Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I read this over spring break and wasn't certain how I felt about the book. Initially, I wasn't liking the plot of the book, but as I continued reading I really started to like it. This definitely was not one of my favorite books, but I would recommend it.

The main character, Zoe, is a music therapist struggling to get pregnant with her husband of nine years. After two miscarriages and a baby born stillborn her husband has had enough and files for divorce. Zoe finds a new friend in Vanessa, a school counselor she has worked with before. Vanessa and Zoe's relationship blossoms and the two of them become a couple, eventually marrying in Massachusetts. Vanessa and Zoe decide to try and start a family with Zoe's remaining embryos. 
Meanwhile Zoe's ex-husband has found Jesus and become very religious. When he hears about Zoe becoming a lesbian and wanting to use the embryos he sues her for the rights. A trial ensues and the reader is left questioning who has the right to those embryos?

Friday, April 15, 2011

Spring Break

Today kicks off our Spring Break at Lincoln Park High School. I am planning on reading while on vacation in Arizona. I am currently reading Columbine by Dave Cullen which is on the ABE 2012 List and planning on reading The Compound by S.A. Bodeen which is also on the ABE 2012 List. If I have time I would love to read Jodi Picoult's new book, Sing me Home. Picoult is my favorite author and I have been eager to read her newest book.

Let me know what you are reading over Spring Break

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

LIBRARY WEEK

April 11th- April 15th is National Library Week
Lincoln Park High School is observing Library Week with activities EVERY DAY

Monday April 11th              Match the Fictional Character to the Book
Tuesday April 12th              Library Crossword Puzzle
Wednesday April 13th         Name that quote
Thursday April 14th             Book Word Search
Friday April 15th                 HARRY POTTER DAY

Invisible Bridge

I just finished the book Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer and I loved it. The book takes place in Budapest, Hungary in 1937-1945. The story follows Andras Levi on his quest to become an Architect. Because of the restrictions on Jews he is not able to attend Architectural School in Hungary and receives a scholarship in Paris. After two years in Paris, Andras is deported back to Hungary where he is put in various labor camps, starved and unaware of his families fate. I though the book was interesting and told a new story of the Holocaust I was unfamilair with. I wondered what life must have been like  for Jews living in Hungary when it was allied with Germany and Hitler from the very beginning of the war. The character development was so wonderful in this book. I felt like I personally lost family members along the way.

Next on my to read list is Columbine by Dave Cullen. Columbine is on the Abe Lincoln 2012 List.