Yalnız Yahudi-Stefan Zweig - İrfan Ok kitap serbest oDF biçim

Thao Nguyen thaonguyen_c03 — This book is incredibly evocative of the time right after college graduation - I just graduated in May of last year, and it still hits me now when I read it nine months later. While the writing leaves a little to be desired, and some of the scenes are over the top, most readers would probably just write it off as an expected issue with an author's first novel. Some might argue that no real person talks like these characters do. To be perfectly honest, I know too many people who talk like this. Furthermore, the characters are so artfully described and the feelings of summer so well drawn that the minor weaknesses of the novel become just that - minor. The story revolves around Art Bechstein and his exploration of his own personality, dreams, and desires as he meets four new friends in the summer after college graduation in Pittsburgh circa 1983 or so. I refuse to discuss the plot in my review, but know that the sexual nature of the story isn't for all. However, if the topic isn't one that would produce discomfort, by all means, read this novel. And just to add a tip - two songs are amazing sidekicks to reading this novel (a feat I accomplished in about four days, it being such a quick read, a compelling story, and my having so much time on the Metro). Youth Group's "Daisychains" and Death Cab for Cutie's "A Lack of Color" both accompany the novel perfectly. I would highly recommend both. Overall, the novel is quite good and reads incredibly quickly. I would highly recommend reading the novel first, however, if you have any inclination to see the film adaptation (with Mena Suvari, Peter Sarsgaard, Jon Foster, and Sienna Miller). The characters are likable, for the most part, but still have glaring flaws, and that, ultimately, is what makes them appear so real.

Rejaul Karim _ejaul — Creatively told from the point-of-view of instruments that belonged to the members of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, this story told in poetry tells of the history of this all-women band during the Age of Swing and Big Band music (1930s-1940s). Although this book can easily be classified under African American juvenile literature, as the majority of the members were African American, it is also the story of a diverse group of remarkable women who toured the U.S. and overseas bringing music to people at a time when many people needed the escape from thoughts of war and their everyday lives. With the men of the United States off busy with the war, these women (under the guidance of Rae Lee Jones) took advantage of the situation and played to record-breaking, sold-out audiences in places such as Chicago; Washington, D.C.; New York City; Memphis, TN; and finally overseas for the troops. Unfortunately, after the war ended, women all over the U.S. had to step aside for the men returning from the war. The world of music turned out to be no different. Likewise, the days of Swing and Big Band were coming to an end, giving way to the new sound of Be Bop. Famed writer Marilyn Nelson’s words are reminiscent of the lively music these women (and their instruments) played. The titles of the poems are, themselves, titles of famous songs of the era. These poems along with art from award-winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney paint a vivid picture for the reader, introducing children and young adults to the historic world of Swing and Big Band. I would probably use this book with older elementary, middle school, or even high school. The higher level wording along with more conceptual style of writing from the point-of-view of instruments might be confusing for younger students and the messages of the story might be lost. This would be excellent to use in a music, American lit, or American history class as students study the time period around World War II. It demonstrates the role of women, diversions from the seriousness of world politics/war, and positive contributions of women of color. Although according to the end notes of the author there are few recordings available of the International Sweethearts’s music, sound recordings of the songs referenced in the poem titles can be found as performed by other musical artists. The idea of segregation and its impact on music and other areas of performance can be addressed, as well, through this book. Because the group was predominantly African American AND integrated with women who were white, Chinese, Mexican, Native American and Hawaiian (it was not yet a state), this caused some challenges. Women of color sometimes had to enter performance spaces through back ways, such as the kitchen. Also, as integration was illegal in the South, when they performed in these states the couple of white performers had to darken their skin through make-up, hoping that they would not sweat too much and accidentally wipe off their darker “skin.” In general, I think that this beautiful work could be a very positive and useful book for older students!