I’m currently reading four different books, two on my iPad and two paperbacks. I started Ibram X. Kendi’s How To Be An Antiracist on my iPad last summer after reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism & You by Jason Reynolds & Kendi. I think every family should have a copy of Reynold’s book. I seriously thought about giving a copy as an Xmas gift to everyone. Since I’m not teaching this semester, I’m reading Cultivating Genius by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad with EMU WAC group. It’s important to me to learn new ways to teach. For fun I’m reading Troubled Blood book 5 of the Cormoran Strike series by Galbraith/Rowling. I enjoy reading a series, you get to know the characters. I recently finished the Khorasan Archives by Asma Khan, Bloodprint is the first book. I loved learning about a middle eastern culture and a new type of magic, yes it’s a fantasy with two strong female main characters. I’m also reading To Kill A Mockingbird again with my youngest granddaughter. While downloading the image below, I found out there is a graphic version, so I ordered a used copy. For Xmas I gave myself the graphic version of the Handmaid’s Tale to add to my collection.

I only read a chapter at a time of How To Be An Antiracist because it is difficult and frustrating to learn all the ways you have been a racist over the years. I need to digest it. I just finished chapter 5 about ethnic racism. I think back to when I was younger and realize I’ve been an ethnic racist because of comments I heard growing up from adults I thought were good people. It makes me sick to my stomach. Of course I have learned over time to think in terms of individuals not ethnic groups. Kendi helps us understand how ethnic racism works, how all racism works.

I’m reading Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy with the WAC book group to better my pedagogy. We just had the first dialogue workshop last Friday to discuss chapters 1 & 2. There were 39 participants. In breakout rooms we were asked to choose a sentence, phrase or word that caught our attention in chapter 2. I chose the phrase “Identities are multilayered” (49) from a Gee quote Muhammad used, ‘Identities are multilayered and shaped by the social and cultural environment as well as by literacy practices.” This struck me as being significant because the first writing project I have students do has to do with their own identity. In their final reflection essays the majority will say this was their favorite assignment. I want to make this assignment speak to their multilayered identities even more than it does now.

For fun and relaxation I’m reading the fifth book in the Cormoran Strike series Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith a.k.a. Rowling. I love reading a series and this detective mystery stories have a female character who grows as a person and a detective throughout the series. I usually read this at night before falling asleep.

The fourth book, To Kill a Mockingbird, I’m reading with my youngest granddaughter. We’ve only discussed the first two chapters so far. We both agreed that Scout, the precocious six year old, is an awesome character.

This semester, reading, reading, reading is my entertainment besides trying to rewatch all of the DVDs I own. So, next time I may write about my favorite DVDs. Blessings!