Tuesday Bout of Books

Well, Tuesday's reading started off right at midnight. After posting my Monday update, I kept reading...fifty more pages of The Death of Bees. Going to bed very late and grading research papers between class time definitely set me up for a nap later today.

I didn't bring my book to school because of my grading, but we have a twenty minute hallway duty in the morning, so I started Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. It's a short, but often quoted piece of literature in the Christian community and I've had it for free on my iBooks app for a long time. Being nonfiction, it's different enough from The Death of Bees that I can read them at the same time without confusion.

Reading for today:
Pursuit of God - 8 pages
The Death of Bees - 75 pages


Tomorrow should pick up because I am proctoring our state exams and I won't be able to use any electronics in the room. No electronics = no Google = no research paper grading = reading a book.

Monday Bout of Books

I started today completely hopeless as far as Bout of Books is concerned. Buried in grading all day long was not faring well for my evening, which I knew needed to be spent grading as well. Research papers...English teachers can't live with them and can't live without them.

So I came home and made myself a deal. If I graded all of my easy stuff - the 7th graders' vocabulary and Op-Ed essays, then I'd allow myself to read. So I graded all of the easy stuff and promptly fell asleep. Yep. Out cold for a couple hours.

Good thing though, cause I'm a light sleeper and there is one hell of a thunderstorm ripping through the county right now. So, at least I got some sleep earlier! And I can sit here and read! So, my progress?

Well, as usual, I made a goal to read certain books and immediately changed my mind. I've been reading mostly e-galleys sent from publishers/NetGalley, so I found myself itching to have a book in my hands. Since my next review book is Closed Doors, by Lisa O'Donnell (coming May 20th), I figured I'd also read The Death of Bees, which seemed like a hit when it came out.

So, I've read 100 pages for Monday night and whoa, what a crazy story so far. Definitely paints a picture for the reader. Can't wait to make myself a deal for Tuesday!

Begin the Week with Words

Once again, from I Kill the Mockingbird. I promise, there is a review for this book coming up!

"A good reader starts to see what an entire book is trying to say. And then a good reader will have something to say in return. If you're reading well...you're having a conversation." I Kill the Mockingbird, Paul Acampora 

Nantucket Book Festival

Anyone live in, around, or near Nantucket, Massachusetts? Or are you able and willing to travel? If so, you are one lucky book lover. Nantucket is holding its third annual book festival June 20-22, 2014. I don't always hear about bookish events near me, so I'm always glad when someone keeps me informed. I thought I'd do my part in spreading the word about events when I receive information too. (Note: picture and all quotations are from official contacts of the festival.)

The Nantucket Book Festival "seeks to create and renew enthusiasm for books, connect authors with readers, encourage a love of reading and writing in a younger generation, and raise funds for literary causes." If you visit the site, you will find a list of events and which authors will be participating. Events vary from author presentations, to luncheons, and even a yoga event and open mic night! And each event has an author(s) involved. The events "allow unprecedented access to notable authors and facilitate casual interactions for all involved."

Besides involvement in the events, authors attending will be signing books. The authors span multiple genres and among them are Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult, and Dani Shapiro - just to name a few familiar names. (What I wouldn't do to meet Jodi Picoult AND have brunch!)

If this sounds interesting and you are nearby, check it out. "Unprecedented access" to authors sounds like a promising experience! Not to mention all the wonderful book people you will meet!

What's the best book event you've been to? Or which would you like to attend some day?

All the Light We Cannot See

Source: goodreads.com

All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr
Publisher: Scribner
Publication date: May 6, 2014
Category: Literature/Fiction (Adult)
Source: I received this e-galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I continue to be amazed at an author's ability to maintain a beautiful, captivating story that spans 500+ pages. All the Light We Cannot See is indeed beautiful and captivating.

Marie-Laure, blind from age six, lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where he works. Six years later the Nazis occupy Paris and they travel to Saint-Malo to live with Marie-Laure's great-uncle, who has a story of his own. Not to mention the secret Marie-Laure's father totes along.

Meanwhile in Germany, Werner and his sister are orphans growing up under the care of an old woman and a number of other children. Werner soon proves his intelligence with his ability to fix just about anything mechanical. With such intelligence, he is taken into a boarding school for Hitler's military, where he excels, despite his misgivings about Hitler's ideology. Schooling and then war lead Werner through an internal journey of the heart and lands him in Saint-Malo, where he meets Marie-Laure.

Two people, paths crossing, lives changed. I love it. What stands out about this book is the beautiful writing. Also, Doerr's characters are well drawn. I found myself practically crossing my fingers as Marie-Laure and Werner moved through their separate lives, hoping they would make it out okay and waiting for that moment when their paths cross.

Also, the story is realistic. WWII did not spare anyone. All were affected in some way. Doerr does not shy away from the misfortune that befalls his characters due to the realities of war. And in the end, although life has moved on, it's not all laughter and good times. Characters must learn to live with haunting pasts that echo into the present and future.

Very well done Mr. Doerr.

Goals for Bout of Books 10

When I posted about my intentions to join Bout of Books, I did not list any goals. Even now, a week before I am not quite sure how successful I will be in meeting any goals I make. Three kids and a teaching job are full of last minute surprises waiting to happen, but I want to put something down in writing to show my intention to participate.

First, I definitely want to join in at least one Twitter Chat. Saturday 5/17 is when I know I can for sure, but I want to try to make Wednesday 5/14's as well. The Twitter Chats are my favorite part I think, besides the reading itself.

I am going to attempt to read every single day - a huge feat since it's softball season and we've got a loaded game schedule. And I have this sinking feeling I'll still be grading research papers by then. (Who am I kidding? I'll drop those papers to read in a heartbeat!)Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of Bout of Books week are looking like the best opportunities to squeeze in more reading than usual.

My goal is to read at least one Chunkster (450+ pages) and one book from my TBR pile. I've been reading nothing but review books for a bit now and want to enjoy books I've had waiting. I think I'm going to aim for The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult and The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

What are your goals? If you've joined, but haven't linked up your goals yet, here's the page to do it! (There's also a link there for you to sign up if you haven't done that yet.)

Begin the Week with Words

From the children's book I Kill the Mockingbird, by Paul Acampora. I never thought about this enough to think of it this way.

"I'm not one of those people who think that cancer is some kind of jousting match. People live or die based on good medicine, good luck, and the grace of God. The people that die from it did not fail. The people who live will die another day."