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Post by Ms. Kalmar on Jan 14, 2013 18:06:20 GMT -5
Use this thread to post recommendations for your classmates! Make sure you give us the title and the author, AND let us know WHY this book is good.GOOD RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that you guys try The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins if you haven't read it yet. It's essentially about a government that makes its kids fight to the death in an arena every year. It's very fast paced and I read through it quickly and easily, and I don't really like reading very much in my free time. It's interesting and suspenseful and even a little bit thought-provoking... INSUFFICIENT RECOMMENDATION: Hunger games |
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Post by Juliana Lassiter on Mar 22, 2013 8:57:51 GMT -5
I recommend A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, especially for girls. I read it a couple months ago and loved it! I think most people see it jsut as a love story, but it's much more than that. It tells the story of a girl that enjoys every moment of her life because she never knows when it will end. She's kind to everyone, especially people that are mean to her. It's not very long and it never gets boring so I had trouble putting it down. ;D
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Post by Ms. Kalmar on May 19, 2013 15:36:29 GMT -5
I have a couple of books to recommend for this summer. I read each of these last year, and I think they appeal to a high school audience.
#1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chobsky). This novel tells the story of Charlie, a sensitive and quiet young man trying to find a place his freshman year of high school. He is finally adopted by a group of eccentric oddballs and outcasts who help him open up and discover not only the worlds around him, but the parts of himself he has been trying to escape. He tells his story with brutal honesty in a series of letters, and I found myself becoming really connected to him as a person. As an added perk, the movie that came out earlier this year was awesome! Not as good as the book, but really engaging in its own ways.
#2. The Fault in Our Stars (John Green). It's the love story of two teenagers with terminal cancer... and while that doesn't sound like the most uplifting read in the world, you'll fall in love with these character's honesty and wit. It's sad, hilarious, profound, and inspiring, all at once. John Green is an amazing author with a teenage audience in mind. Highly recommended.
#3. Quiet (Susan Cain). This is a non-fiction book about introverts; i.e., individuals who get their energy from internal rather than external stimuli. Introverts are typically quiet and reflective, and enjoy solitary pursuits like art, reading, and writing, and find too much socializing draining. They're not loners, or friendless... they just need a different balance of interaction than their extroverted peers. As a definite introvert, I really enjoyed this book... so often, us "quiet" types are looked down upon as shy or weird, and this book celebrates our particular gifts and our potential for making the world a better place.
#4. Persepolis(Marjane Satrapi). This is a graphic novel about a young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s, when religious extremists gained control of the government and began forcing Iranians to follow a very strict understanding of Islamic law. It deals with a lot of very profound themes, especially the difficulty of finding your identity when others (parents, culture, government) are trying to impose an identity on you. This was also made into a movie which was beautifully animated and every bit as engaging as the original graphic novel.
#5. The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman). I first read this series back in high school, and I wanted to reread it to see if it was as good as I remembered. The first book -- The Golden Compass -- was definitely worth a re-read. The main character, a mischievous little girl named Lyra (and her "daemon" Pantalaimon), is fun to cheer for, and Pullman's world -- an alternate universe which is similar in a lot of ways to our own but eerily different at the same time -- is extremely absorbing. Highly recommended for anyone who likes intelligent fantasy and adventure.
#6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Mark Haddon). The narrator of this book is an intelligent, perceptive, sensitive boy with autism. He takes it upon himself to investigate the death of a neighbor's poodle. What makes this book so fascinating, however, is the glimpse it gives us inside a mind of a young man who experiences reality in a very unique way. If you've ever known someone with autism or Asperger's Syndrome, or you're interested in trying to see the world from a very new perspective, this book would be a great choice.
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Post by Carter Devine on May 22, 2013 22:12:09 GMT -5
I recommend ford county by John Grisham if you like mystery or twist and turns. Ford county has seven short stories and one of them is called blood drive. Three guy head down to Memphis to give blood to a construction worker. When they reach Memphis they decided to head to a club and things go down hill drone there. If you want to learn more or read the others then get it today. |
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Post by Leslie Torres on May 24, 2013 16:29:08 GMT -5
I recommend The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer for those people that love supernaturual things. It is about a vampire who is in love with a human girl. When the girl moves to a town called Forks and they meet at school. She begins to notice strange things about him and his family. I don't want to ruin the book for any one has not read it. If you choose to read these books, hope you enjoy them!!
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Post by Jacquelyn Hooper on May 24, 2013 22:38:35 GMT -5
I recommend Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher. This is the story of the thirteen reasons why Hannah Baker committed suicide. Clay Jensen had been in love with Hannah for quite some time (as they worked together at the local movie theatre, and also attended the same high school). Perhaps this is why he is so utterly shocked, devastated and heartbroken when he hears of her death. However, a few days later a mysterious package appears on his doorstep. Upon opening it, he discovers that in it lies seven cassette tapes and a map. These seven tapes hold thirteen stories. These seven tapes hold thirteen people responsible for the death of Hannah Baker. It's a truly amazing read, and most definitely one of my favorite books. It's a tale of mystery, suspense, love, and heartbreak; appropriate for both genders. I found myself absolutely unable to put it down, and by the end Asher had me crying like a baby. The story deals with true struggles of high school life, and of course with the difficult topic of teenage suicide. I believe that this is a book that all young people should experience.
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Post by Jazmin Chavez on May 25, 2013 9:35:50 GMT -5
I recommend The Demonata by Darren Shawn. Its currently a series at this point because its so awesome. Its great series about demons and sometime werewolves entering the human world and group of people what they call themselves disciples who try to execute them or at least try to make sure they don't come into their world . What I really love about the books is that sometime each book has a different main character so if I didn't like the person in the last books, it switches back in points of views but it keeps the same meaning. I also love the way he writes also, its simple and he gets to the point which i think makes it great book
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Post by Rachel Bornstein on May 25, 2013 12:08:55 GMT -5
I would recommend THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK by Matthew Quick.
The plot focuses on the perspective of the character, Pat Peoples. Pat has been living in a mental facility for years and is flawed with emotional problems. He is convinced that his life is like a movie, where there will be a happy ending, or a silver linings. When he finally got released from the mental facility, he was determined to physically and mentally reinvent himself, most of the reason being to impress his wife, Nikki after their "apart time," or temporary breakup. Pat's new life is under his parents roof, where his mom is over emotional, and his dad is over obsessed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
I love how there is no perfection in any character in this book. Pat couldn't really find anyone who really understood him, until he meets this crazy neighbor named Tiffany, who is probably one of the most insane and craziest person, probably more than Pat. Tiffany is flawed with being a liar and has many issues herself, which created a strong bond between them.
This book was also turned into a movie, which I thought was incredible! The movie did justice on capturing Pat's perspective, and Jennifer Lawrence played the PERFECT role of Tiffany!
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Post by Rachel Schwarz on May 25, 2013 12:24:18 GMT -5
I recommend Eragon by Christopher Paolini. It's about a poor farmer boy named Eragon who finds a mysterious blue stone that turns out to be a dragon egg. The story of it is Eragon's journey through Alagaësia with a friend to a safe place for Eragon and his dragon. I enjoyed this book. It is a lengthy book for those of you that do not like to read as much, but it is totally worth it. It captivates my from the beginning to the end everytime I read it.
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Post by mikaela on May 26, 2013 12:36:48 GMT -5
I recommend Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer. It's about this girl named Miranda whose life gets out of whack when the moon gets knocked out of orbit. It doesn't seem like it would make a big difference, but it starts causing worldwide disasters. This book is all about how a girl who is trying to lead a normal life even though her world is crumbling before her. This book was definitely a page turner for me!
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Post by katiemaupin on May 26, 2013 22:01:33 GMT -5
I recommend that you read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling if you have not done so yet. It is about a young wizard, Harry, and his third year at Hogwarts, and his drastic change in views on another wizard, "mass murderer", Sirius Black. J.K. Rowling's writing style makes you feel like you know all of the characters personally, and there is definitely going to be at least one of them you will be able to relate to. When I started reading the series, I could barley put them down and I have reread them many times since. You get to watch them grow up as the books go on, and I highly recommend you read it even if you don't enjoy reading very much!
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Post by Jordan Cowan on May 27, 2013 0:03:19 GMT -5
I recommend reading The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I recommend this mostly for girls mostly, because it is a romance novel. The Notebook tells a story of young love. Noah and Allie fall for each other one summer, but they come from different worlds where their love is forbidden. Once I began reading this book, I couldn't stop, I read it in 3 days. I think that all girls will enjoys this novel as much as I did.
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Post by Noah Boeckman on May 27, 2013 0:40:25 GMT -5
I would recommend "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. This is a science fiction novel about a extra terrestrial war. It had my attention from beginning to end. There is lots of suspense and I was always on the edge of my seat. Ender is the underdog in this book and he makes his way to the top. I am a big fan of underdog stories so this was great for me. There is also a war to fight. So if you are a big fan of wars, science fiction, and underdogs, then this would be a good choice for you!
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Post by Kayla Britten on May 27, 2013 2:22:20 GMT -5
I would reccomend "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks. It is a moving story about a 17 year old girl's transformation over one summer. Ronnie Miller is a troubled teen who can't stand her parents. Her mother decides to send her and her 10 year old brother, Jonah, to stay with their father over the summer. At first, Ronnie is resentful and drowning in self pity, but then she meets Will Blakelee, and everything changes. She begins spending time with him and she actually starts to enjoy her summer and opens up to her father. But her summer is soon interrupted when she finds out that her father is dying of stomach and lung cancer and will likely only survive until the winter. Sometime after she receives the news about her father, Ronnie finds something out about Will, and they break up right before he goes off to Vanderbilt and lose touch. When their mother comes to take Ronnie and Jonah back to their home, Ronnie decides to stay with her father. She takes care and spends all of her time woth him, but he soon passes away. Will hears about his death, and he shows up to the funeral where Ronnie sees him and they talk, and soon after this they reconnect somewhere else. This is one of my all time favorite books and I would reccomend it to anyone, although it is a romance novel so I would recommend it more for girls. It is a heart-warming love story and is relatable not only because of the main relationship between Will and Ronnie, but also because of the relationships between her and her friends and family. It is moving and is almost impossible to read without stirring up some feelings.
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Post by Sarah Singletary on May 27, 2013 10:13:01 GMT -5
Hey guys!! Happy summer!! Most of you who know me, will know that I LOVE BOOKs I read like most people breathe.
My Aunt Elise recently bought me a book for my birthday! She is actually a nine grade English teacher at Cascia Hall!! Anyways, the book that she gave me is called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. Here is the back cover summary: "California's gold country , 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her dead and empty inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father's heart in everything. Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings f unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husbands pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: her final healing must come from the One who loves her more than Michael does.... the One who will never let her go. A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life changing story of God's unconditional, redemptive, and all consuming love." It really is a good book!! i really enjoyed reading it and it beautifully written! Definitely worth your time!
Another one of my book recommendations is actually one that completely changed me in my everyday life. I mean I became a new person after reading this book. A different person, but all for the better. Now don't make fun of me for the title and what it is about but it is truly inspiring!! Also, its for women only. I recommend to you, "How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul" by Jason & Crystalina Evert. Once again, here is the back cover to this amazing, life-changing book: "Are you a date..... Or a soulmate? Are you rhe for-now girl...... or the forever girl? In your quest for love, don't lose yourself along the way. While navigating through the dating scene, every woman begins to wonder: How do U know when a guy really loves me? Am I being to picky? Do I even deserve love? Is my relationship worth keeping? is love worth the risk? Are there any decent guys left? Single women often feel left alone to find answers to their deep questions about love and intimacy. SOme hangout and hook up, hoping for love. Others are afraid to even hope. At some point, every women needs reassurance that she-and her standards-are not the problem. In How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul, you'll discover twenty-one strategies to help you raise the bar, instead of sitting at it, waiting got Mr. Wonderful. Isn't it time that you discovered a love that helps you become yourself?".
And Lastly, since I know I'm taking your time away from tanning at the pool and what not, my last recommendation to you is not going to be another God book, although those are pretty good!! No, instead I will give you one of the books that I recently just read after my weekly trip to the library:) "Falling Under" by Gwen Hayes. Back cover once again hahah: " Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she has ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she's seen Haden before-- not around town, but in her dreams. Theia doesn't understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every single night has them joined in a haunting world pt eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her to forward one moments and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia;s not sure whether she wants to resist him or not- even if the sost is her soul." I really liked this book!! It was a sweet and romantic book with a pinch of rebellion!
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