Today while writing about W. S. Merwin, the newly announced 17th Poet Laureate of the United States, I discovered a poetry treasure on the Library of Congress' Website. Poet Charles Simic shares "A few things to keep in mind while sitting down to write a poem." His seven guidelines are simple, yet profound. I know some of us like to try our hand at writing poetry, and that students are given poetry writing assignments. Simic's list is an inspirational aid.
(Photo: Lydia and me in the stacks at the Library of Congress, February 2010.)
Can You Keep a Secret? This romantic comedy by Sophie Kinsella, read by Kate Reading on the Books on Tape version, is an excellent listen for a long drive or a daily commute. As always, Kate Reading is outstanding.
You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours." That has happened in my book life. I've passed through a dry spell of not finding anything that looked interesting to read. And now, all of a sudden, I have a stack by my bed and a growing pile on my desk that I'll never get through even renewing them the full extent allowed by the library. So I thought it would be good to begin a 2010 list of Books to Read for when I'm needing that next one. Here is the start of that list.
Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life by Frances Mayes
Your Brain: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald. (I think a better title for me would be -- Your Missing Brain: The Manual for Finding It)
Life is Friends by Jeanne Martinet
The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet (I saw this book mentioned on the cover of Life is Friends.)
So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Woman by Stephanie McClellan and Beth Hamilton, both M.D.s
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Thirteen year old Jordan Romero of the United States today became the youngest person ever to summit Mt. Everest. Photos and details are at his Web site. In his honor, I compiled a book exhibit at the library. Here are a few of the included titles.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (my favorite) View From the Summit by Sir Edmund Hillary To the Top of Everest by Laurie Skreslet (nonfiction for children)
Everest (A Fiction Series for Kids) by Gordon Korman The Contest (Book One) The Climb (Book Two) The Summit (Book Three)
This month I ran across a list of 50 Best Blogs for Teen Readers on the Website OnlineDegrees.net. The list is divided into five categories: General, Book Reviews, Book Lists and Recommendations, Teen Readers, and Librarians. Take a look and let me know which you like.
Celebrated annually during the month of May, Asian Pacific Heritage Month recognizes the culture and traditions of those Americans who trace their ancestry to the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
In honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, a brief list of suggested titles for kids.
Buster Changes His Luck by Marc Brown
Chang’s Paper Pony by Eleanor Coerr
The Ch’i-Lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories retold by Linda Fang
The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 by Laurence Yep
The Jade Dragon by Carolyn Marsden
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month honors the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander peoples who have enriched America’s history, and provides opportunities to learn about the diverse culture of Asian Americans. The celebration was established in 1977 as Asian Pacific Heritage Week, and became a month long celebration in 1990. May was chosen because it is the month in 1843 when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S.
Five Picture Book Suggestions - The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale by Koko Nishizuka
William Shakespeare is the most renowned English playwright and poet in history. Details of his life are sketchy due to the fact that little documentation remains besides his writings and a few church documents including his baptismal, marriage and burial records. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on or about April 23, 1564. Records from Holy Trinity Church indicate that he was baptized on April 26. He was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a glover and leather merchant, and local heiress Mary Arden. On November 28, 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Their first child, Susanna, was born on May 26, 1583, and twins Hamnet and Judith were born on February 2, 1585. Hamnet died at age 11, but Shakespeare’s wife and other two children outlived him. Scholars estimate that Shakespeare arrived in London in about 1588 and began to work as a playwright and actor. By 1594 he was acting and writing for London’s most popular and successful theater company of the day, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, as well as serving as the group’s managing partner. He is credited with writing 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two narrative poems. As with his birth, the date of William Shakespeare’s death is a guess -- April 23, 1616. Church records do show that he was buried at Holy Trinity in Stratford on April 25. In 1623, two of Shakespeare’s colleagues published the First Folio, his collected plays, half of which were previously unpublished. Special thanks to Dora Lee for the graphic.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens is the American author and humorist Mark Twain, best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Twain was raised in Hannibal, Missouri, along the Mississippi River, and was licensed as a steamboat pilot in 1859. He worked on the river until the Civil War, when fighting interrupted river traffic. He then worked as a traveling reporter, writing stories from all across the United States. This led to his writing career.
His life along the Mississippi River influenced much of his work, and his pen name comes from a common riverboat term for testing the depth of water. If a crew man called “Mark Twain” it meant to check for a depth of 12 feet, the minimum depth required for a river boat to travel safely. Nobel Prize-winning American author William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature."
April 21, 2010, marks the centennial of Mark Twain's death.
Photo is courtesy of the Library of Congress creative commons - public domain collection.
National Library Week is an annual celebration that highlights the value of libraries and librarians. Join the 2010 celebration April 11 - 17 with a visit to your local library. Here are ten picture books with a library theme to read with your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, or students.
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins
Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book by Alexander Stadler
Our Library by Eve Bunting
Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Winston the Book Wolf by Marni McGee
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is considered the "father of the modern fairy tale," but he also wrote poetry, novels, travel journals, plays, and three autobiographies. His most famous stories include The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Red Shoes and The Snow Queen. A statue of The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen harbor honors Danish born Andersen. His birthday -- April 2 -- is celebrated as International Children's Book Day. In 2010 Google noted the writer's 205th birthday by replacing its logo with depictions of Andersen's Thumbelina.
Robert Pinsky, U.S. Poet Laureate from 1997-2000, invited Americans to share with him their favorite poems, and from their letters he compiled this anthology. This may be a great book to start with for National Poetry Month.
Recently I met Peter Armenti, Digital Reference Specialist at the Library of Congress. His love and expertise is poetry, and he compiled this Online Resources Guide to Pinsky and his work.
Begun in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is celebrated each year in April. I know it is yet a few weeks away, but I could not resist and today began compiling a list of poetry resources. These are some of my favorite poetry Web sites.
Whether for love or friendship, I enjoy giving Valentine's greetings. In a used book store I came across a little book of Valentine sentiments called Yours 'till the Ice Cracks: A Book of Valentines by Laura Geringer, illustrated by Andrea Baruffi and published in 1992 by HarperCollins. A few of my favorites:
Be my valentine. Yours 'til the desert disappears.
On Sunday, January 24, PBS will air part one of Masterpiece's new version of Jane Austen's novel Emma. Parts two and three will follow the weeks of January 31 and February 1, respectively. Beginning on Monday, January 25, the series will be available for viewing online.
A highlight of the Emma debut on January 24 will be a live Twitter Party from 9 to 11 p.m. (EST). Posts should be tagged with #emma_pbs, and can be viewed on TweetGrid (PBS' own aggregator) or an aggregator of your choice.
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, and lived in England until her death in 1817 at the age of only 42. Her novels are:
About ten years ago at an estate sale, I purchased for 50 cents a small hard cover book titled, Daily Food for Christians. Inside the front cover is a penciled inscription which reads, "Dec. 23, 1908, To Janie From Mollie." I keep this daily devotional on my night stand and occasionally read the day's entry before bed. I thought I'd start a new project for 2010 and post photos of old books I've collected. I'm beginning with this book of daily readings. A little sleuthing reveals that the publishing company -- Henry Altemus Company -- had its start in the 1820s when Henry Altemus' father Joseph began book binding in Philadelphia. In 1842 Joseph and his brother Samuel founded Altemus & Co. When Joseph died in 1850 of Typhoid Fever, his 20 year old son Henry took over the business, working with his Uncle. By the 1860s Altemus & Co. was one of the largest book binders in the United States, with about 150 staff. In 1900 Henry incorporated the company to Henry Altemus Company. Afer his death in 1906, Henry's four sons continued the family business until 1936. It is exciting to own a bit of history. I especially wonder about Janie and Mollie. I assume this book was a Christmas gift from one friend to another. Where did the book travel these past 102 years, and what did it mean to its owner(s)? It is interesting to consider the history of a book.
The complete list of the 31 books I read in 2009 is in the right column. Six of the titles I listened to on CD while driving, but I do count these in my "reading" list. My Sunday, May 3, 2009, post names the six books I started but stopped before completion this year. No need to waste valuable time on books I don't like when there are more books to read than I'll be able to get to in my lifetime. The book that will transition from 2009 into 2010, because I won't finish it before the stroke of midnight on December 31, is Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. I read it once before, long ago. Recently I read somewhere that we never really read the same book twice because when we re-read a book we bring to it the experiences we've had since last reading it. How about you? At this time of year when lists and reviews are popular, which books have you read? Which have you put aside? Which do you plan to re-read? Share with me in the comments section.
I love lists. I like reading lists. I thrive on making lists. Today I discovered a list of lists, perfect for those of us who especially like the end of the year, decade in review kind of thing. From Fimoculous.com comes Lists: 2009, an aggregate of all lists related to 2009. Topics include architecture, art, automobiles, books, film, gadgets, photos and travel. Now I'm inspired to begin my own list of 2009 and decade favorites. I think I'll start with books (of course).
For almost two years librarian Cheryl Hannon and I worked from different states via e-mail to create an updated book list for the Iditarod Web site. It is posted, and we are proud. Take a look at Books About Iditarod and Alaska. (Photo by Mcoughlin, used with CC permission.)
The Twilight Saga - New Moon opens in theaters at the magically appropriate midnight hour. The movie is the second installment based on Stephenie Meyer's four book series. The first book, Twilight, was rejected by 14 agents before finally being published in 2005. Following in close order were New Moon (2006), Eclipse (2007) and Breaking Dawn (2008). As I put the books on hold for girl after girl coming to the library, I dismissed the series as teen girl silliness until my own daughter encouraged me to read it, and I couldn't put it down! Now vampire romances have proliferated. Have you read any of these 2009 releases? (photo by Susan Larson)
Bite Me by Melissa Francis
Eternal by Cynthia Leitch Smith
The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire by Tricia Telep
Fade Out by Rachel Caine
Royal Blood by Ellen Schreiber
Stargazer by Claudia Gray
Tempted: A House of Night Novel by P. C. Cast
Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer
Vamped by Lucienne Diver
The Van Alen Legacy: A Blue Bloods Novel by Melissa De la Cruz
On November 1, 1512, the public for the first time tilted heads back to view the ceiling masterpiece of Michelangelo: the frescos of the Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo in 1506 to completely redecorate the chapel, and he reluctantly accepted. He was, after all, a sculptor. But his reluctant acceptance lead to the incredibly famous nine scenes from the book of Genesis which adorn the ceiling.
In his book Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, Andrew Graham-Dixon writes, "The fresco cycle as a whole radiates a powerful and sometimes oppressively strong sense of introspection. Looking at it feels almost nothing like looking at the real world. It feels, instead, like looking inside the mind of the man who created it." Reviewer Richard Cook says the book is an accessible look into the mind of Michelangelo.
In conjunction with Teen Read Week, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) announced the winners of this year's voting for the top ten young adult books for 2009.
1 Paper Towns by John Green
2 Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4 City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
5 Identical by Ellen Hopkins
6 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7 Wake by Lisa McMann
8 Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
9 The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
0 Graceling by Kristin Cashore
YALSA reports that more than 11,000 readers age 12 to 18 voted online for their favorite titles of the year. I can personally comment on three of the titles on this list. I enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final novel in the Twilight series, although I considered it the weakest of the four books.
The Graveyard Bookby Neil Gaiman was not to my liking, and I quit reading it at about the fourth chapter. I thought it too dark. Not everyone agrees with me, though. The book won the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. Then again, the Newbery Medal has been loosing respect in recent years as the winners have not been as universally popular as they once were.
One of my daughter's tells me that The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the best book she has ever read. I plan now to read it. I looked at it when it was first published, but it sounded too depressing for my liking. My daughter says parts are sad; but that it is an excellent book.
What about you? On which of these top ten can you comment? Is there a book you would add or delete to the list?
Celebrated annually from September 15 – October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the culture and traditions of those Americans who trace their ancestry to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish speaking countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, here is a brief list of suggested titles.
Books for Preschoolers
Diez Deditos = Ten Little Fingers and Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin Americaby Jose-Luis Orozco
In English and Spanish, Orozco provides songs, rhymes and finger-plays with the actions explained for caregivers.
Dona Flor by Pat Mora
This is a tall tale about a giant woman with a big heart.
Frida by Jonah Winter
A whimsical introduction to the life of painter Frida Kahlo.
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy
As Martina interviews potential husbands, her grandmother gives her some shocking advice.
Books for Kids
Baseball in April, and Other Stories by Gary Soto
Eleven contemporary short-stories tell of the lives of Mexican American families in California.
Ellen Ochoa: The First Hispanic Woman Astronaut by Maritza Romero
A profile of the life of the first Hispanic woman astronaut.
I, Juan De Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
Juan, who serves the great painter Velasquez, secretly teaches himself to paint, gaining respect and freedom.
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
Sixth-grader Tyler Paquette befriends a migrant Mexican family working on his family’s Vermont farm.
Books for Teens
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
Chicago high school student Violet Paz reluctantly prepares for her quinceanera.
Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez
Winner of the Pura Belpre Author Award, this is the story of fourteen-year-old Manny Hernandez and his search for respect.
Someone Like Summer by M. E. Kerr
An upper-middle-class white girl from Long Island and an immigrant worker from Colombia fall in love despite objections from their families.
The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales
Sofia discovers that her experiences as a scholarship student in Austin strengthen her ties to the family and friends she left behind in the barrio of McAllen.
Books for Adults
In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd by Ana Menendez
A collection of poignant and humorous interrelated short stories that tell the lives of Cuban immigrants in Miami.
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Three young wives in the Dominican Republic, assassinated after visiting their jailed husbands, become mythical figures in their country.
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
Winner of the 1990 Pulitizer Prize for fiction, this is the story of brothers Cesar and Nestor Castillo who come to New York City from Cuba in 1949 with plans on becoming mambo stars.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The history of the Buendia family is also the story of the rise and fall of their mythical town, Macondo.
Driving home this evening, I heard poet Albert Goldbarth read his poem Shawl on The NewsHour. Goldbarth is the only poet to twice win the National Book Critics Circle award for poetry. He won it in 1991 for his collection Heaven and Earth: A Cosmology, and in 2001 for Saving Lives. Of his 25 books of poetry published to date, To Be Read in 500 Years is his most recent, published in 2009. Goldbarth is also the winner of the 2008 Mark Twain Poetry Award from the Poetry Foundation. Goldbarth does not own a computer. He writes longhand in spiral bound notebooks with inexpensive pens. When he feels a poem is complete, he types it. In his interview on The NewsHour, Goldbarth said, "It feels to me as if I were born to write, that that's why I was put on Earth, and I've been trying to be the best poet I know how to be." I was so taken with Goldbarth and his poem Shawl that when I arrived home I immdeiately sat down to share them here.
'Shawl'
Eight hours by bus, and night
was on them. He could see himself now
in the window, see his head there with the country
running through it like a long thought made of steel and wheat.
Darkness outside; darkness in the bus -- as if the sea
were dark and the belly of the whale were dark to match it.
He was twenty: of course his eyes returned, repeatedly,
to the knee of the woman two rows up: positioned so
occasional headlights struck it into life.
But more reliable was the book; he was discovering himself
to be among the tribe that reads. Now his, the only
overhead turned on. Now nothing else existed:
only him, and the book, and the light thrown over his shoulders
as luxuriously as a cashmere shawl.
