More on Wintergirls...and REAL winter!

I just realized I never finished writing about the books I am reading...well, I have not finished Wintergirls yet, and I think I accidentally left it at school, so I will have to finish that the last week of break after I get home. Also, I haven't had as much time for reading yet this break as I thought I would...so sad. But, the next couple of days I will be reading more because we will settle into relaxing for the holidays, and it is raining and cold outside here in Arkansas. Perfect weather to stay inside and read! I am re-reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. There's a purpose behind this reading (if you're a Decathlete, you'll know why), but I actually enjoy this book because of Dickens' character sketches and political statements. This book is virtually a political treatise in story form. Dickens doesn't really hold back on what he believes, but I think if you read this book from the political commentary lens, it holds more interest and fascination as a viewpoint on a stormy time in the world. It is certainly not his richest storytelling, but that is okay...we all need to diversify, even authors!

Highlights and Lowlights of Reading so far this fall...

Well, the good news is that I have several books that I am really excited to be reading...Wintergirls (almost finished) by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (halfway through it) and we have finished reading and are working on our final project for Speak in my 9th grade English classes. I am very happy, at this point, to be finished with Speak, though I love the book, and I honestly find more literary devices in that book everytime I read it, reading it with about 100 9th graders over three months does make one a little tired of a novel after awhile. Though I think it is incredible that books like Speak are still being written, when it is easier to just, y'know write about vampires or something like that. The Lovely Bones is a book where you expect it to be about one thing, but actually find that it is about something else. I thought this story would be about a family's vengeance, unforgiveness, and tragedy...although it contains all of these things, the focus is given instead to recovery, hope, and healing. What an awesome way to write a book that starts out with a tragedy. I am not saying that some parts are not creepy and dark...they are, but the descriptions unravel the darkness by highlighting different methods of coping with reality. If you like reading about families, "true-life" tales, and coming of age- read this book! It is a page-turner and I can't wait to finish it.