Just finished...Currently Reading...Looking Forward To...

I just finished...
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen [audiobook], I thought this was thought provoking and entertaining. I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed This Lullaby. The main character's, Macey, dad died and now she feels like she has to be perfect for her mom, but that changes when she begins work for Wish, a catering company. Wish and its other employees are a little bit chaotic and like nothing Macey has experienced in a while. I encouarge you to read it if you haven't.

Currenly Reading...
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, I had heard this was a dark read, which it is, but I am finding a lot of hope in this novel. It is fulfilling my goal of reading at least one non-fiction book per term.
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo [audiobook], I haven't really read much historical fiction lately and it is good to revisit it once and a while. This book takes place in Europe during World War I or The Great War. Tommo, the narrator of the novel, is fifteen and a soldier for the British military fighting in Belgium (at least that is where he is now). I am finding it interesting, as I usually do when I read historical fiction.

Looking Forward To...
Eldest by Christopher Paolini, The sequel to Eragon has my name on it over break!
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, I have read it once, but I must re-read it so I'm prepared for book club next month.

What have you all been reading lately?

Contest 4 U

Hey!

I thought some of you writers would be interested in this contest...

http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/youngwarriors/

Happy reading and writing!

Feed

The discussion of M.T. Anderson's Feed occured yesterday. I was happy to see everyone who attended and participated in the discussion.

Feel free to continue the discussion here...

Violet lists all the things she wants to do before she dies. Do you share any items on the list? What can we learn about her from her list? And what could someone learn about you from your list? (From Candlewick Press' Reader's Guide to Feed)

...I'll post my comments after I hear some discussion from you.

Happy Reading!!

Whee! Library Card!!!

I finally got a library card. I'm happy. I checked out 10 books.
I got Black by Ted Dekker on audiobook,
Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman
Names Will Never Hurt Me by Jaime Adoff
Faerie Wars and The Purple Emperor by Herbie Brennan
Jude by Kate Morgenroth
Dark Blue by Melody Carlson
Pride and Prejidice and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

and ofcourse, Feed by M.T. Anderson. I've finished Names Will Never Hurt Me, and got into Full Tilt before thinking that I should read Feed. But you guys know how fast I can go through books.

Please say hi to Ben Lang, and Rachel H and everyone for me. I miss you guys so much. Hopefully the library card will give me some consolation... lol. I'm hoping to visit the school when I come home for Christmas break (i get out earlier... haha!). I might just creep up on you, so watch out!

I have to finish my homework now.

Life

Hey everyone! I'm sorry that I haven't been involved. My new school's library isn't too great. I'm hoping to get a card for the town library soon.
Life's been going good, for the most part. Adjusting to a really small town. And looking at possible majors and careers.
Hey, Bee, I've got a question for you. Do you like working at the LMTC? I've been looking at getting a degree in library media, and then maybe a major in sports management. Then i could be a... Libraristican. A librarian/statistician. hehehe.
I hope to be back home either next week, or before christmas. And I'll try to get my senior pictures to you guys, too. once i get them taken.....
peace out!

<3 laura

Finished Feed

Has anyone else finished Feed? What are your first impressions? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

November Discussion--Feed by M. T. Anderson

We've moved on to a new book...Feed by M.T. Anderson.
In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.

Those of you who have read, start posting I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, comments and concerns. I know it has been and interesting read for me and now I have started listening to it as well.

Hi everybody!

I know it has been literally forever since you all heard from me. But I am doing just fine. After an entire summer of basically being homeless, I now have a place to live permanently. I am back at the school that I left and I am settling back into my old routine.

Marching band, of course, is running my life at this moment. Between that and working two or three nights a week, I have no real spare time to pick up a book and just relax. I will definitely try to go along with the books that you all are reading and I will attempt the participate in the online discussion. I miss all of you terribly.

If you'd like to, my AIM screen name is: secretdesires513 and my email adress is: wickedwiccan1988@yahoo.com


:-) Don't be strangers!

Stiff

Hello All!
I really enjoyed the discussion on So Yesterday, during lunch last week. The next book we will be discussing is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers it is really quite interesting and if that topic has a little humor the author definately finds it and uses it to intise the reader. I encourage you to try it and finish it.

Happy Reading!!

Discussion So Yesterday

We will be meeting in person on September 22, 2005 to discuss So Yesterday, during all three lunches. Bring your lunch and I'll bring dessert.

Feel free to make comments here before then or ask your own questions. Thanks for participating and I look forward to discussing So Yesterday with you!!

Happy reading!!

b

Perfect Shoe

What would your perfect shoe be? I am really curious what people think of as the perfect shoe.

For me I would first say it must be comfortable. I think the perfect shoe should also be stylish. I don't think there are any shoes out there that are both comfortable and look good. For example, I went to a few weddings and none of the shoes I found to go with the skirts or dress pants were comfortable. But if I put on my black tie shoes that are comfortable, Stacy and Clinton (from What Not to Wear) would probably make fun of them and make me toss them (if I was on the show). I am all about comfort, but really would like to be stylish at the same time. Is that possible.

Happy reading!!

Speak- the movie

if anyone remembers the book Speak, i don't remember who it was by, the movie will be on Lifetime channel tomorrow at 9 PM... or 8 PM central time i think.

just saw the commercial for it and thought you guys would like to know.

and yeah. I moved to ohio. But i'll still do the book club, so it's good. yay! gotta get going. buh bye!!

Welcome Back!!

I hope you had a great summer! We have a lot of new titles in the LMTC, so stop by and check things out. We look forward to seeing you.

Good News!!--So Yesterday

Laura I completely agree with you about reading books more than once. I am in an adult book club and I read the book this month and now I am listening to it on audio and there are things that I am picking up on that I had not picked up on before.

Mrs. Foster and I decided to extend the discussion of So Yesterday into September and discuss it in person over lunch. So keep your eyes open for the time and date once you get back to school or here on the blog.

Happy Reading!!

As you know, I love this book. I've read it probably three times. It's one of those books where you can read it once, and understand. But a couple more times, you see little things that you didn't see before... atleast it was for me.

yeah, I know most of it's the truth. People take surveys, they try out products, they view commercials and tv pilots in advance. I've done all of that, I know. And they get paid in all different ways.

the whole jammer types, i don't know. In that, I think i'm either an Innovater, or the one below that. Or i would be if i had money.

But i love the book. It makes you wonder- what does the perfect tennis shoe look like?

Reading So Yesterday??

Hello All!
Well I am back at work at HHS (yes already). How is everyone liking So Yesterday? The first thing I thought...Is this at all close to the truth? What do you think? Do you think there are people out there that are looking for the next "it" thing and are getting paid by a certain shoe company that tells you to "Just Do It"? It is kind of creepy, but I would love to know what you think...

I hope you had a great summer and I look forward to seeing you all at book club in September. I have a couple ideas for books but will definately take some more for September or the upcoming months.

Happy reading!!
b

Double Helix

So, has anyone picked-up Double Helix?

I will pose a question that hopefully will get you all thinking...

What are your thoughts on genetic alteration? Is it helpful to our society? Should it be allowed on plants? Animals? Humans? Why or why not?

Happy reading!!
b

gone

i was thinking about reading the book for this month, but the public libraries don't like me. I have an overdue book... it was due in October... of 2003.

BUT I am reading. I've reread Born Confused, and I'm going to make another attempt at Jane Eyre. I'm going to florida on friday with a bunch of kids from my youth group... DRIVING. it'll be a 25 hour trip, so i'll probably get through Jane Eyre.

what is everyone else reading? Chels, Kailei?

June--Chanda's Secrets

Hello All!!
It's summer and that means fun reading! I am jealous of all of you being off of school. Anyways this month we will be reading and discussing Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton, Chanda Kabelo, a sixteen-year-old in a small South African town, faces down shame and stigma in her efforts to help friends and family members who are dying of AIDs. I encourage you to go the public library to check it out.

I enjoyed it and look forward to hearing what you think. A book guide will be posted in the next couple of days.

I also know that there were more people interested in the online book club that didn't get there applications in, so if you know of friends that still want to get involved please tell them to drop me an email recbec@mail.holmen.k12.wi. us.

Happy reading!!

P.S. I am listening to Bras and Broomsticks which I think some of you would enjoy. Rachel, a 14-year-old girl finds out her mother and sister are witches, but she is not. Right now Rachel is trying to figure out how she can get her sister to use her magic to help Rachel and get rid of their future step-mother. The author's style kind of reminds me of Meg Cabot.

New Members

I would like to welcome two new members to our blog!! I encourage you to introduce yourself and start posting.

Contest--Win Free Books

Follow this link to a contest to win free books. Check it out!! I know you all would enjoy some of the ones they are giving away! (The title is linked)

New Feature

Hello All!!
There is a new feature, you may comment directly to someone's original post. If you notice in the lower right corner of the post there is a link with a number followed by "comments", you may click on the link and then comment on this specific post. I think this might make some of the posts a little less confusing and a little more organized. FYI--I posted comments on a couple of posts so check those out. If you are starting a completely new topic do it the same way as before.

Happy reading!!

b

Sorry I didn't make it today. I was OVERSWAMPED with Newspaper stuff. Plus, I only read like half the book. I just couldn't get into it. :-(

Oops...kinda forgot this site existed for a while. :-) lol. I plan on reading The Wish List tomorrow since we have a half-day! Yea for half-days! :-D

http://www.livejournal.com/users/writergirl1988/

That's my writing site. I post my poems and snippets of stories there. Be warned, if you happen to go there, I don't hold back in my writing. Some of it is a little graphic, but those are always under cuts. You don't have to read them. :-) Any feedback on any of the poems I've written there are welcomed and appreciated.

On an actual book note, I just finished an absolutely dreadful book. I really didn't like the author...she just seemed to drag the story out. I didn't really enjoy the book. It was called "The Sinner" by Madeline Hunter. I don't know. She just doesn't do it for me.

What have people been reading? Anyone finish The Wish List, wht did you think? I would love to hear some feedback.

Just finished...
Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle
I enjoyed this book. It kind of reminded me of The Bridget Jones Diary but told from a male perspective and it was a lot cleaner (no swearing, etc.) Dave Harding is a music jounalist who really wants to be a dad. He ends up losing his job and starts working for a teen magazine as "Love Doctor Dave". Through this job he realizes he has a teenage daughter. The HHS LMTC does not own this book, but the La Crosse Public Library does.

Reading Currently...
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
It is a little bit slow going, but the author is creating this great tension between the father and the rest of the characters. The author is very descriptive. So much so that I can see the pictures very vividly in my head. The story is about a wealthy family in Nigeria. The tension in the book is definitely keeping me in the story.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (audio)
I just started this one last night and am only through chapter one, so I have no idea where it is going or whether or not I am going to like it.

Just finished...
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
I got to see Jodi speak last month in Edina, MN. She was very entertaining and interesting. One of the things that stuck with me the most was when she spoke about writer's block. She said that a writer should never have a block, they should always write something because even if it is garbage you can still revise garbage, but you can't revise nothing. Vanishing Acts was definately a page turner. I kept wondering what would happen next. The first chapter starts with you meeting the main character, Delia, and getting introduced to her family and friends. It ends with Delia's father getting arrested for Delia's kidnapping when she was 4 or 5 more than 20 years after the event. Jodi read this chapter to us when she spoke, oh it was so good!! I highly recommend this book, however, it wasn't my very favorite book by Jodi that place is still held by My Sister's Keeper

Maybe next...
Fat Boy Swim
The Kite Runner
The Sea of Trolls
Becoming Naomi Leon

I like it. :-) The new design is nifty and cool. I like it.

I'm reading a whole lot of nothing lately. Nothing. :-( That's sad. I want to go read The Wish List, but I can't. I guess I'm just not in the mood. Oh well. I don't really know.

On second thought, I am reading a book. Almost a Bride by Jane Feather. It's a romance novel. Started it like two weeks ago. Haven't finished yet. But yeah, I'm in the middle of it. Maybe I might go read that...

:-) What about the rest of you?

So what do you think of the new look. Hopefully it will function better then the old one. What are you reading these days.

We selected our new book--The Wish List by Eoin Colfer (the same author of the Artmis Fowl series).

More later on that and other stuff!!

Happy reading!!

Coolness. I might look into those books.

Yep, I'm from MD. Nice place. Can't wait to go back. :-) However, I think I'm gonna miss it here. It's a nice place.

:-) What books are you all reading lately?

:-) Who does the series?

I'll probably go to prom back home in Maryland next year and the year after. I'm only a sophomore so it's not like I would be going this year unless somebody asked me. Which is very unlikely. lol.

Are you going to prom with anybody?

Missing Persons series? Hmmm...never heard of it. Was it good?

I'm not going to prom. I wouldn't go to save my life. But that's just me...lol. :-)

At the risk of triple posting...

I finished The Brimestone Journals. I didn't like it that much. I don't know. It just didn't seem like it wrapped it up very well. Too neat, but also...it left some ends loose. Doesn't that sound weird?

Had anyone else finished it? Or started it? (the discussion is next week)

Didn't happen. Oh well. I tried though. I promise, I did. I just...couldn't. It's so boring! I'm gonna go to bed now. It's almost 1am...actually, it is right now! lol.

I hope your spring break is going well!

Happy Easter (if you celebrate that sort of thing)!

Well, I'm kind of hormone crazy so the sex thing in romance books doesn't really bother me. I absolutely LOVE Victoria Alexander, Mary Balogh, Jane Feather (although Chase the Dawn was the worst book I've ever read), and Lisa Kleypas. Those authors are just made to write romance novels.

Anyway, I just finished Keeping You a Secret. GOOD BOOK. I also completed the New Rules of High School. That one was okay. Not too bad. I'm wrapping up Empress of the World and I'm pretty sure it's the best book I've read in a while. It's by Sara Ryan so go check it out! :-)

I'm going to reread The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons. I'm kind of in that sort of mood. I don't know. I'll also be attempting to read Pride and Prejudice again. ::crosses fingers:: Wish me luck!

Wow. I couldn't think of ANYTHING that might be a school appropriate book for you to read. I'm a mushy-gushy romance fan so that's what I read a lot. If you like those kinds of books, let me know and I'll tell you my favorites. Gosh, I love romance books. :-) I'm most certainly a romantic. ::sighs:: lol.

Chels, did you ever read Truth or Dairy? I know HHS has it. It's by Catherine Clark. I loved it. It was funny. You'd like it.
Sorry i missed your IM the other day, too. My sister was on. Sorry.

I'm excited for the next book too. It looks good. I like poetry novels. Have any of you read One of Those Hideous Books Where The mom dies or something like that. the title gives away the beginning. And I like God Went To Beauty School, and Things My Mother Doesn't Know.

Yeah. so. later days.

Ohhh!!! I have suggestion! Have either of you read any books by Jodi Piccoult? The two I have read are Plain Truth and My Sister's Keeper. Plain Truth is about a teenage Amish girl who is accused of murdering her newborn baby, but she denies even being pregnant. My Sister's Keeper is about a 13-year-old-girl whose parents conceived her to be an umbilical cord fluid donator for her sister who has a rare form of Lukemia. The girl is now sueing her parents for medical emancipation. Ohhh it is so good!!! I haven't read anything else by this author, however, I think The Pact looks really good.

Just as an FYI we read Plain Truth for book club a few months ago and there is a link on the left for a better description.

By the way it is also good to see you guys posting!

Happy Reading!!

Hey Chels! Do you have break this week too? We are done with school for the next four school days. :)

Alright, well, I'm gonna find something that I know you'll like. Just give me the day and I'll find SOMETHING. I've read a lot of books and you've kind of put me up to a challenge. I'm gonna find some books.

I totally recommend Perks of Being a Wallflower. I don't remember who it's by but once I find out, I'll post it here. Anyway, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mittchel, if you haven't read it yet, is an excellent book. It's sequel, Scarlett by Alexandra Hamilton, is much better.

Also, the Fearless series by Francine Pascal is phenomenal. It's basically about this girl who doesn't possess the gene of fear. She doesn't feel that emotion. Pascal is a brilliant author. She also wrote the Sweet Valley series.

I also loved Nicholas Sparks's A Walk to Remember. Although I felt the movie was better, I do enjoy rereading it on occasion. His book Messenger in a Bottle was excellent. Sparks is a favorite author of mine.

If that's not enough suggestions for you, I have just one more. If you haven't already, pick up The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. Both are books I loved. If you into a mystery murder type of thing or are interested in theologies or ancient cultures, these books are must-reads.

Hope that helps!

I really can't wait for that book. It looks really good. Hehehe...course lots of books look good and then end up being really bad. Ugh. I hopet this book isn't like that. I really don't like those books.

Anywho, it turns up that I really did have a blogger....I had just forgotten about it. Oh well.

P.S. Finished Perks of Wallflower and have started Empress of the World. It's good so far, but I'm only in the first chapter.

Thank you to those of you participated in the discussion of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. The in-person discussion occurred yesterday during all lunches and from what I understand it went well during all three lunches (I only participated in 2nd and 3rd lunch discussions). We even had special guest join us during 3^rd lunch, so watch the Holmen Courier…

The book we have chosen for April has a unique format. It is a novel in free verse (or poetry). The Brimstone Journals, by Ron Koertge, is told from multiple perspectives of students who attend Branston High School. Each student tells the story from their unique perspective.

I just finished The Brimstone Journals and am excited to hear what you think and look forward to another great discussion. The books should be arriving from other libraries in the next couple of weeks.

bee

Yessssss! I finally know someone else at this school who sees the genius in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. You rock, Kailei.
the discussion was good. it was nice to talk to someone besides Bee. Not that i don't like it, it's just cool to shake things up.
I must say that i am not used to reporters watching us.... hmmmm...
So, what is the next book? I'll check it out tomorrow. I've got to get back to homework. later days.

New here. Recently moved from MD. I really liked The Lovely Bones. Alice Seabold did a wonderful job in writing it. There were only two or three things I didn't like. I can't wait for the next book.

I have been reading a lot lately. Started The Perks of Being a Wallflower today. It's great book. To anyone who hasn't read it, as soon as I'm done (and I'm already halfway through it), go check ito out. You won't be sorry.

Hello All!
Thanks for posting! It is good to see some posts besides mine :)

I finished See You Down the Road it was an interesting read about a culture of people within the United States. This group of people, Irish Travelers, live in their trailors and scam people to earn a living. I found it hard not to like the main character because of her personality and her questioning of her family's life style. I would recommend this to all of you.

Happy Reading!!

I've started reading The Lovely Bones. I'm on page 23 as i type. It's really sad so far. I mean, she flaming dies at the begining. How happy is that?

I read How I live now, and i liked it, but i didn't like the whole thing with Daisy and her cousin.... eeeewww! gross. yucky yucky yuck.

On my own, I'm reading Romeo and Juliet again, and I'm going to try to read some of Nathaniel Hawthorne's works. i'm going to go to Forensics practice now. Peace out

laura

Just finished...
how i live now by Meg Rosoff--It just one the 2005 Printz Award. Daisy travels to England to live with her cousins there because she does not get along with her step-mother and father. While there, a war begins. Daisy's aunt is stuck in another country so the kids must survive on their own. The novel follows Daisy and her cousins' survival through being separated and reunited.

I was slightly confused and disappointed by the book, but also impressed by the quality of the writing. I can't wait to hear what others think of this book. I think this would be a good discussion book, however, because I didn't like I think I would have a hard time trying to convince others to read it.

The Wish List by Eoin Colfer (Audio)--Meg Finn is in trouble. She's dead, but not at peace--she's in limbo, her good deeds perfectly balanced against her bad deeds; Heaven or Hell wait, a tip of the scale away. So she's back on Earth trying to tip the scale to the good by helping her last victim, and her former "partner" is also back, trying to force her to tip the scale to the bad.

I enjoyed this look at an alternative afterlife scenario, although it goes against what I personally believe. I found it very interesting to imagine what would the characters looked like. I think Colfer did an amazing job describing Belch (I may have spelled that wrong, I didn't see it in print--audio book) and making him come to life. I would love to see this one made into a movie.

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis (Audio)--Deeply involved in his cold and manipulative mother's shady business dealings in Flint, Michigan, fourteen-year-old Luther keeps a sense of humor while running the Happy Neighbor Group Home For Men, all the while dreaming of going to college and becoming a philosopher.

I like this book, but I didn't think it was great. I think the audience is a little bit younger then what I originally thought. I also thought it was a little far fetched. Who wouldn't notice a thirteen-year-old running and old folks home and driving? Could the Sarge really get away with all that she does?

I will continue this post later, I must have been busy reading this past month because I have at least one other book that I just finished and I need to mention the books I am currently reading. Happy Reading!

Just Finished...
Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Sáenz--Sammy and Juliana are seniors in high school in a neighborhood in New Mexico called Hollywood during the late 1960s. Hollywood is a poor neighborhood primarily made up of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Sáenz tells the story of Sammy and his friends; the discrimination they face as a minority, the poverty, losing friends to drugs and the war. The characters face tragedy around every corner, some survive while others give in to the challenges they face.

I like the story and it was very well written, however, at times it was hard to understand because the characters used a lot of Spanish that the reader couldn't figure out within in the context of the word or sentence. I would definitely recommend this one to others, but I also would recommend a Spanish-English dictionary to be checked-out with it, unless you know Spanish :) Rating: 4Q 2P

Airframe by Michael Crichton--A large airplane suffers an unusual accident while in air. More than three people are killed and more than fifty are injured. Crichton allows the reader a peak into what happens when something unusual occurs on an aircraft. The main character, Casey Singleton, is part of the team investigating the accident. There is more to the accident then what is on the surface, but she can't quite put her finger it on it.

This is definitely a page turner (or in my case a CD switcher, I listened to it). At times Crichton used a little too much detail when describing the airframe or other technical parts. I have noticed this about Crichton in the past on other books, like Timeline, but it is still definitely worth the read. Rating: 3Q 3P

Currently reading...
The Wish List by Eion Colfer (Audio)
Meg Finn is in trouble. She's dead, but not at peace--she's in limbo, her good deeds perfectly balanced against her bad deeds; Heaven or Hell wait, a tip of the scale away. So she's back on Earth trying to tip the scale to the good by helping her last victim, and her former "partner" is also back, trying to force her to tip the scale to the bad.

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis (Audio)
Deeply involved in his cold and manipulative mother's shady business dealings in Flint, Michigan, fourteen-year-old Luther keeps a sense of humor while running the Happy Neighbor Group Home For Men, all the while dreaming of going to college and becoming a philosopher.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Feller, who goes from job to job on the fringes of show business, and her older sister Rose, a lawyer, have had no contact with their grandmother, Ella, since their mother's death years ago, but all three need to find each other to reach happiness.

What to read next...
Wicked by Gregory McGuire (re-read for book group)
God Went to Beauty School by Cynthia Rylant (recommended by a friend)
The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon (This one is a true story)

Oh by the way the rating system I used is from VOYA http://www.voya.com/WhatsInVoya/reviews.shtml#bookreviewcodes