list for Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, author of the twisted Gone Girl bestseller, and it just arrived, so I'll be getting in to that! Looking forward to another dark read this summer. Mwahaha.

Professionally, I am finishing Simplifying Response to Intervention: Four Essential Guiding Principals as part of an RTI focus group in my building.

Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. I heard about it from the Teach Mentor Texts blog, which puts a "Picture Books to YA" twist on it. I like to post my MG/YA, adult, and professional reads here!

Last Week I Dived Into...
Dragonwings by Laurence Yep, a middle grade book about a young Chinese immigrant who joins his father in America. I appreciated the look into the life of the Chinese immigrants. The writing was unique and humorous.

I pretty much devoured Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan. Wow. It was simply breathtaking. I was surprised by this book in so many ways, though I had heard nothing but brilliant things about it. Ivan's voice came through loud and clear. It's impossible not to fall in love with him and the story.
On a much darker side, I am halfway through We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. It starts out dark, gets darker, and, well, you can imagine. I'm halfway through, but this book is already haunting me. If you haven't heard of it, this book is told in letters from a wife to her husband, and it outlines the story of their life and raising their son, Kevin, who we know early on killed several classmates in a school shooting.

This Week I'm Diving Into...

Bounce by Natasha Friend. I'm trying to read every book on this year's Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (Illinois' Children's Choice Award 4-8).

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis.

Professionally, reading Simplifying Response to Intervention: Four Essential Guiding Principals as part of an RTI focus group in my building.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Perfect Scoundrels

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you highlight one book that you can't wait to hit the bookshelves!

My FIRST EVER pick is Ally Carter's Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3). Pub Date: Feb 2013

From goodreads:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark.

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.


I can't wait to get my hands on this book! I love the premise of this series. My heist-loving husband even read Book #1 and wants to read Book #2 to get ready for Perfect Scoundrels! Love it!

Tuesday Slice of Life - Book Treasures

These four books are not only the beginning of some of my favorite series from my childhood, they are reminders of a lost part of my childhood. Recently, a fellow booklover reminded me of an author of one of my favorite childhood books, Sarah, Plain and Tall, and a rush of book memories flooded my mind. I still have my original copy, one of only a handful of books that have made it with me to adulthood. For reasons unknown, my cherished Baby Sitter's Club, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Sweet Valley books have been lost, most likely left in an attic or basement during a move when I was in high school or college. There is actually a lump in my throat just thinking about the loss of these treasured books. I can certainly find copies of these books from a used book store or seller online, and I have found several copies of other beloved books that I have re-collected. But there is so much more power in holding the same book that I once treasured. I hold these books with as much reverence as old childhood pictures and notes passed between friends. The memories of these books are just as real to me as events that actually happened, which sounds crazy, but it's true. I loved reading these books over and over again, staring at the covers and admiring their outfits. My reaction to seeing these book covers is so strongly tied to my emotions that it just reaffirms the power of the right book for the right child. I can only hope that the books I have put in the hands of my students will elicit a similar reaction years from now.



Four original books from my childhood: (Clockwise from top left) Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan, My Daniel by Pam Conrad.



Some lost books that I have found from used book sellers: (Left, top to bottom) The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright, The Glass Mermaid by Susan Clymer, The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop. Box sets that I got as Christmas gifts: Nancy Drew and The Little House on the Prairie Series.

Do you have any treasured books, lost or kept?