Mal: I call you back? Wash: No, Mal. You didn't. Zoe: I take full responsibility, cap.

'Out Of Gas'


We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good  

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."


Strix - Apr 14, 2004 11:38:12 am PDT #2231 of 10002
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger

Dana, Gaiman was one of the ones I forgot to list! Yes, I had him. I was wondering if I could justify using Sandman #1 as an example of alternate literary forms, but I don't know how I could pull it off. Just no way to have that many copies.

But his short stories are great. And particular favorites? I do like the one about the black cat.

KristenT, that's a great suggestion. I'll look for it. (I'll need it.)

I read "Blood and Chocolate" for a Ado Lit class last fall; that might work, although it's a novel. I'm thinking that providing a bibliography for the unit would be a good ideal; even if I can't use a book or short story as an assignment, I can still offer students a list of suggestions if they like the genre.


Dana - Apr 14, 2004 11:42:09 am PDT #2232 of 10002
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

I do like the one about the black cat.

Yeah, I was definitely thinking about the short stories. Maybe the one...it's called something like "We Can Get It For You Wholesale", but I think I'm conflating it. But you know, the one with the guy who tries to hire a contract killer, and they keep offering him a better and better deal if he adds more people to the list.

Or "Chivalry", which is the one about the Holy Grail, and is so charming.


deborah grabien - Apr 14, 2004 11:43:04 am PDT #2233 of 10002
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.

I am going to develop a website for kick-ass English HS teachers

Seconding-thirding-fourthing the applause for this idea. I bet it kicks serious ass, too.


Strix - Apr 14, 2004 11:43:34 am PDT #2234 of 10002
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger

(psssst - I write ghost stories.....)

Le duh. This is so in the future, since, hey, not teaching yet, but it would be so cool to have my students reading a book, and possibly be able to talk with the author of the book about process and ideas...It's the kind of thing that really gets them involved -- "I talk to a REAL LIVE AUTHOR!"

Kristen, I tagged you and Kat when I was thinking about this, and laster this summer, I'm going to put in a blurb in Announcements. I'm also going to troll the web for sites, and see what I can find from various message boards, like NCTE.


beth b - Apr 14, 2004 11:45:22 am PDT #2235 of 10002
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!

actually have a side reading list is a great idea -- if even for future papers down the road that the kids need to do.


Kate P. - Apr 14, 2004 11:45:35 am PDT #2236 of 10002
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love

"We Can Get Them For You Wholesale" is the title, Dana; isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title? I really love "Murder Mysteries" as well.


Dana - Apr 14, 2004 11:48:04 am PDT #2237 of 10002
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title?

Yeah, must be. I knew the title was very close to something famous.


Strix - Apr 14, 2004 11:56:09 am PDT #2238 of 10002
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger

I remember the "Wholesale" story vaguely; I need to recheck the book out.

Oh, gee, what onerous homework for this weekend! What's the name of the collection -- is it "Smoke and Mirrors?"

I've glad you guys like the idea for the site, although I'm nervous: the only coding I've done is the tags on here! But I suppose I can do Dreamweaver or something; there are plenty of juicy Buffista brains to pick in August.

I have to take a Stats class this summer. I will not be thinking about fall classes until after I ride THAT dragon. Ugh.


Polter-Cow - Apr 14, 2004 12:16:23 pm PDT #2239 of 10002
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!

Maybe the one...it's called something like "We Can Get It For You Wholesale", but I think I'm conflating it.

I love that one. It's in my copy of Neverwhere.

isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title

"We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," upon which Total Recall was based.

What's the name of the collection -- is it "Smoke and Mirrors?"

Yes.

There's a short story collection I have, with young adult short stories of the supernatural variety. It's called Short Circuits. "Ethan Unbound," by Gary L. Blackwood, might work. It takes place in a library.


Ginger - Apr 14, 2004 12:17:17 pm PDT #2240 of 10002
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda

M.F.K. Fisher's "The Lost, Strayed, Stolen" is my ultimate ghost story. When I went to see if it was available, I found it was in The Literary Ghost: Great Contemporary Ghost Stories, which has some other great stuff. There's also Poe ("The Fall of the House of Usher" and "Masque of the Red Death"), Ray Bradbury and M.R. James, pretty much the father of modern ghost story.