June 2008: Environment Series - Nonfiction

This month we're rolling out our new quarterly series topic: The Environment, with our Nonfiction book, "The World Without Us," by Alan Weisman.

When: June 24, 2008 5:30pm - Drinks, 6:00pm - Dinner & Discussion

Where: Trocadero at 1758 N Water Street



Book Description:
In this far-reaching narrative, Weisman explains how our massive infrastructure would collapse and finally vanish without human presence; what of our everyday stuff may become immortalized as fossils; how copper pipes and wiring would be crushed into mere seams of reddish rock; why some of our earliest buildings might be the last architecture left; and how plastic, bronze sculpture, radio waves, and some man-made molecules may be our most lasting gifts to the universe. Learn more here!

Book Reviews:
Click here for a list of reviews by various publications and media.

For a video presentation on this topic, watch National Geographic's "Aftermath: Population Zero."

In Regards to Bee Season

Whilst perusing the headlines today, I came across this little recap of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, which is taking place...today. Check it out here!

Also, if you, like me, are wondering just who this mysterious "Scripps" is and why he/she/it would sponsor a National spelling bee, then let's do a Google Search.

Scripps Health?
Scripps Women's College?
Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UC San Diego?
Scripps Florida?
Scripps Research Institute?
E.W. Scripps Company?

Hm, it's probably faster just to visit the spelling bee's website. E.W. Scripps Company, indeed.

May 2008: Education Series - Biography

When: Tuesday, May 27th 5:30-drinks, 6:00-dinner & discussion

Where: La Fuente on the South Side at 625 South 5th Street Map & Directions

What: We're finishing our Education Series with the book "I Chose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City" by Salome Thomas-EL
Book Description:
From Publisher's Weekly

Teaching is a calling, and Thomas-EL has enthusiastically answered the call. In his memoir, the educator, currently the principal of a Philadelphia elementary school, recounts the events that led him to a career in education. The author writes of experiences that would daunt many. Thomas-EL, the seventh of eight children, displayed intellectual promise early and was transferred to one of Philly's prominent magnet schools. He recounts how insecurity plagued him as he went from being at the top of his class in his old school to joining students who showed just as much intellectual prowess as he did. On top of dealing with a lack of self-confidence at this new school, Thomas-EL also felt the sting of racism for the first time. In energetic prose, he remembers the inspiration he found in teachers who connected him with internship opportunities and consistently encouraged him. Now in that very role today, Thomas-EL has
instituted some innovative programming at his school, garnering such attention from administrators that he's received numerous offers for leadership positions in his own and other districts. Although the accompanying salaries have been attractive, Thomas-EL declares, "I choose to stay."

Read More Here!

March 2008: The Overachievers

When:
March 25, 2008

Where:
Cafe Lulu
2265 Howell Ave.

What:

Attendance = 8, most read the book in whole or in part

Book Discussion = We found the book quite interesting and appreciated the engaging way the author tackled the topic. Many agreed the section on Manhattan preschools, though interesting, was an inexplicable tangent from the main storyline. Some questioned the relevance of the story to less privileged students in less privileged schools and cities, but overall it was an accurate snapshot of the high school experience. The discussion veered off topic a few times, yet still managed to add to the general Education series discussion by entering debates on politics, generational differences, public vs. private schools, and the like.

Education Series: Fiction = Our second book in the series, the Education Fiction, will be "Bee Season," by Myla Goldberg.

April 2008: Education Series - Fiction

When:
Tuesday, April 29th
5:30-drinks, 6:00-dinner & discussion

Where:
Firefly Bar & Grill in Wauwatosa
7754 Harwood Avenue

What:
We're continuing our Education Series with the book Bee Season by Myla Goldberg - our fiction book of the series.



Book Description:

In Myla Goldberg's outstanding first novel, a family is shaken apart by a small but unexpected shift in the prospects of one of its members. When 9-year-old Eliza Naumann, an otherwise indifferent student, takes first prize in her school spelling bee, it is as if rays of light have begun to emanate from her head. Teachers regard her with a new fondness; the studious girls begin to save a place for her at lunch. Even Eliza can sense herself changing. She had "often felt that her outsides were too dull for her insides, that deep within her there was something better than what everyone else could see."

Read more here!

March 2008: Education Series - Nonfiction

When:
March 25, 2008
5:30pm - Drinks, 6:00pm - Dinner & Discussion

Where:
Cafe Lulu in Bayview
2261 S. Howell Avenue

What:
This month we're rolling out our new Quarterly series on Education with our Nonfiction book, "The Overachievers," by Alexandra Robbins.

Book Description:

In The Overachievers, journalist Alexandra Robbins delivers a poignant, funny, riveting narrative that explores how our high-stakes educational culture has spiraled out of control.

With first-hand observations and visits to schools across the country, Robbins tackles hard-hitting issues such as the student and teacher cheating epidemic, overtesting, sports rage, the black market for study drugs, and a college admissions process so cutthroat that some students are driven to depression or suicide because of a B. Even the earliest years of schooling have become insanely competitive, as Robbins learned when she gained unprecedented access into the inner workings of a prestigious Manhattan kindergarten admissions office.

A fascinating page-turner that combines fast-paced storytelling and spectacular investigative journalism, The Overachievers aims both to calm the admissions frenzy and to expose its escalating dangers.

Learn More Here!

Book Reviews:
Amazon.com
New York Times

February 2008: The Assault on Reason

When:
February 26, 2008

Where:
Cubanita's
728 N Milwaukee Street

What:

Attendance = 4, two read the book, two did not

Book Discussion = We found the book infuriating (but highly interesting!), and delved into a deeper discussion on America's political history, current politics, and how Mr. Gore suggests we got from one to the other. The book also describes the effect different forms of media have on public debate, and how this affects America's current public forum - especially in regards to politics. Overall, everyone found the book intriguing, the two who did not read it beforehand expressed more desire to read it after our conversation.

Book Club Guidelines = During a short brainstorming session, those in attendance decided to add variety to our book selection by creating a rotating schedule of Nonfiction, Fiction, and Biography. After further discussion, we decided to create a Quarterly Series Topic (4 series topics per calendar year), in which we will choose one Nonfiction, Fiction, and Biography for each 3-month cycle.

Our first Quarterly Series is Education, and will continue for the months of March, April, and May. Our first book, the Education Nonfiction, will be "The Overachievers," by Alexandra Robbins.

***We are currently taking suggestions for a Fiction book for our Education Series to be read in April. Click the link on the right to email me with your ideas.