Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Books, books and some more books at the Corner Booskhop

November is one of my favorite months. Thanksgiving is coming, and with it, my mind turns to thinking about all the things that I am thankful for. Today, I am thankful for books! 

As an ELL teacher for grades K-12 , and at least five different proficiency levels, I need  a large selection of books for my students. Many years ago I heard Stephen Krashen speak on the importance of books in the hands of ELL students. If students do not have books that they enjoy reading, how can we expect them to improve their proficiency and fluency? From that time on, I have collected books for my classroom (and a few others as well).


This above photo is taken at our local Friends of the Library bookstore. It shows part of the YOUTH collection that we have for sale at the Corner Bookshop. All the regular youth paperbacks are just 25Ȼ each. Hardcover youth books are 50Ȼ each. My friend Kathy, is in charge of organizing the youth section and keeping it stocked. I love walking in on Thursdays after work as I get to see all the new books that she is putting on the shelves. Many Thursdays I go home with a bagful of books for my classroom, but knowing that I only paid $2-5 dollars for that bag, makes me rejoice (and not feel guilty).


Later on Thursdays, Cristian often comes to stock up his section of the bookstore: history and politics. I love looking at the books that he brings to the store. There are always a few gems that I MUST look at--even if I don;t want to buy them. These gems also also just $1! If you are a bargain shopper, you would love our Corner Bookshop prices!

There are also a few regular customer that know when their favorite sections are being stocked. One Chinese young mother often comes with her daughter to check out the youth section. A few minutes before we close, a gentleman walks in on most Thursdays. His direction is the history and politics sections that hopefully Cristian has just refreshed with new material.

Through volunteering at the Corner Bookstore for many years, I have been able to build my classroom library as well. My students have books that they can checkout or use for in class reading. When parents come, I am also able to show them examples of the books that are at their child's level.

There are also times when it is my turn to escape this world and its responsibilities for a few minutes. That is best done with a book! I can have a book in the car, a book to read when my students are reading independently, and of course, a book to read by my bedside. I like a good mystery with some action mixed in.


Murder as a Second Language: A Claire Malloy MysteryThis caught my attention when I was looking at our library website for some new upcoming books. The title was intriguing. It is now on my list of books to read .
Then there is John Green's "Fault in Our Stars" that I am reading in small doses. But that might really turn into a different post later on.

What are your favorite books to read to relax or escape for a few minutes?



22 comments:

  1. Probably my favorite spot in Boston was the bookstore where Slicers met up for breakfast. The eggs were not great but the books...ahhh... I don't buy books in their traditional form but I have no plans to take down my book wall in my study. I'm a book lover too, even though I'm building a library now, with Amazon. What about you Jaana. No iPad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No iPad for me yet. Maybe one day....Now I buy books mostly just for school. At home I read on my Kindle or borrow books from our local library. Glad you got to enjoy the company of other Slicers in Boston!

      Delete
  2. Even with the increase of technology for reading, I still prefer the book. My classroom will always be my pride and joy. You are very lucky! I wish I had the opportunities that you have to purchase books. But I don't think my husband would agree with that! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because I don't pay very much for the books, it does not hurt the pocket book that much!

      Delete
  3. I love those library shops! How lucky that you have someone who can keep an eye out for you in selecting books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good friends are great to have! I am happy that my friends work and volunteer in really cool places!

      Delete
  4. That bookstore looks like a true gem, Jaana - I'd never want to leave!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit, it is sometimes difficult to leave empty handed:)

      Delete
  5. Wow - I love that picture and I really, really want to go shopping there!!
    I've heard great things about The Fault in Our Stars, but I haven't read it yet. It's on my list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is definitely worth reading! I am about half way done!

      Delete
  6. I hope you love The Fault In Our Stars-a wonderful story! Your Corner Bookstore looks marvelous! I would love to volunteer there too, I'm sure. How good to know they make the children's section so good! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, Jaana!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, we are always welcoming new volunteers; distance just might be a factor for you:)
      I am hoping that I have a few high schoolers who will read the book with me!

      Delete
  7. What a great bookstore! I try to build a good classroom library for my ELLs, too. I have lots of my own books at home- I love books, and I love my Kindle, which I have been filling with e-books for several years now. Most recent book purchase- Donalyn Miller's Reading in the Wild. Love it! a recent gift- a signed by the author copy of Flora and Ulysses, Kate DiCamillo's latest. Love it, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have heard so much about "Reading in the Wild" that I just might have to get my own copy!

      Delete
  8. I love gathering on the web to share our love of books. That bookshop looks so fun. I have stacks and shelves of books I want to read in almost every room in my house. Currently on my nightstand - Pat Conroy's A Reading Life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe this weekend I get to spend more time reading! I have to check out the "Reading Life" as I keep hearing about it.

      Delete
  9. A bookstore is a magical place. Whenever I have to wait, before catching a train, meeting someone or going to a theatre, I go to a bookstore. I don't necessarily buy anything, but it just feels good.
    I loved The Fault in Our Stars. I read all the other John Green's books after that. I like his style.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bookstores are truly fun places to be! (Kind of like knitting stores.)

      Delete
  10. I'm quite jealous of your Corner Bookstore. It sounds like an awesome place. I actually got to hear and "meet" John Green at a used book store a couple of summers ago. What an amazing experience. I just wish the books store was closer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I am jealous; you actually got to meet John Green!

      Delete
  11. I have made some real finds at our Library's ongoing book sale, but your Corner Bookstore looks amazing! Linda's right: The Fault in Our Stars is amazing. I'm actually between books right now. I haven't had time to get into anything since I got home from Boston, and it's going to be hard to choose one from all the great titles I picked up there! Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so grateful that our library director values the Friends of the Library, and gives us space and freedom to operate inside our library! We could not do what we do without her support!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Please stop by again.