That Debbie Diesen, she is one cool cookie. First she writes the adorable New York Times Bestseller The Pout-Pout Fish. Then she invents the Lazy Person's Reading Group.
Now, I have promised myself another ridiculously ambitious summer reading project journey of personal growth and literary development this summer. But in the meantime, I love this idea.
The Lazy Person's Reading Group does not have a book list. It does not have book group meetings. It does not even have a time frame in which you have to read. You just choose your books, submit your list, and start reading. The only catch is that your list must include the following:
1. A book of fiction you've been looking forward to reading.
2. A book of nonfiction you've been looking forward to reading.
3. A book by someone whose last name begins with Z.
4. A book from a genre you rarely, if ever, read.
5. A book that was an award-winner or bestseller in the year you were born.
6. Your best friend's favorite book. (If you've already read it, then substitute another book that your friend recommends.)
7. A book you figure you probably should read, even though you don't really want to.
8. A book that has recently received rave reviews.
9. A book by someone who shares your first name.
10. A book that pertains in some way to a skill you do not, and never will, have.
11. A book recommended by your hairdresser or barber.
I'm working on a list. I'm hoping to find a nautical adventure book written by a Jacqueline Zimmer, that was a bestseller in 1971 and that is all about knot-tying. Ideas? Suggestions for my list?
Today we are celebrating characters that won't quit and writing the novel that scares you.
Ant has won. The plan was to trash him and the rest of his miserable novel that I wrote for NaNoWriMo this year. But he won't shut up. He keeps popping into my head, standing on chairs and screaming, insisting I re-read his first chapter. So I did. And guess what? It's funny. I laughed out loud. Thor laughed out loud when I made him listen. The cats laughed too, I think. Or they are just starving.
"Okay, Ant," I said. "You win. I'll read the rest."
Guess what? It doesn't suck. Okay, it DOES suck, but there's a lot that's usable. And reading it sparked one of the coolest ideas for a book in the world. One of those make your brain hurt, can't believe you thought of it, if only I can carry it off ideas.
"Okay, Ant. You win. I'll write it," I said. And I sat down and, well, nothing.
I love Ant. I love his book. I love the ideas I have for it. I think it could be the greatest thing I ever wrote.
Consequently, I am frozen in terror, unable to write a word.
But we are celebrating anyway, because if I do get it written, it's going to rock.
What are YOU writing these days?
Things to celebrate today:
1. I don't have to read Moby Dick ever again.
2. Captain Destructo and I's fingertips and mouths are stained pink with strawberries and beets straight from the farm.
3. Remember those characters who wouldn't leave me alone? They're back. They infiltrated my dreams last night. I was playing the role of Devra, the girl. We were running for the bus and, trust me, it was hilarious. Later, in the lunch room, we were stunned to find ourself crushing on the boy across the table. Now, usually when I dream a story, I either forget it or when I awaken, I realize it makes no sense (much like when I dream I am fluent in French). But this was a whole plot, handed to me by the dream muse.
"Go away," I told the characters, even in my dream. "I have to work on my other novel."
"Get a pen, moron," Devra shot back.
So I did. In the dream I wrote and wrote and wrote. And then I woke up and wrote some more. And then, well, it's time for the multiple choice question.
One Multiple Choice Question
Some of you expressed skepticism that I was being honest about neglecting other obligations for the Remedial Lit Summer Project. To that end, please answer this:
Which of the following did Jacqui find between 8:00 and 8:30 am this morning?
a. black mold in the diaper bag
b. the estimated tax check that was due June 15
c. a check that we waited so long to deposit that it's now expired
d. a sliver of glass in my big toe that has been there at least a week
e. a piece of cardboard stuck between my toddler's teeth
f. whatever was making the car smell like rotting goat carcass
g. all of the above except one, which I found last night, and, wait, why does the car still smell?
The Ghost in Allie's Pool
by Sari Bodi
Allie doesn't even know her best friend Marissa anymore. Marissa has started hanging out with the popular girls, and she's become obsessed with being cool. Allie isn't cool enough for her anymore. Marissa and her new friends Crystal and Suzanne ditch Allie when they can, and when they can't, they're just mean to her.
Allie is badly in need of a friend when, in the middle of researching a paper for school about her Pilgrim ancestors, Allie meets the ghost of a Pilgrim named Dorothy May. Dorothy May isn't one of Allie's ancestors, but in a way Allie wouldn't exist if it weren't for Dorothy May: Dorothy May killed herself by jumping off of the Mayflower, and her widowed husband remarried, becoming Allie's ancestor. As Allie navigates the perilous waters of middle school, Dorothy May appears when needed and becomes a friend to Allie, helping her deal with her feelings of betrayal, fear, loneliness, and attraction for one of the boys in her class, and helping her to find the courage to stand up to the bullies. Allie, in turn, helps Dorothy May to work through the issues that she was unable to deal with in life.
The Ghost in Allie's Pool is an engaging story with realistic teen characters that ring true. It has a little bit of something for everyone: a little fantasy, a little middle-school realism, and a little bit of history. I don't have a lot of experience with middle school today, but the characters and situations seem believable. The bullying - including cyber-bullying -is shocking but not over the top, and is handled sensitively. Tweens in middle-school will find this an entertaining and relevant story. An author's note at the end explains what's real in the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
As a homeschooling parent, it's hard for me to believe that this kind of bullying can happen in school, yet from stories that I've heard, it does. One thing that The Ghost in Allie's Pool really brought out for me is that victims of bullying may not feel that they can go to an adult for help, and may, in fact, go to great lengths to protect their tormentors. It's up to the adults in their lives then - parents and teachers - to be aware of what's going on and to protect the children. No child should have to suffer this kind of thing.
Don't look for me at the mall. I will not be there.
Green Thursday is not a Gore-inspired phrase--it describes me yesterday. I was sick! I never made it to the Thanksgiving table, which was out of town. Sleep was the balm that soothed, and I awoke just in time to catch MY FAVORITE HITCHCOCK MOVIE, Rear Window.
It's been years since I've seen that film. Who knew Jimmy could be such a charming rogue? The only thing I didn't like, which I hadn't noticed before, was when Grace Kelly's character was being thrashed by Raymond Burr and she calls out "Jeff!" "Jeff," and instead of returning her shout, LB Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart) backs his wheelchair to hide in the darkness. I know his leg is broken and all, but I would have liked to see him make some kind of attempt to help her, maybe shout back and fall out of the wheelchair as he tries to get up. (I know he called the police, but that was before the thrashing began.) BTW, the cast on his left leg supposedly jumps to his right leg halfway through the movie. I never caught the switch.
Then I watched Mean Girls. Tina Fey is such a good writer and I like how loyal she is to all her SNL comrades. One thing I noticed about Mean Girls is that even though it's a contemporary film (2004), technology played no part in it. Nobody was texting. Nobody was emailing. Nobody was using cell phones. Surely one compromising picture would have been snapped via cell phone in all that meanness. (There were two three-way calls, but I wouldn't call that new technology.)
I have to conclude that Ms. Fey left technology out on purpose. Perhaps she did so to prevent the movie from becoming dated--technology moves faster than fashion. Maybe viewers are more lifted out by old-fashioned technology than they are by plaid pants.
How much technology is safe to include if you want your story to have a long shelf life? That's a hard question. Even texting lingo has changed over the years. What's your opinion?
i like this!
summer is coming...dreams of pages by the pool or at the beach....as long as some else makes sure my kids don't drown or wander off....
I like this idea too: it ought to get readers out of their comfort zones.
4 and 11 are going to be tough calls, though: I don't have a hairdresser OR barber.
Jacqui, I can't wait to see your list!
Oh, and my list is now up:
http://jumpingthecandlestick.blogspot.com/2009/05/lazy-persons-reading-group-first.html
Mary, I was having a similar issue with #11; but then I found online a combination bookstore/hair salon, complete with recommended books:
http://www.beautyandthebook.com/books.htm