Books and Videos

I have spent the last couple of weeks re-discovering how very much I love reading.  I read a lot, anyway.  But SLJ's Battle of the Kids' Books gave me the push to read outside my comfort zone.  New authors, new genres, new subjects.  I mean, how often have I thought to myself, "I need to read a book about a frog scientist and then I just have to learn more about the first all-female swing band."?  Never.  But now I have read a book about a frog scientist and I have learned something about America's first all-woman (black women for the most part) swing band.  I have read a book about the Darwins and their differences of faith and I have read graphic novels and short stories.  None of these are books I usually choose.  And because these books are all so different, I have learned - again - the joy of reading.

On a similar note,I've noticed that publishers are using YouTube more and more to sell books.  It was a video that got me to read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  The book was good, very good, but the video was excellent.  I just saw a video about a spiritual guide called hand wash cold by Karen Maezen Miller.  Now I want to read the book.  The images the videographer chose, based on the author's written images,are so lovely, so reminiscent of a gentler time.  Hearing the words gave me a fuller sense of the author.  The book is out in April.  I look forward to reading it.

Project suggestions

I feel like I need a new project - something with a deadline that will make me excited to get out of bed and keep my brain running - happily- at night.

Something different!  I have a lot of projects in the works already, storytelling performances to prepare for, Summer Reading Club to pull together, the craft fair people to chase down - LOTS of projects.  I have done those things already.

Now, that I've written the last few sentences, I realize, I don't have time for a new project.  But it is Spring (officially) and my spirit feels restless and dissatisfied.  Where is the poetry, the art, the packets of seeds?  Where is the time to spend as I want?

So it is NOT a new project that I need.  It is a walk.  Or Spring Cleaning.  Or an attitude adjustment.  I just have a temporary lack of direction, Spring Fever at its worst.

Random-ness

Tweet-ish random thoughts (I guess, sort of)

I have finished my term as a club pres and NO ONE else wants the job.  Neither do I.

I am jealous of my sister who is so enthusiastic about her job - at which she is excellent, btw.

The Battle of the (Kids') Books starts tomorrow.  Check out the contenders and make your prediction HERE!!!  Here are my personal favorites for this year. (Since Suzanne Collins' Chasing Fire is not even mentioned, I will take a deep breath and plow right in.)  The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate,  or  When You Reach Me,  or A Season of Gifts.   I have to be honest.  I did not read all the books on the slate.  I did not read any of the non-fiction.  Nor did I read Fire by Kristin Cashore, or The Storm in the Barn.  I promise to read those books as soon as they come back to the library.  (and Marcelo in the Real World and two others.  I am sooooooooooooo embarassed.)  This would not have been a very good Tweet.

Still on BO(K)B:  Tales of Outer Suburbia  is a real contender and Peace, Locomotion was touching and true.  Fight on great books for young people!  ON to victory!  But I stand by my top three.  (Unless I read some of the others and change my mind.)

Back to randomness:
Why is housework so darn boring and so necessary?

I think I would totally stink at Twitter.