Fantastic Four

I am excited to be teaching my fourth semester of the Contemporary Literature elective here at U of D Jesuit High School for the 2018-2019 academic school year. To start off the first unit on Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Robin Sloane), I am asking my students to reflect on the following questions below. It's only fair that I answer them, too, right?

1. What have your previous experiences with English classes been like?
2. Do you like to read? Why or why not?
3. What do you hope to get out of this Contemporary Literature class?

I have always loved my English classes. Sure, there have been some anomalies that stood out, but overall each English class was a positive experience that led me to some title or other that was special to me. This summer, I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and the following quote stuck with me: "Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true." For me, however, it was not the books' homing instincts that brought new titles to my doorstep; it was my teachers. I remember My Father's Dragon with Mrs. Carolin, Great Expectations with Mrs. Carapellotti, and The Sun Also Rises (my favorite) in both high school and college. I love English classes because it is a group of readers being able to discuss books. What's not to love about that?

I love reading. Ever since my mother started reading to us when we were little, reading has been one of my favorite activities. I always found reading to be a wonderful escape. To introduce another quote, "Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." In each book, there is a world to explore: Camelot in King Arthur, Westeros in Game of Thrones, Hogwarts in Harry Potter, and more! I love to read because I am a collector of stories. I love to open myself to new experiences, and reading allows me to do that without leaving the comfort of my own home (or corner Starbucks table).

I try my hardest not to play favorites, but no matter how hard I try Contemporary Literature ends up being my favorite part of my day. I'm hoping that this group of seven students will be as strong of a community as years past. Eventually, we become a tight-knit book club, and my goal is to ensure that these relationships based on books and reading continue during this semester. I look forward to working with this great group of students and having an awesome semester.

Mr. Davidson's 2018 Summer Reading: