Sometimes it does happen...

I wasn't expecting this book to be more than a quick read, but I did enjoy it.  The flashback format seemed to be a little tricky in the beginning, but it was easy to follow in the end.  A great weekend read!

RC points = check list

Oh, Calamity!

I have been wanting to read this book all summer, and I finally got my book club to agree.  I know that this time of year, I pretty much read whatever my students are reading.  Thanks to a bit of a chest cold, I was able to read this book over the weekend.  

It is well-written chic lit with power words in all the right places and a few catch phrases.  "Oh, calamity!" is my favorite and now essential to my daily conversations.  A bit of a murder mystery, it will keep you entertained throughout the whole book.

Sorry, no RC points for this book...unless you can convince me to write a quiz.

1984

Rereading this book with my sophomore honors course was delightful.  Although it is the third or fourth time that I have read it (no thanks to my high school English teachers), I enjoy it a little bit more each time.  It is a book that grows with the generations.  As the reader gets older, he/she learns to appreciate the political jargon and rules behind Newspeak while still being regaled by the slight love story and hope for a better society.  

RC points = check list 

Berlin Boxing Club

I was attempting to read a book to add to the RC list that wasn't so girly, not that my male students don't love the girly books (some just won't admit to it).  It was time for me to switch it up a little bit.

Although I am not a huge fan of Holocaust literature (sorry, I think I have just read too much of it), this book was more than tolerable.  It was good, not great.  The story starts out slow, but it picks up quickly.  There is a lot of heart and soul in the characters, and it truly shows what is important in life even through hardships. You will not regret reading this book.

RC point = check list

A Boy...A Secret...A Choice

I must admit that I read this whole book on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick is addicting.  Each character is well developed and realistic.  We have all had the trust fund friend who has an over compulsive mother, a friend with an addiction, a best friend who ends the friendship, and crazy neighbors.  Every moment of the book keeps the reader's attention.  This is definitely one of the best chic teen novels I have read.  

RC points = check list

Year of No Sugar

For our July/August book club, we read this great memoir.  Written in blog style, it captures the heart of all those sugar addicts.  It was intriguing to read and funny at just the right times.  There are imperfections and rationalizations that all of us can relate to.

RC points = coming soon!

"You don't stay for nothing."

I read this book with my summer school kids, and I forgot how much I love it!  I remember reading it in 9th or 10th grade and liking it, but I really enjoyed it this time.  

“There must be something in books, something we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing.”  One of my favorite quotes from the book.  I truly believe that I would have a hard time leaving all my books behind.

If you like Ray Bradbury, don't forget to read "The Pedestrian" and "There Will Come Soft Rains" - two short stories that exemplify dystopian literature at its best.

RC = check list for point value

Eleanor and Park - Blah

I just couldn't help putting the "blah" after the title of the book.  I would never recommend this book to anyone, and it take a pretty bad book for me to send it to the round file.  My school district chose this book for a summer reading title, and I am still shocked.  I am wondering if it is just me...or...perhaps, someone didn't read it before recommending it?

Here is the cliche - ugly step-daughter (you guessed it...red hair...slightly overweight...bad attitude...blah, blah, blah) goes to a new school and meets the only Asian in the town (small, slightly awkward, into comic books and punk music, blah, blah, blah), and they fall in love.  Once again, you guessed it...her step-dad doesn't like her or the idea of a boyfriend and his mom (token Korean mom) doesn't like her.  Cliche...867-5309...James Dean's car...comic books references...etc.  Then, the use of the f-word...way too many times.  

RC points =  19

You won't find this book in my classroom...

Loving Frank

I am embarrassed to admit that I started reading this book in February, and I just now finished it.  The first week in February, my book club decided on this fascinating novel.  Everything about the writing of this novel is perfection...the scandal could otherwise be argued.  Living in Phoenix, I love Frank Lloyd Wright's creativity, and this book was intriguing from the very first page.

I was stunned throughout the book - mainly because of my lack of knowledge of the story.  Don't ruin it by reading about Mr. Wright on Wikipedia!  The story is as addictive as his art.

Love+Kindness+Ambition=Balanced Life

This post is dedicated to the Slope Class of 2014 - you inspired me to forever teach this novel.

Shout out to NAU reads for recommending this book to me a few years ago.  If you are needing a great list, please check out http://nau.edu/University-College/NAUreads/.  Once again, shout out to NAU for creating an intellectual community that not only values subject knowledge but the life long importance of reading.  

As for this book...although it seems to be an environmental extremist trying to scream his ideals across the world, the book is just the opposite.  It is one's family attempt to find out what is most important to them in life and what they will eliminate in order to have a more positive impact on the environment.  Colin's writing is funny, but research based, and Michelle, his wife, is lovable.  In the end, the purpose is to find balance while evaluating your every day choices.

I will forever teach this novel to my seniors.  :)

RC List = check for point value