Mrs. Eriksson's Summer Reading Challenge 2015 discussion

Post about the third book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

Style by Kate Spade. A beautifully crafted book. It suggests wardrobe staples, movies that hold style, and classic outfits. A good quick perusal of fashion and style.

An interesting response from a dad who is frustrated with his son's response to schooling. The boy agrees to watch and discuss movies with his dad. The movie discussions and the father-son discussions make for a good read but, of course, as a teacher I found myself very concerned for his son's education and future.

The Kidney Hypothetical or how to Ruin your Life in Seven Days by Lisa Yee was a very quick read. I did enjoy this one. I read about twenty pages of it and put it down yesterday and then today I found that I just couldn't do that. Definitely not something that I would normally read, but still good.

For lovers of Where'd You Go Bernadette and Gone Girl, this is a fun, funny, suspenseful read perfect for summer! The book description on the fly leaf doesn't do it justice making it sound more like surface reality television. It sounds like petty drama but it isn't. It is more interesting and draws the reader in more while entertaining and pulling on the heartstrings. It is an adult book but fine for mature readers who have read the aforementioned books or other adult books.

This series is for those who liked the Twilight series. In my opinion it is even better writing and characterization. Instead of vampires there are merpeople called Syrena and they feud and they fall in love with humans. A good plot lines takes the series from one book into the next and it makes for enjoyable reading.

At my halfway mark for my goal of ten, I'm definitely slackin'. I just finished Silent Alarm by Jennifer Banash and I couldn't help but feel sad while reading this. I don't know what else I was expecting but this book did a great job of making me feel only a little peice of what the characters in this book were feeling. I say it's a good thing I only felt a little peice because I don't think anyone could feel the same way the characters did, unless they went through the same situations. Although it took me a while, it was worth the read. If you're looking for something dark and sad, this would be it.

I just finished Paper Towns, it is currently 12:57 am, I have to be up in five hours, and honestly, I'm a little disappointed. Paper Towns was a great book, don't get me wrong, I just don't get what all the hype was about.. That's just my unpopular opinion and I'm sure a lot of people disagree. I did enjoy this, just probably not as much as much as everyone else. On to the next. :)

DaShannon wrote: "For lovers of Where'd You Go Bernadette and Gone Girl, this is a fun, funny, suspenseful read perfect for summer! The book description on the fly leaf doesn't do..."

I also loved Big Little Lies! I laughed out loud quite a bit. The characters are rich and real. I read Reece Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman may be in the movie! This was such a fun summer read!

I'm behind on posting my books, and I don't think I am going to make my aggressive goal! But I have read! A lot of people have raved about I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. I liked it, but I wasn't in love. I should have been ... it's quirky and the main character is the kind of character I should love. But it fell a little flat for me. I loved the premise, and while the "message" was an uplifting one, it was a really dark book for a summer read. Perhaps that's why I just wanted to get it over. I need sunshine!

I also just finished The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. It is getting a lot of press right now, and it was a fun enough read. If you like a thriller, it's a quick page-turner in the vein of Gone Girl, but I didn't think the writing was that great. It will probably make a good movie! :)

I am really behind ... I realized I haven't yet posted about Aristotle and Dant e Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I had really high expectations for this after a few English teacher friends said it was one of their favorites this year. It was really good, but I was not in love with it. It does feature voices I have not heard much in literature. I don't want to give spoilers, but it is a really beautiful story of a friendship between two boys, one whose family harbors secrets that cause his to not be able to trust fully.

I have finally read A Wrinkle in Time! I picked it up many times when I was in elementary school, but I wasn't ready for it. I read it to Seb, and while I don't think he grasped themes, he enjoyed the story. I loved it! The writing is beautiful and complex ... something I did not expect.

I just finished Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. There is a lot of controversy and debate surrounding this book. I loved it! I almost gave it 5 stars because I had such a powerful personal response to the book, but I ended up deciding to give it a conservative 4 stars. To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely superior to this book, and Go Set a Watchman would not make much sense without TKAMB. If you decide to read it, do so with an open mind. It's a book that echoes what I have found to be true ... as much as I want to be able to label people, human beings are extremely complicated and complex. I look forward to conversations about this book.

Book seven, for me, was Wonder by R.J Palacio. It was an okay read. I moved through it quickly and enjoyed it. I'd give it a 5/10.

I don't listen well to fiction audiobooks, but I LOVE to listen to non-fiction audiobooks, especially when the writer is the reader. I highly recommend listening to A.J. Jacobs read any of his books. He's hysterical. I also highly recommend the audio of Tina Fey reading Bossypants.

While I stripped wallpaper from the bathroom walls, removed trim, patched holes, and pulled up the vinyl flooring, I listened to Amy Poehler read Yes Please! I LOVED IT! Poehler is witty and wise and poignant and funny. Her honesty makes her book a great read, especailly when you listen to her tell her story.

Buzzkill by Beth Fantaskey was a glorious book. Quite funny, with a surprising ending. Good read.

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern was a great read! I had no trouble getting into the book and instantly loving it! I highly recommend this book if you loved The Fault In Our Stars or Eleanor and Park.

This classic mystery/suspense/thriller was an interesting read. It took more patience than today's thriller because it was written for a reader who wanted it to take longer to get to the bottom of the story. I enjoyed it!

Perfect summer read on the beach or by the pool, this YA murder mystery is actually a series that I will continue reading. I like the main character who is strong and smart and curious. The constant action and questions kept me reaching for it every chance I got.

What a fun, entertaining memoir by one of today's funniest ladies. I love her honesty and humor. Good stuff. I hear the audio is especially good. This is for mature readers who enjoy Tina Fey's humor.

This YA novel takes Sylvia Plath's Bell Jar as an inspiration to some troubled teens to write and read and discuss to get through their most difficult times. Some of the characters are forthcoming with how they ended up at the special school but some, including the main character, hold back, building suspense that I found anticlimactic. The premise of the novel is original and I wanted to sit down to fall back into Belzhar. I'll be interested to know what other Blan readers think of this one.

An interesting read for the fashion crowd. An inspired historical fiction tale about the seamstress who copied the famous first lady's pink suit for her so it could be American made. The story is really about the seamstress, her betrothed butcher and the fashion making world at the time.

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott was probably my second favorite out of the nine books I've read this summer. I kind of sighed when I read the description, thinking it was going to be like The Hunger Games, but I was wrong to do that. The two are nothing alike. Definitely worth picking up. Can't wait to read the second one.

I finished Salt & Stone today. It's the book after Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott. I really liked this one as well but I have so many questions. I have no idea if there is a third, but I feel there should be. This is book ten- I've reached my goal! Now to see if there is a third book....