Thursday, May 31, 2007

Feeling almost human again, and a new book challenge

I've emerged from my lair for a brief moment to catch up on some correspondence, make some entries in my book journal, and do some much needed blog updates. My big news for today is that I've joined the Newbery Challenge. (Well, actually I joined a few weeks ago but haven't had the opportunity to tell anyone.)

The challenge is to read six books from Newbery Medal Award Winners list by the end of 2007. Following are my choices, plus the Amazon blurbs that helped me pick. I tried to choose a wide variety of topics and a wide timeframe as well. The books will all be passed down to my granddaughter. :)

1923 - The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, by Hugh Lofting
(This is the only one on my list that I'm already familiar with -- one of my all-time favourites from my childhood reading days.)
Doctor Dolittle and all his animal friends head for the high seas in this amazing adventure. Told by 9-and-a-half-year-old Tommy Stubbins, crewman and future naturalist, Doctor Dolittle and company survive a perilous shipwreck and land on the mysterious, floating Spidermonkey Island. There he meets the Great Glass Sea Snail who holds the key to the biggest mystery of all.

1931 - The Cat Who Went to Heaven, by Elizabeth Coatsworth
This short tale is about a poor artist in Japan who is commissioned to paint a picture of Buddha's death. The story teaches children a little about Buddhism and about the concept of reincarnation. The artist paints pictures of the animals coming to be blessed by Buddha. But legend said that cats never came. The artist's cat, Good Fortune, wishes to be included in the painting. Finally, the artist relents and Good Fortune dies from joy. But the priests now no longer want the painting since it doesn't agree with legend. The next day, however, they change their minds when a "miracle" occurs. Coatsworth was well-known for her children's stories and this short story is one of the classics of children literature.

1941 - Call It Courage, by Armstrong Sperry
Mafatu lives in Polynesia. He has been afraid of the ocean since being a young child. Now his peers are teasing and saying cruel things to him about his fear. He knows that he must overcome his fear, so he sails out alone on the sea to prove to all that he is brave. This is an exciting tale of courage of a young boy who is trying to prove that he has a "stout heart." Enjoyable!

1956 - Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham
The story of a boy who had the persistence to master navigation in the days when men sailed by "log, lead, and lookout," and who authored The American Practical Navigator, "the sailor's Bible."

1989 - Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices, by Paul Fleischman
A children's book of poetry about insects that was designed for two readers to enjoy together. On each page are two columns of verse for children to alternate reading aloud about the lives of six-legged creatures ranging from fireflies writing in the sky to a love affair between two lice, crickets eating pie crumbs and the single day in the life of a mayfly.

1998 - Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse
A book so evocative you'll feel grit and dust in your teeth for a week. Karen Hesse has taken the Dust Bowl and narrowed her focus to a single family living in Oklahoma in 1934. Through the eyes of 14-year-old Billie Jo, the reader is treated to a series of poems describing the catastrophic events that come from living in a world of dust. Each poem is a small masterpiece, slowly expanding to give the inhabitants of Billie Jo's small Oklahoma town depth and purpose. You meet families migrating west to California, bums on railroad tracks. There are abandoned babies and musicians with names like Mad Dog Craddock and the Black Mesa Boys. To read this book is to find yourself completely immersed in the Depression with Hesse's voice ringing true on every page. The form of this book is perhaps the most impressive. Pulling off a successful book with a plot made entirely in verse is incredibly difficult. Imagine trying to write convincing character development through poetry alone. Fortunately, Hesse is up to the challenge and goes above and beyond the call of duty. You're in safe hands with this adept author. Just don't feel surprised if you suddenly find yourself fighting urges to shower after every dust-thickened line.

The Newbery Challenge is hosted by Nattie (click here). I was saddened to read on her blog this morning that she is being treated for cancer. My best wishes go out to her and her family.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

It's Over (for now)

Please don't let me sleep past July. Actually I need to be awake again by Monday so I can go on vacation in Wales.

I'll be back soon. Promise. As soon as I can stop my body from collapsing into a heap of useless jello.

*snore*

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Wonderful Words

The poem that follows really illustrates where I am in life right now. I truly feel that I'm standing on a precipice, one foot in the air, ready to take the next step. Joseph Campbell says: "As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump! It is not as wide as you think." This quote has truly shaped the decisions I've made in the past two years, and I encourage you to incorporate it into your life too. Enjoy this poem, and my thanks to Krow for her permission to post it here.

When you choose
To trust, to let go
And let life show
You it’s surprises
In all the translucent guises
Of realities you can infuse
With your being
Really seeing
your choices,
When you choose
To live
Really live
And enjoy your stay
Greet every day
As if it is your best and last chance
To dance
Your destiny,
Then, you are free
To be
All that you already are
And that is by far
The best life can give
When you choose
To live.

--Krow

Sunday, May 27, 2007

What's on Page 161?

This one's been making the rounds. I contributed an answer into Quixotical's comments section awhile back. I've been tagged now by Robin, and it's such a quick and easy one that I'm happy to do it again here. Besides, it gives me a chance to talk about two of my favourite things -- books and school. *grin* Here's the deal....

Page 161 Meme:

Grab the book that is nearest to you (no cheating), turn to page 161, post the text of the fifth full sentence on the page, post the rules, and tag three people.

Well, it will come as no surprise that the book closest to me is indeed a textbook (of sorts). Although, actually in the UK they don't use textbooks at all. This has been one of the most challenging changes in switching between North American and British universities. There were NO required textbook purchases. Everything we read for coursework here comes from peer-reviewed journals and books written by professional anthropologists, sociologists, geographers, historians, political scientists, etc. Most of us bought coursepacks that contained an assortment of photocopied articles and various book chapters from our reading lists. The coursepacks were convenient and handy (and HEAVY!), but were far from complete. The rest of the week's reading had to be gleaned from journal articles accessed on-line, or books borrowed from the library. Every week I set aside an hour or two that was dedicated strictly to locating/borrowing/downloading everything I needed. By the way, have I mentioned that my reading lists for the fall term were 52 pages long? :P

But NO textbooks?? Huh?? That threw me for a loop. There is no such thing as being asked a question for review homework, and turning to page 161 to find the correct answer. For me, this was a HUGE adjustment, and I've struggled with finding the brainpower required to pull it off. We'll find out on July 11th whether I've managed to fool them into thinking I know what I'm doing. ;)


I did purchase a handful of books through the year that I thought might come in useful in the future. One of these just happens to be the book closest to me. The title is The Anthropology of Politics: A Reader in Ethnography, Theory, and Critique, edited by Joan Vincent. (It's actually the top volume in a stack of seven that are currently raising my reading lamp up to a proper height to illuminate hours and hours and hours of daily reading. Teehee.) It's a collection of essays. The essay interrupted by page 161 is by Ann Stoler, and it's titled "Perceptions of Protest: Defining the Dangerous in Colonial Sumatra."

Page 161, sentence 5 reads: "Acts of submission permeated the social relations of everyday life, most evident in the use of language, and in the distinct social space that marked the rigidly imposed division between European supervisors and their Asian subordinates."

There. I bet that was WAY more information than you wanted. LOL! Back to the books with me now. Three more study days till my LAST exam. Wooo-hoooo!

I won't tag anyone else, but feel free to play if you wish. :)

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Four Down, One to Go

Thanks, everyone, for all your good wishes, and for the virtual coffee and chocolate, too. It's a wonderful thing to have your own cyber-cheering section. *grin*

Exams are going well, I think....but I won't get the results until July 11th....so keep those good vibes comin'.... I don't know if you all are familiar with the UK university grading system, so here's the scoop. I'm writing a total of five exams, and they cover the ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of material. And that's not all. They are worth 80% of my final mark. Nothing like a li'l pressure to keep the blood boilin', huh?? LOL!

I have one more to write a week from today, so back into the books I go. I SHALL RETURN!

P.S. If anyone ever asks you, tell them that writing four exams in eight days is INSANE!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Brain-Stretching Techniques, Anyone?


In case you're wondering.....This is where I've been spending all my time lately.... Slamming my head between the books. Over and over and over again. The only reason you don't see me here...doing a face plant into that binder...is because I had to get up to take the photo. Exams are looming, folks, and the pressure is on. If I'm not around much over the next two to three weeks, now you know that I just need you to send coffee....lots of pots of coffee.....and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Monday, May 07, 2007

blissful release

my heart is caught in a fist
of relentless desire and yearning
pry the fingers away
and let me breathe
my love will fly away
as butterflies in a hurricane
and leave me free

DLD/07MAY07

A Modern-Day Myth Cloaked in a Classic Tale

#24 - The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
Finished 5/6/07
Rating: 5/5
Total Pages: 839 (Palm Pilot)
Reason for Reading: 18th/19th Century Novel
REVIEW: We all know the story of Dorian Gray, but going back to the original novel was a true delight. Oscar Wilde is simply brilliant, and this depiction of a self-involved young man who uncovers the depths of how awful he can be is both mesmerizing and thoughtful. Wilde’s sardonic wit comes out most effectively through the character of Lord Henry, who delivers a scathing (and hilarious) commentary of London society in the late 19th century, along with a decidedly bleak opinion of all humanity.

* * * * *

W A R N I N G - - - S P O I L E R S

The story of Dorian Gray raises all kinds of interesting thoughts about the nature of evil in humankind. As I watched Dorian deteriorate into a most cruel and twisted human being, I wondered about what would happen to men who experienced no consequences of their actions. In Dorian's case, it wasn't only the aging process but also the blackness of his heart that was subsequently reflected in the painting. As the story progresses, Dorian becomes even more depraved. Yet it was less about lack of consequences and more about the pain inflicted on him by the knowledge of what was happening to the painting. In the end, I believe it was his need to be released from this inhuman destiny that drove his final actions.

The following quote is just one of the myriad of gems delivered by the ultimately pessimistic Lord Henry, whose opinions I loved to hate throughout the book....

“Why, my dear Basil, he is a Narcissus, and you – well, of course you have an intellectual expression and all that. But beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins. Intellect is in itself a mode of exaggeration, and destroys the harmony of any face. The moment one sits down to think, one becomes all nose, or all forehead, or something horrid. Look at the successful men in any of the learned professions. How perfectly hideous they are! Except, of course, in the Church. But then in the Church they don’t think. A bishop keeps on saying at the age of eighty what he was told to say when he was a boy of eighteen, and as a natural consequence he always looks absolutely delightful.” [p. 38]

The Picture of Dorian Gray
completes my goal for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. I believe this fits nicely into the "myths and legends" category, even if it's a slightly different choice than might be expected. However, there's no doubt that a painting that ages and a man that doesn't MUST fit into the category of fantasy somehow. *grins*

These last two books -- Fairy Tale and this one -- weren't on my original list but simply fell into my lap and begged to be substitutes. How could I refuse? So I took a "study-break" weekend, and curled up and read. I'm delighted that the last two books for the challenge both rated perfect 5's on my list.

A Deliciously Wicked Fairy Tale

#23 - Fairy Tale, by Alice Thomas Ellis
Finished 5/5/07
Rating: 5/5
Total Pages: 213
Reason for Reading: Recommended by a friend
REVIEW: Incredibly fun book, and just slightly creepy. *smile* A young couple moves to the Welsh countryside, and very strange occurrences ensue. Well written, clever, funny, and…. yeah…. just a little creepy. A quick and enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

* * * * *

There is no way to review this book without giving away bits of the plot, so I will say no more about the story itself. Just trust me. Read it. You'll love it.

Now....as to the reason I read it: My landlady handed it to me when she heard about my plan to head off to Wales for seven days at the seaside (four weeks from today....the countdown has begun). I've booked a "room with a view" in a quaint bed & breakfast, just steps from the beach. I am so looking forward to celebrating the completion of exams and the end of my school year at the LSE. I plan on doing plenty of reading, lots of writing, and having no decisions more difficult than whether to walk north or south on the beach this morning, and what wine to have with dinner. And oh yes....sleep. I'll be doing LOTS of sleeping.

I do hope I don't run into any strange men. 'Nuff said. (Eeek!)

Fairy Tale is full of wonderful strings of words. This is one of my favourites: "The days went by like carelessly turned pages, so that she seemed to have missed whole passages, and sometimes felt that she must have turned two pages without noticing." [p. 103]

Thursday, May 03, 2007

An Evening Walk


Sometimes I forget that I live in England.

The past seven months have gone by in a blur of books, essays, train rides, libraries, tutor appointments, classes, lectures, deadlines, clock-watching, and all of the mental activity that goes with getting used to living a whole new life.


The weather has been glorious this week. In the midst of my tight study schedule, I escaped for a short walk up the hill to enjoy the sunshine and the evening air. This is when it hits me with a jolt that I am actually, truly living in England. Looking around, breathing, drinking in the difference in the landscape, architecture, vegetation.

The photo above shows the houses on my street. Mine is down the hill just a bit further. Yup... it looks exactly the same as these. London suburbs tend to be very symmetrical. Symmetry pleases me. :) And why are the leaves red in the springtime? Who knows? The only thing I know for sure is that it's different and interesting....and I really do live in England.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

A Painful Story

#22 - The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Finished 5/1/07
Rating: 4/5
Total Pages: 391
Reason for Reading: b-a-w ATF list
REVIEW: A great read. The pages literally flew by. A painful story about family and betrayal, set mostly in Afghanistan over a time period of 30 years or so. Reading about the Taliban and how they treated the common people was certainly illustrative about how cruel man can be to his fellow man. The atrocities committed by this regime, driven by greed and an insatiable desire for power, made my heart ache with despair. Highly recommended, even if some of it is very difficult to read.

* * * * *

I'm still hurting from this book. The story will resonate inside my heart for a very long time to come. Completely by coincidence, while reading the news this morning, I stumbled across a five-minute slideshow of a medical unit based in Afghanistan, accompanied by audio voiceover. Powerful images. A painful reminder that young soldiers are dying in Afghanistan as the world tries to keep political power out of the hands of the Taliban.

The experiences recounted in The Kite Runner, in combination with viewing these photos, and knowing that dozens of Canadian soldiers have been killed in this ongoing campaign (seven last week alone, and of course all of the other soldiers killed in this ongoing conflict too) -- all of these have left me feeling distinctly uncomfortable and uncertain about the right way of moving forward in today's world. What are the lessons that we will learn from this -- as a human species? Surely there are better answers than human beings running around shooting each other? Yet alternative effective solutions have so far eluded the modern world. Sometimes everything seems very complicated. From what I've learned previously about the Taliban regime, and now what I've read in The Kite Runner, surely we must do everything we can to stop this dangerous and cruel faction from regaining control of the country.

Sigh.

And the battle goes on. And more young men will die. And it's all very real. Please read The Kite Runner, learn more about the Taliban by clicking here, and watch the slideshow (link below). Remember that real people are losing their lives over this.

The Guardian --> Britain's War in Afghanistan: Life and Death on the M*A*S*H Shift