I am a lover of books. I love to read. I love to write.
I’ll often be found curled up in my chair with a cup of hot cocoa engulfed deeply in a book or typing away at my laptop. As a child I would hide under my bed covers and read by flashlight when the lights were turned off. As a teenager I would read anywhere- car, bed, bathroom, walking to and from the dinner table. Now I just try to read anywhere, but it is a bit more difficult to do with six kids. Thus I have books stashed in the bathroom, in the kitchen (while I’m waiting for the pot to boil), etc.
I read mainly children’s lit and YA – I write mainly children’s lit and YA. It’s fun, and I’m really just a big kid anyway. Besides, it’s a great way to keep tabs on what my kids are reading, and there’s nothing more fun than discussing a great book with your kids.
So, what is the point to all this you ask? Well, I am going to start compiling a list of books as I read them, this year, and whether or not I liked it. I’ll gladly take suggestions (of all types of books), but please none with vulgar language, graphic violence or sex, please.
Currently Reading:
The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles) by John Flanagan [434pgs]
Have Read (in 2011)
Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick [427pgs] eh. I’d read the first one some time ago and I suppose I remembered it as being better than it was. It’s not awful. I was intrigued by the story. But I was SO sick of the main character and her constant inability to actually make a single unselfish or good decision. It’s like Bella all over again, only worse. I wouldn’t recommend the series to younger teens at all – it’s pretty much a how to of all the things NOT to do in a relationship. And the main character just makes one bad choice after another. I want to like my main characters not be tempted to help the antagonist do them in! sigh. I really wanted to like it – but it flopped on SO many levels – it’s not cool to make your readers hate your main character and be totally annoyed with her – yes, they need their flaws, but they need to be likable too. I finished this book with a love hate relationship – I hated most of it, but loved the idea of it (in general) and hate the fact that I want to read the 3rd (and hopefully) last book.
Entwined by Heather Dixon [472pgs] Based on the fairytale 12 Dancing Princesses – wonderful version of the story and thoroughly enjoyable. I know my girls will love this one.
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare [498pgs] SO good. One rather inappropriate spot, but other than that it is an excellent read.
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare [476pgs] Oooh I liked this book – I liked it more than her first series – The Immortal Instruments
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock [344pgs] Very nice story. My daughter and I both enjoyed it.
Beastly by Alex Flinn [304pgs] eh it was ok – a few of spots I found rather inappropriate. I will say there are versions of Beauty and the Beast that I loved SO much more than this.
Must Reads (Recommendations from Friends)
Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James [304pgs] I saw this in the bookstore with a good friend and it looks too fun to pass up (hopefully I’m not disappointed)!
Parnormalcy by Kiersten White [368pgs]
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins I know, I know… I’ll get to them eventually 
Yay! Another person with a book list! Feel free to borrow from mine…
http://www.muchmorethanamom.com/?page_id=153
I started keeping track of the books I read last year. I love it and only wish I had started sooner.
I’ll definitely pass your kid list to my sister who has 5 between the ages of 2 & 11. They love to read too.
i love reading children’s books too. some of my all-time favourites are danny champion of the world by roald dahl, the outsiders by s. e. hinton and i am david by anne holm. i love children lit authors like roald dahl and enid blyton.
http://sulz.daria.be
I, too, love children’s lit! This past month I have read two of Patricia MacLachlin’s, Baby and Journey (sorry, don’t know how to bold or underline in comments). I also read Cynthia Voigt’s Homecoming. It’s the first in the Tillerman series…I can’t wait to read more of the series. I also read Bridge to Terabithia, as I make it a rule to not let any of my children see a movie without reading it first. That is why none of us has seen Lord of the Rings yet! Enjoyed the list!
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Hey, I just popped over from ANWA (new member). I just picked up my copy of Red Riding Hood from the Library and thus far haven’t been impressed. For a YA book I thought it spent too much time on poetic-like prose instead of getting to the point. Also, the first line (or paragraph for that matter) didn’t hook me like a published YA book ought to. Not being thrilled with the writing and now knowing there is dirtiness in it makes me glad to return the book and not waste my time.
Rachel – I agree completely – though I thought some of her descriptions were quite beautiful – that was it. And I was disapointed by the content – I know the big thing right now in YA is to push edgy topics and such, but it is not something I will ever cave for.
I have less of a booklist, and more of a bookpile! Or several piles spread around the house
Julia your experiences have and will inspire many. Keep writing.
While reading your blog I found myself thinking of all of the rag tag kids and families (Fox, Price, Konchar, Erdman, George, Cratty..) of Slippery Rock Branch: so few families-so little money- so many kids- so much fun. Good memories. My heart is sad for you and your family. But we know that time is fleeting- you will see your Lizy in a blink of an eye.