Honeybee

Honeybee: Poems & Short Prose

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Book Four

Review:

The introduction to this collection of poetry ends with some words of wisdom that are sort of frightening. Albert Einstein allegedly said, "If all the honeybees disappear, human beings have four years left on earth." If this is true, then we are in big trouble! I loved the title of this book and her explanation as to why she chose it. I never really thought much of the "honeybee" and now I view them differently.

Although most of the poems and prose in this collection range on topics of love, memory, and our planet, the pieces that stood out the most were the political poems and prose. I felt that a few poems were somewhat disturbing and I'm not sure if she has the right audience in mind for this particular book. The reading age level is 9-12 year olds and the themes in my opinion are definitely much more advanced. In comparison with both her YA novel Habibi and two YA poetry collections A Maze Me: Poems for Girls and 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East, this collection really speaks more to a high schooler.
Here's a list of poems that stood out for me.

• The United States Is Not the World
• My President Went
• Ted Kooser Is My President
• Cult of Life
• Missing Thomas Jefferson

The prose piece that stood out the most for me is entitled, "Before I Read The Kite Runner".

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us 

by Seth Godin

Book Three

Review:

Smart and funny, this book on tribes is an easy read for anyone who has ever wanted to know what makes us lead and follow. Godin states the importance of the Internet and how it works to bring together communities of like minded folks. He then gives great examples of how leadership can work and what characteristics make a good leader. Perhaps this book is written more for the followers out there and how they too can be true leaders. A must read for those who need that extra push to get out there and do something.

Visit Seth's site for more of his books.

Jayne Anne Phillips

Who is Jayne Anne Phillips?

A writer whose cult status has been compared to J.D. Salinger presents her first novel in nine years, "Lark & Termite," a coming-of-age tale set in the 1950s - two parallel periods of time late and early in the decade. Lark is 17, and lives in West Virginia with her aunt and also Termite, a severely disabled, abandoned child raised as her brother. -New York Post

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2006

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2006 by:  Spiegelman, Groening & Eggers

Book Two 

Review:

This is a collection of fiction, nonfiction, essays, journalism, comics, and humor. Below are the pieces that stood out for me the most. Although, it took me on and off two years to read this anthology, it was a complete page turner that could be enjoyed over and over again.

• First Sentences of Novels of 2005
  
• Things to Know about Chuck Norris
  
• New Words and Phrases
  
• Haruki Murakami. "THE KIDNEY-SHAPED STONE THAT MOVES EVERY DAY"
  
• George Saunders. "THE NEW MECCA"
  
• Kurt Vonnegut, "HERE IS A LESSON IN CREATIVE WRITING"
  

I Can't Believe I'm Still Single

I Can't Believe I'm Still Single

by Eric Schaeffer

Book One

Review:

What? Is this guy serious? If you read this book, you will know why this man is "still single". Funny, torturous and pathetic is Eric Schaeffer as he looks for a mate in the lonely city of New York. Although, very honest and pure, one finds themselves routing against Mr. Schaeffer as he screws up relationship after relationship. A quick read once you get past all the self loathing, neurotic and narcissistic commentary. If you like unconventional memoirs, this book is for you.

About the Author Eric Schaeffer’s television project for the FX Network, Starved, was created, written, directed and starred in by Schaeffer himself, and was premiered to widespread critical acclaim in August of 2005. Schaeffer has written, directed, produced, and starred in several films since 1994, including: My Life’s in Turnaround (Arrow Films, 1994), Fall (MGM, 1997), Wirey Spindell (Wellspring, 2000), Never Again which starred Jill Clayberg and Jeffrey Tambor (Focus Features, 2002), and Mind the Gap (Five Minutes Before the Miracle Releasing and Showtime, 2004). Schaeffer worked with Ben Stiller, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Elle McPherson on his 1996 Tristar film, If Lucy Fell. Schaeffer’s other film acting credits include One Night at McCool’s (USA Films). Schaeffer has also acted in starring roles on television, including First Years (NBC), Mitch Hurwitz’s Everything’s Relative (NBC), and Century City (CBS).- Powells.com

Check out his blog and myspace.