Sunday Salon: December 23, 2018

My life in books: 

• DNF--Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka--Adult mystery. I just couldn't get into this one
• One Day in December by Josie Silver--Adult romance
• Speak the graphic novel--Incredible YA fiction

• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Hide with Me by Sorboni Banerjee--Fast-paced YA fiction
• This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel--Excellent Adult fiction

Challenges progress: I completed all my challenges and even though I didn't read all 50 states, I think I did well.

• Big Book Summer Challenge (complete)--I read 5 books longer than 400 pages this summer. This challenge is now done since summer has ended.
• Non-fiction (complete)--My goal is 20 books and I've read 48! 
• Literary Voyage around the world (complete)--Read books set in as many countries as possible. I have read in 40 countries so far, but in the past two weeks added none.
• Literary Escapes--Track the US states. I have read books set in 35 states so far, but in the past two weeks added Wisconsin and Hawai'i.
• Read all of the ALA YA Award Winners (complete)--I have already read all of the winners!
• Motif Reading Challenge (complete)--The December motif is Winter or Holiday and I read One Day in December by Josie Silver to finish this challenge!

My life outside books:

Work:

Work has been good this past couple of weeks. Our district has decided to incorporate a course in Ethnic and Social Justice Studies as part of our graduation requirements for next year's ninth graders so as the social studies coach I will be part of the group that writes the curriculum. I LOVE curriculum writing and this is such a great topic so it should be fun.

I went to a Teaching Tolerance workshop last weekend with a colleague / friend, which was a good way to kickstart our Ethnic and Social Justice Studies work. It was held at the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance, which is a great museum if you are ever in the Los Angeles area.

Personal:

It's Christmas time! My living room is decorated, the presents are purchased and wrapped, and I love this time of year. We're also starting to have our spectacular winter sunsets. We've got family in town as well so it should be a lovely holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!