The 41 Books I Managed to Read This Year

Seems my writing aspirations have taken a backseat to the family life I never thought I'd have. And I've been enjoying every bit of it. A husband whose company I enjoy. A grandson I will drop everything for. And two doggies who are always by my side.

I have a full-time job that often comes home with me. Yes, even in the summer, I'm writing lesson plans. And education is changing at a rate that I've never seen before. I'm not sure I even understand what is happening. I feel like an old time teacher, a bit out of touch.

But I am trying. Trying to tweet. Trying Instagram. Making those connections with educators from all over America and connecting with the students I teach. When I whipped out my new cell phone to snap pictures with it in class and the kids noticed, I felt a little more with it.

I'm in year number three with my Kindle, and I'm still loving it. But like others, I complained when the Silk Browser update locked me out of my downloaded documents for a couple months. I still had the e-books though, and most of the books I read this year were from my small town public library.

I read a lot of chapter books and middle grade books. I am fascinated with the authors who can develop a character and just keep going with it. How I long for the inspiration and gumption to get my character all figured out.

It feels like a pipe dream now, something that's beyond someday. But a girl can still dream. She just has to act on it--probably with more baby steps than the giant ones she started off with.

What I read from May 2015 to June 2016

1. The Creepy Sleepover by Beverly Lewis
2. Walking to Lose Weight by Susan Campbell
3. Past Forward Book 1 by Chautona Havig
4. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park
5. Outlining Your Novel by KM Weiland
6. Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business by Barbara Park
7. Junie B. Jones: 1st Graders at Last by Barbara Park
8. Junie B. Jones 1st Grader Aloha-la-la! by Barbara Park
9. Outlining Your Novel Workbook by KM Weiland
10. Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry
11. My Path to Obedience by Janet Fowler
12. Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry
13. Magic Carpet Ride by Rich Simmons
14. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell
15. Horrible Harry in Room 2B by Suzy Kline
16. Horrible harry and the Green Slime by Suzy Kline
17. Horrible Harry and the Ant Invasion by Suzy Kline
18. The Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant
19. Heidi Hecklebeck Say "Cheese" by Wanda Coven
20. Heidi Hecklebeck and the Cookie Contest by Wanda Coven
21. Judy Moody Gets Famous by Megan McDonald
22. Ava and Pip by Carol Weston
23. Ava and Taco Cat by Carol Weston
24. Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman
25. Mrs. Harrison is Embarrasin' by Dan Gutman
26. Mrs. Lilly is Silly by Dan Gutman
27. A Crazy little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt
28. Julia Jones' Diary: My Worst Day Ever by Katrina Kohler
29. My Mother Got Married (and other disasters) by Barbara Park
30. Teacher's Pet by Johanna Hurwitz
31. Elisa Michaels, Bigger & Better by Johanna Hurwitz
32. Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
33. Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary
34. Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen
35. Flat Broke by Gary Paulsen
36. Vote by Gary Paulsen
37. Writing Short Stories for Amazon, Magazine and Other Publications by Ora Rosalin and Bey Rosalian
38. The League of Unexceptional Children by Gitty Daneshvari
39. Family Ties by Gary Paulsen
40. Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again by Donald J. Trump
41. Anastasia Off Her Rocker by Lois Lowry