Melissa’s Comments (group member since Nov 28, 2016)

Melissa’s comments from the CPL's Book a Week Challenge group.

I have read all this month's books in the past except The Woman in White. I'm sure that if I choose to re-read them, that I would have a much different perspective in my late 30's than I did when I read them in my teen's and early 20's.

I only got a chance to FINISH one of June's mini-challenge. I'm hoping to get started on July's a bit sooner, and actually finish books I'm in the middle of reading.

1. Read a book set in a coastal town.
Serpent’s Kiss by Melissa De La Cruz

So what is the best way to find a book that has exactly 347 pages?

Here are my entries for the May Library Mini-Challenge

1. Read a book with more than three different colors or a rainbow on the cover. Delirium Stories by Lauren Oliver

2. Read a book whose author shares a first or last name with you. Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

4. Read a book whose main character is on a journey of some type. The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

5. In honor free comic book day (May 6th) read a comic book or graphic novel. Rocket Raccoon and Groot: Tricks of the Trade

I only managed 4 in May. I'm hoping to do them all in June.

Joanna wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I didn't finish any books for the March Take it or Leave It challenge. Is the April one going to be posted soon? I'd like to get started so I can read some this month. I did read 4 ..."

It happens. I hope everything is okay. I'm on unexpected leave from the library because I had surgery and I'm not allowed to lift or push more than 10 pounds for a month. That puts a damper on pushing my cart around and lifting some of the nonfiction books. Thanks for replying, Joanna!

I didn't finish any books for the March Take it or Leave It challenge. Is the April one going to be posted soon? I'd like to get started so I can read some this month. I did read 4 books, but none for any of the challenges.

Ann wrote: "I've finished reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, and am still reading (and enjoying) Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (the title of which is also the title of the first song in the musical). ..."

All of those books you are reading are ones I had been interested in reading except the series by Lauren Willig. However, I'm going to look into that series now because I was looking for a book with a flower in the title. I'm guessing they must be good since you are on book 4. :) Thank you for sharing!

This week I'm tackling a favorite from high school, but an expanded version with other documents helping to give historical context, The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin, edited, with an introduction by Nina Baym. It happens to have a green front cover, so it fits in with the March Take it or Leave it Challenge. I'm also continuing to listen to Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver through Overdrive when I have time.

Thank you!

Here is my list for the February Challenge. I was so excited to find one to fit both names for the Commander in Chief!

1. “All the great ones leave their mark. We’re the Wet Bandits!” Home Alone– Read a mystery were a character leaves a calling card. Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay #2

2. You Devil! – Read a book with the word devil in the title, Devil as the author’s name, or that features a devil or the devil. Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones

3. I love cake! – Read a book whose title contains all the letters found in the word cake but not the actual word cake. The Book of Magic by Neil Gaiman

4. You’re the one that I want! – Read a book whose author has the same name as your significant other or crush. How to Tell if Your Cat is Planning to Kill You by Matthew Inman

5. The book I’m looking for is red. – Read a book with a red spine. Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay #3

6. When the cat’s away… - Read a book that features the word mouse in the title, as a character or name of a character, or as part of the plot. Alice in Wonderland by Geronimo Stilton

7. Commander and Chief – Read a fiction book with a character whose shares a first or last name with the current or a past president of the United States of America. (Double points if the name is both the first and last name of a president.) Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders: main character was Abraham Lincoln, it was a fictional account of when ghosts visited him when his son Willie died during the Civil War

I've finished all but Dexter in the Dark, but I'll be finished before the end of the day.

The link isn't working for me. Any tips?

This week I'm finishing up reading Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay for the February Mini Challenge and I'm listening to Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver through Overdrive whenever I'm in the car by myself.

Joanna wrote: "Melissa wrote: "My name is Melissa, and I've loved reading since I was a little kid. I will read just about anything, but I'm particularly interested in fantasy and science fiction at this point in..."

Joanna,
I have read Rachel Caine's other series, but I haven't started the Great Library series, yet. It's on my To-Read Goodreads shelf. I have a family wedding to attend out of state, so I won't be at the Staff Training in March, but I'm sure I'll run into you at some point.

Joanna wrote: "Melissa wrote: "My name is Melissa, and I've loved reading since I was a little kid. I will read just about anything, but I'm particularly interested in fantasy and science fiction at this point in..."

Joanna-I wish being a reading teacher meant that I got to just read books to children all day, but it doesn't. However, I do recommend books to my students and the teachers that I know will interest them. My job consists of using data to see where the students are lacking in their reading knowledge and skills and teaching small groups of students with similar difficulties to use reading strategies, help them grow their sight word recognition, and increase their vocabulary. Currently I work with students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade at a local public primary school.

I love any type of science fiction or fantasy. I listen to many series on audiobook through the digital apps provided by the library on my phone. Right now I'm rereading(listening to Jim Dale) the Harry Potter series with my youngest daughter, reading the paper version of Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones, and buddy reading Story Thieves by James Riley with my two youngest daughters. My favorite series growing up was A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle, but that was not good on audio. Sadly, some authors should not record their own books. I did enjoy the graphic novel though. I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman, Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Raina Telegemeier, Stephanie Meyer, Melissa DeLaCruz, David Eddings, Janet Evanovich, C.S. Lewis, and Charlaine Harris. As you can see, my taste in books is all over the place. If it weren't for Goodreads, I don't know how I would keep track.

I hope at some point I'll get to meet you in person, Joanna, now that I started working at the library as well. I had been working on my Masters Degree to become a school librarian, but I think I'd like to get my LMS instead at some point.

I finished reading The Fault in Our Stars and Little Women, bringing my January Take it or Leave it Mini Challenge to 5 books. I just ran out of time to read Ink and Bone and Delirium. I still plan on reading them, but they just won't count for this challenge.

My name is Melissa, and I've loved reading since I was a little kid. I will read just about anything, but I'm particularly interested in fantasy and science fiction at this point in my life. I have three children between the ages of 7 and 15, so I also read books that interest them. I am currently an elementary school reading teacher, and I just got hired to work as a page for the library part time.

I'm still working on the January Mini-Challenge. I was sick for a few days, so I had extra reading time. I finished Odd and the Frost Giants(cold), Darkly Dreaming Dexter(TV show), and Ghosts (gift). I'm hoping on the plane ride and on my mini vacation I can finish the other 4 books on my list. They are packed in my bag or on One Click Audio and Overdrive on my phone.

This is my first year doing the CPL's 52 Book Pick Up, and I'm excited to get started. I made a list of my books for the January Mini Challenge.
1. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
2. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver (from Jennifer's list)
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
6. Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
7. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

This is an ambitious list as I just started several part time teaching jobs in addition to having three kids and a husband, but I'm determined to take time for myself doing what I love.