I'm back for It's Monday, What Are You Reading!!

I recently read Ann Marie's blog where she talked about leaving blogging for a while, but now she's back, and the same is true for me.  2013 has been a rough year for my family, but I'm happy to say that life is on an upswing right now, and I actually want to write again.  I have truly missed both writing and the community of people I am connected to because of our blogs and our thinking and sharing.  Thanks for being so patient with me.

In my two language arts classes this year, humor, adventure, and series books were quite popular during independent reading time.  So, when both Susan Dee and Tony Keefer recommended this series to me, I knew I had to read it.  I just finished The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy.  Humor, adventure, and some great fairy tale mash-ups abound in this book.  The second book just came out - The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle - and it is high in my TBR pile right now.  I'm currently thinking that the first book might be one of my early read alouds next year.  Someone recently told me that she thought the fastest way to connect people is with laughter, and if that is true, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom would be great for connecting our reading communities at school.

My next read is The Real Boy by Anne Ursu.  I tried to read this in May while my mom was in the hospital and I just couldn't focus; I stopped at page 122.  Then, I read on twitter that Colby Sharp thought this book was amazing, and I realized I had to give this book another try.  So, I began again last night, and already, I am seeing what I missed and what an incredible book this is.  This is exactly why some books need more than one chance.  Thanks to Colby for unwittingly getting me restarted.

My one adult book club selection I'm currently reading is an oldie but goodie by Pat Conroy, The Great Santini.  I love Pat Conroy, and this is one of the few books of his I haven't yet read.  Because most of his books are set in the south, I'm assuming this will be as well; it's like taking a mini-vacation there without ever leaving my screened porch.  And this man knows how to develop characters as well.  I can share more next week, as I'm reading this book right after The Real Boy.

I haven't addressed my professional reading yet, but I am saving that for this Wednesday, June 12, when the wonderful ladies who organize summer #cyberPD are having us "reveal" our summer professional reading stacks, and from there, they will try to find a book that many people already have on their radar, and use that book for the #cyberPD this summer.  If you've never participated, it is wonderful to read and respond to everyone's reflections about the same thing you read.  I highly recommend it.  Check out the lists in 2 days!!

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.