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Literature PD --Monday meeting SUMMER CHOICE

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 Monday, Sept. 29 SUMMER CHOICE

Just got the news we have been approved for 20 hours – 2 hours per meeting.  Plan on meeting next Monday to discuss the books and share our summer reading.  The Zoom meeting link is below. 

 

The Nickel Boys bu Colson Whitehead

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern


See Nija's email for Zoom link


I’ve attached a link to a piece in Vanity Fair by Jesmyn Ward. Marcy chose one of her books as a read for this year. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/08/jesmyn-ward-on-husbands-death-and-grief-during-covid/amp


More links from npr:

The Starless Sea:

https://www.npr.org/2019/11/03/775436518/youll-float-away-on-the-warm-waters-of-the-starless-sea


The Nickel Boys:

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/742129946/rooted-in-history-the-nickel-boys-is-a-great-american-novel


Sing, Unburied, Song:

https://www.npr.org/books/titles/547855239/sing-unburied-sing


Comments

  1. Brad CraddockSeptember 29, 2020 at 2:30 PM

    Sorry to have missed the discussion. Here's my thoughts about the books...

    Nickel Boys: as an example of historical fiction that hits hard and is well written, I don't think we could have chosen a better summer book--although, I have to admit I am longing for something a little more uplifting than the selections chosen.

    Whitehead is a skilled writer...that much is evident. His characters (Elwood, of course, but also others) are well constructed and recognizeable protagoniists, his scenes gory at times, detailed, and well constructed. Nickel Academy reminds me of some of the rooms I've visted in the district over the years (without mentioning any names) and reminded me of those British boys' school novels like Brideshead Revisited or even a Separate Peace--but with teeth. It's more like if Salo were mixed with Holes or the Chocolate War. Obviously, there's a lot to teach here. I think I'll be adding this one to a reading list this year.

    As for the other two books, I have to admit I haven't finished Sing, Unburied, Sing, but...well, I will. My students were shocked and disgusted by the goat scene. Starless Sea was a delight for a summer read, although I have to admit I found the metaphors a little heavy, but what do you expect from a fantasy?
    Reminded me of a postmodern C.S. Lewis book. This is obvious a book for book lovers and bibliophiles...our fantacist readers would like it, although I'm not sure it's "memorable" enough.

    I'm going to stop typing here...it's weird talking to myself without feedback from others. Here are some links for these books if you need them:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBsUk47hJzw

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acdH3nKXolY

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5E01GVW6gQ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brad CraddockSeptember 29, 2020 at 2:42 PM

    Oh...and I read a variety of books this summer, but the one "classic" I never read before and then did this summer was Watership Down. Thank god for rabbits that had nothing to do with Covid-19. I watched the Netflix series and had seen the old animated film from the 70s, but never read the book. I'm surprised just how true to the story both those films were. It was a pleasant read that brought me to tears at how pure the world could be and the desperate struggle to live in peace. If only...!

    Anyway, I'd be happy to talk about this book further (or the other ones) but I'm f#ckin' tired.

    ReplyDelete

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