A Day in the Life: Must-Read-in-2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Must Read in 2015 Comes to an End

Two years ago Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That started a must read list and link up. It consisted of a list of books that we didn't read in the current year but wanted to read in the following year. My first year my list was much too long.

This year my list was shorter, and I was surprisingly much more successful ~ I finished eight out of my ten books listed, but read two complete trilogies. You can read my original post here.

Sometimes I wonder why I participate in reading challenges. The first answer and the only answer for me is that sharing books makes my reading experiences even better! So many times when I finish a book, the first thing I want to do is talk about it. I never lack for a listener because of my connected reading groups. So, thank you friends for listening, for sharing, and for reading with me.

Here are my top two, or should I say top six in my Must Read in 2105 list!

The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen

I chose this series because 2014 was my first year teaching 6th grade, and I knew I needed to start reading books for this upper grade level. This series was so amazingly intense, I finished it before March. It also introduced me to a new-to-me author, Jennifer A. Nielsen. If you have not read anything by her, I highly suggest you change that soon. A Night Divided, also written by her, is another excellent choice.

My Life Is a Zoo by Jess Keating

How to Outrun a Crocodile was on my list because it was the January pick for the Virtual Book Club, an online monthly book club/chat hosted by Niki Ohs Barnes (@daydreeamreader) and Beth Panageotou (@epan11).

I liked the first one so much that I read this whole series too. Ana, the main character is one of my favorite characters of 2015. I would love to have her as a student and would have loved to have her as a friend when I was in middle school. This is just a fun series to read!

I hope you consider joining Carrie, me and many other bloggers for Must Read in 2016! Look for the link-up on January 5th. Check out her blog here for everyone's final update for 2015.

Here is the lineup for the Virtual Book Club titles selected for 2016. You might just find a few more to add to your Must Read list!

Happy Reading!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Must Read in 2015

It is that time of year for reflecting on what was read in 2014 and rounding up those books that we didn't read because we ran out of time. I am joining Carrie Gelson of There's A Book For That and many other bloggers to create my Must Read in 2015 List. I do not include 2015 books in this list because I know I will read those anyway. My list contains book that I wanted to read in 2014 but just did not get to.

My list this year will consist of groups of books. The first one is Newbery contenders that I own. I still want to read these although I think I have already read the winner!

The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel Read 12/31

Nightingale's Nest by Mikki Loftin Read 1/2

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

Revolution by Deborah Wiles Read 6/15

The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis

My next group is the books which are featured on the Virtual Book Club 2015, which are NOT 2015 books and which I have not read. Click here for a list of the books featured for 2015.

How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes are Untied by Jess Keating Read 2/3

El Deafo by Cece Bell Read 2/1

My last group is the series that my students are reading, but I have not. Since I was previously a 4th grade teacher, I did not own this series until this year. I do not expect read all of these. I just want to at least start them.