Nestor Cedeño > Recent Status Updates

“Humans aren’t to be trusted. They don’t even trust themselves.”

This is a King reader’s story.
It’s also a COVID story.
An anti Trump story
A BLM story.
And a story about a couple that kidnaps.
Why? Can’t tell ya… yet.

“Humans can’t be trusted. They can barely trust themselves.”

This is the 4th Matt Haig book for me.
I wasn’t keen on The Dead Fathers Club, but 3 books later, I think I’ll have to reread it.
Haig’s novels are very good.

I found the audiobook on YouTube, so I am “reading” this one without a physical copy.
So far… the reviews I’ve read are true: plenty of COVID talk and mentions of that red hat and tie guy who refused masks. King really hates the guy, but since the story takes place right after Grandpa Joe takes over, the virus and political mentions make sense.

An alien takes the body of a guy who solved a super complex math equation.
I hate math, so I’m safe - phew 😅

What is it with aliens and not wearing clothes?

My 2 Honors classes are reading this on their own. Phase 1 class discussion of chapters 1-4 in November. I’ll be rereading as well!

Should have finished this 2 days ago, but busy body and racing legs…

Week one done - students are actually into it, but commented that “a whole chapter of exposition before getting to the house?” 🤷‍♂️😅

Finally learned what’s up with Henry…
Henry… drunk with power.
Henry… the user; not the used.
A life - not normal… not real.

I REMEMBER YOU 🫨

First novel of the year for seniors; will be reading for about a month. Gothic “horror”, influential to stories like Horrorstör, which I recently read, and Stephen King’s The Shining.

Chunky books contain a lot of exposition and setting up before the plot advances. With Addie Larue, a quarter has gone by and the story is finally hitting its stride, even though the two main characters have only briefly met once. The writing is very good and I’m intrigued as to how Addie and Henry will have a relationship if the Shadow curses Addie to be forgotten.

“What is a person, if not the marks they leave behind?”

We’re all in the Beehive 🐝
It’s where we get what we deserve.

Halfway through and this reminds me of The Blair Witch Project - a ton of exposition until something finally happens. For a book titled “Horrorstör”, no real horror, yet.

At this point in the story, you officially learn about a horrible truth which, let’s be honest, I already figured out by the halfway point. Still, the story is quite impactful and for a YA, it’s pretty darn good!

So far:
Essie: vengeful evangelical who reads like someone slightly messed up in the head. Clearly, being part of a reality tv family has taken a toll, or is it something else (it is). On one side she sounds a bit childish, then suddenly, quite Hamlet like in her nature.

The blurb for this novel caught my attention: A far-right religious family that transmits their life on television; a daughter that goes against the family dynamic by getting pregnant and deciding to keep the baby; a union that at first - probably wouldn't happen; a queer reporter who is tasked with uncovering the truth...
This is YA, but I'm a YA teacher... so...

Yet another research read for work.

Mobilization:
“How to wander the world yet never get lost. If only Odysseus could have taken Penelope and Telemachus with him…”
Life is great when all you do is hit the road and travel - where? No matter. Just go.
Until…
No more gas. Anywhere.
Then…
Waters rise. It’s getting hotter.
Then…
R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World” plays.
That’s not in the story; it just came to mind.

The year isn’t over yet, but I’ve read so many great books (and some overrated and lackluster ones too). There are books that I wish I could use with my students in some way, but ugh… Florida 🤦🏻‍♂️

“Mortals are all the same… greedy, deceitful, and cruel.”

It’s interesting how the biographer has compared Allison’s story to other females who were similar in nature and attitude. I’ve been gaining some new perspectives, looking to create a more attractive presentation for my students before we enter the Wife’s Tale.

I mean… It’s not boring 🙃