What's On Your Nightstand - March 2011

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. 

Finished in March -
The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas
The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
Bound South by Susan Rebecca White
                                          A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

Currently Reading -
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (reread to teach to my Geography classes)
The Alchemist by Paul Coehlo
Freedom by Johnathan Franzen

Next Up -
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston

To see what others are reading this month, visit 5 Minutes for Books.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

by Lisa See

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 Global Reading Challenge as my Asian selection and I really wish I would have read it sooner.

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 laotung 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.

The laotung 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 laotung relationship between Lily and Snow Flower is based on deception and this ultimately breaks down this sacred connection.

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.

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.

It is because of the shared hardships that Chinese women developed their own secret, written langauge - nu shu.  Kept secret and hidden from men, Chinese women used nu shu to share their joys and sorrows throughout their lives.  Nu shu 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.

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. 

Rating - A+

What's On Your Nightstand - January 2011

Finished - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Acebe
                  The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs
                  The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory

Started - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
                The Art of War by Sun Tzu
                The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe

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. 

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.

Rating - B

Last 2 Reading Challenges for 2011

When creating my original challenge list for 2011, these two challenges had not been posted yet, but I was looking for them!

Southern Literature Challenge

Jen at The Introverted Reader is hosting the Southern Literature Challenge.  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. 

I plan on reading
I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
The Cracker Queen by Loretta Hannon
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
probably a Joshilyn Jackson book

Historical Fiction Challenge

I participated in this challenge last year at Royal Reviews and am following it to its new home at Historical Tapestry.  The Historical Fiction Challenge 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. 

My first read will be Philippa Gregory's The White Queen. 

Best Books of 2010

As we ring in a new year, I wanted to share the books I consider to be the best books I read in 2010.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larrson
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Signoria da Vinci by Robin Maxwell

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. 

2011 E-Book Challenge

I will be participating in E-book Challenge at The Ladybug Reads.  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.

Here are the details -
Challenge Guidelines:


1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

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.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

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.

2011 Global Reading Challenge

I 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. 

The Easy Challenge


Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011:

Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)
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).

From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.

I have already selected some of the books I want to read.
Africa - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Asia - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Australasia -
Europe - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
North America -
South America - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Seventh Continent -
 
To join this fun challenge visit 2011 Global Reading Challenge.

School of Life Reading Challenge

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 School of Life Reading Challenge,  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. 

Here is my initial list of books. 

Human Geography Books -
1.  Geography Matters by Harm de Blij
2.  The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
3.  Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman
4.  Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan
5.
6.

European History Books
1.  Sophie's World
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2011 Reading Challenges

I am the first to admit I did not do very well with my 2010 Reading Challenges, but that is a topic for another post.  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. 

Challenge #1 -
School of Life Reading Challenge

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.


How To Participate
1. Decide which major or subject you would like to study
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
3. Pick a few classes in your major
4. Choose one or more books required in each class syllabus
5. You do not have to write reviews
6. You may keep in touch and leave links to your reviews below, if you choose to write them
7. You do not have to have a blog
8. The books you choose can be overlaps from other reading challenges
9. The challenge begins January 1 and ends December 31, 2011

Levels of Participation
cum laude: 6 books
magna cum laude: 8 books
summa cum laude: 12 books

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. 

Challenge #2 -
Reading From My Shelves Project

The Details -
Challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2011.


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.

Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum - no maximum). Cross over books are allowed.

Grab the button and do a post about the challenge.

Keep a running list of the books you've read and passed on.

Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered (no Mr. Linky).

Have Fun and GOOD LUCK!
 
Reading Challenge #3 -
ebook Reading Challenge

 
 
Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

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.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

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.

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....

Reading Challenge #4 -
2011 Global Reading Challenge

The Easy Challenge

Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)
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).

From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.

The Medium Challenge
Read two novels from each of these continents in the course of 2011:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)
The Seventh Continent

Try to find novels from fourteen different countries or states.

The Expert Challenge
Read three novels from each of these continents in the course of 2010:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America (please include Central America where it is most convenient for you)
The Seventh Continent

Select novels from twenty-one different countries or states if possible. (For Australasia, selecting a different state for your last book will be acceptable)

I am joining at the EASY level, commiting to one book for each continent.

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. 

2010 Reading Challenges Wrap Up

I 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. 

I was most successful on the Take Another  Chance Challenge - 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.

The Historical Fiction Challenge was also fairly successful.  I signed on at the Obsessed level or 20 books.  I completed 14 out of the 20. 

I was really interested in the concept of the Social Justice Challenge, 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. 

The Read the Book, See the Movie 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. 

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. 

Writer's Workshop - 10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall

I stumbled across Mama's Losin' It and her Writer's Workshop 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.

10 Reasons I'm Glad It's Fall

Pumpkins -
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. 

Fall Foods -
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.

Halloween-
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.

Cooler Temperatures -
After weeks and weeks of over 90 degree weather in Georgia, it feels so good to have a temperature break. 

Rec Football -
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.

College Football -
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. 

Colors -
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.

My Back Porch, a Cup of Coffee and a Quilt -
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.

Routine -
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.

Horse Racing -
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. 

Banned Book Week

This is Banned Book Week, 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.  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.....


There are several lists of banned books to be found online.  I randomly selected this one from Adler Books.  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)-


To Kill a Mockingbird*
The Grapes of Wrath*
The Bastard
Prince of Tides*
100 Years of Solitude
How to Eat Fried Worms
Forever
Fahrenheit 451
A Wrinkle in Time
Flowers for Algernon*
Decameron*
Bridge to Terabithia


What banned books have you read?

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2010

I LOVE Katrina's Reading Challenges at Callipidder Days.  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 here and the post to link you list to here. 

Fiction
Little Bee by Chris Cleeve
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet's Next by Stieg Larsson
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Book Club pick for November
Book Club pick for December

Non-Fiction
I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali
The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs

Meme of Reading Questions

Found this gem while perusing all the Booking Through Thursdays I have missed on my unintentional book blogging hiatus.  Couldn't resist!


1. Favorite childhood book? My Brother Sam is Dead.

2. What are you reading right now? The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Know It All by AJ Jacobs, The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larsson


3. What books do you have on request at the library?
none, I owe too much money in fines to use the library!


4. Bad book habit? I fold down the corners of my pages if I don't have a bookmark.


5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?  nothing, see  #3


6. Do you have an e-reader?  Yes, a Nook, LOVE IT!


7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?  I read several books at once.  Usually my book club book, a book for school and one just for me.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?  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!


9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)  Sacred Hearts

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?  The Help


11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? not often.  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. 


12. What is your reading comfort zone?  Historical fiction, biographies, chick lit, mysteries, true crime


13. Can you read on the bus? Only if I want to throw up on the person sitting next to me.


14. Favorite place to read? My back porch or my bed - depends on the time of day and the weather.


15. What is your policy on book lending?  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.


16. Do you ever dog-ear books?  Yes


17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?  All the time, especially if I am reading for research for school or for my book club.


18. Not even with text books? I write more in my textbooks than the author did.


19. What is your favorite language to read in? English


20. What makes you love a book?  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.


21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? a great story, especially if there is a strong female character.  I like my students to read about strong, intelligent women.


22. Favorite genre? Historical fiction, by far


23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) Fantasy


24. Favorite biography?  The Six Wives of Henry VIII


25. Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes


26. Favorite cookbook? The Southern Living Ultimate Cookbook


27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?


28. Favorite reading snack? M & Ms or a glass of good pinot grigio


29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.  Harry Potter


30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? not often


31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?  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.


32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? French


33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?


34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? Atlas Shrugged - had it on my shelf for 2 years now.  Took me 10 just to buy it.  Guess I'm making progress....


35. Favorite Poet? Langston Hughes


36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? None, see #3


37. How often have you returned book to the library unread? All the time


38. Favorite fictional character? Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind


39. Favorite fictional villain?


40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Historical Fiction or Crime/Suspense/Thrillers


41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. 3 - 4 months of reading for pleasure.  I am always reading something for school


42. Name a book that you could/would not finish. Atonement and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle


43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading? TV


44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?


45. Most disappointing film adaptation? Twilight


46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?  Can't answer, my husband just might stumble upon this post....


47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Maybe once, if at all


48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?  A story I can't get into or characters that are really unbelievable to me.


49. Do you like to keep your books organized?  I try....


50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? I keep them until someone wants to read them or I run out of space.


51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?  The Hunger Games, not sure why.... want to read them, but just can't....


52. Name a book that made you angry.  My Sister's Keeper.  Threw it across the room when I finished it!


53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?  The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) and The Red Tent


54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?  Sacred Hearts by Sarah Durant


55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?  Mystery/Crime/Suspense formula books.  Jonathan Kellerman, Lisa Gardner, etc.

I'm Still Here...

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. 


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. 


I will be getting some reviews up soon. 

Sunday Salon - April 2010

Wow, I didn't realize how little I read this month until planning this post. Hopefully I will find more reading time soon.

April Review

The Reluctant Suitor by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoffis

Reviews Written

Monique and the Mango Rains
Day After Night

Currently Reading

To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy
The Know It All by A J Jacobs

Booking Through Thursday 4/22/10

EARTH DAY -
It’s Earth Day … 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?

I am currently reading The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs, a satire written by a journalist about his experience reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. I am thoroughly enjoying it.
My reading habits have changed

• I recycle all magazines and newspapers
• Share my books with neighbors, colleagues, family and students
• Purchased an e-reader

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).

• Use reusable shopping bags wherever we shop, not just the grocery store. Most of them are made of recycled materials.
• Switching out all lightbulbs to more energy efficient ones
• 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.
• Installed a water barrel to use to water vegetables, fruits and flowers
• Turn off lights when we leave the room (we are still working on this one!)
• Recycle as much as possible
• Use BPA free reusable water bottles
• Cook at home as much as possible

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"?

The Book List - Three Favorite Eras to Read About

For Lost in Books meme, The Book List - a short and fun meme that lets you make and share lists of books.
This week's topic is - Three Favorite Eras to Read About

1. Tudor England - 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.

Favorite books from the Tudor Era - The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory, Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett

2. World War II - 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.

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

3. Modern Day Middle East - 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.

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

4. Civil War Era - 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.

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 Mitchell

Booking Through Thursday 4/15

This week's Booking Through Thursday Question -

In general, do you prefer the beginnings of stories? Or the ends?

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?