July wrap-up time!

Okay, let's be real for a second. Who else dreaded those mandatory high school reading lists? Don't get me wrong, classics are important, but sometimes they just didn't grab you, right? I remember feeling like there was a huge disconnect between what we had to read and what I wanted to read. That's why I've been thinking a lot lately about what truly engaging books could look like for high schoolers today, especially when I look back at my July reads. When I picked up thrillers like 'Gray After Dark' or dive into the twists of 'None of This Is True' (shoutout to Lisa Jewell!), I can't help but think: why aren't more books like these considered for school? They're packed with psychological depth, complex characters, and plots that keep you guessing. Think about it – analyzing motivations in a suspense novel like 'Bad Tourists' or dissecting the unreliable narrator in a 'Creepy' read can be just as enriching, if not more so, than some of the older texts we trudged through. It sparks actual discussion! The OCR picked up on things like 'Goosebumps vibes' and 'Hot and spooky' – these aren't just for light reading! Horror and thrillers, even those with 'Slightly gory' elements, often explore universal themes of good vs. evil, fear, justice, and human nature in really raw, accessible ways. For example, a book that gives 'Goosebumps vibes' like 'SCAREVILLE A VERY SCARY CHRISTMAS' might be a fantastic way to introduce literary analysis to students who usually shy away from reading. It’s about meeting them where they are and showing them that literature can be genuinely exciting and relevant. Imagine discussing the predictable elements in a book like 'Fatally Invited' and learning why predictability can sometimes work, or why it can fall flat. Or exploring stories like 'Fearless' and their themes of bravery and betrayal. These books, while not traditional 'mandatory reading,' offer so much for critical thinking. They teach plot structure, character development, suspense-building, and even how authors use language to create a mood. Plus, let's be honest, they're often harder to put down! My hope is that educators might start looking at a broader range of genres, including contemporary thrillers and engaging horror, to bridge that gap. Because when students genuinely enjoy what they're reading, they're more likely to engage, understand, and even fall in love with reading, which is the ultimate goal, right? It's not just about what's 'good' or 'bad' like my July wrap-up notes, but what makes someone want to read. And sometimes, a 'Hot and spooky' page-turner is exactly what’s needed to make reading feel less like a chore and more like an adventure!