tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post8716901917600767255..comments2021-12-23T04:53:44.566-05:00Comments on American Dream Finder: January Storytellers: A Month of BooksCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06488301404397970300noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-30042334619813814052012-03-02T09:28:15.574-05:002012-03-02T09:28:15.574-05:00You would definitely need one after The Girls Who ...You would definitely need one after The Girls Who Went Away! I almost didn't finish it, it was so upsetting, but the author became extremely repetitive at the end.<br /><br />Yes, yes, yes! I still remember Pete Campbell on Mad Men set in the 1960s saying the American Dream was that everyone would have a house, car and color television to now I need house (plus landscapers to take care of it), two cars (which will be massively fuel efficient so we can complain about gas prices), constantly upgrading of televisions, eReaders, phones with internet, "designer" clothes and bags (really all mostly made in China with questionable labor – the same with everyone's eReaders). <br /><br />Sometimes we all need some lighter material, and the world needs more laughter.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488301404397970300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-13390914399669077442012-03-01T19:27:58.461-05:002012-03-01T19:27:58.461-05:00I have a feeling some of these books would upset m...I have a feeling some of these books would upset me so much, I'd need a Valium! And no, you are not alone in being offended by the disdain for rural America. It's a sentiment that is so alive and well. And when did insane affluence become the new normal? There's nothing wrong with being poor and/or just getting by. Yet we don't have a right to have children if we're not living in affluence? Oy. Oy!<br /><br />Well, I just finished Tina Fey's "Bossypants." A far cry from the above genres, ha! But oh so funny.Demandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13091293696750606102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-20556380868235064292012-02-15T19:40:21.782-05:002012-02-15T19:40:21.782-05:00Hi Carol. I have no idea since I don't have on...Hi Carol. I have no idea since I don't have one, but I wonder about illustrations in print books and their translation to eReaders. Garth Williams' illustrations in the print version of my Little House books are just marvelous. My first book of February was a children's book which I'll talk about in February Storytellers and the illustrations so enhanced the reading experience.<br /><br />Happy reading. I hope to get one French-themed book in this month!Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488301404397970300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-45770481373946924822012-02-15T18:33:25.030-05:002012-02-15T18:33:25.030-05:00I don't think I've ever read Laura Ingalls...I don't think I've ever read Laura Ingalls though I have read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but too long ago.<br />I must play catch up and none of Ingalls are on the Kindle which is growing on me.<br />Thanks for all the research.Parisbreakfastshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03558314043814894010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-38060301792530937282012-02-15T12:18:59.172-05:002012-02-15T12:18:59.172-05:00Hi Cate. Thanks! Like Hermoine Granger in the Harr...Hi Cate. Thanks! Like Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter books, I love Francie as a role model for being so interested in education. What a long way public schools have come since Francie's day (and the original school she went to was horrendous!) There was an article in The New York Times about foreign born, well-off parents rejecting private schools and sending their children to public schools. I like the idea of home schooling, but that's a whole other blog post!<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/nyregion/foreign-parents-in-new-york-prefer-public-schools.html<br /><br />I agree about those Little House books! Such simple, timeless pleasures they delighted in. I wonder if the generation coming up is going to be a little too entitled. It baffles me how every young kid in my area seems to have a phone with internet. I don't (and won't!) have one. I had a quarter when I was a child when I needed a ride home from a movie or school! And we didn't carry "designer" bags. My friends and I often say we are glad we are not growing up now.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488301404397970300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146928463353478852.post-2049406697892072392012-02-14T20:52:46.805-05:002012-02-14T20:52:46.805-05:00I love this post, Catherine. I agree that A Tree G...I love this post, Catherine. I agree that A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is heavily focused on education. I also love the part where Francie switches schools to be in a more pleasant environment that's more conducive to learning. I've often wondered why so many schools are hideous...our surroundings make such a huge impression on us. <br /><br />I always kind of want to cry when I read the Little House books (even the picture book versions) where Laura and Mary are so excited about the peppermint stick in their stockings, etc. etc. They really did appreciate such simple things.Catehttp://www.catelinden.comnoreply@blogger.com