It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/25

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? --From Picture Books to YA is a weekly meme started by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers. This is a chance for bloggers to recap their week of reading and share their plans for the next reading adventures they will take. Visit the host blogs for a list of great blogs participating in this meme and a whole bunch of titles to add to your to-read lists.

I read some fabulous books this week.  With report cards to turn in last Friday, it was good to have a few books to relax with.  Over the weekend, I spent quite a bit of time reading because I felt like I had put in so much time working last week.  Also, it is always easier to plan for short weeks and it is the beginning of the next marking period so I can be a little more relaxed with my plans for this week.  For my 8th grade writing classes, it will be our last drive to get the word count goals for their novels.  I love NaNoWriMo for motivating my writers!  

Books I Finished This Week:

This is a great science fiction book.  The storyline really reminded me of The Host by Stephanie Meyer but with more action.  It was fun to come into school and show the trailer for this one.  So many hands flew into the air when I asked who wanted to read it.  I think my 8th graders will love the book.  I highly recommend it.  

I was excited when I found Keesha's House by Helen Frost last weekend.  I picked it up after finishing The 5th Wave because I needed a short one.  I read this in one sitting!  I absolutely loved the story of a safe house for teens in need.  The novel in verse is made up of poems told from the different perspectives of multiple teens who are going through issues such as pregnancy, foster care, abusive parents, and gang activity.  I love the author note at the end which explains all of the poetic forms that Frost used in her book.  This was another amazing Printz honor book.  

I really enjoyed returning to the world of The Girl of Fire and Thrones.  In Crown of Embers, Elisa is struggling to maintain power in the kingdom as a new queen.  She has a small group of people she trusts who surround and protect her through everything she does.  I love the adventure in this second book and am now really excited for the third.  I highly recommend this series.  

Books I am Currently Reading:

I love this one so far! I ordered it immediately after my conversation at breakfast last weekend.  There are some excellent ideas in here.  As with The Book Whisperer, Donalyn's ideas are helping to affirm many of the decisions that I make in my classroom every year.  

I am also reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  A colleague read it and highly recommended this book.  I started reading it at school and left it there by mistake so I will look forward to diving into it more this week.  I also decided to give up on Rotters for right now and to start listening to The Clockwork Prince.  I am enjoying the story.  

What's Next?

I am not sure what I will read next.  I have The Forsaken and Article 5 on my Kindle that I would like to get to.  I also have two book shelves full of books to read.  I put Ruby Red on my bedside table earlier this week so that one will probably come next.  I also have Unhinged from NetGalley and I would like to get to that one too.  With Thanksgiving this week, I will most likely be able to do a lot of reading...at least I hope I will.  

What are you reading this week?  I would love to hear from you in the comments.  Have a great reading week!