Monday, October 7, 2013

Book Quote

New to Talking Books, every Monday we will share a favorite quote from a book.  So up first is the thought-provoking opening paragraph from The Beginning of Everything by Robin Schneider:




“Sometimes I think that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them, that the people buying milk in their pajamas or picking their noses at stoplights could be only moments away from disaster.  That everyone’s life, no matter how unremarkable, has a moment when it will become extraordinary--a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen.”

(Page 1, The Beginning of Everything by Robin Schneider)

Intrigued?  I just started this book this weekend and am really enjoying it. I'm about a third of the way through, and can't help but think that the John Green crowd will devour this one (and if you know me, you know I am a HUGE Green fan!).

I'll be sharing this one during our Fall Booktalks, but in the meantime, you can read the book flap here:

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: In one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.
No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met—achingly effortless and fiercely intelligent.
Together, Ezra and Cassidy discover flash mobs, buried treasure, and a poodle that might just be the reincarnation of Jay Gatsby. But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: If one’s singular tragedy has already hit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?
Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Reading Challenge: Let's Go!

Can you believe that it is October already?  
Me neither.  
It looks like this is going to be another year that just flies by!

The fall booktalks are coming up soon--October 29th and 31st--and Mrs. Carroll and I have tons of great books that we are excited to share with you!  

I had the chance to read so many great books this summer and hope you had a chance to too!

Are you up for a challenge?  

My challenge to you is to read at least one book per week this entire school year.  That's 40 books.  Totally do-able.  You can do it!!  

And, it you're looking for a good book to start with, you should check out our LMC's Pinterest boards:  http://www.pinterest.com/berlinhslmc/boards/. That's right, we are now on Pinterest!  Enjoy!  

If you'd like, you can track your books in the comments below.  Let's check in for progress every Friday.  

How cool will it be to see what everyone is reading?!?

Ready? Set? READ!!

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Mrs. Gumtow's reads September 2013: 

1. Taken by Erin Bowman (a good dystopian read)
2. Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson (A narrative nonfiction book that happens to be on the Battle of the Books (BoB) list...)
3. Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport (Another narrative nonfiction book on the BoB list. Look for this one during fall booktalks!)
4. Shine by Lauren Myracle (And yet another BoB book! This one is an excellent realistic fiction book about a hate crime that rocks a small town and one girl, Cat, who is determined to find out who was behind it.)

5. Currently Reading: Breathe by Sarah Crossan (I am really enjoying this dystopian read. Look for it at the fall booktalks soon!)
6. Currently Reading: Dodger by Terry Pratchett (This one is a historical fiction book set in Victorian London. I picked it up because it is on the BoB list--and I am writing questions on this one. I am enjoying it, but it is somewhat of a challenge to me too.)
7. Currently Listening To: One Shot At Forever by Chris Ballard (This one is a narrative nonfiction book about an underdog baseball team--the 1971 Macon, IL Ironmen. Look for this one at the fall booktalks!)

How Full is Your Bucket?



              

                              

                            


                               







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