June (planning meeting+poetry+Vonnegut)

I'm hoping to get people a bit excited about June when we will have our planning meeting.
I am ambitiously planning to accomplish the following 4 things:

1.  Discuss what to read in the next 6 months.

This is just the sort of thing the blog is perfect for.  Will you please take a moment to think about what you've read and if you have any ideas of what we might like to read in July-December please go to this entry and post a comment with your suggestion?  What Our Group Should Read Next

2.  Discuss the Blog.  Ideas, concerns, and questions. . .

3.  Share poetry, if you so desire.  No pressure here, but if you have a favorite poem please bring it to share with us.  (There are some great poetry resources in the Literary Links to the right.  ie. Writer's Almanac and the Poetry Foundation links)

4.  Discuss a couple short stories by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.  (only 17 pages)  I'm going to abuse my authority a bit and declare this last thing, just for fun, and because I love short stories, bragging about things that come from my home state (part of my personal mission to show people we have more than corn and the Indy 500), and because I was in the mood for some literay fiction with some depth .  The New York Times said, "Like Mark Twain, Mr. Vonnegut used humor to tackle the basic questions of human existence". He died April 11, 2007, New York Times Obituary.  Click on the titles for each to get to them on the wonderful web.
Preface to Welcome to the Monkey House:  Vonnegut shares some biographical information.  It also gives some context to the last story here, Long Walk to Forever.  It's only 3 pages and may I say, don't start it unless you finish it, because stopping halfway is rather unflattering to him.

Harrison Bergeron:  I chose this because it's somewhat typical of his writing.  It's a bit SciFi, a bit social commentary, and a bit shocking, but it is one I felt was clean enough for our group.  This is why I have never suggested we read a novel of his and also why I haven't mustered the emotional strength to read very many myself, even though I think he's a brilliant writer.  There is a movie version of this made for educational purposes.  They change a LOT in the story, but the essence is the same.  Sean Astin plays Harrison Bergeron and they give him a love interest played by Josie Pye from Anne of Green Gables.  It's a more complicated story and probably equally, though differently, violent.  7 pages
After you've read the story.  Think about how odd it is that the hosts of Dancing with the Stars were Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris.  Too odd.

Long Walk to Forever:  I chose this one because I love it and it is happy.  He refers to it as a "sickeningly slick love story from the Ladies Home Journal", and says, "it describes an afternoon I spent with my wife-to-be.  Shame, shame, to have lived scenes from a woman's magazine."   7 pages
John just informed me that there are several youtube versions of this story too.  Here's one.  Here's a bunch.  Thus far, I've watched none, so proceed with caution and I'd read the story FIRST in case these are lame.

May's Book: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

"This is a story about a mother, two daughters, and two dogs. It’s also about Mozart and Mendelssohn, the piano and the violin, and how we made it to Carnegie Hall.
This was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones.
But instead, it’s about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how I was humbled by a thirteen-year-old…"
(From the opening of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother)

Links:
About Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
About Amy Chua
Amy Chua about her book
Link to Q&A between Amy Chua and readers of an article about the book  

A Couple Updates:
The Q&A above is a response to an article, Why Chinese Mother's are Superior, which is excerpts from the book, but there is one picture that's not in the book and there are a few pictures from the book but they are in color.
Also very interesting is that in response to that excerpt people went crazy with hate mail and such, but there was also a response from her daughter, Sophia.  Dear Tiger Mom (make sure you read page 2 as well, I almost didn't see it).

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

I just barely got this from the library so I don't have much to say about it yet, but I thought I'd go ahead and put up a post so that you can all have a place to discuss it.  Only about 3 more hours until Spring Break and I'm OVER THE MOON! Also I'm hoping that without the interruption of trips to and from school and messing with homework, that I'll be able to get so much done, including reading this book.  I hope the rest of you find time too.

Here are a couple links.  They both make grandiose claims about being the best websites about Winnie the Pooh, who knew?

Tao of Pooh on Just Pooh.com
Pooh the Bear.net
And here, the Goodreads blurb and other's reviews.

Here is the website for Benjamin Hoff, author.

I'll post a thought question below to get a discussion going (I hope).  Don't be afraid to respond!  Who cares what random internet viewers think of what we write (it is still a public blog)?  Those that know you, love you and would LOVE to hear from you!

New Links! & Choosing the Right Media

In the Literary Links box to the right I've added in a few more links. 
American Library Association's Notable books of 2012.

This was from Julie:
Here's a website link to a great list of must-read books for kids. It allows you to sort by age and other categories. Thought you would enjoy it. Pass along to others you might think are interested.
http://www.scholastic.com/100books/

And from Chelsea's comment I added her suggestion WhatShouldIReadNext.

Also for any who haven't had a chance to see it or who haven't noticed it, I added a page about what is invovled in hosting book group. See the tab above "Happy Hosting!"
 
I finally managed to get those links posted because I am using them as I try to pull together a Spring Break Book List for the Activity Day Girls (the 8-11 year-old girls at our church).  I'm staying home from church with a sick kid and it seemed like a good time to work on it.

Another resource is the book reviews they have in the Friend Magazine.  I finally figured out they Have Book Reivews in each May and November issue. 

For those with older kids there is an article in the New Era Magazine for teens: Out of the Best Books, Movies or Music.

From the April 2012 issue of the Friend Magazine.  Here is some good information about choosing good literature and media.  It's aimed at kids 12 and under but it's good advice for ALL ages. 

Choose the Right Media

 Every day you have choices.

What Should I Read?  What Should I Watch?  What Should I Listen To?  What Should I Play?

 So how do you decide?

• • 
  Pay attention to your feelings.
• • 
  Listen to the Holy Ghost.
• • 
  Put this checklist by your TV, computer, or MP3 player. If you have any checks on the Stop! list, it’s time to turn it off, put it down, and walk away.

Go!

• • 
  It is uplifting and helps me feel good inside.
• • 
  It helps me feel safe.
• • 
  It’s interesting; it’s teaching me good things.
• • 
  It helps me want to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.
• • 
  It gives me good ideas and inspires me to do good things.
• • 
  I wouldn’t mind if my parents or siblings were reading, watching, or listening to it.
• • 
  I know it’s appropriate.
• • 
  I feel it’s pleasing to Heavenly Father.

Stop!

• • 
  It has swearing or crude words.
• • 
  It shows or talks about violence.
• • 
  It shows or talks about breaking Heavenly Father’s commandments.
• • 
  It makes me feel dull, tired, or like I’m wasting my time.
• • 
  It makes me think it would be OK to do wrong things.
• • 
  It makes me feel uncomfortable, nervous, scared, or mad.
• • 
  I’m not sure if it’s something I should read, watch, or listen to.
• • 
  I wouldn’t want my parents or siblings to know I’m reading, watching, or listening to it.

A Special Scripture

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God” (Moroni 7:16).

Oh No!

Sometimes you can make a bad media choice, either by accident or because you were unwise. When this happens, don’t panic. Here are some things you can do:

1. 1. 
   Say a prayer asking Heavenly Father to forgive you if you did it on purpose, and help you feel better.
2. 2. 
   Tell a parent about what happened and ask for help.
3. 3. 
   You can also:
   • Listen to, play, or sing a favorite Primary song.
   • Read a story from the Friend or from the scriptures.
   • Change the scene—go play outside or do something helpful for a friend or family member.

Turning It Off

One day, I was playing a good, fun game on the Internet. Then I noticed that the website I was on was advertising games with blood and gore. I had an uncomfortable feeling, so I exited the website. Later I found the same game on a different website that did not advertise bad games. I felt way better after I turned off the website advertising bad games. I am glad I have the gift of the Holy Ghost so I can be protected and comforted. I am glad the Holy Ghost helps me make good choices.

Renton O., age 10, Utah

Standing Up for Values

While I was at my friend’s birthday party, we were voting on movies to watch. There were two out of the five that I knew I shouldn’t watch. I told my friend that I didn’t want to watch those two movies. She wasn’t very happy about that, but she did respect my values. We ended up watching a movie that I felt was appropriate. I am glad I have the gospel standard to follow: “I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.”

Kaitlyn M., age 11, Washington

Some Great Choices

• • 
  Listen to or watch scripture stories at scripturestories.lds.org.
• • 
  Watch videos and listen to music at lds.org/friend and lds.org/youth.
• • 
  Download music from lds.org/youth.
• • 
  And, of course, read the Friend!