85 Books in 2021!

While this has been a challenging year in some ways, the year, also, brought accomplishments, one in the form of books read.

My 2021 Reading Goals:  

1. to read an average of one book per week = minimum of 52 books
1. Mission accomplished...85 books!
2. to read half of my goal from my own TBR pile = 26 books (these will be bolded).
1. No...only 20.  OR 20!  (Cup is half full!)
3. to complete books for book clubs before the meeting time (love book clubs!)
1. Some, yes...some, no.  Uh oh!
4. to read more series (love series!)
1. Yes!  AND I so enjoyed thme!
5. to completely read more professional books 
1. No...
6. to read more ebooks 
1. Yes!  33 (at least!)
7. to continue to read more young adult books
1. Only three.  Need to work on this.
8. to read a classic...or four!
1. No...need to work on this one, also.

My favorite?  The series.  Of course!  AND I finished reading the Bible through for the sixth time...just in time to begin again tomorrow!

They say what you do on the first day of the year, you will do all year long.  I will find time to read on the first day of 2022!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Reads!

The most wonderful time of the year...well...hummm...honestly?...any day of the year is a good day to read!

But...I do enjoy reading seasonal reads, especially during the Christmas Season.

For this very time, I have downloaded several free Christmas books from bookbub.com (a great site that sends a daily email with either free or reduced-priced books from the categories of one's choosing).  Thus far, I have read two...and have a third loaded and ready to read.

Of course, I have purchased a few...just a few!

1. The Christmas Promise by Richard Paul Evans
2. Christmas with You and Starlit Winter Nights...both by Nora Roberts (used from thriftbooks.com)
3. This year for the first time (why did this take me so long?!) I purchased Christmas books as gifts for friends and family.  This has been sooooo much fun!  (Some recipients have already contacted me to share their enjoyment of reading the books!  Yay!)  Of course, I had to keep a set for myself.  Of course!
• The Carols of Christmas 
• A Royal Christms Wedding
• The Christmas Prayer
• Return to Christmas by Kathi Macias 

Please tell me...what are you favorite Christmas titles?!

Seriously, Series!

Serious talk...I just finished two books, each within a different series.  And...I am deciding, that for now, to not read the series.  Why?  School starts in two weeks...and, after checking on Overdrive, I cannot borrow the next in one of the series.  Plus, I am in the middle of reading Robert Galbraith's (aka JK Rowling!) C.B. Strike series.  Thus...as in, yes!...I am getting that series "fix"!

At dinner the other evening when I was sharing that I was reading this Galbraith/Rowling series, another avid reader friend asked where I had learned about about this series.  Hummmm....?  I cannot remember for sure.  Maybe the Internet?

I had four in the series...only one of which I had read.  As time became available, I pulled them off the shelf and began the series again, only then to learn of book number five, which I now, of course, own!  Of course.  As seems to be typical Rowling format, each novel increases in length.  Such a detailed writer she is.

I just love a good series, and I already have plans for my next dive into the depths of a character.  Just in time for the beginning of fall and the Readers Imbibing Peril Reading Challenge (which after a quick perusal...not sure if this challenge continues), I plan to read the Odd Thomas series, some of which will be a re-read, as its been several years since I read the first ones.

Currently, I am, also, reading Sea Change for a book club and will need to read The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermont.  Unless COVID changes our plans..again..., Alice McDermont will visit our area for a speaker series.

Thanks to series and a return to devoted reading time, I have now read 67+ books so far in 2021.  Will I make 100?  Maybe?  I have met my goal of 52. Nice!

What are you reading good?

Summer Reading 2021

Now weeks since summer  break began...and the reading for pleasure continues, reading, what I call, "fun" or "easy" reads, involving, this year, a series.  Yes, one of my favorite types of reads, especially since once the series has several books out for me to enjoy.

While at Wal-Mart very early in the summer, I picked up a book by new-to-me author Heather Graham, as I later read the front and back covers and began to dive into the book, I realized that I had started with the latest book in the series.  Yay...and what?!  A quick search for this series revealed that this one was number 35ish!  Wow!

Using the Overdrive app, I found the first one...and then the next 19...all in a row.  That has been my Summer Big Read.

Two interesting tidbits about this series:

1. Ghosts help solve the who-done-its.  The Krewe of Hunters see ghosts...thus, their name.
2. The author includes much history within each novel.  I actually ordered two that included facts and characters from the Salem Witchtrials, as my students and I read The Crucible and I could use the as examples of allusions.

Will I finish the series?  Probably.  May be next summer...as this summer is quickly passing and I have much to do yet before returning for year 31!

The Return to Reading

Meeting and surpassing my 2021 reading goal I am!  Just click on the above 2021 Reading List to check out my titles thus far.

I question myself:  why so many books in such a short time span?  My love of reading has returned after having lived in a dessert entitled "Pandemic and Busyness."  After the atrocious first semester during which time was not my own, I decided...and since have affirmed...that I needed a diagnosis of normalcy.  Therefore, I committed again to reading one book a week, reading books I owned (still have bought plenty...for that is very normal!), and reading books I enjoy...yes, even fluff...and young adult...and suspense...with a few witches thrown in!

Then, that love of reading began to return...not because I needed to meet a deadline (book clubs often place that pressure on me!  Yikes!)...but because I absolutely love to immerse myself in a good book.  Now, I feel more like me than I have in a long time.  Yes!

One of my more recent reads The Distance Between Lost and Found (bought based on a student's recommendation) reminds me so much of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, both about a girl bullied who lost...and then found...her voice.  Books on this topic remind...oh, why do I need to be reminded?!...of the power of the bully and to evermore take a stand against such violence.

Also, I have read three books by authors from my home state of Arkansas...have bought another...and reserved a copy for another.  Such talent we have!  Here are the titles of the ones I have read thus far...all very good:

1. Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge by Kristin Gray - middle grade
2. Eventide by Sarah Goodman - young adult
3. Letters on the Table by Pattie Howse-Duncan - adult

I certainly hope your love of reading has continued...and should you have taken a break (of whatever kind or length), I encourage you to dive back in with a book that speaks to you!

Happy reading!

Top Three Reads and Savings Account

Shall I share about my Top Three reads...thus far...for 2021?

First, though, I am borrowing an idea I read about on Facebook; a lady placed $1 in a jar/container throughout the year for each book read...and, then, had a chunk of change to purchase new books for the new year.  How fun!  So far, $3 in my jar!  

Now, for my Top Three Titles: (two from my TBR pile and two for book clubs):

1. Someone Like You:  On the topic of embryo adoption, this novel takes the reader into the lives of two families who soon become more strongly connected with the main character learns she is not biologically related to her family of 20+ years.  Written by Karen Kingsbury, this one, too, falls within her genre style, again reaching her readers' expectations.
2. Meg and Jo:  A retelling of Little Women...in modern times.  Very interesting, and I would enjoy reading Beth and Jo, the second in this series.  The author met with Lyon College Alumni Book Club.  Nice!
3. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder:  Read for our high school's student book club and as one of the top five books for the Arkansas Teen Book Award  Very good!  Intense, who-did-it, great character development.

So far, a very good start to reading for 2021! 

2020: A Mixed Hindsight Review

Shall we consider my literary accomplishments in the form of my 2020 Reading Goals?

1. to read an average of one book per week = minimum of 52 books
1. I more than accomplished this goal (see list of books at the end of this post...as of 12-30-2020) and would have thought that I would have read more, especially considering we were living in a pandemic and that I had a house full of books.  But.  School resumed, which completely dominated my life...more about this topic on another blog!
2. to read half of my goal from my own TBR pile = 26 books (these will be bolded).
1. 14 books.  I did not accomplish this goal...in part due to #6.  This one I will attempt again in 2021!
3. to complete books for book clubs before the meeting time (love book clubs!)
1. Yes!  I did okay!  19 books read!  Yay!
1. Paper Chase Book Club 2020
   • January:  Murder on the Orient Express by Christie (read in last week of December 2019)
   • February:  Where the Dandelions Grow by Tara Johnson
   • March:  Doctors by Erich Segal
     Due to COVID, we were not able to meet for the following book clubs.

   
   
   ALA Book Club
   

   • Jan/Feb:  40 Ways to Inject Creativity in the Classroom using Adobe Spark
   • March:  The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
   • April:  The Long Way Down
   • June:  Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
   • July:  Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi
   • September:  The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
   • October - Ban This Book by Alan Gratz 
   
   
   WRLC Book Club
   

   • May:  After the Fact by Michael Beary (local Batesville author)
   • June:  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

   
   

   SCHS Student Book Club

   • May 6:  Bound by a Dragon
   • May 13: Dark Promise
   • May 20/28:  A Diamond in My Pocket
   • June:  Fire in Frost
   • July:  Cursed Series by Claire Farrell

   Lyon College Alumni Book Club

   • Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
   • Aug. 31:  Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown
   • Sept:  The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (my recommended book; already read)
   • October:  Dear Edward (my recommended book; already read)
4. to read more series (love series!) 
1. For this challenge, I read and completed five series.  Just a favorite...to wait until the entire series is published...and then dive in!
5. to completely read more professional books = minimum of five books received via ASCD membership
1. Yes and no.  I did read five, but none of which were ASCD books.  Hummm...my membership has expired...should I renew?  I have sooooooo many professional books awaiting me in my TBR.  Really think I need to focus on what I have...and, while I want to be ever learning, retirement is ever nearing!  Nice.
1. Teacher Book Club (Colby Sharp):  Becoming Better Grownups
2. BookCampPD (Twitter)
• June:  Evolving Learner
• July:  Strive for Happiness in Education
3. The English Teacher's Companion by Jim Burke (Lyon College Class/Adjunct Faculty)
4. Critical Encounters in Secondary English by Deborah Appleman
6. to read more ebooks 
1. Yes!  I read at least one-third of my books online...ebook form...most checked out via Overdrive.  That saved me a chunk of change!  This, I will continue to do...unless I need to purchase them.  Sometimes, that is a necessity!
7. to continue to read more young adult books
1. I read at least 14 for this challenge...more, depending how you might count some (two I would placed in the classic genre).

All in all?  A great year...so far...will probably add two more to my list!  Unless my other to-dos call louder!  :)

Happy reading

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2020 Chronological Reading List:

1. Blood Fever by Charlie Higson (from class library)
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (a 2019 Paper Chase read :)
3. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
4. The Gift by Nora Roberts
5. Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. The Toll by Neal Shusterman
8. Where the Dandelions Grow by Tara Johnson
9. An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris
10. Doctors by Erich Segal
11. No Other Gods by Kelly Minter
12. A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris (ebook - 3-17-20)
13. Fire in Frost by Alica Rades (ebook) - young adult
14. Short-straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer (recommended by a student!)
15. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (ALA)
16. Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris (ebook)
17. Day Shift by Charlaine Harris (ebook)
18. Night Shift by Charlaine Harris (ebook)
19. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (ebook - Overdrive)
20. After the Fact by Michael Beary (WRLC Book Club)
21. Grave Sight (Harper Connelly series - Book 1) by Charlaine Harris - ebook
22. Grave Surprise (Harper Connelly series - Book 2) by Charlaine Harris - ebook
23. An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly series - Book 3) by Charlaine Harris - ebook
24. Grave Secret (Harper Connelly series - Book 4) by Charlaine Harris - ebook
25. Loving a Rebel by Linda Ford - ebook
26. Beauty:  Everland Ever After by  Caraline Lee - ebook - Beauty and the Beast retelling
27. The Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds - ALA Book Club
28. The Lost Letters by Mimi Matthew (retelling of Beauty and the Beast)
29. Bound by a Dragon by Linda K. Hopkins  (Student Book Club - ebook)
30. Dark Promise by Julia Crane (Student Book Club - ebook)
31. Masterpieces by Francine Rivers (ebook - Overdrive)
32. Educated by Tara Westover
33. Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury
34. A Diamond in My Pocket by Lorena Angeli (Student Book Club - ebook)
35. Second Chance Ranch by Liz Isaacson
36. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiley
37. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano (ALA Book Club)
38. The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe
39. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (WRLC Book Club)
40. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue (Lyon College Book Club)
41. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
42. Evolving Learner by Lainie Rowell, Kristy Andre, Lauren Steinmann
43. Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
44. Strive for Happiness in Education by Robert Dunlap (#BookCampPD Book Club/Twitter)
45. Cursed series (four ebooks) by Claire Farrell (SCHS Student Online Book Club)
46. Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
47. Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown (Lyon College Alumni)
48. Becoming Better Grownups by Brad Montague (Colby Sharp Book Club)
49. The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon (ALA Book Club)
50. The English Teacher's Companion by Jim Burke
51. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
52. Critical Encounters in Secondary English by Deborah Appleman
53. The Rejected Writers' Book Club by Suzanne Kelman
54. The Apple Orchid by Susan Wiggs
55. The Beekeepers Ball by Susan Wiggs 
56. Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
57. Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand - ebook
58. The 25 Days of Christmas by James Merritt
59. A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs
60. Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand - ebook
61. Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand - ebook
62. Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand - ebook
63. The Bible - Old and New Testament
64.