Hey Hey!

I got through most of "Hunger of Memory" and I enjoyed it. Rodriguez reminisces about his childhood and his experience in the American school system in the first part of his book. He talks about the struggle he and his family had learning English and how learning English changed his home life drastically. Its almost similar to an invasion in the sense that English took over as the main form of communication in their household. The school system "americanized" him and his family. The second part of the book focuses on the importance of religion in his family and affirmative action. More specifically, he draws from his experiences of being a "minority" in college. From what I've read it seems as though he felt that he was getting financial help and special attention because of the color of his skin rather than his academic performance. Rodriguez's reasons from disliking affirmative action still remain unclear to me but I'll be sure to further elaborate when I finish the book completely.

On a lighter note, I finished reading Watchmen which is a great comic book. It tells the story of two superheros who set out to find the person that murdered their colleague. I've picked up Death Blossoms by Mumia Abu Jamal. Speaking of Mumia..The Philadelphia DA is trying to reinstate the death penalty on him. There will be protest this Saturday in Philadelphia at the district attorney office. It starts at 12 noon. You can find out the full details here. http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/jaysyro/dec6.jpg.
Thats all for now. Peace.

...what happened to the League of Libro Junkies?!

we've completely fallen apart haven't we?!
I'll own up to it... I never got past page 20 of that Richard Rodriguez book...

I recently started reading "Lessons in Becoming Myself" by Ellen Burstyn
It's an intimidatingly thick book... but it's proving to be a worthwhile read.
It's really funny - and interesting - and I am learning a lot..

...I thought I would share that with the league - or what's left of it : )

I've started reading... I'm on page 20

Richard Rodriguez really does not play around.
He gets right into it from the beginning.

I specifically enjoyed the way he discussed the mispronunciation of his name
( "Rich-Heard Road-REE-guess")

And it's interesting so far.
He's already presented his stance on bilingual education:

Here's some basic background and definition of bilingual education:

Bilingual education involves teaching all subjects in school through two different languages - in the United States, instruction occurs in English and a minority language, such as Spanish or Chinese, with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.

Transitional Bilingual Education involves education in a child's native language, typically for no more than three years, to ensure that students do not fall behind in content areas like math, science, and social studies while they are learning English. The goal is to help students transition to mainstream, English-only classrooms as quickly as possible, and the linguistic goal of such programs is English acquisition only. The overwhelming majority of bilingual programs in the U.S. are transitional.

He believes that it actually hinders learning... I think he is specifically speaking on Transitional Bilingual Education.

what are your thoughts on the subject...?

2nd Book People of the World

Hunger of Memory by Robert Rodriguez

25th of October will be the Free for all day.


Now get reading.

October!!

Ah, what a great read! Jorge, you're up! What's your pick for October?!

Questions, Comments and Discussion Alert! Oh My!

Ok! Let’s kick of the Free For All! Come on in – the water is fine!

Question about Snowball’s Attack: When I read about how they were all so sure that Snowball had returned during the giant storm to knock down the windmill….part of me (and maybe it’s the post “Bin Laden did it! Err…but Sadam is who we will executed!” part of me) Felt like the STORM did it…But then later in the book, they talk about other Animals admitting that they had seen him the night the Windmill first came down…I still felt like this is propaganda. Being afraid of a storm, which an individual has no control over what so ever, is hardly as powerful of feeding the fear of a sole enemy that can be stopped at some point. Now, if I’m just being stubborn, let me know – but do you guys think really happened here?

Question about The Return of Moses: I felt like I was missing the “bigger message” of his return to the farm to tell the Tales of Sugar Candy Mountain. Part of me thinks that before the revolution the tales of the “Promised Land” were silly, and the revolution a reality. But when the revolution turned to a worse situation for the majority of the animals, why would the Party in Power allow these tales to be told then? I feel like I’m missing something…even if it’s obvious or small…help?

Question about Molly’s Draft Card Burning of sorts: First, I thought that Molly was kind of a punk when she left the revolution for the life of ribbons and sugar cubes….which I still maintain is superficial! But in the end, she knew we wasn’t going to fight in the battle – whether is was won or lost…she didn’t agree with it. She made her choice. One that I might not agree with, but she made it and walked away. For me its one of those “I judge her…but I get it…” kind of things – what do you think?

Comment about ‘Ol Drunky – Remember when they thought Napoleon was dying? When really he was just hung over…but they changed the law, made more liquor and started it all over again? I think the reason I brought this up - is the line of creditability that happens, and how powerful the forbidden is to even those who have made it thus. I think this is one of the best examples of hypocritical and tainted power in the book.

Discussion Alert!
Do you think any of the Animal’s in Animal Farm deserve the readers sympathy?

Time left on the Clock

Okay Kids... The 25th is FAST APPROACHING!!!

We've all agreed that on the 25th of Each month we have a FREE FOR ALL
about the book we're currently reading...

So on Thursday, September 25th of 2008 we should be having a FREE FOR ALL about
Animal Farm!!!

Come with your questions!
Come with your comments!
Come with your thoughts!

You ALL better entertain me with good conversation...

Dear Al

I will kindly trade you 'J-Dilla vs. the Beach Boys' for some Soul Position. How do you(all) feel about RJD2?

jtoscano

Lipstick on a pig….

I feel like Animal Farm is the perfect book for all of us to be discussing as the November election approaches. I have a few things that I want to toss out into The League conversation pit, but fear spoiling the ride for those who might not be up to the parts I want to speak on. So I guess my question is this: Can we have a Free For All date? Perhaps on the 25th of each month – Where all topics about the book will be open for discussion. Not to alienate people who might have only started on the 24th, but to clear the egg shells of wanting to talk about the book?

I hope that makes sense. Maybe we should vote on it…Submit any amendments as needed?

And now! A sample of my favs…

Rock Band – List’o’mania:
The Beatles
Queen
Earth Wind and Fire
The Beach Boys
Mama’s and the Papa’s

Book - List’o’mania:
The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
A light in the Attic – Shel Silverstein
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison
Peter Pan – J.M. Barrie

Ps. Yes, I like adding pictures...feel free to join me!!

Bricks in the Wall

I like the read and leave me alone structure. Actually, there are a couple of rules in place that I just haven't gotten around to posting until now.

Rule 001: There will be a one month window between books. After the month is up, a new league member will choose the next book to read. This doesn't mean that you're obligated to finish the book in that month's time, but the rest of us will just move on. The 'League' is about reading and sharing at your own leisure, but, the rest of the group shouldn't have to wait around forever. ( Animal Farm's official start date was September 1st)

Rule 002: In the meantime, while you read, feel free to share any other books, readings, side quests, or things of interest that you come across and want to share with the fellow Junkies. (example: This Fall and Winter I'm working on this project called "Movie Night, Every Night", where I try and watch a movie, or at least part, every night.)

Rule 003: The individual who's to pick next will probably be chosen at random.

...More rules to come. Let me know if you come up with any.


SOME FAVORITE ROCK BANDS OF MINE:

-pink floyd
-radiohead ("Rock" is a HUGE umbrella)
-the white stripes
-aesop rock ("Rock Band" is a HUGE umbrella)
-MEGADETH

.......I moreso just tried to add to the list. To be continued....


SOME FAVORITE (comic)BOOKS OF MINE:

- the watchmen (alan moore)
- planetary (warren ellis)
- hamlet (shakespeare)
- the odyssey (homer)
- salem's lot (stephen king)
- GOOSEBUMPS: SAY CHEESE AND DIE! (R.L. Stine)

Let's Talk About Books... and other stuff too!!!

Okay Folks... Here's the DEAL friends!!!

We're all obviously reading at different paces and let's face it - this "book club" has absolutely NO structure... which is how we like it... but we need some purpose friends...some true direction.

so let's shake things up just a little bit more... let's break out some lists and such!

What I want to know is:

What are FIVE books you consider to be favorites:
Here I'll started:

My List of Book Reading Goodness

1. The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
2. There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom - Louis Satcher
3. The Color of Water - James McBride
4. Tis' - Frank McCourt
5. The Flawless Skin of Ugly People - Doug Crandell

Now take a moment to think on books YOU like and make YOUR list of five
(and don't forget to list your top 5 rock bands from the post below)

To

I think everyone can agree that the Libro Junkies are lacking enthusiasm these days.
With that said, I have a good question which is....Who are your top 5 rock bands?
(They don't have to be in any paticular order)

My top 5:

1) The Beatles
2) Bob Marley and the Wailers
3) The Jimi Hendrix Experience
4) The Rolling Stones
5) Rage Against the Machine

Quick Question...

What does the windmill symbolize?

Oh, How we love the Wikipedia....

I am also starting the League of Libro Junkies maiden voyage choice this weekend. Special thanks to Google and Wikipedia for giving us a glimpse of an artist interpretation of the flag that flies over Animal Farm. Now, I can’t speak for any symbolic resemblance it may have with Fantasy Football, but I can say it’s pretty much a knock off of the ‘ol hammer and sickle. Hmmmm….we say while stroking our chins in thought....

My Animal Farm Intentions...

I fully intend to start reading Animal Farm THIS weekend...

I am going to ignore the thoughts of the Yeti
and embrace brushing up on my Russian History before diving into the text...

thank you all.

Tragedy

....I'm tired and there's two holes in my ceiling.

yeti


ps - the only history i'm going to brush up on is my draft history for fantasy football. if this "stalin" can't rush for 3 touchdowns i'm not interested.

Animal Farm

I suggest brushing up on your Russian history before starting this book.
You don't need to know too much. Just know the major players involved with
the revolution (i.e. Stalin, Lenin,Trotsky etc.)
Knowing this will make the reading easier.

Heres what I have so far:
Old Major - Marx
Napoleon - Stalin
Snowball - Trotsky
Squealer -Molotov

First Book People of the World

....George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'. More details to follow. Get out of here.