Top Ten Worlds I'd Never Want to Live In (1/28)

I am joining in on this weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a different top ten list topic and a bunch of bloggers weighing in.  Head on over there to see more of the great blogs participating.

This week's list is full of great books that I loved reading.  All of these books have amazing characters who work to survive against the greatest of odds.  Many of these worlds started out seeming not-so-bad but any time spent there would reveal the awful circumstances in which the citizens find themselves. All of these places were great worlds to visit for a while, but I am super happy I do not live in these places.  In no particular order, my picks are as follows:

1. Divergent : I would never want to be sorted like the people are in this world.  I think variety is what makes us all interesting.

2. Legend: A world in which there are multiple plagues killing off poor citizens and a military state that rewards the rich? No, thanks!

3. The Hunger Games: No explanation needed here.

4. Rot and Ruin: Umm, Zombies.

5. The Knife of Never Letting Go: Despicable people that do despicable things.  Noise that doesn't stop and a crazy man chasing you.

6. The House of the Scorpion: The world in which Matt lives is a hostile world ruled by a drug lord.  The inhumane treatment of clones makes the world that much more awful.

7. The Giver: A world with no color in which every adult takes a pill to suppress their urges...not cool!

8. Ready Player One: I just keep thinking about those mobile home parks with towers of RVs.  I hope things never get that crowded.  Also, a world in which entering a virtual reality is the choice that many people make to escape their reality does not sound like a fun world to me.

9. Super Sad True Love Story: This is a depressing look at what the future may hold for us.  It is a tale of commercialism taking over the world and a place in which everyone is dependent upon their tablets for everything.  Much of the book was really close to home and I really hope we aren't living in this world in 20 years.

10. Delirium: A world in which love is viewed as a disease is just not a world I want to live in.

I would love to hear your thoughts!  Please share in the comments below.  

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/27

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.

This winter, it feels like we live in the North Pole.  I am at home today and tomorrow AGAIN because of dangerously cold weather.  I was not expecting to have a day off today because it was a teacher work day for most of our district, but who am I to argue with the powers that be...I am happy to have the opportunity to catch up on some blogging and some grading.  

I just finished watching the ALA youth media awards.  I have some great books to add to my TBR!  I also was super excited to see that Amy Timberlake won a Newbery Honor for One Came Home.  She was the first author that I arranged to have visit my school.  Now, I can't wait to get back to school to share this news with my students!  Many of them have signed and personalized copies of that book!  

My reading was a little slow this week because I was bogged down both with the fact that I was catching up from being absent for Key West on Thursday and Friday of the week before and the interim report cards that were due on Friday.  

Books I Finished This Week:

I FINALLY finished The Clockwork Prince.  I did a lot of listening in the airport and on the plane so that I could finish with this audiobook.  I am a bit heartbroken right now and need to pick up the story in The Clockwork Princess to see what will happen with these characters.  I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook and I have the audio of the next book as well.  

I have the galley of this book because I will be hosting Ilsa Bick at my school in a couple weeks.  I thoroughly enjoyed this creepy, thought-provoking book.  Watch for my review of this book later this week.  I was captivated by the horrifying events happening and the mystery of how these things are going on.  I am a little disappointed that the mystery is not resolved completely by the end of the book, but I guess that is to be expected when the book is the first in a series.  I highly recommend this book!  

Books I am Currently Reading:

I just started listening to The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon.  This is a really complex and interesting world so far.  I also started reading Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King.  

What's Next?

I have so many books on my shelves and on my Kindle that it is really difficult for me to decide what will be next.  Lately, I have just been going with my gut when choosing the next book.  I will probably continue to do that.  I may actually have time to finish a couple books because of these unexpected days off.  

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

Celebrate 1/25

                                               

This is a fabulous idea from Ruth Ayres in which we write about something to celebrate each Saturday. I am looking forward to participating in this link up each week and hearing about the awesome things happening in everyone's classrooms and lives.

I didn't get to write last week because I was so busy with the literary seminar.  I absolutely love Key West Literary Seminar.  It is always well done and worth the time and money.  Sitting in an auditorium and listening to authors talk about their process and their books is such a balm for the soul.  This time the theme was mystery/thriller which is my absolute favorite genre.  I enjoyed everything from the Keynote address by Elizabeth George to the panel discussions with Michael Connelly and Lee Child to the talk about struggling to become a writer by Lisa Unger.  The best thing about this conference is the way they try to keep things informal.  The panels are really just a few authors up on stage talking about the topic.  It is funny and relaxed and it is always entertaining. The mix of new authors with just a few books and veteran authors with multiple bestsellers and multiple series is always refreshing.  I came back recharged and with a much longer TBR list.  I also have a few pages in my notebook full of ideas that I got while listening to the authors.  A few things really resonated with me as a writer as well.

I also was able to spend an amazing weekend with my sister, her baby, and my mother.  My sister lives in California so I don't get to see her that often and it was great to spend time with her.  I also really enjoyed the time with my niece who is 9 months old.  She is so much fun!!!  The time with my family was really great.  I love that we can share the love of reading and writing together.

I was really happy this week to spy two girls at my reading door.  The two girls were pointing to the covers displayed and saying "I want to read this one, and this one, and this one, etc."  I love seeing these small moments in time that show that the students are interested in reading.

Yesterday, I found out that one of my students won the "Draw a Quarkbeast" contest.  She is super proud of the fact that Jasper Fforde selected her drawing.  The drawing will be published in the paperback of The Song of the Quarkbeast which will be released next fall.  We had many students enter that contest this fall because Mr. Fforde visited our school in September.  I love the way the author visit is having a lasting effect for this student.


What are you celebrating this week?  I hope you have had an amazing week!  I would love to hear from you in the comments.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/20/14

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.

This week I did not finish many books.  I was super busy in the beginning of the week because we had district big shots coming to visit our school on Wednesday.  Then I had to make sub plans for Thursday and Friday because I was traveling to Key West for the Key West Literary Seminar.  This is something my mom, my sister, and I do together some years.  This year's theme was mystery/thriller.  I LOVE mysteries and I was so excited to have the opportunity to see these authors speak and have conversations with each other on the panels.  

Books I Finished This Week: 

I really enjoyed Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien.  It was a really interesting dystopian society and a protagonist faced with very difficult circumstances.  I am sure my students will really like this book too.  I am interested in reading more in the series.  

Books I am Currently Reading:

I am still listening to Clockwork Prince.  I am going to make sure to listen to the book during my travels today.  I have less than an hour left so I am sure I will finish today while traveling.  I also just started reading White Space by Ilsa Bick in anticipation of a school visit from this author.  

What's Next?

I am not sure what will be next.  There are so many books on my shelf.  I will choose from those.  

What are you reading?  Any recommendations? I would love to hear from you in the comments!

Have a great reading week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/13

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.

Books I Finished This Week:

The Great and Only Barnum is a fascinating biography of P.T. Barnum.  I first heard of the title in a workshop with Jeff Anderson and I definitely agree that this is a great mentor text for informational writing.  I learned so much about Barnum's life and the traveling shows that made him famous.  

I don't know why it took me so long to get to Crank by Ellen Hopkins.  I am so glad I finally picked it up to read it.  In many ways, it reminded me of reading Go Ask Alice when I was twelve.  I immediately recommended this one to a student who really likes books about tough issues like this.  The fact that it is a novel in verse makes it easier to read and perfect for some of my students.  I highly recommend this one to grades 8 and up.  

Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick is an amazing novel.  I love how the author started with the typical adolescent who is unwilling to recognize he did something terribly wrong.  The protagonist ends up doing community service in a nursing home and being assigned to a surly older gentleman.  The two find that they have more in common than they might have thought at first and Alex learns some valuable life lessons.  I really loved this book.  I would highly recommend this one as well.  

I really enjoyed A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn.  This adult mystery book is set in South Africa in the middle of the years of apartheid.  The detective finds himself in a small town and investigating a crime that may have crossed the race lines.  The murder investigation becomes political and dangerous.  I was enthralled with the story.  This author did a great job of keeping the suspense throughout the book and giving me a few twists and turns that were unexpected.  I also learned quite a bit about South African society in the 1950s.  If you like mystery, this is one to look for.  I am excited to hear this author in Key West this week. 

I also read a few picture books I had recently ordered on my Kindle.  I enjoyed all three of these picture books: Sea Monster's First Day by Kate Messner, Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon, and Locomotive by Brian Floca.  Locomotive is so beautiful!  

Books I am Currently Reading:

I am still listening to The Clockwork Prince.  I need to get back into working out so I can make progress in my audiobook.  

What's Next?

I am really not sure what will be next.  I will probably stare at my shelf for a while tonight to see if something pops out at me.  I am sure something will.  

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

Celebration 1/11

                                               

This is a fabulous idea from Ruth Ayres in which we write about something to celebrate each Saturday. I am looking forward to participating in this link up each week and hearing about the awesome things happening in everyone's classrooms and lives.

It was SO HARD to get back in the swing of things this week.  We only had a 3 day week, since we had school cancelled for Monday and Tuesday because of the extreme cold.  On Friday, I overheard two conversations that reminded me why I do this job.

First, there was the conversation at lockers:

The two girls were talking about the pile of books Girl 2 has in her locker and her excitement about a book she is looking forward to.

Girl 1: "I thought you didn't like reading."
Girl 2: "I didn't, but now we're in this class and Mrs. Payan reads all the time and it's just different."

I love the way this conversation reinforced the importance of the teacher who reads and the way that influences attitudes.

Later that morning I overheard another student:

"When you have a book that you are really interested in it is so hard to stop reading.  I sit down to just read for 15 minutes and the next thing you know it has been hours."

This student had no interest in reading at the beginning of the school year.  Over winter break she ordered multiple books and came back to school super excited about reading.  The Dead and The Buried by Kim Harrington was her book.  Now, she is recommending books and influencing her friends in a positive way to get them reading.  This conversation was an attempt to explain to her friend how she needs to find a book so that the daily required reading is easy to do.


I am going to this event starting on Thursday:

This will be the fourth time I go to the Key West Literary Seminar with my mother.  We have not gone every year, but it is a wonderful event that we enjoy together.  This will be the second time that my sister will also be there with us.  It is even more exciting because my sister is bringing my niece.  I love this literary seminar because it is a weekend full of authors speaking and panel discussions.  It is also full of receptions and multiple opportunities to talk to authors in a more informal setting.  This year, the theme is right up my alley.  I am so looking forward to being in beautiful Key West with my family and enjoying this awesome event.  Judy Blume is on the board of this event and is always there.  Maybe this year I will be brave enough to approach her.  I usually fangirl from afar.

What do you have to celebrate this week?  I would love to hear from you in the comments.  Have a wonderful week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/6

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 had a great two weeks off of school.  Being in Spain made me feel so disconnected and I was able to have some time to truly relax and enjoy time with my husband.  I did not have an easy internet connection until Tuesday of last week, so I had a hard time keeping up with Monday posts.  I didn't get to link up last week, but I did post.  If you are curious about the books I read in the previous two weeks please click here.

Books I Finished This Week:

I really liked The Forsaken by Lisa Stasse.  It is an adventure and a good start to a dystopian series.  This is a good one for fans of The Hunger Games.  I would definitely recommend it.  

I absolutely love Matthew Quick.  I was really looking forward to this one and he did not disappoint.  This story of a boy who plans to kill a classmate and then commit suicide is tragic and desperate.  The story was realistic and it is a good reminder for people of how much a small gesture can really mean to someone.  As a teacher, the book reminded me that those personal connections I forge with students are incredibly important.  I highly recommend this book to high school students and adults.  I do not think I will take it into my classroom.  The subject matter is a little too much for my 8th graders to handle, in my opinion.  

Dead Connection by Alafair Burke is an adult murder mystery.  I am working on reading more books by the authors I will see in Key West this month.  I definitely enjoyed this book and will continue to look for more by this author.  

Books I am Currently Reading:

I am still listening to The Clockwork Prince. I should be able to finish this week, because I will be back in my workout routine.  I am reading Crank by Ellen Hopkins and The Great and Only Barnum.  I also started Finding the Heart of Nonfiction and will have a chance to read more today as I am working at home in the cold, cold weather.  School was cancelled for today and possibly will be tomorrow because of dangerous wind chills.  Feliz Dia de Los Reyes to me (and my husband).

What's Next?

I am planning to read The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick and Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver.  I also have a pile of amazing books that I am anxious to read such as: Everybody Sees the Ants, Reality Boy, Counting by Sevens, The Monstrumologist, The Lord of Opium.  I will grab from this pile and see what I end up with this week.  I also want to read a few more mysteries before I go to Key West Literary Seminar in a couple weeks.

Have a great reading week!

Celebrations 1/4/14

                                               

This is a fabulous idea from Ruth Ayres in which we write about something to celebrate each Saturday. I am looking forward to participating in this link up each week and hearing about the awesome things happening in everyone's classrooms and lives.

Celebrating this week:

1. Although she is not human, my dog is definitely a big part of our family.  I am celebrating having her back home with us after we got home from out of town.  I love the place she goes and am very thankful for the excellent care she receives while she is with them.  Here are some action shots from the doggy spa:

I love that we have a great place to take her and know she is happy and safe while we're gone.  Now, I am happy to have her cuddled up with me on the couch as I write.














2. I had a blast with Ramon's family in Spain.  His cousin threw us a surprise welcome party on the day we arrived.

Ramon and his mom enjoy one of their favorite dishes...snails!

After that, it was nonstop family time over the holidays.  It was beautiful as always in Sevilla.  The holiday lights are amazing there and it is always fun to see his family since we don't get to see them often.

3. Almost ten years ago, I bought a necklace from an artist that works with glass at the art fair in Sevilla.  I went back to this same art fair each year we were there over the holidays, but have never been able to find that artist again.  This year, she was there again along with another artist with gorgeous pieces!  I am celebrating my new beautiful necklaces!  I love these because they are so unique.

4. Ramon and I brought an iPad mini for his parents.  We went with them to set up internet in their house and showed them how to use e-mail, Skype, and FaceTime.  I am so excited that they will be able to do video conferences with both Ramon and his twin brother who lives in another part of Spain.  They were so excited when they were learning the technology.  I am so happy we brought this for them and were able to teach them the basics.  I just know that Ramon's parents will love being able to use the internet and connect with their family.

5. Our trip home was the smoothest trip I have ever had.  We had very little downtime...we didn't have to run in the airport in Madrid to connect with our flight, but we were able to board immediately when we got to the gate.  We had a smooth flight which is made better because the plane now has individual video screens and you can select your own entertainment.  It definitely makes the 9 hour flight go faster!  I enjoyed watching Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and The Great Gatsby (which I thought was very well done).  I also had some good time to read on the plane.  Then, going through customs in Chicago was quick, our bags came up fast, and the bus to Milwaukee was waiting when we got outside.  We usually have to wait about 45 minutes for the bus because we usually get outside about 5 minutes after the bus left.  It was nice to get home an hour earlier than we had anticipated.

6. I know this sounds weird, but I am also celebrating the fact that our car and house were fine when we got home.  No break-ins or any other bad things...I am always a little nervous that something will happen while we're gone.

7. Last. but not least, I am celebrating an extra day off.  School has been cancelled for Monday because of the extremely cold wind chills forecasted.  It is nice to be able to relax a little more today knowing that I have another day to plan.