Must Read in 2014 Comes to A Close

Last year Carrie Gelson of There's A Book For That put out a call for those who were interested in creating a Must Read in 2014 list.  The lists consisted of books we didn't read in 2013 and wanted to read in 2014.  I had 26 novels and 3 professional development books.

I did well the first six months.  The rest of the year my reading consisted of 2014 books because my goal was to read the Newbery winner before the awards.  My updates are posted here and here.  

Instead of posting what I didn't accomplish with this goal, I decided to list my favorites off of my Must Read in 2014 list.  I read 14 out of the 26 novels.  I tried to read more fantasy because this is a genre I typically avoid.  My top three picks just happen to be fantasy - goal accomplished!

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

I can't wait for Jack to come out in April!

Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco

This book made appreciate even more all those students 

who feel they are different and the people who believe in them.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

A fairytale about the power of friendship.

I still have several books from 2014 I need to read so creating my list for 2015 should not be too hard!  I hope you consider joining us and making a Must Read in 2015 list.  

The Halfway Point for Must Read in 2014

Back in January I came across a tweet from Carrie Gelson at There's a Book for That.  A group of readers was making a list of books that must be read in 2014 - because they were not read in 2103.  My list of must read books can be found here.

Here it is July and I am at the halfway point of my Must Read in 2014 list.  During this second quarter of the year, I read 6 books bringing me up to 14 out of the 28 books on my list.  I guess you could say I am right on track!

It would be hard to pick a favorite out of these eight, but all of them are amazing choices for middle grade students.  In the captions, I have written why I enjoyed these books.

Loved this fantasy, which is a genre I typically
do not enjoy.

Loved this book for its appeal to boys.  

Loved this book because of the way
Valerie Hobbs "wrapped it all up" in the end.

This book reminds me Wonder and
Out of My Mind - how can I NOT like it!

Loved the tangle of story lines
and how Lisa Graff pulled everything together.
The cake recipes are a bonus!

Loved the format of writing the story through
journal entires and the relationship
between Ratchet and her dad.

Happy Reading!

Must Read in 2014 Update

Back in January I came across a tweet from Carrie Gelson at There's a Book for That.  A group of readers was making a list of books that must be read in 2014 - because they were not read in 2103.  My list of must read books can be found here.

I have read 8 novels out of my list of 26.  I would have to say for right now, my favorite is A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd.  But I know there are many great books still to read.  I also have a TBR pile of 2014 books which I have not read yet.  So many books...so little time!

Check out the original lists from those participating here.

Happy Reading!

Check Off Your Reading List Challenge 2014

As I was reading everyone's posts reviewing their year of reading, I realized that I am about 6-8 months behind everyone.  I jumped on board with blogging and Goodreads this past summer.  After reading all of the recommendations, my TBR pile grew exponentially.  Books many of you were reading in January - June, I was reading in July - December.

Needless to say, I have a large stack of books from 2013 still on my shelf, and there are so many more I want to add.

So I am joining Gathering Books for the Check Off Your Reading List Challenge 2014

and

Carrie Gelson of There's A Book For That 

Maria Selke of Maria's Melenage

Linda Baie of Teacher Dance

who put together the hashtag #MustReadin2014

to celebrate crossing books off my TBR list.

My list consists of books that I own or have pre-ordered thanks to Christmas gift cards, but did not get read in 2013.  This doesn't even count the books I know I will purchase in 2014!

Happy Reading!

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord (2014)  Read 3/21

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur (2009)

The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher (2013)

The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (2013)

Maggie and Oliver by Valerie Hobbs (2013)  Read 6/25

The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore (2013)

Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco (2013)  Read 7/5

Rump:  The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (2013) Read 5/29

A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff (2013)  Read 6/28

Paperboy by Vance Vawter (2013)   Read 1/1

Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (2013)

 

This Journal Belongs To Ratchet by Nancy Cavanaugh (2013)  Read 7/6

Doll Bones by Holly Black (2013)

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes (2013)  Read 2/24

The Real Boy by Anne Ursu ((2013)

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (2013)

The Center of Everything by Linda Urban (2013)  Read 1/12

Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder (2011)  Read 3/14

Seven Stories Up by Laurel Snyder  Read 3/2

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee  Read 3/20

The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis (2013)

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd (2014)  Read 2/6

Jinx's Magic by Sage Blackwood ( 2014)

Duke by Kirby Larson (2013)  Read 6/6

Falling in Love with Close Reading by Christopher Lehman

Notice and Note by Kylene Beers (2013)

Book Love by Penny Kittle