This is a two week catch up post. I went on two wild and woolie road trips. The first with a couple of carloads of librarian friends to Houston to attend the Scholastic Reading Conference which was wonderful, fun, and delicious. The second was a birthday trip for my mom and that we called the Momma Jan Road Trip 2014 to Salado, Texas to visit my sister.
My mom is a devotee of the reality show Junk Gypsy so we took a side trip to Round Top, Texas where she met a couple of the Junk Gypsy ladies. My mom is so awesome.
Last week I read one YA Fic book-Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau finishing off The Testing trilogy. I really enjoyed the series and loved how Charbonneau ended the story in such a meaningful way. This week, I was cataloging a lot of new books to prep for the new school year so I took some time to read as many as I could. Have you read any of these?
My library hold for The Fault in Our Stars finally came available. I received the E book version which is very hard on my poor old weak eyes but I read until it felt like my eyes were bleeding. That is the sign of a great book. In fact, I looked away from my Ipad for a minute and could only see see black lines across the wall for a long time. Excellent storyline.
I also read 123 versus ABC that I received from author/illustrator Mike Bolt. Even the package it came in was illustrated as well as the end papers.
Now my grand-kids think all our books should have these cute little drawings.
I
am currently reading Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith which I got for
a bargain at Half-Price books- $4.98 with a coupon and teacher
discount. Wow, I have been blushing a lot reading it but it really
captures the teenage boy mentality well. I can so visualize this as it
becomes a movie in the next year or so. It's been a wonderful week for reading. Now I wonder what I will read next. Offer me some suggestions and thanks for stopping by, it's been fun.
I really enjoyed Hello Mr. Hulot so glad someone else is mentioning it. I ended up looking for some of the films online!
ReplyDeleteI was unfamiliar with Mr. Hulot before reading the book. I will also look up some of the videos and perhaps it will help me introduce the book to my students.
DeleteEnjoy Grasshopper Jungle- I finished it a few weeks ago... brilliant creation. Love A Boy and a Jaguar but hadn't seen the rest of those... Happy reading to you!
ReplyDeleteMy grown up son needed something to read so I suggested he flip through Grasshopper Jungle. He made a weird yelp noise and threw the book on my bed. He is such a book snob and reads mostly classical history and loves to rib me about YA fiction. We eventually come across something so brilliant that we both love it ex: Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
DeleteI love some of the books you read this past week. I have Charbonneau's trilogy but didn't get to it this summer like I planned. There's a lot I didn't get to... That happens! I read A Boy and A Jaguar and Froodle. Boy/Jaguar is fantastic. I really thought Sibert Award as I was reading it. I have 2 more weeks before school starts. Time to cram it all in!
ReplyDeleteWe must be on similar school schedules. This is my last week at work before teaching staff arrives (I work year round) Kids will be here on the 25th. Where did time go? I wanted to catalog so many more books than I had time for. Oh yeah, we cleaned out the entire library, teacher professional collection and university teacher resource center. I was exhausted the first eight weeks of summer.
DeleteI have read one of that group, A Boy And A Jaguar-very good read. And I have Grasshopper Jungle waiting. I've heard it's good. Glad you finally got TFIOS-so lovely. You did do some good reading & glad you and some fun trips, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. I don't get to travel much so it was exciting to take back roads and see the beautiful architecture still found in small towns.
DeleteSounds like a great two weeks! I love the concept of 123 vs. ABC, sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie, don't you just love it when you do get to read a lot? Some weeks I can barely manage to find time and other times it's a perfect reading week.
DeleteI have to check out 123 vs ABC and The Lion and the Bird. Great covers!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to opening a big box of new books today and spending some time reading them. It's time to start setting up my "New books are rolling in display"
DeleteQueen Victoria's Bathing Machine! What a cover! I need to look for this. Love Whelan's novels. The Lion and the Bird is simply wonderful isn't it?! I just read Winger by Smith. Wow. Some kind of writer! But, yes, I can imagine there is blushing :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, Andrew Smith does definitely catch the teen boy mentality. I haven't read Grasshopper Jungle yet, but I love Winger and Stick and they both have great voices.
ReplyDeleteAlso, glad you enjoyed TFioS. It is one of those books that you sit in one sitting if you can.
I love that you went on a road trip with your mom--she seems awesome!
Happy reading this week! :)
Thanks Kellee, it's looks like you still might be having issues with posting comments. There is a gray exclamation point next to your name. Have you solved the mystery yet?
DeleteI agree with Kellee and you. Andrew Smith certainly knows how to make women blush! I had heard that Grasshopper Jungle was his most extreme, so I think I had cold feet. I haven't started it yet, but I plan to read it very soon. Thanks for giving me the kick in the butt. :)
ReplyDeleteI will add the title of Butt Kicker to my resume. Yes, I am doing my share of blushing. It is getting to the part where "they are hatching".
DeleteYes, I agree that Grasshopper Jungle is spot on for its targeted audience. I struggled to keep up with Austin's jumping from topic to topic but maybe that's how boys think.I am going to read Winger after all the great things I have heard about it.
ReplyDelete