I only teach nonfiction and I love it. (Not in AP lit obviously). We do mostly text sets and the occasional full length non fic. To prepare most kids for college non fiction is way more relevant. As part of class, kids read full length works of whatever outside of class, mostly fiction. I have less if an issue with nonfiction than with a strict adherence to the canon. But my course title is Expository Reading and Writing. It is the only 12th grade option other than AP Lit. Unlike Emmett's school we don't do a lot of issue novels. We just finished Pygmalion and The Importance of Being Ernest.
We have to see the chimp playing hockey! That's hilarious! The ice is so slippery, and, and monkeys are all irrational. We have to see this!
Anya ,'Bring On The Night'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Kat - Jan 14, 2014 2:45:17 pm PST #21887 of 28363
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
Amy - Jan 14, 2014 2:45:21 pm PST #21888 of 28363
Because books.
David, which books would you suggest instead? Where are these happy happy joyful books?
Kat - Jan 14, 2014 2:46:48 pm PST #21889 of 28363
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
Pygmalion!
Kat - Jan 14, 2014 2:48:12 pm PST #21890 of 28363
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
Handmaids tale has a relatively redemptive ending too.
Kat - Jan 14, 2014 2:48:52 pm PST #21891 of 28363
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
For a dystopian novel that is.
Amy - Jan 14, 2014 2:49:55 pm PST #21892 of 28363
Because books.
I've never read it! Although I know the basic story. (Pygmalion, I mean.)
Where do you draw the line between an issue novel and a non-issue novel? I just can't think of a lot of books about generally content people that wouldn't be incredibly boring, but I also find books cathartic. Even something like Little Women has plenty of conflict and drama in it.
I don't think I would classify i A Handmaid's Tale as a *happy* read, though, despite the ending.
Sophia Brooks - Jan 14, 2014 2:50:51 pm PST #21893 of 28363
Cats to become a rabbit should gather immediately now here
As long as we are talking about this-- did Archer actually have sex with Countess Olenska or were they just hangingout outside the bounds of convention.
I can't really think of many happy joyful novels that we would study in English lit, but maybe the canon should include genre fiction?
Sophia Brooks - Jan 14, 2014 2:52:14 pm PST #21894 of 28363
Cats to become a rabbit should gather immediately now here
Enchanted April is a semi happy novel, now that I think about it.
Amy - Jan 14, 2014 2:52:16 pm PST #21895 of 28363
Because books.
In my reading, they're full of UST and angst, Sophia.
sj - Jan 14, 2014 2:55:47 pm PST #21896 of 28363
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
I hated the novels I was assigned in high school English until senior year honors English. I loved many of the short stories though. I don't remember reading much non-fiction in high school, but I don't think I would have enjoyed it much. Mostly I prefered reading anything I wasn't assigned.