Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them--Illustrated

Book #101 Read in 2017
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them--Illustrated

Another beautifully illustrated book from the Harry Potter series, this book details the A-Z of the magical beasts that a Muggle would find in the world of Hogwarts.  This was a cute, quick read.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Deadline

Book #100 Read in 2017
Deadline by Chris Crutcher

This is actually a re-read for me; I read it years ago when it first came out.  It will be our next class read in my Young Adult Literature class.  Ben, a senior, finds out that he has an aggressive terminal illness.  He decides to forgo treatment in order to have a "normal" senior year.  He also decides to keep news of illness to himself.  This proves problematic as he develops new friendships and he realizes he has to let his friends and family know.  While the topic is heavy, this book is filled with a humor, and a philosophy on life, that will appeal to high school and adult readers alike.

Don't Worry, Life is Easy

Book #99 Read in 2017
Don't Worry, Life is Easy by Anges Martin-Lugan

This is the sequel to the book Happy People Read and Drink Coffee.  In this book, Diane is moving on from the death of her husband and daughter, buying her parents out of her bookstore and beginning a relationship with Olivier.  But is she really over her love for Edward?  Their paths cross and almost helplessly she needs to answer whether or not she is over him.  What will she decide for her life?  This was a good, quick read and readers of the first book will enjoy this one.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Dear Martin

Book #98 Read in 2017
Dear Martin by Nic Stone

This was an excellent young adult book.  Justyce is a smart black boy who attends a prep school.  One night, he is helping his ex-girlfriend, who is drunk and half-white.  A police officer cuffs Justyce, assuming he is up to no good.  This has a lasting effect on Justyce and he begins to question his friendships, the way people see him and how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would handle things.  This is a must read for high school and adult readers alike.

No More Summer-Reading Loss

Book #97 Read in 2017
No More Summer-Reading Loss by Carrie Cahill et al

This was a quick read about how teachers can help maintain student reading over summer break.  It offers ways to get parents involved, to get students excited and to get funding for such projects.  I am hoping to do a book study for teacher on it in the near future.

A Cherry Cola Christmas

Book #96 Read in 2017
A Cherry Cola Christmas by Ashton Lee

This is the fourth book in a wonderful series, focusing on the Cherry Cola book club in Cherico.  These books blend mystery, romance  and humor with interesting and entertaining characters, as well as some good book talk.  These are comfort reads to me.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Moto and Me

Book #95 Read in 2017
Moto and Me by Suzi Ezrtzhaus

This is a cute read with beautiful pictures, detailing the author's year of being a foster mom to a Serval kitten.  This was especially lovely to me since I have a Savannah, a cat bred from a Serval.  It detailed things Servals eat, how they hunt, how the mothers take care of her kittens and many more things.  It would make a lovely gift for cat lovers.

Book #94 Read in 2017
Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

I loved the show Gilmore Girls and Lauren Graham is one of my favorite actresses.  In this book,  she details life in Hollywood, talking about her background, her early days, her Gilmore days etc.  She writes in the way I would think Lorelei (her Gilmore Girls character) would talk.  This was an entertaining, quick read.

Words in Deep Blue

Book #93 Read in 2017
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Rachel and Henry are best friends.  She realizes she is in love with him but he wants to be with Amy.  Rachel and her family move away near the end of high school so she and Henry drift apart.  Rachel returns and gets a job in the bookstore Henry's family owns.  Will Henry and Rachel become more than friends?  This is a must read for romance fans.  I recommend it to high school and adult readers.  I borrowed it from the public library.

Otherworld

Book # 92 Read in 2017
Otherworld by Jason Segal and Kirsten Miller

This is the first book in a young adult fantasy series.  Set in a virtual reality world, Simon is a troubled college kid who is back in his hometown in time to see Kat, the girl he is smitten with, get horribly hurt in an accident.  Kat is now part of a virtual reality experiment which may or may not kill her.  Simon goes into the virtual world after her in the hopes of saving her, but realizes a lot of people need saving.  This book was engaging and a quick read, with interesting characters, lots of action, some humor and some romance.  I will continue the series.  I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

November Reads:

1.  Death Overdue (5/5)  1st in series  library book
2.  Batgirl Vol 1The Darkest Reflection (3/5)  young adult  library book 1st in series
3.  Stalking Jack the Ripper (YA)  5/5  1st in series  library book
4.  The Playbook (YA)  3/5  library book
5.  Harry Potter:  A Journey Through the History of Magic (YA)  4/5
6.  The Boy on the Wooden Box (YA)  5/5  library book
7.  The Pregnancy Project (YA)  4/5  library book

91 books read in 2017

Book #91 Read in 2017
The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez

This memoir tells of Gaby's senior project--where she faked a pregnancy--to discuss stereotypes and rumors.  Gaby came from a family of teen moms and did not want to repeat that cycle but people automatically assumed she would.  She decides to fake a whole pregnancy, revealing it to be false at her senior presentation.  She takes note of how people treat her for both good and bad.  This was an engaging read and I would recommend it to high school girls.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

The Boy on the Wooden Box

Book #90 Read in 2017
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

Leyson was one of the Jewish people saved by Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust.  This book details his story--his childhood, his time in a ghetto, his time in a concentration camp and his new start in America.  It is a powerful book and should be read by high school readers and adults alike.  I borrowed this book from the town library.

Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic

Book #89 Read in 2017
Harry Potter:  A Journey Through a History of Magic

This book would make a nice gift for Harry Potter lovers.  It details the history of magic that is mentioned throughout the books.  It gives a close up on various professors.  It contains beautiful illustrations and is a very pretty book.

The Playbook

Book #88 Read in 2017
The Playbook:  52 Rules to Aim, Shoot and Score in this Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander

This book is a collection of sport rules that can be applied to life.  Additionally, each rule is accompanied by a fitting quote from a famous athlete or celebrity.  A quick read.

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Book #87 Read in 2017
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Audrey Rose Wadsworth is interested in learning science and helps her uncle research on dead bodies.  She is not your typical female, especially for her time period....which is during the Jack the Ripper murders.  She wants to help her uncle catch the murderer but might get more than she bargains for in doing so.  This book had a great mystery plot that kept me guessing, interesting characters, some romance between Audrey and Thomas and an ending that made me immediately pick up the sequel.  I recommend it for high school and adult readers.

Batgirl Vol 1: The Darkest Reflection

Book #86 Read in 2017
Batgirl Vol 1:  The Darkest Reflection by Gail Simone et all

This is a graphic novel and was an installment in a special series from DC comics.  Batgirl is getting back in action after regaining her ability to walk after being shot by the Joker.  She doubts herself a bit but her drive to help the good people of Gotham inspires her to get back in the crime-fighting game.  I think high school readers would like this book.  I borrowed it from the public library.

A birthday gift for a friend--a cute turtle book bag.  Check out https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoffeeandaGoodBookfb?ref=ss_profile

Death Overdue

Book #85 Read in 2017
Death Overdue by Allison Brook

Carrie moves to her aunt and uncle's town and begins a new job as Programming Coordinator at a library, which happens to be haunted by the spirit of a past librarian.  During a programming event, a former detective, still investigating a cold case, is poisoned and dies.  Carrie takes it upon herself to find the killer....as she believes one person committed both crimes.  But will she be able to solve the case before putting herself in danger?  This was a great cozy mystery and begins a new series.  It had a good murder mystery, interesting characters, some romance, some book talk and other engaging aspects.  I will continue this series.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

the princess saves herself in this one

Book # 84 Read in 2017
the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda lovelace

This is a book of poetry, detailing a young woman's journey for strength.  The poetry talks about such heavy topics as abuse, rape, suicide and self-esteem issues but the overall message of strength makes this a powerful read.  I recommend it.

One of Us is Lying

Book #83 Read in 2017
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

This was a good young adult mystery.  Five students are assigned to after-school detention; only four leave.  Simon is killed and the four are under investigation for his murder.  There are many layers to each student's story.  Did one of them kill Simon?  Will the truth come before all of their lives are ruined?  This book will keep readers engaged and guessing......I recommend it.

I'd Rather Be Reading

Book #82 Read in 2017
I'd Rather Be Reading by Guinevere De La Mare

This is a great gift for readers.  It includes essays about reading, artwork about reading and quotes about reading.  It was good, quick read.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Book #81 Read in 2017
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy.  The first half was slow for me but overall, I liked it.  The peculiars all have a certain talent....similar to those in a sideshow at a circus.  Photographs are throughout the book and add to the creepy atmosphere.  Eventually, I will read the other two books.

The Sun and Her Flowers

Book #80 Read in 2017
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

Another book borrowed from one of my students, this book of poetry is again a young woman's emotional journey.  I liked this one better than the author's previous work.  I felt the voice was that of a stronger female than in the first book and there were less naughty drawings (which I felt were a bit overdue for shock value in the first one) in this book. 

Booked 4 Murder

Book #79 Read in 2017
Booked 4 Murder by J C Eaton

This is the first book in a cozy mystery series.  Phee does accounts payable for a police department.  Her mother calls her from Arizona and tells her that she needs to come out there and look into this book curse--members of her mother's book club have died under suspicious circumstances since beginning their group read.  Phee heads out and tries her hand at being Nancy Drew.  This was a good mystery which kept me guessing until the end.  I will continue the series.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Lost Boy, Lost Girl

Book #78 Read in 2017
Lost Boy, Lost Girl by John Bul Dau

The students in my high school have read this book and with a visit soon happening by the author, I wanted to read it too.  Told by both John and his wife Martha, this book details the horrors of civil war in Sudan.  It shows how touch and go survival was, how families were ripped apart and how a person with a huge will to keep going could eventually have a good life.  It is a powerful read.

The Bookshop at Water's End

Book #77 Read in 2017
The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry

Usually, I love any book set in a bookshop and this book was no exception.  Bonny and Lainey return to their summer childhood town and bring some of their families with them.  Both women have issues that they are trying to solve but their friendship will help them get through those issues.  Their small town is full of interesting people and lends a nice touch to the book.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

September Reads

September Reads:

1.  Kids of Appetite (YA)  4/5
2.  Giselle's Bucket List (5/5)
3.  Romeow and Juliet (4/5)  library book 1st in series
4.  Isadora Moon Goes Camping (3/5)  YA  library book
5.  See What I Have Done (4/5)  library book
6.  Stillhouse Lake (5/5)  1st in series  library book
7.  Wild Things (3/5)  library book
8.  Milk and Honey (3/5)

76 books read in 2017

Milk and Honey

Book #76 Read in 2017
milk and honey by rupi kaur

This is a book of poetry that tackles tough issues such as sex, abuse and feminism.  This book is garnering a lot of attention online and among my students.  The risqué drawings will definitely get the reader's attention.  I borrowed this book from one of my students.

Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult

Book #75 Read in 2017
Wild Things:  The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy

I loved the premise of this book, an adult looking back at books that meant a great deal to him as a child/young adult, but in the end, I wanted more.  Handy provided good background information on the authors but I wanted to read more about how the books themselves affected him and helped shape him as a read.  Overall, a good read for readers.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Stillhouse Lake

Book #74 Read in 2017
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

This is the first book in a creepy thriller series.  Melvin seemed to be a good man, a good husband to Gina, a good father to Brady and Lily.  Then a car drives into their garage, uncovering Melvin's murder den and a dead body of a skinned woman--not his first victim.  The police cannot understand how Gina did not know what her husband was up to and charge her as an accessory.  She is innocent, and found to be legally, and she packs up her children, creates new identities for herself  and her children, and move them as needed.  She hopes to be able to put some roots down at Stillhouse Lake but Melvin has, from jail, seemingly found out where they are....will they get out alive?  This book had good twists and turns and will keep readers guessing until the end.  The sequel comes out in December and I have already ordered it.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

See What I Have Done

Book #73 Read in 2017
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

This was a good read.  While not exactly action packed, the writing made this a gripping psychological read, focusing on the case of Lizzie Borden.  Lizzie took an axe to both her father and her stepmother.  This book delves into the dysfunction of the Borden family and that makes this book an interesting read.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Isadora Moon Goes Camping

Book #72 Read in 2017
Isadora Moon Goes Camping by Harriet Muncaster

This is a cute series for upper elementary readers.  Isadora is half-vampire/half-fairy.  Her family goes on a camping trip.  Isadora loses her father's prized possession and is afraid to tell him so she tries to find it on her own.  A cute, quick read which I borrowed from the public library.

Romeow and Juliet

Book #71 Read in 2017
Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley

This is the first in a cozy mystery series, set on a nice island locale.  Caitlin runs a cat sanctuary with her aunt and is the process of opening up a cat café/bookstore with her friend.  A murder occurs in town and Caitlin begins investigating.  Will she find the killer or become the next victim?  A good read, I borrowed this book from the public library.

Gizelle's Bucket List

Book #70 Read in 2017
Gizelle's Bucket List:  My Life with a Very Large Dog by Lauren Fern Watt

Watt buys an English Mastiff puppy and names her Gizelle.  Gizelle is Lauren's best friend and confidante.  The pair move to New York City and Gizelle is there for Lauren through job hunting, relationships, friendships, her mother's addiction.  Too soon, Gizelle is diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.  Watt decides to make a bucket list for Gizelle and the two spend quality time together before the inevitable end.  A must read for animal lovers, this book will bring a tear to the eye.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Kids of Appetite

Book #69 Read in 2017
Kids of Appetite by David Arnold

Vic is trying to deal with his father's death and his mother's new boyfriend but is not really doing a good job.  He takes off after a fight, taking the urn of his father's ashes with him.  He meets up with a  group of street kids who offer him a place to crash.  In the urn, he finds a list of things to do with his father's ashes and the group begins to do them.  This book is a good realistic fiction read, with characters that may be flawed but are interesting and engaging.  High school and adult readers would enjoy this book.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

August 2017 Reads

August 2017 Reads:

1.  The Marriage Lie (4/5)  library book
2.  Lilac Girls (5/5)
3.  The Complete Chi Sweet Home Part 1 (YA)  (4/5)  library book
4.  Reading with Patrick (4/5)  library book
5.  Caraval (YA)  4/5
6.  Allegedly (YA)  5/5  library book
7.  Final Girls (5/5)  library book
8.  Bang (YA)  5/5
9.  Morningstar (4/5)  library book
10.  To Stay Alive (YA)  3/5  library book
11.  Diana:  Her True Story (4/5)  library book

68 Books Read in 2017

Diana: Her True Story

Book #68 Read in 2017
Diana:  Her True Story

Twenty years after her death, Diana, Princess of Wales, still captivates readers with her tales of being an outside in the royal family and definitely in her marriage.  This book has an insider's perspective of how Diana really felt as she went through her royal life.  A good read, I borrowed this book from the public library.

To Stay Alive

Book #67 Read in 2017
To Stay Alive by Skila Brown

This is a verse novel about the infamous Donner party.  I do not think younger readers will stay engaged in this book to get to the cannibalism part (over 220 pages into the book).  This book details that hardship of their travels, both physically and mentally.  It was an ok read which I borrowed from the school library.

Morningstar

Book # 66 Read in 2017
Morningstar:  Growing Up with Books by Ann Hood

This is a book for a lover of books.  Hood talks about the role books and reading played in her life while growing up.  She was considered odd by her family because of her love for reading.  This is a good, quick read.  I borrowed it from the public library.

Final Girls

Book #65 Read in 2017
Final Girls by Riley Sager

This is my pick for best thriller so far this year. Quincy is a "final girl", the lone survivor of a killing spree at a cottage.  Her college friends were butchered.  She is not the lone final girl though...there are Lisa and Sam....both lone survivors of a similar horrific event.  Quincy has tried to move on with her life but then Lisa commits suicide and Sam comes to visit Quincy.  Will her life be turned upside down more than it already is?  This book has great twists and turns which will keep readers guessing until the end.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Allegedly

Book #64 Read in 2017
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

This is a gritty, realistic fiction young adult novel.  Mary is in a group home, after years in a juvenile detention center or "baby jail".  Allegedly, Mary killed an infant that her mother was babysitting.  But did she?  Her mother is not exactly mother-of-the year material.  Mary wants to get an education, go to college and form some sort of life for herself but will that really be possible?  High school  and adult readers will be drawn to this book.

Bang

Book #63 Read in 2017
Bang by Barry Lyga

When he was four years old, Sebastian picked up his father's unattended handgun and shot and killed his infant sister.  That haunts Sebastian, now a teenager, and his parents.  The parents split up and Sebastian lives with his mother, hardly ever seeing his father.   Though not named in the press, all of his hometown knows what he did.  He has one friend until Aneesa moves into the neighborhood.  She does not know his past so Sebastian can have a "clean" relationship with someone new.  Sebastian has thoughts of suicide as a way to stop his pain.  This is a powerful read.

Caraval

Book #62 Read in 2017
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This is the first book in a young adult fantasy series.  Scarlett and Donnatella have an abusive father.  Scarlett is engaged to marry a Count she has never met.  But she really wants to attend Caraval--a festival of games and trickery.   She repeatedly writes the man in charge, Legend, for tickets to the event.  She and Tella end up there, with help from a young man Julian, but will they make it out of the game with their lives?  This book had a good mix of action, romance and intrigue.  I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Reading with Patrick

Book #61 Read in 2017
Reading with Patrick by Michelle Kuo

Kuo taught English for two years in the Delta at an alternative school were the students went after being kicked out of their regular schools.  She wanted to make a difference in their lives.  Patrick was one of her students who was a leader in the class and was a relatively quiet kid.  A few years after she left the area, Patrick murders a man from the neighborhood and the author begins to visit him in prison.  To keep his mind engaged, she begins giving him homework, brining him books and reading with him.  The pair's connection is evident and is what every teacher hopes to have with a student.  Teachers should check this book out; I borrowed the book from the public library.

The Complete Chi's Sweet Home Part 1

Book #60 Read in 2017
The Complete Chi's Sweet Home Part 1 by Konami Kanata

I do not really read manga but if it is about a cute cat looking for his forever home, I am game.  This was a cute read and encompassed a few volumes in a collection with more apparently to come.  Chi is found by a family as a kitten and they keep him even though they are not allowed to have pets in their apartment.  They go through many pains to keep him a secret from their landlord.  What will happen if they are caught with Chi in their place?  Kitty hijinks fill this book and readers will get a kick out of Chi.  I borrowed this book from the school library.

Lilac Girls

Book #59 Read in 2017
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

This is my book pick of the year.  It is incredible--powerful, captivating and heartbreaking.  Set in World War 2, this book is told in three viewpoints--Kasia; Caroline and Herta.  Kasia is a Polish prisoner of war at the only all-female concentration camp; Caroline is in New York working to send relief overseas and Herta is the only female doctor in the all-female concentration camp, doing horrible things to the prisoners.  This book details "the Rabbits", the female prisoners who were violated by horrible operations and experimental medical procedures.  But overall, this shows the strength of women.  Even more powerful at the end is the author's note, describing how these women were either real or based on real women.  This book was extremely well-written and I will keep an eye out for the author's future books (this is her debut, amazing!)

The Marriage Lie

Book #58 Read in 2017
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle

In the first few chapters of the book, we meet Iris and her husband Will.  They have a happy marriage and have recently begun trying to get pregnant.  Will is on his way to an IT conference in Florida.  Or is he?  A plane heading to Seattle crashes and Will's name appears on the passenger list.  Why was he heading to Seattle?  Why did he lie to Iris about going to Florida?  What else was he hiding?  Iris begins to look into her husband and realizes she may not have known anything about the man she married.  This was a good read, with twists and turns to the very end.  Readers will be kept engaged and guessing.  I highly recommend.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Katana at Super Hero High

Book #57 Read in 2017
Katana at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee

This is the fourth installment in the Super Hero High series; each book focuses on one super hero student.  This book focuses on Katana and her samurai background and heritage.  The series has more well-known super heroes (Wonder Woman, Supergirl) and lesser-known such as Katana and Hawkgirl.  Middle school readers especially would enjoy this series.  I borrowed the book from the public library.

The Cafe by the Sea

Book #56 Read in 2017
The Café by the Sea by Jenny Colgan

Colgan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  In this book, Flora works at a London law firm and is needed by a client to return to her Scottish hometown, something she has avoided for the past few years.  Her homecoming is not easy, nor is her growing crush on her boss.  Colgan creates interesting characters, full of humor and angst and full of engagement.  This was a good, quick read.  I borrowed it from the public library.

Molly and the Cat Cafe

Book #55 Read in 2017
Molly and the Cat Café by Melissa Daley

This is the first in a cute series.  Molly is a cat who has had a good home with Margery.  But things change when Margery becomes ill and her son puts her in a nursing home.  He rehomes Molly, and this begins her journey to find another owner like Margery.  After some time on the streets, Molly sets her sights on Debbie, owner of a café.  Will Molly's presence help or hurt the café?  Will she be able to stay in her new home forever?  This was a cute read with humor, romance and of course cats in it.  I borrowed the book from the public library.  The sequel is on its way to me.

El Deafo

Book #54 Read in 2017
El Deafo by Cece Bell

This is a graphic novel that tells the story of Cece, a young girl who is deaf.  She has to wear a contraption to school that includes a microphone for her teachers to use so she can hear their instruction.  Cece feels very obtrusive wearing it and begins to imagine her alter ego--"El Deafo" who has superpowers and the confidence Cece does not have.  This book spans several years of her schooling and shows the ups and downs of her interactions with her family, friends, teachers and strangers.  I plan on using this book with the students in my Young Adult Literature class in the fall.

Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters

Book #53 Read in 2017
Disrupting Thinking:  Why How We Read Matters by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst

This was a decent professional read.  It was a little text booky (Donalyn Miller is still my favorite!) but it was full of good information about how making reading meaningful to and for students is so important.  Letting students choose their reads, making what they are reading relevant to them are key components to building a successful reading community in the classroom.  I enjoyed it.

The Darkest Hour

Book #52 Read in 2017
The Darkest Hour by Caroline Tung Richmond

This is a good piece of historical fiction, geared towards young adults.  Lucie is a member of Covert Operations fighting against the Nazis.  She is not always sure who to trust and who not to trust.  Her life is constantly in danger and this book will keeps readers hooked to see if she makes it out alive.  This book has good action, good historical perspective and interesting characters.  I recommend it for high school readers as well as adults.  I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.