The Cradle

My November book with the student book group was The Cradle.  This is one of those books that I'd never heard of but ended up liking.  One of the things that I like to do with my students is at some point have them come up with the questions.  With this being the third time we've met they were ready for a chance at being the questioners.  What I like to do is pass around note cards and have them write down questions then I will ask them.  That way all the pressure isn't on them!

Here are their questions:

- Did you like Marissa? Why?  Why not?
- Do you think Matt was raped as a child?
- Anyone else find the timeline wibbly-wobbly?
- How did you feel about the timeline in the story?  Confusing?  Kept you reading and interested?
- Did anyone realize that Renee's parts were during a different time period right away?  When did you realize?
- Do you think Matt's mom will go to meet him sometime?
- Why did Marissa never ask about what happened to the Cradle?
- I don't know if the book answered this but why do you think the Dad wasn't upset about Caroline leaving?

And a few of mine:
- Do you ever do like Marissa does and do little things to apologize or try to make something right?
- Do you find it interesting that she calls her readers her "army?"
- Is Matt on a Greek odyssey?

12 Years a Slave Book and Movie Discussion Questions

12 Years a Slave is a book that I had to read for two different classes while I was in college.  Being from Louisiana and this being a part of our history, it was a natural fit for both a Louisiana History course as well as an Antebellum South course.  When the movie began production here in Louisiana last year I had hoped that the release of the movie would work with being able to do a showing along with a discussion of the book.  In November we had just that opportunity.  I took a group of faculty, staff and students to see the movie and then a week later we gathered to discuss both the text and the film.  I highly encourage you to see the film as well as read the book.  As always there are differences and similarities but that is what makes comparing and contrasting them so interesting. 

Magpie

-          Did you find yourself on edge when reading the book or viewing the movie? Why?  In a small way did if help you relate to the ongoing anxiety slaves endured?

-          Both in book and the film Brown and Hamilton are viewed as outsiders looking in as conspirators.  Why did Northup struggle to think badly of them in the narrative?  Is he naive?

-          What kept Solomon from falling into despair while living in this situation?  In the film he says he wants to live and not survive.  In the book how do we see Solomon do that?

-          Although born free how was Northup equipped with skills to be a slave because of his race and position in New York?

-          As good as Ford was heaving knowing about the work done up north being able to swim and how different he was, why not look closer into Northup’s history?  What do you think the conversation was like between Epps and Ford when it was revealed?

-          Had Solomon not experienced time as a slave would abolition have been as important for him to work towards?

-          What made Ford good and Epps bad?  In your opinion can a good slave owner exist?

-          How does gender shape the experiences of the slaves in Northup’s telling of his experience?

-          Both escape and revolt are mentioned in the narrative why were so few successful?  What factors worked against them?

-          Did you find yourself enjoying Tibeats’ beating?  Is some violence then justified?

-          Did the efforts of those like the kidnapped slave Arthur’s rescuers, the sailor John Manning, Ford, Bass, and Northup outweigh all the bad?  Do most movements of change begin with the work of a few?

-          Why Epps so hard on Patsey?  Because he loved her?  Was it a hard thing to understand so he had to break it?

-          Did Northup’s “willingness” to serve as a driver and take part in lies and beatings compromise him as a “hero”?

-          In the book and film the differences between being born free or born a slave are mentioned numerous times?  DO you think Solomon believers himself “superior”?

-           Why “flash-forward” scenes, sex, writing, and cane work at the beginning of the movie?

-          Did you feel more a part of the experience in the film because the way the story is told through experience and not in voice-over?

-          Why do you think Steve McQueen took time to show natural beauty of Louisiana?

-          Did the narrative and film have more of an impact because here in Louisiana and familiar – did it make you uncomfortable?  Guilty?

-          Why show Indians in movie when other things from the book were left out?

-          Why depict Northup hanging and not just bound?  Why leave camera shot up so long? Why show others going about their business?

-          Why not show Solomon’s escape attempt?

-          Why was the whipping scene with Patsey shot the way it was?  Not seeing back until Epps took lash?

-          Over and over McQueen puts cruelty and beauty in opposition – any that struck you?  Why?  (sex, nature, masters, human contact, slave pen in the capital)

-          P. 185 “I was in a fever of suspense whenever Bass visited Marksville, and could scarcely close my eyes until his return.”  Is this where McQueen drew the inspiration for the scene with the up-close of Northup?  Did his “stare” make you uncomfortable?  Why?  Was it a call to action?

Quiet

Quiet turned out to be one of those books that everyone enjoyed and everyone got something from.  This is usually my main goal.  I'm okay with a middle of the ground book that everyone can be satisfied with, and this was a good one for that.

Below are the questions from pages 129 - 272.

- What has helped you as an introvert overcome introversion?
- When reading about stereotypes on pages 104 did you think about the images we see most often in Disney movies?
- When reading about Eleanor Roosevelt did it make you wonder if the "Eleanors" are the ones who remind the extroverts about feelings and sensitivities?
- Page 142 talks about some of the physical differences between introverts and extroverts does it remind you of the examples given on page 92?  Do you like that she keeps referring back to the other examples?
- Cain shares her experience of being at Walker Creek Ranch and how it made her yearn for balance in her life.  Is this something that you need as well?
- How should offices and bosses handle introverts in the workplace?
- For teachers or those that work with young students do you often feel like they talk nonsense like the students discussed on page 185?
- Should we all take some time to slow down and listen others sounds of silence?
- Does the child who sits and reads in public go back to the old school ideals of being "seen and not heard?"
- Do you ever feel like you are playing a "role?"
- Do we change who we are to fit a certain situation?
- What can we learn from Gandhi's firmness in pursuit of truth?"
- On page 207 Cain puts forth an interesting question: Can people fine-tune their own personalities this way?  Be one way during the week and a different way on the weekend?
- Where do you "hide" to recharge?
- "Core personal projects" allows us to act out of character - do you agree?
- Is "Free Trait Theory" an American version of Gandhi's compromise and Asian's view of respecting others?
- Are you starting to get tired of all the quizes?  Do you feel she is breaking the idea of an introvert down too much?
- How did you feel about Greg and Emily?  Did you feel like one or both of them were unreasonable?  Did you like how they compromised?
- Do you feel like when you participate in things that you do better when you know what your contribution is meant to be?
- Did you like the book?
- Will you share it with others?
- Would you recommend it to others?

Oh So Sorry!

Can't believe it has been over a month since I've blogged.  I have the rest of Quiet's questions and two other books discussion questions coming your way.  So stay tuned!

Magpie

Wintergirls Discussion Questions

One of the great things about being the sponsor for the student organization book group is when they choose to read a book that coincides with other events on campus.  Next month we are going to be having an event that was created by a friend of mine to help people create a new dialog about self image and self worth.  The organization is called Southern Smash and has been doing a great job on campus' like ours as well as others across the southeastern US.  This months book is called Wintergirls and it's by Laurie Halse Anderson and focuses on a teenager going through a very serious battle with an eating disorder.  Normally, I include questions of my own mixed with those provided by the publisher, but this month the questions the publisher provides are so great those are what I'm listing below.  In addition to the questions the publisher had I found a ton of great resources on this page from Grand Valley State University.

• Read the two epigraphs printed at the front of the book. How do you think each relates to Lia and her situation?

• What do the crossed-out words and phrases reveal about Lia? Why can’t she allow herself to say or think some things? What is she afraid will happen if she does?

• Define “wintergirl.” In what ways are Lia and Cassie frozen? Discuss the symbolism of winter and cold found throughout the story and the role it plays in building the main themes of the novel.

• Does Lia want to lose weight so she will look thin and pretty? What does her thinness mean to her? How does she think it gives her power?

• Does Cassie’s death trigger Lia’s restrictive eating patterns to reemerge? Why or why not?

• “Empty” becomes synonymous with “strong” for Lia throughout most of the story. How does Lia justify this comparison? Do her feelings ever change?

• Lia repeats the phrase “When I was a real girl . . . “ If she’s not real now, what is she? When did she stop being real? Will she ever be real again?

• The night Cassie dies, why does she call Lia? Would it have made a difference if Lia had answered? Why or why not? Could anything have saved Cassie?

• In the newspaper article about Cassie’s death, the superintendent of schools says, “Most teens today struggle with something.” Do you agree? Explain your opinion.

• What is friendship? Describe the important elements of Lia and Cassie’s relationship. Are they really friends?

• Describe Lia’s relationships with her mother, father, Jennifer, and Emma.  How is Lia different with each of them? What do they each contribute to her situation? How do they each influence her?

• Lia is particular about the names she calls her family members  (i.e. “Jennifer” instead of Stepmother, “Dr. Marrigan” instead of Mom, “Professor Overbrook” instead of Dad). What does this reveal about what

Lia thinks of her family members?

• Discuss the line: “I pretend to be a fat, healthy teenager. They pretend to be my parents.” What does this line expose about Lia’s feelings for her parents? What does Lia’s frequent use of the word “pretend” throughout

the book tell you about the way she views others? Why does Lia feel she and others must pretend?

• What does Lia think makes her strong? What do you think of as Lia’s strengths? Would Lia agree with you? How does Lia’s perception of strength change toward the end of the story?

• What do we learn from Cassie’s ghost? Does her presence help or hinder Lia on her path to recovery? What does Cassie’s ghost come to symbolize by the end of the novel?

• Discuss Lia’s relationship with Elijah. When she first meets him and lies about her identity, why do you think she chooses to give her stepsister’s name as her own? What is Elijah able to give Lia that the other people in her life cannot? What do you think about the way their relationship ends?

• What role does Lia’s knitting play in the novel? What does it come to symbolize?

• Elijah calls himself “a wanderer in search of truth.” Does he find truth by the end of the story? Does Lia? Are any of the other characters able to do so? Explain.

• Lia’s mother tells her: “Cassie had everything: a family who loved her, friends, activities. Her mother wants to know why she threw it all away.“According to Lia, asking “why” Cassie died is the wrong question. She says to ask “why not.” What do you think she means by this? Which do you think is the right question to ask? Is there an answer to either?

• Why do you think Lia and Cassie took their eighth grade New Year’s resolutions so seriously? How do these promises play into the rest of the story?

• Lia’s dad says to her: “I wish I understood what goes on inside you . . . why you’re so afraid.“ Is fear part of Lia’s problem? What is she afraid of?

• What is Lia using her thinness to communicate to her parents? What is her body saying that her voice cannot?

• Why do you think Lia finally opens up to Dr. Parker? What do you think of what she chooses to tell her? How does the conversation change Lia’s situation?

• Dr. Parker tells Lia: “In one aspect, yes, I believe in ghosts, but we create them.” Do you agree with her? How much of what happens to Lia is a result of her own doing? How much of it is caused by others?

• What does the “see–glass” mean to Lia? What does she think she needs it for? Does this end up being true?

• What ultimately changes for Lia by the end of the story? Why does she survive when Cassie didn’t?

 

Lifemobile Discussion Questions

Every now and then you get a book that is a quick read but is such a good story with a perspective and a topic you aren't really expecting.  Lifemobile was one of those books for me.  Never in a million years would I have picked this book.  It just wouldn't appeal to me. But this was a good read and I'm so pleased the students picked this one. 

Enjoy,
Magpie

Benjy’s Asperger’s tick is telling the truth.  What would you want yours to be?

Has anyone who is different changed your life or your view on people like Benjy?

On page 98 you hear Ben talk about his struggles with Benjy finding his place.  Do you think your parents feel this way?  Hearing it from the parent’s side, does it give you some new perspective on them and how and why they treat you the way they do?

Do you agree with Ben that the car was a “means to an end” in terms of spending time with Benjy?

On page 127 Benjy has a dialogue with Brad about driving the student car, should Ben have stepped in or given Brad some warning?

On page 129 Kenny says that Benjy has taught him something about responsibility.  Do you think this is a reason to give people a chance and take the good with the bad in order to help both parties grow?

Benjy wants to be treated fairly and equally, but Ben wants him to have exceptions for his Math classes.  Is that fair?

Do you feel like this book is similar to others like The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

Do you think there are students like Benjy at your school?

Why write it from Ben’s point of view?  How would it have been different if it would have been written from Benjy’s point of view?

Do you think Benjy will be okay in the long run living and working with Kenny?

The author has previously written for TV and movies, do you see this story used for either?

Do you think the book is more credible because it is based on the author’s own experience with his son?

Quiet Reading Assignment IV

This upcoming week is  Homecoming and Family Weekend here on campus, so things are going to be very hectic for me so I'm hoping to be able to get this assignments questions up as soon as I can.  But at least you can read pages 130 - 180 and be prepared when they do hit.

Magpie

Maine Reading Questions

Families are an odd thing.  They help us grow, they guide us, they are the keepers of our histories, and they are who we share our joys and sorrows with.  Maine is the kind of book that helps you look at four sides of what it can be like to be a member of a family.  I personally come from a family that in some ways reminds me a good bit of the Kelleher family.  We spend time together when we can and there is usually a great deal of food and laughter.  Some of that I think is a big part of the fact that we all originate from the South, and the other part is that I think that was something fostered in us by our elders.  Having said that, there is not nearly as much drama with my family like there is with the Kelleher's.  This book was the September reading for the student organization I sponsor.  It wasn't my favorite book, but I did keep reading it mainly because I wanted to know what was going to happen with each character.  Not the most satisfying finish, but it is one of those that kinda makes you fill the void with your own ideas. 

Magpie
 

If you had to choose one word to describe the overriding theme of Maine, what would it be?

Which of the women in the novel would you say is a good mother, and why? Who resents motherhood the most?

Discuss how each of the four main characters—Alice, Kathleen, Maggie, and Ann Marie—approaches religion. Who seems to have the most comfortable relationship with God?

What was Alice’s motivation for changing her will? Why did she wait so long to tell her family?

Speaking of secrets, many of the characters in the novel keep substantial secrets for one reason or another. Whose is the most damaging?

What role does alcohol—and alcoholism—play in the novel? How do the characters use alcohol (or abstain from it)?

What does Ann Marie’s obsession with dollhouses tell us about her character?

Why did Daniel’s death have such an impact on the family?

What did you think of the revelation about Mary’s death? Was Alice right to blame herself?

How did Ann Marie misread Steve so completely? And why does Kathleen’s witnessing the event change her attitude towards Ann Marie? Why do you think Kathleen reacted the way she did?

What kind of mother do you think Maggie will be? Who will she take after most: Alice, Kathleen, or Ann Marie?

Discuss the last lines of the book: “She prayed until she heard footsteps behind her, coming slowly down the aisle, a familiar voice softly calling out her name: ‘Alice? Alice. It’s time.’” Is this Father Donnelly, Daniel, or someone else?

Which of these women would you like to spend more time with? Are there any you’d never want to see again?

“Even after thirty-three years of marriage, Ann Marie sat at every family dinner and listened to them tell the same stories, over and over. She has never met a family so tied up in their own mythology.” (page 140) What is the mythology of the Kelleher family? Who is helped the most by it? And harmed the most?

Quiet pages 97 - 129 Reading Questions

There are times when I'm doing the reading that I get so into it that I forget to take notes and create questions as I go.  Having said that, after reading this section, I am fighting the urge to go hang out at my friends house and do experiments on her newborn son.  Anyway, I don't have a ton of questions for this week's short reading, but as always feel free to make suggestions.

Magpie

What has helped you as an introvert to overcome your introversion?  If you aren't an introvert, but you know one, what have you seen work for them?

Have you seen evidence in yourself or others that being an intro/extrovert is a part of their nature?

On page 104 they discuss how companies like Disney reinforce the stereotype of what an introvert looks like.  Do you find when you imagine what and intro/extrovert looks like you have a stereotype in mind?

Have you ever seen outside factors influence whether or not someone will grow into an intro/extrovert?

Do you agree with Kagan that there are many routes to becoming an intro/extrovert?

Do you agree with Cain that given the right environment while growing up a child can change the temperament they were born with?

Can you think of someone you know who has found ways to become an extrovert despite their nature introversion tendency?  Did it work or is it really just a façade?

Schwartz's research shows that we can stretch ourselves but only up until a point.  Do you agree with this? (p117)

Cain gives several examples of how introverts can learn to find their comfort levels in social situations while allowing themselves time to decompress.  Do you think that now you will begin to learn to play the "sweet-spot game" in order to be more comfortable in your surroundings?

Quiet Reading Assignment III

This week we will be reading and discussing pages 97 - 129.  It looks like it's going to be an interesting read. 

In the meantime I got a link to another good article by one of the participants. 

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3495-Workplace-Issues-The-power-of-introverts-in-the-workplace/?SiteId=cbmsn43495&sc_extcmp=JS_3495_advice


Introvert seems to be the catch word these days and I'm seeing it pop-up everywhere, even on silly blogs.

http://www.janeaustenfilmclub.blogspot.ca/2013/09/fanny-price-introvert-is-she-unfilmable.html

There Is No Dog Reading Questions

Sometimes the students pick a book that we all just love, sometimes, they like it and I don't, and sometimes they pick one we all don't like.  That was the case with There Is No Dog.  I always tell them, come prepared to talk about why or why you didn't like a book.  And they came prepared.  We also talked about how we would have written it differently or how we would have changed it.  The larger majority of the students felt like it was just a rough draft that got published anyway.  Some felt that had more of the details (like the flood) been more realistic they could have followed along.  These students have seen what real storms and flooding look like, and there are no romantic dates on boats during a flood! 

Below are some question on the reading if you liked the book, give me some feedback on why you did!
Magpie

While reading did you make the connection with not only the Bible but other mythology stories?  What effect did that have on you while reading?

Can you think of other books or movies that use similar ideas of taking well known stories and base new stories off of them?

Does it ever feel like a teenager is responsible for the events in your life?

What was the moral of this book? (the students asked this one)

How do you think that Earth would have turned out if Mr. B were God all along instead of Bob?  Or were they a good combination?

Could our world work with the combination of Gods and humans living together?

Bob asks if there would be any point to life if things were great all the time.  He also points out that hope is a dangerous thing.  What do you think? 

Why do you think it was Bob who was transferred instead of Mr. B?

Was what Lucy experienced with Bob love?  Do you think she will have a more realistic version of love with Luke?

Were you offended by the books slant on theology?  Why or why not?

Quiet pages 34-96 reading questions

One of the hardest things about doing one book a semester with my faculty and staff is dividing up a books chapters while keeping the reading to a minimum.  I didn't realize that this was one of the larger reading sections till I sat down to do the reading.  The best part, everyone else in the group did the same thing.  The silver lining.... it was such a good bunch of reading for this week's assignments.  I found myself having more thoughts and ideas than I did questions.  Which sometimes happens.  I'm going to do my best to share with you some of the questions I had before, during and after we met this week. 

Have a great weekend,
Magpie

Page 35 had one of those laugh out loud moments of the book for me.  I had the mental image of Susan avoiding the hi-five at the door and knew that moment so well from my own life.   Have you ever avoided a forced moment like that in your life? 

On page 38 Cain explains how the meeting exercise implies that every "encounter" is a high stakes game in which we win or lose the other persons favor, is this true?  Is it okay to be the kind of person when meeting someone new is meek and mild?  Is it okay to be the kind of person that is overly gregarious when meeting new people?

Was Tony Robbins as a salesman the best example to give?

Why do we so often equate leadership with hyperextroversion?

If you are an introvert, do you consider yourself a "bitter introvert" like Don Chen?

Has Harvard made extroversion their version of teaching to the test? 

Does Harvard push their students to succeed or simply be in the "in" crowd?

How do you see yourself or others trying to gain control of being social by using social media outlets?

Do team events or situations push introverts to succeed or at least be inspired by their surrounds?

Do you often see verbal abilities rewarded in your workplace over originality or insight?

Does electronic brain storming work because it still allows participants to be isolated?

Do you think your job suits your temperament?  If not, what could you do to change things?

As a result of what you have read what changes are you making with family, friends, colleagues, or students?

Quiet Reading Assignment II

This week we will be reading pages 34-96 and it should be another interesting discussion.  Below are some interesting links that the group sent in so I'm sharing with ya'll.
 
Magpie
 

The first comes from Monday’s group:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/introverts-signs-am-i-introverted_n_3721431.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

 

The fallacy of an online persona came up on Tuesday and this great video was shared.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E83Xv2z0uQo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

These two articles and the second of the two refers back to the Huffington Post article above!

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/sex-cats-and-introverts-what-makes-the-internet-go-round-20130814-2rwrh.html

 http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/08/26/introverts_on_the_internet_a_match_made_in_heaven.html

Quiet pages xi - 33 reading questions

I love when I read a book and I totally think I know where I stand on a subject only to be totally wrong.  Well, Quiet has done that for me.  If you would ask anyone I know or even me for that matter, I would tell you without a doubt that I was an extrovert.  Boy, was I wrong.  After reading just 33 pages I've come to see that I actually identify more with the introverts of the world that I do the extroverts.  So I have a feeling this is going to be a good book for me to learn new things about myself!  

I hope you are enjoying the book and learning new things about yourself, your students, family, and co-workers.

Magpie

On page 2 Cain asks the reader: "What else can quiet do that we don't give it credit for?"  

At the top of page 3 Cain gives a few brief examples of things that introverts and extroverts are likely to do.  Do you agree/disagree?

Have you discussed the book and the subject matter with others?  What was their reaction?  Are you tempted to give them the book to test themselves?

Do you feel we often make people conform to be an extrovert?  How? Why?

Do you see people in your workplace pushed into a more extroverted personality?  Are the parties who have changed rewarded for changing their ways?  Do you even find yourself pushing others or yourself to be more extroverted?  

Again, on pages 10 and 11 more examples of the two groups are given.  Do you find yourself beginning to question who/how you have always been?

Based on the quiz on pages 13 and 14, do you think you're an introvert, an extrovert, or an ambivert?  Are you an introvert in some situations and an extrovert in others?  What about other people in your life?

Cain spends a great deal of time discussing the changes that occur after the turn of the century leading the US in particular to being more of an extroverted society due to technology, travel, advertisements, etc.  Do you think we will ever see a shift back to a time when introversion will be more rewarded and appreciated?  

As the book continues, do you think Cain will discuss how a person's birth order plays a role in their development in becoming and Intro/Extrovert?

My 2013 - 2014 Reading List

Gracious, I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last blogged.  Things are finally getting back to a normal busy around here and we are settling into the rhythm of classes and football season here.  Which for me means that I have to get on my reading for my different groups I lead and man, my list has grown a bit this year.  I kinda volunteered to read the books that the student organization (the off shoot of the freshman group) are reading this year too.  But let's be honest, it's mainly because they picked some books that I've wanted to read anyway.

So what I've decided to do is share all the books that I'll be reading for "work" this year so should you want to check back for discussion questions or just to get my humble opinion of the books you can!  So here we go:

As you know my Faculty/Staff group will be reading Quiet by Susan Cain this fall, but this spring we'll also be reading The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

My Freshman Student Group will be reading:
September 16: There is No Dog - Meg Rosoff
October 21: Lifemobile - Jonathan Rintels
November 18: The Cradle - Patrick Somerville
February 10: The Personal History of Rachel Dupree - Ann Weisgarber
March 24: Serena - Ron Rash
April 21: The Universe Versus Alex Wood - Gavin Extence

And the Student Organization will be reading:
September 17 : Maine- J. Courtney Sullivan

October 29: Winter Girls- Laurie Halse Anderson

November 19: Casual Vacancy - J.K Rowling

January 21:  We the Animals- Justin Torres

January 21:  Untold Story- Monica Ali
February 18: Girls in White Dresses- Jennifer Close
March 25:  The Ocean at the End of the Lane- Neil Gaiman
April 21: The Universe Versus Alex Wood -Gavin Extence

This fall I'm also going to work with some other campus entities to do a campus event tied to the book and the new upcoming movie 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.  But more on that later......

Magpie

Quiet Reading Assignment I

It's that time of the year, can't you just smell the packs of fresh pencils, paper, and OMG, crayons?  Man, I miss those days.  Well, let's be honest, I'm OCD and I just love the opportunity to organize and prepare for a new year.  But here on campus the next few weeks mean the beginning of a fall semester and all the fun that brings.  This also means a new assignment for those of you out there who like to read along.  This fall my faculty and staff book group chose the book the book Quiet by Susan Cain.  


The overview from Barnes and Noble goes a little like this: "At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.  In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves."

Now let's be honest I don't think of myself as an introvert at all.  But after a brief discussion with some graduate assistants in our office this week, I realized something....I keep hiring them!  Now, this could be because I supervise our graphic designer and our marketing guru's, and I've joked about them being my "team" all week.  So I'm super excited to take the time to read a book about how their minds work and how as their supervisor I can better help them.  Plus a few folks in my book group are for sure introverts, they think I don't know it, but I can just see them looking at me like, please don't ask me to talk, I'm just here to listen to everyone else.

Below are the dates of our meetings and the pages we'll be discussing.

September 10th - pages ix - 33
September 24th - pages 34 - 96
October 8th - pages 97 - 129
October 22nd - pages 130 - 180
November 5th - pages 181 - 223
November 19th - pages 224 - 272
 Grab your copy of the book and get ready for an interesting semester.
Magpie

Let's take a little break

I am quickly approaching the time of year where things get busy for me with classes beginning and things just getting back to what I call the normal crazy life.  So this blog and to be honest the next few are going to be a bit out of the norm.  Some fun blogs, maybe a guest blogger, or just a glimpse into the minds of college freshman readers. 

One of the things I enjoy doing to relax, is spend a little time on Pinterest.  Okay, so not a little, I get on it and then all of a sudden its 2 hours later, it's amazing how quickly time can pass.  I digress.  One of my favorite things about Pinterest is when you find that perfect meme that you can identify with, that makes you smile, or just flat out laugh!  I have a whole board that I have dedicated to memes about books or reading, you get the idea.  I've included a few of my favorites below.  I hope you enjoy and I wish you all a very happy weekend.

Magpie

I always have to take a day before I can start a new book.

 

 

I told you I was an Austen fan!

 

We just don't use phrases like "Thou smell of mountain goat" anymore, such a sad world we live in.

 

Its not weird, there is no matching the smell and feel of holding a book.