tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87893123708439752332024-02-21T11:47:12.142-05:00Here's What They're ReadingTom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.comBlogger937125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-74457850963947346192019-12-20T16:20:00.000-05:002020-01-10T16:20:36.019-05:00Fall RA Book Club: Shadow of the Wind<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Shadow of the Wind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Carlos Ruiz Zafon</span></div>
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Simrin’s review:<o:p></o:p></div>
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I enjoyed reading the novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i> because the story intertwined so many
narratives of different people. The book incorporated magical realism and gave
me the impression that I was falling into a new dream world. Specifically,
there was a Cemetery of Forgotten Books which captivated me (being the very big
book-lover I am) as it seemed to be an endless labyrinth of books, safe from
the dangers of the outside world. The characters themselves were each dynamic,
my favorite character being Fermin, a man with a childlike sense of wonder that
was witty and warm throughout the book. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and
thought it was lovely to read every night before I went to bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Becca’s review:<o:p></o:p></div>
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I really enjoyed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i>. It was immediately obvious to me the care
and craft that went into every single line by the author. The parallels between
Carax's and Daniel's lives kept me intrigued until the very end, ever curious
if Daniel's fate would be the same as the infamous Julian Carax. The division
of the book into subsections made the read an easy one, and, although beholding
a lengthy number of pages, I never felt I had to force myself to read further.
Instead, I found it increasingly impossible to cease reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i> once I had begun.
There are so many metaphors throughout the book that felt as if they were
little pockets of all-knowing wisdom. My favorite nugget of advice is given by
Nuria. She contradicts the common sentiment that the good times go by much too
quickly. Instead, she asserts that when life becomes monotonous and unworth
living, it is these very times that rocket past us; blurring life into one,
ubiquitous path instead of singularly unique events. I hope my life doesn't
echo this sentiment Nuria expresses. I hope my life doesn't feel fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Petuh’s review:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carlos Ruiz Zafón's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i> is truly a masterpiece of fiction. Naturally
blending reality with fantastical elements, this story plays with time as well
as truth as it takes you down a winding road trying to figure out the mystery
of who Julian Carax is and what happened to him. With a lovable cast of
characters, you are transported around 20th century Barcelona where there are
twists and turns at every corner. This page-turner will leave you on the edge
of your seat, gasping with every new revelation. A must-read for anyone who
loves novels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Valerie’s review:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Zafron paints a riveting tale within <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i> that interlaces
themes of mystery, darkness, and adventure. It reveals the story of the unknown
author, Julian Carax, and the disappearance of his books through the eyes of
young child Daniel, whose life just seems so serendipitously paralleled to
Carax's. Zafron is able to utilize various perspectives and character voices to
tell this quite heartbreaking story that depicts the complex era in Spain
during the 1950s and the narrative of this tragic group of friends. Ultimately,
the novel uses these elements of darkness and mystery to paint a picture of the
difficulties of life and love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emily’s review: <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I received <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i> at the first meeting for the book club, I
was immediately intrigued by the idea of reading a book about the meaning of
books. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Wind</i>,
though, was about so much more than the influence of literature. Filled with
dynamic relationships, both romantic and familial, as well as a unique mystery,
the book quickly pulls the reader in and creates a fully immersive reading
experience. The language is absolutely wonderful and the story is beautifully
crafted and true to the human experience. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Shadow of the Wind</i> has quickly found a home in my top five favorite books
and I’ve been recommending it to others since I finished it. Absolutely a
10/10!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-91429624675232634292019-12-17T11:57:00.000-05:002019-12-18T11:59:39.871-05:00Chokehold<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chokehold</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Paul Butler</span></div>
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Finished the last of the RA Favorite books for the semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Majority rules”…ah, how this concept has
failed our country in so many ways over the course of our history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its failure couldn’t be more eloquently captured
than Paul Butler did in his recent book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chokehold</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is a sociological, data-rich thesis
on how African-American males have been ‘placed into submission’ through current
policies and laws and by those who administer the law – police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butler draws from our earliest
days as a fledgling country with the division of slavery to our present day
policies that protect police and their ability to hold power over those not in
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could our country continue to
divide the outcomes delivered to people of color and those delivered to white people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butler’s research is
rich with quantitative data points that compel the reader to reflect upon one’s
own privilege and then look externally to see the realities of prejudice and
discrimination impacting African-Americans in society today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He draws upon his own experience as a
prosecutor, sharing details on how the system works and how we might actually
change the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading the book is an
opportunity to better understand the impact of one’s race on the simple act of walking
down the street, driving in a car, or wearing a hoodie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All choices that he presents can be
problematic as a male of color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
strongly suggest all my white colleagues/friends reflect on the various
everyday things that whites take for granted and on how those with privilege
can work to change discriminatory practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Laws on low-level offenses needs to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Important read for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-74903774111290875872019-12-14T12:27:00.000-05:002019-12-17T12:28:33.586-05:00Once a Runner<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once a Runner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by John L. Parker, Jr. </span></div>
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I had a few RAs who were harder to meet with this semester,
but I have finally met everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
have the opportunity to finish the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Once
a Runner</i> by John Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
fictional story that draws upon the real-life experiences of the author and is
set on the imaginary campus of Southeastern University (based on the University
of Florida).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lead character is
Quentin Cassidy, who looks back after his Olympic days to the four years that
led up to him becoming an elite one-mile racer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After Cassidy is removed from the school’s racing team for leading a protest
campaign against the institution’s dress and conduct policies, he trains under
the direction of his coach, a former Olympic runner, outside of the school’s
jurisdiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a disguise, he is
able to enter a trials race against the world’s fastest mile runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last chapters capture the build-up to the
race, Cassidy’s anxieties, adrenaline taking over, and the last quarter mile
between him and the world champion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cassidy finally meets his goal – winning the race – but, more
importantly, runs the mile in sub-four-minute time at 3:52:20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book provides an excellent view into the
mind of a runner and all of the things that one experiences: physical ailments,
mental anguish, team support, and much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additionally, Parker adds great depth through the interplay among
Cassidy’s teammates, a cast of characters to say the least!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A classic for athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-15562467388918686612019-10-12T16:55:00.000-04:002019-10-14T16:56:19.486-04:00The Odd Women<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Odd Women</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by George Gissing</span></div>
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Finished another RA Favorite book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get as many old-time books, but this
one, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Odd Women,</i> was written in
the late 1890s by George Gissing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
the story of the Madden sisters, three of whom die in youth/childbirth as does
their mother. After their father passes away, the three sisters go on a journey
that includes finding love, independence, and their voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is set in England during a time when
women out-populated men by over a million, so being “paired off” for marriage
was not an easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the
subplots involve the youngest sister, Monica, and her struggles with marrying
an older bachelor, Edmund. She later has an affair with another man, which
leads to the end of her marriage. Meanwhile, Rhoda falls for a man who wants to
marry her, but she only wants to live with him (which is not something
acceptable in the world they live in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both Rhoda and Monica have challenges with their men and, in the end,
one women stays connected with her man while the other separates, gets pregnant,
and eventually perishes. It is clearly a book that reflects on the role of the woman and the lack of choices available to them in this era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of mystery as to what will happen to the
lead characters with loss and sadness in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A book of its time….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting that a book at the advent of
feminism was written by a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-10006824914863806062019-10-05T15:08:00.000-04:002019-10-07T15:15:44.708-04:00Wild<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wild</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Cheryl Strayed</span></div>
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Finished Cheryl Strayed‘s book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wild,</i> her memoir of her personal journey through the PTC (the
Pacific Crest Trail running from California to Oregon) after the death of her
mother and a number of failed relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trip in total is over 1,100 miles starting in the Mojave Desert and
ending in Oregon at the “Bridge of the Gods” that leads into the state of
Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayed is twenty-six years
old when she makes the commitment to go on this solo journey. She departed on
this trip four years after losing her mother to lung cancer at the age of
forty-five years old, a major factor in her decision to leave civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout her journey, Strayed shares
episodes of pain with her siblings, her relationship with her parents, and her relationship with her husband, who she married right after college (though her relationship ended
before her journey began).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also
shares her struggle with another partner that involved difficulties with
heroin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayed discusses many of the
highs (meeting new friends, reaches summits, experiencing the beauty of nature,
a one-night stand with a man she meets on the trip) and the lows (physical
pain, hunger, reflecting on the many loses in her life which lead to loneliness).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flashbacks to her family challenges are
conjured up through the trip and lead her to think about what is next in
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayed clearly gains a sense of
peace, fights her grief and personal challenges, and overcomes various physical
struggles while on the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strayed’s
willingness to be vulnerable serves as a guide for others coming from
dysfunction and poverty to escape through reliance on self.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-51373450830408222772019-10-01T15:30:00.000-04:002019-10-02T15:31:15.347-04:00The Rosie Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Rosie Project</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Graeme Simsion</span></div>
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Finished another on the list of RA Favorite Books, this one by an Australian author. Graeme Simsion's book <i>The Rosie Project</i> is a comedy, as are most of the Australian books I have read. The story involves a Professor, Don Tillman, a neurotically organized and structured man, who gets involved in two studies. One study is to find the most compatible woman for him to get married to (using a questionnaire he has validated to be statistically sound), and the second project is to assist a PhD student at the University, Rosie, to find her biological father. Rosie’s mother told her that the man she grew up with as her father was not her biological father right before she passed away. Years later she approaches Don to assist her in finding her father based on a graduating class photo from a final party as a class…and one of the males at that party is her biological father! While these two stories intertwine, Don’s closest friend, another Professor at the University, attempts to have Rosie and Don date. Don is unable to change himself and Rosie is unable to accept Don for his neurotic self! The two end up gathering DNA from all of the male party attendees with a shocking twist as they identify her biological father. It is a witty story with some 'adult humor’ and well worth your time. I hear there is a sequel as well.Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-89753664734693106032019-09-28T10:48:00.000-04:002019-09-30T10:48:32.049-04:00Boundaries Workbook<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRipgGwY2u99sbmvA9NVbQD2aqNYqqvwG0QwrcJ6cFwLwloinX00_t729ZhHDJhVLzKFomUdXJxvs5HxjS6rnkVK1NF2jxtkltrQ8Y_GjSgvTG1nm7ckneHBJlh6oQldtrZMRLAL1bp0/s1600/71SUJdGNfUL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRipgGwY2u99sbmvA9NVbQD2aqNYqqvwG0QwrcJ6cFwLwloinX00_t729ZhHDJhVLzKFomUdXJxvs5HxjS6rnkVK1NF2jxtkltrQ8Y_GjSgvTG1nm7ckneHBJlh6oQldtrZMRLAL1bp0/s320/71SUJdGNfUL.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend</span></div>
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Just finished reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boundaries
Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life </i>by
Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
book contains Christian theology drawing upon many of the messages found in the
Bible and applies those messages to the many people who are unable to manage
boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book begins with
defining what boundaries are and then goes through subsequent chapters
explaining how lack of boundaries affects family, friends, spouses, children,
work, ourselves, and God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The authors
then share ideas on what healthy boundaries are and how to develop them. It is
a great self-help book with a focus on how we need others to help us meet those
boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book does delve into
alcohol/drugs/sexual abuse/sex addictions and other issues that prevent people from
staying within boundaries that connect us closer to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very good read, especially for those who
have a faith tradition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-21259139953156772872019-09-22T12:27:00.000-04:002019-09-23T12:27:24.003-04:00Unbroken<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70hUWDOHRlPq4zQGAvJCxHUDjSmbPFdH4gk2k3fIZgIM4IuArlJf-Ru3fUX-1RXoh3_-Z9rsg5uNU6jAPBFRPZ2u_Bw1rnbSUdty9U3gkxgVwO8jJ2anatFoOeD0zU-0uqzQEk_JlB-U/s1600/91UmKFGfyYL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70hUWDOHRlPq4zQGAvJCxHUDjSmbPFdH4gk2k3fIZgIM4IuArlJf-Ru3fUX-1RXoh3_-Z9rsg5uNU6jAPBFRPZ2u_Bw1rnbSUdty9U3gkxgVwO8jJ2anatFoOeD0zU-0uqzQEk_JlB-U/s320/91UmKFGfyYL.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unbroken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Laura Hillenbrand</span></div>
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Very strange that I have now finished another World War II
book (also a true-life story).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unbroken,</i> written by Laura Hillenbrand
(author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seabiscuit</i>), features the
interview of a WWII veteran, Louie Zamperini. Louie is a former Olympic runner
who joins the Army Air Corps after competing in the world games in Berlin (where
he actually met Hitler!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Louie was fast
and one of the first to hit the sub-4-minute mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story details his life from childhood,
the Olympics, the War, and life at home afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Louie was in the flying battalion, and his
plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only three of the eleven crew lived, Louie being one of them. After a
46-day survival in the ocean with two peers (one dies while on a raft), they
are captured by the Japanese military and kept in a POW camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horrific details of his time in captivity
include being repeatedly beaten by one of the Japanese officers known as “the
Bird”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The war comes to an end when the
Americans drop the atom bomb on August 6, 1945 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Louie, who the American government had noted
as being dead, comes home to a jubilant family welcome but is left with the
haunting nightmares of the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He marries,
has a child, but alcoholism and an inner fear debilitate him – until he attends
a revival Christian meeting led by a young preacher, Billy Graham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graham changes his life and he becomes a
born-again Christian. He then goes out to motivate others on the perils that
face us but that we can learn to overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A riveting story – I highly recommend!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-26731823991137167432019-09-21T12:18:00.000-04:002019-09-23T12:18:50.860-04:00The Tattooist of Auschwitz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaajurM4AfCJzkhlen-Rt85Ptzh605vc1Xn4KrietNHliu3JUf_wE-EyZh-Ver4FS9o-T5649uH7M6CbsnnXd2w-UH23mu0_Z_VFuDxMHMOyel3gOr6p3Ru9xNz6ZQ42L_3q0SMvkPQg/s1600/81XAhkfzn-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaajurM4AfCJzkhlen-Rt85Ptzh605vc1Xn4KrietNHliu3JUf_wE-EyZh-Ver4FS9o-T5649uH7M6CbsnnXd2w-UH23mu0_Z_VFuDxMHMOyel3gOr6p3Ru9xNz6ZQ42L_3q0SMvkPQg/s320/81XAhkfzn-L.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Tattooist of Auschwitz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Heather Morris</span></div>
<br />
Finished a terrific book called <i>The Tattooist of Auschwitz </i>by Heather Morris. It is a true life story of a Lali Sokolov, a 26-year-old Slovakian Jew who gave himself up to the Nazis in the hopes that he would spare his family from capture. Lali, age 87, begins to tell his story to Morris, who turns it into a book. Lali goes into great depth describing the utter destruction that the Nazi’s dealt to all Jews and non-Aryan people. Lali was determined to live and was offered an opportunity to become a tattooist, the person who marked all entering captives into Auschwitz and Buchenwald. He was recruited by the tetovierer, the German name for tattooist, and he continued the role throughout his time in camp. In reflection, Lali feels he may have been a ‘sell-out’ to the Germans for the role he played but knows it is what kept him alive and allowed him to receive more food than the other inmates. He had a very strange relationship with the SS officer to whom he reported. His officer even allowed him to enter a relationship with another prisoner, Gita Furman, who was assigned to work in the administrative office for the SS. She did not receive the same extra rations that Lali did. Lali later started to provide a portion of his rations to others in the camp and worked ‘undercover’ with another prisoner to get chocolates and other food for the prisoners. The brutality of the camp was present throughout the book. Prisoners being gassed and shot to death was normal. It is unbelievable that our world was brought to such depths. A horrific existence to live through. Lali did survive and ended up being reunited with Gita after the war. A love story through a hell that no one could ever have fathomed. I listened to this one on tape. I’d highly recommend.Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-78226460781888054192019-09-16T11:28:00.000-04:002019-09-17T11:30:55.317-04:00One Person, No Vote<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One Person, No Vote</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Carol Anderson</span></div>
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An exceedingly eye-opening book to read about how politics
play a role in voting, education, and keeping poverty in select sections of
various states within the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Carol
Anderson’s book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One Person, No Vote,</i>
the reader learns the lengths that many politicians have taken to ensure that
people of color continue to be disadvantaged in the electoral process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anderson provides significant background and
historical perspective on the process of re-districting (gerrymandering) by
both mainstream political parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
research into the topic is in-depth with recent election outcomes to support
her arguments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is broken into
five sections: The early days of the US election process, the use of voter IDs,
how political parties in power purged voter rolls, rigging the rules for voting,
and the current resistance (where some are asking for voters to prove their
intelligence to vote!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every American
citizen should have the right to vote, but do they really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>District lines should not be determined by
the color of one’s skin nor should the number of hours it takes for citizens to
vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a must read for every
citizen and worthy of debate on how to resolve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-82421590732484038842019-09-15T13:43:00.000-04:002019-09-16T13:44:37.219-04:00The Tale of Despereaux<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Tale of Despereaux</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Kate DiCamillo</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finished Kate DiCamillo’s book for children called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Tale of Despereaux.</i> It is a tale of
a mouse who falls in love with a Princess, gets sent to the dungeon by his
peers for interacting with the Princess, and, after a fretful capture of the
Princess, the undersized mouse does what he knows he must do: enter
the dungeon, try to find the Princess, and bring her back to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a cute children’s book that provides
moments of curiosity (the addition of some words into the vocabulary),
reflection (doing the right thing), and ensuring the castle and the kingdom
return to peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
subplots included as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
younger kids would really enjoy this book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-66390730363116932902019-09-14T16:18:00.000-04:002019-10-03T16:19:30.993-04:00In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Mark Batterson</span></div>
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Another Christian book with a good message and life lessons in
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day</i>
by Mark Batterson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book provides a
perspective on how to face the most challenging obstacles in life, risks that
are worth taking, and coming face to face with the scariest things in our lives
(the lion in the cage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Batterson draws
upon the Bible to share moments of courage from the ‘actors’ who have ‘crosses’
to carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each chapter is underscored by
a quote that introduces the main theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example: “You are responsible forever for what you have tamed” –
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This introduces the theme for the chapter called “Locking eyes with your lion”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
person has to tame the thing that holds them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We determine how we will respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Batterson provides a sensible process for how
to move forward in our lives to be the best we can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of each chapter, the author presents
a review of the top ‘takeaways’ and an exercise to reinforce the lessons
learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quintessential self-help book
grounded in Christian doctrine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-37685738883619706822019-09-12T16:13:00.000-04:002019-09-13T16:15:38.459-04:00Hearing God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hearing God: Eliminate Myths. Encounter Meaning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Nathan Finochio</span></div>
<br />
NYU RAs always provide a breadth and depth in the recommendations they share with me as favorite books. It was refreshing to be offered a Christian book that discusses how to have a better relationship by listening to God. <i> Hearing God: Eliminate Myths. Encounter Meaning.</i> by Nathan Finochio, a pastor in the Hillsong NYC congregational church, provides a series of reflections that offer a way to deepen connection to a Higher Being – in this case, the Christian God. What is my purpose? How do I begin to find life’s path? What meaning do the relationships I have with others have with respect to my journey? These are a number of the questions raised, and they are connected to readings from the Bible. Finochio writes nine chapters that debunk myths related to our relationship with God. He suggests that God is connected with a person constantly. We need to be more aware of how to listen more clearly and learn to have a conversation about what matters in life and how we interact with nature & others. And we need to focus on the big question: what am I doing in this life? What is my calling? All really thoughtful questions and very much connected to biblical readings & real life stories from the author. Helpful perspective for believers and great questions to ponder even for those who don’t believe in a higher being.Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-10648239498652483042019-09-10T11:27:00.000-04:002019-09-11T11:27:44.693-04:00Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ck5Bv4cgBTc3mx3hWRBevDGBcecDuMDjdNKqFlopKDIbx-r1eHe5xPB4-ZkD4hyphenhyphen3CdgP1e0MJYrnA8NnI1hHwwjMamBCAEszplH8IJUHVJcgoMhq48UMp3UCzri5aD8gHjHhFiuUpbM/s1600/41eA-TfFoCL._AC_SY400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ck5Bv4cgBTc3mx3hWRBevDGBcecDuMDjdNKqFlopKDIbx-r1eHe5xPB4-ZkD4hyphenhyphen3CdgP1e0MJYrnA8NnI1hHwwjMamBCAEszplH8IJUHVJcgoMhq48UMp3UCzri5aD8gHjHhFiuUpbM/s320/41eA-TfFoCL._AC_SY400_.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi</span></div>
<br />
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What a beautiful story in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window</i> by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and
translated by Dorothy Britton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
true-life story told by the author reflecting on her childhood attending the
Tomeo school after being expelled from her first elementary school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tomeo school was run by a gentle man and
leader, Sosaku Kobayashi, who believed in a non-traditional way to educate
young children. He believes in fewer rules, less structure, and a heightened
sense of exploration and creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tetsuko’s memories are heartwarming in describing how she learned, the
students with whom she attended the school, and her wonderful upbringing with loving
parents and playful dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the
story takes place with the backdrop of World War II creeping closer to
Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories flow in a way that highlights
the lessons taught through great parenting, a tremendous educational
environment, and children who experience love and acceptance for who they are,
no matter their abilities nor their physical characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tetsuko informs her headmaster that her life
dream is to eventually teach at the school, which leads to her desire to write
the book years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the war
growing closer to Japan, the school is destroyed when a bomb drops on the
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tetsuko is reunited with her
classmates years later (the group has annual reunions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the epilogue, Tetsuko shares updates on
many of the children and other people she highlighted in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a best-selling book and worth a read
for all young children to learn the lessons of dreaming big and learning
outside the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highly recommend!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-87904244063332492322019-09-10T11:03:00.001-04:002019-09-10T11:05:13.646-04:00Heartburn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRJ09kjHjeiaxrDaMC-FlFilJSncdeXsdJFwTVTRr4fNfR8tLzYklKBzTN9RznYlCPas5Pc0Dy2YQgqArLdprxtdPxp__vJWoUwWrbHwzSMeltpIn83mPxxrAoVCV5djOQ8MKfpBF6LU/s1600/71UPhWBFLBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRJ09kjHjeiaxrDaMC-FlFilJSncdeXsdJFwTVTRr4fNfR8tLzYklKBzTN9RznYlCPas5Pc0Dy2YQgqArLdprxtdPxp__vJWoUwWrbHwzSMeltpIn83mPxxrAoVCV5djOQ8MKfpBF6LU/s320/71UPhWBFLBL.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Heartburn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Nora Ephron</span></div>
<br />
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Finished reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heartburn
</i>by Nora Ephron, which was published in the early 1980s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is about a married woman, Rachel,
who seems very happy and is pregnant with her second child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel is a well-known cookbook writer and
she includes recipes throughout her stories. The main story here is one that
will end with a key lime pie in the face of her husband (soon to be ex).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel learns from the local Washington, DC
“wives group” of the local politicians that her husband is having an affair
with another woman in the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel
tries to come to terms with her husband’s transgressions, trying to hold on to
the marriage, but to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
themes of marriage, divorce, affairs, women’s counseling groups, and even how
to cook with the recipes she shares are thrown together in this ‘comedy’, which
is very much reminiscent of the early 1980s. There is tension throughout surrounding
whether or not she will leave her husband. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few laughs, but, for the most part, a light
read that you might enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-64986098033910272392019-09-08T11:49:00.000-04:002019-09-09T11:50:13.215-04:00The Argonauts<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7zwAcal_oLqH5w80aqu1z_hm0Q2y22ZS-Ap_WtOUyTx5WV5InrE1xi56GUrZirWOHcuFzPKI5EEqfepbPuStoM1AV5umNxLJOFZLIVseqagnbAi6n1ct3TTLlbBdCLIBHGzSs7vfRl0/s1600/51nfZlSy1KL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7zwAcal_oLqH5w80aqu1z_hm0Q2y22ZS-Ap_WtOUyTx5WV5InrE1xi56GUrZirWOHcuFzPKI5EEqfepbPuStoM1AV5umNxLJOFZLIVseqagnbAi6n1ct3TTLlbBdCLIBHGzSs7vfRl0/s320/51nfZlSy1KL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Argonauts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Maggie Nelson</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Argonauts</i> by
Maggie Nelson is her free-flowing, true-life story. Nelson describes the
journey of marrying a female-to-male transitioned partner, the adoption of
their son, the relationship with her parents (and consequent loss of her mother
to cancer) and the pregnancy/birth of her son Iggy. Nelson’s style of writing
is drawn from other influential authors, particularly Roland Barthes. Her writing
moves from inspirations from her life to moments of pain surrounding issues
related to gender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tells of the time
she is stalked by an older white male recounting the death of her aunt Jane in
the book she authored by the same name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her ability to interweave sexuality/gender transitioning, cancer, love,
raising a step child, and the uncertainty of Prop 8 in California keeps the
reader engaged throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nelson is a
prolific author whose style matches many of the students of today who stay
connected in ‘short bites’ of narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Complex topic, complex writing, depth beyond words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a relatively short read but will take
some time to understand all of the themes and messages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-1618532219585163292019-09-07T11:42:00.000-04:002019-09-09T11:42:38.095-04:00The Purity Myth<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv9Erm_RMXQFKx7N5L0-OJZHCxV8rURg4WbyZ7QlYWojaeE7K07-4Ho0SrwtHwFs7EL44LighlwiGf2JyVGmdyy-5Gfz0deaA24Qbdi-5rIW-2JtuwpWgu2bOtKUhm-tqkynE8hb9omI/s1600/313lHgEb6CL._SX333_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv9Erm_RMXQFKx7N5L0-OJZHCxV8rURg4WbyZ7QlYWojaeE7K07-4Ho0SrwtHwFs7EL44LighlwiGf2JyVGmdyy-5Gfz0deaA24Qbdi-5rIW-2JtuwpWgu2bOtKUhm-tqkynE8hb9omI/s320/313lHgEb6CL._SX333_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Purity Myth</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Jessica Valenti</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Purity
Myth</i> by Jessica Valenti.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book provides
the perspective of a feminist author and her views on how women, specifically
young women, face the challenges of sexuality. Valenti presents data that runs
the spectrum from pregnancy rate decline, the amount the federal government has
funded healthy marriage initiatives and ‘chastity’-focused programs for young
girls, sexual activity rates among high-schoolers, STI rates, HPV rates of
infection, and demographic statistics for pregnancy/low-income and other issues
related to young girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a book
that would serve as a great resource for a student studying young girls and how
they are influenced by society/impacted by governmental policies centered on
sexual activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Valenti also presents
her memories of losing her virginity and even reaches out to the boy she had
sex with at age sixteen to get his thoughts on the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A well-researched and data driven book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick read with a ton of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was published in 2009, so a decade has
passed since it was first released and data may need to be updated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-22102116855727530342019-09-02T12:16:00.000-04:002019-09-03T12:16:42.412-04:00Mindset<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0pKM7V-wgolgzMlu-VVdnTfCCegKooOknVActBZieXoQjXsF9b1r4yqlfFh5oQhHMaFcQNLOu5_KXVj_K7ijj4mvOpPhLVyi5ASj1yVm-7ld_wADFBk41WKHJc7kdrHPtRWpVR_h6xg/s1600/81o--FP-hPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1053" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0pKM7V-wgolgzMlu-VVdnTfCCegKooOknVActBZieXoQjXsF9b1r4yqlfFh5oQhHMaFcQNLOu5_KXVj_K7ijj4mvOpPhLVyi5ASj1yVm-7ld_wADFBk41WKHJc7kdrHPtRWpVR_h6xg/s320/81o--FP-hPL.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mindset: The New Psychology of Success</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Carol Dweck, Ph.D.</span></div>
<br />
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A really good book to help one re-think their approach to
life in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mindset</i> by Carol Dweck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book outlines how a person should adopt a psychology for success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dweck draws upon the work of leadership guru Warren Bennis, a long-time
researcher on leaders in industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One will
either live with a fixed mindset or a growth mindset – which will you choose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dweck provides the “how-to” in growing that
‘growth’ approach by suggesting the following: embrace challenges (don’t avoid
them); persist in the face of setbacks (don’t give up); see effort as the path
to mastery (don’t view it as fruitless); learn from criticism (don’t ignore
it); and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others (don’t feel
threatened by the success of others).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn
from the lessons of those who think they are ‘better’ than others, especially
from athletes, business leaders, and even teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look for those who are sincere with their
feedback, who provide honest appraisal and want you to be the best you can
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many people who impact youth can
do harm with relentless criticism or praise that is not deserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a required reading in some of NYU’s
courses in the psychology department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t recommend this one more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all
need to take a real and detailed look at our effort to do the best we can in
all that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dweck’s research is well-received
and focuses mainly on children in elementary and high school, where the real
impact can be made for building a brain that pushes one to be their best.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-60720799783155367352019-08-24T10:25:00.000-04:002019-08-26T10:28:25.359-04:00Station Eleven (RA Alumni Favorite)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGsLpnNsIY6ssyAK9K_H2VO1ve5TAFcp1ouMAEqEVQHtaHPo1V2wF8jRVS2cxEsGEhR0n-k_KvUJIk3I5MpAH_ep81Yey5xhugwpuFO0RGZgv0lMZbMKSwuBnr2AmsjttKOI5ViDAm6s/s1600/919wLDRgyuL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1039" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGsLpnNsIY6ssyAK9K_H2VO1ve5TAFcp1ouMAEqEVQHtaHPo1V2wF8jRVS2cxEsGEhR0n-k_KvUJIk3I5MpAH_ep81Yey5xhugwpuFO0RGZgv0lMZbMKSwuBnr2AmsjttKOI5ViDAm6s/s320/919wLDRgyuL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Station Eleven</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Emily St. John Mandel</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s nice to reconnect with an alum who served in the RA
position, and it’s even better when they share an all-time favorite book to
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thoroughly enjoyed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Station Eleven</i> written by Emily St. John
Mandel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It tells of a</span>n epidemic, the Georgian flu, that devastates the world, killing most of the population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book begins at a Shakespearean play
where the lead, King Lear, dies of a heart attack and moves from pre- to post-Georgian
flu to fill in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arthur
Leander (King Lear), Jeevan Chaudhary (the paramedic in the audience who tries
to save him), Kirsten Raymonde (a child actress in the show), Miranda Carroll
(Arthur’s first wife), Clark Thompson (Arthur’s lawyer), and Tyler Leander
(Arthur’s young son from his second wife) are all part of the story. It describes
their days in Toronto (pre-epidemic) and their journey to the Great Lakes area,
where the characters who live through the flu epidemic fill in what happened to
get where they are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mandel’s story
grabbed my attention early, and I loved how I learned more about the
twenty-year change in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Exceedingly well-written with characters who are eager to share their
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A science-fiction graphic novel with
a very unexpected outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can fiction
actually come to life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one is a
must read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love when the author is
able to build multiple stories within one book…. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well done! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-39497445300495967132019-08-09T14:44:00.000-04:002019-08-13T14:44:56.766-04:00(Extra Book) The Nickel Boys<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg6Lqd03CAmDwPnsRY_4w5zF9HpoX1wnsQBPcRTKNtXEKLHAQp4A5ONYE6z1MIYp8Z737icDbOq5ZxtId8_h-UoLlO5JcWVadDT5vrYfjizRFVwskG8uix4MUbZItgxTWzcETNYiAcPM/s1600/71yP-dPa0mL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg6Lqd03CAmDwPnsRY_4w5zF9HpoX1wnsQBPcRTKNtXEKLHAQp4A5ONYE6z1MIYp8Z737icDbOq5ZxtId8_h-UoLlO5JcWVadDT5vrYfjizRFVwskG8uix4MUbZItgxTWzcETNYiAcPM/s320/71yP-dPa0mL.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Nickel Boys</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Colson Whitehead</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to Tracey G. for this recommendation - a really good
read in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Nickel Boys</i> by Colson
Whitehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is based on the
real-life story of a reform school in Florida for young boys who committed minor
offenses, lacked parents, or were there for a variety of other reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As portrayed in the book, Nickel Academy is a
cruel place full of hatred, especially for black boys who regularly get whipped
and placed in solitary confinement. This is the place that seventeen-year-old
Elwood Curtis ends up after receiving a free car ride home from his first day
of a pre-college program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elwood was a
bright young man destined for success, but he was in the wrong place at the
wrong time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was forced to go to the
academy by the judge of his case, and that’s when his living hell begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules were arbitrary and, for someone who worked
so hard, always doing the right thing, he entered a place where there was no
understandable ‘right way to behave’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During his first week at the academy, he faced a beating for trying to
assist another student being taunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this place, he was bound to secrecy and there were serious ramifications if he
spoke out against the academy. But this didn’t stop Elwood from making a plan.
He waited for an opportunity to alert the authorities of the dangers in the academy
and got that chance when a tour by the officials took place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elwood wasn’t ready for what happened
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is a reminder of the
type of world we live in where hate has and continues to prevail. It is
disturbing to learn that those who ran the system at the academy brutally
murdered some of the black boys who attended and buried them on the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All great stories have a twist, and this one
is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to believe
that the 1950s and 60s was the time frame of this story. In this world today,
we still witness abuse of children, lack of equality, and pure hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Books like this serve as a reminder so that
we never forget what happened in our past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elwood and children like him need love, education and opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A profound story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-64074434425581357732019-08-03T16:17:00.000-04:002019-08-05T16:18:56.091-04:00Being Mortal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI3_P8FLvt23B88s992tIdGXE6ptcF9aTeTimmDO-8TLRPDHnxZR1kuEkomhAKkXXLhL48RVCj62rfx9PZ_pQZ183lIIu2nu_-zYUtvxsQG5XmKBK0p8zHN9B5JTClYmshPA4x5FwVAc/s1600/718pVHqUk5L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI3_P8FLvt23B88s992tIdGXE6ptcF9aTeTimmDO-8TLRPDHnxZR1kuEkomhAKkXXLhL48RVCj62rfx9PZ_pQZ183lIIu2nu_-zYUtvxsQG5XmKBK0p8zHN9B5JTClYmshPA4x5FwVAc/s320/718pVHqUk5L.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Atul Gawande</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Death… it comes to everyone at some point, either suddenly
or through a long disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
experienced them both in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
brother was killed in a motorcycle accident when I was nineteen years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was vibrant and living a wonderful life
and it happened instantaneously, whereas my sister struggled through cancer for
4+ years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither is easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This RA Favorite book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,</i> focuses on how
we plan our final days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is written by
a physician, Atul Gawande, and he intersperses his own family story of a parent
at the end of their life. He also tells of a number of patients who teach him
how to be a better doctor when it comes to a diagnosis that needs conversation
and thoughtful decision making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
begins the book with a discussion on how America has turned away from the
elderly, where families look for nursing homes/assisted living and other venues
to place their loved ones. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is in
sharp contrast with many countries where families keep their elders with them
through their final days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book
continues with how medicine has increased the life span of people today coupled
with improved hygiene and how we filtrate water/sewage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most meaningful chapters for me include
the idea of how we think through our end-of-life decision making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having experienced two instances in my family
where that didn’t seem to happen as openly as it could have, I recommend
everyone think through what your “goal” is when faced with a life-altering
surgery, path for medication, or procedure that might end or substantially
change how you live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What outcome will
be right for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Gawande is
compassionate and shares his own failures and how he has improved patient
conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Letting go is not
easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have a time to live and a
time to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you want that time
to work best for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an easy book
to get through, but it is done with impeccable judgement and clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Dr. Gawande.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to your list, but do so when you have a
clear mind and not faced with tough decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-9401826486826255612019-07-31T13:45:00.004-04:002019-07-31T13:46:48.253-04:00(Extra Book) A Compendium of Lines for All Occasions <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXfBXHpCzjbAJLu1CUVaCm9okgQ2UgkEHc9qZDUpebNxHjg37JR1jAfDVN7KRn1LAsqCXeJKLpbwlRLFUxgmu4mlzmy30aXGpTUQR0kCxF1tZl-SpnIpTEDgoY2uaQshVcTY_CH5z2UU/s1600/9781683490920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXfBXHpCzjbAJLu1CUVaCm9okgQ2UgkEHc9qZDUpebNxHjg37JR1jAfDVN7KRn1LAsqCXeJKLpbwlRLFUxgmu4mlzmy30aXGpTUQR0kCxF1tZl-SpnIpTEDgoY2uaQshVcTY_CH5z2UU/s320/9781683490920.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A Compendium of Lines for All Occasions</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Knock Knock </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever you get an extra book suggestion, you have to hold
your breathe a bit…. And this one is a ‘one-liner’ response book for every
occasion!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Compendium of Lines for All Occasions. </i>The book has responses for all engagements
with people ranging from insults, excuses, rejections, mind games, put-downs
and cop-outs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some laugh-out-loud
moments and a few to put in the back of your mind should you need them, though I’m
not sure I would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t seem to have
that type of quick wit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are even a
few funny ones for roommate relations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s more of a book to place in the bathroom for ‘toilet reading.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numerous lines I have heard a few times over
my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-37355523079955534592019-07-28T13:40:00.000-04:002019-07-31T13:41:18.611-04:00All About Love<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu760aQWlp0epoe0xMHyot5-oKiiCowl_yqFWb6PqvHf1B-fWKj4-fZlHSw-3wr5H-eNnbX8w-SnlwF7TfcnJ2lXQoNZWy3j6OZJuDKidBgZcVmvnyQbWPGu7NWvUb__hOEoZWujr-Zw/s1600/41IZypoflkL._SX330_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu760aQWlp0epoe0xMHyot5-oKiiCowl_yqFWb6PqvHf1B-fWKj4-fZlHSw-3wr5H-eNnbX8w-SnlwF7TfcnJ2lXQoNZWy3j6OZJuDKidBgZcVmvnyQbWPGu7NWvUb__hOEoZWujr-Zw/s320/41IZypoflkL._SX330_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">All About Love</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by bell hooks</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a great book to read to reflect on a most important
emotion… LOVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bell hooks, a popular
feminist writer, is the author of this classic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All About Love.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book focuses
on the year 2000 (when it was published).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>hooks presents ideas about love in modern society by drawing from her
own personal experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shares the
dysfunction within her own family experience as well as definitions that
are helpful in understanding her perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She also incorporates some of the actions of public figures (not always
good), including from our president at the time, Bill Clinton, and his
extramarital involvement with Monica Lewinsky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>hooks takes the complex concept of ‘love’ from a non-sexual point of
view to dive deep into the concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
book contains thirteen short essays on aspects of love including: the clarity
of love (defining it); the justice of love (childhood lessons); the honesty of
love; what commitment means for love; the spirituality of love; the values of
love; how greed interferes with love; loving in community; mutuality; the
importance of romance in love; loving life and death; redemptive love; and when
angels speak of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is
beautifully written with simple concepts on how to live a life that attracts
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The foundational values for
creating love within all of one’s relationships are outlined in a
non-judgmental but assertive manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always enjoyed hooks’ work, highly
recommend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we need today in this
world is more love, which is something that should be stressed more in college
coursework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d suggest it as a common
read for college students!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-41740509314826764022019-07-22T15:27:00.000-04:002019-07-23T15:27:25.564-04:00The Displaced<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJOndv3c9BzlD9RfhF50d0nsb_uyUmF-7txWCCyjrpsvI3qLuI0G0QbgzcRGFUQVHHiLBGbt3Nl5k9KLxC8bs03E3kjYbGGV_aq-u5XVTpJe_-RxQyO77QwfOTxc99DZI8lz7QVj_lN0/s1600/41DYKMoEbeL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJOndv3c9BzlD9RfhF50d0nsb_uyUmF-7txWCCyjrpsvI3qLuI0G0QbgzcRGFUQVHHiLBGbt3Nl5k9KLxC8bs03E3kjYbGGV_aq-u5XVTpJe_-RxQyO77QwfOTxc99DZI8lz7QVj_lN0/s320/41DYKMoEbeL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When an RA alum informed me that his book is now in print, I
needed to add it to my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just finished
reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Displaced: Refugee Writers on
Refugee Life, </i>edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are twenty short stories presented by refugees from around the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The RA alum, Joseph Azam, writes
about coming from Afghanistan and having to struggle with how he chose his name
when becoming an American citizen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you for sharing your personal challenges emigrating and the struggle of being
placed in an American education system, a system that does not do a good job of
training teachers how to welcome all and ensure that the other classmates understand
it is perfectly fine being from another country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, school should be a place where we
share the journey of immigrants and understand the rich cultures and various
beliefs of students who may not look like us, speak the same language, or eat
the same food. They too should be treated with respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading the various stories, the same themes
emerged: bullying, bringing attention to difference in look/skin tone, accent,
and heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we not gotten better
as a country?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weren’t we all immigrants
at one point in time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are at a very
precarious time in our country’s history, and yes, history does tend to repeat
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Middle East, Asia, Africa, the
Caribbean, and parts of Europe are included based on the lineage of the
authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a book that ALL higher
education professionals should read as it underlines the trauma that many of
the students coming to our campuses are coping with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our job to ensure we create places of
safety and comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in a complex
world and need to find ways to heal and strengthen those who are considered
‘outsiders’ by many of the people in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to Joe and the other nineteen authors
who braved their experience and were willing to share with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789312370843975233.post-6552195558769667392019-07-21T15:10:00.000-04:002019-07-23T15:11:21.433-04:00Romance of the Three Kingdoms<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px;">Romance of the Three Kingdoms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by Luo Guanzhong</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finished a classic historical Chinese novel called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Romance of the Three Kingdoms </i>by Luo
Guanzhong (or at least that’s to whom they attribute the book).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is believed to be written in the
1300s, is set in 170 AD, and concludes with the reunification of the
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only read volume 1 of 3,
which was not an easy task as it is very long and has an immense number of
characters and storylines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main
story follows the leadership of the dynasty that includes military battles,
power-play within the leadership, and family turmoil. In many respects, while
very different, it had a feel of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Game of
Thrones</i> with intrigue and battles at every chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not easy to write a one paragraph review, but
I will say that, given its depth and impact on Chinese literature, it’s easy to
understand why this is one of the most widely read historical novels in China.
You’ll need a few weeks of commitment to get through volume one – no idea how
long to add for the last two volumes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tom Elletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723836846101133090noreply@blogger.com0