Road Trip

Not a bad place to break down:
 a nursery in Somis, California
 and a sweet sunset..

I wasn't sure what to grab. Everything was moving out of phase, in a crazy syncopated rhythm, bouncing and hitching beyond control.

 I stole a glance at my husband. He looked serene. Perhaps even a hint of joy on his face.

“You don’t seem fazed by this,” I ventured.

“It was the book you gave me, From Peking to Paris….you know, about the car rally? It shifted my perspective. It’s all about the process - and the satisfaction of being on the road.”

60 miles later, the tow truck deposited us at home, along with our RV. Despite being jostled and delayed, the adventure of road travel was still upon us. Later, looking through our library’s collection for more books about road travel, I realized something about the lure of the road trip: it’s a modern day quest.Characters move through a variety of settings and discover things about themselves. Time changes: stretching a little to allow full absorption of the setting. Just when things are getting mellow, fate jumps in to twist the plot. Where you go and how you get there becomes less important than the essence of the road trip: enjoying the process.

Road Trip themed book titles

(available in the Chandramohan Library):

Travels with Charley: In Search of America

"...a one-man, one-dog account of the expedition in which he recaptures his familiarity with America. He set out with some misgiving, not sure his health would stand up to the 10,000-mile journey he envisioned; as he traveled, the years sloughed off him, and the eager, sensuous pages in which he writes about what he found and whom he encountered frame a picture of our human nature in the twentieth century which will not soon be surpassed."*

            Steinbeck, John

Call #: 917.9

Rules of the Road

[A trip to save a shoe store helps Jenna Find her fit.]

            Bauer, Joan.

An Abundance of Katherines

[what’s the formula for not getting dumped?]

Green, John

On the Road

[Sal and Dean’s classic road trip across America]

            Kerouac, Jack

13 Little Blue Envelopes

[Ginny’s Aunt sends her on a scavenger hunt across Europe.]

Johnson, Maureen.

Excellent article on how 3 road trips transformed American culture: the Highwaymen-a group of artists who took their art on the road and circumvented the racially exclusionary nature of the gallery world; the story of Alice Huyler Ramsey who took a drive across the country in 1909, contrary to the popular belief that women shouldn’t drive; and John Muir’s 1,000 mile trek and communion with nature. Available in the library [“How the Road Trip Shaped America.” Mental Floss: July/August 2013].

Other titles not in the Prep library:

Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World.

            Bennett, Dina.

I See by My Outfit:Cross-country by Scooter, An Adventure.

            Beagle, Peter.

*from a 1962 review in The Atlantic.

http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/classrev/charley.htm

Mrs. Eldridge

Life-changing list

This is a follow-up to my last post about what I was reading over the summer.  I read some wonderful books!  Not all of them were on my original list; my book group added a couple titles I wouldn’t normally think of reading, and I found one or two on my stack at home and another on my Kindle that I picked up.  *Best Read of the Summer*, The Book Thief, which is on my top-ten-of-all-time list. 

Amazon image

The writing is exquisite, the characters are unforgettable, and the concept of having Death as the narrator is genius.  If you’ve not read this book, do yourself a favor and come check it out (or check it out at your local library.)  I was late getting on board with this title, and now I’m anxious to pick up I Am the Messenger, which I have heard from students, is also a great read.

As summer came to an end, my September issue of Real Simple magazine came in the mail.  The article that most intrigued me was called “The Life-Changing List.”  Authors from various disciplines and genres were asked which book was the one “that moved them most.” 

The 50 titles range from Alice in Wonderland to The Education of the Gardener to Without Feathers by Woody Allen.  It piqued my interest to see this mix of titles, some recommended by authors I know and love.  Now, I plan to add two more titles to my list of books to read during the year:  Dandelion Wine and The Benchley Roundup.  I really enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 in high school, and I actually met Ray Bradbury at a production of the play at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena.  It never occurred to me that I might enjoy Dandelion Wine and no one had ever suggested I read it.  Author Susan Wiggs says about it, “The whole world is in this novel: fear and acceptance, joy and sorrow, the circle of life and the passing of the seasons, and the magic of everyday things.”  I picked up our library copy and determined it has seen better days.  A new copy has been ordered and I plan to be first at Prep to check it out!  Humorist Robert Benchley wrote one of my favorite quotes: “It took fifteen years for me to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by then I was too famous.”  His essays were published in many publications, including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Life, and he inspired many writers and comedians.  I enjoy reading humorous observations about life and the human condition.  We have two Robert Benchley titles in our collection, and I plan to start with one of those

What books have moved you?  We'd love to hear from you, either in the comments section, below, or in person.  If you're too shy, you can write us a note or send an email.  We are always open to suggestions from students, parents, teachers and alumni of great books we should add to our Prep library!

Mrs. Hodge

Summer Reading: A Love Story

Summer vacation is nearly upon us, which means several key things to me: 

1. I will usually sleep in, maybe even past 8 a.m.

2. I will get to spend more quality time with my children and grandchildren.

3. I’ll play more tennis and do more ‘round-the-Rose Bowl walking with Mrs. Ursettie, and

4. I will have the opportunity to catch up on my long-neglected reading list!  

So, the first three are self-explanatory.  “But,” you may be asking yourself, “I wonder what Mrs. Hodge has on her reading list?”  Well, wonder no more…I will be happy to share a sampling of the titles I hope to read over the summer!

·    The Book Thief by Markus Zusak—I can’t believe I haven’t read this yet!  Everyone who has read it tells me it’s phenomenal, and how can one not read a book whose narrator is Death?

·    The Jesuit Guide to (almost) Everything—Pope Francis is a Jesuit & I loved James Martin’s book My Life with the Saints, so I’m looking forward to this one.  His writing is informative, but full of humor and decidedly not dull and dry.

·    Tender at the Bone: Growing up at Table by Ruth Reichl—The famed food critic describes her relationship with food, beginning with living with a mother who would literally put whatever was in the refrigerator all together and serve it, even if that food was “past its prime.”  I heard her on an old NPR program, discussing her family and how she learned to cook in self-defense.  Hilarious.  Also, Cat S., a lovely senior, told me how much she loved this book and I trust her judgment.

·    The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott—This is my book group’s selection for June, I’ll be reading it soon.  This is historical fiction, a story of a young woman who has survived the sinking of the Titanic.  This isn’t something I’d usually pick up, but I know I need to broaden my horizons.  I may just enjoy it!

·    Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham—The Moon and Sixpence, also by Maugham, is one of my favorite all-time books.  Anjali B., a wonderful Prep grad also loved it, and she asked if I had read Of Human Bondage, which she also enjoyed.  I hadn’t, so it’s on my list.

This is only a partial list…meanwhile, here are some books I’d like to suggest for our faithful blog-readers (without annotation, since you can easily click on the links to Amazon or look on Goodreads.com for that information!):

• Destiny of the Republic: a Tale of Madness, Medicine, & the Murder of a President by Candice Millard—OK, so I said I wouldn’t annotate, but I have to say that this non-fiction title reads like a psychological thriller and I loved every minute I spent reading it!  How can you pass up a book with a subtitle like that?
• All Things Bright and Beautiful and all of the other titles by James Herriot
• The Fault in our Stars by John Green
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• Broken Paradise by Cecilia Samartin (recommended by Kristin B., Prep grad)
• Autobiography of Malcolm X—a truly fascinating read!
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett--The movie was wonderful; the book, even better!
• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt—Another non-fiction title that read like a novel and has murder, high society, and a drag queen in Savannah.
• The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Wishing you a great summer, full of good times, good friends, and good reading,

Mrs. Hodge

A Purpose-Driven Library



Peabody Library, Baltimore



Have you seen this library? It is unforgettable – multi-storied stacks and a skylight that spans the entire roof, sending down a shimmer of sunlight. For about an hour, it was ours. Expertly guided through its incredible holdings and history, we soaked up the ambiance and information.

 

Illuminated Liturgical Song book

This rare liturgical book of songs was created in the 1400s, explained Paul Espinosa, our guide and curator of the Peabody Library. It was the work of several monks who lined, inked notes and illuminated letters. Paul handled the pages of this book as if touching a 15^th century artifact was something he did every day – in other words – quite naturally and without gloves.

When someone asked about touching the vellum pages with bare hands, Paul told us that our fingers are exquisitely sensitive; they apply just enough of the right kind of energy to carefully turn pages. Gloved hands, he reports, are much less sensitive and despite the best intentions, can rip or tear pages. Research has shown that clean, bare hands are the best archival tools.

At this point in our tour, there was a murmuring in our group,

“Sing it, Tinsley….”

“Do you want me to sing it?”

“Yes, yes!”

And then it began: a Song of Benediction -filling the space, lifting the notes off the 15^th century pages and into the present-surrounding us with emotional resonance. I don’t think anyone drew a breath until Tinsley sang the final “aleluia." *

The Peabody Library makes an excellent justification for libraries, yet none of their collection circulates. Somehow, our Chandramohan Library with its circulating collection, clarifies the justification for a library; the community is at the center of its purpose.

-Mrs. Eldridge

* Thank you, Tinsley, that was a peak experience.

Saving for the Future

the archivist's tools

If you are lucky enough to have saved a bit of the very essence of your community’s history – then your next task will be daunting: preserving it.

Restoration project

Not to mention organizing it so it can be found again. The Maryland Archives is a treasury of artifacts - from flags and swords from the Civil War to marriage records and maps.

Block-by-block map with layers

This block-by-block map of Baltimore has layers of information – literally. A new scrap of paper was pasted over the building’s location on the map each time a business entity changed. The archivist uncovered the sequential history of the district (each scrap was carefully unglued) and, in the process; the cultural and economic story of the neighborhood came to life. Although the map was created by an insurance adjusting agency, today it lends voice to a story of neighborhood change, where the business climate changed from pickle factory, lumber yard and bath house to theater district.



Triangular Civl War Banner



The Maryland Archives left me in a state of awe, both for the institution’s awareness of the big picture (a clear vision of what defines historical significance) and the attention to detail that restoration and preservation merits.

Marriage records

-Mrs. Eldridge

Beautiful Baltimore



Mt. Vernon in bloom



 

Once a year, we change lenses and view the world from a different perspective. This year, Baltimore showed us grace, beauty and charm. From wide-open pastoral settings freckled with flowering cherry trees to inspiring workshops, we experienced Baltimore on a seriously deep level.

Our librarian conference brought over 100 school librarians together for three days of networking, school touring and information sessions.

 Besides the camaraderie and learning, what sticks with me about Baltimore is the sense of place. Sky-piercing church spires, neighborhood entrepreneurs and row houses nestled in the same block: places and spaces with stories to tell.


United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon


At the lovely B&B where I stayed, none of the doors closed without a nudge, a jiggle or a fiddle to coax them into place. “Hey, this place was built ten years before the first shots of the Civil War,” my host explains, “things have settled a bit since then, and well, we just make allowances for that,” he adds. I loved staying close enough to walk to Red Emma’s bookstore and to a windfall of great eateries. After each day of touring Baltimore, my gracious hosts would ask excitedly what I’d seen – and then add a great story about Baltimore’s history to the day’s take of delights.

Next…..museums and archives.


Day trip to Annapolis

-Mrs. Eldridge



Read anything Pinteresting lately?

I’m extremely selective when it comes to social media.  It really has to be worth checking daily to enhance the quality of my life, or I'm not interested.  I tried, then dropped Twitter.  I figured if Tina Fey's tweets weren't that interesting, whose would be?  I’m technically a member of LinkedIn, but I never, never use it.  Frankly, I’m not sure why I would ever use it.  I keep in touch with fellow independent school librarians through our handy-dandy listserv through email—the old fashioned way. 

Facebook has been a wonderful link to my kids and grandkids, as well as old friends, and graduates of Prep.  My favorite addition to my tiny arsenal of social media sites has been *Pinterest.* Our family has used it to create a group board for the purpose of planning my daughter’s wedding, I follow boards of Prep graduates, family members, and interesting strangers. I’ve saved books to read, places to go, recipes to try, organizational ideas, cool crafts, helpful handy household hints, and librarian stuff.  Yes, I have a board called “Librarian Stuff.”  It’s a technical term. 

And, along with some of my colleagues from around the country, I contribute to a group board called “Interesting things librarians do in their libraries.”  This is instant networking I can wholeheartedly support!  Above is a fine example of a Banned Books Week display that I’d love to try…

And here is another banned books idea that would be fun…

Who wouldn’t want to have Jon Stewart explain the importance of books? 

Yes, this is librarian geekdom at its very finest!  I guess this is a commercial for Pinterest.  It's great for people who are visual, who are tired of maintaining paper files of good ideas, who want to go to a single place where they can save great stuff to do, to remember, to see, to hear, to read, to eat, to wear, to try.  Check it out to see what Pinterest can do for you!

Mrs. Hodge