Catching Fire

I just finished Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I am so thankful the third book is coming out in August. I really should have paid attention to that prior to starting the series. The question will be can I wait for the book to get to the library or will I succumb to the temptation and buy it...

I wondered where Collins would take the book. Just prior to the Quell announcement I guessed at what would happen. I also knew the gamekeeper guy was on Katniss's side with the whole mockingjay thing. I'm kind of surprised Katniss didn't get that herself. I didn't expect the ending though. I'm also not real thrilled with the love triangle. I keep thinking she'll be scared by losing either Gale or Peeta. I guess anyone would be scared by any of these events though.

If you haven't read the book, I know this post doesn't make any sense at all. If you have, it probably still seems like senseless wanderings. This I know. It's an excellent book. It is not for kids.

After

At the Children's Literature Association Conference I saw a book trailer for the book After by Amy Efaw. It was really a simple trailer. It showed positive words replaced by negative words. However, it completely caught my attention. I needed to read the book, so I put it on hold at the library.

What I never dreamed from the trailer is that it would be about dumpster babies. I gathered it was about unplanned pregnancy, but the idea of sympathizing with a mother who would attempt to kill a baby was unfathomable to me. However, Amy Efaw does it. She makes a reader realize that the women who desert this helpless infants often have more going on than a news-watcher would originally realize.

While reading the book I couldn't help but compare it to Walter Dean Myer's Monster. In both books there is a young protagonist in a detention facility and the reader must decide if s/he agrees with the decision of the judge. In both texts the perpetrator is likable and seems to deserve another chance, yet both are accused of horrific crimes. The biggest difference between the two is that in Myer's text the reader does not know how guilty or innocent Steve is. In Efaw's text, the reader knows Devon is guilty. Instead, the question is does Devon know.

I would not recommend After to anyone. I think it is probably too intense for some readers. However, I think it's a great book. I think Efaw does an amazing job creating a compelling story that challenges readers to consider their initial judgments regarding a situation.

Hunger Games

So, I finished Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games 2 days ago and I cannot stop thinking about it. It's interesting to me because when I started it, it took me a long time (for me) to get into it, but by the time I was halfway through, I just didn't want to put it down, and now, 2 days later I can't stop thinking about Katniss and Peeta.

This post probably would be considered a spoiler, but not the type that should keep you from reading the book.

At the Children's Literature Conference, one panelist said she thought the book was a commentary on American society and capitalisim. To some extent she might be right, but I think it is much more than that. Although the book takes place in North America, it is a much more global picture. The panelist had said as well fed Americans we don't have the ability to identify with Katniss, we must identify with the members of the capitol. However, as I read, I was just as annoyed with the people of the capitol as Katniss was. I found them shallow and annoying. I wanted to identify with Katniss's mother, but I realized my life is way too easy for me to identify with her. Instead, I found myself wondering if I would be an Anox in that community-- someone who is being punished for trying to escape because I just can't tolerate the capital's way of life and there is no way I would ever let my children participate in the Hunger Games.

I see why there is so much fan fiction for the text. There are so many points of view that would be interesting to explore. Gale for instance, what was he thinking throughout the games. I've got the sequel on hold at the library. Hopefully 4 people will return their copies soon so I can know more about the world of Panem.

The Hunger Games

So, I'm in the process of reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's an interesting read. It took me a while to get into it, but now I want to avoid doing all real work to find out how Katniss is going to pull it out and win. I figure Collins can't switch narrators in the middle of the book when she's killed.

New Direction

When I first started this blog, it was for a class, and I used it to write about the books we were reading in that class. Then I started writing about a few other random things. Then I quite writing on it at all because I was just too busy.

I realize though, that it's a project worth doing. I want to make sure I am reading new books, and I want to write about them. Even if they are new only to me.

I figured I'd start writing by saying what I'm hoping to read/ check out soon.

Cathy's Book-- I think I'm going to have to buy this one
The Amanda Project-- I've been looking at it a little online. I want to think about what it's doing a little mroe.
The Hunger Games-- Too many people talked about it at ChLA to ignore it
After-- the book trailer on You Tube fascinates me enough that I want to read it.

I'm looking forward to getting back to some of my original intents.

Time

Today it struck me how much the world has changed. These days no one really knows how to live at a slower pace. We all think we have to do do do and go go go, but that isn't really the case.

I'm amazed at how time flies or drags. If I'm doing something I want to be doing, like reading a good book, an hour can go so fast. If I'm doing something I don't want to be doing, like grading papers, the hour might still go fast, but I am amazed the task took an entire hour.

But then, when I am waiting, hours are an eternity.

I'm doing all of my research on media and its influence on literature. I think it has influenced much more than that. I think it has altered our expectations of time.

When I was a kid, instant gratification meant being told right away I could have what I wanted even if I knew it would take some time to get it. Now, email isn't even fast enough for us-- no, we have to text message a person, and if s/he doesn't get back to us-- oh no--

Don't get me wrong-- I think media is useful and fun, but I wonder what our lives would be like if we had to read a few more books, play a few more games, and write a few more letters.

Need to Write

I need to write. I need to grade papers. I need to organize my house.

All of these things are keeping me from actually getting anything done. Instead I'm reading what other people have written on Facebook and blogspot. Not overly productive.

I am finally writing about Harry Potter-- something that years ago I was really looking forward to getting to, and now that I'm doing it I realize why the series has retained its popularity-- Rowling does a good job creating questions that she did not answer.

This week I find myself really bothered by What happened to George? George and Fred were such a team, they didn't do anything apart from one another, but Fred died-- What happened to George? I want to believe that he went on to run their business and live a happy, fulfilled, Voldermort free life, but I can't imagine that he successfully did.

Oh well, thinking about the well being of a fictional character is not writing my dissertation, grading my student's papers, or cleaning my house...

Nothing

I have gotten nothing done today. I know I will regret my motivational funk later, but right now I can't seem to do anything about it...

But, alas, I have an excuse...

Not only is the baby awake, so is the 2 year old.

potty training

Tomorrow is D-Day.

We are going to have a day dedicated to potty training. I have mixed feelings about this adventure. A part of me is all for it-- the part of me that is sickened by the cost of diapers. A part of me sees no reason to rush the process--the part of me that can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast. The part of me that is tired of changing poopy diapers knows that it's time to at least give it a try. I also know that it's time because my delightful daughter keeps taking off her diaper as soon as it gets a drop of pee in it, and I really don't want her peeing on my carpet.

Wish me luck!

The Shack

I just finished reading The Shack. It's a great book. I don't want to give away too much here, because I think people should read it for themselves, and I don't want to ruin the experience.

I think so many people feel the way the main character, Mack, does regarding God. There are so many forced views, where God seems a little bit angry. So, while I wouldn't say that this book addresses all of those concerns, it does do a good job at providing a different view of God. A view that lets us see a little bit fuller picture of who He is.

If nothing else, it's a pretty compelling story. I would recommend you give it a read-- but not if you're getting ready to take your daughters camping.

Online Teaching

I think I'm going to go the online teaching route. I've been in training for the last 4 weeks. I find out tomorrow if I've passed it all. I sure hope so, otherwise, this last month was crazy for nothing. It's weird though. I've been spending so much time getting ready for that, that now while I'm trying to catch up with stuff I am afraid I let some things go for too long. hope not...

LM Montgomery

LM Montgomery was my favorite author when I was a kid. I had, and still have, every book the woman wrote. My favorite was, and still is, The Blue Castle-- which now I know is considered her "adult" novel. This year is the 100 year anniversary of Anne of Green Gables, which was her first "big" hit.

Why do I bring up this childhood remembrance? Because I'm trying to write about Anne in my dissertation. I already wrote this section, but it vanished along with everything else on my hard drive, and so now, I'm hoping that if I ramble on about Anne that I will be able to have my memory refreshed and that I will finally feel more inspired to write.

The question I ask in my dissertation is, Why is Anne still popular after 100 years? Other books that were written in much of the same style at the same time have long since been discarded, but somehow, fans still hang out to Anne? What is her appeal?

I always liked Anne because she was kind of spunky. I think I always thought I was a little spunky, but I don't think that I was. I think that I was just a little bookworm, but I could read about these spunky characters and feel like I knew them enough that they were a little bit a part of me. i think characters like Anne gave me courage. You could know what you wanted and still be likable. You could be smart and popular. But was Anne popular-- not really, she just had her close friends. She just got along well enough with her friends that as a reader you felt like she must be popular. Don't get me wrong-- she wasn't the class reject or anything, but you didn't see others following her trends-- instead, she followed others-- think puffy sleeves and black tresses.

I think Anne still has some appeal because she's a generational character. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough for me to share Anne with her. And obviously, I am not the only one who felt that way. I was turned onto Anne by a friend of my mother's, an older Canadian lady. Thinking about her now, I realize she was probably a child when Montgomery first wrote the text.

Why do certain books stand the test of time when others just fall by the wayside?

You know you're old when

you start to appreciate silence.
When I was young I would always have music on in my bedroom, and I would want my mom to listen to music when I was in the kitchen or with her in the car, and she would say no. The conversation often went like this.

Me: Can I turn the radio on?
Mom: No
Me: But I want to try to find my favorite song of the minute.
Mom: No, I want to relax
Me: You are so boring, why don't you ever want to listen to music, it's a great way to relax
Mom: No

Then I thought my mom was trying to squelch my fun. Now, as I hear so much noise all day long, I realize she was just trying to hear herself think. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy listening to music, especially while I drive, but now I have also come to appreicate the joys of silence.

drugs are bad

I recently ran into someone that I hadn't seen in a number of years. During that time, this guy had moved away, gotten himself into trouble due to drug used, cleaned up, and moved back to the area. Now, sadly, he is notably "not right." He was always a little introverted, I'm guessing his desire to be more outgoing led to the drug problem in the first place, but now his comprehension is in the toilet. I feel bad for him, but most importantly, I view this as a once again reminder of the dangers of drug abuse.

Yes, this is a little preachy-- but it is true, and it makes me sad to see people throw away their lives because of a moment of fun.

Too busy for what

I haven't been overly academic recently. I've been too busy, too tired, too frustrated. And now, I'm finding that I have the time to get back into these activities, and I'm so out of practice I'm not sure how to do it. So I find myself procrastinating, but I don't even want to procrastinate the ways I usually do, which tells me I need to get my act together and start working.

As for excuses though...

I had a beautiful baby boy-- Nathan Jay-- he's almost 8 weeks old.
My laptop died. Not just a little inconvenient death-- a complete, un-resurrectable death, so I've lost decent amounts of research and writing. (Please do not comment on the importance of backing your stuff up-- I know- I've always known, but I just wasn't as faithful about doing it as I should have been-- I've gotten enough of those well-meaning lectures)

and last but not least...

it's beautiful outside, and who wants to be inside working when she can be outside playing?

Slow posting

I haven't been posting very often this semester-- time seems to be flying by, but I would say that's to be expected. There are only 2 1/2 weeks left of the semester-- that's crazy.

Spring Break

Well, it's spring break, and my goals for this week are not being met-- I had wanted to get so much more done than I am-- but that's always the way. I do have some newfound motivation for writing my disseration though. I'm realizing I just need to get it written. I can revise it, edit it, try to publish it later-- right now I just have to write it. It's hard-- I get writing and then I think I should read up more on this and then I read a new book -- or I read an article that makes me see 3 more books I should have read, but I need to worry about writing it now. So, we'll see if I make my goal by finishing ch 2 by the end of March.

Winter

I can't believe how hard it's snowing today and how cold it is. We haven't had this snowy of a winter for a few years. I think the snow is pretty, but it's the wind that I can do without. The other thing that stinks about it is that I'm getting to pregnant to wear my warmest winter coat-- hopefully winter will end before I outgrow my next warmest coat.

Student Blogs

I have my students write blogs, and I am glad that I do. It gives me a feel for how they feel about class, but more importantly, it helps me to understand their experiences with tutoring. This week a couple of them witnessed a bad tutoring session, and that really disappoints me. I want them to have positive experiences with tutoring--as well as I want the students who come in for tutoring to have a positive experience, so when I hear about a bad one, I get frustrated. The good thing is that if I hear about it early enough I can do my best to do something about it.

Buy Buy Baby

I said that I would post about Buy Buy Baby by Susan Gregory Thomas when I finished reading it, and then I got busy and forgot.

This text made me realize the discrepency between my life as an academic and my life as a parent. I think the only way I can reconcile it is through age-- my work as an academic focuses on how media are affecting older children, not younger-- but I fully realize that the reason media have the influence that it does over older children is because they have been saturated with media since birth.

Thomas talks about how unnecessary television is for toddlers and how actually dangerous it is for babies. She also discusses how unnecessary video games are for children that young-- and I have to believe her. The thing that I think shocked me the most was how well pegged the marketing firms have my generation of parents-- they really know what we want for our kids and they try to market that to us-- it's a little bit scary.

I know this is really just a reference-- my true excitement over the text has worn off, but I think it's important to think about who we are letting tell us what we need.