Ok, folks, this is the last week of reading and writing on here. obviously, you still get to do your final essay, due on turnitin on the 25th, but you also have one more chance to blog this week.
Tell the others in the class of a reading that you have done lately that you find compelling for whatever reason. For me, I subscribe to Outside magazine and just read an article they have that is pretty frightening. It is called "How to Unplug from the Wired World" and deals with the problems associated with being so plugged in all the time. There is a real re-wiring of the brain that occurs, and it mimics addiction to drugs...so, the article deals with the need to get out to nature and leave the phone and ipod at home. You should read Outside. It is a great magazine. I could not find the article online, but here is a pretty good one on the same issue: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/how-the-worlds-most-wired-people-unplug-techies_n_1653809.html
TELL US SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ AND EXPLAIN WHY WE SHOULD READ IT. Maybe it's obvious, but as you read through the entries this week, build your own Winter break reading list.
Aside from that, we have no other blog work this week. HOWEVER, you do need to finish The Tipping Point and draft your final paper. Remember, that is due on the 25th. Be sure to email me if you have any questions.
Enjoy,
dr. s
I just read the book The Giver for the first time. It's a book I've always known about and it's been on reading lists for as long as I can remember, but I've just never gotten around to reading it. I read it for my Philosophy class and I'm so glad I finally got a hold of that book! It's hard to really explain without giving it away, so I'll do my best just in case someone wants to read it. It's a really beautiful story set in a world where everyone is the same in the sense that individuality is not apparent. They aren't all clones or robots, but there is no individual style or choice at all really. Children are born from women who's job is to be a "birther". Families are made by applying for a spouse and child from the government. If twins are born, one is chosen to live while the other goes to "elsewhere". There is no emotion really. I mean yes they are happy, but less so happy and more just existing. They don't know pain, they don't know struggle. The Giver is the one who holds all the memories of war and pain and loss, but he also holds good memories like the fun of playing in snow. The regular people of society have no memories of this. Because The Giver is getting old, a new Receiver is chosen (He will be The Giver when it's his turn to give the memories away.) So the story is then of Jonas, the new Receiver going through his training and receiving memories and realizing that his world is just not right without the memories that he has to hold on to.
ReplyDeleteI can't go much more than that without giving it away. But it's SUCH a beautiful story. I can't believe it took me so long to finally read it.
I've never read The Giver, either. Thank you for sharing. I think I will put that on my winter break reading list due to your great and passionate description.
DeleteThis sounds like such a beautiful story and something that would absolutely interest me, and a book I could actually read. It sounds like this book could possibly even teach me something and look at things with a different perspective. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteThe great thing about it is that it's actually a children's book! But it's won all sorts of awards and it was actually a banned book for a while as well. It's a super quick and easy read, but so beautiful.
DeleteI will admit that I do not read books on a regular basis, nor many magazines. I tend to read online news sites, but one new site that I recently got into was found on facebook, and called Choice and Truth. I like reading the articles that don't make "breaking news" however they seem a little more important than what cnn and foxnews calls breaking news. I also enjoy the small quotes. I enjoy quotes because they are short but they can make a huge impact to your mind and soul, versus a 400 page book. One of my favorite all time books has to be The Hot Zone and the demon in the freezer, both written by Richard Preston. I love science, and when I read these books, it shocked me how close we could have been recently to an Ebola outbreak in the united states, and how two huge countries who always seem on the brink of fighting each other still have small pox, some vials were even missing or not found in where they are supposed to be kept. So, it has some thriller information. Just amazes me how insignificant we are in comparison to nature. To think one cell, deadly cell, can ravish thousands in days. Otherwise most of my time is spent watching documentaries and stupid shows :)
ReplyDeleteI watch documentaries also. I think I might be more interested in the shorter version you mentioned. Especially, if you get the same response or intensity of a 400 page book.
DeleteDr. S,
ReplyDeleteI actually did that for an assignment during a fall quarter of 2012. I found it to be very interesting and how so many people rely on their phones. In addition, how many of them can't even go a week without using their phone. I found it to be ridiculous. The assignment consisted of no phone, computer, no social networking, etc. for an entire week with the exception of class work, work, etc. I found it to be easy because I have no social networks. I find it to be a waste of time.
This is a bit embarrassing, but I read 50 Shades of Grey. Yes, mommy porn but it was actually a really good read. I found the book to be a bit more funny than anything. It was an assignment for a communications class I am taking this quarter. It was banned book week and we had to choose from a list of books to read. Yes, I am going to watch the movie. although, I do believe they will leave out more information as they usually do in every movie.
Also, I am about to start this new book I borrowed from a friend which is, Crisis - 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing up gay in America, Edited by Mitchell Gold with Mindy Drucker. I am excited to read this for break, but I've put it on hold until finals are completed. But I do recommend people can learn and gain something from this book.
I had a really hard time getting through the love and sex scenes of the Fifty Shades book. I thought the most exciting parts were the action parts. I too will see the movie because I am curious to see how they are going to pull of some of these scenes without it being rated NC17. I hope they don't leave out the action scenes though.
DeleteI have not read the remaining two books yet, but I am contemplating if I should. I found it to be more funny than what is was supposed to be, but then again I felt that Ana was bit of a ditz.
DeleteI've been debating on reading these books. I've heard good things and bad things, so I can't really decide. I don't want to buy them and hate them, but I don't think I have any friends who've bought them so I can't borrow them. Maybe I'll break down and buy them...
DeleteI might see the movie, also. I don't think I will read the book (s) because I don't have time to read all three because of school. You said he was for your communication class, how did you relate that book to communication?
DeleteI cannot say I have read 50 Shades of Grey, but if you want an older book that has some of that erotic element BUT also tells a really great story of life in Europe, read The Unbearable Lightness of Being. It makes you want to walk around Prague, if you didn't already want to do that.
DeleteThank you, I will most definitely check that book out. I just purchased another book at target. Ostrich by Matthew Greene seems pretty hilarious, but I will read that once finals are over. As for 50 Shades of Grey, Ana is a ditz.
DeleteI have wanted to Read 50 Shades of Grey because of all of the good reviews I have heard about it! Although I do not like reading, I do believe I would give this book a chance. It sounds like the kind of book that would be able to keep me on the edge of my seat.
DeleteLorinda- This book is very detailed and graphic. But very funny at the same time.
DeleteI am currently taking Religious Studies 465 "The Meaning of Death" for my required Theme Class. In that class 1 of the 8 books was "Tuesday's with Morrie". It was a wonderful book for so many reasons. Just like the movie, "The Notebook" represents what true love is, Tuesday's with Morrie, tells how you should live life to the fullest. In this book Morrie is an optimistic college professor who wants to teach people how to get the most out of living. Morrie's gift to other's was the explanation of his dying process. After reading this book I have a more improved focus on what is important. It sounds morbid but it was a uplifting story. It is a true story and was turned into a movie with Jack Lemmon.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about that book, "Tuesday's with Morrie." Sounds like a light, good hearted read. I may check that out!
DeleteFor the past few years, I have been hooked to the Sookie Stackhouse series and have read 14 of the 15 books. I got into the series when I saw the show True Blood on HBO. However, I never thought that the books would be so addicting and very different from the series. Charlaine Harris is an amazing writer and has expressed herself so well in this book series. The only reason I have not read the 15th book is because once I start reading the book I will not be able to put it down and unlike my required reading for my classes, I don’t stop reading it until I finish. Sookie Stackhouse is a resident of a small town in Louisiana and is half faerie and mind reader. She has a tendency to get herself into many predicaments that usually end in someone dying. She is a serial dater of men who are not exactly human. She dates vampires and were-humans. The books are an interesting read of adventure and fantasy that will suck you in no time. There are many differences than the show but the one that I must point out is that the books are tasteful and not as vulgar as the HBO series. I cannot wait for winter break in order to read the last installation of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I also hope to finish reading a twist on an old classic, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I hope that you find the books as fascinating as I have.
ReplyDeleteI find it very exciting that you get pleasure from reading, and even compelled to finish the book when you start the series. I'm more of the Pride and Prejudice person. ;)
DeleteIt is good that you don't stop reading until you finish. I wish I was like that but unfortunately I don't have enough time to read.
DeleteSookie Stackhouse? If it were not for the fact that I just googled it, I would think you were making that up. What a great name!
DeleteI like to read everything from all the classics to new series. I even read the whole left behind series and I don't even believe in the rapture lol.
DeleteI love watching True Blood, but found it very hard to get into reading the books. Maybe it wasn't a great idea to start reading them after watching the show.
DeleteUnfortunately, I have not reach much aside from the assigned readings in this course and finance and accounting. I am however going to begin, over the holiday break reading The Black Hand which is about the Mexican mafia family. My father-in-law and both brother-in-laws read it over the last few months and said it was fascinating and an intense, quick read. I love any type of mafia/gang movie or series so I know this will be right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone could recommend any other types of book like this, I would appreciate it. I also like the "who done it?" mystery type books. I am not very familiar with many authors so once again if anyone could recommend an author or series of murder mystery novels that would be great.
How do you fell about autobiographies?
DeleteI can related to your comment regarding no time for pleasure reading because of classes. Good luck finding more titles...
DeleteI have recently read an article in The New York Times called That Daily Shower Can Be a Killer by Jared Diamond. The article starts off with the author saying, “the other morning, I escaped unscathed from a dangerous situation. No, an armed robber didn’t break into my house, nor did I find myself face to face with a mountain lion during my bird walk. What I survived was my daily shower.” The author goes on to say that we worry about being killed through crazy events that are out of our control such as a “crazy gunmen, terrorists, plane crashes, nuclear radiation, and genetically modified crops” and we underestimate the actual real risk that cause death that we can control, like being careful entering and exiting the shower each day. I found this article to be very interesting. As I started thinking about what the author was saying, I realized that I ignore things that can actually cause my death everyday like not being careful each day entering the shower, not being careful crossing streets or even driving.
ReplyDeletethe title was catchy, it does cause you to stop and rethink your capability to change the things in your control.
Deletewow that does sound like something interesting to read. I actually like watching that show called monsters inside me when I get the chance to. Its gross and interesting at the same time.
DeleteI have read many books because I am an English major. Most recently, my favorite one is Revolutionary Road I just read for my Major American Authors class. It was a fascinating tale of marriage and the struggles one faces just trying to accomplish the american dream and survive.
ReplyDeleteI havent been able to read much in my personal life because I am an English major, I'm always reading something for school. I started Hunger Games a while back and never finished it. I started 50 shades and never finished it. I started another book a friend recommended and still never finished it. I keep telling myself I will make time for personal reading, but then school piles up and there goes my personal reading.
That's funny to hear because I am the same way. I start one book and never finish it. I hope you have time to do some reading over the winter break. Good luck!
DeleteTo be honest I haven not read much aside from the assigned books in my courses. I normally don't read books in a regular basis, since I'm always busy with school and work. The only thing that I somewhat read are (gossip & health) magazines and that is because I receive them every month but this fall I've been busy like never before that I haven't had time to go over them.
ReplyDeleteLove those magazines as well. But if you are looking for a good book, Safe Haven.
DeleteI agree with Breanna! I just started Safe Haven and it is really really good!
DeleteHi, all,
ReplyDeleteI recently read "Einstein: His Life and Universe," written by Walter Isaacson.
Albert Einstein is popular for his contribution to the field of science, and for the way he revolutionized scientific paradigms. The entire book was filled with intriguing facts about his upbringing, along with comical passages that allows the reader to relate to the things beings mentioned.
Einstein was very inquisitive as a young man, but it was his questions that allowed him to evolve. He always argued with his teachers and professors. He questioned conventional wisdom.
I think this is a good read for everyone because it enables one to think critically about simple things. Einstein argued that "imagination is intelligence" and this is very true because EVERYONE imagines things--all day, everyday. One's imagination is what leads he or she towards certain goals or aspirations.
On a side note, no one is stupid.
Learning is a process and anything is possible with great direction and the right amount of perseverance.
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
-- Albert Einstein
I am not into history much, but since there has been a lot of talk about John F. Kennedy's death recently and theories about what happened that day, that seemed to catch my attention. A few days ago i read an article about how Kennedy's injury would still be fatal in todays world, even with all the technology that the medical field has at its grasp now. The article somewhat describes what the injury to Kennedy's head and how doctors would be able to see right through his skull, It goes on to describe how his cerebellum fell out of his head moments later. Maybe it can be to detailed for some people, but personally I like to know about this stuff.
ReplyDeleteI really love reading and learning about history! I think it is so interesting and right now I am reading Night with my class about the Holocaust.
DeleteWow this sounds really interesting. Today while I was in a grocery store there was some kind of magazine, I don't remember which, and it had Kennedy on the cover and talked about his autopsy report and had a little picture and it had his head and barely his chest showing but you could tell he was cut open and I was just in shock that it showed that in public. I really want to know more about his death, and I really want to see that movie that came out on t.v. that reenacted it all out? Do you know what i'm talking about? It looks really good! I'll have to look up the article you're talking about for sure!
DeleteI recently read The Joy of Hate by Greg Gutfeld. It was by far my favorite book. I couldn't stop reading it. Greg Gutfeld discusses double standards in politics, the demonizing of one political group while romancing another political group, the always offended media, and how those that disagree with the administration are immediately labeled racist. In my opinion, the book is dead on. It is funny and witty. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys politics.
ReplyDeleteThis article that I’ve chosen was for it’s 293 findings in how the media coverage of a celebrity suicide has a great impact or trigger on the population at risk for suicide. The population at high risk for suicide is the mentally ill, substance abusers, suicide attempters, sexually abused persons, impulsive or aggressive tendency types. The most particular type of medium to have a significant effect on psychologically abnormal people is newspaper-based reports which contain more detail and could be kept and re-read by someone considering taking their own life, as opposed to television reports being very short, which is gone once it’s watched, and hopefully erased from one’s mind. But then you can always record the program. Only solution is reduce the media coverage about people who commit suicides.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting fact was the “period effects” meaning for the lack of stories to be found measuring suicides during certain decades following celebrity suicides. This included both completes and attempts that might have happened pre-radio 1910-20 and pre-television periods of 1930-39. It makes since that no newspapers had indexes before the television era to locate any stories on suicide. While the period of post-television, 1950-90 is when copycast suicide is well documented. Interesting!
This makes me think of the Tipping Point when it talked about suicides on that island.
DeleteCurrently I am reading Night by Wiesel with my class. This book is about the Holocaust and I find it very interesting! Another book I want to read is a "Girl in the White Dress"! I am excited to get a break and read!
ReplyDeleteI've read Night before in HS. It's a really good story! The craziest part is that it's true!
DeleteThat sounds like it would be a really good read! I am really interested in taking the holocaust class on campus! I recently visited one of the camps just two years ago and really it is hard to put into words just everything I saw and felt while being there. I would love to learn more about it and hear more from those that were affected by it.
DeleteI haven't had much time to read during this quarter, but the book that I have started is called One World: A Global Anthology of Short Stories. It was suggested to me because I am a fan of Jhumpa Lahiri's work. She is the last author that is included in this anthology. I'm really a fan of short stories as opposed to novels because I don't have the time to sit through an entire novel without forgetting key elements that have happened (because I haven't been able to read it for a week or two). I also enjoy the short glimpse into another life that short stories seem to offer. While novels can immerse you slowly into the character's life and emotions, short stories seem to differ in that they are expected to draw you in immediately and then conclude shortly after that. In this anthology, there are stories from authors in Malaysia, Nigeria, Australia, India, South Africa, Greece, the U.S... I could go on. I thought it was fascinating that (so far) all of the stories flow pretty well together with a common central theme.
ReplyDeleteNow that you say that, I like that about short stories too, but nothing beats a good book when you have the time to sit and read it. I find that I don't lose too much detail if I was really interested in the book. But it is hard to put down a book for a week or so when other things are more important. That's why I usually don't have time for pleasure reading--if the book is really good, I won't want to put it down.
DeleteAlexa thanks for sharing! I just took a snap shot of your comment so I could look it up! I never knew there were books out there full of short stories. I actually have never really read short stories but you are very good as selling this book! I am really interested in picking it up. I think it would be fun to get a glimpse of another's life in another country in another culture and world practically. This would be great to pick up during school especially so I could read a little at a time and just like you said, not forget about key elements like in a novel. Thanks!
DeleteNo problem! They are quite a bit different than you'd expect them to be! At least they were to me, anyway, Two other books I recommend if you like this one are Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri and The Boat by Nam Le. Some of the stories are pretty blunt, but I think they are addicting. Interpreter of Maladies touches upon the lives of immigrants in the United States and India, and The Boat touches upon the lives of those in many different places who wish to live elsewhere.
DeleteJeannie - I agree with you completely. Short stories are totally different than novels, and they cannot compare to the character and plot development of a novel.
DeleteOkay, I have to be honest. I haven't been reading at all! I have had no time to do any pleasure reading in between work and school, although I would always like to do so. The last book I was really into was one I was studying over the summer. The book is called "Praying the Bible: The Pathway to Spirituality". It is basically a guide that suggests new ways to approach prayer that would lead to a deeper connection with God. Reading this book has really opened my eyes and really challenged my thinking to what I thought prayer was all about. Reading this book has shown me that prayer takes commitment and time. It taught me that I need to be more intentional with my prayer life and my relationship with Christ and also taught me new ways to think about my relationship and how to further grow with Christ through prayer. I loved that it gave insight to history and the culture of prayer. The authors showed the traditions that Jesus followed and his disciples and through the examples it inspired me to be creative, intentional, and challenge myself to be more like Jesus himself. The authors provide seven steps to pray: learning how to pray, working at prayer, praying every day, praying to God, praying the bible, praying out loud, and silent contemplation. Each has their own chapter solely devoted to that topic and each one really took me by surprise.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in the culture of prayer or are interested in learning about how to go about it or whoever is willing to be challenged! It really is a challenge to 'pray without ceasing' but it is not anything overwhelming or inhumanely possible...does that make sense? Seriously it is a great read.
Praying the Bible The Pathway to Sprituality
by Wesley and Stacey Campbell
I will be completely honest that I do not enjoy reading, nor do I actually read. However, this quarter in my senior seminar class, we read an interesting text called Taking Sides which I enjoyed very much. This book was on a bunch of different psychological issues and you had to choose whether or not you agreed with whatever the issue was. There were various issues discussed in the book like if addiction is a disease or not. I found a lot of the issues to be very interesting, and they made me think a lot, and critically. I feel that this book challenged me very much to do a lot of deep thinking and to also take a stance on my opinion of challenging topics. If you guys get the chance, you should pick up the book and touch into your critical thinking side.
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds good! I've done some research papers on addiction and some of the articles I found took the side that addiction is indeed a disease and hereditary and not just someone choosing to drink/do drugs to the point of being addicted. I might have to check it out!
DeleteAs far as not enjoying reading, that breaks my heart! I wish everyone enjoyed reading as much as I do. It's a nice escape sometimes. I think it definitely helps to find books that would interest you. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes that's the best way to do it. If you see a cover that interests you, pick it up and read the back! But some of the best books have weird covers, so you have to look past them sometimes ;)
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/amazing-facts-about-reading-how-books-benefit-your-mind-and-body
ReplyDeleteNot a book to read, but a reason to read in general.
I have just recently read an article titled Colleges Are Entering the Age of Shrinkage, and it explains that the college systems are now becoming so expensive that students either drop out before even receiving a degree or not enrolling at all, which is why the shrinkage is occurring. As I read through the article I was able to relate my own college experience to what the article was stating. Each year that I have been enrolled in at CSUB, that payments have been rising by a few hundred of dollars. The day parking permit raised its price along with the quarter parking permit, and as a student, we have to pay for absolutely anything, and everything because the tuition is just not enough, and it is as though we have hidden fees everywhere. By the end of each quarter, these hidden fees absolutely add up to hundreds of dollars, on top of the tuition. I was absolutely shocked when I had to pay $60 or $70 for a grad check in order to graduate. I had to pay for someone to look at a sheet of paper and give their stamp of approval for me to graduate. As me being the student going through this, of course it made me upset, because my first thought was, isn’t that why I pay thousands of dollars every quarter? But because of this very exact situation, college students can no longer afford for higher education. The silver lining behind all of this though, is that the competitiveness to pursue a higher education is not competitive at all, but are students still willing to pay the ever increasing price tag..?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good article to read. I know many people who have dropped out of college because of the expense, and they are smart and motivated people, too.
DeleteThe last book I read was "I cried and you didn't listen" by Dwight E. Abbott. The story is about the author's personal experience in California's Youth Authority. I found it really heart wrenching to read through all of his personal struggles. His family had a tragedy and ended up in a home where he was severely neglected. He was later picked up and put in a juvenile detention. His situation in CYA started out of a series of bad events and then ended up institutionalized. This story really hit home to me because I have a nephew that was in CYA. He actually was in one of the same authorities described in the book as being one of the worst ones. I would highly suggest this book because it's a true story. Although it's a rough read due to his experiences that he describes in detail. The book touches on some really big issues in CYA as well.
ReplyDeleteI read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" over the summer vacation. I was captivated by the characters in the story, particularly Lisbeth Slander, the girl who has a distinct tattoo of a dragon along her back. She stood out to me for the reason that she is a very awkward girl and is classified as retarded to society's standards. However, she no one is aware that she is a genius. She has a photographic memory and has the ability to make connections that other cannot. She in fact makes a great detective. She does inspire pity as she is abused by the caregiver that is assigned to her and has no say in society for the self image that she portrays. In conclusion I learned that those who we shun can give us a surprise and could teach us a lesson along the way.
ReplyDeleteI actually started reading Les Miserables a long time ago and never finished the book because it was so long and I never had the chance to. So when the movie came out I said okay now I have to finish the book before I watch the movie. Well its still took me a while after the movie came out to pick it up and start reading again. Its a really good book. An ex-convict who changes his life around, but throughout his life his past follows him. A little girl comes into his life and he risks everything to save and raise her from a bad life. All the characters in the story are described so well and the story line just makes you wonder what is to happen next. I am not a big fan of reading but that book was one that really got my attention. I still haven't seen the movie because I always have something else going on, but it is on my list of things to do this upcoming break. I know that the movies are always different from the books, but I always make it a point to watch them because I like to see how well they came close to the book. Like I said before I am not big on reading books like these, but there are those few that I think are really interesting and this is one of them. I have purchased other kinds of books but I never end up reading them in one sitting. I would probably not make a good book club member.
ReplyDelete