Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Francophone Tuesday


    "Le buveur d'encre".  Literally: "Ink-Drinker".  Idiomatically: "Bookworm".

Monday, June 29, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    Bester sat and scribbled away at the back of the room, while I tried to keep in mind simultaneously 39 kids, lesson-plan, room passes, boardwork, Frost, troublemakers, scraps of paper on the floor, correcting their English, and enlarging the scope of the lesson to include moral and ethical concepts.

    I didn’t have time to cover half of the things in my Plan Book, and I forgot Summary and Windows, but I did ask “pivotal questions,” linking the poem to their own experiences.  Bester says I’m a born teacher!  Congratulate me!


    (from Up The Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman)

    8*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Friday, June 26, 2020

Boggle Tip


    The words I've gained the most points with in Boggle is "lea" (and its plural "leas"). The letters are so common that it's in almost every rack. Just write 'em down and garner the points.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Crazy English Thursday


    After you've seen it once, you'll remember it always.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    “Before I left England, my father received a letter from Grandda telling him not to worry, for my grandfather was making a vow to find me a husband.  You, sir, seem to be the candidate for groom.”

    Matthew smiled broadly at the nonsense of that last sentence, but when Berry’s face remained steadfastly serious he felt his smile collapse.  “That’s ridiculous!”

    “I’m glad we’re of a single mind on the subject.”

    “I don’t plan on being married to anyone, anytime soon.”

    “And before I marry I plan on making a living from my art.”

    An impoverished spinster for life, Matthew thought.


    (from The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon)

    9*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Music Tuesday


    The Billboard piece of trivia is in fact, true.  DSotM had amazing longevity on their "Top 200" chart.  Surprisingly, this is not my favorite Pink Floyd album.  Probably not even in the Top Three.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Bestsellers


    I gotta find this book.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    Nowhere is the white standard-setting more outrageous than when it comes to history.  When the topic is about anybody other than white folks, it has to be labeled: Black, Latino, Native American, etc.; but white folks have been allowed to own “history”.  As this planet’s original people, there is no history without us.  Further, even when we moved outside of Africa, from ancient Greece and Rome to the Russian Empire to the start of the American Revolution to today, black folks have touched all of humanity’s most significant events.  Neither the world nor America would be what they are today without the contributions of people of African Ancestry; let us be clear once and for all that black history is “history”.


    (from Defining Moments in (Black) History by Dick Gregory)

    7½*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Thursday, June 18, 2020

Global Warning



    Ha!  You thought I misspelled "Global Warming", didn't you?

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Paper Tiger


    Calvin & Hobbes RIF ("Reading is Fun") Edition.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

The Joys of Teaching


Just cuz I'm reading a book that takes a (light-hearted) look at the joys of teaching nigh school.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    “Since when do you open your own front door?”

    “It is a luxury to feel so secure that I don’t need armed men to welcome old friends.”

    “You’re taking a damned fool chance,” said Janson.

    “A luxury by definition is an indulgence.”

    “You’ll get yourself killed.  Or snatched.”

    “There are four concealed cameras over the alley.”

    “I saw them.  And the gas port.  It would not be easy to take you, but not impossible.”

    “Will I get a bill for security advice?”


    (from The Janson Command by Paul Garrison)

    7½*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Sunday, June 14, 2020

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Who to believe?


    So difficult to choose.

Friday, June 12, 2020

Safety Meetings


    I remember safety meetings like this.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    “We need something with which to protect ourselves, too,” Arturo mentioned.  “They have sharp teeth, and claws.”

    “I’m hungry,” Robert whined, rubbing his sizable stomach.  He caught a few glances and grimaced.  “What?  It’s a valid concern.”

    “He’s right,” Joe remarked.  “This probably isn’t gonna clear up in an afternoon, and we’ll need food.  It’s like ‘Nam all over again.  We need weapons, we need protection, and we need food.  We should split up.”

    “Then I need more booze, too.  I’m not gonna do this sober.”


    (from The Missing Link by Brandon Meyers and Bryan Pedas)

    5*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Virus Update


    Headline today in USA Today: Experts: Arizona's COVID-19 spread 'alarming'.

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

The Golden Compass


    Today only, for just $1.99 you can read The Golden Compass, Book 1 of Philip Pullman's fantastic His Dark Materials trilogy on your Kindle.

Sunday, June 07, 2020

Art Appreciation Sunday


    My great-great-great-great grandfather. This explains so much about my freaking hair.

Saturday, June 06, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    “I can’t forgive him for what he did to those poor prisoners of ours, of course, but I suppose some capricious cruelty is probably necessary in a ruler.  All in all, I think, and judging him by the standards of our own monarchy, we should have to give the Tippoo fairly high marks.”

    “So why the hell are we fighting him, sir?”

    McCandless smiled.  “Because we want to be here, and he doesn’t want us to be here.  Two dogs in a small cage, Sharpe.”


    (from Sharpe’s Tiger by Bernard Cornwell)

    8*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Friday, June 05, 2020

RIP Jorge Santana


Jorge Santana was the equally-talented younger brother of Carlos Santana, and Malo was his short-lived band who put out Santana-esque music that for some reason never sold well. I for one thought they were woefully underappreciated. RIP, good sir!

Thursday, June 04, 2020

Movie Reference Thursday


    Best movie ever.  Hands down.

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

Book Excerpt for the Day


    “Can you lift this, or should I work a pulley?”

    “I think I can get it, but be ready to spot me so I don’t drop it.”

    “There isn’t enough room in here for me to jump in and catch squat.  I’ll be right behind you watching it fall.”

    “Have I mentioned what a treat it is to work with you, Lyons?”

    “Hasn’t come up,” she answered.

    “Imagine that.”


    (from The Years Ran Like Rabbits by Anna Taylor)

    7*/10.  The complete review is here.
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Monday, June 01, 2020

To Reread or not To Reread


    I've reread Brave New World, Waiting For Godot, and Slaughterhouse Five. That's about it. Why read something a second time when there are zillions of interesting books out there that you haven't touched yet?