Welcome back! Most of you have only one semester of high school left; make the most of it! Savor the moments, work hard, and then enjoy your accomplishments in May!
Books Mrs. Gugerty has read in the last year (or so):
My daughter Caite told me I should read this book. She was right. It follows Isobel, a young slave during the time of the American Revolution. Even though it is written for young adults, the story line is excellent. Finished Jan. 2, 2017.
I loved this novel, told in epistolatory form (meaning in letter to and from characters), this novel tells the story of a writer capturing the German occupation of the Guernsey island off the coast of France during WWII and the years of rebuilding that follow. A really good read. Finished Jan. 23, 2017.
The second in the series that follows Isobel and her friend, also a slave, Curzon. This book focuses mostly on Curzon and his life as an American soldier. His master enlisted him, promising him his freedom after he had served his time. But when the master reneges on is promise, Curzon is determined to escape. Very good read! Finished Jan. 9, 2017.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Jodi Picoult for her discussion of social issues within her stories. I read this book in 2 days. The story centers around Ruth, a top-notch Labor & Delivery nurse with over 20 years of experience. But when a white supremacist family demands that Ruth, a woman of color, not touch their newborn or care for his mother, she feels angry and rejected. Later, when the baby dies despite a team (including Ruth) of doctors' and nurses' best efforts to save him, someone must take the blame. Ruth finds herself suspended without pay and in the middle of a criminal court case where she's charged with a serious crime. Super read! Finished Dec. 30, 2016.
The third, and final book in the series, Isobel and Curzon escape to rescue Isobel's sister who was sent to North Carolina as punishment when Isobel disobeyed. The war ends in this novel, and three former slaves must figure out how to stay free. Finished Jan. 16, 2017
This is the story of 17 year old Anna who has struggled with the knowledge that she killed her beloved older sister in a freak accident when she was seven. No longer able to manage through the days, Anna is taken to the fifth floor of a hospital to work through her grief and her guilt. An excellent read! It rings of truth. I gave it 5/5 stars. Finished Nov. 26, 2016.
Asking the big question, "What if Germany and Japan had won WWII?" this book delves into the possibility of a US that no longer exists. Interesting style and syntax to capture the Japanese occupation of the west coast, but I found it hard to really get into it. Amazon has made it a mini-series though and might be worth checking out. Finished Nov. 13, 2016.
On her wedding day, Aimee finds herself instead at her fiancé's funeral after he dies in a boating accident just days before the wedding. What really unsettles Aimee and causes her to question everything is a psychic approaches her in the church parking lot after the funeral and tells her James is still alive. A bit thriller, a bit mystery, a bit self-actualization, this novel encompasses it all. A good, easy read. 4/5. Finished Oct. 2, 2016.
Alex and her best friend are in a terrible car accident the night of Alex's 16th birthday. When Alex survives and her friend doesn't, Alex is bereft and adrift. She starts making bad choices and her mother, Meg, contacts a private school that will help Alex get her life back together. When Alex refuses to go, Meg hires a transport service to take her, but when that transport goes wrong and Alex goes missing, Meg must face what she's done to her daughter. A good read! 4/5 stars. Finished Sep. 24, 2016.
When Dylan Charles, an uber cyber hacker is caught by the CIA, he has a choice: prison for his autistic hacker brother, or help the CIA by hacking an Iranian nuclear site to halt the Iranian Nuclear program. A good read. Finished Sep. 23, 2016.
This was a fluffy comedy about a young couple, struggling in their marriage. The day she finds out she's pregnant, he asks for a divorce. Perfect fluff read before the work of school begins! Finished August 12, 2016
While everything looks perfect from the outside, this suburban neighborhood hides secrets and link the neighborhood together. An accident at the neighborhood pool will force these neighbors to face their secrets head-on. A very good read. Finished Sep. 18, 2016.
Being a horse person, I really enjoyed this story of this famous horse I'd never heard of! Parts of the story dragged a bit when the author had to explain jumping rules, but overall, an enjoyable read. Finished August 1, 2016
When astronaut Mark Watney is left for dead on Mars after a mission goes terribly wrong, he awakens with no way to contact NASA to let them know he's still alive. Even if they COULD send a rescue mission, it would be years before they would arrive and his food will run out long before that happens. This book had so many twists and turns and I was kept guessing. I did NOT expect the ending! Now a film that's a must-see as well! 4/5 stars. Finished Aug. 31, 2016.
This book grabbed me right from the beginning! I was only about 50 pages in the first night and I had a dream about the characters and the situation. Very chilling and tension-filled! Edwards does a great job building and releasing tension, and when you think the novel is veering one way, he takes it into a different direction. Good read! Finished July 11, 2016
A rather formulaic romance novel. The beginning held some promise, but it quickly developed into basic formula and I only finished it so I could count it in my book challenge. :-) Finished July 5, 2016
Another WWII novel, this follows from different character perspectives, a group of unlikely traveling companions as they flee west from the Russian army. The last few chapters chronicle what was one of the worst disasters at sea, more human life lost than the Titanic, and yet, few have ever heard of it. Finished June 29, 2016
Based on a true story, Benigno is a lawyer in Brooklyn and this book is based on some of his cases.
Finished June 23, 2016.
So many of my AP students had read this book for Honors 3 English I figured I'd best read it too! A few years ago I got the movie for Christmas, but knew I had to read the book before I watched the film. Finished June 6, 2016
After having so many students tell me Ayn Rand's Anthem reminded them of this story, and now that both of my daughters have read it, I figured I'd better read it too! I enjoyed it, but wished I knew more at the end. Finished May 27, 2016
A captivating read! Felt like historical fiction, but at the end I realized it was almost all true and all the characters were real. Told from the perspective of a German woman who must flee with her family as the Russians approach, it tells another side of the story we know as WWII.
Finished May 21, 2016