So, because my life is so interesting (and because this blog thing is supposed to be about school work, and about SLISJ755 specifically) I thought I'd actually review a book I just read.
Now this one isn't for real, it's something that I was browsing for fun, but I figure what better way to work out kinks and all than with a book that doesn't really count, right?
Citation:
Tropea, J. (2006). Classical Biblical baby names: Timeless names for modern parents. New York: Bantam.
Review:
My family is very religious. I am... less so. I picked up this guide in the hopes of finding interesting Biblical names beyond Gideon and Gabriel that could pass muster with my family, but not scream "My Parents Named Me After Holy Dead People!" to everyone else my child will meet in life. The book is arranged in familiar fashion to most baby naming guides - male names first, then female, alphabetically listed, with pronunciation guides and alternative spellings. I was initially somewhat impressed with the depth of explanation given for each name on the list. Then I considered that the back matter specifically promises "fascinating background information" including "scriptural stories surrounding the name." I also realized that most of the names in the female section are actually place names or male names which the author decides sound more feminine, or that the name is given to both boys and girls in modern times. Therefore you have incidents where Ariel in the male section mentions Ariel Sharon and the manly nickname Arik, and Ariel in the female section mentions Disney's Little Mermaid. Needless to say, I was less than impressed with the set of female names on offer. Not to insult anyone who may be blessed with the following monikers, but I submit that in the year 2006, names such as "Jemima" and "Keren-Happuch" do not deserve a place on anyone's list.
Recommended With Reservations.
Integrated Advisory Conversation
Since this is just practice before classes start, I have no idea what this is! If I was going to recommend this for a person, I would try to use it with someone of Jewish or Christian background, or alternatively, someone with no familiarity with the people and stories of the Bible. Especially in the male section, the information about the Biblical figures is short and well-presented. Those sections also list where in the Bible (and Apocrypha!) those figures appear, so that interested people could look them up.
Program Use
This one is harder. Easiest would be a program for pregnant or wanting-to-become-pregnant people, along with a few other interesting or otherwise thematic baby name books. Perhaps this could be one of a series of "baby interest" book clubs or programs. Otherwise, it could fit with a little shoehorning into a study of Biblical figures and places, or with a little more shoehorning into a Women's Studies program about how aspects of womanhood are usually either based on locations (fertile lands) or on male attributes (which are then not considered 'worthy' of being used by males any more).
