My Summer Reading Challenge by https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC Follow my progress and see what I've been reading this summer en-us 2020-07-08 10:13:14 UTC 2023-05-24 20:10:15 UTC hello@padlet.com A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/649985674 Finally read this book and it was brilliant, heart-breaking but hopeful, beautiful and imaginative. Notably, it won the prestigious Carnegie Medal and Greenaway Medal in 2012. ]]> 2020-07-08 10:40:23 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/649985674 Recommending by Zoom! nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/649987220 On Monday, I linked up with 4 friends by Zoom and we had a great time talking about books. I now have a list of recommendations to check out. One book I recommended was Kisses from Katie (a book for adults) but I also talked about "A Monster Calls" too. We plan to talk books again in September, I wonder how many can I read by then?!]]> 2020-07-08 10:44:32 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/649987220 How It Works - magazine nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/653112171 This magazine is fascinating! So much to learn, for adults too. Heartily recommend for years 7 & 8 - we have a subscription at school so in September why not come and have a loo]]> 2020-07-13 08:53:23 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/653112171 Reading in the garden nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/655029069 One of my favourite places to read is in the garden. I finished reading 'Matched' by Ally Condie there yesterday]]> 2020-07-15 11:45:03 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/655029069 Book breakfast nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/655030993 Enjoyed a relaxing breakfast today - cereal, strawberries and a book 😊]]> 2020-07-15 11:49:00 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/655030993 Wolf Wilder nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/656262984 Join with Feo as she embarks on a snowy quest to rescue her mother from prison in St Petersburg. Gripping read enhanced by atmospheric line drawings.]]> 2020-07-16 18:26:57 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/656262984 Matched nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/656264250 A dystopian romance by Ally Condie. As Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, will she toe the line or make her own choices? ]]> 2020-07-16 18:28:48 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/656264250 My friend's recommendation nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665748944 Was able to borrow this book from my local library - it was an enjoyable read, and a good way to relax. First book for adults that I've read in a while. ]]> 2020-07-30 10:41:43 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665748944 The Ambleside Alibi nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665749828 Had a good time reading this murder mystery while holidaying in the Lake District where it is set. It gave an added dimension to the reading! Again another book from the adult section.]]> 2020-07-30 10:44:58 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665749828 Autobiography nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665750606 Absolutely loved this book about a couple who, when faced with homelessness and health troubles, packed up their bags and went for a  LONG walk!]]> 2020-07-30 10:47:41 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665750606 The Three Musketeers nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665751605 This was my graphic novel read for the summer. I actually find this format difficult to follow, perhaps I'm not a very visual person? ]]> 2020-07-30 10:51:08 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665751605 Lake District painting nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665765304 I painted this watercolour - inspired by my reading of Ambleside Alibi and my travels in the Lake District.]]> 2020-07-30 11:30:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665765304 Holiday resources nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665767910 Found these resources really useful on our holiday. Particularly inspired by the Family Walks book which is based on Alfred Wainwright's famous guides to the Lakes. ]]> 2020-07-30 11:37:13 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/665767910 My non-fiction choice nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682904137 Everything Predators - a good introduction to this topic, with a multitude of facts and photos. An easy, but enjoyable read.]]> 2020-08-17 15:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682904137 Family book chat nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682910385 Had a lovely chat today with my two children aged 12 and 10 about what we've been reading. It was great to hear such enthusiasm for reading and the variety of books being read led to a wide ranging conversation!]]> 2020-08-17 15:12:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682910385 Book picnic nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682927648 Went camping last week and enjoyed some lazy breakfasts and lunchtimes with books - bliss!]]> 2020-08-17 15:18:32 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682927648 Time for laughter nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682937286 Re-read an old favourite that I knew would make me laugh - not a choice for kids, but good for me!]]> 2020-08-17 15:22:09 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682937286 Memoirs of a Fellwanderer nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682943371 Still inspired by our trip to the Lake District I ordered this book from the Library and found out more about A. Wainwright - what a character and an inspiration to many! ]]> 2020-08-17 15:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682943371 Reading together nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682964315 I've been enjoying this Bible study book with my kids, taking it in turn to read sections out and discussing it together. It has readings for 100 days and we only have 2 more to go!]]> 2020-08-17 15:32:33 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682964315 Malorie Blackman nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682971470 Had opportunity to listen to a talk by Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts and Crosses. She is an engaging speaker and clearly loves what she does. ]]> 2020-08-17 15:35:08 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682971470 Philip Pullman interview nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682979953 Another Librarian recommended listening to this interview on Radio 4, so I did. I really must try Philip's Northern Lights series one day!]]> 2020-08-17 15:38:02 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682979953 My challenging book nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682986227 I've just read this for the second time, and some bits still have me scratching my head. It's a great introduction to the debate between science and faith, a book I would strongly recommend to teens and up]]> 2020-08-17 15:40:19 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/682986227 The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738085297 Just finished listening to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it, though of course I was sad for the misfortunes faced by the Baudelaire children. ]]> 2020-09-11 09:20:11 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738085297 Goodnight Mr Tom nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738090446 Enjoyed reading Michelle Magorian's classic tale about evacuee William Beech and his host Mr Tom. Although lots to be sad about in the book, the way the relationship between William and Tom grows makes it a beautiful read. Think I saw the film a long time ago!]]> 2020-09-11 09:25:20 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738090446 John Betjeman - Poems in the Porch nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738096365 As well as enjoying these poems - some more than others - it was interesting to read the mini biography included. ]]> 2020-09-11 09:31:52 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738096365 My book review - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738099815 I am so glad that I am not one of the Baudelaire children. In a flash, their lives change from being pleasant and normal, to absolutely terrible. One sad, bad happening, after another, befalls them and it is only their resilience and support of each other that sees them through. 

I really like the style of writing used in the book. It is quite conversational and speaks directly to you, the reader, encouraging you to reflect on your own situation. The language used is also varied, introducing - and explaining - a wide range of lesser used words as the story progresses. 

The characters are well portrayed and their descriptions enable you to picture them quite clearly. The story is, perhaps unexpectedly, a little far fetched, but I did want to keep listening (I had the audiobook version) and find out what would happen next. If I had the time, I would want to continue reading the series and am curious as to just what other unfortunate events does the author have in store? 
]]> 2020-09-11 09:35:42 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738099815 This year's Carnegie winner nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738100762 For my award winning book I turned to Anthony McGowan's Lark. I have previously read Rook which is from the same series and didn't really appreciate it. Has reading Lark changed my opinion? - Yes, on reflection I can see the strength of these books, maybe you need to read them all to get the full benefit. ]]> 2020-09-11 09:36:51 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738100762 Now Let's Dance nickyjane23 https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738107424 Written by Karine Lambert, I read this book in it's translated format (originally in French) - a format new to me. It was good story and the frequent place names mentioned reminded me that I had - for the moment - travelled across the sea!]]> 2020-09-11 09:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/nickyjane23/MrsStrudwicksSRC/wish/738107424