Conflicting reviews: What do YOU think?

Uh-oh. I gave a copy of The Casual Vacancy (by JK Rowling - maybe you've heard of her?) to a dear friend, because, well, heck, Rowling can write, right? and because I'd read a review that made the book's premise sound enticing.

Then I read another review ... that made it sound awful.

So, have YOU read it? Was it all that bad? Should I call my friend and apologize? Or was that reviewer just having a bad day? Do you think I should lay off the question mark key for a few days?

I welcome your comments.

Hear Our Voice: A Guest Post from Janie Reinart

One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person . . . To read is to voyage through time. ~Carl Sagan

My dear friend Katherine presented me with a gift, a small 5” x 7” book published in 1918. When I opened the package my eyes filled with tears. I want to share the first entry with you from Mrs. Leila Atwood Foust’s book, With God and the Colors: A Mother’s Prayers for Her Soldier Boy. 

I too am a mother of a soldier. I had the honor of collecting stories from other mothers of soldiers telling how we made it through our children’s deployments. The result was the book, Love You More Than You Know: Mothers’ StoriesAbout Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War (Gray and Co., Publishers, 2009, eBook 2012).

The title of the book came from a letter my son sent me. He was in Iraq for six months and had six more to go. His letter asked questions: Will I make it back? Will I be the same? Will I be happy? He said, “ All I know that is certain is you, and I rely on that fact alone to get me through the sweltering reality I live in.“ He signed his letter; I love you deeply, more than you know. Your son, Joe.

Our stories are a living history. When you read our book, you will hear our voice.

Wendy Anderson wrote the chapter entitled, “The Christmas Miracle.”

I have a very special mouse, given to me by my mother as a Christmas present when I left home, and moved into my first apartment. He is also special to Derek. The mouse is smaller than a pea, made of glass, and although he is over 30 years old, not chipped or cracked. The mouse is still perfect. And he only comes out at Christmas.

Every year as a child, when we would unwrap ornaments and his brothers would grab the biggest, brightest decorations, Derek would look for that mouse. Derek would take him gently out of his cotton ball and marvel at it. “How can this be, Mom? We lose our jackets, our shoes and our car keys, but we have never lost this mouse. And he is so small!”  “ I don’t know,” I would say. “It’s a Christmas miracle.”

When Christmas came and Derek was in Iraq that is what I sent him. I know a man his age doesn’t need a glass mouse. But he did need a piece of home. My husband was afraid for me. He told me I would never see that mouse again. I put the mouse in his cotton ball, and sent him overseas.

Celeste Hicks wrote “Army Strong—A Family Affair.”  Not only are five of her children serving our country, they all married military spouses. Sometimes in order for a mother’s voice to be heard, she has to remain anonymous for the security and protection of her son.

I am the mother of a U. S. Navy SEAL, and he is living his dream with the best of the best. We were recently with him at a public event where military were asked to stand and be recognized for their service. Our son simply sat quietly and applauded the others. That is the way of a SEAL. You will rarely read about the medals and awards that SEALs receive, and there will be no articles in the newspaper about their deployment or return home. You won’t see them in uniform at an airport. You may never know when one is in your midst.  

My son has asked that I not use his name, or mine, in this story. You will not see our picture. Instead, he told me that I should create a pen name for myself. In his honor, there is really only one way that I can sign this story because I love him more than he will ever know.

         ~ “The proud mother of a U.S. Navy SEAL”

As the mothers shared our stories in Love You More Than You Know, we bonded together and felt less alone. I feel that same bond with Leila Atwood Foust when I heard her voice calling out. Ninety-four years later the prayers from mothers for their soldiers are the same. Love You More Than You Know holds 45 powerful tales of love, faith, and courage, reminding our readers that our children stand in front of our flag, risking their lives so that we can live ours. Hear our voice. 

-  -   -  - - - ---- -

I'm adding a note of thanks to Janie Reinart for offering this insight into her inspiring collection of stories from 45 very strong and loving families. Love You More Than You Know makes a thoughtful gift anytime. 

I'd also like to add a plea to, whenever and however you can, let our service men and women (and their families) know that you appreciate their almost unimaginable commitment to upholding this country's ideals. ~ Diane

Old books, new readers

Thankful, thankful, thankful.

As a reader I'm thankful for eyes that work well enough to enjoy the printed word. As I get older grow up I'm grateful for cheap reading glasses and good lighting, too. As a pack rat, I'm always grateful for the people and institutions who graciously receive my dusty old books and breathe new life into them.

What do you do with your old books?

Doctor and dentist offices, schools, new school teachers, after-school activity centers, and a slew of charities can get your once-loved-but-long-shelved volumes into the hands of folks who will enjoy them as you did.

Why not go clean off a shelf right now? It's a lovely, tangible way to share your love of reading.

And to make room for new books ;)

Happy Veteran's Day: special guest post coming soon

How we commemorate holidays confounds me. Around here, most schools are in session and most businesses are open today, Veteran's Day. Maybe we just need a few more organized retail sales to properly mark the occasion? That's sarcasm, by the way. I really hope we don't go down that path...

Whatever else you do today, please take a moment to truly consider the gracious strength and commitment of those who serve our country. 

And please, check this blog again on Sunday November 18 for a guest post from Janie Reinart, author of Love You More Than You Know, a collection of insights from military moms. If you'd like to read more from the Cleveland-area author right now, see her blog here. 

Livia Blackburne: Using Pinterest as a Reader, Writer, and Author

Livia Blackburne: Using Pinterest as a Reader, Writer, and Author: First, congratulations to Sam for winning the Near Witch Giveaway. Second, MIT graduation was last Friday. Unfortunately, I wasn't in it. ...

^ I'm sharing Blackburne's blog entry because I think it's worth consideration and because I'm woefully behind in my own posts, so - here - read this!

Book report time!

Please raise your hand if you'd like to share a summary of something you've read recently (or even long ago).

I'm sorry. I don't see any hands.

Contact me here or on Twitter or something, would you? I'm looking forward to reading your reports! And don't worry, I won't even uncap my red pen. :D

Help for struggling new readers (or over-achievers)

Got kids who need a little help with reading? Try some of the suggestions you'll find at Starfall. The site was launched thanks to a former reluctant reader and so effective it made the education section of Time magazine's current  50 best websites list. Visit the site to find free (yes, free!) fun and games and a good shot at reading improvement. Recommended for K-2nd graders.

Got over-achieving readers? You know - the 4th-grader who can handle any adult title, but maybe not the context? Librarians can be your best source of recommendations. Don't overlook those "older" titles, like The Phantom Toll Booth and Stuart Little. Vocabularies have changed a bit over the past few decades - enough to slow down a young (eager) reader and to teach a few new words along the way.

They'll thank you when it's time to take the SAT.
 

The good thing about being a book reviewer...

...is that it forces/allows you to read, a lot. The bad thing about being a book reviewer is the books are often bad. Extraordinarily bad.

Fortunately I enjoyed Primary Colors before diving into my most recent review assignments. (Next time I should plug my nose before taking the plunge!) The not-so-anonymously penned, not-quite-fictional description of an ultimately successful presidential campaign offered some wry laughs and a welcome escape from the current mess that passes for political discourse.

So - what are you reading? Whatever it is, it's gotta be better than the last thing I put down.

Back-to-School Reading Quizzes

These reading quizzes provide a fun challenge for students heading back to school, grownups bent on self-improvement, and anyone looking for a socially redeemable way to waste time on the computer. (e.g., if it's not Facebook or online gambling, it must be OK.)  Put on your thinking caps; good luck.


This one's hard!
http://www.cityu.edu.hk/elc/quiz/reading1.htm

Fun reading comprehension practice
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/mathlabplanets.htm

Lots here, including vocabulary quizzes, for K-8th graders.
http://www.quiz-tree.com/English_smain.html

Primary panic

Don't look now but it's AUGUST. The month of back-to-school and pool closings and all that nonsense. It's also the month I promised to read Primary Colors. I haven't started yet, but I will. Soon. Trust me. Is anyone with me? Come on, the election is edging closer - and I, for one, would really like to find some more humor in the whole thing. Join me for a wry laugh?

= = = = = = =

September 19, 2012 update ~ I'm happy I read this oldie-but-goodie title. What a game we've made of our political system! Primary Colors paints a very colorful picture of the players, aka the scorps (press),  and in particular the "snuff specialists," whose job it is/was to wait for the candidate to blow up or break down. ("Get it on tape if he breaks down...loses his temper, or cries.") Of course the press knows what the candidates find out soon enough: "Losers spin. Winners grin."

Not only did it offer some levity in an election season that sorely needs it, it also reminded me that we've survived many a foible in  the political arena before. We're likely to survive a few more. My advice: keep reading!

Summer Reading: The best-laid plans

One isn't supposed to work up a sweat reading (I guess it can happen). When the mercury's rising, though, and one has a dozen or so books due at the library tomorrow (this "one" might be hypothetical, of course) there's just no way to read fast enough. To add insult to injury, no matter how fast one flips pages, reading just doesn't pass for aerobic activity.

What to do?

It's July, dear readers. We're all a tad hot and bothered, no? Let's share our must-read lists and tips for getting through them this summer. And please, dear readers, you go first. "One" of us has to go to the library...

----
WHAT'S THAT? You don't have too much to read? Well, I'm not going to give you a recommendation, what with my own books piling up around my ears. But you can take a quick quiz to find  just the right book here:
http://justtherightbook.com

Red & Blue & Color Me Jaded

Primary Colors. Remember the anonymously-penned political novel from 1996? I think its time has come, again. Join me and add your insights and point out the ironies as you re-read it or discover it for the first time. I'm starting August 1st. Hope to see you here!
- - - - - - - - - -
Those of you who were old enough to vote in 1996 probably remember that whole anonymity thing didn't last long for the author. After the fuss died down, however, it worked out pretty well for him. For perspective, read The Telegraph's thoughtful piece on the situation some time after Joe Klein's not-so-shocking confession from that he, indeed, wrote the book.
- - - - - - - - - -
You know me, I always suggest the library as your first stop for a book (except mine!) but if you want to buy it to save a few bucks and a tree, consider the Kindle version or the Random House ebook.

You're not a Twit, Veronica!

>>file under, hey, somebody reads this blog!<<

Thanks to a friend's comment in response to my post about The Twits and other "old" children's books, I've just started in on The Phantom Tollbooth. I thought my 8yo had a good vocabulary, but wow - we're both learning some new words from Norton Juster's highly imaginative novel, first published in 1961.

Thanks for the loaner copy, my friend!

So, anyone want to read along? It's sure to be a fun trip into the Land Beyond...

Twits and old friends

I've thoroughly enjoyed some "old" books so far this summer, all of which were new to me. I wonder how many parents have introduced their elementary-school age offspring to The Twits?

Almost certainly best-known for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl's whole list is worth reading, and I encourage you to look beyond the titles that have made it to the big screen.

Dahl's unique take on things is at least amusing for young readers and at times quite insightful for parents reading along. The Magic Finger and The Twits are my current favorites. (The Twits, detailing worms in spaghetti and other revolting but hilarious antics of the disgusting couple, would likely appeal to many reluctant readers.)

What old books have become your new favorites to recommend this summer?

Which ones do you plan to read with your kids before they go back to school?

Kids' Stuff: Reading & Typing

Summer reading. It's highly recommended by teachers and parents everywhere. Yeah, yeah. We know. While I'm a very enthusiastic supporter of the whole reading thing, I'm taking a break from that lecture to remind parents that keyboard skills are important to a child's education, too.

Here's a fun typing game for kids I found recently. Maybe your kids will appreciate a break from your particular lecture repertoire, too?

http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/games/type-logger

Several Shades Better

You want to be like everybody else? Carry 50 Shades of Grey to the pool this summer. If you want to read a really good book - albeit one that might qualify for a chick-lit label - heft Diana Gabaldon's Outlander wherever you go. The author's storytelling skills guarantee a great deal of escape, and an equally well-written bit of smut only adds to the adventure.

Apparently, Outlander was a bit of escape for the author, who began writing it while she was a university professor. Degrees in zoology, marine biology, and ecology notwithstanding, Gabaldon managed to weave a tale that takes us on a time-travel jaunt from post-WWII England to the Scottish Highlands, circa 1743. Aye, and it's a bonny journey!

I highly recommend this book and won't spoil your enjoyment by going into plot details. In a nutshell, if you like adventure, romance, and botany, this is going to be one of your favorite books. If you'd like a well-crafted description of what a very strong female lead finds under an even stronger Scotsman's kilt, well, what are you waiting for? Go get Outlander. And read it quickly, without remorse -- there's a series of seven books waiting for you, with an eighth expected early in 2013. 

And you know all those silly typos and redundancies in Shades of Grey? You won't find 'em here. Enjoy!
__________________________________

Better than #ShadesofGrey

Just take those old books off the shelf...

...with apologies to Bob Seger (and anyone who has ever heard me sing) I was repeating that little tune the other day as we strolled out of the library, a pile of "new" books tucked under our arms. "We" consisted of a recent graduate of the second grade and myself. For him, Daniel Handler's series of unfortunate events are all-new. For me (donning sheepish look) it's Primary Colors. Seems appropriate in this ridiculous election year, don'tcha think?

Shades of Grey Blip or an Industry Boost?

In case you think "everyone" is reading 50 Shades of Grey, I'm not. (Yet! It's on my list.) But I know how you feel - I've been absolutely astonished by the number of my friends and the number of exuberant strangers I've heard from lately who have devoured the book. It's hot, however you want to interpret it - Ellen Degeneres is reading it on YouTube, a movie's reportedly in the works, and several public libraries have banned it.

(Not surprisingly, the title seems to have caused some spelling confusion, but that's a topic for my writing blog, not this one.)

Because I'm so interested in the machinations of the publishing industry, I have to wonder whether Shades of Grey is more than a blip. Will it amount to Harry Potter for a different demographic? After they've finished reading Shades of Grey (a time or two, wink, wink) will women of a certain age seek out other similarly absorbing titles?

I rather hope so.
~~~~~~~~~
Speak up: leave a comment or contact me if you'd like to review the book or share your views. Guest bloggers always welcome!

Summer reading tips

Ye gads! Already? Yep; summer's danged close. Teachers are whipping out their summer reading assignments; vacationers are picking through paperbacks (or downloading to their ereaders) in anticipation. What are you going to read this season?  Whittle down the stack of dusty magazines? Spring for a NYT Bestseller? Peruse the stacks at your favorite used book store?

Of course, I have a few suggestions...

1. Read about reading
How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas Foster, adds some insight to your reading, whatever it is. It doubles as a refresher course in interpretive literature, but in a good way. I'm still reading slowly, a chapter or so at a sitting... fortunately it's on loan from a very understanding and patient friend. (Thanks, Chris!) I recommend it. Even though I haven't finished it. :D

2. Support your local bookstore! 
Pick up those summer reading assignments for your students at an independent book store. They'll love you for it, and probably offer a discount. Plus, remember you always get "free shipping" when you buy from a real, bricks and mortar retail store.

3. Spread some good karma.
Traveling? Try this: pick up some used paperbacks before you go, knowing you'll finish them and not want to bring them home. Strike up a conversation about reading with a stranger (making a friend in the process) and leave the book with him or her. Alternatively, ask the management if you can donate the book to the hotel's game/reading room, or just just leave it by the pool with a post-it-note saying "free book- enjoy."

4. Switch gears.
Always seeking a legal thriller? Give your brain something else to chew on. A romantic comedy. A graphic novel. A translation. Something your parents didn't want you to read, a hundred years ago, when you were a kid. Something you loved as a kid, but you can't remember why.

5. Stretchhhhhhhhhh.
For real, stretch. Your brain loves it when you get so absorbed in a book you just can't put it down. Your spine hates it. So stretch, already. 

6. Share it. 
Share it by reading it with someone. You don't have to join a book group;  just make a pact with a friend, your daughter, sister, spouse, or a neighbor that you'll read the same book and discuss it this summer. Then do it! 

7. Share it again. 
Share the book, yes, by all means! But also, share your reading pleasures with us here (guest posters always welcome) and with readers elsewhere. Reading (usually) is a solitary activity, and that's part of its allure. Sharing what you've read adds another dimension to your understanding - and enjoyment - of the book. So dish!

But seriously, what ARE YOU reading?

I'm always looking for guest bloggers! It's this easy: type about what you've read recently - old or new, any genre - what you liked about it, and why you'd recommend it. Or not.

Please contact me if you're the slightest bit interested.  I welcome your reviews, and your fellow readers will appreciate it, too.

Grad gift: More than a money holder

Sure, grads need cash. It's gotta be the most appreciated gift of all time. Gift cards are almost certainly the second favored item, right? And they're easy on the giver, minimal shopping and wrapping and all that. But.

They're so. You know. Nondescript. Unimaginative. Borrrrrrring.

Giving a grad a gift like cash or pre-paid gift cards is practical, sure to inspire sincere "thanks" and yet, the grateful word is so often accompanied by the look that says, "Boy, you put a lot of thought into that, huh?"

Enter the book. You can stand out from the other check-writing, gift card-toting graduation party attendees by sticking your check, cash, or gift card into a clever (good) book. You know I love The Naked Roommate (snicker if you want to; it is full of practical advice for college-bound high school grads) but there are more, newer titles to consider - some perfect for college graduation gifts, as well as high school pomp and circumstance. Some ... are really only "perfect" if you know the graduate's parents really well. Just think before you wrap, OK?

A few on my graduate gift-giving radar:

No Money? No Problem (see how that title could double as an excuse for the low amount of your check?), Cool Shit (sort of 'The Dangerous Book' for teens/adults who aren't quite grownups) and the give-at-your-own-risk Get Laid. 

No, I don't make this s... stuff up. What about you? What books are you wrapping up for graduates in the class of 2012? Please share... it's almost party time!

Wiser Wednesday: Reading games

After flirting with Angry Birds and declaring a truce with Draw Something, I've returned to my old addiction: word games. Lately I've been spending a little (too much) time with Word Dynamo.

Time to 'fess up: where RU wasting your reading time these days?


---- oh and PS, get your kids addicted and I'll betcha they get better SAT scores (you're welcome) ---

Turn to Books for Mother's Day, Graduation

Want to get mom a page-turner for Mother's Day? Give a grad a good book? Well, of course I wholly support that notion.

You could go for the easy choice - a book about moms, like the ones I reviewed for The Plain Dealer a few Mother's Days ago (now available on Kindle). Or wrap up the resume-building book of the month for your grad and cross 'get a gift' off your to-do list.

Or you could take a different tack and not point out mom's mommy-ness (trust me, by the 6,000th time you've heard yourself referred by your parental moniker instead of your name, you get it) instead, celebrating what mom is in addition to all that maternal goodness.

Similarly, while the grads you know will surely appreciate money, awesome business card holders, money, briefcases, money, how-to-get-a-job books, or money, perhaps they too would welcome a chance to shake off the label ("student" or "graduate") they've worn so long, and would revel in a little token honoring their personhood.

To stir your imagination, then - 

Is mom a shutterbug?
Beyond Snapshots and several other nice titles for moms who are ready to take their fancy cameras off the Auto setting and take awesome photos of children (theirs or someone else's) can be found at my favorite photo-tip site, Digital Photography School.

Speak to her romantic side...
Book clubs are snapping up and tittering about 50 Shades of Grey and it's the first of a trilogy, so there's more where that came from if she likes it. ("It" being erotica, aka soft porn, but quite well written - at least, so I've heard.)

Or maybe mom's into yoga, beekeeping or blackjack. I think you get my point. Before she was a mom, that woman had her own personality, her own interests, her own je ne sais quoi - and she still does. (It's just really, really hard to see behind the mommy mask.)

Take the same approach to shopping for a graduate, and your gift is sure to stand out. You can go for the obvious - pick one of those well-timed 'how to get a job' books - or you could think, what does he like to do? Where does she wish she could go? and go from there.

If you can't come up with a title that's a perfect fit, you can always fall back the cliched but pleasingly psychedelic Dr. Seuss title, Oh! the Places You'll Go! It appears on everyone's annual what-book-to-get-for-a-grad lists, but frankly, I think giving that as a graduation gift screams "amateur," don't you? 

On the other hand, there are those grads you have to buy a gift for whom you'll never really get to know (boss's son, for one) and such standard fare is appropriate in those cases. Maybe The Naked Roommate isn't appropriate for the boss's son, but I couldn't leave it out of this piece - it's my all-time favorite title for a high school graduate.  OK, now off to shop, ya'll. You have some gifts to buy!
 = = = = = = = = = = =

What to get the teacher?
I'd be silly not to mention this great title for a teacher gift: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of .... OK, Cleveland comes to mind (I know the author, wink, wink) but several dozen other cities also occur to me. That's because the 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of .... books are available for Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and oodles of other major metro areas. After a long school year, I'm pretty sure most teachers would love to spend a few hours on a nice, quite, peaceful trail that doesn't have to be graded, copied, or discussed at a meeting. Just sayin'.

Wiser Wednesday

It's Wednesday, and if you're like my friend Janice, you know that means it's time for more brain exercise!

Don't worry, it's not heavy exercise today. Just a little stretch and warm-up. 

The What kind of reader are you? quiz was almost pure fun. And, I'll admit, not terribly insightful. I learned I am a dedicated reader who is "convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more."

Now that you're warmed up, how 'bout a little speed reading? See how you do compared to the 'average' (whatever that is) with ReadingSoft's free online test.  If you clock in at 1,000 wpm, let me know; I'll change the headline to Warp Speed Wednesday.

... and they're off!

_____________________________________________
URLs, in case the links above don't work for you:

http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_kind_of_reader_are_youhttp://www.gotoquiz.com/what_kind_of_reader_are_you

http://www.readingsoft.com/index.html

Wiser Wednesday

Wednesday is a great day to work your vocabulary muscles!

Warm up with GetWords.com then see if you're smarter than an 11th-grader by taking the SAT vocabulary challenge and then, if you just haven't gotten your fill of words, consider The Word on Words, a self-published book that received a starred review* from Kirkus review.


*See, they're out there.

Why Social Media is good for reading

JK Rowling finally did it (well, her publisher did) and now that all seven Harry Potter books are on available for e-readers, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Not that the books are available, but that because they are, we may finally be free of those silly articles predicting the death of e-readers.

Actually, next to the prediction (made by every generation since Socrates, at least) that civilization is coming to an end thanks to "today's youth," the assertion that reading is dead is probably a close second. I disagree.

Kindles and all manner of screens mean we may be buying and turning fewer paper pages, but we're reading more.  What evidence do I have for this crazy idea? My teenager has bought two books, with her own money, to read on her iPhone. If I'm crazy, well, so is the rest of the world.

In fact, I'll prove it by saying this: social media is making better readers of us all.

Admit it; you've probably been tempted to "like," "+1" or otherwise recommend an article by one of those catchy headlines. Then after you click, you (the responsible person who doesn't want to be seen as an indiscriminate button-pushing sharer) will read the whole article. I mean, do you really want to end up in a discussion with someone quizzing you on your opinion about something in the bottom paragraph if you haven't read the article? Uh-huh. That's what I thought - a little online repartee can convince you to go back and read the ones you really just skimmed, and shared, too hastily.

And then there are books, those dinosaurs we carry (yet and still!) to read on beach vacations and in doctors' offices. How many online reading circles are out there? A lot more than there were 20 years ago, and thanks to the peer pressure applied by fellow Facebook users eager to weigh in with opinions to impress their friends (you saw The Hunger Games before you read it? OMG!) I bet that you've purchased or checked a book out of your library just because of the buzz it got from someone's Tweets or Pinterest boards. See? Peer pressure isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Of course, if you think I'm wrong, be sure to tell me. Just know this: I dare you to share this until you've read the whole thing.
_________________________________________
From Mary Ruefle, in Someone Reading a Book Is a Sign of Order in the World, comes this excellent explanation of why reading will never be passe:

Reading...is a great extension of time, a way for one person to live a thousand and one lives in a single lifespan.

Read on, my friends!

Wiser Wednesday

If you enjoyed my Matriculate Monday series, you might like this, too:

Definition a Day quiz from Vocabula.com

___________________
Link not working? Here:
http://www.vocabula.com/quiz/showDOTD.aspx

Poets.org Unsnobs Verse

The Academy of American Poets was founded in 1934. 

I don't think of myself as a poetry lover, but Poets.org convinced me to re-consider. 

With a mission "to support American poets...and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry," it sounds just a tad stuffy, don't you think? Well, it's not.

Turns out these wordsmiths foster appreciation in some very accessible ways. Mobile poetry reader, anyone? (It allows you to "Woo or woe, on the go.")

The site has oodles of references for educators (hello, substitute teachers, bookmark this: http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/6) and other folks, including those (like me) who can't always tell their ee cummings from their Robert Frosts and those who'll admit (as I do) they've never read Shakespeare outside of a classroom. Poetry 101 is a lively, not-at-all disdainful or sarcastic section where I could learn a lot. But for today, at least, I'm going to browse the more bourgeois Poems for Every Occasion pages, complete with emoticons and links to the poets' Twitter and Facebook pages. #don'tjudgeme :D
___________________________________________
psssst - April is also National School Library Month. Hey I know, you could celebrate by donating a poetry book to your local school library. Bet Poets.org could recommend a few good books ...

Back to Scary School

Scary School has given me a lot of food for thought. As a reading mom, I was reminded once again that I'm not very good at judging how my kids will respond to some titles. My eight-year-old absolutely loved Scary School, even though I'd have given it a lukewarm review. After we finished reading it together, he gave it that great compliment: "Can we read it again?" Well, I said no. (I'll never win mother of the year!) So... he read it himself. But first, he insisted on taking the online quiz to access the hidden chapter. You're getting the idea, right? Scary School is not only capable of captivating kids with a story perhaps best described as slapstick comedy a la Scooby-Doo and the Vampires meets The Munsters, it also spurs them to read independently, above grade level. I should mention that the book's packed with characters, too - keeping track of all of them helps improve memory skills. (Did I mention I'm not up for mother of the year? Look, I wanted to read something else, ok?!)

As a writer and reviewer, I learned something about book marketing and took in one more lesson about perseverance. Read the guest blog entry from author Derek Kent - aka Derek the Ghost - to find out what it took to bring Scary School to life.

The bottom line: I highly recommend Scary School, particularly for boys. Got a middle grade reluctant reader? This would probably make an excellent choice for him - or her. 

Thoughts on "the curse" of self-published books

Kirkus Reviews has long offered self-published authors the chance to have their works reviewed by the very well-respected publication. A few even receive stars. Here's what you, dear reader, need to know: self-published authors pay a reasonable fee of several hundred dollars to get those reviews, and no, they can't buy a good one.

Kirkus clearly identifies those reviews as "Indie" works, and with a few clicks, curious readers can find out that the reviewed works weren't selected by Kirkus editorial personnel, they were submitted, with payment, in order to obtain those reviews.

Kirkus has a pretty demanding list of qualifications for its reviewers - for all of its reviewers, "even" the indie reviewers - and it aims to enlist critics who take seriously the works of the authors, regardless of how those works are published.

I happen to know a number of self-published authors. One even got a starred review from Kirkus (yay, Charlie!). I also review a fair number of self-published works - but not all - because, well, you know what the bumper sticker says, right? "So many books...so little time."

Look, it's about time we realized - we, meaning readers and writers - that there's room in the publishing world for many different business models. I've read some dogs published by THE GREAT, BIG PUBLISHING HOUSES and I've enjoyed some high quality works from self-published authors.

Regardless of how the book comes to print, the good ones have some things in common. Like cohesiveness. Evidence a deft editing job has been done. Few if any typos. The only illustrations they include add something to the book (other than just another page).

Why bring this up?

I recently responded to an author who was clearly upset by my review of her second book. Her comments included several personal insults as well as the opinion that I viewed her book as sub-par simply because it was self published. She deemed it "the curse of self-publishing." I heartily disagreed.

Authors can wait forever - literally - for a response from publishing houses. It's a terribly frustrating business and yet another example of how life just ain't fair. Oodles and oodles of books (at least) never make it to print. Oodles and oodles of good ones do - many because their authors quit waiting and published those books on their own.

Look, I can't take on the failings of the publishing industry and the shortcomings and misconceptions of self-publishing in a single blog post, or a hundred. Obviously, the industry has changed dramatically in recent years. So I'll sum it up thusly:

Readers, don't judge a book by its cover or publisher. 

Writers, don't publish your work until it's really, really ready. And when you publish too soon, or without the help of an editor, don't take it out on the reviewer. She's just doing her job.

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Want to recommend an excellent editing service? Got a self-published title that deserves some praise? What R U Reading? welcomes your comments and reader reviews. 

Call for Guest Bloggers

Help! Like most other readers, I can't find time to read all that I want to. Would you like to share some thoughts on something you've enjoyed lately? I'm looking for guest bloggers. It's this easy: tell us what you've read recently - old or new, any genre - what you liked about it, and why you'd recommend it. It's a fact: there are too many books, and too little time. Your recommendations can help others use their reading time wisely, and find books they might have otherwise overlooked.

Please contact me if you're the slightest bit interested.  I welcome your reviews, and your fellow readers will appreciate it, too.

If only I had more time to read...

If there were just a few more hours in each week, I'd read...

...The Why Files, from top to bottom. I think of it as the science-lover's weekly, for non-science majors.

The editors do a fabulous job of delivering in-depth content, with most of that content being connected to current events and headlines.

- - - - -
What about you? What would you read if given an extra hour or two to do so?

Just gave up on The Big Short

The Big Short by Michael Lewis is an excellent book, and I heartily recommend it - if you can stomach it. It doesn't go down easy - and I'm not the only one who gave up on the book. Wall Street Journal blogger Peter Lattman took on admittedly more work by reading the thesis by a recent Harvard grad, cited in Lewis' acknowledgement, instead of reading the book itself. 

Before I quit reading, I was surprised to learn that Lewis, who also wrote Moneyball (film adaptation starring Brad Pitt now in theaters) and The Blind Side, spent a few years in his early career working on Wall Street. In this book, he exposes the smoke and mirrors and BS that passes for "complicated math" and reveals what most of us know, in our guts: most investment schemes are, first and foremost, schemes. Flat-out thievery in many cases.

Look, Lewis is an outstanding storyteller with superb research skills (translation: hard-working journalist) and I'll try to read just about anything he writes. Unfortunately, I just couldn't handle this particular tale. Probably because it's a true story, about a bunch of crooks who got rich and got away with it. And we're still paying the bills.

Sigh.
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Attention book clubbers bound and determined to figure out the financial mess: this is your book. 

On Libraries: Gotta check this out

Is anyone reading this Huffington Post series on libraries? I'm not a big Huff fan; but this is worth reading.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/libraries-in-crisis/

White Water invites us to wade in

Set in the segregation-era South, White Water is based on one particular memory author Michael Bandy just couldn't shake. The memory: not being allowed to drink from the white fountain.

As Bandy's (fictional) main character, also named Michael, puts it:

"I was just sure it must be pure and icy cold, like mountain water. Suddenly I just had to know what that white water tasted like."

And (spoiler alert) he finds out.

It's a children's picture book, so there's no space for a detailed history lesson and it's not the place to assign blame. It's a 32-page opportunity to open a window and begin a discussion with kids about racism. Or not.

I repeat, it's a picture book, so it's difficult for adults to gauge what the book's intended audience might read into it. And that's OK.

We should read it to them, ask them to feel what Michael feels - think about his thirst for that white water - and see if they can grasp the irony, as Michael did, when he realized that the same pipe fed both fountains. It's the same water.

Michael (the character) realizes the only difference between the water in those fountains was in his imagination.

"The signs over the fountains had put bad ideas in my head," Bandy writes.

Whatever our differences, the easy, politically correct way to handle them is to pretend we are blind. Color blind or unable to see the yamaka, turban, veil, dreadlocks, wheelchair, whatever makes the person (apparently) different from one's self. It's not completely wrong to pretend we don't notice labels or differences and instead choose to "see inside" the person. But it's only half right.

What if we go all the way? What if we see the labels, read the signs and then ask questions? Of each other?

How would that water taste?

That's a big question, and this is a book for little people. But we should ask. Maybe they'll lead us to the answer.

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I received a free review copy of White Water (copyright 2011) from Random House.

Can you believe what you read?

So far today I've read about Obama's trip to Mars and Newt's suggestion that we pay middle- and high school students to take math and science classes. Before the world ends (on 12/21/12 in case you need to put it on your calendar...wait for it...the last calendar you'll ever need) I'll post a review of a children's book that I received from Candlewick Press (Random House) last year. 

White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, is one of many free review copies I received last year. For the record, I rarely accept them and review them even less often. While it's flattering to be contacted by publishers (and fun to get free books), it becomes something of a pain sometimes, especially - I know this will draw nasty replies - when the books are sent by self-published authors along with such a huge amount of hyperbole in the accompanying press material, it's matched only by the typos and grammatical errors in their books. I understand why many good writers choose to self-publish and self-publishing is certainly gaining (deserved) respect but I stand by my assertion that self-published shouldn't mean self-edited. But I digress.

Back to my point and headline: can you believe what you read here? (It's the only place I have complete editorial control. You're on your own with the Obama-on-Mars thing.) The answer is yes, because when I receive a review copy, I say so somewhere in the review. If I've reviewed a book for another publication - such as The Plain Dealer or Kirkus - I explain that in my reviews on this blog.

If you read much online and reviews in particular, you know that's how it's supposed to be done - and that it's not always. So. Yeah. You can believe what you read here. Next up: my review of White Water, a very interesting book for young kids, about racism. Until then...well, don't believe everything you read, ok?