Show Us Your Life- Favorite Books

It's Friday, so that means it's "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner. The theme for this week is favorite books. As an elementary school teacher, a lot of the books I read are children's books. I don't do a lot of reading for pleasure, because, quite honestly, by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do to relax is read some more. I'd much rather be on the computer or watch t.v. I do read on vacation, though, so I need to get my stack of books ready for our trip to the Outer Banks in July.

My favorite children's books are:

Charlotte's Web

This is one of our third grade core books, so I've read it many times with my students, but I remember reading it a few times when I was young, too.  I think it's probably one of my mom's favorites, also, as she always loved reading it when she was a 3rd grade teacher.  Even after reading it so many times, I still get choked up at the end.  What's even worse is listening to a tape (yes, my school still uses cassette tapes!) of E.B. White reading it.  So much emotion in his voice!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I think everyone has had one of those days!  This has also been one of my favorites for a long time!  I've loved the illustrations, even though they are very basic, since I was young. We use this book to teach point of view.

The Mitten

Taking it back to my Ukranian heritage!  Fantastic illustrations!

First Day Jitters

I read this book to my students every year on the first day of school.  I think it's important that they know that they aren't the only ones with butterflies in their tummies on the first day of school!

When I do read for pleasure, I really enjoy anything by Jodi Picoult, like

The Pact

My friends from school and I had a book club (that kinda fizzled out...) for a couple of years and they introduced me to Jodi Picoult.  I really love her books!

My Sister's Keeper

Loved the book!  Hated that they changed the ending in the movie.

I also have recently found that I like Nicholas Sparks' books, like

Dear John

I never saw the movie, and I'm not sure I want to.  I've heard it wasn't as good as the book.

Also, my principal lent me this book a few summers ago

The Glass Castle

I couldn't put it down!

What are your favorite books?  I need some summer reading recommendations!