Teacher Feature - Ms. Havrilla

• What do you most like to read?  (this could be a literary genre, or a type of material, like blogs, magazines, etc.)
• I like to read the news daily, health/medicine academic journals/abstracts frequently, spiritual formation (ex. The Lamb's Supper by Dr. Scott Hahn, Theology of the Body by Christopher West, & Bible Study- I use a guide from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology) frequently, magazines (monthly), educational resources (ex. Brain-based learning by Eric Jensen), and I finally get around to novels during the summertime.  The novels I read depend on my mood and location.  I tend to enjoy "easy reads" such as romance novels (ex. Nicholas Sparks, Mary Kay Andrews), adventure (ex. Clive Cussler- one of my favorites), and action/adventure (ex. Nelson DeMille, Brad Thor- who can resist a handsome Navy Seal keeping America safe?)  Oh and yes, I usually read the novels while sitting out on the lake in the Montana sunshine – or at home on the beach listening to the waves lap upon the shore.
• Do you have a favorite book/author/publication?
• No, variety is the spice of life.  I like to mix it up.
• What's the last great thing you read?
• Hmm, most of my reading during the school year revolves around my classes- just recently I sent a current events article to my Anatomy students regarding the flu outbreak with handy tips on how to prevent getting sick.  Personally, reading my Bible study guide is probably the last read that has been most enriching.
• Where do you most like to read?
• OUTSIDE!  In nature.  Under the sunshine.
• When you were in high school, did you like to read?  If so, what?  
• Honestly, no.   (Maybe you shouldn't include this question?!)  Actually, I really thought I hated to read for awhile (except textbooks- I've always loved those!)  I finally realized that it wasn't reading I hated, it was being forced to read books I didn't care about that I hated.  I've overcome that obstacle.
• What is your most hated book and why?
• FSHA summer reading?! Lol  Try reading East of Eden with one eye (no joke- I had a serious eye injury summer of sophomore year- this was before audiobooks were as common as they are now!)

Veritas Shield Features the Library

Did everyone read Carra Liwanag's article in the Veritas Shield, "Discovering the library's history in pages from the past" (page 12)?  I hope so!  If you haven't had the chance, stop by the Library to read her article and see a display of some of the books she mentions.  Not only is the article extremely well researched and written, it's also totally fascinating!  Carra did such a thorough job.  She came to the Library several times to follow up on some her interview questions.  She hunkered down in the back with a pile of old books, looking through them for the most unusual and interesting tidbits.  She read an entire novel published in 1909!  Speaking of which, I wanted to make sure you all know about the film versions of The White Sister by Francis Marion Crawford, the romance Carra refers to in her article.  Film adaptations of the novel were made in 1923 and 1933!  The 1933 version stars Clark Gable (of Gone with the Wind fame), and the movie posters for both versions look pretty steamy!  Perhaps a viewing at FSHA is in order....?

1923 movie poster

1933 movie poster

Many thanks to Carra for showcasing our Library's long and rich history.

Blast from the Past

You just never know what you're going to find in an old book.  I was looking for a book that would help one of Mr. Cramer's US History students.  Her project is about religious fanaticism, and I pulled a book from the shelves that was written in 1951.  It's called The True Believer: thoughts on the nature of mass movements, by Eric Hoffer.  Inside the book was a cancelled check from 1977, made out to Nally's Uniforms, a business where student used to order school clothing.  It looks like a student names Margaret Yung used the check as a bookmark, because the library card shows that she checked out the book 10/6/77, and then renewed it twice.  I wonder where she is now.....