Must Read in 2019!

For the fourth consecutive year, I am writing a #MustReadin2019 post to join with a community of bloggers that create a list of books that they do not intend to miss out on reading over a calendar year. Big thanks to Carrie Gelson for hosting this challenge again.

Everyone in this community shares a love of reading but goes about this task in such different ways. Bloggers choose new books, old books, lots of books, a few books, focus on a few genres and formats, or a mix. Some create a list and realistically expect to read every single book (hence the word must) and some create a larger list, a list of intentions.

This list is the latter and reflects the choice I make each year to create a large list that reflects many of the reading priorities I have working intensely with grades 5 and 6 the last few years, and working as a K-7 librarian as well (about 40% of my teaching assignment). This list prioritizes the middle grade fiction that I have on my to-read list, and tries to remind me to read outside of that genre into more picture books, early chapter, and graphic novels to inform my practice in the library. I usually try to add a few YA and Adult oriented books to remind myself that it is okay to read outside of my teaching area (all of these areas have so many great titles to choose from anyways). I need a big list to remind me, whereas others are able to stay more focused on there own. I envy them.

I try to read as many as I can, but give myself permission to not read the whole list. My expectation is to read about 3/4 of the list. Last year, I read 52/66 and was pleased with that. This list is similar in length and I expect to read between 40-52. Here are the covers of books I intend to read (knowing there will be many great distractions).

I am going to list these covers by author’s last name, like a traditional library shelf.

The Roar is my 11 year old daughter’s choice for my list. I ask for one from each member of my immediate family. Any Second is my wife’s choice, she is an elementary teacher, who gets to add library to her position starting next week (we are excited!).

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl was on my list last year, but it has not been published yet. I am hoping it is this year. I believe it is currently scheduled for September.

Normally, I have one A.S. King book but I have two this year, I also have two books from last year’s list: Ancillary Justice and Warcross.

Furthermore is a book I had on here last year and it deserved better, so I put it back on and I hope to read it soon. I don’t have enough picture books or early chapter but some appear here.

Fall by Neal Stephenson was also on my 2017 list, but then the book did not come out. Hopefully, Goodreads does not let me down this year with the release date. Several of my grade 6 students have read ten or more Wings of Fire books and almost every boy has read at least one. I have to see what makes this one so popular for myself. My last two books in the line below are also from past lists. I strive to do better by them.

Here are some of the books on my list that have no cover at this time.

The Carrier by Jennifer Nielsen, a historical fiction about a girl in Russian occupied Lithuania who works to preserve her people’s heritage.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, a Rick Riordan Presents book with Navajo gods, and shapeshifting villains.

The Toll by Neal Shusterman, the third in the Arc of a Scythe series that I get pretty much obsessed with while reading.

That is my list of 64! My eight year old daughter wanted to pick one but wants to tour a library before getting her pick in. Her book will be on a different kind of Must-Read list. Good luck to all the readers who have lists, and a happy reading year to everyone! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my list, feel free to let me know which books you think need to be read in January (they are that important to you).