Red Dress Ink Fans discussion
Challenges
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THE FALL/WINTER CHALLENGE (Oct 1 - Dec 31)
Columbine was pretty tough to get through because you are reading excerpts from their journals and descriptions of the Basement Tapes they made and you can't help but be freaked out by these two kids who did all of this. And then you read about how badly the cops bungled everything and the ways in which the media completely fed us false information. Plus, reading about the survivors was tough - they are such strong people and reading what they had to endure was crazy! And I guess ultimately it was frightening to realize how seemingly normal these kids were (going to prom, going to games, looking at college, etc) on the outside that you would never really stop to wonder how crazy they were on the inside. Definitely a well written book that is disturbing to read, but something I would recommend.
Mod
It sounds really interesting and reminds me of Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I listened to the audiobook of that one and it was tough! Especially because I listened to it at work. But it was written so well and the story was so compelling.
Stacy wrote: "Nadia wrote: "Columbine was pretty tough to get through because you are reading excerpts from their journals and descriptions of the Basement Tapes they made and you can't help but be freaked out b..."I've never read any of Jodi Picoult's books, but Nineteen Minutes is the one I keep thinking I'll start with. There's also another fiction book on the subject: The Hour I First Believed A Novel by Wally Lamb. Both look equally disturbing and intense, but good.
Mod
Hmm...I just clicked on your link for that one. It sounds like it'd be good too.
Nineteen Minutes is the first and only book I've read (listened to) of hers and it made me obsessively look for more. Now I have a bunch but I haven't read any more yet because I hear they are so intense. The intense book mood has yet to strike me since...but I'll get to them someday.
I read Nineteen Minutes and thought it was a really good book. I totally agree with Stacy that it is well written and compelling and tough to read. I've read some other Picoult since that book and so far all of them have been really interesting and good books. Right now I'm reading The Tenth Circle by her.
I have really liked all of Jodi Picolt's books. They are very heavy. The only one I had a hard time reading, I just couldn't get into it, was The Tenth Circle. Nineteen Minutes was rough - I taught high school.
Mod
Oh wow! How long ago did you teach high school Kristine? Was it during any of the shootings?
I totally get that reading Nineteen Minutes must have been rough for you Kristine. And it must have been scary hearing about all of the school shootings that seemed to be happening. Creepy stuff. Well, you must be one tough cookie because you did it! Did you like teaching high school? How long did you teach for? I was debating teaching, but wasn't sure if I would be a good teacher - seems like such a hard job. All that patience.
I was a teacher up until 2 years ago, when I had my daughter. I remember the day I finished reading Nineteen Minutes - it was the day of the shootings at the college in Virgina or West Virgina. I loved teaching high school (I don't know if I could teach little kids)& it was a really tough decision to not return. I taught for 5 years.
I figure when my daughter goes to school, I'll either go back to teaching (it's a job there are always positions for!!) or I would love to be a librarian.
I want to read Columbine, but I don't know if I can.
Mod
Task Completed for 15 points.
15.3 - And That’s When it Fell Off in My Hand (October); Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers: Georgia Nicolson series (Books 5 & 6) by Louise Rennison
Vair vair hilarious!
Mod
..."
Yeah, if it were me, I don't think I'd be able to read it.
It's kind of funny you were a teacher though. I'm going to school for a psych degree right now in an effort to be a school counselor - but for the elementary ages. I've also been giving thought to getting an early childhood education degree and getting into teaching as well. A teacher is actually what I wanted to be when I was a little kid.
Stacey, get the certification too! It really is a greta job!
Kristine wrote: "Stacey, get the certification too! It really is a greta job!"I went back to school (after I'd been out for a couple years) to get a certification to teach high school. I spent a semester student teaching, and it honestly was the hardest job I've ever had (AND I didn't get paid). I absolutely loved parts of it -- getting really creative with assignments, seeing kids get interested in literature, etc. But then there were some kids -- one class in particular -- who made me want to pull my hair out. Ultimately I never did anything with the certification, but I think about going back to it a lot, because I don't think I gave it a fair shot.
LEADERBOARDKristine - 15
*Stacy - 15
Courtney - 10
*Tara - 10
Suzanne - 5
Nadia - 5
Melanie - 5
**************************
* - not competing for prizes
Finally got one done:5.3 Vote for Me! (Courtney’s Task) - Nice To Come Home To - Rebecca Flowers
For 5 whole points.
Melanie wrote: "Finally got one done:5.3 Vote for Me! (Courtney’s Task) - Nice To Come Home To - Rebecca Flowers
For 5 whole points.
"
What did you think of it, Melanie? That was one I added to my TBR list.
Mod
"
I did take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in July and passed! Yea! I have to have that to be a couselor in Michigan schools anyway. But at least right now, I could be a substitute teacher. I just don't know how to go about getting into it.
Mod
I went back to school (after I'd been out for a couple years) to get a certification to teach high school. I spent..."
That's what I think would be great is getting the students involved and learning as well as coming up with fun & creative assignments. You should look into it Jen, I bet you'd be great!
I also looked into teaching. My degree is in communications, which was fun in college but I realized was not right for me as a career. I wanted to teach either French or English. I got accepted to a program at a school but never ended up going. Now I am finally back in school for speech language pathology and I hope to work in a school.
Stacey, get in touch with your local Board of Ed - there's paper work to fill out & they'll send you to get fingerprinted, and other good stuff.
Jen B wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Stacey, get the certification too! It really is a greta job!"I went back to school (after I'd been out for a couple years) to get a certification to teach high school. I spent..."
There's always that one class! :)
Mod
Oh cool! Thanks for the info Kristine! That really helps!
You know, it's kind of funny. What got me thinking about the whole teaching thing again was the second Cate Padget book by Whitney Lyles. I read that way earlier in the year and it's been stuck in my head ever since. I've actually thought about not doing the psychology degree and switching alltogether to early childhood edu.
I am so behind!!! I haven't been in a reading mood and was out of town for a wedding all last weekend. I am going to try and make some headway this weekend!! Congrats to everyone who is on the board!
Mod
Don't worry Alicia, it's only just started - we've got plenty of time to fly through our lists! :)
Jen B wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Finally got one done:5.3 Vote for Me! (Courtney’s Task) - Nice To Come Home To - Rebecca Flowers
For 5 whole points.
"
What did you think of it, Melanie? That was one I add..."
It was good - I flew right through it. The main character is really sweet and kind of unsure of herself, and the story is funny and sweet, too. I really liked all the characters, actually - the sister drove me a little crazy, but I think she was supposed to!
Stacy wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I am so behind!!! I haven't been in a reading mood and was out of town for a wedding all last weekend. I am going to try and make some headway this weekend!! Congrats to everyone ..."I think I am still burnt out. LOL!
Tara wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I am so behind!!! I haven't been in a reading mood and was out of town for a wedding all last weekend. I am going to try and make some headway this weekend!! Congrat..."Hahaha seriously I have been watching A LOT of TV.
Alicia wrote: "Tara wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I am so behind!!! I haven't been in a reading mood and was out of town for a wedding all last weekend. I am going to try and make some headway this weeke..."Me too Alicia! I am obsessed with the show One Tree Hill. I never watched it before so the first time I caught it on the Soap channel I was hooked. I am on the third season. Good thing my library has the seasons. What will I do when I am caught up? LOL!
YAY I finished one:10.10 Write, Write, Write: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson: 10/7/09
Alicia Total Points: 10
(How to I cross things off on my initial list on the first page?)
Tara wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Tara wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I am so behind!!! I haven't been in a reading mood and was out of town for a wedding all last weekend. I am going to try and make some hea..."I watch Bravo TV non-stop, and my husband and I have been catching up on 30 Rock and The Office. I just keep filling up my DVR and just go comatose watching everything.
Alicia wrote: "(How to I cross things off on my initial list on the first page?)"To cross things off you use the <> and > brackets on each side of what you're trying to strike through, and put an s in them.
It's nice to be able to cross one off the list! :)
LEADERBOARDKristine - 15
*Stacy - 15
Alicia - 10
Courtney - 10
*Tara - 10
Suzanne - 5
Nadia - 5
Melanie - 5
**************************
* - not competing for prizes
Hey Alicia - which season of 30 rock are you watching? I'm catching up with season 3 finally! Can't wait for the new ones to start!
Nadia wrote: "Hey Alicia - which season of 30 rock are you watching? I'm catching up with season 3 finally! Can't wait for the new ones to start!"We are on Season 3 too, Disc 2. Gotta love Netflix. This show is so freakin funny. We have watched all of them on DVD, we should be caught up by the time the show airs.
I am on disc 2 too! Just watched the ep where it was Valentine's Day and the Mad Men guy was on it!
We are right around there. We did see that one. That Mad Men guy is pretty cute. We started that show too but didn't get very far because we got the 30 Rock discs as soon as they came out.
Yeah, he is pretty cute! I have yet to see Mad Men, but perhaps I'll give it a go. You mentioned watching Bravo shows a lot - me too! I am addicted to the Housewives, Rachel Zoe, Million Dollar listing, etc. That channel rocks! I actually think that Project Runway was better on Bravo then it has been so far on lifetime.
Agreed on Project Runway, but that is because Michael and Nina have been MIA. It was a little better last week when he came back. I watch Housewives, Rachel Zoe, Top Chef and am looking forward to Tabitha's Salon Takeover. I am like a little too obsessed with Housewives though, but I think Atlanta this year has been a little bit of a disppointment.
Mod
I tried to watch this new season of Housewives and just couldn't get into it. I love the Rachel Zoe show but never know when it's on and I watched Project Runway religiously the first three seasons, now, again, I don't know when it's on. Didn't even know it switched to Lifetime...
I agree - without Michael and Nina the show is lacking. So glad that Michael came back. Love Rachel Zoe! I die! Brad is the best - envied their trip to Paris - those shows looked amazing!! Top Chef rocks! And the Housewives are crazy - love to watch them! I agree that Atlanta was not that great this season. I am looking forward to the new season with the OC Housewives - I like them best!Stacy - they changed it to Lifetime because of money.
I don't watch Project Runway anymore - but I love Top Chef. I just read somewhere that Fabio is getting his own show & so is Bethanny & they just signed on to do Real Housewives Washington D.C.
Yeah, I read something about that. Something about these reality stars and their careers. Should be interesting!
Mod
I don't think they have picked the cast yet for D.C. I know they just started filming the NYC one. I am looking forward to seeing the OC because now Gretchen is with Slade, Jo's old fiance. Should be interesting!!I don't know why I love Top Chef, I hate cooking and am a picky eater but for some reason I just can't stop watching that show. I have even got my husband hooked on it now.
The OC one starts Nov. 5th and I can't wait!! It will definitely be interesting watching Gretchen and Slade together - I'm sure the other Housewives will have opinions on that! As far as the DC one, I'm not sure when they start shooting for that one, hopefully soon!I know what you mean about Top Chef - I am not a foodie but I love to watch that show! It always cracks me up when they try to blame each other in front of the judges and come off looking so badly for it.
Task Completed:10 points
10.10 Write, write, write
I read 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Total Points = 15
Total Books = 2
LEADERBOARDKristine - 20
Nadia - 15
*Stacy - 15
Alicia - 10
Courtney - 10
*Tara - 10
Suzanne - 5
Melanie - 5
**************************
* - not competing for prizes
5 Points: 5.1 Spooky Story Hour - Wednesday Night Witches (Lee Nichols)
Total: 20
1 You Live Where?! (Courtney’s Task) - Read a book written by an author who lives in your state/city. I already have my book picked out for this one, but I just wanted to share--I was just reading about Emily Giffin and I found out she is from Naperville, IL! That is right near me! :) I am from Lombard which is about 20 minutes from Naperville. I noticed in Something Borrowed, the characters were from Naperville, Indiana. I don't know if there is actually a Naperville in Indiana, but it did make me think of Naperville, IL!
Red Dress Ink Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
The Secret History (other topics)This Lullaby (other topics)
Uglies (other topics)
Swimsuit (other topics)
The Secret History (other topics)
More...
5 points
5.2 Author(s)of the Month
I read Columbine by Dave Cullen
Total Points = 5
Total books = 1"
What did you think about this one? I've heard a lot about it...a little too cerebral for my lack of concentration right now, but it looks really interesting.