Peter and Ernesto

Book #40 Read in 2019
Peter and Ernesto

This is a cute graphic novel about two sloth friends--one wants to stay home and one wants to see the world.  Will they stay apart or become closer?  I borrowed this book from the public library.

re-read
Book #39

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller
This was a re-read.  I had read this book and taught an in-service on it years ago but felt it was time to re-read it with the focus on incorporating strategies from it into my Young Adult Literature class.  Miller instills a love of  reading into her students and fosters a community of readers in her classroom.  I hope to do the same.  I recommend this to teachers and parents.

Something in the Water

Book #37 Read in 2019
Something in the Water by Catherin Steadman

This is a good psychological thriller, with twists and turns that will keep readers engaged.  Erin and Mark find money on their honeymoon but at what cost will they be able to keep it?  The writing was tight and the characters, while pretty unlikable, were interesting to read about.

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy

Book #36 Read in 2019
Noodleheads Find Something Fisy

Two noodles try to figure out how to catch a fish on their fishing trip.  This is a quick read, appropriate for elementary school.  It was ok.

Refugee

Book #35 Read in 2019
Refugee by Alan Gratz

This is an excellent historical fiction read.  It details the travels to a new home of three family--one from Nazi Germany, one from Cuba and one from Syria.  It is well written and brings their struggles alive for the reader.  I plan on teaching this next year in 9th grade English.

Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales Vol 1

Book #34 Read in 2019
Fuku Fuku Kitten Tales Vol 1

I'm not sure why the cover picture is showing up in a foreign language, as I read it in English.  This is a graphic novel, first in a series, about Fuku Fuku, a kitten.  It is cute and would be a quick read for upper elementary/middle schoolers.

What Do They Do with All that Poo?

What Do They Do with All that Poo?

This is a cute children's book, detailing how the poo of different animals looks and how they may bury it, throw it etc.  I can totally see boys ages 4-7 loving this book.  I borrowed it from the public library.

If My Moon was Your Sun

Book #32 Read in 2019
If My Moon was Your Sun by Andreas Steinhofel

This is a children's book.  Max's grandfather is in a nursing home for memory issues.  Max wants to take him outside so he does, and another patient tags along.  They have a nice day but everyone is worried about them.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Book #31 Read in 2019
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This is a good piece of southern fiction.  Kya, the Marsh Girl, is abandoned by her family but she is a survivor.  She manages to lead a good life and make something on herself.  Will she be found guilty of murdering all-star Chase?  Great writing, interesting characters and wonderful description of setting will make this book a hit for readers.

Soof

Book #30 Read in 2019
Soof by Sarah Weeks

This is a companion novel to the book So B. It and it was just as good.  Aurora is a quirky kid and her mother worries a lot about her.  There is a house fire and Aurora's dog Duck goes missing and is presumed dead.  This was a good, quick read.

The Good Egg

Book #29 Read in 2019
The Good Egg

He is a good egg, and wants the others in his carton to be good eggs too.  But he cannot control them and the stress is causing his shell to crack.  So he takes off, but realizes that he misses his carton mates, and that maybe everyone doesn't have to be perfect all of the time.  A cute picture book.

Grumpy Monkey

Book #28 Read in 2019
Grumpy Monkey

This is a cute picture book about Monkey, who is feeling grumpy, though he insists he isn't grumpy.  His animal friends give him ideas how to feel less grumpy.  But, sometimes, you just need a grumpy day.  It's a cute read.

This is Where It Ends

Book #27 Read in 2019
This is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is a horribly realistic story about a school shooting and the entire book takes place in the few hours that the shooter is holding the school in terror.  It gave me chills.  I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down.  A powerful read.

Spellcast Waters

Book #26 Read in 2019
Spellcast Waters by Janet Post

This is a decent paranormal fantasy book--containing werewolves, witches, zombies and cannibals.  Riko's best friend Mikey gets bit by a werewolf and they only have a few days left to get a cure for him.  The journey is fraught with dangerous creatures--will they make it in time?  The cover is so cheesy but the writing is decent.  I could see my high school students liking it as well as adults.

Salt to the Sea (re-read)

Book #25 Read in 2019
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

I reread this book when my YA Literature students picked it as the next class read.  It is wonderful YA historical fiction about one of the biggest sea disasters--one that most people have never heard of....  The book follows a central group of people trying to escape the Nazis.  They are complicated in personality and family-like in manner.  There are parts of this book that will hurt your heart.  Two of my students finished it during our last class, looked at me and said I'm glad I read it.  It is wonderful.

The Bad Seed

Book #24 Read in 2019
The Bad Seed by Jory John

I think this picture book will be what I read the first day of school next year.  He is a bad seed--cuts in line, talks loudly....but then he makes a decision that he doesn't want to be a bad seed anymore and begins to say thank you and tries to do some little good things.  I want my freshmen to know that they will begin with a clean slate and they can decide what kind of seed they will be!  A cute read, I borrowed it from the public library.

Shout

Book #23 Read in 2019
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson

This is Anderson's gritty memoir, told in prose and verse.  It details her dysfunctional family, her rape as a young girl and her taking her power back.  It was powerful.  Fans of her books will eat this book up.

Miles Morales, Spiderman

Book #22 Read in 2019
Miles Morales, Spiderman by Jason Reynolds

This is a tale of Miles, whose alter ego is SpiderMan.  He is trying to keep his identity a secret, survive a mean history teacher and help out his parents.  My 9th grade male students love this book.  It was a quick read and I like Jason Reynolds and his writing.

32 Third Graders and a Class Bunny

Book #21 Read in 2019
32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny by Phillip Done

This is a must read for teachers.  Done is an elementary teacher and each short chapter tells a tale of things that teachers can relate to--finding baby names that do not bring back memories of a problem student or getting ready for Open House.  It was a fun read that had me smiling or laughing throughout.  I borrowed it from the public library.

Children of Blood and Bone

Book #20 Read in 2019
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

This is a young adult fantasy book, the first in a series, where people are trying to bring magic back while others will do anything to keep it from returning.  This book has tons of action, interesting characters, fights, romance etc to keep readers engaged.  I would recommend it to both high school and adult readers.

Bookworm

Book #19 Read in 2019
Bookworm:  A Memoir of Childhood Reading by Lucy Mangan

Mangan discusses the important role books and reading played in her childhood and talks about favorite reads.  She talks about books and the love of reading and this book will be a great gift for book lovers.

The Girls at 17 Swann Street

Book #18 Read in 2019
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib

Anna is a woman in her mid-twenties, suffering from anoxeria.  Her husband finally convinces her to go into residential treatment to get help.  This book was powerful; I read it in a day.  It honestly details the struggle of someone with an eating disorder and its effect of the person and their family.  I would recommend this book to high school and adult readers.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

A Stitch in Time

Book #17 Read in 2019
A Stitch in Time by Daphne Kalmar

Donut's father has died and her aunts come from Boston to stay with her. But they really want to bring her back to Boston with them and Donut does not want that.  She likes her small town, her odd friends, being near the memory of her father.  So she runs away.  Will everything work out in the end.  This would be a good read for upper elementary and middle school readers.

Educated

Book #16 Read in 2019
Educated by Tara Westover

This is a memoir that kept me hooked throughout; Westover's family are sort of doomsday preppers who want to stay over governmental radar.  Half of the students went to school and half did not.  Westover strives to overcome the family's dysfunction over the years and ends up receiving a doctoral degree from an elite institution of higher learning.  This book was hard to read in parts but so powerful.  I heartily recommend to high school and adult readers alike!

Warcross

Book #15 Read in 2019
Warcross by Marie Lu

This is the first in a new young adult fantasy series.  Emika is a gamer, bounty hunter and hacker.  She is hired to find out information during a huge virtual reality tournament....but will her life be in danger?  High school readers will enjoy these hip characters, VR setting and action packed read.

February Reads

February Reads:

1.  Pride (YA)  4/5
2.  The Gilded Wolves (YA)  5/5  1st in series
3.  Cat Stories (5/5)
4.  Those Who Save Us (5/5)  Kindle
5.  The Red Address Book (4/5)  library book
6.  The Wild Robot Escapes (YA)  4/5  2nd in series
7.  My Life Among the Underdogs 5/5  Kindle

14 books read in 2019

My Life Among the Underdogs

Book #14 Read in 2019
My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torries

I love the show Pit Bulls and Parolees.  Tia is the founder of that organization and this book focuses on a special dog of hers in each chapter.  Details of her life are disclosed through the dog stories but I would have liked to know more background.  Overall, a must read of pit bull lovers.

The Wild Robot Escapes

Book #13 Read in 2019
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

This is the second book in a children's series that focuses on Roz, a robot.  In this book, Roz is now owned by a widower farmer and cares for the farm while growing closer to his young children.  But she longs to be back on her wild island, with her gosling son and her other animal friends.  Will the children help her escape?  This is a great series for upper elementary and middle school readers.

The Red Address Book

Book #12 Read in 2019
The Red Address book by Sofia Lundberg

Doris is an elderly lady living in Sweden, whose only family is a great-niece, Jenny, in America.  Doris has health issues and ends up in the hospital.  She has kept track of everyone she has ever met in a red address book, though most have now "dead" marked by their names.  Doris has been writing her life story down for Jenny to read--about her missed love with Allan, surviving World War 2, losing her job etc.  This is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Those Who Save Us

Book #11 Read in 2019
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum 
 
This is a good piece of holocaust/historical fiction.  Anna is a German woman, in love with a Jewish man, and the daughter of a Nazi.  She becomes pregnant and her father turns in her lover and kicks her out of the house.  She finds shelter with a local baker, who leaves food for the Jewish prisoners in a concentration camp.  Anna's daughter Trudy witnesses much in her early childhood and the mother and daughter do not have a close relationship.  This book will keep readers engaged until the end.  I read this on my Kindle.

James Herriot's Cat Stories

Book #10 Read in 2019
James Herriot's Cat Stories by James Herriot

A must read for any cat lover.  This book, written by an English vet, tells of various cats he has owned, been owned by, or treated medically.  Each story brings the cat's personality to life.  A nice gift book for the crazy cat people in your life.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

The Gilded Wolves

Book #9 Read in 2019
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

This is the first book in a young adult fantasy series and it was a great read.  The main group of characters all have their own talents and work together to acquire treasures.  There is action, magic, romance and heartbreak in this book and high school and adult readers will love it.  I look forward to reading book 2 whenever that comes out.  I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

Pride

Book #8 Read in 2019
Pride by Ibi Zoboi

This is a retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and is well done.  It was a bit slow to start, so I don't know how many of high school readers would stick with it.  Set in neighborhood near Brooklyn, there is a girl who thinks that the Darcy boys are too rich for her neighborhood.  The Darcy boy thinks her family are money grubbers.  And star-crossed lovers happen.  It has romance, interesting characters and a relevant comment on society.

January Reads

January 2019 Reads:

1.  The Wicked King (YA)  5/5 2nd in series
2.  Bully on the Bus (3/5)
3.  Killing the SS (3/5)  Library book
4.  The President is Missing (4/5)
5.  Calm the F*ck Down (4/5)  Library book
6.  Puddin' (YA)  4/5  2nd in series
7.  I'll Be Gone in the Dark (4/5)  Library book

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

Book #7 Read in 2019
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

This is a true crime book and a genre I don't usually read, but I really found this to be an interesting.  McNamara relentlessly investigated a cold case of the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer and kept a constant spotlight on the case.  Sadly, she died before an arrest was made.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Puddin'

Book #6 Read in 2019
Puddin' by Julie Murphy

This is a companion to the hit young adult novel Dumplin' and it stands up to it in quality.  This book focuses on Millie as the main character and she is struggling on standing up to her mom about her dreams, her desire to date a boy etc.  I recommend this book to high school girls especially.

Calm the F*ck Down

Book #5 Read in 2019
Calm the F*Down by Sarah Knight

This "self-help" book is funny and entertaining...and somewhat helpful.  Knight tells you how to calm down and deal with stuff once it happens and that you cannot control some things.  I will read her other books for entertainment.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

The President is Missing

Book #4 Read in 2019
The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

This was a good, action read but, at over 500 pages, it could have been just as good with 200 less pages.  It reads like a Dan Brown book--short chapters, an interesting main character and lots of action.  The President is trying to prevent a huge cyber attack on the United States and puts himself at risk.  It was good.

Killing the SS

Book #3 Read in 2019
Killing the SS by Bill O'Reilly

This book details the hunting of the Nazis who did not get caught immediately after the war.  It talks about the trials, their punishment and their lives in hiding.  The format made it a bit difficult to read since it didn't read like a novel but the content was interesting.  I could see high school readers reading it in they were interested in the period of history as well as adult readers.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Bully on the Bus

Book #2 Read in 2019
Bully on the Bus by Kathryn Apel

This is a verse novel, geared towards elementary readers, about a boy who is being bullied on the bus by a high school girl.  He is in second grade; his sister, a 5th grader, is on the bus with him and tries to help him but the bully shuts her down.  It shows the effect bullying can have on a child.  I feel the adults in the book (the parents, bus driver and teacher) were a little clueless but I think it was because the author wanted to show how a child can handle bullying him/herself.  I can see the value of this book as a read aloud/discussion book in elementary classrooms and by parents at home.

The Wicked King

Book #1 Read in 2019
The Wicked King by Holly Black

This is the second book in a YA fantasy trilogy and of course, I need #3 now.  This book was excellent and full of action, murder plots, romance and strong characters.  There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming.  I recommend this series to high school and adult readers.  I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

I ended up reading 109 books in 2018, 9 more than the 100-book Goodreads goal I set for myself.  Not a bad reading year.