February Book Choices

Last night was so great, all! Doesn't it always seem to fly by too quickly?

Just quickly, did you look to see the Printz winner(s)?

2008 The White Darkness, Geraldine McCaughrean
2007 American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang
2006 Looking for Alaska, John Green
2005 how i live now, Meg Rosen

And Newbery

2008 Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, Laura Amy Schlitz
2007 The High Power of Lucky, Susan Patron
2006 Criss Cross, Lynne Rae Perkins
2005 Kira-Kira, Cynthia Kadohata

And Caldecott

2008 The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick
2007 Flotsam, David Wiesner
2006 The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster
2005 Kitten's First Full Moon, Kevin Henkes

Still My Favorite

I hardly ever, never reread books, even my favorites. I always feel propelled to move forward because I am obsessed with the idea that there are just so many amazing books out there. And I am certain that I will die without having read even one tiny fraction of the things I'd like to read in my life. But for Grapes of Wrath I'm happy to make an exception (that and maybe Twilight and, ahem, Breaking Dawn). As I reread GOW I am resavoring and rediscovering everything--each detail, each minute observation, each heartbreaking tale within it--anew. And it's still my favorite. I am amazed by this book. Absolutely (unconditionally and irrevocably) in love with it (and Edward, too. OMG, did I just say that out loud?).

Jade's GOW notes

For my entire reading of GOW, I couldn't help but think of present-day immigrants who have migrated to the U.S. for a better life. I would like to live in my suburbian bubble and think that we as a society do not treat people the way the Joads were treated, but I know that it isn't the case. Has anyone seen the movie The Visitor? I really enjoyed this movie. It's about a couple of illegal immigrants who wanted a better life in the U.S. Also, did anyone see the show on TV the other night (I think it is called What would you do?) that secretly filmed what would happen if actors working in a cafe would discriminate against Spanish-speaking customers in their cafe. Fortunately, most people stood up for the Spanish-speaking customers. 

Quotes that struck me:

• End of chapter 12: "The people in flight from the terror behind––strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever." Beautifully put. 
• Chapter 14: "We could love the tractor then as we loved this land when it was ours. But this tractor does two things––it turns the land and turns us off the land. There is little difference between this tractor and a tank. The people are driven, intimidated, hurt by both. We must think about this." Later in Chapter 14: "For the quality of owning freezes you forever into 'I,' and cuts you off forever from the 'we.'"
• Chapter 26: "I'm learning one good thing. Learnin' it all the time, ever' day. If you're in trouble or hurt or need––go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help––the only ones." 

This book has made me think more than I have time for! It is pack full of thought-provoking topics that are very relevant still today. I'm looking forward to tea at the palace (wow, we're a sophisticated bunch!). 

confessions

OK girls, I blame you (Kj, Theresa, Jade) for officially ruining me! I'm speaking of You know it'Twilight here, not GOW as I should be, of course. But, when I'm out on a jog and start giggling, you know I'm definitely ruined! I think you discovered my genre - I haven't been so engrossed since Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles! This book is so thrilling, though, because it also takes me back to highschool and that "bad boy" boyfriend who I luckily eventually dumped, but still looked around every corner for that multi-colored Volvo. OK, I've said too much... anyhow, it's fun to get so giddy! I don't know if I'm enjoying it so much because it's such a thrilling fantasy, or if I simply need it after 6 months with two kids, but I am enjoying it. Thanks for introducing me!

Thank you

for suggesting we read "Grapes of Wrath" -- was it you, Theresa? I still have not gotten through it what with all the holiday eventfulness, but I love the book and can't believe I've never read it. My husband told me how he skipped over all "lyrical exposition" chapters (to quote Kristen's blog entry) in high school because he thought they were boring. I am not sure how I would have felt about them as a teenager, but I am mesmerized by them now. I just found out that our daycare mom's family homesteaded in Kansas so now I am full of questions for her. Thanks for opening this window for me. There is so much I am clueless about ...

Also, Kjirsten suggested I share with all of you my exciting news -- I am going to the inauguration in 2 weeks!! Should be back in time for tea so hopefully I will have a few good stories for you!

Happy New Year, everyone...