Common men, uncommon dreams

"If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance." -Orville Wright (brainyquote.com)

As we approach the end of August, many of us are getting used to new routines as our children, teens, and college students head back to college. And teachers such as myself head back to the classroom armed with plentiful school supplies, lesson plans, and new expectations. It's a bittersweet time at my house because our daughter is back at college for her Senior year. Now we have to get used to her not being at home once again. I don't know if these good-byes ever get easier, but they are a part of life. Since our daughter is getting married next summer, this was the last summer that we will ever have her at home. Fortunately though, she'll live only 2 1/ hours from us and will still be in North Carolina. We miss our son as well - he's currently living in Northern Ohio but we're hoping that he'll move closer to home soon. If you recently sent your child away to college, know that you're not alone. Maybe you can return to that hobby that you put away many years ago. Maybe you can join a book club or get that scrapbook in order. Your child will come home for a visit before you know it, and most colleges have a "Parent's Weekend" in late September or October. So hang in there is you're going through these kinds of changes. It's not all bad, but it is different.

Yesterday I finished reading another great historical book by David McCullough, The Wright Brothers. I've read two other books by McCullough as well: The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris, and John Adams. McCullough always goes to great lengths in his research, and I, for one, do appreciate it. I'm on a waiting list to get another great McCullough book from the library, The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge. I admit that I didn't appreciate history when I was younger, but now I can't get enough of it. While I'm waiting to get McCullough's book about the Brooklyn Bridge, I'm going to read My Antonia by Willa Cather. I saw it at the library and wanted to read it because I know it's a classic and a great story. While I was there I also picked up the movie of Wuthering Heights because I don't think I've ever read it. There's so much to learn and so little time!

I knew very little about the Wright Brothers before I read McCullough's book. I knew that they invented the airplane, lived in Ohio, and flew some of their machines in Kitty Hawk, NC. That's about it. But there is so much more to say about them.The brothers spent most of their lives in Dayton, Ohio where their father was a minister. Their mother died when she was in her 40s from tuberculosis. There were five children in the family, although the two oldest Wright brothers were barely mentioned in the book. Orville and Wilbur were very close brothers, and they never married. They were very curious men and were often involved in projects that they made with their hands. They built kites, ran a printing shop, and built bicycles. Although they weren't formally educated men, the brothers were known as very intelligent and curious. They eventually built various models of flying machines and spent their own money traveling back and forth to Kitty Hawk to try out them out in the ocean breezes. There were many, many errors, but with each mistake the brothers were able to refine their flying machine. It's hard for us to imagine how barren Kitty Hawk was at the time, but the brothers had to build their own small shelter while working there. The conditions were very difficult at times, but the brothers endured and it paid off. Eventually they went to Paris, Germany, and other countries to demonstrate their successful flying machine. They were greeted by notables such as President Taft along the way, and they were given many awards. Sadly, Wilbur Wright died at the age of 45 from typhoid fever, so it was up to Orville to further the cause of improving air travel. Orville died at the age of 76 after suffering a second heart attack. These quiet, reserved, curious men had changed history forever.

Another book that I "read" this week was a book on cd, Hot Rocks, by Nora Roberts. Unfortunately, the final cd was missing from the library set, so I don't know exactly how it ended. I got this book to listen to when I drove down to Boiling Springs, NC, to help my daughter move into her dorm. Roberts' book was fun to listen to. It's basically a mystery with a little romance thrown in. It's not the kind of book that I usually go for, but it was fun for the trip.

Here are the next ten books from my card catalog:

1. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munez Ryan
2. When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
3. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan (very inspiring and funny!)
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
5. Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson
6. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
7. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
8. Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
9. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
10. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

I'd love to get your feedback on any of the books that I've mentioned today. Do you like history" Why or why not? What are your favorite book genres? What books do you suggest for me, or what books would you like me to review?

Keep on reading,

Melissa Hill
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Amazon seller: MCH Seller