Sarah Pekkanen and The Best of Us

I met Sarah Pekkanen this weekend! She has a new book out called The Best of Us, and was speaking at a local book shop called Politics and Prose, which is pretty much an institution in DC. Steve and I had been out all afternoon, so we grabbed dinner at a restaurant next to the bookshop, and because of that, were a few minutes late to her talk. Ooooops.

Sarah was so wonderful and so funny. I missed the first ten minutes or so, so I didn't hear as much about the book, but she talked about her other books too, and took lots of questions from the audience. She gave advice to aspiring authors too, which I appreciated, since I have a secret goal of writing a book or two one day.

One day. I have the last line of the book finished...though should probably fill in the rest, eh?

When I went up to have my book signed, Sarah said I looked familiar and had we met...I said that I'd tweeted to her, so maybe that was why, and she laughed like we were old friends! It was so refreshing that we chatted that way. I've met some authors who seemed way too impressed with themselves, which made me a bit sad, but Sarah was so, so great.

I haven't read the book yet, but will post a review when I do! I bought a copy for Heidi, as she is the one who introduced me to Sarah Pekkanen's books. Since Heidi just had a baby a few weeks ago (!!!), she couldn't come with me, but I knew she'd want to read the book as well. Plus, she founded our book club, which is soon-to-be back in business! (any DC girls want to join our book club?! we're super fun, I promise).

I love meeting authors, and I love that many of them make stops in DC while on their book tours. This is just one of the reason why I don't like e-readers....it's really difficult to have someone sign your kindle  ;)

Have you read any of Sarah Pekkanen's books? Which one is your favorite?



mini book reviews

This morning I posted this to Scarlet Threads, but thought I'd share here too! I don't think I've posted book reviews in quite a while, despite the fact that I read all the time! I've read several great books recently, and wanted to post about the tones I really loved!

The Secret Keeper is the newest novel from Australian writer Kate Morton. She has three earlier books, all of which I've read and enjoyed, but I think this was by far my favorite. I've posted about them before, actually. It just came out about two weeks ago, and I managed to grab it from my local library the same week! I devoured it, finishing it in just a few days. Typical of me, really!

The Secret Keeper weaves back into time, along with present day, telling the story of Laurel Nicolson. We meet her as a sixteen year old living in the English countryside, as she witnesses a shocking crime within her family. Fifty years later, she is a successful actress in London, and her family gathers for her mother's 90th birthday party. She wants to learn the secret that has haunted her mother all these years. We also meet her mother, Dorothy, as a young woman in pre-WWII London, through the Blitz and then beyond. We meet Jimmy and Vivian, all from very different lives, but we see how they are intertwined, and will be, forever. While I found myself guessing parts of the ending, I was certainly thrown off by several aspects of what happened, and that is something that I love. 

It was a wonderful story, as are Morton's other three books! 

Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal is another recent favorite. 

Also taking place in wartime London, Mr. Churchill's Secretary introduces us to Maggie Hope, born in Britian, but raised in America. Maggie lost her parents at a young age, and was raised by her aunt, but goes to London to settle the estate of her recently departed grandmother. She graduates at the top of her class from a highly regarded university, but as a female, can only find work as a typist, leading her to 10 Downing Street to work for the newly sworn-in Winston Churchill. This position puts her in a unique position to learn a great deal of information, both about the inner-workings of a government at war, as well as within her own family. Maggie's knowledge of mathmatics, codes, and languages soon assist her in carving a new role for herself as she finds herself in the middle of an assasin plot against the Prime Minister himself. This is very much an edge-of-your-seat type of book, and I loved all of the twists and turns- I never quite knew what to expect, 

but I had a good feeling about our Maggie. 

When I finished the book, I was a bit sad, as I hate when a good book comes to an end, though I soon learned that the sequel to this book, called Princess Elizabeth's Spy just came out this past week! I cannot wait to get a copy of that one! Also, Susan Elia MacNeal, the author, is on twitter (linked above!), and she and I chatted a bit. She's writing the third installment of this book now, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Also, she let me know that Royal Corgis make an appearance in the second book. Anything with corgis is a good thing!

Not a novel, but a cookbook! This is a family favorite, actually, and I recently pulled my battered old copy from my cookbook collection to make the beef stew recipe. The Tasha Tudor Cookbook is a wonderful collection of some of the Tudor Family's favorite recipes, with drawings by Tasha Tudor herself. This means more corgis! Yes, I have a bit of a corgi obsession, but that is another story for another day. 

Growing up, my sister, brother and I each had our own author. My mother decided that on each birthday/Christmas/Easter, we'd receive a book by "our" author. I had Beatrix Potter, my sister had Tasha Tudor, and my brother had Tomie dePaola. Now, as an adult, I have the entire collection of stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Likewise, my sister has an amazing collection of Tasha Tudor books, many of which are now out of print. 

I bought a copy of the cookbook for myself one day, since it brings back happy childhood memories. Last weekend, I made the beef stew recipe for dinner, and it was as wonderful as I had remembered it to be. 

Have you read Gone Girl yet? Everyone has been talking about it recently, so I wanted to see what the fuss was. I requested it from the library, and was no. 247 in the queue. I waited and waited, and finally got an email that it was waiting for me, but I was out of town, and didn't pick it up in time, and it was released! Ugh! I re-requested it, and was then no. 329 in the queue. Who says DC doesn't read?! Finally, it was there for me again, and I wasted no time in running over to the DC Public Library to pick it up. Now, I am about a third of the way into it, and so far, so good. 

What are you reading right now? Anything I should look for?

authors and book signings!

 

 

One of the things I like so much about DC is book tours. Of course, book tours happen all over the country, but authors often make a stop here, and I often get to meet them and have a copy of their newest book signed for me! So much fun. When I write a book, I'm totally going on a 50 state tour.

 

 

Here is me and Heidi with Jennifer Weiner! She spoke at the Historic Sixth and I Synagogue and was seriously hilarious. Also? She had cupcakes during the signing for people to munch on while waiting in line! She and I chatted about Bachelor/Bachelorette and she was impressed when I told her that Chris Harrison once replied to one of my tweets (true story!). This book, The Next Best Thing, was my favorite of hers, I really think. This was the first time I'd seen her, and I hope she returns to DC with the next book!

 

 

Also earlier this year (in May, I think!), Jen Lancaster was here! She is usually here on her tours- I think this was the third time I met her! Also super hilarious. Her most recent book, Jeneration X, is as funny as her others. Love her. 

Most recently, Emily Giffin was here, just last month! Like Jen Lancaster, she spoke at a local Barnes and Noble. Also like with Jen, I went to the event alone, as Heidi wasn't available (boooo!), but it was still a lot of fun. It was funny, because at her talk, there was a real-life Kirby in the audience, which, if you've read the book, you know is a character in her new book, Where We Belong.

So! Those are a few of my recent author meetings, which I just think are so much fun. I will admit, that I tend to get a bit tongue-tied when meeting "famous" people, so sometimes, I have to prepare what to say before I get to the table! I'm not the only one who does this, right???


Have you met any authors? Have you read any of these three books? What did you think???

 

chain letters are back!

Did you ever receive chain letters in your younger years? I know I did, and I always passed them along, following whatever directions there were! As you know, I love getting mail, so any chance to increase my mail intake was good in my book ;)

It seems that chain letters are making a comeback, as I received one yesterday-

This one asks you to send a children's book to the first child on the list (just two names on the list), and then move the second name to the top, and put your child as the second name on the list, and send the letter to six friends...if it works, your child should get 36 books in a few weeks.

Fun, eh? Now, I know that I don't have any children of my own, but I do have an adorable four-year old godson who loves both books and mail (that's my boy!), so I asked his mother if I could do this for him, and she agreed, saying he'll love it. I just hope it works and he gets a few books back. I hate when people spoil it and don't play along!

So, any of you with children want to play? I'll send a copy of the letter your way, if you promise to send a book out to the first child, and then send the letter along its way!

books!

Remember the little book giveaway I did a few weeks ago? Well, the winner is Little Miss Can't Be Wrong, so please email me your address! If you don't read LMCBW's blog, you should! She's hilarious and I'll be anxious to read her review of this book ;)

This was a fun little mini giveaway, and I think I will do it again. I like the idea of travelling books and passing along ones that I won't read again! In fact, I think I will post another one later this week, so check back by Friday!

How was your weekend? Anything fun happen?

a giveaway, with a twist

Good morning! How was your week? It seems it was a bit crazy in DC, with an earthquake and then a hurricane! Luckily, neither was too bad and everything was okay in the end.

I spent most of the weekend cleaning and getting things done around the house. I had a few crates of books to unpack and find homes for. In the process, I found a bin full of high school mementos, including diaries, chemistry quizzes, college acceptance/rejection letters, etc. Why I save such things, I have no idea ;)

Anyway. I began bagging up books that I plan to donate to the library, but then I had an idea. I recently discovered an author called Kate Morton. She's Australian, and has three books- The House at Riverton, The Distant Hours and The Forgotten Garden. They are not a series. Each book was so lovely, I really enjoyed them all. I've found myself recommending her to everyone lately, as I loved them that much. They take place in England and tie together several stories at once with such beautiful language and imagery. These are books that I'd love to see turned into movies, actually. Such stories!

I found this hardcover version of The Distant Hours.

from amazon-

It starts with a letter, lost for half a century and unexpectedly delivered to Edie’s mother on a Sunday afternoon. The letter leads Edie to Milderhurst Castle, where the eccentric Blythe spinsters live and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted during World War II. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives caring for their younger sister, Juniper, who hasn’t been the same since her fiancé jilted her in 1941. Inside the decaying castle, Edie searches for her mother’s past but soon learns there are other secrets hidden in its walls. The truth of what happened in “the distant hours” has been waiting a long time for someone to find it. In this enthralling romantic thriller, Morton pays homage to the classics of gothic fiction, spinning a rich and intricate web of mystery, suspense, and lost love.

I thought perhaps one of you might like to read it, and then I had an idea. Remember The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants? I thought about doing that, with the book, though it doesn't need to come back to me in the end!

Leave a comment and I will pick one randomly and send the book to that person. When you are done with it, do a little review of the book on your blog and then offer to send the book along to someone else. Then that person will do the same thing. And so on, and so on, and so on.

Leave a comment and I'll pick someone on Friday, and then mail it to that person as soon as they send me their mailing address.

Does this sound fun?

the help, or something like it

I'm a big reader; I'm sure you've figured that out by now. I read all sorts of things, of most genres and am usually willing to try something new (okay, I will admit- I still have not read the Harry Potter series, the Twilight series or The Girl Who Played with Fire, etc- they just don't appeal to me!). My mother read The Help last summer and told me how much she enjoyed it and how she thought I'd like it, so I added my name to the queue at the DC Library. To my surprise, I was somewhere around 300 on the list. No worries, I had several other books to read. Eventually I got it, and had been hearing of it's popularity and how much everyone loved it. I had high hopes for The Help. How could I not, really?

Confession- I did not love The Help.

I didn't hate it, I didn't dislike it, I just didn't LOVE it, the way everyone else LOVED it. People raved and raved and raved; it was the best book they'd ever read. They couldn't put it down. The read it in one sitting. They said it was the best book ever.

BEST BOOK EVER.

EVER.

Really? Ever? Now, I am not sure what I'd consider to be the best book ever (maybe Ramona Quimby, Age 8!), but I know for certain that The Help was not the best book I ever read. There was just something about it that irked me. I can't put my finger on it. It was good, I enjoyed the story, but I just found myself somewhat bothered by the storyline. The characters seemed to be well developed, for the most part. I didn't dislike them, I just found it somewhat difficult to relate to them. Yes, this could be because I didn't grow up in the Deep South and I wasn't around during this turbulent time in American history, so maybe that is where part of my difficulty came from. I just don't understand how it was okay to have someone care for your child, yet it wasn't okay for them to use your toilet.

Needless to say, I do want to see the movie. I'd like to see the characters come to life. Maybe I should read the book again, before seeing it, as it was about a year ago that I read it. Again, I liked the book. I just didn't LOVE the book, though I feel that I'm the only one!

So tell me. Did you read The Help? Did you like it? Or did you LOVE it? Am I the only one who didn't LOVE it?

ten on tuesday: the bookworm edition

1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?

I recently read a book called The Kitchen House, which I really enjoyed. It reminded me a bit of The Help, for those of you who loved that one. Another recent read was The House at Riverton, which I really enjoyed and could not put down! Another one that I read a while ago but has still been haunting me was Sarah's Key, which is worth a read.

2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?

My mother is a librarian, so yes, I am a library lover! Of course, I do buy books from time to time, but usually just favorites, something like that. If an author I like is in the area for a signing, I like to get a hardback copy.

3. E-readers, yay or nay?

BIG FAT NAY. I will never get one. Never, never, never. Don't try to convince me. End of story.

4. What was your favorite book as a child?

Oh gosh! I LOVED the Ramona books, I loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, I loved The Secret Garden, the Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Miss Rumphius...

5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?

Ramona, I think :) When I get a corgi, I am totally naming her Ramona. DO NOT STEAL MY PUPPY NAME!!!!

6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?

While I was reading it, I was thinking that The House at Riverton would make a great movie. It is about the making of a movie!

Synopsis

Grace Bradley went to work at Riverton House as a servant when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they-and Grace-know the truth.

In 1999, when Grace is ninety-eight years old and living out her last days in a nursing home, she is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback, this is the story of Grace's youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant twenties, and the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.

The novel is full of secrets-some revealed, others hidden forever, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne Du Maurier. It is also a meditation on memory, the devastation of war, and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.

Originally published to critical acclaim in Australia, already sold in ten countries and a #1 bestseller in England, The House at Riverton is a vivid, page-turning novel of suspense and passion, with characters-and an ending-the reader won't soon forget.

7. What is your all-time favorite book?

Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Gone With the Wind, Miss Rumphius

8. How many books do you read at once?

It depends, usually two, maybe three and a cookbook :)

9. What is your favorite book genre?

Mostly fiction and historical fiction. I read a lot of cookbooks too, and children's books! I read a lot about the Holocaust (memoirs and such). I don't read a lot of biographies, I don't know why. Maybe I should? Any you loved?

10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?

I didn't read them at all, believe it or not. I know, I know......

hook that book

What was your favorite children's book? Mine was, and still is, a lovely book called Miss Rumphius, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. In fact, I have a signed copy! It is a wonderful story of Miss Rumphius, who, as a young girl, says she will grow up and travel to faraway places, but then come back and live by the sea when she is an old lady. She also resolves to find a way to make the world more beautiful.

Look at these illustrations- aren't they just gorgeous? I'd love to have some of these prints in my house! Love them.

above two pictures found here

above photo here

The rest of the pictures in the book are equally amazing. Go out and buy it, and you will love it. The story is inspiring. We can all find little ways to try to make the world just a little more beautiful. It's the little things, remember.

This weekend, I am throwing a baby shower for a friend, and of course, there is a book theme. I asked each person to bring a copy of their favorite children's book for the baby, to begin his library. I am also doing a book-related game. I have a list of well-known children's books and then a list (two columns, on the same page!) of the authors. People will be asked to match the name with the author. Whoever gets the most right will get a prize, which will be a book, natch. Maybe even Miss Rumphius, if I can find a copy (I don't always see it in bookstores, so sad!)

Tell me your favorite children's book, so I can add it to my list! I don't want this to be too hard for people....I know that not everyone follows children's literature as closely as I do ;)

summer in a little blue box

I recently finished reading the most deliciously sweet book, Summer at Tiffany, by Marjorie Hart.

Synopsis (from the website)-

Do you remember the best summer of your life?

New York City, 1945. Marjorie Jacobson and her best friend, Marty Garrett, arrive fresh from the Kappa house at the University of Iowa hoping to find summer positions as shopgirls. Turned away from the top department stores, they miraculously find jobs as pages at Tiffany & Co., becoming the first women to ever work on the sales floor—a diamond-filled day job replete with Tiffany blue shirtwaist dresses from Bonwit Teller's—and the envy of all their friends.

Hart takes us back to the magical time when she and Marty rubbed elbows with the rich and famous; pinched pennies to eat at the Automat; experienced nightlife at La Martinique; and danced away their weekends with dashing midshipmen. Between being dazzled by Judy Garland's honeymoon visit to Tiffany, celebrating VJ Day in Times Square, and mingling with Café society, she fell in love, learned unforgettable lessons, made important decisions that would change her future, and created the remarkable memories she now shares with all of us.

I really loved this book. It was such a sweet story, and a quick read, but I loved every second of it. I began it at lunch one day at work, and then managed to finish it on the bus ride home that afternoon! Clearly, I was never in New York City in 1945, nor was I a Kappa, but I felt like I was, I felt there, and I felt like a part of the story. I love when books can do that to you, to make you feel as though you've stepped into the pages with the characters. I found myself smiling at every page, imaging the girls running through the streets of New York, wishing I was there with them.

I think most would agree that NYC is such a magical city. When I moved back from Krakow, I was living at my parents house and sending out resumes. Most went to NYC, some to Boston and very, very few to DC (how ironic, eh?). Like many others, I have a romanticized view of New York, and I wanted to be a part of it too. Really, has anyone not ever dreamed of living in the city that never sleeps?

Of course, 1945 was a much simpler time than today, in many respects. I found myself wishing for a shirtwaist dress in the famous Tiffany blue (can I find one??) and loving the idea of saving my nickels for lunches, but just having desert instead, hoping for a glimpse of celebrities. I was so charmed by Marjorie's story; the magic and delight of new discoveries and moments.

Read it, you'll love it.

What was the best summer of your life?

books and tea, nothing better

How much do you love this print? I know I do, and I want it to be mine!

The lovely Meg blogged about it, and of course, I had to as well.

{from etsy shop, and we all know how much I adore etsy}

Reading anything good today?

picture book swap!

I just came across this blog, called Playing by the Book, and Zoe, the author is hosting a children's book swap! I really love this idea, so so much!

This swap is all about sending and receiving wonderful, indeed brilliant children’s picture books. It will be a way for you to spread the word about a picture book you are passionate about, and to discover another equally amazing book through a gift from someone else.

I've already signed up and I know just what book I will send. I don't know where my swap partner will be, but I am hoping for somewhere outside the U.S., as I'd love a children's book from the UK, or in another language!

Want to join? Go here and check it out. You'll have to send some information to Zoe and then she will match you up. So much fun!

So much fun, indeed.

Lexi & The Pioneer Woman = BFF

This past Saturday was the Library of Congress's National Book Festival, one of my favorite events of the year. Normally I go there with a schedule, having mapped out who I want to see and what time they were speaking and signing their books.

This year, my main priority to hear speak was Laura Bush, who founded the first NBF in 2001, her first year in the White House. She was speaking at 10:35 (no signings), so I got to her tent about 45 minutes before that, knowing that it would be crowded. Prior to Mrs. Bush, Gordon S. Wood spoke, discussing his books about the American Revolution. He was actually quite interesting and I think I will look for his books.

Then Mrs. Bush came out and spoke about how proud she was of the NBF and what it means to her. This was the 10th anniversary of it, so she was pleased that it has continued. She recently came out with a memoir, so she read from it, about 9/11. The first NBF was just three days before 9/11, she told us. She was wonderful and I was pleased to hear her speak. I really do admire her quite a bit. She's a former teacher and librarian, as you may know.

After that, Steve and I wandered a bit. There were other authors there, of course, but nobody that I was dying to see. I knew that the Pioneer Woman was there, but she had spoken at the same time as Laura Bush, so I missed her. Her signing was later that day, so I had my cookbook with me, just in case. I figured her signing line would be insane though, so it wouldn't have been the end of the world if she didn't sign it.

One of the tents held the Pavilion of the States, where each state has a table and sets up a display of authors from that state and the like. I was wandering through and came to the Oklahoma table, and there she was!

I couldn't believe it. I smiled at her and said "oh my gosh, hi!" I'm pretty sure that the eight-year old boy standing there had no idea who she was :) I asked her if she'd mind if I had my picture taken with her, and she said of course not, so I handed my phone to Steve and walked around the table. Then, I said "would it be really horrible of me to ask you to sign my cookbook now?" She laughed and said "no, then you won't have to wait in the line later!"

So she asked my name and how I liked the cookbook. Of course, I told her that I love it and how I received it in a cookbook swap from Mrs. Potts, which she thought was really cool! We chatted for a few minutes, she wrote me a love note and off I went a few minutes later.

She's such a doll. Really.

I think I want to move to Oklahoma and live on her ranch.

{the cookbook!}

{ hehe! }

{ chatting }

{ love to lexi!}

{ see, we're pretty much BFF now }

How was your weekend?

LOVE this! I've seen it popping up on a few blogs, and wanted to share it...it's something I can relate to all too well!

What books are that special for you?

SOURCE

all the cool kids will be there

Please come to this event! I'll be there, and so will Liz and Rachel!








D.C. Charity Chicks' Spring event will benefit Room to Read, a non-profit focused on literacy and education in the developing world. Room to Read builds schools and libraries, publishes local-language books, and provides scholarships to young girls in Asia and Africa.

There will be a silent auction and raffle at the event to help raise additional support for Room to Read’s activities. Event tickets are $25.00 and include one raffle entry. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased for $5.00, or five for $20.00 For more information on the silent auction and raffle items, as well as various event packages, please RSVP below or visit our Events page.

Cocktails for a Cause will be a fun night out with friends, music, food, and drink specials all evening. If you are unable to attend the event, you can still support D.C. Charity Chicks and Room to Read by making a donation on our site.Please forward this invitation to family and friends, and share it online.

Where---
Mezza Luna
1140 19th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036
(two blocks from Farragut West metro station)

When---
Tuesday, May 11, 20105:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets RSVP to purchase your event and raffle tickets.

one of those books

Confession:

I've never read Pride and Prejudice or any of Jane Austen's novels.

Shocking, I know!

I believe I once started it, but never finished it, and that was years ago. Am I missing out? Have you read and adored it, like most other girls?

I realized this yesterday when I found an amazing thing on etsy that I am considering buying as a bridal shower gift for a friend. No, I won't post the link here, in case she reads this. Sorry :)

Random House has a post about the top 100 best books of all time. It includes their picks and then readers picks. I just counted, and from the Board's list, I've read 14 and from the Reader's List, I've read 21. Yes, I know how horrible that sounds! I love reading, I am constantly reading, usually several books at once! I've certainly documented my great love of libraries here!

Should I make it my new challenge to myself to read all 200 of these books? Or at least the ones that I haven't read?

What "classics" haven't you read? What would you suggest that I add to my reading list?

Room to Read in DC events!

I've mentioned my recent involvement with Room to Read before and am so excited that things are getting off the ground. There are three upcoming events here in DC and I'd love it if you came to one! I'll be at two of them, the second and third dates.

For some reason, blogger won't let me place the actual invitation into this post, so I can't link to it. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I will email it to you, as you do need to register for the events. There will be wine and hors d'oeurves served and space is limited. There are some really exciting things happening and you may love being involved! There are many ways to be a part of it, so come and check things out!


Join the DC Chapter of Room to Read for a 90-minute event to learn more about Room to Read's recent accomplishments, future expansion plans, and how you can be a part of this worldwide movement.


ARLINGTON, VA \ OCTOBER 10TH \ 7:00 PMNRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Boulevard



BETHESDA, MD \ OCTOBER 17TH \ 7:00 PM Sharon Fine Gallery, 5504 Cornish Road


WASHINGTON, DC \ OCTOBER 22ND \ 6:00 PMThe Law Offices of Seyfarth Shaw, 975 F Street NW

what book got you hooked?

There was an interesting article in the New York Times recently, called "Where Does a Love of Reading Come From?" I saw the link on Mel's blog and wanted to share it, as I agreed with many of the points that were brought up. The article discusses responses to another article, called "A New Assignment: Pick Books You Like," where a seventh and eighth grade teacher outside of Atlanta, GA didn't assign books as usual, but instead, let her students pick what they'd like to read. This approach is "part of a movement to revolutionize the way literature is taught in America’s schools." There are similar workshops going on in other schools across the country, of varying degrees. Many say that having the entire class all read the same book, can bore students, some being unable to understand the theme, etc. Instead, if they can choose what they'd like to read, it can help them to build a lifetime love of reading, something that is very important, in my humble opinion!

Of course, critics argue that students are unlikely to pick the classics, and are more likely to gravitate towards the trendy books, such as the Twilight series (which I have avoided, for the record!). In high school, I remember assigned reading lists for the summer. I can't recall everything that I had to read, though I can remember a few of them. I know I had to read 1984 for freshman year and I hated it. I had to read The Scarlett Letter at one point too. At the moment, the others are escaping me, but there were at least three books each summer. I liked some and disliked others, which is common, I would think.

I can certainly see both sides of this article. I think that it is important to find a balance. Reading can be fun, but should also be a challenge. I feel as though I read a fairly wide range of things, but still try to look outside of my normal finds, in order to read something new, something I don't know much about. I have a few books by Carl Sagan, one of my heroes, and though I don't understand much about cosmology and astronomy, I find his work fascinating and try to interpret what I can. Side note- I cried when I learned that he had passed away. It was my junior year of high school and I remember running into my chemistry teacher's classroom to tell him the news. My point here is, that reading can be enjoyable, when the effort is made.

I do think that it is so, so important to encourage children to read and to develop a love for books and reading. Related to this, one of my favorite shows, Reading Rainbow, went off the air recently, which I find to be tragic. Too many children will miss the opportunity to watch this amazing show.

I will be following this story, to see where it goes and if many other schools try this approach. It could have some really positive results, if implemented properly, and I hope that teachers can pull it off.

What did you have to read for summer reading? Did you enjoy the books or not? If you had a choice, what would you have read? Where did you get your love of reading and what was your favorite book growing up?

end of the week!

Friday! Hooray! It's been a busy week.



First off, I was selected to be part of the jury! I was sooooooo excited about it, haha. I spent Wednesday and Thursday at the courthouse and am at work today. The judge doesn't sit on Friday's, so we resume on Monday and he expects that we will be done that day, so it won't take too long, which is a good thing! It's been pretty interesting so far, and I am enjoying it, which is a good thing.



I had a 2 1/2 hour lunch break yesterday while at the courthouse, so I went to Teaism and had a chicken bento box for lunch. I love that place! I also had a ginger limeade, which was very good. I hadn't been in ages, so it was a nice treat.



Tuesday, on my way home from work, I dropped off the bridesmaid dress to be taken in. As you may remember, the dress is a wee bit too big. I called a few places to get an estimate of what the alterations might cost, but places wouldn't tell me without seeing the dress. I finally found a place in Arlington that got really good reviews online and called. The woman told me that it wouldn't be more than $40. Fine. I went to drop it off and she pinned me up. As I was filling out the form, I asked again. She said it would be $75!


Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!


I mentioned that I called and she quoted $40, and she said that that was just for the bust, but because it is so big, the entire bodice needs to be taken in. I am so annoyed. The dress was $250 to begin with, plus the $75 matching shoes that nobody will be able to see under the floor-length dress that has a train.


When I am the bride, I am picking $800 dresses for my bridesmaids, as payback.


Yes, I know that has a bridesmaid, I accept costs and such, but come on? Why do brides feel the need to pick such expensive dresses that will never, ever be worn again?


Tomorrow is the National Book Festival on the Mall! I am SO excited, I go every year! Some really amazing authors will be there, including Lois Lowry and Judy Blume, two of my favorites! Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, Paula Deen and James Patterson will be there, just to name a few. If you've never been, you are missing out. It is such a good day. Expect pictures next week!


For some reason, I've been really wanting to go to a Pampered Chef party lately. I love their products. My mother has a good amount and has given me a few pieces for Christmas, and I just love them. I've never actually been to a party myself, but have been invited to several (they are never here in DC!), and have bought from those parties. I want to go to one!

What have you been up to?

come read with me

Last year, I posted about becoming a penpal with a great organization called In2Books. Last year, I read five books with my student Terrion. I really enjoyed getting to know him a bit through our "letters," which were really emails through their online system. My actual email address was not given out; no personal information was ever exchanged.

I just had an email from In2Books, letting me know that I will soon receive the name of my new penpal for this school year! I'm really looking forward to it once again. It's not that time-consuming; every other month or so, you will receive an email with the title of the book you read next. My student was a 4th grader, so reading the books he chose never took too long. Then I'd write to him, asking questions about the book, and he'd reply, asking and answering questions of his own. Once I was finished with the books, I collected them and donated them to a local library.

If you are looking for a fun opportunity, check it out! You'll have fun, I promise!