Ms. Langston is reading...Ms. Langston wants to read..Ms. Langston just finished..

This is a sign I keep in my classroom..I want my kids to know that I am a reader too..During the school year I must admit these signs do not change near as much as I wish they did..why?? because I don't have as much TIME to read during the school year..

One of my favorite past times of summer is reading..I finally get to read books without feeling guilty about doing "real work"..so I thought I would make a short review/list of some of my reads this summer..don't judge me on my book selections..they are purely for enjoyment!

One of the things I always find myself doing as a teacher is trying to get my own kiddos interested in the books I read when I was a child. A) I don't think that I really picked up on reading independently until sometime in 2nd grade (I wish I could go back and visit Mrs. Morris's 2nd grade classroom at Austin Elementary because I have no idea what she did but she made me into the biggest book worm (aka nerd) as a child. I have many memories of going to the old Hastings on South 14th and my mom not buying books that were not a certain number of pages. Her reasoning?? I would finish the book that night and beg to go BUY ANOTHER book the next day..I would like to say I was reading very high quality books with lots of important knowledge but it was usually Sweet Valley..Babysitters Club..R.L Stine..but hey I was reading, right?? ;) On a WHOLE another topic..my grandmother loves to tell the story of when I spent the night at her house (~7-8 years old not completely sure on the exact age) and what does she do?? She goes to sleep. She leaves her young granddaughter who had already finished her own age appropriate book by herself..I am in her living room..and find what else but a shiny, THICK library book...Unaware of the author I pick the book up and read until the early morning...I couldn't put the BOOK down. The title of the book was The Accident by Danielle Steel. That's right..I at a very early age finished one of Danielle Steel's racy love novels. Let's just say my Nina was horrified that I had found this book she was reading (I didn't know grandmothers read such)..but not only found this book, READ it..she was a little worried that I would not be allowed to have sleepovers with her anymore. Needless, to say I am not trying to persuade my first graders to read Danielle Steel novels..not matter what their interests are!

but B) I have learned as a teacher that some students might like your books but you have to let them read what interests them..not all the little girls are going to like the American Girl dolls. My first year teaching first grade I brought in my own Felicity American Girl doll..and Lind's very own Kirsten doll..and Jordan's THREE very own dolls (Molly, one that was after my time so do not quite remember the name, and Samantha) That's right Linds & I got ONE doll in our childhood..and our little BABY sister got THREE!!!! (including ours that we had outgrown) haha..I think I could write a blog post about being the middle child..and the birth order but I will save that for a later blog and I might add that anyone that knows my sisters and I would be able to tell who owned which doll..Lind's doll?? It looked like it could still be on the shelf at the American Girl store even after 20+ years..hers even had the wooden spoon in her pocket! Mine and Jordans??Let's just say that our dolls definitely looked well loved! so I do not get way off topic on this blog post..where was I?? Back to books..I think the key idea I have learned from trying to get my kids to love to read as much as I did and do..is let them find their own interests..my little first grade boys?? they love Gernomino Stilton...they also love to read the Scary Stories series I remember as a child. My girls?? Fancy Nancy..Judie B. Jones I think I should save first grade reading interests for another blog as well..

1. Tori Spelling
Uncharted TerriTORI
(I love how Tori Spelling has come up with creative titles..her first book was called Stori Telling and her second one was Mommywood get it Hollywood??) I must say this was the same as the first two..entertaining..light read..for anyone that watches her and Dean's show on Oxygen it pretty much just gave details that went along with the last season..I recommend it for readers who want to read something light & easy!


2. Izabella St. James Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the PLAYBOY mansion
Ok..I know. This book is about the PLAYBOY mansion..I am not sure why (Okay, yes I do don't you find their lifestyle interesting??) I do not quite understand it and still don't after I read the book but I was hoping the book would enlighten me on what makes these women choose this lifestyle. Entertaining yes..do I understand it after reading this book?? still confused
3. Kendra Wilkson Sliding into Home
Ok..You are probably ready to QUIT reading my book reviews because let's be fair they are not very substantial reading material..but isn't that what summer reading is about?? reading for enjoyment?? yes..so as a fan of the Kendra show and the Girls Next Door I read her book. I have to say it was very entertaining (she had a ghost writer) and some of the things she experience in life I am amazed at how well she turned out..I enjoyed it..and am very glad that Kendra turned her life around!

4. Original Gangster Frank Lucas
Ok..so I read this book after watching the movie American Gangster..(I have noticed a trend in my reading of celebrity biographies..this is not always true but definitely has been lately) This was such a good book! I could not put it down..his life was so interesting..and I learned so much more from the book versus the movie.

5. The Naked Truth: The Real Danielle Staub
Ok..ok..this was about the crazy woman on the Real Housewives of New Jersey so I am not going to go into great detail because I am not sure how much of this book I believe after watching the show..but I do give her this she had a hard life..I feel for her but not sure if I believe everything she says or writes..

6. The Accidental Billionaires The founding of Facebook
OK..highly recommend this read..what made me interested was the preview for the movie..I read this in one DAY..actually about eight hours working at Flirt Boutique..but it was good! Once again..I question who wrote this book..(was it people in favor of the twins) because they were obviously not on Mark Z's side..but read the book..it is interesting and keeps you turning the pages..I could write a whole blog post on what I think about the controversy behind this book but I will save that for a later post and hope you go pick up a copy..

So, I am off to find my next book..happy reading friends!