Keeping Track

Alright I have been one of those teachers who have assigned Reading Logs in the past.  I have made my students keep track of titles and page numbers or minutes.  Most of my life, I have always tried and failed to keep track of my own reading so I believe it has been a wonderful gift to make others do this chore as well.  And now a days we have so many fun ways to keep track: Goodreads, google classroom stream, a blog, just taking pictures and yet still I find myself struggling to keep it all together. 
I'm a librarian so I do keep track but this summer I have promised to do better and read more so here is my first post about what I am reading and have read so far:
1. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong (Adult)
2. The River Knows by Amanda Quick (Adult)
3. Starvation Heights by Gregg Olson (Non-Fiction) *keep a look out mention of this book in the next podcast.

Do you have trouble?  How do you keep track? 

A WEEKEND WITH A WRITER - NEAL SHUSTERMAN

Neal Shusterman

I was introduced to Neal Shusterman as an author about five years ago when I read one of my all time favorite books Unwind.  It was an experience I will never forget.  Afterward I continued to recommend it, and the book club that my then librarian and I had started, read it as a group.  The amazing story of Connor, Riesa, and Lev's journey to escape the fate of so many other unwanted youths who were unwound is non-stop action.  This story has stood the test of many a reader.  It is one of my go to booktalks for all, even adults.  

As my fandom increased, I took a turn reading parts of the Dark Fusion Trilogy starting with DreadLocks which is combo of Goldilocks and Medusa; and Everlost part of the Skinjacker Trilogy.  Not only can Shusterman spin a suspenseful sci-fi mashup of fairy tales and myths, but he can also weave into all his stories the bigger life lessons that leave you contemplating the larger issues of life especially when he writes in conjunction with his children.

Challenger Deep was my top pick of a book to read last year.  It was also awarded the National Book Award.  This heart-wrenching story of Caden Bosch follows him as he descends into a schizophrenic break as well as to the bottom of the Marina Trench.  Alternating between real life and Caden's delusions, the reader is never really sure of what is reality.  The power of this novel caused me to change how I view the world.  It was amazing.

At the moment, I'm deep into Scythe which is a book about the perfect society where computer technology allows people to live forever.  There is a problem with over population so the society has founded an organization to pick a certain amount of people to die every year depending upon certain factors.  Two teens are challenged to learn the art of being a Scythe.  One will win, but neither desire it.  

Anytime I'm asked who my favorite author is, I always say Shusterman!  Who is yours? 

Here is a link to his amazing website.  Check out what is coming on Film and TV.  

http://www.storyman.com/ 

Retold Fairy Tales

LoudLibrarianLawson goes through some of her favorite retold young adolescent fairytales that are contained in her middle school library.

Retold BLOODY fairytales

RETOLD

FAIRY TALES

As I sit here and rock out to my Sparrow Inspired Spotify playlist, I realize that I now have added to the pressure in my life by telling some of my classes about my blog.  I will also now have to follow that up by attaching it to my school website.  This will hopefully lead to more comments, interactions, and of course reading of books which is always the objective.  

Now back to the books at hand, Retold Bloody Fairy Tales.  There are many.  It seems to be a new genre of taking fairy tales and twisting them into something different and slightly new but with the comfort of a well known story.  I want to highlight two that I really enjoyed.  They are not for the faint of heart.  With that warning, let's bring out the contenders.  

 

In this corner, we have A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz.  

The narrator is your guide through this dark and twisted tale through the well known story of Hansel and Gretel which takes a completely different turn in order to interact with some lesser well known tales.  He warns you that it will get bloody and violent and boy does he deliver.  It is way over the top but in its extreme nature the reader is able to take comfort in the reactions of the main characters.  I often recommend this book to both reluctant readers and full-fledged book alcoholics.  Book trailer attached below.

In the other corner, we have Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter.  This book is not for the faint of heart or those who don't enjoy a challenge.  

Based on a Russian folktale called Vassilissa the Beautiful, this story centers around Vassa who starts off as a lonely orphan living with her stepmother and two "ugly" stepsisters.  In this pseudo futuristic Brooklyn, Vassa is sent for a seemingly ordinary item, light bulbs, but not to an ordinary store.  Baba Yag is the local one stop shop for everything.  Unfortunately it also has the tendency to behead shoplifters and has thrown a couple innocent people into the mix as well.  
Vassa with a death wish in one hand and a cute little Russian doll in the other is determined to take on this store, one dismembered hand at a time.  

This is one weird awesome read.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it, but don't feel bad if it isn't up your alley.  

Speaking of what you like to read . . .   What retold fairy tale have you really enjoyed?  Comment here and stay tuned for a new feature, podcasts, all centered around retold fairy tales. 

Soundtracks inspired by Books

Here we are again to start the blog days for Loud Librarian Lawson.  This testing season, I'm also adding a podcast so that should be pretty fun.

Here I wanted to start a conversation about books that have inspired new soundtracks or a re-visitation to old songs and classics.  Two books have really made a big impact on my Spotify playlist.  Before I jump into which books have influenced me, let me tell you about apps like Spotify, Pandora, and i-Tunes where you can find music at the drop of a hat.  Gone are the days where you had to record a mix tape from the radio.  Instead you can now collect all your music at your fingertips and also develop playlists that are close to your favorite artists.

The two books that really changed my playlists were Armada by Ernst Cline and Sparrow by Sarah Moon.  In Aramada, Cline has video-gamer Zach take over all of his estranged father's video game collection including his mix tape "Raid the Arcade".  He uses it as inspiration when he takes on the aliens in his favorite video game turned real life invasion Armada.

In Sparrow, aptly named Sparrow is a lonely girl who has a hard time making friends.  Her one friend in school, the librarian, dies tragically and all Sparrow can think to do is fly away with the birds.  Being caught up on the roof of the school, lands her in the hospital and counseling where she discovers her voice through music.

      Raid the Aracade   Sparrow Inspired Playlist

Comment and share any books that you have read that influenced what you listen to. 

Finally . . . .

So I'm finally coming close to the end of testing and finding time to get creative again.  I have put together my first DRAW MY LIFE.  Instead of putting my life on display, I thought it would be a really fun idea to create a DRAW MY LIFE for book characters.  I was limited on what I was able to use video editing wise, but I found Lightworks which is free was able to provided what I needed.  Here is the first of a series of DRAW MY LIFE in books. 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

What an amazing experience it is to read again the marvelous work of J.K. Rowling.  She brings to life such an amazing story of a boy coming of age.  Reading it through for the 6th time after having my children, has brought so much fun.  Hermione, a girl after my own heart, has this to say about one of my favorite places:
      "Harry -- I think I've just understood something!  I have got to go to the library!"
      And she sprinted away up the stairs.
     "What does she understand?"  said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.
      "Loads more than I do," said Ron, shaking his head.
      "But why's she got to go to the library?"
      "Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron, shrugging.  "When in doubt, go to the library."

Love this quote and have it on a shirt, but I was unaware of exactly it was found within Harry Potter and now I know.

I also love this piece of advise which is from Dumbledore:
      . . . It is our choices, Harry, that show who we are, far more than our abilities.

On to the third books with some others thrown in to the mix.  More fun videos and updates soon.  I have started a tumblr, musical.ly, and will be going live on my Instagram soon.

Keep Reading Loudly!