Sunday, September 17, 2017

Back to School...for the Second Time

When you go to bed at eight o'clock in the evening for two nights in a row...you know you are beat. Yes, school has started back for us teachers and school librarians (that's me) and principals and students. Again. This year, because of Hurricane Harvey, we started back to school in August, took off a week for our very-wet visitor, and started back again in September. Last week was my first complete week of school, and that, along with two parent orientation late nights at school, and, boy-oh-boy, I am one tired puppy.

I did manage to read two ARCs I brought home from BookExpo this week:


Forest Dark is two stories with two narrators; the paths of the narrators never cross. (I kept waiting. You kind of expect that, don't you?) Both narrators are at crossroads in their lives. The story of the rich old man was very compelling, as we follow him during his later years, abruptly, inexplicably, divorcing after a long marriage, giving away all his possessions, and moving to Israel. The second story is that of a well-respected writer who has writer's block and tries to remedy it by heading to Israel. 

I found Krauss to be a deeply wise writer; I kept marking passages I loved throughout the book. I enjoyed the narrative of the old man, but I never felt deeply caught up in the writer's tale. The last third of the book was a bit of a struggle for me to get through. 

Ultimately, I both liked and disliked this book. Maybe I'll resolve my issues with the lack of interconnectivity of the stories and my lack of affection for the writer's story on Monday night when I hear the author speak in Houston. I hope so.

I have loved everything A. J. Jacobs has written so far, and I'm happy to say that I loved his new book, It's All Relative, too. Jacobs takes on huge personal projects in his writing. This time, he takes on genealogy. He does all the DNA tests, and researches his family members from the past, and decides to put on a huge family reunion. Everything he does makes me laugh, and laugh out loud, and it takes something good to have me laughing out loud. It's All Relative is something good.



At the library this week, we got to visit with zee amazing Dr. Buks. She shared some pretty awful books with the children at my primary school. I think our students will think twice about putting a banana into their backpacks with their library books. 




Thanks to my librarian idol, Travis Jonker, and his marvelous blog, 100 Scope Notes, I've got some fun new reads to share next week with our students. I can't wait to see what they think about these.




What are you reading today?



What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week. 
 It is now being hosted here.

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.
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17 comments:

  1. I have been eyeing Forest Dark, but I think I'll pass, as I would be frustrated that the two narrators never connect. I like things to come together...LOL.

    Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. I hope you start feeling more rested!

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  2. Ooh, I like Jacobs too! I'll definitely have to check out It's All Relative.

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  3. I can relate on the exhaustion. It was a busy week with meet the teacher nights for both kids, plus music lessons for my older one and extra-curricular running club for my younger one. I'm pooped! And this weekend I've been busy cleaning and tidying up getting ready for company that is arriving next week.

    I haven't read any of those books, but I'll have to look for Jacobs in the library.

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  4. I hope to try Forest Dark and hope I can finish it though the ending might be difficult.

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    1. I don't think I'd have finished it if I hadn't been going to see the author tomorrow night.

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  5. I wasn't too far behind you in going to bed early, Deb. :-) I hope your week back after the hurricane went well. My cousin's kids had a few days off from school because of the storms that followed, and she was so glad when she could send them back to school.

    I really need to give Jacobs a try. I have his The Year of Living Biblically, but still haven't read it. His books sound fun. They bring to mind Mary Roach's books.

    I hope you have a great week, Deb!

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  6. 2 starts to the school year sounds twice as exhausting! I hope you have no more interruptions

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  7. I bet it was crazy having to start twice. Ugh.

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  8. Awww, hope the second week of school won't be so exhausting for you. I've not read anything by Jacobs yet, but this one sounds like something I would enjoy so thanks for putting it on my radar :)

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  9. I'm glad you are back to school. I hope this coming week is less exhausting. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  10. I'm adding It's All Relative to my TBR but am thinking I'm going to give Forest Dark a miss. I love characters at crossroads but I don't think it's the right book for me. I'm glad to hear you're back at school though I'm sure it's beyond exhausting. You had to have just gotten a routine going and then it all got disrupted again. Have a great week!

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  11. If I read Forest Dark, I'll do it as an audio. I think the separate stories won't bother me as much that way. Come see what I'm reading

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  12. "It's All Relative" sounds great -- I'll add it to my list. I'm glad I read your notes on "Forest Dark." The cover definitely sucks me in, but I definitely don't think I can do two separate stories that have no connection in one novel -- it'd totally throw me off.

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  13. You have been so calm through all you've been through this year with the storm. I want to read both the Krause and Fikrey titles. Thanks for the reviews.

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  14. This time of year is so crazy for a school employee! Enjoy sharing your book tidbits with the kids!

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  15. I'm visiting quite late this week :) those are funny photos! Have a great reading week :)

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  16. I want Dr. Buks to come to tea at my house. I'll bet my husband would recognize her this time.

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