The Booker Award

I received this award from my hubby, Jeff Whelan, who had received it from a fellow author. This award is passed around from author to author (or to other bloggers) so that they, too, can share their top five books. Of course, in his very eloquent way of writing, Jeff beautifully detailed why each book was so important to him and what he was able to take away with him. To try to emulate him would be fruitless, so I'll just have to do it the way I know how...here goes!

For me, the merit of a book depends on how long it stays with me. For example, when I read a book, I give it all of my attention; however, a good book will suck me in and not let go--even if it has been years since I read it. Jeff had asked me to recall the books I read recently that I insisted he read at a future date. I remember telling him that, but I don't remember the books. So even though the books were good, it did not have any lasting impact on me. In essence, I have to look at how a book makes me think outside my comfort zone, forces me to view other realities, challenges my own ideals, and all around makes a difference in my life. I would also be remiss not to mention that I am a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. I look for substance in the books that will stimulate deep and thoughtful discussions with my students.

That being said, I had a difficult time narrowing my choices down to just five (well actually, I took some liberties and made two sets of trilogies into just "2 books"--forgive me, I just couldn't pick one without the others.) So, after having slept on it, this is what I have come up with!

1. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. This book centers around a family, The Tucks, who accidently discovered a fountain of youth and the ramifications of never being able to die. Prior to reading this book, I pose the question to my students: "Who would like to be able to live forever?" The answer I receive more times than not is "yes". It is interesting to see that idea challenged as the read the book.

2.  The Giver by Lois Lowry. This book focuses on a Dystopian or possibly Utopian (you will have to be the judge) society where rules are of the utmost important and adhered to in order to maintain order in this community. Everything on the surface of this community looks perfect. This has been a tremendous book to share with my students. For example, a society without pain? That sounds fantastic, right? Hmmmm....makes one think a bit deeper about that...hopefully a reader will come away with a sense of the necessities of hardship and pain in order to promote healthy growth.

3. Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness: book 1: The Knife of Never Letting Go, book 2: The Ask and the Answer, book 3: Monsters of Men. This is probably one of the most unusual series I've ever had the pleasure to read. Instantly, I was hooked. Patrick Ness has invented this Dystopian society where people can hear your every thought--at least the thoughts of the men. Women's thoughts, however, are never heard. The way Patrick Ness shows us the struggle of these men is beyond description. You are, without a doubt, pulled into these novels, and its grip far-reaching and long-lasting--I still remember them in such vivid detail.

4. His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman: book 1: The Golden Compass, book 2:The Subtle Knife, book 3: The Amber Spyglass. The first book takes place in an alternate reality (maybe even a parallel universe to ours). People have daemons which are physical manifestation of their souls that are part of them. (Note to parents: I didn't understand the heart wrenching pain that people went through when their daemons were taken away from them until I became a parent and I had to leave my first born with a sitter while I went back to work.) Now, if you've seen the Golden Compass movie--I'm sorry--that was a horrible depiction of the book. They had such a wonderful opportunity to create a masterpiece, but failed miserably! So put all of your thoughts about the movie away, and enjoy the book.

5. And my all time favorite book, without a doubt is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In my opinion, there has never been a book that has explored society with such depth that I walked away from it feeling exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. The emotional, intellectual, and moral themes are so abundant in this book that scholars have spent years researching it. I have read it at least seven times, and I come away with something new EVERY time! What I really love about it is sharing this with my students. So many of them have come away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of life back in the 30s, that it has contributed greatly to their knowledge of the depression, oppression, racism, and humanity in general. This book has often been one that my students remember vividly in the passing years.

So there you have it! My five most favorite of all time. And now it's time to pass the torch. Here are the five people I have chosen to pass this award to:

1. Jen Vincent and Kellee Moye at Teach Mentor Texts
2. Roz and Patty at http://roz-patty.com/
3. Lindsey Mead at http://www.adesignsovast.com/
4. Kathryn Markolf at http://goodliferoad.com/
5. Susan Buchanan http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/

 Please do not feel obligated to do this--only participate if you have time and inspiration to...this is just for fun! Enjoy!

Just Found a Wonderful Blog!

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Good Life Road, and I came across this blog: A Design so Vast. Lindsey, the blog's author, is so beautifully honest. After reading it for a few minutes, I knew she was on a great journey.

I enjoy blogs that speak from the heart. And these two really do. I hope you will find their blogs as wonderful as I do!

A Fun Survey

One of my favorite bloggers, Kathryn, at Good Life Road invited me to participate in a fun survey. I posted it to her blog as well as here. Join in and post your responses to this blog and hers. Have fun!

1.Excluding now, what was the best, most fun, or most satisfying time of your life? Why?

That would have to be a general answer since I have so many examples. The time that I enjoy the most are the days I spent exploring new experiences with my children and husband. My oldest son exudes excitement through is bouncy mannerisms—believe me, you cannot help getting excited when you experience his excitement, and my youngest shows his enthusiasm with his infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humor.

2. If you could do anything for a vocation regardless of what it paid (say you didn’t need the money) what would it be?

I would definitely become a yoga instructor. I would focus my teachings on how to life a full life and how to manage and live with chronic pain. Yoga has helped me so much...I want to give back!

3. What is one non-profit or charity organization that is dear to your heart? We have a no-kill shelter called TAILS in our town.  Why? They do extraordinary work. What sets them apart? They never turn animals away (also injured wildlife will be cared for and returned to the wild). They have many families that foster dogs and cats that need homes. They have a spay/neuter program as well. I appreciate that they always put the animals first. They take animals from emergency situations all over the U.S. They may not have the room, but they WILL find a way to care for these animals. And it is ALL non-profit.

4.If you could have a second home anywhere in the world and you could travel to and from free of charge, where would it be? My husband took me to San Francisco years ago, and I’ve never forgotten the beauty and the culture of the place! That’s where I’d like to spend a weekend. The highlight of that trip was buying peanuts in the shell and sitting in Golden Gate park feeding the squirrels. They would sit next to you and eat. I even had one crawl on me. I was careful not to touch the squirrel since they are wild, but they felt totally comfortable in the presence of people. (Unfortunately that can be dangerous for children who may not exercise caution around wild animals!)

5. If you’re feeling blue, or lonely, what are your favorite self-comforting activities? I love to get a cup of coffee and a good book and curl up on the couch, epsom salt baths in my claw-foot tub, or quiet meditation/yoga. One of these three will usually allow me to be more present with the rest of the day.

6.What is one big lesson-for-life that has personal meaning for you that you want to teach your child/children or that you just wish you had known sooner? That each individual learns and experiences the world differently through different filters.  Patience must be taught so that each child can learn and grow without fear of criticism. Once a child understands how he works, it becomes a treasure.

7.What are three things on your “bucket” list?

Become a certified yoga instructor, travel to the ocean with my husband and two boys, and just be a part of life even as I grow old.

8. Are you right or left handed? Right

9. What is your preferred method for getting in/staying in shape? Yoga

10.Describe your ideal vacation.

We would wake up early and drive to our destination. We would stop along the way to visit anything we wanted to that caught our interests (without concern about time). Enjoy each site to its fullest, then either find accommodations or rent a yurt! I prefer vacations that offer a little surprise along the way. I do not have any interest in the high-budget vacations such as cruises or guided tours of different countries.

11.What is a favorite place you’ve been to in your travels? My favorite place to visit is somewhere by water that has a lot of hiking trails. My sister’s home in GA with her family offers many of these fun activities as does the east coast and of course the west coast.