Week 4: Friday 3, 2010

We've been looking and studying how we relate to our characters and the real world around us. Now it's time to put yourself into your character's shoes. Thinking about the main character of your book, consider what you would do in their situation. 1. What would your reactions be? 2. How would you handle the situation? 3. What would you do differently? Be sure to use complete sentences and EVIDENCE to support your thinking.

I am reading Generation Dead by Daniel Waters. This book is set a small town called Oakvale in Conneticut where a strange phenomenon is taking place. Teenagers who have recently died are coming back to life. They are considered to be "living impaired" or "differently biotic." It is because of these differences that they are being targets of prejudice and bullying. These instances gave me a lot to consider if I were in the shoes of my main character, Phoebe.

During a football game where one of the recently "differently biotic" students was playing, people from the crowd began to throw tomatoes at the players.

"'He finally put him in! And these knuckleheads are booing. That just isn't right.' Her dad clapped louder, and Phoebe and Margi joined him. Someone hit Margi in the back of the head with a french fry, and another sailed past Phoebe's face as she turned around.
Her dad stood up and scanned the upper rows, but whoever it was hid the reminder of their deep-fried missiles.
'Coward,' he called, and sat down.
'Not worth it, Dad,' Phoebe said." (p.141)

My reactions would be probably different than Phoebe's where she was calm and didn't want to confront the people who were throwing the food, whereas I would have been all up into whomever was being so disgusting and rude. I probably would have caused a fight or really gotten into trouble because I don't believe that people should be judged upon something that isn't their fault.

New Book - Generation Dead

I am about to start yet another new book (any of you keeping up with me yet?). Generation Dead by Daniel Waters is my new embarkment. This is a book that I thought looked really interesting from the cover and by what I understand from the back, this book is going to be about how some of the dead are coming back to life. Just what I love...zombies (not!). Apparently, this is a series, so we'll have to see if the story is interesting enough to keep up with the rest of the series. It can't be that bad if more books are getting published, but then again, they did print Breaking Dawn.

Week 5 - 11.23.10

1.Using your notes from your reading, summarize what is happening in your story using 2 examples from your book. Include at least 2.one connection and 3.one inference that you made while reading. Keep in mind the previous feedback that you've received so that you don't make the same errors.

Sisters Red was a great book. I've finished reading it and I have to admit that it was actually a really quick read. It was fast paced and there was a lot of dramatic action that kept the story moving. The ending was very surprising which made it all the more interesting and kept me turning the pages all the way up to the very end. I'm not really going to give a summary because, well, I've finished reading. If you check my previous blog, you'll see that I made a connection to being an older sibling, always feeling the weight of responsibility of watching over someone one, guiding them and blaming yourself for their mistakes, even if they make them on their own. One inference that I was able to make was within the last few pages of the book actually when I guessed as to who the Potential was for the Fernis (the werewolves) and it turned out that I was right. I love being right (as most of you know!).

Although I don't have a hard copy of Sisters Red to share, I highly recommend that any those of you who are interested in reading it go to the library or pick it up at your local bookstore. It is very unique retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood tale.

As I continue to read...

As I continue to read Sisters Red, I can't help but make some comparisons to what the sisters go through in their own relationship. Scarlett is the oldest of the two and she feels as though she is the ultimate weapon in which to protect her little sister, Rosie, even though Rosie is completely capable of taking care of herself. I can relate to this because, as a big sister, there were many times when I felt that I needed to protect my baby sister, even when she was big enough to take care of herself. Like Scarlett, I can't help but blame myself sometimes for the mistakes that my little sister has made. Rosie often makes bad decisions because she doesn't have the same type of experience as Scarlett does. Scarlett can't help but wonder that maybe, if she allowed Rosie more freedom when hunting the wolves, then Rosie would develop the skills that she needs in order to truly be self reliant. It is difficult to relinquish guardianship over someone that we care about and it often feels like a double edged sword.

Sisters Red is a fantastic book so far because it is very fast paced and it tells the tale from the perspectives of both sisters. This helps because, being only a big sister, I too have often lost perspective of what it must feel like to have someone constantly look over your shoulder and judge your actions as to whether they are right or wrong.

Another New Book

I have finished Monster High and, although I still read COUNTLESS brain candy books, my new book for reading in class is Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce. I picked this book because as I was looking at the cover I was really intrigued by the cover. I also enjoy when author's take a classic fairytale and retell it adding their own imaginative spin.
Here is the synopsis:
Sisters Red is the story of Scarlett and Rosie March, two highly-skilled sisters who have been hunting the Fenris—werewolves who prey on teen girls—since Scarlett lost her eye years ago while defending Rosie in an attack. Scarlett lives to destroy the Fenris, and she and Rosie lure them in with red cloaks (a color the wolves can't resist), though Rosie hunts more out of debt to her sister than drive.

But things seem to be changing. The wolves are getting stronger and harder to fight, and there has been a rash of news reports of countless teen girls brutally murdered in Atlanta. Scarlet and Rosie discover the truth: wolves have begun gathering in the city in search of a Potential Fenris—a man tainted by the pack but not yet fully changed. Desperate to find the Potential to use him as bait for a massive werewolf extermination, the sisters move to Atlanta with Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax. But the clues to finding the Potential aren't adding...

I think that this is going to be a really intriguing and facinating book.

Learning Question Response

Betty asked:

Msluthey,
How can you describe the relationship between Frankie Stein and Dr. Frankenstein's daughter

Frankie Stein is actually the granddaughter of the actual Dr. Frankenstein. The relationship between Frankie and Dr. Frankenstein's daughter is that Frankie's mom IS Dr. Frankenstein's daughter-in-law. Dr. Frankenstein made his bride, they together made Viktor (Frankie's dad) who, in turn, made Frankie's mom, Vivika, and they together made Frankie. Their relationship was typical of a mother and daughter. There were often disagreements and times when they didn't see eye-to-eye, but their relationship was a good one.

I have finished the book and it was really great. There was a very upsetting cliff-hanger (which I hate because that means that I am going to have to read the next part when it comes out) but the book was very funny and contemporary.

Connection to what I am reading

As you all know, I am reading Monster High by Lisi Harrison. I believe that I told you that I chose this book because of some toys that I say at Target one day. Now, you all know that I'm a HUGE vampire fan and I'm really digging my book because it is really funny, very much set in the present and, well, as references to all my favorite silver screen monsters. I happened to be just surfing the web and came across this website:

www.monsterhigh.com

I don't know why, but I find this really funny and I wanted to share it with other readers because it is often cool to find websites and other miscellaneous connections to what we are reading. Especially if they include games!

New Book

I just started a new book this evening. It is called Monster High by Lisi Harrison (the same author of The Clique). Since I am only on page 3, the only things that I can say about the setting is that it appears to be in a labortory of some type. The reason why I say this is because the character - Frankie Stein - is listening to her parents talk about her being able to "wake up" and that her bolts are charged enough yet for her to do that. This, without a doubt, is a reference to Frankenstein by Mary Shelly.

I picked this book up mostly because when I was looking through the toy department with Adian, I came across some dolls that were great fun because they were the kids of famous horror movie icons. I totally wanted one almost immediately! I know that there are many more characters to come; Dracula's daughter, the Wolfman's daughter, obviously Frankie Stein (Dr. Frankenstein's daughter), the Creature from the Black Lagoon's daughter, the Mummy's daughter, and the son of someone else whom I can't remember at this time.

Week 6 9.29.10

It is important for readers to understand what is happening in their books, who the characters are and what the theme is. In your response, outline the following: Plot, Setting, Characters, and Universal Theme. Provide evidence to support your thinking from your book.

In Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer, the main character is Vladimir Tod, who is half human and half vampire. Two side characters are Vlad's aunt Nelly and his best friend, Henry. Henry is a human and the only person Vlad's age that knows Vlad's true identity. Vlad, who is 13 and currently an 8th grader at Bathory High lives in the small town of Bathory. (I find this particularly funny as this is a story about vampires and ther was a female "vampire" named Elizabeth Bathory. She was known as the Countess of Blood).

So far, in my book, the plot appears to be clouded in mystery. There are very short chapters in which a dark dressed man is hunting people who are associated with Vlad. (Again, I find humor in this because one of the characters that is mentioned in my book as a bit character is a young man named Edgar Poe - as in Edgar Allen Poe...that's just really hilarious).

p. 29 "The man smiled, careful to keep his fangs hidden behind closed lips. 'It's quite all right. Edgar Poe isn't it?'"

For the main story, Vlad is trying desperately to hide what he truly is. However, there is a new teacher at his school is requiring Vlad to explore who he really is in the form of a "research" project as part of a mythical creatures class.

p. 49 "Vlad's jaw dropped, and as if on command, the letters stopped moving. Vlad read the new word they'd formed aloud.'Vampire?'
He couldn't do vampire! Fear of the sun, craving for blodd, inability to enjoy Italian food, everything that he really was? This was going to suck."

There is very much a mystery about Vlad's history and these shady characters who involve themselves in Vlad's world.

Since I am still relatively early in my book, I can only see the beginnings of a Universal Theme in the story. Vlad is a young man who is questioning who he is, trying to determine which path he wants to explore about his true self...this, to me, comes across as human nature. This is because it is often within humans, especially young adults on the precipice of deciding who they want to be, to attempt to discover who they really are.

Week 5: 9.24.10

In your book, what are some of the ways that your character expresses themselves through their emotions? How do they show love? Anger? Hate? Why is this important to you as a reader?

In my book, Eight Grade Bites by Heather Brewer, the main character, Vladimir Tod shows his emotions through his actions. Although I have only begun this book and am on page 47, I can tell this by the way the author is describing Vlad's behavior. Earlier in the story, on pg. 12, Vlad begins to act to his try nature of being a vampire:

"Touching the tip of his tongue to his newly exposed fangs, he leaned forward until his feet slipped from the branch. Wind brushed his hair back from his face as he descended and then, with a flicker of concentration, Vlad willed his body forward. Arms outstretched, his fangs exposed, his throat releasing a low, guttural growl, he floated closer to the boys until he was just above their heads, and screamed."

This tells me, as a reader, that Vlad is using his vampiric nature to his advantage, to scare some little boys on Halloween out of their candy. That, in my opinion, makes him a bit of an opportunistic jerk. He's not taking into consideration how he could be hurting those little kids, only that he is willing to scare them to get their sweets. It is a selfish thing to do and irritates me as a reader. This is important because if I wasn't interested in my character, whether they are entertaining or irritating, the author is still drawing me into the story.

New Book!!

I have finished reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was a really good book and I enjoyed the history rich stories that were told about a great leader's personal life. Check out my glog to see my book analysis on this book.

I now am going to start a new book: Eighth Grade Bites - The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer.
I'm very excited to read this book as it's a series that I have always had my eye on. There is a good long list of books that I'm wanting to read, but I'm goign to put this one on the top because it seems like it is going to be a nice, quick easy read after having just finished something that was a definate thinker.

Wk #4: 9.12.10

It is important to use our observations/knowledge of the world around us to understand and make meaning out of what we read. Thinking about your experience with the writing excursion, how much importance does your author place on how two characters in your book dress/look? How do you know this?

As I have come to the conclusion of my book, I think about how the author took the time to really describe Abe Lincoln throughout the various times of his life (as a young boy hunting his first vampire to the pale, gaunt president that is immortalized in Washington DC). Seth Graham-Smith really takes the time to describe the hunting jacket and axe that Lincoln carries for most of his life. I believe that he did this so that the reader (me) can become more familiar with the personal side of a president that is so well-known. He, the author, lets us into the intimate life of a man who is one of the greatest faces of this country and by describing how Mr. Lincoln is dressed allows me to really see how the man was, not the president.

Random Thought While Reading

I had to post a new blog for this specific connection I had while trying to finish Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I am at the part where Abe is debating against Stephen Douglas for a seat on the Senate in 1857. Douglas is trying to accuse Lincoln of being a radical abolitionist.

On page 233 it reads:
"[Douglas] excelled at whipping the crowd into a frenzy with images of freed slaves flocking to Illinois; of black settlements springing up in white backyards; of black men marrying white women.

If you desire [blacks] to vote on an equality with yourselves, and to make them eligible to office, to serve on juries, and to adjudge your rights, then support Mr. Lincoln and the Black Republican Party, who are in favor of the citizanship of the Negro!"

(The bold is what the author wrote about Douglas's speech and it is separate from what I had quoted above).

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but think to myself - If Stephen Douglas were to come back to life today, I really wonder what he would have to say about President Obama.

9.10.10 - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I'm getting deeper into my book and I am continuing to make connections with what is going on in my book to what is going on in real life as well to things that I have seen. I'm on page 211 and on this page there is an article pulled from a New York newspaper from 1857. This article discusses the gang violence in New York at the time and mentions the gangs Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys. I immediately recognized Dead Rabbits from the movie The Gangs of New York.
This also brought to mind that various gang violence that I have seen on television and often within our own community.

My book talks of vampires and one of our great presidents hunting them, but it constantly makes references to real life situations and circumstancs. The article of gang violence in New York demonstrates how books pull true life into them in order to engage the reader. It is important for us, as readers, writers and citizens, to be aware of events, both recent and from the past, so that we can continually make connections to other people's thoughts, opinions and ideas.

9.3.10 - Reading Response

When I look at and think about how the main character in my book, Abe Lincoln, expresses himself, it really resonates a chord with me because Abe is prone to the meloncoly (which means, he tends to get really sad from time to time). This connects with me as I too tend to get sad from time to time. I can tell how Abe is expressing himself because most of the book has large excerts from sections of his "lost journals" where he kept records of how he felt or what was going through his mind at certain points in his life.

There is one place, on page 168, where Abe is writing his reflections and wondering on the fleeting existence of the human body. Part of his journal reads: "It is a strange thing how quickly the body dies. How fragile a force our presence is. In an instant the soul is gone - leaving an empty, insignificant vessel in its stead." This makes me think of the times, when at my saddest, I am prone to such depressing thoughts and will express myself in my journal using similiar feeling or with drawings of how I am feeling at the time. This also comes through in my writing when I am expressing those feelings in my poetry. This type of connection makes it easier for me to see why it is important for me to understand how the characters in my reading are expressing themselves and how it connects with my own personal ways of expression.

Abraham Lincoln - 2

This book is actually very interesting. It reads very much like a biography with "inserts" from Lincoln's journal's from throughout his life. What I found out to be really intersting was when a young Abraham met a young Edgar Allen Poe. I found this to be intriguing because I never would have thought about those two great historical figures coming across each other at any time. It was great to see how the author described their meeting and interaction and what Poe's opinion was on meeting a vampire. What was even more fabulous was how the author made mention that, through Poe's learning that vampires actually existed, how much that later influenced his writing (and if you've ever read Poe, you would understand).
Although it is taking me awhile to continue to read and finish this book, I'm going to make it a goal of mine to get it read soon, so that I can move on to the ever growing stack of "books to read" that are starting to pile up next to my bed on my bedside table!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Ok, so although I've been offline for a few days, that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading. I have started a new book. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Green (the author of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) is about the lost journal of our 16th President and how he was actually a vampire hunter and that vampires were actually the TRUE reason behind the Civil War. I'm hoping to make it through this book rather quickly because I have alot of other reading that I want to do. However, I am truly trying to finish my own novel, so I don't really know how much reading I'll actually get done (plus, if I'm honest, I am also reading a TON of brain candy, but like I said earlier, it is summer after all!). Again, I know that this book is not on my summer reading wish list, but it was too much for me to pass up. I mean, really, one of this country's greatest presidents a vampire hunter? What is not to love about that!

Reformed Vampire - 3

Ok, so I'll admit it. I've abandoned this book. I know, I know - you're thinking, "Ms. Luthey, how could you? You are always telling us that it's important to stick with a book, even if you think that it's boring and that you have to struggle through difficult texts." Yeah, I know. And I DO believe that, for the most part. I do believe that you have to struggle through difficult texts because it will make you a better reader. And I do believe that getting through the boring parts will lead you to the better parts. However (and this is the kicker), I am an advanced reader and I have made my struggles and I have gotten through my difficult texts (when YOU'VE read Pride and Prejudice as many times as I have, you let me know). I know a boring book when I see one. I know when to take a risk and challenge myself and when to just let a book go. When you've become an advanced reader, you can make those decisions for yourselves. Since most of you have yet to read as many books as I have, I can be a walking contradiction. Until then, I WILL continue to make you struggle through difficult texts and I will continue to have you challenge yourself until you are an advanced reader. So there.

Reformed Vampire 2

I'm not sure why, but I am having a really hard time getting into this book. It's making me struggle. I think that it might be because of the characters. Truthfully, I don't really find them all that interesting. For some reason the main character, Nina, is boring. And she tells the story, so if she's boring, then I can't imagine what the rest of the story is about.

It is hard to read a book that isn't grabbing my attention right off the bat. It might be because I find the author's theory on "reformed vampires" not as funny as I thought it was going to be based off the cover. But that just reinforces the old adage about not judging a book by it's cover. Reformed Vampire Support Group looked interesting enough based on the cover and I'm struggling with it because it is boring. Whereas there are a TON of books out there that I know of that are boring on the outside, but inside, there is nothing but sheer entertainment.

I'm going to continue to challenge myself with this book to see if I can make it though. I'll be honest though, I will make no guarantees. After all, it is summer...

Reformed Vampire 1

Ok, so I have to confess that this book is taking a bit to get into. There are some confusing parts to try and get over. For example, the main character, Nina (who is the narrator of the story) talks about having her eyeballs bleed. Now I consider myself a vampire expert and never, in all of my readings of vampire books, have a I ever heard of a vampire's eyes bleeding. It has something to do with the virus that causes them to be vampires. Odd. And they seem to be really fragile, which, of course, is the opposite of pretty much everything that we've come to think about vampires being (I mean, think about it - have you ever really heard of a vampire being FRAGILE?). Although it is taking a few pages for the story to get warmed up, I'm going to press on and see what the heck is up with these vamps.

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

I have started another book (although this one is NOT on my summer reading list) that I couldn't help but get and start. When I read the title, I thought that it was so funny (because I mean really, who ever heard of a vampire support group?). According to baresandnoble.com the synopsis for this book is:

Think vampires are romantic, sexy, and powerful? Think again. Vampires are dead. And unless they want to end up staked, they have to give up fanging people, admit their addiction, join a support group, and reform themselves.
Nina Harrison, fanged at fifteen and still living with her mother, hates the Reformed Vampire Support Group meetings every Tuesday night. Even if she does appreciate Dave, who was in a punk band when he was alive, nothing exciting ever happens. That is, until one of group members is mysteriously destroyed by a silver bullet. With Nina (determined to prove that vamps aren't useless or weak) and Dave (secretly in love with Nina) at the helm, the misfit vampires soon band together to track down the hunter, save a werewolf, and keep the world safe from the likes of themselves.

So I will have to see if this book is a entertaining as it seems to be. I have high hopes for this one (hopefully, it will be better than Jane Bites Back - which I have a friend reading to give me a second opinion).

Jane Bites Back - Review

I have finished Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford and I have to confess that I was less than excited. It started out really interesting; Jane Austen as a vampire, Lord Byron being the one who changed her. But as the story went on it lost some of it's lustre. There were times when the story was interesting, but the entertainment only lasted for a page or two. Unfortunately, the story became rather kitsh with all the different legendary figures as vampires and the whole Charlotte Bronte thing was just ridiculous.

I like that I had to rely on my background knowledge of legendary literary figures and books (both classic and modern writers), but the vague reference to, I think, Julia Child, as a vampire hunter was just a little over the top for me.

I give this book 2 1/2 stars. Funny with an orginal idea but not developed or taken far enough.

Jane Bites Back 5

So I have to confess that this book got disappointing when Jane revealed herself to be a vampire to her friend Lucy. It was a real let down and not at all realistic. Also, I find myself struggling with Jane's character. I can see traits of the 18th century woman who was turned into a vampire, but the character herself is rather boring and not at all what I have to expect from the idealogy of what vampires are. It's a bit of a let down actually. This is the same disappointment that I had in Edward from Twilight. Both of them are so wishy-washy with their existances as vampires. Neither want to actually enjoy being what they are nor do they actually truly accept themselves, almost to the point of punishing themselves for being what they are. It's all really annoying actually.

Jane Bites Back 4

Yes!! I love it when I am right! Brian IS Lord Byron! That is so great because that means that I am not the only one who pays attention to vampire myths. Someone else heard the theory as well and has not combined Byron and Austen. That is just cool!

Also, there is discussion about how Charlotte Bronte hated Jane's work and Jane, in this book, criticizes Jane Eyre (the book that Bronte wrote). It, again, is really funny because once more I am having to rely on my background knowledge of these authors and texts to understand what the author is trying to talk about. He does it again when he says that Jane knew Jack the Ripper - personally. So, since Jane was already a vampire at that time, does the author mean to insinuate that Jack was a vampire as well? Hmmm...

Jane Bites Back 3

Something that I am noticing is how much background knowledge I am using while reading this book. The author not only mentions a bunch of Jane Austen works (and spin-offs) but he mentions other books as well (like How Stella Got Her Groove Back and The Devil Wears Prada). It's helpful that I have also already read these books because I can see the sarcasm that the author is trying to get across and if I hadn't then I might not see how funny the author is being.

Also, my background knowledge and familiarity with literature is helping me think and inference about some of the characters. A man from Jane's past has come back into her life. His name is Brian and he is a poet. Knowing what I know about poets from the past and how the author is describing this character, I can only guess that he is actually Lord Byron and he's a vampire as well (which is interesting because there is speculation that Lord Byron had a relationship with a vampire and that is what the poem She Walks in Beauty is about). Now, I'm only guessing, but with Brian being a poet and seemingly is a vampire from Jane's past, the coincidence is too much to ignore.

She Walks In Beauty

by George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)

Composed June, 1814

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Jane Bites Back 2

Something that I am finding really funny is how many Jane Austen spin-off books they mention in this one book. What is even funnier is that I actually own and have read most of the books that they mention such as Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, Mr. Darcy's Diary, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, the Jane Austen Bookclub, Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters...the list could go on. I just find it highly entertaining the the author of this book, a spin-off of the Austen legacy, is making fun of other spin-offs. I just think that it is so highly ironic and hilarious. I love things that poke fun at themselves. It's awesome.

Jane Bites Back 1

I got a head start on my summer reading by beginning Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford. This book is about how Jane Austen, the world famous author of Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility, is actually not dead but has been secretly living as a vampire.

I picked up this book because I really enjoy Jane Austen (she's one of my favorite authors) and I love to see what people have to say about her almose 200 years after her death. In this book, she's a vampire who owns a bookstore and she has some massive issues with people using her name in vain in order to cash in on the Jane Austen legacy.

What I am finding funny as I have read the first couple of pages is how Jane HATES all of the people who are using her hard work as a quick cash making machine. Also, her friend is named "Lucy" which is funny because in Dracula, Lucy is Mina Harker's best friend. I just thought that it was too much of a coincidence.

I have a feeling that this book isn't going to take very long to read. The writing is not very complicated so it seems to me like this is going to be another piece of "brain candy" for me. Which is fine. I mean, really, should you start your summer reading with something complicated and emotionally challenging??

Summer Reading List

There are a lot of books that I want to make sure that I have a chance to read this summer, so I thought that I would create this blog so that all of you can see what I am reading and thinking about while reading during the summer months. I wanted to start off with this wish list (there are a lot of books that are on this list and I don't know if I will be able to read them all, so that is why I wanted to create this list so that I don't forget which books I wanted to read):

(These are not in any particular order that I am going to read them, it is just the list. I will post pictures when I actually write the blog for the book as I am reading it!)

- Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters by Jane Austen & Ben H. Winters
I want to read this one because I read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and since I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan, I really enjoy it when people put their take on her works out into the literary universe.

- Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
This book looks interesting is because, again, it's about Jane Austen but this time, she's a vampire. That I find freaking hilarious. Jane Austen as a vampire! This goes along with similiar books that I have read in the past (Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange) and I find it funny that people are taking characters, and now Jane Austen herself, and making them vampires or zombies or sea monster.

Going along with the theme of vampires and great ficitional and non-fictional characters, the next two books fall into this catagory.
- Little Vampire Women by Louisa May Alcott & Lynn Messina. The original Little Woman is one of my favorite stories and the fact that someone has put them into vampiric roles is very entertaining. I can't wait to see what sort of story this comes out to be.
- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (the same author of P&P&Zombies). I mean, really, one of our greatest presidents as a vampire hunter. That has got to be a great story!!
The next few books I have already done book talks on in class so I will just list them:
- Fallen by Lauren Kate
- Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

And finally, two books that were inspired by a student (because she was reading one of these books and it looked so good that I had to go and get both written by the author)
- The Bonfire of Berlin & Let Me Go both by Helga Schneider. These books are about a young girl who was abandoned by her mother during WWII so that her mother could become a guard in the Nazi army at Auchwitz (a concentration camp). Thank you Maria G., for finding these two books for me!

I know, it's a long list and, again, I don't know if I'll get through them all, but I'm going to try. And, like any good reader, I'm going to maintain this blog so that you can see my thinking as I go through these books! Wish me luck and have a good summer!! Happy reading!