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Sunday Salon


Family and Life:
I went to an event last night called Kids Helping Kids. It is put on by the AP Economics students at the high school where I work. Each year they raise over $100,000 for the Unity Shoppe, a group that provides food and clothing for families living in poverty in our town. This year they took over one of our local theaters with a silent auction, a raffle for a Vespa, and a concert with Mat Kearney and Tyrone Wells. I hadn't been to the event before but I was really impressed: the place was packed; people were bidding high on the silent auction items; the students were decked out in tuxedos and cocktail dresses; and the place was a buzz.

Work:
I've booked myself to attend the CUE (Computer Using Educators) Conference in March--lots of techies talking about libraries, classrooms, and more! Last year it was super interesting so I am looking forward to it again. I have finished my first National Board lesson and now need to write up all my findings. It went well and I got some of the students to use wikis and Facebook to teach the class, which was fun. I really enjoyed working closely with a small group of students again.

Books and Reading:
I feel as if I've begun the year well. I am reading my third and fourth books right now and so far I've liked them all. Wouldn't it be great if the whole year was like that?! My daughter had a gift certificate to Chaucer's Books so we went today and got her these two:

Of course, I couldn't go to a book store and not buy something so I got these three for me:

Give Aways:
I have two give aways going on right now:
  1. A copy of Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It's international and ends on Tuesday, January 18, 2011
  2. A copy of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It's international and ends on Thursday, January 20, 2011

9 comments

Amanda said...

Camo Girl is out already? I had a conversation with another blogger about it back in December when I read Kekla Magoon's other novel, and for some reason I got the impression that it wouldn't be releasing until summer?

Helen's Book Blog said...

Amanda--I didn't think Camo Girl was out yet either, but there it was, begging me to buy it!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Sounds like you have been busy lately! I hope you enjoy One Amazing Thing and Cutting for Stone; I liked them both!


Thanks for you sweet comments about my SIL Helen; Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Cutting for Stone was a wonderful book...I hope you enjoy it. And wow, $100,000?? That's pretty impressive.

Helen's Book Blog said...

Diane--I have been a bit too busy and this weekend began thinking about how to reduce some of the "stuff" without letting go of things I enjoy

Jill--My sister-in-law suggested Cutting for Stone so I bought it right away

Eva said...

Shooting Kabul caught my eye! I hope you review it. :)

Helen's Book Blog said...

Eva--I will absolutely review it! I review every book I read...

Athira said...

I'd love it if even half my year went great! At the moment, I'm trying to slip back into my pre-November routine and it isn't easy. I keep feeling that I should be doing something else.

I'm curious to know how you find Cutting for Stone. I'm trying to decide if I should read it.

Helen's Book Blog said...

Aths--I won't get to Cutting for Stone for a few weeks. I have heard good things about it though so I am looking forward to it