When I hear of a good book or someone recommends a book to me, the first thing I do is go to amazon.com and search for the title. Then, I read the reviews and the summary. If it sounds interesting, I write the title and author on my book wish list. I price the book on ebay and Amazon before making a purchase. Sometimes, the public library will have it. Even though I have an obsession with books, I don't like them cluttering up my home. I would rather borrow than buy.
Sometimes I choose a book because of it's cover. Does anyone else do that?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Comments
Readers have posted great recommendations in the comment section of my last post. Be sure to click on "comments" to hear about books others are reading!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I Can't Believe It!
Has it really been weeks since I've posted?!?! Yes, it has and I feel terrible!
I have been reading tons of young adult literature so I can recommend books to my students. I read Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. I teach Speak by the same author and many students want to know what else she has written when we finish it.
Teenage guys are loving a series by Rick Riordan. The first book is called The Lightning Thief. It has to do with Greek gods and goddesses with constant action and heart pounding excitement. I think younger kids would enjoy this, too.
Finally, I'm previewing a memoir by Elie Wiesel called Night to possibly teach in pre-AP this year. It is his personal experience in surviving the Holocaust. It has several parts that are graphic and stomach wrenching. Do I really want to tackle this in 8th grade? Probably the most disturbing is the truthfulness of his account.
Finally, finally, I am starting the 3rd House of Night book. Back to vampires!
Anyone reading anything new and exciting? I often get stuck in a rut with certain authors or genres and hearing your recommendations really help.
I have been reading tons of young adult literature so I can recommend books to my students. I read Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. I teach Speak by the same author and many students want to know what else she has written when we finish it.
Teenage guys are loving a series by Rick Riordan. The first book is called The Lightning Thief. It has to do with Greek gods and goddesses with constant action and heart pounding excitement. I think younger kids would enjoy this, too.
Finally, I'm previewing a memoir by Elie Wiesel called Night to possibly teach in pre-AP this year. It is his personal experience in surviving the Holocaust. It has several parts that are graphic and stomach wrenching. Do I really want to tackle this in 8th grade? Probably the most disturbing is the truthfulness of his account.
Finally, finally, I am starting the 3rd House of Night book. Back to vampires!
Anyone reading anything new and exciting? I often get stuck in a rut with certain authors or genres and hearing your recommendations really help.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
On Deck
Hello, my loyal readers (even if there are only 2 of you)! Starting the school year has taken a toll on my blog updates. I've barely had time to keep up with my personal blog, let alone this one. However, I have been reading! I'm in the 2nd House of Night book called Betrayed. This is another vampire series, folks, and it's a good one! Oklahoma authors and lots of references to the Tulsa area make this one our teens will love!
The Scholastic Book Fair has been at my school this week and oh, how I drooled! I had a stack of choices a mile high before checking the pocketbook and did the responsible thing. I narrowed my choices based on the amount of cash I had and came away with 2 books. The first is an adult bestseller by Lori Lansens called The Girls. It's a story about 2 sisters who happen to be twins and who happen to be conjoined. The story is about their life. I can't wait to start it! My second purchase is a young adult novel that flew off the book fair shelves into the clamoring hands of eager junior high students wanting something cutting edge. I think they've found it. It's The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod- Eighth Grade Bytes by Heather Brewer. Critics called it "gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding." My type of adjectives!
I did a booktalk over a book in my Top Ten- Silent to the Bone- to my classes last week. All 5 copies in the library were checked out by the end of the day and the waiting list multiplied. How I love the power of suggestion!
The Scholastic Book Fair has been at my school this week and oh, how I drooled! I had a stack of choices a mile high before checking the pocketbook and did the responsible thing. I narrowed my choices based on the amount of cash I had and came away with 2 books. The first is an adult bestseller by Lori Lansens called The Girls. It's a story about 2 sisters who happen to be twins and who happen to be conjoined. The story is about their life. I can't wait to start it! My second purchase is a young adult novel that flew off the book fair shelves into the clamoring hands of eager junior high students wanting something cutting edge. I think they've found it. It's The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod- Eighth Grade Bytes by Heather Brewer. Critics called it "gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding." My type of adjectives!
I did a booktalk over a book in my Top Ten- Silent to the Bone- to my classes last week. All 5 copies in the library were checked out by the end of the day and the waiting list multiplied. How I love the power of suggestion!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Students: It's Back to School Time!
If you are visiting for the first time, I welcome you! I finally added my Top 10 list on the right side of the blog. This is a changing list that I update once a year after I have had a summer of reading great young adult literature. I'll be blogging about each one of the Top 10 over the next few weeks so stay tuned. I have another HUGE list of books that used to be on my Top 10 or just missed the cut but are still fantastic reading. That list will be available soon.
Anyone read a good book lately? Leave a comment and tell me the title and author. I'm always looking for new books!
Anyone read a good book lately? Leave a comment and tell me the title and author. I'm always looking for new books!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
It's Here!
Today's the day! My advance purchase copy of Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers finally arrived from Amazon. Tonight will be a long night as I delve into the fascinating conclusion to this 4 book series. Truly an epic romance!
Book Sharing
Many of my loyal readers have indicated that they are interested in reading books that I have detailed on this blog. I am a reader who doesn't spend $ on books but rather uses the local library and the generosity of friends to feed my addiction. So... if there is a book that I have mentioned that you want to borrow, please let me know in the comment section and I will gladly loan it to you. Likewise, if you have a book you think I or my children might enjoy, please share with us.
*My secret dream: to be a librarian- because I would be surrounded by the smell, feeling, and sight of books every day!*
*My secret dream: to be a librarian- because I would be surrounded by the smell, feeling, and sight of books every day!*
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