Long lost blogger...

So I know I've been the worst blogger in the history of the world. The last thing I want to do when I come home from work is type on the computer. Honestly, I haven't even been reading much since I wrote my last post. I went to OU homecoming this weekend, and a fellow bilbomaniac told me how much she would love to read my blog, so I figured I better start up again. My intention is to keep the blog going, so all of you better make a comment because I need to know that people are still interested in reading it.

I did read the book "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard. Remember the one book I was trying for so long to get? It was really good. Even though I followed this case on TV religiously, through a lot of the book I kept forgetting that it actually happened... that the girl writing the book actually went through that. It boggles my mind that a human beings are capable of such things. Mind boggling that a man can kidnap an 11 year old girl for 18 years and do those horrible things to her; mind boggling that someone's wife would put up with it; and even more mind boggling that a girl could live through it. I am just so happy that she lived to tell her story. Did any of you read it?

Oh and I also finished "One Day" and then  I never saw the movie because I just never got around to it. I loved the book and I can't wait until it comes out on DVD so I can watch it. The book was a serendipity like book that had a surprising ending. I call it a love story, but it is a very cynical love story; not sappy and vomit provoking.

Right now I am actually rereading a book. I am not typically a person who rereads books, but I am doing it because I don't have the time to read every day. This way, I can pick up the book whenever I have time and remember where I left off. I would post a picture of the book and the author's website, but for some reason Google is not letting me copy and paste into the blog. I don't know why and it's really bothering me. 

The book I am reading is called "One Child" by Torey Hayden.  It's a true story about the relationship between an emotionally disturbed child and her teacher. When the girl (Sheila) was 6 years old she intentionally caught a 3 year old child on fire. After that incident, she was put into Torey's classroom for the emotionally disturbed. She was abandoned by her mother and grew up with her father in a house with no running water or bathroom. The little girl is a wild and crazy child when she first arrives to Torey's room. On her first day of school she takes all of the goldfish out of a tank and cuts their eyes out. Later on, Torey discovers that Sheila is not only severely abused, but also extremely intelligent. I read this book and its sequel back in high school. I can't remember how the rest of the book goes, but it is coming back to me as I read it. I recommend this book for anyone who works with children. Here's the link to the author's website: Torey Hayden. 

Until next time (which hopefully won't be almost 2 months),

-Jacqueline

The Help

 Again, sorry about the infrequent posts. I don't know why I decided to start a blog right as I start my career, but I'm going to do my best. I am still reading One Day. I know, I'm moving at a snails pace. This week at work is very hectic. It it my first week where I need to pull kids for IEP minutes (last week we didn't want to pull them because they need to get to know their teachers). This week I need to see them for minutes and also screen the entire school's hearing. Remember, these are 3,4,5 year olds, and half of them have special needs. It is not an easy task! not only is work hectic, but I am moving on Thursday. I know, poor me right? It's actually pretty exciting, but extremely stressful and busy. Anyway, I really wanted to do a post on The Help. If you aren't living under a rock I'm sure you've read it.




  I read The Help when it first came out in hardback. My grandmother had it and she passed it on to me. I think it was spring break of 2010. I read it in just a few days, which was rare for me then because I was in my second semester of grad school and I'm sure we still had homework over spring break. Amazingly enough, I am already starting to forget some things about grad school. 

I loved this book not only for the story, but for the writing. I love books that are written in accents. It really sets the tone of the book and I feel like I really am getting to know the characters and what they would be like/sound like if they were real people. I also loved that there was so much dialogue. If you haven't figured that out about me yet, I love books with tons of dialogue. I also really enjoy historical fiction. My family is from Mississippi so it was also fun to read a book based in Jackson because I've been there so many times in my life.

When I found out that they were making a movie about this book I was thrilled. I always get a little nervous about really good books being turned into movies, but either way I was definitely going to see this movie. I went and saw it and it did not disappoint! Whenever a movie is based on a book they have to leave out certain parts, and this movie was no exception, but I think they left out just the right parts. I didn't walk out of the movie thinking, "oh I wish they would have put in that part."

But, honestly when I saw the movie I had forgotten so much about the book. As I was watching I kept remembering the book as it went along. I thought that the actors portrayed the characters really well.

So my biblomaniac followers-- I want to hear what you thought about the book, the movie, or the book vs. the movie. Comment away: