2016 Reading Round-Up

Yes, I realize we're more than half way into January now, and I also realize that I already missed my goal of blogging at least once a week by missing last week altogether... but that's because my dang MacBook is out of commission AGAIN. We're waiting on a new hard drive to arrive (thank goodness that was under warranty still!), so I've only had access to Dan's laptop during the work day since he needs it in the evenings to study.

Anyway...

I set a goal to read 16 books in 2016, and I met that goal (and exceeded it by a couple - yay!) I use Goodreads to organize the books I have read, am currently reading, and want to read. Are you on there? If so, we should be friends - find me here! :) And if you'd like to see my post about my favorite 15 books ever that I am always recommending to people, please check out this post - but I feel like I need to make an updated version soon!

What I Read in 2016

1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - If you enjoy WWII novels, this one is for you. It's about a blind girl living in France during WWII, and it alternates between her and the story of a German boy at the same time and how they're both just trying to make it through. It's great.

2. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin - I read this one for book club. While it was a great story, I almost wish I hadn't read it because my perspective of, and thus my opinion of, Charles Lindbergh has forever been tainted. But I guess it's better to know certain things than to live in ignorance. It WAS a good book. The story was engaging, and I enjoyed learning about an American couple that I didn't know much about. 

3. Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipovic - This should be a mandatory book in school. It's quick, and it is literally a diary, so it reads fast. And the topic is so, so important. Similar to Anne Frank's diary, Zlata's diary is also set during war-time, but instead it is during the Bosnian war of the 1990's. 

4. A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold - I have always been fascinated with the Columbine shooting from 1999, so as soon as I saw Sue Klebold speak in an interview early last year and learned she had a book coming out, I was all over it. This book did not disappoint. It was interesting reading about the tragedy from one of the shooter's mother's perspective - it's difficult to not have empathy for her. 

5. Sacred Space by Corie Weathers - Military spouses, rejoice! This one is for you. Corie Weathers, a military spouse, had the unique opportunity to travel with Secretary of Defense Carter in 2015 after winning Military Spouse of the Year, and this book reflects her thoughts on how it is for the spouses waiting at home AND for the servicemembers who are deployed - and the dichotomy of the two. I was lucky enough to be on the launch team for this book and was able to read it and discuss it in an online group before it hit shelves. 

6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - This one kind of bored me, I'm not going to lie. I read it because I feel like so many people have, and it's so often talked about. The subject matter was good, and I don't think it was the book. I think I was in a reading funk when I read this one, so I won't blame the book. 

7. Columbine by Dave Cullen - After reading Sue Klebold's book, I was browsing reviews online and came across this one and decided to read it as well. It's a very factual based book that follows the events chronologically, which I enjoyed. It was objective and written after years of research, and I appreciated being able to read about the tragedy from yet another viewpoint.

8. The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp, MD - Annabelle is a toddler now, so I read a couple parenting books... this is one of them. I'm not going to review a parenting book. 

9. What to Expect the Toddler Years by Heidi Murkoff - Annabelle is a toddler now, so I read a couple parenting books... this is one of them. I'm not going to review a parenting book. 

10. Shine by Jodi Picoult - This is a short story by Picoult that comes before her newest novel, Small Great Things. It was a quick read and got me VERY excited to read the full novel! 

11. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - If you're looking for a fast-paced mystery, this is it! I enjoyed trying to figure out who the "bad guy" was all along, and there wasn't a slow spot in this book. 

12. Push by Sapphire - If you aren't comfortable with "bad" language, then sit this one out because there is a LOT of it, and some is far worse than anything I've ever read in a typical novel. That said, this book was eye-opening to me about the lives of some young women who live in places that aren't as well-off as what we picture in our heads. Physical, emotional, verbal abuse... neglect... sexual assault... these are all big themes in this book, but it's worth reading to see the triumph that takes place. 

13. Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult - This is by far the best book I read in 2016, and it will for sure be added to my favorite books of all time list when I get around to updating it. It's about a black nurse who is forced to be alone with a white baby after the extremely racist parents have made it clear she should never be around him... and of course something goes wrong. The book chronicles the trial and is told from several different perspectives. It's an eye-opener for sure. 

14. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - Another WWII novel set in France, this one is also great. It tells the stories of two sisters who are very different and how each of them lives day to day throughout the war. I've heard it's being made into a movie, and if so, I'll happily go see it! 

15. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai - This one had been on my to-read list forever. It's written by the girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan and lived through it and her family's journey (from way before the shooting took place) of trying to make sure girls in Pakistan could receive an education as well. Malala is a hero in many regards. 

16. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne - Okay, where do I even start? This is the worst book I read in 2016, and maybe it's just because I am very well-educated when it comes to the Holocaust and Auschwitz (which I visited in 2015, something I had wanted to do for YEARS), but there are so many factual errors, and it just makes me cringe. And don't even get me started on the ended. That said, it is a best-seller for a reason, so others definitely enjoy it. There's a movie as well, and I may watch it just to see if it's any better done than the book. Note: Auschwitz is never ACTUALLY mentioned in the book, but duh, we all know what the author is referring to here.

17. My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares - This is a quick read about two people who keep meeting up in their new lives after they both die, but only one of them can remember everything. It chronicles several different lives and is fascinating. My only complaint is that there was supposed to be a sequel, but this book is several years old now, and it never came about. 

18. Rena's Promise: A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz by Heather Dune Macadam - Another Holocaust book... are you sensing a trend? This one is a gem. I firmly believe everyone should read every Holocaust account they can because all of these stories are worthy of being read over and over and over. What Rena and her sister went through at Auschwitz (like everyone else) is despicable, and we need to know the truth so it doesn't happen again. 

Note: My husband challenged me to go a year without reading a WWII book, but how can I when The Zookeeper's Wife movie comes out this spring? I can't - I'll have to read it right before. 

... and that's a wrap!

Did you read any good books in 2016? 
What's next on your to-read list?

A Pilot's Daughter {sort of} Reviews 'Daddy Flies' Book

Okay, so I only said SORT OF in the title of this post because Annabelle is only (almost) three months old, so she can't even express her own opinions yet, let alone review a book.

However, I can, and 'Daddy Flies' by Brye Stevens is excellent! The author is a military spouse whose husband is a pilot, and the book tells the story of young Katie, who learns that her daddy flies and is trying to figure out how.

I received a complimentary copy of the book 'Daddy Flies' by Brye Steeves in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own. The adorable airplane bib is from SEWandCompany on Etsy.

*My husband (and Annabelle's daddy), Lieutenant Lovemuffin, has been flying for 11 years now - and he FINALLY heads to Air Force pilot training this coming spring after putting it on hold to pursue his Master's degree in Physics.*

'Daddy Flies' rhymes, which makes it fun for me to read to Annabelle, and she will surely get a kick out of that as she gets a bit older.

The book shows lots of adorable pictures of the dad in the book in his flight suit, and I am so glad that as Annabelle gets older, she will have a special book to read when trying to figure out what her dad is doing all the time in that silly green onesie!

We give this book 5 stars - it's cute, fun, and will be totally applicable to our life in a couple years, and I just know it will come in handy in explaining Daddy's job to Annabelle.

Annabelle was SUPER excited to add 'Daddy Flies' to her growing collection of books about airplanes / flying - just look at that sweet smile! Little does she know that she gets to go on her FIRST FLIGHT this month! I think her daddy is most excited... I just hope for his sake that Annabelle enjoys flying more than I do!

Be sure to follow 'Daddy Flies' on Facebook - and get your copy of the adorable book on Amazon!


    

Book Reviews: The Cage and To Life

Wow, it's been forever since I've written a book review for the blog. That's not to say I'm not reading... I am. Slower tan I'd like to be this year, but I am. To check out my progress or become friends with me, check out my Goodreads account here.

Today, I am writing about two books that are close to my heart. They are books written by Holocaust survivor Ruth Minsky Sender, and they are the books that got me hooked on studying the horrible atrocities way back in 2000... 15 years ago. I alluded to these books in my post about visiting Auschwitz a couple weeks ago, and since I recently re-read them, I just have to share my thoughts.

First of all, these are young adult (YA) books - and they read like they are. The story moves quickly, and it will suck you right in. The Cage features Riva, a teenager, who lives in Lodz, Poland with her mother and younger brothers at the beginning of the Nazi occupation. She witnesses everything - from living in the Lodz Ghetto to seeing family members ripped away and dealing with deaths from illnesses. This book details Riva's life as she moves from place to place, facing her fears, and always fighting to stay alive. As her mother told her, "as long as there is life, there is hope", which is a broad theme throughout both books and what Riva uses to keep herself going in even the roughest situations.

The second book, To Life, tells about what happened after the war. We hear that the Jews were liberated - or freed from captivity - but most people stop thinking then. They do not think about the way these people (and in this book, women specifically) were treated by their Russian liberators, by the non-Nazi citizens of Germany, and even of the Polish citizens who took their homes while they were gone. We don't often learn about how long it took these survivors to reclaim their lives - and let me just say, it is a LONG time. I'm ashamed that I didn't know this part of history, but this book is a real eye-opener if you're looking to expand your knowledge of how survivors were treated. I highly recommend reading these books.

Oh, and did I mention that these books are memoirs from the author's own life? No fiction here - this is the real deal. Sender does a phenomenal job conveying the horrors that took place in a way that people will cry along with her as they take in so much information.

Both of these books deserve 5/5 stars from me. They are important pieces of literature, and I wish they were required reading in schools. After all, those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it.

To learn more about these books, check them out on Goodreads here:
The Cage
To Life

Have you ever read these books?
Do you also like Holocaust literature?
What is your favorite historical event to read about?


    

Book Review: Birthmarked Trilogy

I currently have several book reviews on my old blog. I want to get rid of completely (since it's been nearly two years since I've used it), but many of my links are still to that blog. To transition completely away, I am going to be re-sharing some of my book reviews here once or twice a week. If you love reading, this is for you! If not... I'm sorry, and I promise to keep the words "book review" in all of the titles so you know!

Today's review features Birthmarked, Prized, and Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien.

Birthmarked is yet another trilogy set in a dystopian future (are you surprised?), yet it has many differences from the others that are popular right now. 16 year old Gaia Stone is a midwife in her community outside the wall of the Enclave. It is Gaia's duty (as well as her mother's) to advance a certain quota of babies born each month into the Enclave so that more suitable parents may raise them and they will have a better life. 

Gaia's family, never ones to cause problems and always ones to agree with everything the Enclave demands, is arrested while Gaia is not home, so when she returns, she has to inquire from a family friend about what happened to her parents. Gaia, determined to get her parents out alive, heads into the Enclave to rescue them, and that is where the fun begins. She sees things she does not want to, and she becomes a pawn in the life going on inside the Enclave. 

Gaia befriends one of the guards from the Enclave, and together, they must escape to save themselves when they don't think anyone else can be saved. Gaia is a strong female character, and she challenges the beliefs of others.

THE REST OF THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK, BIRTHMARKED.

When Gaia escapes from the Enclave without Leon, she doesn't know what to do. She has her baby sister, Maya, with her, and together they make it most of the way through the Wasteland. One day, when they probably wouldn't have made it much farther on their own, a man on a horse helps them reach their unknown destination, a place he calls home. That home is known as Sylum, and the rules are strict. Gaia must submit to the authorities, which she finds difficult. There is no hugging/kissing because it is a crime unless you are married to that person. 

Gaia finds the entire place to be a struggle, and then she finds out that Leon has made the trek as well. What does Gaia need to do in order to make things go her way? It turns out that everyone else recognizes her as a strong leader, and they want her to be the Matriarch of the society. Does Gaia want it, though? What happens when she is forced into something she doesn't know if she is ready for? Are her feelings for Leon strong enough, or will she waver and fall for someone else? 

Overall, these books were fun to read. I read them while I was still teaching 8th grade, and that made it easier to read so many dystopian novels. I needed to be "caught up" so I could talk about them. I'm kind of over the dystopian scene now... at least for a while. I need some fresh air! 

• Have you read these books?
• Do you like dystopian fiction?
• What's your favorite book right now?

Book Review: Between the Lines

I currently have several book reviews on my old blog. I want to get rid of completely (since it's been nearly two years since I've used it), but many of my links are still to that blog. To transition completely away, I am going to be re-sharing some of my book reviews here once or twice a week. If you love reading, this is for you! If not... I'm sorry, and I promise to keep the words "book review" in all of the titles so you know!

Today's review features Between the Lines by Jodi Picout.

A couple years ago, I heard that my favorite author, Jodi Picoult, would be writing a book with her teenage daughter, Samantha. When I read about it, I was ecstatic. In true Janelle fashion, I bought the book (the actual book, not the e-book, as I have all of Picoult's books in hardcover, taking up nearly an entire shelf in one of my bookcases). I was nervous because this book was said to be unlike any other she'd written to date. Well, I was nervous for no reason because Between the Lines is a fantastic piece of literature, and I couldn't put it down.

Between the Lines tells the story of Delilah, a high school girl, who is obsessed with a children's fairy tale. She doesn't have many friends, and she loves reading by herself. The story she becomes smitten with is about a prince named Oliver. He is brave and strong and everything she feels like she isn't. One day, Prince Oliver begins talking to her. Yes, a character in a story is talking to the girl who is reading it. Maybe Prince Oliver isn't just a character after all... maybe he is trapped inside the book. 

Delilah desperately wants to help him, but along the way, her mom and one best friend think she has gone crazy. In an attempt not to ruin the book for anyone who wants to read it (and this one comes HIGHLY recommended, guys!), I will just say that I found the concept of the novel to be brilliantly creative and that I haven't looked at the characters in any given book the same way since finishing this one. If I could give this book 20 stars out of 5, I would. THAT is how much I loved Between the Lines. Jodi Picoult strikes again, this time with her daughter as co-author. 

To read more about the author, check out Picoult's website here! 

Book Review: A Stolen Life

I currently have several book reviews on my old blog. I want to get rid of completely (since it's been nearly two years since I've used it), but many of my links are still to that blog. To transition completely away, I am going to be re-sharing some of my book reviews here once or twice a week. If you love reading, this is for you! If not... I'm sorry, and I promise to keep the words "book review" in all of the titles so you know!

Today's review will be about A Stolen Life: a Memoir by Jaycee Dugard.

Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped from her street while walking to catch the school bus in South Lake Tahoe, California in June of 1991. Most people have heard of this because they were alive when it happened or became interested when she was found in August of 2009. Her story made headlines for months, and she was interviewed on many television shows about her 18 years of captivity, living alone in a small room in the backyard of her captor's house. 

After adjusting to the real world again, Jaycee decided to share her very personal story with the world in order to get her feelings out and to let everyone know that Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, kidnapped her. Before this, I read the book Room by Emma Donoghue. After finishing it, I searched for it online, and many people made direct comparisons of that book to Dugard's book of her own life. After having read both of them, I agree. I am sure that the premise of Room was built upon Jaycee Dugard's story. If that raises awareness for what happened to her, then so be it. 

A Stolen Life is definitely not the best written book I have ever read. There are grammatical mistakes throughout that would have bugged me had I not realized Jaycee missed most of her academic life. It was candid and REAL, and the things she went through were horrific. I will not rate this book on a star system simply because I feel like that would be rating her experiences, and that feels wrong. I will say this, though: until I read this book, I was sheltered and naive. I knew things like this happened, but I didn't think about them. Not really. But now I am aware, and I will always be watching for other children out there who may have been abducted from their homes. 

• Did you follow the Jaycee Dugard story?
• Have you read her book or Room?

Book Review: Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run

When a friend recommended Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run to me, I knew I had to read it. I love running, and I love reading... so why wouldn't I love reading about running? Well, I did love it!

As always, Goodreads provides a wonderful synopsis: 

In Mile Markers, Runner’s World contributing editor Kristin Armstrong captures the ineffable and timeless beauty of running, the importance of nurturing relationships with those we love, and the significance of reflecting on our experiences. This collection considers the most important reasons women run, celebrating the inspiring passion runners have for their sport and illustrating how running fosters a vitally powerful community. With unique wit, refreshing candor, and disarming vulnerability, Armstrong shares her conviction that running is the perfect parallel for marking the milestones of life. From describing running a hardfought race with her tightly-knit group of sweat sisters, to watching her children participate in the sport for the very first time, Armstrong infuses her experiences with a perspective of hope that every moment is a chance to become a stronger, wiser, more peaceful woman. Running threads these touching stories together, and through each of them we are shown the universal undercurrents of inspiration, growth, grace, family, empowerment, and endurance.

Overall, I absolutely loved reading Mile Markers. The author is Kristin Armstrong, who just happens to be Lance Armstrong's ex-wife, so that is also pretty cool. This book was easy to read in chunks because it is split up into a series of blog posts that Armstrong has written. If you're a woman and a runner, I highly recommend this book. If you're not but you'd like to be (a runner), check it out - it will give you the inspiration you need to get started! This book makes me want to find a running group so I can become great friends with them like the women I read about. 

• Do you like reading books about sports?
• What is your favorite memoir type book?

Book Review: Think 4:8

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.*

Think 4:8 - 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, by Tommy Newberry (with Lyn Smith), is an uplifting book based on scripture.

As always, Goodreads provides a wonderful synopsis: 

The best-selling author of "The 4:8 Principle" and "40 Days to a Joy-filled Life" returns with a special edition for teens. In just 40 days, teens can change their minds and their attitudes. Tommy Newberry, together with writer Lyn Smith, takes teens from thinking negatively to thinking positively, which will change their entire outlook on life. Not only will this devotional make teens think more positively and have a better attitude, this devotional also points teens to Scripture and helps them understand more about God. The devotions not only help teens understand how their thought life determines their perspective, but they also help them focus their minds on godly truths so they can live out their faith. This book is the perfect way for teens to get a new attitude and start living a fulfilling, joy-filled life in just 40 days.

Please note that I am not a teen. I am a 26 year old woman, but I selected this book to review for two reasons:

1) I am still in the early stages of discovery when it comes to my faith, and

2) I work with teenagers on a daily basis as an 8th grade teacher. 

First of all, this book is based on a verse from the Bible, Philippians 4:8. 

What I loved about this book:

1. I LOVE how Think 4:8 is a daily devotional. It is so much easier to comprehend the "lessons" each day when you have a limited amount of reading to do.

2. I enjoyed the exercises at the end of each day's reading. Sometimes it was a challenge to fill in the blanks in the tables provided, but I was really thinking about my life, what makes me happy, and how I can add more joy to my life just from thinking like Jesus. 

3. I appreciated the reminders of the scripture this book was focused on throughout the 40 days. Philippians 4:8 will forever be in my head now, and I am hoping it will continue to focus my thoughts on positive things in life and bring more joy to my life. 

What wasn't the greatest:
1. Some of the scenarios were a little unrealistic for me, as they discussed talking to your parents, teachers, etc. about situations. As an adult, that is strange; however, I acknowledge that I am an outsider looking in as a 26 year old. I still think this book would be a phenomenal tool for adolescents who are looking to grow in their understanding of God, feel better about their own lives, and find more happiness in the simple things. 

All in all, I highly recommend this book to not only teenagers but to ANYONE who is looking to focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. As an adult, I was only put off a couple times, and I took MUCH MORE out of this book than was lost on me. If you're trying to rid the negativity from your life and focus on the positive, READ THIS BOOK. Seriously. 

• What is your favorite faith based book?
• Have you ever received a book in exchange for a review?

Book Review: Jenny Pox

I use Grammarly's plagiarism checker because I like to prove to my students that I can catch them.

When I first heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. It sounded like it would be right up my alley, and it certainly was! Jenny Pox by JL Bryan was everything it promised to be.

As always, Goodreads provides a wonderful synopsis: 

Eighteen-year-old Jenny Morton has a horrific secret: her touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague, the "Jenny pox." She lives by a single rule: Never touch anyone. A lifetime of avoiding any physical contact with others has made her isolated and painfully lonely in her small rural town.

Then she meets the one boy she can touch. Jenny feels herself falling for Seth... but if she's going to be with him, Jenny must learn to use the deadly pox inside her to confront his ruthless and manipulative girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.

Doesn't that sound absolutely intriguing? I couldn't put this book down, and it definitely got me out of my reading slump. I know I post a lot of reviews about YA books, but they're exactly what I'm looking for. Jenny Pox was no exception. In the novel, Jenny tries to overcome being treated poorly by a girl in her town. When she finds out that Ashleigh also has a power (actually the opposite power), she knows she has to stop her in order to finally have love in her life. 

This story is a powerful coming-of-age tale with a supernatural element. Keep in mind that although the story sounds like it is suitable for young adults, there are a couple scenes in which the content is definitely only for adults. 

• Do you read supernatural stories?
• What is your favorite novel?

Book Review: The Moon and More

It's been a while since I've reviewed a book on here. Why? Simply because I have not been reading as much as I should. Over the summer, I essentially read nothing. I think I crave the routine that comes along with a new school year. Since then, I've been reading nearly every night again, and I am on track to finish my 36 book goal for the year of 2013. 

Today, I'm going to tell you about The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen.

I'm a big fan of Sarah Dessen. I have been for years. Her books aren't normally the type I read, but I ALWAYS dive right into her novels and don't come back up for air until I finish them. 

As always, Goodreads provides a wonderful synopsis: 

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

Just like each of Dessen's novels, this one did not disappoint. I instantly knew who I wanted Emaline to be with, and my view actually changed as the story progressed. The Moon and More is a fun read, and I will be recommending it to everyone who asks me what book they should read next. 

• Do you enjoy Sarah Dessen books?
• Which of hers is your favorite?
• Who is your favorite author?

Book Review: Matched Trilogy

Recently, I found a series on Goodreads that sounded fabulous. I bought the first book, and as I devoured it, I knew I would have to buy the other two in the trilogy. Matched, Crossed, and Reached by Ally Condie were great, fun books that kept me interested the whole way through.

 

These weren't the best written novels I've ever read. No, they weren't bad, but they just don't stand up to the caliber of a couple other books I've read recently. The stories were superb, though, and that's what matters.

Goodreads provides an excellent synopsis of book one, Matched, saying:

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

Doesn't that just draw you in right away? I don't know about you, but I'm totally a sucker for all of these dystopian novels that have been coming out lately. I love the stories, and it's really cool to think about alternate ways our world COULD be going.

If you're looking for a fun little series, check out the Matched trilogy by Ally Condie!

Book Review: Shadow Children Series

Many of you may have heard of the Shadow Children Series, a collection of seven book by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It's a middle grade level book, meaning that it is targeted for late elementary school to middle school readers. I remember reading the first one, Among the Hidden, when I was in middle school myself. Since I now teach retained 8th graders, I buy a lot of books. I always try to preview them before I put them out, so I read this entire compilation last winter.

There are seven books in the series: 

1. Among the Hidden

2. Among the Impostors

3. Among the Betrayed

4. Among the Barons

5. Among the Brave

6. Among the Enemy

7. Among the Free

As I read book one, I remembered a lot of it, which says a lot since it had been at least 12 years since I'd read it.

Goodreads, as always, provides a great synopsis. I won't bore you with all seven (and also because I don't want to give anything away). Here's book one:

Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

Doesn't that just draw you in right away? It sure did for me. These books may be written for 12-14 year olds, but the concept and plot is phenomenal. I highly recommend this entire series to all children, teenagers, teachers, parents, babysitters, and book lovers. Basically, just read these books. Who cares if they weren't written for your age group? The concept of the Shadow Children Series will make you think. A lot. And then read some more and think some more. Just do it.

Oh, and if you want to read about the other books, check out GOODREADS, and search for each one by title.

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars

When a friend recommends a book to me, I almost always at least look into it. I normally don't turn them down, and when my friend Carly recommended The Fault in Our Stars by John Green to me in March, I was excited. I had heard of the novel before, and I'd even read a synopsis... but it wasn't quite enough to draw me in for some reason. Carly's suggestion pushed me over the edge, and I am so glad I decided to give the book a chance!

Goodreads gives a great synopsis of the book, as always:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Am I the only person out there who wonders what it would be like to be in a situation similar to the one Hazel is in? Yes? I'm just a weirdo? Okay then. 

But seriously, The Fault in Our Stars was BRILLIANTLY written. Green gives readers a look inside two teenage cancer patients' brains, and they are tough to forget. Not only did I not want the book to end, but I often think of Hazel and Augustus as if I knew them. 

No, this isn't the BEST book I've ever read... but it is way up there. If you're going to pick a book to read this summer, make The Fault in Our Stars it. After all, according to IMDB, it is coming out as a movie sometime soon (it's in pre-production now), and I personally cannot wait! 

Book Review: The Storyteller

Can anyone name my favorite author? No? Okay, I'll tell you, but only because I want to share this amazing woman with the rest of the world. If you haven't been living under a rock, however, you probably are already familiar with Jodi Picoult. She takes current issues, asks herself a 'what-if?' question, and tells the story beautifully... every single time. The Storyteller, her most recent novel, is certainly no exception.

Goodreads gives the perfect synopsis for The Storyteller:

Sage Singer befriends an old man who's particularly beloved in her community. Josef Weber is everyone's favorite retired teacher and Little League coach. They strike up a friendship at the bakery where Sage works. One day he asks Sage for a favor: to kill him. Shocked, Sage refuses… and then he confesses his darkest secret - he deserves to die, because he was a Nazi SS guard. Complicating the matter? Sage's grandmother is a Holocaust survivor.

What do you do when evil lives next door? Can someone who's committed a truly heinous act ever atone for it with subsequent good behavior? Should you offer forgiveness to someone if you aren't the party who was wronged? And most of all - if Sage even considers his request - is it murder, or justice?

Now, doesn't that sound compelling? Or not, if you're not like me. I have an odd fascination with books about the Holocaust. It started in seventh grade, when I read The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender in class. I felt so deeply for the characters, and ever since, I haven't been able to avoid books about this subject. And with Jodi Picoult being my favorite author, reading The Storyteller was a no-brainer.

I don't want to give too many details about the book. This is one you simply have to read. Be prepared to stop and think. Be prepared to cry. Be prepared for this book to stay with you for a long, long time after you finish reading it. But most of all: just read it. It's brilliant; I promise. I haven't been this straight-forward about recommending a book in a long time (probably since I read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, also a Holocaust book). Do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy of this book soon. 

• If you've read The Storyteller, what did you think?
• If you haven't read it yet, do you plan on it?
• Are you fascinated with a certain time period in our history?
• What is YOUR favorite book?

Book Review: Unwind

Recently, I read about a book that sounded intriguing. It didn't turn out to be exactly what I had hoped, but the concept is still fascinating. Unwind by Neal Shusterman really made me think, but overall, it didn't captivate me enough to read the sequels.

Goodreads provides the synopsis for Unwind: 

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

Overall, the plot sounds incredibly cool, but the writing style just did not captivate me like I thought it would. The story was still fun because it presents such an alternate reality to what we have. I'm glad I read this book, but I am not choosing to read the sequels that follow it. If you're looking for something different, though, Unwind by Neal Shusterman may be the way to go. 

Book Review: Seriously... I'm Kidding

Are you a fan of Ellen Degeneres? If so, look into her new book Seriously... I'm Kidding. I am a huge fan of hers, and this book is hysterical! I couldn't read it right before bed simply because it made me laugh so hard. I normally don't read humorous books, but this is an exception I was happy to make!

Goodreads says about Seriously... I'm Kidding:

"Sometimes the greatest things are the most embarrassing." Ellen Degeneres' winning, upbeat candor has made her show one of the most popular, resilient, and honored daytime shows on the air. (To date, it has won no fewer than 31 Emmys.) Seriously... I'm Kidding, Degeneres' first book in eight years, brings us up to date about the life of a kindhearted woman who bowed out of American Idol because she didn't want to be mean. Lively; hilarious; often sweetly poignant.

The book made me laugh all the way through. If you want a chuckle, check out this book. It certainly isn't my usual genre, but I would read another book of Ellen's in a heartbeat!