Inspiration from all quarters.

Early retirement has brought some changes. One, is the abundance of holidays I seem to have had. Since my last day at work, December 2015 Tony and I have been to Budapest, Isle of Wight, Scotland and Malta.

In Edinburgh, we stayed for a couple of nights in a spa hotel and I surprised myself by having a couple of swims.  Nice bit of gentle breast stroke.

In Malta, our daughter Karen was with us for the first week. She had me up and out, at the beach, most mornings, before I could say, "What's for breakfast".  Sand in places I can't reach is bearable, if uncomfortable - but swimming... I loved it and I had forgotten how much.  Holiday over, I returned home back to a fairly sedentary existence.  Feet up, I settled in to watch week 2 of the Rio Olympics. It's great watching other people sweat. Did I mention that I lost about 4lb on holiday?  That's odd, I thought. Could it be all that swimming?

Then I saw the triathalons and marvelled at the stamina of the multi disciplined sports men and women. I thought about my old, (almost unused), sit up and beg bike that had mostly been stored outside. Before I knew what I was doing, I had bought a new bike, (better value that tarting up the old one), and had signed up for 'Everyone Active' at our local leisure centre. Swimming is free for over 60s.  Who knew?

Having been inspired by a hotel pool, my daughter, triathletes, weight loss, (much needed), and the lure of something free, I have set myself a goal and I'm feeling VERY motivated to exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week. I am further inspired by my friend John Manderson, who recently blogged on his Couch to 5k experience.  He made it!

Rough plan; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, morning; swim for thirty minutes.  Tuesday and Thursday, cycle for thirty minutes. Let's be clear, both are fairly leisurely at the moment and time in pool and on cycle, don't necessarily translate into swimming/pedalling time. But it's a start and if the inspiration keeps coming, I'll keep going.

Over 40 'likes' on Facebook means that people are behind me, so I don't want to let them down. Keep nudging me people!

I don't know if I will blog every day, but watch out for info on lengths, chatting women and gears.

Young Adult, (YA), reads for old adults like me.

I work in a high school library.  Reading what students read comes with the job, but it is usually a pleasure rather than a chore. As the end of term approaches, I wrote this list for school staff.

Maybe you will find it useful too.

Summer time.... and the readin' is easy.......

TEN ‘YOUNG ADULT’ (YA) TITLES THAT ‘NOT SO YOUNG ADULTS’ (NSYAs) SHOULD READ THIS SUMMER

Some are well crafted and worthy of a place on anyone’s reading list.  Others are popular through hype and the current trend for books where, “bad stuff happens to people”. One or two on the list are suitable for younger readers and might just appear because I liked them!  All are available in the LRC, many as digital eBooks or eAudiobooks.  Jean

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

‘Love Story’ for a new generation. THE most requested book in the LRC with a long waiting list.  Students cry. Film just out.

‘Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.’

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 

More teenage angst. 

‘Clay Jensen returns home from school one day to find a box, with his name on it, lying on the porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are 13 reasons why she did what she did, and Clay is one of them.’

The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks

 

The unputdownable winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal. Kevin Brooks has a following here at chsg and that following has grown since ‘Bunker’ hit the shelves. Reluctant Year 10 reader?  Put this in their hand.

‘I can't believe I fell for it. It was still dark when I woke up this morning. As soon as my eyes opened I knew where I was. A low-ceilinged rectangular building made entirely of whitewashed concrete. There are six little rooms along the main corridor. There are no windows. No doors. The lift is the only way in or out. What's he going to do to me?’

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Still popular. Destined to be a classic.  If you haven’t read it yet – what’s stopping you?  This did for reluctant teen readers what Harry Potter did for pre teens reluctant readers.  More than that it is a crackin’ good read. Based on Greek mythology, oh yes... educational too, and the more contemporary ‘Big Brother’, now relegated to Channel 5.

‘16-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been close to death before and survival, for her, is second nature.’

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

 

Intended for younger readers, so not strictly YA. I listened to it on audio, using Audible, read by David Tennant. What’s not to like? Dad loses the plot when he and mum split up after the death of one of their children.  The family left behind, cope in different ways.  Heartbreaking.  Well told by the wonderful Mr Tennant. (Who is on a par with Colin Firth as Darcy.) (Just saying).

‘Narrated by ten-year-old Jamie, this is a novel about the tragedy that tears apart his family after a terrorist attack. As Jamie comes to terms with his loss, he asks questions that he must answer for himself.’

Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy

 

An author very popular with students. Looking for JJ is one of those books once read – never forgotten.  The sequel, Finding Jennifer Jones,  has just been published after 10 years and is on my reading list.

‘A gripping and emotionally searing novel from a talented author, 'Looking For JJ' explores the circumstances and motives behind the murder of a child by her best friend. Six years later, JJ has now been released, and has a new identity. But is there any way that she can lead a 'normal' life?’

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
 

A modern classic.  I am asked for this at least once a week and yet it was written in 2001. Most, if not all students who borrow this, go on to read the sequels. Malorie Blackman is a master, (or is it mistress?), of her art.

‘Sephy is a Cross - a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought - a 'colourless' member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses.   The two have been friends since early childhood. But that's as far as it can go. Against a background of prejudice, distrust and mounting terrorist violence, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum - a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger . . .’

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

 

A little gem, hidden on the LRC shelves, but one I often recommend to students.   The chapter about the baby and the bathwater will break your heart.  The book also features a mobile library. (Random thought from me).

‘In a polygamous cult in the desert, Kyra, not yet 14-years-old, sees being chosen to be the seventh wife of her uncle just as punishment for having read books and kissed a boy, in violation of Prophet Childs' teachings, and is torn between facing her fate and running away from all that she knows and loves.’

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

 

Dystopian fiction is HOT right now. Another popular series from across the pond. Now a major film. I hadn’t heard of it until I found a few notes in the LRC suggestion box, asking me to buy it.  Hard copies and eBooks are available.  You do KNOW we have eBooks and eAudiobooks don’t you? Contact me to sign up!

‘Society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a 'perfect society'. On her Choosing Day, Beatrice Prior renames herself Tris, rejects her family's Abnegation group, and chooses another faction.’

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

 

One for the psychologists as well as for those who want to read about bad stuff happening. This book is rarely available to borrow – a sign that students recommend it to each other. (This makes me happy).

‘Told in a moving letter to her captor, 16-year-old Gemma relives her kidnapping from Bangkok airport while on holiday. Taken by Ty, her troubled young stalker, to the wild and desolate Australian Outback she reflects on a landscape from which there's no escape.’