It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.
Other Than Reading...
A cold and rainy week was very helpful in keeping my students' minds on their schoolwork. With only 14 days left, teachers need every possible advantage. These last few weeks are filled with programs, field trips, and other distractions. I'll lose my elementary students for at least two days for track and field day and attendance at the fifth grade musical. I don't think I'll be losing my 6th graders anymore this year but I'm not sure. There is a middle school track and field day that might disrupt things.
We are having a bad year for teacher retention in my school district. We have already had 4 resignations at the high school and 2 at the elementary. Last year, we had one new staff member in the district. I know that a number of other teachers have applications and interviews in their future. A good part of the reason is the high cost of family insurance. Most teachers with that insurance plan have seen their take-home pay reduced for the last two years and, with a 22% insurance increase again for next year, it is just going to get worse. The cost of insurance is killing small school districts. Luckily, I'm old and not on the school insurance. Medicare and my supplemental policy are much less costly than what my fellow teachers are paying. This should be an interesting summer. Next year with a whole crop of new teachers should be interesting too.
I haven't yet heard if my proposed schedule for next year has been approved. The elementary principal and the high school principal have to fight it out. But the high school principal is so busy looking for new staff that he hasn't had time. This semester with only 15 minutes of elementary prep for five classes a day has been hard to manage.
I am very eager for summer vacation and a chance to refresh and reflect.
Read Last Week
- The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig (Review scheduled for June 11)
- The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig (Review scheduled for June 16)
Death on the Sapphire by R. J. Koreto was an very enjoyable historical mystery that I got for review from NetGalley. My review will be posted on June 9.
Currently
Next Week
Then, I'll be reading review books:
- Boundary Born by Melissa F. Olson will be released on June 21. I got the eARC from NetGalley.
- Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg will be released on June 28. I got this one from NetGalley too.
- Seconds to Live by Melinda Leigh will be released on June 28. I got this one from NetGalley too.
- Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
- Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh
- Midnight Marked by Chloe Neill
- Death on the Sapphire by R. J. Koreto was an eARC I got from NetGalley.
- The Seduction of the Crimson Rose is the next in the Pink Carnation series.
- Hunter's Trail by Melissa F. Olson is the third book in a series in which I have read the first and the second is already on TBR mountain.
- The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig
- The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
- Added in May: 24
- May still TBR: 22
- Added in 2016: 149
- 2016 still TBR: 90
- Total TBR: 1939
- Review Books: 29
All of your books look good and they have such nice covers. It's been awhile since I read Linda Howard's books. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSounds like summer vacation is much needed! That's sad about the teacher retention and insurance issues.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your reads this week! I have always loved Linda Howard's books.
The weather is cooperating for teachers here, too. We even had a little snow yesterday! Sorry to hear about the resignations. Health insurance in general is in crisis. Enjoy your books.
ReplyDeleteI love the nostalgia of some of the artwork on these covers. Beautiful! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it's so bad for teachers where you are. We've had teachers literally walk out without notice and risk loss of licenses by breaking their contracts without a month's notice. They're walking out here because of the testing demands, lack of teaching time, and unfair evaluation rubrics. I seriously thought about early retirement last year and decided a shift to a different grade level and student might help, and it has to a degree. I completely understand the insurance problem, too. I pay out almost $400 a month for SINGLE coverage!! Un-be-lievable! I hope things pick up where you are, but I think schools across the nation are in crisis right now.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a glorious summer of fun, reflections, and rejuvenation for us all!
The state of education and insurance in this country is scary- I am sorry to hear that your district is suffering.
ReplyDeleteYou always read such great looking books~ I always leave your blog with a longer TBR!
Fifteen minutes of prep time? Crazy!
ReplyDeleteAnd insurance is ridiculous. I don't know how people can afford it much longer.