Monday, June 10, 2013

It's Monday, What Are You Reading June 10, 2013


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

This week was a continuation of library inventory which required mandatory stopping to "smell the roses"(books). The most wonderful part of inventory is getting to revisit books that you have forgotten on the shelves. Poor little books. I will find someone to love you when the students return in August. It is my belief that successful librarians are natural marketing geniuses. We know that a book will sit on a shelf until you advertise it through a book talk, promo poster, or referral. The minute you do so, WAP! the book becomes the hottest ticket in the library and fights almost break out to see who can check it out first. I admit I kind of like inciting this type of book riot.

Here are a few books that will be getting some book love:

Harry Potter series
Magical Links: 
Scholastic's The Stacks-Harry Potter has some magical games like lighting your wand. creating a magical creature, and Wizard's Duel. I played for a looonnnggg time.

J. K. Rowling talks about a continued world of Harry Potter. Pottermore

Pottermore web site




Charlie  Bone series
Scholastic The Stacks-Charlie Bone

I love this series with all the unusual talents that descendents of the Red King possess. 








Fairy Tales and Folk Tale section are also often overlooked because they are not in the same section with the E=Everyone books. This past year I made a special section divider and the 2nd graders really flocked to this 398.2 Dewey section where they also discovered nearby jewels in the 30 and 31 sections which includes many of the World Record, Trivia, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and Almanac books. 

My current reads:
I never realized how late it had gotten last night because I was so engrossed into Hold Fast. Now I am heavy eyed at work and can't wait to pick it up again. 
 
Hold Fast by Blue Balliett
(description from author website)
The mystery begins with a bizarre accident on a on a deserted, wintery street in Chicago. Now stir in old Langston Hughes book on rhythms, the Chicago Public Library's huge downtown building, a family of four that finds themselves in the midst of a spiraling nightmare, and the 2003 Antwerp Diamond Heist, the biggest in history.  You will meet Dash, Sum, Early, and Jubie...and many others living in a large city shelter. As dreams chase reality in a fearless yet sparkly search,11-year-old Early Pearl will take you on a ride not easily forgotten. 

Audio Book:

I am having so much fun re-listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone while I finish up library inventory.



My Library Hold List:

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

 Audio clip here

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice oneverything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.


Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Set over the course of one school year in 1985, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits-smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try it. 
I just love the start of summer and all its possibilities. I work through the summer but without the students around I can get a lot of cataloging, repairing, sorting, and implementing new ideas done. I move furniture around trying to find the just right feel of the space making it more reader friendly. Summer in my library gives me a chance to try out my crazier ideas between readers camps and tour groups that traipse through to get a good look at our unusual school. My favorite part is all the audio books that I get to listen to while I work. I just wish my local public libraries had better selections, 

Are you a fan of audio books too?

I am also seriously in need of an outstanding title to read Something with the whizz bang of last summer's Wonder, The One and Only Ivan, or Liar and Spy. Any suggestions?





8 comments:

  1. I've never listened to many audiobooks because they are sooooo slow. For a whiz bang title-- hmmm. Have you read Shulman's The Grimm Legacy? The sequel, The Wells bequest, is coming out soon. For a good mystery, I liked Dionne's Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking, and 45 Pounds (More or Less) was a good problem novel. The Hidden Summer might be good, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just saw a 45 Pounds post this morning. What a coincident or possibly fate? destiny? We shall see. I have the Grimm Legacy in my library as well as a series called The Sisters Grimm. Maybe I should pair them up to read. Thanks for the suggestions. Happy reading.

      Delete
  2. I love audiobooks! My all time favorite series to listen to is Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer. Katherine Kellgrin is brilliant. I also love Alan Cumming reading Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. To read, I would recommend A.S.King-her books are for older readers. For middle grade, I just loved Doll Bones and The Hero's Guide series! I enjoyed 45 Pounds too and The Grimm Legacy is so much fun! Can't wait to see what you pick! http://wp.me/pzUn5-1ze

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another 45 Pounds reader. I have not heard about this book until recently. Today, I will continue my audio book journey with Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. I try to do the HP series leading up to July every year so I don't forget all the goodies included in the book series. Kids rely on the movie and think that is all there is to HP. Some of my favorite book parts were not in the movies. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it.

      Delete
  3. Eleanor and Park sounds like a must read, I've heard so much about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Hold copy has just become available. I just need to find time to be able to go get it.

      Delete
  4. We adore the Charlie Bone series in my house. I just requested Eleanor and Park and am really looking forward to reading it. In terms of recommendations . . . not sure what you've read: One for the Murphys? Lions of Little Rock? The Emerald Atlas? Beholding Bee? The False Prince? All favourites of mine in last year. Good luck sourcing out that title that will hit the spot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With a name like Julee Murphy, you know I had to have read OFTM. Lynda sent me an autographed copy. My students all think I am the mother in the story. I just let them think it. I enjoyed Lions of Little Rock and have Emerald Atlas here at my desk. I have heard good things about Beholding Bee but sadly do not have a copy. I keep forgetting to read The False Prince and need to add the sequel to my library collection. Thanks for stopping by. I am going to send you a quick tweet with a photo.

      Delete

Thank you for verifying. Your efforts are appreciated.