Eats, Shoots & Leaves

I have not had so much fun reading a grammar book since Kolln and Funk. Lynn Tuss is witty and my new best friend. This book is practical and approachable for most kinds of readers. And, let's face it who amongst us couldn't use a brush up on our grammar? As she says just a drive down the road or a look at the newspaper will show you just how little we know about our language, and how we direct ideas. I suppose the real issue with grammar is how our language is changing.

Consider yourselves sufficiently warned from here on out this is a tangent and I'm not afraid to rant slightly. I can appreciate the fact that language is changing. I can even agreed that new spellings and vocab are necessary. However, just because texting has taken over in the way that most of us communicate, I don't think that we should give up everything that our language has developed into. Again, let's face it most of the general population can't spell or properly use a comma, but that doesn't mean that it should be acceptable. Have we no self respect? What does our communication say about America? Now granted I'm a weird one. I love grammar. I love writing. So, of course, I want the whole country to be able to be able to spout off what a comma splice is, or how to properly use a comma to seclude relative clauses. But I could be just as satisfied if the general population if Americans could properly use 'be' verbs. The point is that the slacking is starting somewhere, so where's the blame to be placed? The public school system (my personal favorite), parents, T.V.? Take your pick. They all contribute to the lack of ease in communication. I suppose the real point of this rant/tangent is that we should take more care in how we present ourselves in print. Have some dignity people!

Fablenhaven

O.K. I admit I'm a little bit behind on the Fablehaven series, but I must say that it was a fun find in the world of childrens/YA lit (depending on your definition). Brandon Mull does a wonderful job keeping up with the fantasy kick, but he does it by being original. His writing is decent, imaginative. I have enjoyed each of the 4 I have read so far and recommend them to anyone with younger children, anyone going through Harry Potter withdrawals, or someone who is in need of an easy, delightful read. I have high hopes for the 5th in the series.