2011 Book Challenges

What a grand year of reading!  I signed up for three reading challenges...and here are the results!

Dana Huff's Challenge Books I Should Have Read in High School : I initially signed up to read twelve books.  Yes, aggressive!  However, I did read eight, achieving "graduate student."

1. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
3. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
4. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
5. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
6. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
7. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
8. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Vern

What's in a Name :  Uh, oh!  Missed this challenge by one!  I should have paid more attention and chosen a book for each category.

• A book with a number in the title:
• Fahrenheit 451
• The 360 Degree Leader
• Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
• Slaughterhouse Five
• The 9th Judgement
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:
• Hum...just cannot find a title from my list that fits within this category! 
• A book with a size in the title:
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (league is a size, right?!)
• A book with travel or movement in the title:
• The Walk
• The Sun Also Rises
• Miles to Go
• A book with evil in the title:
• The  Poisonwood Bible (poison!)
• Wicked
• The Book of Unholy Mischief
• City of Fallen Angels
• A book with a life stage in the title:
• Dead in Dallas
• The Christmas Wedding

RIP :  This was my second year to complete this challenge!  September and October are just the perfect times to read such novels!

• The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
• Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
• Cross Fire by James Patterson
• The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Gillmore: More Reads in 2011 - This was a personal challenge to myself.  I won!

• 2010 = 30 books read
• 2011 = 59 books read!

All in all, this has been an excellent year of reading!  Yes, I had hoped to read more professional books, more classics, but again, all in all, a very good year!

#59: Focus

My final read for 2011, Focus:  Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning, by Mike Schmoker, is the selected read for our entire school district.

Our superintendent read this book, and it spoke to him as the answer to our implementing the Common Core Standards.

Here are my initial thoughts on Focus in a post entitled Surreal? No, Real Focus and later here in post A Friendly Literary Merge, where I also discuss Pérsida Himmele's and William Himmele's professional development book Total Participation Techniques.

The first three chapters discuss the what and how we teach literacy, discussing two templates the author promotes:  authentic literacy and interactive lecture. Then, the next four chapters focus on the curriculum areas of English language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics.

Schmoker repeatedly promotes teaching less more indepthly and utilizing textbooks, which is interesting since our department no longer uses textbooks. Hum...

We have spent one professional development day reading portions of the book, then discussing in our PLN's.  We are scheduled to continue our work with this book and the implementation of its key components next Wednesday as we return to school for another day of developing professionally.

I recommend this book, for it is based on common sense, of which education needs a healthy dose!

More December Reads: #56-58

Christmas Break is a success when one is reading, and that has been my main goal this week!

#56:  The Christmas Box Collection by Richard Paul Evans

I meant to read this before Christmas...just glad I pulled it off my bookshelf.  These three inter-connected stories essentially tell the story of  David and Mary Parkin over a span of several decades years and in several flashbacks and their impact on others.

I recommend reading all three, as I did, as one read.  Waiting until an author completes a series has its advantages!

As a  Christian, concerns consumed me that Evans did not proclaim Christianity more vehemently, as he had the narrator seem to question God at times.  For this reason, I really appreciated the character Mary...the mother...wonder if that name were chosen deliberately?...for she bears much, looses much, then is eternally rewarded with much.

I also so appreciated the stand David took for Laurence as he fought the Goliaths of his time.  Yes, another intesesting connection.

If you are an Evans fan, then please read this collection!

#57 The Awakening by Kate Chopin

A read often assigned in our AP Lang class, this one I had been meaning to read for some time.  Hum, how do I say this?  Well...I was glad when I finally finished all 117 pages of the novella. 

I do not like the main character Edna.  Maybe I am not supposed to?

I suppose I began reading the novel with some presuppositions, thinking that this would be a read about women's rights, about a woman learning who she truly is and overcoming all odds...which Edna does to some degree.

For this read, I would have to agree with peer teacher Amanda when she states she just does not care for American writers.  I just did not care for this novel.  That was hard for me to admit/type!

#58 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Interesting.  I agreed to read this novel with a lit circle group in one of my English 11 classes back in October.  Needless to say, I did not meet that reading deadline!  Did meet the deadline, though, for this to be a part of Dana Huffs Books I Wish I Had Read in High School but Didn't Reading Challenge.

First, let me say everyone needs to read this book because of all the allusions made to this novel.  Definitely a classic.  Jules Verne is definitely the father of science fiction!

Reading the introduction helped me immensely when Bruce Coville grants permission for some readers to skim/scan the lists and lists and lists of the many underwater species that Verne includes (although these lists certainly add validity to the novel!).

The novel relates the 20,000 league journey of several men in an underwater vessel, one unlike anyone has ever encountered.  The professor, narrator of this adventure, brings to life Captian Nemo (might keep in mind that Nemo means nobody), Harpooner Ned, and his personal servant Conseil.

While I could have forgone the many lists, I actually did learn much about life underwater and the geography of the journey.  I just thinking...if I were teaching this novel, my students and I would create a Google Map of the journey.  That would be cool!

Yes, I definitely recommend this novel...just be prepared to journey 20,000 leagues!

December Reads: Books #52-55.5

Christmas has come and gone...amazing!  With the passage of December, thus far, I have read three Christmas novels and, along with the season, have enjoyed these literary creations

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

A quick read, this one tells the story of a mom who invited all her kids home for Christmas and to her wedding to a groom she has yet to announce...from the three who have proposed.  Interesting dilemma!  One that I enjoyed, though!  More info here on the James Patterson website...

A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods

The O'Briens have fallen in love and desire to remarry, but mother Meagan holds out for the approval of all her children.  As I completed this one, I wished for the next in the series.  Ah..will have to wait for next year, I suppose!  AND according to the Sherryl Woods website, I am year behind in this series.  Uh, oh!

A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by various authors

Last year, I began the first in what I now think is going to be a series of these short story collections....A Prairie Christmas Collection. I only completed half of the short stories then, so I resumed where I stopped, and then while shopping for a Christmas present in a local Christian store for a friend, I found A Log Cabin Christmas Collection.  Now, I just hope there is a third installment to this series!

Shakespeare Christmas by Charlaine Harris

The third in the Lily Bard series, this novel takes the reader to Lily's home town for her sister's Christmas wedding and a few murders.  I just love this series!  Lily, a survivor of a brutal rape, works hard to become physically independent (she's very strong now), has a hunky boyfriend (her past scars do not deter him), cleans houses for a living (this just makes her even more believable to this working mom), and assists in solving crimes (in her spare time, of course!).

I went in search of the next in this series, but having misplaced it from myself, I instead chose Richard Paul Evan's The Christmas Box Collection.  December is not over yet!  Good, so far...more on that to come!

I hope your holiday is finding the gift of books in your life also!

46-51: Fall Reads

I have met my goal to read 50 books this year!  Yay!

For the R.I.P. Challenge:  4 novels

1. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen: So good! I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed Allen’s Garden Spells. Just a touch of fairy tale and magic.  I loved main character Josey, who seems so human because she is not perfect.  The main imperfection at the moment is Della Lee who has taken up residence in Josey's closet and is now privy to Josey's secret:  she loves sweets (me, too). Want to Read by This Author:  The Peach Keeper and Shoot the Moon.
2. Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris: Need to read more in this series! I have several more of Sookie Stackhouse's adventures awaiting on me.  Remember, Sookie is not a vampire herself. She just dates a vampire.  Her "gift" is that she can read minds of everyone except her vampire.  While I do enjoy this series, I must recommend Harris’ Lily Bard series…must be the English teacher in me and that I live in Arkansas!
3. Cross Fire by James Patterson: I so enjoy reading James Patterson. This one I purchased before my daughter’s surgery and read following our move out of ICU…a nice escape from reality! This novel continues the adventures of Alex Cross, who once again must protect those he loves the most as their lives are endangered by the return of Kyle Craig, who has escape prison and has adopted the persona and face (via reconstructed surgery) so that he might more invade the live of Alex Cross.
4. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton: This one which I just finished this morning, took me a while to read; even read a couple in between. BUT it was good, just not as good as my previous Morton read The Forbidden Garden. This novel relates the story of this house through the memories of Grace as she records them for her grandson.  This novel reminded me somewhat of The Great Gatsby, as it was set in the 1920's and 1930's.  To read by this author:  The Distant Hours.
5. The Host by Stephanie Meyer...I completed this one after the R.I.P. Challenge.  It was on my original list to read.  So good!  Why did I wait so long to read this one?  Loved it!  Much more so than her Twilight series.  Seriously!

For My English 11 Class:

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane is one of those classics that I should have read somewhere along the way but did not.  This is the first of four novels that I purchased, thanks to a grant I received, for all of my students.  I enjoyed it.  No, it is not a chick flick, but the novel relates an interesting perspective of war. 

My favorite lesson that I taught using this novel also involved a movie clip from Forestt Gump.  At one point main character Henry Fleming runs because he is scared.  We compared this scene to the one of Forestt when he was in the Vietnam War and he was instructed to run.  Interesting comparison.

Fifty-one books...and more to read!

45: The City of Fallen Angels

Cassandra Clare continues her The Immortal Instruments series in The City of Fallen Angels as she builds several of her characters, especially Simon who has just recently become a vampire...thinking Simon may now be my favorite character, for he seems to be the most "human" of all.  Weird, uh?

Before I began reading this one, in a discussion with a teacher-friend who is also hooked on this series (yes, I like it as well, if not better, than the Twilight series), she commentd the author must be going to write another one, for "she just can't let it end that way."  I agree...but that is all I can tell you!  (I did check out her website, and Clare is working on #5:  City of Lost Souls, coming in May 2012.)

Another note on the popularity of this novel...three students want this novel as soon as I return it to the school library.  Very proud of myself...I checked this book out, instead of buying it.  I am just too addicted to books, so in one small step to break this trend, I went to the shelf, read it, and did not annotate one single place in the novel.  (Annotation is part of the addiction, also!)  Now, I am excited to return it to school tomorrow and share!

Now, to begin The Infernal Devices series...book one The Clockwork Angel sits waiting on me.  (Yes, I bought that one!)  This series is actually the prequel to The Immortal Instruments series.  A flashback of sorts, I am assuming.

NOTE:  Cassandra Clare blogs here.

44: A Midsummer Night's Dream

My motivation for reading this particular play:  Our drama department will perform A Midsummer Night's Dream later this fall, and I am reading Iron King because I heard it referenced this play.  Thus, my thoughts are that I might create some mini-lessons for our English department to use by connecting this two genres in hopes of promoting the drama departments production.  Sneaky?  :)

Admission of Guilt:  I went online and read an overview of the play (had never read this one!  How did that happen?)...(in a very quiet voice)...this did help much in my quicker reading of the play!

Our drama teacher has modernized the storyline, and I can now further understand her enthusiasm, for this plot line will definitely appeal to this age group and especially to those who have enjoyed the fantasy literary revival of late.  Her production will be set in a modern high school setting.

Shakespeare has everyone falling in love...with the help of a little magical concoctions...and then falling out of love...and even includes a Romeo and Juliet extreme love scene.  Oh, and one cannot help but laugh as several make donkeys of themselves.

Yes, the drama department and the audience should appreciate this one!

Now, to finish reading Iron King and to begin making text-to-text connections between the two genres...

Read A Midsummer Night's Dream online here.

00: The Book Whisperer

I am not counting this book as one of my 2011 reads...I sat down with it and quickly realized it is not one that "fits" who I am right now, so I skim/scanned the book in one evening.

Author Donalyn Miller is a sixth grade language arts teacher in Texas who succeeds in kids reading 40+ books per year...yes, amazing...and she discusses how she achieves this goal.

My goal is to have kids reading...right now, all my students have checked out a book that they are reading for "pleasure."  With the advent of the Common Core, though, my focus has changed (thankfully!); therefore, we may read less, but read them more in depth.

Need tips and encouragement, though, to send kids further down the literary path...especially younger readers...then this professional development book is for you!

43: Advancing Formative Assessment in Every Classroom

Our English Department chose this book to read as our summer reading assignment...and from me it receives all positive reviews, except for just one thought.   The book was written for instructional leaders, not teachers.  As a teacher, I was offended, often expecting the word imbecile to pop off the page in reference to the leader in the classroom.  (Felt this most strongly in the last chapter, so if you are a teacher, you might consider just ending the book at chapter 7.) My problem with these authors and others who support such subtle suggestions is that these people have forgotten that they are simply support staff for the true leaders in any school district. I wish our thinking on the chain of command were not so skewed, but it is.  Now with that side note...okay, fore-note aside, I would love to share the nuggets that I, just a teacher, gleaned from this book.

The authors Connie Moss and Susan Bookhart are ever-encouraging student involvement in their learning...and this I love!  (I will be the first to admit that I need be LESS the sage on the stage and MORE of the guide on the side.)  They promote the students being involved in setting goals, self-assessing, and asking effective questions.  They promote the teachers being involved in sharing learning targets, providing feedback that informs and "feeds forward"  (formative assessments = "assessments for learning rather than assessment of learning"),and asking strategic questions.

I especially appreciated the discussions about...

1. having students create an assignment's rubric,
2. utilizing formative assessments (and, no, I do not already use these...or at least not enough!), and,
3. asking questions (both from the teacher and the students).

Yes, this was a good read to finish...just one day until school starts...a good read from which I truly hope to implement that nuggets listed above.

41-42: James Patterson and Neil White

41:  The 9th Judgement by James Patterson

I waited long for the next installment in this series The Women's Murder Club.  James Patterson writes with a powerful voice and with gruesome detail.

If read Patterson, then will enjoy this one...but first read the other eight in the series!

42:  In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White

This one I read for the local ladies book club that I have yet to attend...actually, this is the second novel I have read for that book club!  Maybe third time will be charm!

This memoir is outstanding!  It relates the narrative of Neil White's year spent in a federal prison, which also housed the last people in the United States suffering from leprosy.  Really!  I found that hard to believe also!

This is one of those books you read...and immediately think, "I need to re-read that novel one day."  Felt the same way about The Shack and The Harry Potter Series.

What I appreciated most, the true message of the memoir for me, was the change that occurred with Neil White, as he learned what he truly valued in life.

Yes, another good read!

40: Slaughter-House Five

Chosen for a Book Challenge...

37-39: Thirst Series by Christopher Pike

Yes, another vampire series....

36: The Help

Loved this novel!  Set in Mississippi in the 1960's, this novel permitted my glimpsing into a time in history that I had not ever paused long enough to fully appreciate.


NOTE:  the author Kathryn Stockett submitted this novel 61 times before a publisher accepted it.  Yes, 61 times.  She believed in story, and her faith has now paid off, for her readers support her, and now the movie industry does also, as the big screen now brings to life the lives of these characters (so very sad that the local theater is not bringing this one to our local big screen).

The novel relates the narrative of African-American maids who took care of and raised so many of the children in white households during this time and the treatment they received during this quite volatile time in history.  Told through the voices of Aibileen and Minny, two of the maids, and Skeeter, a young white woman who decides to tell their story, the reader experiences much, learning that one is quite and a rock, while another is loud and hard yet soft at the same time, and the third is driven to be accepted yet to be different.

What impacted me the most was the faith embedded within the characters.  Despite their fears for the safety for themselves and their families, they chose to take a literary stand and proved that once again the pen is as mighty as the sword.

Please consider reading this novel...again, this is one of those novels that sat on my shelf waiting for over a year.  Books are like that, though.  They are very patient, holding all the wonders, experiences, and life-lessons within their covers, waiting for us to learn and grow, page by page.

34-35: Theodore Boone and Tough Customer

In what spare time I had at Student Council Summer Leadership Workshop, I snuck in some reading time!

#34:  Theodore Boone:  Kid Lawyer

Author John Grisham has a new young adult series (at least to me...two in this series are now out).  His main character Theodore Boone is a lawyer-want-to-be, who some might view as a nerd, but many view him as their shining knight in law books, as he helps several of them with legal advice.  Until...one such confidante pulls Theo into a current on-going trial with information that could affect the outcome of the trial.

Theo, a thirteen-year-old, will definitely appeal to middle-school aged readers, but I have to admit...I liked this novel, enough so that I plan to introduce Theo to my students this fall.

I also appreciate introducing or reminding my students of authors with connections with our home state, which John Grisham has...remember The Painted House, set not too far from our area of the state.

Now, to read Theodore Boone:  The Abduction...to find out what other adventures Theo will soon be involved.

#35:  Tough Customer

I picked this one up on one of my trips to Wal-Mart to begin reading as I sat waiting on medicine to be processed at the pharmacy.  I have enjoyed some of Sandra Brown's action, suspense, will-the killer-be-caught-in-time novels.

This one narrates the tale of  parents who have kept the identity of their daughter's father until her life is threatened and the skill of the father is needed to assist in protecting and assisting in finding the now deranged killer.

For some reason, the flashback chapters bothered me a bit...I supposed I wanted to read faster and wanted the secondary story to move faster.

What "hot" reads have you been reading this summer?

30-33: Recipes, Gardens, and Shakespeare

30:  The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

A good read, written in the genre of emails and recipes, this novel caught and held my attention, as I entered the lives of two ladies who had once been best friends and progress (and regress) through multiple decades of their lives.

I enjoyed the novel.  The emails took abit getting used to; they actually slowed me down, for I had to go back and check dates and keep up with who was writing, but after several pages, I the storyline began to flow.

If you like chick-flick novels, you will enjoy this one!

31:  Gardens Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I purchased this novel after reading a review of The Peach Keeper (also by Allen) on Dana Huff's book review blog. (By the way, this would be an excellent blog for you to follow...unless you do NOT want to read more books!) 

I loved, loved (yes, loved squared!) Garden Spells (and I very much look forward to reading The Sugar Queen, which I also purchased by this same author).  This novel contains just enough fantasy, with a very healthy dose of realism, to appeal to my reader's imagination. 

You may go here to read an excerpt from the novel and to meet main character Claire...and to obtain some of the recipes that Claire uses throughout the novel that cast the magical spells upon those who enjoy the the edible creations.

The "magic" within this novel is just enough, not morbid, nor overdone.  It's enticing, especially the tree within the garden.  Please consider allowing this novel's magical powers cast its spell on you!

32:  Shakespeare's Landlord and Shakespeare's Champion by Charlaine Harris

A native of Arkansas, I especially appreciate Arkansan Charlaine Harris's series that is set in Shakespeare, Arkansas (fictional) about her main character by the name Libby Bard...yes, Bard, a character that will affect you, change you because of the extremely harsh events in her life. 
Lily, a housekeeper by trade, flits in and out of the lives of the residents of Shakespeare, getting to know them better than anyone else, as she cleans their homes and workplaces, all the while attempting to maintain a low profile herself.  Twice, though, so far, in the two novels I have read in this series of five, Lily finds herself assisting the peacekeepers, by giving input and using her self-defense training to help bring justice to those violating the rights of those in Shakespeare.

I like Lily.  If I were to meet such a person as she (actually, I can think of a few students with her personality type), I am not sure, though, that I would be able to get to know them, for persons of his nature take a lot to time to get to know.  Only with the reading of the second novel, did I feel like I was "getting to know her."  The lesson here, though, is that she definitely a person worth knowing.  Yes, the gift of time in friendships is invaluable.

My wish?  That the two next installments in this series were sitting on my side-table, waiting for me to read them.  To get to know Lily more, I will have to wait a few days, for then I will read Shakespeare's Christmas and Shakespeare's Trollop.

If you desire to learn more about Shakespeare, the playwright, by reading this novels, CAUTION, you will be disappointed!  Just so you know...

Also, yes, True Blood, the series on HBO, is based on Charlaine Harris's other series based on character Sookie Stackhouse (includes vampires!).

Enjoy!

26-29: Four More Reads

On books 11-15, I inserted an extra book number; thus, on this blog I am accounting for that mistake...so Book #26, Part 2...

26:  Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser

My second novel of historical fiction in a row!  (See previous post for Remarkable Creatures.)  Love this author (ordered more of Nancy Moser's novels) and really appreciated her insight into the life of Martha Washington.  My first literary unit will be initially based on the first founding documents...seems appropriate to include George AND Martha Washington, especially since I know realize what an ever greater impact that she had upon the founding of this nation.

Written in first-person point of view, this novel chronicled the life of Martha from the death of her first husband to the death of President George.  A Christian, Martha made mistakes, she succeeded, she cried, she laughed.  This novel made her "human" to me.

Prepare to be intrigued, as you learn (or are reminded of) interesting facts about both George and Martha Washington.

....I think (cannot remember for sure!) I purchased this book at Hastings for $4.97.  Certainly received more than $5 worth of entertainment from this novel!

....I also look forward to reading How Do I Love Thee (about Elizabeth Barrot Browning) and Just Jane (about Jane Austin) and Mozart's Sister (about Nannerl Mozart).

27:  The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers

I checked this book out of our church library some time ago (so glad we do not charge overdue fines!).  Really wished I had read it sooner so I could recommend it to my church lady friends. 

The novel tells the stories of two women Sierra and Mary Katherine:  Sierra's set in modern day, Mary Katherine's, via a journal, set back in the "pioneer" days.  Not sure which plot I enjoyed the most, maybe both? For each seemed to parallel, foreshadow the other's live as each fought, then sought a closer walk with God.

Both women women move great distances, both literally and spiritually, in an endeavor to please and appease their husbands.  The journeys cost much, yet the results are pleasing and comforting.

Francine Rivers faces head on, never skirting, the issues of infidelity, hurting hearts, and the power of admitting one's faults, and then forgiving one's self and others, as well.

If you enjoy a woman' story with a Christian emphasis, you will definitely enjoy this novel.

28:  Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts

Through a friend, I learned about a local women's book club, whose chosen book of  the month is Shoot the Moon.  The lady at the bookstore where they host the meetings did not have a copy of the novel, so I purchased it from half.com for $.75 (plus shipping and handling $3.99)...and got my money's worth in reading entertainment!

This novel tells the story of a man thought murdered as a baby who, having just learned about his adoption returns to Oklahoma to hopefully meet his real mother, only to find that she had been murdered.  So begins the search for what really happened way back when...the journey includes meeting a host of characters that Billy Letts brings to life...characters that make you laugh, sympathize, and maybe even empathize.

I look forward to reading more by Billie Letts...a good read!

29:  Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans

The second novel in The Walk series, this next installments continues Alan's journey of healing from the many great losses he has experienced that initiated this walk.

In this journal (for that is the genre through which Richard Paul Evans portrays this character's thoughts, feeling, emotions), we meet and greet characters that proves that God places people in our paths that sometimes we are to help.  Sometimes they help us.  One of those such characters is Kailamai.  The true story behind this character may be found here on Evans' website...for a small fee.

I encourage you to read anything that Richard Paul Evans has written.  Inspiring.

REMINDER:  Michael Vey:  Prisoner of Cell 25, also written by Richard Paul Evans (the first in this new young adult series), will be released August 9!

24-26: Spring Rain, Book of Unholy Mishief, & Remarkable Creatures

This past week or so, I read three incredible novels, amazingly, all dealt with the topic of faith and the unknown.  Which that is what faith is all about, right?  The platform on which the unknown builds.

Spring Rain by Gayle Roper

This book found me at one of our local bookstores in a section of books marked down to fifty cents.  I am grateful.

Spring Rain caught me attention because one of the characters has AIDS.  I cannot remember reading a book that deals with this topic; thus, I was hooked and interested in how a Christian writer would approach this topic...by the way the character does die, and the resolution is interesting.

Spring Rain is also about character Leigh and her son Billy and the mystery and circumstances surrounding their lives.  A fairly quick read, this one is definitely "chick lit," something that I very much enjoy after an intense week.

I appreciate how the author dealt with the many issues within this novel.

The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark

Set in Venice at the beginning of the Renaissance (1498), The Book of Unholy Mischief or The Chef's Apprentice tells the story of Luciano, an orphaned beggar, who obtains the favor of Chef Ferrero and becomes his apprentice, as he continues to hunt for the book of which everyone is desperately seeking, to the extent that some even torture and kill.  Luciano is a nosey yet determined young man, who proves that perseverance does pay. 

I took this novel with me to the National Beta Club Convention.  On our way home, one of the young ladies asked if she could begin reading this novel...and she was hooked.  Every so often, I would hear her say, "This is so good."

I purchased this novel well over a year ago at the recommendation of one of the blogs I follow (sorry!  I really wish I could remember which one!), and the novel sat and waited for me to select it as my next read.  To my regret, I wish I had read it much earlier so that I could have recommended it to my students last year, for I can name several who would have greatly enjoyed reading this one.

This novel dealt, too, with Christian issues, some of which I agreed; some of which I did not.  This is a novel I would love to read with a group and have discussions throughout.

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

A friend/peer on a state-level committee recently recommended this read.  After our meeting that evening, I checked this one out on the Internet and then bought four of this author's novels.  Then yesterday afternoon, after returning from a week on the road, I sit down with novel and began to read and continued to read until I could no longer stay awake and then finished it when I awoke this morning.  Yes, it's that good!

Remarkable Creatures, a work of historical fiction (early to mid-1800's) and a New York Times bestseller, relates the life and findings Mary Anning, who had the "eye" for finding fossils of long-ago and now extinct, creatures, and her friend/mentor Elizabeth Philpot, also a fish fossil hunter.

What probably intrigued me the most was the questioning by Elizabeth Philpot of how these extinct creatures fit into the stories of the Bible and the answers she found as she matured, answers to which I happen to agree.

Please consider reading these novels!

23: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Just finished reading Richard Paul Evan's new young adult series Michael Vey:  The Prisoner of Cell 25.  Yes, you will like this novel...whether you are male, female, student, or teacher.

This series begins the adventures of the Electroclan, a group of thirteen who were electrified as babies:  Michael, Taylor, and eleven others, all who have just a bit different skill or talent.  Then, there are the normal ones:  Ostin, Jack, and Wade.

Michael, the main character, has Tourettes, which is tremendous trait for an author to place on a character.  A character, one with a disability, who overcomes.  Since Michael's story is told in first-person, the reader enters the brain, the emotions, the mental struggles of this character and "feels" with the character.  (Taylor's story is told in third-person...good example of point of view...just a note to self, the teacher.)  :)

As a teacher, I am excited about the use of this novel as a read-aloud within my thematic units that I am continuing to create, for I believe it will fit nicely within my Pioneer and Survivor units.  Cool!

Yes, you may pre-order this novel here at Amazon!

22: The 360 Degree Leader

John C. Maxwell's book The 360 Degree Leader lives up to its subtitle...Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization. Full of anecdotes and quotes, lists and bullets, the book reads quickly.

Throughout this book, I annotated much, as what I read either affirmed or challenged who I am at this moment in my life. At one point, I had an Epiphany of sorts...may read about that here.

The 360 Degree Leader should be read by all leaders: leader-want-to-be's and those already there at the top of the leadership ladder.

An extensive writer, Maxwell has written a number of books on his passion: leadership. Please consider checking out these free resources.

21: The Sun Also Rises

Embarrassingly, I had never read this novel before, which is one reason why I chose it as one of my reads for Dana Huff's Book Challenge Books I Wish I Had Read in High School.

My husband loves Hemingway.  Let's just say, I grew to appreciate the storyline and his style.  Lots of dialogue.  A tad bit stream of consciousness.  Man stories.  Man desires.

As an English teacher, I did appreciate the symbolism of the bulls and the bull fighting.  Really think the story was told on two levels.

Will I read Hemingway again?  Of course!  As that English teacher, I, again, am embarrassed to admit that I have read so little of Hemingway's works.

20: Heroes of the Valley

Jonathan Stroud, author Heroes of the Valley, creates a fantasy world involving trolls and, well, heroes during the medieval time.

I ordered this novel sometime ago for my classroom and picked it up last week as I planned how to spend time during an extended bus ride.

Young Halli, age 15, quickly becomes a favorite because of his not being a favorite in the novel.  The reader's loyalty, though, proves true as Halli matures and helps lead his people to overcome the many obstacles his house (one of twelve in this valley).

Yes, I will recommend this novel to my students in the fall...especially boys who enjoy fantasy.

17-19: The Walk, Wicked, Magyck

Here's an update on the last three novels I have read...

1. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans is a wonderful novel.  The first in a series about a man's walk across the United States after experiencing several personal catastrophes.  So good, I bought the next novel in this series, and it now sits, waiting patiently for summer to arrive when I will have ample time to read what I know will be an excellent read. (Other novels by Richard Paul Evans...The Christmas Box, Timepiece, The Letter, The Locket and more.)
   ALSO, I just learned about a new young adult series entitled Michael Vey :  The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans.  More about that here...yes, please help me spread the word!
2. Wicked by Gregory Maguire was recommended by a student who, at that time, was reading the second in this trilogy.  This novel brings to life the Wicked Witch of the West...or, at least, Maguire's version of it.  (NOTE:  I expected this novel to be a young adult read.  No.  Caution: it does contain adult content.)  The story, though, is interesting.  Interesting enough that I ordered the second in the series:  Son of a Witch (already own A Lion Among Men, the third novel in this series).  Reading Guide may be found here.
   Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, was a name that my daughter recognized...as she and the rest of her Select Choir are performing it this Thursday night at their concert.  Probably a mom-thing, but I thought that was interesting!
   Elphaba is a character that held my sympathy, while I kept hoping more for her.  This novel certainly provided a different perspective of Oz than the one I had previously held!
3. Magyck by Angie Sage is a novel that I bought two of...one for me and one for my daughter, for we had grand intentions of reading it together.  But I could not wait for her!  This novel, the first in a series of seven (maybe for Septimus, who is the seventh son of a seventh son?), held my attention much like the Harry Potter series did.  AND, yes, I have already ordered the next in the series (and am awaiting its arrival!)

Have you read any of these novels?  Please let me know your thoughts!  Happy reading!

#16: House Rules

Jodi Picoult does it again...writes another can't-wait-to-get-to-the-next-page novel.  House Rules educated me about Asperger's Syndrome and truly changed my perspective about the effects of this disease on all those involved in caring for such special needs persons.

Picoult tells the story in first-person through the various main characters in her novel....Jacob, his mother, his brother, his lawyer, the police detective investigating the murder of which Jacob has been accused.

As I read, I felt the frustrations of all these characters as they deal with a legal system not designed to care for special circumstances.  Anger.  Disappointment. Sadness.

Then, the twist at the end.  DO NOT READ THE END OF THIS NOVEL FIRST.  Just in case you are tempted.  Resist!

#11-15: Selections by Colleen Coble

Spring Break arrived!  On Friday evening I picked up the next novel in one of Christan author Colleen Coble's series and began to read...until I had read four of her novels!

• Lonestar Secrets
• Lonestar Homecoming
• The Lightkeeper's Daughter
• Anathema

I enjoy Coble's writing style and the messages she embeds within her novels:  strong women taking stands.

Light reads, these novels become an evening's entertainment...or a great way to wake up for a non-morning person such as myself.   These novels proved to be a great way to relax after a very intense third-nine-weeks of work.

#10 C. S. Lewis: Creator of Narnia (Heroes of the Faith)

A brilliant man!  I read this biography about the life of C.S. Lewis in preparation for a presentation I was doing at church as background for watching movie the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, combining two of my passions:  church and teaching.  (I almost felt sneaky in church teaching our attendees what an allegory is!)

A quick, easy read that I read in one day (just did not want to put it down!), I found myself mesmerized by this man's initial struggle with faith and then the stand he took for his faith.

As I read, I annotated the book with tidbits that I shared with my church family and other examples to share with my students.

This is one those books that I bought some time ago and it sat and waited...and waited...on me to choose it as my next read.  My only regret?  It sat too long!
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Side note:  As I was looking for the above book cover, I found this one...look familiar?

#9: When the Lion Feeds

Wilbur Smith's When the Lion Feeds, the first in a series and set in Africa, begins the saga of twin Sean Courtney and the Courtney family.

'Something always dies when the lion feeds and yet there is meat for those that follow him.' The lion is Sean, hero of this tremendous drama of the men who took possession of South Africa in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. (Wilbur Smith Website)

Smith's writing style contains enough detail to inform the reader about this interesting setting and capture the interest of the audience without overpowering the senses, thus, resulting in a very pleasant read about a continent that I have much to learn.

He creates characters in the same manner, offering details that places the reader right into the psyche of the character.  I liked them.  I mourned them. 

One feature that I appreciated was Smith's use of foreshadowing.  The hook that kept me reading.  The results:  sometimes pleasant, sometimes not.

Interestingly, my high school principal (from 25 years ago!) recommended this novel...during a Facebook book discussion of The Poisonwood Bible, in what, I thought, was an interesting blend of the past, present, and future.
As the discussion progressed, I reviewed this novel online and then immediately purchased the novel online.  And, yes, I will now purchase the next novel in the series, The Sound of Thunder.


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Interested in reading an excerpt of this novel?  Go here.

478 Pages

#8: Fahrenheit 451

Reading Ray Bradbury's thriller renewed the desire within me to teach a class novel, a novel that annotated much as I read. Rich in so many topics. Fahrenheit 451 tells the mental struggle of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job it is to start fires, fires that burn books and help to keep a people suppressed and oppressed.


Consider this quote: 

With school turning out more runners, jumpers, racers, tinkerers, grabbers, snatchers, fliers, and swimmers instead of examiners, critics, knowers, and imaginative creators, the word `intellectual,’ of course, became the swear word it deserved to be.

Within an academic setting, who would this quote not address?

As I read, my mind continued to web out to the movie The Book of Eli, the message of which in both is similar, Montag and Eli both searching for ways to preserve the truth (as a Christian, I, of course, find it interesting that both's missions are to preserve the Bible).  The parallels are phenomenal.

• NOTE:  Here author Gary Whitta blogs about the release of The Book of Eli and works in progress.

Guy Montag's message, though, is one of hope, illustrating that the spirit of mankind, while often oppressed, cannot be suppressed, cannot be stifled.

Yes, the desire to teach this novel burns within me...

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165 Pages
Book Challenge:  Books I Wish I Had Read in High School

#7: The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, intense, interesting, lingering, relates the narrative of a wife and her four daughters...through their voices...after the husband/father Nathan Price insisted they travel as missionaries to the Congo.

Spanning about 30 years, this novel introduced this reader to a land to which I had not encountered (in a literary sense).  I learned much about Africa, the conflicts within.  Please know as you read this novel, that Africa is a dominant character.  It may not have its own chapter headings, but Africa affects one and all.  For better. For worse.

Most interesting?  The change in my perceptions as I experienced the effects that America's help  often has on the citizens of such needy countries.  Through the experiences of these five female, I became disillusioned, disgusted.  I developed a greater appreciation for cultures, realizing that I do not have to understand differences to appreciate them.

I read this novel over a span of about six weeks, putting it down to read six other novels, always coming back to it, wanting to know what the outcomes would be for these ladies and Nathan Price.

I definitely recommend this novel.  Please take the time to read it.  The Poisonwood Bible ranks with such novels as A Thousand Splendid Suns, Kite Runner, and Th1rteen R3asons Why.  They linger with you.  They affect you.  They change you.

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Stars:  5
Pages:  543
Book Challenge:  #1 for Dana Huff's Books I Wish I Had Read in High School But Didn't

#6: Lonestar Sanctuary

This novel I bought one afternoon, thinking I would read it that very evening, which I did. A writer of  christian books, author Colleen Coble relieved me of my daily concerns and responsiblities as I entered the life of Allie Siders and her five-year-old daughter who no longer speaks as they literally retun to the title of this novel Lonestar Sanctuary.

Not pushy in her beliefs, just enouraging in the subtle message, Colleen Coble reminds us that life is real, that God exists and is present in all our trials and tribulations...then, of course, we are rewarded when we get the "hunks" in our lives!  Sorry to spoil the ending...Allie gets her guy!

Oh, no!  Oh, yes!  Just visited the author's site and discovered that Lonestar Sanctuary is the first in a series!  I do appreciate a good series!

If you enjoy "chick," Christian-based novels, please consider reading this one!

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308 Pages

5: The Sorceress

Michael Scott's series The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel proceeds with The Sorceress...and I remained hooked!  (Wishing I had book four!)

Sophie and Josh, the twins who are destined to save the world (maybe?), and several other main characters, including Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel and others we meet in this novel (Shakespeare!  Yes, the Bard!), continue their epic adventures.

PAUSE:   This series makes me tired.  These people, creatures (monsters?), never get a break!  Three novels and only a week has passed!  Ah, but not tired enough to quit, to lay the novel aside, for my senses are being awakened.  A THOUGHT:  I wonder if this term awakening might somehow connect to Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening. (this book is on my to-read list for one of my book challenges).
Did I mention that Shakespeare...as in the master writer who wrote Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth...and many others...is a character in this novel?  Yes!  I do truly love Scott's explanation of historical occurrences in this series.  (No, I do not agree with them, as in the literal sense, but I sure appreciate them in the fantastical sense.)  Very interesting character is Shakespeare!

This week, one of my students questioned me about the cover.  The cover!  I have been so busy reading that I had not taken the time to analyze the covers.  Please remember to do so when you begin this series...please say when and not if.  

Promise you...this series you will enjoy!

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483 pages
Stars:  5

4: Change of Heart

Shari Maurer's Change of Heart spoke to my heart. The novel relates the progress of main character Emmi, a sixteen-year-old athlete, who learns she must have a heart transplant.

Having lived the role of Emmi's mom (doctors once told me that my daughter Holly would have to have a heart/lung transplant), I could so empathize and now more appreciate our NOT having to ride that part of the roller coaster that families with such special children often experience.

This novel is a great example of a rite of passage, for Emmi, as one can imagine,  makes choices and learns much about herself, her friends, and her family...therein lies the layers of the meaning of the title.

The author, through the pages of this novel, brings to life issues (loyalty, BFF's, betrayal, annoying parents and younger siblings and the eternal of love of those very same family members, the true meaning of life), with which many young adults face...a good read for all young adults, both male and female, a read with a detailed pace that keeps one caught up many emotions...all the while wondering:  will a heart arrive in time to save Emmi?

I added this author's blog to my Google Reader and very much look forward to reading her next young adult novel.  :)

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Page Count:  290 Pages
Stars:  5
Book Challenge:  What's in a Name (#4...maybe?)

3: The Magician

I completed a quick read of Michael Scott's second novel of the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by completing The Magician in two days.  I really am enjoying this series.

Part of the hook continues to be Scott's explanation for all the wonders of the world and other justifications.  They make me smile!  :)  His use of unanswered questions also continues to appeal to me. As much as I want the answers, I am going to wait, hold off on novel three.  Why?  These novels are jam-packed with action.  After fighting the enemy for two days, one just needs a mind-break!  Plus, there are just so many novels in this series, and I do not want to complete them too soon!  Yes, it's much like dangling a carrot before my very own literary nose!

Again, I encourage you to begin this series and meet the characters:  Josh, Sophie, Flamel, Perenelle, Joan of Arc (yes, you read that correctly!), and many others.  Very interesting!  In glancing at novel three, I saw Shakespeare's name mentioned much...so this one will not wait long on me to read!

Read...yes, please read this series!

2. The Alchemyst

Michael Scott's series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, thus far, is wonderful!  I just completed the first of six in this series, The Alchemyst, and immediately picked up the next one (and purchased the third one last night...see book purchase #6 in my book buys at the right.)

Here are my thoughts that I posted at Treasure Chest of Thoughts midway through the novel:

My advice for today: listen to your students when they recommend novels. I try to do this…especially when a boy student recommends one. Maybe that sounds stereotypical, but, for the most part, females appreciate reading more than males…have you found this to be true?

So when William repeatedly stopped by my desk to recommend and to see if I had purchased the novels in the Nicholas Flamel series, I visited Half.com and bought the first two novels in what will be a series of six novels. Then, I let them set on my shelves for a few weeks, waiting on me…until yesterday, I picked up the first one, The Alchemyst, and now I, too, am hooked!

Interesting tidbits about this series:

1. The characters are based on real historical figures. Josh, one of the main characters, realized this before I, and googled one of the characters names. Then last night when I was recommending this series to a family friend, she asked, “Where have I have I heard the name Nicholas Flamel before?” THEN, I googled the name. True! Michael Scott did base the characters on historical figures.
2. Based on the theory behind this series, Scott has interesting rationales for decisions made by Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, and historical time periods. The first two are explanations for character creations…and those actually made me smile. :) Now, I am truly hooked, turning page after page watching for another such explanation! NOTE: Please know I do not agree with the monkey rationale.
3. Interested in learning more? I was, so I visited this link to the Michael Scott’s websit for all things Nicholas Flamel.

Please consider reading this series. I have not felt this same sort of excitement about a series since I read the Harry Potter series.

ANOTHER NOTE about series: While I enjoyed the Twilight series, the City of Bones is truly my favorite between the two series, and book four in this series is being released in the spring.

Today, we receive the gift of Snow Day #2. While I will enjoy time with the family, I do feel compelled to help Nicholas Flamel save the world. Wish me luck!

NOTE THREE: Yes, I will be purchasing the next two novels in this series and sharing novel four with William, so he, too, can read all the latest in the world of Nicholas Flamel. I want that boy to continue reading and recommending good reads to others!

I do enjoy reading a good series, watching the writer develop, witnessing the growth of the characters. Do you enjoy reading series? Which one is your favorite?

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369 pages

1: Salting Roses

Salting Roses, my first read for 2011, was an enjoyable read...for two main reasons:

1. I really liked author Lorelle Marinello's characters...all of them:  Gracie, Art, Ben, Sam, Claire.  All different, all bonded together because of main character Gracie, who discovers that she was abandoned as a baby on Ben's porch, who later discovers that she is the missing heiress to the family fortune, a fortune to which she desperately does NOT want.
2. Loved the title...and its meaning.  Very interesting!

Marinello's debut novel was a quick read, one that I enjoyed.  Yes, I will watch for more southern fiction from this author! Of course, I cannot share much about this as it would give too much away.  This is part of the appeal of the novel, for I continued reading searching for the meaning of that very unique title.

336 pages
Challenge:  Gillmore - More Reads in 2011