Featured Review
The Focus: 2019
01
To Kill a Mockingbird
Likely the heaviest novel SME freshman will have encountered to date, we will be spending ample time discussing matters of equality, social justice, as well as looking at Mockingbird through different Literary lenses.
02
Romeo and Juliet
So many students are the cusp of their first romantic encounter--that's just the way it is. What better way to equip them than to have them explore literature dealing with similar conflicts that exist in their own lives and dominate their minds?
03
Me Before You
In keeping with the idea of celebrating the experience rather than lamenting the loss, Me Before You evokes some of the strongest emotions a person can feel, and deals with topics very prevalent in our society today such as classism and disabilities.
04
The Glass Castle
In my personal pursuit of reading 30 books a year, I began with memoirs. The show-stealing one is none other than The Glass Castle. What a demonstration of human endurance and the result of letting vices encompass one's life this is. I keep this story in the back of my mind as a representation that no matter how much you think you know about your students, you just don't know everything.
05
Why Not Me?
In keeping with my memoir pursuit, I've started Mindy Kahling's (from the Office) memoir about her life as a comedy writer. It's pretty good, but it's a very quick read. That doesn't imply I have ample time to finish it.
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06
Ain't I a Woman
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07
When Brando Met Blanche
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08
TBD...
09
TBD...
10
TBD...
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Tag Cloud
TOP 10 Books of 2018!
1.
Diary of a Young Girl--Anne Frank
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2.
Winter of Wishes--Charlotte Hubbard
3.
Autumn Winds--Charlotte Hubbard
4.
Yes, Please--Amy Pohler
5.
We should Hang out Sometime: Embarrassingly A True Story--Josh Sundquist
6.
Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austin
7.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl--Harriet Jacobs
8.
A Breath of Spring--Charlotte Hubbard
9.
Bossypants--Tina Fey
10.
Old Willis Place--Mary Downing Hahn
Top 10 books of 2017!
01
Sense And Sensibility
Jane Austen's tale of three sisters and the fragility of young love, and a stoic, yet yearning heart.
02
Luna
Reagan's brother Liam has been a girl for as long as Reagan can remember. But how do these two siblings deal with being the only people to know Luna's secret?
03
A Step from Heaven
Young Ju's journey from South Korea to America was supposed to be the opportunity of a lifetime for her father and her American-born brother. What happens when one turns to alcohol and the other is indifferent in school? Where does Young Ju's future lead her in a land that is almost heaven?
04
Speak
Melinda has to begin her first year of high school just like everyone else--but with a little twist, everyone in the school hates her on day one! Is this hate justified? Does she ever show the student body that she is MORE than just an outcast?
05
Jane Eyre
This is the ultimate redemption story for a hero that just doesn't have anything going for her. Plus it's Gothic romanticism makes it a cult-worthy read of it's own literary generation.
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06
Recitatif
Zora Neale Hurston's short story deals with racial tensions, the foster system and the development of two very different lives with a commonality. Great for a single sit down read.
07
The Skin I'm In
Maleeka is just trying to make it through middle school on the cooler side of life. She has cool friends that she does homework for in exchange for being seen with them, and the collect girl in the bunch gives her trendy clothes. Everything was fine until some know-it-all teacher comes along and makes Maleeka out to be a smart kid with an incredible knack for writing.
08
Handle with Care
Jodi Piccoult's law-based dramas are addicting, and Handle with Care, is no exception. Willow is a little girl with a failing family, and a disability that causes her bones to break with ease. What happens when mom sues her best friend--and the obstetrician that oversaw her pregnancy of Willow?
09
The Twelfth Night (Play)
Loosely based on Amanda Bynes' movie "She's the Man" (or, is it the other way around?) Shakespeare's funniest comedy comes complete with cross-dressing, confusing love affairs and the teasing of an over-the-top butler!
10
Between the World and Me
Coates addresses his son on the matter of racial tensions in America--and eloquently. This read is a must for those looking to expand their line of thinking, and understand that we are not all free in this country.