The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

Alex Woods is a unique teenage protagonist. He is struck in the head by a meteorite when he is 10 years old and that makes him exceptional. He suffers seizures as a result and has a scar on his forehead like Harry Potter. He really has no friends except for an old pot smoking, Vietnam vet named Isaac Peterson. The form a unique friendship and it is this relationship that changes Alex Woods.

Alex has a mother who is a fortune teller, a set of bullies who follow him around and taunt him, and a cat named Lucy.  Alex is obsessed with astronomy, science and books.  He is one extraordinary individual who is under appreciated by his peers.  The only one who appreciates Alex, besides his mother, is Isaac Peterson.

Mr. Peterson has a wonderful library and every book written by Kurt Vonnegut.   Alex decides he wants to read every one of these books with Isaac and so he starts a Kurt Vonnegut book club called The Secular Church of Kurt Vonnegut. They only read Kurt Vonnegut books and the club lasts 14 months.  Lovers of Kurt Vonnegut should definitely read this book.  I have only read 1 Vonnegut book, so even if you don't love his books you will still enjoy this story.

This is a wonderful story about a creative kid, who is sick and bullied for being different, but can do extraordinary things because the people around him, namely Isaac, believe in him and trust him.  Alex Woods feels like the universe is against him, especially since it knocked him on the head with a meteorite.  Be careful universe, Alex Woods just might break your heart and defy you.

Book A Day, Books 8-10 with Mini Reviews

Book A Day, Books 8-10 with Mini Reviews

This week I fell behind my on #Book A Day summer goal because I went to Maryland for National History Day and was super busy.  Up early and into bed late, left little time for reading.   My student competed in the senior division, paper category and on Thursday, June 19th, they announced that she had won first place!!  First place in the Nation!!  OMG, it was so emotional and wonderful to see her achieve that level of success.  Next week we will be interviewed on two local radio programs in Minneapolis.

Day #9, Book 8
Satchel Paige. Striking Out Jim Crow by James Sturm
Graphic Novel

This is an awesome graphic novel about the baseball legend Satchel Paige.  Satchel Paige was an amazing baseball pitcher. His career spanned 6 decades. He was the most famous African American baseball player alongside Jackie Robinson. This graphic novel highlights the barriers Paige faced and the amazing ability and character he displayed when playing ball. Super good and sure to be enjoyed by anyone interested in sports history.

Day #10, Book 9
Sleep Donation by Karen Russell
Novella

This little book is packed full of interesting science fiction.  Can you imagine what the world would be like if insomnia were an epidemic?  Sleep deprivation and insomnia is killing people and many need a sleep transfusion. There is a sleep bank set up and people donate their sleep to save lives. I can't stop thinking about this book.  What if?

Day #11, Book 10
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Audio Book
Narrated by Wil Wheaton
15 hours and 46 minutes


Listened to the audiobook of Ready Player One. Wil Wheaton is a fabulous narrator. Seriously listen to this on audio. Ready Player One is an ode to the decade of the 1980's with a ton of pop culture references. It was an awesome trip down memory lane and a nod to video game culture.  The year is 2044 and there is an egg worth millions of dollars hidden inside the Oasis, a massive online video world.  Wade, a high school student may have found the door to the first gate and from there it is a race to the finish.  Really, really good on audio.

Book A Day Updates and Mini-Reviews

Book A Day Updates and Mini-Reviews

I've been trying to read a book a day this summer as part of the BookADay challenge.  So far, I feel like I am keeping up.  I just got back from a trip to Maryland/DC for National History Day where my student took FIRST place in the paper category.  It was awesome!  So now I'm home and my feet are up (to decrease the swelling in my two sprained ankles) and I'm ready to read and write.

I will post the some of the books I have read and a short mini-review.

Day 4, Book #4   Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff

I loved this book!  It is a love story that transcends gender and stereotypes and it was sweet and beautiful and full of meaning.  Brezenoff's writing is poetic and original.  I like a writer that takes risks and gets creative.  The characters of Kid and Scout are endearing and you will fall in love with them as they throw off societal labels.

Day 5, Book #5   Sex Criminals Volume 1 by by Matt Fraction, Chip Zdarsky (Artist)

This graphic novel is for adults only.  It is about a couple of people who when they orgasm are able to stop time.  They decide to rob a bank while their in the orgasm zone.  It is a bit zany and totally interesting and unique.  Great storyline.  I am looking forward to the next volume.

Day 6, Book #6    Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor

I love Byrd Baylor's children's books.  Everybody needs a rock to love and this is a little instruction book for finding a truly special rock to hold and love.  Frankly, I love rocks.  They speak to me and I have a whole bunch of rocks sitting on my dresser and around my house.  This book is perfect for kids from age 3 to 103.

Day 7, Book #7   Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant

I was drawn to this book because I named my daughter Georgia.  Pieces of Georgia is told in verse.  Georgia is 13 and living in trailer with her father on a
farm.  She has been labelled "at-risk" because her mother recently died and she is introverted.  Georgia is an artist and so was her mother.  I liked the focus on art and learning about the Wyeth family artists.

I love this idea of reading a book a day.  I wish I could do this all year!

Book A Day. Book 2 and 3

Book A Day Summer Challenge.  Book #2 and #3.

I am trying to read a book a day this summer and today is Day #3 of summer for me.  So I want to share with you the two books I have finished.

Book #2
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
This is a wordless book and the artwork in it, is extraordinary.  It is beautiful, heartfelt and you will experience the foreign world that every immigrant experiences in a new place for the first time.  I loved it.

Book #3
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
The Raft is a beautiful children's book about a boy who spends the summer with his grandma.  She lives along a river and he finds a raft and connections to nature and his grandmother.  It is such a beautiful story and it totally reminds me of my experience growing up and spending summers with my grandparents in Wisconsin.  Any child would love this book.  In fact, I think I love it more than my children ever could.

Book A Day Summer Challenge

Book A Day Summer Challenge by Nerdy Book Club

 
I ran across this challenge on twitter, to read a book a day during the summer, and I thought, I could probably do this.  I have so many books stacked in piles around my house from a variety of genres that I thought it would be nice to read a bunch of them this summer and since I'm stuck on the couch with my feet up (two sprained ankles), the timing is perfect.

Book A Day Summer Challenge

So today marks Day #1.  My first official day of summer.  Yesterday I turned in my grades and cleaned my classroom.  Today I am reading and writing and driving my kids around town.

Book #1

The book I finished reading today was:  The Gendarme by Mark Mustian.  This is about WWI and the Armenian genocide.  It was so powerful.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of World War I.

I plan to read a variety of books for this challenge like novellas, graphic novels, audiobooks, children's books, poetry, short stories and more.  So excited to try this and see how it goes.  If I can read 5 books a week I will be happy.

I will try and update you periodically on this challenge.

If you have any good suggestions for a book I can finish in a day.  Please let me know.

Happy Reading!