What I'm Reading Wednesday

Was it the great Sir Mix-a-Lot that once said, "I like big books and I cannot lie"? I think those are the lyrics, right?

When I walked out of school last Wednesday, I brought home a huge crate of goodies from my classroom. I had to pack an additional bag just to carry all of the books I brought home to read over the summer.  

First on the list this summer was, "Absolutely Almost" by Lisa Graff. This is an incredibly sweet story about a little boy named Albie finding his path through a very confusing school year. While reading, you'll laugh with Albie and be heartbroken as well. I found myself having similar emotions as to when I read "Wonder" for the first time. I was Team Auggie and Team Albie all the way!

I look forward to sharing this book with my students and having conversations about the way we treat others and what it really means to be, "cool".  

What I'm Reading Wednesday

It has been a long time since I've read a book that kept me up in the wee hours of the morning to finish reading.  

For the month of August, my book club chose to read "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah. From the moment I opened the book and began reading the story of Vianne and Isabelle during World War II - I could not put it down. I toted the book around with me everywhere I went in hops to find a free moment to continue reading. 

Be forewarned that your heart will break and you will ache for the lives lost during World War II and the cruelties so many endured. Throughout everything, The Nightingale tells a story of hope, passion, and survival. 

I highly recommend! 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

You know you've found a great book when you can't wait to start reading it again from the day before. It's the kind of connection with a book I want my kids to find and I'm equally ecstatic when I find it as well. 

Since reading Gone Girl, I haven't found a thriller to capture my attention and put me at the edge of my seat. After months of waiting.... I've finally found the one. I secretly never want the book to end (okay, I'm lying... I have to know what happens) because I love the pace and unexpected nature of the storyline. I literally tell everyone I know, yes literally, they have to stop what they're doing and read the book.

Buy it on Amazon!

If you can't take my word for it.... listen to Chip, he loves it just as much as me. 

What I'm Reading Wednesday ... on a Thursday

A great stress relief for me is reading a hilarious book. The perfect night cap to a nonstop day at school if you ask me! Really... there's nothing like finding a book that literally makes you laugh out loud. 

If you haven't been introduced, let me have the honor. For your comedic pleasure, allow me to introduce, Amy Poehler. 

Aren't ready to commit? Enjoy a 5-minute excerpt from her book on YouTube. 

Seriously. If you're a fan of Amy's, SNL, Parks & Rec, or comedy in general.... you're going to enjoy this book. 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Back in December, my book club read the first book in the Cormoran Strike series, The Cuckoo's Calling. After a little hiatus (life can get busy!) we met again on a beautiful patio overlooking the lake and picked our book for the month. 

In this second book of the series, Cormoran is investigating the disappearance of a shifty author in the London area.  I'm hoping the twists and turns start to pick up soon like the first one. I really enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling and I hope to say the same for this one!

Buy it here. 

Next on my list to read....

Buy it here. 

What are you currently reading? Do share!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Today makes snow day number five for us in Mid-Missouri! I'm blogging from the comfort of my couch watching my favorite daytime show, The Chew. 

#dogsofinstagram

This month, my book club is reading "Labor Day" by Joyce Maynard. I started out with the audio book and now I'm hoping to finish the e-book before our next meeting. We picked this book because it was hitting theaters soon and we thought it was time to take a trip to the movies! 

Source

I'm also reading "Balancing it All" by Candace Cameron Bure and Dana Wilkerson. Not only am I loving reading about grown up D.J. Tanner, but I'm a big fan of the author, Dana. :)

I highly recommend! 

Source

Linking up with Juice Boxes and Crayolas! 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Happy New Year's Eve! Thanks to Christmas break, I've been able to get caught up on reading - for fun! Here's a look at what I've read and started reading...

The Husband's Secret

Good Reads

I spent my entire Saturday reading and finished this book with my mouth wide open. As more secrets were uncovered, I kept gasping with pure shock. From this point on, please don't tell me any of your secrets - pretty please?

Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

Good Reads

I am on the road traveling quite frequently, so I began Semple's book as an audio book this past Friday. Now, I find myself reading the iBooks version because I can't wait to find out more about Bernadette and those darn gnats from down the road. 

What are YOU reading over break? 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Currently, I am experiencing book withdrawals. You know, when you finish a book and you aren't ready to start another one but you have the longing to be wrapped up in the story line and drama of another piece of literature. Yes, that's me right now. 

On Monday, I finished reading/listening to (I did a combo this month) "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling). Near the end of the story, things started escalating and I actually shouted out loud, "WHAT!"  Rowling's book follows detective Comoran Strike as he investigates the mysterious death of famous supermodel, Lula Landry. I have a sneaky feeling we might be hearing from Strike again soon. I can only hope!

 

 Buy it on Amazon here. 

In my classroom, we just wrapped up Out of My Mind and have moved on to a new pick by Gordon Korman titled, "Ungifted". We are only about 20 pages in, but the kids seem to really enjoy the story so far.

Buy it on Amazon here.  

What are YOU reading this week?

Happy Wednesday!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Do you ever get so swept up in everything you aren't doing and can't quite find time to do that your brain starts to play ping pong? That's what is happening to me right now. So instead of dwelling on all the stress, I'm watching Full house in my cozy socks and catching up with you, readers. 

In Book Club:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. This was highly recommended by two friends so I suggested my book club read it as well. I'm listening to the audio version this month (it still counts!!) and I really think it's adding to the story.

In my classroom:
Out of My Mind. Once I got my students past the idea that Melody was not the fish pictured on the cover, the questions and compassion started rolling out. Haven't read it? YOU MUST.

Professionally:
 I'm participating in a district-wide book study on Text Complexity. We are reading the book titled, "Text Complexity". I believe, based on the title, you have figured out what this one is about. Well you're wrong! It's about a group of teachers working to solve a mystery about who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. Okay, okay... I'm kidding. It's about raising rigor in reading and the common core. I had you there for a minute though!

Personally:
The Energy Bus. Talk about a real booster of energy! This book is filled with ways to encourage positivity with those around you whether its professionally or in your personal life. I've posted the "10 Rules", but it will really make sense if you read the book. Go for it, I dare you!

Have a great Thursday!
Linking up with Juice Boxes & Crayolas. 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Throughout the school year, my students are always telling me to read this book, and that book, and THIS book... so finally, I've had time to read some of those books. Wahoo!

"Because of Mr. Terupt" was a very popular title in my room and was passed around to many students. It's an incredible story about the connection made between a class and I highly recommend it. 

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Last night, I started "The Name of This Book is Secret" because of its popularity in my classroom. It's a unique series and I'm only about 20 pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far. :)

The Name of This Book is a Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

What are you reading, folks?

Linking up with Juice Boxes & Crayolas!

My Reading Life Lately

Thanks to this beautiful season called summer and the conclusion of my online summer classes, I've had lots of time to curl up with a good book.. or two.. or three. Earlier this year, I had the honor of listening to Donalyn Miller speak at a conference where I live. She mentioned the power of having a reading community: others you can talk to about books, share ideas, share titles, etc. All of the titles I've read lately are from book club picks or suggestions from friends. How lucky am I? 

Here's a look at a few titles I've read lately. 

The Expats by Chris Pavone

The Expats was a book club choice and I highly recommend it! Read as Kate, a former C.I.A. agent, begins to unfold secrets about the husband she thought she knew...

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

A friend of mine wrote a riveting review of The Light Between Oceans on Good Reads and I knew I HAD to read it. Now my book club is reading it this month. Grab the tissues... you will need them.

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

I picked The Silent Wife because my Real Simple magazine suggested it would cure my Gone Girl withdrawal. I was foolish to believe this would compare to Flynn's book, but it's still a compelling read about a troubled romance filled with deception.

Tell me folks, what are you reading now-a-days?

What I'm Reading Wednesday

It's been a few months since I've updated you on my current read! Sheesh, once again I've neglected to inform you about my book club. For the month of May, we decided to pick a book that didn't involve family drama or murder (our last few picks...) so we went the nonfiction route. A friend of mine recommended "Spoken From the Heart" by Laura Bush. 

I just finished reading about Laura and President Bush's wedding and the birth of their twin girls Barbara and Jenna. If you're weary about reading a book regarding politics, I'll leave you with the Las Vegas Review Journal's recommendation on the back, "It doesn't matter if you are Republican or Democrat, the history and legacy this admirable woman leaves behind will forever be part of our country's tapestry."

What I'm Reading Wednesday

What a delightful treat to be featured on Ashley's blog One Fine Day. Check out my picks in her weekly special "Need Read Greed". 

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Is everyone all right out there? Check your pulse. Are you sure you're okay? I haven't updated you on my Book Club's recent selections. How have you been surviving these past few months? Sheesh! How selfish of me. Don't fret - I've got all the picks I've neglected to update you on right here. 

February: The Kitchen House

January: The Fault in our Stars

December: The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove 

Whew! Rest easy. You're updated now. 

Happy reading!

What I'm Reading... Thursday

Earlier this year, my book club picked Bill O'Reilly's thriller, "Killing Lincoln" as our monthly book. We were all captivated by the novel! Not only was it historical but riveting at the same time. On October 2, O'Reilly released his lastest historical thriller, "Killing Kennedy" about out beloved former President John F. Kennedy. I'm roughly 50 pages in and I'm HOOKED. I glued my buns to my couch to watch the entire mini series on the Kennedy's... now I can't peel my eyes from this one. Prior to Lincoln's book, I was never a fan of historical literature. I'm a changed woman! Hand 'em over... I want to read about the past!

I highly recommend this one. If you're wondering, yes it talks about everything: Jackie, Marilyn, Cuba, Civil Rights... and on and on. 

In my classroom, we are reading another incredible story. The book is "Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper. It happens to be a Mark Twain Nominee this year (for you Missouri teachers!) as well. It's about an 11-year old girl with cerebral palsy. The story of Melody is fictional, but as the author says on her website, she represents so many individuals with intelligent brains and uncooperative bodies. While reading yesterday, I could feel the tears forming in my eyes while reading about Melody's obstacles. It's an incredibly phenomenal story. I HIGHLY recommend this as a read aloud. I have had five kids check it out at the library and finish it on their own because they couldn't wait! 

Check out "Out of My Mind" on Sharon Draper's website here. 

Off I go to tackle my mountain of laundry and feed my growling stomach. It's almost Friday, folks!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Buy it Here!

Has anyone read this one yet? Well, after 20 pages or so... the girl was already gone. Flynn didn't mess around with jumping into the suspense.  The story takes place in our great home state of Missourah - that's how it's pronounced right? Just kidding. It takes place in Missouri and my book club picked it for the month of September. It's excellent so far. 

Now, I've just gobbled up my bowl of chili and my book is calling my name. Happy Wednesday! 

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Seriously, I can't get enough of the Olympics. I actively avoid twitter and any newsworthy website during the day so the primetime events aren't spoiled for me. Every night at 7, I turn on the tube and make sure my night revolves around Olympic events. 

I'm now completely involved in the Fab 5's everyday lives. Their instagram pictures and twitter feeds are so heartfelt and full of joy. I just can't help but get sappy when I read them. I'm not even a Corn Flakes fan, but I'm on my way to the store to pick up one of these little numbers. I kind of need the Olympics to end so I can have a life back - emphasis on the kind of. 

In my ACTUAL life, not the life I've revolved around London 2012, I met with my book club tonight. It was a great evening at Panera after a wedding packed weekend and a short but certainly sweet visit to STL to visit my bf. 

We finished the Kite Runner and had much to talk about. It's an incredible story full of heartbreak, friendship, loss, shame, and so on. Sometimes, it seems like the more challenging the story the is... the easier it is to talk about. I received several comments about The Kite Runner that many have read it as well. 

Since school is starting this month (captain obvious), we decided to keep it light and go for humor. A few months ago I pinned "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson. We decided to give it a whirl this month. 

Turns out Jenny Lawson has a pretty hilarious blog of her own. You can follow her life and her rants over at her blog The Bloggess.

I read one page and was already laughing out loud. I think this will be the perfect companion book for the month of August! What books are on your shelf this month?