Arm Chair BEA Day 2 and 3

Arm Chair BEA

Unfortunately, I am behind the eight ball in keeping-up with the daily posts for Arm Chair BEA,  Procrastination is not a good quality.  To make amends, I am posting Two-In-One.   The question for Wednesday, May 29, 2013 was:

What draws you to a specific genre?  Recommend your favorite genres and/or books.

Let me start by saying I love to read.  As a child old movies and books were my two best friends.  I filled countless hours of my childhood reading and watching old movies.  I read everything fictional I could get my hands on.  I read even when I should have been listening in math or music appreciation class.  The only phone call my mother ever received from school during my entire journey through public education was one where the teacher called to tell her I had to stop reading during my core classes.  Back then, I made wider selections in my genre choices, but as an adult, I prefer classics, literary fiction and an occasional nonfiction selection.  As a mature reader, I have to make myself expand my reading choices.  I usually do this with Audible Books.

Since I am more a literary fiction reader I will make the following five recommendations:

The Question for Thursday, May 30, 2013 is:

Which works of literary fiction have changed your life?

Life Changing Books:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

GoneWith the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Happy Reading and Happy Blogoversary to

The Things You Can Read!

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

Summer Reading Resources

Check out some of these suggestions for Students and Parents provided by the Virginia Library!

__________________________________________________________________________

FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS

Demonstrate the Power of Words

Here are some simple things you can do to develop a lifelong love of reading, writing and learning:

• Read and write for pleasure.
• Read the newspaper.
• Read a book.
• Write a group letter or email to family or friends
• Talk about steps in projects or chores and explain why you’re doing them.
• Review maps for a family trip.
• Listen to audiobooks in the car.
• Write notes, make lists.

Research shows that children who read for pleasure in the summer do better and forget less when they go back to school. And it's not just in reading. Kids who don't read over the summer can slide backward in all subject areas. This means the summer months and other breaks from school offer great opportunities for families and caregivers to help improve reading and writing.

Keep Learning Alive in the Old Dominion This Summer

Download a Summer Learning flyer available in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF) orbookmark (PDF).

Here are some ideas to support learning all summer.

Reading

Find a Book – Create a custom list of books at your child’s reading level and take the list to your local library or a nearby book store.

• Go to Find a Book and enter the child’s grade level.
• Pick the child’s interest categories and view/refine the search results.
• Print the child’s custom reading list and take it with you to your local public library or bookstore.

Dig Into Reading – Contact your local public library to find out more about the Library of Virginia’s summer reading program. A list of public libraries in Virginia is available.

DaybyDayVa – For daily activities related to reading, check out the Library of Virginia’s Family Literacy Calendar.

Find it Virginia – Free, round-the-clock access to resources – such as newspapers, magazine articles, journal articles and books including encyclopedias – may be found through the Library of Virginia’s Find It Virginia. Materials are available for all age ranges and interests. For summer learning, these links might be of interest:

• Fact Monster
• For Kids
• Kids Click

Any of these work for you?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read! 

Happy Reading!

Things You Can Read

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

Arm Chair BEA

Arm Chair BEA

Welcome to my debut post for Arm Chair BEA.  I am a new participant in Armchair BEA, but I have watched from afar in previous years. I'm looking forward to participating.  The folks over at Armchair BEA site have asked for an "Introduce Yourself" post and have provided a few questions, so here we go:

1	Who are you? I am a Mother, Wife, Teacher, Blogger, Reviewer, Writer For more about me: Click HERE
2	What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book  you have read so far in 2013? I am reading several books right now:  Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And All the Brilliant  Minds Who Made the Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic  by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron The Burgess Boys  by Elizabeth Stout  Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting  by Laura Markham  My Favorite Books thus far for 2013 are:   and
3	Which is your favorite post that you have written  that you want everyone to read? I actually have two posts that I am extremely proud of, and here they are: Hunger Games Review? Active Readers
4	How long have you been blogging?  I have been blogging regularly for a year at The Things You Can Read  and The Writing Whisperer
5	Where in the world are you blogging from?  Tell a random fact or something special about your current location.  Feel free to share pictures. I am blogging from Petersburg, Virginia, which is where Steven Spielberg filmed the movie Lincoln.  Check out The Richmond Times Dispatch and The Progress Index articles regarding Spielberg's visit to our town.  Petersburg is a town that many fall in love with, but only as long as their rose-colored glasses remain fully in place.  Should they slip...UH-OH! ! Happy Reading! Things You Can Read Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Happy Memorial Day: Hope You Had a Great Holiday

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” 
― Rachel Carson

We hope YOU had a restful Memorial Day Holiday!

Happy Reading!

The Things You Can Read!

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

Announcing The Literary Blog Hop: June 22 thru June 26

As our Blogoversary fast approaches we here at The Things You Can Read will be celebrating by joining The Literary Blog Hop.  What does that mean?  It means you have a chance to win some great books or book related prizes.  Not just from The Things You Can Read, but from all the participating The Literary Blog Hop participants.  We will be giving away a free literary Audible.com book of your choice.  Here are the rules:

1	The The Literary Blog Hop starts June 22 and ends June 26.
2	To enter write a comment on the official June 22 post.  Include an email to use to contact you should you win.
3	Now, FOLLOW The Things You Can Read on Google Friends Connect (GFC) or by Email.  If you already follow us, let us know in your comment.
4	The winner will be chosen by using the RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR.
5	The winner will be contacted by email after the contest has concluded.  We will post the winners name and blog when we announce the WINNER.  Don't forget to checkout the other The Literary Blog Hop participants and Good Luck!

Remember The Literary Blog Hop starts on June 22, so wait for the OFFICAL Literary Blog Hop  post, which will be posted on June 22, 2013. 

Happy Reading and Happy Blogoversary to

The Things You Can Read!

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

The Artist's Way for Parents

Click HERE

“The Artist’s Way focuses on a creative recovery. We re-over the ground we have traveled in our past. THE ARTIST’S WAY FOR PARENTS focuses on creative cultivation, where we consciously—and playfully—put our children on a healthy creative path toward the future.”
—Julia Cameron

We are big fans of The Artist's Way and we were so surprised to see that Julia Cameron has now offered her guidance to parents and children.  We can't wait to use this resource with our children at home and in the classroom.  Like Picasso said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."  Julia Cameron helps everyone find the inner artist within.



Since its publication over twenty years ago, Julia Cameron’s revolutionary bestseller, The Artist’s Way, has inspired millions—including notables like Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler and Jessica Simpson—and has become the go-to program for artists of all skill levels. Now, Cameron brings readers the most anticipated and requested addition to her canon of work on creativity: THE ARTIST’S WAY FOR PARENTS. In its pages, readers will find an enriching program that parents can enter and re-enter at any pace and at any point in their children’s early years. Focused on parents and children from infancy to twelve years, THE ARTIST’S WAY FOR PARENTS has its roots firmly planted in The Artist’s Way and brings those creativity tools to the next generation. It offers practical exercises to spark innovation, curiosity and connection, and assists parents as they guide their children to greater creativity and, ultimately, greater self-awareness.



Click HERE

Let us know if you are familiar with Julia Cameron's body of work.  Better yet, let us know if this sounds like a resource for you!

Happy Reading!

The Things You Can Read

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



Famous Books You Didn’t Know Were Censored or Did You?

According to a recent article published by Flavorwire we were reminded again that, "Most fans of literature and free speech will be well aware that censorship (or at least attempted censorship) is alive and well in the United States."  In their article entitled "Famous Books You Didn’t Know Were Censored" several books are listed that may or may not surprise you.  After viewing the list did you find any surprises?  Let us know what you think of the list 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!

More World Book Night Responses

In connection with World Book Night, twenty 7th grades students, all of which were light readers, received free copies of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury on the 50th anniversary of its publication.  It was our hope that students receiving the book would write a short response sharing their thoughts about the novel, which would then be sent to worldbooknight.org and now we have our fourth response!

Here is what W.C. had to say about Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury was a fascinating chice of a book.  It described every last second perfectly, and had a very interesting ending.  I would recommend this book for an older age group, but a good reader's choice overall.

Have you read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury?  If you have, share your thoughts with us 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!

Free Audiobooks

Random House is offering Free Audio Books!  Check it out...HEREn 

Top Ten Reasons To Listen To Audiobooks

1	It's so easy, you can do it with your eyes closed
2	You will never have to worry about pronouncing characters’ names incorrectly
3	No more turning pages
4	There’s no extra weight added to your bag
5	You can enjoy your beach book and the beach view at the same time

6	Your hands are free for a high five or a thumbs-up
7	Nobody can read over your shoulder
8	Papercuts are few and far between
9	You never have to remember a bookmark
10	You can catch up on your reading list while driving

What reason would you add?

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

Believe: Roald Dahi Quote

Via:  Goodreads.com

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

SYNC Summer 2013 Titles Revealed

SYNC Summer 2013 Titles Revealed:

12 weeks of free audiobook downloads combining a popular contemporary YA title and a classic paired by theme available starting May 30, courtesy of audiobook publishers, AudioFile Magazine, and OverDrive.
CHECK OUT the 2013 titles!
LISTEN to sound clips on SoundCloud to help you decide!
GET your device ready! You must have the OverDrive Media Console or APP to download the SYNC titles! Visit the OverDrive website to download.
Questions? Email: synchelp@audiofilemagazine.com
SIGN UP
Text message alerts – Text syncya to 25827 for SYNC title download alerts.
Email updates – sign up for SYNC title alerts by email.
Follow the SYNC blog.

YNC Titles
Summer 2013

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

June 6 – June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

June 20 – June 26, 2013
Once by Morris Gleitzman, read by Morris Gleitzman (Bolinda Audio)
Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr., read by Dion Graham (christianaudio)

June 27 – July 3, 2013
Rotters by Daniel Kraus, read by Kirby Heyborne (Listening Library)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, read by Jim Weiss (Listening Library)

July 4 – July 10, 2013
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 11 – July 17, 2013
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, read by Peter Altschuler (HarperAudio)
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, read by Simon Vance (Tantor Audio)

July 18 – July 24, 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, read by Erin Moon (Recorded Books)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

July 25 – July 31, 2013
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Charlie McWade (Scholastic Audiobooks)
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, read by Steve West (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 1 – Aug 7, 2013
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, read by Dan Weyman (Macmillan Audio)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Ralph Cosham (Blackstone Audio)

Aug 8 – Aug 14, 2013
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren (Brilliance Audio)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, read by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio)

Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2013Sold by Patricia McCormick, read by Justine Eyre (Tantor Audio)
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie, read by Tavia Gilbert (Blackstone Audio)

Which of the SYNC free audiobooks are you looking most forward to receiving?  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!

Which Books Should You Read This Summer?

This epic flowchart goes to great lengths to help you find the right book for summer.(via Upworthy)


What did the flowchart pick for you to read?  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!

Happy Children's Book Week May 13-19, 2013

Children's Book Week May 13-19, 2013

Brian Selznick – Caldecott winner, 2012 Children's Choice Book Awards Illustrator of the Year, and creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret andWonderstruck – has created a commemorative masterpiece that beautifully illustrates the idea that books can take you anywhere. The poster pays homage to two of children’s literature’s legends: Remy Charlip, author and illustrator of more than 38 books, including modern classics like Hooray for Me, I Love You, Arm in Arm, Mother Mother I Feel Sick, A Perfect Day, and Fortunately, the latter of which has been in print continuously for over 48 years; and Maurice Sendak, Caldecott Medal winner for Where the Wild Things Are, creator of children’s classics including In the Night Kitchen, Chicken Soup with Rice, Alligators All Around, and illustrator of the Little Bear books.

Posters are available from the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader at no cost beyond shipping. Order yours here.

What is your favorite children's book?  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!

Happy Belated Mother’s Day:Record-a-Poem for Mother’s Day

Happy Belated Mother's Day

If you have not yet sent your mother a card for Mother's Day here is an idea for all those procrastinators out there: Record-a-Belated Poem for Mother’s Day

As reported by Open Culture:

Head over to poetryfoundation.org, where you can find a selection of Mother’s Day poems – or search for your own. You can even follow the directions here to join the Record-a-Poem group on Soundcloud and then share your poem with Mom. It’ll be better than any Hallmark card, that’s for sure.

Kristin Gecan is the media associate at the Poetry Foundation, which is the publisher of Poetry magazine and an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture.-Open Culture

What did you do for Mother's Day?  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!

World Book Night Update and Response

In connection with World Book Night, twenty 7th grades students, all of which were light readers, received free copies of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury on the 50th anniversary of its publication.  It was our hope that students receiving the book would write a short response sharing their thoughts about the novel, which would then be sent to worldbooknight.org and now we have our second response!

Here is what M. E. had to say about Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury:

I found the book  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury very enjoyable.  However, it was not an easy read.  Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book.

Again, thank you World Book Night for allowing me to reach out to students and foster in them a love of reading!

In Other World Book Night News:  As Reported by Shelf Awareness:

World Book Night U.S. reported the following metrics for its second nationwide campaign, in celebration of World Book Night April 23:
32% sales increase, according to Bookscan, on the regular editions of WBN titles for the year to date, excluding new releases.
130 million market reach--those who saw or heard a WBN print, online, radio or TV message this April, up from 35 million for the first year.
607,000 visitors to WBN's Facebook page during the week of April 22, with a Klout score of 75 for the week.

WBN U.S. executive director Carl Lennertz commented: "These numbers attest to the effectiveness of our community/sharing/reading message. We are engaging a deep and broad base of booklovers in passionate dialogue about the power of books, as well as getting the word out to the population at large about the value of reading."

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

Looking for the Next Hunger Games? Wool By Hugh Howey

We here at The Things You Can Read are hearing all kinds of buzz about a not-so-new dystopian series.  The series has been on the QT because it originally was not published by one of the big publishing houses.. In fact originally it was self published.  Why then are we hearing about it?  Well, the reason for all this chatter has a lot to do with the rumor that 20th Century Fox has bought the movie rights to this series...Looks like this is a case where someone self published and things worked out for them.  Some are even saying this is the new Hunger Games.  Check out Wool-Omnibus Edition and let us know what you think.

Excerpt from Goodreads: 

Also read what folks have to say on Amazon about Wool

What have you heard about this series?  Have you read it?  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!