As we head into the fall, It’s time to update our progress with our #MustReadin2016 lists. Making progress? Where has your reading life taken you? Please share!
My original list had 30 titles on it. By April 1st, I had finished 12 novels from the list. Since then, I have completed 8 more. I keep congratulating myself on choosing such fantastic reads. I also know this is much more than luck – I have a well-read reading community that helps guide my choices.
Here are the titles I had finished at our Spring update.
Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm
Fat Angie by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart
Stand Off by Andrew Smith
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Paper Hearts by Meg Wivott
This is the Story of You by Beth Kephart
Since then, I have read the following titles (listed in the order I completed each novel). I loved all of these novels and so thought I would, very briefly, attempt to convince others why these titles truly are must read books!
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Full of adventure, wartime atrocities, human kindness and connection. It also tells the story of a real historical event that many of us know nothing about – the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the biggest and most tragic disaster in maritime history. Heartbreaking, compelling, an incredible read. And, very possibly, one of my all time favourite historical fiction titles.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T Cook by Leslie Connor
Kind of a perfect middle grade read. A title that celebrates family, community, resilience and strength of character. I have plans to read this book aloud with my new class this fall.
Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
Dramatic family relationships, young love, coming of age, and New York in 1977 and all that that means . . . the Son of Sam murders and the fear surrounding this time, fires, blackouts, financial hardships. I highly recommend this YA title.
Booked by Kwame Alexander
This novel in verse celebrates language, words and relationships. Throughout the book, all of these things are all wrapped up in each other in some pretty wonderful ways.
Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
This book transports the reader to a time and a place and a family and a story that you want to walk around in and experience every tiny sensation – the smells of the Mexican cooking, the sound of a lone bee buzzing in your ear, the vastness of a desert ranch, the tingling feeling of a story that is wrapped up in history and magic. I don’t always love magical realism but in this story, it worked. I wanted to believe all of it. And maybe I should . . . One of my favourite middle-grade novels of the year.
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Just thinking about this book again and I start breathing deeply. Reading it was an emotional topsy-turvy ride. I recommend this book to everyone. It’s written in verse with words that grab tight. Released at the other end, one is transformed by incredible courage, honesty and humanity.
Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
There is sadness here but it’s life sadness and the learning and the revelations in these characters make this such a rich MG read.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Yes, really, as good as all of the raving. I fell hard for this story of Peter, Pax and Vola. Beautiful, emotional and raw. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. Fantastic writing by Pennypacker.
If you have been participating in #MustReadin2016 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2016 hashtag!
Leave your link in the comments if you have written a post. Please try to visit a few of the other #MustReadin2016 bloggers/readers and get inspired!
Want to know more about #MustReadin2016? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.
Next update will be on December 31st, 2016!
I am travelling today so won’t be visiting posts until later this evening. Looking forward to reading about everyone’s progress and possibly starting a draft of my #MustReadin2017 list!
HAPPY READING!
Thanks for keeping us all together, Carrie. I’ve read some of the books on your list, and some need to be on “my” list! Hope your travels are lots of fun! Here’s my link: http://www.teacherdance.org/2016/08/checking-in-mustreadin2016_31.html
Thanks for sharing Linda! We had a wonderful trip. Needed down time.
I’ve not heard of House Arrest, definitely going to check that one out! I, too, thought Salt to the Sea and Raymie Nightingale were phenomenal works. I REALLY want to read Burn Baby Burn and I’m glad to hear you liked it so well! Thanks so much for hosting everything! Here’s my post: http://dismalwhimsy.blogspot.com/2016/09/must-read-in-2016-update.html
House Arrest is a wow, wow, wow title. Highly recommend. Going to go check out your update!
Salt to the Sea was one of my top books from the list in this update also. I adored Perry T Cook. I agree with you about Hour of the Bees. It’s going to be in my top ten of the year I think. House Arrest is not available at the VPL – I might have to borrow your copy I think.
Here is my update.
http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca/2016/09/mustreadin-2016-fall-update.html
I also couldn’t find in at the VPL – then found an ARC on a free table. Meant to be. Happy to lend it to you. It’s fantastic.
Thanks for hosting this Carrie. It’s the first day of school here and I am off to our exchange student’s tennis match so will read posts later also. Here is my very brief update: http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2016/09/mustreadin2016-update.html
Glad you found time to share 🙂
Sounds like you’ve discovered some wonderful titles, I’d added a bunch of them to my library holds list, can’t wait to enjoy them too! 🙂
Wonderful! Happy reading!
Thanks again Carrie for your hosting awesomeness! Here’s my update: http://thefunlibrarian.blogspot.ca/2016/08/must-read-in-2016-september-update.html?m=1
Hosting awesomeness – now that is one cool thing!
Hope you enjoyed some time away!
I enjoyed some of the books you read too, on my list is Perry T. Cook. Hearing so many good things!
Oh! And here’s the link to my post! http://mrsknottsbooknook.blogspot.com/2016/09/mustreadin2016-september-update.html
It really is a treasure of a book.
I also really enjoyed Raymie, Pax, and Booked although they were not on this particular list. Actually, Pax was but it was on the last update. I ordered House Arrest and am looking forward to getting my hands on it soon. Thanks for keeping us going with this great activity. Here is my link, I almost did not get it written by Sept. 1.
http://tinyurl.com/jkedqkr
I am so pleased you are participating Aaron!
You’ve read two of my four fave #mglit novels this year! Here’s my update: https://thechroniclesofachildrensbookwriter.wordpress.com/2016/09/02/celebratelu-september-2-2016-reading-resolutions-summer-update/
We often enjoy the same novels!
Love this community! Can’t wait to read everyone’s updates. Here is ours: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=10887
I love it too! Thanks for participating!
I loved Salt to the Sea, Burn Baby Burn and Pax. I also really enjoyed Booked. You’ve had some great books in your hands. 🙂
I sure have!
We are two weeks into the school year, and it is so exciting to see teachers cultivating reading communities already! My #MustReadin2016 can be found here: https://thebookisinyourcourt.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/fall-update-mustreadin2016-crenshawfooddrive/ I took a bit of a different approach because I couldn’t get over how much Crenshaw deserved the spotlight!
I love this community! Excited to check out your post.