The "YA Lit" Aspects of My Blog

Essentially, I started this blog to simply review books. I didn't have any particular audience in mind; I just wanted a way to showcase my opinions on literature in general as well as in specific contexts (by reviewing individual books). I want to review every book I read, so I decided to use this blog to post my entries for my new class, "The Adolescent in American Literature." I don't want to change the integrity of my blog, but I don't want to start a new blog either.

One requirement of my class blog is that I define my audience. I write each entry with future teachers in mind, but I don't want to limit it to that. I try to acknowledge the aspects of the books that I look for as a future teacher while infusing my own opinions about the books (considering it is my blog, after all). I feel like if I were to try to sell each book regardless of how I felt about it, I would be sacrificing my integrity as a reader and a writer. It won't be my job to sell books; it will be my job to teach them. As a teacher, I will keep my negative opinions of any books my students read to myself, but a personal blog is the venue for my opinions.

Teachers or future teachers who disagree with my opinions do not have to read my blog, but I think that future teachers with similar opinions to mine will find these reviews helpful. Though I do elaborate on my feelings on a book, I note the difference between a book which deserves appreciation and one that seems is too "simple" (for lack of a better term) for classroom instruction.

Tonight in the lot between A and B--party at Life Cafe to follow!

You know, I love RENT, and I don't think that I'll ever stop loving RENT.

BUT I'm proud of myself. Today, I stepped outside of my musical theatre box for the first time in at least a year.

I must admit--I'm not listening to anything super classy. It's some random electronic music, but I really enjoy it. It makes me smile and dance a little bit, and I really like that.

It all started with this band called "Owl City."

Healy was showing me this random music playlist made by youtube's livelavalive and his friend Kyle. The songs were good and everything, but then this one stuck out to me. I looked on the songlist to find it was Owl City. I've never heard of them prior to this, and, frankly, I'm shocked. I love owls, I love music--how'd I miss two of my favourite things squished into one?!

Once again, it's not like they're the best things I've ever heard; Rent still owns anyone as far as talent is concerned. Still, I'm enjoying my new Owl City pandora station, and it's pretty lightweight.

Thus far it's played:

1. "West Coast Friendship" by Owl City
2. "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous" by Playradioplay!
3. "Title and Registration" by Death Cab for a Cutie
4. "Brand New Colony" by Postal Service

and I'm very happy with that.

UPDATE: Owl City is a Christian band. I'm avoiding all of the Jesus songs (not that I have anything against Jesus--he's a nice guy. I just don't like the awkward insertion of Jesus into popular music).

Lovely Things

Things I Like:
1. Attractive and intelligent boys

2. Boys who can sing
3. Music with words
4. Music without words
5. Words without music
6. Peace and its various symbols
7. Musicals
8. Operas
9. French

10. Singing
11. Books
12. The smell of rain
13, The silence of snow
14. Kissing
15. Good movies
16. The Gays
17. The Physical Act of Typing
18. The Physical Act of Writing
19. Running (short distances)
20. Understanding
21. Light bulbs
22. Animals
23. Staying Awake Too Long
24. Adventures
25. Noticing Something for the First Time
26. Charlie Brown
27. Puppies
28. Bohemian America
33. Talking to Someone Important
34. Dancing