Where were you when you heard the news that President Gordon B. Hinckley died ?
I've read that question on many blogs the last few days. Where was I? Home and sick in bed. Our oldest son, Ben, called us to let us know and we marveled at his "direct" line to Salt Lake!! Really I was taken aback. It's strange how you reflect on the last time you saw someone. At Christmas time he seemed somewhat older, but still full of vim and vigor and waving his cane. I am grateful that I have good and vital memories.
As I have read news releases they say that he began to fail this last week and that his family was with him when he died. What a blessing for them all. I know that we all felt a combination of happy and sad. One person called it "had!" Happy that he would finally rejoin his wife and sad for losing such a great example and friend. Certainly a prophet dear.
Gordon B. Hinckley was a man of honor and integrity. Well read, and keenly aware of the world around him, he was adept at fielding questions in all areas of life. His personal confidence and testimony are a great example I want to emulate.
I feel blessed to have had such a strong testimony of a living prophet.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Great ideas
Because of a lack of time to really read much beyond work related items or a textbook, I thought I would choose to answer an occasional question to prod my memory, pull an opinion out of myself and generally just keep me committed to blogging.
How much do reviews (good and bad) affect your choice of reading? If you see a bad review of a book you wanted to read, do you still read it? If you see a good review of a book you’re sure you won’t like, do you change your mind and give the book a try?
I guess I should say that book reviews of one kind or another are very powerful for me. I can't say that "official" reviews peek my interest as much as the reviews from fellow bloggers though. An official review helps to outline a plot for me and typically begins to peak my interest but it is the reviews from everyday readers, bloggers (typically those much more well-read than I am) whose opinions really intrigue me the most. I have always felt that word of mouth was the strongest recommendation and I still agree. When a friend pitches a book, a restaurant, a movie, a town to visit then I feel privileged with "insider" information.
I used to work at a bookstore and the goal of each employee was to put a book into every customer's hand. Of course if you could place it there with a personal comment about it 9/10 times the customer purchased the book, many times just on your recommendation alone. I loved that time. I felt like a member of a special club when I might find someone with a similar interest or another recommendation. If we had read the same books the fun was doubled and then the quest to find a different book to recommend was born. It was great fun.
I do read book synopsis in magazines, online, and on book jackets but I also pour over blogs from other readers all the time. I enjoy reading the Word of Mouth column at BookReporter.com although it is typically just a gushing review that just puts the title in my mind. With a list of titles I begin to look on the library website and see if a copy is available - it's there that I find out a little more about a book and decide if it is the perfect book for me. Nancy Pearl of BookLust is such an eclectic reader and her books have exposed me to lots of authors I had never heard of. Great stuff. I even discovered a book review podcast that was such fun. I couldn't write down names fast enough. Good thing I subscribed to it!! I keep a very tacky list of recommendations on everything from post-its to envelopes and then try to write them down in my notebook. It seems that my list of things I want to read far exceeds the number of hours in a day, a year, heck, probably my lifetime!!
My sil and I share book titles in weekly emails. She's a wonderful source for me and vice versa. She's introduced me to Ivan Doig and I introduced her to Mildred Walker. Don't ya love it? There have also been clinkers though and I've given myself permission to not finish them. I used to feel guilty about it, sort of like not cleaning your plate, but now I realize that there are too many books and far too little time.
Best of all though is my own personal recording journal of what I have read and comments and passages from reading. It's a chronicle of my reading since 2000 and it's really quite precious to me. When I look back at titles and comments that I've made about the books I am instantly transported to the time when I read them and my feelings. I can locate the book I was reading when my nephew died and still feel the pain but also the growth afterwards. I can find the soothing books and the life-altering ones. It may sound schmaltzy and smarmy but it is a journal that I hope lives long after me! It says a lot about my interests and more than a bit about what I'm thinking. I keep personal quotes and comments as well as dates and starred ratings.
Wahoo. I'll never make it as Siskel and Ebert but I've recorded and stretched myself.
How much do reviews (good and bad) affect your choice of reading? If you see a bad review of a book you wanted to read, do you still read it? If you see a good review of a book you’re sure you won’t like, do you change your mind and give the book a try?
I guess I should say that book reviews of one kind or another are very powerful for me. I can't say that "official" reviews peek my interest as much as the reviews from fellow bloggers though. An official review helps to outline a plot for me and typically begins to peak my interest but it is the reviews from everyday readers, bloggers (typically those much more well-read than I am) whose opinions really intrigue me the most. I have always felt that word of mouth was the strongest recommendation and I still agree. When a friend pitches a book, a restaurant, a movie, a town to visit then I feel privileged with "insider" information.
I used to work at a bookstore and the goal of each employee was to put a book into every customer's hand. Of course if you could place it there with a personal comment about it 9/10 times the customer purchased the book, many times just on your recommendation alone. I loved that time. I felt like a member of a special club when I might find someone with a similar interest or another recommendation. If we had read the same books the fun was doubled and then the quest to find a different book to recommend was born. It was great fun.
I do read book synopsis in magazines, online, and on book jackets but I also pour over blogs from other readers all the time. I enjoy reading the Word of Mouth column at BookReporter.com although it is typically just a gushing review that just puts the title in my mind. With a list of titles I begin to look on the library website and see if a copy is available - it's there that I find out a little more about a book and decide if it is the perfect book for me. Nancy Pearl of BookLust is such an eclectic reader and her books have exposed me to lots of authors I had never heard of. Great stuff. I even discovered a book review podcast that was such fun. I couldn't write down names fast enough. Good thing I subscribed to it!! I keep a very tacky list of recommendations on everything from post-its to envelopes and then try to write them down in my notebook. It seems that my list of things I want to read far exceeds the number of hours in a day, a year, heck, probably my lifetime!!
My sil and I share book titles in weekly emails. She's a wonderful source for me and vice versa. She's introduced me to Ivan Doig and I introduced her to Mildred Walker. Don't ya love it? There have also been clinkers though and I've given myself permission to not finish them. I used to feel guilty about it, sort of like not cleaning your plate, but now I realize that there are too many books and far too little time.
Best of all though is my own personal recording journal of what I have read and comments and passages from reading. It's a chronicle of my reading since 2000 and it's really quite precious to me. When I look back at titles and comments that I've made about the books I am instantly transported to the time when I read them and my feelings. I can locate the book I was reading when my nephew died and still feel the pain but also the growth afterwards. I can find the soothing books and the life-altering ones. It may sound schmaltzy and smarmy but it is a journal that I hope lives long after me! It says a lot about my interests and more than a bit about what I'm thinking. I keep personal quotes and comments as well as dates and starred ratings.
Wahoo. I'll never make it as Siskel and Ebert but I've recorded and stretched myself.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Learning Curve
My learning curve is definitely getting steeper!! I am NOT technologically savvy, but I can typically catch on to at least a part of something!! Until the iPod came into my life. I have had 3 of my 5 kiddos stop by and give me lessons, or iPod 101, as I call it! But I still cannot get my iPod to rewind a little to catch something I missed. Argh! I think I have listened to the beginning of a podcast (that is a real new thing for me! Be impressed!) 30 times now as I try to figure this out. When I conquer it, and I will, you can bet I won't forget it. I am learning in baby steps and my kiddos have been ever so patient with me. One of them spent two hours tutoring and guiding me. These kiddos are great!! When they gave me the iPod for Christmas I'm sure they never thought that they would have to give me lessons too!
In school my little ones are also discovering the learning curve. Some are flying along and have become real readers. You can hear it in their voices. Many have also had their "aha" moment in math and now they just "get it!" It's so exciting to witness. Usually this really happens in March (I call it the Magic of March) but I am so privileged to see it early this year. On the other hand there are a few little ones that are still struggling. At conferences this week the learning curve has been a topic of a few discussions. After my iPod experience I can really feel the pain of a struggling student. I just want someone to do it for me!!! Much like they must want to say! "Let's just get to recess and leave all this hard stuff behind!" It has helped me put myself in the students shoes and I hope that I was able to communicate this to parents.
Listening to a podcast this week resulted in my books to read list growing exponentially longer!! I got a boat-load of great recommendations and leads to other books to dip into. I feel like I have hit a gold mine. As far as actually reading I have been finishing up the last essay in At Large and At Small by Anne Fadiman. The book has been great fun for me. The essays are just the right length, they make me think, ponder, laugh, nod my head, and learn. I truly enjoy her writing style. Unfortunately the rest of the time I seem to be spending time studying for an ELL class and working on upcoming projects.
Last year at this time I was in jury selection process and beginning what would be a 3 month adventure in our Judicial System. It was one of the harder things I have done in my life. I am glad that it's over and that I have just the wonderful, routine and uneventful life ahead. Learning curve and all, I am pretty lucky!
In school my little ones are also discovering the learning curve. Some are flying along and have become real readers. You can hear it in their voices. Many have also had their "aha" moment in math and now they just "get it!" It's so exciting to witness. Usually this really happens in March (I call it the Magic of March) but I am so privileged to see it early this year. On the other hand there are a few little ones that are still struggling. At conferences this week the learning curve has been a topic of a few discussions. After my iPod experience I can really feel the pain of a struggling student. I just want someone to do it for me!!! Much like they must want to say! "Let's just get to recess and leave all this hard stuff behind!" It has helped me put myself in the students shoes and I hope that I was able to communicate this to parents.
Listening to a podcast this week resulted in my books to read list growing exponentially longer!! I got a boat-load of great recommendations and leads to other books to dip into. I feel like I have hit a gold mine. As far as actually reading I have been finishing up the last essay in At Large and At Small by Anne Fadiman. The book has been great fun for me. The essays are just the right length, they make me think, ponder, laugh, nod my head, and learn. I truly enjoy her writing style. Unfortunately the rest of the time I seem to be spending time studying for an ELL class and working on upcoming projects.
Last year at this time I was in jury selection process and beginning what would be a 3 month adventure in our Judicial System. It was one of the harder things I have done in my life. I am glad that it's over and that I have just the wonderful, routine and uneventful life ahead. Learning curve and all, I am pretty lucky!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Back to Work, back to reality
Christmas vacation ended far to soon for this teacher!! (Yes, we can call it Christmas break now, the backlash for years of ignoring the real reason for the season!) I believe that we are the only district that is back in school and we all shake our heads and wonder why. Not much teaching is going on for these two days but I did take the time to read to some tired first graders and re-excite them about books! Believe me I take every opportunity that I get.
For my in-person book group I am reading the book, Education of a Wandering Man by Louis La'mour. He was a real reader and takes every opportunity to share his love of reading with his audience. I find myself writing little quotes down in my book journal - "No matter what there is to read - a reader has to read it!" That sounds just about right! I have even found myself trying to read over people's shoulders when things get bad. Now that's a desperate woman!
I am also reading a collection of essays by Anne Fadiman called At Large and At Small. How I enjoy her work!! Her detail and her wide and varied interests blend together so well. She crafts a beautiful paragraph although I admit that many times I have to sit side by side with my dictionary. Some words just don't roll off my tongue in everyday conversation! I especially loved the essays entitled "A Piece of Cotton" about our country's flag as well the one called "The Arctic Hedonist." It really exposed me to things I had never talked or read about. I would love to sit down and chat with this woman - she seems like she must always be thinking about some great idea while I struggle with the mundane and minutiae!
Despite the real crimp that teaching puts in my reading time I do love being around my students. They are excited about life, eager to learn and to please. It is a joy to help them discover the tools to being a great reader. They are certainly little sponges. I count myself lucky to be in their presence!
Christmas brought me only ONE book this year - I,however; gave lots away and of course when I visited my favorite bookstore I just had to get some for myself. My book-buying moratorium lasted until December 22 so I guess I did pretty well. Since that is my anniversary I think I can count those as anniversary presents!!! So, even though the "get" list wasn't long, I still made out well in the books category . My TBR stack grows ever higher and it seems that the books I put on reserve at the library always become available at once! So much temptation.
I best go put my nose in a book or I will never catch up - - after teaching today and back to an early schedule I just hope I can keep my eyes open!
For my in-person book group I am reading the book, Education of a Wandering Man by Louis La'mour. He was a real reader and takes every opportunity to share his love of reading with his audience. I find myself writing little quotes down in my book journal - "No matter what there is to read - a reader has to read it!" That sounds just about right! I have even found myself trying to read over people's shoulders when things get bad. Now that's a desperate woman!
I am also reading a collection of essays by Anne Fadiman called At Large and At Small. How I enjoy her work!! Her detail and her wide and varied interests blend together so well. She crafts a beautiful paragraph although I admit that many times I have to sit side by side with my dictionary. Some words just don't roll off my tongue in everyday conversation! I especially loved the essays entitled "A Piece of Cotton" about our country's flag as well the one called "The Arctic Hedonist." It really exposed me to things I had never talked or read about. I would love to sit down and chat with this woman - she seems like she must always be thinking about some great idea while I struggle with the mundane and minutiae!
Despite the real crimp that teaching puts in my reading time I do love being around my students. They are excited about life, eager to learn and to please. It is a joy to help them discover the tools to being a great reader. They are certainly little sponges. I count myself lucky to be in their presence!
Christmas brought me only ONE book this year - I,however; gave lots away and of course when I visited my favorite bookstore I just had to get some for myself. My book-buying moratorium lasted until December 22 so I guess I did pretty well. Since that is my anniversary I think I can count those as anniversary presents!!! So, even though the "get" list wasn't long, I still made out well in the books category . My TBR stack grows ever higher and it seems that the books I put on reserve at the library always become available at once! So much temptation.
I best go put my nose in a book or I will never catch up - - after teaching today and back to an early schedule I just hope I can keep my eyes open!
Monday, December 31, 2007
A New Year and New Start
2008! I intend to bring this New Year into being with celebration and joy!!
My goal for this new year is STRETCH. Where this word will take me remains to be seen but I decided a few months ago that it would be my goal for 2008. I realize that it can be both physical and spiritual, that it might hurt a bit, and that once stretched I may not go back to what I was before. Sounds interesting doesn't it? I'm pretty excited about it.
Career-wise I am beginning the stretching already. I signed up for a Language class to finish up an endorsement for teaching second language learners. I am learning a lot myself! But more than anything else I am learning to balance again.
Physically I have set a goal to participate in a marathon in the next year. WoW! Talk about stretching!
As I envision a year of reading I see stretching again. Getting out of my comfort zone and reading more thought provoking books, trying new genres, reading more and carving out more time for reading spiritually as well is a way I really want to stretch. I want to embrace the technology of the internet and the iPod, the podcast, and the audio books for the iPod to help me stretch in an even different way. Could I really learn to blog? I still quiver when I have to add an attachment to an email!! Oh well, one stretching muscle at a time.
To close out the year 2007 I finished The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It was terrific!! What great voice the author has. The book was laugh-aloud funny and cry real tears on the same pages. I felt like I was talking to a dorky 14 year old boy who was both a nerd, a dweeb, and a reluctant warrior. The book was autobiographical and poignant. Junior (Arnold) Spirit lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation, draws comics to cope with everyday life events, and is poor, poor, poor. When Junior decides to leave the rez school he becomes an outcast among the tribe but a warrior for his family. It was a great way to end my year of reading.
In 2007 I read only 35 books. That really saddened me as I think of time lost, yet as I looked back at the books I read I realized that there were a lot of great books there. I also realized that I gave myself permission to not finish some books. Although I didn't write those books down as clunkers, I know that what I wanted to be reading was something that would contribute something to me and/or my life. It felt good to give myself permission to set a book aside. I discovered that I truly enjoy memoirs (I must just be downright nosy) and I am intrigued by readable nonfiction. I love the prose of Willa Cather, Mildred Walker, and Ivan Doig - the quiet calm. I read a lot of young adult books and am proud of it. What a booming market. I also met my goal of reading 6 Book group books this year. I even participated in an online book group and read a fantastic book that I would have never been exposed to. I found many great book recommendations at Word of Mouth on Bookreporter.com and great recommendations at Semicolon Saturday Reviews. I read/lurk on several sites and I am so glad that they share their enthusiasm for reading, their titles and their goals. I feel like I learn a lot from them. I failed to read as many classics as I wanted to, I will definitely rectify that this year. It will be another way I want to stretch.
2008 looks great from this vantage point!!
My goal for this new year is STRETCH. Where this word will take me remains to be seen but I decided a few months ago that it would be my goal for 2008. I realize that it can be both physical and spiritual, that it might hurt a bit, and that once stretched I may not go back to what I was before. Sounds interesting doesn't it? I'm pretty excited about it.
Career-wise I am beginning the stretching already. I signed up for a Language class to finish up an endorsement for teaching second language learners. I am learning a lot myself! But more than anything else I am learning to balance again.
Physically I have set a goal to participate in a marathon in the next year. WoW! Talk about stretching!
As I envision a year of reading I see stretching again. Getting out of my comfort zone and reading more thought provoking books, trying new genres, reading more and carving out more time for reading spiritually as well is a way I really want to stretch. I want to embrace the technology of the internet and the iPod, the podcast, and the audio books for the iPod to help me stretch in an even different way. Could I really learn to blog? I still quiver when I have to add an attachment to an email!! Oh well, one stretching muscle at a time.
To close out the year 2007 I finished The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It was terrific!! What great voice the author has. The book was laugh-aloud funny and cry real tears on the same pages. I felt like I was talking to a dorky 14 year old boy who was both a nerd, a dweeb, and a reluctant warrior. The book was autobiographical and poignant. Junior (Arnold) Spirit lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation, draws comics to cope with everyday life events, and is poor, poor, poor. When Junior decides to leave the rez school he becomes an outcast among the tribe but a warrior for his family. It was a great way to end my year of reading.
In 2007 I read only 35 books. That really saddened me as I think of time lost, yet as I looked back at the books I read I realized that there were a lot of great books there. I also realized that I gave myself permission to not finish some books. Although I didn't write those books down as clunkers, I know that what I wanted to be reading was something that would contribute something to me and/or my life. It felt good to give myself permission to set a book aside. I discovered that I truly enjoy memoirs (I must just be downright nosy) and I am intrigued by readable nonfiction. I love the prose of Willa Cather, Mildred Walker, and Ivan Doig - the quiet calm. I read a lot of young adult books and am proud of it. What a booming market. I also met my goal of reading 6 Book group books this year. I even participated in an online book group and read a fantastic book that I would have never been exposed to. I found many great book recommendations at Word of Mouth on Bookreporter.com and great recommendations at Semicolon Saturday Reviews. I read/lurk on several sites and I am so glad that they share their enthusiasm for reading, their titles and their goals. I feel like I learn a lot from them. I failed to read as many classics as I wanted to, I will definitely rectify that this year. It will be another way I want to stretch.
2008 looks great from this vantage point!!
Friday, March 16, 2007
March Madness
How I love March Madness, college basketball, spring, and the newness of a season. As I continue on Jury Duty (going into the 11th week) I have had some moments to really jump into some books, revisit some hobbies and I have even found some time to picnic at the park and enjoy the weather that we love in Arizona! Now that basketball playoffs have started as well it all adds up to some perfect days!
I have discovered some pretty terrific books in the last few weeks. I have felt like I have had some great adventures as I've turned the pages. I may be prevented from real travel because of jury service but that's not to say that I can't "travel" in my mind!
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn was a terrific first novel by the author. Set in 1800's England the author displayed a real flair for word crafting. Lady Julia Grey is widowed early when her husband dies of a chronic heart condition; the family saying goes, that the men in the family " will not make old bones." After a period of mourning Lady Julia is visited by a sullen private investigator who challenges her belief that her husband did not die a natural death. Historic detailing and first person narration were a plus as I found myself turning pages after page. Not only was the book visually beautifully crafted - the cover is probably the most beautiful that I have seen in a long time - but the imagery was beautifully crafted as well. The ending was an interesting twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry had been passed around the table in the Jury assembly room and now it was my turn. Although I wasn't sold on the book in the first 30 pages I did continue and was glad I did. A terrific book with tremendous research to back it up. I was intrigued and then impressed with the afterward by the author where he detailed where fact and fiction parted ways. What a plus! The plot revolves around the Library of Alexandria and purported Biblical translations that may lie within the lost Library and ones that could truly change the face of the Middle East today. Action packed, covert action, and a Da Vinci Code-like tale. I am recommending it to many!
The Yellow Lighted BookShop by Lewis Buzbee is both a history and a memoir. The author worked as a bookseller and then as a publisher sales rep and having worked in the industry myself I felt a kinship to this book from the get-go. I found passages to highlight right away, commonalities that I wanted to celebrate and revisit. I especially loved a passage about "book snooping!" I am totally guilty of this sin - looking over the shoulder of someone to see what they are reading. I am always glancing at books in other's arms, in their bags, or what they are picking up to glance at. It can then be a conversation starter or even more - another book that I might want to try myself. Another little gem, "Books are digested yet never consumed." by Francis Bacon. There were slow parts and parcels in the book. Times when the author was detailing historical bits and pieces that I glossed over. That surprised me as it is usually these little details that I love. Despite these glitches I enjoyed this small book.
The case I am involved with has finally closed and we begin jury deliberation this next week. I will miss my daily bus commute when this all wraps up as it has given me a gift of an hour of reading time each day. It will be sad to finish up with everything and say goodbye to new friends as well as this reading time. Hard to believe that we have spent all of the year 2007 together.
I am enjoying a great book called Molokai by Alan Brennert. I am reading it as a part of a a read-along at Abe Books, an online used book source. The story is of a young girl and a leper colony in Hawaii during the late 1800's to the turn of the century. It is fascinating. There is a good discussion group as well. I have done some research on the internet on leprosy but really could use some help in Hawaiian language pronunciation. I will be ready for a trip to the islands soon!
Rich is off at the Mountain Man Rendezvous in the White Mountains with about 2000 scouts and leaders for the week. He and the committee have been working on this rendezvous for over 2 years. I was supposed to go with him and help out but Jury Duty prevented that. He has shouldered such a big part of this event . He has been such a support to me through all the trial so I told him that I would come up for the last day of the event and help out on Saturday. As temperatures are going off the charts here in the valley (96 - 97 degrees) it will be really nice to get away to the mountains after all. Another plus!!
March Madness - - it's a blast!
I have discovered some pretty terrific books in the last few weeks. I have felt like I have had some great adventures as I've turned the pages. I may be prevented from real travel because of jury service but that's not to say that I can't "travel" in my mind!
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn was a terrific first novel by the author. Set in 1800's England the author displayed a real flair for word crafting. Lady Julia Grey is widowed early when her husband dies of a chronic heart condition; the family saying goes, that the men in the family " will not make old bones." After a period of mourning Lady Julia is visited by a sullen private investigator who challenges her belief that her husband did not die a natural death. Historic detailing and first person narration were a plus as I found myself turning pages after page. Not only was the book visually beautifully crafted - the cover is probably the most beautiful that I have seen in a long time - but the imagery was beautifully crafted as well. The ending was an interesting twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry had been passed around the table in the Jury assembly room and now it was my turn. Although I wasn't sold on the book in the first 30 pages I did continue and was glad I did. A terrific book with tremendous research to back it up. I was intrigued and then impressed with the afterward by the author where he detailed where fact and fiction parted ways. What a plus! The plot revolves around the Library of Alexandria and purported Biblical translations that may lie within the lost Library and ones that could truly change the face of the Middle East today. Action packed, covert action, and a Da Vinci Code-like tale. I am recommending it to many!
The Yellow Lighted BookShop by Lewis Buzbee is both a history and a memoir. The author worked as a bookseller and then as a publisher sales rep and having worked in the industry myself I felt a kinship to this book from the get-go. I found passages to highlight right away, commonalities that I wanted to celebrate and revisit. I especially loved a passage about "book snooping!" I am totally guilty of this sin - looking over the shoulder of someone to see what they are reading. I am always glancing at books in other's arms, in their bags, or what they are picking up to glance at. It can then be a conversation starter or even more - another book that I might want to try myself. Another little gem, "Books are digested yet never consumed." by Francis Bacon. There were slow parts and parcels in the book. Times when the author was detailing historical bits and pieces that I glossed over. That surprised me as it is usually these little details that I love. Despite these glitches I enjoyed this small book.
The case I am involved with has finally closed and we begin jury deliberation this next week. I will miss my daily bus commute when this all wraps up as it has given me a gift of an hour of reading time each day. It will be sad to finish up with everything and say goodbye to new friends as well as this reading time. Hard to believe that we have spent all of the year 2007 together.
I am enjoying a great book called Molokai by Alan Brennert. I am reading it as a part of a a read-along at Abe Books, an online used book source. The story is of a young girl and a leper colony in Hawaii during the late 1800's to the turn of the century. It is fascinating. There is a good discussion group as well. I have done some research on the internet on leprosy but really could use some help in Hawaiian language pronunciation. I will be ready for a trip to the islands soon!
Rich is off at the Mountain Man Rendezvous in the White Mountains with about 2000 scouts and leaders for the week. He and the committee have been working on this rendezvous for over 2 years. I was supposed to go with him and help out but Jury Duty prevented that. He has shouldered such a big part of this event . He has been such a support to me through all the trial so I told him that I would come up for the last day of the event and help out on Saturday. As temperatures are going off the charts here in the valley (96 - 97 degrees) it will be really nice to get away to the mountains after all. Another plus!!
March Madness - - it's a blast!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Fast Reads
I must have a little bit of a restless nature lately as the last three books have been short and easy to read. But I had a great time reading them and it was a great way to spend this holiday weekend.
I found the first book,Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy, as I read a recent blog at Semicolon. They had been doing a study of the Middle East and as I was reading the memoir of Queen Noor I was intrigued. I had to get the book via an inter-library loan but it was worth it. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons is a retelling of an Iraqi folktale from the 11th century. A poor merchant in Baghdad is the father of 7 daughters, too poor to provide much more than a meager living while his brother, the father of 7 sons, lives the life of a wealthy merchant. Yet riches aren't always what they seem! Buran, the middle daughter, angry with her uncle for spurning her and her sisters convinces her father to agree to her dearest wish - to masquerade as a boy and travel afar off to learn the traders art. Before Buran's story is over she has "not only established the family's fortune," but has bested her uncle and cousins as well! It was truly enjoyable!
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainia by Marina Lewycka was the Book Group read for AbeBooks. Certainly not one I had heard about or would have been apt to pick up on my own, but I stretched a little and tried it. Again it was another cultural jump. This time to England where an elderly Ukrainian immigrant decides to marry a much younger woman - much to the dismay of his two daughters! I must admit that I had to give this book the 50 page rule but finally fell into it. I didn't love it the way that many in the group did but perhaps that's because I worry often about my parents as they are approaching their later years. What was seen as humorous tended to hit me harder and perhaps much more close to the heart. I did learn a lot about the immigrant saga and the history of the tractor as well as the Ukraine - a great plus.
The last book was a little gem. Written in 1943, Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes, is the family memoir of a Norwegian family in San Francisco in the early 1900's. Each chapter reflects the sweet caring of a clever and crafty mother. I found myself giggling and laughing at every chapter. This little book can be read in an evening and is a real trip back in time. In it I saw my own mom, and both of my grandmothers!! This book counts as one of my "classic" reads of the year because my "classic" definition was something over 50 years old!!
My library stock has now been whittled down to 6 and none look like fast reads - but more opportunities to adventure!! That feels like the perfect thing as I continue on Jury Duty. I had a good laugh this week when one juror asked if I really read all the books I bring with me!!
I found the first book,Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy, as I read a recent blog at Semicolon. They had been doing a study of the Middle East and as I was reading the memoir of Queen Noor I was intrigued. I had to get the book via an inter-library loan but it was worth it. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons is a retelling of an Iraqi folktale from the 11th century. A poor merchant in Baghdad is the father of 7 daughters, too poor to provide much more than a meager living while his brother, the father of 7 sons, lives the life of a wealthy merchant. Yet riches aren't always what they seem! Buran, the middle daughter, angry with her uncle for spurning her and her sisters convinces her father to agree to her dearest wish - to masquerade as a boy and travel afar off to learn the traders art. Before Buran's story is over she has "not only established the family's fortune," but has bested her uncle and cousins as well! It was truly enjoyable!
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainia by Marina Lewycka was the Book Group read for AbeBooks. Certainly not one I had heard about or would have been apt to pick up on my own, but I stretched a little and tried it. Again it was another cultural jump. This time to England where an elderly Ukrainian immigrant decides to marry a much younger woman - much to the dismay of his two daughters! I must admit that I had to give this book the 50 page rule but finally fell into it. I didn't love it the way that many in the group did but perhaps that's because I worry often about my parents as they are approaching their later years. What was seen as humorous tended to hit me harder and perhaps much more close to the heart. I did learn a lot about the immigrant saga and the history of the tractor as well as the Ukraine - a great plus.
The last book was a little gem. Written in 1943, Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes, is the family memoir of a Norwegian family in San Francisco in the early 1900's. Each chapter reflects the sweet caring of a clever and crafty mother. I found myself giggling and laughing at every chapter. This little book can be read in an evening and is a real trip back in time. In it I saw my own mom, and both of my grandmothers!! This book counts as one of my "classic" reads of the year because my "classic" definition was something over 50 years old!!
My library stock has now been whittled down to 6 and none look like fast reads - but more opportunities to adventure!! That feels like the perfect thing as I continue on Jury Duty. I had a good laugh this week when one juror asked if I really read all the books I bring with me!!
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