It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 4/29

It's Monday! What are you reading? --From Picture Books to YA--is a weekly meme hosted by Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts.  Head over to their blog for links to many great blogs and a plethora of good book suggestions.

I managed to get through a few books this week even though I was still sick all week.  I went back to the doctor on Friday and got the correct antibiotic to get rid of the sinus infection.  I felt SO much better Saturday and Sunday, but I still spent time relaxing and resting so that I can be fully recovered this week.

Books Finished This Week:

Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz graphic novel was a fun and whimsical adaptation of the classic book.  I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it for middle grades.

Foiled by Jane Yolen is an excellent graphic novel.  I loved the original story and the strong female protagonist.  I will certainly be looking for the other books in the series.  I highly recommend this graphic novel.

I really enjoyed The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.  It was just as edgy and full of adventure as The Hunger Games.  I would definitely recommend it to teens and adults alike. The only thing I would say is that it was really similar in premise to The Hunger Games so I could see some people not liking it because of that.  See my longer review of this book here.

I decided to request Ghetto Cowboy from my library after reading how much Kellee Moye enjoyed it.  I didn't know anything about the book, but boy am I glad I picked it up!  What an interesting story.  I can't believe that there really are urban cowboys like the ones in this book.  I read this one so quickly and I know that my students will really love it.  I need to buy it soon to add to my library.  I highly recommend this book!

I read Nightwatch by Sergei Lukyanenko in order to be able to discuss it with my husband.  He is taking a vampire literature class this semester and wanted my opinion about the book.  The premise of the book seems promising when you start reading but I did not think the author really delivered on this premise.  If you really enjoy fantasy, you might like this one.  However, I did not enjoy it all that much and neither did my husband.

From Willa, With Love was handed to me by a student.  She and her friend gave it to me and told me I HAD to read this book.  I picked it up and read it in one sitting.  I love Willa and her love of reading.  The quotes the author used at the beginning of each chapter made me smile and some will probably be gracing the walls of my classroom soon.  I didn't know that this one was part of a series until I read the author's notes at the end.  I am absolutely going to seek out the other books so that I can spend more time with Willa and her lovely town in Cape Cod. I can't wait to talk these two students about this book!

Books I am Currently Reading:

I started reading Madhattan Mystery while waiting to see the doctor on Friday.  I will continue that book.  I also am still listening to Days of Blood and Starlight since I haven't been working out and that is the time that I listen to audiobooks.

What's Up Next?

I have One Came Home by Amy Timberlake to read before she comes for an author visit to my school in a couple weeks.  I also bought Mind Games by Kiersten White and I am excited to read that one.  Other than that, I will see how the week shapes up.  I haven't read any nonfiction in a while so I will probably pick one up to read soon.  I also have The Talent Code from the library which needs to be returned soon so I will most likely dig into that one as well.