Jess hopes to keep up this year! (Jayde1599)

While I have a few moments, I would like to get started on 2014. My name is Jess, and I am a mom of a happy 2 year old named, Owen. While he keeps me busy, I am also a special education teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities.

This will be my 6th year with the 75ers. And while my attendance has dramatically dropped the past 2 years, I hope to be more of a contributor this year.

My 2014 Goals:

1. Read mostly from my TBR pile.

2. Try to keep up with the threads (ha ha).

3. Continue to expose Owen to books every day.

American Author Challenge
Willa Cather- January - My Antonia - Finshed -- LOVED IT!
William Faulkner- February - As I Lay Dying - FINISHED-- Not Bad!
Cormac McCarthy- March - The Road - off the shelf -FINISHED - Okay
Toni Morrison- April - Home -FINISHED
Eudora Welty- May - The Optimist's Daughter -FINISHED
Kurt Vonnegut- June -Slaughterhouse Five - FINISHED - Enjoyed it!
Mark Twain- July - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - NOT FOR ME
Philip Roth- August - I don't Know yet -- Skipped
James Baldwin- September - Go Tell it on the Mountain-- Skipped
Edith Wharton- October - The Age of Innocence-- Finished-Good
John Updike- November - Witches of Eastwick--SKIPPED
Larry Watson- December - Montana 1948

Books I read this year"

January
1. Lunatic Cafe - Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Bloody Bones - Laurell K. Hamilton
3. Resistance: Book 1 - Carla Jablonski
4. My Antonia - Willa Cather
5. The Killing Dance - Laurell K. Hamilton
6. Gone Girl - Gillian Flyn (audio/hardcover)
7. Death Comes for the Archbishop - Willa Cather

February
8. Burnt Offerings - Laurell K. Hamilton
9. Defending Jacob - William Landay
10. Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs (2/18/14)
11. Hollow City - Ransom Riggs (2/20/14)
12. As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner (2/28/14)

March
13. Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur - Tony Lee (3/5/14)
14. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (3/9/14)
15. Drawing Autism - Jill Mullin
16. Flying with the Eagles, Racing with the Great Bear - Joseph Bruchac (3/13/14)
17. Counting by 7s - Holly Goldberg Sloan (3/16/14)
18. Herbal Healing for Children - Demetria Clark (3/20/14)
19. V for Vendetta - Alan Moore (3/24/14)

April
20. The Signature of All Things - Elizabeth Gilbert -501 pp (3/24-4/2)
21. Divergent - Veronica Roth - 487 pp (4/3/14-4/4/14)
22. Windham (Images of America Series) - Edith H. Bell - 128 pp (4/5/14)
23. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky - 218pp (4/6/14)
24. Home - Toni Morrison - 160 pp - (4/6-4/8/14)
25. Insurgent - Veronica Roth - 544 pp (4/8-4/11/14)
26. The Night Bookmobile - Audrey Niffenegger - 40 pp - (4/11/14)
27. All Joy and No Fun - Jennifer Senior - 320 pp - (4/11-4/17)
28. Allegiant - Veronica Roth - 544pp - (4/19-4/24)
29. Uganda Be Kidding Me - Chelsea Handler- 272 pp (4/27-4/29)
30. Star Wars Jedi Academy - Jeffrey Brown - 160 pp (4/30/14)

May
31. Mockingbird - Kathryn Erskine - 256 pp (4/30-5/2/14)
32. The Optimist's Daughter - Eudora Welty
33. Flora and Ulysses - Kate DiCamillo
34. Bamboo People - - (5/12-5/15/14)
35. Picture Me Gone - Meg Rosoff (5/15-5/19/14
36. The Great American Dustbowl - Don Brown -80 pp -(5/19/14)
37. American Born Chinese - Gene Luen Yang - 233pp - (5/20/14)
38. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz - 139pp (5/19-5/21/14)
39. 47 Ronin - Joan D. Vinge
40. Raising Cubby - John Elder Robison

June
41. Proof of Heaven - Eben Alexander
42. The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kidns of Mind Succeed - Temple Grandin
43. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making - Catherynne Valente
44. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
45. Stronger - Jeff Bauman
46. Fortunately, the Milk - Neil Gaiman
47. The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman
48. The Interrupted Tale. - Maryrose Wood

July
49. Written in My Own Heart's Blood - Diana Gabaldon 821 pages - 7/1/14-7/15/14
50. Eleanor and Park -Rainbow Rowell
51. The Zen of Steve Jobs - Jess3 - 80 pp (7/27/14)
52. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - Mark Twain - 274 pp - (7/10-7/28/14)
53. The Girl Who Came Home - Hazel Gaynor - - (7/28-7/31/14)

August
54. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - Audio Book - 7/31-8/5/14
55. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and led the Revels There - Catherynne Valente - 258 pp - 8/4-8/7/14
56. Town in a Blueberry Jam - BB Haywood - 312 pp - 8/5-8/8/14
57. Real Mosquitos Don't Eat Meat - Brad Wetzer - 184 pp - 8/8-8/9/14
58. Fablehaven - Brandon Mull - 351 pp - 8/9/14
59. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollen - 244 pp - 8/10/14
60. The Triple Focus - Daniel Coleman -
61. The Uncommon Reader - Allan Bennett
62 . That Camden Summer - LaVyrle Spencer - 388 pp - 8/12-8/14/14
63. Cannery Row - John Steinbeck - 181 pp - 8/14-8/16/14
64. Fablehaven: The Rise of the Evening Star - Brandon Mull - 435 pp -- 8/17-8/20/14
65. Town in a Pumpkin Bash - BB Haywood - 366 pp - 8/19-8/24/14
66. Everything I need to Know, I Learned From a Children's Book - Anita Silvey - 233 pp - 8/25-8/27/14

September
67. Sweet Tuesday - John Steinbeck - 260 pp - 8/29-9/6
68. The Saco Drive-In - Camille Smalley - 128 pp - 9/7-9/8
69. Town in a Wild Moose Chase - BB Haywood - 322 pp - 9/8-9/13
70. Town in a Strawberry Swirl - BB Haywood - 308 pp - 9/14-9/17
71. Track the Cat - Nevada Barr - 272 pp - 9/18-9/25
72. Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn - 254 pp - 9/27-9/28
73. Your 3 Year Old: Friend or Enemy - Louise Bates Ames - 176 pp - 9/2-9/30

October
74. Maine Beer-Brewing in Vacationland - Josh Cristie - 159 pp - 10/1-10/4
75. A Game of Thrones Graphic Novel - George RR Martin/Daniel Abraham - - 10/4-10/5
76. A Briefer History of Time - Stephen Hawking - 162 pp - 1/1 - 10/5/14
77. Grip of the Shadow Plague - Brandon Mull - 479 pp - 10/6-10/11/14
78. Ghosts of Acadia - Marcus Librizzi - 142 pp - 10/12-10/13/14
79. Saving Max - Antoinette van Heugten - 376 pp - 10/12-10/14/14
80. Dry - Augusten Burroughs - - 10/15-10/20/14
81. A Game of Thrones Graphic Novel Volume 2 - George RR Martin/Daniel Abraham - - 10/20-10/22/14
82. Four- Veronica Roth
83. Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary - Brandon Mull - 526 pp

November
84. The Age of Innoscence - Edith Wharton
85. A Rule Against Murder - Louise Penny
86. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki - Haruki Murakami
87. The Keys to the Demon Prison - Brandon Mull
88. Montessori: A Modern Approach- Paula Polk Lillard

December
89. Wonder struck - Brian Selznick
90. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
91. Montana 1948 - Larry Watson
92. Zero Waste Home - Bea Johnson
93. Quiet - Susan Cain

Picture Books I read to Owen:
Non-Duplicates and No Board books listed (We are moving on to "big kid books") :)

Pic Book 1: Caps for Sale - Esphyr Slbodkina
Pic Book 2: Hondo and Fabian - Peter McCarty
Pic Book 3: McDuff Comes Home - Rosemary Wells
Pic Book 4: McDuff's New Friend - Rosemary Wells
Pic Book 5: Katy and the Big Snow - Virginia Lee Burton
Pic Book 6: Digger Man - Andrea Zimmerman
Pic Book 7: The Biggest Snowman Ever - Steven Kroll
Pic Book 8: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett
Pic Book 9: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Jane Cabrera
Pic Book 10: When it Starts to Snow -Phyllis Gershator
Pic Book 11: In the Night Kitchen - Maurice Sendak - Library Book
Pic Book 12: David Gets in Trouble - David Shannon - Library Book
Pic Book 13: How Do You Say it Today, Jesse Bear - Nancy White - library book
Pic Book 14: Happy Birthday Biscuit - Alyssa Satin Capucilli - Library Book
Pic Book 15: Good Boy Fergus - by David Shannon - library book
Pic Book 16: Seven Little Monsters - Maurice Sendak - Library book
Pic Book 17: Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales
Pic Book 18: Papa Get The Moon for Me - Eric Carle
Pic Book 19: The Three Snow Bears Jan Brett
Pic Book 20: The Hat - Jan Brett
Pic Book 21: if You Give a Pig a Pancake Laura Joffe Numeroff
Pic Book 22: Too Many Toys - David Shannon - Library book
Pic Book 23: The Train to Maine - Jami Spencer - Library book
Pic Book 24: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? - Jane Yolen - Library book
Pic Book 25: Curious George Goes Sledding - Margaret & HA Rey - Library Book
Pic Book 26: Farming - Gail Gibbons - Library Book
Pic Book 27: Chicken Soup and Rice - Maurice Sendak - Library Book
Pic Book 28: McDuff and the Baby - Rosemary Wells - Library Book
Pic Book 29 - Bunnies on Ice - Johanna Wright - Library Book
Pic Book 30: Noah's Ark - Jan Brett
Pic Book 31:McDuff Moves In - Rosemary Wells - Library Book
Pic Book 32:The Cow That Went Oink - Bernard Most - Library book
Pic Book 33:Pete's a Pizza = William Steig - Library book
Pic Book 34:The 3 Bears and Goldilocks - Margaret Willey - Library book
Pic Book 35:Art and Max- David Wiesner - Library book
Pic Book 36:Ollie's Easter Eggs - Olivier Dunrea - Library book
Pic Book 37:Put Me in the Zoo - Robert Lopshire - Owen's shelf
Pic Book 38:Hand Hand Fingers Thumb - Al Perkins - Owens' shelf
Pic Book 39:The Nose Book- Al Perkins - Owen's shelf
Pic Book 40:The Easter Egg - Jan Brett - Library Book
Pic Book 41:The Lion and the Mouse - Jerry Pinkney - library book
Pic Book 42:The Quiet Book - Deborah Underwood - library book
Pic Book 43:Click Clack Boo - Doreen Cronin - library book
Pic Book 44:A Penguin for Pinkerton - Steven Kellog - library book
Pic Book 45:The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Beatrix Potter - Library book
Pic Book 46: Cub's Big World / Thomson, Sarah L. - Library book
Pic Book 47: Locomotive / Floca, Brian. - Library book
Pic Book 48: Up the Creek / Oldland, Nicholas, - Library book
Pic Book 49: Dooby Dooby Moo / Cronin, Doreen. - Library book
Pic Book 50: Friends / Carle, Eric, - Library book
Pic Book 51: Lucky Ducklings / Moore, Eva.
Pic Book 52: McDuff Goes to School Wells, Rosemary.
Pic Book 53:Quick as a Cricket. Wood, Audrey
Pic Book 54: Waking Dragons / Yolen, Jane.
Pic Book 55: Mr. Wuffles! / Wiesner, David.
Pic Book 56: Gossie and Gertie / Dunrea, Olivier
Pic Book 57: We're going on a Ghost Hunt Vaughan, Marcia K.
Pic Book 58: The Tortoise & the Hare / Pinkney, Jerry,
Pic Book 59: Spring is Here! / Hillenbrand, Will.
60. The Loud Book - Deborah Underwood - library book
61. Bunny Cake - Rosemary Wells - library book
62. The Flying Dragon Room - Audrey Wood - library book
63. Sharks - Gail Gibbons - library book
64. George Goes to the Aquarium - Margaret Rey - library book
65. Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear - Audrey Wood - library book
66. How do Dinosaurs Get Well - Jane Yolen - library book
67. Biscuit's Day at the Farm - Alyssa Satin Capucilli - library book
68. Max Cleans Up - Rosemary Wells - library book
69. George and the Dragon - Chris Wormell - library book
70. Duck Tents - Lynne Berry - library book
71. Where is the Green Sheep - Mem Fox - library book
72. The Jolly Postman - Janet Ahlberg - library book
73. Drummer Hoff - Ed Emberly - library book
74. Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Byron Barton - library book
75. See What a Seal Can Do - Chris Butterworth - library book
76. Corduroy's Birthday - Don Freeman - library book
77. Max Counts His Chickens - Rosemary Wells - library book
78. Sleep Like a Tiger - Mary Logue - library book
79. Hello My Name is Ruby - Philip C. Stead - library book
80. Cockadoodle Doo, Creak, Pop Pop, Moo - Jim Aylesworth - library book
81. Xander's Panda Party - Linda Sue Park - library book
82. Tractor Day - Candice F. Ransom - library book
83. Clowning Around - Cathryn Falwell - library book
84. The Bridge is Up - Babs Bell - library book
85. The Pirate's Next Door - Jonny Duddle - library book
86. Best Foot Forward - Ingo Arndt - library book
87. Daddy Hug - Tim Warnes - library book
88. Sea Mammals - - Owen's shelf
89. Stuck in the Mud - Reverend W. Awdry
90. Richard Scarry's Busiest Fire Fighters Ever - Richard Scarry
91. Max's Easter Surprise - Rosemary Wells
92. Hen's Feathers - Katherine Sully
93. Frog on a Log - Leland Peree
94. Lamb Says Boo - Katherine Sully
95. A Bug A Bear and a Boy - David McPhail
96. Rio 2 Blues's Wild Journey - Christa Roberts
97. The Uncrossable Canyon - James Dongweck

Here is my TBR pile, sorted by date entered into LT. I thought about trying to read through the pile this way this year. But I may change that and go to a random sorter. Sorry that the list is a bit scrunched up - I tried to copy and paste from LT. I will fix it if I get the chance. :)

A Briefer History of Time Stephen Hawking 7/7/2008
Unfinished Tales: The Lost Lore of Middle-earth J.R.R. Tolkien 1/13/2009
The Smart Consumer's Guide to Home Buying (Barron's Smart Consumer Guides) Peter A. Schkeeper 3/23/2009
Madam Secretary: A Memoir Madeleine Albright 4/22/2009
The Argument Culture: Stopping America's War of Words Deborah Tannen 4/22/2009
Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War Peter Maass 4/22/2009
Had Enough?: A Handbook for Fighting Back James Carville 5/31/2009
Hermann Maier: The Race of My Life Hermann Maier 5/31/2009
Ideas and Opinions Albert Einstein 5/31/2009
Shadow Divers Robert Kurson 5/31/2009
The Tolkien Reader J.R.R. Tolkien 5/31/2009
For the New Intellectual: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Signet) Ayn Rand 5/31/2009
Henry V (Dover Thrift Editions) William Shakespeare 5/31/2009
Mistress of the Art of Death Ariana Franklin 6/14/2009
The Book of the Dead Douglas Preston 6/16/2009
The Colors of Courage: Gettysburg's Forgotten History: Immigrants, Women, and African Americans in the Civil War's Defining Battle Margaret S. Creighton 6/16/2009
The Geographer's Library Jon Fasman 6/19/2009
Rhett Butler's People Donald McCaig 6/19/2009
Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy 6/28/2009
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War Tony Horwitz 7/1/2009
The Wheel of Darkness (Special Agent Pendergast) Douglas Preston 7/1/2009
Tigana Guy Gavriel Kay 7/5/2009
The Two Marys: The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus Sylvia Browne 7/9/2009
Burmese Days George Orwell 8/8/2009
Duma Key: A Novel Stephen King 8/30/2009
Sepulchre Kate Mosse 8/30/2009
The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13) Lemony Snicket 8/31/2009
The Dark Tower Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Stephen King 8/31/2009
Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street Michael Davis 11/24/2009
I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun Professor Happycat 12/29/2009
National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, 5th Ed. National Geographic Society 12/29/2009
A Great and Godly Adventure: The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving Godfrey Hodgson 12/29/2009
The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus Joel Chandler Harris 12/29/2009
The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution (The Simon & Schuster America Collection) David O. Stewart 12/29/2009
Flint and Silver: A Prequel to Treasure Island John Drake 12/29/2009
The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays (Element Encyclopedia Series) Theresa Cheung 12/29/2009
On Bullshit Harry G. Frankfurt 12/29/2009
The Civil War: Strange & Fascinating Facts Burke Davis 12/30/2009
The Civil War: The American Iliad As Told by Those Who Lived It Otto Eisenschiml 12/30/2009
Nightmares & Dreamscapes Stephen King 12/30/2009
A Girl Named Zippy - Growing Up Small In Mooreland, Indiana Haven Kimmel 1/15/2010
The Judas Strain James Rollins 1/23/2010
King Arthur and the Knights of His Court Alfred W. Pollard 1/23/2010
Brethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar Robyn Young 2/6/2010
The Daring Book for Girls Andrea J. Buchanan 2/7/2010
The Dangerous Book for Boys Conn Iggulden 2/7/2010
Morgoth's Ring: The Later Silmarillion, Part One (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 10) J.R.R. Tolkien 6/10/2010
The Common Law Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. 6/10/2010
Backwoods Ethics: A Guide to Low-Impact Camping and Hiking Laura Waterman 6/10/2010
The American Revolutionaries: A History in Their Own Words, 1750-1800 Milton Meltzer 6/10/2010
Rediscovering America: John Muir in His Time and Ours Sierra Club 6/10/2010
Complete Walker III Colin Fletcher 6/10/2010
Three Complete Novels: The Andromeda Strain, The Terminal Man, and The Great Train Robbery Michael Crichton 6/10/2010
Wild Echoes: Encounters with the Most Endangered Animals in North America Charles Bergman 6/10/2010
The Good German: A Novel Joseph Kanon 6/10/2010
The Duke of Flatbush (Zebra Books) Snider 6/10/2010
Eagles At War Walter J. Boyne 6/10/2010
Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission Hampton Sides 6/10/2010
The Terrible Hours: The Man Behind the Greatest Submarine Rescue in History Peter Maas 6/10/2010
Appalachian Trail Guide to New Hampshire-Vermont/With Maps (Appalachian Trail Guide Series) David O. Hooke 6/10/2010
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Seth Grahame-Smith 6/12/2010
Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More Miranda Smith 6/12/2010
The Dwarves Markus Heitz 6/30/2010
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time Elizabeth Rogers 7/13/2010
Ex-Libris Ross King 7/31/2010
Personal Finance for Dummies, Fourth Edition Eric Tyson 7/31/2010
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America Timothy Egan 8/13/2010
How the States Got Their Shapes Mark Stein 9/30/2010
Luncheon of the Boating Party Susan Vreeland 11/28/2010
The Whole World Over: A Novel Julia Glass 11/28/2010
Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution Melissa Lukeman Bohrer 11/28/2010
True Compass: A Memoir Edward M. Kennedy 11/28/2010
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel David Wroblewski 12/30/2010
Miracle Planet Bruce Brown 3/13/2011
Milestones of Aviation: Smithsonian Institution National Air & Space Museum John Greenwood 3/13/2011
Cows of Our Planet: A Far Side Collection Gary Larson 3/13/2011
The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Illustrated History Larry Kimmett 3/13/2011
Remembering Pearl Harbor: The Story of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Michael Slackman 3/13/2011
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 4/18/2011
The Nature of the Judicial Process (The Storrs Lectures Series) Benjamin N. Cardozo 4/18/2011
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Thomas S. Kuhn 4/18/2011
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Washington Irving 4/18/2011
The Cricket in Times Square George Selden 4/18/2011
The Rose Labyrinth Titania Hardie 4/19/2011
The Rossetti Letter Christi Phillips 4/19/2011
Heartlight Marion Zimmer Bradley 7/17/2011
Silverhair (Baxter, Stephen. Mammoth Trilogy, Bk. 1.) Stephen Baxter 7/17/2011
Anil's Ghost: A Novel Michael Ondaatje 7/17/2011
The Forest House (The Mists of Avalon: Prequel) Marion Zimmer Bradley 7/17/2011
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole: Guardians of Ga'hoole Books One, Two, and Three (The Owls of Ga'hoole) Kathryn Lasky 9/5/2011
The Secret Speech Tom Rob Smith 9/5/2011
The Book of Love (The Magdalene Line) Kathleen McGowan 9/5/2011
Total Eclipse of the Heart Zane 9/5/2011
Columbine Dave Cullen 9/5/2011
The Swan Thieves: A Novel Elizabeth Kostova 9/5/2011
What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures Malcolm Gladwell 9/5/2011
Slumdog Millionaire: A Novel Vikas Swarup 9/5/2011
The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia Laura Miller 9/5/2011
Star of the Morning: A Novel of the Nine Kingdoms Lynn Kurland 9/5/2011
Fables, Vol. 17: Inherit the Wind Bill Willingham 1/21/2013
Fables Vol. 10: The Good Prince Bill Willingham 1/21/2013
A Murderous Procession (Mistress of the Art of Death) Ariana Franklin 1/21/2013
Defending Jacob: A Novel William Landay 1/21/2013
Miraculous Moments: True Stories Affirming that Life Goes On Elissa Al-Chokhachy 1/21/2013
Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side James Van Praagh 1/21/2013
Summer People: A Novel Elin Hilderbrand 1/21/2013
The Blind Side (Movie Tie-in Edition) Michael Lewis 1/21/2013
Men and Dogs Katie Crouch 1/21/2013
The Pegasus Secret (Lang Reilly Thrillers) Gregg Loomis 5/24/2013
Flirt (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 18) Laurell K. Hamilton 5/24/2013
Pirate Latitudes Michael Crichton 5/24/2013
The Coral Thief: A Novel Rebecca Stott 5/24/2013
The Red Wolf Conspiracy Robert V. S. Redick 5/24/2013
Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence Daniel Goleman 5/24/2013
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void Mary Roach 6/3/2013
Graceling Kristin Cashore 6/3/2013
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag: A Flavia de Luce Mystery (Flavia de Luce Mysteries) Alan Bradley 6/3/2013
Walden (Fall River Press Edition) Hardcover by Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau 6/3/2013
Grinding It Out: The Making Of McDonald's Ray Kroc 6/21/2013
The Lacuna (P.S.) Barbara Kingsolver 6/26/2013
Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 5) Laurell K. Hamilton 7/17/2013
The Killing Dance (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 6) Laurell K. Hamilton 7/17/2013
Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 7) Laurell K. Hamilton 7/17/2013
The Return of Merlin Deepak Chopra 7/17/2013
The Pilot's Wife (Oprah's Book Club) Anita Shreve 7/31/2013
Spindle's End Robin McKinley 8/9/2013
Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy E L James 8/13/2013
Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy E. L. James 8/13/2013
City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments) Cassandra Clare 8/21/2013
Death of a King Andrew H. Vanderwal 9/28/2013
The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, Book 7) Eoin Colfer 11/9/2013
Artemis Fowl The Last Guardian Eoin Colfer 11/9/2013
The Little Prince Antoine de Saint Exupery 11/9/2013
Bridge to Terabithia Katherine Paterson 11/9/2013
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel Susanna Clarke 11/9/2013
Girl in Translation Jean Kwok 12/20/2013
Resistance: Book 1 Carla Jablonski 1/5/2014

Jess nice to see you back for 2014. Hoping to keep up is something we will all strive for, I'm sure.

Welcome back!

Hi Jess!

Hi Paul, Jim, and Diana!
Cheers to the New Year and enjoyable reads to come.

Welcome back, and Happy New Year!

Jess wishing you a happy and book filled new year.

Happy New Year to all!

It is only January 1 and I am already horribly behind posts! I have a few starred threads but I don't know if I can keep up! :)

I am trying to finish up Lunatic Cafe. I have the first 7 Anita Blake books that I want to get to this year. I have read reviews that the series goes down hill shortly after.

On the agenda today - visiting Geek Squad to see what is wrong with my Mac. Husband has an account with them so trying the Geeks first before I take my laptop to Apple.

The battery can't seem to hold a charge and the internet is painfully slow... I really hope it is not a virus. But I must admit, I did not keep up with any antivirus software...too much trust in my Mac, maybe?

A snow day has extended my vacation by at least one day. On the agenda making sugar cookies and hopefully reading.

And trying to get a sneaky, little toddler to nap. Anyone have suggestions???

Children's Chewable Valium? :)

Not a bad idea, Jim :).
After 2.5 hours of attempting everything I could think of to induce sleep, I think I was ready for some Valium!

Unfortunately, I think he takes after me in the sleep department. My husband falls asleep as soon as his head touches the pillow.

I did manage to finish Lunatic Cafe last night and have started Bloody Bones.

Owen and I also read a few books today that I began to post before my iPad deleted it. When I get my laptop, or find my Bluetooth keyboard then I will post proper reviews.

I have tried to post twice already and have accidentally deleted my reviews! Hopefully this works!

Book 1: The Lunatic Cafe - Laurell K. Hamilton



Anita Blake gets in a tangle with the werewolves as she sorts out her relationship with Richard. Vampire, Jean Claude makes a proposition she can not refuse. I enjoyed this one, as the characters are really starting to develop. I still can not fully embrace Anita, due to her rude and blunt style. It is so opposite of who I am, which I guess makes her intriguing. She is also becoming less emotional to what she has to deal with...it is happening slowly, but I find it neat character development on Hamilton's part, especially if she intended for the series to go the way it did.

Book 2: Bloody Bones - Laurell K. Hamilton



I didn't care for this book as much as the first three. Anita flies out of St. Louis to help raise a plot of zombies. She encounters an ancient and powerful vampire. The plot involves the Fey. The story was weak and Anita is becoming more frustrating. It was interesting to read about Jean Claude's background.

Owen's Reading for the past 3 days. I am not going to include rereads or boardbooks we flip through together. We are graduating to longer picture books :)

Pic Book 1: Caps for Sale - Esphyr Slbodkina - a classic; Owen likes the monkeys
Pic Book 2: Hondo and Fabian - Peter McCarty - a cute book about a typical day for dog and cat housemates
Pic Book 3: McDuff Comes Home - Rosemary Wells - Owen loves McDuff and his adventures. Very descriptive writing.
Pic Book 4: McDuff's New Friend - Rosemary Wells - This is a Christmas book that we have kept out because it is a favorite.
Pic Book 5: Katy and the Big Snow - Virginia Lee Burton - Fitting for the weather we are having. And anything with trucks is a hit.
Pic Book 6: Digger Man - Andrea Zimmerman - See above comment about trucks. This is a cute story about a boy who dreams of buying a digger and making a playground.
Pic Book 7: The Biggest Snowman Ever - Steven Kroll - 2 mice compete for the town's snowman contest. I don't see why Owen is attracted to these books, but it is the second mouse friends book we have read. And he asks for rereads.

Book 3: Resistance: Book 1 - Carla Jablonski



A graphic novel that follows two children during WWII. Their friend, Henri's parents are taken and they secretly join the resistance to help Henri. Okay - I found the story boring and the illustrations were not that spectacular. However, I beleive the book's intended audience is for the pre-teen age, so that works.

Your 3rd book, good for who it is meant for you reckon. I might leave it to them then :)
I have had a few goes at graphic novels and quite like a couple.

Pic Book 8: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett

I thought this story may be over Owen's head, but he seemed to enjoy it. The town of Chewandswallow gets most of their food from the sky. Things eventually go awry.

Hi Megan- I have gotten into graphic novels lately, as my husband is a big comic book fan. I accompanied him on a trip to the comic book store and that was a big mistake on our budget. :)
I like the Fables series and historical graphic novels.

Today we joined some friends at Fort Williams for some sledding. It was fun, but I am a wee bit sore. Lugging a couple of two year-olds up a big hill gave a great workout though!

For those interested: Ft Williams is the home of The Portland Headlight - one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. It is a great spot all year long!

Caps for Sale is a favorite in our house, too. Looking forward to following your and your wee one's reading this year!

Pic Book 9: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Jane Cabrera

I like the illustrations in this version. It is also a nice teaching book for synonyms. How many words for "twinkle" can you think of?

Pic Book 10: When it Starts to Snow -Phyllis Gershator

Another cute book about a boy asking the Forrest animals what they do when it starts to snow.

Pic Book 11: In the Night Kitchen - Maurice Sendak - Library Book
We saw this at the Maurice Sendak Exhibit last month. Owen watched the video, so when he saw the library book, he had to take it home. A boy dreams that he is being mixed into the batter for cake in the morning.

Pic Book 12: David Gets in Trouble - David Shannon - Library Book
The David books have always been a hit with the kids I work with. They have bold illustrations and the kids think they are funny. The author was a little mischievous as a child, and has built up a series on his adventures. But no matter what David does, his mom always loves him.

Pic Book 13: How Do You Say it Today, Jesse Bear - Nancy White - library book
This is the first Jesse Bear book that we have read together. Jesse Bear says "I love you" different ways throughout the year.

Pic Book 14: Happy Birthday Biscuit - Alyssa Satin Capucilli - Library Book
These are simple books that involve Biscuit the dog and his friends.

Now that vacation is over and I am back to work full time, I am finding it hard to squeeze in reading and everything else that I need to do during the evening. I will try though! I would like to get My Antonia at the library this weekend to attempt the American Authors challenge.

Right now, I can only seem to post picture books! This is quite a different experience than a few years ago.

Yay for FRIDAY!!

It has been such a long week - after a 2 week vacation. Many meetings this week, and the kiddos are cooped up with the temperatures being too cold to play outside.

Tonight is movie night at our house and The Lorax is playing. This gives me a chance to catch up on the threads a bit.

Currently I have a few books going:
My Antonia
The Killing Dance
Gone Girl - audio book

We got a few books at the library for O yesterday:
Pic Book 15:Good Boy Fergus - by David Shannon - David's dog is just as naughty as David can be :)
Pic Book 16:Seven Little Monsters - Maurice Sendak -- We have been on a Sendak kick lately, especially after seeing the exhibit at the museum. I have been trying to find a copy of Chicken Soup with Rice, but both libraries do not have it. I may need to just buy a copy.

Tell me about it - Charlie and I were going stir crazy last week, too!

We read Chicken Soup with Rice not too long ago and it was really cute - hope you can find a copy - can you submit an ILL request?

Book 4: My Antonia - Willa Cather
Read: Jan 9-Jan 12, 2014
Pages: 418">
Date 1918
Source: Library



I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Cather's imagery is fantastic. I especially enjoyed how she set the reader to feel at the end. Or at least how I felt when I finished reading the book. It was oneof those books that I sat and thought about for awhile after.

I am finding it hard to keep up already!
We ended up in urgent care with Owen yesterday, he had a fever of 105 and couldn't keep food or drinks down.
He was more like himself today, but still lethargic.

Book 5 The Killing Dance - Laurell K Hamilton


Read: January 14-19, 2014
Pages: 387
Copyright: 1997

Thoughts: the series is getting more intense and the characters are less likable. I Burnt Offerings in my TBR and then I think I am going to take a break from Anita Blake for awhile. Her personality has turned 180 degrees from the first book, which I guess is good for drama, but I liked her in Guilty Pleasures. I have some other books that are calling to me after I get through the next one. I just have a silly compulsion to finish series books. I went to FictFact and that was a Big Mistake!

I am trying to recall some of the books Owen and I have read this week...

Pic Book 17: Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales - Owen is obsessed with this book lately. His favorites include: The Three Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Gingerbread Boy.

Pic Book 18: Papa Get The Moon for Me - Eric Carle
Eric Carle is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrators.Monica asks her papa to bring her the moon so she can play with it. The pages unfold in all sorts of directions as papa tries to reach the moon.

Pic Book 19: The Three Snow Bears Jan Brett
The author's adaption to Goldilocks. I have a signed copy from when I waited in line for a few hours to meet Jan Brett. Owen liked it, but kept asking where "Goldi" was.

Pic Book 20: The Hat - Jan Brett
We continued with our winter theme here. O was not as impressed with this one. I think I like The Mitten better myself.

Pic Book 21: if You Give a Pig a Pancake Laura Joffe Numeroff
This is another favorite series in our house. Maybe LJN had ADHD? Owen thinks these books are funny. I can't argue with the humor of a 2 year old.

Thanks for de-lurking and visiting my thread... I'm here to visit you and leave a star and try to keep up with you this year! Special Ed teacher and fantasy reader... that's all I needed to see to know you're "my kind of people"!! ;)

Hi Tina thanks for stopping by. When I saw your reading list I thought the same thing :)
I do not post as much as I used to, but I will be stopping by!

The Gone Girl audio CD was taking to long, so I just got the paper version from the library. Maybe now I can finish it. My commute just wasn't long enough to finish it before it was due...

Book 6 Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn


Read: January 15-22, 2014
Pages: 419 (first 100 were on the audio book)
Copyright: 2012
Source: Library

This book was read for a book club read. At first I was skeptical - but overall I enjoyed it. The ending irked me, but I respect what the author created.

Nick and Amy appear to have a great marriage and life, living in New York City. Then they both get laid off, move to Nick's small hometown in Missouri, and their marriage unravels. On the morning of their 5th anniversary, Amy disappears. As with most cop shows, Nick becomes the prime suspect. He is cool, unemotional, and cocky. He also has a few secrets.

The book is full of twists and turns. Some of them are predictable, but some came as a surprise. Nick and Amy start off being likeable characters, but their flaws become apparent, and the reader is left not knowing who to root for throughout the book.

Owen and I stopped at the library before the doctor's office yesterday. Turns out he has strep - yuck.

We picked up:

Pic Book 22: The Train to Maine - Jamie Spencer
A family takes a trip on the Downeaster from Boston to Portland Maine. They enjoy the sights and dream about their upcoming vacation on the coast. Cute book - but Owen was not that impressed.

Pic Book 23: Too Many Toys - David Shannon
David Shannon is becoming one of Owen's favorite authors. His illustrations are busy, but engaging. Spencer has acquired many, many toys from relatives, friends, and the drive thru. His mom has had enough and brought a box to clean up his toys. I think Owen could relate to this book ;) We have had numerous re-reads in the last 24 hours.

Pic Book 24: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? - Jane Yolen
These dinosaur books have neat rhymes and great pictures, and try to teach a lesson. In this book, the dinosaurs go to bed nicely and do not put up a fuss.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about Owen's strep! Charlie had it when he was 2 and I was a wreck! Hope he's already feeling better, poor tyke!

Numeroff is a big favorite in our house, too. Love her silliness.

It's been some time since I have dropped into LT.

I have been sick and work has picked up... But a snow day let's me catch up - hopefully! It has been busy on here this year!!

For the American Authors challenge, I had hoped to read The Sound and the Fury, but the comments of rambling, incoherent passages have made me a little scared. That, and all the "Fa" books were off the library shelves for some reason. The books started with "Flynn," I was in a rush so I didn't ask the librarian why there were 2 whole empty shelves in the "F" section.

My second thought is to attempt As I Lay Dying. We shall see, I may just count O Pioneers (my third Cather book this year), or try a different author that I have on my TBR shelf.

Book 7:Death Comes for the Archbishop - Willa Cather


I am wondering if I read this book first for the Willa Cather challenge, instead of My Antonia, if I would have liked it better. I thought it was well written and descriptive, but I didn't like it as much as her pioneer books (I am reading O Pioneers now).

Book 8:Burnt Offerings - Laurell K. Hamilton


Luckily, this is the last Hamilton book (that I have in sequence) on my shelves. I think I need a break from Anita Blake for awhile. In this latest installment, the Vampire Council comes to St. Louis with the goal of persuading vampire Jean Claude onto the council seat that he opened up when Anita killed the Earth Mover. The monster scenes are becoming more raunchy and disgusting - and I do not even think I am at the part of the series where most readers felt the shift! Anita's character has changed so much from the first book, that she is unlikeable, at least to me. I really enjoyed her relationship with werewolf, Richard. However right now they can barely stand to be in the same state.

I have a couple of her later books on my shelves, but I get a little OCD with series books and have to read them in order!

Here are this week's new books that the Little One and I have read together. Our bed time book has become a collection of Fairy Tales with Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Three Little Pigs being chosen each night.

Pic Book 25: Curious George Goes Sledding - Margaret & HA Rey - Library Book
We love George in our house. The books are a bit outdated, but still fun.

Pic Book 26:Farming - Gail Gibbons - Library Book
Husband and Owen thought this one was mediocre. It is a nonfiction book about a year on the farm.
We use Gail Gibbons books a lot in the elementary school, but maybe I was being a bit ambitious with thinking that Owen would like it.

Pic Book 27: Chicken Soup and Rice - Maurice Sendak - Library Book
Yay! We were able to find this book at the library. I can not just read this book, but I have to sing it, not as great as Carol King mind you.

Pic Book 28: McDuff and the Baby - Rosemary Wells - Library Book
McDuff is another favorite in our house. This book brings a new baby into McDuff's house and finds the cute doggie a little jealous.

Pic Book 29: -Bunnies on Ice - Johanna Wright - Library Book
I liked the illustrations, but that is about it. Meh to this book - and the boys didn't like it at all.
A little bunny aspires to be a skating star.

Pic Book 30: On Noah's Ark - Jan Brett
A girl's grandfather Noah builds an ark and invites pairs of animals on for the down pour. As always, Brett's illustrations are wonderful.

Our Saturday morning library trip was replaced with a trip to the mountain. Here is a pic of O's first time skiing:



We all had a blast and the weather was perfect to take a toddler out on the hill.

He is SO cute!!!! What an adorable picture!

I've heard such mixed reviews on Gone Girl that I haven't pushed to read it yet. It is on the wish list, but kind of in the "one day I'll request from the library" list.

I love vampire reads, but I think I only managed one Anita Blake for some reason. I'm not sure why I just didn't connect with that series. Hmmm... Odd for me.

>43 jayde1599:: What a cutie-patootie!

>44 TinaV95:: Hi Tina...Anita Blake is a strange addiction. After the 6th book, the series is getting quite strange. And, I have read that it just gets worse from here. If you happen to be a compulsvie series finisher - stay away! I feel like I need to read the rest of the series, but I am somewhat hesitant right now.

>45 scaifea:: Thanks Amber! I am quite fond of him. :)

It has been a busy few weeks here. School (work) has been busy and I need to catch up onwriting IEPs and updating student programs. Good thing I have vacation this week - so I can go into work without students and catch up!!

My little guy has caught the dreaded stomache bug, so between cuddles, I have been doing a lot of laundry. And reading!

I finished Defending Jacob last night.
I am almost finished with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
I started As I Lay Dying for the AA challenge.
And, I have 2 graphic novels that I go to when my brain needs a break.

I also need to update Owen's library reads from this week. That will be my goal tomorrow after we go skiing again.

Oh, dang! Sorry that the wee one is sick! That's no fun for anyone involved.

>49 scaifea:: Hi Amber - it was definitely not fun. He had the stomache virus last weekend, and I got a call from daycare that he had a fever yesterday. I think it is all related to some GI problems he is having.

He is doing much better today so we went for our weekly library trip.

Picture book update:
Last week's books:
Pic Book 31:McDuff Moves In - Rosemary Wells - Library Book
A stray dog makes his way to the house where he is adopted and named McDuff.

Pic Book 32:The Cow That Went Oink - Bernard Most - Library book
A cow and a pig teach each other to make their true sounds when they get made fun of for being mixed up. Okay

Pic Book 33:Pete's a Pizza = William Steig - Library book
A boy is sad that he can't go outside to play with friends, so his dad turns him into a pizza to cheer him up. Funny book recommended by the OT at my school.

Pic Book 34:The 3 Bears and Goldilocks - Margaret Willey - Library book
A different version of the tale - the wording was a little difficult to read out loud. Illustrations were nice though.

Pic Book 35:Art and Max- David Wiesner - Library book
Fabulously illustrated. Art tries to paint Max and he becomes unraveled.

Pic Book 36:Ollie's Easter Eggs - Olivier Dunrea - Library book
A cute easter book with Ollie and the goslings.

And to get ready for Dr. Seuss's Birthday:
Pic Book 37:Put Me in the Zoo - Robert Lopshire - Owen's shelf
Pic Book 38:Hand Hand Fingers Thumb - Al Perkins - Owens' shelf
Pic Book 39:The Nose Book- Al Perkins - Owen's shelf

And this week's Library books:
Pic Book 40:The Easter Egg - Jan Brett
A story about a rabbit looking to make the best Easter egg. Illustrations are great.

Pic Book 41:The Lion and the Mouse - Jerry Pinkney
Wonderfully illustrated - based on the fable. Wordless (except for "squeak" and "roar")

Pic Book 42:The Quiet Book - Deborah Underwood
Thank you Amber, for the recommendation! Love this book

Pic Book 43:Click Clack Boo - Doreen Cronin
Yes we are reading Halloween books in February. Owen loved this one. Farmer Brown is afraid of the noises he hears on Halloween until he sees a sign on his door.

Pic Book 44:A Penguin for Pinkerton - Steven Kellog
A bit old for Owen, but he stayed engaged. He likes Kellog's illustrations, even though I think they are a bit busy. Pinkerton believes a football is a penguin egg for him to take care of.

Pic Book 45:The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Beatrix Potter
I borrowed this from the library to test Owen's interest in the book. I really want to buy him the set, but am hesitant to spend that much money, unless he really connects to the books. He seemed to enjoy this one - even asking questions about it.

Book 9: Defending Jacob - William Landay



Read: February 12-15, 2014
Pages:
Source: Colleague

Synopsis:
14 year old, Jacob Barber is accused of murdering a classmate. His father, Andy, is a district attorney, who gets wrapped up in the case. The story is told through Andy's point of view, as well as trial transcripts. Andy is determined to do everything he can to prove that Jacob did not do the crime and that his past does not impact Jacob's case.

Thoughts:
I read this for a book club. I thought the plot was fine, it kept me enthralled. I did not really care for the ending of the book. Also, Andy's determination was somewhat extreme, in that he let his family fall apart around him. For example, he can not see his wife's point of view as they talk to a therapist. As a parent, you want to truly believe in your child's innoscence, but Andy seems somewhat blinded because of his past. I also thought Jacob was an unlikeable character.
Overall, this is not a book that I would normally choose for myself, but it was a quick, engaging read.

Book 10:Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs


Read: February 16-19, 2014
Pages:
Genre: YA, fantasy
Source: Library

Synopsis:
As a child, Jacob is enchanted by his Grandfather Abe's stories of peculiar children on an island off the coast of Wales. His grandfather insisted that the stories were true. But others insisted it was Abe's way of losing family in the Holocaust and dealing with the war. When Abe dies years later, 16 year old Jacob travels to the island to find answers and prove to himself that he is not crazy.

Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the beginning of the story when it lead off leaning more to the paranormal sense. About halfway through the book, the genre seems to change more towards fantasy. Either way, the book is highly enjoyable and a fantastic concept by incorporating the old photographs.

Book 11:Hollow City - Ransom Riggs


Read: February 20-21, 2014
Pages:
Genre: YA, fantasy
Source: Library

Synopsis:
The story begins right after Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children ends. Jacob is in the 1940 time loop with Emma and the other Peculiars. They need to rush to London to try to save Miss Peregrine who is stuck as a bird. This book also incorporates old, peculiar photographs.

Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first one. The time travel was well done and the plot is full of adventure. I am not sure how I feel about Jacob and Emma's relationship though. As the adventure unfolded, it was one problem after another. But parts of it became a little redundant, such as Wyn using her strength to save everyone, and Enoch's pesimism. Also, I thought Olive lost her shoes, but she is grounded most of the adventure...how?

I think that is all I have for book reviews. Please excuse any spelling/grammar mistakes. I am on husband's computer, and it is not catching my spelling errors.

Currently, I am trying to get through As I Lay Dying for the American Authors challenge. It is not difficult, I just can not get into the book.

This year for my TBR shelf challenge, I am reading them in order of acquired (oldest first). Last year it was by most popular. Right now, I am trying to get through A Briefer History of Time but it is slow going. It is the longest standing book on my shelf (acquired 2008) and I think it has taken me that long to read :) I am trying to read 10 pages per night.

It is going to be extremely slow going now that vacation is over. I am swamped with meetings and paperwork next week, let alone teaching and lesson planning. So, I think that my "fun" reading is going to be put on hold. I have some graphic novels I may finish though.

>51 jayde1599:: Oh, yay! I'm so glad you liked The Quiet Book!

I was aiming to at least try to catch up on posts on weekends, but we traveled to visit family the past one and it just didn't happen. I am home with a sick toddler today (just a low grade fever & cough, but daycare policy is 24 hours & he could also use some cuddles). I just may be able to catch up today!

I was planning a trip to the library today because we are going skiing tomorrow. I am going to lurk on your thread, Amber, to see any good picture book recommendations :)

I do have books I need to review and add...I will try to do that this afternoon when the little one is napping.

Oh, dang. I hope your munchkin is feeling better today!

I love your photos of Owen. What a delightful little boy!

>54 jayde1599:, Thanks for this review. I'm on a long wait list from the library for this one.

Happy Sunday Jess

Book 12: As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner


Read:2/22-2/28/14
Pages:267
Date: 1930
Source: Library

Synopsis: Addie Bundren has just died. Her husband Anse, is determined to keep her dying wish to him - to be buried in Jefferson with her people. He enlists son Cash to build the coffin and then persists that the whole family make the journey together. This includes sons Darl, Jewel, Vardaman, and daughter Dewy Dell. The journey is full of misfortune starting with the bridge being washed out so they can't cross the river. As they travel on, the Addie's body decomposes and they run into more bumps that slow them down. The story is broken up and told from the viewpoint of each member of the family.

Thoughts: It took me awhile to get used to Faulkner's stream of consciousness style of writing, including the accents of the American South. Once it got going, the book was enjoyable, and if not a bit comical. Read for the American Authors challenge.

Book 13:Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur - Tony Lee


Read: 2/27-3/5/14
Pages: 144
Date: 2011
Source: TBR shelf (2013) Scholastic Warehouse

This book appealed to me because it is a graphic novel adaption of the tale of King Arthur. Although not a direct retelling, as many parts were different from a traditional Arthurian tale, the book was still fun to read. Key characters included Merlin, Vivianne, Morgana, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Arthur pulls the sword and defeats Uther. Morgana is determined to get revenge on Arthur and Merlin for being forced into the Unseelie Court. The illustrations were alright - a lot of use of reds and oranges.

Book 14:The Road - Cormac McCarthy



Read: 3/1-3/7/14
Pages: 304
Date: 2008
Source: TBR shelf (2013) - library sale

Synopsis: A man and his son trek west along the road in search of anything that is better than where they are, in apocalyptic America. They try to avoid the "bad people" such as canibals and other survivors fighting for food. They scavenge any buildings for something to eat.

Thoughts: I put this book on my LT wishlist back in 2009 when many of the 75ers read it. I finally picked the book up at a library sale last year. Since I already had it on my shelf, I chose it for March's American Author read. I can't say that I am a fan of this book. It is really depressing and not much happens. Or, it felt like the pair cycled through different events (find food, eat food, starve, walk, find a bad guy, find food, eat food, etc.). McCarthy's writing style is unique and easy to follow. I dislike that he did not use apostrophes or give the reader much information - names, what happened to make the world so desolate...
It was an okay book, just not sure what they hype was about. :(

Book 15 Drawing Autism - Jill Mullin


Read: 3/9-3/10/14
Pages: 170
Date: 2014
Source: LT Early Reviewer

Synopsis: Jill Mullin has collected artwork from across the globe, created by people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Temple Grandin begins the book with a forward. Mullin asked each contributor a series of questions to go along with their piece. Questions included: "How old were you when you became interested in art?" and "What inspires you to create art?" Artists either answered the questions themselves, or a guardian provided answers for them. The book is divided up into sections that compile the pieces into themes.

Thoughts: The artwork creates a sense of wonder, joy, angst, and a slush of other emotions. All of the work is fabulous in their own way, especially how it fit into the theme of the chapter. I really enjoyed reading the responses that the artist added to the pieces.
A couple of questions popped up when I was reading/viewing this book:
-Who is the target audience? I am a special education teacher whose focus is on students with ASD, so the book appealed to me greatly.
-Is their any market for this book outside of people familiar with ASD? - I hope so because others can learn a great deal from reading the responses from the artists.
-Why was the type so small?! - Hopefully this can be fixed!
-How did Mullin gather contributors? Some of the artists are familiar/famous in art circles, but how did she get others to contribute?

I found this a fascinating book! Highly recommended!

>58 scaifea: and >59 Whisper1:: Thanks for stopping by Amber and Linda!

The munchkin was feeling much better by the end of the day. Snuggles and rest definitely helped.

>63 jayde1599: Whelp, that one's going on the wishlist - sounds really interesting!

>64 jayde1599: I'm so glad that he's feeling better!

Hey Jess,

I was lurking and thought I'd stop by and say hello. 'Loved the kid's books. My tyke is 18 now and I'm busy collecting the books that I've read to him!

P.S. - You need to read more Faulkner. It's good for you. Like broccoli.

>66 Sandydog1:: Welcome and hello! As a special education teacher, I have been collecting kids books since my undergrad days. My son has inherited his own mini library in addition to the books he has been given.

In regards to Faulkner - I am not dismissing him yet. I have had The Sound and the Fury on my wishlist for years. After reading comments on the American Authors thread, I became a little frightened to start with that book, so I chose As I Lay Dying instead for my intro to Faulkner. I am glad I did because I honestly enjoyed it. I do plan to read The Sound and the Fury some day!!

Book 16: Flying with the Eagle, Racing the Great Bear: Tales from Native North America - Joseph Bruchac



Read: 3/7-3/13/14
Pages: 180
Date:
Source: Library

This book is a compilation of stories from different Native American tribes, geared for a young adult audience. Many of the stories are spiritual or teaching stories.

Good book. Bruchac is an excellent Native author.

Book 17:Counting by 7s - Holly Goldberg Sloan



Read 3/16/2014
Pages: 384
Date: 2013
Source: Library

Synopsis: Willow Chase is a genius, who finds it calming to count by 7s. She is forced to see social worker Dell Duke after she is accused of cheating. She meets Vietnamese student Mai and her brother Quang-Ha in Duke's office. When tragedy strikes, this motley crew helps Willow overcome her grief.

Thoughts: I saw this on Linda's thread, and when my library had a BRAND NEW copy, I snagged it. I love brand new books from the library!! The book is comical, thoughtful, and heartwarming. The characters are very likeable and how they mesh together makes perfect sense.
Great book!

Last week's Picture Books:

46. Cub's Big World / Thomson, Sarah L.
47. Locomotive / Floca, Brian.
48. Up the Creek / Oldland, Nicholas,
49. Dooby Dooby Moo / Cronin, Doreen.
50 Friends - Carle, Eric library book

This week's Picture Books:

51. Lucky Ducklings / Moore, Eva.
52. McDuff Goes to School Wells, Rosemary.
53. Quick as a Cricket. Wood, Audrey
54. Waking Dragons / Yolen, Jane.
55. Mr. Wuffles! / Wiesner, David.
56. Gossie and Gertie / Dunrea, Olivier
57. We're going on a Ghost Hunt Vaughan, Marcia K.
58. The Tortoise & the Hare / Pinkney, Jerry,
59. Spring is Here! / Hillenbrand, Will.

Olivier Dunrea! Charlie and I love his books!

Well I am home today because this happened yesterday:



Luckily, no one was home when it fell, and although there is damage to the house, it is not huge. Some holes in the roof, cracked walls, a broken window, and a broken picture frame. I am ready for winter to be over!!

Books I have to review:

Herbal Healing for Children - Demetria Clark
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore

I am also trying to get through The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Ouch!

>72 jayde1599: Yikes, I'm glad nobody was hurt!

Oh my goodness! Yes, I'm glad, too, that no one was hurt!

>74 drneutron:, >75 LibraryLover23:, >76 scaifea:: We are very greatful the tree did not go through the roof! The damage is enough where we will need to have the roof and drywall in the bedrooms replaced. However, we have been talking about putting a dormer in the master bedroom - so it looks like now is a great time to do it! :)
The only one home was our dog, who got quite the fright. DH found her hiding in the basement rec room!

Book 18:Herbal Healing for Children - Demetria Clark


Read:3/16/14
Pages: 224
Date: 2011
Source: Library

Thoughts: On the everlasting search for a more healthier lifestyle, I picked this book up at the library. Interesting information on how to use herbs, essential oils, and other natural ingredients to support healing of common childhood ailments. She gave warning about which herbs react with what and at which age the treatment is appropriate. Recipes were also included.

Book 19 V for Vendetta - Alan Moore


Read: 3/17-3/24/14
Date: 1986
Pages:
Source: Library

Thoughts: I have been meaning to read this graphic novel for awhile. I understand why it has become such a cult classic, but I don't know if it was really my cup of tea. The character of V stands for freedom from the oppression of totalitarian state. He prefers anarchy to government. Enlisting the help of Evey is all part of his grand plan.

Book 20:The Signature of All Things - Elizabeth Gilbert


Read: 3/24-4/2/14
Date: 2013
Pages: 501
Source: Library

Thoughts: Wow - it is an immense novel. And I don't just mean page length, the depth of content, amount of time that is covered in the book, and botanical research that is included, kept my brain working.
The book begins with Alma Whittaker's birth in the early 1800s. However, it covers Alma's father's unhappy childhood, his growth out of poverty, and move to Virginia. Next, the author goes into Alma's full life of intellectual studies and self discovery. The book spans the rest of the century, as well as travel to Tahiti and Holland. Interspersed throughout are botanical facts about flowers, import/export, and mosses.

While I think that this was a great book, it could have been cut down a bit. The character of Alma Whittaker also bothered me, especially her relationship with Ambrose Pike and her adopted sister, Prudence. Despite some slow moving aspects of the plot, and a plethora of information thrown at the reader, this is an enjoyable book. It is a book that made me stew for awhile after, and because of that, I give it 4 stars.

I think Elizabeth Gilbert is a MUCH better fiction writer than memoir writer. I hated Eat, Pray, Love! I per chance saw this book new at the library and couldn't pass up a "never been read" book!

Book 21:Divergent - Veronica Roth


Read: 4/3-4/4/14
Date: 2011
Pages: 487
Source: Amazon - box set

Synopsis: Beatrice Prior lives in a Dystopian Chicago. The city is divided up into 5 factions based on virtues of human nature. Amity (peace), Candor (truth), Erudite (knowledge), Dauntless (courage), and Abnegation (selflessness). Beatrice is born in Abnegation but on her 16th birthday chooses the Dauntless faction. However, she is one of the people who does not belong in one true faction - she is Divergent.

Thoughts: I thought the premise of the book was interesting and a bit different from the other popular Young Adult trilogies out there. However, the plot follows the same theme: girl comes of age, tries to discover self, meets a boy, world around them crumbles, etc.
The book is an easy read, and engaging. Yet, it feels like it was written to be a movie, in a way.
Even though I have complaints, I did not totally dislike the book, but I was hoping for a little more.

I read this book as part of a book club with colleagues. We went to see the movie after. And I really wish I hadn't. Without giving spoilers, I will just say that they changed key elements of the plot and character!! Dislike!!!

I've been MIA for awhile - real life has been getting in the way of LT again! :(

Not much is different - work is busy, we went on a family trip to NYC over April Vacation, and accumulated some books...

Here is my attempt to catch up with posts and books we have read - I may have missed some!

Kids Books:

60. The Loud Book - Deborah Underwood - library book
61. Bunny Cake - Rosemary Wells - library book
62. The Flying Dragon Room - Audrey Wood - library book
63. Sharks - Gail Gibbons - library book
64. George Goes to the Aquarium - Margaret Rey - library book
65. Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear - Audrey Wood - library book
66. How do Dinosaurs Get Well - Jane Yolen - library book
67. Biscuit's Day at the Farm - Alyssa Satin Capucilli - library book
68. Max Cleans Up - Rosemary Wells - library book
69. George and the Dragon - Chris Wormell - library book
70. Duck Tents - Lynne Berry - library book
71. Where is the Green Sheep - Mem Fox - library book
72. The Jolly Postman - Janet Ahlberg - library book
73. Drummer Hoff - Ed Emberly - library book
74. Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Byron Barton - library book
75. See What a Seal Can Do - Chris Butterworth - library book
76. Corduroy's Birthday - Don Freeman - library book
77. Max Counts His Chickens - Rosemary Wells - library book
78. Sleep Like a Tiger - Mary Logue - library book
79. Hello My Name is Ruby - Philip C. Stead - library book
80. Cockadoodle Doo, Creak, Pop Pop, Moo - Jim Aylesworth - library book
81. Xander's Panda Party - Linda Sue Park - library book
82. Tractor Day - Candice F. Ransom - library book
83. Clowning Around - Cathryn Falwell - library book
84. The Bridge is Up - Babs Bell - library book
85. The Pirate's Next Door - Jonny Duddle - library book
86. Best Foot Forward - Ingo Arndt - library book
87. Daddy Hug - Tim Warnes - library book

The bold titles are ones that Owen really enjoyed and memorized. I will be looking to add those to his shelves.

Here are books he acquired over the last few weeks:
88. Sea Mammals -
89. Stuck in the Mud - Reverend W. Awdry
90. Richard Scarry's Busiest Fire Fighters Ever - Scarry
91. Max's Easter Surprise

Kids Books:

60. The Loud Book - Deborah Underwood - library book
61. Bunny Cake - Rosemary Wells - library book
62. The Flying Dragon Room - Audrey Wood - library book
63. Sharks - Gail Gibbons - library book
64. George Goes to the Aquarium - Margaret Rey - library book
65. Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear - Audrey Wood - library book
66. How do Dinosaurs Get Well - Jane Yolen - library book
67. Biscuit's Day at the Farm - Alyssa Satin Capucilli - library book
68. Max Cleans Up - Rosemary Wells - library book
69. George and the Dragon - Chris Wormell - library book
70. Duck Tents - Lynne Berry - library book
71. Where is the Green Sheep - Mem Fox - library book
72. The Jolly Postman - Janet Ahlberg - library book
73. Drummer Hoff - Ed Emberly - library book
74. Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Byron Barton - library book
75. See What a Seal Can Do - Chris Butterworth - library book
76. Corduroy's Birthday - Don Freeman - library book
77. Max Counts His Chickens - Rosemary Wells - library book
78. Sleep Like a Tiger - Mary Logue - library book
79. Hello My Name is Ruby - Philip C. Stead - library book
80. Cockadoodle Doo, Creak, Pop Pop, Moo - Jim Aylesworth - library book
81. Xander's Panda Party - Linda Sue Park - library book
82. Tractor Day - Candice F. Ransom - library book
83. Clowning Around - Cathryn Falwell - library book
84. The Bridge is Up - Babs Bell - library book
85. The Pirate's Next Door - Jonny Duddle - library book
86. Best Foot Forward - Ingo Arndt - library book
87. Daddy Hug - Tim Warnes - library book

The bold titles are ones that Owen really enjoyed and memorized. I will be looking to add those to his shelves.

Here are books he acquired over the last few weeks:
88. Sea Mammals -
89. Stuck in the Mud - Reverend W. Awdry
90. Richard Scarry's Busiest Fire Fighters Ever - Scarry
91. Max's Easter Surprise - Rosemary Wells
92. Hen's Feathers - Katherine Sully
93. Frog on a Log - Leland Peree
94. Lamb Says Boo - Katherine Sully
95. A Bug A Bear and a Boy - David McPhail
96. Rio 2 Blues's Wild Journey - Christa Roberts
97. The Uncrossable Canyon - James Dongweck ** We found this one at a Daffodil Festival in Connecticut. The author was signing copies, so Owen got his signed. A neat little book that is a stand alone, but also part of a series. I like the illustrations myself.

Now for the books I have read in April:

Book 22: The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky


Read: 4/6/14
Pages: 218
Date: 1999
Source: Library

Book 23: Windham - Edith Bell

Read: 4/5/14
Pages: 128
Date: 1996
Source: Library

Book 24:Home - Toni Morrison


Read: 4/6-4/8/14
Pages: 160
Date: 2012
Source: Library
American Authors Challenge

Book 25: Insurgent - Veronica Roth


Read: 4/8-4/11/14
Pages: 544
Date: 2012
Source: Amazon - Box Set

Book 26: All Joy and No Fun - Jennifer Senior


Read: 4/11-4/17/14
Pages: 308
Date: 2014
Source: Library
Picked this one up because it was brand new at the library and I read a blurb in the local newspaper about it. Interesting point of view

Book 27: The Night Bookmobile - Audrey Niffenegger


Read: 4/11/14
Pages: 40
Date: 2010
Source: Library
Another never been read before book. I liked the concept, but really did not like the ending!

Book 28: Allegiant - Veronica Roth


Read: 4/18-4/26/14
Pages: 544
Date: 2013
Source: Amazon Box Set
I don't like leaving a series not finished. This was the weakest of the three books. Did she write these with a movie in mind??

Book 29:Uganda Be Kidding Me - Chelsea Handler


Read: 4/28-4/29/14
Pages: 257
Date: 2014
Source: Library
Again, I have difficulty leaving brand new books at the library. While I found Handler's other books a bit humorous, this one tanked. I don't watch her show, and this book about her travels was just not funny. Ok, I did laugh during one part, but as a whole, not a great book.

Book 30:Star Wars: Jedi Academy - Jeffrey Brown


Read: 4/30/14
Pages: 160
Date: 2013
Source: Husband
Husband left this around, and I picked it up. A juvenille graphic novel about a boy going to Jedi Academy. Brown's books are part spoofy, but not too bad.

Overall, I read a lot of books (for me) in April, but some of them were disappointing. I did enjoy Home for the American Authors Challenge. I also liked the Divergent series - as brain candy, but was let down by the last book.

I am doing a great job at finding new books at the library, but not doing so well with reading books off my shelves....

Where is the Green Sheep is an absolute favorite in this house, too!

My Poor Neglected Thread!!! The last few years, I have tended to disappear for awhile offline. I do most of my internet time from my smartphone, so places where I have to do extended typing - LT - often get neglected!
I have been lurking on threads though ;)

Yay for summer time!! I have this week off, next week visiting family, and then start teaching summer school. I may be able to get some reading done finally!

I will post my May-June reads soon. Although it will probably just be a list because I am 12 books behind!!!!

Before I post books read - let me post books bought!!

At the Scarborough Maine Library Sale - I hit a doozy of a sale (paperbacks $.50 and hardbacks $2.00). I found mostly PB that have been on my wishlist:

1. World War Z - Brooks
2. Lyra's Oxford - Pullman
3. On Writing - King
4. The Shadow of the Wind - Zafron
5. The Sun Also Rises - Hemingway
6. O Pioneers - Cather
7. Bleak House - Dickens
8. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest -Larsson
9. Stardust - Gaiman
10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - Carroll
11. The Friday Night Knitting Club - Jacobs -- I have had the 2nd book sitting on my shelves for years, but I couldn't read it until I picked up the first book!

And for Owen:
1. Leo the Late Bloomer - Kraus
2. Little Island - MacDonald
3. There's No Such Thing as a Dragon - Kent
4. Peter Rabbit -Little Golden Book
5. Raggedy Ann and Andy - Little Golden Book

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Day weekend we went camping at Acadia National Park. We stopped in Belfast, Maine and I picked up:

1. A People's History of the United States - Zinn
2. 84 Charring Cross Road - Hanff -- however it is the adapted for stage edition.....:(

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

At a bookstore nearby - sale rack:

1. Z: Zelda Fitzgerald - Fowler
2. Every Day - Levithan
3. The Looking Glass Wars - Bedder

Wow, what a great list of books!

It's good to hear from you - and happy summer reading!

Today's book haul from the Portland Library Sale:

1. Montana 1948 - Watson -- for the American Author's challenge
2. The Coffee Trader - Liss
3. Gilead - Robinson
4. The Uncommon Reader - Bennett
5. Dragon's Eye - Hetley
6. Howl's Moving Castle - Wynne Jones

For Owen:
It's My Birthday - Hutchins
Barn Dance - Hutchins
Whose Scaly Tail? - Drescher
Whose Furry Nose? - Drescher
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well - Yolen
Quick as a Cricket - Wood

The prices were not as good at this sale, And my TBR bookcase is overflowing, so I was a bit more choosy!! Most of the books I have picked up recently are from my wishlist -- and most of those are based on LT recommendations!

My 6th Thingaversary is July 8th - so I am counting this as an early present to myself ;)

Hi Amber!
Thank you for stopping by. It has been difficult to keep up with my own thread lately. But I have been lurking... your recent adventures seem exciting! How did Charlie do at Disney? We really want to take Owen, but I still think he is too young :(
He still gets freaked out by large, costumed characters - so it is best to wait another year or two.

Book Review Catch Up:

There is quite a few, so just titles and a blurb...

31. The Optimist's Daughter - Eudora Welty
Thoughts: Laurel arrives home as her father Judge McElva is sick and in surgery. So far this has been my least favorite book read for the American Author's challenge. It just was not my cuppa tea.

32. The Water Castle - Megan Frazer Blakemore - Young Adult
Thoughts: The Appledore-Smith family moves to the Appledore mansion ins Crystal Springs, Maine after Dad has a stroke. Blakemore is a Maine author, and this book was reviewed in the local paper with good reviews. I felt it started out great, but the ending fizzled and I was left feeling unresolved.

33. Bamboo People - Mitali Perkins - Young Adult
Thoughts: For some reason I love BRAND NEW books from the Library! Even though this book was not on any list of mine, I borrowed it because I would be the First One!! It turned out to be a good pick. Two Burmese boys, one a Kareni refugee and the other a son of an imprisoned doctor are thrown together in the jungle due to circumstances of war. In order to survive, they must learn to trust each other. Recommended!

34. Picture Me Gone - Meg Rosoff
Thoughts: Another Brand New Library book - struck out on this one though.
12 year old Mila and her father travel from London to upstate New York, when her father's best friend Matthew disappears. Not a good ending.

35. The Great American Dustbowl - Don Brown - Graphic Novel
Thoughts: I generally like graphic novels that depict historical events. This one was no exception.

36. American Born Chinese - Gene Luen Yang
Thoughts: This graphic novel looked interesting in the library, but it was not for me. Maybe I just could not relate to the story of an Chinese American boy trying to fit in at school?

37. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
Thoughts: I have always admired the cover of this book that follows Toltec wisdom to a path for emotional freedom. The Four Agreements consist of
- Be Impecabble with Your Word
- Don't Take Anything Personally
- Don't Make Assumptions
- Do Your Best

38. Raising Cubby - John Elder Robison
Thoughts: Another book that I was the first user ;-) I enjoyed Robison's first book, Look Me in the Eye and this one was just as good. It is a memoir about Robison's relationship with his off-beat son. Even though Robison himself was not diagnosed with Asperger's until he was an adult, he still was able to raise Cubby in his own way. When Cubby began to have difficulties in school, Robison and his wife were worried, but did not think about Asperger's until Cubby was older.

39. 47 Ronin - Joan D. Vinge
Thoughts: This book was geared towards the movie adaption and I thought it was entertaining. Lord Ako's samurai are leaderless - ronin. They now need to rely on the one person who they shunned as a child - the "halfbreed," Kai.

40. The Rosie Project - Graeme Simison
Thoughts: A popular book around LT right now! I really enjoyed this book and just recommended it to a friend!

41. Proof of Heaven - Eben Alexander
Thoughts: I picked this book up after hearing an article, maybe on NPR? Alexander is a neurosurgeon who was thrown into a coma by a rare strand of menengitis. His near-death experience changed his views on the Universe, his soul, and God. Interesting.

42. The Autistic Brain - Temple Grandin
Thoughts: I love anyting by Temple Grandin! I have had the pleasure listening to her speak, and she is such a fascinating woman. In this book, she tries to keep up to date on the scientific studies that are driving autism research. She weaves her own experiences with teh data.

43. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making - Catherynne M. Valente
Thoughts: Another book by a Maine author that I have been waiting to read and was not as impressed as I wanted to be. I think I had high expectations about this book. A mixtue of Alice in Wonderland, and Narnia wrapped up with a 12 year old heroine named, September. I did think the ending was decent, but I really wanted to love this book! I have the 2nd book on reserve at the library, so maybe it gets better?

44. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Thoughts: At first, I didn't know what I was getting myself into by reading this book, but once Billy Pilgrim got unstuck in time, I was hooked. After surviving the bombings in Dresden, Billy is kidnapped by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. He is able to travel to different points on his life's timeline. Enjoyable recommendation for the American Author's challenge.

Currently I am reading Stronger - Jeff Bauman.
I picked it up because he is from my hometown in Chelmsford, MA. Although my expectations were not high going into the book, it is surprisingly a decent read.

>92 jayde1599: Charlie did great at Disney World! The people in the character costumes are well-versed in all sorts of kids, I suspect, and they were great about not approaching him. I think they likely don't approach any child on their own but wait for the child to approach them. He had no interest in getting near any characters except Woody, Jesse, Lilo & Stitch, and he loved them.

I am a couple of reviews behind, but I just finished Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon. It is book 8 in the Outlander series and I really enjoyed it. Plus, she added a great library thing plug at the end of her book referring readers to her bibliography located on LT :)

I finished Eleanor and Park and thought it was fantastic! The ending left me bothered though...

Trying to get through A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court right now for the AA challenge.

>69 jayde1599: Hi Jess! I'm glad you liked Counting by 7s.

I also loved Eleanor and Park. It was a five star read for me.

Hi Linda!

Eleanor and Park was great. The only thing that bothered me was that she did not reveal the 3 words on the postcard and left it open. Come on!!

Yikes! I am VERY far behind in reviews and visiting my thread!
Summer school just ended, so I will have a wee bit more time before the school year starts up again. I am hoping that I can get caught up. My laptop died. But the school district issued Brand New MacBook Airs to the teaching staff!!! Just in time.

Other updates since I last visited: Owen turned 3 - I can't believe he is already going to preschool!
We have done some camping and visited Story Land in Glen, NH - where he rode his first roller coaster and log flume. I have an adventure junkie on my hands!! We hope to get a few more camping trips in before I go back to school.

I will start a new job in the fall. I will be a Resource Special Ed teacher, as well as a Developmental Consultant. The consulting part is what I am excited about.. It should be an interesting new direction.

Here are my brief updated reviews:

45. Stronger - Jeff Bauman
--Interesting perspective of the Boston Marathon bombings by the man who became the face of the bombing when his photo was spread all over the media.

46. Fortunately, the Milk - Neil Gaiman
--Fun fantasy read. I wish my dad had that type of imagination!

47.The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman
-- Mystery, fantasy all wrapped up in one. A great LT recommendation!

48. The Interrupted Tale - Maryrose Wood
Book 4(?) in the Incorrigibles series. Wood is finally beginning to reveal some of the mystery...but I feel like it is beginning to drag. I will not be as quick to pick up the next one when I see it.

49. Written in My Own Heart's Blood - Diana Gabaldon 821 pages - 7/1/14-7/15/14
-- Book 8 in the Outlander series. I loved it! Gabaldon's writing captivates me. Even though this book is heavy, it was a fun read with all my favorite characters. The Brianna storyline kind of dragged for me though. I wish I had STARZ to see the new series. I will have to wait until it comes out on Netflix.

50. Eleanor and Park -Rainbow Rowell
-- A fun LT recommendation about high school love found in unexpected places. I wish the author wrapped it up a bit differently.

51. The Zen of Steve Jobs - Jess3 - 80 pp (7/27/14)
-- a graphic novel about a specific period in Job's career-- as he found spirituality and his relationship with Kobun Chino Otogawa, a buddhist teacher.

52. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - Mark Twain - 274 pp - (7/10-7/28/14)
--Read for the AA challenge. Blech. Didn't like it.

53. The Girl Who Came Home - Hazel Gaynor - - (7/28-7/31/14)
-- A novel that follows a group of 14 travelers from Ireland as they board the steerage class on the Titanic. We all know how it ends, but the story was nice.

August
54. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - Audio Book - 7/31-8/5/14
-- I hesitated to read this book, but my summer BINGO has an audio book square and this is what I chose. I was surprised! I was expecting a sappy, sad story, and although emotional, it was fulfilling. Recommended.

I think I have caught up, but I feel as if I am missing something.

Here is my book haul from the Saco Library sale:

1. The Gates - John Connolly
2. The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank
3. The Achemist - Paulo Coelho
4. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
5. The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennet
6. The Watch that Ends the Night - Alan Wolf

After summer library Bingo is over, I need to get to my TBR pile!

Book 55 Town in a Blueberry Jam - B.B. Haywood

A cozy mystery set in the fictional town of Cape Willington, Maine. Candy is a divorcee who has moved to a blueberry farm with her father. When her friend Ray is accused of murdering the town gossip and Blueberry Queen, Sapphire Vine, Candy is determined to clear his name.

I enjoyed the Maine references, even though they felt a bit forced and clichéd at times.

Congrats on the new job!

Thank you Amber. The new job is good - if I was able to actually do what is needed, but the work environment has been difficult this year. We are short ed techs (or paraprofessionals) and classroom teachers have been frustrated with the special ed team for not having consistency. This is hard when we are down staff. That, and student behaviors are high!
I am at a 3 day training this week for becoming a trainer in a system for behavioral intervention and de-escalation.
So even though I have done some reading and lurking, I just have not had the energy to update my thread.

As for books - I have read 75!! Looks like I have REALLY neglected my thread!
Let's see how far I get tonight ;)

56. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland - Catherynne Valente -- enh not as well written as the first.
57. Mosquitoes Don't Eat Meat - Brad Wetzer -- Read for the science category in Library BINGO
58. Fablehaven - Brandon Mull -- I liked this children's fantasy book
59. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollen -- The author proposes not eating anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize. I really wanted to enjoy this one more than I did.

60. The Triple Focus - Daniel Goleman & Peter Sange -- This was an advanced reader copy, so I am going to give it more of a review:
This book looks at the current approach to education and makes recommendations for incorporating different skill sets into the classroom. Goleman focuses on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). He says that if educators teach focusing on ourselves (self awareness) and tuning into other people (empathy) teachers will have different outcomes in the classroom. He makes the point that these are valuable skills that will help students have academic success. He mentions that, "these are particular skills that are being challenged today by technology." Peter Sange discusses systems awareness (understanding the larger world)and the complexities that go along with interacting with systems. Together, they discuss the benefits of merging SEL and systems thinking.
When I saw "systems level thinking" I was hesitant to read about another method to bring into the classroom. However, the book is interesting and easy to read. These are skills that students seem to be lacking these days and understanding oneself and relationships with others will drive student behavior, which impacts academic success. This seems like such a basic concept that has gotten buried underneath technology and standardized assessments. Recommended for any educators.

ETA: not sure why the touchtones are not working?!

61. The Uncommon Reader - Allan Bennet -- Enjoyable read about books! Somehow I picked up 2 copies at library sales this spring.

62. That Camden Summer - LaVyrle Spencer -- Not my typical genera (historical romance) but read for Library Bingo. I enjoyed the Maine setting.

63. Cannery Row - John Steinbeck -- One of my favorite authors. He did not disappoint here.

64. Rise of the Evening Star - Brandon Mull -- Book 2 of the Fablehaven series. The child protagonists are less annoying in this book. And, it was more plot driven, now that the characters are already familiar.

65. Town in a Pumpkin Bash - BB Haywood -- Another Candy Holliday cozy mystery set in the fictional Cape Willington, Maine. I have come to enjoy this series.

66. Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children's Book - Anita Silvey -- A collection of store, essays, and memories from famous and influential people in children's literature.

67. Sweet Tuesday - John Steinbeck -- When I found out Cannery Row had a sequel, the OCD in me had to read it. This one took longer to get into but I did not hate it.

68. The Saco Drive-In - Camille M. Smalley -- With the push to make all cinemas use digital film, drive-ins around the country are in trouble of closing. The state of Maine has less than 10 Drive-Ins remaining; less than the 39 or so in the Drive-In heyday. Saco was the first Drive-In to open in Maine. Last summer, Honda put on a competition with the lucky 5 Drive-In winners receiving digital projectors. Saco was one of the 5!! This book provides some a neat pop-history of the Maine Drive-In.

69. Town in a Wild Moose Chase - BB Haywood -- Another Candy Holliday mystery.

70. Town in a Strawberry Swirl - BB Haywood -- As you can see, I was really into this series this summer!

71. Track the Cat - Nevada Barr -- I saw this book on someone's thread this summer and thought it would be perfect -- National Parks and mysteries. I just could not bring myself to care for Anna Pigeon. Do the books get better as the series progresses?

72. Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn -- Oh. My. Goodness. This book had my attention. But boy, is it twisted!! I liked it better than Gone Girl.

73. Your Three Year Old: Friend or Enemy - Louise Bates Ames -- This book was published when I was about 3 years old! However, even though it is dated, it is an honest, basic, and realistic view about life with a 3 year old! I liked that the book was straightforward and did not offer advice and was not "preachy." Makes me feel good that even 30 years ago, 3 was still a "difficult" age. :)

74. Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland - Josh Christie -- My library had a new shipment of local books. This book covers the history of microbrews in Maine. Beginning with Geary's and Gritty's in the early 1980's, breweries in Maine have exploded onto the craft-brew scene.

75. A Game of Thrones: Graphic Novel - George R.R. Martin/Daniel Abraham -- I couldn't get passed the killing of Lady in the novel, so I am not sure why I picked up the graphic novel. I am intrigued by the series and really want to like it so I guess I thought that this was a good place to start.

76. A Briefer History of Time - Stephen Hawking -- This has been on my shelf for about 5 years. It has also taken me since January to finish. Even simplified, the theories of space and time are over my head!

Congrats on 75!

>110 drneutron:: Thank you!

I spent the weekend in Bar Harbor, Maine for our anniversary. We poked at a bunch of bookstores on the way up, but I didn't really find anything. I did pick up one book in town for my Halloween spooky read ;)

77. Guardians of the Shadow Plague - Brandon Mull
78. Ghosts of Acadia - Marcus Librizzi
79. Saving Max -Antoinette van Heugten

Book 80: Dry - Augusten Burroughs
I saw this new at the library and picked it up. A quick read, Burroughs always keeps me entertained. I just can not imagine living the life that he has described!

Book 81. Game of Thrones Graphic Novel, Volume 2 - George RR Martin
I could not get through the first book, but I have enjoyed the graphic novel adaptions. There are a lot of names and families that make it difficult to navigate - even visually.

I am home today because the little one possibly has Toxic Synovitis. Apparently, it sounds worse than it actually is, and can be common in young children. I have never heard of this before! It is inflammation in the hip joint brought on by a viral infection. The poor guy is limping and is in a lot of pain when he walks or stands. So, it is a nice rainy day to have him rest up!
We are hoping that this is what is causing him the pain and not something more serious. We will be waiting on x-ray results this morning too.
Life has been fairly tense all around (work & home) lately, so I am looking forward to a day of cuddles :)

>113 jayde1599: Oh, dang! Thinking of you and your little one...

Picked up a couple of books at the library book sale today:

City of Shadows - Ariana Franklin
Baby Proof - Emily Giffin
The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follet
The Casual Vacancy - JK Rowling

These were all a grand total of $3.00

For my birthday Owen and husband picked me up the Penguin Drop caps C & D. (Cather and Dickens).
And they also took me out to a wonderful Itallian restaurant called Hugs in Falmouth, Maine.

I have some catching up to do on the threads! I hope to use this dreary, icy, snowy day to post my November books read and catch up on threads. Owen & I also hope to get some holiday cookies and cinnamon ornaments baked today. It's just one of those cold, "bakey" kinds of days here in Maine.

I hope to add my November and December books to my badly abandoned thread soon! We just got back from the holiday shuffle:
Friday: maine to Massachusetts
Saturday: Xmas with my dad's side of family
Sunday: Xmas with my mom's side of family - drive to Connecticut
Monday: Xmas with my husband's family
Tuesday: Xmas with extended husbands family - drive back to Massachusetts
Wednesday: Xmas breakfast with my family - drive back to Maine

Tonight: get ready for Santa (I think my poor little guy is Christmased out). He is already sound asleep!

Rest of the week: RELAX!

Happy Holidays!

Wow, you've already got all the traveling out of the way - nice! Here's to a quiet Christmas at home, eh?

118: we had a very nice, quiet Christmas at home playing and watching movies.

119: thank you Roni!

I think I have finally updated my reads for the year at the top of the thread. It looks like I will round out the year with 91 books read. I will be finishing Montana 1948 shortly. This is a good reading year for me. Looking at it month by month, I can see where real life became busy!

Here's to 2015!