Book Reading @ MindSay

I haven't been on here for about 4 or 5 days...sadly, that's a long time for me. I hope I didn't miss anything too exciting. I'm too lazy to look back and see! But I've started on a Stephen King book, not really my type, but I just love how he writes. I'll probly quit reading it when it gets too scary!

Other than that I think my grandpa is doing better and I have a lot of essays to write for tomorrow. Why haven't I started? Oh and I watched 21 this weekend, I had to watch it twice because Anna and I talked the whole way through it, so then I didn't get what was going on. Making me not like it, but when I rewatched it I loved it. I also watched National Lampoon's Bag Boy, meh, I've seen better. But it was funny and at least now I can say I've seen it. =]

I was determined to get out of the house today even though I am broker than the Ten Commandments.  The husband finally went to Beaumont to pick up his car (his brother came and got him) so that left the kiddo and I with a car and nowhere to go.

 

I decided it would be a good idea to drag myself to the bank and deposit a check that was pretty much already spent.  I asked chatnoir why is it that I always seem to dread going to the bank. He replied it was because it reminded me of how broke I really was.  Damn it if he wasn't spot on!  After depositing my check, reading my balance and getting my feelings hurt, I realized I need to get some gas.  Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.  It wasn't too bad though, I actually saw a place selling it for $3.69 a gallon!!! Most places around town are selling it for about $3.75. 

 

On the way home, the kiddo said she wanted to go to the bookstore.  I was pleased until I realized she just wanted to see her Aunt Environgirl at work.  Since I hadn't seen hide nor hair of the Paganista since we went to Portland in March, I figured why the heck not. Besides, I needed to buy a few pages of purple prose. That's right, I enjoy reading pure, unadulterated drivel! The more heaving bosoms and throbbing manhoods,

the better! 

 

The Cocolette chose a Junie B. Jones book and I bought some steamy paranormal romance novels. We had a good time chatting it up with Egirl and trying to make ourselves look like real customers so she wouldn't get in trouble.  When things got really busy, the kiddo and I went to the cafe area to have lunch and read our books.  I was surprised that she didn't get antsy.  She actually read a few pages of her book after eating her lunch and sat quietly! I guess when we go back next week (a book I want will be out by then) I'll get her that Indiana Jones book she was begging for.

 

   

The key point is: Dads should not just turn to Page 1 and jump in. They should set the mood first.

Many simple things can be done to set the mood for a book. Just taking a minute to talk about the topic of the book, may increase children's interest in the book and also build their knowledge of the book’s context.
 
For instance, if the story is about mangoes, before reading, they might eat a mango with the children. Before reading a story about kites, dads can talk to the children about their experiences flying kites or seeing them flown. If the book is about an animal the children might not know, such as an ox, it might be useful to show the children pictures of oxen on the cover of the book or on an inside page, and tell them a bit about oxen.

Dads can start by reading and maybe discussing the book's title. Titles may give children a useful preview of what is in store for them as they listen to the book. Also, if children know the book's title, it is easier for them to talk about the book and to ask for it again.

The cover may or may not give clues about what lies ahead. Dads might want to ask children to look at the cover and guess what the book is going to be about. This is a good way to promote prediction skills. Plus, children learn about the importance of covers. This can be useful if children design their own book covers as a follow-up to reading aloud or to create their own read aloud materials. Children can design alternative covers for a book they enjoyed or a cover for their own books.

Sometimes dads will want to highlight the authors of books. If they have found some interesting information on a book's author, they can share that. By showing authors (and illustrators) as people, dads can give children the idea that books don't grow on trees; they are written by people, and maybe the children can be writers too. Many children's authors have their own websites, or their publisher's website may contain interesting information about the authors.

Dad payed me last night and I ended up spending way too much on books instead of the stuff I really should be spending my money on like groceries and bills. I went to Barnes & Noble (regular reader of this blog know all about my love/hate relationship with them) and got sucked into spending like almost sixty bucks.

I have way too may books as is but I can't help but buy more. I couldn't imagine life without a good book to read. Reading is one of those things that I've always loved. I'm a bookworm nerd, what can I say? My shelves are full as is and there are books all over my apartment. About half of them I still haven't read yet.  

They had a buy two get on free sale on a bunch of Trade Paperbacks. I took advantage of that.

I got one book about the Lincoln Assassination, a novel call Jpod, and a book by Kurt Vonnegut (may he rest in peace). The book about Lincoln I have had my eye on for a while. I love American History from the Civil War period and Lincoln had fasinated me since I was a kid. That's not bad, I mean a free Kurt Vonnegut is always a good thing, right?

The fourth book I bought is a book I saw a while back but didn't buy at the time. It's all about the music I grew up listening to in the '90s. It's called Love is a Mix Tape. It's all about the time the author spent with his wife before she died.

I love music and since I have no musical talent whatsoever the next best thing is reading about it. The book is good but a little bitter sweet. I've practically been reading it non-stop sicne I bought it. I'm about three quarters of the way through. It already is quickly becoming one of my favorite books. I'll write a full reveiw on this blog when I've finished it (which will probably be later today or tomarrow).

Anyways, Today I worked the shoestore bacause my dad is taking the second part of his vacation this weekend (the first part was more of a working vacation). I'll be watching the shop 'til he gets back on wendsday. I think he is going uo to Traverse City or to the U.P.

Monday, I'm gonna have to play catch up because I really didn't get much work done today because I had my nose in the book.

 

Thanks,

Mark

girls got 1st in the meet and boys got 2nd. our girl's team is always better than our boy's team. it's always been like that.

but the top 3 placers in every event got medals. lots of people got medals in lots of events. i was in the 4x100 and we got 3rd. so. naturally. every leg got a little tiny medal. it's not that fascinatingly great or big or anything. i just think it looks nice. plus i've never really gotten a medal for anything other than participation in soccer. i thought i'd share. :D



and in other news. i got a book from Postsecret. i ordered it off amazon.com and it came in today. i love it. i just finished it a couple of minutes ago. seriously. it's an amazing thing what these people are doing. lots of those secrets sent chills down my spine. it was crazy but i just couldn't stop reading. i even sat there and told myself that i was wasting my time because i need to start reading my book for english but i seriously just could not put it down. it's an amazing book. hopefully i'll get all three they've published. here's a picture i took of it.