I just updated my book shelf, which is my little tally of the books that I read. I am now at 14 books since the start of the year. OK, so I cheated a little, because 4 of those books are considered picture books. I read them for research, but since I still read them through, I figure they have a place in my list.
Last year, out of the 26 books I finished, two really stood out. One is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and the other is Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant. Not that the others weren’t any good (they were), but these two books have stayed with me. Austen’s language and characterization were inspiring. And The Magician’s Elephant! Wow, there was so much beauty there, for a book so short.
So far this year, there are 2 books that I will also not forget anytime soon: Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy, for her ease in weaving a highly believable magical story; and Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why. I almost have no words to describe this last book. I thought the topic was going to be depressing, but it was in fact, enlightening. This is a profound book, that was written with much skill. There’s a reason it’s spent weeks on the NYT Bestsellers Lists. A must read for teens, parents and educators.
And, on to what I’m reading now. I have Rick Riordan’s The Titan’s Curse and am going through it quickly. I also have L’Engle’s A Swiftly Tilting Planet, which I’m afraid is taking me a long time to to read. It just somehow has not really drawn me in.
I’m looking forward to reading Mistwood, and Spells. So have you read any good books lately?
