Brianna Persinger

October 9, 2019

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman: A Prophetic Wake Up Call, Echoing Back Decades

Amusing Ourselves to Death | Author: Neil Postman | Genre: Nonfiction Paperback: 184 | My Edition’s Publisher: Penguin Group (2006) | Original Publisher: Viking Penguin Inc. (1985) | ISBN: 978-0-14-303653-1 Rating: 5/5 “Television, in other words, is transforming our culture into one vast arena for show business.” Postman, page 80 If you need a wake-up … Continue reading Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman: A Prophetic Wake Up Call, Echoing Back Decades

September 26, 2019

The Cats Eat the Houseplants

Nearly all my houseplants are a blend of vibrant green, and a pathetic shade of darkened brown. Lack of sunlight, or too much water aren’t the issues. Actually, it’s that the cats love to gnaw on them. I’ve tried a few different tricks in the book. I’ve placed double-sided sticky tape around the plant to … Continue reading The Cats Eat the Houseplants

September 16, 2019September 16, 2019

Charlotte’s Web: A Life-Giving Classic That Will Make the World Feel Like a Miracle

Charlotte’s Web | Author: E.B. White | Genre: Children’s Fiction Paperback: 184 | Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers (April 10, 2012) | ISBN: 0739477072 Rating: 5/5 In case you don’t know, I coordinate an after school program for elementary refugee students. I literally get paid to play games in order to help kids practice English. Amazing, … Continue reading Charlotte’s Web: A Life-Giving Classic That Will Make the World Feel Like a Miracle

September 2, 2019

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus: A Quick Read That’s Actually Believable

One of Us Is Lying | Author: Karen M. McManus | Genre: YA Mystery, Fiction Hardcover: 416 pages | Publisher: Delacorte Press (May 30, 2017) | ISBN: 1524714682 Rating: 4/5 “I know what it’s like to tell yourself a lie so often that it becomes the truth.” A gossip app. An unlikely bunch of people in the same … Continue reading One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus: A Quick Read That’s Actually Believable

August 10, 2019August 18, 2019

Writing Poetry

I stopped by the busy apartment complex where most of my students live. Kids chased each other through the grass, and mommas donning brightly colored patterns walked with babies on their hips. Whether or not I knew them, I waved at them as I slowly bumped over the humps and pot holes of the parking … Continue reading Writing Poetry

July 18, 2019September 2, 2019

Trying Not to Litter the World

A scene that describes my early mornings lately: waking up early to grab a cup of coffee and cast vision to bold ideas. Like, really bold ideas. On Tuesdays that means teaching a class before my “real” job. On Wednesdays it’s a Bible study. On Thursdays it’s project planning. I didn’t really set out to … Continue reading Trying Not to Litter the World

July 8, 2019September 2, 2019

I Try, I Try

We tightened the laces and practiced the art of walking on blades. We probably looked like a mismatched group – a few white women with nearly 40 middle school students representing multiple countries around the world. Brown skin, black skin, white skin. Tall socks with athletic shorts covered some, and others had come in hoodies … Continue reading I Try, I Try