Reading Round Up: April 2018
Looking over last year’s April Round Up, my stats were a measly 29% for my reading goal of 101 books for the year. I was also yipping about being so exhausted from taking on an extra AP class to teach.
Maybe I’m toughening up because this year I’m up to 35%, then again I am still exhausted from preparing students for double exams: AP Language and AP Literature. I yipped last post, so I shall refrain.
Reading in April happened primarily during Spring Break. The rest of the month consisted of concentrated teaching efforts. Too tired to read is not my happy place. Binge watching Dr Who kept me from eating chocolate during my stress crisis since I didn’t renew my gym membership this year. At least my stress relieving habits are improving. Wait–do I detect censure for watching four Who episodes at a sitting? Really–I was attempting to grade. Some points for trying to multi-tasking?
April reading highlights:
image: Barnes and Nobles
I made the mistake of taking this along as my Spring Break travel book. Not actually a cozy or enthralling read.
One of those books that is avoided for ever so long, ever knowing that it is a MUST read, especially for English Lit teachers. It’s almost embarrassing how long it took for me to finally read Joyce’s novel of groundbreaking importance. Admittedly, it was as tough as I thought it would be, but for different reasons than I originally anticipated.
I applaud the ingenuity and daring–the dialogue sequences, the emulation of thought constructs, the stream of consciousness; yet, Stephen is not a character of admiration making it difficult to invest of even care about his story.
image: Barnes and Noble
Pulitzer Prizers are either outstanding or ponderous in my reading experience. Robinson’s Gilead falls somewhere in the mid zone. The writing is outstanding,the plot ponderously slow, if a book comprised of a continuous future epistolary journal is considered a plot.
There is much to appreciate in the depth of the theology Robinson presents, and there is a beauty in the understanding that the speaker reaches into his feelings for his main antagonist.
Deservedly a Pulitzer—just slow in the pace. Then again, not all books should be hurried through. This one in particular. However, it is doubtful I will continue with the other Gilead books.
Dr Who: Who-olgy by Cavan Scott, Mark Wright
Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr Who, this reference guide is designed for both beginners or experts; the book covers it all for Wholigans. Lots of trivia and background. Informative and entertaining–most def. Some info could be expanded, such as how psychic paper actually works, and why it doesn’t work on everyone, such as Shakespeare. I learned that while I enjoy the reboot series to a point–liking only two of the four, going on five doctors–I doubt I will be attending Comic Con to celebrate my fan status. I do ponder cosplay and vacillate between a Cyberman and Madame Pompadour.
Looking forward to May as I have arranged an extended weekend and plan to read, read, read, along with nap, nap, nap. I shall also partake in swallow watching since our condo balcony is in their nesting flight path. I just hope I don’t get conked by a stray golf ball. Two years in a row it’s been near misses. Absolutely a startling way to awaken from a dozy deck chair dream–a swish, tonk, crash. Not good. Not good. Some people should correct their slice before venturing out on the greens.
Happy Maying–
Pam Webb 
Wholigans, I like that name! The reboot does suffer from a writing problem, Peter Capaldi got a bad deal but with 45 minute episodes it does struggle where the old series could work an idea a lot more. Maybe I should use this as a flimsy excuse to rewatch a lot of old and new episodes, in the name of research, for something or other.
I have heard others mention Peter’s scripts weren’t the best, yet I like his doctor style so much I must not be as fastidious as some.
His style harked back to the earlier incarnations and I liked that, I like that he was a fan from the beginning of the show and had ties. The scripts were very mixed, some were terribly written, hopefully the writers will get their act together, the show needs to get back to its best quickly.
I appreciated David Tennant’s third series. The story where he was Smith the teacher showcased his acting ability. I wondered how anyone could fill his role, yet Peter does so quite well. I think he is very much like an older Tennant doctor might be.
I do like how each actor allows for a certain amount of character overlap, whether intentional or not. No doubt there will be an audio book where Tennant and Capaldi meet, soon enough.
Joyce, eh? You are a braver reader than I.
I can’t teach it if I don’t know it enough to refer it.Joyce and Ginny Woolf-oi. Not my go-to authors by any means.
Teach something easier. What “fun” author would you like to teach?
Bradbury? C.S. Lewis? Then again Shakespeare is a good time. I don’t teach Joyce much-even a short story tends to put my students into whiffles.
You could change things up and discuss That novel by Snooki.
😳