Recently I've become addicted to going to the grocery store. I'd like to say it's because I like to cook, but unfortunately that's not the reason. As a matter of fact, I'm often teased for how I quickly I race through the store with the sole mission of finding the simplest products for the quickest, nutritional meal possible. No, the real reason I've become addicted to the store is my attraction to the used book tables near the school supplies at the back.
For some reason, about a month ago, our supermarket started carrying used books. Some of the books feel dusty, smell musty, and look like the tossed off remains of ex patriot workers who, in a frenzy to lighten their load before the movers came and and told them they'd exceeded their 1000 lb air freight allowance, dumped their books somewhere. (Reselling books seems like the work of an enterprising trash collector or housekeeper) Titles like World Cup 1984 complete with pictures of footballers wearing shorts that barely covered their cheek bums and How to Raise and Care for a Chinchilla -who would wear a mink coat here? - were not worth the additional $5000 shipping to airfreight the books back home.
Other books appear to be bookstore "slow sellers" and publisher "seconds". Take the How My Body Works - The Joints and Tendons (Vol. 38) which seemed like a good idea until I discovered the pages were glued upside down into the book. I know that, for some of the students, reading the words in any direction is about the same - hard, boring, and seemingly impossible, but in good conscience, I want to give them the "best" possible way to have success in their reading so proper page placement seems like a "minimum" requirement.
Sprinkled in the grocery store mix are Malaysian publishers trying to translate, copy or perjure foreign authors in the interest of "cheap profit." These books make me crazy for several reasons, including because they are translated just like they talk. For example, Cinderella might say, "Prince charming. I go back now. Ok la?" (which means "Time to go home!" and Prince Charming might reply, "Can, Can." (Which means "Ok", not the Parisian dance or dancers).
But, back to my new addiction. I feel like my "calling", my "vocation", my "legacy" is to build an English library at this new school. It began with my last trip to the United States, an empty suitcase, $50, and a trip to the Wheaton Regional Library. Seventy-five books later, a bulging 49.99 lb. bag and a heavy, book-laden knapsack that took up my "under the seat in front of me" legroom for the flight back, I had the start to a library.
Unfortunately, with a student body of 60 students ranging in age from 7-17, my heavy loads worked out to just over one book per student and only about 18 inches of shelf space in the school "library." Trying to meet the varying needs and English proficiency levels of these students was tough. In other words, I'd made a good start but barely made a dent in the number of volumes, especially if "reading in English" is a required part of the day.
So, the recent "bonus" of a "used books" section at the library has been like a slice of heaven to this ex-pat who enjoys nothing better than a quiet afternoon sipping coffee and perusing books at Barnes and Nobles. BTW - I think I'll cry if they're gone by the time I get back to the States!..
Anyway, the first week alone I found about 35 books. I found picture books, Newberry award winners, original language classics, fairly current - year 2000 and newer- non-fiction, and lots of picture books based on movies (not the greatest but at least the kids are "reading.")
Each week the pile gets smaller and the choice more limited, but like rocks in a yard, just when I think I've found everything I can, new books float to the surface. A sample of today's gems: Great Civilizations: Aztecs and Incas AD 1300-1532, ( mean seriously...does the copyright date really matter on things that happened 3000-6000 years ago?) a graphic novel called The Last of the Mohicans, Scott O'Dell's Sing Down the Moon, and Where's Waldo. (yea...a book for non-readers to pretend like they're reading)
My goal is to try and find about 350 books or seven books per student. In the meantime time, visiting the "used book" department at the grocery store is providing hours of pleasure and relaxation.
N.B. We have lots of room for guests and you all are invited...Bring a swim suit, wear flip flops, and "check" a bag of books...I'll be your grateful tour guide!
For some reason, about a month ago, our supermarket started carrying used books. Some of the books feel dusty, smell musty, and look like the tossed off remains of ex patriot workers who, in a frenzy to lighten their load before the movers came and and told them they'd exceeded their 1000 lb air freight allowance, dumped their books somewhere. (Reselling books seems like the work of an enterprising trash collector or housekeeper) Titles like World Cup 1984 complete with pictures of footballers wearing shorts that barely covered their cheek bums and How to Raise and Care for a Chinchilla -who would wear a mink coat here? - were not worth the additional $5000 shipping to airfreight the books back home.
Other books appear to be bookstore "slow sellers" and publisher "seconds". Take the How My Body Works - The Joints and Tendons (Vol. 38) which seemed like a good idea until I discovered the pages were glued upside down into the book. I know that, for some of the students, reading the words in any direction is about the same - hard, boring, and seemingly impossible, but in good conscience, I want to give them the "best" possible way to have success in their reading so proper page placement seems like a "minimum" requirement.
Sprinkled in the grocery store mix are Malaysian publishers trying to translate, copy or perjure foreign authors in the interest of "cheap profit." These books make me crazy for several reasons, including because they are translated just like they talk. For example, Cinderella might say, "Prince charming. I go back now. Ok la?" (which means "Time to go home!" and Prince Charming might reply, "Can, Can." (Which means "Ok", not the Parisian dance or dancers).
But, back to my new addiction. I feel like my "calling", my "vocation", my "legacy" is to build an English library at this new school. It began with my last trip to the United States, an empty suitcase, $50, and a trip to the Wheaton Regional Library. Seventy-five books later, a bulging 49.99 lb. bag and a heavy, book-laden knapsack that took up my "under the seat in front of me" legroom for the flight back, I had the start to a library.
Unfortunately, with a student body of 60 students ranging in age from 7-17, my heavy loads worked out to just over one book per student and only about 18 inches of shelf space in the school "library." Trying to meet the varying needs and English proficiency levels of these students was tough. In other words, I'd made a good start but barely made a dent in the number of volumes, especially if "reading in English" is a required part of the day.
So, the recent "bonus" of a "used books" section at the library has been like a slice of heaven to this ex-pat who enjoys nothing better than a quiet afternoon sipping coffee and perusing books at Barnes and Nobles. BTW - I think I'll cry if they're gone by the time I get back to the States!..
Anyway, the first week alone I found about 35 books. I found picture books, Newberry award winners, original language classics, fairly current - year 2000 and newer- non-fiction, and lots of picture books based on movies (not the greatest but at least the kids are "reading.")
Each week the pile gets smaller and the choice more limited, but like rocks in a yard, just when I think I've found everything I can, new books float to the surface. A sample of today's gems: Great Civilizations: Aztecs and Incas AD 1300-1532, ( mean seriously...does the copyright date really matter on things that happened 3000-6000 years ago?) a graphic novel called The Last of the Mohicans, Scott O'Dell's Sing Down the Moon, and Where's Waldo. (yea...a book for non-readers to pretend like they're reading)
My goal is to try and find about 350 books or seven books per student. In the meantime time, visiting the "used book" department at the grocery store is providing hours of pleasure and relaxation.
N.B. We have lots of room for guests and you all are invited...Bring a swim suit, wear flip flops, and "check" a bag of books...I'll be your grateful tour guide!
I wish I could do this! I have lots of books I could bring!
ReplyDelete