May 26, 2011
I am not usually one for graphic novels but I had heard about this one at a conference and thought I would give it a shot. The book is Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and it is about the Cultural Revolution in Iran and it is told from the perspective of a little girl named Marji. Marji desribes the changes happening in Irand and how it effects her and her family. Here is the synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
"Originally published to wide critical acclaim in France, where it elicited comparisons to Art Spiegelman's Maus, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane's child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love."
It only took me a few pages to be completely absorbed with the story. I admit at first I had a problem reading it due to having to read and look at the picture in each box before moving on to the next, it was only a matter of training my brain how to process the "new" format. I read ther book in less than a week and was surprised to find such a cliffhanger at the end of the story. I was a bit bummed but then I remembered that there is a Persepolis 2 :)
"Originally published to wide critical acclaim in France, where it elicited comparisons to Art Spiegelman's Maus, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane's child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love."
It only took me a few pages to be completely absorbed with the story. I admit at first I had a problem reading it due to having to read and look at the picture in each box before moving on to the next, it was only a matter of training my brain how to process the "new" format. I read ther book in less than a week and was surprised to find such a cliffhanger at the end of the story. I was a bit bummed but then I remembered that there is a Persepolis 2 :)
The Interrupted Reading
With the recent death of America's worst enemy, Osama Bin Laden, there has been much in the news regarding not only the present but the past as well.
While on the internet I stumbled upon an article about the students who were with President Bush when he received the message that the towers had been hit. (for the article http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2069327,00.html) These studetnts were second graders, seven year olds, at the time and are now juniors, 16 or 17 years old.
The article begins "There has rarely been a starker juxtaposition of evil and innocence than the moment President George W. Bush received the news about 9/11 while reading The Pet Goat with second-graders in Sarasota, Fl." Many people criticized President Bush when after hearing news of the attach he remained in his chair. The students recall this moment, remembering how Bush's face went from shock to anger. Many of the children thought they had done something, had they read something wrong, etc. Even though many criticized Bush the students say the opposite. Many feel that if he had gotten up and left they would have been even more confused and scared. The kids believe that the President was trying to keep them from finding out, that he was trying to protect them. The Principal had said "I don't think anyone could have handled it better. What would it have served if [Bush] had jumped out of his chair and ran out of the room?"
So, just how do these students feel after hearing of Bin Laden's death?
"I thought after 10 years they'd never find him."
"So reassuring, after a whole decade of being scared about these things."
The reporter ends the article stating things things the best, "memories that prove kids can carry a lot heavier stuff in those plastic backpacks than adults often realize."
While on the internet I stumbled upon an article about the students who were with President Bush when he received the message that the towers had been hit. (for the article http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2069327,00.html) These studetnts were second graders, seven year olds, at the time and are now juniors, 16 or 17 years old.
The article begins "There has rarely been a starker juxtaposition of evil and innocence than the moment President George W. Bush received the news about 9/11 while reading The Pet Goat with second-graders in Sarasota, Fl." Many people criticized President Bush when after hearing news of the attach he remained in his chair. The students recall this moment, remembering how Bush's face went from shock to anger. Many of the children thought they had done something, had they read something wrong, etc. Even though many criticized Bush the students say the opposite. Many feel that if he had gotten up and left they would have been even more confused and scared. The kids believe that the President was trying to keep them from finding out, that he was trying to protect them. The Principal had said "I don't think anyone could have handled it better. What would it have served if [Bush] had jumped out of his chair and ran out of the room?"
So, just how do these students feel after hearing of Bin Laden's death?
"I thought after 10 years they'd never find him."
"So reassuring, after a whole decade of being scared about these things."
The reporter ends the article stating things things the best, "memories that prove kids can carry a lot heavier stuff in those plastic backpacks than adults often realize."
The King's Speech
A few weekends ago my friends, husband and myself decided to rent and watch The King's Speech. This was a fabulous movie that won Best Picture and Best Male Actor at the Academy Awards.
This movie tells the story of King George VI, Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor aka "Bertie," and his dibilitating stammer. Albert was played by Colin Firth, his wife Elizabeth, "the Queen Mum," was played by Helena Bonham Carter. They both did a superb job! You really felt their struggle, their fear and their heartache. Colin made you feel how physically hard it is to have a stammer. You feel the pain.
The move was so well done it left me curious about King George VI and his life, so I went on the internet to do some research. I wanted to find the book that the movie was based off of to read. I was able to find it and the name is The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy by Mark Logue and Peter Conrad. Don't worry I have requested it from my public library and will let you know all the juicy tidbits as soon as I am done.
While researching I also found several newspaper articles, one of which was "The King's Speech: the Real Story" a January article in The Telegraph. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8223897/The-Kings-Speech-the-real-story.html) This was such a well written article, just listen to this:
"There are many forms of irony - verbal, dramatic, situational and so on - but the one that surely applied to King George VI was the irony of fate. It was as if the gods, or Fates, were amusing themselves by toying with his mind, mocking his failings, reminding him that he was very much a mortal. It was, after all, almost impossible for him to pronounce the letter 'k', thanks to his debilitating nervous stammer. A cruel fate for a king.
Even crueller, his reign coincided with a revolution in mass communication. For the first time in British history, subjects could listen to their monarch addressing them through their wireless sets, as if he were with them in their living rooms."
The article goes on to say how the British people began to stand behind him and support him. When Buckingham Palace is hit by a Luftwaffe bomb, the king and his family refuse to leave and relocate to Canada. It says how the younger brother Albert eventually rises from his brother's shadow to become a fair and well loved King.
Another aspect of the movie, the book and the article is that of the speech therapist Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush). Mr. Logue took a very unconventional approach to helping His Royal Highness. From calling the monarch by his nickname, Bertie, to condemning cigarettes and encouraging singing and swearing. It is great news to know that they would grow to be good friends and would remain so for the rest of their lives.
What a happy ending for a king.
This movie tells the story of King George VI, Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor aka "Bertie," and his dibilitating stammer. Albert was played by Colin Firth, his wife Elizabeth, "the Queen Mum," was played by Helena Bonham Carter. They both did a superb job! You really felt their struggle, their fear and their heartache. Colin made you feel how physically hard it is to have a stammer. You feel the pain.
The move was so well done it left me curious about King George VI and his life, so I went on the internet to do some research. I wanted to find the book that the movie was based off of to read. I was able to find it and the name is The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy by Mark Logue and Peter Conrad. Don't worry I have requested it from my public library and will let you know all the juicy tidbits as soon as I am done.
While researching I also found several newspaper articles, one of which was "The King's Speech: the Real Story" a January article in The Telegraph. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8223897/The-Kings-Speech-the-real-story.html) This was such a well written article, just listen to this:
"There are many forms of irony - verbal, dramatic, situational and so on - but the one that surely applied to King George VI was the irony of fate. It was as if the gods, or Fates, were amusing themselves by toying with his mind, mocking his failings, reminding him that he was very much a mortal. It was, after all, almost impossible for him to pronounce the letter 'k', thanks to his debilitating nervous stammer. A cruel fate for a king.
Even crueller, his reign coincided with a revolution in mass communication. For the first time in British history, subjects could listen to their monarch addressing them through their wireless sets, as if he were with them in their living rooms."
The article goes on to say how the British people began to stand behind him and support him. When Buckingham Palace is hit by a Luftwaffe bomb, the king and his family refuse to leave and relocate to Canada. It says how the younger brother Albert eventually rises from his brother's shadow to become a fair and well loved King.
Another aspect of the movie, the book and the article is that of the speech therapist Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush). Mr. Logue took a very unconventional approach to helping His Royal Highness. From calling the monarch by his nickname, Bertie, to condemning cigarettes and encouraging singing and swearing. It is great news to know that they would grow to be good friends and would remain so for the rest of their lives.
What a happy ending for a king.
May 17, 2011
Last night I finished the cutest little book, The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. It is the sweetest little story about how one day Queen Elizabeth is outside with her corgis and manages to wander into a mobile library. Well this magical moment ends up turning the Queen into a reader and I don't mean just any reader but an obsessed reader. The people around her do not take kindly to this because it seems to have a negative effect on the Queen - she is not as attentive to her duties as before. The ending is quite cheeky and leaves a smile on your face. The book only took three nights to read and that was because I did more sleeping than reading. Enjoy!
May 13, 2011
Well ladies and gentlemen there is a new trend coming to paranormal literature.... yep, you guessed it - MERMAIDS! According to an article in USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-05-12-mermaids-make-splash_n.htm) mermaids are where books and movies are heading. This summer's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will introduce several mermaids. Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight books, is currently working on a mermaid tale (pun intended). And there are several books out as we speak centering on mermaids:
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando
Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
These are just a few upcoming titles that are expected to take over the literary world very shortly. I guess since we have already done vampires and werewolves, mermaids are the only next logical solution. :)
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando
Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
These are just a few upcoming titles that are expected to take over the literary world very shortly. I guess since we have already done vampires and werewolves, mermaids are the only next logical solution. :)
May 10, 2011 - Guilty Pleasures...
For the most part I consider myself to be a "literary" person, I read a lot of books and a bunch of different genres, trying to expand my horizons. But with all of these literary escapes I am embarassed to admit that I absolutely the Sookie Stackhouse novels and the Anita Blake books. They are basically smut with vampires, werewolves and all sorts of other supernatural beings. I know this is so bad! I devour the books as soon as they hit the book aisles. I have read all 19 Anita Blake books and all 11 Sookie Stackhouse books. If you haven't heard of these books the Sookie books are what the HBO series True Blood is based off of.
I have to admit that I stayed up until 2:00am to finish the latest Sookie book, Dead Reckoning, which just came out last week. I read it in two days... yes, I know, I am slightly addicted. [sigh] But, if you are an adult and like the whole vampire thing (which all started with the Twilight craze, I know) these might be the right ones for you. In the Sookie books there tends to be a little heartbreak for Sookie and you feel her pain, so there is romance, supes, and everyday drama for humans and werepeople. Be warned though, they tend to be graphic and very bloody. Don't say I never told you...
Here is Barnes and Noble's synopsis:"There are some problems Sookie Stackhouse can't ignore; for example, the firebombing that she witnessed at Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Of course, true to form, our favorite telepath also has other dangerous things on her mind; for example, her Significant Other Eric Northman and his "child" Pam seem intent on killing their vampire master. As usual, things quickly become absorbingly complicated. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to have special gifts."
I have to admit that I stayed up until 2:00am to finish the latest Sookie book, Dead Reckoning, which just came out last week. I read it in two days... yes, I know, I am slightly addicted. [sigh] But, if you are an adult and like the whole vampire thing (which all started with the Twilight craze, I know) these might be the right ones for you. In the Sookie books there tends to be a little heartbreak for Sookie and you feel her pain, so there is romance, supes, and everyday drama for humans and werepeople. Be warned though, they tend to be graphic and very bloody. Don't say I never told you...
Here is Barnes and Noble's synopsis:"There are some problems Sookie Stackhouse can't ignore; for example, the firebombing that she witnessed at Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Of course, true to form, our favorite telepath also has other dangerous things on her mind; for example, her Significant Other Eric Northman and his "child" Pam seem intent on killing their vampire master. As usual, things quickly become absorbingly complicated. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to have special gifts."
May 9, 2011
You have to check out this link http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_matas.html. It is about this guy who works with Apple and together they designed this digital interactive book. The book just happens to be by Al Gore, his follow up to Inconvenient Truth. But the cool thing about it is all of the interactive components from pics, to videos, to diagrams and maps. It was amazing. In the photo that I attached he is "blowing" on the screen to make the windmill move on the screen. It is absolutely innovative and shows where we will be in the future.
April 29, 2011 - Hey, it is still National Poetry Month, so here's a poem for the day:
A Royal Wedding
I remembered to set my DVR
before I went to sleep.
I woke too late to take a peak
but I did have time to don
a skirt and clip on my pearls.
I couldn't survive the day in heels
so I wore my flats
but I did wear a ring
big enough to show some bling.
I didn't have a hat
for I'm sure that'd've been a hoot.
Now all that's left is to
catch glimpses on the PC
of all the royal revelry.
Congratuations,
William and Kate.
I remembered to set my DVR
before I went to sleep.
I woke too late to take a peak
but I did have time to don
a skirt and clip on my pearls.
I couldn't survive the day in heels
so I wore my flats
but I did wear a ring
big enough to show some bling.
I didn't have a hat
for I'm sure that'd've been a hoot.
Now all that's left is to
catch glimpses on the PC
of all the royal revelry.
Congratuations,
William and Kate.
April 23, 2011
Since I was off all last week and in bed due to a sinus surgery, I had a little time on my hands to do some reading. So much time in fact that I read this 567 page book in less than a week (trust me this never happens). A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is a book about witches, vampires, daemons, magic, alchemy, romance and much more.
Here is what Barnes and Noble has for a synopsis:
"A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism."
I rather enjoyed this book. It didn't take long at all to become emerged in the book and not want to put it down. And when I finished the book I was left whining for the next book, because it definately has a cliffhanger ending. The main character Diana is a bookish woman who falls into trouble just be grabbing the wrong book at the library, basically, but you also have to keep in mind that she is a witch and nothing is ever innocent. I highly recommend this book for adults who like Harry Potter, Nicolas Flamel, and Twilight. This will keep you reading that is for sure!
Here is what Barnes and Noble has for a synopsis:
"A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism."
I rather enjoyed this book. It didn't take long at all to become emerged in the book and not want to put it down. And when I finished the book I was left whining for the next book, because it definately has a cliffhanger ending. The main character Diana is a bookish woman who falls into trouble just be grabbing the wrong book at the library, basically, but you also have to keep in mind that she is a witch and nothing is ever innocent. I highly recommend this book for adults who like Harry Potter, Nicolas Flamel, and Twilight. This will keep you reading that is for sure!
Today is Donate a Book Day!
Today is now Donate-A-Book day. If you have books that are overflowing your bookshelves pass them on to someone who could use them and love them just as you once did.
Happy National Bookmobile Day!
On the Wednesday of National Library Week is National Bookmobile Day! This was started in 2010 and it recognizes and celebrates the role of bookmobiles (libraries on wheels) and outreach services in fulfilling the mission of libraries.
This has been part of America's library services for over 100 years!
So support libraries wherever you are and if you are too far see if you have a local bookmobile that will come on by.
This has been part of America's library services for over 100 years!
So support libraries wherever you are and if you are too far see if you have a local bookmobile that will come on by.
Books in my Mailbox.
Very soon I will be starting a new section on my blog called Books in my Mailbox. To many people this is not a new concept and it is by no means my own original idea. How it works is that every time I get a book in the mail, I will read it and then review it on my blog. That is as simple as it is.
This week alone I was shipped two books. One I had signed up to review off a website and the other one I won in a contest from ReadingGroupGuides.com. I am so excited because I never really win anything. :)
So, keep your eyes open for new postings about the books I have coming my way and I will tell you all about them.
This week alone I was shipped two books. One I had signed up to review off a website and the other one I won in a contest from ReadingGroupGuides.com. I am so excited because I never really win anything. :)
So, keep your eyes open for new postings about the books I have coming my way and I will tell you all about them.
April 13, 2011
Since April is National Poetry Month I thought I would post a few beautiful poems that I found online. I am a fan of Emily Dickenson personally so I thought the nature poem of the hummingbird was simple and yet elegant. In high school I used to write poetry daily, it was therapeutic for me and created an escape from the daily life of being a teenager. Now, unfortunately I don't have much time to delve into that world of poetry so I though this post might help me remember a bit. So, take a minute grab a little bit of poetry and ease into the words and get lost within the rhyme.
Here is an Emily DIckinson that will help get you in the mood, enjoy!
WITH A FLOWER.
by Emily Dickinson
I hide myself within my flower,
That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too --
And angels know the rest.
I hide myself within my flower,
That, fading from your vase,
You, unsuspecting, feel for me
Almost a loneliness.
Here is an Emily DIckinson that will help get you in the mood, enjoy!
WITH A FLOWER.
by Emily Dickinson
I hide myself within my flower,
That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too --
And angels know the rest.
I hide myself within my flower,
That, fading from your vase,
You, unsuspecting, feel for me
Almost a loneliness.
April 6, 2011
I finished the book Trapped by Michael Northup late last night. It is a young adult book and it was pretty good. It is a little slow in parts but the over all message was well received. Northup does a good job putting the reader in the school trapped, with the walls literally getting closer and closer. My favorite aspect of the book had to be how at the beginning of each chapter there is snow on the page and as you read the "snow" = the white on the page keeps getting higher and higher until the entire page is white. I thought that was so clever, subtle enough so that maybe not everyone would notice it but if you did you would smile.
The only problem I had with the book was the ending. I won't give it away but it seemed way to abrupt for me. There was such a build up for such a long period of time that to have it cut off so fast was a bit disappointing. I almost feel like there should have been an epilogue to tell you how they all made out and the repercussions they may have faced for wrecking the school to survive. These are just my thoughts please don't hate me if you don't agree, lol.
Overall I would recommend this book to some of my students, the ones who are patient enough to read it.
The only problem I had with the book was the ending. I won't give it away but it seemed way to abrupt for me. There was such a build up for such a long period of time that to have it cut off so fast was a bit disappointing. I almost feel like there should have been an epilogue to tell you how they all made out and the repercussions they may have faced for wrecking the school to survive. These are just my thoughts please don't hate me if you don't agree, lol.
Overall I would recommend this book to some of my students, the ones who are patient enough to read it.
Was Julia Child a spy?
I cannot wait to read this book A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS by Jennet Conant. Last year I was in a little bit of a Julia Child obsession so I think this book would be really neat to read. I loved Julia's book My Life in France and of course the movie Julie and Julia. I find it interesting that this author has another book called The Irregulars looking into the fact if Roald Dahl was in fact a spy as well. I love conspiracy theories that revolve around authors. How cool is that?
Vanity Plates...
While leaving the doctor's office the other day I strolled by this jeep and just had to take a picture. :)
April 4, 2011
Today I thought I would share with you one of my most prized possessions. This is my leather book journal that I started back in 2003. I bought it on a whim one day while browsing Barnes and Noble, it was more than I should have paid but to this day I don't regret it because it has held up so well.
In this journal I put the names of all the books I read, the date I finished reading it, the author and then a brief synopsis with my reflections on the book. But also I sometimes put quotes, pictures, magazine articles on books, and even signatures from authors that I have met. After every book club meeting I write down all the details from our gathering and then of course the title of the new book. I absolutely love this journal and it is the only journal that I have used faithfully over the last eight years. I am sorry to say that I am actually coming near the end of the pages and will have to buy a new one in the not so distant future, so I hope I can find one that will be just as special.
In this journal I put the names of all the books I read, the date I finished reading it, the author and then a brief synopsis with my reflections on the book. But also I sometimes put quotes, pictures, magazine articles on books, and even signatures from authors that I have met. After every book club meeting I write down all the details from our gathering and then of course the title of the new book. I absolutely love this journal and it is the only journal that I have used faithfully over the last eight years. I am sorry to say that I am actually coming near the end of the pages and will have to buy a new one in the not so distant future, so I hope I can find one that will be just as special.
Empire State Book Festival ~ April 2, 2011, Albany, NY
This past Saturday was the Empire State Book Festival in Albany at the Concourse. I was able to go by the skin of my teeth this year (my husband was on the injured list) but my friend Melinda and I had such a great time. The day started with Ann M. Martin (photo below on the right) who wrote The Babysitter's Club series, that I loved as a kid. I was not able to see all of the panel discussions that I wanted to but I did get my books signed, well most of them. I was able to meet Laurie Halse Anderson (photo below on the left) and she was a delight to talk to. I was also lucky enough to chat with Shannon Delaney who wrote 13 to Life. She gave me a small poster, bookmarks, pins, a business card and since I was the only one in line I was able to chit chat with her for a few minutes, she was so sweet. I met up with Frank Delaney,again, and told him how I was one of the readers whose email was lost (he responded 9 months later, lol) and he said "oh, yes, did you get my response." He was so nice about it and he went on to say how he responds to each and every email he gets from his readers so that if that ever happens again you know something went wrong and to try writing again.
Melinda and I were there until 2:00pm and then decided to go to TGIF's for lunch where we both had the parmesan crusted chicken breast with 3 cheese pasta with spinach alfredo, top if off with a Blackberry Long Island Ice Tea and it was a beautiful day. :)
Melinda and I were there until 2:00pm and then decided to go to TGIF's for lunch where we both had the parmesan crusted chicken breast with 3 cheese pasta with spinach alfredo, top if off with a Blackberry Long Island Ice Tea and it was a beautiful day. :)
This could be my dog.
I knew Finnegan was stealing my books at night while I slept. Man, first the husband and now the dog, grrrrr....
Wait, one more thing...
Earlier I posted about Steig Larsson's books and I just saw that there might be a 4th book to the series. Check out the article, the idea of the book sounds really cool, literally. :)
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/03/28/fourth-stieg-larsson-novel/
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/03/28/fourth-stieg-larsson-novel/
Stay tuned...
It is time for a field trip!
Tomorrow is the Empire State Book Festival. I have been looking forward to this for months and I am so excited, I went last year and it was great.
So, stay tuned for a full run down as to who I saw, what got signed and how great of a time I had.
Tomorrow is the Empire State Book Festival. I have been looking forward to this for months and I am so excited, I went last year and it was great.
So, stay tuned for a full run down as to who I saw, what got signed and how great of a time I had.
April 1, 2011
While looking online through the USA Today website I stumbled upon two articles dealing with Nordic Noir. Of course I had never heard of this term/genre so I had to sift through the article. Basically "Nordic Noir" is a genre of Scandinavian Crime Fiction, which has been made popular thanks to Steig Larsson's Millenium Trilogy - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Those who have read and finished these books are on the look out for new ones to fill the void. If you are one of these people then check out USA Today's link which lists some book titles, their synopsis and how they are similar to the Larsson books. Let me know what you think... http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-03-31-nordiccharticle31_ST_N.htm
March 31, 2011
Last night I read an interesting article in the December 13, 2010 issue of Newsweek, "Love, Amish Style: These Novels Raise Questions About Modern Life." This article was about Amish fiction which is referred to as "bonnet fiction." Beverly Lewis being the most popular amish fiction writer at the moment. This genre of books are modeled on "bodice rippers" that women have been reading for years, but in the bonnet fiction "passion is besides the point. The aspiration here, for the Amish heroine (and by extension her readers) is inner peace, a stable and cohesive community, and obedient children - the result of a right relationship with God." There is still the search for love but it keeps the passionate love behind closed doors and private. I find it interesting that the people who most read these books are Christian women who buy the books at Walmart. (It must be true because at my local Walmart there is a large section for these books.) The article goes on to say that women read these books because they want an escape from our fast paced world and go into a world of calm, quiet and love; a world with no internet or texting and a place where dinner is held at the table with conversation and no interruptions. I have yet to read one of these books but I will admit I have been tempted many times to grab one and give it a try. Maybe this summer...
If you would like to read the article here is the link: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/02/books-amish-romance-novels.html
If you would like to read the article here is the link: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/02/books-amish-romance-novels.html
March 29, 2011
Synopsis according to Barnes and Noble: "The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive.... Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision...."
I started this book last night and let me tell you I have chills already, literally. The idea of being snowed in for days due to a nor'easter gone crazy...yikes!! And to be snowed in in your school is just a nightmare, there is just nowhere really comfortable to settle, lol.
Well being a young adult book it should not take me long to finish so I will update you as to how much I liked it when I am done. Plus a possible snow storm over the next few days, I might just be snowed in and have to read about being trapped in snow...oh boy!
Stay tuned...
I started this book last night and let me tell you I have chills already, literally. The idea of being snowed in for days due to a nor'easter gone crazy...yikes!! And to be snowed in in your school is just a nightmare, there is just nowhere really comfortable to settle, lol.
Well being a young adult book it should not take me long to finish so I will update you as to how much I liked it when I am done. Plus a possible snow storm over the next few days, I might just be snowed in and have to read about being trapped in snow...oh boy!
Stay tuned...
March 28, 2011
I managed to read this book in only two days and it was wonderful. Here is the synopsis by Barnes and Noble "All her life, Cassia has never had a choice. The Society dictates everything: when and how to play, where to work, where to live, what to eat and wear, when to die, and most importantly to Cassia as she turns 17, who to marry. When she is Matched with her best friend Xander, things couldn't be more perfect. But why did her neighbor Ky's face show up on her match disk as well? She's told it was an error, but something once noticed clamors for attention, and now Cassia can't look away. Ky has many secrets, but the most stunning to Cassia is something she never suspected still existed: creativity. As they fall in love, Cassia's eyes are opened to the truth of the Society, and she knows she can no longer blindly follow its dictates. But the Society isn't through with them, and things get much, much uglier. Condie's enthralling and twisty dystopian plot is well served by her intriguing characters and fine writing. While the ending is unresolved (the book is first in a trilogy), Cassia's metamorphosis is gripping and satisfying.
Here are a couple snippets from reviews and they sum it all up:
"Matched is a page-turning, dystopian love story, written with the soul of a poet. Finally, a brave new world that readers from Twilight to The Hunger Games will claim as their own." - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
"This futuristic fable of love and free will asks: Canthere be freedom without choice? The tale of Cassia's journey from acceptance to rebellion will draw you in and leave you wanting more." - Cassandra Clare
If you liked The Hunger Games then this book is for you. It is a wonderful story of love in a society that controls everything about your life; where you live, what you do for work, who you love, etc. This book makes you realize that you should be grateful for the freedoms that you have. The choices you can make.
Here are a couple snippets from reviews and they sum it all up:
"Matched is a page-turning, dystopian love story, written with the soul of a poet. Finally, a brave new world that readers from Twilight to The Hunger Games will claim as their own." - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
"This futuristic fable of love and free will asks: Canthere be freedom without choice? The tale of Cassia's journey from acceptance to rebellion will draw you in and leave you wanting more." - Cassandra Clare
If you liked The Hunger Games then this book is for you. It is a wonderful story of love in a society that controls everything about your life; where you live, what you do for work, who you love, etc. This book makes you realize that you should be grateful for the freedoms that you have. The choices you can make.
March 26, 2011
I finally was able to finish this book this weekend and it was wonderful. The ending was so bittersweet that I almost cried. You had this whole build up of characters and the love between them all during Nazi Germany with the Holocaust as a backdrop. The main character Leisel is such a strong, remarkable character that you can't help but fall in love with her. Her love of books takes up a huge part of the plot but not all of it. We love her and her friends only to watch them one by one be effected by the Fuhrer's reign. I loved this book! I recommend it to every and anyone.
March 25, 2011
Well I finished the book and I liked it. There was quite a cliffhanger ending but luckily there is a sequel, Sapphique out now. The whole idea of the book is of this society that is futuristic but is forced to live as if it were a medieval time period, basically they have technology but can't really use it. The problem is that in this society there is a prison that was created to hold all the "bad" people of the society. This prison though is alive, it thinks, it moves, it plots, it kills and it recycles.
Overall I thought this was a good book. There really weren't any slow spots and the book moves at a quick pace right up until the end where you wish you had the second book immediately. I recommend it for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games. Definately a Dystopian story.
Overall I thought this was a good book. There really weren't any slow spots and the book moves at a quick pace right up until the end where you wish you had the second book immediately. I recommend it for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games. Definately a Dystopian story.
March 24, 2011
The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy
I requested this book Friday of last week because Ms. Odean recommended it during her workshop. I picked it up at my local library last night and read half last night and the other half this morning. (trust me it was a very fast read). Here is how Barnes and Noble describes it: "This book tells the true story of what happened to a 12-year-old girl named Jutta (Debbie Levy’s mother) in 1938. Actual entries in a posiealbum (autograph book) serve as stepping stones in a crucial year in history, when people of Jewish ancestry in Germany and Austria were systematically stripped of their rights, subjected to violence, and arrested without cause. Jutta was one of the lucky ones who escaped to America before the rising tide of violence erupted into World War II and the tragedy of the Holocaust. Remembrances from Jutta's friends and relatives introduce chapters, written in verse form, that describe her experiences—many of them typical of any teenager anywhere—and report some of the history of the era. Debbie wrote these verses in consultation with her mother to reflect her voice, feelings, and thoughts as she was living through this memorable year. The book also includes excerpts from Jutta’s diary. Together the poesie writings, verses and diary entries reflect a year of change and chance, confusion and cruelty. Most of all, they describe a year of goodbyes."
I found this book to be bittersweet. I thought the idea of a posiealbum was very sweet and rather sophisticated for a twelve year old, but I guess at that time they were more little adults than today's tweens. It was interesting how the author mixed the little messages of her mother's album with poetry that she wrote based on her mother's explination of that time, basically what was really going on in her life then. Jutta was one of the lucky ones to get out before the Holocaust but barely and she lost many loved ones in the process, whether it was to the Nazi's or because of them. I think this is an interesting way to broach the subject of the Holocaust - I will definately add it to my list of Holocaust Literature to use when I teach the unit. What I didn't realize about Jewish people trying to leave Germany at that time was all the documention they had to have to leave Germany and to enter the US. Here are two links to see the list of requirements, it seems nearly impossible...
http://www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators/workshop/pdf/emigration.pdf and http://www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators/workshop/pdf/immigrationvisas.pdf
I requested this book Friday of last week because Ms. Odean recommended it during her workshop. I picked it up at my local library last night and read half last night and the other half this morning. (trust me it was a very fast read). Here is how Barnes and Noble describes it: "This book tells the true story of what happened to a 12-year-old girl named Jutta (Debbie Levy’s mother) in 1938. Actual entries in a posiealbum (autograph book) serve as stepping stones in a crucial year in history, when people of Jewish ancestry in Germany and Austria were systematically stripped of their rights, subjected to violence, and arrested without cause. Jutta was one of the lucky ones who escaped to America before the rising tide of violence erupted into World War II and the tragedy of the Holocaust. Remembrances from Jutta's friends and relatives introduce chapters, written in verse form, that describe her experiences—many of them typical of any teenager anywhere—and report some of the history of the era. Debbie wrote these verses in consultation with her mother to reflect her voice, feelings, and thoughts as she was living through this memorable year. The book also includes excerpts from Jutta’s diary. Together the poesie writings, verses and diary entries reflect a year of change and chance, confusion and cruelty. Most of all, they describe a year of goodbyes."
I found this book to be bittersweet. I thought the idea of a posiealbum was very sweet and rather sophisticated for a twelve year old, but I guess at that time they were more little adults than today's tweens. It was interesting how the author mixed the little messages of her mother's album with poetry that she wrote based on her mother's explination of that time, basically what was really going on in her life then. Jutta was one of the lucky ones to get out before the Holocaust but barely and she lost many loved ones in the process, whether it was to the Nazi's or because of them. I think this is an interesting way to broach the subject of the Holocaust - I will definately add it to my list of Holocaust Literature to use when I teach the unit. What I didn't realize about Jewish people trying to leave Germany at that time was all the documention they had to have to leave Germany and to enter the US. Here are two links to see the list of requirements, it seems nearly impossible...
http://www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators/workshop/pdf/emigration.pdf and http://www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators/workshop/pdf/immigrationvisas.pdf
Books give you wings...
Ok, got a little creative again today. Not my original idea of the girl with the bookwings, but I went a bit farther with it... this is my interpretation and my quote, lol. Sorry the quality isn't better. My camera is still broken so I took this on my cellphone, not too bad considering.
A Bit Crafty...
Every now and then I a get a bit crafty. This was a frame I made last year using pictures from the ALA catalog. I don't know if you can see the words in the background but it is the definition of the word read out of the dictionary. And yes that is a picture of my son reading in the middle. He was a reader from birth :)
Which of the top 100 have you read?
So which of Betsy Bird’s Top 100 Children’s Novels have you read? Bold the titles of any books you have read. I may have read more of the titles when I was younger but since I can't remember for sure I thought I would be honest :) Altough, I do have many of them in my library...
100. The Egypt Game – Snyder (1967)
99. The Indian in the Cupboard – Banks (1980)
98. Children of Green Knowe – Boston (1954)
97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane – DiCamillo (2006)
96. The Witches – Dahl (1983)
95. Pippi Longstocking – Lindgren (1950)
94. Swallows and Amazons – Ransome (1930)
93. Caddie Woodlawn – Brink (1935)
92. Ella Enchanted – Levine (1997)
91. Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Sachar (1978)
90. Sarah, Plain and Tall – MacLachlan (1985)
89. Ramona and Her Father – Cleary (1977)
88. The High King – Alexander (1968)
87. The View from Saturday – Konigsburg (1996)
86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rowling (1999)
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek – Wilder (1937)
84. The Little White Horse – Goudge (1946)
83. The Thief – Turner (1997)
82. The Book of Three – Alexander (1964)
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon – Lin (2009)
80. The Graveyard Book – Gaiman (2008)
79. All-of-a-Kind-Family – Taylor (1951)
78. Johnny Tremain – Forbes (1943)
77. The City of Ember – DuPrau (2003)
76. Out of the Dust – Hesse (1997)
75. Love That Dog – Creech (2001)
74. The Borrowers – Norton (1953)
73. My Side of the Mountain – George (1959)
72. My Father’s Dragon – Gannett (1948)
71. The Bad Beginning – Snicket (1999)
70. Betsy-Tacy – Lovelae (1940)
69. The Mysterious Benedict Society – Stewart ( 2007)
68. Walk Two Moons – Creech (1994)
67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher – Coville (1991)
66. Henry Huggins – Cleary (1950)
65. Ballet Shoes – Stratfeild (1936)
64. A Long Way from Chicago – Peck (1998)
63. Gone-Away Lake – Enright (1957)
62. The Secret of the Old Clock – Keene (1959)
61. Stargirl – Spinelli (2000)
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle – Avi (1990)
59. Inkheart – Funke (2003)
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – Aiken (1962)
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 – Cleary (1981)
56. Number the Stars – Lowry (1989)
55. The Great Gilly Hopkins – Paterson (1978)
54. The BFG – Dahl (1982)
53. Wind in the Willows – Grahame (1908)
52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
51. The Saturdays – Enright (1941)
50. Island of the Blue Dolphins – O’Dell (1960)
49. Frindle – Clements (1996)
48. The Penderwicks – Birdsall (2005)
47. Bud, Not Buddy – Curtis (1999)
46. Where the Red Fern Grows – Rawls (1961)
45. The Golden Compass – Pullman (1995)
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing – Blume (1972)
43. Ramona the Pest – Cleary (1968)
42. Little House on the Prairie – Wilder (1935)
41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond – Speare (1958)
40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Baum (1900)
39. When You Reach Me – Stead (2009)
38. HP and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling (2003)
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Taylor (1976)
36. Are You there, God? It’s Me, Margaret – Blume (1970)
35. HP and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling (2000)
34. The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – Curtis (1995)
33. James and the Giant Peach – Dahl (1961)
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – O’Brian (1971)
31. Half Magic – Eager (1954)
30. Winnie-the-Pooh – Milne (1926)
29. The Dark Is Rising – Cooper (1973)
28. A Little Princess – Burnett (1905)
27. Alice I and II – Carroll (1865/72)
26. Hatchet – Paulsen (1989)
25. Little Women – Alcott (1868/9)
24. HP and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling (2007)
23. Little House in the Big Woods – Wilder (1932)
22. The Tale of Despereaux – DiCamillo (2003)
21. The Lightening Thief – Riordan (2005)
20. Tuck Everlasting – Babbitt (1975)
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Dahl (1964)
18. Matilda – Dahl (1988)
17. Maniac Magee – Spinelli (1990)
16. Harriet the Spy – Fitzhugh (1964)
15. Because of Winn-Dixie – DiCamillo (2000)
14. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Rowling (1999)
13. Bridge to Terabithia – Paterson (1977)
12. The Hobbit – Tolkien (1938)-I am checking this one off because I have tried to read it no less than 15 times since the age of ten. I have never been able to get more than halfway through without quitting!
11. The Westing Game – Raskin (1978)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth – Juster (1961)
9. Anne of Green Gables – Montgomery (1908)
8. The Secret Garden – Burnett (1911)
7. The Giver -Lowry (1993)
6. Holes – Sachar (1998)
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler – Koningsburg (1967)
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Lewis (1950)
3. Harry Potter #1 – Rowling (1997)
2. A Wrinkle in Time – L’Engle (1962)
1. Charlotte’s Web – White (1952)
100. The Egypt Game – Snyder (1967)
99. The Indian in the Cupboard – Banks (1980)
98. Children of Green Knowe – Boston (1954)
97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane – DiCamillo (2006)
96. The Witches – Dahl (1983)
95. Pippi Longstocking – Lindgren (1950)
94. Swallows and Amazons – Ransome (1930)
93. Caddie Woodlawn – Brink (1935)
92. Ella Enchanted – Levine (1997)
91. Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Sachar (1978)
90. Sarah, Plain and Tall – MacLachlan (1985)
89. Ramona and Her Father – Cleary (1977)
88. The High King – Alexander (1968)
87. The View from Saturday – Konigsburg (1996)
86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rowling (1999)
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek – Wilder (1937)
84. The Little White Horse – Goudge (1946)
83. The Thief – Turner (1997)
82. The Book of Three – Alexander (1964)
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon – Lin (2009)
80. The Graveyard Book – Gaiman (2008)
79. All-of-a-Kind-Family – Taylor (1951)
78. Johnny Tremain – Forbes (1943)
77. The City of Ember – DuPrau (2003)
76. Out of the Dust – Hesse (1997)
75. Love That Dog – Creech (2001)
74. The Borrowers – Norton (1953)
73. My Side of the Mountain – George (1959)
72. My Father’s Dragon – Gannett (1948)
71. The Bad Beginning – Snicket (1999)
70. Betsy-Tacy – Lovelae (1940)
69. The Mysterious Benedict Society – Stewart ( 2007)
68. Walk Two Moons – Creech (1994)
67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher – Coville (1991)
66. Henry Huggins – Cleary (1950)
65. Ballet Shoes – Stratfeild (1936)
64. A Long Way from Chicago – Peck (1998)
63. Gone-Away Lake – Enright (1957)
62. The Secret of the Old Clock – Keene (1959)
61. Stargirl – Spinelli (2000)
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle – Avi (1990)
59. Inkheart – Funke (2003)
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – Aiken (1962)
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 – Cleary (1981)
56. Number the Stars – Lowry (1989)
55. The Great Gilly Hopkins – Paterson (1978)
54. The BFG – Dahl (1982)
53. Wind in the Willows – Grahame (1908)
52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
51. The Saturdays – Enright (1941)
50. Island of the Blue Dolphins – O’Dell (1960)
49. Frindle – Clements (1996)
48. The Penderwicks – Birdsall (2005)
47. Bud, Not Buddy – Curtis (1999)
46. Where the Red Fern Grows – Rawls (1961)
45. The Golden Compass – Pullman (1995)
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing – Blume (1972)
43. Ramona the Pest – Cleary (1968)
42. Little House on the Prairie – Wilder (1935)
41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond – Speare (1958)
40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Baum (1900)
39. When You Reach Me – Stead (2009)
38. HP and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling (2003)
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Taylor (1976)
36. Are You there, God? It’s Me, Margaret – Blume (1970)
35. HP and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling (2000)
34. The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – Curtis (1995)
33. James and the Giant Peach – Dahl (1961)
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – O’Brian (1971)
31. Half Magic – Eager (1954)
30. Winnie-the-Pooh – Milne (1926)
29. The Dark Is Rising – Cooper (1973)
28. A Little Princess – Burnett (1905)
27. Alice I and II – Carroll (1865/72)
26. Hatchet – Paulsen (1989)
25. Little Women – Alcott (1868/9)
24. HP and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling (2007)
23. Little House in the Big Woods – Wilder (1932)
22. The Tale of Despereaux – DiCamillo (2003)
21. The Lightening Thief – Riordan (2005)
20. Tuck Everlasting – Babbitt (1975)
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Dahl (1964)
18. Matilda – Dahl (1988)
17. Maniac Magee – Spinelli (1990)
16. Harriet the Spy – Fitzhugh (1964)
15. Because of Winn-Dixie – DiCamillo (2000)
14. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Rowling (1999)
13. Bridge to Terabithia – Paterson (1977)
12. The Hobbit – Tolkien (1938)-I am checking this one off because I have tried to read it no less than 15 times since the age of ten. I have never been able to get more than halfway through without quitting!
11. The Westing Game – Raskin (1978)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth – Juster (1961)
9. Anne of Green Gables – Montgomery (1908)
8. The Secret Garden – Burnett (1911)
7. The Giver -Lowry (1993)
6. Holes – Sachar (1998)
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler – Koningsburg (1967)
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Lewis (1950)
3. Harry Potter #1 – Rowling (1997)
2. A Wrinkle in Time – L’Engle (1962)
1. Charlotte’s Web – White (1952)
March 23, 2011
I was surfing the internet today, checking out other blog pages and I stumbled upon this one. The blog is called "Life is short. Read Fast." and on the blog she made a challenge for the 2011 year to read 111 books in one year. I thought it was a great idea but I have no idea if I can manage it. I was only able to read 34 books last year but I guess if you could cound children's books as well that it could maybe work. What do you think? Do you think you could handle the challenge? If not how many books do you think you could read within the next year?
Here is the website if you want to check it out:
http://lifeisshort-readfast.blogspot.com/2010/12/111-in-11-challenge.html
Here is the website if you want to check it out:
http://lifeisshort-readfast.blogspot.com/2010/12/111-in-11-challenge.html
March 22, 2011
While surfing the internet today I stumbled across this site. The idea is "the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list."
This weeks topic was ""Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"
My answer: I usually try to read one book at a time but sometimes I have to make an exception to my rule. Being a teacher I sometimes have to read a book for work and make questions up while I read, which means I can't read in bed and write up the questions. Therefore I read that book at school or work and I read my personal choice at home before bedtime. :) That way I get the best of both worlds.
This weeks topic was ""Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"
My answer: I usually try to read one book at a time but sometimes I have to make an exception to my rule. Being a teacher I sometimes have to read a book for work and make questions up while I read, which means I can't read in bed and write up the questions. Therefore I read that book at school or work and I read my personal choice at home before bedtime. :) That way I get the best of both worlds.
March 21, 2011
Well I was a naughty girl last week. Our school was having its yearly Scholastic Book Fair and I just had to take a peek. Of course, peeking led to browsing and browsing led to reading and reading led to.... you guessed it, BUYING!! But, I bought one book for me and one for my son for his birthday so they should scratch each other out and I should be guilt-free, right?
Ok I feel only a little guilty but oh well, it is for a good cause. This book was suggested at the YA workshop I went to last week. It is about a prison that is alive and the fight one man takes to get out while one girl tries to get it. At first I didn't think it would be my type of book but now it is starting to feel a little like The Hunger Games series. Which was wonderful, by the way. So, I am giving it a try and shall wait and see...
Ok I feel only a little guilty but oh well, it is for a good cause. This book was suggested at the YA workshop I went to last week. It is about a prison that is alive and the fight one man takes to get out while one girl tries to get it. At first I didn't think it would be my type of book but now it is starting to feel a little like The Hunger Games series. Which was wonderful, by the way. So, I am giving it a try and shall wait and see...
March 20, 2011
This month's edition of The O Magazine is wonderful! The entire thing is dedicated to poetry. Can it get any better? It is full of poetry, interviews with poets, quotes from famous people about poetry, etc. There is even a section about journals and journaling, featuring some excerpts from Oprah's own journals over the years. It was neat to find out that Oprah has been journaling on a regular basis since she was a child - can you believe it?
I have subscribed to Oprah's magazine from the start and I have to say this is probably one of the best issues to date. It was packed full of interesting information and articles but also I found the photos and pictures to be quite beautiful in this edition. Well worth the cover price let me tell you. :)
I have subscribed to Oprah's magazine from the start and I have to say this is probably one of the best issues to date. It was packed full of interesting information and articles but also I found the photos and pictures to be quite beautiful in this edition. Well worth the cover price let me tell you. :)
March 19, 2011
I saw this movie over the weekend. I have had the DVD for over a year now and had not seen it. I had some down time because my son was sick and sleeping so I decided to pop it in. Let me tell you... I LOVED IT! It was witty, funny, informational and inspiring. Meryl Streep protrayed Julia Child to a T and was marvelous. That woman truly can act and portray anyone; think about all the different characters she has done and all the different accents she has had to master. She is by far one of the most talented actresses of all time. Even my husband liked this movie, of course that could have been because the third main character was food, but... I digress.
If you need a funny, uplifting movie this is the one for you. I know it is a little old seeing as how it was one of last years big films but trust me you will not be disappointed.
If you need a funny, uplifting movie this is the one for you. I know it is a little old seeing as how it was one of last years big films but trust me you will not be disappointed.
March 18, 2011
I want to start out by wishing everyone a belated Happy St. Patrick's Day . Well sorry it has taken me so long to write. Monday I was sick, Tuesday and Wednesday my son was sick with a 100/101 temperature, and yesterday I went to a workshop by Kathleen Odean.
I went to her workshop last year and it was wonderful. Kathleen, a librarian, is an expert on young adult literature and she travels the country giving workshops on the "hot" books for kids right now. She covers so many titles and has a bunch of neat tricks to show us to get kids involved and actively reading. She also showed us how we could make a book related avatar which I did today and just had to share. Kathleen had such great reading suggestions that I can't wait to get started!
I went to her workshop last year and it was wonderful. Kathleen, a librarian, is an expert on young adult literature and she travels the country giving workshops on the "hot" books for kids right now. She covers so many titles and has a bunch of neat tricks to show us to get kids involved and actively reading. She also showed us how we could make a book related avatar which I did today and just had to share. Kathleen had such great reading suggestions that I can't wait to get started!
March 11, 2011
Ok, so I got a wee bit bored yesterday and decided to draw. I colored it today. Do you see the fairy reading in the grass?
March 10, 2011
A friend sent me an email forwarding me the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter and in it was written this statement. I found it too perfect to not share with me "readers". Happy Reading!
"March is the bridge month between winter and spring. In most parts of the country, there’s still some time to lay a fire in the fireplace and curl up with a book, but there are also days where you feel the sun shining brightly and a few birds starting to chirp, and you realize spring IS on the way. The clocks change this weekend, which means we get one less hour to read, but somehow the words "Daylight Saving Time" just seems to brighten my mood."
"March is the bridge month between winter and spring. In most parts of the country, there’s still some time to lay a fire in the fireplace and curl up with a book, but there are also days where you feel the sun shining brightly and a few birds starting to chirp, and you realize spring IS on the way. The clocks change this weekend, which means we get one less hour to read, but somehow the words "Daylight Saving Time" just seems to brighten my mood."
mar·gi·na·li·a (märj-nl-) pl.n. Notes in the margin or margins of a book.
March 9, 2011
A few nights ago, a friend of mine gave me an article from The New York Times Magazine entitled "What I Really Want is Someone Rolling Around in the Text: It's a brave new dawn for marginalia: I'll show you my scribbles if you show me yours." The entire article is devoted to the notion of marginalia - the writing of notes in a book. I have been doing this for years never realizing it had an official term! I just thought I was a nerd. I developed the habit in college. Being an English major I had to read several books a week and yet keep them all straight. So, what I did was take notes in the book, underline important things and quotes that I might need to use in class. Well I have been out of college for five years now and I still have to take notes even if it is for pleasure reading. It is a habit that won't die, I cannot read a book without having a pencil or sticky notes close by.
The author of the article also talks about the effect that e-books will have on the art of marginalia. Well I happen to own a NOOK so I can explain how I still manage. Basically what I do is keep a small notepad either in my Nook's case or close by on my bedstand and I take notes on paper keeping track of page numbers from the "book." It is hard not being able to underline the text and it may not be as accurate for reference in the future, depending on if I were going to look up page numbers in a paperbook or in the NOOK, but other than that it should not be a problem. Yes, it will take a little bit of time and effort but if you are anything like me you will be compelled to take notes whether it is on the page or about the page. I replace one for the other depending on what I am reading, the same goes if it were a library book - take notes and jot down page numbers because you better not write in the book! :) Here is the website if you want to check out the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/magazine/06Riff-t.html?pagewanted=all
A few nights ago, a friend of mine gave me an article from The New York Times Magazine entitled "What I Really Want is Someone Rolling Around in the Text: It's a brave new dawn for marginalia: I'll show you my scribbles if you show me yours." The entire article is devoted to the notion of marginalia - the writing of notes in a book. I have been doing this for years never realizing it had an official term! I just thought I was a nerd. I developed the habit in college. Being an English major I had to read several books a week and yet keep them all straight. So, what I did was take notes in the book, underline important things and quotes that I might need to use in class. Well I have been out of college for five years now and I still have to take notes even if it is for pleasure reading. It is a habit that won't die, I cannot read a book without having a pencil or sticky notes close by.
The author of the article also talks about the effect that e-books will have on the art of marginalia. Well I happen to own a NOOK so I can explain how I still manage. Basically what I do is keep a small notepad either in my Nook's case or close by on my bedstand and I take notes on paper keeping track of page numbers from the "book." It is hard not being able to underline the text and it may not be as accurate for reference in the future, depending on if I were going to look up page numbers in a paperbook or in the NOOK, but other than that it should not be a problem. Yes, it will take a little bit of time and effort but if you are anything like me you will be compelled to take notes whether it is on the page or about the page. I replace one for the other depending on what I am reading, the same goes if it were a library book - take notes and jot down page numbers because you better not write in the book! :) Here is the website if you want to check out the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/magazine/06Riff-t.html?pagewanted=all
March 9, 2011
It is funny how well people know me. My husband's parents and sister just returned from a skiiing trip to Alaska. They were sweet enough to bring us some souvenirs. My sister-in-law must know me well enough that she bought me a stained glass polar bear book mark :)
March 5, 2011
I braved another quick jog to the library today. I had 3 books shipped in from other libraries and I wanted to get them before the work week started. These were my requests:
1. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
2. How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
3. Great Graves of Upstate New York by Chuck D'Imperio
The Pioneer Woman I had read about in several magazines and wanted to give it a try. The only problem is that it is a 14 day loan item and I only have 2 weeks to read it. Chances are slim that I can get it all done before then so I might have to request it again another time.
The second book, How to Buy a Love of Reading, I had read about on another bloggers site. It sounds like it could be a good read. It's about parents who try everything to turn their daughter into a reader but have no luck. They even hire a person to write a book that the daughter won't be able to turn down since it is based on all fo her favorite things.
Now the third book I wanted to take a peek at because the author is scheduled to appear at the Empire Book Festival in Albany next month and I wanted to see if it'd be worth checking out. He is based out of Oneonta so he might be an idea for a school visit, or at least a good source for my project.
1. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
2. How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
3. Great Graves of Upstate New York by Chuck D'Imperio
The Pioneer Woman I had read about in several magazines and wanted to give it a try. The only problem is that it is a 14 day loan item and I only have 2 weeks to read it. Chances are slim that I can get it all done before then so I might have to request it again another time.
The second book, How to Buy a Love of Reading, I had read about on another bloggers site. It sounds like it could be a good read. It's about parents who try everything to turn their daughter into a reader but have no luck. They even hire a person to write a book that the daughter won't be able to turn down since it is based on all fo her favorite things.
Now the third book I wanted to take a peek at because the author is scheduled to appear at the Empire Book Festival in Albany next month and I wanted to see if it'd be worth checking out. He is based out of Oneonta so he might be an idea for a school visit, or at least a good source for my project.
March 4, 2011
So, I brought my son to the library the other night for a quick pick of books. I usually let him roam for a little bit on his own because our library is so small he can't sneak out without me seeing him. I had literally turned my back for 30 seconds to find he had grabbed 13 books off the shelves! Then moved on to wrangle 5 DVD's off the rack before I could stop him. As fast as I could put one back he had grabbed another two. Needless to say for only a 10 minute library visit I left exhausted carrying 13 books and 4 DVD's. I am such a sucker for books that I let my 3 year take out 13 books and he can't even read yet!
March 3, 2011
I am currently reading the book The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and making up reading questions for my students at the jail. I am hoping to do a whole unit on the Holocaust. I find the Holocaust to be horribly fascinating, not in an enjoyment sort of way but as in that I can't read enough about this horrible time in history. This book is wonderful and quite interesting seeing as how the narrator is Death, yes I said Death. It tells the story of a little girl that becomes a book thief in Nazi Germany. Here is what Barnes and Noble has to say about this book: "An incredible young adult novel about how a young girl s love of books helps a community survive World War II and the Holocaust. It s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Set during World War II in Germany, this groundbreaking novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can t resist books. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul." I am only about half way through due to the fact that I am making up questions as I go, but trust me when I say that you will see how important books really are to people and to one little girl in particular.
Books I read in 2010
Well seeing as how I had a snow day yesterday, I took a few minutes to look through my book journal and make a list of all the books I read last year. If you are curious then take a peek. :) I didn't think 34 was too bad of a number...
1. A Lick of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton
3. Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton
4. Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
5. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
6. My Life in France by Julia Child (book club selection)
7. Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
9. Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (book club selection)
11. The Three Weismann's of Westport by Cathleen Schine
12. The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff
13. The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
14. Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura Williams
15. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
16. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
17. Ice by Sarah Anne Durst
18. The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice (book club selection)
19. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (book club selection)
20. The Search by Nora Roberts
21. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
22. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (book club selection)
23. The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
24. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
25. Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson
26. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howard
27. My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera (book club selection)
28. Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
29. 13 to Life by Shannon Delaney
30. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson
31. Christmas Jars by Jason Wright
32. Linger by Maggie Steifvater
33. Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
34. The Christmas Train by David Balducci
1. A Lick of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton
3. Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton
4. Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
5. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
6. My Life in France by Julia Child (book club selection)
7. Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
9. Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (book club selection)
11. The Three Weismann's of Westport by Cathleen Schine
12. The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff
13. The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
14. Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura Williams
15. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
16. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
17. Ice by Sarah Anne Durst
18. The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice (book club selection)
19. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (book club selection)
20. The Search by Nora Roberts
21. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
22. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (book club selection)
23. The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
24. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
25. Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson
26. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howard
27. My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera (book club selection)
28. Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
29. 13 to Life by Shannon Delaney
30. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson
31. Christmas Jars by Jason Wright
32. Linger by Maggie Steifvater
33. Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
34. The Christmas Train by David Balducci
