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While I’m enjoying a day off of work today, I know that parents in Florida are burying their children and our country is sickened, again. As a teacher, I’ve somehow morphed into a first responder, a role I never signed up for. Of course I’ll always do what I can to protect students, but the fact that “active shooter training” is now part of my job is a sad, sad thing. It’s been a depressing week and even books haven’t been the escape they usually are.
Last Week’s Reads
There was much I enjoyed about Promise by Minrose Gwin and some I didn’t. This historical fiction takes place over the course of one week following a category 5 tornado that hit Tupelo, Mississippi in 1936. I’ll be reviewing Promise next week. Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala got my March reading off to a great start. I loved this slim story of two high school seniors from affluent D.C. families: one male, one female, one black, one white, and the innocent secret that unraveled their lives. I’ll review Speak No Evil closer to its March 6th release date.
Currently Reading
I’m currently listening to The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu and while it’s holding my interest, the book is not at all what I’d expected. It’s more of a series of loosely (very loosely) connected short stories than it is a novel. I had to spend extra time on the road on Friday and Saturday, so only have a couple hours left and will simply say (for now) that some parts have been more interesting than others, but I’m engaged. Today I hope to be able to sit down and give Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao some uninterrupted reading time. The 15% I’ve read so far is good, but I feel like I’ve been fairly distracted and now want to truly focus on this story of two Indian friends, one poor, the other poorer.
Likely to Read Next
Next up, I’m going for the very reliable Chris Bohjalian and his latest, The Flight Attendant. I’m looking forward to seeing what Bohjalian does with his binge drinking, flight attendant protagonist who wakes up in a Dubai hotel room in bed with a dead man. Laura & Emma, a debut by Kate Greathead, has some things going for it that I really like: a NYC setting, 1980’s-1990’s era, and a mother-daughter relationship. It sounds like a fun read to me!
I hope you have a great week in books!
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Speak No Evil sounds good – adding it to my list! And check out my Monday update – got Forevermore and Girls Burn Brighter in there. DNF’d one and having trouble with the other…aahh!
I think you’d like Speak No Evil and it’s short! I totally get why you didn’t finish both those books. I wish I had on Forevermore. I’ve gone far enough in Girls Burn Brighter that I’m finally liking it.
It’s so sad that active shooter training is part of your job description:( I’m counting down the months until my son finishes high school and moves on, it’s awful and tragic to feel worried about sending your kids to school. I’m feeling less confident about Girls Burn Brighter so I’ll wait for you and Sarah’s final thoughts before digging into that one. Chris Bohjalian is one of my must read authors of 2018…I don’t know how I’ve never read any of his books before! Have a good week Susie!
I can’t believe you’ve never read a Bohjalian book. He’s one of my go to favorites. I haven’t loved everything of his, but most have been great. Skeletons at the Feast and Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands are my favorites.
Chris Bohjalian! My favorites are Buffalo Soldier and Before You Know Kindness!
I hope that the books you chose will help move your mind away from “active shooter training” at least for a while. I like that students are starting to organize protests to indicate how displeased they are with the response to school shootings. “Thoughts and prayers” from government officials isn’t cutting it for most anymore. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I hope the students can rally support. It would be more than the rest of us have managed!
Who would have though being an educator would be so dangerous. I too am curious about Speak No Evil.
I think you’d like Speak No Evil. It was a serious topic (really a couple of serious topics) really well covered.
Susie, I don’t even know what to say. We are in a sad state of affairs, indeed. My kindergartener knows which cubby he’s to hide in so no one can see where he’s hiding. As I’m sure you know, they hold drills now. They explain everything to the students in an age-appropriate way. He comes home thinking not much of it but it scares the hell out of me.
Really looking forward to hearing what you think of Girls Burn Brighter and The Flight Attendant. Have a great day off. Hope you get in some good reading time!
That is so sad for a child to start school knowing he might need a place to hide. Ugh!
Looks like you had a good time in Whistler. That’s one of my very favorite places.
Most of your books are on my wishlist. Have a good week. My post this week.
I totally agree with you, you should not have to be “trained” for dealing with this horrible epidemic that has taken too many lives. I totally feel for you and wish you lots of luck and perserverance, this cannot be an easy thing to deal with. I cannot understand why these things keep happening.
I wish you all the best.
Thanks, Joann. I’m thinking I might need to find a way to retire a few years earlier than planned!
Well retirement…Florida/gee, that might be a good idea!! But honestly, I totally support you and all others who have to deal with these tragedies.
My mom was a teacher for most of my life, and I’m glad she’s retired now. It’s becoming a dangerous job. 🙁
Thanks for stopping by AJ. Who would have ever thought of teaching as dangerous. It’s sad.
Laura & Emma sounds great, I’ll wait for your thoughts!! 🙂
It’s depressing what happened in Florida — I can only imagine the darkness of active shooter training. Now Trump wants to train teachers to carry guns? That is totally demented. What a diversion tactic. The real issue is the access to guns, guns & more guns by unstable people & others too.