Last week kicked my butt. It was parent conference week (which followed not only end-of-trimester grading and report card data entry, but also the first round of state tests). I worked 12 hours on Monday, with about an hour off for dinner, and also had to work Wednesday night. We had 2 hours comp time on both Thursday and Friday, but somehow that didn’t help.
So, if you didn’t see me around, that was why.
If you happen to read/write MG fiction, you might want to leave here and hop over to Project Mayhem to read about my little experiment with my class. I set up some group discussions on what gets MG readers interested in a book. You might be surprised by the answers.
If MG isn’t your thing, stay here a bit and help me out. I need some books to read on my Killington trip later this week and could use some recommendations. I’m in the mood for a thriller. Adult or YA. I’d love something like Gretchen McNeil’s TEN or Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL. I’m not adverse to a good dystopian or apocalyptic book, either, as long as it’s out of the ordinary.
Somewhere in the blur of the last couple weeks, I also got a sneak peek at the Kirkus review for THE CAGED GRAVES. The whole review is not available for public viewing yet, but I can share this bit with you:
“When an inquisitive teen returns to her birthplace to meet her fiancé, she uncovers a bizarre mystery surrounding her mother’s grave, unleashing disturbing buried secrets. Salerni grounds her story in local Revolutionary War lore, creates a spirited heroine with enough self-reflection to feel convincing, and crafts a suspenseful plot that skirts sensationalism. This unusual romantic mystery stands out.”
Yay! Now I just have to wait for some of the other big name reviews to come in – School Library Journal, Booklist, VOYA, etc. Heart-in-mouth time …
Yay for the snippet for your review.
Tracy Bilen’s What She Left Behind is a great page turner. I haven’t read any other thrillers lately. Have a good trip.
Wow! Fantastic review from Kirkus. A snippet like that should buoy you right up. 🙂
Yeah on what you could share with us on the review.
Excellent review! And I concur whole heartedly 🙂
As for what to read White Cat by Holly Black or The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater would be my two top picks out of what I’ve read this year.
YOu go, girl! GREAT review!
It’s not YA but I want to read Harlan Coben’s new one “Six YEars”: looks like a good thriller.
OMG what a great review! I’m so thrilled for you! I can’t wait to read the whole thing. 🙂
Congrats on the great review snippet from Kirkus! That’s an accomplishment. Kirkus can be so negative sometimes.
Have you read WHAT’S LEFT OF ME by Kat Zhang? So compelling I could NOT stop reading.
I’ve been to Killington many times, but only in the summer! 🙂 Have fun!
I feel your pain about the long days. This is an election year for me. Ugh
Do read urban fantasies? I can recommend one with lots of action, tension, snarky humor, and even some romance. The Monster Hunter International series. Caution. There’s some language. And lots of blood and guts since they’re killing monsters. 🙂
Year for you – good work! And We Hear the Dead is on my night stand. I will read it. I really liked S.J. Watson’s BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP. psychological thriller I couldn’t stop reading.
That’s an awesome review! YAY!
I highly recommend ACCELERATION by Graham McNamee! Enjoy!! 🙂
Grrrrreat review! Seeing a review that good has got to make some of your exhaustion disappear.