100 Books in 2012

First of all, it's good to be back. I took an inexcusably long break from writing, pretty much for the entire 3.5 years I was attending grad school. Here's the good news: I am now an Information Scientist (a.k.a. librarian), and over the last year I've been reading like a fiend. Nothing like reading 100 books in one year to get you re-inspired to start writing again. In fact, I was so proud of this personal accomplishment that I am dedicating my first blog post [of 2013] to the complete list.

Most people's responses when I bragged that I read 100 books this year were something along the lines of: "Yeah, but all you read are kid books." First of all, did YOU read that many books this year? Second of all, yeah 20 or so of the books listed are picture books, and most of the novels listed are categorically "YA (Young Adult)," but they're still books. And I learned just as much, if not more, from Mo Willem's Leonardo, The Terrible Monster than The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

So here they are, loosely in the order I read them. Some have reviews I copied and pasted from what I wrote on Goodreads. I am distinguishing picture books, audio books, and graphic novels with parenthetical statements for those who are interested in format. Books I'd highly recommend are preceded by 2 stars (**).

(NOTE: After closer examination, my tally was technically 99 and 1/3 books, as I still have yet to read the remaining 2/3 of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.)

**1) Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Took 2 days to read. Everyone, especially if you have any relation to education (teacher, administrator, student, parent, counselor, librarian, etc.), should read this. You'll fall in love with August and have an eye-opening look to how, not just classmates, but their parents (atrocious!), try to act like he's not good enough to be part of the school just because he has a facial deformity.

**2) Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
I really liked this book. Definitely made me think a lot about how kids with disabilities are treated, especially in an "inclusion" school setting. I loved seeing the world from Melody's perspective. I can't think of an alternate ending, but I wish her class would have been chastised more for leaving her behind on the big day. 

3) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This book held my attention for about 100 pages around 400-500. Other than that, don't get the hype.

4) The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
The sequel was better than the first, however the American version of the first movie ruined the entire mystery of the second book, so I predicted everything WAY sooner than I should have.

5) [1/3 of] The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

**6) The Giver (re-read)
This book changed my life when I read it in 5th grade. I recently read it again as an adult, worried that I wouldn't feel the same attachment. It was still there. Fantastic, thought-provoking read. 

**7) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

8) Divergent by Veronica Roth
I liked this and futuristic Chicago as the setting, but I wanted to like it more than I did. I'll definitely still read the rest of the trilogy. 

9) Feed by M.T. Anderson
I wanted to and expected to like this book more than I did. I liked the concept behind it, but I didn't find it a super compelling read. With that said, I think there are some extremely thought-provoking sentences, paragraphs and ideas throughout.
Also, I felt very connected to Violet's desire to meet at least someone (in this case a boyfriend, who she [sort of] finds in Titus) to know and understand her. I can identify and empathize with the pain of discovering someone has blatantly chosen not to read pages and pages of thoughts that one chooses to share. It made me think about all the times in college when I would send novella-length e-mails home to a group of people that I thought might care, trying to make connections. What if most of those just ended up in the virtual trashcan?
Throughout the book, I felt the same feeling I felt in the middle of watching Wall-E in a dark theater full of people staring at a giant screen... in a downspiral of depression.
It reminds me of a Wilco lyric: "...our stories fit into phones..."
Although I actively participate in all these social networking "feeds," I always feel somewhat guilty and am worried for the future of kids who only know of human interaction involving some form of a screen. It's scary.
And this was written almost a decade ago before every social networking site had what they now call "[news] feed." Crazy.
Maybe this deserves an extra star for making me think so much, despite not loving how it was written...

10) The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

11) The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
I really liked the beginning and ending of this book but thought the middle was kind of slow. However, Calpurnia reminded me so much of myself as a little girl, that I'm leaning towards rating it higher than 3 stars. 

**12) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
13) Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
14) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

15) Holes by Louis Sachar
I didn't think I was going to like this as much as I did in the end. Mostly due to Sachar's mastery of eccentric characters, and I also think it poses a good first experience for kids who are just learning to "fill in the holes" in the more complicatedly interwoven stories they're reading. 

16) Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm
I was expecting to like this more and wish it was more reader-interactive, but it served as a good example when talking to 8th graders about the journal-as-genre to show how a journal doesn't have to be just pages of written text. 

17) The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett
18) The Calder Game by Blue Balliett

**19) A Thousand Splendid Suns (audio) by Khaled Hosseini
Captivating story of interwoven lives in Afghanistan spanning several decades. My heart sped up as the story got closer and closer to 2001. Although this is a work of fiction, I liked feeling as though I was getting a better understanding of how senseless war is on the other side of the world. I listened to this as an audiobook on my commutes to/from work, and I often didn't want to get out of my car. 

20) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon

21) You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah! by Fiona Rosenbloom
I started off reading this on a Sunday morning and finished it two hours later. The language cracked me up and I found myself wishing I had written this book during my own bat-mitzvah season 16 years ago. The chapter titles alone made me giggle. There's not a whole lot to the story beyond a typical best-friend breakup over a boy, but it's a lighthearted easy read, and I really enjoyed the characters, the humor and the Jewish references. 

22) The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1) by Rick Riordan
I was expecting to like this book and the concept of this series a lot more than I did, but it left me not really interested in reading beyond book 1. Also, the website is not easily-navigable and you can't participate unless you have the trading cards, which will rarely be included in the library's copies of the books.
Also, I think the fact that each book is written by a different author is kind of jarring and doesn't bode well for the consistency of Amy and Dan's adventures... especially with the number of characters involved.
Despite not being blown away by it, after I did a presentation about the series in my School Media Center class, lots of seasoned YA librarians said their students love the series, and that it's especially well-received by reluctant readers. Hence the 3 stars.

23) Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
A compelling, interesting and super fast read. I learned a good amount of Stalin's regime and the relentless fears of the Russian people by viewing the communist happenings through the eyes of young Sasha.
The illustrations help convey a time of fear and darkness as well.
Was surprised it ended where it did but ultimately thankful.

**24) Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
I started reading this en route to MN not knowing that half the story takes place there. I also had no idea that the last page would reveal that the book is dedicated to Maurice Sendak, who just passed away yesterday. Librarians, sign language, the feeling of first discovering New York City and an unraveling story of self-discovery. Loved it. Possibly even more than The Invention of Hugo Cabret. 

**25) Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst
I picked this out based on the cover illustration, which I know you're not supposed to do, but it's worth mentioning because they carry on throughout the story.
Cute, easy read. Definite option for story hour- lots of potential for emotion and voices and Viorst provides 3 different endings, which could be fun to do with kids as well. 

**26) Lulu Walks the Dogs by Judith Viorst
Love Judith Viorst and loved Lulu and the Brontosaurus, so I was pretty excited to see there was a new Lulu book. And this one is about her being a dog walker. Everything about it made me smile :) 

27) I am a Pole (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
28) Rules (audio) by Cynthia Lord
29) The Pillars of the Earth (audio) by Ken Follett
 
**30) The Glass Castle (audio) by Jeannette Walls
This was my first audiobook experience, as I needed something to look forward to on my long commutes.
It's really hard to imagine that the story is real.
I loved it. 

31) Will Grayson Will Grayson (audio) by John Green and David Levithan
I liked this story, and I loved being familiar with the setting of Chicago, Evanston and even one of my favorite music venues: The Hideout!
I gave it an extra star because listening to it (aside from the grating repetitiveness of the narrators reading the screen names in internet chats one too many times) on Playaway during my commute as opposed to reading it, made it really come to life. I loved the voices the two narrators gave to the characters, especially Tiny Cooper's, and hearing the renditions of the songs in his musical made me laugh out loud in the car. 
The story has a lot of great messages and lessons about being a teenager (whether gay or straight), love, life and the true meaning of friendship: showing you care about and appreciate people. 
And get this--when the audio ended, I turned on the radio, and guess what was playing! TINY DANCER!
Burning Question: Did Lady Gaga write "Born This Way" for Tiny Cooper??

32) Tell No One (audio) by Harlan Coben

33) The Boss Baby (picture book) by Marla Frazee
Same illustrator as the Clementine series with really humorous illustrations. Recommended by Kathy, who said she likes to give it as a gift to new parents. 

34) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
35) Blankets (graphic novel) by Craig Thompson
36) Queen of the World! (Babymouse, #1) (graphic novel) by Jennifer L. Holm
 
**37) The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Let's just say there are few books that have caused me to actually shed tears. As readers who get a glimpse into the love- and my oh my isn't it the love we all long for and deserve- between Hazel & Augustus and the importance each of us has to someone else in this crazy world.
Halfway through I was enjoying it but wasn't sure I was buying into all 5-star hype. By the end, though, I was filled with so many overwhelming feelings--not just sadness, but also heart-bursting love for the world and the people in it--it's hard not to praise the work fully.

38) Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
39) Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
**40) The Help by Kathryn Stockett (The movie is *terrible* and totally cheapens the book.)

41) Swallow Me Whole (graphic novel) by Nate Powell
I admit it--I chose this book solely based on its cover. However, I had a hard time following the story. I thought all the themes the description touched upon made it sound like something I'd enjoy, but I didn't follow what was happening at times. In addition, I didn't find any of the drawings nearly as captivating as the cover art (everything else is in black and white), and a lot of the text bubbles were hard to read... I'm sure this was on purpose, but it only left me kind of bored and frustrated. 

**42) Smile (graphic novel) by Raina Telgemeier
A great message for girls about inner beauty. Lots of laugh out loud moments that hearkened back to my love of the '90s (Bart Simpson shirts, The Little Mermaid, Teen Spirit deodorant). Also conjured up relatable memories of all my own teeth issues, most memorably when I had minor gum surgery and everyone addressed me as "chipmunk" in my freshman yearbook. 

43) American Born Chinese (graphic novel) by Gene Luen Yang
I was supposed to read this book for my YA Lit class last year, but CPL never got a copy for me in time. Definitely a quick and fun read. I really enjoyed the 3 interchanging story lines but when they finally become interwoven in an ah-ha moment near the end, it ends I abruptly and left me thinking, "wait- but then what?" 

44) Ghostopolis (graphic novel) by Doug TenNepal
45) Tommysaurus Rex (graphic novel) by Doug TenNepal
**46) My Monster Burrufu by Alberto Corral

**47) 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
I was nervous to read this book. Two and a half years ago (although it seems like hardly any time has passed) I lost a close relative to suicide. I still don't understand the circumstances, and every time I think about him and the taboo subject, my stomach twists and I want to rewind time and recognize the signs. What could I have done to show I cared more? What could I have said to convince him otherwise (even though I didn't know that was ever remotely a possibility until it was too late)? It kills me, still, that I saw him 36 hours before it happened. I still haven't been able to write about it. All that's in my journal on a blank page is: "My mom called and in a panicked voice said, 'Are you sitting down?' All I could think was, 'Oh no. Her cancer came back.' But when I sat down on the closed toilet and hesitantly said, 'Yeah,' my heart racing and breaking, I was shocked when what she actually said was, 'J is dead...He killed himself.'"

I really enjoyed the format of the book and the double narrative. It evoked a lot of different feelings as I read it. Hannah's voice (at least how my brain made her sound) even pervaded my dreams last night. Every time I fell back to sleep, my dreams were narrated in her voice. Haunting.

I was going to rate this book 4 stars, but after reading the last two pages and reading the author interview about how this book has [positively] affected his teen reader audience, I'm knocking it up to a 5 out of 5 because that kind of power behind a piece of writing deserves the best praise.

I think this is an important book for teenagers to read. As the author, Jay Asher, says in an interview at the back of the book in reply to the question, "Were you ever worried that this book would be hard for people to get through because of the serious issues it deals with?"
"...Some people, primarily adults, would rather there be no books dealing with controversial subjects, even if those books help start a dialogue between teens and adults. Thankfully, I've heard from a lot of parents and teachers and librarians who are using this book for that very reason."

48) Stitches (graphic novel) by David Small
I liked this graphic novel and thought it was interesting that it's also labeled as a "memoir." I think the "where are they now?" type blurbs with accompanying photographs in the back of the book helped me appreciate the story even more because it helped the reader understand the context of the storyline that much more. 
 
**49) Rupunzel's Revenge (graphic novel) by Shannon and Nathan Hale

50) Meanwhile (graphic novel) by Jason Shiga
I didn't follow all 3,856 story possibilities, however I enjoyed following a few of Jimmy's adventures. Reminded me of the Choose Your Own Adventure book series I used to adore as a kid. Fun to see something like that in a visual, colorful map-type format!

51) Zebrafish (graphic novel) by Peter H. Reynolds

52) Auschwitz (graphic novel) by Pascal Croci
It's hard to say that you "liked" a book of this sort. Croci doesn't hold back with his often violent depictions/illustrations of the terror at Auschwitz. It's gut-twisting to look at, and I found myself, at times, only focusing on the text bubbles and only glossing over the illustrations. The interview at the end [with Croci], which includes excerpts of letters from survivors interviewed for the fictional depiction, was interesting and eye-opening. 

53) Green (picture book) by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
54) Zombies in the Library by Michael Dahl
 
**55) The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton
Loved how the use of neon colors were used more and more throughout the book as the brothers got closer and closer to fully utilizing their discovery.
I liked the illustrations and the story (which is pretty interesting!) was laid out simply for young readers. Definitely a unique text for young readers looking for a non-fiction book to read. 
 
**56) Inside Out & Back Again by Tanhha Lai
I loved this book. Two of the reasons can be found in the author's note at the end. 1) "I extend this idea to all: How much do we know about those around us?" and 2) "I also hope after you finish this book that you sit close to someone you love and implore that person to tell and tell and tell their story."
This book is written in short, eye-opening poems and spans the year of 1975. The story is told from the perspective of Há, a Vietnamese girl who flees Vietnam with her family, near the end of the war, and ends up in Alabama. The fact that it's written in poetry works really well because a lot of the details are based off the authors own memories, so it flows really well in the way that short bursts of detailed memories often do. It's hard not to empathize with Há's desire to go back to war-torn Vietnam, when none of the kids are nice to her, their evangelical neighbors practically force them to get baptized, English is impossible to learn, and she has no idea whether or not her father is still alive.
Having just traveled to Vietnam this summer, I particularly felt a strong tie to this book because of how it felt to be an American there only 40 years later.
Highly recommended. For all ages really.

**57) Bridge to Terebithia (re-read) by Katherine Paterson
I haven't read this book since I was probably 11 years old, almost 20 years ago, but I remember the story made a great impact on me and how I've continually valued friendships over the years. Now that I'm working in a school library, grade 3-5, I decided I should re-read it as an adult, in addition to the fact that I forgot to adjust my Netflix queue and got the movie in the mail a week ago. I kept wishing I misremembered the tragedy that's weighed on my mind as the single memory from the book, but it still happened and my feelings didn't waver. The book subtly addresses religion and what happens (or doesn't) in the afterlife based on one's beliefs. Judging by the time of my life that I first read this, I understand now another one of the reasons why I felt so strongly about this story.

**58) Halloween (picture book) by Jerry Seinfeld
Got to play Seinfeld narrating his own book, while showing classes the illustrations in the book. It was hilarious. 

59) Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech
60) A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein

**61) Animal Heroes: True Rescue Stories by Sandra Markle
I read this book in preparation for this Thursday night's non-fiction book club at the school where I'm student teaching. I am a total sucker for animal stories, especially ones where they save people. There are 10 stories about pets saving their owners and wild animals saving people in their natural environments. The first story is about a guide dog who lead his blind owner out of the World Trade Center on 9/11. That alone hit close to home, so I was hooked and read the rest of the stories pretty quickly. There are text boxes with easy-to-read facts about natural disasters (e.g. hurricanes) and health issues (e.g. hypothermia) that add important information for kids to fully understand the extent to which the animals helped the humans.

**62) Wallace's Lists (picture book) by Barbara Bottner
Cute book about deviating from life's lists, something people even a lot older than Wallace could learn how to do.

**63) Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (picture book) by Mo Willems
Loved the visual design, both text and illustrations. Leonardo is adorable (although he'd probably hate, at least in the beginning), if I described him that way. Quick, simple read with a great message.

64) When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry (picture book) by Molly Bang
 
65) Teammates (picture book) by Tiki Barber and Robert Burleigh
This book didn't really grab my attention, but I also don't really care about football that much. I do think it's neat that the authors are real-life football stars and friends, which I didn't realize until I tried searching for this picture book on Goodreads. 

66) Strange and Wonderful Tale of Robert McDoodle: The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Dog (picture book) by Steven Baur
Cute concept.

67) Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen (picture book) by Cari Best
This book was cute, but I didn't love it. I liked the ending. 

68) Oh yeah! (picture book) by Tom Birdseye
Two boys who "one-up" each other about how scared they're NOT going to get sleeping in a tent outside. Liked illustrations more than the book as a whole.

69) A Frog Thing (picture book) by Eric Drachman
Easy reader picture book with a positive message about being happy with who you are.

70) The Perfect Nest (picture book) by Catherine Friend
71) When Randolph Turned Rotten (picture book)by Charise Mericle Harper

72) The Incredible Book-Eating Boy (picture book) by Oliver Jeffers
I loved the collage-like illustrations in this book, as well as the storyline. The bite taken out of the back corner also gives it that extra humorous, visceral touch. Want to add this to my own growing personal library and check out the other books by Jeffers. 

73) Michael's Golden Rules by Deloris (picture book) and Roslyn Jordan
I didn't love this book, despite the intro being written by the great Michael Jordan. But, again, sports books really don't hold my attention, so it could be the perfect book for a young boy (or girl) struggling at Little League, etc. 

**74) Hippo-not-amus (picture book) by Tony and Jan Payne
Another great, humorous and colorful picture book about learning to love who you are, even if you have to try being other species to reach that level of appreciation. 

75) Pete's a Pizza (picture book) by William Steig
76) Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (picture book) by Mo Willems

77) Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (picture book) by Mo Willems
I can relate to having a favorite stuffed animal and knowing when a similar one is not yours (or when your mom promises she won't was it but does anyway). I really liked the illustrations, set atop real black & white photographs. My one question, though, is that one of the photographs is of the real Arc'd'Triumph in Paris, but the story takes place in Brooklyn, so you'd think a picture of the arch, would be the one in Washington Square Park in Manhattan... details, details. 

**78) Library Lion (picture book) by Michelle Knudsen
Animals in the library? Yes, please! 

79) I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (picture book) by Lauren Child
As someone who was quite the picky eater growing up, I loved reading this book about how Charlie gets his sister Lola to eat various foods she refuses to eat by giving them imaginative names and backstories (e.g. referring to tomatoes as MOONSQUIRTERS)! I also really liked the use of moving text and the cute illustrations. 

**80) Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth (picture book) by Kate Klise
Now that I'm an adult, I want to give this book to my mom. 

**81) Ish by (picture book) by Peter H. Reynolds
**82) The Dot (picture book) by Peter H. Reynolds 

83) The Adventures of a Nose (picture book) by Viviane Schwartz
Loved the illustrations, showing that the nose subtly completes a face no matter where it goes. 

84) I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed (picture book) by Lauren Child

85) Just a Dream (picture book) by Chris Van Allsburg
Scary that this was published in 1990. Like Wall-E, it makes me nervous that this is where our world is quickly headed if people don't start caring about the Earth and its resources. Good lessons with dreamy illustrations.

**86) Scaredy Squirrel (picture book) by Mélanie Watt
Like, Wallace's Lists, this book has another great lesson about breaking routine and exploring the unknown. 

**87) Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
I loved that is based off the author's grandmother's own immigration story. The integration of Spanish is great. I actually wish there was more. I liked how the chapter titles are types of fruit (written in both languages) instead of numbers and how each fruit related to the story. Esperanza changes from her rich rancher mentality to a more humble and understanding person after experience life as a new U.S. immigrant.

88) The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson
I thought this book was boring and the visuals too repetitive. 

89) GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka

**90) Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer
This book totally tricked me! I knew the concept was poetry from "mirroring" perspectives, but I didn't catch on that the side-by-side poems were the exact same text reversed until a few pages in! When I finally caught on, I thought, "Wow! This sure shows how much punctuation can changed the meaning of a sentence!" Each page is a different fairy tale and the two poems are from 2 different character's perspectives. Interesting and clever concept with colorful, engaging illustrations. 

91) Baloney (Henry P.) (picture book) by Jon Scieszca

92) There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein by Susan Sussman
"That afternoon we practiced Christmas carols. I just mouthed the words. I didn't know if Jews were supposed to sing the words "little Lord Jesus" and "'ron yon Virgin." I did sing "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas." They seemed safe." I feel like Sussman translated my kid thoughts about celebrating Hanukkah when it seemed like all the focus was on Christmas into a children's book. Also, I love the title of this book. 

**93) Thoreau at Walden (graphic novel) by John Porcellino
I first learned about Henry David Thoreau and his beliefs in Gary Anderson's American Studies English class when I was a junior in high school. I immediately became obsessed with him and his ideologies. I just discovered this graphic novel version of some of his collected thoughts and spent the last 15 minutes reading it. I really enjoyed the introduction as a memory jog. I think the graphic novel portion does a good job of accomplishing the book's stated goal, which is to get the reader interested enough [meaning the books is fairly short and doesn't touch on ALL his thoughts, etc.] to seek out further information and writings by Thoreau. In the back of the book there are "panel discussions" which provide additional and interesting information anecdotes about some of the quotes included within the graphic novel.
 
**94) Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan 
It's hard to say whether I would have rated this book so highly had I not experienced 9/11 first-hand. But because I did and because I feel like Levithan had some kind of psychic ability to transcribe my inner-most thoughts regarding the range of feelings during that time (as well as passages that sounded they were ripped straight out of my 2001 journal), I had to give it a full 5 stars. I found myself wanting to underline practically every other paragraph, but it was a library book. I think I'm going to have to buy a copy now. I'm not sure if the everyday reader (meaning anyone not in NYC on that day) would feel as connected to the story, but I could be wrong, given that he does a fantastic job of describing what it felt like from 3 different points of view, of 3 teenagers whose paths cross because of the circumstances.

95) Ruth and the Green Book (picture book) by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
96) Redwoods (picture book) by Jason Chin
97) Houdini: The Handcuff King (graphic novel) by Jason Lutes
98) The Inside Outside Book of Libraries
 
**99) Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
I knew about a movie titled The Killing Fields for years, but never knew that the movie was about one of the world's worst genocidal atrocities. This past summer I spent some time in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia during a month-long backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. We went to the Killing Fields at the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, and I walked around in a stunned silence as I listened to the audioguide in my ear describe what I was looking at: The Killing Tree, where the Khmer Rouge slammed babies head-first against its trunk before throwing them in a ditch, enormous ditches that marked mass graves of almost 9,000 people at that one site, how bone fragments and shreds of cloth still surface after the rainy season and a Buddhist stupa (memorial) filled with human skulls, many of which have marks of being assaulted by an ax.
Never in my life have I felt like more of an ignorant American. How did I never learn about such recent history (1975-1979...people are just NOW being brought to trial for their involvement) in school?? The whole experience was so incomprehensible, this is actually my first attempt to put any of it into words.

So when I heard about this new YA novel, based on the true survival story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a few months after I got home, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy in hopes of better understanding what I saw and learned about at Choeung Ek.

It's hard not to give this book 5 stars, even though it was really hard to read. I wanted to cry or throw up after reading practically every page, and it's the first book I've read where I actually found myself questioning whether the material is "appropriate" for a young adult audience. Then I frequently reminded myself that this is, for the most part, Arn's story. This is what he really lived through in his attempt to survive the Khmer Rouge through his musical ingenious and pure luck. And everyone, young and old, should read his story so we can better understand what human beings are capable of, what they can survive and how we need to prevent history like this from ever repeating itself.

**100) It's A Book by Lane Smith
            Perfect.

Books I'm currently reading in 2013:
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (finished)
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky


What were your favorites of 2012?
And what are you excited to read in 2013?