tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58078642377771223402024-03-13T10:08:45.161-07:00Books, Just BooksI always imagined the Paradise will be a kind of library. Jorges Luis Borges ----
A room without books is like a body without a soul. Marcus Cicero ----
When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes. -- ErasmusUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-79966927774381122292011-03-29T14:45:00.000-07:002011-03-29T14:45:00.894-07:00What's On Your Nightstand - March 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuBr4d4QUANXDdnokyOg5JeeiT9tjQAyHbFyWvhCgQyBoPQTeqXtz_37O6dS0T8kfY6Jx6yeCCzG6UWnIkEvX897ejb_TAVauW6PGe2LDRqz6jv44Vx2WTTvvH-krPJ3-2rdrY_aryymJ/s1600/Nightstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuBr4d4QUANXDdnokyOg5JeeiT9tjQAyHbFyWvhCgQyBoPQTeqXtz_37O6dS0T8kfY6Jx6yeCCzG6UWnIkEvX897ejb_TAVauW6PGe2LDRqz6jv44Vx2WTTvvH-krPJ3-2rdrY_aryymJ/s1600/Nightstand.jpg" /></a><br />
I really was in a reading mood this month! I read several great books, even finishing up one that has been hanging around for awhile. <br />
<br />
<strong>Finished in March</strong> - <br />
The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas<br />
The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell<br />
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See<br />
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank<br />
Bound South by Susan Rebecca White<br />
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen<br />
<br />
<strong>Currently Reading - </strong><br />
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (reread to teach to my Geography classes)<br />
The Alchemist by Paul Coehlo <br />
Freedom by Johnathan Franzen<br />
<br />
<strong>Next Up -</strong> <br />
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston <br />
<br />
To see what others are reading this month, visit <a href="http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/13429/whats-on-your-nightstand-march-2011/">5 Minutes for Books</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-71961155328848386362011-03-22T07:53:00.000-07:002011-03-22T07:53:45.555-07:00Snow Flower and the Secret Fan<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>by Lisa See</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one of those books I know I should read, but never got around to it. In the back of my mind I thought I wouldn't like it. Was I ever wrong. I was pushed to read Snow Flower as part of the <a href="http://2011globalreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/">Global Reading Challenge</a> as my Asian selection and I really wish I would have read it sooner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is beautifully written - drawing the reader in and captivating your attention with fluid and descriptive storytelling. It is the story of two <em>laotung</em> sisters in 18th century China, detailing the trails and tribulations of the girls individually and their relationship together. It is narrated by Lily and told at the end of her life as she has entered her 80th year of life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <em>laotung</em> relationship between Lily and Snow Flower has no American equivalent. It is at its core, a "marriage" of two women who share eight common traits. Their purpose is to the burdens of being women in Chinese society - from footbinding, to marriage, to cruel mother in laws, to births and deaths of children and if they are lucky, a long widowhood together. From the beginning the <em>laotung</em> relationship between Lily and Snow Flower is based on deception and this ultimately breaks down this sacred connection.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I liked most about this book was the detailed look into the lives of Chinese women in the 18th century. Never before have I read such a description of the horrors of footbinding. Lisa See details the entire process from the first wrappings through the breaking and healing of the bones. She address the dangers, even death, that can result from the process. She returns to the consequences of footbinding throughout the lives of the girls - how the size of their feet can help make a better marriage. The constant cleaning rituals necessary to prevent infections through out their lives. And just how limited the lives of women are because they can't walk long distances on such small, unbalanced feet. And yet, given all of this, women in China continued to subject their daughters to this treatment for generations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another important Chinese cultural practice that is well developed in the book is the unequal treatment of men and women. From the beginning of the novel, it is obvious the young girls in the story are a burden. Everything they are taught in in preparation to get rid of them in marriage to the higest bidder. Once in their in laws homes the girls are at the mercy of their mother in law. Some get lucky, some do not. As the lowest member of the household most of the work falls to them. If they are fortuitous enough to give birth to a son, their lot in life may improve.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is because of the shared hardships that Chinese women developed their own secret, written langauge - <em>nu shu</em>. Kept secret and hidden from men, Chinese women used <em>nu shu</em> to share their joys and sorrows throughout their lives. <em>Nu shu</em> is the basis for a laotung relationship and it is through nu shu and the secret fan that Snow Flower and Lily share their lives together.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing in this book that I did not like. I highly recommend it. Don't let this one sit on your shelf for years like I did. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Rating</span> - A+</strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-62000734638582346072011-01-26T14:31:00.000-08:002011-01-26T14:31:18.895-08:00What's On Your Nightstand - January 2011<strong>Finished</strong> - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Acebe<br />
The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs<br />
The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory<br />
<br />
<strong>Started</strong> - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot<br />
The Art of War by Sun Tzu<br />
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre DumasUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-64413273113996137142011-01-02T14:17:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:23:06.591-08:00Things Fall Apartby Chinua Achebe<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfTQh9r1eqrk7ase6_OTIZX3yTnzlhaou7mKf5wuX9NVEnt_ya2YR_RG-JqyakA00mFNg_7wd1TxEgBBmEC3ACKK7jIGtjjCwXGZ-K_ZpfJ5owSC6Tr4GtSzmGgBD-VHSdFU9Gr8CQM-h/s1600/things+fall+apart.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfTQh9r1eqrk7ase6_OTIZX3yTnzlhaou7mKf5wuX9NVEnt_ya2YR_RG-JqyakA00mFNg_7wd1TxEgBBmEC3ACKK7jIGtjjCwXGZ-K_ZpfJ5owSC6Tr4GtSzmGgBD-VHSdFU9Gr8CQM-h/s1600/things+fall+apart.bmp" /></a></div><br />
I have been trying to read this book for several years and assigned it to my AP Human Geography class, which forced me to finally sit down and read it. Upon finishing it, I wonder what took me so long. Achebe's writing style leaves room for the reader to draw their own conclusions and fill in the blanks in many instances. Hallmarked as one of the first African books really about Africa, it gives great insight into life in African villages before the arrival of the white man and colonization. I found myself drawn into the symbiotic relationship between the Ibo and their natural surroundings. Everything had a reason, a purpose and a story. When the white man came and destroyed this relationship, I found myself more than just a little bit ashamed of my ancestors. <br />
<br />
I viewed the main character, Okonkwo, as a tragic hero in this novel. He achieves so much - building a successul farm, becoming a great warrior, marrying 3 wives, earning many village titles, but he also loses a great deal culminating in the losses of his son, his culture and belief in his fellow man. For Okonkwo, his Ibo people and Africa, things truly did fall apart in this novel.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Rating - B</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-28536752251351400172011-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:36:07.559-08:00Last 2 Reading Challenges for 2011<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When creating my original challenge list for 2011, these two challenges had not been posted yet, but I was looking for them</span>!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Southern Literature Challenge</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOg0pWkuUYAZTV97sqqXbS7GumbK_lydhdlwgKQxi0csSxshqYbdb4fip2983YqUBY0TAuWUvdOtd9ecsRGl0NAUWmDntetjHcy6aG-KBqeq7Rv_9JNmeNNdMQz7lYnQZB8KLV4UoUPec/s1600/Southern_Lit_Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOg0pWkuUYAZTV97sqqXbS7GumbK_lydhdlwgKQxi0csSxshqYbdb4fip2983YqUBY0TAuWUvdOtd9ecsRGl0NAUWmDntetjHcy6aG-KBqeq7Rv_9JNmeNNdMQz7lYnQZB8KLV4UoUPec/s1600/Southern_Lit_Challenge.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jen at </span><a href="http://www.theintrovertedreader.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Introverted Reader</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> is hosting the <a href="http://www.theintrovertedreader.com/2010/12/my-southern-literature-challenge.html">Southern Literature Challenge</a>. This is the one type of challenge I really wanted to join this year and I am so glad I found it. I am signing up at the Y'all Come Back Now level - 4 books. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I plan on reading </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/I-Still-Dream-About-You/Fannie-Flagg/e/9781400065936/?itm=2&USRI=i+still+dream+about+you">I Still Dream About You</a> by Fannie Flagg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Cracker-Queen/Lauretta-Hannon/e/9781592405312/?itm=2&USRI=the+cracker+queen">The Cracker Queen</a> by Loretta Hannon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/South-of-Broad/Pat-Conroy/e/9780385344074/?itm=2&USRI=south+of+broad">South of Broad</a> by Pat Conroy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">probably a Joshilyn Jackson book</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>Historical Fiction Challenge</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxMJRTAC-kfP0yBRYm0aDFmZryJtpECxuPW5iI93IlvrrP8plBgdfqxzuKrb5VXdxWzDGlE2EcYfXNK7teQLapy5-qDVekxgU6CBzFwwKXbwuH7jRoWp5KFMadJiAktgkIoIqDUChKnRd/s1600/historicalfiction_challenge_button_06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxMJRTAC-kfP0yBRYm0aDFmZryJtpECxuPW5iI93IlvrrP8plBgdfqxzuKrb5VXdxWzDGlE2EcYfXNK7teQLapy5-qDVekxgU6CBzFwwKXbwuH7jRoWp5KFMadJiAktgkIoIqDUChKnRd/s1600/historicalfiction_challenge_button_06.png" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I participated in this challenge last year at <a href="http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/">Royal Reviews</a> and am following it to its new home at <a href="http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com/">Historical Tapestry</a>. The <a href="http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com/2010/12/historical-fiction-challenge-2011.html">Historical Fiction Challenge</a> is one of my favorites, as in the past I have mostly read historical fiction. I am signing up at the Struggling with the Addiction - 10 books. I am hoping to overlap many books for this challenge with my other challenges. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My first read will be Philippa Gregory's <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-White-Queen/Philippa-Gregory/e/9781451602050/?itm=1&USRI=the+white+queen">The White Queen</a>. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-68716274230129078392011-01-01T18:38:00.000-08:002011-01-01T18:38:53.753-08:00Best Books of 2010As we ring in a new year, I wanted to share the books I consider to be the best books I read in 2010.<br />
<br />
The Help by Kathryn Stockett<br />
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larrson<br />
<a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/monique-and-mango-rains-two-years-with.html">Monique and the Mango Rains</a> by Kris Holloway<br />
<a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/people-of-book.html">People of the Book</a> by Geraldine Brooks<br />
Signoria da Vinci by Robin Maxwell<br />
<br />
Overall this year, I read 36 books with a total of 13,486 pages. Not bad statistics for a very busy school year which severely limited my reading time. I only wrote 16 reviews, a dismal number at best and one statistic I hope to increase over the course of 2011. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-46050067669822405742010-12-29T09:51:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:23:50.408-08:002011 E-Book Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xO6BPKBNGpWEt7cA4uFpcfBRBoEYTkpoMmmEdrzJaH7b6ahtMedKznTBel3rU44CloLw6yWrQtDMFKNdcPkhgIjvfkfd9pnG1rvkmVj03g5dJEpA3fTVxTfjXWUBnx7e-DfoqnEa3Kl8/s1600/EBookReadingChallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xO6BPKBNGpWEt7cA4uFpcfBRBoEYTkpoMmmEdrzJaH7b6ahtMedKznTBel3rU44CloLw6yWrQtDMFKNdcPkhgIjvfkfd9pnG1rvkmVj03g5dJEpA3fTVxTfjXWUBnx7e-DfoqnEa3Kl8/s1600/EBookReadingChallenge.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I will be participating in <a href="http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-e-book-reading-challenge.html">E-book Challenge</a> at <a href="http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/">The Ladybug Reads</a>. This is really a no brainer challenge for me as I am trying to use my nook more and more, only buying hard copy books at a discount or when a book is not available electronically. I have signed up for the addicted level - 12 e-books during 2011. I will probably read more than that, but I know my book budget will be much smaller this year than in years past, so I don't want to over-extend my available book funds. I also plan on overlapping this challlenge with the others I have joined for the year. <br />
<br />
Here are the details - <br />
Challenge Guidelines:<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.<br />
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.<br />
<br />
2. There are four levels:<br />
<br />
-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.<br />
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.<br />
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.<br />
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.<br />
<br />
3. Any genre counts.<br />
<br />
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.<br />
<br />
5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.<br />
<br />
6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post about the E-Book Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can join in and read your reviews and post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-78891426390415930432010-12-28T20:11:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:24:02.071-08:002011 Global Reading ChallengeI am joining the 2011 Global Reading Challenge this year. I am joining at the EASY level, which means 7 books, one from each continent. As a geography teacher, this challenge is right up my alley. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHLNRZz-8CApAQ92xZ2T6RGhnOfdsGYlmeJv65rcvPMx8Kt9w6H2hcWkBQGOG11Gsptpyk43qHH9KEbDbqMDQVWwcQOH_6JnHrvaqZa1gWfbS5K2_HjoDIijb2OBtbT93z7RxdYFd8p3g/s1600/2011_Global_Reading_Easy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHLNRZz-8CApAQ92xZ2T6RGhnOfdsGYlmeJv65rcvPMx8Kt9w6H2hcWkBQGOG11Gsptpyk43qHH9KEbDbqMDQVWwcQOH_6JnHrvaqZa1gWfbS5K2_HjoDIijb2OBtbT93z7RxdYFd8p3g/s1600/2011_Global_Reading_Easy.png" /></a></div><strong>The Easy Challenge</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011:<br />
<br />
Africa<br />
Asia<br />
Australasia<br />
Europe<br />
North America<br />
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)<br />
The Seventh Continent (here you can either choose Antarctica or your own ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it). <br />
<br />
From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.<br />
<br />
I have already selected some of the books I want to read. <br />
Africa - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe <br />
Asia - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See <br />
Australasia - <br />
Europe - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas<br />
North America - <br />
South America - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho<br />
The Seventh Continent - <br />
<br />
To join this fun challenge visit <a href="http://2011globalreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/">2011 Global Reading Challenge</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-13308685240728421772010-12-23T19:40:00.000-08:002010-12-23T19:40:44.929-08:00School of Life Reading Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcVmwp9KaJUiLs5XRjagt0d7Xom8IhVAqzJ4hBPf970H2839NRBxYFw2oQTT9X1rNjvfPHiKesKgtJFBzG0wFQMUD8NDLQh3_tLQWeoK_4RWaV9RSzY0o257cajALU0YDEjC1nAwYkIPq/s1600/reading_challenge_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcVmwp9KaJUiLs5XRjagt0d7Xom8IhVAqzJ4hBPf970H2839NRBxYFw2oQTT9X1rNjvfPHiKesKgtJFBzG0wFQMUD8NDLQh3_tLQWeoK_4RWaV9RSzY0o257cajALU0YDEjC1nAwYkIPq/s1600/reading_challenge_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I am the perpetual school nerd, a geek. I would be happy to go to school forever, getting degree after degree. What is stopping me? A little thing called tuition. So, when I found the <a href="http://catalogingmylife.blogspot.com/2010/12/school-of-life-reading-challenge.html">School of Life Reading Challenge,</a> I knew I was joining! This is the perfect challenge to feed my nerdiness. I am joining at the Summa Cum Laude level. I will be reading 12 books, but I will be double majoring in Human Geography and European History. I teach the Advanced Placement course for both of these subjects, so not only will I be in full geekdom, but I will also be accomplishing a great deal of research for my courses as well. <br />
<br />
Here is my initial list of books. <br />
<br />
<strong>Human Geography Books</strong> - <br />
1. Geography Matters by Harm de Blij<br />
2. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman<br />
3. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman<br />
4. Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<br />
<strong>European History Books</strong><br />
1. Sophie's World<br />
2. <br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-34686276350730805712010-12-23T19:28:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:24:18.769-08:002011 Reading Challenges<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am the first to admit I did not do very well with my 2010 Reading Challenges, but that is a topic for <a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-reading-challenges-wrap-up.html">another post</a>. I am, as always, drawn to the newness of a new year and all the opportunity that abounds. In this case, the opportunity to jump start my reading and blogging slump. I plan on joining the following challenges, with high hopes of completing all of them. The key to the challenges I chose this year is that many of them overlap, for example, most of the books for the 2011 Global Reading Challenge come from my TBR stack and will count for the Reading From My Shelves Project. I am still looking for a Southern Reading Challenge to join, so if you know of one, please let me know. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Challenge #1 - </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">School of Life</span> Reading Challenge</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcS23g4NWXwEQflsygvJ1olvV_R3ARcfigK4WagCGz_7iOh8C_c9DNMXUuCWAOhOxtj0aJkWNy6Be9Q5pChyphenhyphenVO2ynTExrb6gSR1JB4zH1temFMnWM0SxdEQqaZjpkHkguuR9Y_HwAb9Kh/s1600/reading_challenge_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcS23g4NWXwEQflsygvJ1olvV_R3ARcfigK4WagCGz_7iOh8C_c9DNMXUuCWAOhOxtj0aJkWNy6Be9Q5pChyphenhyphenVO2ynTExrb6gSR1JB4zH1temFMnWM0SxdEQqaZjpkHkguuR9Y_HwAb9Kh/s1600/reading_challenge_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Do you miss being a student? Did you major in English but you haven't read a classic in years? In this reading challenge you can pick and choose books that are assigned in classes related to your old major.<br />
<br />
<br />
How To Participate<br />
1. Decide which major or subject you would like to study<br />
2. Visit your alma mater's website and see if they have class syllabi online. If they don't, check one of the hundreds of free online classes at Yale, MIT, or any other college<br />
3. Pick a few classes in your major<br />
4. Choose one or more books required in each class syllabus<br />
5. You do not have to write reviews<br />
6. You may keep in touch and leave links to your reviews below, if you choose to write them<br />
7. You do not have to have a blog<br />
8. The books you choose can be overlaps from other reading challenges<br />
9. The challenge begins January 1 and ends December 31, 2011<br />
<br />
Levels of Participation <br />
cum laude: 6 books<br />
magna cum laude: 8 books<br />
summa cum laude: 12 books<br />
<br />
<strong>I will be joining at the Summa Cum Laude Level. I am going to do a "double major", reading 6 Human Geography books and 6 Euroepan History books - both courses I teach.</strong> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Challenge #2 - </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Reading From My Shelves Project</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMOPx0Edw-Z14jsM9s-AyYd82FtB-S5fSzEuT6AkbaOJbpAfRX6rvp1zyxuWrH4FSyxYOjk7kouP4IHyYWhk-_ECRRsxUIirbb83IghHzs50XmTdWwHy3xwH8xcmljl513Pq3FxZHrnF7/s1600/Reading+Shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMOPx0Edw-Z14jsM9s-AyYd82FtB-S5fSzEuT6AkbaOJbpAfRX6rvp1zyxuWrH4FSyxYOjk7kouP4IHyYWhk-_ECRRsxUIirbb83IghHzs50XmTdWwHy3xwH8xcmljl513Pq3FxZHrnF7/s1600/Reading+Shelves.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Details - <br />
Challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2011. <br />
<br />
<br />
Read books from your own shelves, and then pass the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves your house once it has been read. <br />
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Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum - no maximum). Cross over books are allowed. <br />
<br />
Grab the button and do a post about the challenge. <br />
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Keep a running list of the books you've read and passed on. <br />
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Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered (no Mr. Linky). <br />
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Have Fun and GOOD LUCK! <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Reading Challenge #3 - </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>ebook Reading Challenge</strong></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJtJi6zV17nZ6JwaOGB2Pf07vH1RCe5NKx3H33pX9VBC1CGH866PZUxI3a2h7_8WKqmwheRJspyFSMw5M16fsvRUTFQ3iy1ZHSrsuGbjvaI0uT5saTaM_vwlFYi88a6Z59E8qSp2kzCUU/s1600/EBookReadingChallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJtJi6zV17nZ6JwaOGB2Pf07vH1RCe5NKx3H33pX9VBC1CGH866PZUxI3a2h7_8WKqmwheRJspyFSMw5M16fsvRUTFQ3iy1ZHSrsuGbjvaI0uT5saTaM_vwlFYi88a6Z59E8qSp2kzCUU/s320/EBookReadingChallenge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
Challenge Guidelines: <br />
<br />
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.<br />
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.<br />
<br />
2. There are four levels:<br />
<br />
-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.<br />
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.<br />
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.<br />
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.<br />
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3. Any genre counts.<br />
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4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.<br />
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5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.<br />
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6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post about the E-Book Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can join in and read your reviews and post.<br />
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<strong>I am going to join at the Addicted Level - 12 books. Since my book budget will be smaller this year than ever before, I will be limited in the number of books I can add to my e-reader. I am hoping for some Barnes and Noble gift cards for Mother's Day, Birthday, Anniversary....</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Reading Challenge #4 - </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2011 Global Reading Challenge</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iGXE1iqEKTNng3J6UDMbDg-FPBNPaeL6sa16rnrAjJKd9-AHM1t6aVY4agkh_M4Xr9fOzmjAyAtBLKhfjxBUCOb2NNQiW9eS5wQBfXOEhq9JzPyyUpD2vEZubKlT25u2iqhiJIIO8XVe/s1600/2011_Global_Reading_Easy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iGXE1iqEKTNng3J6UDMbDg-FPBNPaeL6sa16rnrAjJKd9-AHM1t6aVY4agkh_M4Xr9fOzmjAyAtBLKhfjxBUCOb2NNQiW9eS5wQBfXOEhq9JzPyyUpD2vEZubKlT25u2iqhiJIIO8XVe/s1600/2011_Global_Reading_Easy.png" /></a></div><br />
The Easy Challenge<br />
<br />
Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011:<br />
Africa<br />
Asia<br />
Australasia<br />
Europe<br />
North America<br />
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)<br />
The Seventh Continent (here you can either choose Antarctica or your own ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it). <br />
<br />
From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.<br />
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The Medium Challenge<br />
Read two novels from each of these continents in the course of 2011:<br />
Africa<br />
Asia<br />
Australasia<br />
Europe<br />
North America<br />
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)<br />
The Seventh Continent<br />
<br />
Try to find novels from fourteen different countries or states.<br />
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The Expert Challenge<br />
Read three novels from each of these continents in the course of 2010:<br />
Africa<br />
Asia<br />
Australasia<br />
Europe<br />
North America<br />
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)<br />
The Seventh Continent<br />
<br />
Select novels from twenty-one different countries or states if possible. (For Australasia, selecting a different state for your last book will be acceptable)<br />
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<strong>I am joining at the EASY level, commiting to one book for each continent.</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will be posting individual sign up posts for each challenge for each with a list of books for each. To find the reading challenge that is right for you, visit A Novel Challenge. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-78426498154818321832010-12-23T19:10:00.000-08:002010-12-23T19:10:41.323-08:002010 Reading Challenges Wrap UpI joined 4 - year long reading challenges this year and I was afraid to even think about evaluating my success on any of them. I lost my reading mojo at the beginning of the summer and gave up on it around September. I couldn't seem to finish a book and had about 8 laying around the house in various stages of "unreadness". But, as my dear husband would say, I "manned up" and evaluated how little I had accomplished this year. <br />
<br />
I was most successful on the <a href="http://www.lifewithbooks.com/2010/01/posting-your-take-another-chance-challenge-entries/">Take Another Chance Challenge</a> - I joined at the Small Gamble Level, requiring me to read 3 books out of my comfort zone. I actually read 2 out of the 3.<br />
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The <a href="http://alainereading.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-historical-fiction-challenge.html">Historical Fiction Challenge</a> was also fairly successful. I signed on at the Obsessed level or 20 books. I completed 14 out of the 20. <br />
<br />
I was really interested in the concept of the <a href="http://socialjusticechallenge.mawbooks.com/monthly-social-justice-themes/">Social Justice Challenge</a>, but once I lost my reading mojo, there was no hope of me focusing on the serious topics and heavier content of the books this challenge necessitated. I hope another challenge like this comes my way at some point as I really want to complete the list of books and actions steps I had planned. I did read books for Religious Freedom, Water, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, and Child Soldiers and Children at War, so 4 out of 12 books. <br />
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The <a href="http://readywhenyouarecb.blogspot.com/2009/11/read-book-see-movie-challenge_25.html">Read the Book, See the Movie</a> challenge was an epic fail for me. I did not read one book, nor see one of the movies I put on my list. This challenge however still interests me and I hope to read the books and see the movies from my original list in 2011. <br />
<br />
All in all, not as bad as I thougth it would be. I read 35 books in 2010, 20 of which were for challenges. This gives me hope for the challenges I am considering signing up for in 2011. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-81565437095903077262010-09-30T10:10:00.000-07:002010-09-30T10:10:44.665-07:00Writer's Workshop - 10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I stumbled across </span><a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mama's Losin' It</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and her </span><a href="http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/2010/09/health-teacher/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Writer's Workshop</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> today and it was truly what I needed to jumpstart my writing. I am a descent academic writer, but creatively and expressively I don't believe I write very well. Most writing challenges are overwhelming and quite honestly scare me, but this one, with its variety of writing prompts made me feel comfortable. I chose prompt #5, 10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall, mostly because for the first time, in Georgia it actually FEELS like fall. Enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Pumpkins -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I love anything and everything about pumpkins, the color, the smell, the texture, the taste, basically everything. My favorite family outing is our trip to the local pumpkin patch. I have eleven years worth of wonderful pictures of my babies sitting amongst orange pumpkins, large and small. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Fall Foods -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all the fresh produce summer brings, but just as the weather starts to get cooler, I find myself anticipating our favorite fall foods. Chicken Pot Pie, Chili, Chicken and Dumplings, Bacon and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Cheese Soup, BBQ, Pumpkin Bread and Muffins, Apple Crisp, all those wonderful comfort foods that just scream cool weather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Halloween-</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Again, my love of this holiday is steeped in family tradition. Since my son's first Halloween we have hosted a Halloween Hayride through our neighborhood for trick or treat. It is a coveted invitation. As the kids have grown and siblings have been added, we have had a purchase a larger trailer not once, but twice. As my son heads into middle school I am already dreading the day he says he doesn't want to do it anymore. I think that will break my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Cooler Temperatures -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">After weeks and weeks of over 90 degree weather in Georgia, it feels so good to have a temperature break. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Rec Football -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My son plays rec football and my daughter cheers. My husband coaches and I am the team mom. We spend alot of time at the ball park in the fall. I wouldn't change it for anything. This time we spend at the park together is so valuable and appreciated. So what if the laundry doesn't get done, or we are up late doing a forgotten homework assignment. The time is so well spent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>College Football -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We live and breathe college football at our house. Saturday mornings are ripe with the cheers of "Game Day" which sends the dog scurrying to find his football. Alabama and Kentucky are the two teams we follow closely since my husband played for both, but any good SEC game or BCS game will always be on our television each and every week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Colors -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Vibrant yellows, rich reds, subtle browns - I just adore the colors of fall. Other than Christmas, fall is the only time I decorate my house. I just can't wait to pull out all my lovely fall linens, centerpieces and florals to bring the beauty of fall indoors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>My Back Porch, a Cup of Coffee and a Quilt -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Without a doubt, my favorite "room" in my house is my back porch. It is covered and runs the lenght of the house. It is secluded from my neighbors by a variety of trees and it is a very peaceful place. During the summer I drink my coffee there every morning until it gets just too hot to bear. The best day however it the day I need to wrap up in a quilt to enjoy my porch in the mornings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Routine - </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Since I am a teacher, our summers tend to just go with the flow. If we want to do it, we do. If we desire a day of doing nothing, well, we do that too. Fall brings back a much needed routine. Schoool, homework, football, cheerleading, work, Book Club... Eventhough we appreciate the freedom of summer, there is something to be said for the structure fall brings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Horse Racing -</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Growing up in Kentucky, fall always meant one very special thing -- the races. Living 3 miles from one of the most beautiful race tracks in the United States was a dream. We often skipped classes (both in high school and college) to catch the first race at Keeneland. Watching those amazing animals race at such speeds around the track is truly magnificent. Eventhough we don't get to go as often anymore, I still have fond memories of the first Saturday in October when the track would open and for 31 glorious days magic was made on the race track. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-22827613510855713912010-09-29T09:42:00.000-07:002010-09-29T09:42:02.229-07:00Banned Book Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCEYzxWTkvbgH2u4ZeL7vDAZCUvMhNYWMHa3YeG8MlTgIp-ofbWYq3sYJnq-YbXcl1rkeGncHI-1RlkrsNTRct1al1qhRxsjQWcQ-SuFEzKIjYkg0AShOex9ZRoG02QGtNpTG5D00aRBK/s1600/BBW%2520button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCEYzxWTkvbgH2u4ZeL7vDAZCUvMhNYWMHa3YeG8MlTgIp-ofbWYq3sYJnq-YbXcl1rkeGncHI-1RlkrsNTRct1al1qhRxsjQWcQ-SuFEzKIjYkg0AShOex9ZRoG02QGtNpTG5D00aRBK/s200/BBW%2520button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm">Banned Book Week</a>, so I did a bit of research on books that have been banned in the US. I am always amazed at the books people tend to challenge or ban and their reasons behind those decisions. A school system in Georgia several years ago had to fight a parent to keep the Harry Potter books on the shelves of their middle and high schools. The fight went all the way to the school board, not once, not twice, but three times before it was finally defeated and the books were allowed to stay on the shelves. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am all for censoring what my kids read, but should my opinions infringe upon the choices of others? I don't believe so. Do not deprive others of the choice to read a certain book based upon your values and beliefs, please allow me to do that for myself. OK, off my soapbox now.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are several lists of banned books to be found online. I randomly selected</span><a href="http://www.adlerbooks.com/banned.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> this one</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> from </span><a href="http://www.adlerrobin.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adler Books</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Upon reading the list, I found several of my favorite and most memorable books on the list (*books are books I was assigned to read for school assignments)- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To Kill a Mockingbird*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Grapes of Wrath*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bastard </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prince of Tides*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">100 Years of Solitude</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How to Eat Fried Worms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Forever</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fahrenheit 451</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Wrinkle in Time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flowers for Algernon*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Decameron*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bridge to Terabithia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What banned books have you read?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-85042139775087865872010-09-29T07:13:00.000-07:002010-09-29T07:21:50.291-07:00Fall Into Reading Challenge 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9_i8TWKvC6bLnflCB57uEgNpyls7zITq3drluj3aSs7TyWoTLekUu9dQuZykBira3WAiPMCuZOoZlh17TiJqjeSBlUfHvLd43D2XxEKnorCJ7CnZK0AdaY-g7qgOf8sS5Uex_gBxaeyl/s1600/FIR10_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9_i8TWKvC6bLnflCB57uEgNpyls7zITq3drluj3aSs7TyWoTLekUu9dQuZykBira3WAiPMCuZOoZlh17TiJqjeSBlUfHvLd43D2XxEKnorCJ7CnZK0AdaY-g7qgOf8sS5Uex_gBxaeyl/s200/FIR10_200.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I LOVE Katrina's Reading Challenges at <a href="http://callapidderdays.com/">Callipidder Days</a>. I am so glad to be joining the Fall Into Reading Challenge again. I failed miserably with the Spring Challenge and I hope I am being more realistic with my goals this time around. I can always depend on these challenges to jumpstart my reading. Here is my list of books I hope to read between September 22nd and December 20th. You can find the information to join<a href="http://callapidderdays.com/2010/09/fall-into-reading-2010-posting-guidelines.html"> here</a> and the post to link you list to <a href="http://callapidderdays.com/2010/09/fall-into-reading-2010-start-reading.html">here</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Fiction </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Little Bee by Chris Cleeve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Next by Stieg Larsson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Book Club pick for November</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Book Club pick for December</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Non-Fiction</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-74226041000239824362010-09-08T11:16:00.000-07:002010-09-08T18:09:39.726-07:00Meme of Reading Questions<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Found this gem while perusing all the Booking Through Thursdays I have missed on my unintentional book blogging hiatus. Couldn't resist!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Favorite childhood book? <span style="color: blue;">My Brother Sam is Dead.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. What are you reading right now? <span style="color: blue;">The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Know It All by AJ Jacobs, The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larsson</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. What books do you have on request at the library?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">none, I owe too much money in fines to use the library!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. Bad book habit? <span style="color: blue;">I fold down the corners of my pages if I don't have a bookmark</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? <span style="color: blue;">nothing, see #3</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6. Do you have an e-reader? <span style="color: blue;">Yes, a Nook, LOVE IT!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? <span style="color: blue;">I read several books at once. Usually my book club book, a book for school and one just for me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? <span style="color: blue;"> I choose from a more eclectic list and I HAVE to have a book the day it comes out because everyone has already read an advance copy and I feel left out!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?) <span style="color: blue;">Sacred Hearts</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? <span style="color: blue;">The Help</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? not often. <span style="color: blue;">Usually if it is a book club pick or a student recommends it so highly and so often, I have to read it to get them off my back</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">12. What is your reading comfort zone? <span style="color: blue;">Historical fiction, biographies, chick lit, mysteries, true crime</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">13. Can you read on the bus? <span style="color: blue;">Only if I want to throw up on the person sitting next to me</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">14. Favorite place to read? <span style="color: blue;">My back porch or my bed - depends on the time of day and the weather</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">15. What is your policy on book lending? <span style="color: blue;">The saddest thing is a book unread. I loan most of my books, if they don't come back, I just hope someone is reading them somewhere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">16. Do you ever dog-ear books? <span style="color: blue;">Yes</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? <span style="color: blue;">All the time, especially if I am reading for research for school or for my book club.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">18. Not even with text books? <span style="color: blue;">I write more in my textbooks than the author did</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19. What is your favorite language to read in?<span style="color: blue;"> English</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">20. What makes you love a book? <span style="color: blue;">an engrossing story with great characters. If I can empathize the characters I am hooked. Historical accuracy - as a history teacher, gross errors really turn me off. If I can't stop thinking about the characters and what happens next after I finish the book, it goes into my list of favorites.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? <span style="color: blue;">a great story, especially if there is a strong female character. I like my students to read about strong, intelligent women.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">22. Favorite genre? <span style="color: blue;">Historical fiction, by far</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) <span style="color: blue;">Fantasy</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">24. Favorite biography? <span style="color: blue;">The Six Wives of Henry VIII</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">25. Have you ever read a self-help book? <span style="color: blue;">Yes</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">26. Favorite cookbook? <span style="color: blue;">The Southern Living Ultimate Cookbook</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">28. Favorite reading snack? <span style="color: blue;">M & Ms or a glass of good pinot grigio</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. <span style="color: blue;">Harry Potter</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? <span style="color: blue;">not often</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? <span style="color: blue;">I will give a negative review based upon my experience with the book only. I try really hard NOT to attack the author, just tell why it did not work for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? <span style="color: blue;">French</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? <span style="color: blue;">Atlas Shrugged - had it on my shelf for 2 years now. Took me 10 just to buy it. Guess I'm making progress....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">35. Favorite Poet? <span style="color: blue;">Langston Hughes</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? <span style="color: blue;">None, see #3</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">37. How often have you returned book to the library unread? <span style="color: blue;">All the time</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">38. Favorite fictional character? <span style="color: blue;">Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">39. Favorite fictional villain?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? <span style="color: blue;">Historical Fiction or Crime/Suspense/Thrillers</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. <span style="color: blue;">3 - 4 months of reading for pleasure. I am always reading something for school</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">42. Name a book that you could/would not finish. <span style="color: blue;">Atonement and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading? <span style="color: blue;">TV</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">45. Most disappointing film adaptation? <span style="color: blue;">Twilight</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? <span style="color: blue;">Can't answer, my husband just might stumble upon this post....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? <span style="color: blue;">Maybe once, if at all</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? <span style="color: blue;">A story I can't get into or characters that are really unbelievable to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">49. Do you like to keep your books organized? <span style="color: blue;">I try....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? <span style="color: blue;">I keep them until someone wants to read them or I run out of space.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? <span style="color: blue;">The Hunger Games, not sure why.... want to read them, but just can't....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">52. Name a book that made you angry. <span style="color: blue;">My Sister's Keeper. Threw it across the room when I finished it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did? <span style="color: blue;">The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) and The Red Tent </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t? <span style="color: blue;">Sacred Hearts by Sarah Durant</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? <span style="color: blue;">Mystery/Crime/Suspense formula books. Jonathan Kellerman, Lisa Gardner, etc.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-35319024579489515482010-05-15T08:01:00.000-07:002010-05-15T08:01:58.604-07:00I'm Still Here...<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow, I have neglected not only my blogging, but my reading as well. The end of April and all of May are just crazy in the world of a teacher. I have managed to read a couple of books, but finding the time to write a thought out review has just not materialized. However, my AP exams are over! My students took the last one on Friday afternoon, my grading is caught up and I only have my final exams to write, final projects to grade and my room to pack up. Trust me that is a piece of cake compared to what I have had going on the past couple of weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best news I have had all week is that I have a job for next year and a full schedule of classes. Whew!!! With all the budget cuts in education in Georgia none of us felt safe until we had a contract in our hands. Mine is signed and delivered and I can rest a bit easier now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be getting some reviews up soon.</span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-7833926068832417982010-04-25T05:56:00.000-07:002010-04-25T06:17:39.693-07:00Sunday Salon - April 2010Wow, I didn't realize how little I read this month until planning this post. Hopefully I will find more reading time soon. <br /><br /><strong>April Review</strong><br /><br />The Reluctant Suitor by Kathleen Woodiwiss<br />Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoffis<br /><br /><strong>Reviews Written</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/monique-and-mango-rains-two-years-with.html">Monique and the Mango Rains </a><br /><a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-after-night.html">Day After Night </a><br /><br /><strong>Currently Reading</strong><br /><br />To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy<br />The Know It All by A J JacobsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-9004327395993077892010-04-22T05:51:00.000-07:002010-04-22T06:05:10.682-07:00Booking Through Thursday 4/22/10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAUtPuQYdxYlYAqyrZ2QAAB-NszGau9eJqfj_dPKlb-kA3a6XVJDX9ruL-uTvxDXSnHp7KedbCpPHY_0JUzanp2Cq206O5OBhZlf4Ah0k8EiV60rkO_UxwjXyOypxjJluNb_I-xhGOoFW/s1600/Booking++Through+Thursday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462944192756974322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 34px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAUtPuQYdxYlYAqyrZ2QAAB-NszGau9eJqfj_dPKlb-kA3a6XVJDX9ruL-uTvxDXSnHp7KedbCpPHY_0JUzanp2Cq206O5OBhZlf4Ah0k8EiV60rkO_UxwjXyOypxjJluNb_I-xhGOoFW/s200/Booking++Through+Thursday.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">EARTH DAY -</span></strong><br />It’s <span style="color:#33cc00;">Earth Day</span> … what are you reading? Are your reading habits changing for the sake of the environment? What are you doing for the sake of the planet today?<br /><br />I am currently reading <strong>The Know It All</strong> by A. J. Jacobs, a satire written by a journalist about his experience reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. I am thoroughly enjoying it.<br />My reading habits have changed<br /><ul><li>I recycle all magazines and newspapers</li><li>Share my books with neighbors, colleagues, family and students</li><li>Purchased an e-reader</li></ul>What am I doing for the sake of the planet today? The past year has been one of change in our household as we become more and more aware of how our individual actions affect our planet. Here is a list of the small things we do in our household to "make our world a better place" (a quote from 6 yo Boo Boo last weekend when she saw some kids planting flowers at their school).<br /><ul><li>Use reusable shopping bags wherever we shop, not just the grocery store. Most of them are made of recycled materials.</li><li>Switching out all lightbulbs to more energy efficient ones</li><li>Grow our own produce - we started a rather large suburban garden last year and I did not have to purchase much produce last summer and fall. We expanded this year to blueberries, strawberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes.</li><li>Installed a water barrel to use to water vegetables, fruits and flowers</li><li>Turn off lights when we leave the room (we are still working on this one!)</li><li>Recycle as much as possible</li><li>Use BPA free reusable water bottles</li><li>Cook at home as much as possible </li></ul><p>We have a long way to go, but I believe our family has made some positive changes in the past year. How about you? What are you doing to "make your world a better place"?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-47582896039888292652010-04-20T06:45:00.000-07:002010-04-20T12:48:24.186-07:00The Book List - Three Favorite Eras to Read AboutFor <a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/">Lost in Books </a>meme, The Book List - a short and fun meme that lets you make and share lists of books.<br />This week's topic is - <strong>Three Favorite Eras to Read About<br /></strong><br />1. <span style="color:#33cc00;">Tudor England</span> - this is by far my favorite era to read about. From Catherine of Aragon to Jane Parr, I am and always have been intrigued by everything revolving around Henry VIII and his many wives. As I have read more and more about this era, I have developed a deep respect for the literary and political advances of the time. His marital woes aside, Henry VIII was an innovative king and his dabbling in humanist ideas and the encouragement he offered men such as Sir Thomas More set the stage for the changes to come in Europe and the world.<br /><br />Favorite books from the Tudor Era - The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory, Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett<br /><br />2. <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>World War II</strong></span> - During my high school history classes this was always a favorite topic of mine. I was devasted in college when I could never fit the WWII History class into my schedule. As an AP European History teacher, I probably spend way too much time on this subject (but the students don't mind!). The sacrifices, the heart wrenching stories and the ultimate triumph of determination and spirit make this era one I cannot resist.<br /><br />Favorite books from the World War II Era - Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Dairy of a Young Girl by Anne Frank<br /><br />3. <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Modern Day Middle East</strong></span> - this is a new era of interest for me, sparked of course by the influx of Middle Eastern literature due to the recent conflicts in the area. Most of the fascination comes from how radically different the cultural norms are from our everyday existence. Another pull to this era is how women are treated.<br /><br />Favorite books from the Modern Day Middle East - A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra, Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad<br /><br />4. <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Civil War Era</span></strong> - I know, I know, I am only supposed to list 3, but the Civil War was the very first era I was interested in, going all the way back to reading Across Five Aprils in 3rd grade. This era developed my intense love of historical fiction as well as establishing my love of history which led to me chosen profession. My father being a member of the local Civil War Roundtable, just sealed the deal.<br /><br />Favorite books from the Civil War Era - North and South by John Jakes, In the Season of the Wild Rose by Clara Rising, and the classic, Gone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-16845487127290559002010-04-15T06:41:00.000-07:002010-04-15T06:49:08.175-07:00Booking Through Thursday 4/15This week's <a href="http://btt2.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/which-end/#comments">Booking Through Thursday </a>Question -<br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>In general, do you prefer the beginnings of stories? Or the ends?</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#333333;">I love a good beginning, it grabs your interests, pulls you in and keeps you going to discover the wonderful characters, plots, twists and turns of the book. For me, if the beginning doesn't get me, I probably won't finish the book. Now, I do love a good ending as well, but many, many times, I hate to see a book end because it means I have to say goodbye to a time, place and people that I have grown attached to. The end is where my emotions take over. This is where I cry (The Friday Night Knitting Club, Death Be Not Proud), get angry and throw the book across the room(My Sister's Keeper), sign with longing (Gone With the Wind), smile with hope (A Thousand Splendid Suns) and a million other emotions. I think it would be fair to say I enjoy the entire reading process. After all, isn't that why we read?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-87358655368366407532010-04-14T07:27:00.000-07:002010-04-14T07:39:57.761-07:00Monique and the Mango Rains - Two Years with a Midwife in Maliby Kris Holloway<br /><br />Monique and the Mango Rains is a memoir following the friendship of a Peace Corps volunteer and an overworked midwife in Mali It is an honest and heart tugging view of life, especially for women in a lesser developed country.<br /><br />In the developed world we, as women, take for granted so many things -- the ability to choose our own spouse, clean drinking water and an indoor bathroom, to use birth control or not, being in control of our own finances, giving birth in a safe, clean environment, access to health care and medicines for our children and seeing our children survive childhood. In many countries in the developing world, all of these are considered luxuries -- in Mali, to achieve even one of these is a miracle.<br /><br />As Monique Dembele's midwife's assistant, Kris Holloway experiences first hand some of the most horrifying statistics in Africa. She weighs a 2 year old child who weighs only 5 kg (11 pounds). She treats the wounds of a woman beaten by her husband because she gave birth to a girl. She attended horrible births only to watch both mother and child die. She watched as Monique's salary was given to her husband who spent it on motorcycles and leather jackets. She helps Monique struggle to aid the women of the village against a lack of education, a lack of resoures and the oppression of a strict patriarchical society. <br /><br />Yet, for all these differences there are also many similarities - somen depend on each other for support. Just like we go to lunch with our girlfriends to share our joys and frustrations, Malian women meet in the fields or at the well to share the news of the village. Women share the joys and sorrows of marriage, birth and death together. And in Mali, women are also the force behind change and innovation. Monique's determination to bring modern birth control methods and post-natal care to her village are just as radical as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony's crusade for the women's right to vote. <br /><br />The relationship that develops between Monique and Kris is beautiful. Never, at any time is it an unequal relationship -- both women have so much to teach and offer each other. There is never pity or envy, complaining or preaching, just two women who bring out the very best in each other. Monique and Kris remain close long after Kris's Peace Corp assignment is over. Monique even visits the United States. <br /><br />In a book that could have been so sad, depressing and hopeless, there was so much love and hope. This book will stay with me for a long time.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong>Rating - A</strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-77921272117303438922010-04-13T07:52:00.000-07:002010-04-13T08:12:15.388-07:00Day After Nightby Anita Diamant<br /><br />After loving The Red Tent, I was excited to pick up Day After Night by Anita Diamant. The book tells the migration story of a group of young women who join the Zionisht movement to Israel after World War II and the Balfour Declaration. This was a new topic for me and I learned a great deal about the settling of modern Israel. For example, when first arriving in Israel the girls were all put in camps run by the British. This seems a rather ludicrous idea after many of the settlers had just been released from German concentration camps. The camps however were clean, there was plenty of food and many educational opportunities from learning Hebrew to organizing political events. <br /><br />The bulk of the story follows 4 young women as they try to settle in Israel. Their reasons and goals for coming to Israel are just as varied as their backgrounds. Diamant develops these characters so well, that you can visualize not only the physical characteristics of each girl, but also the psychological scars each bears. <br /><br />The reasons people came to settle Israel were so varied. There were many staunch Zionists -- many who had fought for a Jewish homeland long before World War II. There were many who were non-religious and viewed Israel as an ethnic country rather than a religious one. There were also many who came because they had no where else to go -- they had lost everything and everyone to the Germans, so they came to Israel to start over. <br /><br />This was a quick, light read, which I was not expecting given the subject. I expected more emotion and depth to the total story, but it was truly rather passive, almost as if they story, like the Jewish suriviors of the war, was tired. The story also mimics the holding pattern the settlers are in once they arrive. They wait in the camps until someone sponsors them or the British/Israeli government assigns them to the kibbutz. <br /><br />This book fascinated me. I learned so much about the settlement of modern day Israel, how the settlers were treated, their reasons for coming and how the British were overwhelmed by the numbers of refugees coming to the new country. This is a great book to read if, especially like me, you love World War II novels. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6633ff;"><strong>Rating - B</strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-87254231277303289472010-04-12T16:57:00.000-07:002010-04-13T06:12:42.374-07:00The Book List - Books I Should Love, But Actually Hate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_yPLwxkNP8Q0ycEZLL4X_hWcBYSX86d8OniPEyvM6CX1GmSXs1WCZ7i7YYJH9Zi2d6SR89TYXTatEHF6Wb9onosbopzOfI96P7c9megcBq843B8WISQLNGarJiZYm8g1IzhMopcb99ko/s1600/booklist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459408508887107794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_yPLwxkNP8Q0ycEZLL4X_hWcBYSX86d8OniPEyvM6CX1GmSXs1WCZ7i7YYJH9Zi2d6SR89TYXTatEHF6Wb9onosbopzOfI96P7c9megcBq843B8WISQLNGarJiZYm8g1IzhMopcb99ko/s320/booklist.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div>For <a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/">Lost in Books </a>meme, The Book List - a short and fun meme that lets you make and share lists of books.<br /></div><div>This week's topic is -<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Books You Should Love, But Actually Hate</span></strong><br /></div><div>1. Harry Pot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidheiUnYuwRd4Z4-BeNwppRr9KlNF0sC3edyJ4uK8P-QGO83qLzuCftANLlWRZzS3GhVgUgMxMuYfR8OKYkqfpmTEBHIuYWpdZmcvdT_jfvzH01rI9vGKugwOFroyyhhVFtxp7ofuJYWNd/s1600/harry+potter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459406545690374290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidheiUnYuwRd4Z4-BeNwppRr9KlNF0sC3edyJ4uK8P-QGO83qLzuCftANLlWRZzS3GhVgUgMxMuYfR8OKYkqfpmTEBHIuYWpdZmcvdT_jfvzH01rI9vGKugwOFroyyhhVFtxp7ofuJYWNd/s200/harry+potter.jpg" border="0" /></a>ter by J. K. Rowling- not just The Sorcerer's Stone, but all of them, I just could not get into these. My husband and son have both devoured them as have numerous students, they are just not for me. Not a big fan of the movies either, so that has nothing to do with it.</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div>2. The Shack by William Paul Young- This book is nothing at all li<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Av7ser7RkhSkUYRXfDtiCOEqbFwZd6-viPVXNdUQ-lQ_3zjS94V-JbeYsq9R3OUoeBORIMQeoqHQwNymhM46OP9ySwzsbJHPLHL6mWXWQL0Fe7Jap4jl7m9AGORTXkKz2nL3WHOG9_Y/s1600/shack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459407862607018002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Av7ser7RkhSkUYRXfDtiCOEqbFwZd6-viPVXNdUQ-lQ_3zjS94V-JbeYsq9R3OUoeBORIMQeoqHQwNymhM46OP9ySwzsbJHPLHL6mWXWQL0Fe7Jap4jl7m9AGORTXkKz2nL3WHOG9_Y/s200/shack.jpg" border="0" /></a>ke my personal perception and relationship with God,<br />I had a hard time believing it at all. I know others just loved it, but not me.<br /></div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />3. Atonemen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96m6-va8zY6B2wQ5Gu4RF2RJGgaA3EMoAA7HBhcLHekjhyqKkF1XJtcFq61ZYgZj0Pq63fcQ-yrs3YPUWmVSBOMYjGEAabXMcRLyvFLX7UvcHTdXsdgxzAj9x1A_saWKxRZbtEhu8Eh-G/s1600/atonement.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459408371174339458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96m6-va8zY6B2wQ5Gu4RF2RJGgaA3EMoAA7HBhcLHekjhyqKkF1XJtcFq61ZYgZj0Pq63fcQ-yrs3YPUWmVSBOMYjGEAabXMcRLyvFLX7UvcHTdXsdgxzAj9x1A_saWKxRZbtEhu8Eh-G/s200/atonement.jpg" border="0" /></a>t by Ian McEwan - I was the only on in my book club that did not like this<br /></div><div>selection. In fact, it was one of the few books I have never finished. I could not connect with any of the characters and the plotline just left me cold. I was disappointed, because I really like Ian McEwan and have read (and liked) many of his other books, especially Amsterday. Again, didn't see the movie either.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div></div><div></div><div>To join the fun, like up to The Book List at <a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/">Lost in Books</a>! <div><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-88575315976688238322010-03-29T12:28:00.000-07:002010-03-29T12:41:42.904-07:00Water - Social Justice ChallengeThis is my very belated wrap up for the <a href="http://socialjusticechallenge.mawbooks.com/monthly-social-justice-themes/water/">Social Justice Challenge February Topic </a>-- Water. I addressed the initial questions for this topic <a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/social-justice-challenge-water.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I wanted to read Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway but I had a difficult time locating a copy of the book, so I adjusted my reading to online articles. I chose to focus on dams. In my AP Human Geograpy class we were studying development and one of the first pieces of infrastructure that can contribute to the development of an area is a dam. I created a lesson comparing and contrasting the Aswan High Dam in Egypt and the Three Gorges Dam in China. We looked at the economic, political, cultural and environmental impact of each dam. Students then had to decide if each dam was a positive or negative force on the area and support their decision with specific data. Overwhelmingly they addressed the environmental and cultural concerns of the Three Gorges Dam, while admitting that the dam did control flooding and helped prevent drought in parts of China. This brought about many excellent discussion points on development, flooding, agriculture, preservation of culture and environmental concerns and the impossible situation governments face trying to satisfy all points of view. Living in a community where a dam and the lake it creates permeates many parts of their life, it was an eye opening lesson for many of them.<br /><br />** I did finally find a copy of Monique and the Mango Rains. A review is coming very soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807864237777122340.post-15273197080614699112010-03-28T18:26:00.000-07:002010-03-28T18:33:06.968-07:00Sunday Salon - March 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddNVAZ7NUFTSDMbiAQhn-uX7KckJntzkkcDPySdQn0EZEBksKEwlB9-Rbnd0PMnPkFldTa5fnYj9fWeNF2yAPIKL09cBiLIWzQfV3bmeP7iJLeQl7Qz5JMohGhV0mWqI7K2EaB-s4mPIA/s1600/Sunday+Salon.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 125px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 66px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453861323149355122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddNVAZ7NUFTSDMbiAQhn-uX7KckJntzkkcDPySdQn0EZEBksKEwlB9-Rbnd0PMnPkFldTa5fnYj9fWeNF2yAPIKL09cBiLIWzQfV3bmeP7iJLeQl7Qz5JMohGhV0mWqI7K2EaB-s4mPIA/s200/Sunday+Salon.png" /></a><strong> March Review Edition</strong><br /><br />This month I read (linked to reviews)<br /><br /><a href="http://booksjustbooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/people-of-book.html">The People of the Book </a>by Geraldine Brooks<br />Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford<br />Day After Night by Anita Diamant<br />Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway<br />Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge<br /><br />Our Book Club met tonight and we discussed Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.<br />We also will be reading Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff for our April selection.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1