I use Duluth Pack's Sportsman Tote to carry school "stuff" (e.g., my books, work to be corrected, an iPad, etc.). My bag is three years old and looks as good or better than it did when I got it. Their tote variations include leather / canvas (like mine), wool/canvas, denim, and all-leather. Good-looking bags, and Duluth has a terrific guarantee. (I use one of their Field Satchels regularly, too.) I've had LL Bean and similar canvas totes, but they seem so bedraggled after just one tough season. The Duluth -- perhaps because of the leather handles, bottom, and trim -- just keeps going. As a woman who is somewhat "bag obsessed" (*wry grin*), I often receive new bags for my birthday and/or Christmas. This year, it's looking like ColsonKeane's tote. My husband and daughters already gave me an early gift: the "Dan Bag" from Art over at Renaissance Leather. But I know the CK bag would get good use. It looks pretty yummy, too. Do you like Etsy? Enter "leather tote" under "Handmade." I purchased an oversized mail-satchel style bag in suede last fall. Beautiful work. Compliments galore when I take it out. (It makes a great bag for the library or market.) And so reasonable. The fella who made my replica mail satchel is no longer making bags, but that was also a terrific Etsy purchase.

As a former admissions and financial aid counselor, I am familiar with both the advantages and the disadvantages of the CC-to-transfer path, but three things have made it an excellent option for my students: (1) the quality of the local college, (2) the Illinois Articulation Initiative, and (3) the majors they've chosen. We are wrapping up college visits for Miss M-mv(i) next month, and I have encouraged her to apply to her top four choices. Assuming she is admitted, she can then make an "educated consumer" decision: What, if any, scholarships and grants have you been offered? For how long? With what stipulations? Is the actual cost to attend still significantly more expensive than the CC-to-transfer path? Decision made. As for how often this topic is discussed, I actually think it comes up a fair bit, which I greatly appreciate. It has been our experience that even in this current economic climate, people are still willing to sink themselves -- and their children -- into insurmountable debt, simply for the "privilege" of slapping "My child (and my paycheck) go to [insert college name here]" bumper stickers on their family vehicles. (I jest, of course, but I'm guessing many of you know what I mean.) Really, I am surprised that such a stigma -- social, financial, academic -- still applies to the CC route, but, boy, does it! It is only here on the WTM forums that I've "met" other parents with similar situations -- that is, bright students who, for any number of reasons, determine that CC or CC-to-transfer is a smart option.

It looks as if Book #76 will be Liza Campbell's memoir A Charmed Life: Growing up in Macbeth's Castle. Lovely prose, difficult family relationships, interesting setting. Of course, I love the sychronicity / serendipity / synthesis of reading it on the heels of rereading Macbeth with my family to prepare for this summer's trip to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. In the troubled father - child relationship, I even see tie-ins to our recent King Lear studies. And Book #77 will likely be Moby Dick (Herman Melville). As I mentioned in my last post, the Misses and I are just 61 pages from the end. Speaking of the Misses, after a long semi-silence, I've made some recent posts to M-mv, including a recap of our 2012-2013 academic year reading and a preview of our 2013-2014 plans. And, as always, here's a link to my list of books read in 2013.

Jane in NC, I am sorry to read about your loss. Sending you healing thoughts.

Thank you! Yes, that's their work. If you visit M-mv, the images can be clicked and enlarged to see some of the detail. The window, for example, looks out on the veiled view Kafka describes, and the framed image is the woman in fur coat and hat. The other illustration is deceptively simple, employing a type of cartooning style, but the scene is one of the saddest in literature, per the Misses: a father flinging apples at his transformed son. *sniff* I have shared the comment and the "likes" with my artists. Many thanks to all of you!

Since my last post, I've completed... #75 Cyrano de Bergerac (Edmond Rostand (1898); Bantam ed. 1950. 240 pages. Drama.) #74 King Lear (William Shakespeare (1605); Folger ed. 2005. 384 pages. Drama.) #73 The Returned (Jason Mott; 2013. 352. pages. Fiction.) #72 Lowboy (John Wray; 2009. 272. pages. Fiction.) ... which keeps me on target for my goal of 104 in this "year of reading slowly." The Misses and I are just 61 pages from the end of Moby-Dick. LOVE it! Both girls are sporting these now, too. And just for fun, here are illustrations inspired by one of our summer reads, Kafka's The Metamorphosis.

Since my last post, I've completed: #71 The Merry Wives of Windsor (William Shakespeare (1597?); Folger ed. 2004. 320 pages. Drama.) #70 The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother's Memoir (Katrina Kenison; 2009. 320. pages. Non-fiction.) #69 The Amateurs (Marcus Sakey; 2009. 400. pages. Fiction.) My complete list can be found here.

Since my last post, I've completed: #68 Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines (Richard A. Muller; 2009. 384. pages. Non-fiction.) #67 Letters to a Young Scientist (Edward O. Wilson; 2013. 256 pages. Non-fiction.) #66 Evil Eye: Four Novellas of Love Gone Wrong (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 224 pages. Fiction.) #65 Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell (1936); Anniversary ed. 2011. 960 pages. Fiction.) * #64 A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency (Robert V. Remini; 2009. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) #63 Othello (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2003. 368 pages. Drama.) * #62 Hamlet (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2003. 342 pages. Drama.) * #61 A Long Way from Chicago (Richard Peck; 1998. 192 pages. Fiction.) * #60 The Husband's Secret (Liane Moriarty; 2013. 416 pages. Fiction.) We're on Chapter 94 of Moby-Dick, and by the end of the month, I will also have read The Merry Wives of Windsor and reread King Lear. Robin, I had no idea there was a Shakespeare challenge! So fun! The Misses and I declared August our "Month of Shakespeare" when we planned our summer session. In July, we (re)read Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors in anticipation of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and in early August, we reread Othello in anticipation of seeing the closing performance of Othello: The Remix at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST). For the remainder of the month, the Misses chose to reread Hamlet; we're also tackling The Merry Wives of Windsor because it is part of the CST's 2013/2014 line-up and King Lear, well, because it's King Lear. *wry grin* * denotes a reread

These two brought me to 59 for the year. ■Kiss Me First (Lottie Moggach; 2013. 320. pages. Fiction.) ■The Silent Wife (A.S.A. Harrison; 2013. 336 pages. Fiction.) My daughters, 17 and 15, are wrapping up their summer swim season. Do any other Book-a-Weekers parent swimmers? Our team's foray into USA Swimming has been a true game-changer for the Misses, who until August 2012 only swam rec dual and conference meets. With the addition of USA Swimming meets to the team's schedule came longer, more frequent practices, more competitive meets, and many more opportunities to work on individual goals. My older daughter made a regional cut this past winter winter season and swam at the championship meet, but this season? After a terrific week away at swim camp and three challenging long course meets, both of them are headed to regionals! Miss M-mv(i) has three events; Miss M-mv(ii), one. We are so excited for them. Mr. M-mv and I are also a little surprised by how much time all of this takes: a meet runs three days. Holy moly! Who knew? Heh, heh, heh. And when did we morph into "those parents"? You know: the ones who are at their kids' sporting events for the entire weekend? (*grin*) The nicest thing, I must confess, is that most of the hosts for these meets have lovely facilities, and we can always find a someplace cool and not-too-humid to hide away from the madding crowd and read or chat between events. Yes, I share all this in pride and excitement, but also by way of partially explaining why I have mostly just hit-and-run the B-a-W this year. And swimming isn't the only drain on my time: The Misses are entering their senior and junior years, respectively, on August 1. No, I cannot believe it. I am entering my seventeenth year of homeschooling. Are there any other B-a-Wers with seniors? Whoeee and boy howdy, huh? (*wry grin*) We have no stress (so far) -- just many objectives to meet and more paperwork than you can shake a stick at. It has always taken time to do this right, and I am a fierce proponent of the "Focus on the moment you're in" mindset, but I have grown even more ruthless about distractions these days. This part of the journey is concluding, and I want to be there. Completely. Anyway, I read the posts to these threads with delight -- collecting ideas; wondering if this intersection or that on our lists is related to a post, however hasty, I made; and periodically adding items to my Amazon cart or the (*GASP*) Kindle. I'm so glad for Robin and this thread, and for all of you who continue posting. Enjoy the remainder of your summer! May it be filled with many good books. Edited to append my list, for those who don't visit blogs: Completed: ■Kiss Me First (Lottie Moggach; 2013. 320. pages. Fiction.) ■The Silent Wife (A.S.A. Harrison; 2013. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■The Comedy of Errors (William Shakespeare (1594); Folger ed. 2004. 272. pages. Drama.) * ■The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka (1915); Bantam ed. 1972. 201 pages. Fiction.) * ■The Storyteller (Jodi Picoult; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Kill Shakespeare: Volume 2 (Conor McCreery; 2011. 148 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■The Dinner (Herman Koch; 2013. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves (Karen Joy Fowler; 2013. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Macbeth (William Shakespeare (1606); Folger ed. 2003. 272 pages. Drama.) * ■Run, Brother, Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family (David Berg; 2013. 272 pages. Non-fiction.) ■NOS4A2 (Joe Hill; 2013. 704 pages. Fiction.) ■Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard (Linda Bates; 2013. 304 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Cast of Shadows (Kevin Guilfoile; 2006. 319 pages. Fiction.) ■Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Maria Rilke; ed. 1986. 128 pages. Non-fiction.) * ■Much Ado about Nothing (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 246 pages. Drama.) * ■Animal Man, Vol. 2 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 176 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■So Much for That (Lionel Shriver; 2011. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Life Itself (Roger Ebert; 2011. 448 pages. Memoir.) ■Saga, Vol. 2 (Brian Vaughn; 2013. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Animal Man, Vol. 1 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Very Good, Jeeves (P.G. Wodehouse; ed. 2006. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The 5th Wave (Rick Yancey; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Richard III (William Shakespeare (1592); Folger ed. 2005. 352 pages. Drama.) * ■Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked (James Lansdun; 2013. 224 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Harvest (A.J. Lieberman; 2013. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■The Guilty One (Lisa Ballantyne; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■Dare Me (Megan Abott; 2012. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (Robin Stern; 2007. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) * ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Measure for Measure (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2005. 288 pages. Drama.) ■Wave (Sonali Deraniyagala; 2013. 240 pages. Memoir.) ■The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Jean-Dominique Bauby; 1998. 131 pages. Autobiography.) ■The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating-Heart Cadavers (Dick Teresi; 2012. 368 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Human .4 (Mike A. Lancaster; 2011. 240 pages. YA fiction.) ■Warm Bodies (Isaac Marion; 2011. 256 pages. Fiction.) ■The Underwater Welder (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 224 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story (Michael Hainey; 2013. 320 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Philip K. Dick; 1968. 256 pages. Fiction.) * ■Accelerated (Bronwen Hruska; 2012. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger; 1951. 288 pages. Fiction.) * ■Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes; 1966. 324 pages. Fiction.) * ■Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford; 2009. 301 pages. Fiction.) ■Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie; 2002. 104 pages. Fiction.) ■Revival, Vol. 1 (Tim Seeley; 2012. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Saga, Vol. 1 (Brian K. Vaughan; 2012. 160 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■La Bohème: Black Dog Opera Library (2005. 144 pages. Libretto, history, and commentary.) ■The 13 Clocks (James Thurber (1950); 2008. 136 pages. Fiction.) ■Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (Susannah Cahalan; 2012. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 288 pages. Drama.) * ■Don't Turn Around (Michelle Gagnon; 2012. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule; 2012. 544 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Daddy Love (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 240 pages. Fiction.) ■Life after Death (Damien Echols; 2012. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) * Denotes a reread.

57 to date; here are those I've recently completed: â– The Comedy of Errors (William Shakespeare (1594); Folger ed. 2004. 272. pages. Drama.) â– The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka (1915); Bantam ed. 1972. 201 pages. Fiction.) â– The Storyteller (Jodi Picoult; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) â– Kill Shakespeare: Volume 2 (Conor McCreery; 2011. 148 pages. Graphic fiction.) â– The Dinner (Herman Koch; 2013. 304 pages. Fiction.)

At the midpoint of the 52 in 52, I have completed 52 books. One of my goals for the year has been to read more slowly, when appropriate. Doing so enabled me to marvel at the deep sadness of this passage in Macbeth. How did it not impress itself on my readerly imagination before now? I have liv'd long enough: my way of life Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf; And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have; but, in their stead, Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. Next up? A Comedy of Errors and Wicked (Gregory Maguire). We'll be seeing Macbeth and Errors at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and we just saw Wicked. The Misses and I are at the midpoint of Letters to a Young Scientist (E.O. Wilson) and Moby-Dick (Herman Melville). I am also halfway through The Dinner (Herman Koch). I continue to acquire books at a rate that outstrips my reading pace, especially in this "year of reading slowly." (*wry grin*) The Interestings (Meg Wolitzer) and The Execution of Noa P. Singleton (Elizabeth L. Silver) seem enticing, but so do 573 other books. Heh, heh, heh. We'll see which book wins my attention. Until next time, here's my list: ■We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves (Karen Joy Fowler; 2013. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Macbeth (William Shakespeare ((1606); Folger ed. 2003. 272 pages. Drama.) * ■Run, Brother, Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family (David Berg; 2013. 272 pages. Non-fiction.) ■NOS4A2 (Joe Hill; 2013. 704 pages. Fiction.) ■Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard (Linda Bates; 2013. 304 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Cast of Shadows (Kevin Guilfoile; 2006. 319 pages. Fiction.) ■Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Maria Rilke; ed. 1986. 128 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Much Ado about Nothing (William Shakespeare ((1599); Folger ed. 2003. 246 pages. Drama.) ■Animal Man, Vol. 2 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 176 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■So Much for That (Lionel Shriver; 2011. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Life Itself (Roger Ebert; 2011. 448 pages. Memoir.) ■Saga, Vol. 2 (Brian Vaughn; 2013. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Animal Man, Vol. 1 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Very Good, Jeeves (P.G. Wodehouse; ed. 2006. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The 5th Wave (Rick Yancey; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Richard III (William Shakespeare ((1592); Folger ed. 2005. 352 pages. Drama.) ■Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked (James Lansdun; 2013. 224 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Harvest (A.J. Lieberman; 2013. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■The Guilty One (Lisa Ballantyne; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■Dare Me (Megan Abott; 2012. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (Robin Stern; 2007. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) * ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Measure for Measure (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2005. 288 pages. Drama.) ■Wave (Sonali Deraniyagala; 2013. 240 pages. Memoir.) ■The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Jean-Dominique Bauby; 1998. 131 pages. Autobiography.) ■The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating-Heart Cadavers (Dick Teresi; 2012. 368 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Human .4 (Mike A. Lancaster; 2011. 240 pages. YA fiction.) ■Warm Bodies (Isaac Marion; 2011. 256 pages. Fiction.) ■The Underwater Welder (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 224 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story (Michael Hainey; 2013. 320 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Philip K. Dick; 1968. 256 pages. Fiction.) * ■Accelerated (Bronwen Hruska; 2012. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger; 1951. 288 pages. Fiction.) * ■Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes; 1966. 324 pages. Fiction.) * ■Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford; 2009. 301 pages. Fiction.) ■Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie; 2002. 104 pages. Fiction.) ■Revival, Vol. 1 (Tim Seeley; 2012. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Saga, Vol. 1 (Brian K. Vaughan; 2012. 160 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■La Bohème: Black Dog Opera Library (2005. 144 pages. Libretto, history, and commentary.) ■The 13 Clocks (James Thurber (1950); 2008. 136 pages. Fiction.) ■Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (Susannah Cahalan; 2012. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 288 pages. Drama.) * ■Don't Turn Around (Michelle Gagnon; 2012. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule; 2012. 544 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Daddy Love (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 240 pages. Fiction.) ■Life after Death (Damien Echols; 2012. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) * Denotes a reread.

RE: the bolded bit -- Maybe you just weren't in the mood for that sort of novel. I disliked it when I first "tasted" it, then gobbled it up a couple of years ago. *LOVED* it. I also really enjoyed the 1971 film, as did my husband, who did not read the book. Edited to ensure that you knew I was being encouraging, not ill-mannered. GRIN

Funny this should come up. I don't know of a Rilke series, either, but the Misses and I are reading Edward O. Wilson's new book, Letters to a Young Scientist. The "letters to" frame is a useful device.

I read it a few years ago and thought the Misses -- artists, writers, musicians -- would enjoy it. We began by reading a few poems -- in translation, of course (the incomparable Stephen Mitchell). After just that little taste, Miss M-mv(i) asked for a book of Rilke's poetry. Between that and her collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald's correspondence, she's in a sort of reader's paradise. *smile* Anyway, it is no surprise that she and I found much to admire in what amounts to a sort of "loner's treatise," since we are both affirmed introverts. Miss M-mv(ii) thought the writing was beautiful, but that Rilke, in his letters, had little to offer extroverts. *wry grin* No need to go back. *smile* Comments above.

Figured I'd just repost in the current week. Here are the last seven I read, bringing me to fifty. â– Run, Brother, Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family (David Berg; 2013. 272 pages. Non-fiction.) â– NOS4A2 (Joe Hill; 2013. 704 pages. Fiction.) â– Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard (Linda Bates; 2013. 304 pages. Non-fiction.) â– Cast of Shadows (Kevin Guilfoile; 2006. 319 pages. Fiction.) â– Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Maria Rilke; ed. 1986. 128 pages. Non-fiction.) â– Much Ado about Nothing (William Shakespeare ((1599); Folger ed. 2003. 246 pages. Drama.) â– Animal Man, Vol. 2 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 176 pages. Graphic fiction.)

'looks like I've finished fifty to date. Those completed since I last posted are blue. ■Run, Brother, Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family (David Berg; 2013. 272 pages. Non-fiction.) ■NOS4A2 (Joe Hill; 2013. 704 pages. Fiction.) ■Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard (Linda Bates; 2013. 304 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Cast of Shadows (Kevin Guilfoile; 2006. 319 pages. Fiction.) ■Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Maria Rilke; ed. 1986. 128 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Much Ado about Nothing (William Shakespeare ((1599); Folger ed. 2003. 246 pages. Drama.) ■Animal Man, Vol. 2 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 176 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■So Much for That (Lionel Shriver; 2011. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Life Itself (Roger Ebert; 2011. 448 pages. Memoir.) ■Saga, Vol. 2 (Brian Vaughn; 2013. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Animal Man, Vol. 1 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Very Good, Jeeves (P.G. Wodehouse; ed. 2006. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The 5th Wave (Rick Yancey; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Richard III (William Shakespeare ((1592); Folger ed. 2005. 352 pages. Drama.) ■Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked (James Lansdun; 2013. 224 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Harvest (A.J. Lieberman; 2013. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■The Guilty One (Lisa Ballantyne; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■Dare Me (Megan Abott; 2012. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (Robin Stern; 2007. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) * ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Measure for Measure (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2005. 288 pages. Drama.) ■Wave (Sonali Deraniyagala; 2013. 240 pages. Memoir.) ■The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Jean-Dominique Bauby; 1998. 131 pages. Autobiography.) ■The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating-Heart Cadavers (Dick Teresi; 2012. 368 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Human .4 (Mike A. Lancaster; 2011. 240 pages. YA fiction.) ■Warm Bodies (Isaac Marion; 2011. 256 pages. Fiction.) ■The Underwater Welder (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 224 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story (Michael Hainey; 2013. 320 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Philip K. Dick; 1968. 256 pages. Fiction.) * ■Accelerated (Bronwen Hruska; 2012. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger; 1951. 288 pages. Fiction.) * ■Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes; 1966. 324 pages. Fiction.) * ■Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford; 2009. 301 pages. Fiction.) ■Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie; 2002. 104 pages. Fiction.) ■Revival, Vol. 1 (Tim Seeley; 2012. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Saga, Vol. 1 (Brian K. Vaughan; 2012. 160 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■La Bohème: Black Dog Opera Library (2005. 144 pages. Libretto, history, and commentary.) ■The 13 Clocks (James Thurber (1950); 2008. 136 pages. Fiction.) ■Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (Susannah Cahalan; 2012. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 288 pages. Drama.) * ■Don't Turn Around (Michelle Gagnon; 2012. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule; 2012. 544 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Daddy Love (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 240 pages. Fiction.) ■Life after Death (Damien Echols; 2012. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) * Denotes rereads.

I don't know about "best," but here are my suggestions: 1. Begin early. The Misses M-mv (now fifteen and seventeen) met the bard in Kenneth Branagh's Henry V ("O Kate! Nice customs curtsey to great kings"), but they fell in love with him (yes, at six and eight) during a Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A rappin' Puck. A show-stealing Bottom. The grace and wonder of that stage. The fact that the actors met the audience in the lobby. They became hooked -- for life. (On the other hand, their older brother met and became hooked on Will during the same CST production (staged a few years earlier) of Dream but didn't fall in love until a few months later, when he watched Julius Caesar, with Jason Robbards as Brutus and Charlton Heston as Mark Antony.) 2. Provide an adequate introduction. When the children were young, we would, prior to watching a live or filmed performance, read aloud from an abridgment (e.g., Charles and Mary Lamb, E. Nesbitt, Beverly Birch, Bruce Coville, Adam McKeown -- the latter two being particular favorites here). That gave us the basic plot and, often, the key subplots. As they grew older, they appreciated a more detailed synopsis of the play prior to watching. For this, we heartily recommend Boyce's Shakespeare A to Z; The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More. 3. Watch. Shakespeare wrote plays, not novels; that is, his works were meant to be seen and heard, not read -- at least not at first. While I prefer live theater, that's more easily said than done for some folks, given travel, time, and/or budgetary considerations. In my experience, then, a well regarded film is preferable to an amateur-ish "Shakespeare in the Park" production. Bad theater, no matter how well intentioned, is just bad theater. 4. And watch again. A different production. A live performance and a film. Two different films. Whatever arrangement works. 5. Read. We read the unabridged play to the accompaniment of a quality audio production. Naxos, Caedmon, and Arkangel are all excellent, but a few of our favorite audio productions include Naxos (King Lear, King Richard III, and The Tempest), Caedmon (Twelfth Night), and BBC Radio Presents (Hamlet). 6. Read closely. Not younger students necessarily, but older students, yes. After reading / listening to the the play, dive in -- deeply. Get in the text. Swim around. Read aloud to one another. Revisit passages that were memorable in performance. Review speeches that others have deemed noteworthy and discover why. 7. Keep a commonplace book. We copy passages that "speak" to us and share our entries. How fascinating to see what someone else deems worthy of preservation. 8. For older and/or more advanced students, supplement and discuss. Among our favorite resources: ■Asimov, Isaac. Asimov’s Guide to Shakespeare (Volumes One and Two). ■Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. ■Boyce, Charles. Shakespeare A to Z; The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More. ■Epstein, Norrie. The Friendly Shakespeare: A Thoroughly Painless Guide to the Best of the Bard. ■Goddard, Harold C. The Meaning of Shakespeare (Volumes One and Two). ■Lomonico, Michael. The Shakespeare Book of Lists. ■O’Toole, Fintan. Shakespeare Is Hard, But So Is Life. ■Saccio, Peter. Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies (The Teaching Company). ■--. Shakespeare. The Word and the Action. (The Teaching Company.) 9. Review and revisit. Return to the plays again and again. And again. You will discover something new on every viewing and every reading. 10. Memorize. For most plays, I ask the Misses to choose a passage for memorization, but we have memorized wide swaths of Shakespeare over the last decade simply through repeated viewings and readings / "listenings." Obviously, too, the nature of a family-centered learning project (as opposed to a more conventional learning environment) allows for many, many everyday conversations that are colored by bardolatry. What we use, we own. It's really that simple. And just to give you an idea of what we've covered in the last few years... Academic year 2009-2010 ■Julius Caesar ■Much Ado about Nothing ■Romeo and Juliet * ■As You Like It * ■The Tempest * Academic year 2010-2011 ■Twelfth Night ■Romeo and Juliet (review / revisit) * ■Henry V ■Macbeth * ■The Merchant of Venice * ■A Midsummer Night's Dream ■The Winter's Tale * Academic year 2011-2012 ■Henry IV, Part I ■Henry IV, Part II ■The Tempest (review/revisit) ■Coriolanus ■The Taming of the Shrew * ■A Midsummer Night’s Dream (review / revisit) * ■Timon of Athens * ■Othello * Academic year 2012-2013 ■Hamlet * ■Henry V ■Julius Caesar (review / revisit / reread) * ■Measure for Measure ■Othello (review) * ■Henry VIII * ■Richard III ■Much Ado about Nothing (review / revisit / reread) ■Macbeth (review / revisit / reread) * ■The Comedy of Errors * Academic year 2013-2014 ■King Lear ■Hamlet (review / revisit / reread) ■Henry V (review / revisit) * ■The Merry Wives of Windsor * The rest are TBD. * Studies include seeing a live performance _________________________________________ Edited to add... 11. Enjoy! Color me embarrassed for neglecting to say this sooner. Enjoy! Have fun! The Misses M-mv were onto something all those years ago, when their Ken nodded to Barbie and assured her that nice customs curtsey to great kings. Using Barbies or Little Ponies or puppets or whatever to illustrate plot twists or illuminate intent... well, that's just child-like genius at work. Harness it to help your young viewers understand the intricacies of A Midsummer Night's Dream or the intrigue of Hamlet. And your older students? Well, the Misses also illustrated the works, another way to come to grips with the plays and to make them their own. Even as they grew older, they continued to find value in marrying their love of art and their love of Shakespeare. For example, eight years ago... And last year... I'll conclude with this, from Harold Bloom: Bardolatry, the worship of Shakespeare, ought to be even more a secular religion than it already is. The plays remain the outward limit of human achievement: aesthetically, cognitively, in certain ways morally, even spiritually. They abide beyond the end of the mind's reach; we cannot catch up to them. Shakespeare will go on explaining us, in part because he invented us....

I replied elsewhere. (In short, it sounds as if we share some ideas.)

The Elegance of the Hedgehog was one of the best books I read in 2009. Here's but one reason why: p. 53 I have read so many books. And yet, like most autodidacts, I am never quite sure of what I have gained from them. There are days when I feel I have been able to grasp all there is to know in one single gaze, as if invisible branches suddenly spring out of nowhere, weaving together all the disparate strands of my reading -- and then suddenly the meaning escapes, the essence evaporates, and no matter how often I reread the same lines, they seem to flee ever further with each subsequent reading, and I see myself as some mad old fool who thinks her stomach is full because she's been attentively reading the menu. Apparently this combination of ability and blindness is a symptom exclusive to the autodidact. Deprived of the steady guiding hand that any good education provides, the autodidact possesses nonetheless the gift of freedom and conciseness of thought; where official discourse would put up barriers and prohibit adventure.

The novel figured prominently in our studies last term; in fact, Miss M-mv(i) is still knee-deep in the author's collected letters, and Mellow's biography of the Fitzgeralds is on my nightstand. Because we love the book and because we thoroughly enjoyed Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, we were beyond excited about the new film, so Mr. M-mv took us to the first show in our area when it was released. As we exited the theater, Miss M-mv(ii) dubbed it "Gatsby for Dummies," and for the most part, our assessment goes downhill from there: The color palette was distracting; the computer-generated effects (e.g., Nick's garden path) were obvious and often silly, as was the text on the screen; for that matter, the narrative framing device did not work (i.e., Nick is changed, matured, resigned by his experiences -- not broken). And so on. None of us expected the movie to be the book, but we expected... better. Two bright spots: the anachronistic soundtrack worked for us, and Leonardo DiCaprio was, as always, magnetic.

Number of books read in 2013: 43 Complete list of books read in 2013 can be found here. Number of books read since last "reading life review" post: 7_____________________________ â– The 5th Wave (Rick Yancey; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) The comparisons to The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) and The Road (Cormac McCarthy) caused me to hope for much more than this novel could deliver. â– Very Good, Jeeves (P.G. Wodehouse; ed. 2006. 304 pages. Fiction.) Precisely the palette-cleanser that was needed. â– Animal Man, Vol. 1 (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) Not sure I quite grasp the significance of "The New 52" (being still rather new to graphic works), but Lemire (the genius behind Sweet Tooth) brought me to this. â– Saga, Vol. 2 (Brian Vaughn; 2013. 144 pages. Graphic fiction.) Since it collects Issues 7 through 12, I'm giving myself credit for this one. The local comic shop persuaded me I couldn't / shouldn't wait for Vol. 2. Heh, heh, heh. â– Life Itself (Roger Ebert; 2011. 448 pages. Memoir.) I had meant to read it sooner... personal, folksy, insightful, rambling, poetic, and poignant. â– So Much for That (Lionel Shriver; 2011. 480 pages. Fiction.) All but the glittering rich are a health crisis away from financial ruin. This excellent novel -- about marriage, friendship, illness, death, and "The Afterlife" (no, not that one) -- ably explores this fundamental truth. Highly recommended. â– Richard III (William Shakespeare ((1592); Folger ed. 2005. 352 pages. Drama.) With the Misses. Act I, Scene iii And thus I clothe my naked villany With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ, And seem a saint when most I play the devil.

In which I provide an indirect answer... One of my favorite passages about the art of teaching comes from Palmer J. Parker: Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves. The methods used by these weavers vary widely: Socratic dialogues, laboratory experiments, collaborative problem solving, creative chaos. The connections made by good teachers are not in their methods but in their hearts -- meaning heart in its ancient sense, as the place where intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self. When I am unable to weave a complex web of connections, I identify others who can because I believe my students deserve good teachers (per Parker's definitition). The pursuit of excellence* motivated our decision to home educate, so to settle for less than that would defeat our purpose, no? Do all students require the same sort of instruction? No. Do they receive the same instruction they received in first, fifth, and eighth when in high school? Of course not. But they do receive quality instruction -- guidance, mentoring, coaching, support, and all the advantages of a good teacher's experience. Does it remove some of the emotion that this topic often engenders to liken the high school years to athletic training or music instruction? With few exceptions, athletes require coaches and musicians require private instructors. In my corner of the world, students require teachers. (And the related assertion is, of course, that good teaching takes time, preparation, and planning.) I would add that as an ardent autodidact, I believe in the benefits of self-instruction and the delights of following one's own learning journey. But I also recognize the limitations: At some point, when I am stymied, I benefit from the help of someone with more experience than I possess -- a teacher. Similarly, although my students are encouraged in their independent study projects, after a time, they are also supported in those pursuits -- with seminars, mentors, internships, etc. where experienced teachers can help them grow further. * To be clear, excellence for us does not mean certain scores or admission to certain schools. It means weaving "a complex web of connections" so that our students can learn to weave a world for themselves. Another favorite passage of mine: That's the key to education, I've always felt: not the contents of the mind, but the ambience of the space in which those contents are recognized and welcomed, elaborated and set to work. — James Mustich, Jr., A Common Reader (R.I.P.)

Background: I have two high school students. Both study piano; they practice for 1 to 1.5 hours daily and take a weekly lesson of 2 to 3 hours. Both study a second instrument; they practice for 45 minutes daily and take a weekly lesson of 45 to 60 minutes. Both swim; they practice for 2 hours every weekday September through March and May through July. And then there are all of those meets, rec and USA swimming. Just the above addresses your question about organzing my time. I organize it around their practices, lessons, performances, and meets, and I complete any "teacherly" work (reading, studying, reviewing papers, and planning (such as it is) while they are engaged in their music or swimming. (Aside: Similarly, when one is on the piano, the other is "free" for any one-on-one she may need, which has been quite wonderful for independent study projects.) As far as limiting myself, I'm fairly disciplined about online activities, having ruthlessly trimmed my virtual itinerary some time ago. Evening swim practices and stroke clinics mean a hour or two (depending on when he gets home) during which my husband and I can take walks, bike, and catch up with each other. During the summer, when practices are held in the morning, we often ride in the morning and practice archery in the evening with the girls. We have contracted with a lawn service and a handyman firm so that our free time together can be spent on the things we love -- trips downtown for theater, museums, CSO, opera, etc.; archery; biking; walks; family film nights; games; etc. (We do *not* love yard work, gardening, or honey-do lists. *wry grin*) If by "organizing activities for others" you mean volunteer service hours, my husband fulfills those at the girls' meets, and I have given time to the team in the past organizing meets. For the most part, though, those days are behind me. As for cleaning and cooking, the former just came easily to me and the latter... well, I've always been a big fan of catering, healthy takeout, and restaurants. *shrug* I've been that way for thirty years. It's even built into the retirement budget. *wry grin* You know, I had thought that I'd tackle the idea that high school students somehow require less "teaching time" than younger students, the idea that if they're not learning independently, we've done something if not wrong, then certainly something less than ideal, but I'll refrain, limiting myself to the questions from the OP rather than the issues in the replies.

■Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 288 pages. Fiction.) Suicide. Emotional abuse. Cutting. Divorce. This is twenty-first-century "problem novel" if ever there were one! More about JCO here. ■Dare Me (Megan Abott; 2012. 304 pages. Fiction.) Looking for "television in print," I stumbled on this psychological study of cheerleaders and their new coach. Got what I came for. ■The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (Robin Stern; 2007. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) Background information for a fiction piece. ■Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked (James Lansdun; 2013. 224 pages. Non-fiction.) From Amazon's description: ... Give Me Everything You Have chronicles the author’s strange and harrowing ordeal at the hands of a former student, a self-styled “verbal terrorist,†who began trying, in her words, to “ruin him.†Hate mail, online postings, and public accusations of plagiarism and sexual misconduct were her weapons of choice and, as with more conventional terrorist weapons, proved remarkably difficult to combat. James Lasdun’s account, while terrifying, is told with compassion and humor, and brilliantly succeeds in turning a highly personal story into a profound meditation on subjects as varied as madness, race, Middle East politics, and the meaning of honor and reputation in the Internet age. ■Harvest (A.J. Lieberman; 2013. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) A grisly journey into the underground world of organ transplants. ■The Guilty One (Lisa Ballantyne; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) The conclusion is apparent in the first fifty pages, but the secondary story was a taut psychological study. Completed: ■Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked (James Lansdun; 2013. 224 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Harvest (A.J. Lieberman; 2013. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■The Guilty One (Lisa Ballantyne; 2013. 480 pages. Fiction.) ■Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■Dare Me (Megan Abott; 2012. 304 pages. Fiction.) ■The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life (Robin Stern; 2007. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) * ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Measure for Measure (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2005. 288 pages. Drama.) ■Wave (Sonali Deraniyagala; 2013. 240 pages. Memoir.) ■The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Jean-Dominique Bauby; 1998. 131 pages. Autobiography.) ■The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating-Heart Cadavers (Dick Teresi; 2012. 368 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Human .4 (Mike A. Lancaster; 2011. 240 pages. YA fiction.) ■Warm Bodies (Isaac Marion; 2011. 256 pages. Fiction.) ■The Underwater Welder (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 224 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story (Michael Hainey; 2013. 320 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Philip K. Dick; 1968. 256 pages. Fiction.) * ■Accelerated (Bronwen Hruska; 2012. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger; 1951. 288 pages. Fiction.) * ■Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes; 1966. 324 pages. Fiction.) * ■Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford; 2009. 301 pages. Fiction.) ■Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie; 2002. 104 pages. Fiction.) ■Revival, Vol. 1 (Tim Seeley; 2012. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Saga, Vol. 1 (Brian K. Vaughan; 2012. 160 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■La Bohème: Black Dog Opera Library (2005. 144 pages. Libretto, history, and commentary.) ■The 13 Clocks (James Thurber (1950); 2008. 136 pages. Fiction.) ■Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (Susannah Cahalan; 2012. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 288 pages. Drama.) * ■Don't Turn Around (Michelle Gagnon; 2012. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule; 2012. 544 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Daddy Love (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 240 pages. Fiction.) ■Life after Death (Damien Echols; 2012. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) * Denotes rereads.

Hi, Robin! Hello B a Wers! Long time, no see. Here's what I've finished since I last posted: ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) With the Misses. Henry VIII will run April 30 through June 16 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, so we had planned to read the play in April ever since CST's 2012/2013 season was announced. But we pushed it a wee bit ahead on our planner when we received an invitation to attend a rehearsal held earlier this month. (I know, right? Squeeeeee!) Before the rehearsal, we were treated to a discussion hosted by Bob Mason and Chris Plevin, during which we learned how the incomparable Barbara Gaines distilled from the play three key relationships, eschewing pageantry for intimacy; how her vision is being interpreted by the production team; and even how CST productions, including this one, are cast. We then headed to the main theater. The actors had only just that afternoon moved from their initial rehearsal space to the stage and were reworking the blocking in Katherine of Aragon's (Ora Jones) divorce trial scene. After rehearsal concluded, director Gaines indulged participants in a Q&A. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. (Related aside: This month, we also attended an open rehearsal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Ricardo Muti. The program included a piano concerto featuring Maurizio Pollini. I know, I know, right? Again, squeeeee!) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) With the Misses, in anticipation of the film. This was a reread for me, and I found the prose even more beautiful this go-'round. p. 36 Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets, and I was him too, looking up and wondering. I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life. p. 58 Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible. She was incurably dishonest. p. 59 "Suppose you meet somebody just as careless as yourself?" "I hope I never will," she answered. "I hate careless people. That's why I like you." p. 81 A phrase began to beat in my ears with a heady sort of exc itement: "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired." p. 97 It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way. No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will sore up in his ghostly heart. p. 131 Angry as I was, as we all were, I was tempted to laugh whenever he opened his mouth. The transition from libertine to prig was so complete. p. 165 At first I was surprised and confused; then, as he lay in his house and didn't move or breathe or speak, hour upon hour, it grew upon me that I was responsible, because no one else was interested -- interested, I mean, with that intense personal interest to which every one has some vague right at the end. ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) Light, sweet, well-written. More here. ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) A bona fide page-turner. Smart and entertaining. EW's review can be found here. ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) This probably counts as my "chunkster" this year. Phew. It was a little... plodding, but I enjoy the subject and so stuck with it. ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) In anticipation of our trip to see the exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. Related entry here. Also, some "lightweight" reading on the artist: ∙ And Picasso Painted Guernica (Alain Serres; 2013. 52 pages. Juvenile non-fiction.) ∙ Pablo Picasso (Artists in Their Time) (Kate Scarborough; 2002. 46 pages. Juvenile non-fiction.) ∙ Picasso: Soul on Fire (Rick Jacobson; 2011. 32 pages. Non-fiction.) Complete list of books read in 2013: ■Henry VIII (William Shakespeare (1613); Folger ed. 2007. 352 pages. Drama.) ■The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1925/1980. 182 pages. Fiction.) * ■Attachments (Rainbow Rowell; 2011. 336 pages. Fiction.) ■Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight; 2013. 400 pages. Fiction.) ■The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers (Margaret George; 1998. 960 pages. Fiction.) ■Picasso and Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Works (Stephanie D'Alessandro; 2013. 112 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Measure for Measure (William Shakespeare (1603); Folger ed. 2005. 288 pages. Drama.) ■Wave (Sonali Deraniyagala; 2013. 240 pages. Memoir.) ■The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Jean-Dominique Bauby; 1998. 131 pages. Autobiography.) ■The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating-Heart Cadavers (Dick Teresi; 2012. 368 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Human .4 (Mike A. Lancaster; 2011. 240 pages. YA fiction.) ■Warm Bodies (Isaac Marion; 2011. 256 pages. Fiction.) ■The Underwater Welder (Jeff Lemire; 2012. 224 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story (Michael Hainey; 2013. 320 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Philip K. Dick; 1968. 256 pages. Fiction.) * ■Accelerated (Bronwen Hruska; 2012. 288 pages. Fiction.) ■The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger; 1951. 288 pages. Fiction.) * ■Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes; 1966. 324 pages. Fiction.) * ■Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford; 2009. 301 pages. Fiction.) ■Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie; 2002. 104 pages. Fiction.) ■Revival, Vol. 1 (Tim Seeley; 2012. 128 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■Saga, Vol. 1 (Brian K. Vaughan; 2012. 160 pages. Graphic fiction.) ■La Bohème: Black Dog Opera Library (2005. 144 pages. Libretto, history, and commentary.) ■The 13 Clocks (James Thurber (1950); 2008. 136 pages. Fiction.) ■Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness (Susannah Cahalan; 2012. 288 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare (1599); Folger ed. 2003. 288 pages. Drama.) * ■Don't Turn Around (Michelle Gagnon; 2012. 320 pages. Fiction.) ■Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors (Ann Rule; 2012. 544 pages. Non-fiction.) ■Daddy Love (Joyce Carol Oates; 2013. 240 pages. Fiction.) ■Life after Death (Damien Echols; 2012. 416 pages. Non-fiction.) * Denotes rereads.