tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post8832160358120501697..comments2024-03-28T12:01:31.049-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: From Zombies to GirlsJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-25446987597988803572016-10-10T15:05:27.157-04:002016-10-10T15:05:27.157-04:00How interesting. I usually see trends after they h...How interesting. I usually see trends after they have passed their peak.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-42879482957351926612016-10-10T13:04:09.211-04:002016-10-10T13:04:09.211-04:00The popular new books just prove that there's ...The popular new books just prove that there's more of a reading population out there than we really appreciate, if the right books can come to the attention of the people who would like them.<br /><br />I taught special education for a while in an alternative school. Sometimes, I had self-contained classes of students with modified curriculum. One May, late in the school year, I had a student placed in my class. It wasn't really the right placement academically, since my class consisted of students who would not receive diplomas, but this very bright student was returning from a county jail where he had not been receiving any educational services, and there was no way he could pass any classes to receive credit in the short time left in the semester. He had an unfortunate history of emotional disturbance and violence. The court had ordered him to attend school, and I had previously been one of his teachers, so he knew me.<br /><br />We needed to choose a reading project. I suggested Harry Potter. Most of the students, all high school age or older, felt that was a children's book and didn't think they were interested. My new student, who the others knew from before his incarceration,glared at the other students and said, "Well, I want to read Harry Potter." We did, and everyone loved it.<br /><br />Another time, a student of mine took home one of the Twilight books to read over winter break. When he came back, he told me he was reading it in his room, which he shared with an uncle and several cousins. His uncle came in, saw him reading, and said, "What have you done with my nephew, and why are you reading a book?"KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-8849308375366868002016-10-10T12:26:04.562-04:002016-10-10T12:26:04.562-04:00I'm not into vampires or zombies, either. But ...I'm not into vampires or zombies, either. But three books that were read and enjoyed by by <br />one or both of my book clubs were "The Little Paris Bookshop" by Nina George, "Remarkable<br />Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier, and a book I think every teach should recommend for young adults, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. I know if I go through the list of books chosen by my<br />book clubs there would be more.<br /><br />As far as for mysteries which are my favorite reads, there are too many mystery authors I<br />enjoy to list here including all those written by my fellow bloggers.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-21641643986865565852016-10-10T09:12:52.999-04:002016-10-10T09:12:52.999-04:00Terrific post, Shari. I also like the term "f...Terrific post, Shari. I also like the term "fiction" rather than "literature" for the course. It will probably attract far more students. How about books written by Americans set in foreign countries? In that case, I would like to recommend the inclusion of Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. Fabulous series that features lots of history and a bit of time travel. Sorry, no "girl" books for me.<br /><br />Good luck, Art, in making your selection. No matter what you select, you'll have people wondering why you didn't select X, Y, or Z.<br /><br />Margaret, I loved "Where'd You Go Bernadette."Grace Toppinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10291304815273486038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-75058560871499110452016-10-10T08:45:33.276-04:002016-10-10T08:45:33.276-04:00Thanks for the shout-out here, Shari--and for the ...Thanks for the shout-out here, Shari--and for the fascinating post generally! And I found your point on "literature" versus "fiction" interesting--something that hadn't crossed my own mind (the course was named long before it was assigned to me) but that makes perfect sense.<br /><br />And Margaret, Maria Semple is high on the list now--I think it would be great to include! Art Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409008167752619352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-87159889660550710442016-10-10T08:30:50.789-04:002016-10-10T08:30:50.789-04:00I suggested that Art Taylor include Maria Semple&#...I suggested that Art Taylor include Maria Semple's Where'd You go Bernadette on his syllabus. Semple nailed her characters and setting. The book is hilarious.<br /><br />I'm up for anything that keeps kids reading after fourth grade, as long as it's well-written.<br /><br />The only "girl" book I've read and enjoyed was Allison Leotta's The Last Good Girl, which focuses on the campus rape culture. She's a former sex crimes Federal prosecutor, so the book bristles with authenticity.Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-82864901816806583922016-10-10T06:03:04.679-04:002016-10-10T06:03:04.679-04:00Hum, I missed some of these trends and others I ne...Hum, I missed some of these trends and others I never understood--zombies and vampires to name two. Just not cut out for horror, I guess. <br /><br />This post is fascinating, especially because of your unique position which as a librarian which gives you a broad-based viewpoint. Now that you have pointed it out, I wonder what the "Girl" trend will say about us to future scholars. And I wonder what it says about the authors. Does referring to these women as "girls" excuse some rather distasteful behaviors in the books? Is it meant to imply that when they become women all will be well? Curious.Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.com