What'cha Reading Monday- January 3, 2012

  Well, it's really Tuesday today, but what can I say?  I almost never get these things done on time!

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The week after Christmas I was at a local thrift store browsing, and I came across this book.  I LOVE teaching stories (hmm... big surprise, right?), and this just sounded cute.  It is a collection of short essays by a third grade teacher.  What made it even more interesting, in my opinion, is that the teacher is male.  For some reason I admire men who teach elementary school.  I think that takes a special heart and talent.  This guy is funny, but I can tell his classroom is great place to learn.  I recommend this book to all new elementary school teachers.  Mr. Done has taught for 20 years, and he definitely has some experiences to share that will make the first year of teaching seem a little less intimidating.

I finished this book today!  You can read my Goodreads.com review here.

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One of my favorite parts of working outside the home is that I can listen to audio books to and from work and I know I will have plenty of time to get one finished before I have to return it to the library.  I don't complain (too much, anyway) about my drive because I get a good 45 minutes a day of "reading" in.  Right now I am listening to Debbie Macomber's "1105 Yakima Street."  This is pat of the Cedar Cove series that I have read from the beginning.  Sadly, the series is coming to an end with the next book.  Wahhhh!  I sure hope Ms. Macomber is coming out with a new series that is just as engaging.  I like Debbie Macomber's series books, but I haven't been able to enjoy her romance novels.

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I have always loved stories about the underdog, the guy or girl who just doesn't fit in for some reason or another.  Maybe it's because I've not always fit in.  Maybe it's because I'm always wanting to save the world.  Whatever the reason, I'm pulled toward this type of book.

I've just started to read Buddha Boy, so I don't have much of an opinion on the book yet.  I do feel sorry for Jinsen, though.  I hope he and Justin become good friends and turn their backs on the others in Justin's group.  The kids who are making fun of Jinsen are not at all tolerant and are typical high school students.  For once, though, I'm not hoping for the happy ending these books typically have.  I'm hoping to see some reality of how these relationships actually work.