Top Ten Tuesday

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: 

We can’t wait to read these books this fall!

Ricki

1. Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

I have heard such wonderful things about this book, and I plan to read it very soon!

2. El Deafo by Cece Bell

Everyone is raving about this book!

3. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

This nonfiction book looks excellent. I have been meaning to read it for some time.

4. Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

I will read anything by Jennifer Brown. It doesn’t hurt that the premise of this book looks great, too!

5. Ways with Words by Shirley Brice Heath

Many people have told me that this classic text is a must-read for English teachers. It is an ethnography, and I can’t wait to read it!

Kellee

Funny enough, I always have such a hard time doing these TBR posts! I have a huge TBR list, and I very rarely plan too far ahead. These are some books I really want to read and maybe I’ll get to them this fall.

1. Grasshopper Jungle and 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

 

Love Andrew Smith’s books and EVERYONE is talking about these.

2.  Fish in a Tree (and One for the Murphys!) by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

These books are raved about, and I have been lucky enough to meet the kind Lynda Mullaly Hunt. I need to get to her books.

3. Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart

Um, the title! And it is supposed to be good!

4. The Wrenchies by Farel Dalrymple

Some of the words I’ve seen to describe this one is “trippy,” “gory,” “appalling,” “fascinating,” messed-up,” “interesting,” etc. I am so intrigued!

5. Explorer: Hidden Doors edited by Kazu Kibuishi

I enjoy everything Kazu Kibuishi writes or compiles, and I am sure this is going to be no different.

Which books are on your fall to-be-read list?

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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 Authors We’ve Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

The one book was so good, we need to get our hands on more!

Ricki

1. Classic: Harper Lee

I know I am cheating, but really, why can’t she write more books? I would read them all!

2. Professional Development: Kelly Gallagher

I loved Readicide, and I hear that Deeper Reading is more practical and useful, so I need to get my hands on it!

3. Young Adult: Janne Teller

I thought Nothing was absolutely brilliant. I would love to read more books by her, but I am afraid of being disappointed! I hold her in such high esteem!

4. Children’s: Deborah Wiles

Now that I’ve discovered Freedom Summer, I am eager to read Revolution and her other books.

5. Adult: Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird is a great book that has stuck with me through the years. I’ve heard from many people that Operating Instructions is a great book for new moms. You hear that, Kellee? That is us!

Honorable Mention (because I feel inadequate if I don’t do what Kellee does): R. J. Palacio. I didn’t include a middle grade author because I was only allowed five selections, but I loved Wonder and would love to read more!

Kellee

1. Matt de la Pena

I have met Matt de la Pena a few times, and he is such a nice and intelligent person. I have only read The Living though, so I know I need to read all of his books (and I know Ricki loves them as well).

2. Michael Harmon

Under the Bridge has been a pretty big hit with my 8th grade boys over the last couple of years (and I liked it too), so I would love to see what his other books are like.

3. Leslea Newman

October Mourning was beautiful. I look forward to reading more by her.

4. Markus Zusak

Although I have read The Book Thief, I hear often that I should read I Am the Messenger.

5. Allan Wolf

The Watch That Ends the Night is one of my favorite novels-in-verse, and when I met Allan Wolf I loved his passion. I will definitely be reading more of his books.

Honorable Mentions. Jay Asher, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Gary Schmidt, Meg Rosoff, Patricia McCormick

Which authors are you interested in reading more of? 

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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 Underrated Books

Books we love that need more recognition!

Ricki

1. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

I discovered this picture book this week. Okay, it won an award, so it isn’t underrated. BUT, when I wrote about it on the IMWAYR post, so many people said they hadn’t heard of it. This is one of the best picture books I have ever read!

2. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox

I just wrote about this book yesterday! I think it is the perfect picture book to read to a child. It seems simple, yet it emanates worldliness and love.

3. Thrice Told Tales: Three Mice Full of Writing Advice by Catherine Lewis

If I could have it my way, this would be the go-to book for every English teacher. Rather than teaching out of textbooks, this book could be creatively used to teach literary terms to students. Each page displays a different literary term, and the mice cleverly define each the terms within the context of the nursery rhyme.

4. Making the Match: The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time, Grades 4-12 by Teri Lesesne

If you want to get kids reading, this book has phenomenal advice. I recommend it to any teacher who wants techniques to match readers to books. I am not sure if it is underrated, but because I recommend it so often to teachers, I am going to add it to my list. 🙂

5. Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

I was blown away by this book when I read it this year. I know it received the Morris Award, but I wish I heard it referenced more, and I find it to be underrated. It is absolutely brilliant and belongs in every classroom.

Kellee

Picking only 5 books was really tough. There are so many great books out there that deserve to have more readers.

1. The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow

Just one example of many amazing historical fiction books that are not in enough hands. Berlin Boxing Club is such a unique book, and so well written.

2. Curseworkers series by Holly Black

This is a great series that I felt fell by the wayside during the whole dystopian hype. (And the audiobook is phenomenal!)

3. Airborn and Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

I put these books on a lot of my favorite book lists because I am a huge fan of Kenneth Oppel. His books in general deserve more credit.

4. Jumping off the Swings and Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

These two books are some of the best YA I read in the last year. Jo Knowles has a way of writing about tough subjects in a very accessible way. (See You at Harry’s is another example.)

5. Ginny Rorby books

I know I talk about her all of the time, but I really love her books. Read what I think about them and Ginny here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Which books do you think deserve more credit? 

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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 Top Ten Book Characters Who Would Be Sitting At Our Lunch Table

We are back at school, and we can’t wait to dine with these characters!

Ricki

I decided to go the food route because I love to eat!

1. Strega Nona from Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

BRING ON THE PASTA!

2. Sal and his mother from Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Let’s enjoy blueberries together!

3. Lucy Knisley from Relish by Lucky Knisley

Hopefully, we can convince Lucy to bring some of her homemade treats for us.

4. The Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Just because it is famous and likes to eat as much as I do, I would love for the caterpillar to join us. We will have some tasty treats available!

5. The setting of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

An excellently depicted setting can be like a character. I would like to eat in the setting that exists in the first few pages of this book (before things got crazy, of course).

Kellee

I went a bit different with this than Ricki. I decided to think about what teachers I would like to eat lunch with now.

1. Miss Stretchberry from Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

Miss Stretchberry really knows how to reach students, had some amazing ideas, and is overall such a wonderful teacher.

2. Miss Cassidy from Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott

Miss Cassidy wouldn’t let Sam and Luis disappear. She obviously cares about all of her students, and that is a type of teacher I would want to hang out with.

3. Mr. McQueen from Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

Mr. McQueen helps Travis and other struggling readers realize that they aren’t stupid, and that reading isn’t an anomaly but something they can do. I would love to talk to him about his strategies.

4. Miss Movado from The Summer of May by Cecilia Galante

Miss Movado doesn’t give up on May when everyone, including May, has given up on her. She changes her life in one summer.

5. Mr. Browne from Wonder by RJ Palacio

I love Mr. Browne and his precepts, and really makes his students think (though makes it fun). I’d love to pick his brain.

Who would you invite to your lunch table?

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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 Have Owned for a Long Time but Haven’t Read

Let us know which of these books are MUST reads, and we will be sure to get to them!

Ricki

1. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

I bought this book before the controversy. After the controversy about it being a lie, I had little desire to read it. If it was just labeled fiction in the first place, I would have enjoyed it more!

2. Tinkers by Paul Harding

I bought this book after it won the Pulitzer. A friend saw it on my shelf and said it was awful, and now I can’t get the energy to pick it up!

3. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Like most of my Jodi Picoult books, this one is collecting dust. I love her writing, but I never seem to actually start reading the books.

4. A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind

For some reason, it takes me a long time to pick up nonfiction texts. I have heard that this book is incredible.

5. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by Michael Braungart and William McDonough

This book just seemed really cool in concept. It is even made from unconventional materials. But it is so heavy!

Kellee

I think this list is very similar to my “Top Ten Classic I Want To Read” list as I’ve owned all of the classics I listed for many years, so for this one, I am going to choose MG/YA books that I bought my first year teaching for my classroom library, but I haven’t read yet.

1. Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett

I actually have the entire Series of Unfortunate Events in a special box set still laminated here at home to read at some point (and the whole series at school as well).

2. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

This is a book that everyone is surprised that I haven’t read, and everyone says it is so good.

3. The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman

This was actually the first Shusterman book I ever bought, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet although I love everything else that I have read of his.

4. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

I am sure this book is brilliant, and I am not sure why I haven’t picked it up yet.

5. The Young Man and the Sea by Rodman Philbrick

I got this book because I loved Freak the Mighty and Old Man and the Sea, but it just never got pushed to the top of my TBR.

Which books are gathering dust on your bookshelf?

 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 People Have Been Telling Us That We HAVE TO Read

Ricki

1. Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Kellee highly recommends this book, but I haven’t gotten to it yet!

2. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Several people have recommended this book to me. It is an adult book, but even my past students are emailing me about it!

3. House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle

It is no secret that I love to read every Native American book. I am looking forward to this one, as it has been recommended to me.

4. Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott

 

I can’t wait to read this book, and it is a Walden Award finalist, too!

5. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

A friend recommended this book. I don’t know anything about orphan trains, so it seemed really interesting to me.

Kellee

And I cannot wait to read all of these!

1. I Will Save You and Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena

 

I know that these are some of Ricki’s favorite books, so I need to get to them. Also, I really enjoy Matt de la Pena as a person, and have enjoyed what I have read.

2. Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

This is on everyone’s favorite in 2014 lists, and it was recommended to me on Goodreads by a friend. I need to get it, so I can read it.

3. Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

I have wanted to read Snicker since I saw Natalie at NCTE 2013, and everyone keeps on telling me I need to read it–I must get to it soon!

4. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

One of my friends recommended this book so much to me that she sent me a copy–now I just have to read it!

5. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

This is a book that all my teacher friends are shocked I haven’t read yet, and always insist I need to.

Which books are continually recommended to you?

 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 We’re Not Sure We Want to Read 

Books we may have bought, but aren’t sure if we want to read… “TO READ OR NOT TO READ?”

Ricki

1. Jodi Picoult novels

I can’t stop myself from buying her books. I must own twelve of them, yet I’ve only read three. When it comes down to it, I always pick a YA book over her books. Am I the only one who does this with adult bestsellers?

2. Harry Potter series

At this point, I’ve started giving away my Harry Potter books. I don’t think I’ll ever read them. I fell asleep during the first movie, and I have little desire to read the books. I’d only be reading them because it feels like I should read them. I keep the first book on my shelf in case I change my mind, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Don’t hate me!

3. Stephen King’s On Writing

I hears that this book is a great inspiration for writers. I always mentally “save it” for when I plan to start a new novel. Needless to say, life gets in the way, and I never pick it up.

4. The Best American Short Stories

I can’t tell you how many classic short story collections I own. For some reason, reading them always feels like I am doing homework, so I never get to them. Why is that?

5. Hitler’s Mein Kampf

This was free at a book sale several years ago. I took it because I thought it might help me better understand Hitler’s horrible mind. I don’t think I will ever read it. It would make me very angry, and I don’t think I will find any of the answers I am looking for.

Kellee

1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when I was in middle school, but just didn’t like it. I wanted to but didn’t. Since then, I’ve bought the whole series. I even have the huge compilation book, but I just don’t know if I’ll ever read them.

2. Jodi Picoult novels

I’m right there with Ricki. I own 6 of her books, I think, but I haven’t read any of them. They all sound so good, so I buy them, but they just never get read. (In general, I don’t find myself looking at my bookshelves at home, with adult books on them, to find something to read. I tend to go straight to my classroom library. I’m using Jodi Picoult to represent many adult authors’s books who I own multiple copies of, but I haven’t read.)

3. All of those vampire books I bought a couple of years ago that sounded so good

Oh, how I loved my vampire books. In 2012. My students and I were both reading vampires, so I bought a ton. I meant to read them all, but instead, they have never come home with me. Now I am so over vampires.

4. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

When I started teaching, these books were hot, so I bought them all. They were loved and checked out all the time, so I never got around to reading them. And now there are so many other books I want to read. Maybe I’ll pick them up one day.

5. The sequels to SO many books I’ve read

I try to be proactive when it comes to reading new YA/MG series when they are released, but that means I have to wait a year or so for the sequel. Then the sequel comes out, and I just never get to it. There are SO many series that I have started and never finished. At this point, I’d have to go back and reread the first book….

Which titles make your list?

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