Wordless Wednesday: Graduation Cake
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Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Wishes I’d Ask The Book Genie To Grant Me
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Wishes I’d Ask The Book Genie To Grant Me
I’ve been out of the TTT circuit for a few weeks (months?) as much of my writing time has been devoted to working on my thesis about the inner and outer journeys portrayed in travel writing, but I thought I would hop over to The Broke and the Bookish and just see what I have been missing out on recently. I hadn’t planned on doing an entry for this week, but after just finishing Salman Rushdie’s new novel Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, the word “genie” in the prompt caught my attention and just bounced around in my mind while I made dinner. (If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy of Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, head to your closest book store, library or online lending site right now! It’s a great read…although long and mind-bending.)
I’m curious to see where other bloggers go with this prompt, as it can veer off in innumerable ways, but between ponderings of genies (thanks to Rushdie) and my mom’s recent call for family Christmas lists, I’ve compiled a list of bookish things a genie/Santa could USPS to me in Malaysia!
Book Lovers’ Soy Candles– I have had several of these candles, both the full-sized and the tea light collections. While I am not sure what Gatsby’s mansion smelled like, I can attest to Reading at the Café being spot-on. My favorite might be Bookstore, but I do enjoy burning all of them. (We lovingly call these my “study candles” as I always light one when I sit down to work on my thesis. I figure books in the air might help the literary juices flow in my brain…so far it seems to be working!) https://www.etsy.com/shop/Frostbeard
Bookopoly- I’ve never been a big fan of Monopoly (the game invented to start fights between siblings), but now that I found a book version, I may have a sing a new tune! I’d probably never play this if I owned it, but it would be fun to take out and look at on occasion! http://www.amazon.com/Late-for-the-Sky-5514870/dp/B000HET4YC/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1354048649&sr=8-15&keywords=book+end
Bookplate stamp- What a cute idea! I absolutely love recommending/lening books to people and while I don’t really complain if the book never comes back, it might be nice to keep a bit better track of them. I have sticker bookplates, but I always end up using them up (or not using them enough because I don’t want to use them up). A stamp would be the perfect remedy for this little book-problem. https://www.etsy.com/listing/189508315/custom-bookplate-stamp-personalized?ref=shop_home_active_2&zanpid=2091145740314612736&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=zanox&utm_campaign=row_buyer&utm_content=977275
Card Catalog– I don’t know what I would do with it or where I would put it, but I would love to have a card catalog. They’ve got to be around, right? Libraries are switching to having all of their files electronically, so where are those beautiful wooden cabinets going? My place would be the perfect forever-home for one! http://www.ebay.com/bhp/library-card-catalog
Notecards from the Library of Congress– Between my love of books and my obsession with stationery products, this is a must-have item! There is little about this not to love, including the price. http://www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/card-catalog-30-notecards-from-the-library-of-congress-14731-p.asp
Pandora book charm– My bracelet is almost full (which just means it is time to get a second one), but somehow with all of those charms, I don’t have anything bookish. It might be time for the literature genie to remedy that oversight. http://www.pandora.net/en-us/explore/products/charms/790536/by/theme/~100
Quilt- My best friend is a quilter and has promised to make me a book quilt, if only we could find a pattern we loved. When I was in Utah last summer, we went to a handful of quilting/crafting stores looking for a pattern, with no luck. How are there not more bookshelf patterns out there? Do the worlds of quilters and readers not overlap?
Quote pencils- While I am not a huge Harry Potter fan (I know, I know, take away my middle school English-teacher title!), I do love these pencils. Take this idea and use quotes from a variety of American literature (or travel literature) and I’d be all over that. (We’re talking about a genie or a fictional gift-bearing fat man here, so I’m sure this is a doable tweak.) https://www.etsy.com/listing/75863177/harry-potter-6-wrapped-pencil-set?ref=related-1
Tattoo- No pictures yet…just a thought wandering my head…I do have a favorite book quote in mind…time will tell…
Vintage Typewriter– Last Christmas, we were invited to a holiday party at the home of another Foreign Service officer in KL. We had chatted around the office and at a few events, but I had no idea that he had a degree in poetry and was blown away by his beautiful vintage typewriter collection. While the rest of the party-goers enjoyed the eggnog and mulled cider, I wandered his apartment, fascinated by these beautiful machines, contemplating a new collection of my own. Maybe this is the year to start! http://www.vintagetypewritershoppe.com/Vintage_Typewriters.html
Okay book genie, you’ve got your marching orders. I’ve got ten items of my wish list, but if I had to narrow it down to the traditional genie three, I’d go with: card catalog, start of a vintage typewriter collection and a bookshelf quilt. Abracadabra!
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List
(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)
I’ve been overwhelmed with the lists of fall publications I’ve seen lately, giving me a never-ending TBR list for this fall. The problem is, I don’t have a lot of free time for pleasure reading until after the holidays when I will have finished my thesis and graduated from my literature and writing program. (Fingers crossed!) Until then, the TBR list will continue to grow in and January I may have to hide away for a few weeks and do nothing but get caught up!!
(I do have a couple of “cheat” books on my list- those that I have been looking forward to that I’ve been able to read in the last couple of weeks. September counts as fall, right?)
Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb- Another book title I’ve seen over and over on lists of the best books of the fall and of the year, so this is definitely one I want to check out…maybe sooner than later…
Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg- This one was just published a few weeks ago, but I’ve already seen in on several “best of the year” lists, so it is definitely one that I need to look into as soon as I get a chance.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon- This is my other “cheat” book on this week’s list. It’s a YA novel that came out earlier in the month and has not only gotten great reviews online, but was recommended by a fellow blogger and book lover (check her out at Erratic Project Junkie), so I knew I had to pick it up ASAP. I’ve since read it and recommended it to several other people. Great book for teens and adults alike!
Fate and Furies by Lauren Groff- Another book making waves on the literary lists, both best seller and reviews. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one, although I have a feeling this might be one of the ones that has to wait until after the new year.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson- A witty blogger making good on her writing skills? Publication and a payday? Who isn’t rooting for this woman?!? This one doesn’t come out until next week, but I am hoping it shows up on my e-library list ASAP!
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell- Vowell is one of my favorite narrative non-fiction writers and one of those authors whose works I buy automatically when they come out. I don’t even need to read the blurb or have any idea the subject. I will buy what she writes. Her new ones doesn’t come out until October, but I’ve already got it on my Amazon list, ready to purchase.
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari- I’m not sure what to think about this one, based on the reviews, but I love Aziz. Anytime a new comedy special by him pops up on Netflix, I stop what I am doing and watch the entire thing. I think he is hilarious, so his take on modern dating will hopefully be as entertaining.
Purity by Jonathon Franzen- I love Franzen’s works. I love that they make me slow down and take in each character and scene. They aren’t always easy reads, definitely not for the beach, but he’s a fantastic writer and I look forward to each new release. For sure this one is going to have to wait until the thesis is turned in!
The Tao of Travel by Paul Theroux- This is one of those “cheat” books. I’ve been reading it as I work on my thesis and I am loving all the pieces and parts from great contemporary travel literature. I’ve had this on my ereader, but am sorely tempted to get a paperback copy ASAP.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling- If you have read some of my other TTT lists, you will know that I adored Kaling’s first book and have been looking forward to her second. This is another “cheat.” The book came out on Tuesday. I was home with the flu on Tuesday. I bought it and read it on Tuesday.
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten (or Seven, as the Case May Be) Characters You Just Didn’t Click With
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten (or Seven, as the Case May Be) Characters You Just Didn’t Click With
(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)
This week’s topic is an interesting one, as I tend to easily forget books/characters that annoy me. With no investment in them, as soon as I turn the last page, I’ve moved on, so coming up with ten that I just didn’t love required me to go back to my GoodReads list and look through the books I’ve read over the last few years. I also realized that sometimes I have a hard time differentiating between plots/writing I don’t like and individual characters I don’t like. For all of these reasons, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday didn’t draw me in the way some topics do, so I never did come up with ten. This week is a Top Seven Tuesday instead!
So, who did I really not care for?
Here they are, in alphabetical order.
Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard from Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen – As a main player in a non-fiction work, Dr. Hazzard is a character that no reader is going to “click” with as she was a terrible person, in real life! There is no writing her off as a mere character, as she lived and practiced her crazy “starvation” method of treatment in the Pacific Northwest for years, scamming rich people out of their money, preying on those who had both wealth and ill health.
Husband from The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman- As far as I can remember, the husband in this story does not have a name, but he doesn’t need one to be memorable as a terrible person. Rather than dealing with his wife’s declining mental health (possible post-partum depression), he and the local doctor lock her away in an upstairs room, not allowing her books or other forms of entertainment. “Rest” is their only prescription and the husband stands by and watches as his wife descends into madness.
Job from Mr. and Mrs. Doctor by Julie Iromuanya– I really wanted to love this book. The foundation is strong, about the uphill battle many immigrants face when uprooting their lives to start over in America, but I couldn’t get past Job and his selfishness throughout. My sympathy for him quickly waned as I became frustrated with his choices and the fact that he let his ego get in the way of making a better life for himself and his wife.
Raf from Glow by Ned Beauman- Overall, I struggled with this book. I felt like I had taken some illegal substance as I tried to follow the plot and Raf’s character in no way helped clear up my confusion! Manic is a good word for both Raf and this entire novel.
Rex Yanakakisb from The Compound by S.A. Bodeen- Unlike several of the other choices on this list, I loved this book, just couldn’t stand one of the main characters. This one was of my favorite read-aloud books to share with my students when I was teaching middle school, as the plot grabs them instantly and holds their attention until the very last page. But, with that said, the father of the story, Rex, is a terrible person who puts his family in an unthinkable position, all for his own selfish reasons. The psychological damage he causes his kids is enormous and yet in his mind, it is all worth the pain as long as he gets his way in the end.
Serena from Serena by Ron Rash- Another horrible human being. Serena has no redeeming qualities and drags those around her into her ethical black hole. (At least her husband, who is equally lacking in morals, has moments of guilt and regret.) Serena will personally kill or command others to kill anyone who stands in the way of her logging empire. Without giving major spoiler alerts, just know that there is no one exempt from her wrath.
Susan from Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman- Horrible person! I almost didn’t finish this travelogue because I found the narrator so awful. You would think if you were given the chance to write about yourself, you’d attempt to shine a light on your positive aspects, but Gilman just comes across as selfish and spoiled, easily fulfilling the role of “ugly American” in her China travels. This book should be a perfect fit with my thesis on contemporary travel writing, but there is no way I can face months and months of delving into it again and again, so it’s cut from the list! This is probably the character that I feel the strongest about from this entire list, probably in part because she is an actual person who behaved so terribly.
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Would Be On My Syllabus If I Taught (When I Teach) Contemporary Travel Literature 101
Top Ten Tuesday:
Top Ten Books That Would Be On My Syllabus If I Taught (When I Teach) Contemporary Travel Literature 101
(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)
What a fitting topic as I head back to school in less than a week! As I am looking down the long (and yet, in some ways, not long enough) tunnel of writing my thesis on contemporary travel literature this term, thoughts of what I would teach in a course like this are rattling around my brain. The genre is huge and there are so many directions a professor could take, but since this imaginary course is a “101,” I think overview is the way to go!
I had to whittle this list down two different times, as I couldn’t decide which books would be best for an overview course. There are so many great options and routes that could be taken. If I actually taught this course, I may end up doing a handful of assigned books and then requiring students to choose one or two individually and then present them to the class. How else do you cover so much material?!
(As always, my list is presented in alphabetical order. )
Bird of Life, Bird of Death by Johnathan Evan Maslow- This is one of the oldest books on the list, written in the mid- 80s, but I like the way Maslow mixes ecology, politics, history and mythology into his travelogue of his search for the quetzal bird in Guatemala. While some authors are very inward focused in their journeys, Maslow takes a different view, leaving himself out of the equation and focusing on the trip and its background.
Blood River by Tim Butcher– Also a great travelogue that focuses on history and culture, Butcher’s book includes more personal tales and takes a decidedly more inward-view of his travels. We learn as much about the author as we do the Congo in this example of contemporary travel writing.
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon – A great look at travel in the United States. Often, when we think of travel, we think of far-flung locales, but Heat-Moon has created a beautiful reflection of “off the beaten path” USA.
Chasing the Sea by Tom Bissell – Returned Peace Corps volunteers are a staple of the travel writing genre and any course on the topic has to have at least one. (While Bissell did not complete his service in Uzbekistan, his seven months in-country were the basis for why he returned and wrote his book.) While the stated topic of the book is the disappearing Aral Sea, the bulk of this travelogue is more about Bissell returning to the place where he previously struggled, tying up loose ends and making connections he missed out on the first time around.
Looking for Lovedu by Ann Jones- Another book based in Africa, but this time from a woman’s point of view and with an extremely different goal. While Butcher is retracing the steps of a famed journalist, Jones is searching for a matriarchal tribe based in southern Africa, but decides to traverse the continent from north to south on the way there.
The Cambridge Introduction to Travel Writing by Tim Youngs- Since we are talking about a college course, having some theory and background in travel writing is key to fully understanding the genre. Rather than just reading travelogue after travelogue, a discussion of the history and literary past is key. Youngs book is a perfect introduction to the genre.
The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux- No course in contemporary travel writing would be complete without a taste of Theroux!
Tourists with Typewriters by Patrick Holland –Another book of theory on the travel writing genre, Holland takes a critical look at where the genre has been and what the future holds for it. He brings up important topics such as imperialism and privilege within the genre- topics that are a necessary part of any academic discussion of contemporary travel writing.
Travel Writing by Carl Thompson- This would be the *first* book my students read as a part of a course on travel writing. Thompson breaks down where the genre has been and the basic literary theory that makes up the foundations of academic study, but does so in a very digestible way. I would consider this a must-read for an academic course on this genre.
Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier- Frazier’s travelogue is long, but worth the read for students, not only because his book deals with a different region than all of the others on the list, but because he does a great job of tying together the personal narrative/memoir aspect of the genre with historical and political background of the places he travels.
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far In 2015
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far In 2015
(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)
I had to go back to my GoodReads page to come up with my top ten books of the year so far. At first I would worried I would only have travel narratives to share, but I realized I have actually squeezed in a few non-school related books in 2015. GoodReads tells me I’ve read 54 books so far this year, so it was hard to narrow down to just ten, but I did try to come up with a cross-section of genres and reading levels. As always, my list is presented in alphabetical order because it is hard enough to whittle my options down to ten, let alone to try to number them within those top picks!
Andrew’s Brain by E.L. Doctorow- (Fiction) The best word I can use to describe this novel is “strange” but it is strange in a good way. With an outside narrator giving a voice to Andrew’s thoughts and feelings, the reader gets a 3rd person perspective on a different person’s personal insights and thoughts. It is definitely odd and different, but worth the time!
Bird of Life, Bird of Death: A Political Ornithology of Guatemala by Jonathan Evan Maslow- (Non-fiction) Both a travelogue and a political examination of Guatemala, this book chronicles Maslow’s1983 journey through the war-torn country, in search of the mysterious and mystical quetzal bird.
Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart by Tim Butcher-(Non-fiction) A fascinating travel narrative of Butcher’s trip through the Congo, following in the footsteps of past English explorers. Butcher relies heavily on the help of others to make this dangerous journey, along the way recounting the colonial and post-colonial history of the nation, examining how it was broken apart and why it has not been able to reestablish itself as a functional state. This book is a travelogue, history lesson and cultural manifest all in one.
Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia by Tom Bissell– (Non-fiction) After quitting the Peace Corps just seven months into his two years of service, Tom Bissell goes home to the US to sort out some emotional issues and moves on with is life as a journalist. Soon, Uzbekistan calls though, and he returns to the country of his service to write about the ecological disaster surrounding the Aral Sea. This travelogue touches on the political history of Uzbekistan, the religious history, current events, and environmental issues, while also profiling a number of everyday Uzbekistan residents.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson –(Non-fiction) Always a fan of Larson, this is another well-written non-fiction narrative that weaves together multiple tales into a single story. I learned more about submarines from this book than I ever thought I could know, which may sound not that exciting, but Larson has a way of making obscure topics fascinating!
El Deafo by Cece Bell-(Graphic novel- YA fiction) I loved this graphic novel about what it is like to be different from everyone around you. The main character is deaf and must wear a large contraption to help her hear in school. The story explores how she learns to deal with not only the mechanics of such a machine, but how to function in a hearing world and how to navigate the world of friendships, which is never easy for anyone, but becomes more difficult as she changes schools.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng-(YA fiction) The best YA novel I’ve read this year. It appeals to adult readers as well as YA readers, with each reading it from a different viewpoint. As an adult, it was a good reminder about the pressure we put on kids and remembering that they have their own paths to forge in this life. I would recommend this for high school students, as well as anyone who is the parent of a high schooler.
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber-(Fiction) A beautiful tale of another world and the first interaction between humans and a new form of life. On a planet being terraformed by humans, they must find a way of living with the inhabitants of this new place, beings who are like nothing that had been imagined. Not only do they not look like humans, but their culture is baffling to the newcomers. One man, willing to go live among them, beings to unravel the mysteries of their society, but with his ties to them comes a distancing of ties with the other humans.
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguroi- (Fiction) Another beautiful novel about memories and how they influence our lives as we get older. This book has the feel of a fairy tale, with dragons and knights, a touch of mythology with a riverboat that one must be ferried upon, and an overall touching narrative about love and family, honor and duty.
The Little Red Pen by Janet Stevens, Susan Stevens Crummel– (Picture book- fiction) My niece Skyped me to read this picture book to me earlier this year and I loved it! It is a hilarious take on the tale of The Little Red Hen, but the part that was the best was the personalities of each office supply. I haven’t looked at my work desk the same since enjoying this one a few months ago.
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’d Love To See As Movies/TV Shows
Top Ten Books I’d Love To See As Movies/TV Shows
(Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish)
This was not an easy list for me to come up with this week because I almost never go see movies made from books because I hate the way they change the pictures in my head and when I do see a book-to-movie adaptation, I am nearly always disappointed. Getting to ten was pretty difficult, but these are the book-to-movie adaptations I would pay to go see! (Since I live in Malaysia, movies are about $5USD, so a much smaller investment than when I am Stateside. That might make a difference too!)
California by Edan Lepucki- With a near-future setting, this post-apocalyptic books set outside Los Angeles could easily make a great movie. The plot is strong, the characters are interesting and the dilemmas they face would force viewers to think about what they would do in a world where everything they know has been taken away. It wouldn’t quite be a summer blockbuster, as there aren’t enough chase scenes or firefights, but there is definitely intrigue and mystery.
Compound by S.A. Bodeen- This is one of my favorite YA books! A wealthy Seattle man creates a bomb shelter meant to last for years. On one horrible night, his family takes refuge in the shelter, but not everyone makes it and those who do are forced to live knowing their family members were left above ground. During their years in the shelter, the family faces many struggles, but as they grow older, the kids start to question what they are doing in the shelter and what remains outside. No longer content with just what they have been told, questions lead to more questions and soon many secrets start to unravel.
Lock In by John Scalzi- Another near-future setting book, but this one with the drama and explosions needed for a summer blockbuster! This book looks at a society in which some people are “locked in” their bodies, able to think clearly, but not control their physical beings. This is remedied by a technology that allows the brain to transfer thoughts to a robot-like “body,” allowing those who are locked in to be a part of society. But, complications arise with the new technology. The protagonist is a police officer who is a victim of the locked in syndrome and must straddle the worlds of those like himself and those who have never had to deal with the difficulties of being locked in their bodies. The book is labeled as #1, which means there are more to come which is always something movie studios are looking for.
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This one was the only easy one on the list. Since I read this when it came out, I’ve wanted someone to make it into a movie, but I want it to be artsy. I want the movie to be in black and white, which just certain pops of red throughout. Done well, this could be an amazing movie- visually stunning!
Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History by Ben Mezrich – I loved this book when I read it a few years ago and not just because the protagonist shares a name with my husband. Thad decides he is going to give his girlfriend a piece of the moon, but to do so requires him to break in to NASA archives to get at the precious rock. The planning and preparation that go in to the heist are amazing, but the best part of the story is just how crazy it is. This real-life heist could make for a great Hollywood film.
The BFG by Roald Dahl- This one IS coming out as a movie and one that I would love to go see with my nieces and nephews the next time I am home. It is scheduled for release in 2016. It will be an animated version, which I would much prefer a live-action movie, so I’d like to leave this on the list for books that still need to be made into movies. I want this one done with real people!
The Martian by Andy Weir- It is coming out as a movie this summer. I can’t wait to go see it!
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman– This classic story would make for a fantastic movie. A woman who is forced to “rest,” slowly loses her mind. The social commentary on feminism and mental illness could be quite powerful and while the original story is short, there is definitely room to expand it into movie-length.
Trash by Andy Mulligan- This is another great YA novel. One thing I love about it is that it breaks away from the currently popular trends in YA literature and takes a realistic look at poverty in other nations. This book is a powerful reminder of how lucky many students are and how hard some have to struggle just to survive on a day to day basis.
Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey – I found this series a couple of years ago and just flew through the books. This is another future-set book, although much farther future than a few others on this list. Humanity now lives in enormous silos, where everyone is assigned specific jobs and no one can go outside, where the world is poisonous. I always love a post-apocalyptic book and this entire series would work well for multiple movies. (I have to say, the first book was my favorite and would make for the best movie.)
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Poems
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Poems
This week, the gals over at The Broke and the Bookish have left the Top Ten Tuesday prompt wide open. So good…and so bad! While it will be awesome to hop around the blogs and see what others came up with (many which I will lament not having thought of myself) it did mean that I had to sort through a million possibilities in my own head before even beginning this week’s list. Instead of sticking with a typical list of books this week, I’m going to veer off into a different literary genre for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday: poems! I, by no means, consider myself well-read when it comes to poetry, but I do have a core collection of favorites, which are the basis for this week’s entry. (Presented in alphabetic order, just to save me the stress of figuring out which is my all-time favorite, as that distinction is always in flux.)
“A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes– It might not be long, but it packs a punch in its few lines. Our dreams are what make us who we are; dreams are what push us to get out of bed each day and become better. But, if those dreams are stymied over and over, whether by an individual or a government, the power of them is going to have to be released (unleashed?) somehow. What will that explosion look like?
“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe- This one easily made my top ten and always will. I love the pull between the fairy tale setting by the sea and the macabre final stanza. A love existed that was so precious and pure that heavenly angels crushed it in jealously. That’s some pretty great Gothic imagery.
“I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes- Somewhere along the lines in school I had to memorize this one for an English class and it has been stuck in my brain ever since. I love the strength and conviction in it.
“If” by Rudyard Kipling- Choices and attitude are the underlying themes of this poem, both of which I believe we must actively own. By setting up the dichotomies throughout, Kipling reminds us that we ultimately have control over our actions/reactions. I can choose my behavior and attitude towards a situation, even when I can’t control the details of the event. Not a bad life lesson…
“Oh Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman- This is one of those poems that I can’t read without a swelling of patriotism/pride in my heart. What a beautiful tribute to a rising nation and a fallen leader.
“Oranges” by Gary Soto- I love Gary Soto’s poems and they were always a favorite to teach to middle school students. This one is such a perfect glimpse into early love, the stress of impressing a young girl with just the few coins in a boy’s pocket. It is tender and sweet, but doesn’t discount the nerves as a boy makes his first moves into the world of dating.
“Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou- There is little that needs to be said about this immense poem of strength and resilience. In a world where women (and men) are judged constantly on superficial traits, Angelou reminds us all that we are so much more than that. She reminds us that our power comes from within and that we should not let negativity get us down. Push to be better; push to be phenomenal.
“Warning” by Jenny Joseph- Love this poem! Again, it was a favorite to teach with my middle school students, because after we read it, I would assign everyone to rewrite it in their own style, “warning” us of something we need to know about their future. It was awesome watching kids write poems warning us about when they were famous baseball players, when they were the school principal or when they finally received their driver’s license. The creativity that this poem sparked in my students always made me smile!.
“We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks- Lacking the pretentiousness often associated with poetry, this short work just puts a teenager frame of mind into a new genre, succinctly displaying both the bravado and audacity of teens as they face the world.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein- Of course, a poetry list on this blog would not be complete without an eponymous entry! And, I love that by putting the list in alphabetical order, this fell at the end, as a great wrap-up to the poetry week. Living abroad, moving every few years and traveling as much as possible, I am always in search of the end of the sidewalk, not because I want the journey to end, but because I want to see what is there and then I want to see what is on the other side of “the end.” New people, new places, new ideas. You never know where the sidewalk will lead or what you will find, but it is always worth having a look!
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters You’d Like To Check In With
Top Ten Characters You’d Like To Check In With
Here’s another book-driven “top ten” list as suggested by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.
(As always, in no particular order because it is hard enough to keep my lists to ten, let alone come up with a numerical order for them!)
- Ebenezer Scrooge- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I’d love to know how well Mr. Scrooge stuck by his newly-minted resolve to be a better person. Many of us make resolutions at this start of the year, in hopes of being better than we were the year before, but oftentimes the best of intentions fall to the wayside, as it takes a lot of work to break behavioral cycles. While I have great hopes that Scrooge stuck by his better self for years to come, I would love to pop in and see it from time to time, much the way he got to pop in on scenes throughout time.
- Narrator- “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
I’m a huge Poe fan and would love to pop in on a variety of his characters, but figured for the sake of this list I should choose just one, so I am going with the narrator of “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Once he rips up the floorboards, I am sure the police arrest him, but then what? Does he plead insanity? Does he get off for the murder of the old man? Does he recover his wits or live the rest of his life listening to the incessant beating of a heart thrumming in his ears?
- Esperanza- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Rightly so, Esperanza is a character filled with hope. She wants to use her writing to get herself out of her rough neighborhood, creating a name and home where she is safe and has the physical and emotional space to be the author she wants to be. She’s a teenager in the book, but I would love to see her at 25, 35 and 45 and see whether she broke the cycle of poverty in which she was raised and if she now has a daughter of her own to whom she can pass along her wisdom and love of words.
- Ponyboy- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This was my 3rd quarter go-to book when I was teaching 8th grade literacy. It was always a tough slog of a term, after the hype of the Christmas holidays and before the beautiful spring weather sets in. Ponyboy and his gang of friends was the perfect draw for all readers. Over my nearly ten years of teaching, I must have read this book cover to cover at least thirty times. So, I want to know, just like with Esperanza, did Ponyboy continue to write as a way to escape the hardships of life? Did he go to college and also create a better life for his family? (I’ve never thought about them in the same vein before, but now I am thinking Esperanza and Ponyboy might make a great couple!!)
- Hillary Clinton- Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton
With an assumed presidential candidate announcement not too far off and the current email hubbub making headlines, I could really use an extra chapter in this book. We regularly see Clinton in the media, so it is not so much that I don’t know what this “character” is up to these days, but I would love to have some additional questions answered!
- Female characters- The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit
I connected strongly with the female characters of this novel, who were carried along by their husbands’ jobs. New homes. New friends. Maybe a job. Maybe not. I would love to pop in a decade later and get each of their thoughts on their time at Los Alamos. Was it worth it? What did they think once they found out what their husbands had been working on during that time? Would they change anything?
- Cady- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
This was one of the best YA books I read last year, mostly because it broke the mold of the dystopian trilogy that has taken hold within the genre. (Don’t get me wrong, I love a great dystopian book, but I’d like to see YA authors branching out a bit more.) I won’t throw in any spoiler alerts, because if you haven’t read it, you should go get a copy right now, but suffice it to say that the whole thing is a bit traumatic and I would love to know how Cady deals with the good and the bad of her situation five and ten years down the road.
- Claire- Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman
I know this is an odd inclusion on this list, as I did not have a lot of great things to say about this book after I read it. The narrator was horribly unsympathetic and the book was painful to read. One thing that really bothered me about it was the ending and how abruptly Claire is dismissed from the narrative. I couldn’t believe Gilman wasn’t more curious about what eventually happened to her. Plus, I have my own theories about why she behaved the way she did and I would love to not only see where she is at today (and hear what she thought of the book!), but to see if I am on the right track with my guesses about the roots of her strange actions.
- Students- Miss Nelson’s Missing! By Harry Allard
My love of reading started young, so I wanted to include a few childhood favorites on this week’s list as well. I remember loving this book as a kid, the fact that poor Miss Nelson was run off by her horrible students. The kids may have won the battle, but they lost the war, because in Miss Nelson’s place, the odious Miss Viola Swamp arrives! She kicks those kids in to gear and makes them wish they had their sweet, kind teacher back once again. It would be great fun to drop in on those kids as adults and see what they remember about the great-teacher-switch and if they ever had an inkling what was really going on. Plus, they probably all have children on their own now and I want to see if they ended up with angels or hellions. (I am sure at least one became a teacher too, so, how did that work out?!)
- Ramona Quimby- Ramona, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
There are no ifs, ands or buts about it, Ramona Quimby is awesome! I feel like she and I had a lot in common growing up, as I too was the “annoying” little sister. I always pictured us as about the same age, so I would love to see where she ended up now that she would be in her 30s. Does she have a family? What does she do for a living? Is she close with Beezus now?
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
I was initially drawn to the book because it centers on a (possible) earthquake and I have a bit of a history with those myself, but I didn’t expect the book to revolve so heavily around relationships and the ties that bind a family. The story took a decidedly different turn from what I had expected, but it was not an unpleasant journey.
Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest book weaves the tale of twin sisters, Daisy and Violet, who were born with the gift (curse?) of having premonitions of future events. (As the girls realize they have an ability not shared by all, they call their power their “senses,” not knowing how else to label it, as any discussion of their ability is quickly muted at home.) These shared senses are nearly all the two have in common as adults. While Violet embraces her ability, dropping out of college after just a few weeks because Guardian (a spirit guide who came to her for the first time while she studied in her university library) told her she had a different path to take in life, uses her skills as a source of revenue, holding séances and readings, Daisy runs in the opposite direction from her abilities. After starting college under the guise of her middle name, Kate, and then taking her husband’s last name after marriage, she has effectively closed the door on her history as one of the twins with senses. No one can track her or immediately connect her with her outspoken sister.
A back story of a clinically depressed mother overwhelmed by life and school years besought with bullying and name-calling (the twins were well-known to be “witches) helps the reader see why one sister might embrace the notoriety that would come with premonitions of the future while another would turn tail and run. Basing a book on the idea of extrasensory abilities has the potential to head towards comic book storylines, but Sittenfeld’s characters are well-rounded and deeply developed so the reader imagines them as real people and not people who belong in Lycra uni-tards on the big screen, saving the world through the destruction of evil.
The two women live near each other, and near their aging father, their relationship is strained when Violet publicly announces that she senses an earthquake will soon ravage their home state. Kate is suddenly drawn back in to a world that she swore off after the birth of her first child.
Up until this point, I really enjoyed everything about the book. The strained, but loving, relationship of the family is one that is relatable to many readers and the plot flows well. But, I can’t walk away from this review without one minor grievance: Kate is a stay-at-home mom and is good friends with a stay-at-home dad up the street. (Conveniently, her husband works with his wife at a local college.) The problem lies in the cliché. While the two have been friends for years, suddenly their relationship jumps to a whole new level, once again playing into the idea that it is impossible for a man and woman to have a truly platonic friendship. Plus, this bit of indiscretion on Kate’s part creates a whole new storyline as the consequences of her choice create far-reaching ripples, but ones that don’t entirely play out in the narrative before the books ends.
Curtis Sittenfeld’s newest book is well-written and even though it is based on extrasensory hunches, is mostly believable as realistic fiction. (I had to look the author up to realize that Curtis is a woman. As I read, I was surprised that a man could write the intricacies of the sisters’ relationship so accurately!) Even as I am annoyed with the ending of Sisterland, I think it is a story that would be enjoyed by many, falling firmly into what I would call the “beach read” category”, earning it:
In Search of the End of the Sidewalk 