Let's Listen to Some Books!!!
I love listening to books!  With my busy schedule, I don't get as much reading time as I would like.  However, one way that I have found to sneak in a little more "reading" is by listening to audio books.  As the popularity of audiobooks has increased over the last few  years, more and more audiobooks are available.  I am now usually always reading a book and listening to a book.  Currently, I'm listening to The Diviners by Libba Bray.  I have an Audible account and have the app downloaded to my iPhone.  Because I never go anywhere without my phone, I always have a book with me.  Some of my favorite times to listen are when I'm driving, walking, or folding laundry.  So, here's my challenge to you...read an audiobook and tell us what you think.  Don't focus on the book, but how you felt about listening to a book.   What are the pros and cons?  Here are a few resources to help you get started.

Audiobook Resources:


Audible: 
This is a great place to get audiobooks, but it does require a membership.  However, there are various options and books are much cheaper than if you were to them at a bookstore.  They often run specials were they will let you try one for free.

Sync YA:
Free audiobooks for the summer months.  This site matches a current YA with a classic or summer reading assignment book.  Each pair is only available for a limited time.  Detailed instructions are provided and you can receive text alerts to let you know when the next books becomes available.

Downpour:
This is another membership site.  However, they are currently running a promotion where you can get any audiobook for only $6.95 with a promo code.  They also offer the books in various formats.  You can get CD's or  MP3's.

Playaway:
A playaway is a pre-loaded audiobook that is very lightweight.  Check out your local library to see what, if any, titles they may have on available.

A Few Good ROSIE's
      Let's take a closer look at a few of the books that are on the 2013-2014 ROSIE list.  I have created a couple of short book talks and have also provided the annotations for a couple of the books.  Hopefully these will help you choose which books you would like to read.

 



Annotations:

There You'll Find Me by  Jenny B. Jones

Finley is a talented musician with her sights set on the Manhattan Conservatory.  Unfortunately, her musical creativity and inspiration died with her brother, Will.  Finley decides to walk in Will's footsteps by studying abroad in Ireland and retracing his path via a travel journal.  While in  Ireland, Finley is inspired and changed by God, as well as Hollywood heartthrob, Beckett.

 

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

A group of beauty contestants crash land on a deserted island after their airplane malfunctions.  The survivors are torn between practicing their dance routines and trying to survive until they are rescued.  However, they soon learn they are not the only people on the island and that they may have to take their destinies into their own hands.



What should I read next?
I don't know about you, but I always have more books to read, than time to read them.  Sometimes I just don't want to read what I already have and want to look and see what else is out there.  Here are a couple of avenues that you might want to travel to find your next book.  Just in case you lost your blue sheet, I have attached the ROSIE list for the 2013-2014 school year.  The YALSA video provides their list of nominees for the thier Top Ten.  Notice that some of them are also on the ROSIE list.  Goodreads.com, a social network for book lovers, also has a great list of popular books for young adults.  This list includes both old and new lists.  Here's hoping these resources help you find your next book a little easier.  Happy Reading!!

ROSIE List 2013-2014




YALSA's 2013 Nominees for their Top Ten List
Watch the video below to get some other great reading options.  This video shows the nominations for YALSA's list of top ten books for teens. 

 

 

Goodreads: Popular Books for Young Adults

 

 





My Favorite

Children's Books:
We all know that reading to kids when they are little is very important.  Many researchers say this can make a huge difference in how they relate to the written word.  Books have always been a big part of my life.  I remember as young person always giving my friends, even those who were not readers, a book for Christmas.  It was my mission to get them to love reading as much as I did!  My mom even bought me a keychain when I got my first house key that said, "I'd Rather Be Reading." 





Read all the ROSIE books

 Having Some Fun At the 2013 Celebration!!!

For those of you who are new to the program, I wanted to share some of the things that happen at the Celebration.  Hopefully this will inspire you to keep reading and voting for those books!  With permission of your 5th period teacher, you get to miss the whole class period.  Lunch is provided, and it is yummy.  We have pizza, breadsticks, fruits, vegetables, chips and cheese, and Ms. Northern's famous Peanut Butter Pie.  This alone is all the motivation I need.  But wait, there is more.  Every year, each student and teacher gets a free book.  There are also a ton of prizes.  Everyone that participates gets a least one prize, but most get many.  This year there were about $2,500 worth of prizes.  Those who read all the books this year got a bag of the books from this year's list.  There were three students and three teachers who read all the books this past year.  As we are eating, Ms. Northern asks questions about the books.  Those who answer correctly get more chances to win prizes.  At the end of the Celebration, the new list is revealed. 
         This past year, Southwestern ROSIE readers read 700 books.  Our favorite book was Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwasney.  104 students and teachers participated in the program and 75 qualified to attend the Celebration.  So, what was your favorite part of the Celebration this year.  What book did you get from the party?  If you've already read it, tell us what you think.  I love seeing all the students and teachers get excited about books and reading.  I always love talking books with others!!  Happy Reading!!

Upperclassmen having fun!!

Freshmen looking at goody bags!!

Introduction to ROSIE Readers

Southwestern ROSIE Readers!!
Hello Rosie Readers!! Welcome to our blog about what we are reading in the ROSIE list and beyond.  This blog will give you a chance to talk about the books you have read, want to read, or just about books and reading in general.  I love to read!!  I'd rather be reading!!  I know many of you also have this as your mantra.  So, sit back and let's have some fun talking books!

As you know the overall winner for the 2012-2013 was Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.  I'll be honest, I liked this book, but it was not my favorite from this year's list.  What do you think?  Share what your favorite book was for this year, and why you liked it.