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!

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.

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)