Favourite Books!
from some of United Readers of Cawthra [UROC]

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Get a free bookmark in the library every time you sign out a book! Each bookmark lists some books that teachers recommend. Collect them all!

Ms. Korre says her life was changed by Conversations with God and by The Monk who Sold His Ferrari both by Donald Neale Walsh. She says they are great for people on a spiritual journey.

Ms. Phelan recommends Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding as a very entertaining book.

Mr. Coomb's life was changed by "a humble little red book of poetry from my grade seven school in Jamaica. It is called Laurel and Gold. It is full of romantic poems about galleons and pirates and lost love and time .. and it taught me that all is possible in this world."

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a favourite of Ms. Budak-Gosse because the characters in this play are so full of substance, such "carpe diem" strength. "I really liked Ophelia ... so much that I'd like to name a daughter after her. Too bad my husband doesn't agree!"

Mr. Ball says that Art and Lies by Jeannette Winterson is a book that matters to him. Here's what he has to say about it: "Picasso, Handel and Sappho meet on a train. No-one is who they seem. Winterson Travels through time and culture, the personal and the political. She is so smart - she can boil a complicated idea down to a brilliant three words. Before I'd finished it, I'd bought other books by her to read right away.

Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery is a novel that Ms. Fry read as a teenager and both her teenaged daughters have enjoyed it as well. It's about a lonely woman who changes her life around when she conquers her fear of what other people think of her. The book is slightly "dated," but still enjoyable.

According to Ms. Young, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is her "absolutely my all time favourite book! It's a must-read for anyone interested in architecture."

"My life was changed by The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis in grade two, says Ms. Holland. "It was the book that opened my eyes to how wonderful the world of reading is. A book that matters to me is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien because it was the book from which my father read to me every night when I was little. I've always associated the novel with my father and feel warm and comforted whenever I reread it."

One of Ms. Fry's favourite books is The Gate to Women's Country by Sherri Tepper. This science fiction novel is set in a future where women rule. It's an interesting comparison to the patriarchal society of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, another recommended title.

Ms. Watson's life was changed by Rohinton Mistry's novel A Fine Balance. She says it's a "long, hard read" but it is "worth every single second."

Mr. Ebisuzaki recommends The Razor's Edge by Somerset Maughan. In this novel, a young man, born to a wealthy family, changes his views on life after seeing the brutality of war during WWI. Instead of becoming a stockbroker and marrying his childhood sweetheart, he travels the world, working at many odd jobs, seeking life experiences and spiritual enlightenment. "A rich life is better than being rich."

She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb, is a book that Ms. Watson recommends. This novel is of special interest to young women. "If you have ever struggled with an eating disorder, you should read this book."

Mr. Pettigrew recommends Charlies Dickens' Great Expectations. "I've read the novel four times. While it's long, it's absorbing and the interaction among the characters makes them come alive. It's just a great story and speaks to the issues of growing up and finding yourself ... sometimes in very unexpected ways!"

The Rocking Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence is Mr. Steplock's choice. He read it when it was "required OAC reading, back with the cave man." It puts forth "an analogy to be applied to life."

Ms. Kirby enjoyed The Pearl by John Steinbeck. "A super English teacher in high school presented the book ... a great inspiring story."

Mr. Radstake recommends Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. "It's a 'twisted' little story that makes you think about the good and bad aspects of being 'human.' The book is immeasurably better than the movie."

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is Ms. Horvath's choice. "Even though it is intended for younger children, it contains many life lessons relevant to people of any age. A lot of messages are built into the story."

Ms. Hamilton could not put down A Prayer for Owen Meanie by John Irving. It has a "great voice" and it is "beautifully tied together."

Ms. McLeod recommends To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. "This book depicts the best and worst of human nature in the context of everyday, ordinary life. I love the story of how children grow to understand the meaning of courage, the definition of bravery and the power of finding the similarities among us when only differences seem apparent. This book helped me raise my kids!"

An avid reader, Ms. Bertan highly recommends Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter, The Diviners by Margaret Lawrence and Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley. "All the books here are special to me. I loved reading all of them. Most I have read more than once."

The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Welk is one of Ms. Miller's favourite books and one that she recommends to you. "Choose friends who support you in everything you do! Laugh with them, enjoy their company, help them through difficult times and above all ... love them. Read this book and find out how close friends can be."

"Never quit!" says Mr. Jones. That's why he recommends that you read "It's not about the Bike" by Lance Armstrong.

Ms. Bertan recommends historical fiction because it "really brings the era to life." Some of her favourite titles from this genre are: Timeline by Michael Crichton, set in medieval France and Child of the Morning and The 12th Transforming both by Pauline Gedge and both set in Egypt.

Ms. Svatos recommends An Equal Music by Vikram Seth because it is "a beautiful novel about music and romance set in London, Vienna and Venice." She also likes Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. "This novel was my first introduction to the ideas of Buddhism."

A Year in Province by Peter Mayle is a book that matters to Ms. Rennick. "Because food and travel are important to me, Peter Mayle's books are fun for me. I read all types of books covering all subject areas for enjoyment and for information. Reading is never boring and is always relaxing."

Mr. Chalmers lists Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger as his sentimental favourite. Another favourite is The Magus by John Fowles, which is "an intense psychological exploration of personal ethics and morality set on a Greek isle." He enjoys anything by Rohinton Mistry and he is "looking forward to Mistry's latest novel: Family Matters."

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman is highly recommended by Ms. Svatos. "Each chapter of this slim volume is a description of what life might be like if time were circular, linear, variable, etc. Beautifully written by a professor of physics and creative writing."

Ms. Wilson says her life was changed when she read Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. "This novel 'got me into' reading. After I read it, I had to read all the other novels in the series! It opened up a whole new world for me, especially since I was developing a friendship with another girl and we would discuss what we had read. This has developed into a lifelong love of reading and discussing books with my friends."

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarcher is a book that Mr. Bissylas recommends. "It is a story about the history of life and philosophy through the mind of a wonderful 16-year-old girl who meets her secret mentor through his messenger dog. The book showed me that some of the most important learning experiences we can have are often outside of school or our usual, normal life. The book also presents the evolution of philosophical perspectives regarding what is real, who is god, what is knowledge, who we are.... through the challenges that the girl faces in her life. It's best to read it over a longer period of time ... all summer for example ... so that you can digest the experiences from one chapter to the next and see it in your own life or in others around you."

A book that changed Mr. Little's life is Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman. "A revolutionary book that I read at the beginning of my career. It demanded a fresh, intelligent approach to education. Fun to read. Thought-provoking.

Mr. Richardson (a.k.a. "JR") recommends The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which he read three times in high school and five more times since then. It changed his life because it made him want to go exploring. As a result, looking for tropical birds and animals in S.E. Venezuela is one of his favourite vacations!

Two of Mr. Jenson's favourite books are The Manticore and Fifth Business both by Robertson Davies.

Mr. Ford recommends Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. "Every time I read it, I realize again how well-written it is in terems of language and character development. I'm amazed how modern/contempory it is - written in 1946!"

Shawn Bell, our Waterloo Coop student, highly recommends Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkein. "I've read this book at least 6 or 7 times. Every time, it completely enthralls me. I can't put it down!"

"My favourite book," says Mr. Davey-Palias, "is A prayer for Owen Meanie by John Irving because it is just fantastic!"

The Magus by John Fowles is one of Ms. Svatos' favourite books because it is "an intriguing novel about a young Englishman who goes to a Greek island and meets some mysterious characters. The reader only knows as much as the narrator - and there are many twists and surprises!"

The Engineer of Human Souls by Josef Skvorecki is a novel that Mr. Chalmers recommends. "It is told from the perspective of an English professor at the University of Toronto and is a funny and inspirational novel." One of his recent favourites by the same author is When Eve was Naked, published in 2000. He is looking forward to reading Gertrude and Claudius: a Prequal to Hamlet by John Updike. "I just bought it!"

Mr. Leverette recommends Peacekeeper: the Road to Sarajevo by Canadian Major-General Lewis Mackenzie. "It is a very personal account by one Canadian officer of Canada's role in peacekeeping in Sarajevo and eight other tours of duty around the globe. Especially interesting is his effective use of the media to control warring sides in the former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Chalmers highly recommends all of Shakespeare (of course!) but he also has some non-fiction favourites. A Rumour of War by Philip Caputo is "probably the best first hand account of American's involvement in the Vietnam War." He also recommends a criticism of Shakespeare titled The Invention of the Human by Harold Bloom. According to Mr. Chalmers, "Bloom , a literary giant who lives and breathes Shakespeare, presents his thesis that, without Shakespeare's writings, we wouldn't be as we are today. He also makes a convincing argument that Freud's theories were all stolen from Shakespeare. Interesting!"

Ms. Warwick recommends Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. She also is a fan of anything written by Stephen King. "These books keep you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put them down."  

Ms. Kirby-McIntosh recommends will Ferguson's Why I Hate Canadians because it's "an insightful look at what it means to be Canadian. Hysterically funny, eh?"   Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is another of her favourite books and one that she plans to read to her soon-to-be-born baby. "A lovely reminder that a parent's love is eternal. Read it after you become a parent yourself and it will make you cry."

"In my youth, Enid Blyton's adventure books were my favourites," says Mr. Taylor "until someone told me that I was too old to be reading them." Fortunately, he didn't listen! Today, he enjoys novels by Clive Cussler.

The Bandy Papers by Donald Jack is a series of books that Mr. Parcher recommends. "They chronicle the exploits of a young Canadian pilot during the first and second World Wars."

Ms. Stevens' life was changed when she read Hot Zone by Richard Preston. "It gives a gripping insight, through a docu/fiction account, into the reality/potential of biological eqpons and the nature of level 4 viruses."

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery is one that Ms. Kirby-McIntosh recommends. "I read the whole series when I was a girl. I loved Anne's imagination, strength and spirit."  Another inspiring book was Mark Twain's Joan of Arc. "Great author, great subject!" And finally, she recommends Wait 'Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Gooding. "No one understands what it's like to be a baseball fan, a girl and a Catholic all at the same tie better than this woman. (Finally, an author I can really relate to!)"

"My favourite subject in high school was Grade 12 Physics. My Physics teacher, Mr. Neuman, motivated me to learn more about physics/nature through experiential learning. To this day, I've always wanted to know more about the universe of stars, galaxies and the possibility of life beyond earth." So explains Mr. Salciccioli to introduce a book he's recently found called Astronomy: a Self Teaching Guide by Dinal L. Moche. "This book is a lively account of basic principles of astronomy with clear illustrations and photographs to help the reader understand technical ideas ... star maps, celestial objects and experiments galore!"

Child of the Morning by PaulineGedges is a docu/fiction favourite of Ms. Stevens. "A young woman takes a position of incredible power, against all custom; ruling one of the world's greatest empires ... ancient Egypt."

"As my reading-for-pleasure time can often be sparse, I search for suspenseful novels that immediately capture and maintain my interest," says Ms. Laverty. "For the past few years my favourite fiction has come from American author Patricia Cornwell. Her books featuring forensic pathologist, Kay Scarpetta, are of particular interest to me. Last year, impatiently awaiting Cornwell's newest release, I discovered Canadian author Kathy Reichs. Her books rival Cornwell's whose key heroine, oddly enough, is an acclaimed professor of forensic anthropology. Both characters are intelligent, resourceful and dynamic women in positions of leadership and authority. The often complex cases they encounter reward the reader with riveting suspense and an insight into a world quite foreign to most of us. While fictional, the books have been well researched and deliver much factual information on the intriguing world of forensics and technology. Great summer reading!"

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is a book that Mr. Anderson recommends because it is "a wonderful and vivid depiction of life in the Middle Ages."

Ms. Towe's life was changed by reading The Good Master by Kate Seredy. "This is the book that made me a reader when I read it in primary school. It was funny, interesting (set in pre-1914 Hungary), moving and re-told Hungarian legends in parts of the novel. It had lovely illustrations to help me 'see' it."

Ben Lau, one of our Waterloo Co-op students, recommends A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde because "it tells one to realize inner beauty. Outer beauty may diminish, but inner beauty can be everlasting (without corruption)."

"If you enjoy books that contain a little bit of history, a murder mystery and some early uses of forensic sciences set in 19th century London, England then you will enjoy The Alienist by Caleb Carr," according to Ms. Bourdon. "Another book along the same theme but set in Canada, is Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Both of these novels kept me engrossed and my interest in murder mysteries and forensics was piqued. Another great adventure story, especially if you liked the movie Stand By Me, is Robert R. McCammon's Boy's Life. I guarantee that if you're not a fan of reading, you certainly will be after reading this story. Once you start, it's hard to put down.

"I like mystery books," says Mr. Lamont ... any mystery book. I call them 'mind candy!'" Authors he recommends are Tony Hillerman, Sue Grafton, Maria Muller and Alison Gordan. Maybe he'll find some new ones when he reads Ms. Laverty's book reviews!

Ms. Towe recommends all novels by Jane Austen. "I love the wit and elegance of her writing but more importantly the examination of morality in everyday life and the way social conventions can impinge upon us but need not crush us. She also examines romantic relationships and personal autonomy - - still important 185 years later. I learnt that it's better to marry Mr. Darcy than Mr. Wickham."

"If anyone is dealing with some kind of personal challenge, then one should pick up a little gem of a story called My Cat Saved My Life by Phillip Schreibman, recommends Ms. Bourdon. "Experience how a little cat named Alice manages to help the author recover and deal with a particularly difficult time in his life. After reading this book I too was inspired and certainly began to cherish each and every day. Another book that totally inspired and affected me was Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince. I read this book in my teens and I was so impressed by such words of wisdom about human nature and life from someone so innocent and pure. I also read the German version.  I remember underlining the various passages which I found particularly inspirational. A wonderful little book. I always have some book that I am reading. I couldn'tsurvive and retain my sanity (what's left of it) if I didn't have something to read which helps me use my imagination and experience something new.

Mr. Leverette recommends The Edible Man by Anne Kingston, which is "a biography of Dave Nichol, the 'president' of President's Choice, through which a non-business reader can learn a lot about marketing, design, business ego and the branding of products. It is a great read with a coffee and a package of chocolate chip cookies!

Mr. Powers says "a book that affected me as a kid was Bullfinch's Mythology, which showed connections among myths and legends from various cultures and impressed me with their basic similarity despite astonishing superficial differences. Of course, when I was a kid, Aesop was still writing..."

Ms. Robinson recommends Bird Song by Sebastian Faulks. "The first half is about relationships but don't let that fool you. The second half is better. You will never feel the same about Remembrance Day."

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is one of Ms. Lightfoot's favourite books. "I enjoyed this book because it explains history in a superb fictitious setting. I read it at age 18, just after graduating from high school. It was wonderful to finally have time to read for pleasure."Ms. Evans recommends classics and her favourites are: Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Margaret Atwood's Surfacing and The Dead by James Joyce. "They are beautifully written! That all brilliantly illustrate the darkness and lightness of the soul."

Ms. DiGiovine, the woman who keeps our school library so clean, reads all her books in Italian, which is her first language. Some of her recent favourites are: Il Signore degli Anelli (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien), Il Dio Del Fiume & Il Settimo Papiro (River God and The Seventh Scroll, both by Wilbur Smith) and Il Fiume Nero Del'anima (Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz). Many books are translated into several languages so that people around the world can connect with the same title. "I recommend these favourite books because reading opens your mind and imagination."

Mr. Ford's favourite book is Proust's A la Recherche. "I read a volume in the summer and am half way through for the second time. Proust presents me with a world I love to enter. Everything about it is magnificent - - characters, themes, ideas. One day I shall read it in French! Other authors Mr. Ford enjoys are: V.S. Naipaul, Colette, Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier, novels by Raymond Chandler, Constantine Cavafy's Collected Poems and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

Three books recommended by Mr. Delaney in the Math department are Runyon on Broadway by Damon Runyon and The Dubliners and The Dead, both by James Joyce.  Who can resist prose like 'so Harry the Horse cuts with his old equalizer and goes rooty-toot-toot..."? or not cry at the last paragraph of The Dead?"

The Golf Instruction Manual  by Steve Newell is recommended by former Cawthra Phys. Ed teacher Mr. Okihiro who needed a book like this in his new career as golf instructor at the University of Toronto. "I was searching for a good instruction manual from which I could outline a course of study. Of the hundreds of golf books available, this one seemed to be the most practical. It offers simple explanations and a variety of drills useful for golfers of all levels. While my life hasn't necessarily been changed by this book, my outlook on playing the game has. I now encourage my students to 'play within their capabilities' and set expectations accordingly. By doing this, one can enjoy the game more and, after all ... for most, it is a game."

Ms. Dussiaume recommends Women Who Run With the Wolves by C. Pinkola Estes because it has personal relevance for her. "This book is soul food for women. I highly recommend it for any woman of creative spirit, and any woman who is feeling burned out, tired, unappreciated or just ambivalent about her place in the world. This book is an excellent mix of storytelling and urban myths as medicine."

An occasional teacher at Cawthra, Mr. Bentes recommends The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. In it "a small boy with a magic sword must flee his family in order to protect them from the fantastic creatures that pursue him. He is a dreamer whose dreams soar but with no place to land and the creatures he faces are merciless. This book set the standard for fantasy for weeks on the best seller list and the author has been compare with J.R.R. Tolkein. Due to his exquisite writing, Brooks was chosen by George Lucas to write Star Wars, Episode I. ThroughThe Sword of Shannara, you will begin to understand what Lord of the Rings was all about."

Mr. Ball liked Art and Lies by Jeannette Winterson so much that he bought two editions of the same title and he donated one of them, the one on the left, to the Cawthra school library.  Check it out! Literally!

About Changing Heaven, Ms. Wilde writes, "In an amazing feat, Jane Urquhart knits together the stories of a young Bronte scholar from Toronto, a turn-of-the-century balloonist named Arianne, and Emily Bronte. What unites them? Obsessive love, wind, weather, storms . . . but especially the wind."

Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman is a book that matters to Mr. Little. "A revolutionary book that I ead at the beginning of my career, it demanded a fresh, intelligent approach to education. Fun to read. Thought provoking."

Mr. Bissylas recommends Sopie's World by Jostein Gaarcher. "A story about the history of life and philosophy through the mind of a wonderful 16-year-old girl who meets her secret mentor through his messenger dog. The bog showed me that some of the most important learning experiences we can have are often outside of school or our usual, normal life. The book also presents the evolution of philosophical perspectives regarding what is real, who is good, what is knowledge, who we are ... through the challenges that the girl faces in her life. It's best to read it over a longer period of time ... all summer for example ... so that you can digest the experiences from one chapter to the next and see it in your own life or in others around you."

Are there students with books they'd like to recommend? If so, email your review (include author and title) along with your full name and grade to Ms. Fry. Then it's up to you if you'd like to get your picture taken with your book! ... if you're willing, drop by the library!   Student readers!

Some books students have read and recommended.