Welcome to American Literature for Fall 2011! I usually describe each class I teach as an "experiment" in teaching and learning since every class brings different personalities and experiences to our study and discussion...and I try to do something different in my teaching with each class.
I am still trying to figure out how to make this medium effective in both my teaching and your learning. You will find here assignments for postings as well as a place for you to ask questions, react to other students' posts, and generally participate in our ongoing conversations about all sorts of topics.
Your first assignment is to sign in and write your first post (Due by Monday, 8/29, 8:00 AM):
Write in your post here about what you have been reading since last school year. Give more than a list! Why did you read those works? What did you most enjoy? Why? How has the start of school influenced your reading?
I start each day (except for school days) with The Omaha World-Herald newspaper so I can check on what's been happening in the world and keep up with the comics--I read them all and have for years! I follow a few RSS news feeds on my computer, so sometime during most days I check on those. Occasionally I receive a golfing magazine that I read for tips (boy, do I need tips!).
I am a Star Wars fan and not only enjoy the movies but read all of the books! This summer I've read only a couple in this interesting series by a variety of authors, but I have at least one more in my Kindle. I like the way this story continues to grow. The original characters are 30+ years older now! Han and Leia are grandparents.... I started Volume One of the official Mark Twain biography. The Introduction alone is over 250 pages! I think I'm about 2/3 of the way through Twain's actual commentary. I need to finish before the next volume is published!
As you can tell, I'm an eclectic reader. What have you been learning??
As you can tell, I'm an eclectic reader. What have you been learning??
Well I guess I'm number one to comment on here. Well on my smartphone I am subscribed to a couple different gamer blogs because I love to play a lot of video games and am looking forward to new ones coming out (especially zombie ones and RPG). School makes my schedule more stable so I'm hoping I can get back to reading and maybe take a gaming break. My family has a Fremont Tribune subscription so I also read that. I read the comics, advice, and anything else that sticks out. I wish I could read some more manga and comics because I enjoy them but time is short and other things get in the way. My brother has a spider-man comic subscription that I like to steal and read. Yahoo distracts me and I also end up reading articles on that website because I find the titles interesting and once I start reading I can't stop and sometimes I can waste an hour or so on the internet reading articles about funny, serious, important, unimportant, current, and historical events. If guitar learning books count then I also read those because I can play guitar but I know many that are much better than I am so I'm aiming to improve with playing faster and more complex songs. I've learned you can always learn more and be open minded.
ReplyDeleteI am number two to comment. Unfortunately due to a crazy schedule I have not been able to read as much as I'd like to or as much as I used to. but I did get into reading "A Childe Called "It". And I must say. Fascinating piece of literature. It was definately one of those deep, interesting, not to mention, different stories. I enjoy reading pieces by Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Jane Austen. I find their type of writing fascinating, they grab my attention, twist an unexpected plot, keep you guessing, it drives my mind wild sometimes. I find it NOT hard to laugh at. I am not much up to date on some current events, mostly politics, but I do try to keep up in the news, the Omaha World Herald, any type of media of current events. I spend a lot of my time just writing whatever seems to pop in to my mind. I find it easier to express myself through writing in the form of songs, poems, short stories, etc. It allows my imagination to just explore many different things and school helps with that a lot. My schedule usually seems to be filled with many english, writing, or artistic classes lately. They jsut interest me and I find I can be myself and let the imagination of creativity flow from my brain to my pen across a piece of paper. So I thuroughly much enjoy school as well as it keeps my mind fresh and to stay positive.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I have been busier than usual, but I always made time to read a little every day. I have loved reading ever since my parents got "Hooked on Phonics" for me in preschool. Since eighth grade I have been reading a series called "The Mortal Instruments." It is science fiction but has captured my imagination. Unfortunately the next book does not come out till November so I had to try to find something else I could really sink into. Last summer I read "Gone with the Wind" and "Dante's Inferno" so i wanted to try and find something more light hearted and modern for this summer. I discovered a book called "Lamb: The Story of Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal." It was creative, humorous, and something completly different from things I have read in the past. I looked up more books written by the author of "Lamb." I collected a couple more of his books and just finished one right before the school year started. I do not believe I have ever willingly read nonfiction. I like to read fiction as much as I like to write it. When I read I want to be taken some where new, some place where I can get lost in, a place where there is no limits. Most of my free time is spent working on my music (piano, percussion, violin), reading, and writing. In school I most enjoy English and science; I feel like both help you view the world in various perspectives and with an open mind. I believe everyone should take the opportunity to expand their minds with a good piece of literature whether they spend ten minutes or ten hours a day reading.
ReplyDeleteI didn't find much time to read this summer, I don't know why, but I just didn't. I normally am a quite avid reader and like adventurous/susupense books. I almost am always reading nonfiction/science fiction books though because I like making the impossible possible. My favorite series include "Harry Potter", and "Pendragon", and "Gregor the Overlander". I widdled away my time this summer hanging out with friends, going on vacations, and running for Cross Country. I usually read quite a bit while in school because it helps me take my mind off all the stressful things going on, and it just helps relieve me from my problems in general. Reading is a get away for me from the real world and into a world of infinite possibilities. As for current events, I don't really keep up to date on lots of things due to my lack of reading newspapers and/or watching tv very often. School has already piqued my curiosity in reading again though, and I plan on reading as much as possible this school year. My schedule is usually centered around math and science seeing as I've always been most interested by these two subjects. I like them because they open so many gates and opportunities when utilized properly and put into good use.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved reading from a young age. "Read me, Meme" was the first complete sentence I spoke. Soon enough I had moved away from books such as "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "Goodnight Moon." My favorite authors are now Michael Crichton, John Grisham, and Tom Clancy.
ReplyDeleteI did not have much time to read during the summer sadly enough. Usually I read quite a lot, but a busy schedule has gotten in the way. I did manage to finish "Hostage" by Robert Crais, the last Harry Potter book again, and began reading "Clear and Present Danger" by Tom Clancy. All of these were good and interesting in their own way, but my favorite would have to be Mr. Clancy's work. I'm a sucker for a good political thriller.
Most of my reading comes from debate research. I have to learn about various world topics so I can perform well when it comes to competition. I feel that my world knowledge and political understanding have benefited just from two years in debate, with another two on the way. This is currently my favorite type of reading as I am interested in the world around me and using my knowledge effectively.
I hope that the school year gets me back into reading, both for school related and leisure. I am excited for the class, especially our term paper!
Ok, so sixth to comment. Normally, I read a lot, but with school starting, and getting homework daily, not a whole lot of time. I did manage to get some books read over the summer; two books from the 'Pendragon' series (thank your sister, Seth :P), and my friend got me started on a new and interesting series, the 'Crank' series; Crank, Glass, and Fallout. To be short, tells the story of a girl who gets addicted to crystal meth. Ellen Hopkins' way of writing in these books is very interesting because it is written in poetry style. These kinds of books really interest me, because they are fantasy and magic (Pendragon) and they also tell a true story (Crank; based on Ellen Hopkins' daughter). Books are very enjoyable for me because they help me relax and unwind after a long day. Don't really keep up with daily events or things that go on because of a lack of reading newspaper and I don't watch the news on T.V. I hope to try and get more of my books read. Am currently reading 'Glass', the second installment in the 'Crank' series, (as well as Huck Finn), and when I finish 'Glass', I plan on starting the next two 'Pendragon' books in the series.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed reading. To me its the easiest way to escape from the world around you and just be. When I was in elementary school I loved the "Dear America" books. They were journals, or diaries from women around the world varying from hundreds of years ago, to some from this century. I also love reading about horses. Sadly, this summer was extremely hectic. I didn't get much reading in, but I did start the last book of a series I've slowly been getting through. It's called, "The Extra's" by Scott Westerfeld. In the previous books, she's been rebelling and trying not to be in with "the norm". Tally has been all over the world, finding civilizations she never knew existed, and each time she leaves she takes some of their ways of life along with her. This book is full of adventure, and I can relate to a lot of the feelings she has. I'm currently focusing on reading Huck Finn, because it takes me a little while longer to get through a chapter with the way he wrote it. However, it's interesting, and so far is a good read.
ReplyDeletewell, i have not read anything this summer except a few magazines here and there.
ReplyDeleteThe only book I have read this summer is White Cat by Holly Black. I read it because a friend recommended it to me. I enjoyed the book because of the mystery and fantasy in it.
ReplyDeleteWell first off I am way cooler than Justin...
ReplyDeleteBut as for my reading this summer I spent alot of time reading in the Bible. I read a few books out of both the New and Old Testament. I also started a devotional but I haven't finished it yet!
The rest of the reading I did was all star wars books. I am also a huge fan of the pre- and post- star wars books. First I read all the books in the "Fate of the Jedi" series that have been published so far. Just at the end of summer i got to go on a cruise with my family. I brought multiple star wars books (I own over thirty of them!) along for the driving and flying and 'cruising.' and I ended up reading "The Thrawn Trilogy" series.
And that about sums up my reading for this summer!
This summer I read lots of the Bible. I also started reading Forgotten God and a couple other devotional books but I haven't had time to finish them. In free time I enjoy reading a couple of different magazines. And that is the extent of my summer reading.
ReplyDeleteOnce the school year starts it usually makes me read less, sadly. I tend to focus more on my school work and assigned books.
One of the first things I did this summer was clean out my closet. And by cleaning out my closet, I initially meant hauling the tons upon tons of reading material I have left for the dust bunnies to inhabit. During the school year, I am as avid a reader as my studies allow -- for what my studies don't allow, I throw in the closet library.
ReplyDeleteOne of the books I read (or rather picked up again) was "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman. My favorite part of his book was, without a doubt, the poem titled: "Song of Myself". Secondly, I re-read "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Though this is probably among the hardest books I've read, reading it a second time was immensely beneficial. Recently I've fallen in love with John Green's books (which oddly enough, remind me of "Catcher in the Rye" in almost every work).
I suppose my favorite genre of book is somewaht classical, and unquestionably English (I'm a sucker for books set during the Industrial Revolution and/or Victorian era). I also find that Shakespearean pronouns are interesting and unintentionally humorous at times. I will hold any book to my heart that I can directly quote, and I will hold it closer if I laugh afterwards. For example, "The Book of Awesome", though not technically challenging reading matter, is the book I go to when I need to cheer up.
When I'm not feeling dedicated to an entire series or novel, I tend to read philosophies, myths, and religious stories/history. Recently I've read a lot about the Seven Heavenly Virtues and their vices (the Seven Deadly Sins), as well as the Archangels (St. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, etc.). I read about almost every different religion I can. I feel that the more I understand about the faith of different cultures, the more I can relate to people (as much as you can through reading anyways).
The above paragraph, I suppose, is how school influences my reading. Through history classes and literature classes, I have really discovered an interest in older books/written works. I love the feeling when I'm reading books like: "Jane Eyre", "Les Miserables ("The Wretched"), or "Through the Looking Glass" and I think of how mnay other people in times way before I was even born were reading these same books. It's an amazing feeling of connection to the past.
So, you can imagine my fear for future English classes in the years 2099 when all they have to read from the twenty-first century is:
Twilight.
Yikes...
It's just about as horrifying as the fact that I wrote nearly five hundred-words (kudos if you're still reading). See you all Monday!
I don't usually read much but when I do, I usually read books like Dante's "Divine Comedy" and Simon Sighn's "Big bang" or magazines such as Game Informer and Popular Science. As for why I read those, it was because I thought they were interesting when I first saw them and school has not really influenced my reading habits, excluding classes such as English that require you to read as an assignment.
ReplyDeleteSince last school year i haven't read any novels. The only thing i have read would probably be car magazines. I enjoy reading these magazines because I have an interest in automobiles and how the technology they will have in the future will impact us.
ReplyDeleteSchool hasn't influenced my reading much except for the Huck Finn book that we are required to read.
Since Sophomore year, I have only read a couple books. One I started to read as school got out was Echoes by Melinda Metz. I enjoyed reading this book because no matter how long it is, I was always intrigued at what was happening in the book. I never lost interest and read whenever I could. I loved the book and encourage others to read it. Another book I had begun to read this summer is Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. The book itself does not look appealing, but as I read more and more, I see the meaning behind the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover". I originally heard about this book from my Grandfather. The book has parts about my hometown in it and it has meaning to my great grandmother. I started to read it and instantly realized that it would be the kind of book that I could just sit down and relax to.
ReplyDeleteOther than books, I like to read magazines. One I read on a basis is the Allure magazine. Why? Well I dont know. My Grandmother started to get them in a subscription and she always gave them to me.
I don't like to read newspapers because I dont like to hear the bad stuff, which you always seem to run into. Likewise, I hate to watch the news, except the weather.
To be brutally honest, I have read more Facebook status updates on the newsfeed than anything this summer. :(
School influenced my reading a little more because I can read more durring school. Durring the summer, I have a life outside the world of books.
I have phases in which I am either a movie-watcher, a reader, or a gamer. This summer has been a reading phase. Right now I'm in a movie-watching phase. Anyway, my favorite genre is horror in every aspect of my entertainment. Therefore one can infer who my favorite authors are: Stephen King, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Stephen King. I made it a goal to read all the books we have by him (which pretty much includes all of his works accept for Carrie and a few others.) He has a few main towns he uses as settings: Derry, Castle Rock, Jerusalem's Lot or 'Salem's Lot, etc. This summer, I focused on Castle Rock, which includes five books: The Dead Zone, Cujo, The Dark Half, The Sun Dog (a novella), and Needful Things. I read The Dead Zone and Cujo.
The Dead Zone was one of King's first works (the third if I'm not mistaken) and it is a about a man with the ability to see certain aspects of a person's life when touching them. This includes the name of important people in their life, their fortunes and misfortunes, things they have done in the past and future, the way they will die, etc. It's random.
The character enters a coma and when he awakens four years later, his ability has been amplified. This eventually causes him to do terrible actions to stop a nuclear war.
The book was very well written. The beginning is such a happy story of love and joy and it evolves into this dark, depressing tale of inevitable doom and lost love. I love it because I am a collector of his stories, but most people would enjoy it because of this evolution of the story and the way king changes his word usage with it. It's a very worthwhile book and I recommend it.
Cujo... Well, who doesn't know what it's about? The classic tale of a cute St. Bernard becoming a man-eating monster due to rabies and a supernatural cause that I will not tell because it spoils the story. Let's just say it has to do with an antagonist from The Dead Zone.
This book is a very tedious and confusing book. There are so many plots. First there is the dog, there is also dysfunction between the man and his wife. There are problems with the company the man owns. It becomes difficult to keep track of things, but it all wraps up to a very depressing ending with a shimmer of hope for the future.
The most depressing part is the fact that you read about what the dog is thinking. King does very well with the transition from nice loving doggy to a heartless, confused monster. One of the last things the dog thinks is, ‘I never meant to hurt anybody.' It almost made me cry.
I also read the short story collection Night Shift. Strangely enough, his short stories are actually scarier than his novels. I couldn't read the first or second stories at night or I would imagine screaming through my walls. I read his short story The Man in the Black Suit (I think that's what it's called). It won an O'Henry Award. It was absolutely terrifying. I imagined a man with fire in his eyes outside my window for weeks.
My reading has changed in the school year because of my schedule. I only have time for leisure reading in the weekends. Content-wise, though, it hasn't changed. I'm working on a King book right now called The Dreamcatcher.
Sorry about the length.
That made in lengthier, though, didn't it.
Hopefully I'm writing in the right spot now! Haha.
ReplyDeleteWell this summer was a busy one with lifeguarding and my multiple vacations; but i did find time to read a few books.
First I read Water for Elephants. It was a good book but not the kind that can't be put down. In fact I did end up putting it down quite often and it took me half the summer to finish. It was about a vet who hops a circus train and becomes the circus' vet. He has to take care of various animals including an elephant, hence the title: Water for ELEPHANTS. It's not the best book in the world but I still enjoyed it for the most part.
The next book I read was the second in a series of three called It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han. This was very fitting seeing as it was summer and all. It was very good! I think I read it in a span of a few days, which is rare for me because I'm usually a pretty slow reader. It's a girly book about boys and love and stuff so I wouldn't recommend it to you Dr. Cox, but for any teenage girl it's great! I plan to read the third one soon.
The last book I read over the summer was The Host by Stephanie Meyer. It just may be my second favorite book ever. (Nothing can top Harry Potter.) I couldn't put it down and was quite sad when it was over. It's kind of complicated to explain though and if I tried I would probably just make it sound really lame.
And that's what I read this summer!
The second day of summer my mom took me to Hastings to buy some books. I went into the store with the intention of picking up classics to help broaden my vocabulary, but came out with the Hunger Games trilogy. And boy am i glad i did. The thrill of the main character's life story is what got me hooked on the series. This is true to most all books in my personal library. It takes a good story line with multiple climaxes paired with mystery, suspense, and life lessons to pull me into a book.
ReplyDeleteI read most of my stories to learn about life. As I read, I am put into a person's shoes and get to experience the character's life without facing any of the consequences. I feel i learn the most as I am reading for this very reason. Stories lessen my curiosity about things that could get me into trouble, and I get to learn firsthand about them without being frowned upon.
The school year seems to take away time from leisure reading. I spend the majority of my time studying for classes. Hopefully this English class will help me out and give me some enjoyable books to read!
This summer, on my way to Africa, there was a bookstore in one of the airports. Since I was about to be on a 13 hour flight I decided to buy a book to help make the time fly. (no pun intended) Anyways, my friends talked me into buying The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I was immediately hooked and wasn't able to put it down! This book just might be one of my favorites, with it's wild adventures, surprising plot twists and touch of romance. Luckily for me, this book is only the first book in a set of three. I hope to finish the other two books during this school year. Although school doesn't allow me as much free time as summer, I will deffinately make time finish this trilogy. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't typically like to read all that much. I have to find a really good book that I can actually get in to. If I'm not interested in the book, I find it's super hard to focus and comprehend everything I'm ready. There's really not a specific type of book I like to read.. I love the Twilight books and pretty much anything by Sarah Dessen. This summer I couldn't find as much time to read as I probably should have, but I read quite a bit of the Bible and more than usual. Surprisingly, Huck Finn isn't as boring as I figured it might be. :)
ReplyDeleteWell this summer was pretty busy but I read about 7 1/2 books. Which really isn't much for me. The first four I read were in a series and weren't really all that big. Then I read a book called Hold Still, which is about a girl who loses her best friend to suicide and is trying to figure out how to live life without her friend. It wasn't one of my favorites. After that I read a book called Extraordinary. I had read another book by the same author about a year ago and really liked it, but this book I really didn't enjoy that much. Then, while I was in Minnesota visiting my aunt, who is a published author, I started one of her new novels she had just finished writing. Unfortunately I had to leave before I could finish it. The last book I read was my favorite and it is called Wither. Its the first in a series where girls die at 20 and guys die at 25. Its set in the future and was just plain wonderful. The school year sadly cuts back my reading time. I have school then I have to head right to work. After work I have to start homework, and by then I am too tired to read. I find most my books on Amazon. It gives me recommendations based on what I have bought off of it before.
ReplyDeleteMy summer was pretty hectic so I unfortunately didn't have much time to read, but when i did have some spare time I would pick up my ACT practice book and try to get myself to study. Most of the time i just got through a few pages so I definiitly need to set time aside to actually study. Getting a high score on the ACT is important to me because I would love to receive some scholarships to pay for the university that I plan to attend. I've recently been trying to read more from my Bible. Having a faith back round should help me in the future understand books that reference the Bible.
ReplyDeleteBooks that I have read in the past are the Harry Potter series and Twilight. I am not much of a Twilight fan, but I'm a HUGE fan of Harry Potter. I have seen all the movies but haven't had the chance to finish reading all the books. I also enjoyed reading Catcher in the Rye. It wasn't like any other book that i have read, which was really refreshing.
During the school year I don't frequently read. I am generally focused on sports I'm involved in and my academics.
Due to my busy schedule this summer I was not able to read as much as I would have liked to however, I did get a chance to read the book "Heaven is For Real". It was a truly amazing book. Hopefully this school year allows me molre time to read.
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