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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Book #59 Read in 2018
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
This is a cute, quick middle school read. Lottie and Ben play online scrabble against each other. They are both dealing with pretty heavy issues--Lottie's father has had a heart attack and Ben's parents are getting divorced. If that isn't enough to deal with, they are also dealing with bullying at school, friendship issues and other issues. I read this one in a day....it was an engaging read. I recommend it. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #58 Read in 2018
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
This is a young adult historical fiction book that is set when India was being divided into two countries. Nisha chronicles how this is affecting her life in a diary, writing letters to her dead mother. It shows the physical and emotional strain these people went through at this time. The letter format makes it a quick read that can work for reluctant readers in both middle and high school. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #57 Read in 2018
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Mr. Lessmore, a man who loves books and can thrown himself into them. His books become his family. This book talks about the cycle of life and ends on an optimistic note, of the next generation of book lovers. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #56 Read in 2018
Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
This book details the work that a scientist did with an African Grey parrot. Alex was able to speak, identify colors and shapes, add etc. It showed that even a bird and scientist could share a strong bond. I read this book on my Kindle.
Book #55 Read in 2018
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This was a re-read for me, as I plan to start the year off using this book as a class novel with my 9th graders. Each district has to send a young man and woman to the Hunger Games, an annual event where the tributes kill each other until only one remains. Katniss volunteers when her younger sister is picked and Peeta is the man sent from her district. The two grow close and give the illusion of being lovers. Can they both make it home safely? This book is a good mix of action and romance. The characters are layered and interesting. The movie is different from the book but good as well. This is the first in a trilogy.
