City of Saints and Thieves

Book #109 Read in 2018
City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

Christina's mother was murdered and she has joined a street gang to survive.  She wants to punish her mother's murderer.  But does she know the whole story?  This book has lots of action and twists and turns that will keep high school and adult readers hooked.  The characters are interesting.  I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Lead with Literacy

Book #108 Read in 2018
Lead with Literacy by Mandy Ellis

Any book that starts off saying what a great influence Donalyn Miller has had on the author, and saying that happy teachers make happy students, is a book that I'm going to love and this did not let me down.  It talks about how to be a literacy leader within your reading community and how administrators can support their teachers and their PD.  If only my district leadership would subscribe to this theory.  But I digress.....a recommended read to all teachers, all grade levels, but especially literacy and English teachers.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Book #107 Read in 2018
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

This tells the true story of Lale, the man who tattoos the numbers of prisoners as they enter the concentration camp.  He sees Gita and instantly falls in love with her.  Their love survives horrible obstacles.  This book is brutal to read at times but one will not be able to stop reading it.  I read it in a day.  I loved it.  I strongly recommend it to everyone.

Sky in the Deep

Book #106 Read in 2018
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

This is a Viking book that high school and adult readers will love; it has action, history, romance and so much more.  The main character is a strong female Viking warrior, who is smart and brave.  She finds her presumed dead brother, living with another clan, and is taken by them.  Will she make it home?  Will she keep her honor?  I really enjoyed this book.

Book Girl

Book #105 Read in 2018
Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson

I would have enjoyed this book more if there was less Christian thought/theology in it but overall, it is a book for readers.  Clarkson talks about books that have meant something to her, growing up as a reader and I enjoyed those parts.  It just was a little too preachy for me....I didn't need lists of Christian books.

The Island at the End of Everything

 

 

 

Book #104 Read in 2018

The Island at the End of Everything

 

This is a good historical fiction read for middle grade and high schoolers.  It is about an island that is a leper colony and how the government separates the children from their "touched" parents.  It is an interesting premise that most children won't know much about and it is a quick read.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Book #103 Read in 2018
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Lillian was an ad writer for Macy's in the early 1900s and loves New York City.  The book chronicles her walk through a changed city on New Year's Eve, reflecting on her life and its happenings.  Lillian is a spunky woman and an interesting character.  This was a good read.

A Girl Walks into a Book

Book #102 Read in 2018
A Girl Walks into a Book

This author, a writer and professor, loves the Brontes and their writing.  Through this love story, she details the ups and downs of her lives and how their writing helped her through the rough spots.  This is a book for book lover about the power of literature.  I enjoyed it.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Book #101  Read in 2018
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Time for a re-read before teaching this book to my 9th graders, this book remains one of my all-time favorites.  The book deals with topics such as racism, the death of a parent and growing up in a small town.  It is beyond well written and was recently chosen as America's top read....which I agree with.  A classic....and a must read for high school and adult readers.

Bibliophile

Book #100 Read in 2018
Bibliophile by Jane Mount

This is a beautifully illustrated book that is a must read for book lovers.  It talks about different genres, different authors, their writing spaces etc.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Rosetown

Book #99 Read in 2018
Rosetown by Cynthia Rylant

Flora loves her small town.  Three afternoons a week, she meets her mother after school in the used book store where her mother works.  Her father is a photographer.  She has good friends.  Her parents have separated but both make sure she has the best of both worlds.  This is a touching read, of a small town that readers will want to live in.  This book would be a great read for upper elementary and middle school readers, ideally.

Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids

Book #98 Read in 2018
Game Changer!  Book Access for All Kids by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp

This book is a must read for English Teachers...of all levels.  It details the importance of having books readily accessible for our students who may not have books at home, access to a public library or ever have visited a book store.  It is a quick read (I finished in one day) but so meaningful.

Behind Her Eyes

Book #97 Read in 2018
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

These are crazy people but oh so interesting to read about.  David and Adele are married, but not happily.  David begins an affair with Louise.  Adele begins to plot.  There are twists and turns in this book that readers will never see coming.  It is a gripping psychological thriller and I highly recommend it.

The Girl in the Locked Room

Book #96 Read in 2018
The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn

Hahn is the Queen of Ghost Stories and this one is another good one.  Lily's parents are attacked and they tell her to lock herself in the attic and hide and to not come out until they come get her.  But they don't make it.  Lily waits...and waits...until Jules shows up and realizes there is a ghost in the old house her father is renovating.  Jules and her friend Maisie try to help Lily....will they be able to bring her peace at long last?  This is a creepy good read for middle schoolers and high schoolers...and adults.

Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure

Book #95 Read in 2018
Edison:  The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure

This is a beautifully illustrated book that will engage readers who like cute mice, underwater adventures or are interested in learning about inventors.  It is well done and a quick read, perfect for elementary and middle school readers.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Dreaming Dangerous

Book #94 Read in 2018
Dreaming Dangerous by Lauren DeStefano

Young children are in a home because they have the ability to do special things.  Plum and her three friends have the ability to meet each other in dreams and they battle monsters etc.  But is the home really a good or bad thing?  Plum begins to look into it once her friend goes missing.  This book could work for upper elementary to middle school readers.  It's a quick read and has lots of action.

City of Ghosts

Book #93 Read in 2018
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Cassidy almost drowned as a child.  Since then, she can see ghosts, including her "best friend" who is a ghost--Jacob.  But is there a higher purpose to her ability?  When Cass and her parents head to Scotland, there are a lot of adventures and action.  This book would be ideal for middle school readers but high school readers and adult readers would enjoy it too.  I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

Paperback Crush

Book #92  Read in 2018
Paperback Crush

This book details the history of young adult literature, mostly through the 70s, 80s and 90s.  This was like a walk down my memory lane of my reading history--Sweet Valley High, Trixie Belden, Cheerleaders books.  It was a fun read and I might use parts of it with my Young Adult Literature class.

Whiskey in a Teacup

Book #91 Read in 2018
Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

This is a pretty book detailing growing up in the south.  Reese talks about family, manners, reading and food.  Recipes are included.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

I Lost My Tooth

Book #90 Read in 2018
I Lost My Tooth by Mo Willems

This is a cute picture book, geared toward pre-school through 1st grade, that details losing a baby tooth using cute squirrels.  This could definitely make kids feel better about losing their baby teeth.  It's a cute read.  I borrowed it from the public library.

The Book of Books

Book #89 Read in 2018
The Book of Books

This book details all of the 100 books featured on the PBS series The Great American Read.  It is a must read for book lovers.  I borrowed it from the public library.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Book #88 Read in 2018
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

This young adult book tells the story of Elizabeth Frankenstein and how she falls under the spell of Victor Frankenstein and is affected by his madness.  It is a mix of paranormal/horror and romance.  It is a quick read and I think both boy and girl readers, both high school age and adult, will enjoy this book.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.  I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The Potty Mouth at the Table

Book #87 Read in 2018
The Potty Mouth at the Table by Laurie Notaro

This is a collection of short essays that are humorous and entertaining.  Notaro covers many topics in an interesting, entertaining way.  I recommend this to fans of Jen Lancaster's books.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Harbor Me

Book #86 Read in 2018
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

This is a good read for middle school and high school students.  Six classmates spent an hour each Friday at school talking, just talking, with each other and about what is going on in their lives with no adults around.  They talk about parents being in jail, deceased or deported.  They talk about race and money.  It is done in a powerful yet reader-friendly way.  I recommend this read.

Grenade

Book #85 Read in 2018
Grenade by Alan Gratz

This is a good historical fiction read, especially for middle and high school boys.  It tells the story of a young Marine and a young Japanese boy soldier, both fighting on Okinawa.  It shows the horrors of war.  It is a quick read but will also keep its readers engaged.

Lies

Book #84 Read in 2018
Lies by T.M. Logan

This is a must read for fans of psychological thrillers like Behind Closed Doors and The Last Mrs. Parrish.  In this one, Joe uncovers layer upon layer of lies that his wife has been telling him and a reader will not be able to truly comprehend how many lies are in this man's life.  His whole world is unraveling.  Will he be able to save his future and his freedom?  I highly recommend this one.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Sea Prayer

Book #83 Read in 2018
Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

This is a short work of fiction, detailing the dangers of refugees trying to escape to a better life by the sea.  The book is beautifully illustrated and written in poetic form.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Dear Fahrenheit 451

Book #82 Read in 2018
Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence

This is a book for book lovers.  Spence writes love letters to the books that have been a joy to here and break up letters to those books that didn't work for her.  Either way, readers will enjoy revisiting book memories. 

The Last Mrs. Parrish

Book #81 Read in 2018
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

This book makes Amy from Gone Girl look sane.  Amber decides she wants to marry Jackson Parrish, a wealthy businessman.  No matter that he is already married with two kids.  Amber has a plan to get him away from his wife, Daphane.  As she plots, the layers get deeper and deeper.  This book has twists and turns that will keep readers riveted.  I highly recommend to adult readers.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Finding Langston

Book #80 Read in 2018
Finding Langston

This book tells the tale of Langston, newly arrived in Chicago with his father after his mother dies.  He is being bullied at school and finds some solace in a local library, in reading and in poetry.  This is a good, quick read and would be perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers.  The author is somewhat local, living in Rhinebeck.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Hitting the Books

Book #79 Read in 2018
Hitting the Books by Jenn McKinlay

This is the latest in a great cozy mystery series, which focuses on Lindsay, a librarian in a small town.  She usually gets herself involved in the crimes that her town has and is usually helped out by her boyfriend Sully and her small-town friends.  In this book, someone is trying to kill Theresa and Lindsay wants to help find out who.  There are good twists and turns in this series.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

The Poet X

Book #78 Read in 2018
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

This is a verse novel that high school girls will eat up.  X is a tough girl who uses poetry to express the feelings that her very religious mother wants her to keep inside.  Her life is not an easy one and X is a complicated girl.  A quick and powerful read.

All-American Boys

Book #77 Read in 2018
all American boys

This is a great read on racism and prejudice that young adults will enjoy and learn from.  Rashad is in a store and a cop thinks he was trying to rob a female customer.  The cop begins beating on Rashad, landing him in the hospital.  But some of Rashad's classmates, who are white, witnessed the event.  How will it all play out?  This book is gritty and real and all the more powerful for it.  I recommend it.

The Journey that Saved Curious George

Book #76 Read in 2018
The Journey That Saved Curious George

This tells the true story of how the creators of Curious George had to escape from the Nazis and how they ended up living in America.  It also shows the evolution of Curious George.  A quick read, this would make a nice read out loud in elementary classes.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Megabat

Book # 75 Read in 2018
Mega Bat

This is a cute, quick read, perfect for upper elementary students.  Mega Bat is far away from home, shipped by fruit shippers.  His new friend wants to help him get home but that is not as easy as one may think.  Mega Bat is full of personality and readers will instantly love him.  I borrowed this book from the library.

Saving Winslow

Book #74 Read in 2018
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

This is a sweet, cute read, geared towards middle school readers.  Louie takes over the care of a poor, pitiful donkey that he names Winslow.  He bottle feeds him, takes care of him, sleeps by him and hopes that Winslow will make it.  This book shows the effect that a sweet animal can have on people...both young and old.  I borrowed this book from the library.

A Spark of Light

Book #73 Read in 2018
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

Picoult is one of my favorite authors and this book keeps her safely in that category.  A shooter opens fire in an abortion clinic.  This book goes backwards in time, hour by hour, leading up to the events.  Readers will learn the background of the multiple characters and what brought them to that fateful shooting.  There are twists and turns that will surprise readers.  As usual, Picoult has done her research and is able to show multiple sides to a heavy issue.  A must read.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

The Broken Girls

Book #72 Read in 2018
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

This is a creepy good read.....part ghost story, part mystery, part romance.  Two parallel stories are occurring.  The first is about four girls at a boarding school in the 1950s.  The second is set about 30 years later, detailing a journalist's search for details about her older sister's murder.  Add a ghost that spans both stories and this is a good, gothic read.  I recommend it for high school and adult readers.

I'd Rather Be Reading

Book #71 Read in 2018
I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

This is a quick read that is a must read for book lovers.  Bogel details her joy of reading, how much books mean to her and her family, the perks of living next door to a library and other topics.  Readers will be able to relate to every chapter.

Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism

Book #70 Read in 2018
Young Adult Literature:  From Romance to Realism

This is a textbook of sorts, one that I might use in my Young Adult Literature elective.  The book chronicles the history of young adult literature, how its popularity has soared, types of books and how the audience can sometimes span into adulthood.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Belle Takes Flight

Book #69 Read in 2018
Belle Takes Flight by Kathy McCullough

This book continues the story of Belle and her Beast/Prince.  In this book, Belle wants to bring books to her village but the printing press in a far city is taking too long.  The Beast is kidnapped by his cousin and Belle, along with Lumiere and Cogsworth, go to rescue him in Belle's father's steam balloon.  They find, along with the Prince, a whole bunch of books in the castle.  It was the dead Queen's dream to open a school in the village and share those books with the school.  Belle helps make that happen.  As with most fairy tales, there is happy ending.  Middle school readers would especially love this book.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

August Reads

August Reads:

1.   The Hunger Games (YA)  4/5  #1
2.  Alex and Me (4/5)  Kindle
3.  The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (children's)  4/5
4.  Night Diary (YA)  4/5  library book
5.  You Go First (YA)  5/5  library book
6.  Every Note Played 5/5
7.  We Don't Eat Our Classmates (children's)  5/5  library book
8.  A Handful of Happiness (5/5)  library book
9.  The Library Book (4/5)  library book
10.  Odd One Out (4/5)
11.  Cat Confessions (4/5)
12.  Out of Wonder (3/5)
13.  Harry Potter Should Have Died (4/5)  library book
14.  An Unwanted Guest (5/5)  Kindle

68 books read in 2018

An Unwanted Guest

Book #68 Read in 2018
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

This was a good, suspenseful read a la Agatha Christie.  Guests travel through a snow storm to spend the weekend at a desolate inn.  The first morning, a woman is found dead at the bottom of the stairs.  The power and phone lines are out so police cannot be called.  Then a second death happens.  Then a third.  Is it one of the guests doing it?  Is someone that they don't know about at the inn with them?  This book will keep readers guessing right up to the end as to who the murderer is.  It is creepy good.  I read this book on my Kindle.

Harry Potter Should Have Died

Book #67 Read in 2018
Harry Potter Should Have Died

This is a book from the Mugglenet.com people.  Each section asks a question, gives each side of the answers to the question and then hands down a verdict.  It refers to the books and the movies.  This is a great read for Harry Potter fans and will let them revisit their time at Hogwarts.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Out of Wonder

Book #66 Read in 2018
Out of Wonder

This is a beautifully illustrated poetry book, where each poem celebrates a famous poet.  I plan on using this book in my Creative Writing class.

Cat Confessions

Book #65 Read in 2018
Cat Confessions

This is a cute little book that would make a great gift for cat lovers.  It has beautiful cat pictures where each cat is confessing some sin that he/she has done.  It is a very funny and cute read.

Odd One Out

Book #64 Read in 2018
Odd One Out by Nic Stone

This is a well written, coming-of-age young adult fiction book.  Jupiter and Coop have been friends since they were kids.  Jupiter is gay and she makes no bones about it.  Cooper happens to be in love with her, even though that is not likely to work out well for him.  They become friends with Rae, and the friendship Rae and Coop begin affects Jupiter in surprising ways.  Will the friendship survive all of this?  High school girls will love this book.  Boys might be surprised by it as it is pretty different than her book Dear Martin.  I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

The Library Book

Book #63 Read in 2018
The Library Book

This is a collection of short essays, written by authors or journalists, of what their libraries meant to them.  It is a nice defense of why libraries are important and should be provided with adequate funding.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

A Handful of Happiness

Book #62 Read in 2018
A Handful of Happiness by Massimo Vacchetta

This is a non-fiction book written by an Italian veterinarian who ends up rescuing a hedgehog which he names Ninna.  He becomes obsessed with her and other headgehog who come his way.  Eventually, he ends up opening a hedgehog rescue and sanctuary.  This is a good read for animal lovers and can be a recommendation for middle school, high school and adult readers.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

We Don't Eat Our Classmates

Book #61 Read in 2018
We Don't Eat Our Classmates

I plan on reading this picture book to my classes on the first day of school.  Penelope is a T Rex who is going to school for the first time.  She is surprised that her classmates are children.  She finds children delicious and eats all her classmates, though her teacher then makes her spit them out.  But no one, after that, wants to be friends with Penelope.  She tries to make friends with the class goldfish, who promptly bites her finger.  She realizes then how she treated her classmates and changes her behavior, making friends.  I figure 9th graders could use this book's lesson as well as younger children could.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Every Note Played

Book #60 Read in 2018
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

I love Genova's writing.  She is a neurobiologist who brings that knowledge to each book she writes.  In this one, she details a concert pianist, Richard, who is diagnosed with ALS.  Richard is not a sympathetic character when readers first meet him; he cheated on his ex-wife countless time, chose his music over his daughter etc.  But throughout the book, Genova makes him into a sympathetic character who is going through a horrible disease.  She also shows the effects of that disease on Karina, the ex-wife who takes Richard back into her home to care for him, and Grace, his daughter.  It is not an easy read but a powerful one.