by Gordon Korman
Carver County Library, audioCD, 4.5 hours
narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross
Students have been raving about this book, so I finally listened to it while doing laundry yesterday. It reminds me a bit of Millions and a few other "kids vs. adults" books. My favorite bit was Logan playing backgammon with Mr. Mulroney. I wondered how Korman would bring the elements together in the end - nice job. Ross' narration was irritating. He gave the kids, especially Ben, particularly whiny, nasal voices.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Inkheart
by Cornelia Funke
Carver County Library, audioCD, 15:36 hours
narrated by Lynn Redgrave
Having read the book many years ago and having watched the movie last month, I was curious to see how close the book & movie are. I wish I'd had a Venn diagram to track the differences as I encountered them! In some ways, this is a wonderfully crafted story. I think I like the movie better overall, though. The book is actually pretty dark . . . with a strong emphasis on lying and deceit (even by the main - "good" - characters). It's also a bit of a love story to books and writers. It seems almost narcissistic. Lynn Redgrave's narration is exquisite. She captures the different characters' voices and moods quite effectively.
Not sure if I want to read the rest of the series, but I think I'd watch the movie again. It doesn't hurt that Brendan Fraser is one of my favorite actors.
Carver County Library, audioCD, 15:36 hours
narrated by Lynn Redgrave
Having read the book many years ago and having watched the movie last month, I was curious to see how close the book & movie are. I wish I'd had a Venn diagram to track the differences as I encountered them! In some ways, this is a wonderfully crafted story. I think I like the movie better overall, though. The book is actually pretty dark . . . with a strong emphasis on lying and deceit (even by the main - "good" - characters). It's also a bit of a love story to books and writers. It seems almost narcissistic. Lynn Redgrave's narration is exquisite. She captures the different characters' voices and moods quite effectively.
Not sure if I want to read the rest of the series, but I think I'd watch the movie again. It doesn't hurt that Brendan Fraser is one of my favorite actors.
The Silent Gift
by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 362 pages
Christian / inspirational fiction
The best part about this book was Jodi's ranting and raving about how much she disliked it during our book club discussion. I wasn't quite so vehement, but it's one of the less cohesive stories I've read in a while.
Mary gives birth underwater after her husband has driven the car off the road and watches as it sinks. Jump eight years. Mary is a devoted mother to the deaf and mute Jack, but her husband Jerry is a mean, selfish, abusive jerk who can't stand either one of them. Travel through most of the midwest encountering rich people, scoundrels, governors, jail, a poor house with a psycho doctor, a circus, revenge plots, etc. Until you get to the end and Jack shares his insights from beyond the grave.
It wasn't a terrible book, but it was far from great. My favorite part? Listening to Jodi talk about how stupid it was. Now *that* was entertaining.
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 362 pages
Christian / inspirational fiction
The best part about this book was Jodi's ranting and raving about how much she disliked it during our book club discussion. I wasn't quite so vehement, but it's one of the less cohesive stories I've read in a while.
Mary gives birth underwater after her husband has driven the car off the road and watches as it sinks. Jump eight years. Mary is a devoted mother to the deaf and mute Jack, but her husband Jerry is a mean, selfish, abusive jerk who can't stand either one of them. Travel through most of the midwest encountering rich people, scoundrels, governors, jail, a poor house with a psycho doctor, a circus, revenge plots, etc. Until you get to the end and Jack shares his insights from beyond the grave.
It wasn't a terrible book, but it was far from great. My favorite part? Listening to Jodi talk about how stupid it was. Now *that* was entertaining.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Study in Scarlet
We finished off our discussion today. It was rich! But we missed Brad. So many ideas and opinions - we had to work to take turns talking. Mrs. Garcia wanted to join us, but wasn't able to because of our team meeting. Some other adults commented on our group and how interesting our discussion was.
Most of us thought that the "part one - part two" business was too abrupt. The back story (ala "Lost") was interesting and helped us understand Jefferson Hope and the murders, but it was so strange to travel from 221B Baker Street to the Mormon wagon trains in Utah.
Overall, most of us enjoyed the book and had fun picking apart the clues, the characters, and the story's plot line. No one officially took care of treats, so we just raided the chocolate jar on my desk.
Most of us thought that the "part one - part two" business was too abrupt. The back story (ala "Lost") was interesting and helped us understand Jefferson Hope and the murders, but it was so strange to travel from 221B Baker Street to the Mormon wagon trains in Utah.
Overall, most of us enjoyed the book and had fun picking apart the clues, the characters, and the story's plot line. No one officially took care of treats, so we just raided the chocolate jar on my desk.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
We met at lunch today to discuss the first three chapters. Our group is growing! We had lots of sugary treats, courtesy of Sara (and Claire). We agreed to complete the book by next Monday, since it's a short book and it's hard to discuss it when people are at different points in the book.
Most of us are enjoying it and like Sherlock Holmes as a character. We talked about learning and the brain, induction and deduction. Interesting group!
We've selected our next three titles: The Hunger Games, The Thief Lord, then The Hobbit. We also talked about a sleepover event in February as part of I Love to Read month.
Most of us are enjoying it and like Sherlock Holmes as a character. We talked about learning and the brain, induction and deduction. Interesting group!
We've selected our next three titles: The Hunger Games, The Thief Lord, then The Hobbit. We also talked about a sleepover event in February as part of I Love to Read month.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sherlock Holmes and Awesome 8th Graders
Today our 8th grade book club met to talk about The Hound of the Baskervilles. We decided to tackle another Sherlock Holmes novel, so we'll read A Study in Scarlet next. I was looking for some info on Holmes and found that our own University of Minnesota has a large collection of memorabilia. Cool! Check it out here. It will be fun to watch a video of Baskervilles and do a compare & contrast.
Jonathan made fresh apple pie for us. Yum! What an amazing group of young people. Sara's going to bring treats next time. The group wants to meet every Monday so we can talk about the story while we're reading it and not just when it's over.
Some of our favorite words from Baskerville: grotesque, moor, melancholy, Esquimau, dolichocephalic, and baronet (Date: 1614: the holder of a rank of honor below a baron and above a knight, according to www.m-w.com). Most of us really like the British terms!
Jonathan made fresh apple pie for us. Yum! What an amazing group of young people. Sara's going to bring treats next time. The group wants to meet every Monday so we can talk about the story while we're reading it and not just when it's over.
Some of our favorite words from Baskerville: grotesque, moor, melancholy, Esquimau, dolichocephalic, and baronet (Date: 1614: the holder of a rank of honor below a baron and above a knight, according to www.m-w.com). Most of us really like the British terms!
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