My Holiday Reading
Dec 19th, 2009 by Cathy Nelson
Leslie Edwards (author the WebFooted BookLady) of of North Vancouver, BC shared her stack of books on Twitter a bit ago, and I was amused since I have a stack to read as well. Wonder how many other educators brought home (or already had at home) a stack of reads for the break? Here’s mine.
Tell me what you have to read on your to do list? Why is it there?
Mine:
Christmas with Paula Deen by Paula Deen
Okay I confess, I guess deep down inside I want to weigh 250lbs or more, because the meals prepared on her show on the Food Network all call for at least a half a stick of real butter. But some of the dishes in the book look spectacular, so I brought it home to maybe test some of them out–not that I’m any wonder in the kitchen. My husband and I truly are collaborative cooks, and we are fixing Paula Deen’s Macaroni and Cheese Crockpot soup tomorrow, not because its any different from regular mac n cheese, but becasue everytime I fix some, it’s hopelessly soup and a failure (my mom would be so disappointed.)
Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte
When Kyle reluctantly succumbs to family pressure and replaces his injured brother in the family racecar, he struggles to keep up with his trumpet playing while deciding how he can continue playing with the brass quintet and headlining as a Nascar driver. (copied from SCASL.net SCYABA ppt.) Okay so I’m not into racing, but its one of the nominees I should be promoting this year.I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
After a fall Naomi realizes she has lost her memory. While her best friend, Will, helps her fill in the missing pages, she finds herself reassessing every aspect of her life. (copied from SCASL.net SCYABA ppt.) This reminds me of The Adoration of Jenna Fox, and that character also had memory issues, but for a whole different reason. I’m looking forward to finishing this one–I started it a month or so ago, but got too busy to finish it so took it back.
Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney
When her father betrays the Scottish king and is hung as a traitor, Lady Mary loses her only true protector and is locked away in the tower by the powerful and deadly Lord and Lady Macbeth.(copied from SCASL.net SCYABA ppt.) With the interest in vampires and such withour readers, I thought maybe I could breath some life on this title. Setting is medieval in style, so I’ve started it and find I’m liking it, though I’m not sure it will appeal to the Twilight series diehard fans.
21st Century Skills by Bernie Trillane & Charles Fadel – Got this title at the SLJ Leaadership Summit this past Otcober in Washington, DC. I just have not had time to read it. It promises to be an engaging and conversational style read, so maybe I should go for this one first (though I’ve already started the title above here.)
Images:
‘Christmas Reading List 2009′ from cnelson’s photostream
All other bookcovers are from Barnes & Noble
Right now I am reading Hitler’s War by Harry Turtledove to get my alternative history fix in. If I can find it in my public library I plan on reading 21st Century Skill too. On the Audible side I am still listening to Under the Dome by Stephen King and looking for another book to listen to.
Thanks for the inspiration, Cathy! Here’s my list
http://dmcordell.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-reading.html
I love Paula Deen and I have found that you can safely leave out about half of the butter from most of her recipes and not even notice.
I am reading No School Library Left Behind by Carl Harvey, Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O’Connor, Get Connected by RoseMary Honnold, Charlie Bone and teh Shadow by Jenny Nimmo, and for pleasure Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich and Out of the Flames by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone.
@Lisa thanks for sharing your list!
@ Kathleen I will probably cut that butter requirement in the recipes too then.
@Diane LOVE YOUR LIST!!
@John–I too also listen to audiobooks in the car on my drive to work. Just recently finished Ender’s Game, and Im getting ready to start Pride and Prejudice once school resumes.
Great list Cathy! I couldn’t resist blogging about my list after reading your post, although as you will see, it’s much less detailed than yours. Couldn’t take too much time away from reading.
http://bookminder.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-break-reading.html
Great List! Here is mine: I am going to start Petey by Ben Mikaelsen tonight. My 5th grade son said it is the best book ever, and he read it in school! Next I will read A Princess Found, about Sarah Culberson, a woman who I used to work with who found out her biological father is from Sierra Leone, and she was the child of a Paramount Chief, giving her princess status. It looks fascinating, and I am excited to finally read it. City of Bones is next – Holly Black calls it “Funny, dark, and sexy..” so how can I resist? I tend to hoard books over breaks, so I also have Going Bovine, Lips Touch, Outliers, Bermudez Triangle.. We’ll see how much I actually read! Maybe Ill blog about it…