Book #18 Read in 2017
The One Man by Andrew Gross
This was an excellent historical fiction read. Blum is a government operative in America. He is asked to commit to a mission that will send him into Auschwitz in order to find and break out a physicist who has knowledge to build an atomic bomb. The Americans want his knowledge for their war effort. Trials and tribulations are vividly portrayed for the 72-hour period that Blum has to survive in the concentration camp. The brutality is harsh and real. This is a must read for high school student as well as adult readers. I highly recommend it.
Book #17 Read in 2017
My (not so) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Kinsella is known for chick lit. This book takes it up a notch and deals with more than just a woman searching for Mr. Right. Katie is searching for her spot in the world--a career, a man, a way of improving her relationship with her father. The characters in this book are interesting and unique. Overall, a good read. I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #16 Read in 2017
Raising Kids Who Read: What Parents and Teachers Can Do by Daniel T. Willingham, PhD
This is geared mostly towards getting preschool and elementary students excited about reading and really use a team approach between school and home to make it successful. Strategies are given to fit in time for reading, to make children excited about reading and how to incorporate reading into life. There is a chapter geared towards middle and high school students which is nice and helpful. I believe teachers and parents will find this book useful.
Book #15 Read in 2017
My Husband's Wife by Jane Corry
This book, like Gone Girl, is full of unlikeable and flawed characters. But like a train wreck, readers will not be able to stop reading it. Lily and Ed get married. Ed has feelings for a previous girlfriend; Lily has ghosts from family history. Lily's law career takes off while Ed's art career ebbs and flows and that stress does not help their marriage. Add a pretty Italian woman and inappropriate feelings for a client and their marriage hits rock bottom. This is no happy love story. I borrowed the book from the town library.
Book #14 Read in 2017
The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins
Hopkins has written another masterpiece. In this book, mostly a verse novel with some journal parts, readers will find Ariel and her father. She is a teenager who was abandoned by her mother as a baby...or was she? Ariel finds out shocking news that will shake her foundation of life to its core. Add elements of romance, violence and humor, and you have a gritty piece of realistic fiction. My high school girls will eat this book up.
Book #13 Read in 2017
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
In the 20th book in the Stephanie Plum series, Stephanie really has not improved as a bounty hunter. She is on the hunt for a few fugitives, with varying degrees of success. She is assisted by Lula, Ranger and her zany Grandma. She and Morelli are still deciding their romantic future. Add a giraffe on the loose, and you have a read that is full of action, humor and romance. Great series!
Book #12 Read in 2017
Batgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee
This is the third book in a young adult series featuring a different super hero in each book. This book focuses on Batgirl and her beginning to train at Super Hero High. This book had a good plot to keep readers engaged as well as humor and interesting characters. Middle school and high school readers will especially like this series as they are good, quick reads. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Books Read in January 2017:
1. Scythe (YA) 5/5 1st in series library book
2. Fairest of All (YA) 4/5 1st in series library book
3. The Beast Within (YA) 5/5 2nd in series library book
4. Poor Unfortunate Soul (YA) 4/5 3rd in series library book
5. Cloche and Dagger (4/5) 1st in series Kindle book
6. Books for Living (4/5) library book
7. The Clothing of Books (4/5)
8. Word of Mouse (YA) 4/5 library book
9. The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily (YA) 4/5 2nd in series library book
10. Supergirl at Super Hero High (YA) 4/5 2nd in series library book
11. My Heart and Other Black Holes (YA) 5/5
11 books read in 2017
