A Closer Look at Racism

In graduate school,  I had the opportunity to read many books and scholarly articles on student development theory. I explored racism, sexism, and many other ideas that students (or adults) in general grapple with in this coming of age time of life. While I could go into detail about Astin, Erickson, Cross, Helms theories on student/ self/racial identity  development theories, I think it is more important to realize they are there.

This week I decided to read "Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverley Tatum. While it brought up many of the ideas that I study, it brought up real issues of racial tension and white privilege that start at a very young age. I am not sure that this book was  full of brand new information for me because of articles I have read in the past, but it is always good to be reminded. I liked that it presented research and action items without being to text-booky.

Tatum has made much progress for the community. However, much has changed since the 1990s. Racism is still part of the American culture. Students still have major discrepancies in the education system, but the more aware we are, the more change can be created.

If anyone works with people directly or wants more context in how they deal with people, I highly recommend this book!

November book list is about to come out!


Happy Reading!

RED RUM

Please pass the...Rum.. that is about how I feel after reading Stephen King's The Shining. In a true Halloween spirit, I read two haunting stories back to back. Not the brightest idea I have ever had. I am not impressed with either.

Parts of the book make you squirm and turn every page. Other parts of the book I was left wondering how in the world this related to the story. Additionally, after about 400 pages into the book, I figured out most of the story (200 pages in I figured out over half of the story). E for effort, but I have heard there are other King books that are better.

Stephen King is known for being a wonderful writer. I am just not sure I like horror writing. I think I will give him another chance...

Now I am reading Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?  It is hard to believe the end is in site. I will post November books soon!

Happy Reading!

Ghost Story within a Classic

Well, there are books that you hear about your entire life that people just tell you to read. Toni Morrison's Beloved was one of those for me even though I had no idea what it was about other than post civil war slavery.

Over the weekend, I took a break from the Shining (yes it is finished now) and read Beloved. While it was an interesting story, I am not going to stay I liked it. First, I was really confused. The story jumps around quite a bit and the characters jump around in who controls the narration. After reading a complete character list the story made much more sense.

The story takes a dark turn as the house 217 is haunted by "Beloved" the daughter of Sethe. Sethe and her daughter Denver live in isolation in a town post Civil War and work through the past that "Beloved" brings about. It is weird and hard to read at times. While the character development is amazing at times, it is just an okay book. The haunting is a little weird as well.

Not my favorite. I just finished the Shining and will blog soon.

Happy Reading!

A Look at Death

Morrie Schwartz is a truly amazing guy. Confronted with ALS he wanted to share with the world wisdom on Death and Life. While some people were introduced to him through his TV interviews, for me I met him through Mitch Albom's book Tuesday with Morrie (see blog post). I was so excited to learn he wrote down his own thoughts and words in a book called: Morrie: In His Own Words.

Morrie: In His Own Words is a great reflection on Life and Death. It is literally written on his death bed. With that being said, it was a little hard to read. It was a little dark and sad. The message is good, but I would read this in context with Tuesday with Morrie to understand his story. Good advice though!

Sorry this post is about a week late, I was distracted. I just finished up Beloved and I am about half-way done with The Shining. My goal is to finish The Shining and Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria. I will then have 18 books left for the last two months of the year. Exciting!

Happy Reading!

October Books

Wow it is hard to believe, we are heading into the last stretch of 2013 and the last 27 books. That is technically 9 books a month. I am not sure how the last months will play out, but I am excited. Choosing some of the last books has been interesting. Goodreads is my savior. It is great to take in suggestions and filter out what I want to read this year and what I want to read in the future.

Right now, I have 11 books on the October list. I am not sure how far I will get on the list, but I would love to knock out 10 with the holidays coming up. We will see. Thanks for always reading the blog and supporting me along the way. As always, send me your suggestions, feedback!

On a side note, I spent the weekend at the Baltimore Book Festival. It was amazing.

Keep Reading!

Happy Reading!

Fellowship of the Ring,  J.R.R. Tolken  (I am still working on this from September)
The House of Hades, Rick Riordian
Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Trip to Heaven and Back, Todd Burpo
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
Morrie in His Own Words, Morrie Schwartz
Fish:A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, Stephen Lundin
Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?  Beveley Daniel Tatum
Beloved, Toni Morrison
The Shinning, Stephen King
Middlesex,  Jeffery Eugendies