It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

These are memes started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journey, and I'm excited to participate, along with many other bloggers, in reviewing books I read the previous week.  I'll be reviewing picture books through adult books.

 

 

I haven't posted a #IMWAYR in over a month, so here are some highlights of my reading over these past few weeks:

 

MIDDLE GRADE

 

 

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

 

	2015-book, bullying, characters-with-disabilities, friendship, individuality, intermediate-kids-book, mock-newbery-2016,  teachers-who-inspire

 

So sweet! Thank God for teachers like Mr. Daniels! I also loved Ally's big brother, Travis, and her friends, Keisha and Albert. This reminded me a lot of Lisa Graff's Absolutely Almost, which I loved in 2014. It was interesting that Patricia Polacco was mentioned (for being a gifted writer with dyslexia) because I was thinking beforehand that Thank You, Mr. Falker was present in this story. Hunt reminds us that everyone learns differently and has something to offer, teachers are incredible influ So sweet! Thank God for teachers like Mr. Daniels! I also loved Ally's big brother, Travis, and her friends, Keisha and Albert. This reminded me a lot of Lisa Graff's Absolutely Almost, which I loved in 2014. It was interesting that Patricia Polacco was mentioned (for being a gifted writer with dyslexia) because I was thinking beforehand that Thank You, Mr. Falker was present in this story. Hunt reminds us that everyone learns differently and has something to offer, teachers are incredible influences in children's lives, and reading is the key to the world. Great minds DON'T think alike!   YOUNG ADULT     All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven   2015-book, abuse, anger, bebrave, bullying, character-development, character-motivation, character-who-writes, coming-of-age, death, divorce-or-separation, friendship, loss, love, mental-illness, mock-printz-2016,  romance, siblings, suicide, teenage-sex, young-adult-book       This book is so, so heartbreaking. I was half sick while reading it, dreading the inevitable, helplessly rooting for Finch, the tragic hero. I also felt angry (at parents, counselors, and yes, even Finch at times), sad (at the pain and stigma of mental illness), and hopeful (that Violet would forgive herself and learn to live again). I don't teach high school, but if I did, I would give this to my whole staff to read. Besides being a riveting story, this book is important - for understanding the This book is so, so heartbreaking. I was half sick while reading it, dreading the inevitable, helplessly rooting for Finch, the tragic hero. I also felt angry (at parents, counselors, and yes, even Finch at times), sad (at the pain and stigma of mental illness), and hopeful (that Violet would forgive herself and learn to live again). I don't teach high school, but if I did, I would give this to my whole staff to read. Besides being a riveting story, this book is important - for understanding the seriousness of the teenage condition, the dangers of mental illness, and the need for involved, present, and fearless adults in the lives of young people. This book was boldly written, and it deserves to be read and talked about in an honest way.  Caution: it is not to be carelessly passed around.  Read it first before you put it in a library or a teen's hands.     Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield     2014-book, audio-book, character-who-reads, character-who-writes, death, drug-and-alcohol-use, fantasy-science-fiction, lgbt, multicultural, paranormal, romance, story-within-a-story, writing-connections, young-adult-book     I listened to this compelling story on audio, and I have to say, I always looked forward to getting into the car to follow Darcy Patel (her own story) and Lizzie (the protagonist in the book Darcy wrote). In alternating chapters, we hear about Darcy's quick success within the YA writing world, prompting her to put off college and move to NYC, and the paranormal romance/thriller she wrote, complete with terrorists, serial killers, and ghosts. It's definitely not the most realistic author story, I I listened to this compelling story on audio, and I have to say, I always looked forward to getting into the car to follow Darcy Patel (her own story) and Lizzie (the protagonist in the  YA book Darcy wrote). In alternating chapters, we hear about Darcy's quick success within the YA writing world, prompting her to put off college and move to NYC, and the paranormal romance/thriller she wrote, complete with terrorists, serial killers, and ghosts. It's definitely not the most realistic author story, I'm sure - Darcy enjoys some pretty lucky breaks as a teen writer and seems to live without too much trouble as an 18-year-old in NYC - but the two novels in one make this a captivating read.   ADULT       Yes Please by Amy Poehler   adult, adult-nonfiction, audio-book, book-club, humor, memoir           I'm glad I listened to Poehler's memoir instead of reading the print version. I'm not sure I would have gotten through the actual book. Her voice and performance, though, kept me interested. I laughed aloud a few times and appreciated some of her insights on self esteem, winning, and aging. I also enjoyed the references to an era I, too, lived through, even though she is a little younger than me. However, I'm not sure she is as "nice" as she claims. The drug use, sex, reactions to situations and I'm glad I listened to Poehler's memoir instead of reading the print version; her voice and performance kept me interested. I laughed aloud and appreciated some of her insights on self esteem, winning, and aging. I also enjoyed the references to an era I, too, lived through, even though she is a little younger than me. I'm not sure she is as "nice" as she claims, however.  I do admire her success and creativity, though, in a man's world of comedy. She IS funny, and I'm glad I listened to her story. I'd like to listen to Bossypants by Tina Fey, also.        Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander   adult-nonfiction, audio-book,  spiritual     I enjoyed this memoir of Eben Alexander's journey to Heaven while he was in a coma. This miraculous story is made even more interesting because Alexander believed in science, not God, before his trip to the afterlife. His main message is that God is love, and He loves us unconditionally.   My family loves to read, too!   Mom     Dad     Libby (21)   Libby is taking a children's literature course, so she is enjoying lots of kidlit!  She is also taking a women's studies class.  Here are some titles she's been enjoying:         CURRENTLY READING     CURRENTLY LISTENING TO