My spark for reading is back…YAY! After almost a month of my Children’s Literature course I have found that I do still LOVE reading. I been caught up in reading textbooks and mandated material for so long that I honestly forgot about how much I like to read children and young adult novels. I just never felt like I had time. Funny, how I wrote a blog about how to find time to read and I used to be the notorious “I don’t have time to read” person. Over the past few weeks I have already read 74 books!
My personal favorites align more with fantasy or dystopian novels. Books like Harry Potter and Divergent. The long and wild plots really speak to me and remind me of my childhood since I grew up listening to my mom read them to me. They keep me entertained and wanting to turn the next page over and over until I find out the ending. Even though I really enjoy young adult novels, I have been spending my time reading more and more picture books throughout this course. I am happy to say I enjoy both styles and age groups of books.
The Caldecott Medal Winners and Honors books have been my favorite picture books so far. The Caldecott Medal honors the most distinguished American picture book. These books all have such good life lessons and have truly beautiful artwork. The illustrations are what have really drawn me into these books, and I think they are essential for younger children to enjoy the book.
Not going to lie, I was very intimidated and worried about time management at the beginning of this course, but I am thoroughly enjoying all the reading we have been doing. It has forced me to prioritize my time and made me a better future teacher with a variety of book knowledge to help spark my students love for reading. Thanks for visiting, Happy Friday!
A Small Smackerel 
Happy Friday (or I better say Saturday, now!) to you too, Destiny! Most of my reading is spent on Audible, but the weekends seem to afford more time for me to actually open up and book and read it myself. It’s kind of like a treasured time of the day for me. I’ve really only had 1 book that I dreaded finishing because it was so dry. You mentioned, dystopian books. I must admit, I’ve never heard of that word. I’ve heard of Divergent and Harry Potter though. Can you please enlighten me on what that genre includes?
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I think we all treasure some good time to sit down and read alone. Busy lives tend to make it hard to do that but I am glad to hear you have been getting time on weekends at least. Oh of course I can give some titles that are in the dystopian genre. Dystopian literature explore social and political structures in a dark or nightmarish world. There are a ton of dystopians novels I have read but some that I love are: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, A Clockwork Orange, Divergent, Uglies, Matched, Ready Player One…honestly I love most of them haha.
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Destiny, you did a great job of reflecting about your reading adventures this semester! Congratulations for reading 74 books! And I appreciate you helping me in getting started with my blogging site!
I also have enjoyed reading “The Harry Potter Series.” Which one is your favorite? I personally like “The Prisoner of Azkaban.” It’s wonderful that you have such a great memory of your mom reading to you.
Isn’t it wonderful that we can share our reading lists and views with one another? I am also trying to read every spare chance I get. And I have really enjoyed reading more children’s literature. There are many great books I want to add to my future classroom!
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Hi Terri! Thank you! Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban or The Goblet of Fire are probably my favorites of the series. It is so great to have a community to share our reading and lists. Others readings give me ideas on what to read next.
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Destiney, I love your post. I too have found my love of reading to come back since this class. In fact this class has opened my eyes to new books I wouldn’t have necessarily picked up. I was worried about time management too, but I have found that I make the time. I read when I’m waiting at the doctors and over lunch and especially at night before I go to bed. Great Post! Melissa
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Hi! Thank you so much. 😊 what kind of books has it opened you up to you would not have picked out?
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I loved your post! Mine is similar! I had trouble reading for fun or casual reading since I have been in college. There is so much required reading for the textbooks that I was overread or to tired or to tired to read for fun.
My favorites are also Harry Potter and Divergent but The Help is up there as well!
I enjoy both age groups as well. What grade are you wanting to teach? Do you have some favorite books for that grade?
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I’m so glad you have once again found your love for reading! I felt the same way as you last semester during Adolescent Literature. As a secondary English education major, I’ve discovered a whole new world with children’s books. Modeling literacy to students is something all teachers should do. I hope this newfound love for reading helps you in the classroom!
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Oh gosh, I’m glad I’m not alone with feeling that way. I completely agree! It’s even helped me with story time for my Pre-K students because it allows me to engage more which makes them more interested. Are there any books that you have found stand out to you?
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Yes! Although it’s funny; my favorite books so far are upper elementary/young adult books, which I suppose is my comfort zone as a future secondary teacher. I highly recommend The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor. It is a Schneider Family Award winner and my favorite read so far this semester!
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I will defiantly look into it, thanks for the recommendation! 😁
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