Mrs. Eriksson's Summer Reading Challenge 2015 discussion

Post about the second book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

I am just starting Half The Sky by Kristof and Wudunn. It is not going to be an easy read, but I am ready for it. Will post again when I am done.

Anna, I'm looking forward to your review of Half the Sky. I have a friend who uses it with her class. I just finished Althea & Oliver. Emylee Patton gave it a great review. I really liked it. It's a bit like Eleanor and Park but grittier.

Longbourn by Jo Baker. For fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey, this novel tells the story of the 'family' down below who made life possible for the Bennet household. I enjoyed it and couldn't wait to get my chores done so I could go out on the porch and read!

I just finished The Girl With All The Gifts, and I loved it so much, I may reread it. It's a post-apocalyptic book surrounding a little girl and it's nothing like any other zombie book I've read

My second book that I am now reading is called "Wonder" by R.J Palacio. I have heard many good things about this book and in excited to write my review about it.

My second book that I am now reading is called "Wonder" by R.J Palacio. I have heard many good things about this book and in excited to write my review about it.

I just finished The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This book started out slow for me. I thought I predicted the ending and it made me not want to read it. I then realized that it could go any way and I shouldn't put it down. As it went on, I found myself loving it more and more. It was definitely different, and a bit strange, but that's why I liked it. The ending was actually kind of genius.

I am starting the book Dead to You by Lisa McMann. So far I am only on page 23 and I'm still trying to piece the story together since it doesn't go into much detail about what Ethan, the main character, has gone though befor coming home to his family nine years later.

I just finished The Secret Life of Bees. I am not sure how I feel about this book. I liked it but it wasn't may favorite read. It was an easy read and I will say I sometimes had trouble putting it down. I loved Lily's attitude and her courage to up and leave her abusive father. The one thing I really didn't like was how predictable the ending was- it made me not want to finish it because I already knew what was going to happen. This book reminded me of The Help and Where The Heart Is mostly because of the time setting and how families stepped up to take people in. I am curious to watch the movie now to see how similar and how different they are!

I read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I would highly recommend this book. I was surprised. Before I read it and only heard about it I didn't think it was the kind of book I would like. I thought this book was really sweet. I loved the way they became friends and how simply the author put things. Every character was described and fit in perfectly. The ending was frustrating though. It made sense, but it still bothered me.

I just finished Big Game by Dan Smith. I am not a fan of survival books. I did like how the main character was able to overcome not only his self, but also the cold wilderness with the drastic measure at hand. I also liked how the story changes from hunting to the hunted. Overall this book was good.

Okay. I just finished Half the Sky. Hands down one of the hardest books I have read. The personal stories were heart breaking and then it would to jump to quantitative data and economics. It was a difficult read, but it makes you want to make signs and protest something. This book is not for everyone.

I finished the The Jungle by Upton Sinclair the other day, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a classic novel I had been wanting to read, but had never gotten my hands on. It tells the story of an immigrant family from Lithuania trying to make their means in America in the later 1800's-1900's. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, or wants to know how the food industry used to run.

I just finished The House on Mango Street, and I loved it! I feel like I missed the 'so what' in some parts due to reading it quickly.

Kass MorganDay 21

I just finished Eleanor and Park. It was a good book and I enjoyed it very much.

I just finished Undertown by Michael Buckley. I read it in 8 hours. I just couldn't put it down. It's fast paced with a protagonist pretty much anyone can relate too. The sequel hasn't come out yet, but I'm waiting for it to hit the shelves.

I read Down and Dirty by Liliana Hart. I liked it, it was a great end to the series.

The second book I read this summer was, dare I say it, Twilight. I found that the amount of detail put into the book is greater than that of the movie. The relationship between the two main characters is very intense.

I read where the red fern grows. I had read it before but didn't understand it very well. It was good until the dogs died.

I read Paper Towns by John Green. The book started really slow and it took me a while to get through it, but I felt that the bigger picture was good. I don't think I'd recommend it though.

The second book that I read was The Ghost of Cutler Creek. It was a really good book and I would recommend it to others.

I read Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher. The book gave me somewhat of a positive outlook on what humans can do when misfits come together.

The second book I read was If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This was a case where I thought the book was better than the movie. It was a tear jerker. I enjoyed it.

My second book was Go Ask Alice. I liked it a lot because it portrayed addiction very well, but I only recommend it if you liked that Type of topic.

My second book was Go Ask Alice. I liked it a lot because it portrayed addiction very well, but I only recommend it if you liked that Type of topic.