My Word!

My Word! Plagarism and the College Culture
Susan Blum
This is a very good primer on college students in general and plagiarism. As an college admin who deals with 5-7 cases of Plagiarism at a large university ( our system is much different from Saint U') it seemed basic for me. I hear most of the reasons day in and day out. What I was looking for when I first saw this book advertised was a a more in depth look at those reasons and I got a little. Ms. Blum skimmed the service of those reasons and gave some very realistic recommendations for facing this problem head-on

I am currently putting together a course/workshop for faculty on recognizing and handling academic integrity and will definitely use this book as well as recommended to it faculty as a resource.

Plagiarism is a very big concern today and this book offers a very good introduction and coverage of this issue on today's college campus.

Reading Lolita in Tehran

Reading Lolita in Tehran- A Memior in Books

Azar Nafisi

I bought this book in August of 2004, as I was preparing to take a class on Arabic Literature; the teacher mentioned this book as something I might enjoy. I started reading then, but unfortunately I have not finished.

The author takes you an a autobiographic journey through her life amidst the Iranian revolution and its aftermath, but she parallels her experiences with or to other well known books such as Lolita, Pride & Prejudice, The Great Gatsby and Washington Square. When I tried to pick up this book again 2006, I decided that maybe I would appreciate it more if I actually read (or re-read in the case of Lolita and P & P) the books listed.

I haven’t done that. For some reason I just cannot finish this book. Everyone raves about how great it is, but I just haven’t finished it, however I vow never to give up on it. I started reading it again last week while I was waiting for my newest book to arrive- Still Life With Husband. unfortunately as soon as the UPS man delivered my package, this went back into my car. I keep it there in case I get stranded somewhere ( waiting for someone or something- not broken down- knock on wood) and am forced to read it as I wait. As of now- I'm about half way through( although I imagine i've skipped parts)

One day I will finish this book.