Hugo Award Winners

The World is Flat

Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Format: Audiobook

This book should be read by people "all around the world." I'm wishing I had counted the number of times Mr. Friedman used this phrase in his book, I'm sure it is in the hundreds. However, "all around the world" pretty much sums it up, in his "history of the twenty-first century" Mr. Friedman more or less concludes that our era is all about globalization. Wait, wait, wait! All around the world! I thought it was flat now, Mr. Friedman? If anything the new connectivity of people around the world pulls it in tighter and increases the curvature or this sphere. When people lived on a flat earth it was full of unknowns, the people on one side of the coin didn't even know the people on the other side existed. All this to say, the terminology of a flat world annoys me. Still, a good read full of interesting anecdotes about technology and globalization. If you've been asleep for the past few years, wake up and read this book.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling
Format: Print

I read this over the summer and forgot to post it. Once again, another great read to finish off the series. But, what happened to innocent Harry who plays chess to defeat his foes. Did I actually hear him say the words "crucio", do the words "unforgiveable" mean anything these days. But when Mrs. Weasley uses the "b-word" in reference to a certain death-eater, that's way pushing it for a children's series in my humble opinion. J.K. needs to take lessons from L'Amour, "...and then he swore bitterly..." let your imagination fill in the blanks.

The Rider of Lost Creek

Author: Louis L'Amour
Format: Audiobook

A quick read. It was nice to travel to a forgotten land. The "gun slinging" made me think of some of my students. Ag students with images of guns on their over-sized belt buckles and urban students with these images on their over-sized t-shirts. The same romance of power and justice threads itself through our diverse American culture.

The Audacity of Hope

Author: Barack Obama
Format: Audiobook

Mr. Obama discusses his political views in this book and his hope for the future of America. This book definitely influences my vote for the upcoming presidential election. This man just might have a shot. I like what he says about education, I agree with him, we need to pay teachers more and pay them based on their performance. The trick will be doing this without taking power from the unions, oh and paying for it. I also like his commitment to tackling poverty and ending hefty tax cuts for the extremely rich. He ends his book with talking about the importance of family and bringing in his own personal family story, a cheap trick but it works.

The Old Man and the Sea

Author: Ernest Hemingway
Format: Audiobook

A survival story about an old fisherman. What struck me most is the spiritual connection to the ocean and the idea of eating for survival rather than enjoyment.

Star Wars New Jedi Order: Vector Prime

Author: R. A. Salvatore
Format: Print

An extragalactic invasion! Great opening to what looks to be a great series (New Jedi Order). It's clear that the challenges will be fighting this alien species which has an amazing set of anticomputer technology and rounding up the jedi and reforming the council. Another interesting thing about this book: a major character died! Great book.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

Author: David Sedaris
Format: Audiobook

I found this book by listening to the "This American Life" podcast. David Sedaris is a regular guest voice reading some of his stories. This book is full of hilarious short stories about Mr. Sedaris and his family, a great read. I especially like stories about his hillbilly brother including where he trains his dog to eat his little dogs ummm.... presents. Ewww.

Teacher Man

Author: Frank McCourt
Format: Print

Frank McCourt's account of his 30 year teaching career. It was a well written entertaining book that mixes in parts of his past as a child in Ireland and young adult in New York. Most striking is his meandering sense of adventure throughout his career. His 30 years is divided up by an attempt at getting a doctoral degree, getting fired and changing schools, lessons on cookbooks that don't seem to have any point.

Blink

Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Format: Audiobook

Interesting book about the unconscious mind "thinking without thinking" and the advantages and disadvantages of making snap judgements.

The Way It Spozed To Be

Author: James Herndon
Format: Print

This book described Mr. Herndon's experiences during his first year of teaching in an urban environment in the 60's. It seems that Herndon goes into the school as a blank slate, he doesn't really have a plan, or a mission, or educational theories and practices. He doesn't attempt to "control the class" but observes as it chaotically organizes itself and he steers it towards education. In ways I had a similar experience: 5th period didn't change, they didn't decide to listen to my lectures, or quietly work like they should--I changed, I stopped lecturing, and stopped expecting quiet, I found a way to communicate to people who won't listen.

Summer Reading List

Here's a tentative summer reading list:

Vector Prime (Star Wars Novel)
What is it about me you can't teach?
Teacher Man
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Lawn Care for Dummies
Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim
The Audacity of Hope
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Dune

Author: Frank Herbert
Format: Audiobook (20 discs)

Took me 5 years or so to finish it. I started with the print version and ended up listening to the audio. This was really a great story despite its inability to hold my attention at times. I can definitely see Tatooine in Arrakis.

The Last Command

Author: Timothy Zahn
Format: Print

The conclusion to the Trawn trilogy. Took me long enough to finally finish it. It was good. Ever wonder what happened to Luke's severed hand that was cut off by Darth Vader? Find out when you read this book...

Tatooine Ghost

Author: Troy Denning
Format: Audiobook

This novel fills in some of the details of Anakin and his mother's life on Tatooine. It features the newly married Han and Leiah as they learn about Anakin's past while trying to prevent the Empire from acquiring an important artifact. Again, Star Wars audio does a really great job with sound.