I have been continuing to read up a storm in the attempt to finish all of the books from the top 100 novels list that I took home this weekend, but I did take the day off from reading to join my friend Jill in Heidelberg for a day of shopping!
view of the Heidelberg Castle which I visited yesterday with my friend Jill
The Neckar River
You are supposed to touch the monkey's mirror in order to have wealth in your life.
If you touch its tail you will have many children.
If you touch its tail you will have many children.
I finished Bridge to Terabithia this morning and I am now reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Again, I recall reading this book in 6th or 7th grade, yet my recollection of the story is pretty vague. I love that it takes place in Connecticut (where I grew up) and I am enjoying the writing so far.
As I read through these books, I am really noticing why they have become such favorites. The writing is great and some of them contain wonderful examples of literary elements. I really enjoyed the similes in Bridge to Terabithia like, "Mama would be mad as flies in a fruit jar if they woke her up this time of day." I guess many of the books that I now read as an adult (and of course all those education texts) just don't compare when it comes to fantastic writing. Some of them do, but it's refreshing to go back and read these stories and really appreciate the authors' skills and what students can learn from the texts.
I have also noticed a major theme emerging among these books. It seems that many of the main characters have experienced the death of both of their parents.
Anne of Green Gables
Mary in the Secret Garden
James in James and the Giant Peach
Jeffrey in Maniac Magee
Kit in The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Harry Potter
In the grand effort to practice what I preach, I have been trying to make connections as I read and oddly enough, it seems that each new book I begin has some connection or similarity to the previous one. It's cosmic! I am hoping to finish The Witch of Blackbird Pond today and I also have the Hobit waiting in the wings. I am not super excited about that one though (anyone have some great things to say to pump me up?). Between the two books to finish and my newly obtained copy of The Reading Teacher, I think you can guess how I will be spending my day!
How is your weekend going?
How is the weather where you are?
The sun finally decided to make an appearance again in Germany and I have a pretty good sunburn to show for it...
3 comments:
My weekend is full of end of the year activities... I made and burned 20 copies of a DVD which will be my gift to my sprouts. It's been raining all weekend here, which for some odd reason, seems fitting. :)
You should read, "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. It's fairly new and it's a trilogy. It's probably one of the best books I've read since "The Giver." It may not be on your new list, but you should absolutely read it! I couldn't put it down unless I had to eat, sleep, or go to school! =)
It's a young adult book and you will love it!
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