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Kate's Attempt at 50 for 2009
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I hadn't read Anne Tyler -- this book was pleasant; a lighter read than I usually pick -- and I thought it was a nice, well-told story.
SO FAR:
1, The Miracle Life of Edgar Sawtelle
2. American Savior
3. Executive Function in Education
4. Gods behaving Badly
5. Digging to America
6. The Road
7. Giving up: The last days of Sylvia Plath
I thought "No Time . . ." was a decent attempt at suspense. The end disappointed a little -- building to something that fell a little flat. Maybe I don't read enough of this kind of book anymore to know how it compares. I still enjoyed it . . .
10. Three Little Words A Memoir
This book was wonderful. It's the memoir of a young woman who spent her formative years in mostly horrific foster homes before being adopted. Her insight and eloquence is shocking.
I would hav given this one (#11!!) three stars early on but I'm finding that it has stayed with me. I enjoy YA fiction. This book was a quick read but came around/concluded nicely -- pretty insightful.
#13 More intervening non-fiction; always trying to boost my knowledge of what it's like for my sons to navigate the world (they did not inherit some of my better traits!!)
My boys are now all grown--one with a wife and the other with the same girlfriend for 3 years. It is the absolutely most lovely time in my life. I spoil the girls shamelessly.
Do your boys have Aspergers? One of mine does--the one with the wife.
There's so much to read here that I missed your question. My boys are 9, 7 and 3. The older one has a few social issues and some gross/fine/graphomotor issues; the middle one is some interesting mix of verbal and nonverbal ld, adhd and few spectrum characteristics. Advocating for just one of them could be a full-time job and I have two!! Finally got the middle one into a private school for ld kids (cross your fingers) and a good assistive technology eval for the oldest one (yeah -- another year of monthly team meetings!!) Wouldn't trade a minute, though!
Your plate is full! Have you ever seen any of Michele Garcia Winner's curriculum? It make so much sense...I think it would help at home. Wish I had had it!
I shall find it!! Get this: I work for the state prosecuting child abuse cases and, I'm sure you can relate -- that's where I go to RELAX! My middle guy is headed to a private LD school in the Fall -- I really hope he can find some success there. We're all at peace, believe it or not, despite the chaos.
#14 The Hour I first Believed
O.K. -- so I don't have the longest attention span or the most patience in the world and I do enjoy Wally Lamb -- but I could not WAIT for this book to end!! I liked it enough to finish, but the subplots' subplots had me skimming and I'm sure I missed some foundational details. Provocative themes, intricate details -- but I'm so glad i'm DONE!!
#15 The Shut-Down Learner . . . if there's an IEP in your life somewhere and you have that overwhelmed "what are they talking about feeling", -- READ THIS BOOK!!
After every parent teacher conference my husband looked at me and said, "What do people do who aren't teachers? I'm so glad I have you." It's a different world, education, and not always in a good way.
(I taught middle school to get away from the chaos at my house--I can relate!)
All I can ever think about is "how would the child of a non-english speaking, learning disabled, substance-addicted, battered, underemployed and/or undereducated parent do"? With no offense to anyone so afflicted, they were doing a pretty good job running circles around me!!! I went to school for 20 years!!!!!! Child welfare, too, is a different world, and not always in a good way -- both arenas have been rich in life lessons for me but I'm sure not everyone walks away enriched. Thankfully, I love a challenge!!!!!!!!
17. Definitely a 4 star read!! I've decided that I love a story in letters (epistolary is quite a cool word, too, don't think?). Ever high in expectations for a great ending -- this fell a tad flat. Otherwise, the writing and story that evolved was wonderful.
19. 
I have become a huge Ann Patchett fan -- perhaps more than ever upon finishing this book. I've never read a more honest reflection on friendship between women -- complicated and painful yet enduring and true. I'm still digesting the enormity of the story.
22.
Not something I thought I'd enjoy but there's nothing wrong with decent suspense. What intrigued me most was reading the work of an obvious member of the Stephen King clan who wasn't Stephen King. The premise of being haunted by a ghost purchased on the internet seemed quite clever -- I won't spoil the rest. It was an enjoyable read.
23.
I know this book received a lot of criticism. I liked it. I agree that it wasn't so much the writing as the story -- wonderfully conceived. This book is another that will stay with me. Was it a bit trite? Maybe. I'll still give 4 stars.
24. 
My first five star read of the year (although I'm wondering whether Ann Patchet's Truth & Beauty should be a five . . .). Never have I read such wonderful character development among a collection of short stories strung together to define a character (Olive, a Maine native approaching the sunset of her life with insight, character, depth and, at the same time, emotional frailty. LOVED IT!
27. 
Once again YA but LOVELY; narrator is an autistic male teen. I read the library's copy but want to have one on hand . . . will start perusing swapsites and used bookstores!!
28.No Child Left Behind Past, Present, and Future
Needed a non-fiction fix. Convinced our educational system is globally irrelevant . . . politically manipulated and hopelessly misguided -- some would say FUBAR.
29. The Graveyard Book
Good read; quick read. Memorable themes. But people loved it? Adored it? Will pass it on to my 10 y.o. for a second opinion.
