Must Read in 2014

Since one of my goals this year is to read and write more just for me, I'm taking part in Carrie Gelson and Maria Selke's "Must Read in 2014" idea.  I have a HUGE to-be-read list on Goodreads (and in my head), but I've tried to narrow it down to a good mix of children's and adult books that I absolutely feel I must get to this year!

Okay, here goes the list (in no particular order):

1. I've wanted to read this since I asked for it (and received it) LAST Christmas.  I've watched Susan Cain's TED talk, which is wonderful.  I think there are ideas in this book that can apply to everyone, even if you're not an introvert (which I suppose I am).

2. This is on our list for book club.  We love Sarah Addison Allen.  While the books aren't heavy, they always make you think and provide fodder for discussion at book club!

3. I've heard a lot of buzz about this book and I think it's one my students would love.  Nonfiction for kids has become such an amazing area recently.  I love getting new books like this in my students' hands.

4. I've heard a lot about this one!  I'm anxious to order it and start reading.

5.  This is one EVERYONE was talking about at NCTE in Boston in November.  I just ordered it through Scholastic and read the first chapter yesterday.  I'm not even putting it in my classroom library until I read it, I'm that excited about it!

6. This is another book club pick.  I'm looking forward to it because J.K. Rowling is actually the author.  I'm anxious to read her debut as an adult author.

7.  One Came Home  has been on my list since it came out and now that it's won a Newbery Honor, I have to read it!  Sounds intriguing!

8. Since my daughter and I avidly bird watch in our own backyard, I thought this would be appropriate.  And, it won the Sibert Honor this year, so now I have to read it!

9. I just ordered this from the library and am excited to start it.  It also won an honor for best adult books that appeal to teens.

10. I've had this since my birthday in November and haven't yet read it.  I saw Kate Robers and Chris Lehman at NCTE in November and they were AMAZING!  Can't wait to dig in.

11. Anything by Deborah Hopkinson is good.  I think my students will love this one.

12. I've only heard really great things about this one.  I might try it on audio.  Even though it's YA and I teach 5th grade, I still like to dabble in the YA world.  There are so many great YA books out there!

13. I've wanted to read this since before it came out.  I just ordered and received it through Scholastic.  One of my students has already checked it out!

14. Because how could the author of Eleanor and Park write anything that wasn't amazingly real.  I love Rainbow Rowell!

15.  Holly loved this one and my book group has it on the list to read sometime in the next four months.  

16.  Another pick by Laurel Snyder!  The book birthday for this book is today, too!  I can't wait to get my hands on it.

17.  I love reading about the 1920s and the Fitzgeralds.  They were so young and so influential.  They've always piqued my interest~especially Zelda and the mental struggles she wrangled with her whole life.

18.  Many people have stated this is the quintessential book that helped them become better writers.  I've owned for quite some time.  It's high time to read it!

19.  I bought this on 11-22-13.  I've been looking forward to reading this since it came out.  It's definitely a book for the Kindle, as it's HUGE!

20.  This was generously gifted to me at a writing retreat I attended for Choice Literacy this past summer.  I've read the intro and started chapter one, but I need to keep going.  It's fascinating!

21.  This is another one from 2013 that I didn't get to.  I'm looking forward to it because I've only heard great things about it.

22.  Yet another one from 2013 that I must read.  Holly loved it and I know I will too.  I'm a sucker for historical fiction.

23.  I absolutely LOVED Countdown by Deborah Wiles.  I can't wait for the next installment in the trilogy!

24.  A couple of my students read this for our memoir unit and thought it was top notch.  I'm looking forward to it, too.

25.  This book just won an award for best audio.  I'll have to listen to it!

26.  Louise was kind enough to sign this for me at NCTE in November.  It's perfect with the journey theme we're doing in our classroom right now!

27.  I've had the privilege of meeting Jennifer Nielsen a couple of times and she's so fun to talk to!  I have love the other two books in the Ascendence Triology.  I received the ARC of this book at NCTE. It's going around my classroom like wildfire.  I'll have to get my hands back on it!

28.  I want to read the whole series this year.  My struggling readers LOVE these books (as do my non-struggling readers) and I can see why.  What's not to love about a fighting lunch lady?

29.  This is another book that goes well with our journey theme topic this month.  Anxious to share this one with kids.

30.  And, let's end with this month's book club book.  I'm 45% through it and it's what I'm going to read as soon as I publish this blog post!  It's SOOOO good!

I'd love to hear what you're reading plans are for this year!  It's fun to comb through lists and see what interests others.

Since I have the list made, I'm going to take part in Gathering Books Check Off Your Reading List Challenge.  I'm shooting for Level 3: Rabid Bibliophile.  We'll see!