11th and 12th Grade Summer Reading List
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
RHS 10th Grade Summer Reading List
RHS 10th Grade Summer Reading List
When entering your comments, be sure to include the Title of the Book you read first before typing your comments about the book.
Be sure to sign your name at the end of your comments.
When entering your comments, be sure to include the Title of the Book you read first before typing your comments about the book.
Be sure to sign your name at the end of your comments.
Monday, June 6, 2011
RHS 9th Grade Summer Reading List
RHS 9th Grade Summer Reading List
When entering your comments, be sure to include the Title of the Book you read first before typing your comments about the book.
Be sure to sign your name at the end of your comments.
When entering your comments, be sure to include the Title of the Book you read first before typing your comments about the book.
Be sure to sign your name at the end of your comments.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The King's Speech by Mark Logue
The King's Speech by Mark LogueAs I have mentioned many times before in relation to the books I read, they are inspired by a movie. If you have seen the Academy Award winning film you know what a tremendous story this is. Mark Logue is the grandson of Lionel Logue, the "Man who saved the British Monarchy." Logue came upon his grandfather's diaries, which inspired the film to be made and this compelling story to be written.
The King's Speech recounts an inspiring real-life tale of triumph over adversity, when an Australian elocutionist/actor taught a British king with a crippling speech defect how to speak to his subjects. "Bertie", the younger brother and second in line to the throne, suffers from a severe stammer. He withstands ridicule from his father, George V, as he grows up. When his older brother abdicates the throne for the love of Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, Bertie becomes the reluctant monarch. Some people seek fame, and others, like George VI, has it thrust upon him.
This story shows a side of the British royal family, that one seldom sees. What really brings this story to life is the use of primary sources, the letters, correspondence and photographs between George VI and Lionel Logue. These letters reveal a very compassionate monarch who cared deeply for his country and its people, as well as the very genuine friendship, loyalty and devotion he developed with Lionel Logue. This unique story is so well told that you honestly feel like you have gotten to know these two very different men, who became close friends, and you don't want them to leave.
This is a case where I would highly recommend you see the film as well as read the book. Don't worry, one will not spoil the other for you.
The Bullpen Gospels by Dirk Hayhurst
BULLPEN GOSPELS: Major League Dreams of a Minor League Veteran by Dirk Hayhurst
I picked up this book because of Keith Olbermann claiming it was one of the best baseball books ever. And as an avid baseball fan, I do enjoy reading books written by past players or knowledgeable individuals of the game. Overall I enjoyed Bullpen Gospels, but there were moments during Hayhurst's narrative that I felt he went overboard in his descriptions. I have never been a fan of so-called gross out or "toilet" humor, whether in books or movies. A little bit of this type of humor goes a long way, and Hayhurst could have easily mentioned these moments in his minor league career in fewer words. It doesn't take much to get the picture when mentioning these examples of "growing up", he didn't need to spend half a chapter describing it.
Overall, Hayhurst does capture the absurdities, the antics, and the bizarre humor that comes out when you spend a summer with a busload of teenage or young adult ball players. There are moments when you find yourself humbled and chocking up, especially when he describes a phone conversation with his alcoholic brother, who is asking to be forgiven. It is these moments of hard-won wisdom that salvages the book for me.
I picked up this book because of Keith Olbermann claiming it was one of the best baseball books ever. And as an avid baseball fan, I do enjoy reading books written by past players or knowledgeable individuals of the game. Overall I enjoyed Bullpen Gospels, but there were moments during Hayhurst's narrative that I felt he went overboard in his descriptions. I have never been a fan of so-called gross out or "toilet" humor, whether in books or movies. A little bit of this type of humor goes a long way, and Hayhurst could have easily mentioned these moments in his minor league career in fewer words. It doesn't take much to get the picture when mentioning these examples of "growing up", he didn't need to spend half a chapter describing it.
Overall, Hayhurst does capture the absurdities, the antics, and the bizarre humor that comes out when you spend a summer with a busload of teenage or young adult ball players. There are moments when you find yourself humbled and chocking up, especially when he describes a phone conversation with his alcoholic brother, who is asking to be forgiven. It is these moments of hard-won wisdom that salvages the book for me.
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