Searching for Proof?

Well, you aren't going to find it. However, Roger Clarke's Ghosts, a natural history: 500 years of searching for proof, is a fascinating read. It's "a comprehensive, authoritative, and readable history of the evolution of the ghost in western culture, examinging the behavior of the subject in its preferred environment: the stories we tell each other." For me, it has always been about the stories. But here Clarke adds to the stories by revealing how they changed over time, what the real basis of the stories were, and really interesting how class status plays into the whole thing. Even though scientists or upper class people wanted to investigate, they didn't want other people to know of their interests. Whereas, with the middle class it was all out. What I found particularly fascinating was how much science was developed that we use today, that was originally invented to help prove or disprove ghosts! From NYTIMES REVIEW "Roger Clarke tells this and many other gloriously weird stories with real verve, and also a kind of narrative authority that tends to constrain the skeptical voice within". Just in time for next month BOOOOOOO!

Back to New Fiction

Big Shout out to our own Dr. Natalie Dutrow here-she recommended this book to me and I seriously loved it. Not only is Station 11 well written ( check out all the accolades) but it is so compelling I had to "sneak read" it all the time. The author, Emily St. John Mandel, developed ordinary people in an extraordinary circumstance. Perhaps it was so personally intriguing to me because it begins with an actor doing King Lear, my favorite Shakespeare. Lear is an excellent choice thematically as well so watch for that tie in throughout. It is a fast read, she does go back and forth in time but it is not difficult to keep straight. You will however, be much more appreciative of every little thing after you finish this work. Although it would be considered Science Fiction in genre, I find it difficult to define it that strictly. A pandemic has taken out 99% of the population. The story follows the traveling Orchestra which performs music and Shakespear in all the small communities that form after the event. "It is not enough, just to survive". This book is very readable for both teens and adults.It's paperback and published 2014.

Can you say innovation?

Because we here at Judge have been given 3 afternoons(1 for teachers, 2 for students) this fall to focus on Innovation-I have been reading two great books I recommend to you. I really love fiction so this was a real leap for me, but you might also enjoy. Daniel Pink's Drive (Ted Talk here) I found it fascinating in the application to my world, education. I think we really need to prepare for the future and keeping education in the same archaic format based on the 1900's seems unproductive to say the least. Pink doesn't really focus on education here, it is really on what motivates us-take a look. The other one I'm reading is by Tim Brown, Change by Design-how design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation Again it is interesting when you think of applying these ideas to education. "First, a successful experience requires active consumer participation. Second, a customer experience that feels authentic,genuine, and compelling is likely to be delivered by employees operating within an experience culture themselves." Think about that in education. What if education was an experience culture? Can we at least imagine if teachers and students designed education around authentic, genuine and compelling ideals? That lessons required active participation? I know not all of my readers are in education, but as I read these two I couldn't help thinking of that. Try reading them and applying to your own experience. I think you will learn something. I certainly did

Don't read this unless.......

Are you happy being self involved? Oh, I hear you cry, but I'm not. Well, wait for your life to change, read this book and be prepared to confront some awful truths about yourself. Really, don't worry, David Brooks has the answer in Road to Character by examining the lives and works of some individuals and how they have cultivated character. Have you ever thought about your eulogy? Brooks begins his book by looking at the difference between resume virtues and eulogy virtues. If you are an outstanding virtuous person, you probably don't need this book. But for the rest of us, dig in, you will find the individuals in this book might become models for your own building of character. One thing that struck me however, were how normal these people are. At least they start like that. It helps because then you realize there may be help for you too. Brooks introduces us to a wide range of people from Francis Perkins to Augustine. Brook uses these individuals to model particular virtues. Did you know Eisenhower carried this poem around? Take a bucket, fill it with water, Put your hand in-clear up to the wrist. Now pull it out;the hole that remains Is a measure of how much you'll be missed. SELF CONQUEST MODERATION SERVICE LOVE GRACE Just a few of the traits he illustrates. My personal favorite was the chapter about George Elliot. "Elliot was a meliorist. She did not believe in big transformational change. She believed in the slow, steady, concrete march to make each day slightly better than the last. Character development, like historic progress, best happens imperceptibly, through daily effort." There's hope for me yet. I was struck in this book about the love for the common man. That there is beauty in being common, in not being the star. NYTimes bookreview Also next up is General McCrystal's book Team of Teams-although he is looking at organization of teams in business I want to see how it can be applied to Education. Check it out.

Holocaust Literature/Film Evening

I am including my presentation from last night if you would like to see which books I reviewed. The film also is great-Fateless, Hungarian, true story.

Spring Read

I know you all think, she is so effusive, she couldn't possibly be that enthusiastic about that book-It has to be another exaggeration -But NO!!!!! this one is REALLY GOOD-REALLY!

It isn't what you would expect from Science Fiction, in fact I don't like Science Fiction and refuse to classify it as such. It just happens to deal with exploring a new planet. But wait, don't stop reading. It's about a Jesuit priest looking for God(on another planet), ok, now you're reading, huh? This is The Sparrow, written by Mary Doria Russell. It isn't new, it's just that her newest book, Epitaph, (about the gunfight at the OK Corral) came in. I was excited to read it but another book lover said, have you ever read her first one?(1996)

When you start the book, Father Emilio Sandoz has survived and returned from a Jesuit mission to another planet.Dated Rome: December 2059- he's in pretty bad shape but the powers that be want to know what happened. There is a lot of suspicion of wrong doing(a lot of wrong doing)-he is the only survivor-but the narrative switches to the past to tell the story of the exploration. The naration continues to switch back and forth and you won't be able to put it down. The characters are wonderful and the plot is really not predictable-that's the way your English teacher likes it. That and the question of God. Emilio will have to tell you that

Please Read This!

I have a very new one for you, one that completely stole my heart. Hard to do now, unless Gabriel Garcia Marquez can publish in heaven. Kazuo Ishiguro captures a nuance of life's mysteries in The Buried Giant, a fantasy. I know you think it will be like the Hobbit. Nope, it deals with something those of us that are aging or have a loved who is or perhaps someday will be.

If you need to get away for a little while, a need to be somewhere free from the modern world, pick up this book. I know, you say, I don't read fantasy. Yes, there is a quest, but the characters and situations are unique. The protagonists are elderly. In fact, their village has taken away their candle because they are afraid they are so old they will endanger the village with a fire. Sound a little like taking away the car keys? Well, the real greatness of the story is this couples' relationship which as you will see is not without troubles. It is in the main theme of memory(it's good and bad sides) that Ishiguro develops a nagging kernel of consternation within the reader. I can't seem to let it go. When I finished the book, I was in one of those rare states that transcend. Try it, I hope you agree.