2014 Book Bingo Challenge Update #1

Book Bingo is hosted by Anne from Creativity’s Corner and Kristilyn from Reading in Winter.
I am trying for a coverall and am doing ok so far. I have finished 11 books so far.

In the TBR category I have read 3 books: Touch of Frost, The Fault in Our Stars and Snow.
In the Mix It Up column I have have crossed off all the squares, except the Nonfiction. I read Animal Farm for my classic, Dragonflight for my Reread, The Magician-another reread- for my Free Square, and Fangirl for my Contemporary.
In Series books I have read 2: Kiss of Frost and Dark Frost.
In the Genre column, I have only crossed off Romance. I read Attachments for my romance book.
In New Releases I have read 1, Jinx's Magic.

Hopefully I can get in the groove of reading again. I started off strong and now I just can't find anything I want to read and finish reading. Hope you are doing great on your board! Thanks to Anne and Kristilyn for hosting!

Spring into a Good Book Read-a-thon Wrapup

I read 466 pages and I was able to finish three books, which is not too bad! I even wrote the review for Flora & Ulysses. I had to do booktalks for 5th and 6th grade, so I read the Case of Origami Yoda, even though it was not on my list. It was hilarious and perfect for the students. I hope to write the review for Snow and the two other books I need to write reviews for very soon! Thanks to Gina for hosting!

Once Upon a Time VIII

The Once Upon A Time Reading Challenge is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. There are different levels and different categories, like short stories and films. More information and the signup is at this link. This is my first time participating in this challenge.
 
I am going to try for Quest the First and read 5 books that are fairytale, folklore, mythology, or fantasy. Possibilities for these books include: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep, The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, and The Calling by Kelley Armstrong.

I am going to try to watch Once Upon a Time, the rest of the first season. I watched 4 episodes a year ago, loved them, but never finished the series. I would also like to watch Frozen and Brave, which I have heard good things about.

I have watched Frozen now and it was very good!- March 23

For now I will stick with these categories and choices. Thanks to Carl for hosting!

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

I am participating in the Newbery Reading Challenge and this is my first Newbery of the challenge and this year's Newbery winner!

Candlewick Press

Kate DiCamillo is a wonderful writer and she captures the joy of life in her works.
Flora Belle Buckman is a cynic, mainly turned this way by her parents divorce and her mother's indifference toward her. She needs something to believe in and what she finds is a superhero squirrel. Ulysses, the squirrel, did not ask to be sucked up into a vacuum cleaner and gain superpowers, but from the moment he meets Flora, he is willing to be the superhero she needs. As Ulysses crosses the lives of Flora, her dad, her dad's next door neighbor, and Tootie and Tootie's nephew William Spiver, he gives them all that needed feeling of the extraordinary. The only one who seems unconvinced is Flora's mother and Ulysses arch-nemesis. Told in alternate text and comic book illustrations, this is a wonderful story of finding what truly matters to us in this world and finding the courage to face our problems.

Loved it! I can't wait to booktalk this book. The situations are hilarious and the story is so sweet that you can't help falling in love with the "cynic" Flora, poetry-typing Ulysses, and the indomitable William Spiver. DiCamillo will have you believing in superhero squirrels and in the power of love.

Favorite Character: Flora. She is smart and very forgiving. She is so lovable that even a squirrel cares for her.

Favorite Quote: There are some awesome quotes in this story. I could really put quotes around the whole story, because the writing is so beautiful. My favorite is this: "Nothing would be easier without you, because you are everything, all of it- sprinkles, quarks, giant donuts, eggs sunny-side up- you are the ever-expanding universe to me."

Definitely 5 cups of cocoa! Who would have thought a story about a squirrel being sucked up in a vacuum cleaner would be so moving!

Spring into a Good Book Read-a-thon

This read-a-thon is hosted by Gina at Book Dragon's Lair and runs from March 20 to March 26. You can sign up at this link.  It ties into her Spring Into a Good Book Challenge that runs from March 20 to June 20. You can pick whatever books you want for the challenge and she says the main goal is to have fun!
I am going to try to finish two books this week. One will be Flora and Ulysses and I will try to finish another from my Spring into a Good Book Challenge list. I will post my updates here:

Day 1: Finished Flora & Ulysses! I had a bit of time between the classes I was reading to and was able to finish. It was a very cute story and worthy of the Newbery Award. 94 pages.
Day 2: Finished The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger- 145 pages! I went totally off list. I needed another book to booktalk to 5th and 6th grade and this was perfect. Hilarious for the upper elementary crowd. Reading Cruel Beauty- 12 pages, reading Snow- 25 pages
Day 3: Reading Snow- 25 pages
Day 4: Finished Snow- 87 pages!, Reading Cruel Beauty- 4 pages
Day 5: Reading the Calling- 16 pages
Day 6: Reading the Calling- 6 pages
Day 7: No reading :(

Spring into a Good Book Reading Challenge

This is hosted by Gina at Book Dragon's Lair and you can sign up at this link. I have several books I need to read in this time frame and I hope to finish at least 10. My list will include:

Simon Pulse

Snow by Tracy Lynn

Balzer + Bray

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

HarperTeen

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Harper

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Candlewick Press

 Flora and Ulysses by Kate Dicamillo


I will add to this list soon! Thanks to Gina for hosting!

Ides of March Wrap-up

I was able to finish one book (Dark Frost), so I met my goal there and I also participated in 3 of the 4 mini-challenges. I read 220 pages, which is not great, but good enough for the busy time I had. I am slowly getting over my sinus problems and hoping I will get back into the swing of things with my reading soon! Thanks to Kimba for hosting!