Summer Reading

It's the end of June, and lots of magazines, blogs, websites have created their summer reading lists.   At the beginning of the year I typically set a goal for myself regarding the number of books to read this year.  Several years ago my very ambitious goal was to read a book a week, I failed miserably, it was not a realistic goal. I have a full time job, other hobbies, family and friends and I do like to sleep.  One of my favorite blogs is that of a woman who reads a book a day.  That's right a book a day, 365 books a year.  Is it possible to both love and hate someone at the same time? 

At any rate my goal this year was to read 30 books, I'm at 13, we are 1/2 way through the year so I am a bit behind but I have some serious summer reading planned. Here's what I've accomplished so far this year.

Whistling in the Dark
Night Road
We need to talk about Kevin
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay

Let me stop here and say that I realize I was pretty late to party when it comes to The Hunger Games trilogy but when people described it to me, I just kept thinking, that's not my thing.  I was surprised by how much I liked them, although I will say that with each book my enthusiasm for them diminished a bit.

Rush Home Road
My Korean Deli: Risking it all for a convenience store
The Forgotten Garden
A Circle of Quiet

And now a brief confession, (hanging my head in shame)
Fifty Shades of Grey
Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades Free
Yes, that's right I have read the Fifty Shades trilogy, a family member who recommended the Hunger Games also recommend Fifty.  She did smile and give me a bit of a warning, "there a little risque" A little risque?    Dang!

Another confession, I don't like to start things and not finish them.  During book one I thought there is no way I am reading 2 and 3, but I did at my cousin's insistence and hoping that perhaps there might be some sort of redemption for Christian Grey.  I also decided to pass along to her a few books that my book club has read.  I want her to know what a good book really looks like. She's enjoying them.

So on to my summer reading list which by the way I probably could have finished at least one book in the time I've spent reading blogs, magazines, and book lists to actually come up with said list.

Home Front by Kristen Hannah
The House at Riverton by Kate Morten
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Gallloway
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
Arcadia by Lauren Groff
Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton
The Whipping Club by Deborah Henry
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (this is actually a re-read, as I'm thinking of requiring for my freshmen class this Fall)

Even as I look at this now, I think it may be a bit ambitious but it's a goal.  Enjoy your summer and your summer reading.  I probably will not be blogging again till all my reading is done.

Tales of a Career Stalker

I finished my annual report!!  You have no idea how happy this makes me.  As the director of a college career center one of my responsibilities each year is report on how our graduates are fairing in the wonderful world of work.  It's even better if they are working in their chosen field and not asking "would you like fries with that?"  Well guess what?  93% of them are working in their field.  That's a huge relief for me, not that I can claim credit for this, I  only provide them the tools they need to get there, they have to figure out how to use those tools effectively. But there is a lot of pressure on colleges these days to provide a return on investment. So for another year I am able to take a deep breath and give myself a small pat on the back, whether I deserve it or not. 

Of course tracking down this information is a nightmare and my deep breath is really about the fact that I can stop stalking people.  It's true I am a super stalker, for the last 3 months, it seems all I have done is emailed alumni begging them to complete my short online survey. It's so simple!  My former student worker who watched me last year torment other graduates PROMISED she would not be one of those students who didn't complete her survey.  Guess what?  Nope, no survey from her!  She laughed when I called her, telling me she had both my mailings, had actually done the survey and it was sitting completed on her desk.  Seriously?  Do you know how to use a business reply envelope?  Stick the survey in the envelope, walk it the end of the driveway and wait for the mailman to take it away.  Really!  It's that simple. Or even easier click the link on the email I sent you answer a few questions and BOOM! You're done.  On a side note, I taught an adult class a few weeks ago and every time I made a comment that a student in that class liked he shouted "BOOM!"  It was amusing and annoying at the same time.

So besides emails and phone calls to alumni, their parents, their former roommates, I have spent a great deal of time searching Facebook, Linkedin, company websites, blogs, you name.   Google truly has become my best friend.

My evenings  once again belong to me and I am giving up my stalking for at least 9 more months.  I'm creating my summer reading list.  Coming soon!