RSS

Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Smells like school spirit

SmellsLikeSchoolSpirit

It’s the little things that end up being the big things and nothing says that more than school spirit weeks with a side of national celebrations recognized at school.

Today marks the end of another spirit week and while I randomly participated in the past, I’m finding myself as a decade-long educator doing so more fervently. I can’t tell you why necessarily, but it’s a silly way to engage with students, laugh and joke, and be an active participant in the school’s culture. This week I

Wore a school t-shirt to support “athletes and mathletes” on Monday
Cosplayed as Harry Potter for memes, cartoons, and cosplay Tuesday
- This entailed stealing my elementary-aged son’s Halloween costume
- I struck a pose with other students from our Anime Club who went all out then also struck a pose with three other staff members who decided Harry Potter was the way to go too
Wore an LL Bean robe and slippers for pajama day on Wednesday
Slid on a polka dotted skirt for polka dot Thursday
And today am donning another school t-shirt to recognize Falcon Friday

Likewise, February 1st (this past Friday) was World Hijab Day and to recognize and stand in support of our female students who wear hijabs, staff were encouraged to participate too. The library took it a step further and asked students to sign an “I support #WorldHijabDay because” poster to hang along our wall in addition to my twenty minutes of Youtube videos and practice on Thursday night to wear a hijab on Friday. As with school spirit week, the conversation was the rewarding part of the experience along with understanding more about the culture of our Muslim students and staff.

SchoolSpirit

It might seem insignificant or a distraction, but as an educator it’s the least I can do to break up the monotony but also connect at that next level. No one is saying you must go out and buy polka dotted outfits if you own nothing with them (you’re not living until you wear polka dots), but making an effort can make you feel more fulfilled. Especially for an educator like me who isn’t always seen as 100% warm and fuzzy all of the time (I like procedures and policies), it makes me vulnerable in a way that helps me remember my role in student development and as a caring adult in their life.

So what the heck?! Throw some caution into the wind and wear your clothes inside out for that next spirit day or plan one if your school doesn’t already have one to pull everyone just a little bit closer.

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on February 8, 2019 in Miscellaneous, Style

8 systems for reading more

04 Jan

8systemsforreadingmore

As human beings, we know that if it is important, we’ll make it a priority and find the time in our schedule to do it. For readers that “it” is reading. And like any good resolution to start a good habit whether for its own sake or to replace a bad habit, systems are put in place to make it happen.

As is the case for reading more, the systems might be

Making sure that wherever you go you have a book with you. This could mean a book in your bag, a downloaded ebook or audiobook on your phone, keeping one in the car, or at your desk at work.
Actively changing the pattern of reaching for your phone and instead reaching for your book if you spent your down time scrolling.
Purchasing materials to make a book nook at home to make it a comfortable reading spot. This might mean a comfy slippers, a plush blanket, a new armchair.
Changing behavior and reading for 15 minutes when you wake up in the morning rather than turning on the TV or likewise turning off the TV and reading for 15 minutes before bed to gain momentum.
Picking materials that you WANT to read. No one should be forcing you to read things you don’t want to so when you’re picking something because you enjoy it whether it’s a steamy romance or self-help book or future science, you’ll find yourself reading more when you’re enjoying the content itself more. Reading classics only works if you WANT to read classics. And the same goes if you aren’t enjoying the book you’re reading– there’s plenty of inspiring quotes that life is too short to be reading a bad book.
If you’re increasing your reading, you might want to make sure your public library card is up to date.
- I’m a book borrower, rarely a book purchaser (except for the purchases I make working in the library) and that’s an economical choice because I read so much.
Join a book club or have a book buddy. Someone that enjoys the act and can push, pull, prod, and inspire you to continue on your reading journey. For some, this is the motivation they’d need to build their momentum. Or at the very least, start a relationship with your local public librarian or indie bookseller because they’re just as passionate about books and would happily engage in conversations around what they’re reading and what you’re reading.
Practicing the art of reading focus. We can binge watch on Netflix, but it’s hard to binge read? Never! But for those that haven’t done it in a while, you need to get your stamina back and that means the concentrated focus we have at work to accomplish a task can be applied to good ol’ fashioned reading. Plain and simple.

idratherbereading One of the systems I put in place years ago was that my lunch at work in a busy school library was to read. First (and this is aimed at every educator) was to take my lunch and the second was to use part or all of that time to read. It was astounding how many more books I read over the week, month, year when I began this practice. And for 2019, I vowed to capture more of my lunchtime reading by bookstagramming them and using the hashtag #literarylunchbox. Feel free to follow my journey on Instagram @readersbeadvised.

What systems will you put in place to make reading a bigger chunk of your life?

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on January 4, 2019 in Blogging, Miscellaneous

Top 10 of 2018: Adult edition

26 Dec

Copy of Top10of2018

Clearly I read a bit more young adult and middle grade titles than adult titles because my job is working with teens, but as I get older I enjoy taking the time out to read some adult titles. You’ll probably notice a bit of a theme, like the stuff in my Netflix queue, so if you didn’t get to read any of these titles when they were published this past year, put them on your list for 2019.

Top 10 of 2018- Adult Edition

A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong: Detailing a 2008 rape report by Marie after a man broke into her apartment, the writers share the circuitous way in which a man was finally brought to justice after a long hard traumatic road.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones: From it’s superb cover to the dynamic storytelling of Celestial and Roy’s relationship after he’s imprisoned is a slow burn that is full of frustration, love, resentment, and loyalty.
Bingo Love written by Tee Franklin and illustrated by Jenn St. Onge: A queer love story with rich illustrations and a painful yet sentimental relationship about two women, Hazel and Mari who after meeting years ago were apart yet find their way back together decades in the making.
How to be A Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery: Featuring thirteen animals who had an impact on her life and are reflected in the dozens of books she’s published for teens and adults over the years, it allows all of us to pause and reflect on how animals affect our lives from their presence to their absence.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara: True crime fans will likely have already bought this the day it came out and it was made more superb by the fact that the Golden State Killer was literally identified not too long ago after McNamara’s quest to identify him over years of her life. We’ve all been sucked into a project that won’t loosen it’s grip and this is evidence of one woman’s true obsession.
Impossible Owls: Essays by Brian Phillips: I picked this one up after seeing it on a best list for 2018 since I’ve also been reading more essay collections. Phillips is a dynamic storyteller and makes the most mundane fascinating but also allows readers to peek behind the curtain of activities like the Iditarod and seeing tigers in the jungles of India.
Not that Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay: Gay’s strong voice is a lightning rod of thoughtful observations that go without saying.
Period: Twelve Voices Tell the Bloody Truth edited by Kate Farrell: The compilation of stories about menstruation is a worthy read for everyone because they are honest, emotional, beautiful, and empowering. Let’s change the dialogue.
Saga Volume 9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples: Now they’re taking a break after that ending? Gut-wrenching! But this space opera is the most creative and original work featuring star-crossed lovers and their journey filled with imaginative characters including Alana, Marko, and their daughter, Hazel.
Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson: He’s probably biased because he’s a Smithsonian researcher on whales and I’m probably biased because I love whales and marine life in general. From digging up bones and to understanding their immensity, it’s also a message to humans inhabiting this planet that we must take care of all creatures and not hunt them to extinction.

I love animals, can’t you tell? I like true crime but you figured that out too. And a well-drawn and imaginatively well-written graphic novel, check. Let’s celebrate the diversity and creativity of the books that were published in 2018 and tip our hats to the authors continuing to hone their craft and new writers that will bring that much more for 2019.

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 26, 2018 in Adult, Authors, Cover Love, Fiction, Graphic novels, Miscellaneous, Nonfiction

Top 10 of 2018: Young adult and middle grade edition

19 Dec

Top10of2018

I’ve been thinking making a list and checking it twice for my picks for the best YA and MG titles published in 2018 (in addition to my shout out below of the finalists for the 2018 William C. Morris Award Committee of which I was a part). In alphabetical order- the books that I shouted from the rooftops about:

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol: This fun romp is a reminder that we were all awkward growing up and nervous about making friends. Special appearance by the local convenience store, Stewart’s, makes this an especially lovely local story!
Chasing King’s Killer by James Swanson: I continue to be blown away by the quality of Swanson’s research and his aptitude to bring history to a younger audience. He truly makes history sexy.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Ironically this published at the beginning of 2018 and I’ve already read the ARC of The Wicked King and give that five stars too. Black knows how to create an intense atmosphere in a faerie land.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland: Sign me up for more alternative history. This mixes zombies, the Civil War, and race relations and allows a kickass heroine to shine with her sassy attitude.
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka: A graphic novel memoir that began from Krosoczka’s TED talk about his childhood and allows our authors to be human and teaching empathy.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee: I stayed up past my bedtime to finish Lee’s book in one sitting. This companion focuses on Monty’s sister Felicity with a penchant for medicine and no outlet to practice in a man’s world.
Lu by Jason Reynolds: There is nothing sadder than the end of a beloved series. Reynold’s Track series was an instant hit and each story with their vivid covers and realistic characters shone like the North Star guiding young readers about right and wrong, healthy relationships, and the meaning of community.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: The coloring of this graphic novel compliments the emotions and story of a prince who loves to wear dresses and his relationship with his dressmaker keeping the secret… until it’s not one anymore.
Seafire by Natalie Parker: Every female empowerment anthem plays when I see the cover and remember my feelings reading this book that mixes the best of Lumberjanes with seafaring and the ultimate fight against evil. These ladies have my heart.
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown: I immediately finished this sequel and ordered both for my elementary-aged sons. This sentimental story about Roz, a robot now living on a family farm who longs for the freedom she once had on an island caring for a gosling. Heartfelt science fiction adventure at its best.

Top 10 of 2018_ Young Adult and Middle Grade Edition

In addition, January 2019 finishes my term as a member of the William C. Morris Award Committee through YALSA, which means I read a lot of debut novels besides my usual cache of books. With all of that reading, our committee came up with the five finalists announced last week and we will vote on the winner next month that will be announced at the Youth Media Awards in Seattle, Washington. Here were the finalists:

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
Check, Please! #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
What The Night Sings by Vesper Stamper

2019 Morris Award Finalists Feature Slide

Cheers to the reading you did in 2018 and all of the books to be read in 2019 and beyond!

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 19, 2018 in Authors, Blogging, Cover Love, Fiction, Graphic novels, Middle grade, Miscellaneous, Nonfiction, Verse, Young Adult

A night at the library: 5 things

01 Dec

ANightAtTheLibrary5Things

Last night, my colleague and I hosted 92 high school students for our third annual library lock-in that we’ve re-branded Falcon Library After Dark. Our activities included pizza, three movie screens, computers, tabletop games, video games, double Dutch, corn hole, Legos, and an all-night activity if they chose to undertake it– a BINGO-like challenge that got them talking, investigating, and thinking. This was followed by a short dance party before running our nonfiction gauntlet and collecting their Blow Pop.

Students get to hang out and be themselves with their friends and make new friends. They enjoy the camaraderie and excitement and an opportunity to relax for an evening before heading into the weekend at home. And it got me thinking- what would I do if I were in the library all night? Here are five things:

Sit down and just be. Our library is nothing if not active. If we have to close for a period or after school, which doesn’t happen often, it’s nearly impossible for anyone– students and staff alike– to believe it as they rattle the doors and stare in. Therefore, sitting down and just being in the library is a luxury. While most library’s aren’t shush zones, there is something beautiful about a silent library… sometimes.
Make myself a cup of tea. I joke that I’d be opening up Pandora’s box if I started drinking tea at work because I drink enough outside of work, but on the rare days where I need to warm up, there is a stash in the office.
Wander the shelves. I take pride in our collection. I turned into a nonfiction reader about a decade ago and haven’t looked back. I often read nonfiction during my lunch. I’m also just as obsessed with graphic novels and fiction, so no matter where you are in the library, there’s something fantastic to read at your fingertips. It would be lovely just to feel with my fingertips and scan with my eyes.
Ignore my desk. Wouldn’t it be tempting if I were locked in the library all night to sit down and work? Of course, but this is not that kind of fantasy.
Read. What did you think number five would be? After wandering the shelves, it would be nearly impossible not to have pulled some off the shelves and snuggle in for the rest of the night to read– in the comfy chairs, at the table, in between the stacks.

What would you do if you were in a library all night?

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 1, 2018 in Events, Miscellaneous

Sandwiches! Stick a fork in it

26 Nov

SandwichesPutaForkInIt

This post was first published on the Times Union Books Blog

When I say sandwich, which one do you think of first?

2018-05-05 08.02.35 On May 20, 2018, my family and I embarked on a journey of epic proportions inspired by the Alison Deering book illustrated by Bob Lentz called Sandwiches!: More Than You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Making and Eating America’s Favorite Food. The book landed in our high school library and over my own lunch I began reading, giggling, and nerding-out over the hundreds of factoids about famous sandwiches and the hypnotizing illustrations that accompanied them.

Soon after drooling over the entire book, I started to talk about the useful (and humorously useless) information shared but also in how neatly the information was presented. On the left, a graphic of the complete sandwich with a brief introduction surrounded by dates, biographies, and scientific notes related to the sandwich. And on the right, a manual for putting together the sandwich with additional information if you wanted to make certain items from scratch or if you wanted to level it up with additional items.

I brought it home to share with my elementary-aged sons who also began pouring over the spreads and thus was born the quest to make EVERY sandwich in the book- all 52 of them. It’s November 26, 2018 and last night we noshed on the last one which couldn’t have been eaten any time before as it’s The Gobbler- the quintessential post-Thanksgiving sandwich where all of the dishes end up in one pile between two slices of bread. We actually also kicked it off in style too as I was hosting a longtime friend who appreciates a good meal so we started the journey with the hummus sandwich, chips, and a beer for the adults.

On my personal blog, I have shared three posts, Sandwiches! Part I, Sandwiches! Part II, and Sandwiches! Part III about the food adventures along the way. Let it be known that this is the final installment: Sandwiches! Part IV where I highlight the final few not because we did them in order per se and they were at the end or that they were the “hardest” to make, but simply that’s how we crossed them off our list of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert sandwiches. The last few included the Banh Mi, the Po’ Boy, and the Italian Beef among others but not before trying out one that is the author’s own non-traditional favorite without a real name.

Few books have had an impact like this one has on trial and error, experimentation, and conversation. I have friends and family who have kept tabs as I’ve posted pictures on Instagram using the hashtag #makingallthesandwiches or made one for them. But the most fun was in what my kids thought and what ended up being their favorite even as we tried things like the spaghetti sandwich and the mac and cheese sandwich. Again, not that these are new sandwiches (as my husband lamented plenty of times), they just remind you of regional items, cultural elements, and history. He’s had a long history with sandwiches, but who hasn’t? Our small, old kitchen was put to the test along with our stomachs, but it’s been one heck of a seven-month journey.

What are your favorite classics or do you have one that’s all your own that you want to share? Maybe if Alison Deering hears about it, she’ll put it in her next book.

#drippinggravy

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on November 26, 2018 in Authors, Cover Love, Miscellaneous, Nonfiction

Who said they don’t read?

19 Oct

WhoSaidTheyDontRead

I was filled with so much love this afternoon that the only thing I managed was a quick Canva post on our library’s social media and two Blow Pops or else I would explode glitter, confetti, rainbows, and hearts.

Our school library is a busy place with a minimum of sixty students per period and considerably more during lunch shifts. The design of our library includes a circulation desk that sits toward the center but doubles as an information hub where both our library assistant and one librarian sit. So I usually spend my day staring out at all of the students in our library and fielding questions and problem-solving while trying to get a bit of work done if not teaching and planning with teachers. This means while I’m on the desk, I tend to overhear things and see plenty of things but it gives us plenty of face-time with students.

I looked up when I heard a girl’s voice that was a little louder than the others. I watched a moment and realized that she was reading aloud to a friend sitting across the table. I waited a moment. I called out and asked if she was reading the book I thought she was reading. She said yes. She continued reading out loud to her friend. Then she continued to read aloud for the next 15 minutes.

Not knowing what to do with my bursting librarian heart, I posted this

2018-10-19 11.26.49

to our social media and then went to our backroom where we keep a stash of Blow Pops as thank yous to students. I walked over and shared them and showed them what I had just posted. They giggled and continued as I went back to my work before the bell rang.

There are moments in librarianship where you know exactly why you’re doing what you do. And this was one of those moments.

Who said teenagers don’t read?

1 Comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on October 19, 2018 in Fiction, Miscellaneous, Young Adult

Movie time

17 Oct

MovieTime

The last movie I saw in the theater was The Lego Batman movie with my two elementary-aged kids. Movies I watch tend to be what’s available on Netflix in 30-45 minute intervals while I work out in the morning, but they usually even play second fiddle to series and documentaries. Plus, when I start something, I need to finish the season before moving on to anything else so it took me a few months to finally watch To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

And it was like savoring the first few bites of ice cream on a hot summer day, the last nibbles of a decadent dessert, or the buzzy feeling of leaving a friend after some serious bonding. That’s to say, it was heavenly. I think the feeling of finishing the movie will be a feeling I remember. And then when I decide to watch it again… very soon. And it seems like there are millions of people that agree.

I’ll share that the Jenny Han books were lovely, but I wasn’t over-the-moon about them in part because of the focus on the sisters’ relationships that I had no context for as the oldest with two younger brothers. I read them, appreciated them, share them with students. I certainly follow Jenny Han on Instagram with her posts in dresses from places near and far.

If you haven’t, queue it up. Don’t multi-task. Get a cold or hot beverage, snuggle up alone or with someone, indulge in your favorite treat. And savor the romantic comedy whose genius lineup, witty banter, stunning backdrop, and romantic overtones is pitch-perfect.

Now that I’m thinking about it… I think I’ll queue it up again for tomorrow morning because the memories are just too sweet. And I’ll finish by re-creating the Twitter meme sensation it’s caused with my own:

To all the boys that visit bookstores and libraries: I see you.

Love, Alicia

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on October 17, 2018 in Authors, Fiction, Miscellaneous, Young Adult

Answering the question

10 Sep

AnsweringtheQuestion

Last week was the first week back to school for us in upstate New York. Staff were back on Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday was Freshman First Day and then Friday all students in grades 9-12 came back. And with the first week, that means the age-old question “so, how was your summer?”

SomeplacetoGo

Like “hello, how are you?” where how are you is usually rhetorical, “how was your summer?” fills the hole of something to say when you’ve been away from students and colleagues for a gap of time. Most don’t really want a play-by-play of your summer, but for those that do, mine could be summed up in one Pinterest-worthy quote: “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”

Between house remodeling and a family business, vacations and activities are usually done in short bursts and were not expensive (I do want a kitchen sooner than later). So I filled my days with reading from a twenty-four hour readathon to reading the Harry Potter series, I got lost in books and let them take me places when I didn’t go anywhere. And if you were to ask me whether I had a wonderful summer, the answer is yes.

My sons would likely answer the same: having read endless Calvin and Hobbes comics along with Harry Potter, Dog Man, and Stick Cat. Yes, we biked and relaxed along Lake Ontario, but what’s important is that they also felt fulfilled with adventuring in books too.

In thinking about our students returning, I hope that it is the same for them. If they did visit the beach or attend a festival, great, but if they did not get to every county fair or get to visit family in the city, I hope that they went places in books. And I’m going to make it a point to recognize that when we speak.

Where did you go in your books this summer?

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on September 10, 2018 in Miscellaneous

Words

22 Aug

Words

For close to two weeks in August, my mother in law visits from Minnesota. The days are typically filled with activities and family time leaving little time for me to read independently but the one thing that is substituted is time to play Bananagrams.

By far, this game is an all-time favorite. On par with rummy and now chess (see previous post here), I love the challenge of making words. The competition is secondary. As a reader, words have deep meaning. Sentences move me. Paragraphs are photographed and saved in folders for me to reread. I have pages from The Lovely Bones photocopied just to go back to read when I want. I have bookshelves of books that have changed me.

One of my favorite slides to end on during book presentations is the reminder that all books are made up of just twenty-six letters– think of the magic that just twenty-six letters rearranged can have on people and for writers, the magic they weave with them. There is a power of one word or in a dozen words. And Bananagrams allows you to appreciate it. There are some games where I want to take pictures to remember the words I used. To clarify, not that they’re overly intelligent words or pulled from a huge lexicon I have, instead, because I’m proud of the English language. The game keeps me mentally sharp and reminds me that in a time when words are being replaced by emojis and abbreviations that words a beautiful. And they’re built through reading.

Today I used words like quotidian and shamrock. Yesterday I used words like toxin and extensive. Again, not overly complicated or long, but sometimes just their meaning or usage is a reminder of how words can hurt or help, tear down or build us up. Words are powerful. Remember that. Then play a round of Bananagrams. And if you don’t have anyone to play with, give me a shout and I’ll bring my A-game.

Leave a comment

Posted by Alicia Abdul on August 22, 2018 in Miscellaneous