happy Monday: vol. 3: 2 books & a snack

1. "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness. It's an art to construct a snappily paced page-turner. I've already added the remainder of the trilogy to my summer reading list. How much of the list I'll get through is up for debate, as I'll be teaching summer school for 4 weeks and attending my own summer school for 6 weeks, but hope springs eternal when you love to read ... :)
2. Parmesan garlic bagel chips. You know people love you when they bring this back for you as an omiyage (souvenir/travel gift) from Las Vegas. They come in a cylindrical plastic container and need to go in a carry-on unless you plan on giving away bagel powder. The chips are delicately crispy when you first bite into them, and then they just about melt away in your mouth. Utterly addictive.

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3. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. This book reminds me of Gennifer Choldenko's "Al Capone Does My Shirts" in some ways, as both books are about extraordinary children and their sometimes difficult lives among the so-called "normal" people. Some of the YA fiction I read is enjoyable and good in itself but nothing I would re-read or recommend. This one is a book I will be passing along and recommending to others, and it will probably get a spot on my annual roundup of best reads.