It’s time for a new contest! This one has nothing to do with K-12 education. Just an idea that caught my fancy that I hope will catch yours too. As usual, the winner gets everlasting fame and a CASTLE mug…
140–character book reviews!
Using the Twitter limitation of 140 characters, write a book review. Can you sum up the essence of a good read in 140 characters? Of course you can!
Here are some pathetic examples. I know you can do better than these!
The World Is Flat. The world is flat.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Girl meets recluse. Lawyer dad fails to defend innocent Black man. Recluse saves girl from real villain. Girl learns important life lessons.
Guidelines
- An entry consists of the book title and the 140–character review. The title of the book and any accompanying explanatory text does not count against your total, but the 140 characters should be able to stand alone as a summation of (or commentary on) the book. This limit will be strictly enforced.
- Any book you want - fiction, nonfiction, textbook, graphic novel, whatever. No limits other than it has to be a book (although you might want to review a book that others have heard of). Could you do this for movies, music, blogs, restaurants, etc.? Absolutely. But not for this contest.
- Submit your entry as a comment to this blog post, please. Otherwise, as I’m discovering with the Leadership Day 2008 entries, I might not find it.
- Multiple entries are welcome.
- Extra points for creativity, humor, cleverness, etc.
- Feel free to use the image above to spread the word about the contest (click on it for a larger version).
- You’ve got 10 days. Entry deadline is July 26, 2008.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Update: Given the number of entries it looks like we're going to have, I'll pick my top 5 to 7 favorites at the end and we'll have a group vote to determine the winner. So come back July 27 to start voting!
Update: See the winning entry!
The Ten Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How It Changed America
By David Hajdu
My 140 character book review:
The innocence of millions were lost to comic books, or so politicians would have had us believe. Yet the genre survived intact - thankfully.
-- Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Hodgson | July 17, 2008 at 09:16 AM
My book club is going to have a field day with this :)
Here are my two favorite books:
Ender's Game
Misunderstood boy is intellectual mastermind of a war, but thinks its all just a game.
Pride & Prejudice
Girl never wants to marry. Meets wrong guy likes him. Meets right guy, hates him then falls in love.
Posted by: Bethany Smith | July 17, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Look Homeward Angel - A tortured young man seeking the true meaning of life prepares himself to become an education blogger.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM
1984 - A futuristic forboding look at life on the Internet where Google is Big Brother.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Brave New World - A futuristic look at the world when people can't spell "foreboding" correctly.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Presentation Zen -
Kill bullets, cool graphics, wake up audience, lots of slides and content, sparse use of words, stop being boring
Posted by: Vicki Davis | July 17, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Lincoln on Leadership -- Lincoln appoints 4 score and 7 generals to lead his Army. Learns to lead with a firm hand and in the end hires a drunk to lead his men.
Posted by: Jim Beeghley | July 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
The Peter Principle
Laurence Peter and Raymond Hull
Workers are promoted to their level of incompetence. Explains School Administration
Posted by: tsakshaug | July 17, 2008 at 11:36 AM
The Lightning Thief
Percy, son of Poseidon, vaporizes his algebra teacher & ventures from the depths of the underworld 2 Mt Olympus 2 return Zeus’ master bolt.
Posted by: Mr. Balcom | July 17, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Ahh
Thought of another one:
Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
Independent-minded punk spirit collides with collective theocratic mentality. Neither side wins.
Posted by: Kevin Hodgson | July 17, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Deer Hunting with Jesus
Liberal living in Republican country explains why Republican base is so strong. Now I know how Bush won twice.
Posted by: Scott | July 17, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Innumeracy - Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences by John Allen Paulos
A humorous look at a fictional world where everyone is math-dumb. You know....like today in the U.S.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 01:38 PM
The Double Helix by James Watson
An exciting tale of scientists competing to be the first to unravel the structure of DNA. Preface by O.J. Simpson.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
The Prince by Machiavelli
Ten successful strategies for winning food fights between education bloggers.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
After sword play, boy almost meets girl, girl doesn't really meet boy. Then suddenly, they go all the way: first in bed, then in death.
Posted by: Matt Nagel | July 17, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Dick and Jane
Childhood adventures of two children living in earlier innocent times. Required reading in preparation for the Ohio HS Graduation Test.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 02:17 PM
'Thérèse Raquin' by Emile Zola
Woman weds sick cousin. Finds peasant more attractive. Both kill husband, go slightly mad, hate each other. Invalid mother finds out. Death?
Posted by: Doug Belshaw | July 17, 2008 at 02:22 PM
The Last Lecture by Randy Pauch
Professor has terminal cancer. Does push ups. Gets out of speeding tickets. Loves his family. Buys things. Mildly full of himself, tells reader to live good life
Posted by: Barry | July 17, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns
By Clayton Christensen
Computer-based learning and the road to brain-based, student-centric learning.
Posted by: Brian Bridges | July 17, 2008 at 03:51 PM
A Short History of Nearly Everything. About the world, its structure and known past. Hilarious, informative and balanced: a read lighter than the book itself. Bryson at his best.
Posted by: Ken Allan | July 17, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Thanks for the great game!
_The Diamond Age_ by Neal Stephenson
in future neo-victorian shanghai, stolen interactive primer teaches urchin girl class secrets and independent thought. she begins revolution
Posted by: Theda Rudd | July 17, 2008 at 05:15 PM
GOD Created the Integers.
A splendid history of genius in Mathematics with excerpts from original manuscripts. Hawking’s notes integrates philosophy and easy reading.
Posted by: Ken Allan | July 17, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Yeah this is an awesome idea. My 140:
Thank You For Smoking - Crafty tobacco lobbyist gets kidnapped, tortured, praised, set up. Then gets revenge and lives happily ever after.
Posted by: Eva G. | July 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Chasing the Flame- Man dedicates life to U.N. Travels to world's cesspools, fixes stuff. Man gets to Iraq and is blown up by suicide bomber.
Posted by: Eva G. | July 17, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Love in the Time of Cholera-Poor man loves lady. Lady picks rich guy.Poor man waits 50yrs, sexes 600+.Rich man dies. Geezer lovefest ensues.
Posted by: Eva G. | July 17, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Lawrence of Arabia by Alistair MacLean
Adventerous English mercenary helps Arabs drive the Turks out of Arabia. He finds no Turkish WMDs and is harshly criticized by the Arab Senate and House and the media.
Posted by: Tutor | July 17, 2008 at 07:55 PM
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
from the Chronicles of Narnia Series
by C.S. Lewis
A world in a closet. The Lion shows the way, the world is made better by our choices, good vanquishes the witch- Spring returns to Narnia.
Posted by: Barbara | July 17, 2008 at 07:55 PM
The Art of War-- Centuries pass, organizations change, the faces of leaders do not (well sorta). War is metaphor. Timeless secret? Just win, baby.
Posted by: Kevin W. Riley | July 17, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Gossie and Gertie (children's book)
Like Twitterfolk, Gossie (yellow gosling) keeps asking Gertie to, "Follow me!" Gossie ends up following Gertie. Lesson in shared leadership.
Posted by: Amy Garrett Dikkers | July 17, 2008 at 09:26 PM
The Calder Game ( kids'chapter book)
by Blue Balliet
A great story to involve kids in art and math (involving pentominoes) through a mystery. 3rd in series.
Posted by: Paula | July 17, 2008 at 09:36 PM
My book- Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
An example of ordinary men doing extraordinary things and earning a nation's respect. Read it and you will respect them too.
Posted by: Wm Chamberlain | July 17, 2008 at 10:46 PM
The History of the United States
Adored by the Right and reviled by the Left, an amazing chronicle of phenomenal people living in extraordinary times. Explains where all those statues came from.
Posted by: Tutor | July 18, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Patriot Games a high octane read, Yank saves Royal – It sucked me back into reading
Posted by: Simon | July 18, 2008 at 07:13 AM
The Time Traveller by H. G. Wells - Time Traveller uses technology to discover disturbing truth about our future: a seemingly beautiful utopia turned cannabalistic nightmare.
Posted by: Jennifer Clark Evans | July 18, 2008 at 07:23 AM
The P.L.A.I.N Janes (Graphic Novel by Cecil Castelluci)
3 misfit teen Janes attack community with art. Sneaky. Creative. Unite community. Finally fit in :)
Posted by: Tracy Rosen | July 18, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Twilight – Girl infatuated with knock out guy. Vampire! Equally obsessed. Girl’s life threatened. Anxiety! MUST protect weak mortal. Succeeds!
Posted by: Cathy Coronado | July 18, 2008 at 10:41 AM
How' bout two books at once. "Here Comes Everybody" + "Everything is Miscellaneous"...I don't need nearly 140 characters either...
ORGANIZING (EVERYBODY AND/OR EVERYTHING) IS DIFFERENT NOW.
You know where to send that mug, Scott, right?
Posted by: Jon Becker | July 18, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Twitter summary
***A life history of four generations of the Buendía family who hate and love, live and die, tied by blood and separated by solitude of minds.***
One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
Posted by: Lesya Hassall | July 18, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Twitter summary
***How to run a state with iron hand. For inexperienced and naïve political leaders only – those experienced live by it, (unfortunately?).***
The Prince, Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
Posted by: Lesya Hassall | July 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM
The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn:
Mailman goes beyond great and exceptional in his job and it shows because he loves people. Wow!
sequal...
You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader: How Anyone, Anywhere, Can Make a Positive Difference by Mark Sanborn:
Now it's your turn! No excuses-go do it!
*Jon, you can just forward the mug if Scott has already sent it ;)
Posted by: Marshall | July 18, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Red-head orphan gets a family. Only they are old. And siblings. And wanted a boy. Trouble at school & with neighbours. Loveable & pathetic.
Others in the series...
Red-head goes to college. But visits home. More trouble ensues. So does romance. Still loveable & pathetic.
Posted by: Robb | July 18, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Try again ...
Novel: S is for Silence
Author: Sue Grafton, fmous for her alphabet crime novels.
140 character review
***Crimes of lust & violence, a closed community hiding shame in lies, drive PI, Kinsey Millhone to uncover secrets buried by decades of dirt***
Elaine
Posted by: Elaine Talbert | July 19, 2008 at 03:27 AM
The Bible
God's holy words detailing His plan, purpose and provision for all mankind. Embrace it and live, neglect it and perish.
Posted by: Jacquie Sewell | July 19, 2008 at 07:03 AM
1984 - Winston Smith tastes freedom and steamy sex. Big Brother comes crashing in. Status quo: perpetual war on terror; same war, new enemy.
Posted by: Paul Hyland | July 19, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Crime and Punishment - Raskolnikov plans and executes the "perfect crime." Guilt gnaws, he confesses, goes to jail, falls in love.
Posted by: PaulHyland | July 19, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Trainspotting:
Guy does heroin, stops, starts again, stops again, starts again (sorta). Very few trains actually spotted.
Heart of Darkness:
Sane guy floats down river to meet crazy guy. Heart/darkness ratio: 2/∞.
Posted by: Nate | July 19, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Catch 22
The insanity of war and organizations. Mindless leaders, dead people, war profiteers, and ladies of the evening. But there is a catch.
Posted by: tsakshaug | July 21, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Good = evil.
Evil = good.
Green skin and water don't mix.
Posted by: Tim Clarke | July 21, 2008 at 07:36 AM
The Bible
First part-vengeful God, lots of Smiting and Begetting and rules about sacrifices. Second part, stories about treating people right.
Posted by: tsakshaug | July 21, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Shirley, Memoir of an Atomic Town
Girl moves to Shirley, L.I., Brookhaven labs move to Shirley, Brookhaven pollutes in secret, girl's friends and family get cancer.
Posted by: Lisa Parisi | July 21, 2008 at 08:40 AM
William Zinsser, ON WRITING WELL
Make every word do a job.
Posted by: Audrey | July 21, 2008 at 10:46 AM
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
You get what you wish for. I can’t believe people fall for this shit. Okay, I can, I just wish they wouldn't.
SubText:
My new book will be entitled "The Secret 2.0: How Emerging Technology Will Change the Face of Schooling Forever (and none of us will have to work hard to make it happen)". See you guys on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Posted by: Glenn | July 21, 2008 at 02:21 PM
The Bible
Seldom read, often quoted reference text containing fanciful tales of murder, cruelty, violence, adultery, sodomy and vengence. R-rated.
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 07:27 AM
The Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Overly wordy, no plot, no character development. Best used as a prop to keep a door open.
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 07:48 AM
War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
Hostile extra-terrestrials invade Earth but perish due to polluted air...much the way humans do today.
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee
A vindictive college professor's wife brutally reviles her husband's failed career. Basically shows that tenure isn't what it used to be.
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 08:06 AM
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
A shocking expose of early Chicago's meatpacking industry causing many to gag on their Whopper.
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 08:19 AM
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
What more is there to say?
Posted by: Tutor | July 22, 2008 at 08:31 AM
A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson
Story of two out of shape men and their trip on the AT. Increased trail traffic for a year.
Posted by: tsakshaug | July 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
The Brothers K, by David James Duncan
Dostoevsky set on the baseball diamond. Four brothers take on religion, war, romance and sports. Laugh, cry, touch 'em all.
Posted by: Rich Haglund | July 22, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Promiscuities, by Naomi Wolf:
Women want to have sex, goddammit. Why can't they be respected for that?
Posted by: Maya | July 22, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Charlotte's Web
Early morning rescue. Main character’s life dangles by a string. Words appear mysteriously. Animals speak. Friendship and faithfulness triumph.
Posted by: Jennifer Wagner | July 22, 2008 at 05:51 PM
A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein
IU basketball coach Bob Knight strips all dignity and self-esteem from his players to bring fame and glory to the university. Excellent DIY handbook for psychos.
Posted by: Tutor | July 24, 2008 at 05:08 PM