Thursday, August 7, 2008

Staff "Coffee Break"

Geesh, it hasn't been a "coffee break" for a couple of years, but we still call it that. Its usually a lunch now. Staff from our school gets together once every two weeks during the summer to get caught up on each others' news and just stay connected. Dates and locations are set, and if people can make it, they do, and if the can't, they try for the next one.
This week's break/lunch was at Wheatons and we had 14 for lunch. It was so great to see everyone out, and we had a chance to say good bye to one of our most energetic and funny teachers on staff. She is off to Comox, BC to live for a few years with her hubby and sons. (Damn the military!!) Jenn has a 13 day drive ahead of her so we wish her a fun trip.
Our lunch today covered a wide range of topics from books to movies, sex to hair removal... yes, VEET .....again! Thanks to Lauren for the use of her camera, and Nancy Childs for taking the picture. Debi MB is missing from the pic, as she was in shopping and we didn't realize she was missing until she came out. We took another one but it didn't turn out too good, as everyone was saying "SCHOOL" when the picture was snapped and nobody seemed really happy in the pic!
On the subject of books.... A piece of paper went around the table and everyone added their recommendation for books to read. I am not a big reader, but have found that I have enjoyed several books this summer and seem to have more time on my hands than usual to read.
The list is quite long and diverse, so if there are any comments you would like to add about any of these books or add some that you think are a "must", please feel free to comment in the comment section. You just have to "click" the word "comment" at the bottom of the blog entry, and type in your "two cents". Then make sure you click "anonymous" button after your comment and you won't need to enter a password or anything. Don't forget to sign your name at the end of the comment though! We are all interested in new books and comments about any of these books would be good to read!

Memorykeepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
Lucky by Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Life of Pi by Yann Martell
The Birthing House by Amy McKay
Midwives by Christopher A. Bohjalian
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Momo by Michael Ende
Beyond the sky and the earth by Jamie Zeppo
The curious Incident of the dog in the Night time by Mark Hadden
A complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phyllia Gregory
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
A thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossenini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hossenini

In listing the above books, I was able to find links to the books for previewing (and some ebook links too, for actually reading them) so if you are interested in knowing more about any of these books, just click on the title and it will take you to the preview. Some previews are more in depth than others.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am surprised that I have read SO many of these (Seven of them, for sure). I read "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Piccoult this summer - WOW! Shocking ending and a very current topic. Loved it!

GailM. said...

What a great idea. I'm going to save this booklist and pick one for my next audiobook... I haven't read a book in a while so I have none to recommend. If any of you are into audiobooks, the photography link (TWIP)in my blog gives you a free audiobook from audible.com

S said...

I'll second the Life of Pi, and add the Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King - Natsumi gave it to me and since then I've probably read it five times and shared it with others many more! Also, if you are into scifi, Foundation by Isaac Asimov is a classic.

cpm said...

I've read a few of those too (5 I think). Life of Pi I started but never finished...just couldn't get into it eventhough SO many people love it. So far this summer I've read...
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
The Dying Animal by ?? Roth
and another one that I can't even remember (and I'm too lazy to run upstairs to look in my suitcase lol!) I bought 3 more but I'm not sure I'll be able to get through them before school starts. I'm sad I didn't get to attend a "luncheon"...maybe next summer!

cpm said...

the two others I read this summer are
Where or When by Anita Shreve (very good)
and
At A Loss For Words by Diane Schoemperlen (not so good...but it was Canadian so I was happy to support the author)