An Ode to Ms. Collesano, an Awesome Woman

Yes, this is an ode to Ms. Collesano, the best senior high school English teacher ever. Sorry, I don't care about your sob-story, changed-your-life senior English teacher - Ms. Collesano was cut-throat and sweet. If you were wrong, she would just write: No. on your paper. If you said something really dumb, she would underline it. She didn't play.

Anywho, the woman LOVED all things po-mo. Ergo, so did the rest of the Manual English kids (i.e. those not smart enough to do math and science and those not gifted enough to play an instrument in YPAS). And here, in honor of Sue, is a list from the LA Times of 61 essential po-mo reads.

Which ones have you read? Want to read?

Anne of Green Gables Goes Goth

OK, not really. But apparently, the final book in the series is going to be re-released in its entirety - and it's a lot darker. The book will revolve around:

"adultery, illegitimacy, misogyny, revenge, murder, despair, bitterness, hatred, and death – usually not the first terms associated with LM Montgomery."

That sounds like an interesting read. Read the full article in the Guardian.

Great Books for Grade School Kids (Mainly Girls)

In his column for the NYTimes, Nicholas Kristof gave his list of summer reads for kids. Now, while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I have to say I thought his list was severely lacking. So I have come up with my own.

I gobbled books as a grade schooler, and here's some that will demonstrate why:

1. Sounder - This was basically my favorite book as a child. It was the first chapter book my mom read to me, and I read it seven times in one year. Spoiler alert: Sad dog story.

But it's way better than Old Yeller. Based on a true story, it introduces young readers to themes of racism, poverty and the importance of family and education.

2. To Kill A Mockingbird - I am naming my firstborn Harper. This is one of the best books ever, and no one should forget it. Plus, it's a great read for the summer when the air's humid and heavy.

Don't miss out on the movie with Gregory Peck either.

3. Junie B. Jones - These books were my younger sister's favorite series as a first-grader. And luckily, as the older sister, I got to pretend I was just listening/reading because I was benevolent.

Realistically, this book will only appeal to a hip, female crowd, but older brothers and dads can just do what I did.

4. Sideways Stories from Wayside School - This Louis Sachar essential series follows the strange happening of students at Wayside School, with each chapter telling one kid's weird tale (or one weird kid's tale).

Hint: Don't be misinformed. The school is 30 stories high - it's just missing floor 19.

5. Little House on the Prairie - What American girl grows up without Laura Ingalls Wilder? I recommend the entire series, but this book is best for summer. With parties, horses and, of course, covered wagons, this is a great adventure book for girls.

6. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - A story of a runaway 11-year-old and her brother who make a home in the MOMA. After learning how to blend in to their prestigious surroundings, the two discover a mystery about Michaelangelo. (But it is believeable and doesn't suck like the DaVinci Code).

7. Stuart Little - A mouse. That I like. The end.

When they are finished, they can even watch the movie, which is tolerable and has that cute kid from "Jerry Maguire."

8. Dear America series - Yes, as a kid I was a history buff. So sue me. These beautifully designed books were written as diary entries or letters. They were interesting and mostly historically accurate. Plus, they tend to show a more diverse view than the American Girl books, although neither, as far as I know, include as Asian narrator (although a concurrent series, the Royal Diaries, does).

There are also books from the male perspective called the My Name is America series, but they are all soldiers as far as I know. Also won't discuss social implications of the two series titles. For my one reader with a kid on the way, I suggest giving that MA native the Dear America Patience Whipple (about a voyage on the Mayflower) book at about age nine, assuming precociousness is an inevitable hereditary trait. Hoorah.


There. There are eight books your school-aged kids can read when they've finished all 10,000 pages of the Harry Potter series in two weeks and are drooling in front of the Wii.

What would you add?

Hemingway Worked for KGB

A new book published by Yale University Press, outs Ernest Hemingway as a spy for the KGB during the 1940s. He expressed diligent willingness to serve the Soviets, but unsurprisingly garnered little to no political information and was dropped.

Read the full story about Agent Argo from The Guardian.

Hemingway's Grandson Publishes Revised Edition of A Moveable Feast

Sean Hemingway, Ernest's grandson from his second wife's line, is reissuing A Moveable Feast, which Ernest's fourth wife allowed to be reissued posthumously. This edition should include much more (and potentially be more favorable than the last publication toward his earlier wives).

Click here to read the full article in The Guardian.

Happy Birthday, George Orwell

Yes, Mr. Orwell would be 106 today.

Even though he's most famous for his novels, 1984 and Animal Farm, I prefer his essays, especially "A Hanging" and "Politics and the English Language."

What are your favorite Orwellian pieces?

A Book I Never Wanted to Read

OK. I'm going to be perfectly honest and say that typically I don't read classics unless they're forced upon me. However, I have found one that I chose to read (without anyone twisting my arm) that is pretty daggon awesome. I'm currently working at a theatre in the-middle-of-nowhere, KY and the next show I have a role in is Dracula. I felt that, for research purposes, I should probably read it. And why not? There's nothing to do in this town anyway except go to the local Subway. And although I do like me some sandwiches, they curb your appetite and not your boredom. So I started Dracula. And I have to say I'm awful surprised. It's a really great book. It's extremely interesting and actually really creepy. Not very many books have made me go to sleep with lights on. And yes, it is about 500 pages of small print, and I'm not saying it's the most fast-paced book I've ever read. But what's interesting to me is that it's not your typical narrative, but is told in the form of documents from the perspective of 5 or 6 different characters. You know, like diary entries, letters, telegrams, newspaper articles, etc., etc. Which totally makes it feel voyeuristic and creep-tastic.

Not my favorite book in the whole wide world. But I'm definitely glad I'm reading it.