Melisande
E. Nesbit and P.J. Lynch
Published: 1901, 1999
Why?: E. Nesbit was one of the first authors to write children’s books with children as main characters, and stories about ordinary children in fantastic worlds owe a lot to her (“E” is for “Edith”!). She also had a wonderful sense of humor, and this short story shows that off to best effect. Melisande is a twist on the Rapunzel story, though interestingly enough, Rapunzel has since been confused with Melisande – Rapunzel didn’t have magical, fast growing hair! To round out the perfection of this story, P.J. Lynch’s illustrations are gorgeous, as always.
Gist: Melisande is a beautiful princess with one unusual feature: she’s bald. Luckily (or unfortunately, as her family will learn), she has something of a surfeit of fairy godmothers, and she goes from no hair to far, far too much!
Quote: "I've seen too much trouble come of christening parties," said he. "How ever carefully you keep your visiting-book, some fairy or other is sure to get left out, and you know what that leads to. Why, even in my own family, the most shocking things have occurred. The Fairy Malevola was not asked to my great grandmothers christening-and you know all about the spindle and the hundred years' sleep."
Bonus Trivia: The full story of this short story is “Melisande: or Long and Short Division.”
Perfect For: The young and young at heart, a great family story
Genres: Fiction, Short Story
Keywords: Picture Book, Classic, Humor, Fantasy
Showing posts with label Books: Humor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books: Humor. Show all posts
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
24: The Man With Two Left Feet
This wasn't my original plan for today, but then the day kind of exploded. We have two very sick cats, so I took one victim (roomie's cat Fred) to the vet. Got home, rushed out for a haircut. Came home, started watching some college football, took off my nail polish...heard a strange sound...
...Found that Fred had taken leave of his senses and wandered into the "dogs only" portion of the house, and Alfred was bugging him. I leaned down to get Alfred to back off and Fred went BERSERK. Result? Alfred doesn't have a scratch on him, but I have loads...hand, arm, and side. Fred even left a claw in there for me. Nice, huh?
Soooo off to the emergency room, where they treated me like a moron for coming in about a cat bite/scratches before it became disgusting and infected. I don't know if you're familiar with the dangers of cat bites and scratches, but I am, thanks to my grandmother and aunt. So I refuse to feel dumb for being proactive. If I was such a waste of their time, how come they insisted I have a tetanus shot and a week of antibiotics? Hmm?
So, whilst trapped in the waiting room, I curled up with my Kindle. College football was on, but I was in pain and not in the mood. A while back, I downloaded one of the few free books available from one of my all-time favorite authors: P.G. Wodehouse. Reading this short stories really lifted my spirits, so I decided to make it my rec for the day!
The Man With Two Left Feet
P.G. Wodehouse
Published: 1917
Why?: Well, it's pretty much up there in the italics there. It's impossible to feel too horrible while reading Wodehouse, and since this collection is free, that's even better! I'll be recommending more Wodehouse - I just can't help it. Plum, as he was and is affectionately known, is a classic British humorist. He wrote both novels and short stories, but I find his incredibly charming style best suited to shorts. This is a fairly random collection, which might be why I love it so much, as I'm a fairly random person!
If you check this book out online, the very first page is adorable and really shows Wodehouse's style!
I had just taken off my nail polish when it all went down. Of course. Sigh!
Gist: The Man With Two Left Feet contains 13 short stories, most of which are stand-alone. Two stories are told from the perspective of dogs ("The Mixer: He Meets a Shy Gentleman" and "The Mixer: He Moves in Society") and the collection does contain the first appearance of Bertie and Jeeves, "Extricating Young Gussie." There's also an amusing (sort-of) sleuthing story, some romances, and an adventure or two. Since the stories are so brief and self-contained, they're perfect for when you need a pick-me-up!
It's available for a buck on the Kindle (I thought it was free, but I'm mistaken...or they've changed it!) or you can read it online for free. Free! Awesomesauce! We'd better not get used to free, given the ridiculous length of copyright these days (life of the author + 70 years!).
Probably not hugely sanitary, huh? At least he's trying to make up for being at the source of the problem...right?!
Genres: Fiction, Short Stories
Keywords: Classic, Humor
...Found that Fred had taken leave of his senses and wandered into the "dogs only" portion of the house, and Alfred was bugging him. I leaned down to get Alfred to back off and Fred went BERSERK. Result? Alfred doesn't have a scratch on him, but I have loads...hand, arm, and side. Fred even left a claw in there for me. Nice, huh?
Soooo off to the emergency room, where they treated me like a moron for coming in about a cat bite/scratches before it became disgusting and infected. I don't know if you're familiar with the dangers of cat bites and scratches, but I am, thanks to my grandmother and aunt. So I refuse to feel dumb for being proactive. If I was such a waste of their time, how come they insisted I have a tetanus shot and a week of antibiotics? Hmm?
So, whilst trapped in the waiting room, I curled up with my Kindle. College football was on, but I was in pain and not in the mood. A while back, I downloaded one of the few free books available from one of my all-time favorite authors: P.G. Wodehouse. Reading this short stories really lifted my spirits, so I decided to make it my rec for the day!
The Man With Two Left Feet
P.G. Wodehouse
Published: 1917
Why?: Well, it's pretty much up there in the italics there. It's impossible to feel too horrible while reading Wodehouse, and since this collection is free, that's even better! I'll be recommending more Wodehouse - I just can't help it. Plum, as he was and is affectionately known, is a classic British humorist. He wrote both novels and short stories, but I find his incredibly charming style best suited to shorts. This is a fairly random collection, which might be why I love it so much, as I'm a fairly random person!
If you check this book out online, the very first page is adorable and really shows Wodehouse's style!
I had just taken off my nail polish when it all went down. Of course. Sigh!
Gist: The Man With Two Left Feet contains 13 short stories, most of which are stand-alone. Two stories are told from the perspective of dogs ("The Mixer: He Meets a Shy Gentleman" and "The Mixer: He Moves in Society") and the collection does contain the first appearance of Bertie and Jeeves, "Extricating Young Gussie." There's also an amusing (sort-of) sleuthing story, some romances, and an adventure or two. Since the stories are so brief and self-contained, they're perfect for when you need a pick-me-up!
It's available for a buck on the Kindle (I thought it was free, but I'm mistaken...or they've changed it!) or you can read it online for free. Free! Awesomesauce! We'd better not get used to free, given the ridiculous length of copyright these days (life of the author + 70 years!).
Probably not hugely sanitary, huh? At least he's trying to make up for being at the source of the problem...right?!
Genres: Fiction, Short Stories
Keywords: Classic, Humor
Thursday, September 08, 2011
23: Life Among the Savages
I am ridiculously tired! My grad school pulled an about face on me and required a Wednesday night class - I live 4 hourrrsss away! So I was at work before 7:10, worked untl 12:30, had to take half a day, drove a little over four hours, class for four hours, drove home, home at 1 am on Thursday, up at 6, work, then I had tickets for a local dinner theater that I bought a couple of months ago! Great fun with some awesome ladies, but about ready to be UUUUUNconscious! I am, in fact, too tired for Pet Photo Sessions (tm). For a special bonus, one of the cats is sick, soooo yeah. Gross.
Life Among the Savages
Shirley Jackson
Published: 1952
Why?: I admit to having a huge soft spot for humorists. Shirley Jackson is most famous for her more political work (“The Lottery”) and her collection of horror novels (the most famous is probably The Haunting of Hill House). I read her stories about raising her four children in suburbia before I read “the Lottery” or anything of her creepy works. In fact, it must have been a decade after I read “The Lottery” that I realized this book was by the same author! The stories are delightful and witty, far ahead of similar books dealing with the realities of family life.
Gist: "Our house is old, noisy and full. When we moved into it we had two children and about five thousand books; when we finally overflow and move out again we will have perhaps twenty children and easily half a million books . . ." This book is a collection of stories inspired by Jackson’s real life and children; exactly where fiction and reality diverge isn’t clear, but only in the same way that all master storytellers adjust their lives for a good story.
Bonus Trivia: Life Among the Savages is followed by Raising Demons. Also, a selection from this novel, about her son starting kindergarten, is often included in Jackson collections with the name “Charles.”
Perfect For: Ages 12+, people who love a good chuckle
Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir
Keywords: Humor, Classic
Life Among the Savages
Shirley Jackson
Published: 1952
Why?: I admit to having a huge soft spot for humorists. Shirley Jackson is most famous for her more political work (“The Lottery”) and her collection of horror novels (the most famous is probably The Haunting of Hill House). I read her stories about raising her four children in suburbia before I read “the Lottery” or anything of her creepy works. In fact, it must have been a decade after I read “The Lottery” that I realized this book was by the same author! The stories are delightful and witty, far ahead of similar books dealing with the realities of family life.
Gist: "Our house is old, noisy and full. When we moved into it we had two children and about five thousand books; when we finally overflow and move out again we will have perhaps twenty children and easily half a million books . . ." This book is a collection of stories inspired by Jackson’s real life and children; exactly where fiction and reality diverge isn’t clear, but only in the same way that all master storytellers adjust their lives for a good story.
Bonus Trivia: Life Among the Savages is followed by Raising Demons. Also, a selection from this novel, about her son starting kindergarten, is often included in Jackson collections with the name “Charles.”
Perfect For: Ages 12+, people who love a good chuckle
Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir
Keywords: Humor, Classic
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
11: All Creatures Great and Small
The students started today! BUM BUM BUUUUM. Our kids are out of elementary school for the first time, so they're usually pretty reticent, but a couple of my classes were already hyper. I have a feeling they'll be experiencing "punishment detail" (i.e. worksheets in rows) a good bit earlier than usual!
My feet would like everyone to know that they completely wimp out every summer and don't like going back to all that tile in August. Yeeeowtch!!
The eyeball I scratched last Sunday is feeling much better. Given that my vision is excellent while my other bits and bobs are less so, I'm thrilled that there's no lasting damage!
All Creatures Great and Small
James Herriot
Published: 1976
Why?: All of Herriot’s books are delightful, and are often referred to as a group by the name of the first book, All Creatures Great and Small. The full series of books is All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful. I first heard this book instead of reading it, and the easy-going charm of Herriot’s stories immediately drew me in. Herriot (born James Alfred Wight) deftly combines the people and animals he met as a country veterinarian in Yorkshire with a dash of fiction and light-hearted writing. These are “feel good” stories, designed to lift the spirits. There are few things I love more than short stories that can bring you out of a case of the dumps!
Early in the school year, it's always s busy that I don't have time for novels. I tend to revisit short stories by authors like Herriot. :)
Lazy picture taking is lazy on the first day of school!
I bought my hardback copies of all three books at the Alachua County Library Sale when I lived in Florida. If you live anywhere near Gainesville and you’ve never been to the library sale, make sure to get the details! You have to get there ridiculously early to get in the line, the air is stifling and hot, the noise of voices and giant fans bound off the warehouse walls, and you have to elbow people out of the way. It’s wonderful!
Gist: James Herriot is a country veterinarian in Yorkshire. These are the stories of not only his animal patients, but also his human clients, neighbors, and friends.
Bonus Trivia: The titles for Herriot’s books (or collected volumes; they were originally smaller books) come from an old song called “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”
Perfect For: Ages 12+ (or advanced readers)
Genres: Fiction, Short Stories
Keywords: Humor, Memoir
My feet would like everyone to know that they completely wimp out every summer and don't like going back to all that tile in August. Yeeeowtch!!
The eyeball I scratched last Sunday is feeling much better. Given that my vision is excellent while my other bits and bobs are less so, I'm thrilled that there's no lasting damage!
All Creatures Great and Small
James Herriot
Published: 1976
Why?: All of Herriot’s books are delightful, and are often referred to as a group by the name of the first book, All Creatures Great and Small. The full series of books is All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful. I first heard this book instead of reading it, and the easy-going charm of Herriot’s stories immediately drew me in. Herriot (born James Alfred Wight) deftly combines the people and animals he met as a country veterinarian in Yorkshire with a dash of fiction and light-hearted writing. These are “feel good” stories, designed to lift the spirits. There are few things I love more than short stories that can bring you out of a case of the dumps!
Early in the school year, it's always s busy that I don't have time for novels. I tend to revisit short stories by authors like Herriot. :)
Lazy picture taking is lazy on the first day of school!
I bought my hardback copies of all three books at the Alachua County Library Sale when I lived in Florida. If you live anywhere near Gainesville and you’ve never been to the library sale, make sure to get the details! You have to get there ridiculously early to get in the line, the air is stifling and hot, the noise of voices and giant fans bound off the warehouse walls, and you have to elbow people out of the way. It’s wonderful!
Gist: James Herriot is a country veterinarian in Yorkshire. These are the stories of not only his animal patients, but also his human clients, neighbors, and friends.
Bonus Trivia: The titles for Herriot’s books (or collected volumes; they were originally smaller books) come from an old song called “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”
Perfect For: Ages 12+ (or advanced readers)
Genres: Fiction, Short Stories
Keywords: Humor, Memoir
Sunday, August 07, 2011
10: The Short and Bloody History...
I had a grand time with my second 30% book haul today (with bonus tax free day!), but I did manage to get a papercut on my eyeball.
Don't ask.
Also, don't try it, because it's not a very nice experience.
It's ridiculously humid today, so I still can't get any shots outside. WHY must it be both 100 degrees heat index AND dripping with moisture?! EGADS.
The Short and Bloody History of Knights, Spies, and Pirates
John Farman
Published: 2000
Why?: This little bargain book is a lot of fun, full of easily-accessible and amusing historical information. When I was a kid, I was determined I would write fun and entertaining historical documentaries when I grew up, for use in schools. Though I do a bit of that in my classes (readers’ theatre, anyone?), I haven’t left school for Hollywood quite yet (*g*). So, I’ll stick to buying books that educate and amuse, and adding to my knowledge of history that way.
Gist: The title gives you a pretty good idea, you know! Though not in-depth, the historical and biographical sketches are fun and appear largely accurate.
Perfect For: Historians with a need for a giggle.
Genres: Nonfiction, History
Keywords: Humor
Don't ask.
Also, don't try it, because it's not a very nice experience.
It's ridiculously humid today, so I still can't get any shots outside. WHY must it be both 100 degrees heat index AND dripping with moisture?! EGADS.
The Short and Bloody History of Knights, Spies, and Pirates
John Farman
Published: 2000
Why?: This little bargain book is a lot of fun, full of easily-accessible and amusing historical information. When I was a kid, I was determined I would write fun and entertaining historical documentaries when I grew up, for use in schools. Though I do a bit of that in my classes (readers’ theatre, anyone?), I haven’t left school for Hollywood quite yet (*g*). So, I’ll stick to buying books that educate and amuse, and adding to my knowledge of history that way.
Gist: The title gives you a pretty good idea, you know! Though not in-depth, the historical and biographical sketches are fun and appear largely accurate.
Perfect For: Historians with a need for a giggle.
Genres: Nonfiction, History
Keywords: Humor
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
08: Squids Will Be Squids
Squids Will Be Squids
Author: written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith
Published: 1998
Why?: When I first heard about using picture books with middle schoolers, I was pretty skeptical. Add to that the fact that one of my first experiences with Scieszka was Stinky Cheese Man (one of his only books I don’t adore), and I avoided using Squids even though teaching folklore is part of our course of study. I lived down in Florida at the time, and with no family nearby, I often spent weekends perusing bookstores for the fun of it. This was how I discovered and read Squids Will Be Squids, curled up in a chair at a Barnes and Noble. Being an utter dweeb, I feel immediately in love with it, and the day I read it to my students has now become one of their favorites (and only partially because they get to lounge all over the room and the desks!). This book is a lot of fun, and it really shows how fables were meant to teach lessons, and not just to tell silly stories about animals.
I’ve developed a strong affection for picture books, and have amassed something of a collection over the last six years or so! :)
Quote: SPANKING HEAD!
Gist: This is a collection of beastly fables designed for the modern day, covering everything from grasshopper homework to the perils of believing everything you see on TV. Although a quick read, it’s a lot of fun and can really open a path to kids creating fables of their own!
Perfect For: Ages 8+, especially parents and kids with a sense of humor
Genres: Fiction, Picture Book
Keywords: Humor
Bob is a great typing assistant. I REALLY need to get my desktop back up and running. *sniffle*
Author: written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith
Published: 1998
Why?: When I first heard about using picture books with middle schoolers, I was pretty skeptical. Add to that the fact that one of my first experiences with Scieszka was Stinky Cheese Man (one of his only books I don’t adore), and I avoided using Squids even though teaching folklore is part of our course of study. I lived down in Florida at the time, and with no family nearby, I often spent weekends perusing bookstores for the fun of it. This was how I discovered and read Squids Will Be Squids, curled up in a chair at a Barnes and Noble. Being an utter dweeb, I feel immediately in love with it, and the day I read it to my students has now become one of their favorites (and only partially because they get to lounge all over the room and the desks!). This book is a lot of fun, and it really shows how fables were meant to teach lessons, and not just to tell silly stories about animals.
I’ve developed a strong affection for picture books, and have amassed something of a collection over the last six years or so! :)
Quote: SPANKING HEAD!
Gist: This is a collection of beastly fables designed for the modern day, covering everything from grasshopper homework to the perils of believing everything you see on TV. Although a quick read, it’s a lot of fun and can really open a path to kids creating fables of their own!
Perfect For: Ages 8+, especially parents and kids with a sense of humor
Genres: Fiction, Picture Book
Keywords: Humor
Bob is a great typing assistant. I REALLY need to get my desktop back up and running. *sniffle*
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
01: The Princess Bride
I decided to go ahead and start up my restructured posts, since it turns out I won't be out of town quite as much as I thought!
Fred is my typing assistant, today, but Bronte is the cat who felt she needed to help me get pictures.
The Princess Bride
William Goldman
Published: 1973
Bronte enjoys snuggling up with my favorite edition of The Princess Bride.
Personal Story: When I decided to abandon sanity and recommend 365 books in 365 days, The Princess Bride informed me immediately that it would be first on the list. Nothing changed when I reorganized my brain for the 182 list; not that this would surprise anyone whose known me for more than five minutes! I first read The Princess Bride when I was 13 years old. I fell immediately and irrevocably in love. I read it now about once a year, whenever I’m feeling down. Sometimes, it’s the entire book, sometimes it’s just the highlights. I’ve found it’s fairly impossible to remain down in the dumps when you’re reading about Inigo and Fezzik’s adventures in the Zoo of Death, or the Man in Black’s successes against three semi-evil kidnappers. As a special bonus, I also discovered several years ago that I had inadvertently memorized the entire first page, a useful skill for amusing people at parties, right? (The year that Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette..) My students find this both awesome and hilarious.
The only possible downside to this novel is the addition, at the 25th anniversary, of the first chapter of an unwritten (and hopefully never-written) sequel, Buttercup's Baby. Avoid it. It's bad stuff.
Gist: The Princess Bride is a story of adventure, romance, action, and humor. Almost everyone I know has seen the movie and loved it. I always tell them the same thing: read the book! Everyone’s story is deeper and richer than even the excellent film could contain. Buttercup, the most beautiful woman in the world, and her lost love Westley will pull at your heartstrings and bring along the giggles. The backgrounds of sword wizard Inigo and the giant Fezzik are the best parts of the book, and Humperdinck is a delightful villain.
The book begins with the frame story, which takes a bit of getting through. Goldman claims that his father read him this book, but only the “good bits,” leaving out all the boring historical descriptions. Scattered throughout the text of the story are Goldman’s brilliant editing comments and personal remembrances, which add another layer to an already excellent narrative.
Bonus Trivia: Goldman has only admitted once, during a small interview that doesn't even have an existing recording, that he wrote The Princess Bride. Every other time, he's talked about his respect for S. Morgensterns's story!
Perfect For: Ages 12 and up to infinity; people with a need for a pick-me-up or a quirky sense of humor
Genres: Fiction, Novel
Keywords: Humor, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
These shots are from my well-loved favorite edition. I love it for not having the addition of Buttercup's Baby, and because it traveled the Caribbean with me. I have...four copies? I think, now. I gave some away. (...What?) I'd do a "family shot" but two of them are at work.
Fred is my typing assistant, today, but Bronte is the cat who felt she needed to help me get pictures.
The Princess Bride
William Goldman
Published: 1973
Bronte enjoys snuggling up with my favorite edition of The Princess Bride.
Personal Story: When I decided to abandon sanity and recommend 365 books in 365 days, The Princess Bride informed me immediately that it would be first on the list. Nothing changed when I reorganized my brain for the 182 list; not that this would surprise anyone whose known me for more than five minutes! I first read The Princess Bride when I was 13 years old. I fell immediately and irrevocably in love. I read it now about once a year, whenever I’m feeling down. Sometimes, it’s the entire book, sometimes it’s just the highlights. I’ve found it’s fairly impossible to remain down in the dumps when you’re reading about Inigo and Fezzik’s adventures in the Zoo of Death, or the Man in Black’s successes against three semi-evil kidnappers. As a special bonus, I also discovered several years ago that I had inadvertently memorized the entire first page, a useful skill for amusing people at parties, right? (The year that Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette..) My students find this both awesome and hilarious.
The only possible downside to this novel is the addition, at the 25th anniversary, of the first chapter of an unwritten (and hopefully never-written) sequel, Buttercup's Baby. Avoid it. It's bad stuff.
Gist: The Princess Bride is a story of adventure, romance, action, and humor. Almost everyone I know has seen the movie and loved it. I always tell them the same thing: read the book! Everyone’s story is deeper and richer than even the excellent film could contain. Buttercup, the most beautiful woman in the world, and her lost love Westley will pull at your heartstrings and bring along the giggles. The backgrounds of sword wizard Inigo and the giant Fezzik are the best parts of the book, and Humperdinck is a delightful villain.
The book begins with the frame story, which takes a bit of getting through. Goldman claims that his father read him this book, but only the “good bits,” leaving out all the boring historical descriptions. Scattered throughout the text of the story are Goldman’s brilliant editing comments and personal remembrances, which add another layer to an already excellent narrative.
Bonus Trivia: Goldman has only admitted once, during a small interview that doesn't even have an existing recording, that he wrote The Princess Bride. Every other time, he's talked about his respect for S. Morgensterns's story!
Perfect For: Ages 12 and up to infinity; people with a need for a pick-me-up or a quirky sense of humor
Genres: Fiction, Novel
Keywords: Humor, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
These shots are from my well-loved favorite edition. I love it for not having the addition of Buttercup's Baby, and because it traveled the Caribbean with me. I have...four copies? I think, now. I gave some away. (...What?) I'd do a "family shot" but two of them are at work.
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