Book List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Unique Books We’ve Read

Ricki

1. Nothing by Janne Teller

The plot of this book was extremely clever and very different from any other book I have ever read. It is one of my favorites. I read the first few pages aloud to my students and they are fascinated by it.

2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

The voice of this book was so powerful that it felt unique. I felt as if I was trapped in this young boy’s body. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

I didn’t particularly love this book, but it was one of the most unusual books that I have read. The text features were very neat.

4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I love how Riggs used old photographs to create this story. I found that to be very different from any book I have ever read.

5. Liar by Justine Larbalestier

The premise of this book is that the main character is a liar. The story is very interesting because she lies to the readers throughout the book. I liked the confusion this provided.

Kellee

1. Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri

Horse stables in the middle of Philadelphia and a boy dealing with all of a sudden living with an absent father—unique. I love how this book is written and the premise of it. There is no other book like it.

2. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

At the time when I read Graceling, I’d not read any high fantasy like this. Katsa is such a unique character and the book is just as amazing. I mean, the whole idea of being “graced” is a unique concept.

3. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

I was so enthralled with this book! I was fascinated by the idea of airships as cruise ships, Kate going against everything that she has been taught is right, and the zoology discussed throughout. I have not read anything else like this series.

4. Battle Bunny by Jon Sciezska and Mac Barnet

This is a “golden book” given to Alex by his grandmother; however, Alex makes it his own. This picture book cracked me up, made me want to share it with everyone and anyone, and was just so well done. And there is nothing like it.

5. Anything by Roald Dahl

He was so ahead of his time and all of his books are unique (mostly if you compare it to other books being written at the time).

What really unique books have you read?

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten “Gateway” Authors/Books

These are authors/books that got us into reading, got us into reading a new genre, or some other gateway into a new reading experience.

Ricki

1. The Boxcar Children series

I read every book over and over again. I should also give a shout-out to the Nancy Drew series, which taught me to make predictions very well.

2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

This book showed me how brilliant middle grade (and younger) fiction can be, and how it can be accessible for adults.

3. Looking for Alaska by John Green

This was the first book that I read in a  YA class as a student. Wow. It prompted a flurry of reading for me.

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I didn’t think I liked fantasy before I read this book. It taught me that I LOVE fantasy!

5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this as a freshman and thought it was okay. Rereading it as an adult taught me how incredible rereading texts can be!

Kellee

1. Anthony Horowitz

The Stormbreaker series helped me realize again, after my literature degree, that reading can be fun.

2. Among the Hidden then Hunger Games

I loved The Giver (my favorite book ever!), but it wasn’t until Among the Hidden then Hunger Games that I jumped into the dystopian fad and read as many as I could.

3. Mo Willems

He definitely shows that picture books can be brilliant (and usually hilarious!).

4. Baby-Sitter’s Club series

These were my gateway book when I was younger–I don’t know if I would be the same reader I am today without it.

5. Betsy books

These are the books that my mom read to us at bedtime. I thank her and Betsy for helping me be a reader.

What authors or books were your gateway? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books on our Spring TBR List

Here are some books we’re planning on reading this spring (hopefully)!

Ricki

1. Locomotive by Brian Floca

Kellee sent me a text message about this book. When she texts me a book title, I know I have to read it. I just got my notice from the library that it is in. Yesss!

2. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

I have had the galley (in e-book and print form) for far too long.

3. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Everyone is raving about this one. I have it, and I am ready to roll. I just need to find a bit more time.

4. Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis

I am looking forward to reading this nonfiction title.

5. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

I am embarrassed that I still haven’t read this! I absolutely loved the first book, so I am excited to get to it. My past student said it was excellent.

Kellee

1. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I was a huge fan of Boy 21 and want to read more of Quick’s books.

2. Reality Boy by A.S. King

Like #1, I have liked everything by King that I’ve read, so I want to read her newest (and everyone loves it).

3. Winger by Andrew Smith

Another one I want to read because everyone who reads it loves it, and when I saw Smith speak at ALAN it made me definitely want to read it.

4. Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder

I loved hosting the blog tour for this book and sharing the guest post Maria wrote, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I love books with science mixed in and meteorology is fascinating.

5. The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer

Any book compared to See You At Harry’s is a book I want to read. I also am looking forward to sharing a guest post by Tracy closer to when this book is going to be released.

What books are you looking forward to? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorites in ____ Genre

Instead of picking one genre, we decided to share our favorites in 5 different genres.

Ricki

Realistic/Contemporary Fiction

I just want to give a shout-out to To Kill a Mockingbird and Endangered. I am not a cheater who posts more than one book cover like Kellee (Love you, Kel.)!

Fantasy

I love, love, love this book (as you might know, if you follow this blog).

Science Fiction

Every time I read this book, I remember how much I absolutely love it.

Historical Fiction

This is my favorite genre, so this was a toughie. This book takes the cake because it taught me a lot about a time and place I thought I knew so much about…and it made me cry.

Nonfiction

I picked Tree Girl because it is such a phenomenal book to teach. My students absolutely love it, and I think it teaches incredible lessons about strength and resilience.

 

Kellee

These are my favorites as of the minute I did this post. Some where very hard to choose, so if you ask me at a different time, I may say something else. However, these are all definitely amazing books.

Realistic/Contemporary Fiction

 

I know I cheated a bit, but I just cannot choose! Hurt Go Happy affected me in a major way, so much so that I share it with as many people as I can, and I may not have loved Endangered with out it; however, I had to choose Endangered because it is just such an important book. (Wait until you read Threatened too!) I also almost chose Walk Two Moons, Shine, something by John Green, or A Long Walk to Water.

Fantasy

I went with The BFG because it was my favorite book when I was younger and I am feeling nostalgic today. I almost chose Harry Potter, Lightning Thief, or Graceling.

Science Fiction

Been my favorite book since 1993. Perfection in my mind. The only title I could have chosen even though I love many other science fiction titles.

Historical Fiction

This book left a huge impact on me when I read it and has been a favorite for years. I almost chose Between Shades of Gray or The Watch That Ends the Night–both also amazing books.

Nonfiction

Smile is just so engaging and I love how much my students love it as well. This genre was tough too! I almost went with An American Plague, Me…Jane, Faithful Elephants, or On a Beam of Light.

What are your favorites? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorite Covers

We switched from the assigned topic today. Ricki has wanted to do this topic for a while.

Ricki

A few years ago, my students made me aware of the fact that I enjoy trees on covers. You may notice that trend below.

This is my all-time favorite cover.

I LOVE this one. Did you notice the man under the tree?

This one always draws my students in.

I love her back!

I have a poster of this one on my wall. I love it.

This one always draws my students in.

This photograph is absolutely beautiful.

I haven’t even read this book, but I have always loved the cover.

 

It also helps that this is my favorite book.

And this is another of my favorite YA books. I love everything about this cover.

Kellee

This was harder than I thought. I don’t have a favorite cover, so I just went through all of the books I’ve read and here are ten that I loved.

This cover is not what you think! Loved when I found out what it was.

Creepy!

I just love the trees. It is beautiful.

This cover just captures what the book is about. Perfect.

Such a cool graphic and Cinder is as cool as the graphic.

It is pretty simple, but I love the sentiment of it.

This cover captures the intensity of the story and the strength of Saba.

The title and cover of this book are perfect!

Dan Santat is one of my favorite illustrators and I love this cover!

This cover really shows the imagination and curiosity of Jane.

What are your favorite covers? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

Let’s dish about our literary crushes!

These are some amazing male characters!

Ricki

1. The Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

When I think of a swoon-worthy male character, the first one who comes to mind is Dexter. I could also list several other male characters in Sarah Dessen’s books, but I decided to pick my favorite. This book will make you swoon!

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Whether you are Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad, this book is certainly swoon-worthy. I adore these two boys, and my students enjoyed fighting over these boys.

3. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Willem. He is smart and sexy. And he takes Allyson on the adventure of her life in a new country. We love Willem.

4. Fire by Kristin Cashore

After I read this book, I wanted to name my son Brigan. It was too bad it sounded terrible with my last name (Ginsberg). He is an incredible male character who I admire.

5. In This Moment by Wendy Glenn

I read this book on www.swoonreads.com. Not only will this book make you swoon, but it will make you ponder life. I definitely recommend it.

Kellee

1. Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore

Po and Brigan from these novels are probably two of my favorite love interests in any book. They are such amazing men who compliment there extremely strong female protagonists.

2. Divergent series by Veronica Roth

Tobias (Four) from the Divergent series grew on me–I liked him even more in Insurgent (a little less at the beginning of Allegiant) and then so much by the end of Allegiant. He is a good man.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This one may have made my list because I just read Fangirl, but I loved the boyfriend that Levi was to Cath in Fangirl. Also, I love that he was flawed physically yet exactly what Cath needed.

4. Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes

Z is one of those bad boys who you know has a deeper story. Throughout the book you get to know him more and what you learn makes him even badder and even more intriguing.

5. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

What Gus does in this book for Hazel makes him my favorite male character in any book ever.

Which books have made your heart flutter? 

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry

Get some tissues!

All of these books made us cry, but they are all brilliant and so worth it!

Ricki

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I imagine this book will appear on most TTT lists. This didn’t just make me cry…it made me ugly cry.

2. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch

I read this to my son as my husband rocked him to sleep. I couldn’t read the words I was crying so much. What a beautiful story!

3. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I taught this book for two years, and I cried every time I read it…and every time I read it aloud in class.

4. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

I found this story to be incredibly frustrating because I didn’t know how to feel. I could understand every character’s position, even when they disagreed with each other. It is a tearjerker.

5. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

I read this book in third or fourth grade, and all I remember is the ending and how much I cried (and I was so young!). Oof. This was a difficult one.

Kellee

1. Wonder by RJ Palacio

This book is so touching and although there is a scene that definitely makes me cry because of sadness, most of my tears were happy tears.

2. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Pg. 263. I will never forget that page. Made me bawl!

3. See You At Harry’s by Jo Knowles

And what makes you cry just comes out of nowhere! I lent this book to a friend, with no warning, and I promise that this lead to angry texts when she got about 25% of the way through.

4. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (and Threatened by Eliot Schrefer)

When I read this book aloud to my class last year, it took me about an hour to read the last 15 pages. Imagine me, sitting in front of 22 eighth graders as I try to read through my sniffles, breath-catches, and massive tears to share the amazing conclusion with my students. (Just read Threatened as well and it, too, will lead to some tears!)

5. Hurt Go Happy  by Ginny Rorby

There is a scene in this book that I cannot make eye contact with students as it happens because I know that we would all start crying. Such a tough scene!

Which books have made you tear up? 

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