Archive for September, 2008

Well, that’s different…

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On “Booking Through Thursday”:

What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?

And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?

What a great question this week! 2 books I’ve reviewed come to mind:

Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson and Allen Rucker
Before this book, I only know bits and pieces (typical stereotypes) about “rednecks”. Wilson’s autobiography opened up my eyes to the the positive and the plight of this sidelined community.

It’s sparked an interest to get to know more about them especially their social problems, which I had an eyeful in the Hallmark movie “The Baby Dance” starring Stockard Channing.

Can anyone recommend some good books on this theme?

Little Girl Fly Away by Gene Stone
I read about Ruth Finley’s sexual abuse through “Reader’s Digest”’s book reviews and literally stumbled upon the actual book several years later.

It’s a HORRIBLE read (esp as it’s about a little girl abused by her Dad’s best friend) because this middle-aged lady was haunted by the experience decades later even though she’d buried it in her subconscious.

Her fear manifested itself as her “stalker”! This book was my first brush with psychology.

A third book (not reviewed here) would be “Different Seasons” by Stephen King. I absolutely love this book! It’s SO different from King’s horror collection and to me, it’s a sign of his superb storytelling and writing skills :-)

Sam Feels Better Now by Jill Osborne

Sam Feels Better Now

“Sam Feels Better Now” is a book that introduces the first stage of trauma therapy for children ages 4-10. Written by a professional counsellor and chlid therapist, “Sam Feels Better Now” uses drawings, play and story telling to help a child express their feelings and difficulties right after a traumatic event.

To be used with a child therapist, this book begins with the story of Sam who “saw something awful and scary” and is now:

- having trouble sleeping,
- isn’t eating enough and
- is fighting with some of his friends.

“Miss Carol” the therapist then helps “Sam” to give voice to his feelings about the trauma by encouraging him to draw pictures, make lists and use colours.

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Can you REALLY spot a villain?

On “Booking Through Thursday” this week, a serious topic is posted:

Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I know that not all of you who read are in the U.S., but still, it’s vital that none of us who are decent people forget the scope of disaster that a few, evil people can cause–anywhere in the world.

It’s not about religion, it’s not about politics, it’s about the acknowledgment that humans should try to work together, not tear each other apart, even when they disagree.

So, feeling my way to a question here …

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Flour Babies by Anne Fine

Flour babies

Written by the same author of “Madame Doubtfire” (Mrs. Doubtfire movie starring Robin Williams), the book begins with a noisy class of pre-teen boys in the UK on their usual day of traumatising their form teacher, Mr Cartright.

This day, the teacher is reviewing their project options for the Science Fair.

Naturally, the boys all want past projects like “the Soap Factory”, “the Maggot Farm” or “the Exploding Custard Tins”…

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Living literature through Halloween costumes

Nothing’s more fun in an English literature class than to dress up as a book character! And Halloween is the best time for babies, children, pre-teens, young adults and adults to have fun with costumes :-)

Other than movies, books are an excellent source of inspiration for your Halloween costume. Besides, at least you won’t be another Batman, Superman, Cat Woman, waitress, pirate, Zorro or any other popular character (even though they can be pretty cool).

Let’s see, whether you want to dress up in futuristic or old-fashioned costumes, literature has many interesting characters to choose from.

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Setting up a home library

children's home library

“But my son or daughter doesn’t want to read!”

As an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) teacher, I hear this common complaint all the time when I ask if their children read at home.

I also hear interesting stories about how parents try to get their children to read by:

    buying books and magically wait for their kids to read them
    promising them rewards if they read them
    threatening them with “unpleasant consequences” IF they don’t read them
    lecturing them about the “benefits” of reading the books

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