TeacherDad 2008: part II

#38: The Deportees by the brilliant & hilarious Roddy Doyle... short stories about Ireland and immigrants; touches on music, literature, children, crime, and of course race -- excellent book.

The Deportees sounds like a fun book! I can see my TBR stack growing.

GD, here's another one for yours (and everyone's) TBR stack: America America by Ethan Canin... an ER book, and even though I'm not finished with it yet I can already praise it and recommend it!

#39: America America (ER/novel, 454 pgs)

Loved it. Not earth-shattering, grand and sweeping, probably not great, but a story and characters that I learned about and cared for, and a personal, involving story... reminded me somewhat of Empire Falls, but not as busy, or even A Thousand Acres, but not as angry...

I would recommend this book to everyone I know that reads quality novels, and I would read it again, which is rare... now to do an official ER review...

Hmmm...what to do, what to do? I loved Empire Falls and hated A Thousand Acres (it may have been the "angry" that put me off).

I liked both of those, so I guess you'll just have to read it and find out for yourself! :)

And you know...I probably will.

#40: On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance (history/biography, 255 pgs)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's history of Harlem's culture, literature, sports and music, with his personal recollections and opinions... very well done, easy to read, lots of good information... and makes ya wanna go listen to some Duke Ellington or Miles Davis...

Oh my, can you hear my stereo right now? I am listening to Duke Ellington! That is spooky!!!

Ooooo... did Duke ever do a take on the Twilight Zone theme?

#41: Legerdemain: The President's Secret Plan, The Bomb, and What The French Never Knew by James J. Heaphey (history, 283 pgs)

Cold War/Middle East military historical memoir... a recollection of espionage activity and political turmoil in post-WWII Morocco -- wasn't sure I would like this at first, not much of a modern history/warfare fan, but there was enough history (Nazis, Anwar Sadat) and it certainly relates well to the muddle of the Middle East (including Western involvement) today, and it's done in a fast-paced style that kept me involved. Some romance, some moral ambiguity, some violence, a little danger and drama, a good read.

man, I almost hit Submit with "keeped" instead of "kept"...

#42: The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs (340 pgs)

Not as lol funny as I found the last one (reading the encyclopedia is funny? I prefer to chalk that up to his skill as a humorous writer, rather than any deficiency on my part) but still very good... very touching, honest in regards to his personal faith, and respectful even when skeptical. Believers and non- should be able to enjoy and learn from this book.

#43: Rock and Roll Year by Year... ok, so I didn't read every word on all 579 pages -- damn, the book weighs more than my son! But very informative, lots of awesome images from the rock & roll Hall of Fame, drove the kids mad by singing a verse from every song I knew on the charts from 1950 on... a bit heavy on the British side of the pond, only so much of Wham! and the Bay City Rollers I can stand, but too much good stuff to complain...

"singing a verse from every song I knew on the charts form 1950 on" There should have been a tape recorder going...

#44: April 4, 1968 ...comments and analysis on Dr. King's choices, speeches, and impact on others, centered around the almost forgone conclusion he would not live long... a bit too much on Revs. Jackson and Sharpton... intriguing close to the book, an "interview" with an 80-yr old Dr. King, reminiscing about the Civil Rights movement and other events that came after his death...

#45: Clapton ...not as exciting, debauchery-wise, as other rock god biographies, but interesting -- lots of talk about guitars, the blues, and addictions... could've skipped the last chapters where he seems to mention every housekeeper, gardener, and engineer he knows in between listing the expensive purchases and vacations a rock god can afford, but other than that...

#46: Flowers for Algernon ...I'm sure I've read at least parts of this before, way back in the day, but it was still interesting...

#47: The Abstinence Teacher ...lots of sex, some drugs, a bit of rock 'n roll, plus soccer and fundamentalist churches -- that's what makes America great! Quick read, not great, but interesting enough to keep me reading... funny and very accurate, especially if you've been through, as most of us probably have, some of the situations...

finished up 2 this afternoon:

#48: Night Watch ...heavy on the internal soliloquies/commentary, but still very good, especially for Vimes fans... I'd read it before but didn't remeber a lot of the details, so it may have been one of my 1st Discworld books... that said, I wouldn't recommend it as someone's intro to Pratchett's series...

#49: Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans ...short bits from the McSweeney's crowd, such as why does the Death Star have a trash compactor and poor choices of names for wrestlers ("Kimono Boy") ...I admit I didn't get all the jokes, but still repeatedly laughed out loud...

#50: Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician ...wasn't totally satisfied by the ending, but enjoyed getting there; a bit spooky and at times bleak, but rich characters...

and there's the big 5-O! whoo hoo! Even with being an unemployed lazy bum, got there sooner than I thought, especially with the children's list also topping the half-century mark... ah, but I'll have to crank 'em out for the next few weeks, before school and (shudder) job starts in the fall...

Show-off! JK! Great job, TeacherDad, and can you think of a more enjoyable activity to repeat 50 times? Do it again! Do it again! Mary Beth

I listenend to The Abstinence Teacher and I liked it but I wanted something different to happen. It seemed unfinished somehow, or maybe the characters were so much like real people that it ended the way life really is, there is not really an ending, it just goes on...

#21 -- as far as more enjoyable activities, well yes, I can; but I can read in more places and much later at night...

good point on the Abstinence Teacher, I think that's exactly it...

#51: Gods Behaving Badly ...I've looking forward to this one for awhile, lots of LT thumbs up, but was worried after the first 1/3 wasn't moving along very well... but the 2nd half is much better, and it was worth sticking with it...

(yes, I know 1/2 + 1/3 ain't good math, but you know what I mean...)

Teacherdad, Did you read Pillars of the Earth? I am in the process and I am enjoying it but I also feel that it is like a soap opera although it seems carefully researched as far as details about building the cathedral, clothing of the era, the economy and how it functioned and quite a bit about religion and politics. That said, I still feel it's a bit like an insider's view-Desperate Housewives, Dynasty, Knot's Landing, albeit in the Middle Ages-an insider's view of a small town and all it's private matters. Ok, I think I just talked myself into seeing more of the relevance of the book, but still not sure it is what I expected, and perhaps I'm just a tad disappointed. I would not discourage anybody from reading it, though. And I plan to read World Without End the sequel.

there's another one to put on the "wishlist" -- thanks!

TD, Do you want me to send my copy to you? When I signed on tonight I saw that TD has added Pillars of the earth I was like say what?! I really do like it and should be done in about 1 week. If you want me to send it to you leave your name etc on my page in a private message and I will be glad to send it. Do you belong to some wishlist page or something that I am not aware of? There is so much to see on here and I swear if I am not careful I am on here all day instead of reading. If there is a special list point me in the right direction, thank you and I'll jump right on there. Anyway, I will be happy to send it on to you. It's a well-loved trade paperback. I think you'll like it.

MM, I will be checking the library today for a copy on hold... thanks!

#52: Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Legends ...last hardball book of the season, as my lowest of low Padres are way out of the chase, and my inevitable Super Bowl champion Chargers just started training camp... go Bolts!

I am in the last third of the book and enjoying it the most now. I liked it all the way through but the suspense is building a bit now so I keep trying to steal moments to read. Next I am readingSweetsmoke a Early Reviewer snag (my first) because I want to get my review in there and get another. Then I have to read The Wednesday Sisters for an article or essay I hope to submit. I wonder if I'll get to 50 by January... I think that is where I started this year. Happy reading!

I have an ER book coming soon... so I'm trying to finish Curious Incident of the night-time dog (or something like that) and a few Newbery winners before it arrives...

or something like that *grin* Someone needs to read his Sherlock Holmes.

Hey, we just watched "Hound of Basketville" -- the old b&w version -- but I guess I have to check out the text version...

Hehe, not proud of it, but the extent of my Sherlock Holmes knowledge came from Wishbone. Viva la 90s!

Oooo....you're making my point! The title doesn't come from The Hound of the Baskervilles. It comes from a short story called "Silver Blaze". The pertinent portion goes like this:

Scotland Yard detective: "Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
Holmes: "To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
Detective: "But the dog did nothing in the night-time."
Holmes: "That was the curious incident."

Much more enjoyable to spend your time reading Conan Doyle than Mark Haddon, imo.

#53: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time ...I liked this one, both as a quirky little story/character and as an insight (fictionally, of course) into the Asperger/autistic perception... I saw a lot of my ADHD son in certain situations, as well as half my Pop Warner team this season...

#54: Sweetsmoke ...an ER book, and the best one I've recieved so far... sort of a murder mystery set on a plantation during the civil war, but with subject matter treated respectfully and a good character study... highly recommended!

#55: Inside the Helmet ...slightly dated, but still interesting (convo w/ Jimmie Johnson before the Cowboys SB wins) study of the harsh and complicated details of the NFL; some adult language, but good for YA athelete/readers to get an idea of the hard work needed for pro sports...

#56: The Translator ...at times a tough read, especially as a father, but with a clear honest voice that keeps it from being shocking just for the sake of shock (or for the sake of politics)... I plan on having my 14-yr old read it this week, attempting to open his eyes to a world beyond iPods and text messaging*...

*or "text mexed" as my mother-in-law calls it...

#58: The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam ...a family history in graphic novel/scrapbook form; cool idea, so I'm going to have my sons do something similar to record our family tree...

Msg 38 - Hi TeacherDad. I'd love to hear if your son does read The Translator and what he thinks of it and how it affected him. My own boys are just at the start of their reading careers and they are reading light fare. But my oldest is 7 years old and only 7 years away from where your son is at and I can't wait to have more in depth discussions over books with him.

I agree--I'm actually about to start writing a paper arguing for high schools to start (more widely) incorporating immediately contemporary fiction--I had The Translator and Kite Runner specifically in mind, so please tell us!!!

I just started my year-long internship at a high school (part of my grad program). I spent quite a bit of time in the last 3 days in the bookroom and stamping the new books that came in for this year. It seems like the English teachers here do a lot of contemporary stuff, i.e. Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, A Long Way Gone, The Glass Castle, Shabanu, Into Thin Air, etc. along with the more traditional classics and anthologies. But then I suppose it all depends on the schools and the teachers....

Well unfortunately he "forgot" to read it the past few days, although he managed to not forget when any and all episodes of Family Guy were on, so he'll be able to give us a report this weekend...

#59: Gentlemen of the Road ...ok, needed a dictionary for this one, but they were cool words and not someone trying to show off -- or if Chabon was showing off, it impressed me... so did the story, good ol' fashioned adventure with clear-cut villians, swordplay, elephants, and even a little romance... and the way he writes different books, even genres, and seems to enjoy what he does for a living...

and no, Son #1 didn't quite get through The Translator before school started, but he was getting into it, so he'll keep working on it...

As always, TeacherDad has the best threads going, and you never know where it IS going to go! Your choice of books has generated some fine discussion. I really want to read #59 now. I think I have another book by him, at least. I found The Translator, A Tribesman's Memoir this memoir really spoke in a human tone, not flourishing dialogue or events, but the stark reality of how cruel and unforgiving is the land that they are forced to inhabit. At first it was almost difficult to adjust to Daoud's matter-of-fact re-telling, but I came to realize that a sort of indifference probably helped him survive the atrocities we know he faced. I, too, agree that school reading needs a face-lift, and am glad to hear that #42 stamped some new books in, that's progress! I often try to encourage my daughters to read a book I found worth sharing , but they seldom take my advice. Lately though, they seem more receptive, and we have been talking about our reading! My favorite pastime, after actually reading, of course. MB

Thanks, as always, for your comments... have I visited your challenge list lately? I've found that in order to get the boys to read a book I recommend I can't give it to them and say "here, I think you'll like this" -- I need to comment on it a lot and keep it on my nightstand, then they'll sneak in and snag it... I guess it's not cool to read what Dad reads. I've also found my 14-yr old can read fast and well when I have abducted his cell phone and ipod...

LOL. So that's how to get them to read.

Re: my challenge list- I have read 3 books in the past month or so-1 "Sweetsmoke"-reviewed for ER.
2 "Emily Post"-still getting my review together.
3 "The Wednesday Sisters"-getting review together-I bought this one myself and am trying to develop some sort of article or essay on women during those years (60's-90's)

Just trying to get the reviews together is difficult. My daughters wanted me to read the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyers, but I just could not get into it! They are deeply disappointed in me. My 15 year old has read several of my suggestions lately. That's heart warming! MB

sigh...
just stopping by, miss the ol' list, but haven't finished anything, heck barely started anything, except text books and "how to teach" books...

How sad you Poor Thing! Maybe you'll get some time to read during winter break?

TeacherDad, Hello! I miss you guys! I have been so busy it is ridiculous but have managed to read through it all. I'm still trying to keep up with my early reviewer books and get the reviews in. I enjoy writing them. I try to make it a challenge and really write good ones, just to use it as a sort of practice. I have been trying to rent our rental property, and working with my husband in the office, and being a mom, whew! I'm exhausted just reading that list. Hope to be back soon MB

I actually have a new ER book coming (Rocket Man?) so I guess I'll have to read for fun instead of a grade in order to do a review... I have whipped through a few juvenile books lately for my other challenge list. I know the busy-ness routine MB, we'll be glad when football is over (2 players + 1 coach) so things settle down a little... whew too!

Hi again, on this craziest of crazy days when the air is crackling with autumn leaves and the chilly damp. Each event is out of control, whacked, cuckoo, just plain cattywhampus! I finally resorted to tears quite unusual for me lately, the stanchion of positivity and possibility. How could these blues singers, whiners, moaners, get me where it hurts not leave me alone? What will it be pay us back pay us now keep the change oops you bounced it everybody hates us we've got bills. So how are you, TeacherDad?

Wow! You are quite the poetic blues artist yourself, MB... hope the fall weather cools the frenetic pace for you...

#60: The Secret Trial of Robert E Lee...

wow. the big "6-Oh" -- took me a while to work my through this one; it was only allowed on the nightstand, could not venture out into any other part of the house lest it get read when the reader, me, should be doing other things, such as studying and/or cleaning.* I had to do a similar thing with my latest acquisition (Best American Nonrequired Reading 2008), locking it in the truck to be read only while waiting for The Wife to run an errand...

Anyway, I enjoyed Fleming's historical novel more than I thought I would -- it sat on the shelf for years and when finally started the opening chapters didn't impress me -- but I enjoyed most of the characters and stayed interested through the end. It does bring up a few interesting angles on postbellum America I'd like to delve deeper into.** Why didn't they hang General Lee as a traitor? Why didn't they round up all those rebel officers and toss them in prison? Honor was big in those days, and unfortunately honor cost thousands of men their lives. In these litigant-spastic days, everybody above and below the Mason-Dixon would be suing someone else...

*which I realize I am obviously not doing now, since I'm tapping this out, but in my defense there is a load of laundry currently cycling and my backpack is right next to me on the couch!

**unless "into' is a preposition, then I'd like to delve into deeper...

I've only just discovered your second thread - I thought you had disappeared off into the non-reading ether!!

Well done on getting to SIXTY! Very impressive and some really good books here too. Going well!

I feel somewhat "disappeared" -- have to sneak my non-school reading in little bits when I can... but definitely needed for my sanity!

just recieved The Brief Life of Oscar Wao and have an ER book coming too...

Hi T, Hope you had a great turkey day. I was up all night last night getting ready for a big party at my house, which 18 showed up for, we ate all day and into the night and then we had a terrible fight...all kidding aside, not 20 minutes ago everybody left after viewing a long overdue battle between two-legged helium heads. Last party I'll ever hold that is for sho' I guess I got out cheap, only about $300.00 but at least I never have to see any of them again. That's a plus, right? Anyway, I am reading The Cloister Walk It is a memoir by a writer about her time at a Benedictine monastery. I find it compelling. I am also reading A Pound of Paper but only a few pages in. Well, I guess I will try to make up for that lost sleep. MB

Oops, forgot to say Happy Birthday? What is the actual date? Are you a Scorpio like me? Also, I listened to the Brief Life... on audiobook and it was wonderful but long and I think the narrator was a big help. I don't know if I could stick it out if I was reading it. Definitely good stuff, though. Bye again MB