People who don't read, especially teenagers, think readers are solitary, pale, secretive, anti-social nerds. They look down on us readers, thinking we're too pathetic to find friends, to have a social life. They believe that's why we read...because we can't live in the real world. My job for years in my class, Reading for Pleasure, was to bust that stereotype. Readers are incredibly social....we love to talk about our books, we love to hear others talk about their books. You can have a dynamic conversation with a stranger by just asking about the book she's reading. I recommend that to my shy students as a great conversation starter.
When readers find a a book we like (or hate), we feel impelled to talk to someone about our books.We find readers who find new books for us, and enjoy talking about books we have in common. I walk every day with a friend, and many of our conversations are about our books. Every summer we choose a classic we haven't read yet and discuss during our early-morning walks.
One of my reading buddies is Nancy Flanagan. Nancy and I have only met face-to-face twice. Once when she visited Oklahoma as a trainer of trainers for National Board, and once at a National Board conference. That has not hindered our deep friendship online. Nancy nudged me into twitter, and encouraged me to blog.
We've had a friendly competition for a couple of years to see who can read the most. We both knew, with my job, I'd read a ton, and I did. This year the field is more level...retirement has meant, ironically, less reading for me. More work in the yard, more work in the house...less reading.
But we both challenged ourselves to read 150 books in 2013...we'd check in occasionally, and keep track of each other's progress on Goodreads, a great site to organize your reading. My students call in 'Facebook for book nerds." She recently wrote a great piece listing her Top Ten...and I see we only share one on our two lists...so I know I have more reading to do next year.
I LOVE the analysis that Goodreads will do for you -- how many books, how many pages, genre analysis...but my stats are off, somehow. I read 146 books, including finishing two on New Year's Eve...but my analysis only shows 132...oh well...Of the books Goodreads lists, I rated 34 with the highest rating, "5". SO, I worked to winnow that down to ten..
I was astonished to see that half of my 'top ten' are nonfiction. I am the fiction reader in my family...teased unmercifully I know what my husband (and David Coleman) doesn't: often fiction is much truer than nonfiction.
Because I cannot choose only ten favorites (how do you choose your favorite child??), I have an addendum.
In alphabetical order:
Call Me Zelda, Erika Robuck -- Narrated by a nurse who cared for Zelda Fitzgerald during one of her many breakdowns. A very fair characterization of both Fitzgeralds who were toxic for each other. My mom, as a huge Zelda fan (but not a fan of Scott), would have loved this book!
Children of the Core, Kris Nielsen -- "Why are we telling the state governments that, even tho we can't pay our teachers, buy classroom supplies, pay for field trips, invest in technology, fund scholarships, or fix our school buildings, it's okay to pay Pearson, TFA, ACT and College Board millions of dollars to prepare our kids for narrow, standardized tests?" Why, indeed. And who can read the title without thinking of Children of the Corn? A warning?
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Book Store, Robin Sloan -- How can you NOT love a book whose cover glows in the dark? The book explores books and reading and technology and friendships. There's a bit of Dan Brown in some of the chases, and lots of pop culture. Read for a new book club I've joined. Hoping desperately I don't kill this one by insisting on talking...about the book!
Quiet, Susan Cain -- I used to tell my students that I was once an introvert, but I forced myself to change...Wrong! Reading Cain's book taught me I'm still an introvert; I'll just put myself out there for issues and ideas I care deeply about. I'm a pretend extrovert who can be dynamic, if I have the opportunity to recover my energy at home, quietly. Have shared this book with others...such an important book.
Reaching and Teaching Students in Poverty, Paul Gorski -- What a difference a preposition makes. NOT 'children OF poverty,' the way we've been conditioned to say. 'Children IN poverty!' Gorski takes the conversation into a new, more respectful direction. He has armed me with new facts and figures to discuss poverty, but more importantly, a new framework (I use this deliberately) to begin adjusting the ways schools -- and society -- work with families and their children.
Reign of Error, Diane Ravitch -- We have waited for this book, and it was worth the wait. This is a fierce defense of public schools, and a handbook for its supporters. I took nine pages of notes to use when talking to politicians who are getting their erroneous facts from ALEC or Bill Gates or Arne Duncan. Ravitch's writing is superb, and she used one of my favorite archaic words: "bugbear'!
The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt -- Oops...I only gave it a "4". But it informs so many of my conversations and my observations about politics, and the deep divide we see now. Haidt takes us through an analysis of the political value systems of all of us...far left to far right. He explores the gulfs in our value systems, and the spots we can agree. I found myself frustrated with his round-about delivery...but the information is something we all need to consider.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte -- My walking buddy and I went on a Bronte Binge this summer and read five or six books by the sisters. This one was the surprise. Anne, as the youngest child, had a fierceness in her that was different than Charlotte or Emily. This story, for its time, must have been shocking: a woman runs away from her abusive husband, takes his son and heir, and establishes a new identity...Helen was a woman far ahead of her times. So was Anne, the only Bronte NOT buried in the family plot in Haworth. Knowing she was dying, she traveled to Scarborough, a beloved spot, and was buried there. It makes me sad she's not with her sisters and brother.
The Testament of Mary, Colm Toibin -- This Mary, Mother of God, is NOT the one we're used to. This old woman, beset by her Son's disciples to 'tell her story,' is angry and bitter. She doesn't play along...she won't tell the story the way the disciples want her to. She refuses to say her Son's name aloud. She blames his pig-headed friends for the troubles He endures. This voice is a revelation. I listened to this book, Meryl Streep performed it, and I am sure I'm influenced by her delivery. This is a mom who has lost a child and she has lost her way.
S, J.J. Abrams (concept), Doug Dorst (author) -- This book is a work of art...the box, the library markings. The smell of an old book. The mysterious author of Ship of Theseus, the devoted translator. The readers...the conversation they have about the book, Theseus. the little treasures left between the pages: photos, napkins, postcards. I could read this book ten times and probably miss something. It's a book within a book; a story within a story. It took my breath away.
And then, because I'm a cheater, my next five, also in alphabetical order:
Book Love, Penny Kittle
Ceremony, Leslie Silko
Leverage, Joshua Cohen
Norwegian Woods, Hakuri Murakami
Reading in the Wild, Donalyn Miller
My books tell me I searched for answers this year...why do we act the way we do, how can we change, how can we become better, more caring? Books continue to bring me wonder.
Already this year I've started two: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, and The Tempest by Shakespeare. I know! I'm an English teacher...why hadn't I already read them? Don't judge.
I wonder what I'll learn this year.
When readers find a a book we like (or hate), we feel impelled to talk to someone about our books.We find readers who find new books for us, and enjoy talking about books we have in common. I walk every day with a friend, and many of our conversations are about our books. Every summer we choose a classic we haven't read yet and discuss during our early-morning walks.
One of my reading buddies is Nancy Flanagan. Nancy and I have only met face-to-face twice. Once when she visited Oklahoma as a trainer of trainers for National Board, and once at a National Board conference. That has not hindered our deep friendship online. Nancy nudged me into twitter, and encouraged me to blog.
We've had a friendly competition for a couple of years to see who can read the most. We both knew, with my job, I'd read a ton, and I did. This year the field is more level...retirement has meant, ironically, less reading for me. More work in the yard, more work in the house...less reading.
But we both challenged ourselves to read 150 books in 2013...we'd check in occasionally, and keep track of each other's progress on Goodreads, a great site to organize your reading. My students call in 'Facebook for book nerds." She recently wrote a great piece listing her Top Ten...and I see we only share one on our two lists...so I know I have more reading to do next year.
I LOVE the analysis that Goodreads will do for you -- how many books, how many pages, genre analysis...but my stats are off, somehow. I read 146 books, including finishing two on New Year's Eve...but my analysis only shows 132...oh well...Of the books Goodreads lists, I rated 34 with the highest rating, "5". SO, I worked to winnow that down to ten..
I was astonished to see that half of my 'top ten' are nonfiction. I am the fiction reader in my family...teased unmercifully I know what my husband (and David Coleman) doesn't: often fiction is much truer than nonfiction.
Because I cannot choose only ten favorites (how do you choose your favorite child??), I have an addendum.
In alphabetical order:
Call Me Zelda, Erika Robuck -- Narrated by a nurse who cared for Zelda Fitzgerald during one of her many breakdowns. A very fair characterization of both Fitzgeralds who were toxic for each other. My mom, as a huge Zelda fan (but not a fan of Scott), would have loved this book!
Children of the Core, Kris Nielsen -- "Why are we telling the state governments that, even tho we can't pay our teachers, buy classroom supplies, pay for field trips, invest in technology, fund scholarships, or fix our school buildings, it's okay to pay Pearson, TFA, ACT and College Board millions of dollars to prepare our kids for narrow, standardized tests?" Why, indeed. And who can read the title without thinking of Children of the Corn? A warning?
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Book Store, Robin Sloan -- How can you NOT love a book whose cover glows in the dark? The book explores books and reading and technology and friendships. There's a bit of Dan Brown in some of the chases, and lots of pop culture. Read for a new book club I've joined. Hoping desperately I don't kill this one by insisting on talking...about the book!
Quiet, Susan Cain -- I used to tell my students that I was once an introvert, but I forced myself to change...Wrong! Reading Cain's book taught me I'm still an introvert; I'll just put myself out there for issues and ideas I care deeply about. I'm a pretend extrovert who can be dynamic, if I have the opportunity to recover my energy at home, quietly. Have shared this book with others...such an important book.
Reaching and Teaching Students in Poverty, Paul Gorski -- What a difference a preposition makes. NOT 'children OF poverty,' the way we've been conditioned to say. 'Children IN poverty!' Gorski takes the conversation into a new, more respectful direction. He has armed me with new facts and figures to discuss poverty, but more importantly, a new framework (I use this deliberately) to begin adjusting the ways schools -- and society -- work with families and their children.
Reign of Error, Diane Ravitch -- We have waited for this book, and it was worth the wait. This is a fierce defense of public schools, and a handbook for its supporters. I took nine pages of notes to use when talking to politicians who are getting their erroneous facts from ALEC or Bill Gates or Arne Duncan. Ravitch's writing is superb, and she used one of my favorite archaic words: "bugbear'!
The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt -- Oops...I only gave it a "4". But it informs so many of my conversations and my observations about politics, and the deep divide we see now. Haidt takes us through an analysis of the political value systems of all of us...far left to far right. He explores the gulfs in our value systems, and the spots we can agree. I found myself frustrated with his round-about delivery...but the information is something we all need to consider.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte -- My walking buddy and I went on a Bronte Binge this summer and read five or six books by the sisters. This one was the surprise. Anne, as the youngest child, had a fierceness in her that was different than Charlotte or Emily. This story, for its time, must have been shocking: a woman runs away from her abusive husband, takes his son and heir, and establishes a new identity...Helen was a woman far ahead of her times. So was Anne, the only Bronte NOT buried in the family plot in Haworth. Knowing she was dying, she traveled to Scarborough, a beloved spot, and was buried there. It makes me sad she's not with her sisters and brother.
The Testament of Mary, Colm Toibin -- This Mary, Mother of God, is NOT the one we're used to. This old woman, beset by her Son's disciples to 'tell her story,' is angry and bitter. She doesn't play along...she won't tell the story the way the disciples want her to. She refuses to say her Son's name aloud. She blames his pig-headed friends for the troubles He endures. This voice is a revelation. I listened to this book, Meryl Streep performed it, and I am sure I'm influenced by her delivery. This is a mom who has lost a child and she has lost her way.
S, J.J. Abrams (concept), Doug Dorst (author) -- This book is a work of art...the box, the library markings. The smell of an old book. The mysterious author of Ship of Theseus, the devoted translator. The readers...the conversation they have about the book, Theseus. the little treasures left between the pages: photos, napkins, postcards. I could read this book ten times and probably miss something. It's a book within a book; a story within a story. It took my breath away.
And then, because I'm a cheater, my next five, also in alphabetical order:
Book Love, Penny Kittle
Ceremony, Leslie Silko
Leverage, Joshua Cohen
Norwegian Woods, Hakuri Murakami
Reading in the Wild, Donalyn Miller
My books tell me I searched for answers this year...why do we act the way we do, how can we change, how can we become better, more caring? Books continue to bring me wonder.
Already this year I've started two: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, and The Tempest by Shakespeare. I know! I'm an English teacher...why hadn't I already read them? Don't judge.
I wonder what I'll learn this year.
Congratulations on your career and continued learning! It's great to see someone sharing the passion still. I am in my 39th year with a plan to retire at the end of this one. It's a great year.. helping kids learn while dodging some of the current deform being thrown at us !! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and congrats back atcha. You and I have seen a lot of changes in education, I was sorry to leave with so much reform left to fight...BUT.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your retirement. My health improved immediately, and I suddenly had weekends for myself for the first time in years.
Keep dodging.
I am actually what most people would call cool. Not to toot my own horn,but I have never been called antisocial, reclusive or shy.I also grew up with a learning disability. I got in trouble as a youth. Mostly because I was insecure about having a hard time in school. Once I found books and the self learned ability to read.While being locked away from the world and forgotten about. I was set free. Into the adventure of reading. I would read anything I could get my hands on. Books not only set me free, story after story. The knowledge I received from reading soon helped me achieve a self assurance that I would have never had. If not for my steadfast love and devotion to reading. I now have self confidence and a realistic view of the world. Thanks to reading and the gifts that I have received from being a life long fan of the written word. I now am a proud married man, who is still learning every day from reading. I teach my little girl, that reading and writing skills are beyond a boring task. They are definitely a magical journey into self discovery and a failsafe to the difficulties in life. I am happy to see the great teachers still looking to show the young people the path to reading and the satisfaction of being a "Book Worm".Hope you're retirement is exactly what I hoped for and thanks for your selfless years teaching our young people. I honestly wish more teachers were as wonderful as you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story...I love the worlds my books take me to. Magic, for sure. You know, my career was not selfless -- I selfishly collected wonderful students and colleagues and memories to last a lifetime!
DeleteI am actually what most people would call cool. Not to toot my own horn,but I have never been called antisocial, reclusive or shy.I also grew up with a learning disability. I got in trouble as a youth. Mostly because I was insecure about having a hard time in school. Once I found books and the self learned ability to read.While being locked away from the world and forgotten about. I was set free. Into the adventure of reading. I would read anything I could get my hands on. Books not only set me free, story after story. The knowledge I received from reading soon helped me achieve a self assurance that I would have never had. If not for my steadfast love and devotion to reading. I now have self confidence and a realistic view of the world. Thanks to reading and the gifts that I have received from being a life long fan of the written word. I now am a proud married man, who is still learning every day from reading. I teach my little girl, that reading and writing skills are beyond a boring task. They are definitely a magical journey into self discovery and a failsafe to the difficulties in life. I am happy to see the great teachers still looking to show the young people the path to reading and the satisfaction of being a "Book Worm".Hope you're retirement is exactly what I hoped for and thanks for your selfless years teaching our young people. I honestly wish more teachers were as wonderful as you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure to read your words and realize, once again, the enormous influence you have had on the very best parts of me. Thank you for continuing to be my teacher!
ReplyDeleteOh, Bailey. You made my heart sing. Thank you for finding this and for being mine. Best of everything.
Delete