Okay.
So we fixed the upload problem with the video yesterday. Well, I didn't, because I don't know how to do those things, but the video is here.
Free.
No commercials.
Me. Chairman Mao. My couch and some books.
I'll let it speak for itself.
So, here.
So we fixed the upload problem with the video yesterday. Well, I didn't, because I don't know how to do those things, but the video is here.
Free.
No commercials.
Me. Chairman Mao. My couch and some books.
I'll let it speak for itself.
So, here.
13 comments:
Very nice. In support of your point about the need to preserve a focus on the arts, literature, and creativity, my father is a professor of engineering and has often said that the students who have brilliant technical/math skills but the inability to write and communicate in standard English really struggle compared to students who have more balanced skills. And thanks for the recommendations. Will Grayson, Will Grayson has been on my list to discuss on my blog, and now I'll add Sherman Alexie's book as well.
Alex, I am thankful for this video because you points out the facts about boys and reading, and then you give us recommendations. Alexie's is one of the best books I have ever read, I definitely agree there. Will Grayson, Will Grayson - definitely a brilliantly written book.
It occurred to me by the end of your video that I have not been doing myself many favors by reading the same book over and over again as I learn to write in my own voice. I like a good story, but reading the same urban fantasy novel fifty times a year is perhaps detrimental to my process. I need to pick up more guy books.
The best guy book I read last year was YOU by Charles Benoit. It's simple, but thrilling.
Let's see if I can make this not sound bad: I have stock in getting the notion that guys read into publisher's heads since I am a writer and my books will be for guys and girls. I want to join the fight so that my books will have a home once I am finished with them.
Just as important. I need to join the fight for my nephews and future kids. I want them to live in a culture that promotes boys and reading, rather then suppressing it and letting a few great books seep through the cracks each year.
Thanks again, Andrew, for the video. I felt comfortable at your couch and I think you chose an awesome venue for your message. There will be more, I hope?
(i'll try to hold back on the exclamtion points and smily faces for you.)
you make very good points. i loved your thought on creative thinking and how it is the hope for new solutions. and thank you so much for pointing us to some good books. that's sort of the thing for some of us (me at least). sometimes it comes down to never hearing about awesome books. and there are so many, many books out there and so little time. it helps to be able to take a recommendation on a book from a source you trust. but you are very right, if everyone is recommending the same ten books, a lot of good ones get ignored. i really like what you have to say. i'll be linking to this post- if that's alright.
Great video and call of attention. I am always on the hunt for thought-provoking novels - and all around good stories for boys.
And yes, I absolutely agree, creative thought must be encouraged in all fields of study. The arts are truly in peril in our San Diego school district.
First let me say excellent beatnik vibe going on there. (I was just informed that I have to change my wardrobe for a video. They're going to dress me. I have this terrible feeling I may next appear as Sidney Greenstreet. Falcon optional.)
Second, I find myself quoting you more and more often on this topic. I was just in a meeting in NYC with a publisher and a digital company and we talked a lot about the boy/girl thing. We're basically trying to create something that is both game and book and trying to square the gender circle.
Gender circle. Hmmm. Let's just let that go and move on.
Anyway, your leadership on this has helped me show slightly more spine and slightly less naked avarice* than usual. So thanks.
*Still plenty of avarice.
Oh, I must apologize for calling you Alex above. Never watch Nickelodeon and blog at the same time.
Thank you thank you thank you for your video. I'm a writer of YA, but I also review YA books. Though, like you, I also worry about the potential conflict of interest, so I only review books I feel strongly about as well--books that I love and would recommend. But I make an effort to vary the YA subgenres that I read and review, in part because I think the YA blogosphere needs the variety, but I also have eclectic taste. In fact, I reviewed Will Grayson squared as well as The Marbury Lens ;). I've been really surprised by the number of people who will pick up a book they normally wouldn't read if someone they trust suggests it (one of the reasons I love that you recommended such great books). So I'm always on the lookout for good books that don't have heavy promotion (one of these I'd recommend is SCRAWL by Mark Shulman for lower YA).
So nice to see an author/blogger like you promoting good books for no other reason than because you genuinely love them. Hopefully, we will begin to see other bloggers switching things up and reviewing outside of their comfort zones as well.
You did well, Andrew! The hat was a nice touch, and the special effects were fabulous (except the brussel sprouts terrified me). I will try and stop with the text speak in my comments but the emoticon will probably stay. It's kinda my thing.
; )
P.S. Thanks so much for the book recommends. My son is a voracious reader (yay!) and always looking for a great story.
I totally agree with you. It isn't very nice that guy authors weren't invited. I don't know why that is, maybe the women were just being shy??? I really wish there were more male authors out there writing for teens. I don't think that women CAN'T write for guys, but it is easier for men to conquer that teenage testosterone thing. =) And they can encourage guys to read more than woman can, I think.
Anyway, glad I found you on facebook and now have your blog link!
I just finished reading all the "Why Chromosome" entries in addition to watching the video. I especially liked your entry on boys and collaboration - still laughing about that one - so true so true.
Thanks for the kind words about my book and the recommendation. My son is 8 and he loves to read but many of his classmates are struggling and do not. And even at his age I've already had a number of parents ask me what he's reading because they want to find books that their son will want to read. My son has now been asked twice by mothers at Barnes and Noble what he's reading because they have sons who won't read and they wanted suggestions.
The pressure to either be a "girl" or "boy" (culturally defined girlness and boyness) starts so early - my son felt it in Kindergarten when he was made fun of for wearing a pink shirt. He quit dance in first grade because he was made fun of again. In second grade (a new school) he had to be convinced that it was a great thing to be in the highest reading group. He really thought that quickness solving math problems meant that you were smarter than if you were a good reader. He now believes differently but valuing math over reading for boys is established very early.
I think you're right also about creativity. Young children are so creative but by the time they are finished with grade school so much of it is gone. Structure is good but too much and all the time...
Great video. You really nailed it. One of the things that bothers me about the discussion of boy books and girl books is that it's often treated like a zero sum game. Pushing for more boy books or more attention brought to all the awesome boy books out there doesn't detract from books written by, for, or about women. It also doesn't mean that anyone's saying that boys wouldn't benefit from reading some of those books.
I think you put it well when you say (and I'm paraphrasing) that sometimes boys need books written for them by someone that understands them. I understand a lot of why guys are written the way they are in books aimed at girls but I find myself laughing because it's not realistic. Guys need characters they can relate to.
The books are there, the boys want to read them, we simply have to bring them together.
Speak on... Write on.
(I censored my exclamation mark. I use them commenting, not writing.)
Very strong opinion, but I have to say: I agree.
About YA blogs, about reading new books, about the lack of plurality,
One blog lately complained about the lack of gay characters in the literary world. Also important issues that guys have, even the one's that are not gay themselves.
Great visual imagery, wonderful.
Nahno ∗ McLein ™
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