{ArmchairBEA Day 2}: More than words

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Today's topic:  There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats?

 Every time I see this topic, I think of the song.  Is it just me?  Well now it isn't:


Extreme, More than Words

From an education standpoint, I love graphic novels.  My students aren't always the top readers in the class, but, a graphic novel or even a mixed book like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate makes them feel accomplished.  It is a bigger book (length-wise), but because of abundance of pictures and not a lot of words, they can understand the story.  A lot of inferring (or drawing conclusions) have to be done, as well.

I also like using wordless picture books to facilitate writing in my classroom.  It's also a great way to teach inferring.  

In my own reading, I love graphic novels.  I can sit for an hour and read like 500 pages!  When I have a lot of books to read, such as for Virginia Reader's Choice, if I can crank through 2 graphic novels in a night, I get so pleased with myself.

Another media I love is audiobooks.  Again, in my classroom, I like them because my students can listen to a native English speaker reading properly.  They can hear what those hard words sound like, and focus on the story, rather than decoding the words.

In my personal life, I love to listen to an audiobook in the car on my way home from work (not to work, because that's when I listen to the Elvis Duran morning show---Hello, Lady!)  When my master's class was meeting an hour and a half away from my home, an audiobook was what kept me sane.  We've listened to Harry Potter on our cross-country trips (though I haven't finished 7 because I JUST DON"T WANT IT TO END!).

But for me, a big part of an audiobook is the narrator.  I personally think the best audiobook narrator out there is Jim Dale.  He has narrated a ton of books, but most importantly, the Harry Potter series.  His voice is just so smooth.  I could listen to him read the phone book. 

What are some of your favorite graphic novels or audiobooks?

Winter Break Book Blogger Challenge, Day 2: A picture of your TBR

 

My 3 different locations of TBR...will probably start with The Walking Dead books, then move on to top right books, then top left.  

Don't forget to link up below, and to visit other blogs, both linked here and on Andi's ABCs

15 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 2

Day 2:  What is your bedtime reading ritual?

I don't usually read in bed anymore!  I'll read downstairs on the couch and then go watch tv for a little in bed.  Ok....since it's a true confession, I have to be 100% honest---most nights it goes: read on the couch, fall asleep on couch, drag self upstairs, watch tv, fall asleep.  

Though, when we're traveling, I'll read in bed in the hotel room.  But that's usually just because I'm afraid to sit on the couch in most hotel rooms (you don't know what kind of cooties are embedded in there, and I'd like to think the sheets are cleaner).  

Rarely, like when it's a book that I just CANNOT PUT DOWN BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO MUCH, I'll read it in bed when I wake up, before I have to start my day.  Or like on snowdays, when I wake up to get ready, get the news that we don't have school and then can't go back to sleep.  

The 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is hosted by April of Good Books and Good Wine.  And don't forget to head over to Andi's ABC's to find out Andi's book related confessions!