This is too funny. I completely forgot about this blog. I am going to use Jen's method of making a list. I have not advanced as fast as Jen has. I better get reading!

Here is the list so far:
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Fast read. I certainly can see why this was so popular with kids. The library had huge waiting lists for this one. I enjoyed it so much I read the entire series.

2. Diary of a Wimpy Kids: Rodrick Rules. This book was very reminicent of Malcom in the Middle.

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid : The Last Straw. Perfect for my crurrent job: I now can have deep bookish discussions with my clients. I have no problem rrecommending this series & it is fun to discuss it with other fans.

4. Lawn Boy by Gary Paulson. A tad too young for me. A kid starts a buisness and gets rich. Appropriate for the intended audience.

5. When Heaven Fell by Carolyn Marsden. Set in Vietman.
The story is told from the point of view of a young girl who is living in Vietnam with her family. Life takes an unexpected turn when an aunt who has been living in America comes ot visit. The aunt had been the child of an American solidier and her Grandmother. None of the family knew of the aunt's existance. This book was very though-provoking both about the complexity of giving up children for adoption and the complexity of growing up as a visible minority.

6. The Year of the Rat by Grace Lin.
Clearly writtten for the 8 - 10 year range. Book provides good insight into how existing mental models impede the acceptance of visible minorities.

7. How do you Spell Geek by Julie Ann Peters
Not that memorable because I don't remember reading it. Good thing I made notes: "Spelling bees must be very trendy." Likely very exciting for the intended audience, especially if they like spelling bees.

8. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. This book won a Calecott Medal. It is one of those treasured books about non-traditional family groupings. I recommend you read the wikipedia synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Higher_Power_of_Lucky

9. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin. Very similar to the first book I read. Good recommendation for Grades 2-4.

10. Airhead by Meg Cabot. "Cringe".What more can I say other than it is a YRCA 2011 nominee...the kids must like it.

11. City of Bones byu Cassandra Clare

12. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

13. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.

Perfect for my taste. Teen Fantasy. Loved them. The fourth one come out December 2010, conveniently in time to still make my 2010 list.

14. The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan.
Hugely popular with kids. Would highly recommend to the 12 - 14 age. This is the only one of the series I have read.

15. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.

16. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Galdwell.
This is not YA you say! Yes, I know I am cheating but I want it known that I finally broke down and read the book. Five years behind you say...well... I try not to be a fad follower. haha

17. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
The best read on this list so far. I was very sorry when I was finished when it was over.

18. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

19. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

This series was the best I read this year... maybe even last year. I found these books to be usual in plot but also thoughful in the message it conveyed about power. What a wonderful way to teach humanity...through storytelling. This series shows the power of fiction. Fiction can help us clarify our thoughts, it can help us think about different points of view and it can even challenge our beliefs or perhaps validate themselves all though the power of entertainment.

20. Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

21. Gregor the Overlander and the Prophesy of the Bane by Suzanne Collins

22. Gregor the Overlander and the Prophesy of the Secret by Suzanne Collins

23. Gregor the Overlander and the Code of the Claw by Suzanne Collins

This series is for a slightly younger audience . Once again, great writing and moral pronciples about power, beliefs and human foibles that I could relate to and embrace.

24. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.
First in the series (5 so far). Kids love this book and ask for it all the time. I enjoyed it but obviously not enough to read the rest of the books. I might try the second if I start running short of titles for my list.

25. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
I choose this book as a result of a patron request. When I read the back blurb, I realized I had seen the movie. This book is the first of a series of three (so far). It is an post- apocalyptic novel. Since I have already seen the movie, I am basically reading through the book as a refresher for the rest of the series.

52 Books in 52 Weeks: Part 3 (39/52)

disliked (-), neutral/ok ( ), liked (+), loved (♥)

27. Persuasion - Jane Austen (+)
28. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (+)
29. Prisoner of Tehran - Marina Nemat ♥
30. Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet - Xinran (+)
31. Elephant Winter: A Novel - Kim Echlin (-)
32. Dagmar's Daughter - Kim Echlin
33. Emma - Jane Austin
34. Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur - Halima Bashir ♥
35. The Winter Vault - Anne Michaels (-)
36. The Mistress of Nothing - Kate Pullinger
37. The Bishop's Man - Linden MacIntyre (+)
38. The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood (+)
39. Hiroshima - John Hersey (+)

At this point I am starting to lose track of the books I've read, and remember what they were each about!