Sunday Salon: Au revoir, Septembre. Bonjour Octobre!

I've been so involved in my autumnal reading that I've already completed The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Strangers, Under The Dome, The Haunting of Hill House, Don't Look Now, and The House on The Strand. My favorite of these was definitely Don't Look Now, so much so that I hope to see the film before the end of October. I was all ready to sing more of Daphne du Maurier's praises until I finished The House on The Strand last night. It was a weird time travel thing, not at all as impressive as the likes of Rebecca or Don't Look Now in my opinion. I was sorely disappointed at the ending.

Looking forward to the 24 hour read-a-thon beginning at noon on October 22  for which, as usual, I have plans. No matter how hard I try to keep the date open something occurs; this time, it is the memorial for my husband's beloved aunt who died in August. We, the Chicago side of the family, are gathering to honor her memory on October 22 and for this one can hardly complain that one can't read. All day.

But, you? You can sign up! You can be a cheerleader, or host a mini-challenge, or give away a prize. Speaking of giving away prizes, Leeswammes is hosting another Literary Give-Away Blog Hop October 15-19. Should you wish to give, or receive, be sure to check out her blog for all the details.

In other news, can I give a shout out to my class? Last year, I was all about getting Jerod out from under the table so that he could join us in whatever lesson I'd planned on teaching. This year, we are having a learning fest Every Single Day. In fact, last Friday my kids asked, "Mrs. Bellezza, could we have an hour to read? Just read?" And so we did. From 2:30 until 3:30 we read, my eight year olds and I, undisturbed until the bell rang for dismissal. Such a joy to my heart, these children who want to learn. Who feast at reading just as I do. In fact, they're teaching me as so often happens in an optimal learning environment.

When Michael brought his book to the table for our weekly conference, I was amazed he'd chosen a book with an endorsement by John Irving. An eight year old, with this book: because of mr. terupt. I immediately bought it for my Nook at lunch unable to wait to have it in hardcover a few hours later when school got out.

Also, October 25 brings us the long anticipated 1Q84 from Haruki Murakami. I've pre-ordered it in hardcover, and for my Nook, just in case it takes awhile for the mailman to actually bring it to my door. Those silly mailmen, making us wait even longer for what we can't stand to arrive! October 25 also brings us Parallel Stories, by Péter Nádas, with such accolades as this: "A once-in-a-generation literary event: the monumental masterwork being hailed as a “twenty-first-century War and Peace” (Magyar Nemzet). Of course, I'll have to begin Murakami's first, but Nadas' will be next, taking me well into November with what will probably be my two favorite books of 2011. 

So, the apples are crisp, the leaves are golden, and the air is fresh. My class is the best I've had in twenty years, and every day is a new opportunity to read more books. Life is good.