Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Just being told the title, I knew this book took place in Mississippi. How? Well, my mom's side of the family is from Mississippi, and I learned early on in life that Mississippi is spelled like this: M-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-humpback-humpback-fence post.
A friend of mine, who also happens to be my team leader, is starting a book club and asked if I'd like to join. At the time, I said I'd love to, but I was involved in the TAYSHAS contest, so I didn't know when I'd get a chance to start. This was the first selection chosen, and I went ahead and ordered it. I started last Saturday, and finished a few minutes ago.
This book focuses on two men, one black (Silas), one white (Larry), who grew up in rural southern Mississippi. Larry is the town weirdo. He never seemed to measure up in his father's eyes. When he was a teenager, he took a girl on a date, and she went missing. She was never found, and he never confessed. Fast forward twenty-five years: another girl goes missing, and he's the number one suspect.
Then there's Silas. He grew up without a father, was a baseball star in high school, and is now the constable of the town. He's investigating the missing girl. While investigating, some truths about himself and Larry are brought to light, and dynamics change.
I enjoyed this book. It's hard not to go into it more because I would end up giving things away. It's a mystery, so I don't want to do that.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
This is the second book gifted to be by a student this year. She enjoyed it, and hoped I would too. After reading the entire book, and, believe me, it took a while, I did enjoy parts of it.
The protagonist of this book is Francie Nolan. She is the oldest child of her parents, Katie and Johnny. She has a brother, Neeley, who is a year younger, and a sister, Laurie, who is 13 or so years younger. They are poor, and live in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Katie is a hardworking woman and does everything she can so that her family can survive. Johnny is a singer who is also an alcoholic. He dies when Francie is 13.
The first half of the book is mostly backstory of everyone in the book. I'm not kidding-everyone. This is why I was not a fan of the book. All of the backstories put me to sleep/didn't hold my interest. The book finally picked up for me when Johnny Nolan died. After that, everything got a whole lot more interesting.
I felt sorry for Francie for most if the book. Not only were the family's economic circumstances saddening, but Francie had her dreams dashed so many times. Mostly by her mother, of all people. Even though the book seemed to drag on, I would like to have known how Francie ended up. You know, how did she do in college? Did she marry Ben? These are things I want to know, and I finished the book feeling unsatisfied.
This is the second book gifted to be by a student this year. She enjoyed it, and hoped I would too. After reading the entire book, and, believe me, it took a while, I did enjoy parts of it.
The protagonist of this book is Francie Nolan. She is the oldest child of her parents, Katie and Johnny. She has a brother, Neeley, who is a year younger, and a sister, Laurie, who is 13 or so years younger. They are poor, and live in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Katie is a hardworking woman and does everything she can so that her family can survive. Johnny is a singer who is also an alcoholic. He dies when Francie is 13.
The first half of the book is mostly backstory of everyone in the book. I'm not kidding-everyone. This is why I was not a fan of the book. All of the backstories put me to sleep/didn't hold my interest. The book finally picked up for me when Johnny Nolan died. After that, everything got a whole lot more interesting.
I felt sorry for Francie for most if the book. Not only were the family's economic circumstances saddening, but Francie had her dreams dashed so many times. Mostly by her mother, of all people. Even though the book seemed to drag on, I would like to have known how Francie ended up. You know, how did she do in college? Did she marry Ben? These are things I want to know, and I finished the book feeling unsatisfied.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Number the Stars
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The other night, while trying to encourage my daughter to read more, my son mentioned this book. I had never read it, and he told me I would probably like it. So, rather than immediately go back to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I read this. At only 130-ish pages, it was a quick read.
My son was right, I did like the book.
It takes place in Copenhagen, in the mid 1940's. Annemarie's best friend is Jewish, and she and her family help Ellen to seek refuge in Sweden so that they won't be "relocated" by the Nazi's. I can't write more without revealing how this ends up, so I'll just say this: it was nice to read a Holocaust book written without all the violent imagery that usually is included, and from the point of view of those who helped the Jews.
I understand that the violent imagery helps to get the horror of the Holocaust across, and most times it is appropriate. In this book, it just would not have fit. The reader still feels the fear of the situation even without it. Plus, this is aimed at a younger audience.
The other night, while trying to encourage my daughter to read more, my son mentioned this book. I had never read it, and he told me I would probably like it. So, rather than immediately go back to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I read this. At only 130-ish pages, it was a quick read.
My son was right, I did like the book.
It takes place in Copenhagen, in the mid 1940's. Annemarie's best friend is Jewish, and she and her family help Ellen to seek refuge in Sweden so that they won't be "relocated" by the Nazi's. I can't write more without revealing how this ends up, so I'll just say this: it was nice to read a Holocaust book written without all the violent imagery that usually is included, and from the point of view of those who helped the Jews.
I understand that the violent imagery helps to get the horror of the Holocaust across, and most times it is appropriate. In this book, it just would not have fit. The reader still feels the fear of the situation even without it. Plus, this is aimed at a younger audience.
Friday, May 17, 2013
12th of Never
I can't believe the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson is twelve years old already! I've been reading them since the beginning of the series, and it's one of the best. The newest offering in the series, 12th of Never, doesn't disappoint.
Lindsay finally has her baby, Julie, but is also involved in several cases. Crime doesn't stop because you're on maternity leave. :)
A body goes missing from the morgue, causing trouble for Claire. Yuki is busy with a high profile murder/kidnapping case. Cindy, we don't hear about much, although her love life is in the toilet.
So much goes on in this book, but I am afraid to say too much because I don't want to give anything away.
As with all Patterson books, this was a fast read. Plus, it was exciting, so I didn't want to put it down.
Lindsay finally has her baby, Julie, but is also involved in several cases. Crime doesn't stop because you're on maternity leave. :)
A body goes missing from the morgue, causing trouble for Claire. Yuki is busy with a high profile murder/kidnapping case. Cindy, we don't hear about much, although her love life is in the toilet.
So much goes on in this book, but I am afraid to say too much because I don't want to give anything away.
As with all Patterson books, this was a fast read. Plus, it was exciting, so I didn't want to put it down.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Tuesdays With Morrie
It's the end of the school year, and my PLC team, Team Awesomeness, reads a choice novel in our classes. The choices were Tears of a Tiger, The Things They Carried, and Tuesdays With Morrie. I chose Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom for my classes.
The reasoning, at first, for choosing this book was because I'd read it before. I don't like to teach things I've never been exposed to. I feel lost, and that I can't do my best for my students when that happens. As I was reading it myself as a refresher, I realized that I want to expose my students to the acts of compassion contained in this book.
The first time I read this book was in the spring of 2009. I was in my methods classes on campus at Caney Creek High School, and my reading block teacher, Lisa Finch, had us read it. She even bought a copy of the book for us. We met twice a week, and every week, we'd be assigned a section to read. We weren't allowed to read beyond the selection, and that drove me crazy. Not because this is a suspenseful book, and I couldn't put it down, but because in Morrie, I saw my grandpa-even though they had different afflictions.
Reading the book this time, a year and a half after losing my grandpa, was a little harder. In many ways, my grandpa was a teacher to me in the same way Morrie was a teacher to Mitch. It was nice to be able to relate to someone who knew the pain of losing someone without having to actually talk to someone about it.
Lessons abound in this book. I won't go into to it in detail, but there is something to gain on every page. My favorite quote, then and now, is at the top of page 174:
As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on--in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here (Albom).
I hope this is true for myself. I know it's true for people I have loved and lost. I want to be like Morrie.
The reasoning, at first, for choosing this book was because I'd read it before. I don't like to teach things I've never been exposed to. I feel lost, and that I can't do my best for my students when that happens. As I was reading it myself as a refresher, I realized that I want to expose my students to the acts of compassion contained in this book.
The first time I read this book was in the spring of 2009. I was in my methods classes on campus at Caney Creek High School, and my reading block teacher, Lisa Finch, had us read it. She even bought a copy of the book for us. We met twice a week, and every week, we'd be assigned a section to read. We weren't allowed to read beyond the selection, and that drove me crazy. Not because this is a suspenseful book, and I couldn't put it down, but because in Morrie, I saw my grandpa-even though they had different afflictions.
Reading the book this time, a year and a half after losing my grandpa, was a little harder. In many ways, my grandpa was a teacher to me in the same way Morrie was a teacher to Mitch. It was nice to be able to relate to someone who knew the pain of losing someone without having to actually talk to someone about it.
Lessons abound in this book. I won't go into to it in detail, but there is something to gain on every page. My favorite quote, then and now, is at the top of page 174:
As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on--in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here (Albom).
I hope this is true for myself. I know it's true for people I have loved and lost. I want to be like Morrie.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The End of Sookie Stackhouse
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
I think it was 2010 when I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. I came to them after watching the HBO series True Blood. Loved the show, so I had to read the books. It's just how I operate.
A year ago, I bought Deadlocked, and while I was in line, I read that it was the next to last book in the series. I was sad. I had come to love Sookie. I even named my dog after her.
Five days ago, this, the last one in the series, came out. I got it in the mail on Thursday, two days after its release, and started right away. I wanted to savor this story, but I got caught up in Sookie's adventures.
Ah Sookie! Nothing ever goes smoothly for that girl! This time, she's accused of murder, and people are out to get her. She has to clear her name, and find out who's after her. Of course, she does all this.
Vampires and werewolves don't play quite as large a role as in previous installments, and that was fine. I won't give it away, but I am only ok with who she ends up with. He's good for her, just not who I'd have chosen.
So, Sookie is done, in books anyway. I'll miss this version of her.
I think it was 2010 when I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. I came to them after watching the HBO series True Blood. Loved the show, so I had to read the books. It's just how I operate.
A year ago, I bought Deadlocked, and while I was in line, I read that it was the next to last book in the series. I was sad. I had come to love Sookie. I even named my dog after her.
Five days ago, this, the last one in the series, came out. I got it in the mail on Thursday, two days after its release, and started right away. I wanted to savor this story, but I got caught up in Sookie's adventures.
Ah Sookie! Nothing ever goes smoothly for that girl! This time, she's accused of murder, and people are out to get her. She has to clear her name, and find out who's after her. Of course, she does all this.
Vampires and werewolves don't play quite as large a role as in previous installments, and that was fine. I won't give it away, but I am only ok with who she ends up with. He's good for her, just not who I'd have chosen.
So, Sookie is done, in books anyway. I'll miss this version of her.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
TAYSHAS #20
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Once again, the beginning of a trilogy.
Kami has an imaginary friend, except he's not imaginary anymore. The friend is Jared, and he comes from a family of sorcerors. Ever since his family came back to town, weird things have started to happen. People and animals have been killed. Kami tries to "solve" the case. The book ends abruptly, and that disappointed me.
Sorry this wasn't as involved as some posts.
Once again, the beginning of a trilogy.
Kami has an imaginary friend, except he's not imaginary anymore. The friend is Jared, and he comes from a family of sorcerors. Ever since his family came back to town, weird things have started to happen. People and animals have been killed. Kami tries to "solve" the case. The book ends abruptly, and that disappointed me.
Sorry this wasn't as involved as some posts.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
TAYSHAS #19
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
Started this last night, and read half of it in the hour before I went to bed. A wild ride, and I loved every minute of it.
Perry is a bright boy, a senior in high school, and his parents thought it would be a good idea to host an exchange student. When he found out it was a girl, he imagined an attractive girl who'd teach him the ways of love, and tell him "Au revoir" when she left. He was so wrong. What he got was Goji, a very plain Lithuanian girl.
No one at school had anything to do with Goji. In fact, Perry was the only one who was nice to her. He'd say hello, and smile when he saw her. Prom is coming up, and it's right before Goji is set to go back home. Goji wants very much to go to prom with Perry, but all he wants is to go to New York City and perform with his band.
He ends up going to prom with her. She dressed in traditional Lithuanian garb, and he in a tux. Perry gets in a fight with two of the rich jerks who go to his school, and they leave. Perry later finds out that Goji beat the snot out of them-enough that an ambulance was called-while Perry went to bring the car around.
After they leave, Goji expresses a desire to see the city one more time before she goes back home. Perry reluctantly agrees. The go to a club owned by Jay-z, and Goji changes clothes. Surprise! She's a hottie! As it turns out, she is also an assassin on a mission to take down those responsible for her sister's death.
In a little less than 200 pages, we follow Perry (reluctantly) and Goji as they try to complete her mission.
Seriously, run, don't walk, to get this book. So worth it!
Started this last night, and read half of it in the hour before I went to bed. A wild ride, and I loved every minute of it.
Perry is a bright boy, a senior in high school, and his parents thought it would be a good idea to host an exchange student. When he found out it was a girl, he imagined an attractive girl who'd teach him the ways of love, and tell him "Au revoir" when she left. He was so wrong. What he got was Goji, a very plain Lithuanian girl.
No one at school had anything to do with Goji. In fact, Perry was the only one who was nice to her. He'd say hello, and smile when he saw her. Prom is coming up, and it's right before Goji is set to go back home. Goji wants very much to go to prom with Perry, but all he wants is to go to New York City and perform with his band.
He ends up going to prom with her. She dressed in traditional Lithuanian garb, and he in a tux. Perry gets in a fight with two of the rich jerks who go to his school, and they leave. Perry later finds out that Goji beat the snot out of them-enough that an ambulance was called-while Perry went to bring the car around.
After they leave, Goji expresses a desire to see the city one more time before she goes back home. Perry reluctantly agrees. The go to a club owned by Jay-z, and Goji changes clothes. Surprise! She's a hottie! As it turns out, she is also an assassin on a mission to take down those responsible for her sister's death.
In a little less than 200 pages, we follow Perry (reluctantly) and Goji as they try to complete her mission.
Seriously, run, don't walk, to get this book. So worth it!
TAYSHAS #18
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
One of the aides in the library recommended this; one of the librarians didn't like it, and didn't finish. I gave it a shot, and it was pretty good.
Our heroine is Karou. She was raised by chimaeras. She's lived all over the world, and she runs errands for them. These errands usually involve retrieving teeth for Brimstone, the head guy. All over the world, the doors that Karou uses to get to her family have been marked and closed, and Karou can't get to them. The doors are marked and closed by seraphs, the enemy of the chimaera. One such seraph is Akiva. Akiva once loved a chimaera named Madrigal. He lost Madrigal. In Prague, he finds Karou, who reminds him of Madrigal. Akiva helps Karou find out who she is, as she is not a chimaera.
Apparently, there is a sequel.
One of the aides in the library recommended this; one of the librarians didn't like it, and didn't finish. I gave it a shot, and it was pretty good.
Our heroine is Karou. She was raised by chimaeras. She's lived all over the world, and she runs errands for them. These errands usually involve retrieving teeth for Brimstone, the head guy. All over the world, the doors that Karou uses to get to her family have been marked and closed, and Karou can't get to them. The doors are marked and closed by seraphs, the enemy of the chimaera. One such seraph is Akiva. Akiva once loved a chimaera named Madrigal. He lost Madrigal. In Prague, he finds Karou, who reminds him of Madrigal. Akiva helps Karou find out who she is, as she is not a chimaera.
Apparently, there is a sequel.
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