whatcha readin' wednesday

Part of my job as an English teacher is to help my students learn to LOVE reading.  I'm convinced that everyone loves to read, and if they say they don't it is only because they haven't found the right book.  Enter Amber.

When I was small, my dad traveled a lot for work.  Although I don't completely remember how it started, at some point we began reading novels together.  The first novel we read was Where the Red Fern Grows, and I will still tell you it is my favorite book of all time--not because the story was fascinating or because it was so well written or because my dad got emotional at the end, but because it reminds me of sitting in my bed with my dad.  Just him an me.  I'm sure at the time he was probably exhausted from work and travel and being the dad of five kids--pretty sure it was only four when this started, but he had like the most perfect kids so it's not like being a dad was even hard--but he still took the time to read with me.  I give my dad all the credit for my love of reading, and even for the career path I took.  My dad is rad.

It is my life's mission to pair up each of my students--or any human being, really--with a book they will fall in love with. All it takes is the right book, people.  I take them to the library every other week, and I throw books in their faces all year long.   Some of them are successes, and some are flops, but either way we have a good laugh at how geeked out I go when it comes to books.  I get the crazy eyes, and sometimes I think students take the book so I'll chill out.  Pairing up each of you with books isn't exactly possible, but since when have I ever not gone full boar at something impossible? Bring. It. On.  

Mark your calendars, people, and get out your library cards.  Every Wednesday I'm going to post about books I read over the week, with honest reviews, starting right now.

The President Has Been Shot by James L. Swanson

This is a historical nonfiction book about the assassination of JFK.  I love nonfiction, and historical nonfiction is even better.  This book includes photographs of settings, artifacts, people, etc., and who doesn't love a book with pictures.  It goes through the life of John F. Kennedy and dives in to the decisions he made while serving in office.  The book also gives a play by play of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who shot the president, and includes a full breakdown of how he executed his deadly plan.  Historical fiction can tend to get a little dull if the author's writing turns into a regurgitation of facts and dates, but this book is riveting.  One of my favorite in this genre by far.  

Girl, Wash Your Face! by Rachel Hollis

You knew this was coming, right? Is there a soul out there who hasn't at least heard about this book, yet? If so, you must be living under a rock.  This book falls under the self-help genre and breaks down the lies we tell ourselves that hold us back from reaching our full potential or fulfilling our wildest dreams.  Each chapter addresses a lie we tell ourselves, and Rachel Hollis offers suggestions for breaking through and conquering that mindset.  Her writing is hilarious, and the second she said "Bras are the devil's work" I knew we were destined to be besties.  Don't even get my started on the toe shaving story.  The woman is hilarious.  There were parts of this book that I found dull, but only because I didn't feel like that particular lie pertained to me and my current situation. This book is monumental, and I feel like every woman--working, single, childless, or with 12 kids--should read it.  If you want to get the most out of it possible, you better be prepared to be honest with yourself, and at some points that gets really painful.  "Get up, right now.  Rise up from where you've been, scrub away the tears and pain of yesterday, and start again...Girl, wash your face!"

The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Where are all my fiction lover's?! This book is a dystopian novel about a girl who lives in a society where they are required to take an exam when they are in their late teens.  This exam determines if they have criminal tendencies, and if they fail they are banished to an island called The Wheel.  A bunch of criminal minors left alone on an island? Sounds like a great idea.  The story is full of intensity and had me on the edge of my seat.  Plus, I love a book that throws something at me that I didn't see coming! This is the first book in a trilogy, and I own all three.  When the library tells you it's out of copies--because I know you are all going to go running to get it, right?!--you can come borrow mine! Trust me, guys... you are not going to see the end coming.  My suggestion? Grab the second one while you're there, cause you're going to need it.  

Because I'm such a book nerd, I welcome ALL your suggestions.  What books do you love? What books have you read? What books do you hate? Got a book you want to know about? Let me read it and give you an opinion! Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below, and help me help the world by sharing this post!  "You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book" --Dr. Seuss