What are you reading?

[Renee]

What are you reading? Tell us the title you are reading and what you think of it.

[Lesley]

I'm reading Wake by Amanda Hocking. I've read books by Hocking before and if you like fantasy mixed with conflict and a good love story I'd recommend any of her books!

[Makenzie]

I'm reading Tiger's Promise by Colleen Houck, which is a novella to the Tiger's curse series. It's a really good book, and shows an insight into the series. The author is really good at character development, and painting a picture in you head. I highly recommend this author and series!

[Sydney]

I am reading the Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. The author is amazing at describing emotions, and the plot pulls you in and doesn't let go. You become very invested in all the characters, which I love.

[Sydney]

What books are you reading now or what book did you just finish? Why did you choose this book and what makes you keep reading?

[Makenzie]

I just finished Love and Other Unknown Variables, and now I’m reading Life after Juliet both by Shannon Lee Alexander. I’m reading these books because a friend recommended them. Both of the books are a easy read, and it’s interesting to see the different perspectives over the same situation.

[Renee]

I want to read Life after Juliet! I need to get it for the Library...you’ll have to tell me what you think of it.

I just finished All American Boys and liked it. I feel like it puts race relations in a modern light. I would pair it with The Hate You Give. Both have a very current look at social injustice, systematic inequalities, and racism. I have now read 3 books in a row about theses topics and every time I have simultaneously realized how far we have come and how much work still needs to be done!

Now my next read!

[Sydney]

I am reading Cold Mountain, which is the story of a Confederate soldier who is trying to make his way home after the Civil War. My grandfather wanted me to read it, and the way that the author describes the scenery and the war is very interesting and engaging.

[Sydney]

How is the Murdock Reading Challenge going and what books have you read or finished so far?

[Makenzie]

The Mudsock reading challenge is going great! For class I’m currently reading the Great Gatsby, and I like it so far but I’ve only read the first chapter. For fun, I’m reading Gender Lie and its okay. It’s not the greatest, but it’s still interesting.

[Sydney]

I'm currently reading the Distant Hours by Kate Morton and the thing that strikes me most about this book is how poetic the writing is. It gives the book a very ethereal feeling when reading. Does the way the book is written make or break it for you?

[Makenzie]

I think the way a book is written is very important when reading a book. Depending on how the author wrote it can contribute to how you read the book. It can affect the tone, mood, or first second or third person. If the author were to change it, the book would have a different meaning. Right now I’m reading Left Behind. It is written to follow two different characters and their views in the situation. I really like how it is written, because it shows the story from two different perspectives and I get more information about what’s happening. It’s also fun to see the characters finally meet up with each other. The book would be really different if the author wrote it from one perspective or even first person.

[Renee]

YES!!! Sometimes I am not that into the story because of style of writing. I findAmericanah to be one of those books. I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if it wasn't so masterfully written!

[Renee]

I am currently reading A Madness So Discreet, our book club selection. I find this to be very well written compared to the other 2 books we have read.

[CoverToCoverWithKat]

The way a book is written is everything. A book’s writing style can pull you into the story and really hook you. On the other hand, it could also be the reason you just can’t get through a book. I’m reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire right now and JK Rowling’s writing style is as beautiful as always.

[Renee]

I just read Love, Hate & Other Filters! It is a favorite for sure. I loved the voice and the use of filmmaking to create a different perspective. The fact that it brings an Indian, Muslim, female voice to the YA cannon is perhaps the main reason I loved this book. I highly reccomend!

[Makenzie]

That book sounds great! I just finished reading Tuesday’s with Morrie, and I really liked it! I normally don’t like non-fiction, but this book was really captivating. I learned a lot about how you live your life, and the way you choose to live it from the eyes of an optimistic dying man. He never let his death sentence stop him from teaching what he believed. I highly recommend this book!

[JAglarwenH]

I finished A Madness So Discrete when I got home on Friday. It was most definitely the best book out of all our selections this semester. Let's see how well we can do next semester!

[Kendra]

The 57 Bus was not one I was expecting to like, but the other book I was interested in wasn’t available. Surprisingly, I couldn’t put The 57 Bus down! I’m currently reading a handful of different books ranging from short Essays by David Sedaris to nonfiction books about the difference between males and females with ASD. Aspergirls was a fascinating book written by a high functioning ASD mother, who might never have been diagnosed if it weren’t for her daughter’s recent diagnosis. It gives excellent advice at the end of each chapter for “Aspergirls” and their parents. It was very eye opening.