Meme: What Are You Reading?

I came across this meme at Book Journey via my Feedly reader and Anita Loves Books blog.  With this being the last week of school, I am avidly planning some BIG reads...literally - The Way of Kings, Gone with the Wind, Moby Dick, The Goldfinch, and The Palace Walk...all 700+ pages.

To the present, though...I am currently reading the following:

For Me:

• Richard Paul Evan's Walking on Water:  I love this series!  Fifth and final in the collection, I look forward to finding out how Alan resolves his issues with loss that initiated his walk and those he's encountered along the way.
• Wm. Paul Young's Cross Roads:  A book chosen for our locally owned book store, this one I am behind reading due to a death in our family. 

For Professional Development:

• 20 Strategies to Meet the Common Core:  Increasing Rigor in the Middle and High School Classroom:  I am still reading this one. Organized by topic that reads like a how-to manual, this one has been too easy to put down.

For Church:

• Finishing up a Beth Moore's David study and looking forward to beginning her Children of the Day study.

I would be reading more...but for both book clubs, I have already read the chosen books (both my recommendations!):  A Year on Ladybug Farm (local book store) and Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind (faculty book club).

What are you reading good this week?

13: The Fallen Snow

Our faculty book club read this novel, selected by our solo male English teacher...and in our attempt to not just read "girly" books!

John J. Kelly's novel The Fallen Snow tells the journey of a young man Joshua Hunter from the mountains of Virginia to the front lines of wars in 1918 and the months of recovery afterwards from wounds physical, mental, and emotional. Leaving his girl behind, he meets and falls for a partner that does not return from the war.  When we selected the novel, I did not realize the novel with deal with topic and, honestly, I might not have read it had I realized that for personal beliefs.  I did appreciate, though, the background knowledge I gained on WWI, a time period on which I have not read enough.

Much of the story was told via flashbacks, representing literally what was happening in young Joshua's mind.  A great technique, these flashbacks provided glimpses into the war, the relationships (both at home and abroad), and the growth of the characters as they dealt with a young man who had seen much and killed many.

This is one that both genders could read.  With male protagonists and plenty of female perspectives, any audience would feel included.

What have you read lately that challenged your belief system?