Conflict of Interest
For some reason, I can’t read and write at the same time. If I’m on a good (re)writing jag, I’m between books. If I’m really caught up in reading, I’m not writing anything of my own. I remember this being the case back in high school, too. Maybe my brain just can’t handle being in three worlds (including “reality”) at once?
While we were packing and moving and settling in, I took a break from editing and read tons. I hit a decent variety in July and August, including some old favorites. I reread Christopher Pike’s Weekend and Last Act and Maeve Binchy’s Firefly Summer. I read some serious nonfiction: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina. I enjoyed my first Neil Gaiman book, American Gods, one of Steve’s favorites. And on the new YA front, I have read (and thoroughly discussed with all my friends, and both my sisters, and several random acquaintances) Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn. And I just started and am loving Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series. I’ve only got books 1 and 2 but am planning a weekend jaunt to Borders for books 3 and 4. It’ll be my reward for finishing this draft.
Anyway, there’s something about back-to-school time that makes me crave a syllabus. Steve is taking Theatre Theory this semester and even though I’ve already taken that class (albeit with a different prof), I’m still kinda jealous. Consequently I’ve decided to create my own pretend syllabus for fall ’08:
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher (YA)
Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perotta (book club)
The Great Gatsby (reread; my best friend teaches this every year and I love hearing about her lesson plans)
The Odyssey (translated by Robert Fagles)
The Odyssey and Arabian Nights (drama; adaptations by Mary Zimmerman)
Uglies/Pretties/Specials by Scott Westerfield (YA)
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (YA)
Rogue by Rachel Vincent
What’s on your fall reading list?
