What did you read/watch over winter break?

Posted on June 3, 2015 by nobles

Spanish Teacher Anderson Julio: “I (re)read The Stranger by Camus.  I am starting to understand what existentialism is even though it has ruled my life forever.” Director of Athletics Alex Gallagher: TV shows: “The Killing,” “Luther” (BBC), “Newsroom” Movies: The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies, Annie = LOVED IT! (so did my younger daughter), Chef Books: One Summer, America 1927 by Bill Bryson, Six Months to Live by Artie Boyle P’ 12 P’ 15 English Teacher Sandi MacQuinn: “I read The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. There are only a few authors whose language choices are so singular and delicious one stops to reread sentences even as the plot longs to be run to ground. I stopped family members and forced them to listen to whole paragraphs.” English Teacher Adam Cluff: “I read Every Day is for the Thief, by Teju Cole. Elegantly written novel from the point of view of a Nigerian-American man who returns to Lagos for a month to visit family after living for fifteen years in New York City. Teju Cole is a writer to follow.” Director of Academic Support Gia Batty: “I finally read Atonement by Ian McEwan. It’s so beautifully written, especially Part I which focuses on life at the country estate of the Tallis family with all the drama and detail of a Jane Austen novel and ‘Downton Abbey,’ but rendered with such incredible imagery and emotion.  I read for hours at a time, wanting to find out the fates of each of the characters and being completely satisfied with the end result. Looking forward to watching the movie, too.” History Teacher Don Allard: The Innovators by Walter Isaacson; ” interesting for both historians and techies.” Art Teacher Lisa Jacobson: The Chef— pleasant fun movie about a chef.  No violence in this one! The Italian Trip— 2 funny actors take a road trip in Italy. Beautiful scenery and even better food photography. Funny. Very un-Hollywood. Math Teacher Bill Kehlenbeck: “The Grapes of Math by Alex Bellos is a very readable collection of chapters devoted to a wide range of interesting math topics.  Bellos had previously written the delightful Here’s Looking at Euclid!” Sarah Toubman ’15: “Over break, I read Never Fade, the second book in the Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken. It is definitely a great new teen fantasy series, and I would recommend for fans of the Hunger Games.” Head of School Robert P.  Henderson Jr. ’76: “The Marquis – Lafayette Reconsidered, by Laura Auricchio. This book explores the question as to why the Marquis de Lafayette, who played important and central roles in both the American and French Revolutions, is beloved and respected in this country but is neither in the country of his birth. The author has keen insights into Lafayette as an individual and in regard to the historical characters of both France and the United States. “World Order, by Henry Kissinger. This is a remarkably clear and accessible extended essay on the nature of how the world came to be organized geopolitically in the manner that it is. The author shares his cogent analysis of the challenges the world faces and what paths are possible in this age of profound division and conflict between differing visions of the future of civilization.” English Teacher Alden Mauck: “Over the winter break I started reading River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. It is the true story of TR’s attempt to recover after a failed attempt to recapture the Presidency. With his son Kermit, and others, he travels to Brazil and the Amazon River basin to explore the River of Doubt… very Heart of Darkness… huge caimans, disease, coral snakes, hostile tribes, and piranhas! A little overwrought at times but interesting historical account of Roosevelt’s need to stay busy at all costs.” Assistant Controller Rachel Weinstock: “I read The Round House by Louise Erdrich – one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! The mixture of tragedy, comedy and spirituality of life on the Objibwe reservation makes for a compelling read.” Dean of Enrollment Management Jen Hines: “I really enjoyed Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It starts with the line, “Lydia is dead but they don’t know this yet.” I was hooked from then on. Also, “Broadchurch” is AMAZING! I love that the Brits can tell such a compelling story in just 8 episodes.” Business Office Associate Mary Wallace: “I just finished reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. It is a beautifully written story about a time in history that is not often discussed. From 1854-1929 orphan trains traveled from the East Coast to the Midwest, carrying thousands of orphaned and abandoned children to new homes. Vivian, a 9 year old Irish immigrant, was on one of those trains. The story blends the past and the present bringing together the now 91-year-old Vivian and 17-year-old Molly, unlikely friends, who discover that they have a great deal in common. Orphan Train is a wonderful, engaging story that I couldn’t put down!” Archivist Isa Schaff: “I caught up on all of ‘Doctor Who’s’ new series, culminating with the Christmas Special. Yes! Dr. #12: I like him!!! Of course, I read, but I mainly read “comfort books”: old mysteries that I can read over and over (somehow, I manage to “erase” the solution from my mind… and anyway that has become a minor part of what I enjoy), so a lot of Anne Perry, P.D. James, Josephine Tey, Agatha Christie…” Librarian Talya Sokoll: “This break I saw a LOT of movies. Into the Woods (loved loved loved it), Annie (super fun modern update), Unbroken, The Imitation Game, Top Five and Wild. I also listened to a number of awesome audiobooks on my long drive: Winter’s Bone (thanks to Mr.