Insurgent

Yep, I'm a bad blogger. I should have included that in my blurb about me. The summer has sped by and I've been a very busy reader. Have you? What have you read that you enjoyed the most? And why?
I've included upcoming books that are due out soon and this fall on the side bar. I can't wait. I'm already so excited I can hardly stand it. Of course I'll probably have my husband hide the books so I'll have something to do over Christmas break.
So I didn't read Insurgent over my vacation to Wyoming. I was too busy and having way too much fun. Once I crawl into the world of a book just leave me alone. I'll surface if I have to go to the bathroom or eat, usually with book in hand of course. I know it's a good book, when the book is finished that I find it hard to come back to reality because the world in the book has become my reality. Are you like that?
I did read Insurgent once I got back and it was good. Lots of new information of course. And a cliff hanger. I know they want you to read the next book, but sheesh. Always waiting. I believe I liked the first book better, but the second wasn't bad. I think the theme of choices is relevant even in the real world. Choices define the paths we take in life. We can make choices that will take us down roads that we wish we never would have gotten on in the first place. Choices are hard, life is hard. It's meant to be, so that our character is refined through the process. We find out who we really are when we make our choices. Are we morally weak or strong? Do we stand up for what's right or do we follow the crowd even if it's wrong?
If you wanted to do a parallel study read The Boy who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Set during World War II Germany, it's loosely based on a young man's life. An amazing book even if you don't do a parallel study.

Happy Reading, Amanda

Ray Bradbury

Like so many others who are probably remembering him on their blogs today I couldn't help but do a post on Ray Bradbury. Probably some of the first science fiction I ever read. I've always liked Bradbury. The first story I can truly remember reading of his is The Veldt. That left an impression on a very impressionable 7th grader. Virtual reality before there was even the word virtual reality. Such a forward thinking man of his time. The Jules Verne of our generation definitely. Of course there's all the martian stories and Mars. I loved Dandelion Wine though not in the science fiction department. And every time I see a very tatted up individual I can't help but think of The Illustrated Man. Who can ever forget Fahrenheit 451? Especially being a librarian, the thought of burning books is just too horrifying to think of and the oppression of knowledge through burning books. I can't help but parallel Hitler's book burning campaign to Fahrenheit 451. So if you wanted to do a compare/contrast lesson you could use The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Here's Mr. Bradbury's official site. For those of you who homeschool or teach English thought you might like this site for lesson ideas.

   

Thanks Ray Bradbury for all the stories. Thanks for awakening our imaginations and helping us to see into the future both near and far. As Mr. Electrico commanded you'll live forever in literature. 

Ray Douglas Bradbury  August 22, 1920 - June 5, 2012

Divergent

Alright, so I'm a bad librarian, starting another book before I finish the first one. But honestly I couldn't help myself. It's been sitting there on the shelf for over a month now and I've so wanted to read it. I'd heard it was good. So I crumpled as soon as the school bell rang releasing us for summer break. It was all I could do to control myself to wait this long. As the end of the school year approaches I start stock piling books for two reasons or maybe a few more. 1) The end of the school year is murder and there's absolutely no time to do anything remotely related to pleasure reading. 2) It's how I spend my summer every since I was a kid. Reading, reading, reading. Ok maybe I do a few other things. 3) I don't get another paycheck for quite awhile now. That's the down side of working for a school -- school's out -- no money. Sigh. Oh wait I'm supposed to tell what book I couldn't put down and couldn't wait to read. Drum roll.....
Divergent  by Veronica Roth. OMG it was over the top awesome and am I ever glad that the second book is out already. I've promised myself that I won't even go buy that one until we're on our way for our vacation. (Honey pull over at the nearest book store on our way out of town.) Ok maybe I'll have to go the day before so I don't get that look....

Of course (don't roll your eyes I saw you) it's set in the future in another dystopian society. I can't help myself. I'm cursed to forever read how mankind is going to rid itself of evil humankind and make the world a better place. I'm drawn to literature that makes me wonder what I would do. This book was so good and hooked me right from the beginning. I love a book that I can crawl into and lose myself in. The kind that makes you feel like you're actually there. My heart was pounding as she makes all those high climbs (yep that's my big fear and nightmare... so no wondering what my fear chamber would be.) Gulp I cried at how unfair some things were. So when the last chapter ended I felt like I had to pull myself back to reality, my time, my life. Yes sir, now that's a great book.
The author has a blog. Which you can find here and if you go here a nice summary by the author herself. I'll let her spell it out for you.
So chums happy reading. Ok I'm now going to go finish Legend. I'm almost there. I don't suppose anyone would like to come do the laundry now would you???? So I can read. Darn should never have let those slaves grow up and leave home. Oh sorry kids, I meant kids....

Blood Red Road

So I think one of the hardest things to do in my job is to describe a book without giving it all away. Mostly I tell the kids it's really good and for the most part they'll accept that. But there's always those few that just have to know what it's all about and oh yeah don't spoil it for me. That's a toughy. If I really like a book it's hard not to just blurt out all about it and spoil it at the same time. Go figure. I'm excited to share about the book. So with all that said, I'll try to do a book review and not spoil all the fun.

Since I mentioned Blood Red Road, I'll do my first review on that book. One word: Awesome. Fast paced, think Thunder Dome but with a female lead. She's tough and determined with a lot of heart. Cage fighting, band of warrior girls, cute, mysterious guy who saves the heroine. It's got it all. This book does not disappoint from beginning to end. So definitely put it on your summer reading list. The one hard thing for me at first was the lack of quotes to set aside what people were saying and the use of Saba's everyday language. Of course language would break down after the fall of a civilization, but don't let these stop you from reading the book. They actually add to it. Dust Lands is of course a trilogy which seems so popular right now. Not complaining just saying. The next book is due out in October, 2012 -- Rebel Heart. Can't wait to read it. You can read more about the author and books {here}.
Here's to more reading, Amanda
On my night stand: Legend by Marie Yu

So a little blurb about me. I'm married to my sweetheart for the past 23 years. Have two grown children who don't even reside in the same city that we do. Lots of travel! Homeschooled those two children for over 12 years. I've been a middle school librarian for the last 8 years. I really like it and the fact that I get to be around books a lot. I'm a little gung ho on getting kids to read. So I read a lot of what they are reading and I've gotten hooked. I love to talk to them about the books and surprisingly they like talking about them back. I think they find it surprising that I'm reading what they are. I even like to recommend books to them. So that's what this blog is going to be about. Books I've read. I'm a little quirky, just ask my middle schoolers.
Just finished a really good read, Dust Lands Blood Red Road by Moira Young. Wonderful... Watch out Hunger Games (and yes I'm a huge fan of that series) here comes something to read next and the movie rights have been optioned already I hear. I'm a huge fan of the dystopian/post apocalyptic genre as I call it. I even have a little clique going at school. Yes I have groupies or followers or whatever. I've created a list and read most of them. Working on the ones that I haven't. So check back.
Amanda