Book 14 (audio): Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Look--another historical fiction book!

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is set in Philadelphia, PA as yellow fever sweeps through the capitol. Sixteen-year-old Mattie Cook helps her mother run the coffee house that her father left behind when he passed away. Her grandfather also plays a prominent role in the story, as well as Eliza, a freed slave, that works as a cook in the coffee house.

This book is set during an actual yellow fever epidemic that wiped out around 5,000 people just in Philly. The sweltering summer heat keeps the fever moving through the city streets. Everyone tries to do the best they can with what they are given, and droves of individuals leave the city in hopes of finding themselves in an area that hasn't been affected by the fever. Mattie is forced to overcome obstacle after obstacle, first being sent away to a friend's farm, then not being allowed to leave the city, eventually catching the fever herself, and so many more.

At first, Mattie seems like a naive child, only really caring about the matters that affect her personally. Her hardships push her to change and adapt, creating a young woman who is decisive, strong, empathetic, and caring. She is an impressive character and embodies traits of quality.

I would recommend this novel to anyone!

Book 13 (audio): Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I am falling behind! I need to review several books that I have read in the past month.

I picked up Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys based on the recommendation of another wonderful teacher at school. When I was chatting with her about the fact that I was actually enjoying historical fiction, she jumped at the chance to suggest this to me.

The story begins in 1941 Lithuania, when Soviet-era Russia invades the country. Lina, along with her mother and younger brother, are forced out of their home late at night. They end their journey at a labor camp in Siberia. Her father was arrested a few days before this took place and Lina is frantically, desperately, trying to find ways to contact him.

Throughout her time at the camp, she deals with the struggles of a working life with too little food, too little comfort, and too little empathy. Her talents as an artist keep her connected to herself and give her something to put a little bit of energy.

Once again, I realize how completely unaware of history I am. I feel like this is one more piece of WWII that I was missing. The book itself is such an easy read and so touching. If you are an emotionally connected reader, this will get the tears!

One more interesting piece to this book is that Ruta is actually the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee. Her personal connection to this historical event adds to the power of her writing.

Definitely give this one a try!

Book 12: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

I decided to read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand after seeing many of my students carrying it around last spring. I didn't realize that there was already an adult version of this book, but the young adult version is in depth enough that I don't feel as if I missed anything major!

The book itself is a biographical account of former olympian and World War II survivor, Louis Zamperini. His harrowing ordeal of being lost at sea and then captured by the Japanese is a tale of strength and faith. After just a few chapters, I was completely hooked.  I wanted to know more about what happened to Louis Zamperini and how he was able to come out alive on the other end.

Laura Hillenbrand does a fantastic job of weaving his story with photos and tokens of his and his fellow soldiers' lives. Her way of writing out his survival story is vivid and descriptive, sucking you into that world as you read. It is beyond obvious that she did her research before sitting down to write this book. There were moments that I had to stop reading, because the material being described was that impactful. The time he spends in the POW camp will make you pause, and the images are descriptive.

Ultimately, this book is extremely captivating. I kept connecting with the story and I cared for him and what he went through. It represents such a terrible time that our country, and our soldiers, went through that this book is a must-read.

Book 11: Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau is the sequel to The Testing. I'm currently reading the final book in the trilogy, Graduation Day, so I have to be careful not to confuse the two!

Cia is continuing in on her journey. She is now studying at Tosu University and assigned to an independent study program that doesn't thrill her. She was fairly confident in her own abilities and the degree she wanted, but they chose to assign her somewhere else.

The troubles are brewing below the surface. Cia has nightmares and feels as if there is something she should be remembering. She finds herself trying to recall her testing experience and basically investigating the happenings in the University. She starts to question what is happening around her and the people that she is getting to know. Who should she trust?

I think this is a solid sequel to The Testing. Cia continues to prove herself as a strong female lead. The story focuses on her and not on her relationship with Tomas. There is a small element revolving around a possible rebellion, but that plot wasn't fully developed.

The book had it's weaknesses, but overall, I enjoyed it. I quickly picked up Graduation Day, so I hope to finish it soon!

Book 10: This One Summer

This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki is the third book I read for my book club.  It is a graphic novel about a middle school girl named Rose and her summer vacation. Each year, her family stays at a lake house in Awago Beach. Her younger friend, Windy, is also there every summer.

The pictures were drawn beautifully and had small details that contributed immensely to the story itself. The artwork was probably my favorite part of the story--I examined all of the pages closely, thinking about the choices that the illustrator was making.

This book is basically a memoir about a girl's summer. The beginning is the arrival at the lake house and the end is the leaving of the lake house. Over the course of the summer, the two girls experience quite a bit of drama surrounding local teenagers. They face several issues that I think teens can connect with, but nothing really comes of it...no lessons learned, no problems solved...they just experience.

I think the moment that disappointed me the most was the way Rose reacted to the local girls and the words she used to describe them. It saddened me that she would make the statements and brush it off as if it was no big deal. That vocabulary is my reason for not recommending this book for middle school.  It is definitely a YA choice, but I am sure there are many students that can connect to the issues taking place throughout the novel.

This one is touchy. It has very sensitive material, so it would be up to the reader or the parents to determine if it is an appropriate read. It is also a very quick read since it is a graphic novel.

Books 8 and 9: Linger and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

It appears that I really enjoy Maggie Stiefvater.  Over the summer, I finished one series (the Wolves of Mercy Falls) and started another (Raven Boys).  I've written in the past about her book Scorpio Races, one of my personal favorites!

I finished the remaining books in the series rather quickly because I wanted to know what would happen to Grace and Sam.  Would their love story work out when everything seemed to be working against them?

In the first book, Shiver, Sam and Grace were the primary points of view.  In the second book, Linger, Cole St. Clair and Isabel are added into the chapter rotations.  These characters bring a completely different perspective to the chaotic situation that is taking place in their lives.  While Sam and Grace tend to have a positive outlook, Cole and Isabel are depressive, negative, and fighting to stay in the present.  These four characters gel perfectly.

In the finale book, Forever, the relationships and characters are developed into much deeper levels.  Isabel really shines as a main character in this book.  Overall, it was a solid conclusion to the series.  I don't want to give away too much since you have to know how Shiver (book one) ends to really understand the plot details of books two and three.

Beach Reading

I spent last week in Hilton Head, SC and the beginning of this week in training.  I can't believe that it is already the end of summer!

The best part about being at the beach is that I get to lay in the sun and read!  My husband's whole family was with us, so Riley had plenty of eyeballs watching her as she played with her cousins--giving me a little freedom to focus on my books!

Books I read:
Across a War-Tossed Sea (already posted a review)
Independent Study (sequel to Testing Day)
This One Summer
Linger and Forever (books two and three of Shiver)
and I started Unbroken and Graduation Day.

I've also started Between Shades of Grey on audio as I drive back and forth to Trailside!

I will be working on reviews for all of these, so stay tuned.

Book 7: Across a War-Tossed Sea by L. M. Elliott

As promised--a book that is a new genre!  Across a War-Tossed Sea by L. M. Elliott is a historical fiction set during World War II in 1943.  This book is considered a companion book to Under a War-Torn Sky.  You don't need to read both for the story to make sense.  Under a War-Torn Sky takes place in the same time setting and the main character, Henry, has a connection to the characters in Across a War-Tossed Sea.  He isn't in this book, but his name is mentioned, making the books connected in a companion format.

I read this book as part of a YA book club I am in with other teachers.  See--I do as I teach!  When I ask my students to participate in certain components within the classroom, I am often doing something similar, possibly even exactly the same, so that I know what my students are feeling.  For this book club, I have been asked to read three books over the summer before our very first meeting in September.

I have to make an admission...I do not usually enjoy historical fiction.  The underlying reason is due to my lack of definitive knowledge relating to history.  It seems to me that the authors of historical fiction expect their readers to have a decent knowledge base revolving the event depicted in the story.  I find myself feeling as if I am missing important details and questioning my background information about those events.  This feeling leads to my lack of interest in the genre.

I did enjoy Across a War-Tossed Sea.  I do know a good bit about World War II, so the holes in my knowledge didn't dissuade me as I read.  Even so, I never really knew about the British children and German POWs being sent to America.  I think this was an interesting element, because most of what we learn and know is focused on Europe.

Reading this story actually gave me new knowledge about this time period in our history.  It drove me to research what was presented in the story and kept the learning going!  That's when I know that I have connected with a historical fiction book--it piques my curiosity.

The story examines the lives of two British boys sent to live with a family in Virginia in order to escape the attacks in Great Britain.  They have to work through a lot of painful emotions as the book unfolds, deciding who they are becoming and what they will stand for in life.  The focus flips between both boys, who are very different from one another.

This is the type of book that would be a great connection to both Virginia studies and US history.  I would absolutely recommend Across a War-Tossed Sea to middle school students.

Book (audio) 5 and Book 6--Both finished!!

I have finished with both books!  Yay for me!

I've reviewed Book 5, The Diviners, quite a bit, so I'll just reflect a brief moment.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Again--NOT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS!  I've already looked into it and the second book, Lair of Dreams, hits shelves August 25th.  I will definitely be grabbing this one because I hope to learn more about the rest of the Diviners from the first book.  The focus was so much on Evie O'Neill that the others still have a lot to share with the readers.  There were several characters that I wanted to know more about, so I hope that they continue to be present in the second book.

Book 6:  The Raven Boys

As I mentioned before, I was having a difficult time getting into this book.  I'm glad I held on and kept reading because I easily found my stride about a third of the way into the novel.  I couldn't stop reading the rest of the book and finished it quickly.  Thankfully, I already have the second book checked out, but I promised to read something other than fantasy next!

Ultimately, I finally connected with a few of the main characters.  It was easy to find myself caring about their lives and their past.  Adam, Gansey, Noah, Ronan, and Blue are all extremely different from one another, but they make sense as a group.  They play off of each others' traits, meshing together and creating a reason for their existence.

The magic that is the ley line works for this type of story.  The hunt for Glendower is ever present.  The energy of Henrietta flows through all of the characters in some way.  There are many elements of the plot that combine into the final scenes of the novel.  Even so, I still have questions!  Which is why I have to read the rest of the series.

That tends to be a good sign for a book...when you want more...and I want more of this series!

Book (audio) 5: The Diviners continued and Book 6: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Wow...this book on tape is a long one!  I believe it is hanging around the 18 hour mark, which is a lot of time in the car.  I even drove to NC and back and I still haven't finished.

To begin, I need to reiterate that I would not recommend this book for anything lower than upper high school.  As the book continues, it is delving deeper into dark topics that I'm fairly certain the majority of middle schoolers are not ready for.  I do believe that there are very advanced readers out there, so just make sure you have the understanding that there are elements in this book that are nefarious and difficult to stomach.

Even so, I'm still very much in love with the characters and the setting.  As the book continues, many of the characters have been developed effectively.  Even though I only have a few discs left for the book, there are still several secrets floating in the air.  The concept of the diviners hasn't been entirely flushed out and the young men and women that are being revealed as diviners haven't been dumped out of thin air.  We're learning about them and their pasts, discovering what has led to their special affinities for magic.  This book is so well written and I'm excited to pick up more novels by Libba Bray.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Since the other book is on audio, I am also reading The Raven Boys in book form.  This way, I can still be reading if I have time outside of the car!  I know this can be a tricky move, but as long as you take a moment to reflect back over what you have read recently, you'll stay on track.

This book was recommended to me by our librarian, Mrs. Bryden-Miller.  I have actually read several Maggie Stiefvater books and know that I enjoy her writing style.  In fact, Scorpio Races is on my list of favorite books.

This book also involves a bit of magic.  I promise, the next book I select will NOT be a fantasy type book.  I actually agree that I need a bit of a break from the genre because even I'm starting to lose steam on reading the book.

I'm not sure if that says a lot about the book itself or about my time right now, but I really am not connected to this story.  I don't have that tug I normally do to pick it up and read as soon as I have the chance.  I think the book has promise, but I haven't found a character I really want to know yet.  The psychic component is also a miss for me, but I can tell it will be crucial to the formulation of the story.  I know it's a great book--after all--it has 4 stars with 74,000 reviews on goodreads...impressive.

On that note, I don't want to delve too much into my opinions/thoughts on the book.  We'll come back to it later!

Book (audio) 5: The Diviners by Libba Bray

***In Progress***

Let's talk setting!  This book is set in the early 1920's (awesome!) in New York City.  The roaring 20's is a fascinating choice.  Most YA books set in the past are either 1800's or during a War.  There's something about the language usage, style, and people of this time period that is intriguing.

Another reason why I am really happy about this book and its setting is because I know that Mrs. Bray had to actually research in order to create a historically accurate 1926 NYC.  This means that she likely poured over books, time period newspapers and magazines, and, of course, the internet.  I'm betting she spoke with individuals who lived during the time period.  However she came about her information, it wasn't discovered with ease, which I deeply appreciate.

The writing is imaginative and thorough.  Even the moments that I really wish I didn't have to vividly picture, I am forced to because of the writing.

Now, this book is a murder mystery with a twisted and disturbing murderer.  I personally, do not recommend that my middle schoolers pick it up.  As I eluded, the murder scenes are descriptive and basically terrifying.

I also do not recommend this as an audio book.  Libba Bray writes a story woven around several characters that interact throughout the novel.  When I read a book of this nature, I will often go back to clarify a question I have about a previous story and then flip back to my current place.  With an audio book, this becomes extremely difficult and bothersome.  I find myself worrying that I am missing a key element, especially when deciphering the murderer's "motives".

After reading my previous post you know that I love magic!  This book has it!  I will save that for discussion when I reach the book's conclusion.

Book (audio) 4: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

I wanted to like this book--a blend of Sci Fi and Fantasy--perfect for this teacher!  Earlier this year I read the Under the Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi and it has elements similar to what was described in this book.

Sadly, I was not impressed.  I did listen to this as an audio book, so I wonder if I would feel differently if I read it myself.  It was hard for me to remain in the story and I was often bored.  If I had read it myself, I would have likely skimmed much of the story and finished it quickly.  There were so many points of disconnect that I struggled with the story line itself.  Without giving anything away, Glenn, our main character, is just not believable.  She is able to achieve moments that do not make sense for the character depicted from the beginning.

The positives:

• The two different "sides" of her planet (Colloquium and Magisterium) are enticing and crafted well.  I found myself pulled into the Magisterium, enjoying the space that was almost Colonial in nature.  The Colloquium was not developed as much in the writing, but the idea of two entirely different worlds existing on one planet is one that I stand behind (similar to Under the Never Sky).
• I like magic in stories.  Who doesn't?  I want to believe that magic exists and that the wizarding world of Harry Potter is hidden just out of sight.  So, magic is a plus.
• The writing had moments of beauty.  There were several points in the story where the author successfully created the mood that he intended.

The negatives:

This list has the potential to get pretty ugly, so I'll only write as many negative points as I did positive.  That means three.

• Glenn and Kevin--our main characters.  I did not like them.  Glenn makes idiotic choice after idiotic choice.  For someone who is supposedly an intelligent young woman, on the verge of excelling beyond many her age, she seems almost moronic in her naivete.  Kevin is at most, a shallow inconvenience.  Sure, it's clear he likes Glenn, but he is annoying and frustrating.  He's also completely full of himself and thinks that he can lie, etc. to get his way.
• The holes in this story line are too much for me.  It's one thing to get sidetracked and leave something out here and there, but this book is so full of lackluster attempts.  It's as if he wrote everything he thought the first time and didn't think to go back and put in any sort of explanation--especially surrounding Glenn.
• The magic.  Yes, it is a positive (I love magic!), but Mr. Hirsch uses it to explain so many pieces of the plot (reference point above) that it becomes tedious.

I haven't read The Eleventh Plague and it is on my to read list so I hope it sits with me easier.  I really do think that this is a really interesting concept for a plot, but I think it wasn't nurtured as much as I would have liked.

Writing Project Presentation

Today was my turn to present at the Shenandoah Valley Writing Project.  The directions were simple:  choose a topic to present that revolved around the teaching of writing or the use of writing to learn.  It needed to be a 75 minute presentation that could easily be expanded into a 2-3 hour presentation for a workshop class.

I bounced around a lot of ideas with my group and mentor, eventually settling on digital collaboration (think Google Drive and Google Classroom).  I chose this because I think it is a skill that many students aren't quite sure how to use, but also because many teachers aren't comfortable with letting students work digitally.

I created a presentation and presented it at ActivLoudoun...and hated it...

While I am a huge supporter of this and hope teachers take the steps forward to use technology for collaboration, I couldn't figure out how to elaborate int 2-3 hours.  Honestly, it was the type of thing that I could write up some instructions and share it out.  There really wouldn't be a need for expansion.  There really wasn't even a need for a presentation!

So, I switched gears and listened to my students.  At the end of the year I asked my students to complete several surveys regarding our class.  There were two projects that came up repeatedly:  NaNoWriMo and Genius Hour.  I thought hard about which one would be the best for a 2-3 hour presentation and knew it was Genius Hour.  This was a passion of mine that I knew created a giant shift in my classroom and the attitudes of my students.  I wanted to share what they shared and convince other teachers to take a leap of faith with me and implement Genius Hour.

It went really well!  There were a lot of questions and the teachers were receptive.  I think my students would be happy to hear that their thoughts were heard and that other teachers are taking this into consideration for their classrooms.

If you feel like checking it out, the link for my presentation is below.  Although it goes against my views on presenting in a Ted Talk fashion, professional development for teachers needs to have pieces they can return back to and work with later.  Don't worry--I spent way more time sharing my experience than I did reading off the presentation!!

Emaze Genius Hour Presentation

First Day of Shenandoah Writing Project

Today I spent the day with a group of teachers that have decided to spend their time learning how to be better writers, learners, and teachers.  I will be participating in this group until the end of July.  At the end, I will be a Teacher Consultant for the National Writing Project.

The first day was a little like the first day of class.  Norms/expectations were established, the schedule was reviewed, and the students got to know each other a bit.  There was also a lot of writing--an important piece when we are discussing what it means to be a writer!

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Book #3: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Let's get serious for a minute.

I loved this book.

I can tell you that if you like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, you too, will love. this. book.

It is a dystopian novel, set in the United States after the Seven Stages War decimated the world as we know it.  As the novel progresses, you learn more about the war itself and the landscape that it has left behind.  Each year, a group of graduating students are selected to participate in the Testing.  It is a four part exam that takes place in order to find the future leaders of the United Commonwealth.  If you make it through all four parts, you go on to the University.  Only those that pass are able to attend higher education.

Malencia (Cia) Vale is selected with three other students from her colony to take part in the Testing.  They are the first students selected from the Five Lakes colony in ten years.  Just before departing, her father warns her to trust no one (he passed the Testing) and that most isn't what it seems.

The author wrote this book with vivid imagery, allowing you to truly picture what this world of ours looks like.  You can easily visualize the different colonies, the devastation, the emotions...it's wonderfully written.  There is a lot happening in this book and the writing keeps the story taut.

Cia--she's a heroine that I can appreciate.  She's strong, determined, focused, compassionate, curious...all of the character traits you would recognize as a strong role model.  She faces challenges head on and honors her personal convictions.  Cia makes sure that she feels for those around her, forcing herself to remember where others want to ignore or forget.

The book is a slow start.  As I moved through the first few chapters, I was a little nervous that the book wasn't going to captivate me.  Once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down (and basically didn't...)!  I enjoyed this book so much that I picked up the second, Independent Study, today.  Hope that the conclusion is a strong one that doesn't destroy my perceptions of the lead characters.

Book #2: The Heir by Kiera Cass

Since I finished one series, I figured I should finish another.  When the book was over, I realized that the series is actually not finished after all.

The Selection series by Kiera Cass originally consisted of three novels:  The Selection, The Elite, The One.  This fourth book is set twenty years after the conclusion of The One with the main characters, America and Prince Maxon, living their lives with their family.  Just as the first three books, it was an easy read and I finished it quickly.

I had high hopes for the main character.  The oldest daughter (by 7 minutes) is depicted as a spoiled, self-serving Princess.  Eadlyn is determined without fault which causes her to carelessly dismiss those around her and not think about the consequences that result from her actions.  I wanted to love such a strong female lead, but that attitude was hard to ignore.

While the book wasn't bad...it's hard to find it necessary.  The first three were enjoyable, and this just seems like the same situation with a different cast.  There were several cliche characters, situations, and lines.  Eadlyn is promising, as the book ended with her coming to terms with some of her own personal conflicts and finding a way to appreciate what is happening in her life.  Since a fifth book is in the works, we'll see how it concludes.  I didn't realize that a fifth book was being written (due in 2016), but it makes sense.  If her entire process/story had wrapped up in one book what her parents did in three...well...that would make for a very bland love story.

In truth, Eadlyn does have redeeming revelations and the boys involved in her Selection were likable (even though we didn't get to know many of them).  My prediction is that she finds her "soulmate", as this is ultimately a fairy tale and every fairy tale needs its happily ever after.

Book #1: Horde by Ann Aguirre

Finished book one on my list.  I picked this as the first to read because it was one of the few I have checked out from the library and because it is the conclusion of the Razorland Trilogy.  I read books one (Enclave) and two (Horde) in the Spring, so I was excited to see what would become of Deuce, Fade, Stalker, and Tegan.

Ultimately, the series is a post societal dysfunction setting.  It is the story of humans living in fear, separated from the world they once knew and adapting to what they discover.  Freaks/Muties have lead them to live in this world of uncertainty, constantly battling for their lives.  The first book begins with the lives of Deuce (our heroine) and Fade living underground and knowing very little of the world beyond their enclave College.  The rest of the books follow them in their travels topside, learning that the world above is nothing that they imagined.

It is almost impossible to discuss my feelings without giving away important details.  What I can say is that this book is a solid finale that resolves all of the major conflicts that have popped up along the way.  There are a lot of "feels" attached to this book, from enthralling excitement to heart wrenching sadness...and bouts of contentment thrown in the mix.

The four main characters have evolved so much throughout the series.  The one that hit me the hardest is Stalker.  The way that he works through his own mixed emotions shows such an intense internal conflict that you can't help but feel for him.  That inner turmoil fuels his actions as the battles intensify, reminding us how hard it is to overcome guilt.

Ultimately, this series is an exciting and engaging story.  The situations and circumstances make sense.  The characters make sense.  The conflicts make sense and the resolution makes sense.  You can tell Aguirre has actually thought out why everything is happening and puts in details that support the plot.  Deuce is a character you can support and cheer on.

Parents be warned:  there are heavy situations explained (without detail, but implied) and the relationships go to that "next level".

Amazon link

Loudoun Library Summer Reading Challenge

This year, LoCo libraries have created a Superhero themed reading challenge. There are three in total, one for children, one for teens (grades 6-12), and one for adults (19+). I signed myself up for the Adult challenge and tweeted both out a few moments ago to get my school kiddos involved!

Hey Timberwolves! Head to a LoCo Library and signup for the Unmask challenge. @TrailsideMiddle @LoudounLibrary pic.twitter.com/Dt9Bl62QiJ

— Jen Cherry (@trailsidecherry) June 23, 2015

Don't worry adults of @TrailsideMiddle. @LoudounLibrary has a reading challenge for you too! #challengeaccepted pic.twitter.com/NgqtHogXt6

— Jen Cherry (@trailsidecherry) June 23, 2015

It's always impressive to me when kids take up reading over the summer vacation.  It's easy to fall into a seamless routine of pool, tv, and video games, so picking up a book or two shows initiative that I appreciate.

So, if you want to impress your English Teacher, take on the challenge!

Summer Reading

One of my absolutely favorite parts of summer is that I have time to read for personal enjoyment! The fact that I LOVE books and getting lost in those books is one of the many reasons that I am an English teacher. Even though I am pretty busy, I want to make time for reading.  I also want to share that experience with you.

With that, I challenge you all to read, read, read, and write.  I hope that you will join me in accepting that challenge.

I am beginning with my first book stack, that I tweeted earlier today

My FIRST book stack of the summer. #challengeaccepted #showmeyourshelfie #iteachenglish #canyoubeatme pic.twitter.com/AAxXSvqONu

— Jen Cherry (@trailsidecherry) June 22, 2015

 I have two personal stacks and one professional, totaling a whopping 34 books, plus 11 novels written, published, and given to me by my 6th grade students this year.

I also have several audio books tossed on the front seat of my car since I will be travelling to and from Shenandoah University to participate in the Writing Project. I've only recently found an interest in listening to books. There are several that I have given up on within a minute of popping into the cd player because of the voice emitting from the speakers. Those readers really make or break the book.

On tap this week:

Reading: Horde written by Ann Aguire
I read Enclave and Outpost earlier this year, books one and two of The Razorland Trilogy. I really enjoyed both, so I hope Horde is a satisfactory conclusion for the characters.

Listening: Magisterium written by Jeff Hirsch, read by Julia Whelan. I didn't know much about this one when I picked it up, just looked for a book on cd that I might like. We shall see!