For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites for each month. So! While I have read eighteen books for February, here are my Top 5 favorites.
This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams
I have to say. Taking the American Modernism course for my Master’s program has been revolutionary for me. The stories were intriguing and amazing while the poems were oddly straightforward for me to read. Williams is one prominent example as he writes how I write – colloquially, that is. I find it brave when the writer speaks like their culture/community allows them to. It creates a sense of vulnerable authenticity with their audience.
The Chinese Zodiac in Cultures and Traditions by Cindy I-Fen Cheng & The Great Courses
I have always loved The Great Courses ever since I came across them in 2020. Learning new things has always been my mantra and this is no different. I already knew about the Chinese Zodiac from my middle school years, but it’s always nice to understand the history and formation around them. I’m not kidding when I say that I ended up coming up with a story. Inspiration hits at the oddest of times.
A Courtly History: Romance in the 19th Century by Stephanie Insley Hershinow & The Great Courses
Mainly because of Bridgerton, I have always been curious about the actual history of courting. I know there are others, but I’m drawing a blank right now. Anyway, it was nice to learn the origin of terminology as well as ones that I either didn’t know existed or the proper meaning. This is useful for anybody who is a fan of these shows because you can separate fact from fiction.
The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen
So, I literally just read this story with my tenth-grade students and I instantly loved it. It has been a long time since I read something like this. The story has a perfect blend of dark and humorous aspects. Also, it’s the first time that I even heard the name “Hans Christian Andersen” although I have read many of his stories in my youth. So, I have been going on an “Andersen bender” of sorts.
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
I’ve read nine stories on my “Andersen bender”, which lasted all of two and a half hours. While The Red Shoes is a wonderful story about being careful what you wish for, I found this one to be so heartbreaking, yet hopeful. Also, it’s right up my alley on happy moments with a twist ending of sadness.
