Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like to Own

I got this idea from http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com and it originates from http://www.brokeandbookish.com. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click here.

Top Ten Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like To Own

1. Clear Book Holder
   
   
2. Map Bookshelves
   
3.  Colossal Bookmarks
   
4.  DFTBA Book Shirt
   
5.  Papasan Chair
   
6.  Attic Library
   
7.  Moon Reader
   
8. Cardboard Swirl Shelves here
   
9.  Book Stairs
   
10. Book Arch in the Garden
    

This was a little more difficult. Bookish things that aren't books that I'd like to own, but really, I only want books. But this was fun. Yay TTT!

Happy Thoughts: Goodreads Giveaways

BTW: It's actually really difficult to take a picture with a large hard bound novel, from any angle.

Anywho, I pretty much love Goodreads.com and they have a nifty little program where you can enter to win giveaways for free books. There are literally hundreds of books. You have to pick and choose though, because a lot of them sound terrible.

However, there are some really great ones like books by the majestic Terry Pratchett, who is one of my favorite authors ever. 

And then sometimes, really great things happen to you and you win giveaways and Mondays become more bearable.

And you can be sure that I will let you know how good the book is!

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books I've Read (April 8)

I got this idea from http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com and it originates from http://www.brokeandbookish.com. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click here.

Now, I'm a big fan of the odd, absurd and unusual, so this week's Top Ten is right up my alley. 

Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read

1. The Silent Gondoliers by William Goldman -- The legend of Luigi the master gondolier and aspiring singer. Very odd premise, but more beautiful each time I read it.
2. Swords for Hire by Will Allen -- Not what you'd expect. Classic hero's journey but so, so funny and clever.
3. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness -- Strange dreamlike quality to story and writing is haunting. Odd, but one that you won't be able to stop talking about.
4. The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope -- American history meets a ghost story. Not scary but everything ties together in such a wonderfully unique way! One of my absolute favorites.
5. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery -- At first glance, there doesn't look like there is much that is unique about the story. But it was the only one of L.M. Montgomery novel's meant for an older audience. I love the heroine who defies tradition and her stuffy family. It's a novel about fulfilling your dreams and living life to the fullest. It's descriptions of nature stand out as some of the best descriptive writing I've ever read.
6. Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster -- A bildungsroman epistolary novel. Sweet, touching and funny, you will be hard pressed to find another like it.
7. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende -- Completely original tale that invites the reader to become a part of the story. However, the second half does drag a bit. But the first half more than makes up for it.
8. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride -- Unique supernatural powers, unique take on the supernatural genre and a snarky protagonist? Sign me up! 
9. The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud -- The footnotes were the most unique part of this series. I remember being so impressed by the depth of the world that Stroud created and how interesting Bartimeaus was.
10. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman -- Literally anything that Neil Gaiman writes is unique with a capital U. The man is a master. Out of everything that I've read from him, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is the most unique. It blends reality and fiction, nightmare and dreams. "It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark."

I liked this week's prompt. Uniqueness in books is something to be cherished and remembered, especially after I read the same paranormal-dystopian-love-triangle YA novel. Same story with different titles. What have been some of the most unique books you've come across?

#BooksWithBeddes: Reboot by Amy Tintera

Title: Reboot *link goes to my Goodreads review*

Author: Amy Tintera

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Ehhh, I don't know what it was about this one, but I didn't love it. I didn't hate it either, which was a bit of a relief. The premise was super interesting. After a devastating virus kills most of the population, a handful begin to rise again from the dead, "rebooted". However, these reboots are stronger, faster and less emotional. Sort of sociopathic clones. Anyways, the HARC is the domineering, controlling governmental agency designed to house these reboots and use them to capture criminals and clean up the streets. 

I couldn't get out of my head the idea of zombies, especially since one experiment makes some of the reboots go out of control and start tearing into people. I'm not a huge zombie fan, so that lessened my appreciation somewhat. The other part was just how unbelievable the central love story was. 

The protagonist, Wren 178, was dead for 178 mins before rebooting. The longer you are dead, the less human you are when you return. So it's really hard to identify with her emotionally when she is so dead on the inside. Except that she isn't. She still has feelings, even though she isn't supposed to have them? And then her love interest, Callum, still has all of his human emotions and he loves Wren for some inexplicable reason? I don't know. I like love stories to have a little more meat on the bones than "Oh she's pretty? I must like her then!"

Oh well. I did find there is a second book, I don't know if I'm super interested in finding out how it all ends though...

#BooksWithBeddes: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Title: Days of Blood and Starlight *link goes to my Goodreads review*

Author: Laini Taylor

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For someone who reads as much as I do, it's odd that such a big book gives me pause. A 300 pg book? Psh! Done in no time. Start creeping over 400 pages and suddenly, I have the hardest time maintaining interest enough to get started. Never mind that once I get started I get completely swept away. 

Well, most of the time. Days of Blood and Starlight is a different story. There is so much going on and so much at stake, that I had to stop after every couple of chapters to maintain my emotional balance. (I really get into books.)

The premise: Karou is one of the Chimaera, the half human-half creature race that are in open rebellion to the Seraphim, a race of angels with blazing wings. In the first book, she learns of a betrayal from someone close to her and in this second one, she must decide how far she is willing to take things in her need to avenge her race. 

This series takes an interesting look into the nature of war and the people who fight in it. Neither side is innocent, that much is painfully clear as the book goes on. But how do you stop fighting once you start? How do you answer someone's pain that you've caused? 

Days of Blood and Starlight is aptly named. Since it is war that they are involved in, there is so much death and blood. I am afraid that there could never be a movie because to do it right would be too gruesome for the silver screen. There is also the matter of the pain tithe for magic. Even though this concept is brutal, it makes so much sense. You can't get something from nothing (although that seems like the very purpose of magic) and in this world, to conduct any sort of magic, you need a reservoir of pain to purchase it. Cringeworthy, indeed, but it makes you think more about what is worth the pain. 

If you had the power to do anything you wanted, but at a cost, would you still do it?

#BooksWithBeddes: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Title: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane                              *link goes to my Goodreads review*

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This may be the book nerd in me, but I've always wanted to be part of a book club. I love reading books, but it's even better when you can share books with other people and talk about your thoughts and feelings. It makes me think more deeply about the things I read and helps broaden my literary taste and helps me see things from other people's perspectives. 

Book clubs are tricky, because it seems really daunting to start one, but then again if you don't start one, you have to wait to be invited to one. When I moved to my first official job, somehow (I don't really remember) but somehow I got invited to a book club and I loved it. I got to know more people in the community, I was surrounded by other readers, and we discussed books! Dream come true. 

This is the explanation behind  this book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It was this month's book club book, and a little different than the ones we've read before. First of all, it's a children's book, I would say 8-10 year old. But it's so good. I love saying that because at first, I was a little skeptical about reading it. Not that I couldn't, just why would I want to? I'm glad to say, this little book changed my mind.

Simply put, it's about a china rabbit who is cold and uncaring. He is separated from his owner and goes on many different kinds of adventures and learns about love along the way. So sweet and so much heart. This would be a lovely bedtime book, to read a chapter each night with a child. Some day, right? 

Top Ten Tuesday: "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey (April 1)

I got this idea from http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com and it originates from http://www.brokeandbookish.com. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click here.

Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey

1.  The Boxcar Children -- These were the first books that I remember being excited about reading. I remember my mother making a copy of all the title from the back of one of the books so I could see which ones to get next at the library. These were a very large part of my childhood.
2.  The Baby-sitters Club by Ann Martin -- Like the Boxcar Children, The Baby-sitters Club series was transformative for me. I remember when Mary-Ann got her hair cut super short, that inspired me to cut my hair. Simple, but that was probably the first time I remember being so influenced by a book.
3.  The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede -- When I was in elementary school, I remember one of my fellow students pulled Searching for Dragons off of the shelf and asked how anyone could read such a BIG book. Prideful elementary student that I was, I took it on as a challenge and fell in love with it.
4.  Anna Karenina--Freshman year of college, I took a Comparative Literature course and this was the one book that our professor promised us that we would read again, out of all the books we read that semester. It was also the novel that got me started reading Russian literature, which I won't say that I'm an expert on or an avid fan of, but it does enrich my life.
5.  American Born Chinese -- Junior year of college, I had to take an Adolescent Literature class for my major. "Had to" pshaw! I got to read YA fiction for CREDIT. Tell you what, I aced that course. In the class we had to read a whole variety of YA literature. One type was graphic novels, which I hadn't paid much attention to. I didn't really understand the appeal. American Born Chinese changed that for me. First of all, it is a Printz medal winner and it had such depth. I am sold on the idea of graphic novels, all because of this book.
6.  Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World -- Likewise, in this class, we had to read some non-fiction which I had never really been a fan of. SatBotW (it's a mouthful) changed all of that. For once, I was fully engaged in a true story. I was fascinated and couldn't put it down. It also furthered my fascination with the Arctic exploration era. Ernest Shackleton FTW!
7.  Neil Gaiman -- I've never been one to appreciate anything in the horror genre. I don't willingly see scary movie or tell scary stories around the camp-fire. Neil Gaiman made me appreciate horror like I've never done before. I think it's because he gave meaning to the horror. It wasn't just to scare. It was meaningful and beautiful.
8.  Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- Number 8 and 9 are both important for different reasons. I think Hitchhiker's Guide was technically the first example of true Science Fiction that I remember reading. And if I were to be honest, I think Sci-Fi is one of my favorite genres now.
9.  Stainless Steel Rat -- Harry Harrison's series is one of my favorites. It straddles the border between Sci-Fi and Satire and it's one that has opened up new opportunities of other Sci-Fi books like Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury.
10.  Murder on the Oriental Express -- Last but not least, Agatha Christie's immortal mystery Murder on the Orient Express. Like I said earlier, I'm not one for suspense, and always read the end of the book to see how it will resolve itself, but with this one, I didn't. And I saw how exhilarating it was to not know the ending. And I wanted to read more mysteries because Christie did such a good job with it. Classic.

So this is probably waaayyy more than you wanted to know, but these are my Top Ten Gateway Books that opened up new books, genres and authors for me on my reading Journey. Let me know what books have been gateway books for you! I love comparing books and experiences.

#BooksWithBeddes: Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genres: fate vs. free will, the individual vs. the majority, gods and goddesses, desert survival
Summary: Liyana has trained her whole life to be a vessel for her clan's goddess. When her goddess doesn't come, Liyana's clan abandons her to the desert to find a more worthy vessel. Liyana then meets Korbyn, the trickster god, who claims that the gods are being trapped and Liyana must help him find them again. The longer Liyana goes without her goddess, the less she wants to give up her life just yet. But she might have to sacrifice herself to save her people.
Response: I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book. I only knew that I liked the author's previous novel, Ice .
I was really impressed by the complex world-building present in this novel. Focusing on the nomadic desert tribes and giving life to each clan's gods was really interesting. The other supernatural elements found in the desert like the giant silk/sand worms, the sandstorm wolves, the sky serpents, etc. added to the depth and detail of that world. I liked the foreign feel of the desert people. I don't think many YA authors take that route. It felt new and interesting.
Liyana was such a strong character. She has been raised her whole life for one purpose, to be the vessel for her goddess. After that time, she no longer exists. But when her goddess doesn't come, what then? Liyana suddenly has to live for herself, instead of just for her fate. She still considers others needs before her own, but that whole dilemma of the individual will versus the group good was just fascinating. And it wasn't just Liyana who had to deal with this dilemma, there were other abandoned vessels, each with varying degrees of acceptance of their fate. I loved that the author was able to explore so many perspectives to the same problem.
I didn't quite know how to take the ending. It was mostly satisfying, but I wonder if there will be more?


View all my reviews

Top Ten Tuesday:Things On My Bookish Bucket List (March 25)

I got this idea from http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com and it originates from http://www.brokeandbookish.com and http://www.thebookwheelblog.com/50-bookishthings/. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click here.

I want to do more regular series on the blog. This is going to be a Tuesday regular. I will take most of my ideas from the blogs I mentioned, but if it strikes my fancy, I might do a random list. This week's topic is Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List

1. Meet John Green and Hank Green -- Favorite youtubers and creative geniuses
2. Read Moby Dick
3. Social Media Storm (instagram, pinterest, blog) the books I read as I finish them. #BooksWithBeddes
4. Read War & Peace
5. Someday turn a classic novel into a vlog a la Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Another example of Hank Green's genius.
6. Read Crime and Punishment
7. Visit Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables
8. Blow my Goodreads Reading Challenge out of the water like last year.
9. Read at least one truly non-fiction book year.  
10. Update my school library with at least new 50 books a year

Whew! It was a little difficult to come up with 10 things, but it was fun! Tune in next week for Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey

#BooksWithBeddes: 300th Book Read Celebration

Folks, this is an occasion: My 300th read book is official on Goodreads as of tonight! We must do what we can to celebrate. I've included my Goodreads review for your viewing pleasure. And this is how I celebrate! (I live the adventurous life.)


Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three and half stars, I think.
Genre: retold classic, alternative narrators. love triangles
Summary: This is the story of Peter Pan, but told from Tinkerbell's point of view as an omniscient third person narrator. As a fairy, she can tell the thought, feelings and memories of the people around her. She is tied to Tiger Lily first, and of course, Peter, later. Tinkerbell narrates Tiger Lily's background and how she meets and falls in love with Peter. But it isn't a love affair that is meant to last because Tiger Lily is engaged to be married, Captain Hook wants Peter Pan dead, and another girl, by the name of Wendy, comes into the picture.
Response: This was a suggestion by one of my students, and I had to read it quick because she had already promised it to another friend. It was a quick read.
The writing was beautiful and had a haunting sort of lyricism to it. I love the unusual narrator. I don't really like Tinkerbell as a character from the original Disney story, or her other reincarnations in those straight-to-DVD movies. But Tinkerbell as the narrator is genius. The author explains why she can't talk, and how she met Tiger Lily, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.  As a fairy, she is privy to people's thoughts, and feelings, even the ones that are kept deep inside.
This Neverland was parts beauty, mystery and danger. This retelling of Peter Pan had a much darker edge to it that I was expecting. It wasn't the Neverland of Disney's imagination. In a way, it was an appropriate Neverland for a grown up audience.
Tiger Lily wasn't the most sympathetic character. I felt she was too cold and distant for me to really care about her, but the supporting cast of characters were spot on. I think this book broke my heart a little, but it also patched it up too.


View all my reviews

Dating advice for all the boys out there...

I've seen this on a couple of the blogs I follow, so I did the obvious thing and reblogged about it here. I just like the idea of it, a declaration from some poor reader-chic to all the oblivious boys. Amen, sister.

"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes, who has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.
Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she has found the book she wants. You see that weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a secondhand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow and worn.
She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.
Buy her another cup of coffee.
Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent.  Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.
It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry and in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.
She has to give it a shot somehow.
Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.
Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things must come to end, but that you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.
Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.
If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.
You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.
You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.
Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.
Or better yet, date a girl who writes."
- Rosemarie Urquico

Don't Panic (And yes, that was a reference to Douglas Adams' timeless classic sci-fi series, not my current mental state...)

 

There wasn't any classes today and I failed to correctly set up a time and place to meet up with my fellow study-abroaders, so I just wandered around Oslo for a couple of hours.
Which was great, don't get me wrong. I don't mind being alone.
However, what really made the day a success was finding this little gem, Streetwise (above). Thank heaven for the foresight of intrepid Oslo-ians. They put together this neat little book with the 411 on all sorts of things like places to shop, food, touristy things to do and also some not touristy things to do. And they weren't afraid of talking straight. If something is expensive, they make sure to let you know. It's just a handy little book for all fellow travelers. If you are in the Oslo area, here is the website: http://use-it.unginfo.oslo.no/WP/streetwise/ It's just as helpful as the book I found.
Kind reminds me of something similar...

Oh yes. Don't Panic.
Truer words were never spoken.

Leo and Diane Dillon

"We once heard a statement, to 'make life an art.' And that really intrigued us because it meant that if you cooked the meal, you should make that art. If you painted your rooms, make that art. Make art everything you touch and everything you do. That must be the ideal of life" Leo and Diane Dillon
I've recently found Pinterest and I've been obsessed with finding things I love online. One of those things, is the art of super creative couple, Leo and Diane Dillon. They have been illustrators for decades and I LOVE their dramatic, evocative artwork.
I love stories and oftentimes, the pictures tell more of the story than the words on the page. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?
Google search their stuff and tell me they aren't some of the coolest things you've ever seen.
Also, this blog here is dedicated to showcasing examples of their work. It's a good place to start.
Enjoy all the pretty pictures!

#BooksWithBeddes: Eat, Pray, Love: What's in a Word?

"Then he went on to explain, in a mixture of English, Italian and hand gestures, that every city has a single word that defines it, that identifies most people who live there. If you could read people's thoughts as they were passing you on the streets of any given place, you would discover that most of them are thinking the same thought. Whatever that majority though might be--that is the word of the city. And if your personal word does not match the word of the city, then you don't really belong there." (pg 103)

So I know it's been awhile since I read Eat, Pray Love (EPL) told you all about it but I came across this post that I had yet to post. (No worries, I have two more where this came from.) I think my thought-process what along the lines of spreading out the quotes from EPL to prevent chick-lit overload. Truly, humans can only take so much rom-com or chick-lit stuff.
Ahem.
Back to the quote at hand.
Isn't this the most intriguing idea? This concept that every city has a word--one word--that defines it and most of the people who live there. If this were true, it makes an interesting argument. Have you ever been to a place and just immediately been felt at home? Maybe the word that defines you is the same word that defines the city. Oooooo.
The only glitch in this idea is, have you ever tried defining yourself in one word? It's hard. I see myself on a spectrum. And I am rarely definitive on any one concept. But I like the idea of one central word that all other descriptive words depend upon; the keystone of your personality, if you will. It must be nice to know yourself so well, as to describe yourself in such a parsimonious package.
Therefore, because I think it's a good idea, I'm going to issue a challenge. The challenge is thus: that each of you lovely readers must find your word--the word--that defines you. And then tell me about the adventure that such a search is bound to be. I am going to do the same. Once I find my word, to be sure, I will let you know. And since it's me, you can be sure, it will be a funny story

Swoon-worthy

I found this from a friend's FB. Thank goodness for FB, right? How would we find anything cool without it? Well, I don't know much about these boys. I am guessing they are Italian. Yes, I know, my detective skills are astounding. They sound much more mature than they look.
Mmmmm. Italians. Especially ones that can sing.
This reminds me of a book (like everything does, right?)
It's called the The Silent Gondoliers by the same guy who wrote the Princess Bride novel. It's an interesting fairy tale. I recommend it if you are in need of a short story.
Actually, the only thing it has in common with the video is Italians and the song, 'O Solo Mio'.
But hey sometimes, that is all you need.

Jane Eyre

Last night I went with an old friend to see a movie. It's what we do. She had already seen this movie, and spoke quite highly about it, so I was quite eager to see, regardless of my less-than-affectionate feelings for the Bronte sisters.

It was, in fact, quite good.

As has been mentioned before, on numerous occasions, I don't do well with suspense. I get so involved in the story, that any suspense just destroys my nerves, so I was a little hesitant to watch this movie because of the genre classification. Often, the Bronte's works are classified as Gothic romance, so there was some level of mystery attached to the story, I mean, come on, it's Jane EYRE. There is a creepy, insane woman who walks around late at night, setting fire to things and screaming. So, there was some suspense as we watch Jane unfolding the mysteries around Mr. Rochester and Thornfield Hall. And it's sad. Any book that depicts early 19th century education for orphans always makes me very sad. Life is so dreary and depressing and the teachers are basically of the devil. No wonder no one likes teachers, because for almost as long as there has been literature, teachers have been vilified. Lastly, it wouldn't be complete (or a Bronte novel) without the dark, brooding Bryonic hero.

Mostly, I just get fed up with the heroes. Mr. Rochester is grumpy, mean and mysterious and yet, he still manages to make Jane fall in love with him. What the heck, right? If you met him in real life, the chances of him being this über romantic figure would be much, much less. No one actually likes being around people like him, they just like reading about him. It's OK that he is a jerk to every other character in the story,just as long as you don't have to ever talk to him.

The same goes for a whole host of characters: Edward (Twilight or really, any modern-day paranormal YA romance...all of the protagonists are dark, depressed or depressing, and mysterious...but that will have to keep for another blog post), Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights), to some extent Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice). [[Trust me, I can make a good argument for Mr. Darcy.]]

I was quite impressed, however, with Jane and the actress, Mia Wasikowska, that played her. Even though Jane hasn't got much, she still had an inner-strength that was extraordinary and Mia portrayed it subtly and effectively. She wasn't faint-prone or annoying. She simply stated things as they were and dreamt of better things. Yes, I was very impressed with her.

I think I would like to read the book again, just to give the Bronte's another chance.
Have any of you seen the movie or other versions? What do you think, either of the book or movie?

Eat, Pray, Love: Broken Hearts

"Love is always complicated. but still humans must try to love each other, darling. We must get our hearts broken sometimes. This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something." (pg 277)

A broken heart never feels good, but I guess it helps us understand that we have participated in this beautiful thing called life...

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ladies and Gents,

It's getting closer! Today, I bought my ticket to Norway. So soon, I will be flying away from here to more exotic locales. Oh, I'm nervous! But so excited. [[[That is 17 hours of flying.]]] Luckily, I will have some finals to be grading, so it shouldn't be too boring waiting to go from one airport to another.

However, there is so many rules, regulations, exceptions and loopholes;  it's a miracle that people actually get anywhere. I will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean, which now that I think of it, will be a first. I have only ever seen the Pacific. Let's be honest though, this trip is going to be full of firsts.

Sometimes, I go to bed thinking of Norwegian phrases that I might have to use. Which, you know, is fun, but it sure makes my dreams very strange when I fall asleep with half-English, half-Norwegian sentences floating through my head. We had a lady from Norway come speak to our study abroad prep class last week. She let us know what to pack, what to expect, what food to look for.

Apparently, there is a LOT of cheese and other dairy products. And there isn't a whole lot by the way of spicy food. Norwegians are a very "salt and pepper" type of people. This works for me. Despite of my Latino heritage, I'm the one that can't handle anything hotter than extra mild salsa. But bread, cheese, milk and potatoes? Sure thing! Maybe next time I travel, I will try a location with a bit more extreme foodstuffs. Maybe.

Oh, speaking of food and travel: I am currently reading Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. [I haven't seen the movie yet.] There are three parts of the book, and I have only gotten through Part 1: Italy.

                Oh my goodness.

I have never been more hungry or jealous reading a book before in my entire life. The book is about Gilbert and the year she spent in Italy, India and Indonesia to find herself and to rebuild her soul. She spent four months in Italy, learning Italian and eating.

SO MUCH GOOD FOOD.

Every couple of pages, she tries to describe indescribable dishes. She finds these little hidden eateries that have no name but all the locals go there and every time its almost a spiritual experience with the food. Which, you know happens. Really good food and good company to share it with? It's one of the best feelings in the world; it's pure joy. I am constantly amazed at how many combinations of flavors, textures and ingredients that go into the recipes of the world. It's a cause for celebration, knowing that you could never eat the same thing twice, changing the recipe with a slight flick of the wrist.

Ok. So besides my impromptu ode to food, this post is dedicated to travel. Be assured, I will keep this blog up-to-date with all my adventures.

Where'er they be found.

#BooksWithBeddes: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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So for my Literature for Adolescents class, I've been reading like a madwoman. (Sorry Goodreads friends...) Anyways, I had heard a lot from various people and professors that The Graveyard Book was a good read. At first, I wasn't sure I believed them. I tend to be a coward when it comes to reading material and anything the least bit scary or suspenseful I avoid. But I was intrigued. So I picked up this little jewel of a book yesterday and basically devoured it. SO GOOD.

There is a reason why it won the 2009 Newbery Medal and the 2010 Carnegie Medal.

Neil Gaiman wrote Coraline and Stardust and Mirrormask, so if you are familiar with any of those titles, you have a pretty good idea of how imaginative his is. His craftsmanship is supremely evident in this book. The sentences are just gorgeous! I know that may seem like a strange way of describing a book, but I can't think of any other way which emphasizes my love of this book.

The story is very similar to The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, in the sense that a boy is orphaned and brought up in unique circumstances. Nobody Owens, as the boy is called, is raised by a graveyard full of ghosts, after his family is murdered when he was just a baby. The graveyard and its residents protect him from the murderers who want to finish the job, but they can't protect him forever. Bod grows up and faces his fate.

It's a suspenseful tale that kept me turning the page frantically and annoying my roommates with my agonized gasps. I definitely recommend it to anyone willing to take a chance.

Locked Out Again

So I am part of a little club called the Phi Alpha Theta. We are self-proclaimed history nerds. We have an office on the second floor of the JFSB. We help other history nerds find their niche. I cannot get into said office because the key is missing.
Who lost the key? You might ask.
Well, it wasn't me!
Alas, I am still locked out regardless.
Boo.
I hate being dependent upon others. You can get let down so easily, if you are not the one responsible for things. I have office hours. People could need me and I can't be where I said I will be!!! This kind of irresponsibility is killing me.
Also, I like having my own office. I am in control and I don't have to acknowledge other people's existence unless they come to me. In my office. Out here in the open, you have to say "Hello" to everyone who you made eye-contact with. It can be very exhausting, let me tell you.
Also, in other news, I just finished reading The Great Gatsby.
Can you believe that I had never read it before?
Which is silly, seeing as it isn't very long and it is widely considered a classic of American Literature. I mean, I have heard of it before, but I had never read it before. Somehow, I escaped high school without reading it. I got away with a lot of things in high school, apparently. Go figure.
Anyways, let discuss The Great Gatsby, shall we?

The original cover art was commissioned and finished before Fitzgerald actually finished the novel, so he sort of wrote the picture into the book. I really appreciate it when different formats of art are blended together. It provides such a deeper interpretation and meaning. Anyways, Fitzgerald has a beautiful use of the language. Seriously.
Also, the simple tragedy of it all. People trying to reach out to one another, albeit, without the best of intentions, but really, people just wanting to be loved, and then they get shot down, thrown aside. I am glad that Fitzgerald set the time period during the 1920's because you can imagine all sorts of awful things happening to the characters that you hated during the Great Depression. You wish that they get what they deserved, but they probably didn't.
The moral of the story is, just be nice to people. Don't be a jerk. No one likes jerks.
Also, don't obsess over people. It isn't attractive and it doesn't get you what you want in the end anyhow.
The End.
oh p.s. they opened my office! I am in control again. Woot!