I’m a reader. I always have been, I always will be. Once I’m interested in a book, I’m hooked. I can’t read without becoming completely fixated on it and blocking everything else in the world out. If you have recommendations, PLEASE, leave them for me below in the comments. I read a variety of books, depending on my mood. Sometimes, I want something historical. Lately, it’s been about the Holocaust. Other times, it’s twisted mysteries or romance novels that are all rainbows and butterflies. I track my books through an app called “Bookmory” that a coworker recommended. 

Currently

Nothing, I think? I have a few books I started that I haven’t been able to make myself finish.

Previously

Colleen Hoover- I have read all of her books. WOW! I enjoyed her books, obviously, but talk about absolute mindgames. I started with Verity. It sucked me in immediately. I couldn’t put it down. After that, I started working through her book based on their availability at the local public library. (Honestly, if you aren’t reading books more than once, then stop wasting the money and just borrow the books!) It took me a little under a year to read all her books and I wasn’t disappointed. I look forward to the movies coming out, so I can compare! 

Jeneva Rose– I’ve started reading some of hers. They’re comparable to Hoover’s books. 

Taryn Fisher– I’m pretty sure as far as mindgames go, Fisher has Hoover beat. Fisher’s books are a lot darker and involve a lot more murders, most of which you wouldn’t expect. 

Nicholas Sparks– What’s not to love about his books? I always go back to him when I need a cheesy romance book where the two people end up living happily ever after.

Jodi Piccoult- I started off with her book 19 Minutes. A coworker loaned it to me and said every teacher needs to read it, so I did. WOW. It’s about a boy who has been bullied and overlooked all through his childhood. Finally, one day, he brings a gun to school and starts shooting people. No one could understand his motive until they started piecing his life together and realized what was going on. As a teacher, it does bring a new light to student interactions. While something may be small now, it can build up and lead to worse things later on. (I am in no way justifying what the boy in the story did! It was horrible and should never be repeated.) After reading this, I have started reading some more of her other books. 

Kristen Hannah– I’ve read a few of her books. The Great Alone has been my favorite. After reading, I noticed that several characters are reused in books, so that kind of turned me off. They were all stand alone books, so it was kind of weird thinking about those characters with whole different lives. 

Terri Blackstock– Blackstock is a christian author and has some really motivating stories. I have read ½ of her books and will continue to read them. I like to read hers after reading some of the books from the authors mentioned above to help calm my mind. 

Rebecca Yarros– I have read several of her books and absolutely LOVE them! Except the dragon series. This is an unpopular opinion, I know, but they just didn’t work for me.

I have read a few of Lee Child’s books from the Jack Reacher series. They can really pull you in, but they are so graphic and disturbing that I have taken a break from them.

In The Queue

I have several books about the Holocaust on my bookshelf that I want to read when I have time. I also check the library for any books from the authors above when we go! 

I used to be a much better reader but life happens. I’ve been focused on college and projects for so long that reading took a break. Since finishing my degree, I’m pushing to read more again. I read a lot of historical fiction like Leon Uris in school but now I skew towards science fiction and nonfiction.

Currently

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – I teach about Henrietta Lacks in biology, because Henrietta Lacks is effectively immortal. While the woman died decades ago, her cells live on in medical research. I had a vague idea about the issues with how HeLa cells were obtained before starting the book.

I’ve also been working on The Call of the Wild by Jack London. It makes for a good change from nonfiction or science fiction books.

Previously

The Martian by Andy Weir – I watched the movie first. Ugh. I don’t think you’re supposed to do that, are you? Oh well, I’m sure Mark Watney will forgive. If you’re not a geeky person but still appreciate a story about adversity, difficult journeys, potato farming, and/or extreme loneliness, then try reading The Martian anyway. There’s a lot of calculations that’ll excite the science crowd but don’t get bogged down on the details. This book is a personal struggle and will to live more than anything else. Also: have you ever considered what it would be like to be the only human on an entire planet?

In the Queue

• Timeline by Michael Crichton