The One Book That...

When I first saw this meme over at California Teacher Guy's place, I wanted to do it, but it's hard for me to make definitive decisions about "the one book" that did whatever to my life. ONE! Seriously! Then I saw Mrs. Bluebird tackle this and Mindful Teacher, too. So, what the heck. I ought to embrace the opportunity to talk books like I used to back in the day when I was a bookseller.

1. One book that changed your life: My Posse Don't Do Homework by Louanne Johnson. I read this before becoming a teacher--before it was made into a movie. Perhaps you know the sell-out title, which is the same as the movie: Dangerous Minds. I just remember in the early years of my teaching, it made me feel like I could do this job.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: As if! As a teacher, I have had to read several books more than once--classroom novels and pedagogical books that I review each year. I had to consult my bookshelf for this one, and I decided on Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston. (Ugh! The new cover is terrible!) She's one of my favorite contemporary Western authors from the 90's. In fact, I think I might reread Cowboys this summer.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Is it fair if I say a blank book? If not, then I'd take The Complete Works of Shakespeare. It would keep me entertained for a long, long time. Plus, it's so big, I could probably find other uses for it...perhaps as a table or something.

4. One book that made you laugh: I wish I read more funny books. I think the The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore is the last one that comes to mind.

5. One book that made you cry: I cry easily...this one is tough. I bawled throughout the The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere. It was a gift from a friend, but I decided to pass it on to my mother so she could bawl her eyes out. It's one of those short little gift book that you see at Christmas that you know will make you all warm and weepy.

6. One book that you wish had been written: I'm thinking something fun like a POP-UP Betty Crocker Cookbook. That would be a hoot!

7. One book that you wish had never been written: Diet for a New America by John Robbins. How much simpler my life would be without thinking about the dangers of the food we eat. Or shouldn't eat. Uhm, ignorance is bliss?

8. The book you are currently reading: I'm currently reading more than one: The English Teacher by Lily King, The Power of Grammar by Ehrenworth and Vinton, and Adored by Tilly Bagshawe. I'm having focusing issues. I might juggle two books, but not usually three.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Not that I really want to, but I've been meaning to read The Three Musketeers. I have 10 boxes of them in my classroom. I think someone intended the IB 8th graders to read it at one point. When, how, and why--I'm not sure. It just seems like a waste not to use them, so I better figure out a way to git er done. On a personal level off the top of my head I cannot think of one title, but I do have a list of potentials.

10. The original instructions say that I should tag 5 people, but that's not the way I roll. If you would like to try out this meme, knock yourself out. Let me know so I can check out your version!