Real life strikes again. Real life in the form of Internet crapping out at home (for two weeks!), grades, parent-teacher conferences, and (for the first time in nine years) a college class. Yes, that’s right. I am not only a teacher, I am now a student.
This past week I attended the first class for the course “Teaching Young Adult Literature.” How cool is that? A class to learn how to teach a genre of literature that I love. I was very excited when I first signed up for the class. I am a little leery after meeting the professor. She seems rather... rigid. And painfully perky. A strange combination, to be sure. I am keeping an open mind, though.
A couple nights ago I started reading the one and only text book for the class. I was not looking forward to this. All of my worst college memories center around trying to slog through poorly written, dry, boring academic writing. I decided to set myself a realistic goal: one chapter (38 pages.) Well, color me startled, I found it rather interesting. The book covers the definition of “young adult” and “young adult literature”, and tracks the history of the genre up through the mid-90's. The first chapter covered the genre definition and the “birth” of Young Adult literature (pre-1960.) Tomorrow I will read at least one chapter, perhaps two. Still manageable without being overwhelming or painful. By Monday I need to start on my homework assignment. Yup, I have to do homework. It’s so weird!
I’m looking forward to reading the actual Young Adult novels on our list. There are five all told, only one of which I have even heard of (The Book Thief.) This could be a great opportunity to add to my list of must-read books for young adults.
What list of must-read Young Adult literature, you ask? Why, the one I plan to share tomorrow, of course!
Showing posts with label real life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real life. Show all posts
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Returning to the fold
I am here. I am alive. I have returned... I hope.
Things have been a bit crazy in Shannon Land. NaNoWriMo kicked my butt and then abandoned me before the month ended. The holidays got crazy with chorus concerts and school holiday programs (never mind shopping and family parties!) I had a lovely out of town visitor that kept me busy for about a week. It is unusual to say this, but one week was not long enough. Really wish he were still here...
Just as everything cleared up and I was ready to start joining the blogosphere again.... WHAM! Literally. I slipped and fell on the ice in my school's parking lot, hitting my head on the pavement. I'm fine, not even a concussion (according to the ER doctors.) Sore muscles, head ache, a bit woozy. I am back to school, but perhaps should have stayed home another. Ah well.
Anyhow, I have actually been reading again. Yay! I have missed it so! I haven’t the time to do a review at the moment, but will be typing them up soon. Here is what I have o my list to review:
- Coming Undone (a category that I actually loved!)
- a Christmas anthology (sorry this is so late Nicola!)
- another OK category
- So Long and Thanks For All the Fish (not romance, but there is a sweet reason for my reading it)
In addition I will soon have a historical Western to review. My co-worker brings me books she has finished. Some are good, most are questionable. I have the entire series of "Seven Brides" written by Leigh Greenwood. The cover art is enough to make me run screaming. I was all ready to donate them to the local Salvation Army, but then Queen Bella Michelle informed me that the author is a man. Romance written by a man? This I had to try. I am only a couple of chapters in, so I will reserve judgment for now. I'll let you know what I think when I have read a bit more.
Things have been a bit crazy in Shannon Land. NaNoWriMo kicked my butt and then abandoned me before the month ended. The holidays got crazy with chorus concerts and school holiday programs (never mind shopping and family parties!) I had a lovely out of town visitor that kept me busy for about a week. It is unusual to say this, but one week was not long enough. Really wish he were still here...
Just as everything cleared up and I was ready to start joining the blogosphere again.... WHAM! Literally. I slipped and fell on the ice in my school's parking lot, hitting my head on the pavement. I'm fine, not even a concussion (according to the ER doctors.) Sore muscles, head ache, a bit woozy. I am back to school, but perhaps should have stayed home another. Ah well.
Anyhow, I have actually been reading again. Yay! I have missed it so! I haven’t the time to do a review at the moment, but will be typing them up soon. Here is what I have o my list to review:
- Coming Undone (a category that I actually loved!)
- a Christmas anthology (sorry this is so late Nicola!)
- another OK category
- So Long and Thanks For All the Fish (not romance, but there is a sweet reason for my reading it)
In addition I will soon have a historical Western to review. My co-worker brings me books she has finished. Some are good, most are questionable. I have the entire series of "Seven Brides" written by Leigh Greenwood. The cover art is enough to make me run screaming. I was all ready to donate them to the local Salvation Army, but then Queen Bella Michelle informed me that the author is a man. Romance written by a man? This I had to try. I am only a couple of chapters in, so I will reserve judgment for now. I'll let you know what I think when I have read a bit more.
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