Blogaversary Giveaway at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer

I Am A Reader, Not a Writer is having a blogaversary giveaway.  She is giving away your choice of 2 middle grade readers.  Jump over and check it out.

My personal rant on censorship

I usually review books on this site.  Occasionally I have something that is bugging me and I use this site as my platform.  This is one of those times.  I was reading a post at WORD for Teens about an article she had read, (read it here).  The article talks about a mother going into a bookstore to purchase a book for her child and in her opinion finding nothing  worthy of her child.  In her opinion every thing is so dark and depressing that it will only lead children/teens down that path.  We've all read about books being censored.  Each person has a right to read what they want.  If you don't like something because you feel it is too dark, evil, or whatever, then move on.  By the same token if you feel it is too religious, then move on.  Each parent has the right to choose for their own child and to guide their own child.  However, don't go out here and try to tell the rest of the reading world what they should be reading.  My mother and I recently had a conversation about stories that have as their characters witches, wizards, warlocks, etc.   She was of the mindset that all of them should be banned and that she never let us read and watch such things.  She did monitor what we read.  Then I reminded her that we watched "The Wizard of Oz" every year.  We watched Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.  She said, "Yes but those were all imaginary."  That is where she stopped.  It is our job as parents to teach our children our values but also to teach them to use their imaginations and to understand the difference between imaginary and realistic.  It is not my right to tell another parent what their child should or should not read based on my relgion or my values.  We need to teach our teens to use the brains that we give them credit for having.  So next time you are in a book store and you can't find anything that YOU like or would read. Don't trash the person who picks up something you wouldn't and decide that our youth are going to hell in a handbasket for reading such things.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Steps to Courage

by Sandra Stiles

Giveaway ends June 06, 2011.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Books Read in April

Well it seems that April slipped by so quickly.  I had a reading goal of 300 books this year.  I was falling behind right from the start.  For the first time in my life, I can say I am not upset.  I re-adjusted the goal to 150.  At this time I have read 57 books toward that goal.  Do I expect to go over the 150 mark?  Probably.  I don't believe lowering my goal is a bad thing.  My priorities have changed.  It kills me not to be able to have more time to read.  Last year I read with my classes one day a week.  That was seven hours of reading.   This year I am teaching Language Arts, and they have core novels they must read, and little free time to read in class.  I hate not having that one day a week to read at school.  I could usually put away 2 - 5 books if my students were on task.
This is not the only reason I've not read or reviewed as many books.  I will have a special announcement this next week.  All will become clear Tuesday or Wednesday.  However, while you are awaiting that announcement, why don't you take time to check out some of the books I read last month.  They were all really great books.

1.    The Ghost of Cutler Creek - Cynthia DeFelice
2.    Bless this Mouse - Lois Lowry
3.    Deadly Ties - Vicki Hinze
4.    The Priest's Graveyard - Ted Dekker
5.    Kat Incorrigible - Stephanie Burgis
6.    The Source of All Things - Tracy Ross
7.    Voices Under Berlin - T.H.E. Hill
8.    Berlin in Early Cold-War Army Booklets - T.H.E. Hill
9.    The Dark City - Catherine Fisher
10.  People of the Book - Kathi Macias
11.  Anessia's Quest - Karen Arnpriester
12.  The Ale Boy's Feast - Jeffrey Overstreet
13.  Waterfall - Lisa Bergren
14.  This Little Prayer of Mine - Anthony DeStefano
15.  Buddy's Tail - K. Anne Russell
16.  The Stone of Destiny - Jim Ware
17.  The Unbelievable Adventures of a WWII German War Bride - Ingeborg M. Johnston
18.  The Secret of Indigo Moon - G.P. Taylor

Winner of The Priest's Graveyard

AND THE WINNER

 Chosen by Random.org  is    #4


365andMe   


Congratulations!!!


I will be in touch with you to get your address.

Books read in March

I really didn't do as well as I would have liked. The closer we get to our state testing the less time I have. Only a week left until the dreaded test. I've begun to take fewer books for review. There are several reasons I have made this decision. First and foremost is the fact that the books are piling up on my desk, my shelves, my file cabinet and other nooks and crannies. The second and equally important reason is that I have completed my book and am reading over the edits that I spent last month making. I am hoping to have it published and to my agent by the end of April. That may sound backwards but I actually had my account set up at CreateSpace and then found an agent who will shop it out for me. Until then I will continue on, and my acceptance of review copies will taper off. I review almost every book I read, so there will never be a shortage of books for me to read and review. So, having said all of that, here is my list of books read for the month of March, and a link to their review.

1. Evercrossed - Elizabeth Chandler
2. The Collectibles - James Kaufman
3. Where She Went - Gayle Foreman
4. Quest for the Nail Prints - Don Furr
5. The Twisted Thread - Charlotte Bacon
6. Those That Wake - Jesse Karp
7. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair - Elizabeth Laird
8. Animal Stories Daddy Told Us - Inocent Emechete
9. Where Strangers Cross - Kevin Avery and John Long
10. The Day Before the Berlin Wall - T.H.E. Hill
11. Dust and Other Poems - Thomas Noel Smith
12. Glimpses of My Friend the King - James Howard
13. Ten Miles Past Normal - Frances O'Roard
14. The Poison Eater and Other Stories - Holly Black
15. These Things Hidden - Heather Gudenkauf
16. Bound By Guilt - C.J. Darlington

Books Read in February

I am kind of disappointed in the number of books I have read this month.  It has been a tough month at school.  The demands get tougher and often there is less support.  Then we had the flu go through the school and of course I missed three days because I got it.  The only good thing is that I now have an agent and am very close to having my first book published.  I know that the more I write the more my reading will slow down.  I just don't want it to slow down this much.  We have a day of reading tomorrow because it is Read Across America and I hope I can get some reading in.  Many of the  students like to do everything except read and often that is a distraction to others and that means I get less reading accomplished.  Let's hope March is a better reading AND writing month.

1. Lady in Waiting - Susan Meissner
2. Beloved Castaway - Kathleen Y'Barbo
3. Make a Wish - Marlayne Giron
4. I Am A Star - Inge Auerbacher
5. Storm Runners - Roland Smith
6. Zan-Gah:  A Prehistoric Adventure - Allan R. Shickman
7. Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country - Allan R. Shickman
8. Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton
9. Deadly - Julie Chibbaro
10. Haven - Kristi Cook
11. Saraswati's Way - Monika Schroeder

Books Read in January

These  are the books I read in January and a link to their review if I reviewed it.

1.    The Lost Gate - Orson Scott Card
2.  Angry Young Man - Chris Lynch

3.  Cryer's Cross - Lisa McMann

4.  The Chinese Conspiracy - John Mariotti
5.  Secret Saturdays - Torrey Maldonado
6.  Sudden Moves - Kelli Sue Landon
7.  Chasm - Randy Alcorn
8.  Wither - Lauren DeStefano
9.  Bogus - Aldo Zelnick

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to Tanya904 the winner of "The Lost Gate" by Orson Scott Card.  Please send me your mailing address so that I may get your book out to you this weekend.

Don't be discouraged if you did not win.  Please check back often.  I hope to do a giveaway at least once a month and if good fortune smiles down on me maybe more often.

Some thoughts On Blogging and the New Year

I did not make any resolutions for my blog this year.  I allowed myself to participate in 3 challenges because they will help me get books off of my shelves.  I will continue to accept books for review but will be choosier, and  I will continue to buy books for my shelves at school.  I especially buy books that students can't get from our school library because they don't have it or there is a large demand (readership) at the school.  Why this addiction?  I have always loved to read, and for years I worked with kids who had reading problems or were reluctant readers.  Sometimes it was the buzz generated by other students about a book or a series that got that students interested in reading, which in turn caused them to become an avid reader.  

 I follow several blogs and usually read their goals for the year.  However this blog : Books, Movies, and Chinese Food  really touched on something with me.

Deborah expressed concern about losing readers because of the way she blogs.  I thought about how similar we were as readers and bloggers.  Often many blogs will have an astronomical number of followers because they only read and review one genre or age group.   They often have such large numbers  because they constantly do giveaways.  This is where I get on my high horse.   In my opinion the worst type of blogger is the one that offers a giveaway with extra chances to win the book for  blogging about the giveaway, becoming a follower, following on facebook and twitter, just to increase their numbers.  I have been guilty in participating with blogs I was unfamiliar with.  However, if it was a blog I was not interested in visiting again and again, then I would let the giveaway go.  No need to sign up for a very slim chance, to win a book on a site you would not normally follow.

Here is where Deborah and I are alike, we both read secular and Christian books.  This may turn some readers off.  There are plenty of blogs out there that cater to a reader's taste.

I read and review everything from kid's picture books  to adult books.  Why so many ages and genres?
I have grandkids and need to keep up to date on what is out there for them.  I'm a middle school teacher. This means I have kids at all different levels that borrow my books so I keep track of middle grade and young adult books to recommend.  I try to read everything I put on my shelves so that I know if I need to give a parent a heads up about content that may be a little more mature for their child.  My students have brothers, sister and parents that are often readers and I want to hit all ages.  I read adult books now because I have fellow teachers making recommendations to me and asking for recommendations.  I run a reading challenge at my school where I give away books.  The way to draw parents and teachers in is to offer adult books.  The way to entice students is to let them see teachers, principals, secretaries, custodians and lunchroom staff participating.  Do I worry about the number of readers I have?  NO!!!
Is it desirable to have a large following? Yes.  But I started this blog to be a source for students and parents to find books to read.  Have I succeeded?  I think so.  Students don't sign up as a follower but they often come in and say, "Hey you know that book you had on your site?  Can I check it out?"  That is worth it to me.  Do I need to pare down what I buy?  Yes.  It is an addiction.  My students recognize it.  One asked me before break if they had something like AA for people like me with book addictions.  I had to laugh.  Then I looked at my shelves at home where I had over 300 books that need to be read and brought in to school.

I am going to try real hard this year to continue to read and review books that I enjoy.  However, I have a finished book that I am going to work real hard at getting published this year.  My sister is asking me to hurry up and finish my ghost story and my historical fiction books so she can read them.    That means I need to find a way to balance my teaching, reading and reviewing and writing.  That is my only goal for this new year.  No resolutions, no promises except to do my best at whatever I put my hand to

Read Into the New Year

When I saw this I thought, "What a wonderful idea, why didn't I think of this?"   Well the truth of the matter is, I read in the New Year Every Year.  My husband and I stay at home and watch the ball.  He's usually working on his computers and I'm reading.  I just don't really get into all of the party things going on, on the television.  I'd never thought of posting about it though.  I usually start a new book around 10 PM and then finish it in the new year and then it becomes my first review of the New Year.  So go over to Bookworming in the the 21st Century blog and sign up.  Join Kristen, and myself as we read in the New Year!

2010 Wrap Up

It seems like we just started 2010 and now I find myself writing this wrap up post for the year.  It has been a good reading year for me.  I have a total of 309 posts, and I read a total of 314 books.  It broke down like this.

January - 26 books              May - 5 books                September - 14 books
February - 16 books            June - 23 books              October - 40 books
March -  3 books                 July - 28 books               November -  72 books
April - 16 books                  August - 30 books          December - 41 books

This gave me a grand total of 321 books read and reviewed this year.  So you ask me, what are my goals for next year?  Well I've signed up to participate in  the following challenges:   What's in a Name ,  Off My Shelf,  Take Another Chance 3,  and NaJuReMoNoMo.  I am going to work harder to finish at least two more books.  I have a ghost story that is half finished, a historical fiction half finished and  a Christian fiction started.  I will also continue to shop my first book around looking for a publisher.  Another option I am looking into is getting it published in ebook form.  I haven't decided yet.  I would love to get it published the traditional way but that may not be the way for my first book.  Anyway, I look forward to whatever 2011 brings my way in the reading, blogging, and writing world.  I wish all of you good luck in the new year.

Favorite Reads of 2010

I have come up with a list of 30 books that I read this year that were probably the most memorable for one reason or another.  Since I read books from my shelves at school, those recommended by my students, classics as well as new books there is quite an eclectic selection here.  These are in alphabetical order only

Books Read in December

I didn't read as many books this month as I did in November.  I did finish up Cybils and Inspys so I had those books as well as a few I managed to read and review after all of the judging.  I did read a total of 40 books this month.

1.   Anna Mei, Cartoon Girl - Carol A. Grund
2.   Because of Mr. Terupt - Rob Buyea
3.   Betti on the High Wire - Lisa Railsback
4.   Countdown - Deborah Wiles
5.   Crunch - Leslie Connor
6.   Emma's River - Alison Hart
7.   How to Survive Middle School - Donna Gephart
8.   Penny Dreadful - Laurel Snyder
9.   President of the Whole Fifth Grade - Sherri Winston
10. Ray Reflected - eric elkins
11. Sir Seth Thistlethwaite and the Soothesayers Shoes - Richard Thake
12. The Burglar Who Bit the Big Apple - Steve Brezenoff
13. The Candy Makers - Wendy Mass
14. The Kneebone Boy - Ellen Potter
15. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - Tom Angleberger
16. Turtle in Paradise - Jennifer L. Holm
17. Violet in Bloom - Lauren Myracle
18. What I learned From Being a Cheerleader - Adrienne Ambrose
19. When Molly Was a Harvey Girl - Frances M. Wood
20. Wildfire Run - Dee Garretson
21. The Young Chieftain - Ken Howard
22. The Anatomy of Ghosts - Andrew Taylor
23. In the Shadow of Evil - Robin Caroll
24. The Reindeer Keeper - Barbara Briggs Ward
25. Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic
26. Kevin's Point of View - Del Shannon
27.  A Path Less Traveled - Cathy Bryant
28.  Glimpse - Stacey Wallace Benefiel
29.  A Simple Amish Christmas - Vannetta Chapman
30.  Powerless:  The Synthesis - Jason Letts
31.  Choker - Elizabeth Woods
32.  Trash - Andy Mulligan
33.  Mary Mae and the Gospel Truth - Sandra Dutton
34.  Love Finds You in Charm Ohio - Annalisa Daughety
35.  An Honest Love - Kathleen Fuller
36.  Winter's Awakening - Shelley Shepard Gray
37.  Plain Paradise - Beth Wiseman
38.  Anna's Return - Marta Perry
39.  The Fourth Fisherman - Joe Kissack
40.  Storm Mountain - Tom Birdseye

Interesting Email leads to Interesting Site

I received an interesting email this morning and decided to share it with my readers.  I read and review a lot of books for middle grades and young adult.  However, I also read and review a lot of adult books, educational books, etc.  The email I received today was from Larry Dignan at Onlinecollegecourses.com
He wanted to inform me of the overlap of subject matter in   "10 40 Exhilarating Reads for Runners".  Curious, I went to the site and check them out.  Not only do they have this article they have many more.  Follow this link (http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2010/12/7/40-exhilarating-reads-for-runners/).  I checked out their blog for an idea of the articles they have.  If you are a parent preparing to send a child out into the scary world of college, or you yourself are considering returning to college,  you might want to check out this site.   Some of the sources alone are worth the visit.  Go on you know you want to, check it out.

Books Read in November

Okay,  I know it is the 5th of December but my last few weeks have been a whirlwind.  Especially last week where I had a meeting every morning at school and something happening in the evenings or afternoons at school.  I am now taking a small break to list the books I've read this month.  I will not leave a link as that would take way too much time.  Some of these books I didn't blog about.  Why?  I am a judge for INSPY and CYBILS and have been reading, reading, reading and when you see how many books I read in November, you'll understand why I didn't review them all.  You'll also understand why I've been so exhausted.  So here goes the list.

1.   A Family’s Journey Through Prayer – M. Diane Cress

2.   A First Christmas, Friends and Festivity – Sean Noonan

3.   A Million Shades of Gray – Cynthia Kadohata

4.   Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray – Nick Bruel

5.   Big Nate: in a Class By Himself – Lincoln Peirce

6    Bobby The Brave (Sometimes) – Lisa Yee

7.   Boys Without Names – Kashmira Sheth

8.   Buddy Zooka:  In the French Quarter and Beyond – Tracey Tangerine

9.   Classic Starts:  Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

10. Classic Starts:  Moby-Dick – Herman Melville

11. Clementine, Friend of the Week – Sara Pennypacker

12. Edgar Allan’s Official Crime Investigation Notebook – Mary Amato

13. Elite Ambition – Jessica Burkhart

14. Emily’s Fortune – Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

15. Finn Reeder, Flu Fighter – Eric Stevens

16. Fiona Finkelstein Meets Her Match – Shawn K.Stout

17. Flush – Carl Hiaasen

18. Gaff – Shan Correa

19. Guinea Dog – Patrick Jennings

20. How I Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) – Art Corriveau

21. I Emma Freke – Elizabeth Atkinson

22. I Fooled You:  Ten Stories of Tricks, Jokes and Switcheroos

23. I.Q.:  The White House – Roland Smith

24. Island Sting – Bonnie J.Doerr

25. It’s Raining Cupcakes – Lisa Shroeder

26. Julia Gillian and the Dream of the Dog – Alison McGhee

27. Mallory Goes Green – Laurie B. Friedman

28. Mamba Point – Kurtis Scaletta

29. Me and Rolly Maloo – Janet S. Wong

30. Milo:  Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze - Alan Silberberg

31. Mockingbird – Kathryn Erskine

32. My Best Frenemy – Julie Bowe

33. My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours – Kristina Springer

34. My Life as a Book – Janet Tashjian

35. My Life with the Lincolns – Gayle Brandeis

36. Neil Flambe and the Marco Polo Murders – Kevin Sylvester

37. NERDS:  M is for Mama’s Boy = Michael Buckley

38. Nice and Mean – Jessica Leader

39. Nuts – Kacy Cook

40. Only One Year – Andrea Cheng

41. Orphan – John Weber

42. Pies & Prejudice – Heather Vogel Frederick

43. Red Wolf – Liza Marklund

44. River Odyssey – Philip Roy

45. Saint Training – Elizabeth Fixmer

46. Shooting Kabul – N.H. Senzai

47. Spike and Ali Enson – Malaika Rose Stanley

48. Stolen Child – Marsha Forchuk skrypuch

49. The Adventure of Andy and Spirit –Mary Jean Kelso

50. The Archaeolojesters – Andreas Oertel

51. The Case of the Crooked Carnival = Michele Torrey

52. The Case of the Terrible T. Rex – Michele Torrey

54. The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter

55. The Devil’s Door – Paul B. Thompson

56. The Dog in the Wood – Monika Schroder

57. The Dreamer – Pam Munoz Ryan

58. The Fizzy Whiz Kid – Maiya Williams

59. The Fossil Hunter of Sydney Mines – Jo Ann Yhard

60. The Ghostwriter Secret – Mac Barnett

61. The Healing Spell – Kimberly Griffiths Little

62. The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye

63. The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt

64. The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet – Erin Dionne

65. This is Me From Now On – Barbara Dee

66. This Mean War – Ellen Wittlinger

67. Throwing Heat – Fred Bowen

68. To Come and Go Like Magic – Katie Pickard Fawcett

69. Vordak the Incomprehensible – Vordak T. Incomprehensible

70. Wishing for Tomorrow – Hilary McKay

71. Words That Start with B – Vikki Vansickle

72. Zora and Me – Bond & T.R. Simon

Suggestions Please

I have tried to find a title for quite some time and have not been happy with what I have.  I am opening it up for suggestions.  Maybe something will spark an idea.

Story:  Three teens, finalizing their community service fundraiser to be held at Windows on the World, find themselves trying to survive the events of 9/11.  Each of them have had something major happen in their lives that have made them who they currently are.  Their survival will help them become the person they were meant to be.

I've had for titles so far:

Angels of Hope (named after the charity they are raising money for)
Steps to Courage
Steps of courage
Out of the Ashes
Out
Survivors

Nothing seems to click.  I am open to any and all suggestions.  Feel free to ask questions.  This is a YA story so please keep it appropriate.

Books Read in October

Due to the fact I am a middle grades fiction judge for Cybils, this months list is quite lengthy.  I am literally spending every free moment reading.  Below is the lit of book I have read in the month of October

1.   Museum of Thieves - Liam Tanner
2.   Happy Birthday Sophie Hartley - Stephanie Greene
3.   Skeleton Creek:  Crossbones - Patrick Carman
4.   One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams - Garcia
5.   The Wish Stealers - Tracy Trivas
6.   The Death Defying Pepper Roux - Geraldine McCaughrean
7.   Reinvention of Edison Thomas - Jacqueline Houtman
8.   Outlive Your Life - Max Lucado
9.   Other Half of My Heart - Sundee T. Frazier
10. Abigail Iris Pet Project - Lisa Glatt
11.  Out of My Mind - Sharon M. Draper
12. Summer Before - Ann M. Martin
13. Warriors in the Crossfire - Nancy Bo Flood
14. Vanishing Violin - Michael D. Beil
15.  The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - Tom Angleberger
16.  Mom There's A Dinosaur in Beeson's Lake - Trudi Trueit
17.  Noonie's Masterpiece - Lisa Railsback
18. Ratfink - Marcia Thornton Jones
19. Dancing Pancake - Eileen Spinelli
20. The Twelfth Imam - Joel C. Rosenberg
21. Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean - Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades
22. Alphabet Woof - Sherrie Madra
23. G.W. Frog and the Circus Lion - George W. Everett
24. The Crystal Heart - Michelle Nicole Martin
25. Wonder of Charlie Anne - Kimberly Newton Fusco
26. The Seventh Level - Jody Feldman
27. Dream of Night - Heather Henson
28. Belly Up - Stuart Gibbs
29. tortilla Sun - Jennifer Cervantes
30. Naturals - Sharon Petersen
31. It Writes Itself - Susannah Raulino
32. Avalanche Dance - Ellen Schwartz
33. Year of the Tiger - Alison Lloyd
34. Seaglass Summer - Anjali Banerjee
35. Blessing's Bead - Debby Dahl
36. Heart of a Samurai - Margi Preus
37. Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams
38.  Escape From Shadow Island - Paul Adam
39.  Imaginalis - J.M. DeMatteis
40.  Rocky Road - Rose Kent

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson (September 14, 2010)
Source:  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Through the use of stories and life lessons, Max Lucado asks us to take a good look around and ask, "What can I do?  What legacy will I leave behind?"  These are lessons we want our children to learn, yet we as adults need to ask the same questions of ourself.  The stories and lessons teach us that we need to look around and make a difference.  We should not think of this as a job just for missionaries.  God uses the ordinary person, child or adult to make a difference..  This is not a book you just read through quickly.  This is a book you must read, digest and then put into action.

Books Read in September and a Link to their review

These are the books I read in the month of September and a link to their review.

1.      The Capture -Kathryn Lasky
2.        The Painted Darkness - Brian James Freeman
3.        The Boy Who Changed the World - Andy Andrews
4.        Francie - Karen English
5.        If It Had Not Been For the Lord - Rosalyn Sumpter
6.        Into the Gauntlet - Margaret Peterson Haddix
7.        Emmy Budd and the Hijacked Train - Jean Blasiar
8.        Star Wars:  The Clone Wars:  The Lost Legion - Tracey West
9.        The Devil is in the Details - Tony Kessinger
10.      Held By God - Lori Phillips & Lynn Willers
11.      A Pocketful of Hope - Ana Dynowski
12.      The Skein and the Pair - Kathy Flanary Nelson
13.      You Were Made to Make a Difference - Max Lucado
14.     The Books of Elsewhere:  The Shadows - Jacqueline West