Happy New Year's Eve!

“Tonight’s December thirty-first,

Something is about to burst.

The clock is crouching, dark and small,

Like a time bomb in the hall.

Hark, it's midnight, children dear.

Duck! Here comes another year!”― Ogden Nash, Collected verse from 1929 on

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Strapped After Christmas? Try these for FREE!

If you are looking for classics to end or start the year, and all your extra cash has been used to purchase all those wonderful gifts that put smiles on your family's faces then check out a few free sources for FREE EBOOKS

• Project Guttenburg-http://www.gutenberg.org
• Open Culture-http://www.openculture.com/free_ebooks
• Amazon/WhisperSync Free (Book is Free Audiobook is not)-http://www.amazon.com
• Amazon Kindle Free-http://www.amazon.com

Enjoy the rest of 2012!  As we turn our eyes toward a new year, we hope for more familial peace, harmony, and happiness in 2013!

“Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering 'it will be happier'...”― Alfred Tennyson

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Merry Christmas from: 
The Things You Can Read!

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
― Charles Dickens

“How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!”― Benjamin Franklin

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

World Book Night: Have You Applied?

If you have never heard of World Book Night here is your chance to get involved.  World Book Night is spreading the love of reading, person to person.  Take a peek at what the folks at World Book Night are up to, and GET INVOLVED...it's easy!

          World Book Night

Click on over to the 2013 list of books at World Book Night, which one would you like to distribute? We signed up to giveaway Fahrenheit 451.

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Dickens in December A Christmas Carol: Questions & Reponses

Earlier in the month we shared with our readers that we had joined the folks over at Beauty is a Sleeping Cat and Postcards from Asia, who have been hosting a great event, celebrating Dickens in December.  Since we teach Dickens in December this was not too big a stretch for us.  I will add that we have always been a fan of Dickens' extensive body of work and we did re-read or should I say re-listened to the original A Christmas Carol narrated by the great Tim Curry, yes the actor from the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  

As described by the hosts, "The event includes book and movie reviews, a read-along, and two give-aways."  You, the reader, were to pick your Dickens novel or you could simply join the read-along.  You decided.

On December 21, 2012 each participant is asked to either share a review or their answers to pre-determined questions.  We decided to do both.  Therefore, I am starting early.  Today, we are sharing the the answers to the questions...so here goes!

Is this the first time you are reading the story?

We have read A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley dramatized by Israel Horovitz: adapted from Charles Dickens at least twelve times, and we have also enjoyed the original version of the classic Christmas story as an audiobook.  Audible.com  describes the classic story as follows:

"This version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, masterfully narrated by Tim Curry, was available for a limited time last year, and now it's back. This one-of-a-kind performance puts a unique spin on a treasured classic...Tim Curry performs this timeless holiday story in a deliciously dark tone, returning it to its Dickensian roots with a vivid imagining of Victorian London and just the right touch of outrageous fun. 

A Christmas Carol has constantly been in print since its original publication in 1849, and has been adapted for stage, television, film, and opera. It has often been credited with returning the jovial and festive atmosphere to the holiday season in Britain and North America, following the somber period that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. 

The story opens on a bleak and cold Christmas Eve as Ebenezer Scrooge is closing up his office for the day. As the story progresses and Christmas morning approaches, Scrooge encounters the unforgettable characters that make this story a classic: Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and, of course, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

We have also read the original version too-just not this year.

Did you like it?

I do like the story and it stays fresh because, as surprising as this may be, a large number of my students don't know the story or anything about Charles Dickens.  The most frequent answer to my request, at the beginning of the unit, to name one novel by Charles Dickens is Moby Dick-I swear-it happens every year!  Here is the nice thing about teaching this unit, I get to see the story through their "First-Timer" eyes, in other words, like it was my first time reading the story.  I guess this is one of the perks of teaching!

Which was your favorite scene?

My favorite scene is when Scrooge encounters Marley for the first time.  I'm especially  fond of the part where Scrooge's door knocker turns into Marley's face.  I also enjoy the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, because these lessons are the ones that truly make Scrooge see the error of his ways.

Which was your least favorite scene?

I don't really have a least favorite scene. A Christmas Carol is rather short, and each scene is necessary to reach the denouement.

Which spirit and his stories did you find the most interesting?

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the one I find most interesting. The whole idea of seeing your future and knowing that you can change the cause or effect of ones actions intrigues me. Again, the ghost who makes the strongest impact on Scrooge is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, which is why I appreciate his contribution to the story. The fact that he says nothing, and is still the scariest of all the ghosts is another reason I find him the most interesting. In the hands of a lesser writer this effect would be hard to achieve without dialogue, yet in Dickens apt hands it looks easy.

Was there a character you wish you knew more about?

I would like to know more about Marley.  How did he and Scrooge come to be partners?  Why didn't Scrooge and Dick go into business together?

How did you like the end?

Yes, the ending is satisfying and does share a wonderful lesson or theme for readers to take away.  The ending is appropriate for the time in which the novel  was written.  

Did you think it was believable?

I am sorry to say, I am a glass half empty kind of gal, and I believe that "leopards don't change their spots," even if they are visited by three or four spirits, if you count Marley.  In other words, by today's standards, I don't think the ending is believable, but I sure wish it could happen.  Wouldn't the world be a better place if it could!

Additional thoughts on the ending:
I wanted to add another thought about the idea of Scrooge changing so quickly at the end of the story. I would say Dickens intended the story to be more like a fairy tale/fable, which is structured to teach an obvious lesson, so with that in mind, the change in Scrooge does occur quickly, but if we think of it as  a morality story, which is intended to incorporate a heavy-handed moral, it works.

Do you know anyone like Scrooge?

I do know some miserly folks, but not to the extent of Scrooge.

Did he deserve to be saved?

If Scrooge truly changed, and really went on to do such good works as saving Tiny Tim's life, then, yes, he did deserve to be saved.

Ta-da...I have answered all the questions.  What do you think of Charles Dickens holiday Classic, A Christmas Carol?  Let us know, here at The Things You Can Read.

Click on over to the hosting blogs, Beauty is a Sleeping Cat and Postcards from Asia, and consider checking out the Reviews/Responses of all those who joined the month long celebration of reading Dickens in December.  Again, let us know, here at The Things You Can Read, the title of your favorite Dickens Novel.  Ours is Great Expectations. 

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Student Comments on A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley Dramatized by Israel Horovitz: Adapted from Charles Dickens

During the holiday season my students have been working on an extensive unit on Dickens and Drama.  We just finished reading the play A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley dramatized by Israel Horovitz: adapted from Charles Dickens, and today I asked them to share their thoughts about the play.  Here are some of their comments on A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley:

"The play, A Christmas Carol, was fantastic.  I like that it's a story about an old greedy miser, in the beginning, but at the end the greedy miser, Scrooge, has completely changed due to the visits by the three Christmas spirits."-Emma

"I liked A Christmas Carol.  It had a little humor and taught a very good lesson."-  Elijah  

"A Christmas Carol was extremely good and really set the Christmas mood.  It kept you reading because you never knew what was going to happen next."-Logan 

"A Christmas Carol was awesome becasue it shows how a mean miser can turn nice."-Courtney

"A Christmas Carol, the play, brought back Charles Dickens old classic in a unique way."-Caleb F. 

 "A Christmas Carol was good.  I liked Act 2 the best because that is when Scrooge starts to change for the better."-Trinity

 

What are your thoughts on Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale?  Let us know, here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Ten

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  Today's tip, again, revolves around giving a real physical book, but not just any book, how about a book for the Book Collectors on your list.  Check out this rather extensive list on Book Ride, which lists sources for that hard to find book for the real book collector on your list,  According to the post on  Book Ride:

"Book collecting, thanks to the internet has become a growing pastime open to all, even collectors without a great deal of money (or time.) The Internet has made searching for used or rare books more convenient than ever, and collectors now only have to look to the nearest computer to browse large selections of antique and out-of-print titles. Below are the Top 20 'Must-Use' websites for book collectors, designed to make searching and scoring rare books simple and easy."

Check out  Book Ride's post and let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know what book you were able to score for that special book collector on your list!  

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Happy Birthday Jane!

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

― Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice

Biography Excerpt From Goodreads.com

Jane Austen

Born

December 16, 1775 in Hampshire, The United Kingdom

Died

July 18, 1817

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Romance

About this author

:

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.

Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. She was educated primarily by her father and older brothers as well as through her own reading. The steadfast support of her family was critical to her development as a professional writer. Her artistic apprenticeship lasted from her teenage years until she was about 35 years old. During this period, she experimented with various literary forms, including the epistolary novel which she tried then abandoned, and wrote and extensively revised three major novels and began a fourth. From 1811 until 1816, with the release of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816), she achieved success as a published writer. She wrote two additional novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, which was eventually titled Sanditon, but died before completing it.

Austen's works critique the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century realism. Her plots, though fundamentally comic, highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing and economic security. Her work brought her little personal fame and only a few positive reviews during her lifetime, but the publication in 1869 of her nephew's A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced her to a wider public, and by the 1940s she had become widely accepted in academia as a great English writer. The second half of the 20th century saw a proliferation of Austen scholarship and the emergence of a Janeite fan culture.

Let us, here The Things You Can Read, know your favorite Austen  novel.

Happy Reading!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Nine

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  Today's tip is simple, how about giving a book, but not a physical book, but rather an Audiobook.  We, here at The Things You Can Read, are big fans of Audiobooks.  Our preferred source is Audible.com, but Tantor.com is another great source, as well.

Here is our personal testimonial for Audiobooks, five days a week, we swim a mile at our local YMCA, and while we swim, we listen to Audiobooks.  We are proud to say, we have shed a few pounds, while simultaneously checking a number of books off of our To Be Read List on Goodreads.  We highly recommend the combination of Audiobooks and exercise.  If you don't believe us, take a peek at the article "How Books Can Trim Your Waistline" posted on Market Watch.

How books can trim your waistline:  Audiobooks can make running more entertaining, but Dickens may slow you to the worst of times

Audible.com

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Nine

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  Today's tip is one for the book lover who wants to give books for Christmas.  Politics and Prose,  a bookstore in Washington, D.C., has a few suggestions.  Check out Politics and Prose Holiday Newletter , which is chockedfull of wonderful books.  Shelf Awareness described the cataloge as follows:

"The 32-page gift guide, which highlights more than 150 present-worthy books, is a collaborative effort. The entire staff is invited to participate in the process and recommend titles." 

Check Politics and Prose Holiday Newletter and let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know what you want to give your special someone for the holidays!

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Eight

The Great Gatsby

Atlas Shrugged

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  Today's tip is one for the fashionistas out there in the blogosphere.  How about wearing your favorite book cover!  Check out, Out of Print Clothing for all your fashion fashion needs.  The best part is that these tee's come in a styles that fit both men and women.

Again, check them out at Out of Print Clothing and let us know, which tee you want to order first!  We like the The Great Gatsby , The Outsiders, and Atlas Shrugged,but we have our eye on a few others as well.

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann; Illustrations by Maurice Sendak; Translation by Ralph Manheim

Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann by Maurice Sendak 

Hardcover: 120 pages
Published: October 2012  (first published 1816)
ISBN: 051755285X (ISBN13: 9780517552858)
Edition Language: English
Original Title: Nußknacker und Mausekönig: Aus: "Die Serapionsbrüder"

"On the twenty-fourth of December Dr. Stahlbaum's children were not allowed to set foot in the small family parlor, much less the adjoining company parlor--not at any time during the day." Nutcracker

If you grew up reading Where the Wild Things Are, and you love the luscious illustrations of Maurice Sendak, the Caldecott Award winning author and illustrator, then here is a Christmas classic for all you Sendak fans, young and old alike, the new updated release of E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker with illustrations by Maurice Sendak and translation by Ralph Manheim.  The New York Times Book Review called this new release, "A classic, new and complete. One of the ten best illustrated children's books of the year."  If you have never read it, here is your chance, if you have, then here is your chance to reacquaint yourself with a Christmas treasure.

Maurice Sendak, said, “You cannot write for children. They're much too complicated. You can only write books that are of interest to them. ”  How true, and this book fits the bill.  You might be thinking, Oh, I've seen the ballet version, I don't need to read the book, but you would be wrong.  The ballet, version of the Nutcracker is based on Hoffmann's story, but. as with any adaptation, key elements have been left out, which makes the reading of Nutcracker all the more enjoyable.  Also, the more edgy tone of the original story has been softened in the ballet version of the same name.  Think of the ballet as the Disney version of the story, if you will.  

The timing of the reissue of Nutcracker  is perfect coming, coincidentally, just as Sendak fans everywhere are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Sendak's award-winning Where the Wild Things Are.  As an aside, take a peek at the exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art entitled "Sendak & Co.: Children's Book Illustrations Since ‘Where the Wild Things Are'.

Hoffman's story is presented much like a Grimm's fairy tale.  Written originally in 1816, the story has the feel of another time and place; one filled with magic and mystery.  The language matches the time period.  Some might think the vocabulary is too difficult for the very young, but paired with the imaginative illustrations on par with Sendak's  Where the Wild Things Are, this, in my opinion, is not a problem.  If your child is very young, I would suggest reading two or three pages a night during December until the book is completed.  What better way to introduce the very young to new words.  The English teacher in me loves the fact that the Nutcracker uses, within the prose of the story, poetry, alliteration, and repetition to further enhance the story line. For example:

"Drums rolled trumpets blared.  The princes and potentates appeared in their resplendent robes of state, some on white palfreys, others in crystal coaches.  crown on head and scepter in hand, the king welcomed them and took his seat at the head of the table." Nutcracker

Enter the magical cosmos of the Nutcracker and meet Clare, Marie, Fritz, and Godfather Dosselmeier.  Make your way into the fairy tale world of the King of the Rats, and General Nutcracker.  If you are looking for a book for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays, again, here is a classic, the new updated release of E.T A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker with illustrations by Maurice Sendak; Translation by Ralph Manheim.

For more information on this Christmas classic click here: Random House: Nutcracker and Random House: Sendak Biography

We, here at the Things You Can Read, would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing this book for free, in return for an honest review.

Let us here at the Things You Can Read, know what you think of this Christmas classic!

Happy Reading!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Seven

Folio Society

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  Today's tip is simple, how about giving a book, but not any book, how about a gorgeous presentation copy of your favorite classic.  Take a peek at the books offered by the Folio Society.  What's that you say?  Well, here is how the  Folio Society describes themselves:

Great books should be outstanding not only in literary content but also in their physical form: this has been the philosophy of The Folio Society since it was founded in 1947 by Charles Ede, with a dream of publishing beautiful books that would be affordable to everyone. Our pleasure in reading is enhanced by the book itself, in which typography, illustration, paper, printing and binding all play a part in creating a harmonious whole. In a world of declining publishing standards, where most books are cheaply printed, and bound using low-grade materials, The Folio Society resolutely sets store by traditional values of excellence; for our designers and production personnel the term 'quite good' means 'no good': only the best is good enough.

In our 64-year history, Folio has published an astonishing range of works; from Moby-Dick to Pather Panchali, and from the Qur’ân to Kerouac’s On The Road. The quality of our books as tactile and aesthetic objects has been a constant hallmark, but members (some of whom have been with us from our inception in 1947) have long looked beyond our exceptional covers, to the standards we uphold for each and every text. From introducers who make up the great names of modern literature and academia, and editors and picture researchers who ensure unrivalled standards of research and textual work, to our artists who have swept the board in so many illustrations awards – Folio offers a complete experience for the book-lover.

So, the novel idea for the book lover on your list, is to give them a gorgeous book by the  Folio Society.  Let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know the title of your favorite book offered by the  Folio Society.

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Holiday Season in Full Swing: Book Lover Gift Giving Tip # Six

Image Credit: Goodreads

As we all look for unique ways to share our love of books this holiday season we, here at The Things You Can Read, have been scouring the Internet to locate unusual gifts for book lovers to give children and adults of all ages.  We didn't have to look very far for this one.  Here is a great gift idea that we posted about back in September 2012.  

In September we, here at The Things You Can Read, signed up for the Classics Challenge, so with our serious commitment to read the Classics in mind, we are reminding everyone out in the blogophere that a new annotated edition of Emma by Jane Austen has been released.  

Now, Shhh...don't tell any one, we purchased this one for ourselves for Christmas, and it is on its way to us in the mail as we write this post.  But wait, here is the best part, this is one of three annotated Austen books.  Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice were already available to Jane Austen fans.  

Harvard University Press

We love Jane Austen and we encourage anyone out there who is a Jane Austen fan or a Jane Austen Wanna-be fan to check this one out, and possibly give this one as a gift and spread the Jane Austen love!

Don't forget to check out our Classics Challenge Page, which lists all the classics we plan to read between September 14, 2012 and September 14, 2017.  

Summary from Goodreads:

Emma: An Annotated Edition by Jane Austen; Bharat Tandon, editor

Emma: An Annotated Edition

by Jane Austen

Emma, perhaps the most technically accomplished of all of Austen’s novels, is also, after Pride and Prejudice, her most popular one. Its numerous film and television adaptations testify to the world’s enduring affection for the headstrong, often misguided Emma Woodhouse and her many romantic schemes. Like the previous volumes in Harvard’s celebrated annotated Austen series, Emma: An Annotated Edition is a beautiful and illuminating gift edition that will be treasured by readers.

Stimulating and helpful annotations appear in the book’s margins, offering information, definitions, and commentary. In his Introduction, Bharat Tandon suggests several ways to approach the novel, enabling a larger appreciation of its central concerns and accomplishments. Appearing throughout the book are many illustrations, often in color, which help the reader to better picture the Regency-era world that serves as the stage for Emma’s matchmaking adventures.

Whether explaining the intricacies of early nineteenth-century dinner etiquette or speculating on Highbury’s deliberately imprecise geographical location, Tandon serves as a delightful and entertaining guide. For those coming to the novel for the first time or those returning to it, Emma: An Annotated Edition offers a valuable portal to Austen’s world.

Published September 17th 2012 by Belknap Press

ISBN 0674048849 (ISBN13: 9780674048843)

edition language English 

Harvard University Press

Harvard University Press

Happy Reading and Gift Buying!

The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Happy Reading!
Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Research: "LOSING YOURSELF” IN A FICTIONAL CHARACTER CAN AFFECT YOUR REAL LIFE

You Are What You Read

When you “lose yourself” inside the world of a fictional character while reading a story, you may actually end up changing your own behavior and thoughts to match that of the character, a new study suggests.

In a nutshell, researchers at Ohio State University found that research participants who took part in the study's "experience-taking" process, while reading novels with characters who were different from the participant were found to have more favorable opinion/attitudes toward that group, and were less likely to stereotype.  According to Geoff Kaufman, who led the study as a graduate student at Ohio State, and who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Tiltfactor Laboratory at Dartmouth College.

“You have to be able to take yourself out of the picture, and really lose yourself in the book in order to have this authentic experience of taking on a character’s identity.”

This research will appear online in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and will be published in a future print edition.

Here are out thoughts on this subeject:  Good mature readers do this instinctively  however young or immature readers need to learn how to experience a book in this manner.  The Things You Can Read posted about this back in the summer in a post entitled Active Readers.  Check it out: Active Readers

To read the full article on this interesting research, click on over to Ohio State University's site.  Let us know what you think about this research, here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!