December 20, 2017 Dear Jones Students, I got a head-start on my winter break book, which is also the next junior book club title. It's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I just began reading, so I don't know exactly where it's going and wouldn't dream of revealing any substantial content to potential readers. The author referred to a 1976 Rolling Stone article about this nonfiction account. I thought to myself, "I could find that article and get to the main points of this book in about 15 minutes." It's a digital world we are living in today. I know you get the vast majority of your information from online sources, and that you want that information fast. I understand, because both of those are true for me. But there is no way that I am going to trade in reading this book for just the article. I want to ride this unique and fascinating book all the way to the end. Many of you became great students and great analytical thinkers because you read a lot in elementary and middle school. It's probably what put many of you on the path to JCP. I understand that the Jones curriculum is demanding. I know that many of you regret not having the kind of time you had in earlier years when you could read all you want when you finished your school work early or read in whatever spare time you had. I am aware of the tension between your desire to meet your academic goals and your desire to just read what you want when you want. The book has been and continues to be a phenomenally successful way to exchange ideas. I believe that there is something unique about a book that transcends the convenience and speed of the Internet. A nice chunky book requires that you spend substantial time focusing your mind on a topic or a story that demands and/or deserves your sustained attention to be truly understood and appreciated. In today's world it can be easy to gather information in the form of bits and pieces from here, there, and everywhere in the quest to understand the world around us. That technique can be effective. In fact it's exactly what I strive to teach you as researchers and truth seekers. But if the capacity to read a book is not exercised now and then, your personal art of reading may suffer and decline. I urge you to continue to cultivate the capacity and the will to to read books. I fear that fewer and fewer people have the patience and commitment for it. I firmly believe the world is better off with as many readers of BOOKS as possible. Please stay enrolled in the COSMIC BOOK CLUB. Please consider checking out and reading a book this winter break. I invite you. I dare you. I beseech you. I implore you. Happy Just Take a Book Week! And happy holidays to all of you! Mr. Feeley Comments are closed.
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