Long time, no post. Between teaching, parent choir, and knitting scarves, I haven't exactly had time to read lately. But, I am on winter break, and I have several new books, so maybe I can get back on track.
Lost by Gregory Maguire. I tried to read this several years ago, but couldn't get into it. Having read nearly everything else he's written-some good, some not so good-I thought I'd give it another shot.
Winnie Rudge is the protagonist. The book starts out with her at an informational meeting about overseas adoptions-research for her next book, she says. Then Winnie is off to London, also research, but she has a cousin there that she generally stays with. The house this cousin owns belongs to a great-great grandfather, Ozias Rudge, who is said to be the inspiration for Dickens' Scrooge.
When Winnie gets to Rudge House, she cannot find her cousin, John, and there is a renovation going on in the house. The renovators release a ghost, and the existence of said ghost plagues Winnie throughout the book. This ghost forces Winnie to examine her life, and visit the past to see where things went wrong.
This book was only ok. It took nearly two months to read because I could put it down. If a more interesting read came up, I read it instead.
Onto the next one...
Monday, December 24, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
I saw this book at Barnes and Noble last year, but they wouldn't let me purchase it. Apparently, it was free with any James Patterson purchase. I already had every James Patterson book at that time, or so I thought (see an earlier post), so I had no reason to purchase a book to get it free. In the year that passed, I had pretty much given up hope about ever getting to read it. Lo and behold, the new Patterson book of November 2012 was Merry Christmas, Alex Cross. I belong to the James Patterson Library book club, so all I had to do was wait a few days from its release until it landed on my doorstep. Got it yesterday, and finished it a few minutes ago.
As for the book, let me just say this: Alex Cross is one busy man. On Christmas eve, he has to handle a hostages situation with some crazy ex lawyer who is planning to kill his ex wife, his three children, her new husband, and a neighbor. Needless to say, Cross saves the day. Then, on Christmas day, Alex is pulled away from his family again so that he can deal with a terrorist. Again, he saves the day.
You know Alex Cross is a work of fiction because he nearly always saves the day, his kids are incredibly well balanced, and he always makes it out of the most dire situations. Doesn't matter to me though; I still love the books.
As for the book, let me just say this: Alex Cross is one busy man. On Christmas eve, he has to handle a hostages situation with some crazy ex lawyer who is planning to kill his ex wife, his three children, her new husband, and a neighbor. Needless to say, Cross saves the day. Then, on Christmas day, Alex is pulled away from his family again so that he can deal with a terrorist. Again, he saves the day.
You know Alex Cross is a work of fiction because he nearly always saves the day, his kids are incredibly well balanced, and he always makes it out of the most dire situations. Doesn't matter to me though; I still love the books.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Future of Us
I may or may not have mentioned this, but one of my absolute favorite young adult books is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. When I was in my methods classes at SHSU, I had to observe and teach a ninth grade class over the course of the semester. When I was observing, one of the students had that book. I was intrigued by the cove, so I checked it out from the public library. I couldn't put that book down! It's about a girl who kills herself, and gives her reasons why. What was neat about that book was that it was told from the point of view of the girl who died, as well as the boy who had a crush on her.
So, when I was visiting the school library one day and saw that Jay Asher's new book was a possible TAYSHAS book, I knew I wanted to read it-despite the negative review from one of the library aides. The Future of Us was co-written by Carolyn Mackler, and chronicles nearly a week in the life of Emma and Josh.
The year is 1996. Emma is a junior in high school, and Josh is a sophomore. They live next door to one another, and have been best friends their whole lives-until six months ago. Lately, their relationship has been strained, but that doesn't keep Josh from bringing Emma an AOL disk with 150 free internet hours when she gets a new computer from her estranged father.
When Emma logs onto AOL, a strange thing happens: she logs into Facebook. Facebook, as you know, did not exist in 1996. Emma can see into the future through her posts on Facebook. She tells Josh, and over the course of the week, they can see how little things they do in their lives in 1996 affect their lives in 2011.
I enjoyed this book, and it will be hitting my classroom shelf when I go in tomorrow.
So, when I was visiting the school library one day and saw that Jay Asher's new book was a possible TAYSHAS book, I knew I wanted to read it-despite the negative review from one of the library aides. The Future of Us was co-written by Carolyn Mackler, and chronicles nearly a week in the life of Emma and Josh.
The year is 1996. Emma is a junior in high school, and Josh is a sophomore. They live next door to one another, and have been best friends their whole lives-until six months ago. Lately, their relationship has been strained, but that doesn't keep Josh from bringing Emma an AOL disk with 150 free internet hours when she gets a new computer from her estranged father.
When Emma logs onto AOL, a strange thing happens: she logs into Facebook. Facebook, as you know, did not exist in 1996. Emma can see into the future through her posts on Facebook. She tells Josh, and over the course of the week, they can see how little things they do in their lives in 1996 affect their lives in 2011.
I enjoyed this book, and it will be hitting my classroom shelf when I go in tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
TAYSHAS Book 1?
One day, about a week and a half ago, I found myself in the school library. I like our librarians very much, and enjoy talking to them. How could I not? They, like me, love books!
While I was visiting, it was suggested to me that since I read alot, I should read books from the TAYSHAS list. I am still learning about what the TAYSHAS list is exactly, but it appears, so far, to be a list of books that librarians in Texas think young adults should read. The librarians let me peruse the list of possibilities for this year's list. Honestly, I was only familiar with two books on the entire list: one because I've read something by the author, and the other because I was intrigued by the book on many different trips to Target.
The book I ended up reading first was The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern. This was the one I kept coming across at Target. The librarian told me the book was good but there were things that would bother me, being an English teacher and all. She was right. The book starts out a bit slow, but once you get into it, you want to know how it ends. The bothersome part is that the book is written in present tense, a writing no-no when telling a story. Once I got used to that, however, it wasn't a big deal.
The book itself is about a "competition" between the pupils of two great magicians. A duel to the death, if you will. The "battleground" of the "competition" is a circus that is only open at night. This circus is like no other because it is controlled by magic. To be entirely truthful, I am not even sure that my imagination gave that circus justice. The details were intricate, and I wanted to be in the circus itself, but I am fairly certain it would've been better that I could have imagined. I have a pretty active imagination, so I think that is saying something.
As always, I don't want to give anything away, and I am afraid that if I go on much more, I will. Read the book. It has elements that are like being a child again, with all the wonder that is involved in the circus.
While I was visiting, it was suggested to me that since I read alot, I should read books from the TAYSHAS list. I am still learning about what the TAYSHAS list is exactly, but it appears, so far, to be a list of books that librarians in Texas think young adults should read. The librarians let me peruse the list of possibilities for this year's list. Honestly, I was only familiar with two books on the entire list: one because I've read something by the author, and the other because I was intrigued by the book on many different trips to Target.
The book I ended up reading first was The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern. This was the one I kept coming across at Target. The librarian told me the book was good but there were things that would bother me, being an English teacher and all. She was right. The book starts out a bit slow, but once you get into it, you want to know how it ends. The bothersome part is that the book is written in present tense, a writing no-no when telling a story. Once I got used to that, however, it wasn't a big deal.
The book itself is about a "competition" between the pupils of two great magicians. A duel to the death, if you will. The "battleground" of the "competition" is a circus that is only open at night. This circus is like no other because it is controlled by magic. To be entirely truthful, I am not even sure that my imagination gave that circus justice. The details were intricate, and I wanted to be in the circus itself, but I am fairly certain it would've been better that I could have imagined. I have a pretty active imagination, so I think that is saying something.
As always, I don't want to give anything away, and I am afraid that if I go on much more, I will. Read the book. It has elements that are like being a child again, with all the wonder that is involved in the circus.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thoughts on School Reading
As I have mentioned previously, I am an English teacher. I teach English III, which is American literature. This is my second year teaching, but only my first teaching English III. Last year I taught English I. While I enjoyed English I, I think I have found my niche in English III.
When I started last year, I came in late, so I did not get to teach the short story unit with my students. No big loss on my part, as it sounds like the things that were read were stories I wasn't familiar with. I got to teach Homer's Odyssey, which I never bothered to read myself in high school. The Greek gods and goddesses were interesting, but, honestly, I could take or leave Odysseus. Next came Orwell's Animal Farm. Again, not a favorite. The fourth unit was poetry, not my favorite, but we made it through. Once we got to the fifth six weeks, I finally came into my own. We read Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I was so excited to read that with my students, and their grades reflected that my enthusiasm carried over to them. The last six weeks, we read Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, which I love as well.
So, that first year, I only got to teach two things I truly enjoyed. I knew this year was going to be better; we would be reading The Hunger Games instead of Animal Farm. I was excited for the upcoming year. Then I got the news that I would be changing grade levels.
Don't get me wrong, I love American literature, but I was wary of moving to the English III team. What if we only read boring works? Luckily for me, this has not been the case much this year so far.
We started out the year reading Native American origin myths. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I've read worse. Plus, I discovered student made videos on YouTube of many of these myths, so I was able to make them fun for the students and me. We moved onto Putiran literature- "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and some poetry. Not bad, but not my favorite either. Next up though, was The Crucible by Arthur Miller. That play is one of the works that made me want to teach literature, and I was getting to teach it! I embraced the witch thing, and we had a good time reading that play. Plus, we got to watch the movie version, which kept the students interested.
Not everything has been fun. We just finished reading The Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention ("Give me liberty, or give me death!), and Paine's "The American Crisis #1." Not the most exciting reading, but in an election year, it has spawned some interesting conversations.
I am very excited about the works we are starting this week. We planned it perfectly...we are starting Poe. Up first is "The Raven." In order to heighten the creepiness, we will be watching a video of Vincent Price reading Poe's most famous poem....in the dark, no less. How can that not be exciting? Then, we will be reading "The Black Cat." I just read this myself for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it is a bit morbid. Can't wait to experience it with my students. On Halloween, we will be watching the corresponding section of Tales of Terror starring Vincent Price. Getting to teach Poe is something to be excited about.
We're only nine weeks in, so I can't guarantee that I will be as excited about everything we read, but so far, so good. I have learned that my excitement carries over to my students, so my goal is to make our literature as fun and enjoyable as I can.
When I started last year, I came in late, so I did not get to teach the short story unit with my students. No big loss on my part, as it sounds like the things that were read were stories I wasn't familiar with. I got to teach Homer's Odyssey, which I never bothered to read myself in high school. The Greek gods and goddesses were interesting, but, honestly, I could take or leave Odysseus. Next came Orwell's Animal Farm. Again, not a favorite. The fourth unit was poetry, not my favorite, but we made it through. Once we got to the fifth six weeks, I finally came into my own. We read Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I was so excited to read that with my students, and their grades reflected that my enthusiasm carried over to them. The last six weeks, we read Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, which I love as well.
So, that first year, I only got to teach two things I truly enjoyed. I knew this year was going to be better; we would be reading The Hunger Games instead of Animal Farm. I was excited for the upcoming year. Then I got the news that I would be changing grade levels.
Don't get me wrong, I love American literature, but I was wary of moving to the English III team. What if we only read boring works? Luckily for me, this has not been the case much this year so far.
We started out the year reading Native American origin myths. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I've read worse. Plus, I discovered student made videos on YouTube of many of these myths, so I was able to make them fun for the students and me. We moved onto Putiran literature- "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and some poetry. Not bad, but not my favorite either. Next up though, was The Crucible by Arthur Miller. That play is one of the works that made me want to teach literature, and I was getting to teach it! I embraced the witch thing, and we had a good time reading that play. Plus, we got to watch the movie version, which kept the students interested.
Not everything has been fun. We just finished reading The Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention ("Give me liberty, or give me death!), and Paine's "The American Crisis #1." Not the most exciting reading, but in an election year, it has spawned some interesting conversations.
I am very excited about the works we are starting this week. We planned it perfectly...we are starting Poe. Up first is "The Raven." In order to heighten the creepiness, we will be watching a video of Vincent Price reading Poe's most famous poem....in the dark, no less. How can that not be exciting? Then, we will be reading "The Black Cat." I just read this myself for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it is a bit morbid. Can't wait to experience it with my students. On Halloween, we will be watching the corresponding section of Tales of Terror starring Vincent Price. Getting to teach Poe is something to be excited about.
We're only nine weeks in, so I can't guarantee that I will be as excited about everything we read, but so far, so good. I have learned that my excitement carries over to my students, so my goal is to make our literature as fun and enjoyable as I can.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
NYPD Red
I received this book in the mail last week after a short drought from the James Patterson Library. Not because Mr. Prolific Writer hadn't published anything, but because I forgot to change my credit card number on my account when I was issued a new card this summer. Oops. I ended up missing out on three books because of that.
NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp was a good one, but then, nearly every offering from James Patterson has been good.
Our hero, and I do mean hero, is Zach Jordan. He is a member of an elite branch of the police force in New York City that deals with celebrities, and all they entail called NYPD Red. Zach's partner was injured before the book started, so he is paired with Kylie McDonald, a former girlfriend from the police academy. Some unresolved feelings remain, and Zach tries, fairly successfully, to push them aside.
Obviously, the story is not about the relationship between Kylie and Zach. It wouldn't be a Patterson page turner if it was.
Our evil villain is a man who calls himself "The Chameleon." His real name is Gabe, and he is a disgruntled actor wannabe. Gabe's screws are a little loose. Ok, they're ALOT loose. Gabe is filming his own movie, except there are no cameras. His movie is all in his head. The plot of his movie is mayhem, and his goal is to take out as many Hollywood heavyweights that are visiting New York as he can.
Zach and Kylie are charged with chasing this maniac down before the death toll gets out of hand. Can they do it? Read and find out. :)
NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp was a good one, but then, nearly every offering from James Patterson has been good.
Our hero, and I do mean hero, is Zach Jordan. He is a member of an elite branch of the police force in New York City that deals with celebrities, and all they entail called NYPD Red. Zach's partner was injured before the book started, so he is paired with Kylie McDonald, a former girlfriend from the police academy. Some unresolved feelings remain, and Zach tries, fairly successfully, to push them aside.
Obviously, the story is not about the relationship between Kylie and Zach. It wouldn't be a Patterson page turner if it was.
Our evil villain is a man who calls himself "The Chameleon." His real name is Gabe, and he is a disgruntled actor wannabe. Gabe's screws are a little loose. Ok, they're ALOT loose. Gabe is filming his own movie, except there are no cameras. His movie is all in his head. The plot of his movie is mayhem, and his goal is to take out as many Hollywood heavyweights that are visiting New York as he can.
Zach and Kylie are charged with chasing this maniac down before the death toll gets out of hand. Can they do it? Read and find out. :)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Matchless
Needed something to read while I was taking a bath, so I grabbed the shortest unread book on my shelves that I could find. That is how I ended up reading Matchless by Gregory Maguire. I have read many of Maguire's books: The entire Wicked series, Mirror, Mirror, and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. Sometimes I like his books, sometimes not. Matchless was a sweet, short read. I do mean short. My baths last, usually, no longer than 30 minutes, and I was done with the book by the time I got out.
Apparently, it is a retelling of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. Having never read that one, I cannot be absolutely certain. What I do know, was that it was a nice story. I can't say much without giving it away, but if you want a short read that makes you feel all warm inside, this is the book.
Apparently, it is a retelling of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. Having never read that one, I cannot be absolutely certain. What I do know, was that it was a nice story. I can't say much without giving it away, but if you want a short read that makes you feel all warm inside, this is the book.
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