Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Why: I've always wanted to read this book. I wondered if those who engage in extreme physical activities (like the cavers in the last book I read) might be outliers. Not sure if the connection will work or not...

When: start 10/18/13, end 11/8/13

How: as an ebook on my ipad (purchased as always through our local independent book seller)

Thoughts: This book didn't help me much with my thinking about extreme human activities and why people do them, but I'm really glad I read it. Interesting story about human success and how it happens.

Click on the book image to get to the author's website.

Review haiku:
ten thousand hours
what it takes to be expert
mine are in teaching

Beyond the Deep: The Deadly Descent into the World's Most Treacherous Cave by William Stone, Barbara am Ende, and Monte Paulsen

Why: When Mr. Lefebvre book talked this one last week, it actually terrified me. So I know I have to read it. And I just read the first few pages via the preview available on Amazon and I was pretty terrified, but couldn't look away. Also, my students are right now reading personal narrative writing, so I must as well.

When: start 10/7/13, end 10/17/13

How: as an ebook on my ipad, purchased through my local independent book seller. 

Thoughts: I've been thinking a lot about why people spend all kinds of money on extreme physical challenges. This seems to fit into that. These people explore caves and caverns and underground rivers, risking their lives to do it. Why? Why do people do this?

After having read this, I'm not sure I quite figured this out. The explorers in this world of exploration seek "booty"--what they call unexplored subterranean terrain. They will put themselves and others in great peril in order to achieve this. I just wonder, is it worth it? Is it worth to spend so much money and risk people's lives just to set foot somewhere where no other human has before? Maybe it is worth it. It's just difficult for me to justify the expense when there are people going without food in the world. 

Click on the book image to get to the Wikipedia entry on one of the authors, William Stone.

Review Haiku:
deeper and deeper
they go seeking the booty
beyond all the sumps

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Why: Yet again my SLCC class started out the year with this book.

When: start 8/23/13, end 9/20/13

How: I read my teacher's copy of this text, filled with my notes and thoughts in the margins and on sticky notes and complete with my index card book mark where I've written one-sentence chapter summaries to help me find what I need in this book.

Thoughts: This is such a great place to start the school year. Generally I've found my students enjoy reading this book, and it gives us a lot to talk about and think about, which is cool.

Click on the book image to get to the wikipedia entry for the book.

Review Haiku:

Wild potato seeds
watch out for them when you hike
or just bring a friend.

(This makes book # 31 for 2013 for me.)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Why: my 3rd hour class chose for us to all read this together to start off second semester.

When: Start 1/11/13; End 2/4/13

Thoughts: This book is beautiful and painful and terrifying. Truly terrifying. The world of this book and me being lost in it with my child to protect is literally my nightmare.

How: I'm reading the copy I bought when I first taught this book a few years ago. It looks just like this image here, though my students' books have a still photo from the recent movie on the cover. I actually hate it when books do that. Then you're stuck with the movie maker's image of the characters in your head.

(click on the book image to get to the wikipedia entry for the book)

review haiku:

we all have a road
the trick is to stay true and
carry the fire

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Why: my 5th hour students chose for us to read this all together.

When: Start 1/11/13; End 2/4/13

Thoughts: I have to admit that I was surprised my students voted to read this out of the other choices. I love this book. So beautiful.

How: I'm reading the copy I've had since I taught AP English in Illinois, so it's full of my marginalia. The book mark/chapter summary card is a post card from the Grand Mesa. On the back is a sticker that says "I support smoke-free restaurants" (there was a campaign in the direction about 12 years ago in Urbana, Illinois).

(click on the book image to get to the wikipedia entry for The Great Gatsby)

review haiku:

the green light shining
stands in for all of us who
want what we can't have