Seedpod Readers discussion

Hi there. Word on the street is that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning, so we're in for an early spring -- good to go for muddy Marches, April showers, May flowers, and all the sunny times that come after that. For now, though, those of us in the northern hemisphere are still bundled up (even here in California, where my heater doesn't, well, really heat) -- which makes for perfect reading beside the digital fireside.

So tell us. What have you been reading?
And (if you write), what have you been writing?

Here's what we've been reading:

Diane:


Kathryn (confessions: I am a book two-timer):

I just finished Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I've started Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder.

As for writing, I'm working on The Dryad of Durry Woods, which is a sequel to Moon Over Donamorgh (a fantasy). Also getting ready to publish Worlds Apart, a paranormal romance.

Seedpod wrote: "

Hi there. Word on the street is that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning, so we're in for an early spring -- good to go for muddy Marches, April showers, May flowers, and all th..."



I have recently begun reading Wanderer by Sterling Hayden. You've heard of him, no doubt, a famous movie star. He's also a pretty decent writer. Wanderer is his autobiography. I have reached the chapter where he is expelled from school at the age of 9 circa 1926.

Question for the day: what is the fatal flaw in American educational philosophy that causes so many gifted children to fail in school? (We're all gifted.)

Noon Shadows is the title of the novel currently under my construction.

Question for the day: what is the fatal flaw in American educational philosophy that causes so many gifted children to fail in school?

Oh! Don't get me started! Really. It will be like standing at the veggie tray at a party while the music goes on replay as you look over your shoulder at the circle of people laughing at a joke you want to be laughing at, talking about the funny things dogs do, maybe, or personality tests (always fascinating!) or maybe even that great skit on Portlandia (wasn't that a lark!). But you can't. No, you have to stand right here, in the doom and gloom of social injustice. Because I'm talking about the educational system. Talking your ear off, as a matter of fact. Because it is one of three topics I can talk ears off over.

Would you like a celery stick?

Kathryn wrote: "Question for the day: what is the fatal flaw in American educational philosophy that causes so many gifted children to fail in school?

Oh! Don't get me started! Really. It will be like standing a..."

Munch crunch Education is good. So therefore we Americans made it mandatory. After all, everything good should be mandatory.

Thus have we Americans transformed education from a joy into a slavery. Crunch

Sharon wrote: "I'm a little late to the party and the veggie tray is empty... public education used to be good, but now days everyone is too scared of being sued to do any good! Just my two cents.
I'm strugglin..."

Some suggestions. . .

Here's a little known gem that happens to be the best novel I've read in years.



Here's another one that is better known, but maybe you missed it:



Here's one by the most important writer of the 20th century: