It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Denise Krebs

Thanks to the #TeachersWrite Summer Writing Camp, I’m following Maria’s Mélange blog, so I noticed this “What are you Reading?” meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. And the children’s literature version, hosted by Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts.

I thought I would give it a try today. This summer I decided to get serious about using GoodReads.com. Good decision! It’s a success. I’ve read more and faster, I’ve had many good books recommended through great reviews and suggestions, and my two children’s lit students have joined and log their books on GoodReads too.

Here’s what I’ve read this week.

Professional Book – I have to revamp my literacy classes next year because I am sad I’m going from two periods (English and Literature) to one period (just English). I’m reading lots of books about reading and writing. I must take advantage of every minute I have with my students.

Children’s Fiction – I liked the book Ivan the One and Only. After I read it I noticed it is the intermediate book pick for the Global Read Aloud 2012 (#glread12). I was curious about the Benjamin Pratt book, so I read that one too.



Children’s Non-fiction – I like Jean Fritz, and I teach U.S. history and government, so I read two of hers. Then I also checked out all the Diane Stanley books in my library.

 

Short Stories – This one has taken me a while to finish. The stories are old, written about the Civil War by women in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

For this Week – I’ve been plugging away at John Adams, but I have two children’s books handy for when I need a break.

21 thoughts on “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?”

  1. Denise
    Great to find you here joining in with this meme. I get heaps of suggestions each week.
    I must check out the global read as I really liked Ivan, however am committed to reading Wonder next and then my class and I are waiting for a second book to come out to one we read last year, so my ‘read alouds’ might be booked for 2012.
    Kathryn

  2. Denise
    Me again, hope you are going to put your link in over at Mentor Texts – It’s Monday, great place for your two lit students as well.
    Kathryn

  3. Kathryn,
    Thanks so much for the comments, and for the note to add my link on the Mentor Texts blog. I just figured out that this is a special version of the meme for children’s literature. Excellent! Now I’m busy reading those posts, which are much more interesting for my book lists.

    Thanks for the comments and for helping me figure out this new meme! Great!

    Denise

  4. Denise, I signed up for Goodreads just last night (I’ve been using Shelfari)… Do I have to put all my “already read books on there now, do you think? So many books, so little time. Glad to know you’re reading IVAN! Are you in for the global read aloud? I am! -Me

    1. Yes, I am going to do the global read aloud with 7th graders! Let’s do something together, shall we? Regarding the already-read books: I guess it’s totally up to you. I just opened my account last summer, added a few books, and then forgot about it until early this summer. I just started from the books I was on and didn’t try to remember others. You have your Shelfari resources you can copy over, though.

      So many books, so little time is right!
      Thanks,
      Denise

  6. I’m glad you found our It’s Monday! meme! I have loved meeting all sorts of new people through Teachers Write. I post my Teachers Write updates/check-ins on Sundays if you want to visit us then, too. 🙂

    I’m so excited to see that you are reading Wonder now! I love that book. Definitely my favorite of the year. The One and Only Ivan is great, too. I love the message and the love of animals expressed in the book. We all need to be more conscious of how animals are treated in this day and age. Looks like you do lots of reading! Glad you found us and decided to join in!

  7. Thanks, Jen! I’ve been busy reading and writing and preparing for a new school year, and, of course, trying to clean the house during the summer, but I usually don’t do it all at the same time! Last week was a big reading week, but my writing was neglected. Oh well, it’s a great summer, and I love that I can have a mini sabbatical in the summer months–to be a lifelong learner!

    Thanks for your cool page!
    Denise

  8. Lots of varied reading there! I’ve heard so many good things about Wonder, hope you’re enjoying it.

    Happy reading!

  9. I held off on reading The One and Only Ivan for the longest time, because I just didn’t think it was going to be for me. And then I finally read it, and literally could not put it down. I read the whole thing in one sitting.

    I also really, really enjoyed Wonder. As a former classroom teacher, that book resonated with me. It has something important to say.

    Have a great week!

    1. Maria,
      I did the same thing with Ivan and today I read half of Wonder. I may finish it before bed! I love both of those beautifully written stories. I’m looking forward to sharing them both with my classes this year.

      Denise

  10. Hi Denise! Thanks for sharing this site. I went to GoodReads.com and it is amazing. I try to read as often as I can, but sometimes it’s hard finding the time between school and work. I’m sure I will get a lot of use out of this website now and once I begin my teaching career.

  11. Emily,
    I’m glad you learned about GoodReads! It is a great site. I find so many books I want to read. My to-read list just keeps growing and growing, and I don’t lose the titles like I used to when I wrote the books I heard about on scraps of paper.

    Denise

  12. Denise, I JUST finished listening to “A Long Way from Chicago” by Richard Peck. Fab.u.lous! Great one to LISTEN to as well to get the accents and voices of the older people in the story. Each chapter is kind of like the story he told at the conference about the grandmother who told those lies to the reporter. I really do think I’ll add it to my read aloud pile for next year!
    Have a great week!
    -Michelle TG

    PS-Anyone with a library card in Iowa can “check out” audio books or e-books from http://wilbor.lib.overdrive.com It takes a little technical know-how, but it’s free and a great resource! That’s where I found this title and downloaded it to my iPod.

  13. Thanks, Michelle,
    I’m glad you liked Richard Peck’s book. I have three titles I got from the reading conference, but have yet to dig into them! So many books!

    Thanks for sharing about Wilbor too.

    Thanks,
    Denise

  14. Denise,
    I see that you are going to participate in the Sketchbook Project. I saw a photo of it from Laura on flickr and asked her what it was. I would be glad to join the group for a lower rate.

  15. Goodreads is a great tool to use, I use it – but know I could use it more. Great reads for you!

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