My TBR pile: that’s a pile of books To Be Read this summer.
I’m getting lots of requests for book recommendations. Since school is almost over, we are busy making plans to read this summer. If you had to read five books this summer, which five books would you read?!?!
Leave suggestions, including titles and authors, in the comments!
Thanks!!
I just returned from a week in New York City! I got to go to a place called Teachers College and learn more about being a better reading teacher. I met teachers from around the world. My head is spinning with all that I learned and of course I came back with more books. I’ll be catching up in my blogging this week. What are you reading? Amulet is next on my list! I am keeping track of my books on goodreads and I’ve read 66 books in 2013. Are you still counting your books? How are you doing on your reading?
It happens at the end of every school year..I get sick. Today, I gave in and napped and read. I read a lot! Here are two books I finished by Brian Selznick. I started with:
I’ve never read anything by Brian Selznick, but I’ve always heard about his books. This week I checked out three of his books from the library. I began with The Houdini Box. Historical fiction like I’ve never read. The story was magical, sad, interesting, and filled with suspense and beautiful drawings. My favorite thing about reading The Houdini Box is that I learned some history and really enjoyed the story. I think that’s what effective historical fiction does. I followed this book with his most famous and successful book:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a book that has been around for quite a few years and I’ve always avoided reading it. This year, Rachel (student) recommended that I read Wonderstruck. She and I enjoy the same taste in books, and she raved about it, so I decided to give Selznick a try. I wasn’t disappointed. Wonderstruck will be next! Both books are rated:
Book #2 for my summer reading is
Lipika (oops, I thought it was Rebekah and when I checked my notebook, I saw it was Lipika who recommended this book) recommended this to me. This is one of those books that flies off the shelf all year long. I’ve wanted to read it for a long time, but I had to wait until school ended so I could read it. This book tells the story of Amanda and Leo. They are two friends who share a birthday. (I love the name of the boy, Leo, as my dog shares that name.) Amanda and Leo’s parents met at the hospital when they were born and the families have been friends ever since, until Amanda and Leo get into an argument and stop speaking. This is where the magic comes in. I was surprised with where the story went. I didn’t expect this book to have an element of fantasy and magic. It was a cute story, but not one of my favorites.
I rate this book THREE and a HALF stars.
Umbrella Summer
The first book I crossed off my list is
Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff.
When the students were recommending books to me, I knew this was going to be the first on my list. Abigayle’s description made me want to read it immediately. Annie is the main character who is dealing with her brother’s death. She’s become extremely cautious about everything, like wearing band-aids where there’s no cut and wearing her bike helmut in the car. The story takes you on Annie’s journey of dealing with loss. Her new neighbor (the one who moves into the haunted house) becomes important to Annie’s summer. This is a beautifully sad story about dealing with loss and missing those you love. The characters are real and frustrating and funny. I love that a book about a topic this sad can make me laugh too!
I rate this one FIVE stars!
