#TBT: High School Reading List

I think I might have been the only one that was absolutely thrilled and  excited to get the reading list every year for my English classes.  Why? Because it meant a trip to the bookstore to buy my favorite thing on the planet, MORE BOOKS!  Because I needed them, wanted them, and would own a copy of all the books I wanted to read on that list. 

I know it usually said we only had to read one or two books to fill the requirement, but I usually picked about 3-4 books and read all of them throughout the summer.  I absolutely loved all of them.  Here are some of the ones that I read throughout my summer breaks in high school. 

These were just a few of the ones I've had to read.  However, looking at my old high school's current summer reading lists....damn I wish I was in HS now! I know exactly which ones I'd read! 

Here are the reading lists for my current high school for the 2015-2016 school year, where the projects are due the 1st day of school: 

9th Grade:

• Unwind by Neal Shusterman 
• Gone by Michael Grant
• We Beat the Street by The Three Doctors
• An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
• The Future of Us by Jay Asher

10th Grade:

• You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle
• Noggin by John Corey Whaley
• The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
• Foul Trouble by John Feinstein
• NIL by Lynne Matson

11th Grade: 

• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
• Fake ID by Lamar Giles
• To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Avalon by Mindee Arnett
• You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle

12th Grade: 

• The Impossible Knife by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Caged Warrior by Alan Sitomer
• The Program by Suzanne Young
• The Winner's Curse by Jennifer Smith
• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

The projects are awesome too...ranging from create a movie poster, a book jacket, a book journal, for the regular English class to create a book talk, a soundtrack, and other awesome projects for the Honors English.  Seriously, what the hell...can I please be back in HS nao! Though to be honest, some of these are already on my TBR list...and my wish list over at bookdepository :D

#TBT: The Lord of the Flies

Welcome to the revival of my throwback Thursday theme! Each week I will revisit a book that has a memorable impact upon me in the history of me reading.  This week's book is definitely one of those that has had a great impact on me and is one of my best memories from high school.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Most of you know the premise of this book, what it stands for and what it exposes about our society in general.  This compelling novel is as much a provocative, debate starting book as it was in 1952 when it was first published.  This is one of the few books that will ALWAYS be in my library in some way, shape or form (digital or print).  

I do enjoy reading it and taking it in and allowing it to remind me of exactly what humanity is capable of when pushed to its limits.  Not all situations are ideal, not all outcomes are ideal.  

My most memorable interaction with this book was in my 10th grade English class. This was shortly after I'd changed schools thanks to moving literally across the street from where I'd been living before.  We spent a couple of weeks to a month working with this book between tests, papers, projects, and reading the book.  

During each class meeting, we would have five minutes at the beginning of class and about five to ten minutes at the end of class where we would be allowed to interact with the teacher.  The moment the lights flicked off and then back on, we were essentially in an environment where we were not allowed to interact with adults (namely the teacher - with exceptions of course).  We were given our assignments and had to complete them together to the best of our ability.  

I remember my final project for this particular unit, and wish I could find the picture (I might have it somewhere if one exists).  I created an edible version of the island where the boys spent their time. It was cake, and various little plastic pieces that could be removed - and there was green frosting, and the whole nine yards.  I'd gotten an A in the course. 

Review: Moonstone (Unbidden Magic #1)

Title:  Moonstone (Unbidden Magic #1)
Author:  Marilee Brothers
Rating: 4/5

Summary:  Allie lives in Peakcock Flats, Washington with her mom.  Every day life has the typical filler of every fifteen-year-old’s life: high school bullies, snarky drama queens, bad-guy dudes with charming smiles.  Oh, Allie also has this prophecy to live up to about saving the world from evil.  Her psychic abilities are jump started by an electrical jolt from a TV antenna which brings forth a hippy-dippy guardian angel and the gift of an incredible moonstone pendant from the town “witch,” who just happens to be Allie Emerson’s next door neighbor. 


Review:  The story starts off a touch strange, but it quickly becomes exciting and more suspenseful as you progress.  Kudos to Marilee Brothers on her first attempt, and as a self published book there are a few flaws, but that is to be expected, and they did not bother me too much, except for the failure to set the ‘rules” so to speak for the many magical talents Allie is now in possession of by the end of the book. 

Allie’s powers are telekinetic and they are amplified by the moonstone pendant that she is given by her eccentric neighbor, however, there are others that want the pendant as well, and now Allie’s world is filled with quite a bit more than your average high school drama, she has now started her part in the age old battle between good and evil, however she isn’t sure who she can trust. 

The characters are pretty well developed, and they are the type you can either love or hate.  Allie just wants a normal life, and actually wants her powers to go away when they first manifest themselves.  She is also more grown up than her mother Faye, who you just want to shake and smack some sense into.  Junior is the local bad boy, former gang member and now trying to right his wrongs and keep himself out of trouble.  I love the interaction between Allie and Junior and the potential for a budding relationship is so strong, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations you can contact me at simplicity.kindreth@gmail.com
My reviews can be found here:
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