Why the Internet Won't Kill Reading

The internet is a terrible distraction for me. I'm not into online gaming, shopping, or porn, so what's the problem?

Reading.

Why, just last week, when I could've been reading War and Peace, I was wasting/investing my time elsewhere, learning about dogs getting MRIs (don't worry, they pawed consent forms) and what to do with an avocado pit. I also got a little civics lesson from California (good news!) and a hopeful but admittedly speculative look into Iranian politics, courtesy of Fareed Zakaria.

With so many delightful reading distractions it's no wonder it can take 10+ hours just to answer the day's email.

What about you? What have you been reading lately? Actual books on your nightstand, a Kindle or iPad, or countless articles as you surf the web?

Whatever it is, if you want to blog about it, I'm very open to guest posts. You know, having you write this blog gives me more time to read online :D

Free Help: Improving Your Child's Reading (and Learning) Habits

If you've ever wanted to explain subject and predicate agreement to an impatient elementary school student, have I got some sympathy for you!

I also have a website to recommend: K12Reader Reading Instruction Resources for Teachers & Parents.

In addition to simple instructions and free worksheets (with answer keys) the site also includes reading recommendations, by grade, as well as more than 20 book award lists, from Caldecotts to Golden Kites and a few I'd never heard of.

Have fun with that reading, grammar, and spelling homework. Just remember to let your kids do some of it...

~Diane Stresing

Wikipedia Loves Libraries 2013

I'll admit I've been a closet skeptic of Wikipedia, but this is too good to ignore: Wikipedia Loves Libraries is a real, live, in-person event hosted by libraries worldwide, or as Wikipedia puts it,  

"a general initiative for improved Wikimedia engagement with libraries (and archives), and more concretely an annual campaign of wiki-workshops and edit-athons at libraries around Open Access Week in October/November."

Those workshops and hands-on "Edit-athons" are among the actual activities for real people - although most of the time, those real people will be sitting in front of screens, not old-fashioned books. But that's OK, because libraries aren't *just* about books, they're about information and knowledge. So. Go, if you can. Bug your local library to join in and host an event.

This is cool!

~Diane Stresing

The Force of a Good Cover

Disappointing.

When a great book cover promises much, yet the story delivers so much less than you'd expected. That's what I call deeply disappointing.

Sorry to be such a bummer, but I suggest wasting neither time nor money on Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess.  While the two tantalizing titles appear darned near perfect for Star Wars fans (of all ages) alas, they - dare I say - disappoint.

They might make good gag gifts in some cases - say, you're wondering token hostess gift to take to the company Christmas party, and your boss happens to love Star Wars.

Otherwise, move on. These aren't the hilarious Star Wars graphic novels you're looking for.

Book Riot's Got it Right

Last week Book Riot added another page to my 'to read' list; today it took me back to my college days, when I worked in a bookstore (when I wasn't bartending or telemarketing).

It's one of the few blogs about books I think is truly worth reading. 

This one, of course, is on that list ;) 

  < Flynn's Gone Girl was on my 2R list before it hit Book Riot's list, but whatevs. 

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green’s most recent novel, The Fault in Our Stars, follows Hazel Lancaster through a year in her life – a life that’s bound to be too short. Hazel has cancer.

Green uses a fictitious novel (how's that?!) to add a dimension to the story. She and her boyfriend - who is in remission; they met through a support group - ultimately travel to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houton, the author of An Imperial Affliction. 

And he's a jerk.

It's just one of many ways Green illustrates the fact that life ain't fair.

When  Hazel and dreamy boyfriend Augustus arrive to meet the over-esteemed Peter Van Houton, the author is not only rude, he threatens to throw them out of his house. 

Hazel and Gus cope almost too well with that, and it's a good thing - because the author's unpleasantness isn't the worst thing that happens on the trip.

Hazel also learns that Augustus has had a relapse.

Interestingly, when she delivers her eulogy for Augustus (whoops - spoiler alert: Gus doesn't make it) Hazel quotes the author who so disappointed her, explaining that she learned from him that “some infinities are bigger than other infinities.”

Fortunately, Green's book is quite a bit bigger than I've probably made it sound; and it's right on target for YA readers - particularly girls.

~Diane Stresing

Read This on Facebook

Yes, my pitiful little blog has its own Facebook page now. And it could really use some friends.

So read all about it, on Facebook. Please?