Justin Pyfrom's Blog, page 3

2024 Reading Challenge (May)

For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites. So! While I have read twenty-eight books for May, here are my Top 5 favorites.

The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs

An oldie but a goodie. The only story on this list that I had to read with my students. Good thing, too, because they loved it. I think next year I’ll teach them how to create suspense around an object which I know will yield wonderful results. I think this is the only story of W.W. Jacobs so that should be my homework for this month.

 

The Killing Floor by Lee Child

Last time, I read Bad Luck and Fortune because it was the first one I saw; I couldn’t find the first one. Then, I finally found the debut novel and got to work on it after finishing the previous book. I absolutely loved it and it inspired me to try my hand at the genre…later, though.

 

Exposed: The Ashley Madison Hack by Sophie Elmhirst & Maria Luisa Tucker

The scandal that I knew nothing about Hell, I didn’t even know that the site existed. Strike that, I learned a site like that existed – common sense and all that, but I didn’t know the name or anything about it. But learning about its conception, rise, inevitable fall, and intriguing rebirth was a welcoming treat for me. The questions that the audiobook proposed made a lot of sense and thought-provoking.

Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card

One of the few Hard Science Fiction stories that has been my favorite – usually I’m a soft SF kinda guy. Maybe it’s the thriller part of the book or perhaps it’s because of its embodying themes that speaks to me. Either way, this book has me coming back. God, I hope someone turns it into an audio drama of sorts.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

This was actually one of my freshman books during my high school years. However, the name didn’t appeal to me so I never read it – big mistake, I know. So, now that I’m in my 30s, I finally read it and just smiled. Another feel-good book where you can literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes through their memories. Better late than never I suppose.

Magical Realism, Anyone?

I’m leading into the last month of my tenth grader’s school year and I have to say…I’m learning more this year than last year. I have learned more about Realism and the origins of Science Fiction. But the magical realism lesson stuck with me the most, mainly because I can finally put a name to it.

See, I watched Encanto and loved the realistic storytelling and commentary, but I couldn’t a name to the genre. I KNEW it wasn’t fantasy because I knew the genre’s characteristics – or conventions if you will – but I couldn’t pin it down. It wasn’t until I actually studied and taught magical realism that I could say “Oh! That’s what it is!” Then, like clockwork, I did a deep dive into the genre and realized that I had read a few of them in my high school years and watched a few more later in life:

The Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaThe Nose by Nikolai GogolThe Circular Ruins by Jorge Luis BorgesSouth Belle Insults series by Keke PalmerDeath NoteOnce Upon a TimeKung Fu (reboot)

Magical Realism kinda spoke to me. To use magic as an allegorical device – to speak about social/political issues – is something I find myself wanting to explore. The fact that memories and magic can go hand and hand makes it a no-brainer for me…except that I want to understand it more. I know more than enough about the genre, not the magic since I’m actually pretty good at fantasy. (Oddly enough, I haven’t written a fantasy novel, yet…I should fix that.) Anyway, I think I shall try writing a magical realist novel. Not now, obviously; I still have some projects to complete before adding a new one.

Remember…if you’re not learning, you’re dying.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 105 (70%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

New Zealand is Looking Really Good.

I have a month and a half left of school and then my students will be able to enjoy the fine relaxation of the summer holiday. Sure, I’m contractually obligated to do the summer camps, but I’m looking at the prize at the end of it all: New Zealand. That’s right. I’m planning my trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud. Or would “Middle Earth” sound better. Either way, I am beyond excited to go as it has been on my list of places to travel to.

I haven’t bought my plane tickets or hotel stay because I don’t know when my school is going to do the summer camps. In fact, we still waiting for the Education Bureau to confirm everything for us. In the meantime, I’m going to check out the reviews for the gay village in Auckland and understand both the naughty and nice side of the Maori and Kiwis. I hope that wasn’t offensive.

I understand that it’s expensive to tour there due to the imported food and taxes. I’m sure there are more reasons, but those were the two major reasons. So, I’m going to do the same thing that I did in Spain. First, I’m going to look for a hostel that has breakfast included. Remember, hostels are always cheaper than hotels. I would use Mister BnB; you know, commonality between gay men, but I want a little more security and all that jazz. I also need to research what I CAN do in the city. Well, specifically, I want to check out the hiking trails. I’m going to be visiting for two weeks so being cheap is a necessity.

Oh! Speaking of being cheap, I’m going to act like a local. While in Spain, I would speak to the locals and ask about decent places to eat on a budget – usually because they may be on a budget, too. It’s nice, simple, and it allows me to avoid tourist traps that many tend to fall for. Indeed, a lot of research is required and I can’t wait to get started. Now, of course, I have to my grad work to do (2 classes), but I’m going to make sure that most of them will be done before I arrive – just like Spain. This is going to be so much fun.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 83 (55%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

2024 Reading Challenge (April)

For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites for each month. So! While I have read twenty books for March, here are my Top 5 favorites.

 

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The Sins of the Fathers by Zukiswa Wanner

 

To read a story about how trauma affects the relationships of a generation is something I haven’t come across in such a long time. The abuse of one man affects the abuse his son receives in his relationship is actually pure genius. This is why this story is so compelling. It is a must-listen because the cycle of abuse-victim is all too real in our community.

There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury

So! How do you make your reader empathize with a house? Well…that’s why I love this story. I had to read it for one class; I think it was my Fiction Fundamentals class. Before that, I remembered reading it when I was an undergrad though I don’t think it was for class. Still, I’m glad I did because it’s the perfect teaching tool for characterization.

Beyond the Door by Philip K. Dick

Before there was R.L. Stine’s Cuckoo Clock of Doom, it was this little gem from one of the most brilliant science fiction writers. I love stories that create suspension over the most mundane items. It’s a true testament to a writer’s ability to build suspense. Plus, it’s always delightful to see another bully take down a couple of pegs…maybe not death, though…but it was the 1950s so it’s to be expected.

 

Examination Day by Henry Slesar

I saw the Twilight Zone of this story when I was young; it was the first revival of the TV series. The episode was great and it really resonated with me and my worries about the government keeping us “dumb” out of fear. So! Imagine my surprise when I learned that was originally a short story. Of course, I had to read it. And…of course, it’s just as horrifying as the TV episode – or vice versa.

Harrison Bergeron by Kut Vonnegut Jr.

I remember reading this story in my undergraduate years for my first English class. It was part of a greater collection of sci-fi short stories. So, when I had to take my Fiction Fundamental course, I was so happy that this story was on the list. Everybody wants to be equal, right? Well…be careful what you wish for…

Classic Case For an Author

A writer is someone who has taught his mind to misbehave.”  – Oscar Wilde

Yes, indeed, that is a fact.  Being a writer has allowed me to forgo the rules, break from the norms, and challenge the minds. In this day and age,  it’s practically a requirement. A writer must be able to understand the rules of life to represent it in their writing. More importantly, they must understand life’s rules to point out societal problems.

“You know what I did after I wrote my first novel? I shut up and wrote twenty-three more.” – Michael Connelly

I just spent the last two months ending two stories: the first book of my crimeverse and my Gay Village Story. The Gay Village Story is something I just came up with. Well…I wrote the story a long time ago when I was living in Philadelphia. It was only this month that I actually got a chance to edit and – let’s just say – Ernest Hemingway would be very proud of me. Haha!

I think this coming month, I’m not editing anything else. Just writing and planning for me. which I am more than okay with. I do need to lay out the comic series, the next installment of the Gay Village Story, and complete the outlines for the Yellow & Orange storyline of my Crimeverse. Also, I, of course, need to work on my graduation project for my Master’s.

However, for this week, I’m doing the bare minimum. Updating a few documents while doing some outlining here and there. I think I deserve some R&R, right?

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 83 (55%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

I’m Almost There

Just finished one of my major projects for my Linguistic Class and a thought occurred to me. In November 2022, I started my side-quest of getting my Master’s. Initially, it was supposed to be an MFA but my past laziness came back to haunt me. No worries, I’ll just get to it when I move to Spain – maybe I can learn at the same university I’ll teach at. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. I’m looking at my calendar and…I’m five classes and a final course away from finishing my Master’s!

Yeah, that revelation hit me pretty hard and I’m gitty with excitement and anticipation. With this, I will be able to teach high school and undergraduate in Spain – my next country. It’s funny…my alma mater, Central High School, gave me the idea of teaching there but my family and I agreed that Europe is better. The standards are higher and the curriculum all but guaranteed success for the truly dedicated. Well…that’s what we see on paper, anyway. The point remains the same: I’m not teaching nor teaching the States.

Unfortunately, I am experiencing a setback where I have to take a semester off due to foreseen – and unforeseen – circumstances. For the foreseen, I have to get my students ready for their finals which will induce the most stress so I was going to take a semester off anyway. However, when I was meeting with my academic advisor I was met with “unforeseen circumstances” of still being on the waitlist for my necessary classes. I should have been annoyed, but I wasn’t because we found a solution.

Simply put, I’m pushed to the semester after next i.e. July where I’m guaranteed entry. The only downside to it is that I’ll be taking two classes instead of one so I can keep to my graduation schedule.  Still, it’s not going to take time out of my summer holiday because (1) it’s the summer and (2) the classes I chose I’m already prepared for. I have a Screenwriting Class and I already have scripts ready. I have a Sci-Fi and Fantasy class that I’m already knowledgeable. (Want me eat those words. ha ha ha). So, I’m going to be on holiday and in school like I was in Spain. This is going to be fun.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 78 (52%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

2024 Reading Challenge (March)

For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites for each month. So! While I have read fourteen books for March, here are my Top 5 favorites.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
It’s been a long time since I was touched by a story. Every story was either sad, relatable, or both. There even have been a few times that I’ve found myself taking a moment to catch my breath. I had to read this book along with two others, but it’s this story that made me feel all the emotions. This is a must-read for many reasons: to understand perspective, mend bridges, and for a really good read.

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

I watched Reacher not realizing that there was a book series – an ongoing book series. So, while I was in Philly, I made a pit stop at Barnes and Noble and bought three of the Reacher books. I wanted to focus on the ones that were – or will – adapted into seasons. The second season was based on this book and I must say…I love Lee Child’s writing style and this series will be completed…eventually.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

I was teaching Victorian-Era Literature to my tenth grader and this play was a requirement. This play was interesting. My students felt that it was too real, which is ironically why I like it. I LOVE those types of stories that are deeply rooted in reality. It was amazing to see a realistic reaction to a problem of their own making. This is a perfect example of “adding fuel to the problem”. I’m definitely keeping this for future reading.

The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster

Another story I had to teach to my students. It’s also another story that I ended up reading, again, on my own because – yes – it’s just that good.  Hard Science Fiction isn’t something that I’m a huge fan of; soft science fiction is more of my thing. Alas, I must be a teacher and suck it up and I’m so glad that I did because this story was amazing. The lesson of over-reliance on technology was also ever so delicious.

The Star by H.G. Wells

Yet another story I used as a lesson for my tenth graders.  I actually like this story because it’s the complete opposite of H.G. Wells’s approach to science fiction. Plus, I love science fiction with a passion and I especially love futurist science fiction. Plus, the obvious sequence of events only makes the story better for me because it’s a matter of ‘when”, not “if”.

Time is Slowing…Slowing…Sloooowwwing…

I still always have a lot of work to do in my three main worlds: grad school, teacher, and author. This is the norm for me – my comfort zone.  Still, life is slowing down for me. It happens now and again, and I handle myself accordingly. How? I accept and appreciate it.

Right now, I’m teaching two classes on the same writing prompt (research paper) where they get to choose their topic. It’s the same lesson, so I have been on auto-pilot for the last two weeks. The only thing I’m doing at this point is checking in on their research and writing occasionally. Again, I’m grateful for the moment to breathe,  because I am going to take a lot of time to look over everything.

Next is my grad school. I’m halfway through my Linguistic class with the final paper finished. Now, I’m just waiting for the professor to check my rough draft which isn’t happening until around Week 7 or 8. So, the only things I’m doing now are discussions and reading. Once again, I’m loving this moment of reprise.

Finally is my writing. The rewriting for my first novel of my LGBTQ Crimeverse is halfway done and well ahead of schedule. I predict being done with the rewrites during the second half of this month. After I have to edit another LGBTQ book for this summer’s release…or I’m thinking about it, at least. No, I’m definitely editing that story next, but I don’t know if I’m releasing it on this year’s PRIDE.

Yep! This slow motion is going to feel so good…

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 61 (41%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

Oh God…I’ve Met My Teenager Doppelganger

It is amazing how life works. The moment when the past meets the present. What do I mean? Oh, it’s quite amusing; I was just reminded of my past as a shithead teenager. How? Well, how else does karma work? I have a fifteen-year-old who acts EXACTLY like I did when I was fifteen-year-old. And I do mean EXACTLY LIKE ME.

My teenage years were pivotal to me. I was still dealing with my dad’s death, I was experiencing new emotions and revelations. I was starting to find my voice and desiring independence. Most importantly, I was growing resentful and rageful towards injustice – or what I perceived as “injustice”.  I didn’t have a problem with saying “No”, “Leave me alone”, “I don’t want to”, and anything resembling defiance. I was someone who responded to any opposition with harsh verbal reactions. My family got the brunt of it, especially my cousins. They were always trying to change me into something I’m not as if what I was – what I am – was wrong in their eyes. I was defiant and absolute in my defiance. I was determined to be my person against all odds.

That was almost twenty ago and I’m seeing it again in one of my students.

Like me, he isn’t a bad kid. He’s someone who wants to be independent from his parents. He doesn’t like being told what to do or how to be. He doesn’t like his independence or identity being threatened. I thought that to be the case of normal teenage rebellion…until it wasn’t. It was all too familiar.

I told my grandma this and she just laughed. She told me she remembered my teenage years and reminded me of something. Indeed, there was nothing wrong with me. Of course, she did say that I was “really something” – a nice way of saying that I was a handful – but, deep down, I was a good kid. She reminded me to see that student the same way. I was advised to extend to him the same grace.  To be patient and guide him the way life has guided me. So, that’s what I’m trying to do.  I’m trying to pick my battles with him and let him be his person while helping him realize the realities of life. I’m praying that I’m doing it right…

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 53 (35%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.

Philly…How I Missed You

Sorry for the month-long absence, but I wanted Philadelphia to have my undivided attention – out of my studies, of course. While I finished most of my work beforehand, the only thing I had to do was my threaded discussion which took me no time at all. I had missed my city for such a long time and I wanted to see what changed and what remained the same. Short answer, a lot.

While in Philly, I wanted to stay with my grandma. I hadn’t seen her in four years and it was her idea to house me. She even kept my room untouched. However, it was shrunken due to the reconstruction of her bathroom; my Uncle Drew wanted to make the bathroom not only bigger but handicap-friendly.  It looked amazing and I could imagine wanting something like this when I’m in my senior. Plus, we spent hours every day catching up on local events and familial updates. It was nice and I knew my grandma enjoyed it. She also knew that there would be others who would want my attention. A lot of other people.

On the FIRST date, my younger brother found me – and, yes, I mean “found”. He knew my usual spots in Center City and took a guess where I would be. Indeed, I am a creature of habit. We spent the entire day together and it was amazing. It felt like no time had passed between us as we did what we always did: watch TV and talk.

Later, throughout the two weeks, I got to visit my favorite cafe, Good Karma Cafe, my favorite bars, Level Up (formerly Boxers), and Barnes & Noble. Of course, I would go to my favorite bookstore; that part couldn’t be helped. I ended up buying a couple of books which surprised no one. I ended up meeting up with as many of my family and friends as possible. Even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to see anybody, I, at least, wanted to make sure that I saw my core family and friends. Since I managed to do that, I count this holiday as a success.

However, getting back to China proved to be a challenge. When booking my return flight, an error on their part left me needing a visa to temporarily enter India which I didn’t know until the day off. He placed the blame on me for “not checking”, but I reminded him that that’s what I paid him for as I wanted to focus all my attention on my family. Regardless, he didn’t want to give me all of my money back – only 20%. So, I had to call my friend to get me a ticket and vowed to never rely on a travel agent, again. Still, I got home and immediately went to work while breaking the main rule of handling jetlag. Haha!

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 21. Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.