About Me

Hello! My name is Samantha Nelson but you can call me Sam. I am a high school English teacher at H. H. Dow High School in Midland, Michigan. In 2013, I graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in criminal justice. I later earned my teaching certification in 2018 and I am currently certified to teach English (BA) and social studies (RX) at the secondary level. I will earn my Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with a concentration in literacy education and technology and learning from Michigan State University in December of 2022.

When I'm not teaching, I'm spending time with my husband and our three children. I enjoy reading, woodworking, and collecting retro video games.

Book Recommendations

Books play a huge role in my life. So this got me thinking; what better way to share a little more about myself than through my top book recommendations? Follow me on Goodreads for more bookish fun!

“The world was hers for the reading.” – Betty Smith

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Classic Literature | Fiction

The symbolism and themes have me returning to it annually.

FIlm Adaptation: The Great Gatsby (2013)

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Nonfiction | Social Justice

An engaging and unforgettable read. It will have you questioning everything.

Film Adaptation: Just Mercy (2019)

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Young Adult | Fiction

A relatable and beautiful coming of age story.

Film Adaptation: Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Science Fiction | Adventure

Realistically written; mysterious with memorable characters. Easily understood by the scientifically challenged.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Young Adult | Social Justice

Relevant and heartbreaking. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Film Adaptation: The Hate U Give (2018)

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Dystopian | Science Fiction

A love letter to 80s pop culture!

Film Adaptation: Ready Player One (2018)

11/22/63 by Stephen King

Science Fiction | Thriller

Jake Epping attempts to stop the JFK assassination. Stephen King's writing style will paint a grotesque picture.

Television Miniseries Adaptation: 11/22/63 (2016)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Fantasy | Adventure

A survival story of a fantastical nature.

Film Adaptation: Life of Pi (2012)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Gothic Horror | Classic Literature

A story about selling your soul for beauty, literally.

Film Adaptation: The Picture of Dorian Gray (2021)

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur

Historical Fiction | Romance

A cultural portrait (disclaimer: western author)

Film Adaptation: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Dystopian | Fiction |Feminism

A sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. Fantastic. I enjoyed this more than the original.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Historical Fiction | Classic Literature

There's a reason John Steinbeck is considered one of the great American authors.

Film Adaptation: The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Fiction | Coming of Age

A series of vignettes that tell a beautiful story.

Educated by Tara Westover

Memoir | Nonfiction

A remarkable story about a person's drive to learn and grow.

Console Wars by Blake J. Harris

History | Nonficition

Interesting look into the gaming industry and the battle between Nintendo and Sega.

Film Adaptation: Console Wars (2020)

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Historical Fiction | Romance

Based on the infamous, Anne and Mary Boleyn and their experiences at court.

Film Adaptation: The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

The Dirt by Motley Crue

Biographical | Nonfiction

The life and times of a rock band. Uncensored.

FIlm Adaptation: The Dirt (2019)

For Every One by Jason Reynolds

Inspirational | Motivational

This book is truly for every one. You can't go wrong with Jason Reynolds.

Film Essay Adaptation: For Every One (2020)

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

Dark Humor | Science Fiction

Read at least one thing by Kurt Vonnegut, you won't be disappointed.

Black Boy Richard Wright

Memoir | Nonfiction

Richard Wright's experiences as a young man in the Jim Crow South.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Memoir | Nonfiction | Humor

Trevor Noah's memoir blends his personal experience and sociopolitical points beautifully.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Science | Nonfiction

An interesting and engaging read that looks at the scientific impact of HeLa cells as well as their origin. '

Film Adaptation: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)

The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore

Nonfiction | History | Feminism

This book focuses on Moulton Marston's unconventional lifestyle and how it plays a pivotal role in the creation and development of a comic book superhero.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Harlem Renaissance | Literature

A Southern love story with a strong black female protagonist.

Image Attributions

The Great Gatsby - Goodreads

Just Mercy - Goodreads

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Goodreads

Project Hail Mary - Goodreads

The Hate U Give - Goodreads

Ready Player One - Goodreads

11/22/63 - Goodreads

Life of Pi - Goodreads

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Goodreads

Memoirs of a Geisha - Goodreads

The Testaments - Goodreads

The Grapes of Wrath - Goodreads

The House on Mango Street - Goodreads

Educated - Goodreads

Console Wars - Goodreads

The Other Boleyn Girl - Goodreads

The Dirt - Goodreads

For Every One - Goodreads

A Man Without a Country - Goodreads

Black Boy - Goodreads

Born a Crime - Goodreads

The Secret History of Wonder Woman - Goodreads

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Goodreads

Their Eyes Were Watching God - Goodreads

All other images belong to Sam Nelson

Page updated

Report abuse