Reflecting on 2010

First let me say...I read more than this blog reflects!  I just did not do a good job updating here...that will change next year...as in tomorrow!

I have excuses as to why I got behind...and they are just that, excuses.  At the time, those excuses seemed justified.  Stress filled my mind too much. 

So, selfishly, I am resolving that 2011 will be more about me, which means more family time, more reading time, more writing time.

Here's a list of some of the novels that I read this fall...in no certain order...

1. Beastly
2. Mockingjay
3. The House of Thunder
4. The Dark Tide
5. Love Letters from Ladybug Farm
6. Forever Odd
7. Dead Until Dark
8. Frankenstein
9. My Antonia
10. The Forgotten Garden
11. The Girl Who Played with Fire

This Christmas, I read...

1. Finding Noel
2. Holiday Magic
3. 5 of the 9 short stories in A Prairie Christmas Collection

With 17 books about which I previously posted, this brings my total to 29+...a bit more than one book every two weeks.  Hummmm...not the best, but better than having read only 26.  Yes, my glass is half full!

Before I Fall

Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall intrigued me. From page one, the main character announces she will die. Therefore, you assume that you will spend one day with her. And you do, or do you?

For most of this read, I wanted to close the cover and not pick it back up, for I did not like the main character, nor her friends. If they are typical high school girls, then, well...oh, my.

So why did I keep reading it? Two reasons: 1) Peer Lisa Huff had loaned me the novel, and I was reading it based on her recommendation. 2) I am reading along with my students, and I had a novel due last Tuesday! Had to keep reading!

This novel reminded me of Jay Asher's Th1rteen R3asons Why and Khaled Housseni's A Thousand Splendid Suns, two of my favorite novels. Not because I liked them, for the content was harsh, but because of the impact of the novel on who I am...or was. Novels such as these change the reader. You close the back cover thinking I grew as a person; my awareness grew of the conditions surrounding these three main characters. I am not the person I was before I began the novel.

Therein, lies the success of the novel. Read Before I Fall, knowing that you will fall with the main character several times but that in the end, you will stand a stronger character for having read the pages of the journey.

Also posted at English 11 Cafe.

Summer 2010

Here are some of the novels I read this summer:

1. The Outlander
2. Odd Thomas
3. Fern Michael's The Sisterhood Series, books 1-6...so far.

Will add to this list...

Behind!

Need to catch my reading list up...

For now, though, I just completed The Adoration of Jenna Fox. On Monday, I will share this book with my students and will no doubt loan out this one.

Set in the future (I hope!) this book captured by attention as I was pulled into the "lostness" of this Jenna...or should I say Jenna #2? That's right, you, too, will have to read on to find out why I give her that number.

I empathized with the parents, for I came to the same point they did one night when we all thought my daughter might die. Believing as I do (as does Lily, the grandmother), life beyond this one is not a bad thing. Thankfully, God through the minds and hands of doctors gave my Holly back to me...

This novel will stir your ethical questions about scientists and how far should they really go...read on!

#6-7: Ladybug Farm

Written by Donna Ball, these latest two reads A Year on Ladybug Farm and At Home on Ladybug Farm were ones that quietened by spirit, for they were about three ladies in their 50's who purchase and move into a historical home and soon adopt others, people and animals alike, to share this adventure with them.

No science-fiction characters. No romance. Just a novel about life. A life into which I could easily insert myself.

# 5: Tempted (House of Night)

Sixth in a series of nine, P.C. and Kristin Cast's latest novel Tempted continues the epic journey of Zoey Redbird into the world of vampires.

I must say...Zoey and her friends make me tired! The entirety of this series has taken place within a month or two. This kids are going to burn out!

Yet, when I begin one, I want to read until the end to determine how this next grand adventure resolves itself.

Did you note from my intro that more novels are to published? Three more!

#4: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Interested in learning more the Greek gods and goddesses? This novel...soon to be released on the big screen...is, well...very good! More to come...

#3: Witch and Wizard

James Patterson does it again! This novel begins a new series featuring brother and sister...more to come!

#2: City of Bones

The third in The Moral Instrument Series, City of Glass continues (and finalizes?) the journey of Clary and her friends.

More to come....

#1: Deliah's Crossing

Writting by V.C. Andrews, Deliah's Crossing begins the journey of a young Mexican girl....more to come!

#48-52: Christmas Combo of Novels ~ 2009

Over Christmas, I read a montage of fiction books...all for my pure reading entertainment.

#48: Daughters of Lancaster County: The Storekeeper's Daughter

• I completed the first of the three in this series...am currently reading novel two The Quilter's Daughter. I enjoy books about the ways of the Amish.

#49: I, Alex Cross

• If only James Patterson would write more quickly...and thanks to my mother-in-law for loaning me this one and for sharing an interest in books with me! Yes, a good read for those followers of Alex Cross.

#50: The Perfect Christmas

• My daughter Holly bought Debbie Macomber's new Christmas novel for me for Christmas...she even signed it...my daughter, that is.

#51: The Mortal Instruments Series: City of Bones

• With this novel, I began another vampire...and other sorts of persons...series...and quickly became hooked. Shhh...yes, I like this series even better than the Twilight series!

#52: The Mortal Instruments Series: City of Ashes

• Upon finishing this novel, I searched my classroom and our high school library over Christmas for the third novel, hoping to complete this series in 2009, but quickly found all copies were checked out, testifying to the validity of my claim that this is a well-liked series. Now hoping that a copy is quickly checked in after the break!

Would love to have read more, both over Christmas Break and throughout 2009...but other projects gained precidence...now looking forward to a great year of reading in 2010.

Enjoy...and Happy New Year!

#47 How Starbucks Saved My Life

Nonfiction, How Starbucks Saved My Life relates the energy and synergy of Michael Gates Gill, who fell from power and glory and lived to tell the story of his climb back to success...thanks to Starbucks.

This book I purchased at the recommendation of peer Jeanne Roepcke and would now recommend as a reminder to us all that we can overcome...