TOP TEN TUESDAY: The Top Ten Books I'd Hand To Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Today’s topic is the Top Ten Books I'd Hand To Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read.

I hear it all the time… “I don’t know what to read.” “I don’t like to read.” “I want the shortest book possible to get through this assignment.” Well, first of all, there are lots of great books out there on all sorts of topics and as long as you have a pulse, there is something out there for you. Really.

Below are some of the books I often recommend to students (and staff!):

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

This is a well-written, light-hearted book that is very interesting. Definitely one of the better books I have read.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
There have been a lot of dystopian society books written in the past couple of years but Divergent is one of the few that created a solid setting with interesting characters that one can feel emotions (love, hate, fear, etc) toward.

 

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

So many people with different interests love this book and this series. It is great for people interested in mythology. It is great for those interested in fantasy. It is great for those who like stories of friendship, action, and adventure.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

There is love, sarcasm, travel, friendship & a little bit of random history. This is just a fun book to read.

Any Books by James Patterson

I have a lot of respect for James Patterson. He is a diverse writer who really just wants people to read. The great thing about his books is that he has a lot of chapter books, but he also has a lot of comic books/graphic novels. His Maximum Ride series is the most popular, but most of the library’s James Patterson books are quickly checked out because he is just that awesome.

Vladimir Tod books by Heather Brewer

Basically, it is drama & vampires that both guys and girls can enjoy.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

This is realistic urban lit, but told in the form of a script (with a little bit of narrative) which makes the book different and more interesting than others.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is an expert in creating creepy and engaging books. Most people know that I HATE scary books/movies, but even though The Graveyard Book was definitely creepy, it was also a really awesome book with interesting characters. In fact, I never realized that dead people could be so awesome.

Speak or Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson’s books definitely capture  readers’ attention. Even people who aren’t too interested in reading are usually wanting to know what happens next in her books. (And, no, I am not sure when the final book in the Seeds of America series will come out. It should be next school year.)

STUDENT REVIEW - Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Chasing Vermeer

By Blue Balliett

Published by Scholastic, 2004

272 pages (paperback)

When a book of unexplainable occurences brings Petra and Calder together, strange things start to happen: Seemingly unrelated events connect; an eccentric old woman seeks their company; an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has stumped even the FBI?  (from barnesandnoble.com)

Yes, [I would recommend it to a middle schooler] because it is a pretty long book, a mystery and just awesome. The mystery and suspense in this book was good because it was very exciting and suspenseful. [I would change] nothing because it is very great! –Colin T.

Get Good Books @ The Scholastic Book Fair!

It's Book Fair Time Again!!!

The UMS Student Council will be holding their Scholastic Book fair during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, February 9th from 4-8pm and Friday, February 10th from 8-11am outside the cafetorium.

Stop by for some popular new books, old favorites, and other fun things to read. The prices on these books are often lower then the prices at bookstores and there are lots of popular paperbacks so now is the time to get some good things to read.

The Scholastic Book Fair benefits the UMS Library which means that depending on how much is purchased, the Library gets a certain amount in free books. This fall I was able to get a lot of popular books to add to the Library's collection thanks to the book fair :-)

Also, a special thanks to all the student council members who work the book fair. You are amazing and I appreciate everything you do!!!

Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Name of the Star

By Maureen Johnson

Published by Penguin Group, 2011

384 pages (hardcover)

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.(from barnesandnoble.com)

During Winter Break I read Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson. I LOVED Maureen Johnson’s writing so I was excited to pick up her latest book Name of the Star. I usually don’t like creepy books with blood and gore, but I wanted to read something else by this author so I got up my courage and opened this book. The premise of the novel (copycat Jack the Ripper murders) is really intriguing PLUS the main character is at a boarding school in another country where her southern accent and stories make for some interesting interactions…. how fun!

Then Maureen Johnson moves from creepy reality to creepy fantasy where a few people with special powers have some extraordinary encounters with ghosts. The best part is that it doesn’t seem cheesy and fake at all. In fact, ghosts and a city gripped by murders seems perfectly normal. I think I was holding my breath the last few chapters because it was so intense!

The only bad part of Name of the Star is that it is part of a series (which I didn’t realize until I was almost done with it) and obviously the next book won’t be out for a while. Arg!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Riggs Ransom

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

By Riggs Ransom

Published by Quirk Books, 2011

352 pages (hardcover)

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows. (from barnesandnoble.com)

At first I was wary of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Not because I didn’t think it would be good; I had only heard good things about book. It was just that the book seemed so creepy. The pictures were weird and I wasn’t sure if I was adventurous enough to read it. But, alas, I picked up the book and I pretty much couldn’t put it down.

The beginning, in particular, was unique and it was refreshing to read something that wasn’t similar to so many books out there. I have read/seen plenty of books about dystopian societies, love, vampires, etc. lately but this was really quite different, especially the use of real photographs to tell the story.

Toward the end of the book it did become a bit more fantastical/paranormal than I thought it would, but overall it was an interesting and fun read. I just hope a sequel comes out because I really need to know what happens to Miss Peregrine and all her peculiar children!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: The Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Today’s topic is the Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012.

 

Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson
WHERE IS THIS BOOK? No, seriously. Where is it? Chains and Forged were awesome and I really want book #3. And now that 7^th grade has read Chains there are lots of requests for Ashes. Where is it?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (sequel to Divergent)
Divergent was amazing and I am definitely excited for May to come so I can read book #2

The sequel to Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Sooooooooo good. And so many unanswered questions.

The sequel to Matched & Crossed by Ally CondiThis is a sequel to a good series. Of course I need to find out what happens next!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom RiggsThis book looks kind of creepy and I am not sure I want its creepiness in my house. But it also looks fascinating. I just can’t look away.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Anna & the French Kiss and Lola & the Boy Next Door were awesome. And I kinda love Stephanie Perkins. I am looking forward to hearing Isla’s story this fall.

The Name of the Star by Maureen JohnsonThis is the next book I will be reading. Maybe I will start tonight. Whoo hoo!

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
I have read this before but I need to re-read it before the movie comes out in December. Hooray for Bilbo Baggins!!!

Fire by James PattersonThe kids on those commercials crack me up.

Legend by Marie LuI have heard great things about this book so I am looking forward to picking it up.

*BONUS (too many great books!): The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. SmithJust the title makes this book sound great!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: My Top Ten Childhood Faves

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Today’s topic is My Top Ten Childhood Faves.

*Yes, I know today is Thursday. I have been busy, ok!?! :-)

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderWell I really loved ALL the Little House books. I read the books and watched the TV show.
The idea of running through fields of prairie grass and setting out on adventures appealed to me. And Laura was awesome.

The Babysitter’s Club series by Ann M. Martin
The first chapter book I ever read was in the Babysitter’s Little Sister series and was called Karen’s Kitty Cat Club. I was hooked. I read all my sister’s BSC books. Then I bought my own to read. Then I bought more to read. Oh, how I loved those girls.
*Side note: my niece is named after the BSC character Claudia!*

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
At first Charlotte annoyed me with her prissy-ness, but once things start going crazy on the ship, I liked how she stepped up and became a strong leader with her own opinions. She was faced with so many challenges and was able to overcome and persevere in spite of mutinies, traitors, and death.

The American Girl books (especially the ones about Kirsten)History + girls doing fun things = American Girl books. And yes, I do have 6 of the dolls because I am cool like that.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
I love historical fiction, but, unfortunately, much of it is really sad. This book gave a more positive spin to the events of World War II and the Holocaust. It was nice to read about people helping each other instead of being mean to each other.

Heidi by Johanna SpyriThe idea of living in the mountains of Switzerland sounds so blissful. It just made me feel all warm and cozy inside.

                                                                      
Matilda by Roald DahlI want special powers to use against mean people.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis SacharCoolest. School. EVER!

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I won’t the Young Author’s contest for my school in 4^th grade and received a set of all the Anne of Green Gables books. I read them and reread them. Anne’s imagination is amazing and Gilbert is so freaking cute! Ahhhhh!

The Westing Game by Ellen RaskinThis book still amazes me. I was engrossed in trying to figure out how everyone was connected and how the murderer was. The characters were developed well with bits & pieces of the mystery carefully woven in. Every time I read this book I find details I had forgotten about or missed.