It's Monday, Here's What I Am Reading

Time for another Monday's  meme with Shelia @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books where I get to answer the question, "What are you reading?"




Last week was a very 
exciting week for me as it marked the 5th Annual Area Wide Book Battle sponsored by my school district . As one of the co-founders of this event, the actual battle is a culmination of a year long process. Over  the years the battle has grown to include over 30 middle schools in the St Louis area who come together in May to compete. The students must answer questions about 20 different books written specifically for the the battle by a committee of three librarians,  two other teachers, and myself.

This year's battle was especially rewarding because my school's team came in second. This is the first time we have ever placed and four of the six kids on the team were also my students.

All of the students got the rare opportunity to meet not one but two authors before the competitions to get their books signed. Both Heather Brewer and James Dashner were on hand for the entire time. After the battle was finished the entire committee enjoyed lunch with both these authors, and I enjoyed being able to sit and talk books with them both.

This week I posted two reviews:

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

Books Read: 

Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

This had a very interesting premise involving a road trip, lost love, and a new love. Very cute read!






 Currently Reading/ Listening to:

The Undertakers Rise of the Corpses by  Ty Draco

A fantastic middle grade read about dead people being taken over by aliens and becoming zombies. Lots of action and for someone who doesn't especially like zombies, I am having a hard time putting this one down.

The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong

My first book by Kelly Armstrong and definitely will not be my last. I am loving the Native American mythology in this and the characters are terrific.

So what have you been reading?

It's Monday Here's why I'm NOT Reading

 Time for another Monday's  meme with Shelia @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books where I get to answer the question, "What are you reading?"


Only problem is my answer is not about what I am reading, but why I did NOT read or make my daily rounds.

First let me begin with my normal reading habits. You see I tend to do all my reading on the weekends. During the week I am usually too busy with my job as an eighth grade communication arts teacher.

But come the weekend, when I am not visiting my dad or cleaning house, you will find me in my comfy reading chair engaged in my first love READING.

Friday night I began a book, which I had every intention of finishing on Saturday so that I could begin another book to finish on Sunday. 

Mother Nature had other plans!

Tornadoes hit our area hard Friday, and while I was not hit my daughter and son-in-law was. They live in the same school district where I work, and a tornado devastated this area. Thankfully, my daughter's house is in tact, but her entire lot, filled with eleven very old trees, was hard hit. Ten of the eleven trees were uprooted, split and ultimately destroyed. When the tornado had passed, she was unable to get out of her driveway and for the rest of the weekend, we began trying to clear away the destruction. 

I fear many of my students were even harder hit. Some may well be without homes, as this tornado leveled several of the subdivisions where my students live.

Caption: April 23, 2011 - Beaverton Drive in the Harmann Estates subdivision in Bridgeton took the brunt of Friday night's tornado. Robert Cohen rcohen@post-dispatch.com Album ID: 1233003 Photo ID: 35377792

Caption: April 23, 2011 - Beaverton Drive in the Harmann Estates subdivision in Bridgeton took the brunt of Friday night's tornado. Robert Cohen rcohen@post-dispatch.com Album ID: 1233003 Photo ID: 35377334

I have never seen the destruction a tornado does first hand, and all I can say is that it is horrific. 

I am thankful that my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson's are alright, and that the devastation was slight compared to so many others, who lost everything. Experiencing this type of disaster, really makes one think about how quickly the things you take for granted can all blow away in an instant. I am also very thankful that as far as I know there was no loss of life.

So friends, needless to say my reading life is on hold for a little while. Hope your week was a lot better than mine!

It's Monday, Here's What I Am Reading

Time for another Monday's  meme with Shelia @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books where I get to answer the question, "What are you reading?"

Thank God for Spring Break. I actually got some reading down and think I may have even pulled myself out of the slump I have been having for the past few weeks.  While I had hoped to read a book a day, I didn't quite make that goal, but I did come close. I also have made a promise to myself to visit way more blogs than I have been of late. 


Books Read:

Bloodfever by Karen  Marie Moning (audio)

Loving this series (thanks Natalie @Mindful Musing) The audio is fantastic

Instruction for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson 

My first book by Kim Culbertson and it won't be my last. Loved the setting (Italy) All about learning to deal with heart break, something every girl has had to do more than once.

Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams 

 Very emotional read with a terrific protagonist that made me want to grab her and hug her and never let go.

Like Mandarin by Kristen Hubbard
Haunted by Joy Preble 

Another emotional read that did a great job with showing how stepping into someone else's life might surprise you.

Looking for Alaska by John Green 

 Ever since I read Paper Towns, which I loved I have been wanting to read more from John Green. Love his male protagonists and this one did not disappoint. Will be reading another of Green's books soon.


Reviews Posted: 

Hex a Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Jack Secret Vengeance by F. Paul Wilson


Currently Reading: 

Songs of a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culberston 

Cannot wait to see what you are reading!