Tag Archives: books

The One Book I Still Miss Teaching Every Year

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I thought Flowers for Algernon would be an interesting science-fiction story. I didn’t expect it to become one of the books I most looked forward to teaching — or one I would miss so much after I had to stop. Continue reading →

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The Whale Was Not the Problem: When Classic Books Become Endurance Tests

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some classic books have undeniable themes, powerful messages, and lasting importance. That does not always make them enjoyable to read. Sometimes the whale is not the problem. Sometimes the problem is everything around the whale. Continue reading →

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Some Books Tell Their Story Once. Others Keep Talking.

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Most novels lose some of their pull once I know what’s coming. But a few books — because of depth, meaning, or sheer craft — still reveal something new every time I return to them. Continue reading →

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If I Had to Step Into Someone Else’s Story

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

It’s easy to choose a fictional character based on the exciting parts of the story. The harder part is remembering you also inherit the loneliness, danger, and pain that made that character who they are. Continue reading →

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Hydration Depends on the Mood (and the Meeting)

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What’s my favorite drink? That depends. If I’m melting in Florida heat, it’s Glacier Cherry (which is somehow white). If I’m teaching, it’s a giganto Wawa concoction. If I’m reflective at my desk… well, that answer comes in amber. Context matters—even in a cup. Continue reading →

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The Books Waiting on My Shelf

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some books are new discoveries, some are second chances, and a few are quiet promises I’ve been making to myself for years. These are the stories I hope to return to—and one I hope to finally send out into the world. Continue reading →

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From Maycomb to Mount Olympus to Old Kentucky: What I’m Reading Now

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

I’m reading three books right now—two with my students and one just for myself. My 8th graders are deep in To Kill a Mockingbird, my 9th graders are journeying through The Odyssey, and at home I’m finally returning to The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, a book my mother once read aloud to me as a child. Each of these stories is speaking to me in a different way this season. Continue reading →

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Doing More of What Matters

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

When I stop and ask myself what I could do more of, a handful of things jump to the front of my mind. First, exercise. I need to be in better health, and moving my body consistently is a big … Continue reading →

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Books, Bourbon, and a Place to Belong

Posted on August 10, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If I were ever to open up a shop, it wouldn’t be the kind of place you just run in and out of. It’d be the kind of place you settle into. The kind of place where time slows down … Continue reading →

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The Fine Line Between Passion and Avoidance

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

You ever get so wrapped up in something that you look up and realize hours have flown by? That’s a pretty common experience—but for me, living with ADHD, it’s not just an occasional thing. It’s something deeper, something we call … Continue reading →

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