Top Ten Tuesday: Sites Beyond Books I Visit!

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I've explained, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 2-3 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is: Non-Bookish Websites I Visit Often

Zulily! I love this website and have gotten several cute clothes from them!

Teachers Pay Teachers:  I find so many ideas for teaching on this website.  I often check "free" first, but I have bought whole novel study units to use.  So love this site!

Etsy:  Of course I'm on this site a lot.  I find everything there!  And I found most things I needed for my wedding.  

Know what I learned from this??? I don't visit many sites that aren't related to books! I visit Amazon (books), The Red Balloon (books), Twitter (books), Instagram (books).  Wow I didn't realize how much my life is books! And that's not a bad thing!!!

How Did They Grow Up? Top Ten Tuesday.

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 2-3 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is: Characters You'd Like to Revisit as an Adult

I'd love to revisit Miranda from When You Reach Me.  I adore this book, so I'm super curious to see what she's like as an adult!

Another character would be Abilene from Moon Over Manifest.  She was so interesting and she grew up so much in that book that I'm curious as to how she is as an adult.  

But the number one character would be:

Ponyboy from The Outsiders.  

Wow would I love to see what he's up to as an adult!!!! But alas I know that S.E. Hinton has no thought of writing any more about him.  

Who would you like to see as an adult???

Top 1(0) Tuesday: Last 5 Star Read

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic. Which is why it's titled Top 1(0)! And FYI this was last week's topic!

Today the topic is:Last 5 Star Book You've Read

For me that would be The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.

I absolutely adored and was moved by this book!

If you haven't read it you should.  It's a quick read since it's written in verse.  But don't let that fool you - it's packed with emotion!

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood.


Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family. 

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Books I Wanted to Read but Haven't Yet

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is:

Books From 2014 I Wanted to Read But Didn't Get To

I have three.  I own all three but just haven't read them yet!!!

Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd 

Top Ten Tuesday: 2015 Goals

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is:

Goals for 2015: Reading, Blogging or Otherwise

I have three

Read the books on my shelves.  Yesterday I posted about a challenge I'm participating in where I'm only going to read books I own right now and not buy more books.  Eek! I can do it tho I know I can!

Blog my way on my time and not worry about views or comments or offers from publishers.  I just want to share my love of books, so I want to blog in a way that lets that come through.

Non-Blogging goal:  Writing.  I have a goal to get the story I'm working on finished.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Dear Santa Can Bring Me

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is:

Books We Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Us

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

I'm trying to get back to running, so that part interests me, but I've also read some good reviews.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

I love her Jenna Fox series, so I want to read this one now. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Books of 2014

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is:

Top Books I Read in 2014

Well last's week's Top Ten post would cover this as well.  You can find it HERE.  

But I do have a couple I could add.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Awesome book that I read because I was using it with one of my classes.  

Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick

I've seen mixed reviews on this one, but I really liked it because of how unique it was.

The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky by Holly Schindler

Just a cute, uplifting middle grade book.

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

As I was explaining in an earlier post, I want to keep blogging but in order to do that I really need to simplify what I do.  

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme, but I just can't do 10! I don't have the time.  

So I'm going to keep it simple and to the point and only share 1-2 picks for the week's current topic.

Today the topic is:

New to Me Authors in 2014

I have two:

Mary Amato author of Guitar Notes

and

Stephanie Kuhn author of Charm & Strange.  

I really really loved the books I read by these two authors.  Well done, and I can't wait to read more!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Authors I've Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

Today we are looking at the Top Authors I've Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

1.  Jennifer E. Smith.  I've only read This is What Happy Looks Like and really liked it, so I need to read more.

2. Gayle Forman.  I've only read Just One Day.  Loved it way more than I thought I would, so I need to read more.  I know there is a sequel of types for this book, so I plan on reading that one.  

3.  Rick Yancey.  I've read The 5th Wave only and I will NEED to read the sequel! 

3.  Megan Miranda.  I LOVED Hysteria, so I must read more.  I know that Fracture is supposed to be really good.  

4. S.A. Bodeen.  She wrote The Compound and I really really really liked it.  The sequel is now out, so I must read that.  

5.  Grethcen McNeil.  I read Ten this summer and loved the mystery in it, so I want to read more.  

Top Ten Tuesday - Underrated Books or Authors

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

Today we are listing the top ten books and authors we feel don't get enough attention in the genre of our choice.  I chose a broader category and just went with books I feel need more attention in both YA and MG.

The Midnighters Series by Scott Westerfeld

I adored this series and wish more would read it.  Very cool concept!

Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West

Such cute books! Please read this series!

Dead City Series by James Ponti

A great zombie series for the middle grade set!

A Bad Case for Voodoo by Jeff Strand

I seriously laughed out loud while reading this book!

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg

I so loved this book. Sweet story about a family dealing with loss.

Downsiders by Neal Shusterman

The first book I ever read by him.  I loved it so much and so wish he'd continue the story.

Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNash

 

Creepy!!! And weirdly my review of it has directed a ton of traffic to the blog. 

That you go a whole crop of books and series you need to get reading! Go to the bookstore now....I'll wait :)

Top Ten Tuesday - Characters That Would Be at My Lunch Table

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

With school starting up we are looking at who would be sitting at the lunch table with us.  

I would love to say characters like Tris from Divergent or Katniss, but I know that had we gone to high school together we would've traveled in different social circles! I really wanted to include Jace from The City of Bones, but that would NEVER happen! :)

1. Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson series.  He reminds me a lot of my guy friends in middle school and high school, so I know he'd be right there hanging out with us.

2. Mallory from Going Vintage because I'd love to go vintage too and dress from the 40's, so I would admire her style!

3.  Sophie from Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.  I just love this girl! Although I'd be careful to not make her mad!!!

4. Violet from The Body Finder.  I think she's a smart, level-headed girl.  I would just like having her there!

5.  Rex Green from the Midnighters Series by Scott Westerfeld.  I love this series (more people should read it!) and Rex is my favorite character.  He's the most level headed. Super smart and not afraid to be who he is.

Who would be at your lunch table????

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Books I Want to Read But Don't Own Yet

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

Today we're looking at books I want to read by haven't bought yet. I'm only going to do three because this could be a huge list that I find hard to narrow down!

On the Road to Find Out by Rachel Toor.  I'm a wanna be runner, so this one has my interest.  I've heard good and bad about it, but I really want to still read it.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith.  This book sounds good and weird at the same time, so I've got to read it!









The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson.  I loved her other books, so I want to read this one.  It sounds good, and I've heard good things.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been Recommended to Me Over and Over and.....

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

Top books or authors people have recommended to me over and over and over......

Anything by John Green.  After The Fault In Our Stars came out everyone was recommending him to me. The thing is - I had read most of his books already before the "general  population" found him.  

Sarah Dessen. The girls I teach have told me over and over and over and over that I MUST read one of her books.  I plan on it, but I just haven't yet.

The rest of the The Giver series.  I have taught The Giver for the last two years and love it.  But I haven't read the rest of the books in the series - Messenger, Gathering Blue and Son - I know they aren't a true series, more companion books. Many many students and other teachers tell me I MUST read them. I did try reading Gathering Blue a long while back but couldn't get into it.  I do plan to day to read them, but I just don't know when.  (Oh and about the movie - don't get me started!)

The Heroes of Olympus series.  Tons of my 5th and 6th graders (as well as my own daughter) tells me I MUST read them.  I'm getting there.  

The Found series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  This one comes from my students as well.  Many of them have read the entire series, so they tell me I have to read it! The thing is, I read the first one and it didn't excite me, so I don't plan on reading the rest.  BUT I'm so glad they enjoy them!



What about you?? What books do people recommend to you over and over?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I'm Not Sure I Want to Read

Hosted by Broke and Bookish

Top Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read (books you may have bought but aren't sure if you are into it anymore, books you wanted to read but heard mixed things about, hyped books you aren't sure about --- basically any book that has you going, "TO READ OR NOT TO READ?"

The Selection by Kiera Cass.  A ton of my students have told me to read this.  I just don't know if I want to.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  I've read the other two.  I know what happens.  Do I want to read it??????

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.  I have it on my Nook, and I've heard tons and tons of great stuff about it.  But I believe it's high fantasy, and I struggle with that! 

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.  I know! I know! I just don't know if I want to read it.  I get very emotionally involved in book, so this one could be tough.

The rest of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.  I liked the first book in the series.  I just don't know if I want to finish it.  

There are more (many more!).  But those are the first ones I thought of.