First Post of 2017/Bout of Books 20

Okay so this is a bit weird...I haven't posted on here in over a year.  I have often thought about it, wanted to, etc. but I find something else to do.  I wanted at the beginning of the summer to restart this again and get in a good habit before summer ended.  HA! School starts in a week from today....so yeah that might not happen.  But I guess I'm going to try.

As always, Bout of Books comes along when school starts to help me get back on track.  They prompt a daily post from me :) I will probably only focus on posting at least once a week to start with school, but we'll see.  More on that later!

Here's what Bout of Books is so that you can join me if you'd like!!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books - From the Bout of Books team

Happy reading!!

What classic has most surprised you so far and why?

The classic that has probably surprised me the most is a tie between Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.  I love Persuasion, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice....but I barely finished Sense and Sensibility and I haven't been able to finish Mansfield Park.....I don't know why but it surely is surprising to me that I haven't enjoyed these two Jane Austen classics. Maybe one of these days I will try to get through Mansfield Park and I will try Sense and Sensibility.

January 2016's Question Meme from Classics Club (Repeat of February 2013).  Add your answer.

Remembering Alan Rickman

This was just a huge shock today to learn of Alan Rickman's passing.  He really made the character of Snape come alive for me.  I am currently listening to the first Harry Potter book again, and even though we don't know Snape very well at this point technically, I feel like I have a much better understanding of him as a person because of the portrayal that Rickman had in the movies.  He is one of those characters that I think is better on screen--the body language really helps us to understand the character.  And honestly it was his voice too.  They could not have casted someone who would have done as great a job.

Today seeing all of the things online, I didn't realize that he was in a Sense and Sensibility movie, so I might have to see if I can track that down.  I was going to wait until I finished listening to the books all the way through again, but I might just break down and do a Harry Potter marathon while I grade this weekend so that I can honor the memory of a great actor!

My favorite quote that I ever saw attributed to him....to bad he won't ever get to be 80 in that rocking chair...

Bout of Books Wrap Up

Ugh! This weekend had very little reading---yesterday was justt the Book of Mormon.

While I was on Bout of Books, I read:
Year of Yes--finished! Probably started at half. See review here
Book of Mormon--got like 20 chapters read which is awesome!
Harry Potter 1--almost a whole disc

Looking forward to May!



Hopefully--I figure out something to write about tomorrow!

Bout of Books Day 7

Yesterday I read less then earlier in the week. ..and as I am lying in bed I know today was even less. I really do much better with the hour of driving and listening to audio  books.  If it wasn't for that I don't think I would be reading.  I started wildwood dancing which seems like it will be good. ...should have read some today but couldn't bring myself to.  Interesting thing when the depression hits I don't want to read even though it would be an escape. Glad to have finished this week of reading. Though after tomorrow's recap I have no idea what I am  going to write about...I almost forgot to write tonight. And this week is parent teacher conferences. ..so hopefully I keep up with the writing.

Bout of Books Day 6

Update--started listening to Harry Potter 1...it was actually kind of cool because I learned that my hour long drive everyday is just about a disc which means I could listen to the book in about a week. I also did my Book of Mormon reading which is good.  I feel like I have been keeping steady.  Today I did a lot of reading of music for choir rehearsal and grading papers and writing e-mails. So I think I will get off my blog and go give Wildflower Dancing a try.  Happy reading everyone.

Exactly!

 

Book Review: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes/Bout of Books Day 5

Bout of Books Day 5 requires a day 4 update---I finished a book!  Here is my first book review of the year.

Title: Year of Yes

Author: Shonda Rhimes

Genre: Memoir/Self-Help

Rating: 5 out of 5

Why Did I Read? Honestly, it was a bit of an impulse. I love Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Private Practice, and How to Get Away With Murder---all four TV shows she has done. As a result---I buy book because I'm curious what she has to say.

Summary: Shonda was the type of person who was shy, introspective, and addicted to her work.  She never said "yes" to anything that challenged her--which was almost everything.  She decides to start saying yes to everything.  What results is a complete change and renewal of the person that she wants/is/needs to be.  She goes through her year explaining her experiences, what she felt, did, and what she learned.

What Did I Love:

 How inspiring it was! I felt rejuvenated every time I listened to this book.  I did do the audio which Shonda reads herself--I loved that she did because she reads so beautifully. I could feel her passion, and honestly I felt like we were just having our little class every time I turned it on.  This is also a book that I want to read again and again.  I want to buy it in print now so I can mark it up and annotate it.  I very rarely say that! This is a book that I'm really wondering if I listen to when I have depression come up or I am feeling like I can't do life anymore.  This is one of those books that I feel like you could learn something new from each time you read or be reminded again of something that you knew you knew but needed someone to tell you again.  

What Did I Hate:  Honestly nothing....I love this book!

Thank you audible for this great quote wall paper
--now to figure out how to download it to my phone

Bout of Books Day 4

Update from day 3---I read Book of Mormon and Year of Yes--I will finish this (and I did today so I will update on that tomorrow), super excited.

Bout of Books Day 3

Update from Day 2-- I read the Book of Mormon and Year of Yes. I wanted to start another book--a print one...but I went to bed super early so no such luck. Today I think I will go to bed earlier too....I hate leaving schoolwork not completely done yet, but I did get something done. That's at least something!

Yay Bout of Books!

Bout of Books Day 2

As I posted on Day 1's progress...I am starting to see my prediction of two books being read this week coming true.

I read/listened the Book of Mormon--starting Mosiah, which is one of my favorite sections as we listen to King Benjamin's speech.

I read/listened some of Year of Yes and I love it. I love listening to memoirs read by the authors because the words really come alive--it is like they are telling me about their life.  I don't know if I could read a memoir after I have done two as audio books.  And this one is more of an advice book too and I'm learning so much and feeling edified--it's awesome.

I did read a little bit of Courage and Defiance while my students read--that's one of my favorite things if they will let me. So I got to start it and get a good 15 pages in.


Today's challenge looks really fun--it's a game of Would You Rather...from Writing My Own Fairy Tale

Would you rather:
Lend books to someone who dog-ears pages or to someone who reads with cheesy Cheetos fingers?

Would you rather:
Be able to meet one character of your choice or meet one author of your choice?

Would you rather:
Never be allowed in a book store again or never be allowed in a library again?

Would you rather:
Have to choose one of your favorite characters to die in their book or have to pick one of your favorite couples to break up in their book?

Would you rather:
Be required to read Twilight once a year for the rest of your life or The Scarlet Letter once a year for the rest of your life?

1. Dog-ears....cheesy fingers are nasty and licked
2. Gosh this one is hard...I think author because they are actually living and the characters are in my head and might not live up to expectations.
3. Book store--if I can't buy that's okay it will save my money--library just keeps me from books
4. Probably die because at least they would probably die happy and that would mean the end of the story instead of the end of the happiness of the character and depressing books
5. Twilight--Scarlet Letter is awful

Thank you Amazon for the pic

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Bout of Books Day 1

Today is the first day of Bout of Books.  I am glad, because I don't know what I would post about today if it wasn't for that.  This was good timing last time I started this little 365 challenge it helped me get through the first little bit.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 4th and runs through Sunday, January 10th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 15 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Typically I set goals....though I make them hopefully easy to reach but just out of reach to make them a challenge.  Today I am very tired from the first day back, all the planning, and then on top of it all loosing the keys to the car--I have no idea where they are right now. I feel like I will be lucky if I do more than just my audiobook.So....my goals are:

1. Listen to the Book of Mormon everyday
2. Listen to Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes--hopefully finish this week

These are the books that I'm hoping to start/read some during this week--but maybe, maybe not
Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark

By Deborah Hopkinson

The Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marilier

Bout of Books Day #2

Okay so my report from yesterday--an hour or so of my audio book, Jane and Austen.  I should have added my listening to the Book of Mormon to my goals specifically too, but I got my listening in on that.  It is so nice to be able to listen to that while I start my day and get ready for school.  Unfortunately did not get to Princess Bride, fell asleep pretty quick after I hit the pillow. I'm home earlier tonight so we will see.

Today I'd like to see if I can do the scavenger hunt on The Book Monsters' site.  Unfortunately I do not have an Instagram account, though I have thought about it--no time to set it all up tonight however.  So...we do it here :)

Looking for:

Book Scavenger Hunt:

1. A Book that begins with “B”  (for Bout of Books!)

2. A book you’re planning to read/currently reading for Bout of Books

3. Blue Book(s)

4. Books from your favorite genre!

5. A book on your TBR shelf, or your full TBR shelves

Though it starts with "the"...we are reading this very first for English this year.

The Book Thief Pic courtesy of Goodreads

I am currently reading....

The Princess Bride Pic courtesy of Goodreads

This is my favorite book and it has blue in the title...

The Blue Castle Pic courtesy of Goodreads

My favorite genre is hard...I like just about anything fiction wise though someone might say I read waay more YA than anything else.  My favorite from this summer was...

Wonder Pic courtesy of Goodreads

What would I like to read soon....

The Golden Specific (Sequel to Glass Sentence)
Pic courtesy of Goodreads

That was actually a lot of fun! Thanks gals :)  See you all tomorrow for another update.

Bout of Books Day #1

Yay it is day one of Bout of Books!! If you're not sure, here is the sum-up

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 17th and runs through Sunday, August 23rd in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 14 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Goals:
1. Read!! It is the first week of school so that is a huge goal. I am writing this at such a late hour because I came home around 8:15 pm after a back to school night.  Then I had to go to the grocery store and put all the food away....I haven't really read yet today but I will do a little bit before bed to wind down.
2. Finish The Princess Bride--book club is on Friday.
3. Finish my audio book--Jame and Austen by Stephanie Fowers...it is a little light romance.  It has been nice for the drives back and forth from school.

Wish me luck!

Book Review: Chasing Lincoln's Killer

This is my effort to restart this thing! Wish we luck :)

I am on a mission right now to try to finish a book every day or two. I finished this book Saturday and another book today!

Title: Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Author: James Swanson

Goodreads Listing

Genre: Young Adult Non-fiction/Non-fiction written in more story form

Rating: 5 out of 5

Why Did I Read? The 8th grade students are reading this at our school this year.  While I'm teaching 7th grade English, I am teaching 8th grade US History and I will have 8th graders in my ESL class so I wanted to make sure that I read it before the school year.

  

Summary: John Wilkes Booth is frustrated with the end of the Civil War. He has been wanting to take Lincoln out of the equation.  Now, the war is over and he really needs to stop Lincoln.  He finds out that the Lincoln family will be attending a play at the Ford's Theatre.  As an actor, he knows the theatre very well and feels that this is his opportunity to kill the president.  He gathers his fellow conspirators to also assassinate the vice president and the secretary of state. The next twelve days starts off a huge manhunt for the man that just killed the president.

What Did I Love: It was very well-written.  It was very readable and I miss being able to read a book that fast--it only took a couple of hours.  I appreciate learning a lot about that night in a really fun easy way.

It is a great book for teachers to use! With really needing students to read higher level things and read non-fiction that they can really connect to--this book really fits the bill!

What Did I Hate: It was only from the John Wilkes Booth perspective.  I really liked thinking about how it would fit in with some facts about the other conspirators--like how Mary Surrat was the first women hung by the federal government.  If you're interested--watch The Conspirators on Netflix.

From Google

Day 1 of TeachersWrite

So I haven't written on this blog since February.  My bright idea of writing everyday in 2015 crumbled much faster than I had expected.  This school year really kept me busy and I let my writing slip.  One of the things that I learned this year is that my lack of confidence in writing is harder to deal with when I'm focused on teaching it 100%.  Yes teachers aren't suppose to focus too much on their end of year test scores from their students, but this was an area where my students definitely struggled more than others in my classroom.

This lead me to think about what could I do to improve my writing teacher ability. I thought about taking a class, but I didn't want to be tied to something with deadlines/money/etc.  I stumbled across TeachersWrite on Facebook and I immediately decided that this might be something for me.  It will encourage me to write everyday, put me in the position of a student again, and even better: it is geared to teachers!

One of the things that I feel like will make me unique in this group is the fact that I am not working on a novel nor do I plan on coming up with one. I have often thought about doing that and maybe something will start with this exercise.  Today's prompt asked us to wonder and to make a list of those wonderings.  I have been thinking about it all day and I don't know how many I really have but we'll give it a go...

• I wonder what other wives of the Founding Fathers (other than Abigail Adams) thought of their husband's political careers and the new nation.
• I wonder if I will ever be really crafty.
• I wonder if I will get my house ready for the school year.
• I wonder how people really just keep moving and never stop--like those Energizer bunny people that are always busy and scheduled and seem so perfect.  How do they do that without burning out?
• I wonder if I can keep the blogging up during the school year--I wonder if I can have a better outside of school life this year or not.
• I wonder where this journey of writing will take me.

The other idea given out today was to basically make a list poem of the project that we are working on right now.  It seems more geared to people who are working on a story....but I guess to an extent this blog will be my story of this journey and it is really my project for this month.

This blog is all of my musings as I think them

I often write about knitting, reading, and teaching

That's how I came up with Inspirefly--it is everything that inspires me. 

I started it to get some web presence with the idea of maybe one day having a business.

It became more than that--it became a place to interact with people on a different level

It became a way to express what I was thinking and feeling

It became a way to write

I started this journey to improve my writing

To help my students improve their writing

To give both groups a place to keep writing and writing and writing

I hope that at the end of this month I can look back and say that I definitely learned something. 

Looking forward to this amazing journey!

For more info: Click here 

Book Review: The Brothers

Title: Prologue: The Brothers

Author: Chris Stewart

Genre: Religious Fiction/Drama

Rating: 5 out of 5

Why Did I Read? My book club suggested it.

Summary: It is before the Earth has been formed and the spirit children of Heavenly Father have just been presented the Plan of Salvation. This plan allowed for us to come to Earth and be able to grow and progress.  We meet four spirits: Samuel, Luke, Ammon, and Elizabeth.  They are getting prepared for their time on Earth, but are also being tempted to join the side of Lucifer.  Will they give up their chance for salvation or take the risk of going to Earth?

What Did I Love:

• I really love the story line--the fictional characters become very believable and the liberties that the author takes with sacred figures becoming characters in the book is done very tastefully. 
• I loved the insights that I learned about myself and why I am tempted the way that I am.  If you aren't LDS but just Christian, you will still benefit from the insights and the Spirit that is in this book.
• The narrator for the audio book does a great job!

What Did I Hate:

• Honestly nothing--I immediately wanted the next five books in the series. Currently listening to #2.  This is the Great and Terrible Series

What Challenges I Am Doing This Whole Year!

I loved my challenge post from before and it was a lot of fun to put the pictures together.  Okay so I might have just completely overwhelmed myself--but I want to motivate myself to read more!!  I am hoping I can read a lot over the summer too. So here are the reading challenges that I'm doing this year:

Challenge #1:
Absolutely am super excited for this one because I have been wanting to finish sequels/series! There are points attached to the books that I do finish so even if I don't get a lot done its not like I didn't do anything!

http://novelheartbeat.com/2014/12/2015-prequel-sequel-challenge-sign-ups/

Challenge #2:  This challenge is all about spelling out Mocha Girls 15 with the titles and author's last name of books.  This was is going to take some planning, but I really liked the concept.

http://www.mochagirlsread.com/2015-mgr-reading-challenge/

Challenge #3: 2015 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge---I liked this one because it is going to encourage me to get some variety. They picked 24 "tasks" and I am a little bit interested to see if I like all of the tasks...a couple will be really easy--others will be really hard.  I am excited to join the Goodreads group and Tweet with #ReadHarder

http://bookriot.com/2014/12/15/book-riot-2015-read-harder-challenge/

Challenge #4:


I am sure everyone has seen this....I am excited to see how many of these I can get.  I'm not going to necessarily try to do all of them...just see how far I can get!  http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2015-36071458

Challenge #5: 2015 TBR Pile Challenge

I talked about Roof Beam Reader's pile challenge earlier this month.

Challenge #6: 40 Book Challenge with school--I started this in August with the students--but I don't know where I am exactly and I need to figure that out!!  And I will finish with this school year and start back up again the next school year so I need to keep it on here so that I can keep track.



WOW LOTS OF READING!

50 Question Survey Part 1

From The Classics Club 50 Question Survey that I stumbled on awhile back--I am going to do this in two parts. 

1. Share a link to your club list.
2. When did you join The Classics Club? How many titles have you read for the club?  I joined the club in 2013.  I have finished five books....unfortunately I'm behind my idea of reading 10 a year.
3. What are you currently reading? I'm currently listening to Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot and reading Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
4. What did you just finish reading and what did you think of it? I just finished listening to The Brothers by Chris Stewart-- I loved it and it is the first in the series so I'm excited to get the next books.
5. What are you reading next? Why? I want to read the second book in The Great and Terrible Series--the series I mentioned earlier.  The first book is really like chapter 1 of a six part series.
6. Best book you’ve read so far with the club, and why? My favorite Classics Club book so far would have to be 1984.  I loved teaching it to my six seniors!
7. Book you most anticipate (or, anticipated) on your club list? I am excited to re-read Little Women again. 
8. Book on your club list you’ve been avoiding, if any? Why? I am avoiding Pickwick Papers because I started it and it was very boring.
9. First classic you ever read? Um....not sure-I have read Classics since I was very young
10. Toughest classic you ever read?  The Fountainhead
11. Classic that inspired you? or scared you? made you cry? made you angry?  My favorite classic will always be The Blue Castle 
12. Longest classic you’ve read? Longest classic left on your club list? One I've read? Maybe Catch-22...actually probably The Fountainhead....left on my list? Probably Les Miserables
13. Oldest classic you’ve read? Oldest classic left on your club list? Not sure of the oldest....
14. Favorite biography about a classic author you’ve read — or, the biography on a classic author you most want to read, if any? I have read many sections of biographies on Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott and I have enjoyed both 
15. Which classic do you think EVERYONE should read? Why? I think everyone should read 1984.
16. Favorite edition of a classic you own, if any? I love Oxford Classic editions of my book
17. Favorite movie adaption of a classic? Love the newest Pride and Prejudice
18. Classic which hasn’t been adapted yet (that you know of) which you very much wish would be adapted to film. I would love to see a new version of Anne of Green Gables
19. Least favorite classic? Why?  Not a big fan of Steinbeck books
20. Name five authors you haven’t read yet whom you cannot wait to read. Emily Bronte, H.G. Wells, John Milton, A.A. Milne, and Tennessee Williams
21. Which title by one of the five you’ve listed above most excites you and why? Wuthering Heights 
22. Have you read a classic you disliked on first read that you tried again and respected, appreciated, or even ended up loving?  Catch-22
23. Which classic character can’t you get out of your head?  I love Mr. Darcy :)
24. Which classic character most reminds you of yourself? I have always related to Anne Shirley
25. Which classic character do you most wish you could be like? Valancy Stirling from The Blue Castle

Book Review: The Wish List

Title: The Wish List

Author: Eoin Colfer

Genre: Drama

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Why Did I Read? My book club suggested it.

Summary: Meg Finn has gotten herself in some trouble...really big trouble because it got her killed! On her way to either heaven or hell she gets stuck in limbo.  She has an equal amount of good and evil in her "aura". She goes back to Earth to try to help with the amount of good and helps out the man that she was robbing when she died.  He has three things that he wants to do before he dies, and she helps him get it done.  

What Did I Love:

• I liked the plot line--it seemed very well planned out and I liked how the characters developed. 
• Speaking of characters--Meg is a strong female character that seems to learn a lot and tries to improve.  

What Did I Hate:

• The audio book is unique.  It is read by a British narrator, and he probably does it right--with the Irish accents too.  However, it made it hard for me to multitask and listen at the same time.  

2015 TBR Pile Challenge List

This year I want to try again with the 2015 TBR Pile Challenge with Roof Beam Reader.  I am excited to get through some of the books I didn't get through last year and add some more to the list!

So this year's list will be (the first four are what was on last year's list that didn't get done):

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009)
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (1999)
3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (2011)
4. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (1791)
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)
6. The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (1988)
7. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (2002)
8. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (2003)
9. The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)
10. The Firm by John Grisham (1991)
11. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009)
12. Son by Lois Lowry (2012)

I gave myself quite the variety so hopefully that helps!