1 Reporter - 7 Years - 21,000 Miles - 60,000 Years of Human History - 30,000,000 Steps

"In 2013, journalist and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek begins an ambitious expedition to retrace the path our ancestors took as they migrated across the world. Equipped only with what he can carry in his backpack, Paul's goal is to cover the major global stories of our time by walking alongside the people who live them on a daily basis: cattle nomads, artists, traders, villagers, farmers, and scientists. The end result? A global mosaic of stories, faces, sounds, and landscapes that highlight the pathways that connect us to each other."

Check out the website. Trust me, it will blow your mind: http://www.outofedenwalk.com/

Teenage Wastelands

I recently finished Matched, the popular dystopian novel by Allie Condie, and here are some brief thoughts. I was hooked from the very beginning - I pretty much can't resist the star-crossed lovers thing - and finished the novel in a day, but it was unnecessarily long. I found myself skimming at times and growing frustrated as I thought Condie needed to keep her plot tighter. Overall, an easy and satisfying read. It's in the RAS library - check it out!

 

 I just started Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, another novel set in a grimly imagined future. I love it! The writing is faster, tighter, funnier, and just so, so much better than Condie's prose. If you dig the '80s, video games, and/or good writing, you MUST read it! Also in the RAS library.

Life and Death

When Susan Kuklin came to visit us at RAS, she discussed her interviews with young prisoners on death row which she transformed into her gripping book, No Choirboy; Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row. I like this book because it made me feel how the prisoners felt and I realized while they have done terrible things they are still human beings. The book also triggered a fascinating discussion in Writing Workshop. (Although it appears Ms. Cox wrote this it was actually composed by Sidi Mohammed and friends)

The BEST

A link to the 10 Best Books of 2012 (at least according to the New York Times. Personally, I think they missed one or two) ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/books/review/10-best-books-of-2012.html

Under non-fiction you'll find a brief review of Under the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon. This book was discussed in the article Salma wrote about (thanks, Salma!) and I can't wait to read it. Solomon is an eloquent and moving writer; I tore through his book about depression, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression. 

Little Strangers Achieve Big Things

                                                                        

                      

      I read a very gripping article called Little Strangers. When I read the title, the first thing that popped into my head was children. I learned about families which struggle with children who are different. These children are faced with challenges everyday of their lives. The fact that they do not share the same obstacles as other children, can sometimes make them more vulnerable in today's society.

What would you do if you encountered some of the same struggles with some of your family members? 

Here is a link to the article, if you ever want to check it out http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2012/11/19/121119crbo_books_heller

SHOUT OUTS!

To Ms. Wagner for contributing. Thanks! And to certain members of Writing Workshop - Aditi, Alvaro, and Will - for their posts. You guys are the best! Hopefully we'll have some more guests soon. Stay tuned ...

Check out Brain Pickings (http://www.brainpickings.org/) for book suggestions, thought-provoking quotations, stunning graphics, etc. Right now they have a list of the 10 Best Psychology and Philosophy Books of 2012. I've read number two on the list - Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar. It's an easy read and packed with wisdom. Sugar tells it like it is. 

Game of Thrones by W. Humenansky

I started a book titled Game of Thrones (yes, the HBO series is based on this book). I wasn't able to read much in the small amount of time I had, but it was enough to get me interested. The characters are described with subtle traits, but you feel like it's enough to know who they are. Looking forward to learning more about the character Will.

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Song-Fire-Book/dp/0553573403

Let me take you Into Thin Air ...

Do you know anyone who has climbed Mt. Everest AND recorded their experience in a gripping book?  In his memoir Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer takes us on a terrifying journey to the top of the world's highest mountain. If you can get through the slow beginning, Krakauer will take you on an ill-fated adventure (Alvaro & friends) ...

Sweetness of Salt

Sweetness of Salt is a book about two sisters, Sofie and Juliana. Sofie graduated before Juliana, and now it's her turn. After graduating she is going to live with her sister and get to know some secrets her family has been hiding from her. Now as the two sisters get together they will bound better than they have together in the past years. Juliana will know why these secrets were kept from her. A book full of love, family and friends by Cecilia Galante.