How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg
A couple of years ago, for one of my library science classes, I read How They Croaked by the same author. It was an interesting enough read that I bought it for my classroom. Lately, I have a student who doesn't particularly like reading working her way through that book and enjoying it. I told her I thought there was another one, and that I would order it for the classroom. This came in the same day we got out for Christmas break, so I got a chance to read it before I take it to school with me.
What I like about this book is that it is accessible to virtually any reader. When it uses "big words," it explains what the word means. It's also a great read for students who like nonfiction and history. I also like that the people they focused on in this book are known, but not necessarily taught these days. People like Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castille, Sir Isaac Newton, Montezuma, etc. The reader gets to learn a bit more than they would in their history course; I know I did.
I do hope the author writes more books like this. As I said, it's a great and fun read, and is accessible to virtually anyone.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Poirot is a Genius
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
After reading Murder on the Orient Express, I saw the movie and loved it. I also discovered that this book would be the next one that they made into a movie, so I wanted to get a jump on getting the book read.
It starts out introducing the characters, or rather, suspects. Primarily, the book focuses on Linnet Doyle, nee Ridgeway, who is super-rich. A friend brings her fiance to meet Linnet and perhaps get a job, and he and Linnet end up falling in love and getting married. While they are on their honeymoon in Egypt, the jilted lover keeps showing up.
One night on their Nile River cruise, Jacqueline, the jilted lover, shoots Simon, Linnet's husband. The following morning, Linnet is found dead in her cabin, and her expensive pearls are missing. What ensues afterward is Hercule Poirot, who is on vacation, trying to solve the murder and theft. Of course, he does.
I am impressed by Ms. Christie's ability to make the reader think they know whodunit, but the reader ends up being wrong. Well, this reader, at least. The culprit surprised the heck out of me on this one.
After reading Murder on the Orient Express, I saw the movie and loved it. I also discovered that this book would be the next one that they made into a movie, so I wanted to get a jump on getting the book read.
It starts out introducing the characters, or rather, suspects. Primarily, the book focuses on Linnet Doyle, nee Ridgeway, who is super-rich. A friend brings her fiance to meet Linnet and perhaps get a job, and he and Linnet end up falling in love and getting married. While they are on their honeymoon in Egypt, the jilted lover keeps showing up.
One night on their Nile River cruise, Jacqueline, the jilted lover, shoots Simon, Linnet's husband. The following morning, Linnet is found dead in her cabin, and her expensive pearls are missing. What ensues afterward is Hercule Poirot, who is on vacation, trying to solve the murder and theft. Of course, he does.
I am impressed by Ms. Christie's ability to make the reader think they know whodunit, but the reader ends up being wrong. Well, this reader, at least. The culprit surprised the heck out of me on this one.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
TAYSHAS 7
MOXIE by Jennifer Mathieu
Way back in the summer, this book kept showing up on lists of MUST READ books. Having read another book by this author a few years ago, I thought it would be worthwhile to read this. Of course, I forgot this book existed until I saw it on the TAYSHAS list. To be fair, it wasn't until I was searching for TAYSHAS books on Overdrive and saw the cover that I remembered I wanted to read this. So, I put it on hold, and anxiously waited for 2+ weeks for my turn to read this. I was reading another book, and I put it aside for this. That was an excellent choice.
Here is the premise: imagine you live in a small Texas town, where high school football reigns supreme, and the players are treated like gods. These same players can say things to girls like "Go make me a sandwich" when a girl answers a question in class. They can also get away with bumping into girls on purpose, then grabbing them inappropriately. Or wear shirts with sexual innuendo on them with no repercussions, while the girls are subjected to dress code checks relentlessly. Teachers and administration do nothing about it. Now imagine you are one of the girls.
This is the way of life in East Rockport, Texas, and Viv has had enough. Inspired by her mother's Riot Grrrl days, Viv creates a zine called MOXIE in an attempt to change the status quo. As time goes by, more girls participate, and it seems like there is a shot at real change. But then Viv's friend gets suspended as being the leader of MOXIE, even though she isn't, and it's hard for the girls to keep the faith.
There is so much more to this book than what is portrayed here. Believe me, when I say it's a must-read. I loved Viv and her attempt to change things, even though she's typically not a rebel.
Way back in the summer, this book kept showing up on lists of MUST READ books. Having read another book by this author a few years ago, I thought it would be worthwhile to read this. Of course, I forgot this book existed until I saw it on the TAYSHAS list. To be fair, it wasn't until I was searching for TAYSHAS books on Overdrive and saw the cover that I remembered I wanted to read this. So, I put it on hold, and anxiously waited for 2+ weeks for my turn to read this. I was reading another book, and I put it aside for this. That was an excellent choice.
Here is the premise: imagine you live in a small Texas town, where high school football reigns supreme, and the players are treated like gods. These same players can say things to girls like "Go make me a sandwich" when a girl answers a question in class. They can also get away with bumping into girls on purpose, then grabbing them inappropriately. Or wear shirts with sexual innuendo on them with no repercussions, while the girls are subjected to dress code checks relentlessly. Teachers and administration do nothing about it. Now imagine you are one of the girls.
This is the way of life in East Rockport, Texas, and Viv has had enough. Inspired by her mother's Riot Grrrl days, Viv creates a zine called MOXIE in an attempt to change the status quo. As time goes by, more girls participate, and it seems like there is a shot at real change. But then Viv's friend gets suspended as being the leader of MOXIE, even though she isn't, and it's hard for the girls to keep the faith.
There is so much more to this book than what is portrayed here. Believe me, when I say it's a must-read. I loved Viv and her attempt to change things, even though she's typically not a rebel.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Catchy Title
Sophomores and Other Oxymorons by David Lubar
This is a sequel to one I read a few weeks ago, and it picks up right where that one leaves off.
In this one, Scott is now a sophomore and thinks he has a handle on the high school thing. On the first day of school, he meets Jeremy Danger, who reminds Scott of himself the previous year. Although he did not set out to do so, he helps Jeremy navigate the waters of high school.
Scott is still in a relationship of sorts with Lee, but he is not sure if she's a friend or his girlfriend. He's still friends with Wesley, even though he graduated. He even manages to reconnect with one of the friends who drifted away in the previous novel.
On the school side of things, Scott thinks he has things under control, at least until he meets some of his teachers. His biology teacher makes him vomit the first day of school with the partially dissected cat she has on display in class. His English teacher has stayed on him from the very first day, and he seeks revenge.
There's also a little matter of budget cuts and shady school board members, gaining a sister-in-law, and adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. Despite all of this, Scott seems to do just fine.
This was another fun read, and I sincerely hope that we get Scott's junior and senior years.
This is a sequel to one I read a few weeks ago, and it picks up right where that one leaves off.
In this one, Scott is now a sophomore and thinks he has a handle on the high school thing. On the first day of school, he meets Jeremy Danger, who reminds Scott of himself the previous year. Although he did not set out to do so, he helps Jeremy navigate the waters of high school.
Scott is still in a relationship of sorts with Lee, but he is not sure if she's a friend or his girlfriend. He's still friends with Wesley, even though he graduated. He even manages to reconnect with one of the friends who drifted away in the previous novel.
On the school side of things, Scott thinks he has things under control, at least until he meets some of his teachers. His biology teacher makes him vomit the first day of school with the partially dissected cat she has on display in class. His English teacher has stayed on him from the very first day, and he seeks revenge.
There's also a little matter of budget cuts and shady school board members, gaining a sister-in-law, and adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. Despite all of this, Scott seems to do just fine.
This was another fun read, and I sincerely hope that we get Scott's junior and senior years.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Revisiting One I Liked as a Pre-Teen
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
I read this the first time when I was eleven. When I went to New York this past June, I wanted to do the Met tour about this book. Unfortunately, we weren't at the Met on a day that they offer. We are going back this coming June, and I definitely want to visit the rooms that Claudia and Jamie visited while there. And see the Angel. And the fountain where they bathed.
Claudia and Jamie are twelve and nine respectively. Claudia is dissatisfied with her life, and feels like she needs to do something to shake things up. She decides to run away, but not just anywhere--to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Claudia doesn't save her money, so she needs to take someone who has money, which is why she chooses Jamie. He holds onto him money.
One day, they stay on the school bus, then take a train into the city. Claudia wants to waste money on buses and taxis, but Jamie keeps a clear head. They go to the museum, and every day before the museum closes, they hide in the restroom. On their second day, there is an inordinate number of people at the museum, and the kids don't know why until they "steal" a newspaper. As it turns out, there is a new statue that may be a work of Michaelangelo. So the kids make it their mission to find out if Michaelangelo actually sculpted it.
They ended up at Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler's house, as she is the one who sold the sculpture to the museum. They find out the truth and end up going home. Yes, I ruined the end. Sue me. For me, this was less about how the book ends than the adventures that the kids went on. Reading this brought back a lot of memories.
I read this the first time when I was eleven. When I went to New York this past June, I wanted to do the Met tour about this book. Unfortunately, we weren't at the Met on a day that they offer. We are going back this coming June, and I definitely want to visit the rooms that Claudia and Jamie visited while there. And see the Angel. And the fountain where they bathed.
Claudia and Jamie are twelve and nine respectively. Claudia is dissatisfied with her life, and feels like she needs to do something to shake things up. She decides to run away, but not just anywhere--to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Claudia doesn't save her money, so she needs to take someone who has money, which is why she chooses Jamie. He holds onto him money.
One day, they stay on the school bus, then take a train into the city. Claudia wants to waste money on buses and taxis, but Jamie keeps a clear head. They go to the museum, and every day before the museum closes, they hide in the restroom. On their second day, there is an inordinate number of people at the museum, and the kids don't know why until they "steal" a newspaper. As it turns out, there is a new statue that may be a work of Michaelangelo. So the kids make it their mission to find out if Michaelangelo actually sculpted it.
They ended up at Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler's house, as she is the one who sold the sculpture to the museum. They find out the truth and end up going home. Yes, I ruined the end. Sue me. For me, this was less about how the book ends than the adventures that the kids went on. Reading this brought back a lot of memories.
Friday, December 8, 2017
2018 TAYSHAS #6
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
The new TAYSHAS list was released last Friday, and I'd already read five. Our contest hasn't even started, and I have already earned two ducks.
Jule is a master of disguise. She has no problem, it seems, killing people and assuming their identities. By the end of the book, I didn't know what to believe anymore, but I sure did enjoy reading it.
It's hard to write too much about the storyline, as I would give WAY too much away if I did. I will say this: it's told backwards, which is something I enjoyed. The very end time jumps back to the present and it was interesting to see how Jule got where she was.
The new TAYSHAS list was released last Friday, and I'd already read five. Our contest hasn't even started, and I have already earned two ducks.
Jule is a master of disguise. She has no problem, it seems, killing people and assuming their identities. By the end of the book, I didn't know what to believe anymore, but I sure did enjoy reading it.
It's hard to write too much about the storyline, as I would give WAY too much away if I did. I will say this: it's told backwards, which is something I enjoyed. The very end time jumps back to the present and it was interesting to see how Jule got where she was.
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