Tag Archives: #MustReadin2014

Fall Update: #MustReadin2014

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I have been sitting at 20/30 titles read on my #MustReadin2014 list for so long that I thought I had read nothing since the summer update in July. This morning I finished a book on the list which brings me to 21/30 titles read so I thought, hurrah! I can list one book. But then I realized I have actually read four novels from this list. Wow!

must read in 2014 challenge

What have I read since the beginning of July?

Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer  (Read July 5th, 2014) YA novel 4 stars

I am fully captivated by these Lunar Chronicles stories even though I never thought I was going to be. I read Cinder on a whim and was hooked. I particularly love how all of the characters from previous books still play starring roles in the ongoing storylines. Dramatic, suspenseful, interesting characters. Great YA fantasy!

Cress Fall Update: #MustReadin2014 There's a Book for That

The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner  (Read July 15th, 2014) YA novel 5 stars

Should have been just so sad but somehow this title was light and full of hope. Truly beautifully done -this is the YA fiction I want my daughter to read as a teen. Easily one of my favourite YA titles of 2014. I loved the vulnerability in the characters, the exploration of grief, the superb writing and of course, little Frankie Sky.

The Summer of Letting Go Fall Update: #MustReadin2014 There's a Book for That

We were Liars by E. Lockhart (Read July 15th, 2014) YA novel 5 stars

Eerie. Haunting. Painful. Beautiful. Captures family dynamics – holding these messy aspects up in all of their raw and real glory. If you have read this book, you know, it isn’t possible to write details that aren’t spoilers.

We Were Liars Fall Update: #MustReadin2014 There's a Book for That

After Iris by Natasha Farrant (Read October 13th, 2014) MG novel 5 stars

I so loved this book – I am a fan of the chaos, eccentricities and love in this Gadsby family. But whoa, these parents . . . I gave my children extra attentive hugs today in response!

After Iris Fall Update: #MustReadin2014 There's a Book for That

How is your To Be Read list treating you? I am excited still to tackle the rest of my list while I still do other reading. However, I can already predict that I might not get to two titles on my list. One, because I just can’t lay hands on it. And the other? Every time I do pick it up from the library, I end up returning it unread. Hmm . . . But I won’t call it yet.

I think it is interesting that certain books call to us at certain times. Some of my #MustReadin2014 titles sit on my bookshelf staring at me and I keep passing them by and reach for other books. It’s not that I don’t want to read them. I just don’t want to read them now. And then the mood hits . . . 🙂

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2014 and written an update post, link up below and share on twitter using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag! Please note that you need to click on the link below and it will take you to another page.

Want to know more about #MustReadin2014? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.

Monday July 21st, 2014

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It’s Monday! What are you reading?

IMWAYR

 

Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. You are guaranteed to find something new to add to your list.

A strange #IMWAYR post for me because there are no picture books included here. We were away for an entire week and I just packed novels in my bag. But, oh, what novels . . . The first two were titles on my #MustReadin2014 list

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Eerie. Haunting. Painful. Beautiful. Captures family dynamics – holding these messy aspects up in all of their raw and real glory. If you have read this book, you know, it isn’t possible to write details that aren’t spoilers. So leaving it here. Wow.

We Were Liars #IMWAYR July 21st 2014 There's a Book for That

The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner 

Should have been just so sad but somehow this title was light and full of hope. Truly beautifully done -this is the YA fiction I want my daughter to read as a teen. Easily one of my favourite YA titles of 2014. I loved the vulnerability in the characters, the exploration of grief, the superb writing and of course, little Frankie Sky.

The Summer of Letting Go #IMWAYR July 21st 2014 There's a Book for That

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

I can’t quite remember who told me that I should read this book. Many, many thank yous! These characters will be with me for some time. A powerful story of the complexities of friendship, the reign of a bully, what it means to stand up and stand out, of finding home . . . Mix in the music of the Beatles, the vibe of the mid-seventies and a stop the world storm and whoa, what a novel. If you haven’t read this book, put it high up on the TBR list.

If I Ever Get Out of Here #IMWAYR July 21st 2014 There's a Book for That

 Bluffton by Matt Phelan

Purely and perfectly captures long ago summers on the page – specific of a particular place and era – Muskegon, Michigan in the early 1900s with Buster Keaton. Certain images lift of the page and invite you to step right inside. Phelan is brilliant.

Bluffton #IMWAYR July 21st 2014 There's a Book for That

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

This is an adult novel, a rare read for me. I am including it here because the main character is a 13 year old boy and it is told through his eyes. Upsetting but beautifully written.

The Round House #IMWAYR July 21st 2014 There's a Book for That

 

Next up? I am reading Son by Lois Lowry. And many holds are coming in from the library so due dates will determine what comes after this!

Reading Goal updates:

2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 51/100 novels complete

Goodeads Challenge: 347/650 books read

#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 82/65 complete

Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update

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As of April 1st 2014, I had read 13/30 of my #MustReadin2014 list Three months later, I have read about 20 novels but only four of them have been from my list. I am planning to remedy this during the summer and hope to enter the fall with just a handful of titles remaining. As of today though, I have read 17 titles. The first thirteen I discussed in my Spring Update post.

must-read-in-2014-challenge

I know some people keep making their original lists longer. Instead, I have started a #MustReadin2015 draft list! That way, I can ensure I really do get to complete all thirty titles from my list without always getting distracted by new books. For everything I have read in terms of novels during 2014, see this list.

What have I read since April from my #mustreadin2014 list? These four titles (all well worth reading!):

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer  (Read April 18th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 YA title

Set in the jungles of Gabon, this novel is about a boy and his relationships with chimpanzees. No doubt, there are messages of conservation that come through loud and clear. But this book is also about being alone, finding connection, chasing dreams and finding home.

Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update There's a Book for That

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Read April 20th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 YA title

All kinds of amazing. I loved pretty much everything about it. The characters. The honesty and vulnerability of the narrator. The family dynamics. The truths. The humour. Wow, wow, wow. READ this book, if you haven’t already!

Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update There's a Book for That

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee  (Read May15th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 MG title

Vulnerable. Beautiful. Sad and full of grief while at the same time magical and full of hope. What a story.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update There's a Book for That

Jinx’s Magic by Sage Blackwood   (Read June 22nd, 2014) Rating: 4/5 MG title

Just plain awesome fantasy with a plucky character, plot twist and turns and a fascinating setting – the Urwarld forest. Full of humour, drama and great writing. I read this aloud to my children and we are all enchanted! Anxiously awaiting the next title: Jinx’s Fire.

Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update There's a Book for That

I am currently part way through another title from my list: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer  

How is your To Be Read list treating you?

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2014 and written an update post, link up below and share on twitter using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2014? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.

Must Read Titles in 2014: Spring Update

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must-read-in-2014-challenge

My #MustReadin2014 list has 30 titles on it. As of today, I have read 13 of these books. Since I have read 26 novels so far in 2014, half of my reading has been from my #MustRead list. Sometimes these titles lead me off to read the rest of the series (after Legend I read Prodigy and Champion within weeks) or a sequel (after Better Nate than Ever, I read Five, Six, Seven, Nate!)

Here are the books I’ve read and the rating I gave them on Goodreads.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell  (Read January 3rd, 2014) Rating: 5/5

Legend by Marie Lu  (Read January 7th, 2014) Rating: 4/5

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick  (Read January 11th, 2014) Rating: 5/5

Forgive me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (Read January 25th, 2014) Rating: 4/5

The Living by Matt de la Pena (Read January 31st, 2014) Rating: 4/5

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo  (Read February 15th, 2014) Rating: 5/5

Listening for Lucca by Suzanne Lafleur (Read February 23rd, 2014) Rating: 4/5

Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy (Read March 6th, 2014) Rating: 4/5

Every Day After by Laura Golden  (Read March 6th, 2014) Rating: 5/5

Better Nate than Ever by Tim Federle (Read March 19th, 2014) Rating: 5/5

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech  (Read March 20th, 2014) Rating: 5/5

Allegiant by Veronica Roth  (Read March 23rd, 2014) Rating: 2/5

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Read March 31st, 2014) Rating: 5/5

More details of my favourite 4 from this list:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

If you are no longer 18 years old, you might forget that fact while reading this book. All the vulnerability, fear, brutal soul searching and life lessons will come hurtling back at you as you experience the characters of Fangirl. Rainbow Rowell writes characters that are all about raw and true. Brilliant.

Fangirl #MustReadin2014 Spring Update There's a Book for That

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

I read this aloud to my children and we adored it. It is such a fantastic book to read aloud. We savoured the quirky, the hilarious and the eccentric. We smiled at the characters. We were lulled by the whimsy. And we were charmed by the brilliance of DiCamillo. 5 stars: all glowing and magical!

#MustReadin2014 Spring Update There's a Book for That

Better Nate than Ever by Tim Federle

Add me to the long list of readers who has been utterly charmed by the character Nate Foster. I loved his small town inexperience. His candor. His charm. The fact that he talks about his parent’s marriage problems, personal problems and parenting problems. I love that he talks about not knowing who he might like in the future and that he hasn’t got a gender all picked out yet. I love his friendship with his best friend. And then there is his audition. Okay, I basically just loved all of it. And I continued to love him in the sequel Five, Six, Seven, Nate! 

Better Nate than Ever #MustReadin2014 Spring Update There's a Book for That

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen

I have had the pleasure of reading this entire trilogy to my children and this final book certainly did not disappoint. Adventure. Intrigue. Battles and Heroes. Everything a MG title needs to be fully engaging and engrossing! Highly recommend the entire trilogy if you haven’t read it yet.

The Shadow Throne #MustReadin2014 Spring Update There's a Book for That

Some things I’ve learned along the way:

  • Matthew Quick is a must read author!
  • Dystopian series go downhill fast or remain exciting throughout. If on book 2 you have figured out which of these categories you are reading, remember this and either jump ship or keep reading.
  • There are so many Middle Grade titles to be excited about!
  • I am so glad I made this list because it has ensured that I have discovered some favourites!

How is your To Be Read list treating you?

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2014 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2014? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.

Monday January 6th, 2014

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It’s Monday! What are you reading?
IMWAYR

Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. One of the very best ways to discover what to read next!

Speaking of what to read next? Do you have a TBR list that needs to be tamed? Join a number of bloggers who have chosen some titles as must read titles in 2014. Follow #MustReadin2014 on twitter and read more here. If you want to join in – send me your list/blog post via twitter to @CarrieGelson and I will add it to this post! Everyone is welcome! 🙂 My Must Read List is here. On the Gathering Books blog there is also a wonderful challenge called Check off Your Reading Challenge where you can keep track of and include reviews of books you read. Many of us are participating in both of these challenges!

The picture books (fiction and nonfiction) that I loved this week!

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Éric Puybaret

Gorgeous. What I loved most about this story is how it depicts the interests and passions of Cousteau at all ages and stages. It helps reinforce the message we want to send to our children – be curious, wonder, figure things out and care for our world. An ideal introduction of Cousteau for children. I want to add this title to my picture book biography section and will share it with students this week.

Manfish #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Who Says Women Can’t be Doctors? The story of Elizabeth Blackwell written by Tanya Stone and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

I love the style of this book – both visually and the narration. It makes the story both interesting and accessible for young readers. And what a story! An important biography about determination, changing general opinion and beliefs and following a dream. While I want all of my students to hear this story (I have ordered my own copy and will share it soon), there are some children that I specifically have in mind who will rejoice in the messages of this book.

#IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Duck by Randy Cecil

A very sweet little story about a duck from a carousel who befriends a duckling. How can she teach duckling to truly fly? Little bits of melancholy in this gentle book.

Duck #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Without You by Geneviève Côté

Perfect friendship story to spark discussion with the younger set. The message is a simple one (full of all of the complexities of interpersonal relationships!) Without you . . . many things just aren’t as good. With you, it all is better. My favourite line?

But my book is funnier when I read it with you!

Without you #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

I am the World text and photographs by  Charles R. Smith Jr.

A wonderful celebration of children and culture from around the globe.

#IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Minji’s Salon by Eun-hee Choung

What a delightful little find at the library this week. This story is all about the celebration of make believe. A little girl peeks at her Mother at the salon and then decides to have her own salon day with her dog! The back and forth between Mom at the salon and little “hairstylist to be” playing at home is wonderful!

#IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Novels I finished:

Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

This was my final book on my Must Read in 2013 list and I squeaked in finishing it 45 minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve. A lovely way to “read in” the New Year – with humour, heroics (of sorts) and creative license with all of the fairy tales we think we know! My son adores this series and I can see exactly why it appeals to him so much!

#IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (the first title I finished on my #MustReadin2014 list)

If you are no longer 18 years old, you might forget that fact while reading this book. All the vulnerability, fear, brutal soul searching and life lessons will come hurtling back at you as you experience the characters of Fangirl. Rainbow Rowell writes characters that are all about raw and true. Brilliant.

Fangirl #IMWAYR There's a Book for That

Next up? I am almost finished reading Legend by Marie Lu and will probably jump right into Prodigy as I am trying to read the series without many breaks. I’m reading The Vengekeep Prophecies by Brian Farrey as a read aloud with my children and it is lots of fun! A great MG fantasy/adventure.

Heading back to teach tomorrow, I feel a little sad to give up the long hours of reading I managed to do this holiday! But lots of read aloud adventures await me with my students and for this, I am excited! I was capturing our last two weeks of learning/activities on our class blog Curiosity Racers today – no wonder I was tired at the end of December! Wow, were those last two weeks busy!

For all of you heading back to teaching this week, good luck! Happy Reading to everyone!

#MustReadin2014

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For anyone out there with a To Be Read list that seems like it will never end, this challenge is for you! This is all about making your own personal list of books 5? 10? 20? 30? more?that you want to commit to reading in 2014. Books can be published in any year, be from any genre, and from any category -adult, YA, MG, Graphics, NF, etc titles.  All that matters is that they are books you want to be sure not to forget as that TBR list continues to grow! These aren’t the only titles you will read over the year, but a list to help guide your reading.

must-read-in-2014-challenge

Join Maria Selke from Maria’s Melange and myself to take part in the #MustReadin2014 challenge. Thank you to Linda Baie from Teacher Dance for joining us and creating a button and image for us to use!

Many of us began sharing using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag on twitter and in sharing our lists, we realized we were a little community of readers with a common goal – tackling the TBR list! Make a list on Goodreads or share titles in a blog post and include the titles you want to be sure to read in 2014. We will try and connect over the year through the twitter hashtag and likely through blog posts four times this year: April 1st, July 1st, October 1st and a year end review to share our progress.

These are the lists shared so far

Mine is here: My Must Read Novels of 2014

Maria Selke‘s list is here: Must Read in 2014: The Challenge Begins

Linda Baie shared her list here: Books I Must Read in 2014

Elisabeth Ellington shared here: #MustReadin2014

Lorna Wheaton‘s list is here: 2014 Reading Intentions

Leigh Ann Eck shared here: Check off your Reading List Challenge

Earl Dizon‘s list is here: Reading Challenges

Lauren Strohecker has a great list of 2014 books she wants to read here.

Christina Williams shared her list here: Must Read in 2014

Alyson Beecher‘s list is here: My Must Read in 2014 List 

Hannahlily Angus shares her list: Must Read Titles of 2014

Julie from The Fun Librarian blog shared her list is here: Must Read in 2014

Holly Fairbrother shares her list: Must Reads for 2014

Julee Murphy lists her must read titles in this post: My Must Read List for 2014

Ann King shared her list here: Must Read in 2014 

Crystal Brunelle shares her must read list from Goodreads here

Julieanne Harmatz shares her list here: #MustReadin2014

Margie Myers-Culver posts her list here: #MustReadin2014 This is an interesting list put together using Pixie Clip (Virtual Post it Boards) Margie explains how to do this in her post!

Adrienne Gear shares her list: #MustReadin2014

Michele Knott has a brand new blog and here is her post: My #MustReadin2014

Holly Mueller shares her list here: #MustReadin2014

Gigi McAllister added her list: My Must Read in 2014

Stacey H. shares her list here: Must Read in 2014

Tricia Barton shares a number of middle grade must read titles: #MustReadin2014

Megan Ginther shares her list here: Must Read in 2014

Jen Hong added her list: Must Read Books 2014

Cheriee Weichel shares her list here: Must Read in 2014

Please contact me via twitter or leave a comment and I will add your list if you would like to participate! Everyone is welcome! But be warned, reading other lists may grow your own! 🙂

Gathering Books has a Check Off Your Reading List Challenge you can learn more about here. All the wonderful ways to be part of a community of avid readers! Read Myra’s post here to discover how we are all beautifully connected!

CORL 2014

My Must Read Novels of 2014

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The season of reading goals – and books to read next are always foremost on my mind!

The Shadow Throne Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

One of the best things I did last year was to take a serious look at my TBR lists and piles and think about what I wanted to make sure I read over the year before new titles kept me from ever getting to important titles on my list. Last year I had 20 must read titles. This year it is 30. Of course, I plan to read many more books over the year but this list ensures I don’t miss books that are real priorities.

Last year my focus was on some specific genres: fantasy, historical fiction and books set in other places. This year I have some more realistic fiction on the list. These titles just sort of organized themselves in this way. I went through my To Read Shelf on Goodreads, various book stacks around the house, my library holds and then checked out my children’s bookshelves. (Often I suggest book titles for them from Grandmas and Aunties that I want to read too!)

must read in 2014 challenge

In no particular order . . .

Sequels, next in a series – titles I can’t miss and am eagerly waiting for! 

Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

1. Jinx’s Magic by Sage Blackwood   (Read June 22nd, 2014)

2. The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Read March 31st, 2014)

3. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Raven Cycle 3) by Maggie Stiefvater Had to share this gorgeous cover here – had been impatiently waiting for release of this title, cover and official publication date (October 28th, 2014) (Read December 27th, 2014)

Blue Lily, Lily Blue #MustReadin2014

4. Rose Under Fire by Elisabeth Wein  (Read December 28th, 2014)

5. Allegiant by Veronica Roth  (Read March 23rd, 2014)

6. Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer   (Read July 5th, 2014)

Titles by authors I have loved

Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

7. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell  (Read January 3rd, 2014)

8. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo  (Read February 15th, 2014)

9. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray  (Read December 22nd, 2014)

10. The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner  (Read July 15th, 2014)

11. Threatened by Eliot Schrefer  (Read April 18th, 2014)

Realistic Fiction/Potential emotional reads

Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

12. Boy 21 by Matthew Quick  (Read January 11th, 2014)

13. Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

14. Forgive me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (Read January 25th, 2014)

15. The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech  (Read March 20th, 2014)

16. We were Liars by E. Lockhart (Read July 15th, 2014)

Thieving (borrowing) 🙂 from my children’s book shelves

Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

17. Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy (Read March 6th, 2014)

18. Listening for Lucca by Suzanne Lafleur (Read February 23rd, 2014)

19. After Iris by Natasha Farrant  (Read October13th, 2014)

20. Wake up Missing by Kate Messner  (Read December 30th, 2014)

21. The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

22. Every Day After by Laura Golden  (Read March 6th, 2014)

Other titles based on persuasive recommendations from the #IMWAYR community and book loving friends:

Must Read 2014 There's a Book for That!

23. More than This by Patrick Ness

24. Witchlanders by Lena Coakley

25. Prisoner 88 by Leah Peleggi

26. Legend by Marie Lu  (Read January 7th, 2014)

27. The Living by Matt de la Pena (Read January 31st, 2014)

28. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Read April 20th, 2014)

29. Better Nate than Ever by Tim Federle (Read March 19th, 2014)

30. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee  (Read May 15th, 2014)

Anyone else out there have must-read titles in their huge To Be Read pile? Please share! 

To learn more about #MustReadin2014 – read here.