Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Thursday, November 17, 2016
BOOK REVIEW: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
(Photograph: goodreads.com)
Today we will be talking about my most recent read: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a nonfiction book designed to help readers tune into their creativity. Gilbert addresses a lot of issues surrounding the creation of art today. She brings up a lot of questions like "Should we strive to make a living off our art?" and "Why should we continue to make art even if it isn't good enough for other people?"
The author definitely has some drastic views about how creativity works; I don't agree with a lot of the things she claims (like the notion of ideas as separate entities, floating around and waiting for a human to catch them), but she has definitely given me a lot of new ideas and perspectives about my own art.
Big Magic is not a book for thinkers and philosophers, but if you are a reader hoping to get a quick bite of inspiration and motivation, this book is for you! I believe I picked this book up at the right time: I have been very blocked and unable to focus on my personal writing because other things have gotten in the way. Reading this book was a breath of fresh air and reminded me of why I love to write and make other art: because it really, truly makes me happy.
My rating: 7/10
BOOK REVIEW: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Did you know that the cure and medications for many diseases - including polio, cancer, and STDs, were all developed by scientists studying cells from only one person? Back in the 60's, Henrietta Lacks was a young black mother, and after claiming to have "a knot in my womb," had a cancer sample taken from her cervix and it forever changed medical history.
Henreitta's cells were so special that they were able to continue growing and multiplying after they were removed from her body. Before Henrietta's special cells were discovered, every other tissue sample taken from other people usually died after a few days living in culture.
(Photograph: goodreads.com)
For decades, no one ever knew who Henrietta Lacks was, and neither did they know the affect her cancer cells had on medical research. The author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot, wrote a three-part memoir about this woman's life and the affect she had on people around them.
The most interesting thing in the book for me was the way Skloot arranged the plot. She does an intense amount of research - interviewing family, looking up history, searching for medical records, and visiting the places Henrietta lived - and all of this is recorded in the book.
A recurring theme of this story is the idea of ethical research. Henrietta lived in a time where people of color were treated unethically in many ways when it came to medical research. In the story, Henrietta's cells were taken without her permission and she had no idea of what her cancer treatment would do to her. Skloot also brought up the Tuskegee Syphilis Studies, where many black men were experimented on and not informed of certain aspects of the study - aspects that left them dead or dying. This part of the story made me more aware of how far our medical practice has become in this day and age. I am glad Skloot did not shy away from this important topic.
Here is Skloot's website where you are able to learn about the impact of Henrietta Lacks. A movie will be out soon!
Also, check out The Henrietta Lacks Foundation. This website does a lot of charity work for victims of unethical medical research.
My rating: 6/10
Henreitta's cells were so special that they were able to continue growing and multiplying after they were removed from her body. Before Henrietta's special cells were discovered, every other tissue sample taken from other people usually died after a few days living in culture.
(Photograph: goodreads.com)
For decades, no one ever knew who Henrietta Lacks was, and neither did they know the affect her cancer cells had on medical research. The author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot, wrote a three-part memoir about this woman's life and the affect she had on people around them.
The most interesting thing in the book for me was the way Skloot arranged the plot. She does an intense amount of research - interviewing family, looking up history, searching for medical records, and visiting the places Henrietta lived - and all of this is recorded in the book.
A recurring theme of this story is the idea of ethical research. Henrietta lived in a time where people of color were treated unethically in many ways when it came to medical research. In the story, Henrietta's cells were taken without her permission and she had no idea of what her cancer treatment would do to her. Skloot also brought up the Tuskegee Syphilis Studies, where many black men were experimented on and not informed of certain aspects of the study - aspects that left them dead or dying. This part of the story made me more aware of how far our medical practice has become in this day and age. I am glad Skloot did not shy away from this important topic.
Here is Skloot's website where you are able to learn about the impact of Henrietta Lacks. A movie will be out soon!
Also, check out The Henrietta Lacks Foundation. This website does a lot of charity work for victims of unethical medical research.
My rating: 6/10
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
The Raven Bookstore: My Favorite of All Time
The Raven Bookstore is my absolute favorite bookstore of all time. They are an independent bookstore located in Lawrence, KS and they are awesome about supporting local or independent authors!
Check it out!
Check it out!
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Best snacks and drinks for the busy reader
If you're like me, there are times you need a little snack while reading. If I can make my reading experience closer to a cinema experience, I'll do it. Here are ten healthy (or healthyish) snacks I'm currently obsessed with that pair perfectly with your latest read.
1. Hot apple cider
2. Anna's Swedish Thins
3. Boom Chicka Pop Kettle Corn
4. Primal Vegan Jerky
5. Yogi tea
6. Iced tea from Sonic
7. Fruit Salad
8. Pumpkin Muffins
9. Apples dipped in peanut butter
10. Kale Chips
1. Hot apple cider
2. Anna's Swedish Thins
3. Boom Chicka Pop Kettle Corn
4. Primal Vegan Jerky
5. Yogi tea
6. Iced tea from Sonic
7. Fruit Salad
8. Pumpkin Muffins
9. Apples dipped in peanut butter
10. Kale Chips
REVIEW: The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Hey, everyone! Glad you stopped by today to smell the books.
Halloween will be here before we know it, and it's time to set aside some cozy time with a scary book, blankets, and a cup of tea. I picked up The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories expecting the story to be freaky and get me in the mood for the autumn season.
(Photograph Credit: goodreads.com)
Cthulhu is a collection of short stories by the well-known H.P. Lovecraft. This was my first taste of Lovecraft, and the first story in the collection, Dagon, is a great example of his style. Lovecraft uses a lot of first-person POV, something I did not expect. Another defining factor (of these stories at least) is the lack of dialogue in the stories. The dialogue adds to the lack of plot drive in a few of the stories, and sometimes it was hard for me to keep track of the stories because of rambling narration.
Although I didn't particularly care for Lovecraft's style, I do think he is an important author of his time. Lovecraft was one of the first notable horror writers; his works have influenced many other authors.
If you want to get in the Halloween mood, you may turn The Call of Cthulhu. I think next year, though, I'll stick to Neil Gaiman.
Rating 5/10
Halloween will be here before we know it, and it's time to set aside some cozy time with a scary book, blankets, and a cup of tea. I picked up The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories expecting the story to be freaky and get me in the mood for the autumn season.
(Photograph Credit: goodreads.com)
Cthulhu is a collection of short stories by the well-known H.P. Lovecraft. This was my first taste of Lovecraft, and the first story in the collection, Dagon, is a great example of his style. Lovecraft uses a lot of first-person POV, something I did not expect. Another defining factor (of these stories at least) is the lack of dialogue in the stories. The dialogue adds to the lack of plot drive in a few of the stories, and sometimes it was hard for me to keep track of the stories because of rambling narration.
Although I didn't particularly care for Lovecraft's style, I do think he is an important author of his time. Lovecraft was one of the first notable horror writers; his works have influenced many other authors.
If you want to get in the Halloween mood, you may turn The Call of Cthulhu. I think next year, though, I'll stick to Neil Gaiman.
Rating 5/10
Thursday, October 20, 2016
JUST READ THE POETRY
Hi all, why don't you stop by for a while and smell the books?
In my last post, I asked every reader to get out of their comfort zone and try a little bit of poetry. I can understand, though, why many of you may still be adverse to trying it. A lot of us experienced crappy English classes in high school and teachers forcing us to read pieces that don't mean anything to us. The great thing about modern poetry, however, is the astounding diversity of style. I am convinced that each of us would be able to find poetry we enjoy, if we did a bit of work. Here are some poetry books I've read, each with a completely different tone of voice, message, structure, and style. I highly encourage you poetry slackers to check one of these out, if they peak your interest.
1. Come Here by Victor Clevenger
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Come Here is an assortment of excerpts taken from Clevenger's longer works. I have the honor of knowing Victor Clevenger personally and it is a real treat to hear him read out loud, as well. I'd recommend this book to those who like a bit of tragedy and heartbreak in their poetry, and to people who enjoy very small passages with many layers of meaning.
2. Captivity by Laurie Sheck
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Laurie Sheck's collection is something I'm still trying to figure out. Her poetry is extremely obscure and the cover of it fits perfectly: Figuring out her words are like a complicated maze. I'm not sure if Sheck intended to be this obscure or I'm just crappy at interpreting poetry, but all in all, she writes some incredible words. I would recommend Captivity to patient people that enjoy thinking and analyzing.
3. Thank You, Fog by W.H. Auden
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Auden is a modern classic. I picked this book up on a whim and ended up enjoying it much more than I expected. Auden's poetry deserves to be constantly reread, at least once a year. I try to come back to this book every once in a while to see if I learn anything new, and I do. You'd enjoy this book if you tend to reread and enjoy a bit of longer poetry. Auden has many poetic voices and styles and his work is often very versatile. I couldn't imagine someone not enjoying Auden.
4. Ten Poems About Tea compiled by Sophie Dahl
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
This isn't a book just about tea. This is a book about tea and how it affects love, relationships, beauty, and longing. Ten Poems About Tea is a new favorite of mine because I not only love tea, but I seriously appreciate the beauty of each word in this compilation. This book is a great example of how someone can write a poem about anything and make that thing more beautiful than it really is. If you often see beauty in common things and like to ponder romantic notions, give this book a try.
I hope this list will broaden your view of poetry and that you'll perhaps check one or two or all of them out!
Keep reading.
In my last post, I asked every reader to get out of their comfort zone and try a little bit of poetry. I can understand, though, why many of you may still be adverse to trying it. A lot of us experienced crappy English classes in high school and teachers forcing us to read pieces that don't mean anything to us. The great thing about modern poetry, however, is the astounding diversity of style. I am convinced that each of us would be able to find poetry we enjoy, if we did a bit of work. Here are some poetry books I've read, each with a completely different tone of voice, message, structure, and style. I highly encourage you poetry slackers to check one of these out, if they peak your interest.
1. Come Here by Victor Clevenger
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Come Here is an assortment of excerpts taken from Clevenger's longer works. I have the honor of knowing Victor Clevenger personally and it is a real treat to hear him read out loud, as well. I'd recommend this book to those who like a bit of tragedy and heartbreak in their poetry, and to people who enjoy very small passages with many layers of meaning.
2. Captivity by Laurie Sheck
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Laurie Sheck's collection is something I'm still trying to figure out. Her poetry is extremely obscure and the cover of it fits perfectly: Figuring out her words are like a complicated maze. I'm not sure if Sheck intended to be this obscure or I'm just crappy at interpreting poetry, but all in all, she writes some incredible words. I would recommend Captivity to patient people that enjoy thinking and analyzing.
3. Thank You, Fog by W.H. Auden
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
Auden is a modern classic. I picked this book up on a whim and ended up enjoying it much more than I expected. Auden's poetry deserves to be constantly reread, at least once a year. I try to come back to this book every once in a while to see if I learn anything new, and I do. You'd enjoy this book if you tend to reread and enjoy a bit of longer poetry. Auden has many poetic voices and styles and his work is often very versatile. I couldn't imagine someone not enjoying Auden.
4. Ten Poems About Tea compiled by Sophie Dahl
(Photo credit: goodreads.com)
This isn't a book just about tea. This is a book about tea and how it affects love, relationships, beauty, and longing. Ten Poems About Tea is a new favorite of mine because I not only love tea, but I seriously appreciate the beauty of each word in this compilation. This book is a great example of how someone can write a poem about anything and make that thing more beautiful than it really is. If you often see beauty in common things and like to ponder romantic notions, give this book a try.
I hope this list will broaden your view of poetry and that you'll perhaps check one or two or all of them out!
Keep reading.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
The Importance of Poetry
A friend of mine once said that poetry is the most pure form of truth.
I agree with him, in a way. As someone who reads and writes poetry on a daily basis, I can appreciate the importance of poetry. But some of you (even you who are avid readers) may have an aversion to reading or analyzing poetry.
Why is this? I suspect you may not enjoy poetry because you read for plot instead of style. I often fall prey to this too, that reading is for enjoyment and we shouldn't expect any deeper meanings to affect us. But what really is the point of reading?
Since I began critically reading stories as an English major, I have found that the plot of the story shouldn't be the only interesting part. As readers, we should be looking for something of deeper meaning. Just imagine how many new doors we could open if we decided to judge a book by something other than plot!
And that's where poetry comes in.
Imagine coming back to a small block of text, like a haiku. Read one of my favorites by Jack Kerouac:
Missing a kick
At the icebox door
It closed anyway.
It is pretty easy to imaging the scene of Kerouac kicking his icebox door. You may move on from it as if nothing had happened. But if you read it and continue to ask yourself questions to increase the details of the scene, what could the poem become?
What was in the icebox? Was it alcohol? Nothing?
Why was he kicking the icebox in the first place? What happened before and after the act of kicking?
How could the door have closed on his own?
This poem is a story. Imagine reading this poem one year and then again the next year. What would have changed in your perspective about the poem? How has your reading been enhanced by a poem?
If you are a reader, I strongly encourage you to experiment with different types of poetry. I really do believe there's a poem for everyone, but it takes a bit of searching. Good luck discovering new poetry. Keep asking questions.
Happy reading!
I agree with him, in a way. As someone who reads and writes poetry on a daily basis, I can appreciate the importance of poetry. But some of you (even you who are avid readers) may have an aversion to reading or analyzing poetry.
Why is this? I suspect you may not enjoy poetry because you read for plot instead of style. I often fall prey to this too, that reading is for enjoyment and we shouldn't expect any deeper meanings to affect us. But what really is the point of reading?
Since I began critically reading stories as an English major, I have found that the plot of the story shouldn't be the only interesting part. As readers, we should be looking for something of deeper meaning. Just imagine how many new doors we could open if we decided to judge a book by something other than plot!
And that's where poetry comes in.
Imagine coming back to a small block of text, like a haiku. Read one of my favorites by Jack Kerouac:
Missing a kick
At the icebox door
It closed anyway.
It is pretty easy to imaging the scene of Kerouac kicking his icebox door. You may move on from it as if nothing had happened. But if you read it and continue to ask yourself questions to increase the details of the scene, what could the poem become?
What was in the icebox? Was it alcohol? Nothing?
Why was he kicking the icebox in the first place? What happened before and after the act of kicking?
How could the door have closed on his own?
This poem is a story. Imagine reading this poem one year and then again the next year. What would have changed in your perspective about the poem? How has your reading been enhanced by a poem?
If you are a reader, I strongly encourage you to experiment with different types of poetry. I really do believe there's a poem for everyone, but it takes a bit of searching. Good luck discovering new poetry. Keep asking questions.
Happy reading!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
REVIEW: Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh
Hey, all! Glad you stopped by to smell the books.
If you've been skimming through my posts, you may have read about my excitement over the Man Booker prize this season. In an attempt to stay up-to-date with the award, I have been trying to read some of the books that have been long listed. I stumbled upon Eileen in a used bookstore and decided to read it before the winner was announced.
Eileen is a story about a young, single woman living with her alcoholic father in "X-Ville," as she calls it. She works at the local boy's prison and lives a dreary life, almost as if a raincloud is following her everywhere she goes. But as the Christmas season rolls around, Rebecca St. John arrives to work at the prison, and the two strike up an unexpected friendship. Little does Eileen know the consequences of befriending Rebecca. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
I found Eileen to be a great story to read as the weather is getting colder and drearier. The tone of the story is very bleak and it seems as if bad luck is around every corner. If you like sad stories or very messed up main characters, this book is for you.
Eileen is narrated in first person, and we get almost too good of a look into her personal life. She suffers from a lot of trauma and mental illnesses. She is an alcoholic like her father and suffers from anorexia.
Despite Eileen's unlikeableness, I couldn't help but empathize with her. We get to see glimpses of her past and discover answers for why she turned out to be such a depressing character.
The character development of the story is by far the most powerful aspect of the novel. The plot is decent, but if you were to read this book, I would encourage you to focus on the underlying themes and images used to paint this tantalizing story.
My rating 8/10
Happy reading. :)
If you've been skimming through my posts, you may have read about my excitement over the Man Booker prize this season. In an attempt to stay up-to-date with the award, I have been trying to read some of the books that have been long listed. I stumbled upon Eileen in a used bookstore and decided to read it before the winner was announced.
Eileen is a story about a young, single woman living with her alcoholic father in "X-Ville," as she calls it. She works at the local boy's prison and lives a dreary life, almost as if a raincloud is following her everywhere she goes. But as the Christmas season rolls around, Rebecca St. John arrives to work at the prison, and the two strike up an unexpected friendship. Little does Eileen know the consequences of befriending Rebecca. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
I found Eileen to be a great story to read as the weather is getting colder and drearier. The tone of the story is very bleak and it seems as if bad luck is around every corner. If you like sad stories or very messed up main characters, this book is for you.
Eileen is narrated in first person, and we get almost too good of a look into her personal life. She suffers from a lot of trauma and mental illnesses. She is an alcoholic like her father and suffers from anorexia.
Despite Eileen's unlikeableness, I couldn't help but empathize with her. We get to see glimpses of her past and discover answers for why she turned out to be such a depressing character.
The character development of the story is by far the most powerful aspect of the novel. The plot is decent, but if you were to read this book, I would encourage you to focus on the underlying themes and images used to paint this tantalizing story.
My rating 8/10
Happy reading. :)
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Five of the Best Ted Talks for Readers
Everyone needs a bit of a Ted Talks marathon every now and again. I am subscribed to the TedX YouTube channel, and I always watch each video that is posted through that channel. Here are a few videos for my fellow readers that want to stay inspired to read and create.
1. The Power of Introverts - Susan Cain
1. The Power of Introverts - Susan Cain
I read Susan Cain's book Quiet, which is a book about her experience as an introvert and why any introvert should be proud of his or her quietness. Susan Cain is an empowering introvert and I applaud her for becoming the voice of introverts in our society.
2. The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers - Adam Grant
Do you consider yourself to be a procrastinator but also a creative, original thinker? Adam Grant explains everything that goes on in your brain as a creative procrastinator. As readers, we oftentimes enjoy school (or some part of it) but we also love to have our relaxing free time, sometimes with a book. This video helps me feel better about taking a few too many breaks to catch up on my "fun reading."
3. Why We Should All be Reading Aloud to Children - Rebecca Bellingham
Our love of reading had to start somewhere, right? If I'm assuming correctly, every reader has experienced a parent or teacher reading aloud to them. Rebecca Bellingham expertly reveals a child's mind when they are able to hear and connect with books.
4. My Year Reading a Book From Every Country in the World - Ann Morgan
I think each reader has experience similar to Ann Morgan's - we look at our shelves and realize the small variety of books we own and continue to read. The speaker in this talk is truly inspiring to every reader desiring to learn new things with each read.
5. Do Schools Kill Creativity? - Sir Ken Robinson
This is one of my favorite Ted Talks that I continue to watch. Each time I am inspired to look beyond my education and know my true self. Dr. Ken Robinson is truly an independent thinker and strives to bring creativity back into schools. As readers, I think we can appreciate Ken Robinson for his activism in schools, bringing about an atmosphere of free thought. Reading independently is one of the key ingredients to creativity.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Careers for the Reader
Hey, fellow readers! Stay close by to get a smell of the books.
Many people in this world can be pretty content with any type of job as long as it matters. The job situation is often a bit rockier for more artistic people, like readers. If you enjoy reading and would like to get more out of job than just a paycheck, consider these few college majors and careers.
1. History; Careers for this major: Historian, researcher, museum curator, writer, teacher
https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors
2, Journalism: Careers for this major: Editor, copywriter, journalist, videographer, marketer
http://www.journalismdegree.com/journalism-major/
3. Advertising: Careers for this major: Marketer, event planner, PR worker, screenwriter
http://www.marquette.edu/explore/what-can-you-do-with-a-major-in-advertising.php
4. Business: Careers for this major: Non-profit business, entrepreneurship
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/business/business-major.htm
5. English: Careers for this major: Writer, librarian, journalist, teacher
https://english.stanford.edu/information-for/undergraduates/careers-after-english-major
6. Law: Careers for this major: Attorney
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/reneesylvestrewilliams/2012/11/22/nine-jobs-you-can-do-with-a-law-degree/&refURL=https://www.google.com/&referrer=https://www.google.com/
Many people in this world can be pretty content with any type of job as long as it matters. The job situation is often a bit rockier for more artistic people, like readers. If you enjoy reading and would like to get more out of job than just a paycheck, consider these few college majors and careers.
1. History; Careers for this major: Historian, researcher, museum curator, writer, teacher
https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors
2, Journalism: Careers for this major: Editor, copywriter, journalist, videographer, marketer
http://www.journalismdegree.com/journalism-major/
3. Advertising: Careers for this major: Marketer, event planner, PR worker, screenwriter
http://www.marquette.edu/explore/what-can-you-do-with-a-major-in-advertising.php
4. Business: Careers for this major: Non-profit business, entrepreneurship
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/business/business-major.htm
5. English: Careers for this major: Writer, librarian, journalist, teacher
https://english.stanford.edu/information-for/undergraduates/careers-after-english-major
6. Law: Careers for this major: Attorney
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/reneesylvestrewilliams/2012/11/22/nine-jobs-you-can-do-with-a-law-degree/&refURL=https://www.google.com/&referrer=https://www.google.com/
Fifteen books to get you in the Halloween mood
Halloween is quickly approaching! What's better than preparing during the month with a good book and some hot apple cider? Here are fifteen books that inspire the Halloween mood.
All photos were taken from goodreads.com.
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh
3. The Call of Cthulhu and other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
5. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
6. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
7. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
9. Redwall by Brian Jacques
10. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
11. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
12, The Dumb House by John Burnside
13. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
14. Doll Bones by Holly Black
15. Night Film by Marisha Pessl
All photos were taken from goodreads.com.
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh
3. The Call of Cthulhu and other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
5. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
6. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
7. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
9. Redwall by Brian Jacques
10. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
11. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
12, The Dumb House by John Burnside
13. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
14. Doll Bones by Holly Black
15. Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Dear Mr. Gaiman
Dear Mr. Gaiman
I'd like to know you well enough
to simply call you Neil.
Don't worry, I'm not in love with you
I'm just a fan
I'd like to sit across the room from you
and watch you just
read.
I imagine you hold the books with one hand
and hold your head with the other
You probably cross your legs
and construct a fence
You keep out the barking dogs
and the noisy neighbors.
I know you'll never know me, Mr. Gaiman -
Neil -
but I know you.
I know your writing
the fervor.
Dear Mr. Gaiman
You may not know this
but somehow you know me.
Your books are a reflection
of my open heart.
You saw this awkward Kansas child
when you wrote American Gods.
You understood this Fairy Princess
when you published Stardust.
You know I'd be scared, didn't you
when you first imagined The Graveyard Book.
You looked at me, Mr. Gaiman.
But you didn't just look.
You saw.
________________
Hey everyone,
Here's a poem I wrote about one of my absolute favorite authors, Mr. Neil Gaiman. I know each and every one of you out there have your favorite famous people. I just happened to fall in with Neil Gaiman. I hope you enjoyed this short little snippet of my writing life and obsession with Neil's work.
I'd like to know you well enough
to simply call you Neil.
Don't worry, I'm not in love with you
I'm just a fan
I'd like to sit across the room from you
and watch you just
read.
I imagine you hold the books with one hand
and hold your head with the other
You probably cross your legs
and construct a fence
You keep out the barking dogs
and the noisy neighbors.
I know you'll never know me, Mr. Gaiman -
Neil -
but I know you.
I know your writing
the fervor.
Dear Mr. Gaiman
You may not know this
but somehow you know me.
Your books are a reflection
of my open heart.
You saw this awkward Kansas child
when you wrote American Gods.
You understood this Fairy Princess
when you published Stardust.
You know I'd be scared, didn't you
when you first imagined The Graveyard Book.
You looked at me, Mr. Gaiman.
But you didn't just look.
You saw.
________________
Hey everyone,
Here's a poem I wrote about one of my absolute favorite authors, Mr. Neil Gaiman. I know each and every one of you out there have your favorite famous people. I just happened to fall in with Neil Gaiman. I hope you enjoyed this short little snippet of my writing life and obsession with Neil's work.
Rereading books?
Hey there, everyone! Thanks for stopping by to smell the books.
Today we will be discussing the concept of rereading books. You would think that every book reader would enjoy rereading their favorite books, or come back to a book that they didn't understand too well to better understand it the next time.
Surprisingly, a large amount of readers hardly ever come back to previously read books, even books that they enjoy. Today, though, with the vast amount of reading material we have access to in the world, many readers (including myself) have a love/hate relationship with rereading. We feel as if there are more, better things to read.
Although I have a hard time getting myself to reread books, I do believe that we need to come back to books that we love. Here are three reasons why we should reread our books, despite the ever-growing pile of unread books on our shelf.
1. Quality over Quantity
This is one of the biggest reasons why I try to reread books. I used to have the mindset that reading a lot of books would make me "well-read (whatever that means." I would often read a lot of books but I didn't truly connect with them because I was too busy thinking about the end result. It was hard for me to enjoy books in the present back then.
When you reread, it's a great way to assess whether or not the book is what's right for you. Rereading the books allow you to spend quality time with it, instead of speeding through the books and not truly comprehend the story.
2. Better Understanding
When rereading anything, from articles to books to rewatching movies, we gain a wider spectrum of understanding about the story. We often run across deeply hidden themes when we first read a story, because we are fixated on the plot. One great movie example is Napoleon Dynamite: You'd never think that the story of nerdy Napoleon living an awkward life in Iowa would have deep meaning and symbols, but if you watch the movie as many times as I have, you'd be surprised to see that there's more than just surface material.
3. There's Something New Every Time
Every time I reread a book, I always find myself highlighting or penciling in the book just as much as I did last time. I make it my goal to reread three of my favorite books every year, and I find that rereading old memories is creating new ones. Each year I am in a new walk of life and have different perspectives on everything.
"One of the strongest motivations for rereading is purely selfish: it helps you remember what you used to be like. Open an old paperback, spangled with marginalia in a handwriting you outgrew long ago, and memories will jump out with as much vigor as if you’d opened your old diary. These book-memories, says Hazlitt, are “pegs and loops on which we can hang up, or from which we can take down, at pleasure, the wardrobe of a moral imagination, the relics of our best affections, the tokens and records of our happiest hours.” Or our unhappiest. Rereading forces you to spend time, at claustrophobically close range, with your earnest, anxious, pretentious, embarrassing former self, a person you thought you had left behind but who turns out to have been living inside you all along."
― Anne Fadiman, Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
Here are a few links to other sites that discuss reading:
http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/why-rereading-books-so-important
http://www.readitforward.com/essay/why-reread/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/50770-11-joys-of-re-reading-books-because-starting-over-at-page-1-is-a-feeling-you-cant
Today we will be discussing the concept of rereading books. You would think that every book reader would enjoy rereading their favorite books, or come back to a book that they didn't understand too well to better understand it the next time.
Surprisingly, a large amount of readers hardly ever come back to previously read books, even books that they enjoy. Today, though, with the vast amount of reading material we have access to in the world, many readers (including myself) have a love/hate relationship with rereading. We feel as if there are more, better things to read.
Although I have a hard time getting myself to reread books, I do believe that we need to come back to books that we love. Here are three reasons why we should reread our books, despite the ever-growing pile of unread books on our shelf.
1. Quality over Quantity
This is one of the biggest reasons why I try to reread books. I used to have the mindset that reading a lot of books would make me "well-read (whatever that means." I would often read a lot of books but I didn't truly connect with them because I was too busy thinking about the end result. It was hard for me to enjoy books in the present back then.
When you reread, it's a great way to assess whether or not the book is what's right for you. Rereading the books allow you to spend quality time with it, instead of speeding through the books and not truly comprehend the story.
2. Better Understanding
When rereading anything, from articles to books to rewatching movies, we gain a wider spectrum of understanding about the story. We often run across deeply hidden themes when we first read a story, because we are fixated on the plot. One great movie example is Napoleon Dynamite: You'd never think that the story of nerdy Napoleon living an awkward life in Iowa would have deep meaning and symbols, but if you watch the movie as many times as I have, you'd be surprised to see that there's more than just surface material.
3. There's Something New Every Time
Every time I reread a book, I always find myself highlighting or penciling in the book just as much as I did last time. I make it my goal to reread three of my favorite books every year, and I find that rereading old memories is creating new ones. Each year I am in a new walk of life and have different perspectives on everything.
"One of the strongest motivations for rereading is purely selfish: it helps you remember what you used to be like. Open an old paperback, spangled with marginalia in a handwriting you outgrew long ago, and memories will jump out with as much vigor as if you’d opened your old diary. These book-memories, says Hazlitt, are “pegs and loops on which we can hang up, or from which we can take down, at pleasure, the wardrobe of a moral imagination, the relics of our best affections, the tokens and records of our happiest hours.” Or our unhappiest. Rereading forces you to spend time, at claustrophobically close range, with your earnest, anxious, pretentious, embarrassing former self, a person you thought you had left behind but who turns out to have been living inside you all along."
― Anne Fadiman, Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
Here are a few links to other sites that discuss reading:
http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/why-rereading-books-so-important
http://www.readitforward.com/essay/why-reread/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/50770-11-joys-of-re-reading-books-because-starting-over-at-page-1-is-a-feeling-you-cant
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Authors of Influence
Hi, readers! I'm glad you've stopped by to smell the books
As a reader, I am constantly on the hunt for a new book. But when I discover a new favorite author, it unlocks so much more. Here is a list of my top 15 favorite authors that I've discovered over the course of my reading life. I've loosely arranged these authors to build up to my favorite.
I've also tried to include a diverse album of authors; authors that write different genres and were from different time periods.
15. Kate DiCamillo
Recommended books written by this author:
The Tiger Rising
Because of Winn-Dixie
The Magician's Elephant
14. Haruki Murakami
Recommended books written by this author:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
Kafka on the Shore
Norwegian Wood
13. Marina Keegan
Recommended books written by this author:
The Opposite of Loneliness
12. Emily St. John Mandel
Recommended books written by this author:
Station Eleven
11. Hannah Kent
Recommended books by this author:
Burial Rites
10. W.H. Auden
Recommended books by this author:
Thank You, Fog poetry collection
And any of his poetry selections
9. Truman Capote
Recommended books by this author:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
In Cold Blood
8. Shirley Jackson
Recommended books by this author:
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
The Lottery (Short story)
The Haunting of Hill House
7. John Green
Recommended books by this author:
The Fault in Our Stars
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
6. Elizabeth Gaskell
Recommended books by this author:
North and South
Wives and Daughters
Cranford
5. Emily Bronte
Recommended books by this author:
Wuthering Heights
Any of her poetry collections
4. Donna Tartt
Recommended books by this author:
The Secret History
The Goldfinch
The Little Friend
3. George Eliot
Recommended books by this author:
Daniel Deronda
Silas Marner
Middlemarch
2. Mary Shelley
Recommended books by this author:
Frankenstein
The Last Man
1. Neil Gaiman
Recommended books by this author:
American Gods
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The View from the Cheap Seats
The authors I've listed have had a profound influence on my reading experience and I look up to them. Although some of these authors are deceased, it would be awesome to meet at least a few of these authors in my lifetime.
As a reader, I am constantly on the hunt for a new book. But when I discover a new favorite author, it unlocks so much more. Here is a list of my top 15 favorite authors that I've discovered over the course of my reading life. I've loosely arranged these authors to build up to my favorite.
I've also tried to include a diverse album of authors; authors that write different genres and were from different time periods.
15. Kate DiCamillo
Recommended books written by this author:
The Tiger Rising
Because of Winn-Dixie
The Magician's Elephant
14. Haruki Murakami
Recommended books written by this author:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
Kafka on the Shore
Norwegian Wood
13. Marina Keegan
Recommended books written by this author:
The Opposite of Loneliness
12. Emily St. John Mandel
Recommended books written by this author:
Station Eleven
11. Hannah Kent
Recommended books by this author:
Burial Rites
10. W.H. Auden
Recommended books by this author:
Thank You, Fog poetry collection
And any of his poetry selections
9. Truman Capote
Recommended books by this author:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
In Cold Blood
8. Shirley Jackson
Recommended books by this author:
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
The Lottery (Short story)
The Haunting of Hill House
7. John Green
Recommended books by this author:
The Fault in Our Stars
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
6. Elizabeth Gaskell
Recommended books by this author:
North and South
Wives and Daughters
Cranford
5. Emily Bronte
Recommended books by this author:
Wuthering Heights
Any of her poetry collections
4. Donna Tartt
Recommended books by this author:
The Secret History
The Goldfinch
The Little Friend
3. George Eliot
Recommended books by this author:
Daniel Deronda
Silas Marner
Middlemarch
2. Mary Shelley
Recommended books by this author:
Frankenstein
The Last Man
1. Neil Gaiman
Recommended books by this author:
American Gods
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The View from the Cheap Seats
The authors I've listed have had a profound influence on my reading experience and I look up to them. Although some of these authors are deceased, it would be awesome to meet at least a few of these authors in my lifetime.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
From Books to Videos: Introducing Booktube
Hey, fellow readers! Keep on reading to keep smelling the books.
As nerds and book lovers, I believe it's very important for us to surround ourselves with fellow nerds and book lovers. It can feel very isolating for some to have no one to talk to about our interests. Having no encouragement from others to continue in our interests can even cause us to push aside the things we love most and make ourselves believe that these interests aren't normal.
For a long time in junior high and high school, I often pushed aside my love of reading because I felt I had no one to talk to about it. None of my friends were as bookish as me, and I felt as if I was doing myself a disservice by "putting myself out there."
Well readers, the days of hiding your nerdiness and quirks are gone. The internet has brought about a new movement of bookworms. The internet is the place to go if you want to connect with any type of person, and it is especially cool for people considered "different" to find people just like them.
My love of reading was rekindled by a community on YouTube: Booktube.
Booktube is the network of all bookworms that just happened to make videos about what they love. "Booktubers" come in all shapes and sizes. Some have channels dedicated completely to reading books, while some make book videos along with other types of videos.
Although there are no official rules to the game of booktube, there are a lot of videos that you can count on booktubers to make regularly. These types of videos include:
The videos I've linked here are only a few of the Booktubers to whom I've subscribed. Each of these ladies (and some dudes, though there aren't as many) has inspired a lot of reading fire in my soul. Being able to log on to the internet and see the passion for reading in them is something I think every reader should experience today.
Even if you aren't a reader, you should at least watch the Pride and Prejudice discussion. It'll change your life.
As nerds and book lovers, I believe it's very important for us to surround ourselves with fellow nerds and book lovers. It can feel very isolating for some to have no one to talk to about our interests. Having no encouragement from others to continue in our interests can even cause us to push aside the things we love most and make ourselves believe that these interests aren't normal.
For a long time in junior high and high school, I often pushed aside my love of reading because I felt I had no one to talk to about it. None of my friends were as bookish as me, and I felt as if I was doing myself a disservice by "putting myself out there."
Well readers, the days of hiding your nerdiness and quirks are gone. The internet has brought about a new movement of bookworms. The internet is the place to go if you want to connect with any type of person, and it is especially cool for people considered "different" to find people just like them.
My love of reading was rekindled by a community on YouTube: Booktube.
Booktube is the network of all bookworms that just happened to make videos about what they love. "Booktubers" come in all shapes and sizes. Some have channels dedicated completely to reading books, while some make book videos along with other types of videos.
Although there are no official rules to the game of booktube, there are a lot of videos that you can count on booktubers to make regularly. These types of videos include:
The TBR (To be read)
Reviews
Discussions
And Wrap-ups about how reading went that month:
The videos I've linked here are only a few of the Booktubers to whom I've subscribed. Each of these ladies (and some dudes, though there aren't as many) has inspired a lot of reading fire in my soul. Being able to log on to the internet and see the passion for reading in them is something I think every reader should experience today.
Even if you aren't a reader, you should at least watch the Pride and Prejudice discussion. It'll change your life.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Weird conversations with readers
Hey, fellow bookworms! Come on in and smell the books.
I think we can all agree that many different types of people are asked a few certain questions throughout life, depending on their life choices. As a person who has chosen reading as a life choice, here are five conversations I have on a daily basis.
Person: Hey, what are you reading?
Me [Excited that person is asking about books]: Oh, it's Wuthering Heights! Have you heard of it?
Person: No, I haven't heard of it! Are you reading it for school?
Nope, just reading, thanks
Me: Do you like to read?
Person: Ew. Reading is boring.
Me: [Avoids person for life]
Survey: Would you rather: A. Read unlimited books and make no money or: B. make money and read no books?
Me: A all the way.
[Me reading]
Sweet old person: Oh my gosh! This girl is reading? I didn't know this generation even reads books anymore! Good for you!
Person: So what's your major?
Me: English.
Person: Oh... So do you want to teach?
(the answer is no. Teaching is for education majors people)
I think we can all agree that many different types of people are asked a few certain questions throughout life, depending on their life choices. As a person who has chosen reading as a life choice, here are five conversations I have on a daily basis.
Person: Hey, what are you reading?
Me [Excited that person is asking about books]: Oh, it's Wuthering Heights! Have you heard of it?
Person: No, I haven't heard of it! Are you reading it for school?
Nope, just reading, thanks
Me: Do you like to read?
Person: Ew. Reading is boring.
Me: [Avoids person for life]
Survey: Would you rather: A. Read unlimited books and make no money or: B. make money and read no books?
Me: A all the way.
[Me reading]
Sweet old person: Oh my gosh! This girl is reading? I didn't know this generation even reads books anymore! Good for you!
Person: So what's your major?
Me: English.
Person: Oh... So do you want to teach?
(the answer is no. Teaching is for education majors people)
THE MAN BOOKER
Hey, readers! I’m glad you’ve stopped by to smell the books.
Today, we will be doing a bit of talking about something
that I get (a little too) excited about. We will be talking about a huge
literary prize: the Man Booker. The Man Booker Prize is one of the most
prestigious awards on the literary scene today.
According to their website, “The Man
Booker Prize is the leading literary award in the English speaking world, and
has brought recognition, reward and readership to outstanding fiction for over
four decades.”
Each year, a meticulous amount of planning, reading, and
analyzing books is done to ultimately pick a winner. The prize committee –
About twenty well-known literature workers and enthusiasts – ultimately decides
on the winner.
The Man Booker process begins in July, where the “longlist” is
decided: the longlist is an assortment of 13 books that were decided upon by
the panel of judges. Once the longlist is announced, the next step is to decide
the shortlist: or the top five.
Just yesterday, the shortlist was announced! This year’s
shortlist consists of Elieen by Otessa Moshfegh, The Sellout by Paul Beatty,
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy, His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet, All That
Man Is by David Szalay, and Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien.
(Photograph: Anna Ciummo)
The books will be evaluated even further by readers and the
judges.
If any readers are looking into newer, relevant fiction, the
Man Booker lists are the places to go. The prize has been around since 1969 and
I don’t believe you’ll ever run out of things to read.
I haven’t been as excited for the Man Booker prize until
last year, but I would say that it has become one of the biggest things that makes me proud of being a reader. It reminds me that there are still incredible books written every year. They're out there waiting to be read, and there will always be more! Although I
probably won’t read all the 2016 longlist books anytime soon, they will always
be on my radar.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Three Websites for Book Lovers
Hey, readers! I'm glad you've stopped by today to stop and smell the books.
As I’ve said before already, this blog is around for you to
be able to navigate the world of reading whilst living in a world of
technology. Although reading is usually thought of as the opposite of technology,
sometimes technology can be used to enhance our reading experience.
Here are three sites that I personally use to organize my reading content, access hundreds of e-books, and find new book recommendations for the future.
Goodreads is both an app and a website. I like to think of Goodreads as Facebook for book lovers!
On this site, a user is able to make a
profile and keep track of the books they have read or plan to read. You can follow other Goodreads profiles and see what they are reading, as well as like and comment on the posts
of the readers you follow.
Goodreads allows you to also log the books you have read
into your own profile. Once you log your books, you can create new shelves in
order to sort your books as you please. You can also create a to-read list, where you can log an
assortment of books that you plan on reading in the future.
If you wish, you can use Goodreads to find new book recommendations.
Based on the shelves you create, you can head to the recommendations tab in
order to discover books similar to the ones you’ve read.
As a reader, I find Goodreads to be an incredibly useful
tool. I use Goodreads primarily to organize the books I’ve read and shelve them
according to how much I liked the book. I am a person that likes to have things
in order, including my books!
1. Bookbub
Bookbub is another awesome website for readers. As a
poor college student, it’s often really hard for me to afford the books that
interest me.
If you are not against e-books (I’m sure there are
some of you out there), Bookbub is the place to go for the freebies and the
cheapies! Once you create a profile on Bookbub, the site asks you what kind of books
you like and then they find e-books for you that are registered with the e-book
device that you have. Bookbub looks at all the e-books registered with iBooks,
Kindle, Nook, and other popular e-book devices.
Most books on Bookbub are under $5, and they are instantly downloadable to your
e-book device!
This site also offers a wide array of authors to follow.
Once you follow an author, you are able to keep tabs on what they are writing
and which of their works are available for free or a low price.
3. LitHub
LitHub is the place to be if you love books. This site is dedicated to preserving great literature and exposing new excellence in the literature world.
One of the most prominent functions of LitHub is your free access to the daily newsletter once you've signed up with your e-mail. This newsletter offers a lot of great articles, discussions, short stories, and poetry. Everything written for the newsletter is an all-around tribute to the written word and the enjoyment of reading.
LitHub also offers a daily book giveaway. All you have to do is enter your email address and you're entered!
One of the great things about LitHub is that it always remains diverse. If you want new and different book recommendations for your next read, LitHub should be the first place you go!
So there you have it: three websites that you can utilize (for free) to enhance and diversify your reading life! Take a look at these websites and give them ago. Being surrounded by a community of other readers online is so important: it's motivational and gets you reading even more!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Welcome to Stop and Smell the Books!
Well, hey there!
Overall, I hope you will find this blog to shine a positive light
on reading. Let’s take a step away from our technology and crazy lives to stop
and smell the books.
I'm glad you've stopped by to smell the books. We will be doing a
lot of book smelling, reading, and discussing in this spot on the internet!
In this day and age, we are very accustomed to technology and
media. Despite our love of everything digital, real paper books and stories are one of the founding types of all media
content.
I have always loved books, starting from a very young age. My dad
would read the Hobbit and Narnia to me as a kid and I used to visit the library
often. I didn't have a computer or a phone as a young person, so everything I did to entertain
myself had to revolve around books.
My love of books has only grown since I've gotten older. Despite
this, it's the norm for people my age to avoid books or think them boring.
Through this blog, I hope I am able to convince our technology-saturated world
to appreciate books and maybe even pick up a few! You're never too old to start
reading.
You will also be able to become familiar with reading today. I
will be giving advice to other readers about utilizing different media in order
to have a better reading experience. I’ll be talking about things like
Goodreads, Booktube, reading conventions, and many more outlets for readers to
connect with other readers and to find out about new things to read.
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