The Notebook Girls

Title: The Notebook Girls
Authors: Julia Baskin, Lindsey Newman, Sophie Pollitt-Cohen, Courtney Toombs
Pub Date: April 2006
Pages: 352
Genre: Young Adult, Non Fiction, Memoir

High school girls exchange honest notes.

Summary

Julia, Lindsey, Sophie, and Courtney are all freshman attending the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. One of them (they still argue who's idea it was) suggest they keep a group journal that they can pass back and forth to one and another, and lo' and behold, the Notebook Girls are created. The journal holds within its pages nearly two years of honest detailed high school life. Whether it's getting high at a Friday night party, having sex for the first time, stressing over exams, or dealing with the emotions of NYC's first memorial of 9/11, The Notebook girls candid and raw journal will inspire giggles, generate nostalgia and invite its readers into the realm of contemporary teenagers.

Why did I read it?

I came across this book while making a list for the Dangerously Read Challenge (I wanted to focus on banned books). The blurb that I read said that the notebook was a creation by four freshman girls after 9/11. It seemed genuine and exposed.

What did I like the most?
The four girls were definitely candid and there was a certain depth there that I didn't necessarily expect. I had no information about NYC schools, how they operated or the various programs each schools focused on. Evidently Stuy is an "ivy-league" primer, and because of that some entries were quite profound. Of course you still had the normal sex questions (should I do it or should I wait), but following that entry would be a discourse on religion (two girls were jewish and one was an atheist).


Here is an entry that discusses national security and sexuality.

2/16/03

[...] You're right it is really scary. But also, you have to think, how much is true and how much is the current administration playing on our fears. The really scary thing about being in such a precarious international situation like we are right now is that I feel like our government and media can totally fuck with our emotions. When you think about it, they have the power to make us panic, and that makes me want to panic. Or move to Canada.

[...]

So I actually think I've found a way to solve the above problem, and that is my new progression from the world of dicks to the world of chicks. One word: Tori. OMG I wanna get with this girl so badly!

What did I like the least?

The same thing that I liked the most about The Notebook Girls, is what I liked the least. The authenticity. I mean come on! They act and talk like high school students! There are only so many times the novelty of "spying" on the inner thoughts of teenagers while they partied, puked, got stoned, made out, got grounded, bullshitted about gossip, bitched about boys (or girls) or shared the "did you hear that so and so did this over the weekend" and "I can't believe that they are saying that I...." could last.

Plus because the notebook really appears to have been photocopied, the handwriting would shift, the drawings would blur, and the side margin notes were soooo tiny that even squinty made it difficult to read.


Do I recommend this book?

Overall, I would recommend this book. It's interesting because I can see why parents threw their hands up in the air and fought for this book to get on the banned book list. These kids did everything that a parent doesn't want their fourteen + year old to do. I read an article somewhere that the girls show that you can experiment and party while still making good grades. I think that's what scares parents the most. They don't want their kids to get that idea.

I'm sort of on the fence. I think that these girls are definitely the exception. There are plenty of students that try to lead the same sort of lifestyle but do not have the maturity, life goals, and quite honestly intelligence to follow in their footsteps. But I hardly think that this book should be banned because of that. (** I'd also like to mention that some of the girls alluded to the difficulty that their parents had initially with the publication of this book).

Who would I recommend this book to? Hardly not a middle schooler, but definitely an upper level and mature high schooler. I also think that it would be a fabulous book to read with your high school student as a parent. It might open up the lines of communication.

Also, anyone who is interested in a voyeuristic adventure should also check it out.

Hunger Games

Title: Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pub Date: September 2008
Pages:374
Genre: YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy

Kids fight 'til death; it's tradition.

Brief summary - Panem, a land created after the demise of the United States, is divided into twelve districts with one Capitol residing over them all. Each year a lottery system picks a boy and a girl from each district to compete in The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a tradition created after a thirteenth district tried to revolt, a way for the Capitol to remind the people that they have ultimate control. So what are the Hunger Games? Imagine a mix between Survivor and the Gladiators, except the winner doesn't receive just money and prestige, they get to live.

My thoughts? I knew that this book would be brilliant. I mean, how could it not since so many people have read it, raved about it, fought tooth and nail to get to an ARC of the next in the trilogy...you get my point, right? So why did it take me this long to read it even though it's been on my shelf for over six months? Real simple. I'm not a big fan of dystopian, science ficitony books at all. Call it having read one too many of them in the past, I've just felt the originality of it all wore off. Soooo, I figured, sure, Hunger Games is gonna be good, I've got all the time in the world to read it.

Oh. My. God. (again!) Why did I wait this long? I picked this sucker up and read it almost in one sitting. The character development was incredible, the descriptions of the landscape, amazing! Oh and the action? Really. The whole time I was reading it, I couldn't figure out how it was going to end. It was disturbing, horrific, phenomenal, riveting. Emotional messy, heart-wrenching, and at times, highly spirited. This is just the book that I can recommend to my reluctant readers. In fact, I'm almost considering finding a way to fit this in for a read out loud.

Yay, Nay, or Eh? Yayyyyyy!!! Now, I can't believe I have to wait a month and a half to get Catching Fire. How will I survive?!

Sunday Salon (July 26)

This Sunday Salon is a bit of a modge podge of sorts.

Book Fairs

Many bloggers that I follow have had the luxury of attending either the book expo in NY (my ultimate wish since books and the city is a dream come true!) or the ALA fair. I have no issue in admitting my out right jealousy at their trips. Of course, I love them for posting all about it, so that readers such as myself can live through their author-meetings, book-signings, and book-gabbing moments!

This is where my own excitement grows. Fingers crossed, I might just be able to manipulate the universe, timing, finances and all to attend the National Book Fair in Washington D.C. this September.

Seriously? Check out some of the authors that are going to be in attendance:

• Kate DiCamillo
• Lois Lowry
• Shannon Hale
• John Irving
• Jodi Picoult
• Julie Alvarez
• Sue Monk Kidd
• JUDY freakin' BLUME

It's only one day, Saturday, so I can't imagine that I'll be able to make it to all of the authors that I'd like to meet, but I can certainly try. *Ahhhh* I'm already talking as though it's a definite. (Hahaha, maybe I'm trying to work the law of attraction?).

Anyways, has anyone else been or plans on attending? Let me know!

Oh, and a very cool link that lists all of the book fairs and leads you to their websites. Clicky-clicky.

Sex in Fiction

That's right people. S-E-X. I wanna talk about sex, and more importantly good sex and bad sex. In fiction, of course. The other day at the gym, sweating at the treadmill, ipod buds in ear, I began listening to Mercy by Jodi Picoult (side note - I know that most either fall in the hate her/love her camp; me, I think of her as my "Lifetime movie" read). So there I was, people next to me huffing and puffing, me huffing and puffing and I hear something along the lines of "she cupped him and began to feel him grow". Ugh. Really?! I've read many of Picoult's books and cannot remember in the past there being sex scenes (I could be wrong and perhaps I forced them from memory). In any event, I was more than a bit taken aback with the cupping. Ahem. Now, I'm hardly a prude. Give me a good piece of erotica (say, Anais Nin) any day and I can appreciate it to kingdom come. But come on people, most sex scenes are pretty poorly written. It reminds me back in the days of middle school when I would read trashy harlequin historical fiction. I'm not knocking anyone who reads them, mind you, but what a disappointment many years later when I realized how over-the-top the (er) 'romance' scenes were.

Upon writing ranting, I realize that I don't really have a discussion outside of stating that bad sex scenes are - well - bad. (I know, real eloquent, right?)

So, in general, what are your thoughts about sex in fiction? Love it. Hate it. Eh it.


Quickies

I don't know who's blog I spied this from, so please if it was yours let me know in the comment section so I can give you credit, but check out the Twilight Fans who have tattooed themselves.

Also, took this quiz (and once again, do not remember where I first saw this) that determines what kind of reader you are. Being me, I managed to score three different types.

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read aboutbooks. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.

Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.

Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

Figure out yours and let me know!

Books this Week

Finally, I'm working through three different books this week, all non fiction.

On Writing by Stephen King - Yup. *Still* working on this one. I think that I mentioned last Sunday Salon that I put it aside about mid way through. Weeeellll....I haven't picked it back up yet.

Naked Reading by Teri Lesense - Again *still* working on this one,but hardly because it doesn't interest me. Alternatively, I'm reading bit by bit so that it sticks with me longer.

Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh - New this week!! Quickie - it's about a sociology student at U of C who ends up meeting a gang leader that will allow him to observe the ins and outs of the Black Kings.

Finished this week and ready to review:

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen joy Fowler and The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

(WG) Best Movie Adaptations

With the release of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince this past week, I thought it would be good to turn once again to movie adaptations. In March, with the release of Watchmen (using that as a jumping off point for discussion), I brought up the subject of worst movie adaptations. This time, I'd like to bring up best movie adaptations (not saying if the recent Harry Potter movie is or isn't faithful to the book since I'll be honest I haven't read the book, but using the subject as a jumping off point for discussion).

So what are some of your favorite movie adaptations of books?

This is a really fun WG (I missed the wort adaptation question last year so I might add that at the end). So, first, I'd like to admit, I cheated. I'm terrible at remember titles of movies, titles of books (and while we're on the subject, songs, artists, characters...). Knowing this, I did a quick google search and came across two different websites that were both helpful and a lot of fun to go through.

First check out this site - it has catalogued a major list of books to movie and a pretty handy way to search.

Then, there is this site from The Book Reporter that will keep you abreast of all the up and coming movies based on books (I saw a preview of Shutter Island yesterday and just found out it was a book).


The Best of the Best


Many people might disagree, but I truly loved both the book and the movie adaptation of Atonement. I found that McEwan's Atonement was beautifully written, and although Briony was a bit frustrating, I adored the notion of one event (tragically) altering a lifetime of events. The movie adaptation did not disappoint.

Next on my list is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Uh, hello. Gonzo reporting done Johnny Depp style?! Is there anything more yummylicious than that? I read somewhere that Johnny Depp took his role of Hunter S. Thompson so seriously that he went into character and didn't step out even when he wasn't filming. Man I love them both.

Less Than Zero. Has anyone else seen or read this? I admit I saw the movie first, maybe in late middle school early high school years? I didn't even realize that it was based on a novel. Then, in college, I stumbled upon Jay McInerney and Bret Easton Ellis (they still seem to go hand in hand in my mind). Their works are racy pop culture pieces of literature. It was only then that I realized Less Than Zero was first a book. It's been so long, I can't remember if there were many incongruencies, I just recall being pleased with both.

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs and directed by David Cronenberg. Ah yes, yet another memory from my college years. I went through a very large feast on the Beats. I think many jump on the Jack Kerouac bandwagon, but for me, it was definitely Burroughs and his use of stream of consciousness that made me swoon. Half the time reading his stuff made my brain feel like mush, but that's okay. It was always a good ride. Cronenberg's adaptation was campy and brilliant. In fact, I can't imagine any other director taking on this endeavor.

And last, but hardly least...The Princess Bride. Even to this day, is there anything sweeter than dear Wesley saying "As you wish" you Princess Buttercup? I'm a product of the 80's and grew up loving this movie. In fact, I think that I still have most of it memorized. It's a great film to pass on to my current students when we're doing the fairy tale unit. I feel like I'm doing my part in turning my students into 80's lovin' fiends. (Shhh...but I even sneak an episode of 21 Jumpstreet in there; lesson plans included!) OK. Back to the actual post. So here I was, loving The Princess Bride like every other kid around and one day while at a used book store, I found the book. I was thrilled. I think I was in 8th grade. It was the only time in my life that I ever wrote to the William Goldman expressing my gratitude for publishing this story. He never wrote back. Of course, I had no idea who he was at the time. I just knew that I didn't even get a mass produced 'thank you letter'. Maybe I'm still bitter?

Audios on Vacation

While on vacation last week, I brought along two audio books. I'm glad that I did, not just because of the regular driving time from state to state, but because the books were quite therapeutic while driving through those mountains. C'mon people! I'm a Florida native. We have nothing but flat land here. The Smokies were quite intimidating, not just for me the driver, but for my lil' four cylinder car. She was chugging along while I was freaking out, looking at the side drops and praying that the rain would hold off for a bit longer. When it finally did end up raining (Yes. At night!) I engaged myself in the audio books. Hmmm...is that bad, I wonder? To distract myself? Ooops.

But now, onto the reviews!

Title: Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Pub Date: March 2009
Pages: Audio
Genre: YA

Lia and Cassie have been best friends since they were kids. As they grew older they created an unhealthy competition on who would be the thinnest. This eventually caused enough friction in their friendship that Cassie separates herself from Lia. That is, until one fateful night when Cassie reaches out and Lia doesn't respond. This night changes Lia's life forever. This is the night Cassie dies.

The novel opens up immediately with Cassie's death and what follows is Lia's struggle to deal with the guilt of her friend's death and her destructive relationship with food. Anderson does an amazing job at portraying the leading factors and emotional instability of Lia's struggle. I didn't expect anything less.

Listening to the audio was also a unique experience. I struggle with finding audio books that truly capture my heart. Generally, it's a hit or miss. I feel voice, pacing, enthusiasm, all of these little nuances must be just.right in order for me to fall into its world. This audio managed to do that. I was curious, after reading someone's book review where they pointed out that they liked how Anderson portrayed the difficulties Lia was having with food, crossing out words or thoughts that Lia was struggling with. I wondered how that would carry in audio. Creatively enough, the production company had a soft beeping noise hum over those sentences. Of course, I wonder, had I not known how the book was written would I have gotten it? Probably not. But it was a helluva cool attempt.

Title: The Likeness
Author: Tana French
Pub Date: July 2008
Pages: Audio
Genre: Thriller, Fiction

*Squeal* I was really looking forward to this book, even if I did pick it up as audio. I read In The Woods last year and fell in love with Tana French.

We are reunited with Cassie Maddox, murder detective from In The Woods. She's still left in a bit of emotional shambles from the previous case when she gets a rather anxious and interesting phone call. It appears that Cassie has a double, a dead double. And this leaves her with the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of the victim, Lexi, and solve the case from the inside out.

A pretty far, out there, plot line, eh? The likelihood of meeting your double is already slim to none, but even more so is the thought that you could mirror this persons mannerisms enough that her dearest friends and housemates would not be suspicious. And yet, Cassie does it, and French writes it in such a way that you completely forget that it's just really not all that possible!

The Likeness is one nail biting roller coaster! I loved the audio version as the narrator had a heavy Irish accent and I really felt that Cassie was telling me her story. I found myself tired after driving six hours straight, but wishing that we hadn't come up to our hotel room just so I could listen for a wee bit more. I ended up not finishing The Likeness on the road, so the first night back home I did something I have never done. I popped those earphones in my ear, laid down in bed, and listened tot he remaining couple of hours. It was suppose to be a bedtime listening, you know? But the anticipation of it all kept me up for much longer than what I anticipated.

I think one of the trepidations that most of us have when we find new authors is reading another book by them. Are we going to like it as much? Was the first time around a fluke? I'm glad that Tana French didn't disappoint. Here's hopin' that she's got another thriller up her sleeve!

Bookish Links

This is sorta my place to keep links about all things bookish. I've divided it up into three categories: where to get books, fun bookish sites, and book lists. If I've missed a favorite of yours, please leave a comment with the website so I can add it.

To Acquire, Exchange, Donate Books

• Book Mooch 
• Book Closeouts
• Paperback Swap
• Mangatude
• Book Crossing
• Fetch Book - new & used books: find the lowest price; compare 143 bookstores. 

For Fun

• Book Talk - a free online book discussion forum and reading group.
• Book Sprouts - the online community for book clubs
• 22 Books - create themed- book lists !)
• What Should I Read Next?
• Book Inscriptions Project 
• Flashlight Worthy - book recommendations on hundreds of topics
• 100 Places to Connect w/ Other Bibliophiles Online
• Lists of Bests

Bookish Lists

• Rory Gilmore's Book List
• Newbery Medal Award Winners
• Newbery Honor
• Printz Award Winners 
• Printz Honor Books
• Booker Prize Winners 
• 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know
• MLA's 30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die
• The Guardian's 100 Best Books of all Time
• Random House Modern Library's 100 Greatest Novels of the 20th Century
• Time Magazine's 100 Best (1923 - Present)
• Books That Changed the World
• If You Haven't Read 'Em, Pretend You Have - The Hipster List
• The 100 Best Lesbian & Gay Novels 
• Book Magazine's Best Bookish Characters
• Master Chicklit List
• Retold Fairy Tales
• How To Read a Book Readers List
• ALA's 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000
• The Well Educated Mind List
• Harold Bloom's "The Western Canon"
• College Board's "101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers"
• Penguin Classics 100 Greatest

The Actor and The Housewife

Title: The Actor & The Housewife
Author: Shannon Hale
Pub Date: June 2009
Pages: 339
Genre: Fiction

Odd friendship forged when least expected.

Brief Summary - Meet Becky -pie baking, bread making, housewife extraordinaire, loving wife and mother of three (with another one on the way). Oh yeah, and her strong LDS beliefs will shush any curse words you might want to utter, discourage you to drink, and call social services on any parent who puts their six-year old in a tee that sparkles "Flirt". (Sure, I'm only kidding about actually calling Social Services, but the thought does cross her mind!) Now meet Felix -god mocking, heart throbbing, swanky and egotistical Brit actor who believes all of the hype that the media has to say about him. He really is just that handsome. It's pretty obvious that Becky and Felix are as opposite as their gender, so what a surprise that they meet and begin a friendship that will see them through life's joys and hardships.

My thoughts? As I mentioned in yesterday's Sunday Salon, I had no intention of really following through with this book. First, I'm not a religious person at all, and didn't know how I would feel with such a *religious* protagonist. Second, the plot line just seemed so out there. A woman from Utah meets her heartthrob in California while she's selling her first screenplay? I mean, come on! It's like believing that my students really will send in letters to Oprah to get me on the show with the gorgeous Johnny Depp and we become fast friends.

But then I started reading, and within the first ten pages, I was hooked. The dialogue! Oh my gosh, the dialogue is in-freakin'-credible. You know how so many authors try to write dead pan sarcastic exchanges and they just fall flat? Like, you should be laughing, or smirking, but it's forced? Shannon Hale is a vixen at this sort of humorous exchange.

And her exposition isn't too shabby either! In fact, there is this moment in the book where tragedy strikes and the characters are trying to identify their emotions. Becky gets the idea that each emotion resembles a zoo animal:

Sorrow, they decided, was a raven, dark as night that perched on your should and ate away at your heart. Grief, as opposed to sorrow, was a crow that sat on your other shoulder and pecked at your eyes so you couldn't see clearly. Anger was a rhinoceros that gored you from behind, spurring you to holler and run.

I LOVED this.

I've never read a Shannon Hale book. While at Target a couple of days ago, I saw that she had some YA books out, and I don't know if I'd enjoy those as much. I googled her (of course I did, isn't that what everyone does after they find a new author?) and saw that she also wrote Austenland, which I have heard about. Will definitely have to add this one to my list. Perhaps it will be used in the Austen challenge this year!

Soooo...

Yay, Nay, or Eh? Yay, most definitely. The Actor and the Housewife is adept look at friendship, life, difficulties, and what makes us human. I am especially proud at how Hale chose to end the book.

Sunday Salon (July 19)

I cannot believe it's been nearly a week since I've been back from vacation; I feel as though I'm still playing catch up. Life, bills, blogs (lol) they just don't go into *freeze time* no matter what, do they?

I'm really excited about sharing some incredible books with everyone. I feel like I'm on this mad crazy awesome streak where everything that I pick up (or listen to, in the case of audios) has been absolutely freakin' terrific. In fact, the reason why I'm NOT going to write any reviews is because I want to get back to The Actor and the Housewife. Let me tell you, I had reservations about this one. I rolled my eyes at the premise - a Mormon mom and an actor defeating the impossible and forging a friendship. Really. Whatever. Did not think that I could suspend my belief whatsoever. But, I went ahead and picked it up from the library because *everyone* kept raving about it.

Oh.
My.
Gosh.

I am devouring it. Really. I'm beside myself and feel all antsy because I'm typing this Sunday Salon instead of falling helplessly back into the pages.

So, right quick, in order to wrap this up...

I won Julie & Julia this week from rockin' Sheila. (Seriously folks, if you haven't checked her out, you should. Her book club recently dressed up like queens & princesses and it made me utterly jealous).

And in case you haven't moseyed over there yet...cast your vote for your favorite blogs!

OK. I'm not coming back into the book blogging world until I finish The Actor and the Housewife. (Which, if I have my way, it will be done by this afternoon. Bwhahahahaha).

But before I leave, what book (recent or in the past) has been difficult for you to set aside, making other activities near impossible?

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

Title: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Pub: 2006
Pages: 208
Genre: Young Adult

Music is the backdrop of life.

Summary

Nick, mixed c.d. genius and heartbroken boy, is in a band. Norah, sarcastic and fierce girl, is in the audience. In a moment of randomness, Nick and Norah meet, kiss, and become a five minute couple. This event spars a long evening of heartache, laughter, adventure, soul searching, and oh yeah, a lot of music.

Why did I read it?

Not only am I a big fan of the young adult genre, I have a soft spot for the teenybopper movies. Call it nostalgia for the John Hughes days; I can't get enough of them! When Nick & Norah first hit the screen it caught my attention. Feeling pretty strongly about reading a book before seeing the film version, I waited. And then, being the type of person that has a quick attention span and a poor memory, I totally forgot to pick up the book. Randomness brought it back into my sight and I checked it out of the library. ADORING the Nick & Norah made me return it to the library and order it off of amazon.

What did I like the most?

Ummmm, everything? Seriously. I had no idea what I was getting into. I read very few reviews, didn't know the authors, and just thought it would be a fun, light read. Within the first couple of pages, I was hooked, wished that I owned the book so I could highlight it up, and devoured it within hours.

The characters, the "scene", the music all come alive. It breathes. The words make me want to dance because they even have rhythm.

What did I like the least?

Uh, nothing? Oh wait. That's a lie. I HATED that it ended!

Do you recommend this book?

If you are a music fan *and* a young adult fan - ABSOLUTELY!

And the movie?

I watched the movie a couple of days and it was such a disappointment! I understand that there's only so much a writer/director can do in the whole book-to-film conversion, but *still*. It lost it's magic.

Sunday Salon (07.05.09)

Good morning Sunday Saloners! I have to admit it's been a slow reading week. Life sort of stepped up to the forefront. And although it was a very good and productive week, by the time I found peace and comfort on the couch, my brain hurt and my eyes blurred at the pages. Luckily, and saved specifically for moments like these, I have saved DVR shows to catch up on.

Socratic Seminars

I did have an amazing week of learning though, and with that, there was plenty of reading going a on, just not in the traditional book, short story, poetry collection. I attended a five day workshop for school and signed up for the strand specifically geared toward using socratic seminars in the classrooms. For those unfamiliar with the Socratic Seminar process (also known as touchstones or socratic circle), the goal is to essentially teach the students to think. The success is in the process, not in the right or wrong answer. As a group, we read a text, bring forth a couple of higher level questions and encourage dialogue (rather than debate) in the circle to seek out a deeper understanding of the text. Our group of educators became quite intimate, and I have to admit, part of me was saddened at our parting. Many were from other states, so the likelihood of coming across one and another in the educational world is nil. (And even though e-mails were exchanged, we all know how we have the best of intentions in the beginning, but then the school year begins and everything is thrown out the window!) One of the things that I noticed immediately about Socratic Seminars is how closely they follow the tenets of group therapy. In fact, on our last session, our debriefing, I mentioned that to the group. It was like having Yaslom whisper in my ear the process of change. We seek answers from each other and the teacher's role (much like the therapist) is as facilitator. The guidance is there, but the heirarchy is hidden. Needless to say, I'm totally stoked about implementing what I've learned in the classroom this year. I'm already collecting small pieces that would be great for the seminars.

Vacation

Even though I have actually been "on vacation" from my students, with all of the academic trainings I've attended, or summer work at the school, I haven't really felt as though I've gotten away. So, I'm super excited about this coming week - VACATION! Whoot. We're going to spend about a week in the mountains, and taking in all of the touristy sites in the surrounding cities.

This coming school year I'm teaching Halfway to the Sky. I read it last summer and fell in love with it but could not fit it into the curriculum. This year, I have my geography and math teacher on board to do a cross curriculum study. Anyways, the story is about Dani, a young girl who just lost her brother to muscular dystrophy. On top of that, her parents decide to split up. Dani runs away; but unlike other teens, she runs away to the Appalachian Trial. Her mom tracks her down on her second night and they end up spending two months on the trail, learning about nature, life, and most importantly, each other. How does that tie in? Well, I'll be around the area of the Trail. So, although I don't plan to spend more than a couple of hours on parts of it, I am going to take some snapshots to use for a power point for the students so they can see what part of it looks like.

I have to admit it's going to be an interesting week. I think it's going to be the longest that I've been away from the computer. If you're reading this, we've already begun our road trip. I have at least one planned post for the week (a review that I've been meaning to share) but just know that I am going to miss everyone so much! Also, I've already been trying to determine how to handle my google.reader. Egads! I know I shouldn't stress out too much, I mean, this is suppose to be vacation time, but some of my best book suggestions come from you guys and I just don't want to miss a thing. LOL. Alternatively, it will be a nice break. I'll be able to bring my books and read them without balancing out internet time. The weather will be cooler and less muggy, so I might be able to spend more time outside than I have been doing (which will be awesome, as my favorite place to read is in a rocking chair outside, it's just a rarity.)

Statistics

June was, as many of you noticed with my reviews, Graphic Novel month for me. I managed to read THIRTEEN graphic novels. I'm lucky to have such a good library system. :))

Okay, so June specifically, I read 18 books, with a total of 4,107 pages. The books:

Skim by Mariko Tamaki/ Jullian Tamaki
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Vampire Loves by Joann Sfar
Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan **
Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman
The Notebook Girls by Baskin, Newman, Cohen, Tombs **
Roadstrips edited by Pete Friedrich
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang and Lark Pien
Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell
In the Small by Michael Hauge
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castelluci & Jim Rugg
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamn
Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine
The Eternals by Neil Gaiman & John Romita
The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard by Eddie Campbell & Dan Best
Quirkology by Richard Wiseman, PHD **
American Gods by Neil Gaiman **

** ~ still need to give reviews for.

MidYear Stats

Total Pages: 15, 918
Fiction: 17
Non Fiction: 9
Young Adult: 19
Graphic Novels: 20
New Authors: 48
Male Authors: 29
Female Authors: 29

Best of the Best so far. . .

[Oh gosh, there really have been so many this year. I mean really, I've had an awesome year so far!]

But let's see, if I have to narrow it down:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan