Holiday Stress Release

No, it's not Yoga, but it will clear your mind of all your worries.

David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks, has a new one called Slade House. It's a little one that will cause you to read furiously. Each chapter has a different narrator, although that's not uncommon, it it is fun. The first one is autistic, which really gives a unique aspect to the action. The character Nathan says "Mum says I have to learn how to Blend In more, but there aren't any classes for Blending In." Mitchell speaks from experience here as his son is autistic. Nathan looks into the houses as he walks by and sees Godzilla pick up a train on a TV. He says, "makes no sense because amphibians don't have thumbs." I love characters with real vision. Each chapter will draw you in a little more and leave you dying to solve the mystery. Yes, it isn't very holiday themed but then you might just have enough of that going on at your home already. And yes, there is a problem with soul sucking. But with all the awful things in reality, isn't it nice to read something that can't happen? And at least most of us can be assured we can keep our souls. The character development is great, as are the settings and details, although they do keep shifting. Keep this in mind for your holiday gifts as well, it's a little yellow book with a cutout on the cover. A great stocking gift for readers in your family. Also, you can have it read in a weekend and then share with your friends. NYTimes review.

Have you felt guilty about reading?

Ok, not because you should be fixing some fabulous meal or that you should pay more attention to your fascinating spouse, but because you feel guilty not finishing a book? I don't like to give up. I always think it's me. But The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher challenged my determination. Don't worry, I did finish, but boy it took me way too long. It is not because it isn't a really good read, it is just that in parts the details about all the people involved in the investigation distracted me from the main conflict. That of Mina Crandon, medium, and Harry Houdini. This is about a time period in the United States, after WWI, that people so longed to speak to their dead sons, brothers and fathers that Spiritualism took hold. Mina, a well respected upper crust young woman began to hear from her dead brother.

Things soon got out of hand. She was pretty but it's amazing what a little ectoplasm can do.

I found her character and motivations fascinating. The Scientific American was out to prove life after death. They set up a contest and started exposing a lot of frauds. Houdini was on the committee. Because of his acumen with magic tricks, he was especially qualified to spot a sham. It really is a fascinating story, especially when you realize that they thought psychic power was scientific. It makes sense, really, radio waves brought voices into their homes and they couldn't see them either. NPR liked this book and their review is excellent. Be patient with this one, it really is worth it and remember, don't feel guilty.

The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

Rosemary by Kate Clifford Larson is a must read. Please pick this one up. Larson writes a very compelling and compassionate biography of the Kennedy's oldest daughter. Actually, even though it is such a engaging read, it will break your heart. I have a Master's in Special Education and my early years of teaching were in this field. It is heart wrenching because of the mis-diagnosis of Rosemary, and her consequent treatment. She had been kept in the birth cannel by the midwife who would not deliver a Kennedy baby without the high priced doctor present. He was two hours late. After that Rosemary developed more slowly than her siblings. In a family of highly competitive achievers, you can imagine how her self concept was damaged. She had to repeat kindergarten and then repeated first grade. I will give the story away here, but her early years did have some happiness. However as a young adult, twenty-two, she became too difficult to handle. For Joe Kennedy, her behavior was a threat to the careers of the older boys. Hence when the promise of a new "treatment" loomed, Kennedy rushed to Dr. Freeman for a lobotomy for Rosemary. The results were tragic. Worse was the isolation that Rosemary now suffered. None of the children knew where she was. Even her mother didn't know for a long time. I think the tremendous insight into the family, the revelation of attitudes toward the disabled at the time and the tender portrayal of Rosemary herself make this the best read of the fall. "In her engaging and compassionate Rosemary, Kate Larson illuminates the poignant story of a resolute girl falling behind in a glamorous and competitive family. Rosemary's own story comes alive against the broader and often shocking background of twentieth-century attitudes toward the intellectually disabled, and sheds fascinating light on how the characters of Rose Kennedy, Joe Kennedy, and Rosemary's famous siblings were indelibly shaped by her determined yet tragic life."-Will Swift Listen to the podcast from NYTIMES. Some of our younger readers are not even aware of this important story; this might make a great gift of knowledge to them.

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.

Non-Fiction Focus

This is a fascinating, but difficult book to read and unfortunately almost impossible to put down. Wendy Lower sets up a slow background to what young German women were thinking and doing during the Holocaust. She follows several specific women in particular, of very ordinary natures. A nurse, a secretary, and wife. She then brings the reader to the horrible truth of what these women took part in. They were not innocent, they were not manipulated, they were perpetrators. In spite of the atrocities these women participated in, most of these women were never tried. The Germans were reluctant to prosecute and were after 'bigger fish'. I think it important to remember that there are so many stories we haven't heard. And it is so important to recognize and honor these stories. NY TIMES BOOK REVIEW In April, the L.C. is going to be hosting a Holocaust Literature event where I will be focusing on some of the great work in our library dealing with Holocaust stories. Please join us. I will also be showing a film and leading a discussion forum. The other work that I would like to suggest reading is The Secret Rooms. "The true story of a haunted castle, a plotting duchess, & a family secret".

A True story written by Catherine Bailey that tells of her research at Belvoir Castle and the secrets that the family hid and lied about. The story was not what the researcher intended to tell so as she uncovers missing time in the meticulous records of the Duke of Rutland she begins to ask why and we the reader are hooked into the mystery. A very compelling read and a fascinating story of English royalty and WWI. Does power corrupt? Who really is guilty? A troubled child, a mysterious dead brother and a very controlling mother. Like Downtown Abby? give this a try-what a plot-we wouldn't believe it if it were fiction. NY TIMES BOOKREVIEW

Black History Month in the Judge LC!

You are all invited to the African American Read-in in conjunction with the National Teachers of English on Feb. 20th in the LC. We will be presenting and reading all the wonderful works by African Americans. We have quite a few new additions to our collection you might want to check out! A new and very powerful work by Claudia Rankine called Citizen was recommended by our own Mr. Holder!

Beautifully written and insightful, a window into a different perspective; one that most of us need to examine. NPR BOOK REVIEW

Another interesting selection is A Chosen Exile by Allyson Hobbs. This account is about countless African Americans passing as white between the eighteenth and mid-twentieth centuries, as such, a chosen exile. "Although black American who adopted white identities reaped benefits of expanded opportunity and mobility, Hobs helps us to recognize and understand the grief, loneliness, and isolation that accompanied-and often outweighed-these rewards." NYTIMES BOOK REVIEW A National bestseller, Life on the Color Line by Gregory Howard Williams recounts his memoir about his journey to find his identity when as a young boy he learned the truth about his heritage. He tells of "the hostility and prejudice he encountered all too often, from both blacks and whites." Review

Not by an African American author but a great historical insight into the hidden history of the Underground railroad, brand new Gateway to Freedom by Eric Foner(Pulitzer Prize-winning author), really a fascinating read.