WE REMEMBER.
Sept. 11, 2001-Sept. 11, 2016
September 11th memory: On September 11, 2001 as the events in NYC were unfolding to the horror of a nation and world I was blithely asleep and getting ready for work. I didn't know about the terrorist attacks until I got to work when someone asked me how I was doing and I didn't know what she was talking about. As the events of day unfolded we all sat transfixed on our televisions, even as classrooms of students came and went throughout the day. One students, a girl, asked if we could please just do our lesson which I had completely abandoned, because she was tired of being sad and just wanted to get on with things. Ah to be young and self-absorbed. Little did we know how much the events of that day, fifteen years ago, would transform all of our lives.
Weather: It has ended up being a sunny day but it started off cold and overcast.
Ugh: The beginning of school is always tough for us in the school library because we have to work so hard to get out the textbooks to all students in the different classes but this year we've also had to deal with the iPads for every student. It has ended up being a bigger problem than anyone imaged. On Friday I was still at work at 6 PM because I didn't want to come back on Monday to a mess. It has been a stressful and tiring start to a new school year.
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| Soldiers? Rock Band? Both! |
Books completed:
- The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen---an amazingly well-written novel about the experience of the Vietnam War from the perspective of a Vietnamese national. I hope to have my review up later today or tomorrow.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, et al---a very slow-starter for me, it picked up about mid book. It is a play, set 18 years after the end of the seventh book.
Currently reading:
- Arcadia by Lauren Groff---a book club selection, I am not sure I will be able to force myself to finish this one. It is written in such a stream of consciousness style I feel lost and disconnected most of the time.
Up next: I will have to do a little "shopping" this afternoon to decide what audiobook I want to listen to next and I currently have six library books checked out. Which one should I read first?
- Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick...I like the author (Silver Linings Palybook) but haven't heard too much about this one. OR
- Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach...the last book I read by the author was set in Seattle which is always a bonus but otherwise I know nothing about this book. OR
- Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin....another blogger keeps recommending this alternative history novel. OR
- Flannery by Lisa Moore...this book has three starred reviews and is supposed to be funny. OR
- On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis...an apocalyptic thriller. That sounds good. OR
- Caravaggio: Painter on the Run by Marissa Moss...a new Junior Library Guild election about a favorite artist..
When a horse is really a lamp.
Anne
You look beautiful, Anne! I think the Sympathizer will be great for discussion. I am so tired too! On 9/11, Ashley tapped at our bedroom door because she always listened to the radio before school. So, I came downstairs and turned on the TV. It all seemed surreal. Still does.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a little about The Sympathizer. I think I'll look into it.
ReplyDeleteI'd say to pass on Every Exquisite Thing. I found it to be a huge disappointment.
I remember exactly where I was - I was in my 7th grade history class when a couple of teachers ran in and turned on the tv and we all watched it unfold.
ReplyDeleteiPads for every student - wow! I know our local high school has them in a few of the seniors classrooms.
Here on the east coast, all the kids were sent home from school on 9/11 - it was terrifying. I asked my older son yesterday if he remembered it (he was 7 years old), and he said he remembered getting sent home & the TV being on when he got here. It was my younger son's first day of preschool & he had major separation problems, so I was already sobbing when I got home & turned on the TV - just overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sorry to hear you aren't enjoying Arcadia. I really liked it, in part because I grew up in that part of NY state, but I also liked the story & the way it was written.
I really want to read The Sympathizer - glad to hear it was good!
Enjoy your books this week - hope things settle down for you at school!
Sue
Book By Book
It's an impossible day to forget, that day 15 years ago. And to think the terrorist attacks didn't even occur during my daughter's lifetime . . .
ReplyDeleteI hope things start settling down some for you at work as everyone finds their back to school rhythm and routine. I'm still trying to find mine. I am glad you enjoyed the Militia Ball! It really can make a difference who you are sitting with at those types of events, doesn't it?
I hope you have a wonderful week, Anne.