Resolve to Read

 As an educator, I recognize the importance of reading, not just for myself but for our children.  After all, studies have shown that reading builds both vocabulary and cognitive thinking skills. Also, children who are poor readers when they enter 3rd grade, are more likely to drop out of high school. (read more about that here)

Years ago, I made a resolution, not to make resolutions.  In 2014, I've decided to change that.  It's amazing how easy it is to sit down and share a book with a child, but how often we just can't find the extra few minutes to do it.

This year I ask everyone to take a few minutes to read to a child.

 For those of you who need other avenues to help promote literacy, check out Barbara Bush's Foundation for Family Literacy website.  You can also follow the Foundation's Twitter feed here.

Happy New Year!

The worst of all injustices is to fail to teach kids how to read.

— Barbara Bush Fndn (@BarbaraBushFdt) December 31, 2013

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon

As the school year winds down, I've come to realize that since January I've read almost entirely work related non-fiction. Not that there isn't validity in reading non-fiction, but sometimes one just needs a little escapism.  When my friends Amanda and Kelly decided to start their Bout of Books read-a-thon, I knew this was just for me!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

For me, I'm focusing on reading what I love.  I have several new YA novels sitting in my iPad just waiting for a reader.  This week, I'm tossing aside work related reading to focus on reading one YA book and one anticipated novel.  One YA book I've been holding captive in my iPad is  City of Ashes,  the second of the Mortal Instruments books, was written by Casandra Clare.  I've had this book in my "to read" list for years, this week it's getting read!   (she has great educational resources on her site for all of my teacher friends)

My second novel to start this week is Inferno.   I've pre-ordered and it will download into the Kindle App on my iPad at midnight on the 14th.   I love this series and can't wait to read the new installment. I won't finish this new novel by the end of the read-a-thon, but I'm looking forward to committing the time to dive in a start reading!

 Secretly, I would love to be Robert Langdon living out all of these super-cool adventures. 

So those are my reading pleasures for this week.  Do you have any specific books you are going to tackle this week? 

Doris

Let the Reading Begin

Dewey's Read-A-Thon is today.   While I started an hour late due to an unfortunate incident that involved Carly, an egret and a large puddle of water (don't ask)  I start my reading with Defending Jacob.

Not my usual YA read, Defending Jacob is a book that a librarian buddy of mine recommended.    I am looking forward to reading out of my comfort zone.

You can follow the Read-A-Thon here. I always get great book suggestions from this event. 

 I'll update this post with today's reading material.  I am taking a short break around 7 for  Aggie Muster. 

Happy Reading! 

#Readathon

Today, I am taking part in Dewey's ReadAThon. 


Readathon gives me a grat opportunity to focus a day to just read what has been sitting on my Kindle for a few weeks.  It's cool outside, the coffee is brewing, soup is making and I'm reading!  I will be taking the Kindle with me to the gym - so I won't stop reading when I'm burning a few calories!

My first read is Divergent by Veronica Roth.  I started it about 10 days ago and got stuck.  Not because I didn't like the book, but because real life was so busy that I could not find the time.  Today, my goal is to finish this book to make way for two more books. 

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver and Bruiser by Neil Shusterman.  My goal for the next 24 hours is to complete all three of these books.  My Kindle and I are off to the gym to start some serious reading.

Are you taking part in today's #readathon?  If so, please tweet what you are reading with the #readathon hastag so we can all cheer each other on! 

Happy Reading!  

 

Update @3:23 Central: 

Finished Divergent and Leisel & Po.  I took a lunch break - now I'm reading Bruiser. 

Update @8:17 Central:

Loved Bruiser, thought I'd try something new for me.  The Cursed Man by Keith Rommel

Final Update:

I finally fell asleep, but got up to finish the last book before the end of the #readathon.  I added the September issue of Fitness to help me stay engaged enough to push through, but had to stop reading The Cursed Man mid-read to take a nap.  Now - it's time for a two hour nap, then the gym.

Reading Total for the Day - Three books and one magazine. 

Divergent

Leisel &Po

Fitness (September Issue)

The Cursed Man

I am not exhausted but look forward to doing it again in April

 

 

 

Sunday Salon, Read-A-thon and Funnies

Julia Roberts from Eat, Pray, Love

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday was a day engrossed in a reading challenge.  For 24 hours, I committed to read.  While I didn't read the entire 24 hours, I did make sure I stuck to the task for most of it.  This is the way the day went.

6 a.m. Up and reading Leaving Gee's Bend. (Great book for Intermediate School Girls)   I only had a little I wanted to reread, but this is one of my all-time favorite books.

9 a.m. The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Didn't Have To.  (Great book for high school aged boys)  I loved this book. I like the depth of friendship between the two main characters, but I was a bit disappointed in the shallowness of the secondary characters.  Of course, from a teenage boy point-of-view maybe all secondary characters are shallow.  Interesting storyline about people and differences.

11 a.m. Reading Break, Grocery store (Kids gotta eat)

1 p.m.  Listening to book on Kindle (I adore the read to me option on Kindle, just wish it sounded more live and less computerish)

2:30 p.m.  Reading on Kindle while getting Pedicure.  (gotta have pretty pigs)

4 p.m. Walking along Egret Bay with John.  (A girl needs to keep in shape doesn't she)  Just one mile, but it was a good quality mile!!

5 p.m.  Girl In Translation - Wow great book.  I adore when an author creates such deep characters.  The main character, a young girl who immigrates from Hong Kong to live in the slums of Brooklyn, spends her days in honor classes and her nights in a sweatshop.  The story line is exceptional, but the characterization is what keeps you reading.  Great book for intermediate school students.

9:45 p.m. Room - I didn't finish this in the 24 hours of reading time frame because I was just exhausted, but this is a must read.  Imagine being kept prisoner in a room, raising your child there with you and trying to make his life as normal as possible.  (Amazing)  I woke up early on Sunday to finish it.  This is a must read.

After a Sunday morning filled with baking and my son's soccer game at noon, I'm hoping for some quality boat time tonight.

Sunday Funnies:  (For my math teacher friends)

Enjoy your Sunday!

D

Dewey's Read A Thon

Today I'll be reading for 24 hours in Dewey's Read A Thon.  (I'll update this post as I go)  I'm choosing my books from recommendations from the ALA Alex List here.

(It's a great excuse not to clean or cook! )




Books

1.   Leaving Gee's Bend (not on the Alex list, but I needed to reread parts of it)
2.  The Boy who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To 
3. Girl in Translation 
4. Room - Didn't finish it during the 24 hours, but I'll get to it Sunday.

You can read more about Dewey's Read A Thon Here.  I
If you want to follow my updates in real time, check out my personal Twitter Feed.