My TBR pile is starting to look a little obsessive lately...I‘m on a sustainable minimalism kick and can‘t stop.

#currentlyreading #libraryhaul

This was a quick, easy read, but I didn‘t feel like I got much out of it.

I‘m really torn as to whether or not I would recommend this book. There were some redeeming moments, where the author waxes poetic about consumerism and the benefits of living simply...and those were nice. But then there‘s an entire section of the book focused on the Bush re-election post 9/11...a lot of this book was just at odds with itself. She wants to buy non-essentials all year, but they do a home renovation in the midst of it. 🤔

Super interesting story. The motorcycle race in this book was a type of plot I hadn‘t read before, and the concept is so compelling, it‘s hard not to get drawn in: What if the Nazi‘s won?

#readingjournal

I really like Menon‘s writing, and have enjoyed her other books so much...I really wanted to like this one too. Ultimately, it ended up falling a little flat for me. I would definitely recommend “When Dimple Met Rishi” if you‘re trying this author for the first time. I really enjoy that she‘s writing from a perspective that isn‘t explored much in Young Adult fiction.

Can‘t recommend enough. If you want to read a story about women learning that they can be strong no matter the oppression, this is a good one.

#readingjournal

I want this to be my approach to anything life throws at me, or that I seek to try.

I have mixed feelings about this book so far, but this just struck me.

Black Friday book haul. Super excited about Strange the Dreamer. I‘ve been hearing such good things about the writing!

Had several students recommend this book to me, and I don‘t normally read scary books, but this one was actually pretty well done. Also, I‘m really enjoying this Bookly app I started using recently. #bookly

Working my way through some graphic novels today. As soon as I saw the blurb by Neil Gaiman on Anya‘s Ghost, I had a good feeling about it, and I was not disappointed.

Such a sweet read. I am in love with Daniel's love for Natasha. Not sure how satisfied I am with the ending, but I'll take it. #readingjournal

I had a really tough time with this book. I was excited about it after I saw Ellen Hopkins speak at the Texas Teen Book Festival, but I found myself constantly putting this book down because I needed a break from it. Because there were 6 main characters, I didn't feel like I got to know any of them well enough to be able to empathize with them. Not a big fan of the ending, either. #readingjournal

"Maybe part of falling in love with someone else is also falling in love with yourself."

This book is gettin' me right in the feels.

Enjoying this book so much already and I'm only 75 pages in.

This was a reread for me. I first read it about 5 years ago, and remember being completely enraptured by the story. It was a little different this time. Still a fun adventure to read, but this time the love triangle was a little more difficult for me to get behind. Also, just realized upon rereading that there are two more of these! I had no idea this was a trilogy!

I have loved the book Speak since I was a teenager. I am so grateful that Anderson decided to bring it to life in graphic novel form because it was like getting read it for the first time again. :D

One of my middle school students asked me to read this series. So here I am on a Saturday, reading about Fireheart and his clan of cats.

About to start reading this for a book club. Not something I would pick on my own, but I'm curious to see what it has to offer me and my life.

Such a good book! Takes a look at issues of race and gentrification through the lens of Portland. Super quick read.

Read my full review: jessreadsthebooks.blogspot.com/2018/07/this-side-of-home.html

Currently working on reading some books centered around social justice issues so I have some good recs to give my students when school starts back up in a few weeks!

I loved this take on fairy tales. It reminded me of something the Grimm brothers might have written, but brought into the Young Adult genre.

Read my full review: https://jessreadsthebooks.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-hazel-wood.html

Fun summer read.

Lately I've been on a Young Adult Romance kick. Normally, I'd get my fix from Kasie West, but I've already read everything she's had published. So I went on a hunt for new YA Romance authors to fall in love with. I really enjoyed this book. It was a little more dramatic than I'd anticipated, but it hit all the right notes. It wasn't as sweet and fluffy as Kasie West, but if you're into YA Romance, it's definitely worth checking out.

Such a delightful read! Simon is the type of character you want only good things for. I was happy when he was happy, nervous and anxious when things started spiraling out of control for him...just a really great book overall.

I enjoyed this book so, so much. It just flew by! I love the two main characters' relationships with one another, and how they give each other strength. I love that the monsters in Eliza's story are a metaphor for her own struggles. I love how much fanfiction is talked about in this book!

I'd never read anything by Jenny Lawson before, not even her blog, so it took me a bit to get used to her writing. There were times I felt she might be trying a little too hard to be funny, but overall I enjoyed her book.

"Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right."

I can't recommend this book enough.
#weneeddiversebooks

Finally finished this one. Overall, pretty good. I think I had it too compared to The Night Circus in my head before I even started reading it...and unfortunately, it's really hard to live up to those standards.

"From this moment on, the wood is the master. The carver is servant to the wood. All craftsmen are servants to the craft. Once you decide what you want to make, the project is the boss."

Peter figured he knew what was coming. "Like war. Now you're antiwar, right?"

Vola steepled her fingers under her chin. "That's a complicated thing. What I am is for telling the truth about it. About what it costs. People should tell the truth about what war costs. That's taken me a long time to figure out."

I am head over heels in love with this book. I started crying by page three and remained teary-eyed the entire way through. This little book is full of so much wisdom.

"...I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing. That is peace."

Oh man. I've always been such a huge fan of Joss Whedon's Firefly, and this felt like it was set in that same universe. I loved the whole premise of a ragtag team on board a junky spaceship, making their way through one adventure after another. But what I really enjoyed was the chemistry between the two main characters. So well written!

Kasie West's book are perfect for when you want a sweet, quick read. I read both of these this weekend and especially enjoyed The Fill-In Boyfriend. I could definitely see myself rereading these when I need a pick-me-up.

This book wasn't exactly what I expected. I'm a little picky when it comes to Sherlock Holmes adaptations, but I was still hopeful when I picked this one up. Not sure if I'd read a sequel, although the author has set this book up for one.

"I can't believe this is happening. I can't fight like this, or start a revolution, or be a queen. I can't do anything like this. I'm broken. I'm literally broken."

Iko settled a hand on Cinder's shoulder. "Yeah, but broken isn't the same as unfixable. "

Arghhhh...why are these books so good! I need the fourth one stat! What I love most about Meyer's writing is that she's not afraid to get her characters in some serious trouble, because then she can get them out of trouble. At least twice during this book, I had to stop and ask, "Wait. How are they gonna get themselves out of THAT?"

This is how she gets my attention when she decides I've been reading too long. I'm not ready to put this one down yet, though...this series just keeps getting better!

Just finished rereading this, and genuinely enjoyed it for the second time. I'm really looking forward to reading the second one in the series.

Trying this series again. I read Cinder a few years back but never read any of the others. Let's see how far I get this time, eh?

It feels like Harry Potter is over all over again! Honestly, when I started this book, I wasn't prepared to think much of it. But I really, really enjoyed reading about The Boy Who Lived as a father. One with flaws! And I really enjoyed reading about the escapades of his son Albus Severus. Now I'm just sad it's over again.

"We cannot protect the young from harm. Pain must and will come."

"So I'm supposed to stand and watch?"

"No. You're supposed to teach him how to meet life."

Oh, Dumbledore. Always so wise.

This book reminded me a bit of Gone Girl in that the first half dragged a little, and then suddenly everything took off all at once. Jane, the main character, is my kind of heroine. Even when crazy circumstances pull her down, she fights her way back up. I wish more books had female characters like her.

Took some time off from grading tonight to get some reading done. Thought I had this mystery figured out, but I'm not so sure anymore...even my pup is sniffing for clues!

Such a cute, quick book! I needed some fun-filled fluff in my life and this fit the bill!

What is it about this book that makes it impossible to put down? Stayed up way too late again last night reading this. Thanks @owlcrate for such a great selection in last month's box!