2012 Book Challenge

Gearing up for a 2012 Reading Challenge. In 2011 I accomplished my personal goal of reading 100 books - I actually read 112! (YEAH). This year for 2012,  I want to participate in a challenge that will allow me to link up with other readers and hear their comments about books.  There are five levels to the challenge ranging from reading 5 books to 20+ at level V.

For 2012 I am striving for Level V by reading the following books:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 
2. Divergent by Veroncia Roth 
3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
4. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson 
5. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead 
6. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
7. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater 
8. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 
9. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen 
10. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks 
11. Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank 
12. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde 
13. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen 
14. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 
15. A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
16. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 
17. Naked in Death by JD Robb 
18. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 
19. You Against Me by Jenny Downham 
20. Life of Pi by Yann Martel 
21. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 
22. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown 
23. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 
24. I heart you, You haunt me by Lisa Schroeder 
25. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Juniot Diaz 
26. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler 
27. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa 
28. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

On her blog www.readingwithtequilla.com, a list of 266 recommended books was posted.  From the list I have already read 38 of the books. Wow! That is more than I would have guessed... maybe all that reading is paying off. Here is my list of books I have already read:


Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins,  Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling , The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K Rowling, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, South of Broad by Pat Conroy, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Paper Towns by John Green, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Looking For Alaska by John Green, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Fire by Kristin Cashore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, XVI by Julia Karr, A B C's by Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, Matched by Ally Condie, White Cat by Holly Black, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells, The Pledge by Kimberly Derting, Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.

Top Ten Books of 2011 - Top Ten Tuesday

This week's topic - Top Ten Books of 2011
I must start by saying that I am listing the top ten reads for me this year which are not necessarily books that were published in 2011. Although I do enjoy reading new YA fiction to share with my students, I also enjoy reading classics and other genres, particularly books that I have not read as an English literature major and as a high school English Teacher.

Here is my list - in no particular order... taken from my goodreads.com account since I have tracked my reading this year on that website, all 112 books that I have read.

Virginia Woolf - TO THE LIGHTHOUSE. I had to read this for a graduate class I was taking and I loved it. It was the only Modern Novel we read during the course of the semester that I truly enjoyed.

Hillary Jordan - WHEN SHE WOKE. Science Fiction is not usually my genre of choice, but this modernistic rendition of THE SCARLET LETTER was engaging and compelling throughout.

Aimee Bender - THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. To be able to taste feelings, an extraordinary and yet terrible gift all in one.

Greg Donaldson - ZEBRATOWN. A nonfiction book about the town where my family lives. I kept waiting to read my husband's name, but thankfully he was omitted.

Carmen Deedy - 14 Cows for America. I do not normally read picture books, but picked this one up at the local public library and read it to my sophomore classes on September 11th anniversary. I wanted them to think about how the actions of one man from a small African village could impact others.

Tatiana de Rosnay Sarah's Key. This book was one of those reads that I loved and hated at the same time. Many times when I read a book about a historical time period where atrocities are detailed, I become very depressed and think of what should have been done to stop the bloodshed and the horror. I loved the story about Sarah. The modern story that was mixed in I could have done without.

P.C. Cast The House of Night Series. My son told me that if I was going to waste my time reading vampire stories I should at least read quality like Ann Rice, but I was so enthralled with these stories and I do not even know why. I try to avoid teenage romance novels, but these had me from the start. I read the first six and then took a break. Looking to read the remaining three this year.

Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451. What a wonderful read. Even though the novel is short, it is packed full. I am sure that I will have to read this one many more times to truly grasp all it has to offer.

Kelly Gallagher Readicide. As an educator, I strive to continually expand my knowledge to be a better teacher. This book is a must read for any teacher looking to make a difference in reading experiences for students.

Eleanor Brown The Weird Sisters. A story of three sisters who learn what is most valuable. A great story. Although even after I have read it and discussed with my friends, I still cannot figure out who the narrator is. Anyone figure it out, let me know.

It's Monday ... What are you reading?

It is Monday again, and a wonderful Monday at that. It is 8:19 am and I am still in my jammies on the couch updating my blog. No School Monday!

So, what am I reading today? Currently there are two many books in my reading pile, books that I have started (some months ago) and others that are waiting to be opened.
Today I plan on tackling CROSSED by Ally Condie and CUTTING FOR STONE
by Abraham Verghese. I also have to finish MACBETH and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.

We will see in what direction the reading winds take me today.

Enjoy... It's Monday... What are you reading?

The Pledge

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Authors exert a great deal of time and energy in writing a novel. They must develop the characters, create a beleivable conflict and engage the reader in dialogue, both internal and external, that draws us into the lives of the characters.



Even after reading all 318 pages of this novel, I am not sure whether or not the author did that for me. There were times when I was so engaged in the story line I couldn't wait to find out what happened. This was coupled with the times that the story was too predictable and my first thought was to no longer waste my time reading.



As I think about which of my students I would recommend this book to, it would be to female students who love romance and adventure. The others I would tell to leave it be on the bookshelf.



View all my reviews

Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Two weeks ago I showed the movie trailer of this book to my students and decided I needed to read this book. I am thrilled that I did.



At first the story line seemed so "unreal" that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to enjoy the story. I was wrong. The entire story was engaging and extremely enjoyable. The plot moved at a pace that kept me wanting to learn more about the characters and the conflict that was ready to overpower the main character.



A wonderful read. I will read more from this author.



View all my reviews

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by: Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


For someone who does not read much of the fantasy/magic genre, I truly enjoyed this book. The plot was fast paced and the characters had a depth that allowed them to be "real" even though they are magical creatures.

There were a few spots in the book where the plot seemed to trip upon itself, leaps in the storyline that I had to go back and reread to follow.



Like all books, there are always one or two quotes that speak with such truths that I try to mark them in the text to remember then later. This book was no different.

At one point in the story, on page 335 Akiva and Karou are having a discussion and Karou says "Love is a luxury." and the response is "No. Love is an element." How true! Regardless of who you are love is as necessary as all the other elements found in nature.



A beautiful story and I await the next installment.



View all my reviews

Red Glove by Holly Black

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The second book in this series did not disappoint. One problem I have with book series is that when I read the first book and it is a while before the second book comes out, I tend to forget key plot elements that lend to my understanding.



The story of Cassel and his family is fascinating. The power of the workers is immeasurable, yet their loyalties are questionable. A fun read for those who are interested in suspense, intrigue and teenage angst all in the same mix.

Looking forward to reading the next installment (hope there is one) to continue to delve into the family saga.



View all my reviews