What a great weekend of reading I just had!! I combined my desire to be part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge again this year, with my summer #bookaday challenge, and topped it off with It's Monday, What Are You Reading? We had several social engagements this weekend, so I couldn't read nonstop, but I read in every spare block of time I had. I didn't read a great quantity of books, but I read some books I am very pleased about.
The weekend kicked off last Thursday when a group of Columbus area kidlit bloggers met for dinner, and then headed to our local independent bookstore, Cover to Cover, to hear a panel of YA authors speak. The most notable for me was Veronica Roth (2nd from left in picture) of Divergent fame, but they were all great speakers, giving an absolutely packed house some great pearls of wisdom about writing. It was fun to see the eclectic crowd these authors drew -- a few upper elementary students all the way past my age bracket of 50-something. :) A sure sign that good writing is good writing no matter what the "genre" is.
Anyway, back to my own reading. At Cover to Cover, I purchased a book I have heard many people talk about, One for the Murphys. It was my first read on Friday -- oh my!! What a wonderful story about living with a foster family and being scared to wish for something better for your life. This book should have a disclaimer on it, warning you that reading this book is bad for your eye makeup and many tissues will be needed. If you haven't read this book, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Great first read!!After that amazing book, I started The 19th Wife. I read this book in preparation for one of my book clubs. Not always a fan of historical fiction, but not quite sure that is the actual genre of this book. It takes actual excerpts from Ann Eliza Young's book about being the 19th Wife of Brigham Young, as well as fictionalized anecdotal accounts from Brigham Young and other family members of Ann Eliza. Then, the author intertwines that historical element with a modern day murder where the 19th Wife of a man is accused. I couldn't put this book down, even though it slowed me down for my summer #bookaday pace.:) It took me the rest of Friday and all of Saturday to finish it.
Finally, I've been wanting to go back and read The Hunger Games trilogy since the movie came out. This was at least my 3rd reread, but I wanted to refresh my memory once again about what will happen next. My biggest question after rereading Catching Fire and Mockingjay, is who will be cast to play Finnick in the movies?? I forgot what a huge part in played in both of these books.
So, the final tally for my 48 Hour Book Challenge was 4 great books over a 3 day period (I have a hard time just doing the 48 hours). I'm going to call this a VERY successful reading weekend, and one I really enjoyed.
What's next for me? I have a few graphic novels I've picked up after last month's Title Talk focused on that topic as well as a couple interesting nonfiction reads for my classroom library (see picture for actual titles). And as soon as I finish typing this, I'm headed to our public library to see what will be calling my name there as well. I am soooooo excited for summer reading!!
Thanks so much to Mother Reader for hosting the 48 Hour Book Challenge!!!!
Also, please join Kellee and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts, who are the cohosts of this wonderful Monday event! I love finding out what others are reading, and start planning my next week's reading using some of the participants ideas.
Congrats on finishing, especially when you had a lot going on!
ReplyDeleteI really should've thrown some graphic novels in the mix. Will do next year!
Can you give me some hours for my stats? Also, did you have a RIF donation? Thanks for participating again this year!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on doing the challenge Karen. Sounds great. I couldn't fit it in because it was a weekend of grandchildren, but it has been fun hearing from the rest of you & what you did. The Murphy's book is on my list, & I don't know if there's time, but you're right about re-reading the Hunger Games books. By the time the next movie arrives, we'll have forgotten what was in the book, at least some of it. Thanks for the heads up about The 19th Wife. I would never have chosen to read that, so now maybe I will.
ReplyDeleteLinda - With one child living in DC, one child staying in Dayton for the summer in an internship, and a husband playing a lot of golf, there was lots of time. But I would always welcome a houseful of loved ones anytime over books! :) Though I'd pick up a book as soon as they had left!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteA lot of great books here. I have added The Murphy's to my TBR pile. I hope you will post about your graphic novels. This is a genre I need to learn more about.
Great summer kickoff.
Cathy
What a great idea of the 48 hr. read! I am into reports now so would have to try that in July.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Hunger Games.
Will have to add One for the Murphy's to my list.
You have some great GNs in that pile. I really liked Giants Beware! and I have to buy it for my classroom this summer.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the challenge and happy reading this week! :)
How do I miss these things? And why have I not looked at Text. Mentor. Texts before? Congratulations of finishing the challenge. Always a great weekend!
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