My Reading Life in 2011

This is the year I read my first Stephen King. It was his first book published, Carrie (1974). I had seen the movie in high school, but I got to experience the story from so many angles in the book. Why did I wait until I was 28 to read a Stephen King? I don't have a good answer.

This is the year I finished Suzanne Collins' trilogy with Mockingjay (2011). My students were divided about the final book, and I was worried I would fall into the Disappointed camp. My fears were confirmed when I closed the book with anger and frustration.

This is the year The Book Whisperer (2009) changed my teaching life. Donalyn Miller's advice on how to turn my students into readers was insightful and practical. I brought my reading life to the forefront of the classroom, and I started all my classes with silent reading. In the spring 2011 semester, I read 7 books. I read BW over the summer. In this fall 2011 semester, I have read 28 books. What a difference!

This is the year I bought into the hype of The Help (2009) and was whisked away to a world I hardly knew about. The book was slow-going at times, but I loved the conversation it sparked between my mom and me. I discovered her family had a maid when she was young.

This is the year I listened to The Year We Left Home (2011) on audio. I was mesmerized by the storytelling, by the characters, by the command that Jean Thompson exercised over her language. I did not want it to end, but it had a perfect ending.

This is the year I devoured Kathryn Erskine's Mockingbird (2010). I ran out of church after the service, so I could hurry home and finish this children's book on the journey of Caitlin, a girl with Asperger's who is coming to terms with the loss of her brother. To top things off, I read this book aloud to my creative writing students, and then we Skyped with Kathy! She was gracious, funny, and smart. Our Skype session was my favorite part of this fall semester.

This is the year I read and re-read poems from Linda Pastan's Traveling Light (2011). Then through serendipitous events, I discovered she was speaking at a writers' conference in Tulsa. I bought a ticket immediately. Attending her session was a highlight of the year as well, as was getting a picture with her.

This is the year I discovered Carol Ann Duffy, one of my new favorite poets. Her collection Rapture (2005) is heartbreaking and wonderful. Everyone should read it. EVERYONE.

This is the year I stayed up past midnight to finish reading Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls (2011). I sobbed like a baby, and then I decided to read it aloud to my Pre-AP English II students. Three of my four hours were receptive. I still got choked up at the ending even when I knew what was coming.

This is the year I read Room by Emma Donoghue (2010). I was struck by the narrator, one of the most interesting creations I've read in a long time. This book knocked me over.

This is the year I re-read To Kill a Mockingbird (1963) for the nth time. I continue to find new insight and themes and motifs in this classic. I'm glad I get to teach it.

This is the year I finally read John Hersey's Hiroshima (1946/1985). I had resisted this novel, even though it was an option for my sophomores to read. I thought it would be too boring or too sad. I was partially right. The book is sad, but definitely not boring.

This is the year I read Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This (2011). I found lots of great ideas and resolved to become an even better teacher of writing.

What about you? What books did you read this year?