I love looking back at the books I've read in the past and remembering bits and pieces of the stories as well as what was going on in my life while I was reading them. Of course, there are some books that I remember better than others and some I'd like to pick up again.
These five are highlights of my reading back in September of 2009.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - I love this middle grade novel that has some time travel elements in it and connects in an amazing way at the end of the book. I have recommended this to teachers and students for years and will continue to press it into the hands of readers. And thinking back on this book, which I devoured in one sitting, makes me want to buy enough copies to read with my book club at school.
Burn My Heart by Beverly Naidoo - this novel is one I don't remember the plot of, but do remember enjoying it. Set in Kenya in the 1950s, this novel tells the stories of two boys - one white, one black - Mathew and Mugo who are friends despite their differences in class as Kenyans try to regain their land from the British. I love historical fiction where I can learn about events that I am unfamiliar with.
Betsy- Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace - I've been hearing about Betsy Tacy since I really started studying childrens literature, yet I had never heard of them, despite the fact that there is even an entire conference on Betsy-Tacy each year. I read the first one, and enjoyed it enough and can understand why kids who grew up reading these books have such a connection with them. It's probably much like how I feel about the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder or the Betsy by books by Carolyn Haywood.
The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David Kessler, MD - this non-fiction book has so much good information in it that explains why people continue to eat despite the fact that they aren't hungry and are trying to make good choices. He explains how the food manufacturers manipulate ingredients to stimulate our appetites and how difficult it really is to keep from overeating in today's world. This is a book I could re-read because there is probably much I've forgotten.
The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow- Molly narrates this story, trying to determine whether her death was suicide, murder or accident. She is able to watch over her family and relives parts of her life that led up to her death. There's a lot of humor in this book as Molly unravels what happened to her and finds some peace in her death.
How about you? Have you read any of these titles? What were you reading back in September 2009?
1 comment:
I'm almost certain that you were the one who 'talked' me into reading When You Reach Me. I remember loving it. Ought to do a reread soon. And I think your idea about doing it with your book group is a good one.
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