A-Day book musings…

Andrew Peterson – “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness” – had a friend recommend the series – wasn’t a huge fan – so it made it awkward for conversations – definitely not strong female characters

“Young Eliot” – Robert Crawford – biography on TS Eliot – really good – which was good b/c I had the second volume ordered

“The Monster in the Hollows” – Peterson – so the dad came back to save the day – b/c, of course, a strong male was needed in a flash of glory

“Inaugural Ballers” – Maraniss – story of the 1976 women’s Olympic team – great book – wrote a grant for copies

“High Conflict” – Amanda Ripley – why we have high conflict situations and ways to diffuse the situation

“Testimony” Jon Ward – a story of disillusionment with evangelicalism – it was well told though – and heart-breaking at times

“Eliot after Wasteland” by Crawford – man, I was cheering for the dude until he married for the first time at 60-something to a 30-year old – and then started writing “adult” poetry to her that the author felt we needed to read

“Mondays Not Coming” – Jackson – “city” book that turned into horror/weird in the last 50 pages – so that was new:)

“Lord of the Flies” by Golding – yes, I finally read it – it was good – fast read – so that was good

“Pride of a Nation” – Oxenham – story of USWNT – a table book – lots of pictures – okay

“The Collaborative Math Classroom” – Munson – disappointing – wasn’t what I hoped for – really just about concepts vs. practice

“Middle School Superpowers” – Fagell – found a ton to work with in this one – and added it to a presentation I hope to make

“Mosquito Bowl” – Buzzinger – WWII – football – sad book though b/c of the high casualty rate afterwards

“The Tao of the Backup Catcher” – Kratz and Brown – a bit overdramatic on how “important” a backup catcher is – I mean, way more important than a school teacher:)

“The 1998 Yankees” – Curry – quick read about the ’98 team – who won a ton – entertaining

“Game of Edges” – Scofield – fascinating look at sports and the analytics game now – helped me understand a bit more

“The Right Call” – Jenkins – reflections on “greats” she worked with

“The Program” – Suttles – Bama – not a lot I didn’t know – but still Bama so I’m going to read it

“Victory Stand!” Tommie Smith – graphic novel – remembered parts of it from Smith’s story he wrote years ago – very good YA book

“The Role of a Lifetime” – Farmer – UCLA – player and coach – Gene Bartow shoutout

“Nadia Comaneci and the Secret Police” – Olam – based off released files – interesting b/c I grew up reading about her coach – and he was seen as awesome – and now, he’s seen as a monster – power of time, I guess

“Win at All Costs” – Hart – set me up for the spring – disappointing story of Nike’s ability to look the other day with its distance running sponsor

“The Longest Race” – Goucher – great book – sad book – hopeful at the end

“Good for a Girl” – Fleshman – actually read this one earlier – probably six books above – just not on my list – but like Goucher, pro runner – and sad at times

“Choosing to Run” Des Linden – let’s just get the running books out of the way:) this one was more my favorite – story of perseverance – determination – passed it on immediately

“Fans Have More Friends” – Valentine and Sikorjale – defense of fandom – b/c I guess that was needed? wasn’t impressed

“Rough Sleepers” – Kidder – outstanding book – doctor who worked with Boston’s homeless for 30 years – so a story of his work – and how you can keep hope in a situation like that

“Top Dog” – Bronson and Merryman” – Science of Winning and losing – good book – lots about the difference between men and women that I wonder if would be rewritten now – but good book

“Talk of Champions” Kenny Smith – story of those he’s worked with through the years – good

“Right Kind of Wrong” – Amy Edmondson – when is it good to be wrong? when is it okay? good research and thought

“We Share the Sun” Gearhart – book about Kipchoge’s training camp – and coach – Patrik Sang – great book

“The Giver” – graphic novel – Lowery and Russell – really, really outstanding – makes me want to read the series now