Book bits
Three books about language, a review of 'The Spanish Bow,' and readers' picks.
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"Every profession has its own language," writes Diane Ravitch in Ed Speak: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon. "Education is no exception." But educators, she points out, need to be able to communicate with both parents and the general public. To help make "ed speak' more accessible to lay people, Ravitch has defined more than 500 commonly used terms from the "strange tongue" of pedagogese.
– Marjorie Kehe
Sit, stay, read
Just when you had recovered from the remarkable success of "The Dangerous Book for Boys," here comes another (perhaps equally potent) threat to domestic tranquility: The Dangerous Book for Dogs (Villard Books, 193 pp., $15.95) by Rex and Sparky.
The book features chapters with titles like "Making Toys Out of Household Items," "Foul Smells Every Dog Should Roll In," and "A Connoisseur's Guide to Shoes."
The word "parody" in the subtitle reassures all of us that we need not take it too seriously but it does, of course, arrive just in time for holiday gift giving. I'm not quite sure why dog owners – who could write their own such manuals – will need a book like this, but the little sketches are cute, the prose is funny, and who can resist a work with the dedication, "For Marley"?
Readers' picks
I just finished R.D. Rosen's A Buffalo in the House: The True Story About a Man, an Animal, and the American West. Weaving the story of bison in American history through the tale of a man who became inseparable from an orphaned buffalo calf, this book will touch the heart of any animal lover.– Louise Brennecke Brown, Sherwood, Ore.
I knew that I would attract smirking attention from my wife when I began my most recent assault on Thomas Pynchon's crazily beautiful, chaotic Gravity's Rainbow. Why read such a difficult book? It's a constant search for beauty and elegance, and I guess only reading can help.– Barry Wightman, Elm Grove, Wis.
I am almost halfway through Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and find it enjoyable, witty, and charming. Elizabeth Gilbert has let me into her life. – Michelle Jaeger Jones, Playa Vista, Calif.
For something a little different, I tried Spin by Canadian author Robert Charles Wilson. Its three main characters sacrifice all they have – one for science, one for faith, and one for love. As soon as I finished it, I read it all over again and still can't stop thinking about it and the way it gives me hope for our race.– Kathy Piselli, Atlanta
In Stars of the New Jersey Shore: A Theatrical History, Karen Schnitzspahn has taken currently controversial Long Branch, N.J., and given it back its fabled past. You'll be astounded at the names that pop up, with details of their private lives. This is a must read for fans of celebrity history.– Art Scott, Flagstaff, Ariz.
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy is about ceasing to procrastinate. For people who are overwhelmed by tasks of all sizes, this book provides methods for accomplishing more.– Lena Davidson, Portland, Ore.
What are you reading? Write and tell us at kehem@csps.com.
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