Final Book List for 2023

My final number for books read in 2023 came in at 58 books. I always set a goal to read 50 books in a year, so accomplishing 58 felt great! Here is my list of books read. Please note that not all of these books will be appropriate for everyone. Please do your research on whether a book is right for you or not. Please also feel free to comment to ask about any particular book, I’d love to chat about it and give insight.

Key: 

πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Audiobook
πŸ“• Physical book
πŸ“˜ eReader

TitleAuthor
1The Summer I Turned PrettyJenny HanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
2Crying in H MartMichelle ZaunerπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
3The Case of the Missing MarquessNancy SpringerπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
4The Hotel NantucketElin HilderbrandπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
5The Last Chance LibraryFreya SampsonπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
6House of GoldNatasha SolomonsπŸ“•
7A Court of Thorns and RosesSarah J. MaasπŸ“•πŸ‘‚πŸΌ
8Hiroshima DiaryMichihiko HachiyaπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
9It Ends With UsColleen HooverπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
10Thank You For ListeningJulia WhelanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
11Mad HoneyJodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney BoylanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
12HitchhikersBernard PoduskaπŸ“•
13Beach ReadEmily HenryπŸ“•
14A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and MayhemManda CollinsπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
15EdenbrookeJulianne DonaldsonπŸ“•
16The Beach ClubElin HilderbrandπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
17Maybe SomedayColleen HooverπŸ“•
18Maybe NotColleen HooverπŸ“•
19A Corner of the UniverseAnn M. MartinπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
20Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneJ. K. RowlingπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
21The Tattooist of AuschwitzHeather MorrisπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
22It Starts With UsColleen HooverπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
23Maybe NowColleen HooverπŸ“•
24Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsJ.K. RowlingπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
25We Were DreamersSimu LiuπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
26Tomorrow and Tomorrow and TomorrowGabrielle ZevinπŸ“•
27Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanJ. K. RowlingπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
28Enders ShadowOrson Scott CardπŸ“•πŸ‘‚πŸΌ
29We Were LiarsE. LockhartπŸ“•
30The Bookish Life of Nina HillAbbi WaxmanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
31The Revised Fundamentals of CaregivingJohnathan EvisonπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
32Turtles All The Way DownJohn GreenπŸ“˜
33Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireJ. K. RowlingπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
34The UnhoneymoonersChristina LaurenπŸ“•
35Britt Marie Was HereFredrick BackmanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
36Hello BeautifulAnn NapolitanoπŸ“•πŸ‘‚πŸΌ
37Beneath a Scarlet SkyMark SullivanπŸ“•
38A Place to Hang the MoonKate AlbusπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
39The Rent CollectorCameron WrightπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
40This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!Johnathan EvisonπŸ“•
41The Last Thing He Told MeLaura DaveπŸ“•
42The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesSuzanne CollinsπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
43Good Man, DaltonKaren McQuestionπŸ“•
44The MeasureNikki ErlickπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
45The Pumpkin Spice CafeLaurie GilmoreπŸ“•
46Demon CopperheadBarbara KingsolverπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
47One For the Murphy’sLynda Mullaly HuntπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
48Tokyo Ever AfterEmiko JeanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
49Forever, InterruptedTaylor Jenkins ReidπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
50Tokyo DreamingEmiko JeanπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
51The Mostly Invisible BoyA. J. VanderhorstπŸ“•
52Counting the CostJill DuggarπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
53The Cheat SheetSarah AdamsπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
54The Statistical Probability of Love at First SightJennifer E. SmithπŸ‘‚πŸΌ
55Resting Scrooge FaceMeghan QuinnπŸ“˜
56Little Fires EverywhereCeleste NgπŸ“˜
57A Return to ChristmasChris HeimerringerπŸ“˜
58Found in a BookshopStephanie ButlandπŸ“˜

I cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for my reading journey! What books would you recommend I add to my reading list for the year?

Christmas Picture Book List 2023

It’s here, it’s finally here! The Christmas picture book list of 2023. To see past Christmas picture book lists, head here.Β 

A Creature Was Stirring by Heather S. Pieczynski 

β€œβ€˜Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even aβ€” MOUSE! He had never heard of a mouse not stirring. It was the most glorious night of the year! So he stirred. Squeaked! Eeked! Anything but sleep.” -Goodreads  

This book had us giggling on every page! The small, loveable mouse also felt relatable to how my children act on Christmas Eve. 

How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney? By Mac Barnett

β€œMac Barnett’s iconic talent for earnest deadpan humor and Jon Klassen’s irresistibly funny art honor the timeless question with answers both ridiculous and plausible, mounting in hilarity as the night continues.” -Goodreads

This book is exactly what every child asks at some point. How exactly does Santa go down the chimney? We loved the illustrations and the humor of the book. 

The Nutcracker by Jan Brett
β€œJan Brett makes this classic her own by setting it in snowy Russia and adding whimsical touches to the favorite elements of the traditional ballet. Enjoying this book will be an instant Christmas tradition for families who love the ballet and those new to the story.

As perfect a gift as Jan Brett’s classics The Mitten and The Night Before Christmas.” -Goodreads

The illustrations along with the changed setting of this book gave the classic story of The Nutcracker a fun, exciting new change. 

β€˜Twas The Night Before Christmas poem by Clement Clark Moore, Illustrated by Mr. Boddington

β€œMr. Boddington’s Studio provides a fresh take by using the same poem and updating the style” -Goodreads

We were oohing and ahhing with every page flip because of the amazing illustrations. The color palette used in the pictures flowed incredibly well and the bright colors drew us into each page. 

My Complete List of Books I Read in 2022

My complete list of books read in 2022. If you’ve read any, let’s chat about it! I wanted to write up my thoughts about every single book on this list, but then it would get too lengthy and no one would have time to read this post in its entirety. If you want to know more about a certain book, I am always open to talk about it and discuss. Reading books is my favorite hobby!Β If you want to learn more about how I was able to accomplish reading so many books, check out my last post.

Key:Β 
πŸ“˜ eReader books
πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Audiobook
πŸ“• Physical book

1. πŸ“˜Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting

2. πŸ“˜Luna’s Rescue by Erica Richardson

3. πŸ‘‚πŸΌEducated: a Memoir by Tara Westover

4. πŸ“˜πŸ‘‚πŸΌSeven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde

5. πŸ“˜He’s Just a Friend by Karly Stratford 

6. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

7. πŸ‘‚πŸΌNight Road by Kristin Hannah

8. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThat Summer by Sarah Dessen 

9.πŸ“˜The Orphan Keeper by Cameron Wright

10. πŸ‘‚πŸΌA Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

11. πŸ‘‚πŸΌGo Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

12. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Orphan Train Rider by Andrea Warren

13. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff 

14. πŸ“˜πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Anxious People Fredrik Backman 

16. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThings My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman

16. πŸ‘‚πŸΌAmerican Royals book #1 by Katharine McGee

17. πŸ‘‚πŸΌMy Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

18. πŸ‘‚πŸΌForever Boy by Kate Swenson 

19. πŸ‘‚πŸΌMajesty: American Royals book #2 by Katharine McGee 

20. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Inheritance: American Royals by Katharine McGee 

21. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab 

22. πŸ“˜πŸ‘‚πŸΌ The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka 

23. πŸ‘‚πŸΌFish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt 

24. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Where the Deer and the Antelope Play by Nick Offerman 

25. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult 

26. πŸ“•The Stolen Sisters by Louise Jensen 

27. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida 

28. πŸ‘‚πŸΌReady Player One by Ernest Cline 

29. πŸ“•Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 

30. πŸ‘‚πŸΌReady Player Two by Ernest Cline 

31. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe One Hundred Years of Leni and Margot by Marianne Cronin 

32. πŸ‘‚πŸΌBook Lovers by Emily HenryΒ 

33. πŸ“˜He’s Just My Ex by Karly Stratford

34. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe Help by Kathryn Stockett

35. πŸ‘‚πŸΌTo All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han 

36. πŸ“•P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

37. πŸ“•Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Jan

38. πŸ‘‚πŸΌTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

39. πŸ“•The Bodyguard by Katherine Center 

40. πŸ“• Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover 

41. πŸ“•28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

42. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe Book Haters Book Club by Gretchen Anthony

43. πŸ‘‚πŸΌI’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 

44. πŸ‘‚πŸΌTuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 

45. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThirst by Scott Harrison 

46. πŸ“•In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham 

47. πŸ‘‚πŸΌThe Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand 

48. πŸ‘‚πŸΌPeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry 

49. πŸ‘‚πŸΌNine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty 

50. πŸ‘‚πŸΌHave I Told You This Already? By Lauren Graham 

51. πŸ‘‚πŸΌMaybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

52. πŸ‘‚πŸΌMy Oxford Year by Julia Whelan 

53. πŸ‘‚πŸΌ Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltΒ 

Photo by Caio

Nourishing the Seed

Here is a brief list of book recommendations for middle grade readers (3rd-6th Grade).Β Stay tuned for more recommendations and more age groups!

Hooky by Miriam Bonastre Tur

One scoop of graphic novel, one dash of fantastical adventure, and two heaping tablespoons of witch makes this book the perfect recipe (or spell!) for the hesitant reader in your life. With beautiful illustrations and an engaging storyline, this is the perfect way to introduce middle-grade readers to novels without making them feel like they are reading a novel.

“When Dani and Dorian missed the bus to magic school, they never thought they’d wind up declared traitors to their own kind! Now, thanks to a series of mishaps, they are being chased by powerful magic families seeking the prophesied King of Witches and royals searching for missing princes.” -HaperCollins Publishers

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

“Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona… she bonds with Connor, a classmate who also feels isolated because of his own disability, and they discover a room at Stagecoach Pass that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined.” -GoodReads

This book is the perfect reminder of the importance of friendship, courage, and acceptance (of yourself and others).

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel

Nothing captivates a reader like the suspenseful twists and turns of a good mystery, and this book is no exception! Read aloud or read alone, you’ll find your readers on the edge of their seat.

With a dad who disappeared years ago and a mother who’s a bit too busy to parent, Emmy is shipped off to Wellsworth, a prestigious boarding school in England, where she’s sure she won’t fit in. But then she finds a box of mysterious medallions in the attic of her home with a note reading: These belonged to your father. When she arrives at school, she finds the strange symbols from the medallions etched into walls and books, which leads Emmy and her new friends, Jack and Lola, to Wellsworth’s secret society: The Order of Black Hollow Lane. Emmy can’t help but think that the society had something to do with her dad’s disappearance, and that there may be more than just dark secrets in the halls of Wellsworth…” -Sourcebooks

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Alright, this recommendation might come from a place of self-indulgence as this was a series that I absolutely LOVED as a kid. But I’ve also reread them as an adult, and they still hold up.

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary is one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite . . . Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, powerful forces of evil are unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives, to save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world.” -Shadow Mountain

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Boys don’t keep diariesβ€”or do they? It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.” -ABRAMS Publishing

Anyone who has been a kid, is a kid, has kids, or has even looked at a kid has heard of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This series is another resource to encourage disinterested readers. I mean, Jeff Kinney wouldn’t be able to write a 17-book series because kids aren’t reading his books, so he clearly knows a thing or two about getting kids excited about reading.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Accidentally built sideways and standing thirty stories high (the builder said he was very sorry for the mistake), Wayside School has some of the wackiest classes in town, especially on the thirtieth floor. That’s where you’ll meet Bebe, the fastest draw in art class; John, who only reads upside down; Myron, the best class president ever; and Sammy, the new kidβ€”he’s a real rat.” -HarperCollins Publishing

Comedic, clever, and kooky; this book has it all! With chapters that read like short stories, it is ideal for reading out loud. These far-fetched stories will fetch a laugh or two (or 89).

Back to School Affirmations

It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down and students, teachers, and parents everywhere are gearing up for a new school year. This time of year can bring about many changes and stressors, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are many tools to combat those stressors, including positive affirmations.

“Today is going to be a good day, and here’s why: because today at least you are you. And that’s enough.”

Dear Evan Hansen

Positive affirmations are phrases or statements that are used to challenge negative thoughts. The concept of positive affirmations might seem hokey or awkward at first, but with consistent use, they can rewire and increase neural pathways. Not only can affirmations have physiological benefits, but they have been shown to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, aid in interventions, and increase academic performance. Our core beliefs are often formed during childhood and introducing affirmations to young children is an excellent way to instill a positive sense of identity.

Whether you are a parent looking to recite affirmations with your children in the morning, a teacher looking to incorporate them into her class routine, or a student who wants to practice them individually; here is a list of some affirmations to get you started!

  • I am smart
  • I am talented
  • I am kind
  • I am loved
  • I can learn anything
  • I always try my best
  • I am a problem solver
  • I am needed
  • I am valued
  • I respect myself
  • I am in control of my learning
  • I deserve joy and success
  • I can meet my goals
  • I do not compare my success against the success of others
  • I am proud of myself
  • I can do hard things
  • I am brave
  • I am important
  • My brain and/or body is powerful
  • I choose to include others
  • I can try again
  • I choose how I respond to things
  • I am responsible
  • I am prepared for my test
  • I can make a difference
  • I am creative
  • I am organized
  • I am capable
  • I see the best in myself and others
  • I listen to others
  • There is no one better to be than myself
  • I bring joy to others
  • I can adapt to any situation

I challenge you to choose two or three affirmations that resonate with you and apply them to your daily routine. If you need a little more inspiration, I highly recommend checking out this video:

Planting the Seed

Here is a brief list of book recommendations for early readers (PreK-2nd Grade). Stay tuned for more recommendations and more age groups!

Matilda by Roald Dahl

A cult classic for many, Matilda might be daunting for your littles to read on their own, but it makes a GREAT read-aloud! Trunchbull is a bit intense for some, however, so teacher/parent discretion is advised. Rewards for finishing the book can include chocolate cake and watching the equally classic movie adaptation.

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

This book is a perfect way to teach kindness and friendship. After Jeremy Ross (or “#1 Enemy”, as he is known to the young narrator), moves in down the street, our narrator turns to his dad for help. The father has just the solution! A recipe for a pie that gets rid of enemies. But as it turns out, this secret recipe is much more effective at turning a best enemy into a best friend.

Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea

While it might sound like a potty-training story, Who Wet My Pants? is actually a story about how embarrassment can lead to anger, accidents can (and will) happen, and kindness is the best response.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

This book is required to be read aloud. No, really. The book starts off with, “Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. Side effects of reading this book can include uncontrollable giggles, choruses of, “Again, again!” from the kids, and not being able to take yourself seriously.

What books resonate well with your early readers? How do you encourage them to be excited about reading?

The Child Whisperer: Type Two

This post is part of a series on The Child Whisperer and using it in the classroom. To see more, head here.

Alright, it’s time to talk about Type Two of the child whisperer! For The Child Whisperer types, it’s important to remember that this is not just personality typing, it’s channeling in on a child’s energy and how they use their energy. Most everyone has all four types in them, but one or two shine through the most in the majority of situations. 

Type two is typically known as β€œThe Sensitive Child.” A type two’s primary connection to the world is through emotion, and their primary need is for their feelings and emotions to be heard as well as feeling a connection to their family and loved ones. 

Words that describe type two: emotional, subtle, thoughtful, sensitive. 

Tips for teaching a type two: 

Create a good, lasting relationship with the student. It will be hard for them to learn from you without a good relationship first. 

Two’s need a plan and time to process everything going on around them. They may become anxious when last-minute plans come up or their regular school schedule is changed for the day.Β 

They are your students taking as long as possible on assignments, tests, and readings. They take all of the time possible to internalize what they are doing and the information they are given. 

They are also the students that like to ask you step-by-step how to go through processes they are learning. And not only that, but they may ask multiple times! 

Type two’s are little emotional chameleons. They easily take on the emotions of others, whether that’s pain, anger, sadness, or happiness, light-hearted, or excitement.Β 

Do you have a type two child in your classroom? What have you learned through teaching this type of student?