Comments on Cammy Bean's Learning Visions: A Year in Books (2009)

Dave, I love seeing what you're reading. Def...

2010-01-12T16:21:02.222-05:00

Dave, I love seeing what you're reading. Definitely out of the field.

I do foray into fiction and the occasional New Yorker article. But mostly, I read a LOT of children's books out loud to the kids. Had I actually listed all of the books I've read this year, I would look like a complete reading stud.

I think it's also good to read stuff that'...

2010-01-08T08:46:11.703-05:00

I think it's also good to read stuff that's not very closely related to your work. A mild puzzle to me is that, despite my undergrad major in English, I don't read much fiction (and the fiction I'm currently reading is in French).

Maybe the not-too-related principle is another way of saying go places you're interested in but don't often get to.

One value of a book is the promise of range, depth, or both, like an extended conversation (or an extended relationship) with someone you enjoy.

So, not that you asked, at the moment I'm reading:

-- A Great and Noble Scheme, a history of the forced expulsion of the French Acadiens,
-- In the Land of Invented Language, about the numberless attempts to create more "logical" human languages,
-- PrairyErth, a history of the Kansas tallgrass (and a travel through time)
-- Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, not "deep" history but Cahill's ideas on why the ancient Greeks matter
-- Alphabet Juice, a chance to lean back and enjoy the sly Roy Blount, Jr.

Cammy, thank you for the list. There are quite a f...

2009-12-31T07:25:46.759-05:00

Cammy, thank you for the list. There are quite a few I have not read and now intend to after reading your post. Yes, long live books!!

Have a wonderful 2010! Looking forward to sharing and learning in 2010.