When I first made my book list for Spring Read Thing 2010, I had such high hopes to complete my list because I tried to keep it rather short. Unfortunately, between the craziness of the end of the school year and my own crazy home life schedule, I still didn't complete my reading list. These are the books I read for Spring Read Thing 2010:
What Difference Do It Make? By Ron Hall and Denver Moore
I received What Difference Do It Make?
Glaen by Fred R. Lydbrand
LOVED this book! I wrote a short review of it here, if you're interested. It really is a quick read and I definitely recommend it.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I know this book was not on my original list, but one of our sophomore English teacher's classes were reading it for their unit on Censorship and since I had never read it, I decided to join them. (We had a book get challenged this year and it was my first challenge to have to deal with in a library, so I thought this was somewhat apropos since they were burning books in this novel.) I must admit, I actually enjoyed this book, even though it's pretty scary how close we are to this actual reality. After all,we have flat screen TVs that take up walls in our homes, we have entertainment in our hands via mp3 players and smart phones, and I've even heard it said in the educational field that "we don't need books anymore, we have hand-held devices now." Yep--we're dumbing down our society despite our "advances" in technology and making our lives "easier." Good read and very enlightening. (Very quotable as well.)
Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
Yet another one that was not on my original list. We have a teacher book club at our school and this is one of our choices to read this year. Overall it was okay, but rather predictable and in some cases far-fetched. Don't get me wrong, I was concerned about the characters, but some of their antics just didn't add up, not to mention I figured out most of the plot after the first couple of chapters. I would check it out from the library rather than spend your money on it because there was a nice little bow on things at the end of the story that just didn't belong there.
Back to Life by Kristin Billerbeck (Trophy Wives Club Book #2)
It's been a few years since I've read The Trophy Wives Club
This book has the usual Billerbeck humor entangled within the plot that makes you laugh at loud and wonder if there's a secret camera following you around. Seriously! Many of Lindsay's thoughts were things that I either think or have said to other people. If you want a light-hearted romantic comedy, then this is the book (and author) for you!
Darlington Woods by Mike Dellosso
If you like horror or supernatural fiction--this is the book for you. The best thing--it's also Christian literature! I read this book as part of a book tour, so here's a link to my actual review. Great book, and I have Scream
Making Money from Home by Donna Partow
Another book that I asked to review because my mom is trying to get a business off the ground and I have a friend who is working on one as well. I figured by reading this book I could help them, but there are so many helpful resources, that they actually need their own copies. Here's a link to my review for the book.
Frenzy by Robert Liparulo (DreamHouse Kings Book #6)
While this is a "young adult" book, I have been sucked into this storyline since book #1 (House of Dark Shadows
The Unseen by T. L. Hines
What if, at this very moment, someone was watching you right where you are sitting? What if they somehow managed to get within your walls or even your ceiling and were watching you through a tiny pin hole? Would you act differently? Would you watch your conversations? What if, you didn't even know they were there? That's the premise behind this book. Lucas has been the watcher for so long that he suddenly finds himself as "the watched." As he tries to figure out who may be watching him, he uncovers an underground organization that results in some terrible consequences for him. Honestly, I was a bit paranoid when I started reading this book since I live on the top floor of an apartment and there is a walkway in my "attic" area that someone could "hide." After checking to make sure there was no one there (a few times), I finally decided I was being silly and just read the book. The plot line was a bit frustrating because it moved slowly and there were so many unanswered questions at the end of the book. I would recommend that you check it out from the library, only if you don't mind being disappointed when you finish.
Last Dance by Melody Carlson (Carter House Girls #8)
I've really enjoyed reading this series by Melody Carlson. While Mrs. Carter may not be as "hands-on" as many parents would hope, I find it to be realistic to the lives that many of my students face. The girls are getting ready for prom and all that it entails as they begin to think about their plans after graduation. It's a busy time of year, but Eliza still wants the girls to help her run for Prom Queen and she's put DJ in charge as her campaign manager. As usual, chaos ensues when a bunch of girls get together and they find themselves as targets of one of the other Prom Queen Candidates. While chaos reigns, one of the girls finds that she may be pregnant and doesn't know who to turn to for help. (A situation that several of my students have found themselves in over the years.) After talking it over with one of the girls, Mrs. Carter is finally brought in and we find out a little more about her history as a model. It's a great series for teenagers and I'm sure they'll relate to many of the characters as they'll read. I'm a bit sad that the series will be ending because I've grown to "know" the characters more, but just like with all Seniors, we must wave good-bye as they head off into the "real world."
So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones (The Charmed Life Series #3)
Talk about laughing while reading! Bella Kirkwood is still adjusting to her role as town "teen detective" when she's thrown into her role again after she discovers a dead body at the carnival. Using her investigative skills, she manages to break-up with her boyfriend, cause chaos for her dad's upcoming wedding, and winds up working as a clown. Can Bella fix this mess before a killer "fixes" her for good?
I love Jenny B. Jones! As a high school teacher, she really "gets" teenagers and all of their drama. Although this book is a YA book, I laughed quite frequently while reading. I would start with the first book in the series (So Not Happening
I guess all of the other books will return to my TBR pile and I may (or may not) get to them this summer. How did you do on your list? Leave a comment below and let me know. Happy Reading!
4 comments:
I have Back to Life, but have not read the first one. Is the first one as good?
- Margaret
www.CreativeMadnessMama.com
Hi Margaret!
"Trophy Wives" was a little slow at the beginning because she was introducing the characters and their backgrounds, but in true Billerbeck style, the humor and the incidents made me laugh throughout the book. I think it's pretty good. :) Thanks for stopping by!
Great job! Darlington Woods looks like a book I would enjoy. Well, maybe "enjoy" isn't the right word. :) And your review of Glaen definitely has me intrigued.
Enjoy your summer!
Quite a list! The Charmed Life Series sounds cute. Maybe I'll pick up the first one to read in between some heavier things.
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