Vicariously Through Books

2021-06-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

It was almost one year ago today that I decided to leave the school building and accept a job as a school improvement director. There was an abundance of mixed emotions as I reflected on over 15 years spend in a high school as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Although I nearly stumbled into the career, education had become my passion and profession all based on my love of reading (and teenagers).

As I looked at my bookshelf with over 300 books, primarily young adult novels, that I still checked out to students, I contemplated what I would do with all these books. Could I really just hand them over to another teacher? Maybe I should donate them to the library? Perhaps I should just let the kids come take their favorite book. I really didn't want to pack them up and store them in my house...

Not being completely sure of my decision, I packed up the books and carefully displayed them in my college daughter's bedroom until... I decided to pack up my bags and move back to Phoenix.

This time, the answer was clear. I was not going to pack up these perfectly good novels yearning to be read to be displayed in my house in Phoenix. It was time to take the dream to action. As you can see, this blog has been active for quite some time as my students used it to find book recommendations and recommend books to me. But I wanted more...I want to be able to share these books, with not just people I know, but with people who may come in contact with my books.

The to do list was created, and it sat to collect some dust as I prioritized other tasks. But, it is time! The labels are printed, and the books are ready to go!

As I make my travels from Oregon to Arizona in a week, I will leave a little piece of my love of reading at places along the way. My only hope is to watch as these books get shared and discussed as they venture from place to place.

I hope you enjoy the journey as well.

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, and I hope to inspire others to read. Be prepared for too many teen novels as I just can't shake that English teacher vibe just yet. Oh, and I am retiring the couch for many hours of reading by the pool this summer!

I'm BACK!

2021-05-04T11:35:00.006-07:00

It has been three years since I have written a post. Not because I wasn't reading, I just was simply busy in other elements of my life. Now is the time to return to the blogging world with a little bit different of a focus this time.

Some updates:

I am no longer teaching English although I will always be a teacher at heart. It is my passion and greatest love; however, I was ready for a new adventure.
After two years of school administration, I worked as a school improvement director for a year. Now, I am venturing into the world of educational technology working in support. Wish me luck!
The changes on the job front have allowed me more time to focus on some of my life goals - including this blog/social media to share my love of reading.

I look forward to taking you along my journey of sharing the love of reading. Make sure to follow me on social media for my current readings. Don't forget to share your love of reading with me by recommending a book, tagging me in your reading posts, and, hopefully, finding one of my shared books to read along the way.

This is the book label I will attach to each book that I send out into the world. If you find one, read it, share it, and follow it!

Your Now Is Not Your Forever

2018-05-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry John Green lovers, but I am not a big fan. Perhaps I read too many Nicholas Sparks books a few years ago (okay, maybe more than a few). However, this book will make my top ten teens novels for the rest of my life. Skink, No Surrender is on that list also; buy them both right now! Sorry for the digression...

I can't put my thoughts into words, so I am going to let Ariel at Goodreads.com do it for me:

Like always, I’m thankful for Green’s refusal to dumb anything down. He treats his teenagers like adults because they are adults, or nearly are, and at the very least deserve the same respect as adults. When we are introduced to Aza’s life, and her way of living it, nothing is hidden. Her anxiety and mental health continue to be an unrelenting problem in the narrative because they are an unrelenting problem in her narrative. It doesn’t ease up, it doesn’t get fixed, and at times it is nearly physically painful to read about a sad girl who can’t get better. You do just want to reach into the pages and give her a shake, or a hug, and tell her to please get better. But that’s the point. She can’t. Or not forever. And that’s okay. Because she’s still lovely and wonderful and loved.

I have a particular love for the ending. My dad and I agree that watching a good movie is more fun the second time. Now you know that every thing is going to be all right and you can just relax and enjoy it. I went into the ending so nervous that it would be cheesy, or unrealistically hopeful, or really unnecessarily sad. I was so surprised by an ending that moved on from being a teenager, looked at a life beyond teenage hood, that I nearly cried. I nearly cried because not enough teenagers hear that what they’re going through truly matters, but also that they'll be leading a completely different life very soon. It was something I told my brother constantly when he was still in high school and I had gone on to University and suddenly had to try and remember how hard high school had been.

A note on technology: I feel very strongly about the use of technology in YA. It frustrates me to no end when a teenager “leaves their phone at home” or “runs out of data” or “doesn’t think to text someone something time sensitive.” It isn’t the way that teenagers function, it doesn’t make any sense, it ignores a huge part of the way that teenagers understand themselves and each other, and can you tell that I really care about it yet? John Green does the impossible here: he manages to include technology organically, to make it important to the story and to their lives, but without making it gimmicky. For that, I am also thankful.

Finally, I am thankful for this representation of mental health. It is ugly, sad, disturbing, frustrating, but not hopeless. It isn’t everything (even though sometimes it is) and it’s honest. I am so happy, so unbelievably happy, that kids and teenagers and also adults will have this. That they will read it and feel understood, or empathize, or both. You know how we always want books to “make us better people”? To “show us new perspectives we couldn’t imagine”? Pick up Turtles All The Way Down.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35504431-turtles-all-the-way-down

"I like big parties...

2018-04-26T18:38:00.001-07:00

"They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any intimacy."

I have always said that my students like this book better than I do. Maybe its my age, a mid-life crisis, or just a change in attitude, but I really loved reading this book with my students. We laughed, rolled our eyes, sighed, and almost cried throughout the whole book.

The Roaring 20's, the lifestyle, the changes in society, the intelligence, the bad decision making, the hope for a better future, the fear of staying the same, the need for help, and the suspense that comes with human nature. It's a must read.

The Ones that Got Away

2018-04-19T14:57:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Makenna, for sharing this title with me as it was the perfect spring break read. Although I would NOT recommend this for the younger high school students (sexual content), it is a great story based on a tragic event. When a group of students return to their high school for a documentary interview ten years after a school shooting, they confront their unsettled emotions and friendships. This book focuses on the impact a tragic event can have on people and how they must work through the emotions.

Little Women...a classic

2018-03-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

I hadn't read this book since...maybe 5th grade...and I was so excited to read it again. As I remembered, this is such a great story of four sisters just trying to grow up in the world with struggles and triumphs. Louisa May Alcott does a great job of portraying transcendentalism at its finest. When I got to the end of book one, I was so excited to continue. After reading book two, I had a completely different thought.

Read this book and come talk to me...I will explain why.

All the things we lost

2018-02-23T07:19:00.001-08:00

This was an impulsive buy on Amazon as I was wanting to read a quick teen novel instead of the stack of books by my bed, and this book was the perfect respite from the district writing assessment blues. It's a quick read that will keep you wanting to turn the pages even when you are supposed to be doing other things.

Katie is back in the town; the town that she doesn't want to be in...the life she doesn't want to live...the people she doesn't want to see. However, things change when she is reunited with Julian, a boy who has his own trouble...his own disappointments...his own dreams to be somewhere else. You will fall in love with Julian and Katie as they do their best to make light of their situations.

I will be by your side.

2018-02-08T14:01:00.002-08:00

Warning...it took me 130 pages before I even started to like this book. It starts off really slow with no real sign of getting much better until page 130, and it slapped me in the face. At that point, I couldn't put the book down - you know - the stay up too late/try to read during school kind of book.

Dax is intriguing (and, yes, I love his name, too). He has a heart of gold even though he doesn't have a reason to help others especially Autumn who struggles with anxiety. Being locked up in the library for two days allows these two to create a support system based on honesty.

RC points = 17

After the Game

2018-02-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

When I started reading this book, I couldn't remember what happened in the other two books in the series - Until Friday Night and Under the Lights. I do remember liking them, but that is all. Once I got about 40 pages into the book, the premise behind the book came back to me, and I was able to connect the characters. If you haven't read the first two in the series, they can easily be read out of order as the characters slightly overlap, but the author gives enough information to continue without reading the previous books.

From the back cover, "When town golden boy Brady Higgens finds Riley and her daughter, Bryony, stranded on the side of the road in a storm, he pulls over and gives them a ride - not because he cares about Riley, of course, but because of the kid." Or, maybe it wasn't because of the kid...

RC points = 15

Lara Jean returns

2018-02-07T09:16:00.003-08:00

I was really excited to read the last book in this series. Don't forget to go back and read To All the Boys I've Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You, please go back and read them. Everyone can identify with Lara Jean as she goes through the life struggles of being a sister, friend, daughter, student, and girlfriend. As Lara Jean adventures through the decision making of going to college, leaving her family, and accepting a stepmom, she captures the heart of the reader.

Through to You

2018-02-06T14:08:00.001-08:00

I read this book twice because I lost the reading quiz for it the first time. I must say that I actually liked it the second time better than the first. It is a classic Lauren Barnholdt story in which I competely enjoyed the characters she created for this story, not to mention the names. Harper's fear of the school nurse is comical, and Penn's ability to skip school is impressive.

The Hundred Oaks series continues...

2017-07-20T22:35:00.001-07:00

As you know, I am a big fan of Catching Jordan, and Breathe, Annie, Breathe is one of my favorite teen novels ever. I just can't get enough of this series...until now. For those of you who have read the series, you must read this book. Jordan and Sam reappear briefly, and I am still waiting for their next book (yes, they deserve it after playing minor roles in all these books). For those of you who haven't, don't start with this book (they can be read in any order, but I encourage you to read Catching Jordan first).

I won't complain about why I didn't love it. Please read the book yourself, and let me know what you think.

Shuffle, Repeat

2017-07-06T22:28:00.001-07:00

Besides the fact that I love the name Oliver, this book is sweet. Not too girly sweet that you want to puke afterwards, just goodhearted happiness. We can all identify: your parents get you into situations that you really aren't too eager to take part in; however, it doesn't always result in torture either. It's senior year, Oliver and June had better ideas on how to spend it, but their moms managed to win the battle. It might be a little predictable, but it is the perfect Sunday afternoon read.

Are you a fill in Bradley?

2017-06-27T12:20:00.001-07:00

I am pretty sure that I started this book ten times before I finally finished it...in one sitting. Oh boy! I do admit that I actually really liked it once I got 40 pages into the book. It was cute, predictable with a few life lessons intertwined. A great Sunday afternoon or beach read - you won't be disappointed, but you will easily forget it.

What I Thought was True

2017-05-27T13:41:00.003-07:00

This book sat on my shelf way too long. Until the Sunday before the last week of school, the sun was shining, and I decided to go to the pool and read. Well, maybe it wasn't such a good idea as I stayed there a little too long, granted, it was peaceful, but there were other things to be done.

I enjoyed this easy, summer read although I thought the end was a little bit lame. I didn't love it, but I liked it. I probably won't even remember what it is about in six months, but it was worth the few hours of reading for the moment.

When Water Burns

2017-04-12T12:08:00.001-07:00

I can't express my love for this book: the second book in the Telesa series. I found myself completely in love with Daniel, Leila, and the ability to control nature. From the first sentence, I was fully encompassed in the story, the reality, the mythology, and the hope. If you doubt me, watch this book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LDY7ic0Ll4

I promise you will love every moment of this book.

Telesa

2017-01-01T13:14:00.001-08:00

Loved is an understatement for how much I liked this book. This book became a part of me; it still is a part of me even months later. Actually, I am pretty sure this book with be a part of me forever. Now, it is widely known that I love everything about the Pacific Islands, so it is not a shocker that I would love this story.

I don't even know how to explain this story...maybe I will attempt in phrases"

half-Samoan, half- haole

visits Samoa to find her long lost family

realizes her mother is still alive

finds out she is a Fire Goddess

falls in love with a guy (so did I)

fights with her mom

can she control her powers?

jealousy, rage, happiness, the unknown

who is she?

Just read it...I promise you will love it!

China Rich Girlfriend

2016-12-28T12:45:00.001-08:00

Those of you who follow my blog know that Crazy Rich Asians was one of my favorite books. I was ecstatic to find out that there is a sequel. Christmas break was the perfect opportunity to indulge in this funny, chaotic, sarcastic novel. I loved it just as much as I love the first one. It's a great beach read (or in my case avoiding the cold weather read).

Not Defending Taylor

2016-11-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

Every one knows that I love a good Hundred Oaks books, so I was delighted to find out that there is one more (and going to be one more). Breathe, Annie, Breathe is one of my favorite teen novels of all time; however, Defending Taylor left me in total dismay.

I am pretty sure that every cliche ever made in the teen novel world make its way into this book. The daughter of a politician, goes to private school, gets kicked out for defending her boyfriend from the wrong side of the tracks, goes to public school to find herself, blah...blah...blah... Oh, and not mention that she refers to her "lady parts" more times than anyone wants to hear.

For those who love this series you have two options: don't waste your time on the book or be curious and see for yourself. I will let you choose.

To Boy Most Likely To...

2016-10-28T11:01:00.002-07:00

This book has been on my shelf for over a year as it was another one of the books from the Microsoft grant. I am almost finished with the books...finally. I didn't even realize that it was the sequel to The Girl Next Door. It took me a awhile to remember the connection to the other book, but eventually I got there.

Tim is the guy you probably shouldn't like, but you just can't help it. He makes all the wrong decisions without any reason, yet he has the biggest heart for those he loves. Alice is the girl who always makes the right decision putting her family and friends before herself. There is nothing about them being together that makes sense. But that is the point, life doesn't always make sense.

I loved this easy read. It is a reminder that good people make bad decisions and everyone deserves a second chance.

Saint Anything

2016-10-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that I am not a huge fan of Sarah Dessen books. Her books seem to linger on way longer than necessary without a profound ending; however, I feel very different about this book. I loved every moment of it. Sure, the characters are a little darker than a normal SD character, but the depth of the characters enhanced the story.

Peyton is known for his bad choices, but he doesn't realize the impact his bad choices have on other people, particularly his sister, Layla. After Peyton severely harms a kid in a drunk driving accident, Layla changes schools and tries to start a new life: a life that doesn't include the horrors of what her brother has done. Layla meets the amicable, loving Chatham family who helps Layla heal while showing her a new type of family and love.

Home isn't a place; it's a person.

2016-09-21T10:52:00.003-07:00

Just the title of this book resulted in a long life on the "books I should read" shelf. I really wasn't excited about reading it, but I needed a easy, lighthearted book to read for my weekend in bed with the flu. Anna came to the rescue.

This book is entertaining when it is not annoying. The "stupid girl" stereotype is prominent throughout the novel. Of course, I was hoping for an ending that killed the stereotype; to my dismay, I was left unfulfilled. The setting of this story is what enticed me the most. An American School in Paris where all the great sites of the city are highlighted and described - loved every moment of that! Anna is sent to France for her final year of high school. Anna is not at all excited about this moment, but she finds that life in Paris isn't too bad after all. The book exemplifies the choices and feelings that teens may struggle with in a place where parents are thousands of miles away and people are what really matters in life.

Play Nice

2016-08-31T09:43:00.004-07:00

I couldn't wait to get the third book in this series. Although I couldn't really remember the story line as I read the books over the summer, it only took a few pages for the story to come back to me. Once again, a baseball story that really isn't about baseball. It's about people - their struggles, their misconceptions, their laughs, their tears, and their hopes.

Ashley, the mean girl in the first book, is back to tell her story. Everyone is advised to stay away from her, but Hayes realizes that there might be more to Ashley than her mean exterior.

Read it; you won't regret it!

Under the Lights

2016-08-29T10:27:00.001-07:00

I guess it is time to admit that I pre-ordered this book on Amazon, and I had it read by the end of the weekend. Thanks to the hot Phoenix weather, I also got a nice tan. Oops, I digressed...

The characters are what I love most about these books. The plot isn't as developed as the characters which is a nice twist to teen novels. I loved Willa and Gunner and Brady and pretty much every other character in the book. It isn't as much about football as the cover and title allude; it is more about how these normal teenagers cope with the lives they have been given: money doesn't always mean happiness, parents aren't always good people, friends aren't always forever, everyone has a dark secret, but hope always exists. Although it is a sequel to Under the Lights, it follows a new story. They can definitely be read together or separately.

If you like the Hundred Oaks series or the Play series, you will love this one. I just wonder when the next book will be released.

Until Friday Night

2016-08-14T15:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Microsoft for the book grant last fall! I still have about 15 books to read to add to the RC list. I was inspired to read this book because I love football, and I am ready for it to be football season (2 more weeks!).

I must admit...I wasn't in love with the synopsis of this book, but I decided to give it a try anyway. I loved every moment of it. It's not your typical high school football player/cheerleader combo. The author does a great job of developing the characters and adding intensity to the situation through minor characters.

The scenarios are a bit extreme - father dies of cancer/father kills mother, but the focus is not on the incident rather how people cope with situations and how important relationships are. I also must admit that I did cry at one point in the novel; it was worth every tear.