Thursday, August 29, 2013

August reading round up

I put this on my list because the description sounded so interesting. I am so happy I did, it is one of the most interesting and captivating reads I've had lately. 3 days and I had devoured this book! 5 year old Jack only knows the world inside "room" where he and his mother live. You eventually learn his mother was kidnapped and Jack is a result of the abuse she faced at the hands of her captor. Jack doesn't believe there is a world outside "room" and the book follows, through his eyes, what happens when his brave mother decides she has to break out for both their sake. This was just, wow, so powerful. I kept thinking of those young women in Ohio, this was written a few years ago, and it gave me some modern day perspective on what those brave women must now feel being outside again. Honestly, read this!
My mom passed this book onto me. It was a great read right before the school year and there are now tons of little post-it flags hanging out of the pages. It had great ideas and inspirations for when you get in a rut and ways to avoid falling into traps most often fallen into when things get frustrating. I won't bore you with details, but I enjoyed this read ahead of the new school year!
Coraline.jpg
My mom gave me a copy of Coraline thinking it might be a nice read-a-loud for my class. I loved the movie and thought it'd be a fun read for myself (and I always tend to pre-read or skim possible read-a-louds). I am glad I read this on many fronts. First, it's a great book, very imaginative and another book I couldn't put down. Secondly, it is very dark and I cannot imagine reading it to a bunch of 3rd graders! It's far darker than the movie, but very well written and spooky, but in a "whoa" way not a "ahhh" way, but I am 25 and not 8, which is the starting recommended age on the back cover. I recommend, but not for kids!
Little by Little

11 thoughts on the matter:

Unknown said... {Reply}

I read Room shortly after the Joseph Fritzl stuff came out, it's a very haunting read!

aspiritofsimplicity said... {Reply}

Do you have any recommendations for boys going into 4th and 1st grades? We have read The Education of Little Tree which they loved....the younger one fell asleep before the sad ending. Also, have read the Hobbit and are almost finished the Two Towers which the also love. I think they could use a bit of a break up before starting on the next Tolkien.

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said... {Reply}

Room sounds really good. I'll have to add it to my huge stack of books!

Kim Cunningham said... {Reply}

All sound intriguing! Glad you let us know about Coraline. The movie, that I haven't watched, seemed dark a bit. We will wait on that.

Dara @ Not In Jersey said... {Reply}

I loved Room too. I just finished Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. review to come, but it was really very good. you'd probably like it too.

Adrienne said... {Reply}

Oh, I think I'd like Room...and am sure my daughter would love it. That's going on the list!

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

Hmm, out of all three, I think I might head for the second one. I'm in a phase right now where I'm not very interested in "dark" books or ones with heavy themes.

I am not a teacher by profession, but I do teach my kids and while I enjoy doing that, say, 98% of the time, the other 2%...yeah, I'll need all the help I can get!

renae said... {Reply}

Oh Oh, Mom's suggestion is not always to be heeded. I liked the Whoa not Awh description. Cool.

I am not crafty. I don't think of myself as crafty at all but I do enjoy jewelry making and have dusted off those skills a bit. hahahahaha. Thank you.

Simon said... {Reply}

That first story sounds really fascinating. I'll have to jot it down. Wish I was a faster reader-so many good books. I'm on the 2nd of the Game of Thrones series. I'm 700 pages in out of 1,000. I CAN do it.

Unknown said... {Reply}

I just love your book recommendations. I'm always looking for new books to read, and it's so helpful to hear someone else's opinion!

Shoshanah said... {Reply}

I love the movie Coraline too, but did find it a little creepy. So I can only imagine what the book would be like. The scenes with her parents with buttons as eyes, and when he friend can't talk... just kind of spooky. But I'd still love to read the book as well someday.