Book List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books I Read in 2013

Kellee and I had difficulty splitting our top ten for this one, so she is going to share hers on Friday and Saturday, and I get to hog today all to myself! Wohoo!

1. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

This ranks in my all-time favorite YA books. The story is powerful, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters.

2. Into that Forest by Louis Nowra

I loved this beautiful story because it made me contemplate what it truly means to be human. This is one of my favorite survival stories that I have read.

3. Black Ants and Buddhists by Mary Cowhey

Even though this book is directed to teachers of grades K-6, I find I am using its lessons and ideas in all of my doctoral classes. This book does an incredible job teaching readers about how to enact social justice in the classroom.

4. When Kids Can’t Read by Kylene Beers

When a student used to come to me and say he/she “didn’t get” the reading, I often wanted to just tell him/her to read it again. But when that doesn’t work, what do we do? This book does a great job detailing how to diagnose and work with struggling readers (and all readers!).

5. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

 This beautiful story took me back to Europe. Often, love stories can feel generic and typical, but this tells a story that is much different. I loved it!

6. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I was sucked into the story, and I don’t feel as if I’ve fully left. Kellee and I are in love with this book, so if you’ve seen our blog, you know our feelings toward it.

7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I used to only read high school YA books. When I read this one at the very beginning of this world, it opened my world to the wonders (get it? wonders?) of middle grade YA books. I haven’t been able to stop reading them since. Thus far, this is my favorite middle grade YA book of all time. I think readers of all ages and levels with love it (my high schoolers did!).

8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I loved this book because it took me back to college. I was thrown into the whirlwind of emotions I felt as a beginning college student. Rowell is an incredible author. I fell in love with this story.

9. Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher

This book was certainly worth the hype. Kelly Gallagher is eloquent, direct, and articulate. I found myself quietly whispering, “YES!” as I read this one.

10. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

This is a beautiful identity and survival story that would pair well with many classics. Readers will contemplate humanity and practices in our modern world as these girls come to learn about it. I liked this book because it really made me think!

What were your favorite books in 2013?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Us

You hearing us, husbands?

Ricki

I’ve decided to go with books for my new baby because he is more important than I am! These are books that Henry wants Santa to bring him so he can read them with his mommy.

1. The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Illustrated by Jon Klassen

I was always afraid of the dark growing up, and I think Henry would love to hear this story so he won’t be afraid!

2. On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

I really want Henry to be a huge dork like his parents, so this story of Albert Einstein’s childhood looks awesome.

3. Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Henry’s daddy (my husband) is an engineer. I thought this would be a great story for them to read together!

 4. Press Here by Herve Tullet and Illustrated by Christopher Franceschelli

I hear that this book is fantastic. It is interactive and very fun, so I thought Henry might enjoy it!

5. Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

I thought this humorous take on Little Red Riding Hood would be fun for us to read together!

Kellee

I am going to do a mix. The first book is one I really want while the other four are picture books I really want Baby Boy Moye to own (any of the ones Ricki listed would be great as well!) though much like his Mommy, Baby Boy Moye’s bookshelf is overflowing! We may have to rethink our organization of his books…

1. The Living by Matt De La Pena

Matt has tried something new with The Living and I cannot wait to read it!

2. Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

I actually own Tacky the Penguin, but it is my school copy and I really want Baby Boy Moye to have his own. Tacky is such a great role model and his books are just so funny!

3. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

I want to put Baby Boy Moye’s footprints in The Foot Book, but I need to own a copy first.

4. Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems

I love these two best friends and I only own one of the series right now.

5. Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell

I want Baby Boy Moye to know that possibilities are endless and Me…Jane is a great picture book for that.

Which books would you like most this holiday season?

 and

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books on Our Winter TBR Lists

We really need to get to these books!

Ricki

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I absolutely loved the first two books in this series, so I am very eager to get to the third! I haven’t read it yet because I have too many other library books that are at-risk of giving me overdue fines!

2. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

I have heard such wonderful things about this book. I am waiting for my library to get it in!

3. Unsouled by Neal Shusterman

The first two books in the series are fantastic, and I will probably hear a few spoilers before I get my hands on it.

4. The Real Boy by Anne Ursu

I don’t usually crave middle grade books as much as I crave high school books, but everyone is raving about this book, so now I NEED to get it!

5. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

 I wanted to read this book so badly that I put it on my baby registry. I have it in hand, but my husband says I can’t read it until the baby is born. BOO!

Kellee

1. Mira’s Diary: Home Sweet Rome by Marissa Moss

I really , really loved the first one of this series and am so excited to have the newest to read. I loved the way Marissa Moss combines time travel, history, and art in Mira’s stories.

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This book is being raved about and since I liked Eleanor and Park I am so very looking forward to Fangirl.

3. Period 8 by Chris Crutcher

I haven’t read enough Chris Crutcher and after hearing him speak at ALAN I know I need to read more.

4. Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan

This is on so many people’s BEST OF lists for 2013 and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

5. Explorer: The Lost Islands edited by Kazu Kibuishi

This one I need to read ASAP so I can get it into the hands of my students. They LOVE Kazu Kibuishi and I know they will love this one as well.

Which are the top books on your winter TBR lists?

 and

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten 2014 Releases We Are Dying To Read

We can’t wait to get our hands on these titles!

Ricki

1. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Shockingly grotesque coming-of-age story? Count me in. The plot description of this book looks awesome, and I love Andrew Smith’s writing.

2. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

I will read any book written by this incredible woman. She only writes excellence. I will be pre-ordering this one.

3. Champion by Marie Lu

I didn’t think Prodigy could live up to the greatness of Legend. But I might argue it was even better! I have high hopes for the third book in the series and can’t wait for its release.

4. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

I am very ready for the second book in The 5th Wave series. We don’t even have a cover yet, so I better be prepared to wait.

5. ___________ by John Green

Is this cheating? John Green, I am ready for your next book. Let’s do this, friend.

 Kellee

1. ________ by John Green

I’m cheating too!

2. Ashes (Seeds of America #3) by Laurie Halse Anderson

I’ve been waiting and waiting for this book and it is finally going to arrive in 2014!

3. Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

Love a good princess to kick butt heroine story!

4. Sisters (Smile #2) by Raina Telgemeier

I cannot wait to hear more about Raina’s life (and my students will be so excited as well!).

5. The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner

I’m a big fan of Gae, and the premise of this novel sounds very good.

Which 2014 releases are you most excited for?

and