Sunday Salon: April 30, 2017

My life in books:
Now that it isn't spring break my reading has slowed down a bit again. And my daughter was here for a week so I wasn't reading as much. Yesterday I participated (badly) in the Dewey 24-hour Read-a-thon. I had high hopes of reading a bunch, but life got in the way as I had some prearranged things I had to do so I only read a graphic novel and about 50 pages of another book.

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas--Powerful YA!
• Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham--A good story with interesting characters

 

• Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue--Cameroonian immigrants in NY City
• How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less by Sarah Glidden--Memoir graphic novel

Challenge updates:

• Read Your Own Damn Books--My goal is to read 25 books from my TBR shelves this year. So far I've read 20, adding 4 in the past two weeks. I have high hopes for this challenge!
• Travel the World in Books--The idea is to read books set in as many countries as possible. I added Israel to my list since my last Sunday Salon. I hoped Behold the Dreamers was going to have parts in Cameroon, but it didn't.
• Literary Escapes--Similar to the previous challenge, this one tracks the US states. This month I didn't add any new states. Why are so many set in New York?! I'm bummed that two of the books I read didn't say where in the US they took place so I couldn't add to this challenge.
• Read all of the ALA YA Award Winners--Sort of pathetic as I didn't read any for this challenge either. I only have two categories left.

My life outside books:

Living/working: Life is back into a rhythm now that spring break is over for both me and my daughter. I realize with her out of the house (mostly) I am taking on more and more "things." I've joined the (very active) Alumni Association Board for my high school; I was on the Board years ago and it feels nice to be back on it. I have taken on revamping one of our local high school's websites as well as being their tech contact for a new personalized learning program they are implementing next year. I have also joined the steering committee for Ethnic Studies Now!, a group that is working to get an ethnic studies course as part of our district's graduation requirements.

Watching: I finished watching the three available seasons of The Great British Baking Show, which I love, and of course am still liking the Amazing Race. My ex was born on Zanzibar and lived in Dar-es-Salam until he was 12 so when two episodes took place there it was fun to see the buildings, scenery, etc. My disappointing show was the HBO movie "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." The book was so good, but the movie fell way short. If I hadn't read the book I would have been confused and not understood the enormity of it all. I also watched two movies: Loving and Queen of Katwe, both of which I really enjoyed.

Marching: Last weekend I marched in the March for Science in Santa Barbara; we had about 3,000 people so that's a great turnout. As with the Women's March, it was a beautiful day, the crowd behaved, and it was a really feel-good experience. This time my dad was in town so he joined me and my mom at the march (and he is a scientist so that was extra inspiration). It is wonderful to be at any event that is multi-generational, multi-ethnic, etc. It really brings a town together and I love seeing people's clever signs.

Shaking: Last Sunday we had two earthquakes just a half mile away, where my street meets the beach. They were only 3.6 and 3.1 so just created big jolts with no damage, but we haven't felt an earthquake in a long time.