It’s time for our first #MustReadin2019 update!

Are you making progress with your list? Distracted by other titles? Please share!

This year, my list is again 30 titles strong. I always have the goal of trying to read at least 20 of the books on the list. I have completed 15 of the 30 titles on my list so half way there!

Since the last update, I have completed these 6 books.

The Size of the Truth by Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith and middle grade? Yes, please. Such a read. Just love his characters and his brain.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart  

A story of grief and a whole lot of humanity. Beautiful book.

The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu 

Kind of creepy. Part magic, part harsh reality, unbelievable and completely relatable. Devastating and full of hope. Wow.

The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Such an interesting subject for a novel. A former mill town needs to attract residents to keep its schools and town from completely shutting down. A number of homes are offered to families for just $1.00 if they meet criteria and comply with specific conditions over the next year. This is the perfect chance for Lowen and his family to have a new beginning and more opportunities. It’s also a way for Lowen to try to leave behind the memories of a young friend who was shot. Would be a fantastic middle grade read aloud.

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka 

This is a tough one. But so glad it was shared.

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

I shed more than one tear with this title. Definitely a must read book.

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2019 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2019 hashtag!

Leave your link in the comments if you have written a post. Please try to visit a few of the other #MustReadin2019 bloggers/readers and get inspired! And of course, everyone loves comments to know that you have visited!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2019? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists. This is a community of inspiring readers!

Next update will be on December 26th 2019!

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

It’s time for our first #MustReadin2019 update!

Are you making progress with your list? Distracted by other titles? Please share!

This year, my list is again 30 titles strong. I always have the goal of trying to read at least 20 of the books on the list. I feel like I am well on my way! More importantly, can’t wait to get to more of the titles on this list!

Like last year at this time, I have read 9/30 titles which is close to one third of my list.

Here are the titles I have read so far and some brief reactions/summaries.

Harbour Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Six students spend Friday afternoons together – their assignment to talk. When a place is made for stories and listening, a lot can happen. A powerful middle grade read.

All That I Can Fix by Crystal Chan 

This is an interesting book. It’s either going to be super appealing or super upsetting. There’s a lot packed in here. Mental health issues. A father who has made a serious suicide attempt. A mom who is kind of checked out while still holding on.A bunch of escaped exotic animals who are attacking people. Writing about this book it seems really out there. But while reading it, i was pretty engaged.

Wild Blues by Beth Kephart

A title inspired by a story of a real life prison break. I love Kephart’s style. She makes art out of words. I seriously walk around the world in a different way when I read her books. This story of Lizzie, her Uncle Davy and her best friend Matias is dramatic, emotional and uplifting all at once. I love them all.

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena

A dramatic YA read set in Saudi Arabia. Part love story, part teen angst, part family drama and then there is everything else this book tackles – women’t rights, sexual violence, mental health, drug addiction. What a read.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway

Cried through lots of this one. Three siblings who find each other as teens – two were adopted as infants, one has spend his life in foster care. Wow. One of those absolute page turners because the characters get under your skin.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Upper MG/YA graphic novel. A historical french setting. A prince who loves fancy dresses. A dressmaker trying to make it. Completely engaging.

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

An emotional read – the complexity or families and the complications of friends. I love how Delsie figures things out in a highly relatable way. Hunt delivers, again. a title that needs to be in the hands of young readers.

Sweep The Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

One of my favourites from this list so far. Historical fiction and important magic. Nan Sparrow is a chimney sweep who keeps beating the odds – surviving a daily dangerous job. How her story unfolds is quite incredible. An emotional beautiful read.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden 

Zoey Albro lives in rural Vermont. Her mother and three younger siblings count on her abusive and manipulative step father Lenny for a roof over their heads because mom’s waitressing job does not guarantee that they won’t be homeless. This title deals with poverty, the huge responsibilities of a young girl and deep commitment to family. While we witness Zoey’s middle grade stressors and dreams, we also view the struggles of poverty and abuse through her eyes. A powerful novel.

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2019 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2019 hashtag!

Leave your link in the comments if you have written a post. Please try to visit a few of the other #MustReadin2019 bloggers/readers and get inspired! And of course, everyone loves comments to know that you have visited!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2019? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists. This is a community of inspiring readers!

Next update will be on September 5th 2019!

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

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 that you want to commit to reading in 2019.

10? 20? 30? more? It’s up to you

Books can be published in any year, be from any genre, and from any category: adult, YA, MG, Graphics, NF, etc. .  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. A list to lure you back to a reading path you have set for yourself. Many, many new books will tempt you! Go ahead and read them but having a list like this ensures you will not forget some titles you were determined to read. That’s the intention and spirit of this challenge.

It would be wonderful to have you join the community!

If you would like to create and share a list on your blog, contact me on twitter (@CarrieGelson) or leave a link in the comments and I will add your list to the #MustReadin2019 lists below. Everyone is welcome! I will update regularly so if you are just seeing this now – go make a list! We’ll be waiting for you.

Three updates seemed to work best so we will continue this again. If you also leave me your twitter handle (if you are on twitter) I will send you a reminder. For those not on twitter, please mark these dates in your calendar. Update posts can be shared on or around these dates – just leave your link in the comment section of my post and share it on twitter using #MustReadin2019

Spring update: Thursday April 4th, 2019

Fall update: Thursday September 5th, 2019

Year end update: Thursday December 26th, 2019

Update posts are purely optional!

They can take whatever format you wish: highlighting your favourites, reasons for not reading, simply a list of what you have read, etc. You can search for #mustread2018 on this blog for update examples.

Ready for some inspiration?

Check out the lists.

Mine (Carrie Gelson) is here: My Must Read Titles for 2019

Kathleen Sokolowski joins us with a list of 24 titles: #MustReadin2019

Linda Baie (who has been making must read lists with me since 2014) shares her list: MustReadIn2019

Leigh Anne Eck has 15 amazing titles on her #MustReadin2019 list

Lisa Maucione has made a list full of middle grade titles and professional reads: Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading in 2019

Christina Carter (CeCe Librarian) joins us for a second year with these 16 titles: #MustReadin2019/My Reading Challenge

Kendra Limback is back with a large list and a new plan: Must Read in 2019

Kathie MacIsaac joins us via twitter with her list of 15 titles 

Jill Merkle has a great list made up of new release picture books and chapter books shared here: #mustreadin2019

Michelle Simpson is back with an impressive list of 36 titles: Must Read in 2019

Aaron Cleaveley has 64 titles on his list! 64 on his list of intentions (realistically to try and read most but not all): Must Read in 2019

Crystal Brunelle always has wonderfully diverse lists to share: #MustReadin2019

Nancy Castaldo joins us via twitter with this list of 10 titles: #MustReadin2019

Cheriee Weichel has a huge and interesting list broken into fiction and nonfiction titles: Reading Goals for 2019

Michele Knot is back with one book a month (great system!). Here is her list: #mustreadin2019

Carrie Pearson joins us via twitter with this inspired list: #MustReadin2019  Can you guess her theme?

Jennifer Green is back for year two! Her list is here: #MustReadin2019

Elisabeth Ellington made her list again by  a brilliant method – crowdsourced from the other #MustRead lists: #MustReadin2019: The List

Shaye Miller joins us for the first time with this list: #MustReadin2019

Shelly Moody joins us again with these 12 titles: Must Read Titles for 2019

Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are back with both of their lists shared here: Kellee and Ricki’s #MustReadin2019 lists

Ramona Behnke is back with 12 wonderful titles: #MustReadin2019

Akilah who blogs at The Englishist is back this year with 15 titles: #MustReadin2019

Trina Haase joins us for the first time with this list: #Mustreadin2019: My List

 Michelle Olson joins us this year with this list: My Must Read List 2019