tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post2473822164708834261..comments2023-10-11T10:47:01.605-04:00Comments on Sunshine and Lemonade: What Kind of Reader are You? Part 2Keys to the Magic Travelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634829064005032831noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-80971383561486649472008-08-31T10:02:00.000-04:002008-08-31T10:02:00.000-04:00I'm a couple days late on this one...but I still h...I'm a couple days late on this one...but I still have to comment.<BR/>I've always been an avid reader...as a kid all kinds of "SweetValley High", kiddy romance novels, VC Andrews, etc. etc. <BR/>I could not stand high school English Lit...I liked the teachers just fine, but in my opinion they destroyed the classics for me...when I read, I like to enjoy and get into the story. I don't like to dissect it to figure out the yellow outfit in this chapter meant this and the green hat meant that...Yuck!! Unfortunately, this has stuck with me into adulthood. I tend to stay away from the classics like it carried the plague...<BR/>As an adult, I still stick to popular fiction and read voraciously.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04528100540382167568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-50415897277950171182008-08-30T17:08:00.000-04:002008-08-30T17:08:00.000-04:00I read this earlier in the week but was so busy wi...I read this earlier in the week but was so busy with work. This a struggle that I face as a reading teacher. I want to instill a love of reading but it is my responsibility to also nurture comprehension ad other skills. I try o find a balance between assigning books and offering choice. <BR/>I am also modeling what I want students to do. I read current books, classics, textbooks...But most importantly I talk about and recommend books to my students. And I listen to books that they recommend to me. Great post, Kat.The Joye of Teachinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03727498498120154330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-25548177827959094952008-08-29T18:15:00.000-04:002008-08-29T18:15:00.000-04:00I loved reading at high school - I think I was the...I loved reading at high school - I think I was the only one in the class who would read and reread the required text many times. Perhaps I was just lucky with the choices.<BR/>I loved Brave New World - it was one of the books we studied.<BR/><BR/>Now, some Australian classics you should try - Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, A Fortunate Life by AB Facey, and My Place by Sally Morgan.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02638994355372964966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-5158835053584753842008-08-29T15:43:00.000-04:002008-08-29T15:43:00.000-04:00I'm a little bit slob, a little bit snob. I don't ...I'm a little bit slob, a little bit snob. I don't like trashy romances or mysteries, but will read Chick lit like there's no tomorrow. My high school English teacher my freshman year was amazing. To this day she remains one of my all time favorite teachers. She went so far above and beyond the required reading... it just expanded our horizons so much.<BR/><BR/>As a freshman I read:<BR/>Anthem -Ayn Rand, Animal Farm - George Orwell, Great Expectations - Dickens, Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night's Dream, I think we read The Odyssey or parts of it. And that's all while having to read one novel per quarter on our own! She fostered a love of literature in me that thrives to this day.<BR/><BR/>I majored in English in college, so I have a love the classics, especially Shakespeare, Austen, and Dickens. And as for the novels I read now, most of it is popular fiction.<BR/><BR/>And I LOVE that you have "Rhapsody in Blue" on your player right now!!!!Sydneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17396011907508627172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-13790726614812829532008-08-29T14:12:00.000-04:002008-08-29T14:12:00.000-04:00I totally agree with you about how the classics we...I totally agree with you about how the classics were boring in High School....everything except Shakespeare. I had a great teacher...that helped.<BR/><BR/>Most of the others you mentioned though...yuck. Our book club read Pride and Pejudice and I was terrified at the thought! :) It is actually really good. We saw the movie after. We also read John Steinbeck's East of Eden and To Kill a Mockinbird. I liked them all...but I have to admit I'm more of a Best Seller type of girl. Right now I'm hooked on the Twilight series.<BR/><BR/>My Dad really encouraged my love of reading. He would take us all to the library and let us pick out whatever we wanted. I try to do the same thing with my kids....so when my 8 year old is reading Captain Underpants or The Diary of a Wimpy Kid...I think at least he's reading and enjoying it.Kathi Roachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14561294422476174702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-81446860354722772112008-08-29T13:51:00.000-04:002008-08-29T13:51:00.000-04:00It REALLY depends on my mood. I do enjoy reading J...It REALLY depends on my mood. I do enjoy reading John Muir because of his descriptions of nature and I love his adventures. He is very poetic.Insane Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772208953959596713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-68453188131144286042008-08-29T11:26:00.000-04:002008-08-29T11:26:00.000-04:00I am an avid reader... devouring anything I can ge...I am an avid reader... devouring anything I can get my hands on (except romance novels - so not a fan of the cheese). <BR/><BR/>In college I was an English major - focusing on literature. Sadly, I can not remember most of the books I read. I don't think I appreciated any of it then - and should probably re-read some of the books. Lucky I had the gift of gab and could BS my way through any paper.<BR/><BR/>My favorite genre was black history. The writing is so real, so raw. Favorite author there - probably Zora Neale Hurston.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16493268452074516009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-39985547574893529202008-08-29T11:15:00.000-04:002008-08-29T11:15:00.000-04:00I hated anything by any of the Brontes, Austen, et...I hated anything by any of the Brontes, Austen, etc...<BR/><BR/>I LOVED Huxley, Rynd, Orwell, oddly enough..Hawthorne. <BR/><BR/>I liked some Shakespeare, but not all of it.Mama Dawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056327117924455147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-69221763558057660362008-08-29T10:33:00.000-04:002008-08-29T10:33:00.000-04:00what an awesome post!!! so thought-provoking...and...what an awesome post!!! so thought-provoking...and before i forget and move on: you had a friend that stayed at the Broadmoor for a WHOLE WEEK!!!! nice friend you've got there...that would cost a year's income alone (possibly, its not like i've done the research!)<BR/>i think that kids should be guided in what to read. there are so many movied made based on books that you should start with some movies and in they are enthralled with that, see if they want to read it...it will be easier for them to follow b/c they already know the characters and the basic sotryline.<BR/>i enjoy reading as much as you, but i am the same way and haven't read too many classics b/c they are really heavy reading. <BR/>i think that the public school system needs a huge overhaul and among other things changing the teaching styles of teachers so that they are *telling* students what they should know and learn, but rather bringing literature and history and things like that into context so they actually do mean something to the studuents. i always enjoyed my classes more when i could see a connection to me and my life at that time. (ok long commment....)Tamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17874273695706797628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-69962408262588676382008-08-29T09:15:00.000-04:002008-08-29T09:15:00.000-04:00I just went back & read all the comments, and ...I just went back & read all the comments, and I think Jennifer P. has great taste in books!! :)Nissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935538545726778017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-73065998883866294612008-08-29T09:09:00.000-04:002008-08-29T09:09:00.000-04:00I've always loved to read- I think it depends how ...I've always loved to read- I think it depends how you're raised (and perhaps is a bit hereditary). Kids learn the love of reading at such a young age. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I believe you should read whatever makes you happy. You shouldn't be forced to read something you cannot connect with, because it does indeed take all the joy out of reading. I let my son read all the books he want. Some of it is what I'd consider good reading, others are just fun. I myself love to plop on the couch for a free afternoon and read a trashy romance. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It still beats the heck out of TV because at least you still have to use your imagination to picture the characters and see their interaction.<BR/><BR/>In high school English, I was introduced to George Orwell, who I probably would never have given a chance, and 1984 has been my all time favorite book since (You reminded me, I need to reread Animal Farm- it's been years and years). I also loved Lord of the Flies, and a few others that I wouldn't have picked on my own.<BR/><BR/>In one of my high school English classes the textbook would give us a chapter or 2 of classic books and we'd analyze them. I liked it, because we didn't have to read all of books we might not like,(Beowolf -icky icky icky!), yet would intrigue us enough to go and read some others (I loved Dante's Inferno). <BR/><BR/>Did I have a point to this? I don't know, but you really made me want to go pick up a good book, Kat!Nissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935538545726778017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-75240425660365748072008-08-29T03:36:00.000-04:002008-08-29T03:36:00.000-04:00I went to an alternative high school and we didn't...I went to an alternative high school and we didn't have a Lit class. We did have plenty of required reading in middle school and I hated ALL of it! The books they chose were so boring and the teachers all talked to us like we were a bunch of idiots. <BR/><BR/>I was always a voracious reader and read everything I could get my hands on as a kid. I wasn't a big fan of books for kids (think: Scholastic) and preferred things like Edgar Allen Poe and Agatha Christie.<BR/><BR/>I don't "require" reading with Cody. He's severly dyslexic, and I'm more concerned about him learning to love reading than him reading a particular book. If there's a classic that I'm wanting us to try, I'll either read it to him or get it on audio book. After the Swiss Family Robinson fiasco (we HATED it!), we'll now quit reading a book that we abhor.Firefly Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09742562729182149224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-19531274942995910732008-08-29T00:30:00.000-04:002008-08-29T00:30:00.000-04:00I came back to comment... when I was here earlier,...I came back to comment... when I was here earlier, my girls heard Gershwin playing and came running! They recognized this piece of music from Fantasia 2000 and wondered what I was looking at on the computer!<BR/><BR/><BR/>As far back as I can remember I've loved books and reading. I can remember getting the Little House series for Christmas when I was in 3rd or 4th grade... they were by far my favorite gift!<BR/><BR/>All of my high school English teachers encouraged my love of reading... whether it was reading Shakespeare in 9th grade... or Willa Cather, Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald in 11th...Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13655298574868899841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-88854825180719422022008-08-28T22:36:00.000-04:002008-08-28T22:36:00.000-04:00I've always been resistant to enjoying assigned re...I've always been resistant to enjoying assigned reading, no matter how great the book. (This is why I'll never join a book club) I think if I were to go back now and re-read some of the classics that I was forced to read in school, then I might enjoy them. One that I never HAD to read was Catcher in the Rye and it's one of my favorites of all time. My senior quote in the yearbook was one of Holden Caulfield's lines. Brilliant.Angie's Spothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12687477302115487336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-58648305480728184492008-08-28T20:59:00.000-04:002008-08-28T20:59:00.000-04:00I LOVE that Hemingway story you mentioned. It's s...I LOVE that Hemingway story you mentioned. It's so vivid in my memories. I love short stories though.<BR/><BR/>I have a hard time reading some of the classics too.<BR/><BR/>My English teachers always inspired me, but sometimes I did feel we dissected what we read a little TOO much.Rheahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-19332334914081877022008-08-28T20:20:00.000-04:002008-08-28T20:20:00.000-04:00I read books like I drink wine ... any damned I wa...I read books like I drink wine ... any damned I want. I say we should just be glad they are reading. Who cares if red is supposed to be for red meats ... I say read 'em if you got 'em!Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12625167400178091316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-63733095794525950722008-08-28T20:12:00.000-04:002008-08-28T20:12:00.000-04:00I love Shakespeare--but he's kinda hard to rea...I love Shakespeare--but he's kinda hard to read. I love Austen--but she's kinda hard to get into. I love Hemmingway, but he can get too angsty & long-winded. Therefore I take the easy route--I watch the movies. <BR/><BR/>And now I'm praying my high school AP English teacher never knows I said that.<BR/><BR/>I do love Kate Chopin..."The Storm" and "The Awakening" were brilliant. I also love Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper." And Alice Walker's "The Color Purple." (Wrote senior thesis on that one.) Apparently I like a lot of female authors.<BR/><BR/>Oh...I also love "Doomed Loved," by Virgil...that's my kind of thing. <BR/><BR/>And now everyone knows that I do read "real" literature outside of Stephenie Meyer's novels. Ha!<BR/><BR/>Great post, Kat...Lula!https://www.blogger.com/profile/18341753113164178323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-29123009929310707042008-08-28T20:08:00.000-04:002008-08-28T20:08:00.000-04:00Thanks to all of you for your comments - I think t...Thanks to all of you for your comments - I think they were all just as long as my post - and perhaps even more thought out! :-)<BR/><BR/>Classics really kick off a lot of feelings. And I am trying to get over my hesitations. Because, honestly, I read just as much "regular" fiction that I want to throw against a wall.<BR/><BR/>For the kids, Katie reads some twaddle. But she reads a lot that is pretty good too. And for Madalyn - if she can get excited about a book - then I would be excited, too. <BR/><BR/>And Jennifer P - Lord of the Flies was the first book I read that I GOT. I really saw the symbolism in it. All on my own. It's pretty empowering!<BR/><BR/>And Hot Tub Lizzy - I am so with you - that we can appreciate things more as adults. Part of that article in the paper today was a lament of an English teacher about "Catcher in the Rye" being moved from 11th grade to 9th. And that the kids in 11th grade could really identify with Holden Caufield - on a level that they would not get in 9th.Keys to the Magic Travelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15634829064005032831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-82147840322313179302008-08-28T19:06:00.000-04:002008-08-28T19:06:00.000-04:00I don't even remember reading for recreation in hi...I don't even remember reading for recreation in high school. Perhaps I did and don't remember, but more than likely I was too busy reading those classics. And hating them. I did like Animal Farm and all of its symbolism. I know I read A Tale of Two Cities, The Great Gatsby, and some Shakespeare, and I remember a bit of each, but I'm sure they'd be more meaningful now.<BR/>As for the students (since my kids don't read yet!) I have noticed a lot more of the comic book style non-fiction being popular, especially with the boys (4th grade). It's not something I would choose for them, but if they enjoy it then I'm okay with it. The 2 series I hate hate hate are Captain Underpants and the Goosebumps. CU is just assinine, and G gives me the creeps. <BR/>Great questions!Finding Normalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15542473853342128094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-71105012224118354332008-08-28T18:23:00.000-04:002008-08-28T18:23:00.000-04:00I love reading but that is not because of my Engli...I love reading but that is not because of my English teacher. Totally hated her. Hated all the required reading too! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by my blog today for the tour of Colorado! I appreciate it!Aubreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317389855681798096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-65743454582973530512008-08-28T17:07:00.000-04:002008-08-28T17:07:00.000-04:00Whoops! Hit post before editing. What I meant to s...Whoops! Hit post before editing. What I meant to say was:<BR/><BR/>I, on the other hand, DID fall in love with Dickens and Shakespeare. (Though I have a love-hate relationship with Hemingway, and did indeed throw Thomas Hardy's Mayor of Casterbridge against the wall) I started reading very young, when my parents were still in college, and I picked up whatever was around the house and read it. It seems like the "classics" are being rather overlooked these days, with my son entering his senior year much more well versed in Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou than Dickens, Hemingway and Thoreau, which I think is a shame. (Because I think it ought to be a more well rounded experience.) I remember thinking that many of the books we read in school were negative drivel... the years I got the most out of my lit classes were a)the years they let us pick from a list instead of having one book that everyone had to read and b)the year my British Lit teacher organized a trip to England. (Well, yeah!) ;o) BUT my advice to you is, read Moll Flanders. It's so darkly funny I kept laughing out loud the whole time I was reading it, and had to keep explaining myself to my husband, who thought it was odd I was getting such a kick out of it.amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787138442619387489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-66115398605407237082008-08-28T17:04:00.000-04:002008-08-28T17:04:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787138442619387489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-26009434263186382162008-08-28T16:51:00.000-04:002008-08-28T16:51:00.000-04:00Oh, I litterally threw "Prague" against the wall. ...Oh, I litterally threw "Prague" against the wall. I also needed to walk away from "The Golden Compass" for a bit (the bc I am in is mostly teachers so we read a children's book once a year).scargosunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14911826980781124597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-35142400678773962332008-08-28T16:49:00.000-04:002008-08-28T16:49:00.000-04:00I am a middle of the road gal. Reading stimulates...I am a middle of the road gal. Reading stimulates my brain in a very good way, whatever it is I am reading. I can take something away from a Nora Roberts book just as well as learning something profound from a Hemmingway. HS classes in English are forced to teach to the test so very little time is spent helping the kids with the connection to the classics. I remember when I first got some of the humor in Shakespere and it was like finally understanding Algebra. I got it and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that connection. <BR/><BR/>My advice is to let your kids read what ever comes to them. They will read what peaks their interest. Sometimes those interests may seem like 'junk food' but the reading, the love of it, will stay with them forever.scargosunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14911826980781124597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692904496256051846.post-9035204770341442492008-08-28T16:16:00.000-04:002008-08-28T16:16:00.000-04:00Wow, you're deep today. :) I love to read, b...Wow, you're deep today. :) I love to read, but classics sometimes kill me. I SO want to love Emma and Pride & Prejudice too, but I just can't get into them. I enjoy the movies however. I don't think my English teachers ever made us read many classics. I remember Romeo and Juliet and To Kill a Mockingbird, oh and Of Mice and Men, but that's it. Maybe I've just blocked it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com