“Summer” has come and gone…..in Texas we will still be experiencing weeks of summer temperatures (although we are currently having cooler temps from Hurricane Harvey) but I’m not really talking about the season. I’m talking about the mindset….I love the term “dog days of summer” (which started about as some sort of reference to stars but I’m no astrologist) because my favorite thing to do is pile up with the dogs and a book….a tangible version or eBook, I’m not picky! So in remembrance of those joyful days spent by Lake Sam Rayburn with Dottie at my feet and Nanna by my side, here is a list of the books I read this summer….minus a couple of trashy romance novels thrown in the mix 😊

FYI: I do try to throw some Non-Fiction and Classic Lit into the mix but am usually not very successful with it! Most of my reading is “new-to-me” authors because I’m a sucker for Amazon Prime Free e-books! So, in no particular order….

 1984 by George Orwell

I’ve always wondered why I missed this in my high school and college readings but when I realized that it was written by the author of Animal Farm, I felt much better since that was part of my high school reading with Mr. Sam.

This is the perfect book to read for the times we are currently living. I was explaining to my dad that this was about governmental control and making people believe the past never happened. His first response was that he didn’t like books that weren’t believable but after talking about it more, he decided that it wouldn’t be too hard to “change history.”

I can’t say that I enjoyed this read but it did give me some things to think about which is always a good thing.

No More Bullies by Frank Peretti

I’m a total Frank Peretti fan! Most of his books are Christian fiction and are heavy on spiritual warfare but this is a non-fiction book based on Peretti’s life experiences as a child. Every educator should read it. Every individual working with kids should read it. Every parent should read it. Discuss it with your kids. Teach them that its never okay to bully.

Trophies by Todd Travis

This was an OMGoodness book for me!!!  I love when I’m completely surprised by the ending and I was totally not expecting this!!! This book is in the category of thriller. Woman vanishing. Political cover-ups. It’s all there…..and did I mention the ending!!!

The Fundamental Five by Sean Cain and Mike Laird

One of the authors presented at a principal conference I attended this summer. I enjoyed what he (and the book) had to say so much that it will be my 1^st book study for my teachers this year. We have already read a chapter together and will be getting into more detail as the school year progresses. Plus we will be using the lesson plan template provided on their website.

The Fundamental Five is not anything earth shattering for educators. It takes things we already know and presents them from a different perspective. For example, teacher proximity. This is usually discussed in relation to classroom management. Keep kids on task by staying close to them. Stop their talking by walking up beside them. BUT Cane and Laird discuss proximity as it relates to instruction i.e., how learning can be improved by teacher proximity.

We need to work smarter not harder. This book will help you see how.

Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner

As you maybe can tell by the title, this is another murder mystery. They’re kind of my favorite!! This doesn’t quiet have the astonishing ending as some but it’s a solid story. It’s also a novel within a novel…which I’m always impressed with. I couldn’t make all of the plot lines connect in one book much less two at one time. There are some unexpected turns and some life lessons about following your dreams rather than what you perceive others dream for you.

No Kiss Goodbye by Janelle Harris

Amazon advertised this as, “The debut psychological thriller leaving readers emotional.”…and it definitely left me emotional! I didn’t expect the ending…never saw it coming actually…it’s not a happily ever after ending but it’s a real, this could happen to anyone, ending.

The Garden of Eve by K. L. Going

I’m not a huge fan of young adult literature but I work with teenagers so I’ve made it a point to start reading things that interest them.  Now my definition of young adult literature is a little different from most as I work with at-risk teenagers who are typically 2 or more years below grade level. It’s a challenge to find reading material that is at a lower reading level but will keep their interest. According to Amazon, this book is for readers age 7 – 10/grade levels 2 – 5. After reading this, I will be putting it in my campus library. This is definitely more of a children’s story with fairy tales and magic. However, it tells the story of a young girl who has lost her mother. Many teens can relate to this as they have lost one or both of their parents. Sometimes it helps students deal with the emotions and adults truths of lose when its written from a slightly different perspective.

A Trace of Death by Blake Pierce

Another murder mystery…this one is the first in a series but can be read as a stand alone novel. I can’t say that this book stood out any among the others I read this summer but it kept my interest…enough that I would read the books that follow. The main character is interesting and shows us that devastating events in your personal life can be challenged in a positive direction.

Amish by Accident by J.E.B. Spredemann

An easy to read Christian fiction story. This is the 2^nd book in a trilogy. I haven’t read the others in the series but didn’t feel confused or lost while reading. I didn’t even realize it was a trilogy until I started writing this! Have you ever thought about the extremes God goes through to call us His own? No? Then you need to read this book.

The Game You Played by Anni Taylor

“Psychological thriller”….told you I loved them!!! I think I like this genre so much because every individual deals with emotional and stressful situations differently. Our brain and our emotions are such complex operating systems and will go to extreme lengths to protect us if necessary. This makes psychological thrillers unpredictable, yet believable….but remember, its not paranoia if they really are out to get you.

The Halo Effect by Anne D. LeClaire

Saint John Baptist de La Salle is the patron saint for teachers. According to catholicsaints.info, he established the first teacher’s school and started the 1^st high schools and trade schools…I haven’t researched on any other sites so I can’t verify the accuracy of this information but I thought it was interesting. Saint Baptist de La Salle is never mentioned in this book as it has nothing to do with education…but this book piqued my curiosity as to who is considered the patron saint for educators.

I loved this book. I loved the simple but deep spiritual truths planted throughout.  I was reminded of the song lyrics,  “and the saints are just the sinners who fall down and get up….”

 Runaway Girl by Emily Organ

This book falls into the historical fiction department. Not unlike some of the other books I read this summer, this story deals with a missing kid and is in a series. It’s the 1^st book but I didn’t feel like I had to immediately get the 2^nd installment because the story was incomplete….I hate that by the way….give me an ending…good, bad or ugly but give it to me! Political, religious, and moral corruption is exposed with the writer moving from scene to scene without a lot of wasted detail…which I also dislike!

Abandoned and Protected by Bree Wolf

I do not know why I enjoy historical romance plots set in a time and country where titles such as Duke, Marquis, and such were passed down from generation to generation….girls have “seasons” in London and all that other jazz….I also have a thing for mail order bride books which this is not but the mystery of my interest in them is the same because none of these things are really in my personality….While presented in a romance format, this book is really about overcoming past fears and learning to trust. Its also the 4^th in a series but can be read as a stand alone novel. Disclaimer: This is not a Christian romance novel and I do not remember how detailed  “bedroom” scenes were presented.

All the Little Children by Jo Furniss

While my other reads have been in random order, All the Little Children was my last read before summer was officially over…it may have even overlapped a little. It was my selected Kindle First free book for the month for August. I always have a hard time selecting which of the five books I want but I selected it because it was out of my normal range of reading. Its all about survival…in fact if you are the type who imagines what life would be like living off the land with no technology, this is the book for you. I enjoyed it and became emotionally attached to the characters….but let me be clear…I’m not interested in living off the land with no technology!!!

Good bye, Dog Days of Summer….I look forward to seeing you again next year.