Book Recommendations

Attention all blog readers (I know there must be one or two of you out there...):

I need book recommendations!

I need to read 10 additional YA books for my class, 3 of which must be written by the same author. Series books are allowed. I am trying to steer clear of fantasy and sci-fi because I have already read so many. I want to branch out and try something new.

Any suggestions?

Review: God Went To Beauty School

God Went to Beauty School
by Cynthia Rylant

God Went to Beauty School is a small book (56 pages) of poetry. The poems are about God, and what His life would be like if He lived like a human. Each poem describes a new experience God would have in His human life, which helps Him identify and appreciate His creations. Also, the poems describe some of the stresses and difficulties of being the all-powerful creator of the world.

I don’t know exactly why, but I loved this book. When I picked it up I might have rolled my eyes and thought, “Well…at least it’s short.” As soon as I started, though, I couldn’t stop.

Review: The First Part Last

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson is a story about a 16 year old boy, Bobby, who gets his girlfriend pregnant and then has to raise their daughter, Feather. From the very beginning, the audience knows that Bobby is basically raising Feather on his own. His parents help him, but Bobby is regularly reminded that they are only Grandma and Grandpa. Bobby is Daddy.
The book is set up alternating between “now,” or Bobby’s life as a father, and “then,” Bobby’s life leading up to the birth of his daughter starting with him finding out his girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant. Throughout the “then” parts we can see that Bobby and Nia cared deeply about one another, and wonder why Nia is not present in the “now” sections. Is she dead? Did she run away? What happened?
As the “then” parts become closer in time to the “now” parts, we meet Bobby’s friends, family, and find out what happened to Nia.
It was more of a good-kids-make-a-bad-decision story than anything else. It is clear that Bobby and Nia are not into drugs and alcohol, and were raised knowing the possible consequences of having unprotected sex. They are both presented as smart kids who just weren’t thinking clearly in the heat of the moment.

Review: Pretty Little Liars

As you know, I am taking a young adult literature class this summer. The class does not begin until July, but I started reading the books already. No, not because I am an overachiever, but because I am being practical. Two summer classes + a job + pulling together a literature review for my “Big Project” = get some work out of the way before I’m drowning.

With so many books in by brain, how will I remember the finer points of them all? Write them down, of course. And so I am trying my hand at a book review. Here it goes...

Just saying...

...that you should donate.

http://www.crowdrise.com/jimarirrr

Will the Reading Ever End???

No, the reading will never end. Glad I was able to answer that.

A way long time ago, before going to Russia, I complained that I will never have time to read all of the books I want to read. Well, I will now complain that the books I have to read are getting in the way of the books I want to read.

I am taking a class on young adult literature this summer. I am pretty excited about it. I like young adult books, and I do want to be a YA librarian, after all (someone, please hire me!). However, I was just sent the reading list for the class, and I am slightly disappointed that I have not already read more of the books on the list. Some of the books that I have not read I do want to read, and others not so much. So basically, this reading list is getting in the way of me plowing through my ever growing to-read list.

Last day in Russia

Our greeting to the museum.

The last day was a free day. We were let loose upon the city, and St. Petersburg did not know what hit it. First, many of us went to the Museum of Curiosity, aka Kunstkamera. For the most part, it was like a scaled down Museum of Natural History. Bu then here were dead babies in jars. It was gross and I tried to avoid looking. I walked through that room as quickly as possible. The rest was interesting, though, and less disturbing.

After the museum our group split. Some went to more museums and some went shopping. I was in the shopping crew.