resolving . . .

though i dont have any iron-clad resolutions this year, i am still resolving. or is it revolving?

and one of my favorite things is reading. but i dont spend nearly enough time doing it. not for fun anyway. as a language arts teacher, i am constantly reading. the same damn stories in the literature textbook ive read twenty times already. rough drafts of really poorly written seventh grade papers. and to be fair, very well-written final drafts. notes left on the floor of my classroom. emails from coworkers. posters and memos on the hallway walls. and in my personal life, other peoples blogs. pointless status updates and posts. text messages and emails from friends. but never enough books.

so im taking a book challenge on. id like to read fifty this year. and who knows if ill make it. but im making the effort. because after getting absolutely swallowed whole by the hunger games series, im feeling the old burn. i want more. so i started researching. on my list are the usual chick lit and new releases by some of my favorite authors:

where we belong - emily giffin

when in doubt add butter - beth harbison

falling together - marisa de los santos

ive got your number - sophie kinsella

oxford girl - plum sykes (memoir)

last night at chateau marmont - lauren weisberger

a few best sellers and books currently being talked about:

room - emma donahue

bel canto - ann patchett

wicked - gregory maguire

water for elephants - sara gruen

and some classics ive been wanting to conquer for the longest time:

slaughterhouse 5 - kurt vonnegut
the jungle - upton sinclair
i know why the caged bird sings - maya angelou
the bell jar - sylvia plath
one flew over the cuckoo's nest - ken kesey
a clockwork orange - anthony burgess
franny and zooey - jd salinger
catch22 - joseph heller
breakfast at tiffanys - truman capote
1984 - george orwell
of mice and men - john steinbeck
the great gatsby - f scott fitzgerald
vanity fair - william makepeace thackeray

now i know its not a full list of fifty, but im hoping to add a few more "must read" books that are currently causing a stir, as well as some young adult literature my kids are going nuts over. they clearly did not steer me wrong with the hunger games. so i trust their judgement.  i figure if i flip flop between YA and chick lit stuff mixed in with some heavier reads and classics, i may be able to do it! i promise to at least mention when i finish a read, possibly even comment or review. but lets not get too crazy! and on that note, the last three chapters of mockingjay are calling my name. . .