Book Recommendation

I would like to recommend Teaching Outside the Box: How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains by LouAnne Johnson. She is the author of the book My Posse Don't Do Homework. It covers subjects from classroom management, being prepared for a new year, motivating students, and shares some time and energy savers. I am currently re-reading this book and getting more out of it the second time. You will probably see me post about different things she has reminded me of or taught me through the book.

What are you reading?

I have been thinking about my reading list lately. There are so many things I would like to put on it. I have to admit at this time I have part of my list on paper and part of it in my head. I know that the part of my list that is in my head is ever changing, which is mostly due to the fact that I tend to store it in my short term memory. I need to be more diligent about it. I have made a master list using Shelfari. The list has 31 books on it. I know there are more that I could add. I will use Google Notebook to take notes. (I won't take notes on fiction.)

I read for several different purposes. I read to relax. I have to admit almost every type of reading is relaxing to me. It is just that some reading prompts me to think too. I also read to develop myself in different areas including personal, spiritual, and professional. I just need to organize the books so that I am using my time to read effectively. I think I am going to categorize the books and develop some kind of rotation for reading. I'm going to have to think about this some more.

Is there a way you organize your reading list? How do you fit reading into your busy schedule? Is there some kind of rotation you use? How do you decide what to read next? Do you read more than one book at once? What are you reading? Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share?

Another Recent Read

Ok, so I just posted yesterday about 3 books I have recently read. I finished two of those books yesterday and I started a new one. I have really been enjoying Shannon Hale. I am going to start reading her book Goose Girl next. I have decided that I can start reading it tonight or I will spend the day doing it and finish it tonight.



Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. I thoroughly enjoyed Dashti's story. It is a fairy tale that is told through the diary of the main character.







Well, I am working on clearing the clutter and getting myself organized today. It is amazing that I have almost filled a paper bag full of garbage from the top two little drawers in my desk. (Ironnically, I am always wondering why I don't sit and take advantage of it.)

Recent Reads

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I throughly enjoyed the mix of pictures and writing. I am also a fan of possibilities and talent in each of us. This book also won the Caldecott for 2007, which was it was very worthy of.




Shakespeare's Secret written by Elise Broach. This was a great mystery about a girl who just moved, an interesting neighbor, and a diamond. I enjoyed it.





Bloomability written by Sharon Creech. This is a great story about a girl who discovers and becomes confident in herself. (I am getting better at html. Allow some of the grow areas in my knowledge of it are quite evident.)









Perhaps the reading of these three books in the last week and a half is a good reason I have not posted more. I am aware it is more of an excuse than a reason. I have discovered that reading is quite simple if the television is off.

Well I had better be off... so that I can work on clearing the clutter. I know it is the first step to organizing.

Young Adult Fiction

I have been reading a lot of young adult fiction lately. I have gotten many recommendations while I have been subbing. I have been purchasing quite a few books as well. I need to start checking them out from the library instead. One goal of mine for the new year will be to go to the library more. It should be easy because I have a beautiful one in the city that I live in. I am always looking for good book suggestions, so if you have any please share.

Peter and the Starcatchers

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was suspenseful and intriguing. I also liked that fact that it wasn't so predictable. I always wondered how Peter had come to be immortal and able to fly. It was a great explanation of that. It is a great read for males and females.

Recent Read

I read this book yesterday. I love getting books for gifts for Christmas because I have time to read them.



Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

I enjoyed this book. I found that I identify in many ways with the main character. I also like how the author stressed that fact that things are do not always have the explanations that we contrive. I also enjoyed the fact that the heroine was a female. I am not a feminist by any stretch of the imagination. However, I do believe that stories like this are important. It is a great read for girls.

Current Reads

I am currently enjoying:

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson






I am also still reading Enriching the Brain by Eric Jensen.

The Book Thief

I have been thinking about words since finishing The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What a triumph when Liesel learns to read and she discovers the power of words. It is amazing how words change things. How they can sway a nation.

Perhaps the book hits home with me because learning to read was not an easy feat. I had an intuitive mother and an amazing first grade teacher. Unfortunately, I don't remember her name but I believe that there was divine intervention when I was placed in her class. They had me tested for learning disabilities and I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I learned to read and became the booklover that I am today.

I am going to have to blog more on the power of words and my teachers past and present.

Current Reads

I am currently enjoying:

Eric Jensen's Enriching the Brain













Markus Zusak's The Book Thief