Comfort Reads discussion
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Did you say that you already read Rooftops of Tehran?"
Nope I haven't read it. Should I?
Jeannette wrote: "The Fly Lady needs to chill and quit looking at her reflection in the kitchen sink! That's what mirrors are for! :)"LOL!
Jeannette wrote: "Hayes wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "In the US, girls wear flannel pj bottoms out as street clothes.."
Whatever..."
It just kind of freaks me out whenever I see it. I just wondered if this latest tre..."
Morning! (for me... 6:00 AM. Can't sleep past 6:00 any more!)
Didn't answer your question... Italian girls wouldn't be caught *dead* outside in something that even vaguely resembled pajama bottoms. (They'll go around half naked, but that's another problem!)
The new "fashion" here is called Truzza (have no idea what it means) which is a flash back to the "Valley Girls" days... aarrgghh!
Whatever..."
It just kind of freaks me out whenever I see it. I just wondered if this latest tre..."
Morning! (for me... 6:00 AM. Can't sleep past 6:00 any more!)
Didn't answer your question... Italian girls wouldn't be caught *dead* outside in something that even vaguely resembled pajama bottoms. (They'll go around half naked, but that's another problem!)
The new "fashion" here is called Truzza (have no idea what it means) which is a flash back to the "Valley Girls" days... aarrgghh!
Lee wrote: "Christine wrote: "Lee,
Did you say that you already read Rooftops of Tehran?"
Nope I haven't read it. Should I?"
I want to send it to you. PM me your address if you'd like it. I thought it was really good.
Did you say that you already read Rooftops of Tehran?"
Nope I haven't read it. Should I?"
I want to send it to you. PM me your address if you'd like it. I thought it was really good.
Good morning reader girls! (Do we have guys?)
I have to take Benjamin in for more testing today so I guess that means I should get him out of bed, eh?
I have to take Benjamin in for more testing today so I guess that means I should get him out of bed, eh?
Morning Everyone. It's sunny and cold this morning (I love sunny and cold). This morning (at around 9:30 A.M.) I have to babysit my boyfriend's house while the gas man disconnects the old hot water heater. Hope it won't take too long, but maybe I can get some reading done while I wait.
Gundula wrote: "Morning Everyone. It's sunny and cold this morning (I love sunny and cold). This morning (at around 9:30 A.M.) I have to babysit my boyfriend's house while the gas man disconnects the old hot wat..."
What a great excuse to read uninterrupted! :)
What a great excuse to read uninterrupted! :)
Good afternoon, Hayes! I saw so much American branded stuff in Germany when I lived there. But people here, at least where I live, have gotten so sloppy about dressing. I don't think most people dress for anything any more! Valley Girls, eh, that sounds kind of scary, too!
btw, which book did you read, dull or good?
btw, which book did you read, dull or good?
Good Morning, ladies! We may have a man or two brave enough to read this, but I don't remember any contributors. :) Hope everyone is finally getting some nicer weather. I feel pretty good today and ready to get something done!
Good luck in the waiting room Christine. What's today's book selection? Nothing scary, I hope.
Good luck in the waiting room Christine. What's today's book selection? Nothing scary, I hope.
Jeannette wrote: "btw, which book did you read, dull or good?"
Morning! I finished up Johnny Tremain, which I chose because I'm looking for something with American history for my son, who is almost 13. I found it to be just as dire now as it was when I was at school.
Anybody have any suggestions? What are/were all your kids reading at school? He reads at 10-12 year old level in English, I'd say. Thanks in advance.
Morning! I finished up Johnny Tremain, which I chose because I'm looking for something with American history for my son, who is almost 13. I found it to be just as dire now as it was when I was at school.
Anybody have any suggestions? What are/were all your kids reading at school? He reads at 10-12 year old level in English, I'd say. Thanks in advance.
Jeannette wrote: Good luck in the waiting room Christine. What's today's book selection? Nothing scary, I hope"
I'm reading Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard..it's a hoot!
I'm reading Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard..it's a hoot!
It sounds crazy, Christine! I added it to my tbr list. I'll watch for your rating.
Hayes wrote: "I'm looking for something with American histor for my son...Anybody have any suggestions? What are/were all your kids reading at school? He reads at 10-12 year old level in English, I'd say. Thanks in advance. "
I've got a friend looking for me, who has a son this same age. I hope to post later today.
I've got a friend looking for me, who has a son this same age. I hope to post later today.
Hayes wrote:Anybody have any suggestions? What are/were all your kids reading at school? He reads at 10-12 year old level in English, I'd say.
Everything that has been on my son's reading list (He's 11) has had the same basic plot:
native child get abandoned, native child needs to learn how to make a boat and fish (this takes 60% of the book), native child runs into savages, native child's dog/wolf/horse/whatever dies, native child is reunited with original tribe but finds out that his mother/father/brother/whatever is dead...the end.
I'm a little bit frustrated with the reading list. Can you tell?
Everything that has been on my son's reading list (He's 11) has had the same basic plot:
native child get abandoned, native child needs to learn how to make a boat and fish (this takes 60% of the book), native child runs into savages, native child's dog/wolf/horse/whatever dies, native child is reunited with original tribe but finds out that his mother/father/brother/whatever is dead...the end.
I'm a little bit frustrated with the reading list. Can you tell?
No wonder that some people are "unschoolers." Is this what Calvert has on their curriculum?
Yep. They sent us all of our novels along with the textbooks. I swear that everything he reads is full of misery, and then they eat their pets, the parents never live, and there are almost always savages. Emma's books have been much better, like The Pearl, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Pittman, etc.
Mod
I don't know what you are paying for Calvert, but here is the link to Keystone. They offer Middle School now. We have been pretty happy with the high school program. The really good teachers are very responsive and quick with feedback and grades.
Keystone Online
Keystone Online
Lee wrote: "Just curious but have you two always followed someone else's curriculum?"
I didn't start online classes until high school. I used The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home as a rough guide for later elementary and middle school, but we pretty much did our own thing, except for using Saxon Math. Well-Trained Mind is way too intense for me, so if you haven't read it, don't panic when you do. I was a real dabbler, trying a lot of different things and following Lea's interests, too.
I didn't start online classes until high school. I used The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home as a rough guide for later elementary and middle school, but we pretty much did our own thing, except for using Saxon Math. Well-Trained Mind is way too intense for me, so if you haven't read it, don't panic when you do. I was a real dabbler, trying a lot of different things and following Lea's interests, too.
Jeannette wrote: "I don't know what you are paying for Calvert, but here is the link to Keystone. They offer Middle School now. We have been pretty happy with the high school program. The really good teachers are..."
I have always used Calvert because they have advisory teaching services which allow an outsider to grade the tests and give transcripts. It was a good way to cover myself legally in Maryland. Illinois is not as intense, but I still like the service. Emma has done Calvert online interactive classes for 6th-8th grade. It has exposed her to different teachers grading styles, which is a good thing for her.
I have always used Calvert because they have advisory teaching services which allow an outsider to grade the tests and give transcripts. It was a good way to cover myself legally in Maryland. Illinois is not as intense, but I still like the service. Emma has done Calvert online interactive classes for 6th-8th grade. It has exposed her to different teachers grading styles, which is a good thing for her.
Calvert has improved since I first looked at it. I'm glad it is working for you. Just wish they would tweak their reading list. :)
Mod
I didn't start online classes until high school. I used [book:The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Edu..."
K, thanks. I have that book on my to read list but am not rushing to read it. We're going to do our own thing as well at least until she's older and figures out where her interests lie.
Mod
From what you've shared, I don't think Calvert would be a good fit for us.
I still recommend reading The Well-Trained Mind. She suggests a rather rigorous approach, but I think her philosophy is very sound and she has a lot of good book suggestions, too. Your daughter is still young, and I was pretty laid back in the primary years.
Well, as usual, I am chiming in after most of you have been on for some time. I was able to sleep in until 9 today. I'm substituting Friday, so I will be up with you early birds then, too, and I'm going to a book festival on Saturday, so that will be another early day. Gundula, your positive attitude toward waiting as using it for reading time reinforces my belief that we readers are much more patient patients (little pun) and in other waiting situations because we look at it as reading time, not wasted time. In fact, I am often disappointed that I don't get enough waiting time in a doctor's office, and, thus, my reading time is less. LOL! I hope your waiting/reading time and yours, Christine, are full of good reading today.
It's another beautiful day here today. Yay!
Hello all! Sorry but I need to rant somewhere a bit. Usch, I've been feeling upset today. I don't want to talk about it since I've now sort of got it out of my mind, but basically someone I expected better from did something that felt treacherous to me, and even if she did it in thoughtlessness rather than actual treachery it doesn't make me feel any better that I can't trust people not to do such a thing... So I'm very much in need of comfort reading at the moment, I've been so upset about it. Oddly, I'm finding Courtney Crumrin In The Twilight Kingdom, Volume 3 just the thing, though it's dark and cynical enough that not many would consider it comfort reading, I think. But it has that fantasy element to take me away from other things, and the darkness fits my angry, bitter and disappointed mood and makes it better.On a positive note, the sun has been shining all day, I've been out a lot, and when shopping I found myself a cute dress in a second-hand clothing store!
Mod
Morning Kathy,
How nice to have a sleep-in! What kind of book festival will you be attending?
Mod
Hi Katri,
I'm sorry you are feeling hurt and down. I hope your book can distract you a bit. :-)
Lee wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Well, as usual, I am chiming in after most of you have been on for some time. I was able to sleep in until 9 today. I'm substituting Friday, so I will be up with you early birds th..."It's the Southern Kentucky Book Fest in Bowling Green, Ky. A couple of friends and I have been going for 4/5 years. In the past, we have met and listened to such authors as Pat Conroy, Harlan Coben, Scot Turow, and Kathleen Kent. They were all great. This year doesn't seem to have ones that are as appealing to me, but I always find them appealing when I get there and end up buying way too many books. Lisa Scottoline is the headliner this year, and I know she's really popular. I just haven't read any of her books. I'll report back after the book fest and tell you more. I always love the atmosphere there.
Good Morning, Kathy! Time for lunch!! :)
Mod
Jeannette wrote: "Good Morning, Kathy! Time for lunch!! :)"LOL! Yep, just what I was thinking.
Lee wrote: "Sounds like a lot of fun! You must tell us what you end up buying."Will do. Going to try to be good and not buy too much, we'll see.
Mod
Hi Katri! Sorry your friend(?) did something to upset you. I hope your book helps. I'm sure the cute dress at a bargain price will help, too! :)
I've been annoyed with myself over stupid little things all week. Yesterday I managed to break my desktop scanner! arrggh I'm still trying to fix it, but I'll probably get my husband to help me out of the jam I created. :(
I've been annoyed with myself over stupid little things all week. Yesterday I managed to break my desktop scanner! arrggh I'm still trying to fix it, but I'll probably get my husband to help me out of the jam I created. :(
Katri, I'm so sorry to hear that you've suffered a bitter disappointment in someone. I'm so glad that you have a book to comfort you. I just don't know what people who don't read do without books to take them away to that land of comfort.
Lee wrote:From what you've shared, I don't think Calvert would be a good fit for us.
I don't think it is for a lot of people because it is extremely structured, especially with the advisory service. Personally, I needed that with they type of children that I have. It seems like most of the kids in Emma's online classes are military children. But for us, it's been very good...it's just not flexible.
I don't think it is for a lot of people because it is extremely structured, especially with the advisory service. Personally, I needed that with they type of children that I have. It seems like most of the kids in Emma's online classes are military children. But for us, it's been very good...it's just not flexible.
Heading out now, have a good afternoon all. Big hugs to Katri!
KATHY! Harlan Coben???
KATHY! Harlan Coben???
Kathy,
If you see Harlan, don't be shy...just rip the sleeve right off of his shirt to mail to me. You can do it!
If you see Harlan, don't be shy...just rip the sleeve right off of his shirt to mail to me. You can do it!
Jeannette wrote: "I've got a friend looking for me, who has a son this same age. I hope to post later today. "
Thanks, Jeannette, that would be brilliant.
Christine wrote: "I'm a little bit frustrated with the reading list. Can you tell? "
That doesn't sound good... like, a little variety maybe?
Katri wrote: "...and even if she did it in thoughtlessness rather than actual treachery it doesn't make me feel any better...
I almost prefer someone to do bad things intentionally (that way you know where you stand... one good eff off and you clear the air) rather than by distraction (and you're never sure... did she mean it, didn't she...). A deep breath Katri and think of the Chinese saying (although also listed as Indian): “If you wait by the River long enough, the corpse of your enemy will float by."
Thanks, Jeannette, that would be brilliant.
Christine wrote: "I'm a little bit frustrated with the reading list. Can you tell? "
That doesn't sound good... like, a little variety maybe?
Katri wrote: "...and even if she did it in thoughtlessness rather than actual treachery it doesn't make me feel any better...
I almost prefer someone to do bad things intentionally (that way you know where you stand... one good eff off and you clear the air) rather than by distraction (and you're never sure... did she mean it, didn't she...). A deep breath Katri and think of the Chinese saying (although also listed as Indian): “If you wait by the River long enough, the corpse of your enemy will float by."
Hayes wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "btw, which book did you read, dull or good?"Morning! I finished up Johnny Tremain, which I chose because I'm looking for something with American history for my son, who is almos..."
Long time ago, Hayes, as she's now a sophomore in college, but here are some that my daughter read:
Bud, Not Buddy
The Sign of the Beaver
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Esperanza Rising
Also, hugs to Christine for getting dropped by that group and to Katri. And Hayes, I love that Chinese (or Indian)saying!!
My nephews read Carry On, Mr. Bowditch and really loved it. My daughter liked Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos (which might be too young for your son). This author has a similar book about Paul Revere told by his horse.
Thanks Mary... I even have a copy of Witch of Blackbird Pond here at home! Don't know the others, but will investigate.
Jeannette: COMB! We read that one in school too... I remember liking that one better. Ben and Me sounds perfect too. Might be a little young, but that's okay. I'd prefer something he can read on his own. Grazie!! (Actually the Paul Revere one looks really brilliant! )
Jeannette: COMB! We read that one in school too... I remember liking that one better. Ben and Me sounds perfect too. Might be a little young, but that's okay. I'd prefer something he can read on his own. Grazie!! (Actually the Paul Revere one looks really brilliant! )
Can second Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.
Barb wrote: "I just couldn't wait anymore (library hold list too long) for The Help, so I just went and ordered it online ... and threw in a copy of Neverwhere for good measure.
Yipee!"
I just ordered The Help for my eBook... bad thing that I am!
Thanks Susanna... I think I'm going to go with COMB. Thanks for the help everyone!
Yipee!"
I just ordered The Help for my eBook... bad thing that I am!
Thanks Susanna... I think I'm going to go with COMB. Thanks for the help everyone!
If you're starting soon, no... I have a huge backlog. But let me know when you're ready to begin, maybe I can rearrange a few things so we can read it together.
Barb wrote: "I just couldn't wait anymore (library hold list too long) for The Help, so I just went and ordered it online ... and threw in a copy of Neverwhere for good measure.
Yipee!"
Good choice!
Yipee!"
Good choice!
I'm acting out. I'm being defiant and rebellious and mutinous. I have decided to buy some books to spite my being booted from the group where I was challenged to not purchase new books. I have fallen off of the book non-buying wagon. My list to follow....
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Comfort Reads
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Yes, I really sympathize. That would drive me crazy. I also don't think it's a very nice way to run a group.