It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 11/2/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys and invites bloggers to recap what they’ve read this week while planning ahead on what to read next! Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers added their own twist by focusing on kidlit, from picture books up to YA.

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

Picture Book, 2014
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
The One and Only Ivan is my favorite book. This picture book tells the story of how Ivan made it to the mall in Tacoma, Washington and eventually to Zoo Atlanta. It is fantastic and the note at the end from one of Ivan’s favorite zoo keepers made me tear up. Such a special story. I look forward to reading Ivan’s story to my students every year.

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

YA Mystery, 2010
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
This is one of Schroeder’s longest novels in verse and it is very hard to put down. I enjoyed the two differing perspectives and the characters Nico and Brooklyn were interesting to follow. A sad story about loss and grieving. I would really like to add this one to my classroom library.

27Oct2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 10/27/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the covers to read a book’s synopsis and others’ reviews)

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

Dystopian, 2014
208 Pages
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Divergent was my first dystopian book and it has a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to get a copy signed by Veronica Roth at NCTE12 and to me she is the epitome of a cool writer. Reading Divergent scenes from Four’s point of view was interesting and entertaining. What a complex character! I like the books from the trilogy series better, but enjoyed how this title filled in gaps, especially regarding Four’s relationship with each of his parents.

Blood of My Blood (Jasper Dent #3) by Barry Lyga

YA Mystery/Thriller, 2014
464 Pages
My Rating 4/5 Stars
The Jasper Dent series has given me more nightmares that I’d like to admit. I am not a fan of *anything* scary, but these books are so well written that I couldn’t resist devouring them. #3 is particularly twisted and has one of the most memorable endings that I’ve ever read. Just thinking about it seriously creeps me out. Jasper Dent is a true YA hero and surely will find his way to the screen someday soon.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

YA Contemporary Fiction, 2014

My Rating 5/5 Stars
Listen up, everyone – this is the BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN 2014. It is fantastic! The main characters, Jude and Noah, are inseparable twins, with a somewhat magically connection, that end up broken and lost after a tragic event rocks their family to the core. Over the course of chapters from both twins’ point of views, the book is filled with amazing characters, sub plots and the setting is described so beautifully. This is a story about love, loss and growing up. I have read online that there is already a script written for the movie version of this book, and I think Rainbow Rowell, John Green and David Levithan fans will fill theaters for this one. This book is all of these authors rolled into one. I love Jandy Nelson’s work – The Sky is Everywhere – is also amazing. Highly suggest you check these titles out.

Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

YA Contemporary Fiction written in verse, 2008
355 Pages
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Lisa Schroeder’s novels in verse are always great additions to my classroom library. They are popular for readers of all backgrounds and interests. I like novels in verse because I find the writer’s decision making process fascinating. Intentionally having two lines on a page vs. a much longer section for impact is a valuable lesson for student writers. Alice’s mother has died from cancer, and her relationship with her dad and step mother is strained. She finds solace when she is with her boyfriend and friend, but even those relationships start disintegrating. Alice has a hard time getting over her mother’s death and starts retreating into herself and it takes an almost deadly predicament for her to come around. I Heart You, You Haunt Me is still my favorite title from Schroeder, but this one is pretty good, too.

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

YA Mystery, 2014
320 Pages
My Rating 4/5 Pages
Katie Alender’s Bad Girls Don’t Die series and Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer are great mystery reads and I really enjoyed Famous Last Words too. It was a little predictable near the end, but creepy enough to hold my attention. Out of all of her books, Marie Antoinette… is my favorite. Alender definitely has a genre that she writes very well. Middle School readers will devour these books.

29Sep2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 9/29/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

We are a month into the new school year and wow, is it going fast! I’m still catching up on my 2014 Goodreads goal of 140 books and I am behind for sure!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the covers to read a book’s synopsis and reviews)

Killer Instinct (The Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

YA Mystery, Expected release date 11/4/14

My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars

This is the 2nd book in The Naturals series and it starts right where #1 ends. The Naturals are a group of misfit teens with incredible talents and are used in a secret FBI project to solve crimes that no one else can. While this book is centered around Dean and his super creepy father, the main character, Cassie, is still dealing with trauma and feelings from events in book 1. I love the characters in this book and feel that this series is set up so well for a successful teen CSI type psychological thriller TV show that I would not be surprised if it happens sometime soon!

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana

Middle Grade Historical Fiction, 2014

My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars

This book takes place in the Ninth Ward neighborhood of New Orleans before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. Armani Curtis and her family are celebrating her 10th birthday on the day the devastating hurricane changes their lives forever. This book is long at 320 pages, but would make an excellent read aloud if you have the time. I had to read it in sections because of the lump in my throat that wouldn’t go away. I participated in a mission trip to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and helped rebuild a house. While there, we toured the city, including the Ninth Ward. This book really resonated with me. Beautiful writing and a very sweet main character that will stick with you!

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes YA

Realistic Fiction, 2001

My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars

This award winning novel is centered around a poetry slam and gives readers a glimpse at the lives of 18 different teenage writers in a Bronx High School. The poems are gritty, heart wrenching and most often, heartwarming. I loved the poetry aspect of this novel, but did find the multiple points of view hard to keep up with. It was challenging to follow all of the sub plots and keep everyone straight. I did appreciate that after each poem there was commentary from Tyrone, who moves the story along with his thoughts and updates about how this group of teenagers is transforming while sharing their writing with each other. This book would be a great addition to a poetry unit with older readers and writers about finding your voice.

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

YA Realistic Fiction, 2014

My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars

Fans of Smith’s other books, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and This is What Happy Looks Like, will not be disappointed with her newest title. Set in New York, and a plethora of other places, this is a sweet look at two teenagers who meet each other in the middle of a sweltering summer blackout in NYC. I did enjoy the first two books more, but this one will definitely be as popular as the others with young readers. I also just found out the The Statistical Probability… has been picked up and optioned for a movie. This would be interesting to see on the big screen!

8Sep2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 9/8/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

We are starting our 3rd week of school, and let me tell you, I have some readers this year! We have set up our interactive notebooks, talked about the 40 Book Challenge, and most classes are reading 20 minutes a day already. I’ve managed to read a little bit too, and hopefully I can catch up on my Goodreads goal by the end of the month.

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the covers to read a book’s synopsis and reviews)

Nest by Esther Ehrich

Historical Fiction, Release Date: 9/9/14
336 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 stars
Nest is one of those books that is hard to put down. The main character, Chirp, has such an unforgettable voice – she’s vulnerable, sassy, wise and unsure all at the same time. While Chirp is an expert on birds and loves to watch and observe them, she is still very much figuring things out at home and school. After a family tragedy, life gets very hard for Chirp and she becomes a shell of her vibrant self. It takes an adventure and a lot of understanding to come back to where she belongs. I loved the 1970’s music and culture references throughout and the themes of family, friendship and love are very strong. Beautiful book!

Payback Time by Carl Deuker

Realistic Fiction/Sports, 2010
304 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars
This is my first read by this author. I picked it up at a book sale, while crossing my fingers that it would be a good fit in my middle school classroom. I was super excited that 1. it takes place in Seattle, which is my favorite city, and 2. it is a great book that will be an excellent addition to my classroom library. Mitch is an overweight sports reporter for his high school and he and Kimi, the photographer assigned to work with him, stumble upon a football mystery while working their senior year. Mitch and Kimi are excellent students with bright futures, and find themselves way over their heads as they unravel a story of ineligible players, cheating coaches, and a state title on the line. Fans of Mike Lupica and John Feinstein sports books will like this one, too.

Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi

Historical Fiction Graphic Novel, 2014
128 Pages
My Goodreads Rating: 3/5 Stars
I plan on doing a quarter long unit with my seventh and eighth grade students in my reading intervention class that centers around explorers, and specifically Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great Antarctic explorer. Shackleton is a fascinating person to read about! While I am not sure this is the best book for my students, it does have some very cool layouts of the ships and some interesting maps. Bertozzi also has a similar book on Lewis and Clark that is probably worth checking out.

Happy Reading, everyone!

Lesley ♥

11Aug2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 8/11/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Helloooo, August! I can’t say I am particularly happy to see you, as summer for this teacher is rapidly coming to an end. Here’s what I’ve read lately. I’ve been looking for some YA books to pair with Romeo and Juliet for my 9th grade English class and haven’t been successful. If you know of any (that aren’t in this post) please let me know!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the covers to read a book’s synopsis and reviews)

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

YA Contemporary Fiction, 2014
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5
I loved LaCour’s Disenchantments, and was looking forward to this one too. It does not disappoint. It is all about behind the scenes of moving making, old and new Hollywood, friendships and relationships. Cool book.

Clockwork Angel (The Internal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

YA Fantasy, 2010
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5
The Infernal Devices series is the prequel to The Mortal Instruments series. I love the world Cassandra Clare has created with these books and Will Herrondale’s character is everything! Loved it and can’t wait to read #2.

Beastly by Alex Flynn

YA Urban Fantasy (remake of Beauty and the Beast), 2007

My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars
This is book #1 of my quest to find some contemporary lit to go with Romeo and Juliet. I liked the story a lot and I am sure that students would really enjoy it too.

Warm Bodies by Issac Marion

High YA Urban Fantasy, 2010

My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars
I read another book about zombies! This is book #2 I chose to read in my search for books to pair with R&J and I really enjoyed this one too. It is funny, endearing and has smart writing. It took me awhile to get over the creep factor, but definitely a great book that I am glad I read.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

YA Fiction, 2008

My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
Possible book #3 for my R&J unit is set in Chicago, and is probably one of my favorite star crossed lovers adaptation I’ve read. Great story for older readers.

Amulet #6 Escape From Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi

MG Fantasy, 8/26/14 Release Date
I was happy and excited to find out that I was pre approved to read this ARC on Netgalley and although the whole book did not have color in the posted version, it is amazing! This volume is action packed and several new characters are introduced. Students will love it! I’ve already preordered it for my classroom, and really want to read #5 and this one again before I hand it to students. I might have to do that in secret!

Sisters (a companion book to Smile) by Raina Telgemeier

MG Realistic Fiction, 8/26/14
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars
This was another ARC pre approval on Netgalley. Sisters is a great graphic novel for fans of Smile. It is funny and would be a great mentor text for using flashbacks. I thought it was a cute story and have already preordered for my room!

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

High YA Realistic Fiction, 2014
My Goodreads Rating 5/5 Stars
Oh, how I love this book! I would have given it a few more stars if I were allowed. Fans of Matthew Quick’s Boy 21 will like this one a lot. Set in Bed Stuy, New York, the story centers around 3 teenage boys – Ali, Noodles and Needles. Definite mentor text for characterization.

While none of the books I read to possibly use for my Romeo and Juliet unit will work in my middle school classroom, I read a lot of great books over the past month. Thankful for summer reading!

14Jul2014

It’s Monday, what are you reading? #IMWAYR 7/14/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Does anyone else think that summer is FLYING by at an alarming rate?! Sigh. I sure do and I am not a fan. But, I am still getting a lot of reading time and making the most of it so I can’t complain too much. This past week I picked up and read a few books from the library and also read the newest title by one of my very favorite authors. I’ve already decided that next year I am NOT bringing a big box of books home from school because I have barely touched the one I brought home in June. I hope you’ve had a great week of reading!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the picture to head on over to Goodreads and check out a synopsis and more reviews of each book)

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Contemporary Fiction, 2014
308 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars

Landline is about a very busy television writer named Georgie McCool, her husband Neal, and what happens when a couple’s marriage is at a breaking point. It’s Christmas time and Georgie, Neal and their two daughters are supposed to be heading to Omaha to spend the holidays with Neal’s family, but Georgie and her writing partner, Seth, are on deadline for pitching their new show that very likely will be their biggest hit yet. Georgie decides she has to stay in LA while Neal leaves with the girls, and not on very good terms. I love that this book is all about relationships (one of Rowell’s specialties) and communicating or the lack their of. This book is so, so good and I think every married couple should read it. Here is an amazing NYT review of Landline that you should definitely check out.

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Middle Grade Fantasy, 2013

233 pages
My Goodreads rating: 5/5 stars
Flora and Ulysses is a charming, and often very funny story about a little girl named Flora who loves words and superheroes, and what happens after she watches her next door neighbor’s supercharged vacuum suck up an unsuspecting squirrel, whom she later names Ulysses. Ulysses and Flora become fast friends and with Ulysses’ new found talents, they go on several adventures. There are some unforgettable characters in this book and I think it would make a fantastic read aloud. I plan to read it to my 6th grade reading classes this year and follow it up with my beloved The One and Only Ivan.

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

YA Realistic Fiction, 2014
208 Pages
My Goodreads Rating: 3/5 Stars
This is a super quick read that breaks your heart. The story of Alice and what happens to her is told by 5 different characters. It is tough to read and I got really angry at certain characters throughout the book. Oh, the power of jealousy, rumors and lies. While the book does a great job moving the story’s plot along with differing perspectives using very realistic characters, language and situations, I think it could have been more developed in spots, and especially at the end.

Here’s what I’m planning on reading next:

(Click on the pictures for more info)

7Jul2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 7/7/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Greetings, Literacy Lovers! I hope you are getting through your summer TBR pile and had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the picture to head on over to Goodreads)

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

Nonfiction, Humor
2013, 371 pages
My Goodreads rating: 4/5 stars
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this title and really wanted to check it out. Most of it is about the author’s struggle with depression in an honest, this-is-how-it-is kind of way that I really appreciated. There are some HILARIOUS stories mixed throughout that cover Brosh’s childhood, her ADHD, and adventures with her two dogs. The book is illustrated with MSPaint and the pictures are so funny. I highly recommend Allie Brosh’s blog too – http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

No More Independent Reading Without Support by Debbie Miller and Barbara Moss

Nonfiction, Professional Development

2013, 87 pages
My Goodreads rating: 4/5 stars
I’ve had this book for awhile and finally decided to read it. This book is part of the “This, Not That” series (Think Eat This, Not That) and while as a veteran teacher there aren’t really a lot of new ideas, I really like the information the authors present. Section three is fantastic, and if I were ever to teach a college course this will probably be on the syllabus for its practicality and to the point message about reading and supporting students.A very quick read!

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
2014, 304 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars
Fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder and Cynthia Lord’s Rules will really like this book. Albie is a great character and while his parents really, really annoy me, there are some other fantastic characters that make up for them. The story is all about taking pride in yourself and finding out what you are good at doing. Throw in a “Choose Kind” message and you’ve got a great read!

Whole Novels for the Whole Class by Ariel Sacks

Nonfiction, Professional Development
2013, 368 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
I’m really excited about this book and the potential that Sack’s ideas have for my classroom this fall. The idea of giving students a reading schedule and letting them read a novel on their own is not new to me, but I love, love, love how Sacks lays everything out on the table about how to be successful with this method. Last summer I read Join the Club by Katie Czerwinski, which is all about book clubs and I think the ideas in both of these books are the way I want to set up my ELA classes. Lots of opportunities for reading, writing and talking which are the cornerstones of what I’m wanting for my students. I ended up reading Whole Novels over the course of a week because there were so many things to think about that I read a chapter a day. Ariel Sacks is very accessible on Twitter and has offered to answer questions as I start utilizing this process, which I think is pretty awesome!

I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora

YA Realistic Fiction
2014, 176 pages
My Goodreads rating: 5/5
Oh, how I wish this book was 100 pages longer. While I am not an obsessive fan of To Kill A Mockingbird like so many readers out there, I loved this little YA book so much. I adore books that are about books and this one is so cool! I’m surprised it doesn’t have higher ratings on Goodreads, but maybe that’s because it is so short? 🙂 Anyway, this book has a really cool plot that I wish would happen in real life. I would totally participate!!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

YA Realistic Fiction
2014, 288 pages
MY Goodreads rating: 5/5 stars
This is my first Jenny Han book, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this story, as in, I devoured it in one afternoon and got completely wrapped up in Lara Jean’s story of how some letters she wrote for herself to former crushes were mysteriously mailed to the boys and everything that happens after that. I will admit I was so bummed when I finished it and said to myself “Wait. That’s it? What happens NEXT?”. I was shocked and jump-up-and-down excited to find out that this is only book 1 . Woo Hoo! Great book, and fans of Sarah Dessen esque books would enjoy this one, too.

Happy reading, everyone! Have a great week!

23Jun2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 6/23/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Here are a few titles that I’ve managed to read lately. I’ve started to hit my summer reading pile, but this week I plan to knock out a bunch of books. I hope you’ve found time to read on your summer breaks!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacfic Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed

2012, Memoir
315 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
I’ve been wanting to read Wild for a long time and finally was able to get it from the library. It was worth the wait! I am fascinated by real life tales of people coming back from the lowest points of their lives and doing amazing things. I cannot even fathom undertaking something as big as hiking for 3 months mostly by myself, not to mention not having any experience about hiking whatsoever while doing so, at the age of 22! Strayed is very honest and doesn’t shy from any details. She recounts her mother’s death, the disintegration of her family, and her time on the PCT. Great book. Highly recommend.

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2) by Gena Showalter

2013, YA Fantasy
480 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Stars
It took me about 50 pages to get into the follow up to Alice in Zombieland, but there was lots of action, teen angst, funny dialogue, and conflict between all of the characters to keep me interested. I’m sure I missed a ton of Alice in Wonderland references, but I look forward to reading #3 when it comes out later this year.

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Trilogy #3) by Leigh Bardugo

2014, YA Fantasy
417 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
The final book of The Grisha Trilogy did not disappoint! I had no clue how this story was going to end, and was so satisfied at how Bardugo decided to wrap things up. I read the second half while waiting at the car dealership, and fought back tears when I read the last page. I will miss the Soldier, Summoner and Saint and if you are looking for an amazing series that is unlike anything else out there, I highly recommend these books. So impressed and hope this one makes it to the big screen!

Butter by Erin Jade Lange

Upper YA Realistic Fiction, 2012
294 pages
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
This book was very hard to read. While the writing is good, and reminds me of AS King, the subject matter is so sad and scary that I almost abandoned it. The story is based on Butter, a 17 year old who at the beginning of the book weighs well over 400 lbs. He is a loner and, as you can imagine, his peers are not kind to him. His mother enables his bad eating habits and his father pretty much ignores him. Butter spends his evenings playing the saxophone (very, very well) and talking to Anna, a girl from school who he has a crush on. Butter uses a fake name and persona while talking to Anna and she really likes “JP” even though they have never shared a picture with each other. When an altercation in the cafeteria one day drives Butter to start a website advertising his plans to commit suicide by having “one last meal” things go from bad to horible quickly. A sad story about bullying and friendship that tears your heart in two.

This week I’ll be starting to plan for next year so I’ll be reading some professional development books about reading and writing on top of some more books from my summer reads pile, which you can see here: http://wp.me/p3FLrJ-mb

Happy Reading!

2Jun2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 6/2/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Bam! Two weeks of #IMWAYR in a row! Summer is so close and I am back to blogging on a much regular basis. I read a lot of great books this week, so check them out!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the book covers to add these titles to your Goodreads TBR piles)

Please excuse the formatting issues in this post! WordPress and I are apparently not getting along, and I will figure it out before next week. Thanks!

One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
2013
MG Historical Fiction Mystery
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
I picked up this book at the spring book fair solely on the fact that it takes place in my home state, Wisconsin. I was pleasantly surprised that this book is AWESOME! It takes in the late 1800’s, and there are tons of pigeons nesting in the town of Placid (love that name). Weird, right? The main character Georgie is a sure shot with a rifle and speaks her mind, almost to a fault. Love this main character, the mystery surrounding her sister’s whereabouts and the journey she takes to find her sister. I plan to read this aloud to my students next year for sure!!

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter
2012
YA Fantasy / Horror
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5
Two things you should know about me – 1. I don’t like anything zombie related. 2. I have never been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. This is another example of a book I wasn’t expecting to enjoy, but I picked it up because it looked like it had major student appeal. I ended up not being able to put it down and read it in two days! It reminds me a little bit of the Shiver series, but with zombies. While there were a couple lines of cringe worthy dialogue from a teacher’s perspective, this is a great story and will be a hit in my library. I have already requested book #2 from my local library and plan to purchase it before school starts up again.

Just One Night (Just One Day 2.5) by Gayle Forman
2014
YA Realistic Fiction
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
I’ve had mixed feelings about this series. I loved Just One Day and thought Just One Year was just ok, but was very happy that Just One Night wrapped up this series very nicely. It was pretty much the perfect ending that a reader hopes for in a series like this. Good stuff! Well worth the 99 cents.

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare
2014
YA Fantasy
My Goodreads Rating 5/5 Stars
It is with a heavy heart that I include this book in this week’s post, because it means that the series is over. I can’t believe it! I have said before that I never ever thought I would like this series and had the first book in my TBR pile for months. Once I dove in, I could not get enough of Clary, Jace, Simon and the rest of the memorable characters and storyline that Cassandra Clare has masterfully constructed. City of Heavenly Fire is 725 pages long and is 725 pages of awesomeness. Seriously. I plan to write a post on my love for this series very soon.

Here’s What I Plan to Read Next:

Now that I’m finished with the TMI series, I plan to read the prequel series – The Internal Devices. There are 3 books in the series. I also have a few books in my summer TBR pile already, and Prisoner B-3087 is one of them. I also hope to pick up Through the Zombie Glass early this week, too.

Happy Reading, everyone!

26May2014

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 5/26/14

Posted in IMWAYR by Literacy Love

Yikes! It has been a loooooong time since I’ve shared what I’ve been reading. This post will be a little longer than usual, but now that school is almost over I will be reading and blogging a lot more frequently!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

(Click on the book covers to add these titles to your Goodreads TBR piles)

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Claire
2011
YA Fantasy
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Stars
Another amazing book in this series! I cannot get enough of these books. Looking forward to purchasing the last book, City of Heavenly Fire, on Tuesday when it comes out and starting the Infernal Devices series on summer break.

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer
2014
YA Science Fiction
My Goodreads Rating: 5/5
The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorite series that I have ever read, and I think Cress is my favorite of the three books. If you haven’t read Cinder yet, you probably should add it to your summer reading list immediately.

Key to Kashdune (sequel to Aesop’s Secret) by Claudia White
2014
MG Fantasy
My Goodreads Rating: 4/5
Key to Kashdune is a great follow up to Aesop’s Secret and I really enjoyed it. Great characters and interesting, magical story lines!

The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick
2014
Adult Realistic Fiction
My Goodreads Rating 4/5 Stars
I love Matthew Quick’s books and think he is a master at writing characters. This book is no exception. Quirky characters x infinity and unique settings make for another great book by this fantastic author!

Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson
2014
YA Realistic Fiction
My Goodreads Rating 4/5 Stars
This book reminds me very much of This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. Small town girl meets mega movie star hottie. Fans of books by Smith and Elizabeth Eulberg will like this one a lot!

Days of Blood and Starlight (sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone) by Laini Taylor
2012
YA Fantasy
My Goodreads Rating 5/5 Stars
This series is above and beyond anything I’ve ever read in the YA fantasy genre. I listened to the first half or so of this audiobook before finishing the ebook version and I highly recommend reading the series with your ears. Amazing narrator! I am putting off reading the last book, Of Gods and Monsters, because I love these characters and their fantasy world so much.

Slated (Slated #1) by Teri Terry
2012
YA Science Fiction
My Goodreads Rating 4/5 Stars
A weird book about teenagers getting their minds erased that caught me by surprise. I almost abandoned this one, but stuck with it and really liked it. I think fans of The Adoration of Jenna Fox would really like this one.

The One (Selection #3) by Kiera Cass
2014
YA Fantasy
My Goodreads Rating 2/5 Stars
I love The Selection series and was so looking forward to seeing how the trilogy ended. I had high hopes for this book, but thought that the last 40 or so pages were a bit sloppy, jumbled and thrown together. I am glad to see that so many others loved it and it is very popular in my classroom. Looking forward to more from this author!

I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder
2008
YA Fantasy, written in verse
My Goodreads rating: 4/5 stars
Cool book that I really enjoyed. The story sucks you in and you won’t want to put it down. I really need to invest some time searching for more books written in verse and adding them to my library.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom For a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen
2014
YA Memoir
My Goodreads rating: 4/5 stars
Cute story about a teenager that uses a book from the 1950’s to try to achieve popularity. While as a teacher I cringed while reading about the writer’s school and fellow students, I thought it was a cool concept and can’t wait to see who plays Maya in the movie version that is already in the works.

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
2009
YA Realistic Fiction
My Goodreads rating 4/5 Stars
I have read a lot of Trigiani’s books and always enjoyed them. This is the first YA book I have read from her and it was pretty good. I liked the characters and setting and think that I’ll have a lot of female students that enjoy this one.

Ruined (Ruined #1) by Paula Morris
2009
YA Mystery
My Goodreads rating 4/5 Stars
I wasn’t sure if I could get into this one, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I loved the setting of New Orleans and getting wrapped up in all the history of the families, houses and neighborhoods and folklore. Awesome book that I definitely recommend!

Here’s what I plan to read next: (Click on the cover for more info from Goodreads)

Happy Reading!

Literacy Love

My love affair with words, one page at a time.

Category Archives: IMWAYR

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 11/2/14

It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 10/27/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 9/29/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 9/8/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 8/11/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 7/7/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 6/23/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 6/2/14

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It’s Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR 5/26/14

Yikes! It has been a loooooong time since I’ve shared what I’ve been reading. This post will be a little longer than usual, but now that school is almost over I will be reading and blogging a lot more frequently!

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Here’s what I plan to read next: (Click on the cover for more info from Goodreads)

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Yikes! It has been a loooooong time since I’ve shared what I’ve been reading. This post will be a little longer than usual, but now that school is almost over I will be reading and blogging a lot more frequently!

Here’s what I’ve read lately:

Here’s what I plan to read next: (Click on the cover for more info from Goodreads)

Share this:

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