For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites. So! While I have read eighteen books for June, here are my Top 5 favorites.
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Year 3 of my time as a big boy teacher has come to an end and I must say that I have learned so much. This is no surprise as I have been warned this would be the case. “Teachers are learning just as they are teaching.” It’s why teachers are labeled philosophers. God knows I’m feeling it every day. I’m always learning something new and figuring out the best way to teach it to the next flow of students.
For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites. So! While I have read twenty-eight books for May, here are my Top 5 favorites.
The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs
An oldie but a goodie. The only story on this list that I had to read with my students. Good thing, too, because they loved it. I think next year I’ll teach them how to create suspense around an object which I know will yield wonderful results. I think this is the only story of W.W. Jacobs so that should be my homework for this month.
The Killing Floor by Lee Child
Last time, I read Bad Luck and Fortune because it was the first one I saw; I couldn’t find the first one. Then, I finally found the debut novel and got to work on it after finishing the previous book. I absolutely loved it and it inspired me to try my hand at the genre…later, though.
Exposed: The Ashley Madison Hack by Sophie Elmhirst & Maria Luisa Tucker
The scandal that I knew nothing about Hell, I didn’t even know that the site existed. Strike that, I learned a site like that existed – common sense and all that, but I didn’t know the name or anything about it. But learning about its conception, rise, inevitable fall, and intriguing rebirth was a welcoming treat for me. The questions that the audiobook proposed made a lot of sense and thought-provoking.
Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card
One of the few Hard Science Fiction stories that has been my favorite – usually I’m a soft SF kinda guy. Maybe it’s the thriller part of the book or perhaps it’s because of its embodying themes that speaks to me. Either way, this book has me coming back. God, I hope someone turns it into an audio drama of sorts.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
This was actually one of my freshman books during my high school years. However, the name didn’t appeal to me so I never read it – big mistake, I know. So, now that I’m in my 30s, I finally read it and just smiled. Another feel-good book where you can literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes through their memories. Better late than never I suppose.
I’m leading into the last month of my tenth grader’s school year and I have to say…I’m learning more this year than last year. I have learned more about Realism and the origins of Science Fiction. But the magical realism lesson stuck with me the most, mainly because I can finally put a name to it.
I have a month and a half left of school and then my students will be able to enjoy the fine relaxation of the summer holiday. Sure, I’m contractually obligated to do the summer camps, but I’m looking at the prize at the end of it all: New Zealand. That’s right. I’m planning my trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud. Or would “Middle Earth” sound better. Either way, I am beyond excited to go as it has been on my list of places to travel to.
For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites for each month. So! While I have read twenty books for March, here are my Top 5 favorites.
The Sins of the Fathers by Zukiswa Wanner
To read a story about how trauma affects the relationships of a generation is something I haven’t come across in such a long time. The abuse of one man affects the abuse his son receives in his relationship is actually pure genius. This is why this story is so compelling. It is a must-listen because the cycle of abuse-victim is all too real in our community.
There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
So! How do you make your reader empathize with a house? Well…that’s why I love this story. I had to read it for one class; I think it was my Fiction Fundamentals class. Before that, I remembered reading it when I was an undergrad though I don’t think it was for class. Still, I’m glad I did because it’s the perfect teaching tool for characterization.
Beyond the Door by Philip K. Dick
Before there was R.L. Stine’s Cuckoo Clock of Doom, it was this little gem from one of the most brilliant science fiction writers. I love stories that create suspension over the most mundane items. It’s a true testament to a writer’s ability to build suspense. Plus, it’s always delightful to see another bully take down a couple of pegs…maybe not death, though…but it was the 1950s so it’s to be expected.
Examination Day by Henry Slesar
I saw the Twilight Zone of this story when I was young; it was the first revival of the TV series. The episode was great and it really resonated with me and my worries about the government keeping us “dumb” out of fear. So! Imagine my surprise when I learned that was originally a short story. Of course, I had to read it. And…of course, it’s just as horrifying as the TV episode – or vice versa.
Harrison Bergeron by Kut Vonnegut Jr.
I remember reading this story in my undergraduate years for my first English class. It was part of a greater collection of sci-fi short stories. So, when I had to take my Fiction Fundamental course, I was so happy that this story was on the list. Everybody wants to be equal, right? Well…be careful what you wish for…
A writer is someone who has taught his mind to misbehave.” – Oscar Wilde
Yes, indeed, that is a fact. Being a writer has allowed me to forgo the rules, break from the norms, and challenge the minds. In this day and age, it’s practically a requirement. A writer must be able to understand the rules of life to represent it in their writing. More importantly, they must understand life’s rules to point out societal problems.
Just finished one of my major projects for my Linguistic Class and a thought occurred to me. In November 2022, I started my side-quest of getting my Master’s. Initially, it was supposed to be an MFA but my past laziness came back to haunt me. No worries, I’ll just get to it when I move to Spain – maybe I can learn at the same university I’ll teach at. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. I’m looking at my calendar and…I’m five classes and a final course away from finishing my Master’s!
I still always have a lot of work to do in my three main worlds: grad school, teacher, and author. This is the norm for me – my comfort zone. Still, life is slowing down for me. It happens now and again, and I handle myself accordingly. How? I accept and appreciate it.