This was a different reading month for us, since most of the month we were traveling in Thailand. I figured I’d either read a lot, or not much at all. I don’t tend to read too much on vacation because our vacations are normally go, go, go. But I figured I may read a bit on the airplane, or if I couldn’t sleep due to jet lag.
I ended up reading on the plane some, but I didn’t feel like I read a ton. When I added up the books though, I read about 4 books on the trip, which was more than I thought I read. Making it a total of 8 this month!
The kids didn’t read at all on the trip, so they didn’t read much this month. Ryan did read some books in some of the series he’s reading. Ryan also wrote a book for school about sink holes and time travel. I didn’t get pictures of it before he turned it in though.
Here are two picture books we read this month:
Samurai Scarecrow is a really cute book about ninjas that go trick or treating over Halloween and get chased by the Samurai Scarecrow that has come alive! Its written by the same author as Samurai Santa which we also love!
You Belong Here is another sweet book that talks about knowing you belong with your family. Really sweet simple story, with beautiful illustrations!
One of us is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a YA book. 5 kids get set up for having phones in their backpack and get detention. Only 4 come out alive. Those 4 are the main suspects in the murder of the other kid. I liked this one alright. There are swear words in this one. The story was entertaining. I give this one 3 1/2 stars.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a middle grade story about a boy who has a recurring nightmare after his mom is diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is a sad sweet story about embracing your feelings and knowing its OK to feel strong emotions. I liked this book as well! I gave this one 4 stars.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang is a Middle Grade book about a young emigrant Chinese girl. Her family is poor and struggling to achieve their American Dream. Mia doesn’t want to settle, and wants to make a great life in America. Great story about accepting everyone. I really enjoyed this one too and gave it 4 1/2 stars!
What Came from the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt. You know I love Gary D. Schmidt and its another book of his that I love. This time there is a sci-fi twist. This story is about a boy who is dealing with the recent death of his mother. He finds a necklace that seems to be from a different planet. Although I did find the alien part a little confusing because there is a made up alien language, but I think that is the point. I gave this one 4 stars.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This is a sad YA story about a family trying survive WWII. I liked this one, but there was something that kept me from loving it. I did listen to it on Audio and it could have just been the narrator. Still a great story that I’d recommend! I gave this one 3 1/2 stars.
The Innocent Man by John Grisham. This was a sad story about a man who was put on death row for a gruesome murder he didn’t commit. I liked this story, but I wish I hadn’t read it on the airplane. Not a quick gripping read. It reads less like a story and more like essays on this true crime story. Still a good read though! I gave this one 3 1/2 stars.
The Silkworm by Robert Gailbrath this is the second book in the series. Its about an author that goes missing. He is found murdered just like a scene in his newest not released book. I liked this one better than the first! There is a lot of language. I gave this one 5 stars.
Career of Evil by Robert Gailbrath. Book 3 in the series. Robin gets sent a package with a human leg in it. I liked this one quite well, but it is probably my least favorite in the series. There is a lot of language. Still give it 4 stars!
