Keep coming back each month to find something new to read. It won't always be a novel. Look for plays, poems, short stories and more!
Summer 2018--The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
Looking for a series to get you through the summer? Like animals? Like adventure? Like a medieval setting? Then this is the series for you. Originally conceived as stories for blind children, Jacques uses diction to easily assist you in painting pictures in your mind as you read.
You could start with the first book written in the series, Redwall, but if you are in it for the long haul, make sure to read the stories in Chronological Order in relation to events within the world of Redwall Abbey.
You can also find a graphic novel version of of Redwall. Also, you can plunk your younger siblings in front of the TV to watch the cartoon series, which covers the stories of three novels.
Take a break from fun in the sun, and enjoy the fun in finding a new world.
Looking for a series to get you through the summer? Like animals? Like adventure? Like a medieval setting? Then this is the series for you. Originally conceived as stories for blind children, Jacques uses diction to easily assist you in painting pictures in your mind as you read.
You could start with the first book written in the series, Redwall, but if you are in it for the long haul, make sure to read the stories in Chronological Order in relation to events within the world of Redwall Abbey.
You can also find a graphic novel version of of Redwall. Also, you can plunk your younger siblings in front of the TV to watch the cartoon series, which covers the stories of three novels.
Take a break from fun in the sun, and enjoy the fun in finding a new world.
May 2018--Dune by Frank Herbert
Dune is considered one of the greatest novels in the science fiction genre. If you are willing to tackle the book (it is big), you will be met with philosophical and political storylines that blend with the science fiction to bring a well-rounded story that ages well.
For those of you chillin' in Salem, there is a secondary reason to read the book...you have to help represent and support your city and her children. Frank Herbert graduated from Salem High School (we would call it North Salem High School now). That's right, local boy done good.
If you find you enjoy this book, then you are in luck! Herbert wrote several sequels. After Herbert died, his son worked with another writer to publish prequels to his father's stories. In short, you have plenty of reading material for the summer.
Dune is considered one of the greatest novels in the science fiction genre. If you are willing to tackle the book (it is big), you will be met with philosophical and political storylines that blend with the science fiction to bring a well-rounded story that ages well.
For those of you chillin' in Salem, there is a secondary reason to read the book...you have to help represent and support your city and her children. Frank Herbert graduated from Salem High School (we would call it North Salem High School now). That's right, local boy done good.
If you find you enjoy this book, then you are in luck! Herbert wrote several sequels. After Herbert died, his son worked with another writer to publish prequels to his father's stories. In short, you have plenty of reading material for the summer.
April 2018--Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Yes, you could just head out and watch the movie, but I have a feeling the movie will be missing many pieces to this novel--including many of the late seventies and eighties references.
The novel, if you want to consider it YA, accomplishes a feat of not sounding trite or feeling like a knock-off of an earlier novel. In fact, the constant allusions to pop culture of the past make it a fun read for those who are in the know.
If you have not seen the movie yet, read the book first. Then watch the film and compare the two. Was Spielberg faithful to the novel? Did he screw something up? You decide.
Yes, you could just head out and watch the movie, but I have a feeling the movie will be missing many pieces to this novel--including many of the late seventies and eighties references.
The novel, if you want to consider it YA, accomplishes a feat of not sounding trite or feeling like a knock-off of an earlier novel. In fact, the constant allusions to pop culture of the past make it a fun read for those who are in the know.
If you have not seen the movie yet, read the book first. Then watch the film and compare the two. Was Spielberg faithful to the novel? Did he screw something up? You decide.
March 2018--The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge
Let’s have some fun with the Irish during March. In doing, let’s read a play this month. Of all the Irish plays that you could read, Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World is considered one of the best.
One thing that really makes the play great is that Synge went out to live with rural Irishmen in order to learn how they act, speak, move, etc. His plays manage to show a people as they really were, and not how they are romanticized.
At the same time, the dialogue and subtle humour throughout the play make it an enjoyable experience. Read it, and if you have a chance, watch it.
Let’s have some fun with the Irish during March. In doing, let’s read a play this month. Of all the Irish plays that you could read, Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World is considered one of the best.
One thing that really makes the play great is that Synge went out to live with rural Irishmen in order to learn how they act, speak, move, etc. His plays manage to show a people as they really were, and not how they are romanticized.
At the same time, the dialogue and subtle humour throughout the play make it an enjoyable experience. Read it, and if you have a chance, watch it.
February 2018--Legends from Camp by Lawson Fusao Inada
This month, how about taking a look at some local poetry? Lawson Fusao Inada’s collection Legends from Camp is a wonderful collection of poems written by an Oregonian who has had quite the life. Least of which was that he was a professor at Southern Oregon University for many years. One of the greatest moments in his life was becoming Oregon’s poet laureate. Many of the poems in his collection reflect on his experiences during World War II. As a Japanese-American, Inada and his family was removed to one of the internment camps the United States built for these “dangerous” citizens. For Lawson, this period in his life led to wonderfully astute poetry. Keep an eye out for “The Legend of Lost Boy.” See if you can find yourself in this boy.
This month, how about taking a look at some local poetry? Lawson Fusao Inada’s collection Legends from Camp is a wonderful collection of poems written by an Oregonian who has had quite the life. Least of which was that he was a professor at Southern Oregon University for many years. One of the greatest moments in his life was becoming Oregon’s poet laureate. Many of the poems in his collection reflect on his experiences during World War II. As a Japanese-American, Inada and his family was removed to one of the internment camps the United States built for these “dangerous” citizens. For Lawson, this period in his life led to wonderfully astute poetry. Keep an eye out for “The Legend of Lost Boy.” See if you can find yourself in this boy.
January 2018--"Tam o' Shanter" by Robert Burns
It is always nice to read a little of the Bard's work by a fire in the winter. No, I don't mean Shakespeare! I mean Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns. You should give this great poem a go. If you can't understand the original (written in Scots dialect), you can probably find a modern English translation online.
The poem tells the story of Tam o' Shanter and what happens when he comes across the witches and other night-time ghoulies having their midnight gathering. You decide, is it a story to elicit fear, or laughter. When you are done, you can discuss it over haggis when you celebrate Burns's birthday on January 25--Happy Burns Day to you!
It is always nice to read a little of the Bard's work by a fire in the winter. No, I don't mean Shakespeare! I mean Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns. You should give this great poem a go. If you can't understand the original (written in Scots dialect), you can probably find a modern English translation online.
The poem tells the story of Tam o' Shanter and what happens when he comes across the witches and other night-time ghoulies having their midnight gathering. You decide, is it a story to elicit fear, or laughter. When you are done, you can discuss it over haggis when you celebrate Burns's birthday on January 25--Happy Burns Day to you!
December 2017--Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens
For several years, Charles Dickens published a Christmas story during the holiday season. Everyone knows his most famous, that story about a ghost-visited miser named Scrooge, but one of his other well-received stories was “The Cricket on the Hearth.”
Take a little time to read this short story to feel the emotions that can run through a household—the good, the bad, and the hopeful. In the end, I hope you all find a cricket on your hearth; a sure sign of good luck.
For several years, Charles Dickens published a Christmas story during the holiday season. Everyone knows his most famous, that story about a ghost-visited miser named Scrooge, but one of his other well-received stories was “The Cricket on the Hearth.”
Take a little time to read this short story to feel the emotions that can run through a household—the good, the bad, and the hopeful. In the end, I hope you all find a cricket on your hearth; a sure sign of good luck.
November 2017--Silas Marner by George Eliot
Writing under her pen name of George Eliot, Mary Ann Evans Cross, gives to the world a wonderful story about a crotchety, old man who finds a new lease on life. How? He comes across what looks to be an abandoned baby, and decides it is his job to care for this child.
Throughout the novel, we see the spectrum of how people turn their backs on responsibility and how some step up and do more than is expected.
A short novel compared to most of her other works, Silas Marner is a classic that is easy to read and that puts compassion in the forefront of the human character.
Writing under her pen name of George Eliot, Mary Ann Evans Cross, gives to the world a wonderful story about a crotchety, old man who finds a new lease on life. How? He comes across what looks to be an abandoned baby, and decides it is his job to care for this child.
Throughout the novel, we see the spectrum of how people turn their backs on responsibility and how some step up and do more than is expected.
A short novel compared to most of her other works, Silas Marner is a classic that is easy to read and that puts compassion in the forefront of the human character.
October 2017--Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein and his creature will turn 200 years old in 2018. What better way to work toward this classic work's bicentennial (January 1, 2018) than by giving it a perusal now?
If you have never read the book, and think you the story--you are wrong. This Gothic novel is steeped in the literary era known as the Romantic, and it brings to the table desolate locales, crime, the supernatural, philosophical debate, and pure passion.
Reward yourself by reading one of the most celebrated novels of all time. A novel, written by a woman, that started as an entry in a "ghost story" competition among friends.
Frankenstein and his creature will turn 200 years old in 2018. What better way to work toward this classic work's bicentennial (January 1, 2018) than by giving it a perusal now?
If you have never read the book, and think you the story--you are wrong. This Gothic novel is steeped in the literary era known as the Romantic, and it brings to the table desolate locales, crime, the supernatural, philosophical debate, and pure passion.
Reward yourself by reading one of the most celebrated novels of all time. A novel, written by a woman, that started as an entry in a "ghost story" competition among friends.
September 2017--The Code by Mawi Asgedom
How can a teenager find success in his/her life? Try reading Asgedom's book for some tips. Mawi Asgedom came to America as an Ethiopian refugee, and had to work hard to find his place in his new home. Over time, he came up with his personal code, and in this book he shares it with you.
A quick read (about 125 pages), The Code is the type of book that can help answer some of the questions you have about success and how to get there. If you are searching for the book, check in the McKay library. If they say they don't have it, stand firm--we should have a class set of these books packed away somewhere. If you want to read it, make sure someone takes the time to help you find it.
How can a teenager find success in his/her life? Try reading Asgedom's book for some tips. Mawi Asgedom came to America as an Ethiopian refugee, and had to work hard to find his place in his new home. Over time, he came up with his personal code, and in this book he shares it with you.
A quick read (about 125 pages), The Code is the type of book that can help answer some of the questions you have about success and how to get there. If you are searching for the book, check in the McKay library. If they say they don't have it, stand firm--we should have a class set of these books packed away somewhere. If you want to read it, make sure someone takes the time to help you find it.