Book Three: The Maze Runner-James Dashner

Book number three out of fifty was finished a few weeks ago, I've just been pokey in the posting! This was another book recommended to me from my friends at work... they knew I LOVED "The Hunger Games", so they thought this might be right up my ally too! When searching books in a similar genre to "The Hunger Games" this book would come up. It deals with a time in the future when bad things have happened to the world, and we get a glimpse of what life is like now... see the summary below for what this great novel was about...

Summary:

"When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade-a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up-the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind."

(from the Chapters website)

This was another fantastic story, I don't know if I would put my love for it above "The Hunger Games" trilogy but I have really enjoyed it so far, and don't want to compare it too much, until I'm done the series, which I haven't yet. This is the kind of book that you need to be able to sit down and just read right through. I started it at night time, so never got to read a lot at once, but when I finally had a good chunk of time, to dedicate to reading, I zoomed through it and really LOVED it.

It has an interesting plot, which isn't one I've read before. I had as many questions as Thomas did as he entered the glade and I really enjoyed discovering the answers with him. There were some interesting twists in this story that just make you want to read more. I found Thomas was a character that I just couldn't help but love, he's a natural leader and just someone you find that you would want to be around in a tough situation.

This book is the first in a series, which I did know, so I wasn't surprised with the ending. It's a fantastic ending that leaves you wanting to read MORE! Luckily I had book two on my bedside table ready to go. I'm excited to continue the series, and would love to see it come out in a movie.

The author James Dashner has a website, http://www.jamesdashner.com, it's a blog where he posts upcoming events where he'll be (he was just at BYU so cool!) and book info... I think the third book in this series comes out maybe this fall? Not soon enough!

Book Two: House Rules- Jodi Picoult

So I have been reading since January, and just haven't had the chance to post my latest books, but I've been reading and loving my latest books. Book number two was by Jodi Picoult, she's a favourite author of mine, I've read almost all of her books, and am excited about her new one coming out March 1st, and plan to get it right away it's called "Sing You Home" and I'm sure it's going to be FANTASTIC as always.... but hey I'll let you know!

House Rules was a book I was waiting a long time to read, it was out in hard cover and at the time I hadn't realized my love for the hard cover book, so I was waiting for it to come out in paper back... it finally did and I snatched it up! I think what interested me the most was that the main character in this book has asperger's syndrome, I'd learned a lot about autism and aspergers in the education program and was very interested to see it put into a novel, and I wasn't disappointed. I found a lot about what I had learned in this book, and actually learned some other facts and insights. Picoult is very big an researching her books so things are authentic and correct and I appreciate that. Here is what the book is about, taken right from Jodi Picoults website... www.jodipicoult.com ...

Synopsis:

HOUSE RULES is about Jacob Hunt, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject – in his case, forensic analysis. He’s always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do…and he’s usually right. But then one day his tutor is found dead, and the police come to question him. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s – not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, inappropriate affect – can look a heck of a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel -- and suddenly, Jacob finds himself accused of murder. HOUSE RULES looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way – but lousy for those who don’t.

On her website she shares some of the reasons behind writing this book which is super interesting, it all came from a family member. She also goes into more detail about asperger's and the controversy around vaccinations. Which I'm not even getting into on here.... she just shares some facts and I found it all interesting to read.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and would recommend it. What I love about her books is that each chapter is usually written surrounding one characters perspective. So you are able to piece together the story through all these characters accounts and feelings. You really do feel for each of her characters as they struggle with their situation... you feel Emma the mother's pain and frustration for both of her children, but you also feel her loneliness and exhaustion. You feel for Theo, Jacob's brother, who sometimes feels forgotten. You also feel greatly for Jacob as you hear accounts of events in his life as he tried to fit it, and only got in trouble in the end. Her books usually centre around a court case, which is always super interesting but her books also intertwine the life's of the characters around the case that they are battling in, you get attached to her characters and feel for them. It was a fantastic book and opens your eyes to asperger's, maybe if we all read more books like this we would become even more sensitive to those who face the challenges that these syndromes bring to families throughout the world. Check it out!

Some amazing book art...

So I have something amazing to share that is book related and amazing. I work with some pretty awesome people at work. Everyone is unique and different and they all being so much to the book store environment. I smile every time I'm at work walking along and I see someone else that I work with, I love to just smile and wave and say hello.

So this weekend at the book store we were able to wear jeans and dress casually. Which is always an exciting thing! The only thing we had to do it make a donation to "The Love of Reading" which is a program we have in our store, which is so awesome, so making a donation it isn't hard at all, especially as a teacher. If you go to www.loveofreading.org you can see what it's all about and watch a short little video.

I took this quote off the website...

Can you imagine a childhood without books?

No Wizard of Oz. No Harry Potter. No Cat in the Hat. No maps of faraway places, or stories about the people who live there.

A book can inspire a child to discover the world—and themselves. Nothing is a better indicator of future success than early literacy.

But many children in Canada are growing up without books. The school book budget for one child in the 1970s must stretch to cover nine children today ¹. Provincial governments are shortchanging our children on the most important investment we can make in their future ².

The crisis is so great that in 2001 teachers and principals spent $143 million of their own money ³ to buy books and learning materials for their students.

Children from high-needs schools suffer most, including those from low-income neighbourhoods, immigrant or non-English-speaking families or those of Aboriginal descent.

Our mission is to encourage a love of reading in every child and give them the chance to reach their full potential. We know we will get there with the help of our 7,000 employees and millions of customers. The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has already committed $9 million dollars for high-needs elementary schools—but we need your help to keep growing. Each year, elementary schools are selected to become aLove of Reading school, and receive funding over a three-year period for books and literacy programs to inspire their students. (http://www.loveofreading.org/code/navigate.asp?Id=18)

I've worked in a school that has won this grant and it was amazing to see the amount of books in this school compared to others. It's such a great opportunity for schools, and I hope that whenever your in to buy a book that you'll consider even donating a dollar to help schools!

Anyway, for this casual weekend, staff could also decorate their jeans in a style of their fav children's books, well Steph who is an amazing artist at work, took and old pair of jeans and decorated them to go along with the Children's book, Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak. If you haven't read this children's book you really should. I don't remember reading it as a child, but read and bought it when I was in the education program, and I love the story. Such imagination in this story and Max is an adorable character. We were holding a silent auction on the jeans this weekend, and they'd be an amazing addition to any home or even classroom. They were jaw dropping beautiful! Steph you are an amazing artist and thanks for sharing your talent with us. Check out these beautiful pictures, wish I had my good camera that day, but my iphone will do!

Here is a full length shot of the jeans... wow right!

Jim wanted me to say he made these... he's the BEST!! I love Jim, he's so super funny at work!!

Close up of leg one...

Close up of leg two...

seriously aren't they amazingly beautiful...

she could seriously be a children's book artist... I'd buy her work!

amazing... there is just nothing else to say...

even monsters are super cute

a little guy hiding in the pocket

I also found this SUPER awesome book, called Disneystrology. It has a Disney Character for every day of the year, and it talks about why you are like this character, if your birthday falls on that day. I kept it with me most of my shift so that I could share it with my staff friends. As we read descriptions, they really all did ring true to each of us. My character was Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. One of the lines in the description said that "You enjoy learning and are imaginative" which I think is pretty true. It also gives you what your magical gifts are and your keys to your success, and the one for May 6th, was "Turning beasts into princes".

It really was just a fun little book, and brought a lot of fun out at work, if your ever in the book store check it out. It might just be the perfect gift for a Disney lover!

Book 1 Twenties Girl: Sophie Kinsella

Book One

Twenties Girl

Sophie Kinsella

So book number 1 out of 50, was one that I borrowed from my sister-in-law, it was one that I had been wanting to read for awhile, but never was able to get my hands on it to read. Luckily she owns it and once finished let me have a read. I was checking out Sophie Kinsella's web-site and found this cute little animated movie about the book, check it out...

"Lara has always had an overactive imagination. Now she wonders if she is losing her mind. Normal twenty-something girls just don’t get visited by ghosts! But inexplicably, the spirit of Lara’s great aunt Sadie – in the form of a bold, demanding Charleston-dancing girl – has appeared to make one last request: Lara must track down a missing necklace Sadie simply can’t rest without.

Lara’s got enough problems of her own. Her start-up company is floundering, her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, and she’s just been dumped by the love of her life.

But as Lara spends time with Sadie, life becomes more glamorous and their treasure hunt turns into something intriguing and romantic. Could Sadie’s ghost be the answer to Lara’s problems and can two girls from different times end up learning something special from each other?"

(Video and Synopsis from: http://www.sophiekinsella.co.uk/)

I'm a fan of Kinsella, I've read all her books and own all the shopaholic books, they are an entertaining and easy read which sometimes you just need. I found that it took me awhile to get into Twenties Girl, I don't know what it was about this story, but I struggled at the beginning. Maybe it was because the character Sadie can be a lot to take and a tad annoying, or maybe it was because I'd recently read Mini Shopaholic and was used to that story line. As I continued through the book though, the story started to gather up steam and took off, becoming much more entertaining to read. In the end I would have to say that I did enjoy this book, the story concept was different from what she usually does, and it kinda made me think of the importance of family and knowing those who have lived before you. I was pleased with the ending, which for me is a big thing in a book, it's no good if a book is amazing but then ends horribly, that just ruins everything. I'd recommend this book, just beware it may take some time to get into the story.

Here is a fact... did you know that Sophie Kinsella also writes under the name of Madeleine Wickham, and that she has four other books out in Canada...

Cocktails for Three

The Wedding Girl

Sleeping Arrangements

The Gatecrasher (I've read)

Something to look into and check out if you are a Kinsella fan... I am and might just have to look into these titles.

Happy Reading!!

Welcome Book Lovers...

Hello Friends...

I have been wanting to start this blog for the past few months. I love reading and I love recommending books when people ask, so I thought, why not create a blog about it. I have also made the goal this year to read 50 books and I wanted to be able to share those books with you, hopefully I'll be able to accomplish this goal.

Another reason I wanted to start this blog is because I am surrounded by books in both of my jobs. I am a first year teacher, who is substitute teaching, so I see all sorts of different books and what kids are reading and loving! I also so neat activities to do with them, so to help record them for my future use and for anyone to use I thought I'd try to record them here. I also work part time at a book store and I LOVE every minute of it. My main spot in the store is in the kids section, but I am familiar with the rest of the store too. I work with some amazing people and get to talk books all day at work. I'm a very lucky girl!

This is me at the bookstore... Curious George visited the store and we celebrated his birthday. I had to get my picture taken with him because I love his books and his tv show!

This is me at one of the schools I work at. A student I was working with wanted to take my picture so after she accomplished her work I let her. That day I was working in the Resource Room and I loved every minute of it, I so enjoy reading with students to help them improve their reading skills!

I hope that you'll enjoy heading about the books I'm reading and that this blog will encourage you to pick up a book and start reading. If you have any recommendations please let me know, I'd love to share other's thoughts and pictures on books. Have any cute pictures of people reading send them my way!

Happy Reading!

Stay tuned later today for my first two reads of 2011!