As I move into the second week on my new blog, I am excited about participating in the weekly meme, It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Visit Teach Mentor Text and Unleashing Readers to learn more about this weekly reading celebration and sharing event.
My reading life is all over the place right now. I am trying to power-read Nerdy Book Club Award nominees that I have missed before voting opens on December 15th, AND read new books I acquired during the NCTE and ALAN conferences last month. I am enjoying some great books!
Last Week’s Reading Highlights
Antigoddess by Kendare Blake.
As I posted on Twitter,
The Animal Book by Steve Jenkins
I wanted to be a vet for most of elementary school. I am still fascinated with animals. The Animal Book is the type of book ten-year old Donalyn would have pored over–looking at every elaborate cut-paper illustration, reading diagrams, and memorizing facts. A must-own for the animal-lovers in your life.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children by Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell
Anne Carroll Moore and her colleagues were trailblazers who believed in the importance of quality children’s literature and positive reading experiences for children. Through their influence, libraries developed reading rooms and library programs for children. I found this introduction to the early years of children’s library programs fascinating.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
A distracted dad pops around the corner for a quart of milk and finds himself in a battle for the fate of the Universe. Hilarious and odd in all the best ways. I am a huge Gaiman fan. I read everything he writes–adult fantasy like The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Anasi Boys, and his children’s books like The Graveyard Book and Coraline. My students love his books, too. I cannot wait to share Fortunately, the Milk with them! This would make a great short read-aloud for those bleak winter days after holiday break.
This Week’s Reading Plans
I am traveling this week, and I brought a few books with me for company. I look forward to reading and sharing these books!
Dragonborn by Toby Forward
The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen
Who knows what other interesting books will cross my path? Enjoy a wonderful week and some wonderful books!
Donalyn Miller 
I am so glad that I am not the only person who reads like this. I am always reading a young adult fiction book, educational books, and personal growth books on a rotating basis. It drives my daughter crazy. I was just updating my online bookshelf because I was loosing track of which books I am on.
My fiction choice of the moment – Illusions (Wings #3) by Aprilynne Pike
My self-growth choice of the moment – Writing for Emotional Balance
My educational choice of the moment – Falling in Love With Close Reading
There are six or seven more in the rotation, but these are currently getting the most attention.
Kirsten, I always have multiple books going for various reasons. I cannot wait until winter break, so I can catch up on all of the books I have started!
I do the same thing!
I am reading Hound Dog True by Linda Urban as my 5th grade book, Reading in the Wild as my professional book, and The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe as my right- before- bed book. I like the mix! 🙂
I’ve been stuck at home since last Friday due to the Dallas-area “Icemaggedon!” Luckily, as the sleet was falling last Thursday I had the presence of mind to grab a stack of books from my “to read” pile on my desk. So I’ve been reading, Keeping Safe the Stars (and making connections to Savvy) and learning lots about Abraham Lincoln that I didn’t know in Lincoln:A Photobiography-fascinating!
Pam, I grabbed Fortunately, the Milk for the same reason–rapid book selections in preparation for the sudden snow day.
So glad to have discovered your new blog. Since we are still iced in, I plan to read The Real Boy before I return to school on Wednesday. Just finished Counting by 7’s. Neil Gaiman’s new book is next on my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing. The #nerdlution experience on Twitter is making me want to start blogging again. Happy reading!
Man, I knew I shouldn’t read your post – I’d want to purchase more books. Antigoddess and Miss Moore are both going on the to buy list.
Maybe Santa will bring them for you:)
I can’t wait to read this third in the False Prince series – going to have to do it as a read aloud with my children as they are also keenly anticipating its release! I just purchased The Animal book by Jenkins and can’t wait to read it! Loving your blog – nice to see you participating in the Monday meme #IMWAYR!
I am so intrigued by Jenkins’ work. There is a nice section in the back matter that explains his process for planning, researching and creating a book. Encourage your students to read it!
I just borrowed False Prince from the library as we’d have a blueblood/royalty theme for our next bimonthly theme in January/February 2014. Welcome to the Monday reading meme, Donalyn. I am a huge fan of The Book Whisperer and have recommended Reading in the Wild in our libraries here in Singapore. I’d be using your books for a new course that I’m teaching here for higher-degree students (most of whom are long-time teachers in local schools). Will be sharing more of that with you as date draws near.
So glad I’ve discovered this blog!!! Thanks, FB. I’m a one-at-a time reader and so Reading in the Wild is IT today. But I spent $100 on books for my granddaughter and her teacher on the spur of the moment this afternoon while waiting for a prescription to be filled! Got a bargain of 4 hardback titles by Graeme Base for the price of one! Looking forward to checking out all the recommendations!
This is perfect for my class. Every Monday is Genius Hour….students read whatever they select for the entire period. It is sacred time for us.
I liked knowing that you wanted to be a veterinarian when you were young. Me too! I used to play veterinarian in my basement growing up. I lined all my stuffed animals up and had a fake stethoscope. I raised animals for 4-H and loved taking care of them. Obviously I need to purchase Steve Jenkins’s Animals! I just finished Look Up! by Annette LeBlanc Cate – I feel the same way about birds. 😉 Looking forward to reading The Shadow Throne – I got the ARC at NCTE. Excited about your new blog!
Hooray for It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! So fun that you are joining in. 🙂 I’m reviewing The Animal Book tomorrow and its awesome. My little non-fiction reader loved it. I also grabbed Fortunately, The Milk and am excited to read it. I started Gae Polisner’s Summer of Letting Go last night and am already in love after only chapters but I also have Lauren Myracle’s book and have been meaning to read it. Happy reading, friend!
Wow! What a great way to sell Antigoddess! I want to read it quite soon. And any day you get to mention Neil Gaiman twice in one post is a great day. Fortunately, the Milk was such a delight 🙂
Fortunately, the Milk sounds like a great read… And I am constantly reading way too many books at the same time too:)
here is mine http://myrandrspace.blogspot.com/2013/12/magic-monday-misplaced-words-missing.html