This reading was very research focused. I wanted to look at books popular during the time period I'm writing about and books that write history in creative ways. I continue my journey in exploring poetry and novels in verse, and I collected a few odds and ends along the way. This eclectic list makes me wonder what books I'll discover in October.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel: The Disney version of Alice freaked me out as a kid, so I've never felt any desire to read the book. However, in recent years I've fallen in love with books like Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh, which made me want to give this one a try. While I wasn't a huge fan of Alice's Adventures, I was amazed by the nonsensical meaning in Looking Glass. It's the type of book that makes you look deeper and think more about the meaning of every detail. And Carroll seems to do it so effortlessly.
My Antonia by Willa Cather: I wanted to read a book that explores more about the immigrant experience, and I knew this one was set in Nebraska. While it it's earlier than my piece takes place and about a rural experience, it’s truly beautiful novel. I hope that I can portray the same kind of hope and sadness, fulfillment and disappointment in what I write about the turbulence of Eastern-European immigrants in America.
The Whispering Rabbit by Margaret Brown: I often think of Brown as an author of "quiet" books, so I almost laughed when I found this one. While this bed-time book probably wouldn’t get published in today’s market if this was a first-time author (it’s far too long, the plot is slow, the writing lacks rhythm), I can see how it would appeal to nostalgic Brown fans.
One of the Family by Peggie Archer: This book is a good example of the highlighting family dynamics. Though to story centers on a new baby just beginning to show her personality, you get to know her through the distinct personalities of her older brothers and sisters.
Thomas and Beulah: Poems by Rita Dove: I read this book in about two hours and immediately turned back to the first page and started reading again, slower this time, so I could savor the imagery and beauty in the simplistic details. This is the far superior precursor to the modern novel in verse. It is a story woven by poetry rather than a story forced into poetic form. No wonder it won the Pulitzer.
Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot: I usually read Cabot's books for mindless fun, and I was surprised to find myself annoyed by the final installment of one of my favorite series. Cabot might be funny and romantic, but her writing lacks finesse. I found large chucks of the exposition repetitive, and her rambling stream-of-consciousness style is at times difficult to follow (i.e. I’d find myself forgetting what was happening in a scene because of so much random internal dialogue). But for what it is—fluffy, mainstream fiction—I still liked reading this book.
Who Was Louis Armstrong? by Yona McDonough, illustrated by John O'Brien: This was a good introductory biography to Louis Armstrong, and hopefully it will lead readers to more advanced biographies on the musician. When I read books like this, I can’t help but think, "I could totally do that." And with my love of history and research, it would be a lot of fun.
Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman by Marc Nobleman, illustrated by Ross MacDonald: One of my favorite parts about this nonfiction picture book is the use of real quotations to create dialogue within the story. It’s also a great subject matter that holds a cross-generational appeal.
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell: There is a wonderful story somewhere within this mess of free-verse poetry. I’ve long been fascinated by Arthurian legend, and "The Lady of Shalott" is probably my favorite Tennyson poem—both of which Sandell uses well and honors with a unique perspective. However, the dialogue speaker-tags were difficult to follow in this structure, and there were so many words that it read more like prose with funny line brakes.
Polish Classic Recipes by Laura and Peter Zeranski: Some of my best childhood memories are of sitting in my ciotka’s kitchen while she made pierogi and kielasa z kapusta, but long ago I stopped caring about these traditional Polish foods. However, the same day I received this book in the mail, and I read it cover to cover, and the memories and smells and tastes flooded me all at once. I especially loved the authors’ stories about the history of each food and the family that helped them create each recipe.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
October Baseball
In case you missed the memo, I'm a bit of a baseball fan. I grew up watching and loving the Chicago White Sox, and baseball came back to DC the summer I did my internship here.
Because they're in two different leagues and 700 miles apart, I've never felt divided by my duel-fandom. When the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, I didn't have to feel sad that the Nationals barely eked by with a .500 record. When the Nats hit the very bottom in 2008, the Sox still had a post-season run. I will admit, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were some dark baseball years, but this season makes up for a lot of that.
This year has been amazing. Though the White Sox didn't quite make it to the post season, they were still a team to watch. With Philip Humber's perfect game early on and fighting to the bitter end, I'm proud of my Boys in Black. After all, they started the season with a new, untested manager in Robin Ventura. I remember watching Ventura play through my teen years, and I was anxious and excited to see his return to Chicago.
And the Nats. Wow, the Nats have blown me away this season. I've fallen a little in love with Gio Gonzalez, and I'm kind of in awe of how Stephen Strasburg and his coaches have handled his rehab. I feel like I've watched Bryce Harper grow from a moody teenager to...well, okay, he's still a moody teenage. I've seen the Nats win and lose, gotten sunburned and soaking wet. At Nationals Park, Teddy won his first President's Race (although I was working when it happened), the Shake Shack opened, and I attended my first sell-out game in Washington. This Nats team has become my team.
It was seven years ago I pulled a Tom Cruise and jumped up and down on my couch and screamed so much that my down-stairs neighbors came to make sure I was alright. Good thing I live in a townhouse now, because I see a lot of couch-jumping in my near future.
I love baseball in the fall.
Because they're in two different leagues and 700 miles apart, I've never felt divided by my duel-fandom. When the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, I didn't have to feel sad that the Nationals barely eked by with a .500 record. When the Nats hit the very bottom in 2008, the Sox still had a post-season run. I will admit, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were some dark baseball years, but this season makes up for a lot of that.
This year has been amazing. Though the White Sox didn't quite make it to the post season, they were still a team to watch. With Philip Humber's perfect game early on and fighting to the bitter end, I'm proud of my Boys in Black. After all, they started the season with a new, untested manager in Robin Ventura. I remember watching Ventura play through my teen years, and I was anxious and excited to see his return to Chicago.
And the Nats. Wow, the Nats have blown me away this season. I've fallen a little in love with Gio Gonzalez, and I'm kind of in awe of how Stephen Strasburg and his coaches have handled his rehab. I feel like I've watched Bryce Harper grow from a moody teenager to...well, okay, he's still a moody teenage. I've seen the Nats win and lose, gotten sunburned and soaking wet. At Nationals Park, Teddy won his first President's Race (although I was working when it happened), the Shake Shack opened, and I attended my first sell-out game in Washington. This Nats team has become my team.
It was seven years ago I pulled a Tom Cruise and jumped up and down on my couch and screamed so much that my down-stairs neighbors came to make sure I was alright. Good thing I live in a townhouse now, because I see a lot of couch-jumping in my near future.
I love baseball in the fall.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Meeting My Rock Stars
It doesn't matter how many authors I've met or how famous they are, I go all fangirl with each one.
During George Mason University's Fall for the Book festivities last weekend, I got to meet Neil frekin' Gaiman. Granted, it was in a room with 1,500 other people, but there were only four rows between me and the author of Stardust, the creator of The Sandman comic series, the writer on Doctor Who, the bad-most-baddest bad guy on The Simpsons.
The week before, I also attended The National Book Festival. I caught bits and pieces of several talks, including Walter Dean Myers, James Dashner and Lois Lowery, but the crowds were insane this year and I couldn't get a seat at anything.
My YA librarian friend came down from Pennsylvania, and we caught the end of Maggie Stiefvater's talk. And because we're both a bit gaga for The Scorpio Races, we bought copies of her new book, The Raven Boys, and spent the rest of the afternoon waiting in line to get the signed.
I guess I'll have to watch the presentations once they're post online. If I go all fangirl in my living room when no one's around to see it, will that still make me a nerd?
During George Mason University's Fall for the Book festivities last weekend, I got to meet Neil frekin' Gaiman. Granted, it was in a room with 1,500 other people, but there were only four rows between me and the author of Stardust, the creator of The Sandman comic series, the writer on Doctor Who, the bad-most-baddest bad guy on The Simpsons.
"The [books] I enjoy writing the most I also hate writing the most... I ask my agent, 'Why did you let me do this? I could have been a gardener!'"
The week before, I also attended The National Book Festival. I caught bits and pieces of several talks, including Walter Dean Myers, James Dashner and Lois Lowery, but the crowds were insane this year and I couldn't get a seat at anything.
My YA librarian friend came down from Pennsylvania, and we caught the end of Maggie Stiefvater's talk. And because we're both a bit gaga for The Scorpio Races, we bought copies of her new book, The Raven Boys, and spent the rest of the afternoon waiting in line to get the signed.
I guess I'll have to watch the presentations once they're post online. If I go all fangirl in my living room when no one's around to see it, will that still make me a nerd?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Mistrial
Last week, a second mistrial was declared in Prince Okorie's murder case. I'm a bit torn by this. No innocent person should have to suffer for a crime they didn't commit, but there also needs to be some kind of closure for everyone involved.
I look at the evidence presented in this case, and all I can think about is how I want justice for Prince and his family. I want the streets to be a little safer and fewer kids put in the horrible situations both Prince and this young man on trail found themselves in.
If this case is dropped or this young man takes a plea or he's found innocent, perhaps he gets away with murder, or perhaps an innocent man goes free. I'm almost ashamed to say I want him to be guilty--I want this to end. But I'm not judge nor jury in this case, nor am I God. I don't know what happened on the 800 block of Fifth Street NW the afternoon of November 30, 2010, and I probably never will.
I look at the evidence presented in this case, and all I can think about is how I want justice for Prince and his family. I want the streets to be a little safer and fewer kids put in the horrible situations both Prince and this young man on trail found themselves in.
If this case is dropped or this young man takes a plea or he's found innocent, perhaps he gets away with murder, or perhaps an innocent man goes free. I'm almost ashamed to say I want him to be guilty--I want this to end. But I'm not judge nor jury in this case, nor am I God. I don't know what happened on the 800 block of Fifth Street NW the afternoon of November 30, 2010, and I probably never will.
Monday, October 1, 2012
What will you be reading?
It's the American Library Association's Banned Book Week. Every year there are fewer and fewer books on this list that I haven't read, but this year I think I'll pick up some of the picture books. Censorship abridges freedom of speech, which is against the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. By reading banned books, you can decide for yourself what you believe.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
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