Here you will find the books I’ve read in 2022 and thus far, in 2023. I include the genre (YA has become a regular part of my reading diet due to work) along with the rating I would give and a few comments about the book.

BOOK LOG 2023

Title	Author	Genre	Rating (*)	Comments
Brisingr	Christopher Paolini	Sci-Fi	*****	Elaborate detail! Surprised by how much better this series gets as I keep going. Loved the sword-making scene and several others. Paolini is incredibly creative.
Inheritance	Christopher Paolini	Sci-Fi	*****	He saved the best for last!! The ending could not have been more perfectly crafted.
Milkweed	Jerry Spinelli	Historical Fiction	****	The writing style isn’t my favorite: short, choppy sentences. However, the story was very interesting.
Snow Falling on Cedars	David Guterson	Historical Fiction	***	Overall, an interesting book with loads of historical facts that I enjoyed. The setting was engaging too, with superb description. However, it was obvious that it was written by a man.
The Serpent King	Jeff Zentner	YA/Fiction	*****	Great book, even though it was heart-wrenching. I cried … several times.
True Colors	Kristin Hannah	Fiction	****	More of a romance novel than I normally read, but I love Hannah’s writing. She has outstanding character development and pacing in her work.
Unwind	Neal Schusterman	Sci-Fi Dystopian	*****	Whoa, just whoa. This is one of those YA novels I highly recommend adults read too. Intriguing, engaging, and uncomfortable in all the right ways.
The Fourth Wing	Rebecca Yarros	Sci-Fi	*****	I read this in 36 hours: couldn’t put it down. I have already pre-ordered the sequel, which comes out in Nov. However, I would only recommend this book to adults.
Gateway to Fourline	Pam Brondos	Sci-Fi	****	Good pacing and character development, and the novel got better the more I read. I’m looking forward to the second book.
On the Meldon Plain	Pam Brondos	Sci-Fi	*****	Now that I know the characters and the setting, it was much easier to follow. Loved this second book of the series. Very engaging!
The Last Remnant	Pam Brondos	Sci-Fi	****	I think the series finished well, even though the second book is still my favorite of the three. There were a few surprises along the way, quality suspense building, and the story wrapped up comfortably.
Blade: Playing Dead	Tim Bowler	YA	***	The first-person perspective of this novel made the pacing move very quickly. Definitely geared towards YA, but also a little tricky because it’s loaded with British slang.
UnWholly	Neal Schusterman	Sci-Fi Dystopian	****	Book II of the series did not disappoint! The complexity of political concepts presented in this dystopian are excellent. Mr. Schusterman gives his readers loads to think about.
Children of Blood and Bone	Tomi Adeyemi	Fantasy	****	A little confusing to start, but picked up in both pacing and intrigue as I moved along. There were some great story-telling moments throughout; but, overall, I did struggle somewhat with the characters. It ended on a cliffhanger (well-played) so I will have to read the second one.
Just Mercy (YA Version)	Bryan Stevenson	Memoir Biography	*****	Phenomenal. I read almost the entire book in a day. I will be getting this book for my students.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance	Tomi Adeyemi	Fantasy	****	Book II had a lot more action and unique story elements, but my issues with certain characters escalated.
Dare to Lead	Brene Brown	Nonfiction	*****	I appreciate Brene’s work immensely and this particular text covers a lot of her research in one place, which I really liked. Easy to read and understand, a bit more challenging to put into practice. 🙂
UnSouled	Neal Schusterman	Sci-Fi Dystopian	*****	The edgy, controversial, philosophical saga continues. I look forward to reading Book IV. I know this is YA, but it would make a great series for collegiate-level discussion!
The 57 Bus	Dashka Slater	Creative Nonfiction	****	Previewed for my class – for either older students, or specifically selected ones. Heart-breaking true story about a young man’s mistake and a senseless act of violence. Very informative and had several tidbits about the juvenile justice system.

BOOK LOG 2022

Title	Author	Genre	Rating (*)	Comments
All the Light We Cannot See	Anthony Doerr	Fiction- Historical	****	Novel about French and Germans during WWII. Beautiful story-telling … abrupt ending
The Bluest Eye	Toni Morrison	Fiction- African American	****	Gritty, graphic, heart-breaking, enlightening. Recommend for mature readers
Beloved	Toni Morrison	Fiction- African American	***	Similar in content to The Bluest Eye but more complex, metaphorical and suspenseful. Again, recommend for mature readers
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma	Trenton Lee Stewart	Fiction- Children	*****	Book 3 of the series. Equally as delightful and unique as the first two. Excellent story-telling
Children of Dune	Frank Herbert	Sci-Fi	****	Book 3 of the series. The complexity of the Dune world increases in the 2nd novel. Layers of meaning. Intriguing characters. Getting a little weird, or perhaps beyond my scope
God Emperor of Dune	Frank Herbert	Sci-Fi	***	Book 4 of the series. Went to a weirdness level I had a hard time connecting with. Still loaded with layers of meaning and story-telling (and sadness), just hard to dig into.
Say Yes	Scott Erickson	Christian- Self-Help	****	Easy to read, encouraging, and unique in its inclusion of artwork throughout
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus	Brennan Manning	Christian- Self-Help	*****	Loved from front to back. Best theological and practical displays of Jesus (in writing) I’ve seen in a long time.
Eragon	Christopher Paolini	Fantasy- YA	*****	Saw the movie years ago and loved it. I was missing out! The book is 1000 x’s better than the film. Complex fantasy fiction that’s appropriate for young minds–a total win
Eldest	Christopher Paolini	Fantasy- YA	*****	Couldn’t put it down. Love this series and now completely understand its popularity. Fabulous story-telling
Uglies	Scott Westerfeld	Sci-Fi – YA	****	Unexpected and intriguing. The social critique embedded in this text is amazing.
Pretties	Scott Westerfeld	Sci-Fi – YA	****	The conversation around current social issues Westerfeld creates in these novels is brilliant.
Specials	Scott Westerfeld	SCi-Fi – YA	***	Identity. Belonging. Self-Worth. Westerfeld keeps digging at these issues and I love him for it!
A Christmas Carol	Charles Dickens	c19th Lit	*****	I now understand the popularity and regret it’s taken me so long to read. Dickens wraps his hard-hitting protest novel in stunning, rich imagery. A spoonful of sugar…
X-Troop	Leah Garrett	Biography	*****	Inspiring: a story of WWII heroes well-worth the read. Humans are amazing.
Teach Like a Pirate	Dave Burgess	Educational	*****	Fun, engaging and inspiring. Will be a reference for years to come.
Teaching with Love and Logic	Jim Fay & Charles Pay	Educational	*****	The teacher’s version of Love and Logic material. Very, very practical. Worth the read and investment
The Growth Mindset Coach	Annie Brock & Heather Hundley	Educational	***	Great tips/tricks and attitude adjusters. Need to go through and do one month at a time (like the format suggests) and I think I’ll get more out of it
The Hate You Give	Angie Thomas	Fiction- YA	****	Eye-opening, engaging, honest and compelling. A single story that stands as a voice for many–a must read.
Book Love	Penny Kittle	Educational	*****	Must read for all Literature teachers!
The Book Thief	Markus Zusak	Fiction- Historical	*****	Using “Death” as the narrator–genius! I’m still geeking out about it. This story sucks you in and doesn’t let you go until it makes you cry. And it will
Maus I	Art Spiegelman	Fiction- Historical (Graphic novel)	***	My first graphic novel. It’s going to take some time for me to get used to the style: choppy, short sentences and imagery with pictures instead of words. Very interesting story though.
The Help	Kathryn Stockett	Fiction- Historical	*****	Cried. More than once. Beautiful story-telling. Also, the suspense was built so well I had to take breaks to catch my breath.
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life	Amy Krouse Rosenthal	Memoir	*****	Fun, quirky, unique … one of the most interesting ways I’ve ever seen to tell the story of a life.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian	Sherman Alexie	Fiction- YA	***	Honest while staying playful and engaging. Covers deeply painful life realities with genuineness and hope.
They Called Us Enemy	George Takei	Auto-Bio, (Graphic novel)	***	Loads of interesting American history. The storyline jumps weren’t successful, confused form, but the content was very good.
Write Beside Them	Penny Kittle	Educational	****	Quality advice and practical help for ELA instructors
Mechanically Inclined	Jeff Anderson	Educational	****	Great ideas for teaching grammar and mechanics
180 Days Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents	Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle	Educational	****	Again, very useful/practical with loads of great pedagogy and ideas
A Novel Approach	Kate Roberts	Educational	****	A must read for ELA teachers doing whole-class novels!
When Kids Can’t Read	Kylene Beers	Educational	****	Will use a reference guide to help with differentiation in the classroom. Very useful!
Brisingr	Christopher Paolini	Fiction-YA	*****	Long, but completely worth the read! Had me on the edge of my seat and binge-reading multiple times. I had to jump into the 4th book in the series as soon as I was finished.

Book Reviews/Recommendations

BOOK LOG 2023

BOOK LOG 2022

Recommended Reading

The Classics

Contemporary Fiction

Christian Literature

Self-Help

Children’s