Top Ten Books That I Wish Were Taught In Schools

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish!

1.  DREAMLAND by Sarah Dessen
2.  THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher
3.  CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein
4.  BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys
5.  BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver
6.  THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney
7.  THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green
8.  HARRY POTTER by JK Rowling
9.  SPLIT by Swati Avasthi
10.  WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson

I was going to include a reason for each book, but it ended up sounding very fangirl-y, so I'll only say that all ten books are incredible and worth discussing in a classroom setting.

What are your top ten choices?

Waiting on Wednesday (116): CHASING SHADOWS

WoW is hosted by Breaking The Spine

Title: CHASING SHADOWS
Author: Swati Avasthi
Release: September 24th, 2013
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

"Chasing Shadows is a searing look at the impact of one random act of violence.

Before: Corey, Holly, and Savitri are one unit—fast, strong, inseparable. Together they turn Chicago concrete and asphalt into a freerunner’s jungle gym, ricocheting off walls, scaling buildings, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

But acting like a superhero doesn’t make you bulletproof...

After: Holly and Savitri are coming unglued. Holly says she's chasing Corey's killer, chasing revenge. Savitri fears Holly's just running wild—and leaving her behind. Friends should stand by each other in times of crissi. But can you hold on too tight? Too long?

In this intense novel, told in two voices, and incorporating comic-style art sections, Swati Avasthi creates a gripping portrait of two girls teetering on the edge of grief and insanity. Two girls who will find out just how many ways there are to lose a friend . . . and how many ways to be lost."

I loved Avasthi's debut, SPLIT, so I'm very excited for CHASING SHADOWS. I'm lucky enough to have an ARC, and it looks like it will be amazing. Plus, it has graphic art inside - so cool!

What are you waiting on?

Let's Talk: Favorite Book Quotes

Let's Talk is a discussion feature at I Swim For Oceans, where bloggers can share their thoughts and discuss various topics. 

Visit I Swim For Oceans for more info!

What are some of your all-time favorite book quotes?

I love quotes (I'm one of those weird people who constantly quotes movies and TV shows in daily conversation). But, when it comes to quotes, bookish quotes have always been the ones that linger in the back of my mind. These ones are some of my favorites: 

"Don't think or judge, just listen." 

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

"Some things aren't meant to be known. Only believed." 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

"So many things become beautiful when you really look." 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

"Wishes are false. Hope is true. Hope makes its own magic." 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

"Everyone is alseep. They've been asleep for years.
You seemeed...awake."

 Delirium by Lauren Oliver

"Thinking something does not make it true. Wanting
something does not make it real."

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

"It's weird when someone gets you, understands what you
would never say, not even to yourself." 

Split by Swati Avasthi

Image from I Swim for Oceans

Jace's Photo Essay (Split Blog Tour)

Today I'm thrilled to have Swati Avasthi here with a photo essay from Jace (the main character in her debut novel Split) as a part of the Before The Split Blog Tour. For every comment Swati receives on the tour stops, she will donate $1 to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and all proceeds from the auction will go to FVPF.

Be sure to check out the auction site where you can bid on items such as a signed/personalized copy of Mistwood by Leah Cypress, a first chapter critique from Michele Corriel AND a signed/personalized copy of Fairview Felines, and so much more!

And without further ado...

Jace’s Photo Essay:  Change in Perspective

My life in Chicago…

…where I was always looking for a way up

…or a way out.

But now, in Albuquerque, my vantage seems to have changed:

And, by seeing things in a different light, …

… possibilities lay out before me.

These beautiful photographs were provided by John Magruder.  They, plus loads more, are available for purchase.  And the penultimate shot in this essay is available to bid on at the Split Charity Auction via John’s generous donation. 

***

Absolutely stunning! 

Don't forget to check out a copy of Split by Swati Avashti, whether at your library or at the bookstore (and trust me, this book is worth reading)

Also don't forget to leave a comment! Comment = $1 for donation!!

-Lea

Split by Swati Avasthi

Book: Split

Author: Swati Avasthi

Release: March, 2010

Pages: 288

Source: Publisher/The Teen {Book} Scene

My Summary: 

When Jace Witherspoon gets kicked out of his house once he finally fights back against his abusive father, he heads off to find the person his mother tells him to find: Christian, his older brother who escaped their household years ago.

Except when he gets to Christian's, he finds that his older brother has moved on in life, and never even bothered to tell his girlfriend that he had a brother, let alone what kind of life he had before leaving home. Christian's life is completely different now, and Jace is trying to find his place in it.

As Jace and Christian struggle to live together, Jace must come to terms with who he is before he can truly move on. He'll have to face off with what he's done, the secrets he's keeping, and realize that while some people cannot ever change, other people can.

Review: Split is emotional, raw, and narrated by one of the more realistic voices I've come across lately.

Split is stunning. Each character, from our narrator Jace to his brother Christian, are all unique and realistic. Jace's voice is especially spot-on, and so real. He's charming, athletic, guilt-ridden and complicated. In comparison to Jace, the other characters don't shine quite as much.

The abuse aspect of this story is very heartbreaking, because it's just so complex. It's bitter, honest, and frightening. There's one scene in particular that had me cringing at the mere thought of it happening. It's difficult to read, to imagine. But it's Jace's secrets that were some of the hardest to learn.

It's difficult to say much about this story, except to say that you should read Split if you haven't already. Split will move you and give you something important to think about.

Highlights: Avasthi dives into a difficult story with ease. Her writing flows effortlessly, her narrator is realistic, and the story is impossible to pull away from. The first chapter, even the first line, hooked me. The bonds of family were interesting too, at just how much pain people can let others cause them because they love them. It's sad that the saying "you hurt the one's you love" is so very true.

Lowlights: I would have loved to see more of the side characters, like Mirriam and Dakota. Or at least a bit more depth to them.

Rating:   

In My Mailbox 37

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie

For Review:

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

Split by Swati Avasthi

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (surprise package)

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris (2 copies) (One signed to me!) + his business cards

 

Won from Braintasia Books:

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater + bookmark

(Signed!!!!!)

Bought with Buzz Bucks at Random Buzzers:

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

Thanks to Scholastic, Kari and Kelsey of The Teen {Book} Scene, Albert Borris, Cade of Braintasia Books, Random House and Penguin. 

So, yeah. This week was crazy-amazing regarding books. I'm a bit in shock. 

What did you all get this week?