Sustained Silent Reading

Today's title came to me in a moment, a flash of memory. Beverly Cleary's Ramona was assigned Sustained Silent Reading time every day. I loved the Ramona books when I was a kid and was vaguely disappointed that SSR was not a given with all of my teachers. Of course, I started out my school days sitting in a cubicle, not permitted to turn around, so of course my "teachers" were not assigning Sustained Silent Reading, but that's another post for another day.

Weeks ago I promised some good book recommendations. Poor litte blog, withering away from lack of attention. Just give me another chance, baby, I swear I'll be better.

First on my list is A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans. Imagine a whole year trying to do all the stuff in the Bible that pertains to women. This is what the author does, with much humor and insight - sleeping in a tent pitched in her front yard during her period, trying to live all of Proverbs 31, cheering for her husband at the city gate. I laughed and actually learned a lot. And as I was reading this book, I was thinking that Rachel and I would be total besties, but, alas, she lives so far away. And then, rrring, my friend, Kathleen calls; she's organizing the summer womens retreat, and guess who's going to be the Guest Speaker???? So, I guess the real question is, will we become fast forever friends, or will I hide in the back of the room, maybe just barely venturing forth for an autographed copy of her newest book?

Side note: Are you wondering about my t-shirt? My husband bought this for me the year I learned to knit. I don't know why, but it cracks me up.

Also, on this summer's reading list was Helene Wecker's The Golum and the Jinni: a Novel. It's turn of the century New York. Immigrants from all over are pouring into NY, and among them are creatures of Jewish mysticism and Arabian folk tales. This story is totally different from any I've ever read. Hooray for High Pressure Book Club broadening my horizons.

Finally, Bill Bryson's At Home. Have you ever wondered how the home as we know it came to be? Me neither. And yet, Bill Bryson is such an engaging, fun writer that I was actually interested in the hallway, telephone closet and attic. This is the 3rd book of his I've read. The topics sound horribly dry and pedantic, and yet, AND YET, you will be utterly drawn in and captivated.

Much of this summer's reading was taken up by a large, unruly knitting project. "Enough of scarves," I said to myself. Let me amend that: "Enough of scarves," I foolishly said to myself, "Let's really knit, let's make a sweater." God willing, I will have a Knit My Own Stupid Sweater Post in a few weeks.