Support your local library update #4

First some sad news - J. D. Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye passed away today. Apparently his death has made all the headlines and there is speculation as to whether or not a vault with unpublished manuscripts will be found (he liked his privacy and felt that publishing was an invasion of his privacy per a quote by him (can find the full quote on Carol Baldwin's blog). Thanks for passing this on Carol.

Now for the library update. I finished Princess, for a Week Wednesday night and am still deciding if it is a recommended read. I think for the grade level it is targeted to it would be a recommended read; of course reading it as an adult, I felt that it was a bit unbelievable in parts. It's hard to read children's books with the same mindset that they would read because I've been through my childhood and the books I vaguely remember reading at this age group (the review says it is geared for 3rd through 5th grade, but I'd read it more like it was geared towards 1st and 2nd graders. The writing seemed simplistic and like an early reader, learning to read type book) were nothing like this (of course I was that young about 40 years ago).

The book was enjoyable but just a little basic for me. I guess it's time to start reading some more adult books to shake my mind up a bit - lol. Started Death at Devil's Bridge and apparently there is a book prior to this but I couldn't find it in the library system or didn't look to see that there was one before. I don't think I'll really have trouble catching up with the characters though (so far not). Will keep you all posted - E :)

Support your local library update #3

I forgot to post this here but did post in the wiki for the class to see my updates. I finished reading The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice Saturday. I read the second "ghost" story by the same author, The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs, and for some reason found the first one to be a bit better. They were both good but the first seemed fresh and good for the targeted age group but I felt almost like everything in the second book was expected to be there. Still some plots and twists.

Speaking of checking out books from the library, on my previous posting, I talked a little bit about Flygirl by Sheri L. Smith. Well, my friend Carol Baldwin is going to interview her for the newsletter she and Joyce Moyer Hostetter have, TalkingStory. To sign up for the newsletter, go here. It is a 3-step process to sign up for the newsletter but well worth it. If you need some inspiration or want to follow Carol's research, go to Carol's blog and check out the postings of all the information she is gathering for upcoming YA novel about a young mixed racial girl growing up in the mid 1900s. If you are a teacher or homeschooler who is into writing and teaching writing, check out Carol's book - Teaching the Story. It is full of activities and lesson plans to get the ball rolling so to speak.

Will report on my next book soon. I have two more to read from my check out a week ago and then it will be time to get some more books. I hope Mr. Hughes' class is reading like crazy too so they can get these cool prizes I have for them. Until next time, keep reading and see you all in the postings - E :)

Support your local library update #2

As in my previous post, I put four books on hold and picked them up this past Friday. I started Princess for a week while I was in the car Friday night but felt a little bored with it. I will finish it but I decided when I got home that night or maybe it was Saturday night when I started reading again, I picked up Flygirl and I just finished it last night. I stayed up until about 4:30 finishing what I had to finish (read about 2 -1/2 hours to finish it). I'm not the fastest reader but I hold my own.

I would recommend this book to all young people thinking about becoming a pilot or even joining the military, especially young minority women. With all the advances we have had over the last 50 or so years in the military equipment and even allowing women to participate as soldiers, pilots and other areas of interest, it is still rough for a woman, no matter where you come from. I remember when women were allowed at West Point (my father retired from the Army there) and the big deal then was how to cut their hair, what style would work best for keeping with the short, Army standards and still look good on women and be acceptable. I was in need of a haircut at the time (my hair was getting very scraggly), so went to the barbershop on base. At the time, Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hammill had been big on TV (not sure if it was about the time of the Olympics or not), so anyway, when I sat down in the chair, the barber asked me if I could be a guinea pig for a free haircut. I agreed and they did one style, felt it wasn't short enough and then decided that would go with something like how Dorothy Hammill wore her hair. I walked out of there a couple of hours later with a "Dorothy Hammill" bob, which was what used at first. Short and cute. Now, some 30 odd years later, the styles for women's hair seem to not be so short but still has to be neat and kept out of the way. Hair can be a killer, especially if you work on machinery or fly planes or just about anything that is done nowadays.

Flygirl is a must read for anyone who wants a glimpse in the life of a young light skinned, black woman trying to make it in a "whites only" organization. Thanks go to Carol Baldwin for using this as a research book for her upcoming novel and recommended it. Check out your copy from the library and read today. See you in the postings - Mrs. E :)

Support your local library update #1

I've checked out four books and have started reading the first one. Our library is now on a state-wide lending program where when we place a hold on a book it can come from one of ten library systems. Since I placed a hold on the four books over the weekend, I couldn't get them until yesterday.

I checked out the following four books with plans to read them probably by the end of the next week:

Princess For a Week by Betty Wright
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith (thanks to Carol Baldwin for recommending this as a must read)
The Ghost at Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice (just finished reading The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs by her and this is apparently the first in the series of "ghost" stories)
Death at Devil's Bridge by Cynthia DeFelice (figured I would throw in another by the same author just to see how the writing compares; don't think this is part of her series)

I'll do reviews of all the books I read for Novelspot.com so when I've finished reading and the reviews are posted, I'll let you know. Keep reading and see you all in the postings. Mrs. E :)

Support Your Local Library challenge

What a wonderful way to support your local library and accomplish that reading goal you have set for the new year. Follow the link of the title to sign up for the challenge. The challenge runs all year long. Here are the guidelines for the challenge:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click on the link on the original webpage (J. Kaye's Book Blog).

2. There are four levels:

--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

6. Challenge begins January 1st and ends December 31, 2010.

Since Mr. Hughes' sixth grade class all signed up for and received a library card back during Library card month, I think I will challenge them to participate and post their readings on the group wiki we have for our writing challenges. A book a week would be great to see everyone reading. See you all in the postings - E ;)

Tragedy strikes

Our family (including the marching band family) has lost some friends to a tragedy. A house fire took their family between 11:30 and midnight on January 2, 2010. You will all be missed. Our prayers and thoughts for the family you left behind.