What I’m Reading: September Edition

Each month I share the books I have been reading as a part of The 2016 Reading Challenge, as well as books I have read for fun.  I hope that these quick reviews provide you with some new titles to add to your list of Books to Read.

What I’m Reading: September Edition

Adult Nonfiction

Book Boss by Abby Lawson

Ok, so this isn’t technically a book, but I spent a lot of time reading and working on it!  Book Boss is a fantastic course written and taught by Abby Lawson, of Just a Girl and Her Blog, that will help you create and launch a profitable e-book in 90 days.  If you’ve ever thought about writing an e-book, this is absolutely the best resource available to help you.  I worked REALLY hard to write and launch my book Seasons of the Faith: Helping Your Family Celebrate the Feasts and Fasts of the Church, and I couldn’t have done it without Book Boss!

Young Adult Fiction

School is back in session, so that means that, as a middle school reading teacher, I am reading a lot more young adult fiction.  I’ve read some good ones this month!

The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine

Tommy has a lot going on at home: his sister was seriously injured while doing a chore that was his turn to do, his mother is becoming abusive, and his father is retreating away from family life.  At the same time, Tommy begins to meet and learn about the people on his paper route.  When he discovers a communist newspaper one day, he is determined to find the owner.  Perhaps if he can turn in the “commie” he can find the sense of justice that his world has been missing.  He soon learns, however, that life isn’t always so simple.  If you are looking for a good story that grapples with some real issues while still maintaining a sense of hope, add this to your list!

Girls Like Us by Gail Giles

Biddy and Quincy become roommates after high school graduation.  Both former wards of the state who went through their school’s special education program, the girls have to learn to live together and understand each other. I was literally sobbing as I read this poignant story about love, difficulty, discrimination, and hope.  Told alternatively from each girl’s point of view, the book offers great insight into and opportunity for empathy with people with learning disabilities and those who have suffered abuse.  Because of some disturbing scenes related to abuse, I would recommend this for high schoolers and adults.

The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

One of my students just told me about this new book from Rick Riordan that continues the Percy Jackson story.  The new series, The Trials of Apollo, follows the god Apollo as he is stripped of his powers by his father Zeus as punishment for misdeeds.  Now a mortal teenager, Apollo must serve a demigod and prove himself worthy before he can return to Olympus.  I was excited to see many of the old characters from the first two series, but I was also glad that they are not the focus of this series, as new characters add some freshness to the overall storyline.  One quick note:  Riordan has added some gay and bisexual characters, which parents may want to be aware of when making recommendations for their children.

What have you been reading this month?

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