Weekly Quotation: B.F. Skinner

We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.

― B.F. Skinner

Weekly Quotation: Jane Austen

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

― Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice

 

 

Weekly Quotation: Haruki Murakami

Once I began a book, I couldn’t put it down. It was like an addiction; I read while I ate, on the train, in bed until late at night, in school, where I’d keep the book hidden so I could read during class. But I had almost no desire to talk with anyone about the experience I gained through books and music. I felt happy just being me and no one else.

— Haruki Murakami

I took this photo at a Buddha garden. I like how the tree shadows, water ripples, and fish colors blend together.

Book Review: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

Written by Robin Sloan 

Published September 26, 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Genre/Topics: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Books, Technology

288 pages 

 

Three Word Book Review: Fun, Humorous, Mysterious

Clay Jannon recently lost his job as a web designer for NewBagel Company. He’s searched online for jobs with no luck until he stumbles upon a simple help wanted sign outside Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore. It actually is open 24 hours and Jannon works the night shift when hardly anyone enters the bookstore. However, Jannon begins to notice something strange because the individuals who do enter don’t exactly buy the books instead they trade books after giving him unique cards with codes. These individuals and books are so unique that Mr. Penumbra tells Jannon that he cannot read them and must keep a detail log of each individual down to their coat buttons. Jannon is now very curious and attempts to uncover the truth with his friends and technology. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is a fun book that makes you think about how today’s technology with ebooks mixes with paper books. Which book version will you read the book in?

Happy Reading on Read Across America Day

In honor of Dr. Seuss‘ birthday (March 2nd) is Read Across America Day. Dr. Seuss sparked reading with fun rhymes and good messages. The National Education Association (NEA) marked the calendar this year for March 1st, so schools across the country can participate. Schools, libraries, and other locations plan special activities for this event. So, grab your Dr. Seuss hat and any book to READ, READ, READ! Every day is great day for reading! 

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.

In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 1st
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.

(National Education Association Read Across America Poem)

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

http://www.readacrossamerica.org/

http://www.seussville.com/activities/RAA13_EduKit_Booklet_WEB.pdf

 

Weekly Quotation: Abraham Lincoln

Get books, sit yourself down, and go to reading them yourself.

- Abraham Lincoln

Wordless Picture Books

People normally associate picture books with well, pictures. There doesn’t have to be any text to understand the book. A picture truly can be worth a thousand words. Wordless picture books can be used in many ways. I’m going to review completely wordless picture books about twice a month.

Here are some elements that can be used with wordless picture books. Of course, many of these elements can be used with any book.

1. Sparks imagination. 
2. Understand basic story structure (beginning, middle, end)
3. Increases & enhances vocabulary that isn’t on the page.
4. Mixed reading levels and ages are on a level playing field.
5. Make story predictions through the illustrations.
6. Create dialog between characters on the same page.
7. Examine the character’s actions and traits.
8. Promotes creativity.
9. Encourages interaction with the book.
10. It’s fun to read!

http://teachingmyfriends.blogspot.com/2012/03/using-wordless-picture-books.html

2012 Book & Reading Review

Reading Highlights:

• Joined two book clubs.
• Completed my 2012 reading goal to read at least 20 books.
• Started a book journal to list summaries and my thoughts about books.

Here’s a list of the books that I read in 2012. I underlined my favorite books read from this year.

Favorite Books from 2012:

1. The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern
2. The 19th Wife by 
   David Ebershoff
3. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5. The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
6. The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell
7. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
8. My Korean Deli: Risking It All for a Convenience Store by Ben Ryder Howe
9. Gold by  Chris Cleave
10. Atlas of Unknowns by Tania James
11. The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
12. Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
13. The Chaperone  by Laura Moriarty
14. 13, rue Thérèse by Elena Mauli Shapiro
15. A Dog’s Journey by  W. Bruce Cameron
16. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
17. A Woman’s Place by Lynn Austin
18. Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic*
19. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
20. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
21. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (reread)
22. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (reread)
23. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (reread)

What were some books that you read in 2012? Hopefully, 2013 is filled with pages of wonderful books!

Weekly Quotation: Becca Fitzpatrick

Reading a good book in silence is like eating chocolate for the rest of your life and never getting fat.

- Becca Fitzpatrick

Weekly Quote: Diane Duane

Reading one book is like eating one potato chip.

― Diane Duane

Weekly Quote: C.S. Lewis

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.

― C.S. Lewis

Weekly Quote: Gail Carson Levine

There’s nothing wrong with reading a book you love over and over. When you do, the words get inside you, become a part of you, in a way that words in a book you’ve read only once can’t.

― Gail Carson Levine, Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly

My Library Card is Valuable Because…

September is a fabulous month for libraries. (Every month is a wonderful month for libraries.) September is library card sign-up month. American Library Association along with other organizations are promoting the library and obtaining a library card. Individuals submit a photo of themselves or with family and show why your library card is so important. Along with the photo the individual states why their library card is so valuable. There will then be a random drawing and a lucky individual will win a Target gift card (U.S. residents only). Adults, children, and even the family dog can be in the photo as long as the library is somehow promoted. Click HERE to submit a photo.

Weekly Quote: Dr. Seuss

Be awesome! Be a book nut!

― Dr. Seuss