Persuasion by Jane Austen

Though I typically consider myself a Jane Austen fan, this novel was a disappointment. The heroine, Anne Elliott, is a typical Cinderella character who (unlike several of Austen's other heroines) is from a wealthy, distinguished family. This time, it is her love interest (Captain Wentworth) whole fails to make the grade when it comes to social rank. Eight years after their breakup, Wentworth returns (having made a name for himself in the Navy) and attempts to regain Anne's love. You can probably guess how it ends. This was one of Austen's last novels so, according to the critics, it was not as well-edited. She spends way too much time describing Anne's interpretations of every single glance and nod that every other character makes. Also, there's not a single respectable person in the entire book. (If a steel pipe were handy, I personally would have beaten senseless Anne's sister, Mary.) Anyway, read it if you like but schedule in lots of nap time. It's a real yawn-fest. Favorite Quote (spoken by Anne Elliott): "All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one, you need not covet it) is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone."

Interpreter of Maladies by Junpa Lahiri

This selection of sort stories is incredible. It comes as no surprise that this author won the Pulitzer. Lahiri's exquisite tales about Indian immigrants have a mysterious way of clutching the heart with their simplicity and soulfullness. It's hard to imagine how a person can yearn for life in the United States but still miss a place like Calcutta, but she achieves it with exquisite detail and heartfelt interpretations of each character's life. I was deeply moved by this book. Favorite Quote: "There are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept. As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination."

The Floating Book by Michelle Lovric

Set in Venice in the mid 1400s this is a sort of historical fiction about two Germans who brought the first printing press to the city and (much to the chagrin of the Catholic church) published a book of sensual poetry written by an ancient Roman writer named Catullus. There is also a kind of love triangle between a local prostitute named Sosia and several young men in the Venetian publishing biz. Sosia and several other characters also dabble in witchcraft. Lovric's writing style is kind of juvenile and repetitive. It's clear she's more of an academic than a novelist. But, I read this book just days before I arrived in Venice so it was nice to read about some of the local history via a mildly entertaining story. Also, it had a climactic ending. Overall, though, I think she wasted too much time retelling the same thing from different perspectives. Favorite Quote: "Perfect beauty, like pure water, is tasteless."

Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham

Much like Cunningham's previous novel, The Hours this is actually three novellas that take place in different time periods: the industrial revolution, New York (just after the Sept. 11th attacks) and a futuristic society complete with aliens, spaceships, etc. Only this time (instead of Virginia Woolf) Walt Whitman is the thread that ties all three stories together. It was difficult to get into this novel, but it ended up being a pretty entertaining story - well written and inventive. Though it was not one of my favorites I know others who enjoyed it a great deal, so it's all in the eye of the reader, I guess. Favorite quote: "'I don't exactly know poetry, I contain it.'"

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt

McCourt already published two supurb memoirs (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis) about his experiences growing up in poverty-stricken Ireland and then moving to the United States. His third memoir, Teacher Man, is all about the 30 plus years he spent teaching English in New York City high schools. McCourt's wit, charm, and soulful glance into the world of teaching make this book a real page turner and a must-read for anyone who works in education. Favorite Quote: "You can fool some of the kids some of the time, but they know when you're wearing the mask, and you know they know. They force you into truth. . . Even if they lie to themselves and the world they look for honesty in the teacher."

The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey

In his analysis of the books of Job, Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, and the prophets, Yancey poignantly describes the Old Testament as a place where man can be authentic - both about his doubts and his need for God - especially when it comes to prayer and pain. Yancey's style is literary and well-researched, including personal allegories and commentaries from other well-renowned authors. Favorite Quote: "There is, in a word, nothing comfortable about the Bible - until we manage to get so used to it that we make it comfortable for ourselves . . . Have we ceased to question the book and be questioned by it? Have we ceased to fight it? Then perhaps our reading is no longer serious." (If you like this, make sure to read The Jesus I Never Knew - it's my favorite of his.)

Marva Collins' Way by Marva Collins and Civia Tamarkin

Marva Collins is a famous educator in Chicago, Illinois. For more than 30 years she has worked to improve traditionally low-achieving schools. She also founded a private school for inner-city students, and now trains teachers in a variety of settings across the country. Favorite Quote (from the Marva Collins Creed): "My success and my education can be companions that no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, and no enemy can alienate. Without education, man is a slave, a savage wandering from here to there believing whatever he is told."

Excerpt from The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (written by himself)

"Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A, B, C. . . .Mr. Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. . . . These words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new train of thought. . . . I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty--to wit, the white man's power to enslave the black man. . . . From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom."

My Summer Goal

I'm going to try to read 30 books . . . and I mean books that I enjoy just for reading's sake! Not for my students, not for classes, not to review for others or to plan for some study, but books that I like. It may sound crazy, but that's why they call me Crazy English Teacher. Track my progress and send me your suggestions!