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I finished 3 books last week, but 2 were easy YA books.

Hero by Mike Lupica - I know it's a kid's book and is supposed to be simple but this one was TOO simple. There was virtually no explanation as to why the kid or his father had superpowers, it felt like the author was just throwing abilities out there whenever it was convenient to give the kid more. Even though it was a kid's book, it definitely needed more depth or needs a sequel to go into further depth. I picked it up on a whim while at the library and read it in about 2 hours. I like superhero stories so that's why I decided to take it but it didn't do a whole lot for me.

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger - I really liked this one. There was a lot of sex in it for being a teen book but I guess it makes sense. The main character is a bitter, sarcastic type of girl, which I love. High school setting, the hot guy talks to her when she's at a restaurant with her friends and says he's doing it because she's the DUFF and increases his chance of getting with her hot friends. She of course hates him but over time ends up falling for him. She has a chance with the nice guy she's had a crush on for years but when they give it a go, she realizes they just don't mesh and she is meant to be with the "asshole" jock guy and he fell for her as well. It's of course a cliche storyline and predictable but it's a lot of fun, and there is a lot of great biting wit kind of humour in it. The author has written a few others I might check out. I was interested to find out that the author of The DUFF was a 19-year-old girl. It makes me frustrated because if she can do it at 19, why haven't I done it yet by 30.

Both of those were easy simple books, read them both in one day.

I then also read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book, definitely my favorite of the year so far. This seems to be a very polarizing book though, either you love it or absolutely hate it or were not impressed with it, there doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground reviews. I thought it was a great fun adventure story set in the not-to-distant future that felt very real and quite plausible given the state of the earth's problems and our rapid progression of technology. It's 2044 and the world's gone to shit, and most of the humans spend their time jacked into OASIS, a fully immersive Virtual Reality game world. When the creator of OASIS dies, he announces a contest to inherit his fortune and control of the company. He has hidden 3 puzzles inside OASIS that the user has to find and solve, the first to do it wins. When an 18-year-old kid finds the first one after 5 years, all hell breaks loose. There is a giant corporation that cheats, steals and will even resort to murder just to win the contest, the kid is racing against them to finish it first. The creator was obsessed with the 80s and vintage pop culture, as that was when he was a kid and was his happiest time. So this OASIS world and these puzzles are filled with all kinds of references to old video games, movies, tv shows, food, and music. I loved this aspect of it because I am the right age to have been a kid in the 80s, so I remember most of the stuff in the book. Anyway, I highly recommend this one, but be warned that apparently not everyone likes it and thinks it's poorly written or patronizing.

This week I am reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, of course, in time for the movie like everyone else driving the resurgence of popularity on this one. It shouldn't take too long, it's pretty short and easy to read.

I was considering giving The Book Thief a go but I'm thinking of scrapping that. I still have so many other books on the waiting list that I need to get to, that one not being one of them. I will see how I am feeling after 'Perks'.

I read a biography of Mozart this week. Very detailed biography, really narrows it down to where Mozart was and what he was doing on specific dates. The author did his research very well. My only complaint is that it was too detailed. The book did have substance to make me think about Mozart as a person, but I wish it delved more into a substantive thought process of who Mozart was, and how he shaped music today, just felt dry. Felt like it was more fact finding and reporting. However, to say the least I did learn a great deal about Mozart, his mannerisms, and his upbringing all the way until his mysterious death. It's interesting how nobody knows where he was buried.

I chose Mozart because I ABSOLUTELY love his musical compositions. I practically started playing the Piano because of him.

Anyway I would rate the book a 6.7/10. I'm sure there are better books out there in terms of substance, maybe even shorter. However, in terms of fact finding and following his life step by step, this author does a phenomenal job.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-A-Biography/dp/0226519619

Mindset is a book that has completely changed how people perceive self-improvement, and that's not an exaggeration. This book is extremely well-known and often referenced, and it's possible you know of it already. Probably in the top 3 most life-changing self-improvement books out there.

Leadership and Self-Deception is a very engaging read, and its goal is to help you see relationships with friends, coworkers and employees as they are, not how you think they are. It helps you "get outside of the box" that you see the world through, and stop the cycle of self-justification that many people have. Highly recommend reading it.

I space out my books with other things like graphic novels. They're perfect when you're feeling a bit burnt out as they seem to work a different part of the brain (at least for me). Have you read The Arrival? It's a fantastic graphic novel and it has no words.

If you enjoyed Men Explain Things To Me, I would recommend Shrill by Lindy West. Completely different tones but in the same realm of subject matter. They're actually making a show on Hulu which I am hoping makes it to Canada someday!

Peter Hamilton, more than 900 pages. I expect it to win some awards.

I’m tempted by Glass Sword only because of the ending in RQ, but I’m not sure I could stomach Mare. She’s so hateful and whiny.

> may try book 3 and 4 when they come out, just for closure, but certainly not living up the hype for me.

They’re out. Book 3 is King’s Cage, Book 4 is War Storm :)

I read Bluest Eye directly after reading Say You're One of Them. It was an unrelentingly dark combination. I went on frivolous book binge for a month to recover. Excellent writing though.

I think they are enjoying it. I haven't heard any complaining so far. Two of my reading periods each week are devoted to reading novels. I do have a couple students that are currently behind but I think they will be able to catch up. The plan is to get them to just read. I discovered the idea when I read the Book Whisperer this past summer.

I almost forget, you may also enjoy Magic Kingdom For Sale by Terry Brooks.

I finally found it! The Surgeons: Life and Death in a Top Heart Center https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393334007/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TwsPCbTZHZNV5

in case you want to check it out https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDV6SB3

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I found it on amazon

Here are more.

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Me-Out-History-Childbirth/dp/0393339068

P.S. I just looked, and the author released a Tenth Anniversary Edition in 2010.