NaNoWriMo Take Two

A few years ago, I tried to do NaNoWriMo. And I failed. I definitely did not hit my 50,000-word mark. Instead, I got 23,911 and 61 pages, which really is a decent accomplishment. And being a person who does not like to fail, I decided to try it again - as a total whim.

So, last time, I had a plan. I had ideas for characters and a very brief outline. That made life a smidge easier. This time, I decided to start it a day into the month with absolutely no pre-planning at all. I had a basic idea, but for the most part - I'm flying by the seat of my pants.

I'll be posting on my Twitter what my daily word count is. So far, I've actually caught up to where I should be, and once a week I'll be doing a check in here.

So here's to finishing (or at least getting more words than last time!).

Long TIme No Write

I have been really bad about keeping this blog updated. But, I've been even worse at making sure I'm quick writing along with you guys. And, what I've done has mostly been ranting, which while it is good for my stress levels, I don't necessarily want to post it online for public consumption. However, I need to make sure that I'm writing more. I shouldn't expect you guys to write when I'm not following the same practice. So while I may not post everyday, I do want to post at least once a week and make sure I write when you guys are. I want you guys to keep me honest, so feel free to harass me if you don't see anything up. I'll post the links on Twitter, so you can easily see if I'm keeping up my part of the bargain.

Reading Week in Review - Lots of Reading

I apparently focused most of my free time on reading last week. But, I also only focused on one book at a time, which I usually don't do.

At school

Shooting Kabul - I got so caught up in the other books I was reading last week, I didn't touch this one. I'm determined to finish it this week.

At home

The Void by JD Horn - This is the third in a trilogy. It takes place in Savannah, GA, and is about a family of witches who have had several obstacles in the past year.

Finished

Fatal Puzzle by Catherine Shepherd - I got this book as a "Kindle First." Every month, if you are an Amazon Prime member, you get a choice of one of four free books for your Kindle. I chose poorly this month. This book goes between modern times in a German village and 500 years before. Both time periods are experiencing a rash of murders, and the ones in modern times look very similar to the previous ones. There were a lot of holes in the story, and a lot of things just didn't make sense. It was very rushed, and not well explained. Would not recommend this book AT ALL.

Althea & Oliver by Cristina Morchado - I LOVED this book. It's a lot like Eleanor & Park, but a little more "angry" in some ways. But I loved it even more than E&P; except the ending. I didn't get upset about the ending for E&P but this one is in the same vein. Unlike E&P, though, I was very unhappy with the ending. I don't think it ended with as much hope, and that never makes me happy. I really, really, really recommend this book!

Jackaby by William Ritter - This book's cover drew me in; it was definitely intriguing. It was also described as a cross between Sherlock and Doctor Who, and since I like both of those things - I thought this would be a good book to check out. I got the Sherlock right away because Jackaby is definitely a New England version of the eccentric, brilliant detective. But I'm not exactly sure where Doctor Who comes in. Yes, there's some supernatural/science-fictiony stuff in the quest to find out who has been committing gruesome crimes. It was great to see how Jackaby thought through the murders, although just like Sherlock - you aren't given all the clues or given all the facts that are floating through Jackaby's mind. But, just like Sherlock, it still gives you enough to keep working through it and wondering what will happen next. I do think the ending got drug on a little more past the solution to the case than needed be, but it wasn't fully horrible. Definitely would recommend.

Big Little Lies by Laine Moriarty - This was really interesting. It starts way before the major conflict and counts down to "Trivia Night." So, it keeps you wondering what happens that's so bad on trivia night that a lot of parents need to talk to the police and give testimony about the "incident." Jane is new to the Pirriwee area, and her son [Ziggy] is going to start at the local elementary school. She has no idea what drama awaits her. On orientation day, Ziggy - despite insisting that he did nothing - is accused of hitting/bullying a little girl. This builds and builds throughout the year, culminating in parents trying to get Ziggy expelled. And then you finally find out what happens on that ill-fated trivia night. Lots of drama. Lots of insanity. Lots of hidden problems behind closed doors in this town. Definitely keeps your interest.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I didn't think I would like this book at all because it's a romance book. But, it's a GOOD story. It's well written and very realistic. In some ways, it reminded me of the love story between Eleanor and Park. I highly recommend reading this story of Anna who is forced to go to boarding school her senior year in Paris.

Sleepwalking by Meg Wolitzer - This was her first book, and from reading her later stuff, it is very evident she has built on her quality of work since then. This felt very incomplete, and I didn't connect to any of the characters. Not my favorite of hers. I just couldn't get behind the three girls who are obsessed with dead poets - so much so it takes over their lives. And the story only focuses on one of them, and it isn't always clear what she's doing.

Up next

Not sure, honestly. I'm just trying to carve down those to-be-read piles. Unfortunately, since the English department is going to the Scholastic Warehouse sale on Thursday, I'm afraid they'll only get bigger.

Poem - metaphor (an extended version)

It's worse than the green-eyed monster
But, there's no term for it.
No metaphor.
No nothing.
It just lives.
And grows.

It just eats away at you.
Slowly but surely, it's trying to kill you.
Trying to take away your desire.
Your fight.
Your will.

It makes everything seem like it is pointless.
Everything is too hard to overcome.
Everything is daunting.

Time goes on.
It gets worse.
It builds.
and Builds.
and BUilds
and BUIlds
and BUILds
and BUILDs
and finally BUILDS
until you SCREAM.

You can't take it anymore.
Something has to give

But what?

Everything is too precious
 -in its own right-
in its own way

So how do you determine what goes away?
What takes precedence?

Time for a list.
It makes me scream again.
Makes me anxious

How will it ever get done?
Nothing will get done.
I'm going to fail.
Let someone down.

Worse - let myself down.

poem - 20 questions

The Journey

Is it time yet? Are we almost there?
Why does it always seem to drag? And why,
when it gets here, do I not want it to end?
 But why do I still crave that fresh start?
Am I the only one? Or do the other bodies
in the room - in the building - desire the same thing?
Why do we always look to the "end"?
Why can't we enjoy the ride?
Isn't that the main goal? To enjoy the ride?
Isn't that what we really learn from?
Why do we rush? Why do we not slow down
and take everything in? Wouldn't that make it
more enjoyable? Wouldn't we be more at peace?
If we always just rush to the end, what are we missing out on?
The real lesson? The real point?
Is anyone listening, thinking about this?

Poem example - simile

Bleak World

The world seems like death
Just a lot of little (and sometimes big) sticks
That's all you see dotting the landscape

They mock me
It's like I can hear Nelson's laugh
"Ha, ha."
Or the Soup Nazi
"No green for you."

It seems to drag on and on
It never wants to end
Just lasts forever
     Much longer than the warmth

But eventually it will lose the battle
Little green will start popping up
No more brown will carpet the ground

And then I can mock it
I can laugh like Nelson
"Ha, ha, winter. You've lost again!"

Reading Week in Review - Lackluster break

I started off break reading quite a bit. Then it kinda ground to a halt. I'm blaming decorating for Christmas. Still got some good books read, though, so at least I made a dent in my pile. And I didn't buy any new books, so the piles are actually smaller!

At school

Because of break, I'm still working on Shooting Kabul. Not much farther than I was last week.

At home

Althea & Oliver by Christina Morchado - Absolutely love this book. The two title characters have been best friends since they were little kids. Althea has stronger feelings for Oliver, but Oliver refuses to have her act on them. And then things become very difficult. Suddenly, Oliver will go to sleep for weeks at a time - and not remember anything that happens during that time (he is "awake" for very brief periods during that time). Powerful writing

Finished

No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale - Craziness ensues when there's a murder in a small Wisconsin town. Secrets - because we all know small towns have them - are revealed. If you like dark comedy - this book would be a great choice.

Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson - Patterson's mysteries are my brain candy/brain break books. Just a quick read that keeps me entertained. I'll never say these are great works but they keep me interested. And, I can't deny that he does a great job of keeping you on the edge of your seat while you're reading.

Up Next

Honestly, I'm not sure. I think How to Build a Girl will be next at home, and then maybe Girl Stolen at work.  As long as it is out of my "to-read" pile, I'll be fine :)

Week in Review - Clearing Out the Reading Pile

I made myself stick to books this week and got some that had been sitting around read. It's a huge accomplishment. Now I'm ready for break so I can plow through even more of my stack.

At school

Shooting Kabul by NH Senzai - Just started this today during reading class. Fadi and his family have just escaped Taliban controlled Afghanistan, but his six-year-old sister got lost in the shuffle and doesn't get to go on the move with them to California. Fadi is trying to figure out how to get Miriam back to her family.

At home

I just finished one last night before I went to bed, so I'm not working on anything yet. I did pull one out of my TBR pile, though.

Finished

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman - This book takes place over the course of a year and is divided by seasons. Fall: Boy and girl meet. Winter: Boy and girl fall in love. Spring: Girl moves away; boy does some boneheaded things. Summer: Boy and girl hope to reunite. Good if you liked Eleanor & Park.

Tape by Steven Camden - This one is really hard to explain. Amelia has to live with her grandma after her parents die in 2013. She finds a box of old cassette tapes and is inexplicably drawn to them. In 1993, Ryan is dealing with his father getting remarried and a new stepbrother after his mom died. He makes some mixtapes and then records a note to his mom. To throw another twist into his life, he's inexplicably drawn to the new girl who is staying with her grandmother. Not sure how I feel about this one yet. It would be good if you liked The Future of Us.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - Noah and Jude are twins who are inseparable at 13. They think the same things even though Noah is a bit timid and Jude is a daredevil. Then something happens that tears them apart. Noah narrates their 13-year-old life, and Jude narrates their 16-year-old life. As 16 year olds, they also have to deal with their mom's death. Noah changes a lot, and Jude is struggling with her fancy art school and her new mentor.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson - Loved this book so much. The idea of not making superheroes into heroes but villains instead is completely intriguing. Sanderson's writing is beautiful and does a great job of really putting you into the series. Good if you liked Gone. Can't wait for the second one in the series.

Up Next

No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale: This is has been in my "I need to buy this" list for quite a while. But who wouldn't want to check out a book with a cover like this:

It's about a murder that happens in a small town. I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Here's some others I'm going to try to read over break:

Althea & Oliver

The Prince Lestat 

Reading Week in Review - Reading Hangover

It's been an odd week for reading for me. Reading The Bell Jar put me into a funk. Not in a bad way - but when I REALLY like a book and really enjoy the writing - everything I try to read after it for a while falls very short and leaves me wanting something better. Finding books like that is fabulous - and honestly probably doesn't happen enough, but man is the "comedown" horrible. I've been slowly trying to read a few pages at night, and all I can think is "This is nothing like The Bell Jar. I want something better!" It's a horrible feeling. Especially when I'm pretty sure the books I'm reading are good; they just aren't AS good, so I judge them for that. Totally not fair to the book or the author.

At school

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson - My husband has been trying to get me to read this since it came out. It was at the book fair, so I decided to grab it. I finally started it last week, and despite my book funk, this is a really good book. People have become "epics" (basically superheroes) but most are using their powers for bad and trying to control the normal people. This reminds me a lot of the TV series Heroes. Good if you liked the Gone series.

At home

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - I loved Jandy's The Sky Is Everywhere, and a lot of bloggers have been bragging about how great this book was. I have to admit that it looked interesting - twins that were practically inseparable and then three years later have nothing do with each other? Sure, why not. Nelson writes this in a different format, too. She has one twin the story from when they were inseparable, and then the next chapter is three years later from the other's point of view. You have no idea why they aren't talking anymore. It's been an interesting puzzle to piece together.

Finished

Enclave by Ann Aguirre - This was very high paced and high action. It was a great blend of zombie (which I don't typically like) and post-apocalyptic. Consider it a mash up of The Hunger Games and The Enemy series. 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - I'm going to do a separate post about this book because it was so good. I'm still kicking myself for waiting for so many years to read it because it definitely is now one of my favorite books. And mostly for the writing in it because it was so beautiful.

Up next

I'm really not sure yet. I think it is time to randomly pick something from my to-be read piles. Goodness knows they are tall enough...

Reading Week in Review - Feeling Accomplished

I forgot I had some reading for work last week (very exciting stuff on grading and how to adapt it), so I didn't get as much free reading done as I want. And, even though I was home sick one day last week, I didn't feel like reading much that day. But, I still finally finished a book I've been taking too long on, so that made me feel rather accomplished. Didn't even buy new books this week - that is a rarity.

At work

Enclave by Ann Aguirre - This is the first in a trilogy. It would be good for you if you liked The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner series. It's dystopian and takes place underground. The world has been taken over by "freaks" (zombies), and everyone who is underground is very controlled (their job is picked for them, they don't get to chose who they marry, etc.). It's very fast paced, and very much a story of survival.

At home

Just finished Belzhar last night, so I haven't really started anything else yet.

Finished

The Program by Suzanne Young

I still can't decide whether I liked this book. It takes place in the present future, and suicide is now considered a sickness among teenagers. It's become such an epidemic that states have developed a "cure." The cure is drugging teens enough that they feel nothing. And remember much less than they did when they went in to the treatment. And that's what really bothers me. I don't like the idea of messing with memories. Good or bad - they're there for a reason. They give us an opportunity to remember and learn from our previous experiences. I don't like that they make everyone into "sheeple" and that they take away feelings. True, teenagers are a bit dramatic, but you shouldn't make them into non-beings, which is what these drugs do. Perhaps this book could be used a little more as a warning about all the drugs/treatments we pump into our bodies?

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

This was Wolitzer's first foray into YA lit. It was OK. Some of her ideas weren't as flushed out as in her previous books. It almost seemed like she thought she had to write less because she was writing for a younger audience, and I think the book suffered a bit because of that. Still, it's an interesting look into 

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

So much to say about this book that I honestly don't know where to begin - and I don't want to give it away. The easiest way to explain it is that it is an adult version of a mash-up of Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia. I highly recommend this. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy. 

Up Next

Thanks to Belzhar, I'm going to push off Prince Lestat and go ahead and read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. 

Is ADM safe?

This is a hard question because there are so many options/points we could look at to determine if  our school is safe.

Is it safe from outside attacks?
Is it safe from bullying?
Is it safe from intruders?

To a degree, we can answer yes to all of these questions. But, it also is a matter of perspective and a matter of instance.

Teens are smart; they're not going to pick on kids right in front of a teacher. But am I naive enough to think that there aren't people picking on someone out in the halls? After school? Before school? On social media? Through texting?

No.

And sadly, I can't stop that unless it is made known to me.

I've said it many times this year, and I'll continue to say it. While you may not feel safe anywhere else, my goal as a teacher is to keep you safe for the 43 minutes you are in my classroom. You all know that I won't tolerate anyone being rude to you in my room. This will be a safe place. No exceptions.

Ever.

Because we all need that one safe place.

Two weeks in a row!

I was on a mission last week to get some books finished up - and I did do that for the most part. I've still been hauling books back and forth between home and work, so I'm not going to divide them up this week.

Reading

The Program by Suzanne Young - I've had this in my to-be-read pile for quite a while at home. A former student asked if I had read it or even had it last week, so I decided to pick it up. It is about the US in the future, and teen suicide is now an epidemic. Some states have developed a program to cure the issue. The problem, though: the program completely wipes their brains. The book follows one teen as she goes into the program and what she does to fight it.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Got a little farther into it, but not much. Still making myself finish this one before I move on to the new Anne Rice book.

Finished

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa - This series is still keeping my interest. Kagawa does a great job of introducing new story lines without it feeling repetitive and boring. But, she's also staying true to the heart of the series. 

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer - I wasn't crazy about this one. It's vague in a lot of places, but then again, I could have sped through this book just to get closer to that Anne Rice carrot in front of my face. Still, if you liked The Hunger Games, you would most likely like this book. Not sure I'll read the rest of the trilogy, though.

Up Next

• Anne Rice - Prince Lestat
• Ann Aguirre - Enclave

Catching Up on My Reading List

Wow. It's been more than a month. But, my blogging takes a huge nosedive when I start reading through short stories. It's hard to want to read or write when you've been reading for work for multiple hours a day. So, my finished list is a little longer than normal. I'm going to keep up with this again since I won't have any writing to grade for a while. 

Reading

I'm not even going to break up my reading list right now because I've been carting books back and forth (which is part of the reason this list is a little longer than usual). I forget to bring the book back to school and then start another one. I've also had a little bit of reading ADD because nothing has been holding my attention.

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (third in a series) - Puck, Ash and Megan think that they've been banished from the fey so they won't have to deal with the war with the Iron King (the false one) again. Wrong. Their fate twists so they are sucked back into the petty fighting between the Summer and Winter fey.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Yup. Still reading this more than a month later. Remember that ADD I was talking about? This book was the biggest victim. 

How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran - I've been looking at this one since it came out in September. It's about a 14-year-old girl who is trying to find her place in the world. I thought it would be a good one for the classroom, but nope - slightly inappropriate for freshmen (it's one of those that I talked about during Banned Books Week; not one I feel comfortable having on my shelves but wouldn't tell you that you couldn't read it). Let's just say the main character isn't so innocent.

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer - I forgot The Iron King at home one day, so I picked this one up from my to-read box behind my desk. It's short, so I thought I could plow through it - but the next day I brought The Iron King again. So, now this one is sitting on my bookcase. This takes place in the future in an undisclosed location. Eleven previous groups have taken an expedition to Area X, but all have failed (a lot of them have ended in death). This follows four women (you only know them by their job title psychologist, anthropologist, biologist and a surveyor. They find out all kinds of secrets about the area. This trilogy is a little unique because the author is going to release all three in this calendar year. I know the second one is out, but I'm not sure if the third one is yet or not.

I was going to put down the third one in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone but I hadn't read it since AUGUST. So I've decided that one just needs to be abandoned for a bit. 

Finished

*I'm going to be lazy and not discuss these because there are so many. Feel free to ask me about my thoughts and opinions of them. I honestly did booktalks on all of them, so if you've been in class - you know about them!

The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by MG Buehrlen

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Variant by Robinson Wells

Feedback by Robinson Wells

The Dirt by Motley Crue  

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Up Next

Prince Lestat by Anne Rice - You have NO idea how excited I am about this one. I have been waiting for it since Anne Rice announced it. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Anne Rice. Like enough that on one of my trips to New Orleans, my friends and I sat outside of her house because there was a limo outside. We were hoping to get a glimpse of her. No dice. Anyway, I will buy any Anne Rice book as soon as it comes out, and this one is no different. But, I'm trying to practice some control; I'm not going to start it until I finish The Magicians. We'll see if that lasts. Anyway, a few years ago, Rice said she had finished her Vampire Chronicles. Thank goodness she was wrong! This is probably my favorite series; I can't tell you how many times I've read Interview with the Vampire. The series is wonderful (minus Tale of the Body Thief that one wasn't the greatest), so I'm excited to hear more about the exploits of the Brat Prince, Lestat.

Standing Ovation for Cory Doctrow

When I first heard about Washington High "banning" Little Brother by Cory Doctrow, I immediately felt shame because I lived and worked in Pensacola for six years. I didn't even want to be connected to a town who felt that action was OK (although at least I wasn't like a few of my friends who were alums of that school - they were really upset).

But, honestly, knowing Pensacola, it didn't surprise me. It's not really a radical town; conservative is a mild way of explaining the town. That still doesn't excuse this behavior. It is just wrong to tell kids they can't read something.

I was proud of the English teachers for continuing to fight against their principal about deleting the book from the summer program because he "didn't like it" (even though he didn't read it; I'm not sure how you don't like something you don't try). I was proud of the commenters on the news articles saying they were going to go out and buy it. I was proud of the students for still wanting to read the book.

But Cory Doctrow was just amazing. Sending free copies of the book? Making a video to talk to the students about their book being banned? Awesome. It took two easy steps to show that he cared - and he didn't even care that someone might not like his book, because he understands that not everyone has the same likes/dislikes. He just cared that kids were being denied the possibility of finding something they enjoyed reading.

We should never take books out of kids' hands. Like Doctrow, we should be putting them IN their hands.

So, bravo, Cory Doctrow, bravo!

Censorship = bad

Censorship = bad.

There's not other way to put it.

Knowledge shouldn't be kept away from people. The more viewpoints we have, the better place the world can become. Its like the notion of truth. No one person holds the real truth, but the more opinions and ideas we gather, the closer we can get to the real truth. The more knowledge we share, the more we can learn about each other and come to a better understanding. The more understanding we have, the less fighting/arguing/war mongering we have - and what's wrong with that?

When we censor or ban books, we're just stopping information. And we shouldn't do that. The forefathers of the country left Britain and fought for our independence so we wouldn't have to deal with that ever again. And why would we want to?

On the flip side, do these people have every right to complain, gripe, dislike, and even not read what they don't like? Most definitely. If they don't agree with it, they have the right to not acknowledge it. But, should they prevent others from NOT reading it? No - and that's where the issue lies. It is perfectly OK for you to not want to read something, but it isn't right to FORCE your ideals on someone else (that didn't work so well for Hitler, now did it?). But, telling people that they can't complain about it is just as bad as taking a book off the shelf. They're also protected under the First Amendment. Just because you don't agree with it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be said. Because those disagreements also bring light or ideas to the forefront that others may not have thought of.

American was founded on the freedom of choice and we shouldn't try to change that. Students should be allowed to read what they want. Let them expand their minds. Let them explore. Let them find themselves. We aren't here to create robots, and if we fully control what they read, that's what we're doing.

I don't know about you, but the world in Fahrenheit 451 (yet another frequently banned/challenged book) didn't seem too appealing to me. So I say, let the kids read.

Repost from September 2012

I did write along with you guys today in class, but I got a little ranty in my writing, so I went back and found my original post about this article. This was originally posted on Sept. 4, 2012.

I don't think we consider too much about how brave we are as a nation. Of course, there are still brave individuals - Andrew Tice is an example of that. But in general - are we really pioneering and willing to risk it all to continue to discover? To do what's right? I'm not sure.

I do think he has a point that we don't fight for truly noble reasons any more. WWII was definitely a noble cause - although no one realized how noble until they started discovering the work compas/the concentration camps. Still, it was greatly understood that Hitler was pure evil. And those who VOLUNTEERED, understood they were putting their lives in danger and that they may not come home alive. And yet, people still volunteered in droves until the end. Tehy weren't afraid to die - they knew what happened at the beaches on D-Day, and yet they still signed up. Lied about their age so they could go fight Hitler or even Mussolini or Tojo. Now, the Armed Forces struggle to get enough enlistment numbers. Sure, it was no problem right after September 11, but even a year later - numbers dropped - and they keep dropping. Too often people now join because they don't know what to do; can't get a job; can't get into school. Too often they aren't joining to be patriotic or to fight for this amazing country; they're just there because it is their last - and maybe only option. They aren't brave. Many times they just want to show that they are manly and brave and want to be "tough and strong." They're not serving our country - they're serving themselves.

We have become complacent; we take our freedoms for granted. And actually, before Sept. 11 - we thought we were untouchable - that nothing like that could happen to us. It was a wake up call, but a wake up call that didn't last long enough. We still think that we're untouchable and that we are right. We aren't always right. Sometimes we use our cowardice, hide behind it and become the big bully. We do this every time we put a new leader in place. Sometimes we do more harm than good. After WWII, and even during the end of it, we were seen as the good guys. That knight in shining armor. Now, we're not. We're rude, crude, obese and unwanted. As a nation, we need to take a deep look inside and see what went wrong to change that perception.

I think once we find what changed that perception and work on getting back to being the "good" guys instead of the perceived big bullies - we'll realize what went wrong. While Capitalism lets us live the American dream, I also think that it is what makes us complacent - lazy. Fat. Greedy. We don't look out for the greater good anymore - we look for the better "me." We don't care if others are struggling or suffering - as long as we're OK and happy that's all that matters. However, if we look out for others, Chances are that all of us will be better off. The base will be stronger, better formed, which is beneficial to us all. Looking to pull up the others is going to make everyone's arms stronger.

Austin has the guts he's writing about. But he is not doing this for the glory - he's doing this to get the story out. He's doing what too few journalists are willing to do. He is honestly trying to make a difference through telling other people's stories. But hes' not looking for the safe easy one He's flown halfway around the world to get out the untold story. And yet, most news outlets here are too scared and chicken to publish it. It's not pretty' it's not safe; it's doesn't come in a nice, neat little package. It's not what American's want to hear because we aren't brave enough to face the truth in the world and look at the nasty stuff that could infiltrate our lives. Instead, give us the happy. The fake. The bloated. The shiny. The plastic.

IMWAYR - A Mixed Bag

Not much got read at school, and I didn't read much at home until the weekend. I'm going to blame homecoming for that. I'm hoping to get some of these finished this week that I've been dragging out because there does come a point where I will stop reading because it has been too long.

At school

Still working on The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare; I'm a lot farther in it, and I'm really enjoying it. It's high paced, and keeps you wondering what's really going on as you read through. It gives you some bread crumbs but just enough to keep you reading to get to the next one.

At home

The Magicians  by Lev Grossman - I started this yesterday, so I'm not very far into it. It is the first in a trilogy, and I was lucky because all three books are now out. Quinton Coldwater is thrust into a magical college and is trying to get his bearings. It reminds me of Harry Potter if Harry went to Hogwarts at 19 and was a little crankier. I am going to have to get a copy of it for the classroom (I got it on Kindle) because I think several of you would enjoy it.

I'm also still working through Dreams of Gods and Monsters, although I really haven't read any more of it in about two weeks.

Audiobook

Same as the past entries. I did use this month's credit for the second in the Delirium series, and I'm much closer to this one being finished.

Finished

Plan B by Jonathan Tropper - Four friends kidnap their movie star college friend to stage an intervention and get him off cocaine. The four sober ones realize that they've also gone up to upstate New York to detox for their own reasons. I REALLY love Tropper's writing. I read him for the first time this summer and have devoured the rest of his books.

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal 

Here's the write up from Goodreads:

"When Ibby Bell’s father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father’s urn for good measure. Fannie’s New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been—and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum—is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie’s black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.
 
For Fannie’s own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby’s arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby’s hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places."
 

This would be a good book if you liked The Help.

Up next

Still haven't comitted to Ashfall, and I really don't know what I'll pick up next at home. I have been considering the second in the Name the Star series (mostly because I'll be talking about that book Friday in class). We shall see.

IMWAYR - Distracted

It was another low quantity of reading week. I'm blaming reading 800+ page books. I slow down a lot in the middle of them because I just want them to be done with!

At school

The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by MG Bulehrlen - This book I got from some reviews on blogs and Goodreads. It's an interesting concept. Alex starts having "delusions" from the past, and people think she's got a serious issue. However, she's actually had past lives and she's having flashbacks. I'm not that far into this one, but it is really good!

At home

Still working on Dreams of Gods and Monsters.

Audiobook

Still working on Delirium. 

Finished

I picked up The Giver by Lois Lowery last week. I didn't understand why many people told me they had read it in HS, but I never had. Then I realized it came out when I was in HS, so it wasn't on people's radars (this also made me feel a little old). Jonas is part of a society that has isolated itself from others. He's been "selected" as being the next Receiver, and realizes there may be something sinister about the world he's living in - things might be being kept from the citizens.

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - The second in the Outlander series, and it weighs in at a massive 976 pages. Claire has been back in her modern life for 20 years, and she recounts to her daughter the truth behind her heritage. In a flashback, Claire goes back to when Outlander left off and tells the story of how Jamie decided she needed to go back. This one I liked a lot more than the first; it had more history instead of romance, and left off with a cliffhanger. I'll be taking a break before the third one, though (which is a whopping 1100 pages).

Up Next

Ashfall - I know I had this one on there last week, but I got distracted by other shiny books. It's a common problem with me when I try to pick my next book.

Calvin's Day at School

Poor Calvin. He was always misunderstood. He's the active crazy child who can drive you up a wall - but he's also really creative. It's a shame that his talent hasn't been tapped into or explored by his teachers because then he wouldn't have such a negative view of school. This is what I hope I don't do to my students.

Even though I mostly like school, there have certainly been times that I've felt each and every one of those cells (comic can be found here). Especially the zombie one - sometimes I look back on how little sleep I got throughout high school and wonder I made it through. Asleep at midnight, up at 5, at school at 7, home at 4, 6 or 10. I can't believe I survived like that for four years.

Luckily, though, I had teachers who were a bright spot in the day. They worked hard to make school not seem like an assembly line and that we weren't just there to get our cup of knowledge for the day. A lot of my teachers tried to make sure they weren't trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. They worked with us to make sure that we fully understood the concept and how it applied to our lives outside of those four classroom walls. Of course this didn't happen every day because those teachers were humans, and you have down days. DAys were you are less energetic, slightly sick, distracted by life. But for the most part, they worked hard to serve our needs.

I remember all too well, though, those classes where I was expected to fit a mold and just parrot back to the teacher (this is why I still have a great hatred for anything Brit Lit - a bad teacher can ruin you for life). I was miserable in those classes. 45 minutes of pure torture. I didn't learn anything and just put in my time. I DON'T want that for my students.

So, this is why I try my hardest to emulate the teachers who tried to reach all of us. It isn't always easy, and sometimes I fall short of that goal. But, I don't want my classroom to feel like an assembly line. I want it to fit my students' needs. I want them to feel like they're being encouraged to grow as people - not just as a score on a test.

IMWAYR - Slacking off a bit

So this week was a little lacking on the reading. A lot of it was I was too tired by the time I got home to pick up a book. I needed to just veg out and not think for a while. Hopefully that will change this week.

At school

The Giver by Lois Lowry - I've never read it, so I decided I should. I haven't started it yet; it's what I plan on reading today during SSR.

At home

A Dragonfly in Amber by Diane Gabaldon - This is the second in the Outlander series, which is about an Englishwoman who is transferred from 1946 Scotland to Scotland in the 18th century. These are pretty thick books (more than 600 pages, so it takes a bit to get through them).

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor - This is the third book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. Usually I get bored in a series with the second one - typically because it is setting up. But, in this one, I'm just not getting into the war between the angels, humans and other beasties as much as I liked the first two. 

Audio book

Still working on Delirium. Along with the "too tired" to read last week, I didn't want to listen to the book to and from work last week. So I didn't get much farther in it.

Finished

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein - (see last IMWAYR for the summary of the book). I really enjoyed this book. It was very suspenseful while Rose was in the concentration camp - even though you knew she made it out OK, there were times where you wondered if she was going to make it. It was also hard to conceive that she was only in the camp for six months. It's amazing how much brutality she had to face in such a short amount of time. I highly recommend this one. The author's website also has a lot more information about the real Rabbits who were experimented on at the camp.

Abandoned 

I know in my reading life essay I said that I rarely abandon books. Well, it happened this week. I started reading Grave Mercy, one of the Iowa High School Award books, and it just wasn't clicking. I think it was more that I wasn't in the mood for it. So, I put it back to the side. I hope to pick it up soon again because I really do like to try to get those award books read.

Up Next

I realized I left this section off the last one. Of course, this one ends up changing quickly though. I'll think I want to read one book next and then completely change my mind.

Ashfall  by Mike Mullen - This has been in my to-be-read pile for quite a while. But, thanks to a lot of you mentioning it in your reading essays, I decided it needs to be moved up.

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness - This is the final book in a trilogy I've really enjoyed, and it's been sitting on my Kindle for months, so it is time for it to get read!