What Do Your Books Say About You?

Well, what do you know, I found a really compelling topic of which to blog. No surprise really what — it’s about books! Thanks to an addictive little club called TNBBC (The Next Best Book Club), I’ve found another way to feed my addiction to books. And, I have an overflowing To-Be-Read list to prove it! Anyway, I mention it mainly because it is directly related to the title of this entry, and where I received the idea.

Here’s the challenge:
1. Go to your bookshelves…
2. Close your eyes. If you’re feeling really committed, blindfold yourself.
3. Select ten* books at random. Use more than one bookcase, if you have them, or piles by the bed, or… basically, wherever you keep books.
4. Use these books to tell us about yourself – where and when you got them, who got them for you, what the book says about you, etc. etc…..
5. Have fun! Be imaginative. Doesn’t matter if you’ve read them or not – be creative. It might not seem easy to start off with, and the links might be a little tenuous, but I think this is a fun way to do this sort of meme.
6. Feel free to cheat a bit, if you need to…

*I agree ten is a bit much to reveal here without boring you all to tears, so I’ll take five books. That’ll be my “cheat”. Plus, it works out that the shelves of which I’m picking are five shelves high — it’s kismet. Feel free to take up this same challenge by making a list of your own. Just don’t forget to show me what you done. I love another opportunity to add to my reading list, too!

~~
From the top shelf, I grabbed:

The Lost World by Michael Crichton

Yes, I do like some science-fiction, and this sequel to Jurassic Park is delightful to read. I received it as a gift one year a while ago, and it’s been one of my favorite books to just pick up and read. Another reason it could be a favorite is because of the focus on the character Malcom, whom I like on and off-screen (even if he is a sanctimonious jerk at times – LOL).

~~~
From the second shelf, I grabbed:

Taltos by Anne Rice

This book was my introduction to the author, Anne Rice. I received this book a long time ago, I vaguely recall on the recommendation of a friend’s review. It was so intense of a read at the time, and I think it still is. IF it compares to any vampires of today, they’d be like the bad ones on HBO. These vampires do not “sparkle” as in the Twilight series. This book is for the more serious, perhaps mature, reader.

~~~
From the third shelf, I grabbed:
The Insiders by Rosemary Rogers

I found this book years ago in a relative’s book stash, of sorts, and used to carry it around with me. It sounded “grown-up” and intriguing to me at the time. The book does do with somewhat violent topics, because one of the characters is a masochist sister that loves orgies. (Oh my!) The book is still on my to be read list, for I never seem to have time to get to it. One day…

~~~
From the fourth shelf, I grabbed:
Another Tassel Is Moved Guidelines for College Graduates by Louis A. Caldwell

This book was one of the graduation gifts from my school, and it’s been a nice “parting gift”. It offers both spiritual and practical advice, emphasis on the spiritual, and confidence helpers to guide one throughout the different avenues taken on our life’s journey. I pick it up off and on, depending on need and my mood at the time for comfort.

~~
And, finally, from the fifth shelf, I grabbed:
The Final Diagnosis by Arthur Hailey

I picked up this book “abused and battered” from a sale somewhere (I’m not sure where, anymore). It’s medical drama at it’s finest, about a hospital in Pennsylvania. It’s a fairly quick read to me, and I pick it up when I’m in the mood for a good medical rerun and er isn’t on tv someplace. ;D

Well, that’s what I’ve found on my shelves today. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey, and if it has encouraged you to read any of the above, that’s a double bonus. See you in the virtual library stacks!

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Fall reading update

A Quick Update to my Supporting the Library challenge

I’m reading up a storm! Okay, so maybe it’s only a tropical storm, and no Category 5 hurricane. But, I’m making progress, slowly but surely.
To pick up where I left off last time, I’ve finished #17, #18 and #19 on the list. Plus, a few more as follows.

September (1st half)
[20] Foreign Body by Robin Cook
[21] The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
[22] 8)#1 Ladies… The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
[23] A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
[24] Spy Cat by Peg Kehret
[25] Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger
[26] Twilight (#1) by Stephanie Meyer

Over halfway there! And, lots of time to the deadline date. Yeah! If you’d like to help support the cause yourself, see my earlier post on this subject. Of course, feel free to help me by encouraging me to continue onward via your comments here and on Twitter. Please do. I need all the help I can get.
Happy reading, y’all!

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books, supporting the library, reading challenges

The Dream

Image by billynom (Hates Marmite) via Flickr

It’s no secret that I’m on FaceBook, like many, many other people. I joined a little while ago, mainly for networking with family and friends, some of which I’ve not seen or heard from in quite a while. Friends come and go on the contact lists there, usually for housecleaning reasons. It’s not a major deal, though it can seem disconcerting at the time. For instance, I casually discovered I’d been “housecleaned” from one of my friend’s list one day I was strolling around on the site. At the time, I was like “huh, that’s strange”. I didn’t think I’d done anything to tick the person off or anything, we’d had no arguments of any kind. But, aside from birthday greetings, I didn’t have a chance to talk to that person. So, apparently, out I went in a contact housecleaning. ~Sheepish grin and shrug~ Anyway…
While I’m logged in, I admit I play some of the well-known game applications there, including Mafia Wars. Here’s where my story today gets a little strange. I dreamed about playing Mafia Wars last night.
[insert dream sequence] I’m doing the regular “jobs” and “fights” –daily activities playing the game– when I stumble into a chat room of sorts. I lurk a bit, virtually unnoticed, and see that person I was talking about in the above paragraph there. Weird. Even weirder, this person is talking to other(s) about taking out my mafia family, going through me. For in their eyes, I’m the weakest link [goodbye! (ha-ha)]. The person was telling their basic plan to ask to become part of my mafia (so, they would have a spy to infiltrate and destroy from within). ~inserts thought~ I know…weird, huh. ~ends thought~ So, after a few more minutes of lurking, I sneak out of the chat as casually yet fast as possible. I didn’t have to wait long, for after a few moments, the friend request arrives. I deny it with a determined look on my face, as if to say “take that”. First battle won. My dream memory begins to really get fuzzy here and fades out to the early morning light. [end dream sequence]
Upon waking, I’m left wondering what made me dream such things. I realize that several things that happened wouldn’t really happen in real life, but it doesn’t stop the curiosity as to why they happened in the first place. While I’m wondering, I casually pick up a book to read from my reading challenge list to take my mind off of my curious dream before it drives me bananas. So, I’ve picked up this YA book, thinking this book should be light enough, glancing at the neat little summary and author’s notes. I begin to read chapter one, and see that person’s name in the pages. Staring there with  disbelief and amazement in my eyes, I close the book again. >_< Maybe another time.

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dreams, mafia wars, facebook games

Supporting the library challenge

Since the browser in which I do most of my blogging has been crashing on me every time I enter it, I’ve taken the opportunity to catch up on some of my reading. I’ve even joined GoodReads, to help organize what I’m reading and I’ve read. It’s while updating my current reading status that I stumbled across some reading challenges. One particular challenge I happen to be doing already (didn’t know it was a challenge!). Since it’s not too late to join, according to the web site, I am with this post.

The Challenge: Support Your Local Library Book Challenge 2009
What to do? [be the first to] Read 12, 25, or 50 books [from the library].
I’ve chosen: 50 books (because I’m nearing the halfway point already ~grin~)
Date of challenge: All of 2009 (to Dec. 31st)

Of course, because I’m joining late, I don’t really expect to win, but I’m still playing, for it’s a good cause, anyway. And, like I’ve said, I’m already reading via my library card.

My Reading List:
February
[1]The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

March
[2]The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards.

April
[3]The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
[4]1)The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

May
[5]Bliss to You – Trixie[dog] and Dean Koontz
[6]What’s God Laughing At? by Deepak Chopra
[7]Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (read most)
[8]The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

June
[9]Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
[10]2)#1 Ladies…Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
[11]Rickles’ Letters by Don Rickles

July
[12]3)@1 Ladies… Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
[13]Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
[14]Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

August
[15]4)#1 Ladies… The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
[16] 5)#1 Ladies… The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith
[17] (currently reading) You Can Observe A Lot By Watching: What I’ve Learned About Teamwork From the Yankees and Life by Yogi Berra
[18]6)#1 Ladies… In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith
[19] (currently reading) 7)#1 Ladies… Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

To Be Read (I’ll update/add count as I read to keep things semi-organized):
8)#1 Ladies… The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
9)#1 Ladies… The Miracle of Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith
10)#1 Ladies… Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
The Twilight Saga (#1-#4)
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
And, leaving some space for whatever I find on the new releases. I usually find at least one book each library visit.

When is the last time you visited your local library? What did you read? If you can’t remember, maybe it’s time to make a trip again.

Happy reading, all.

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books, reading challenge

it is all in the attitude

“Maintain a positive attitude, so you can grow. And, with this life, you may help others.”

The above quote is advice I might give to a friend in need of something uplifting to help during a time of tribulation, when things just seem to not be going in the person’s way. Yes, I realize it’s not up to me to give advice to anyone for I’m not another person’s creator, but today may be an exception. I am giving this advice to myself.
I find it so hard sometimes to keep uplifting thoughts when bombarded with negativity from another source, particularly a family member or close friend. I feel for the other person, and their emotions make me cringe, and in a moment of weakness, I may react negatively in return. If I do not react outwardly though, the emotions can fester inside, to which I feel the urge to purge, either literally or through some passive action such as tears, writing, walking, or furiously cleaning. My mind reels in what I should do, could do to alleviate the pressure and help the situation/problem at hand. I feel much like the cartoon character Ziggy, looking up for spiritual guidance to maintain my average, hum-drum, thankful-I’m-still-alive, roller coaster of emotions life.

Of course, maybe this picture quote (below) says everything:

Who knows?

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positive attitude, advice

Bravery

Image via Wikipedia

A dear friend and I were talking tonight about writing, among other things. He suggested that I should tackle the subject of bravery to help me open up more. I’ve not really a clue at the moment of how to approach this subject, so I’m improving by brainstorming ideas of what it may be.

Bravery is…
 - a soldier in battle or on the battlefield. Stories become legends as throughout history, brave men and women risk their own lives for another and/or a specific cause or purpose.
 - Robin Hood, as it was written long years ago. Yes, I realize this one’s fiction, though it has relevance; for the character shows not only to do good works for others, but also to stand up in the face of a bully.
 - a mother saving her child from peril, either physical or emotional. Of course, it could be the father, as the savior, too. More stories seem to be written / known with a female heroine.
 - the holy Father above, or actually Jesus (referring to the Trinity here: God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Anyway, it is said in Christianity that the son will save the sinner (us regular folk) by sacrificing himself on our behalf, all for believing. That’s pretty brave, not only on the Lord’s part, but also on the believer, for stepping up to the plate and having faith.
 {Brief interlude: My goodness, it’s getting heavy in here. Perhaps I should lighten this up a bit? Oh well, soldiering on…}
 - something that one really wants when standing in front of a group trying to give a speech or any kind of talk session. Many people practice their speeches, imagine the audience in their underwear, and other techniques. But, ultimately, it takes “cojones” to get up and set yourself up for potential embarrassment or worse.
 - going on a television show, specifically one of those numerous reality shows, and laying it all out there for a prize. But, is this true bravery, or just avarice and what-not? ~confused look~

Hmm, I’m still not sure about this topic. Perhaps, a reader can help me out here? In the meantime, I shall continue finding it on my own. Good luck to all with your own quests, of bravery, and otherwise.

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bravery

tumbling what-the-heck

My life is a tumblin’,
tumbling like a tumbleweed
Okay. Not really.
But, that would be a heck of an excuse for not updating.
I’m still alive, just look at my Twitter. You are following, right?

So, what’s the 411?
–Finished another book in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series (anxiously awaiting the next season on HBO).
–Finished Jen Lancaster’s latest book, Pretty in Plaid (also writer of the blog Jensylvania). It had me wallowing in my own memories from her recalling her own. Even still, I totally recommend the read.
–going up and down with the heart-attack Astros. ~rolls eyes~
–enjoying a new ride and the “ooh’s” and “ahhs” from passersby.
–still looking for other things.
–craving to create some more poetry. I might update with some more soon. (you’ve been warned. muhahaha!)
–been ferociously cleaning…the job is never done. Oy vey!
–It’s still hot and dry. Fried egg, anyone?

That’s all from my messy blog desk. Do leave a comment sometime. Else, I may have to do something drastic, and we’re still cleaning up from the last time that happened. ;P~~~~

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Taking the vow

This blog entry is dedicated to one thing: vowing for peace in this violent world of which we live (assuming you’re not a visiting alien from another planet – to those people I say, Welcome, and if you want to blow something up, go next door, thanks! *grin*). To continue, I am taking my own vow through poetry. Why? Because that’s how my brain’s thinking at the moment–like it or lump it.

I Vow…
It seems so simple
yet hard to do
a vow to be peaceful
non-violent, too
Love your neighbor
as only you can
Treat others with
kindness throughout the land
If someone should get
in your space
Think of reason instead
of a smack in the face
A much better person
you may then be
Perhaps the smile shared
could even cause glee
So, I vow to help
this cause so dear
Though human I am
I will try not to fear
Should I slip up some
time on my vow
With reason, I’ll make it
through some way, some how.
~TPL

Okay, so that last part is a bit cheesy, I think that silly movie The Flintstones interfered with my thought processes a bit. Oh well. Click the take the vow link if you agree, or want to offer your support, too. (I’m not receiving compensation for posting that, just spreading good vibes).

Peace to y’all.

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poetry, takethevow.com, non-violence

Signs you might be a Twitterholic

I’m not sure why, and I’m sure it’s been done before, but I feel like blogging about Twitter tonight. I came up with this list off the top of my head and just felt compelled to share. For better or worse…here we go!

Signs you might be a Tweet-a-holic / Twitter-holic / Addicted to Twitter
…you know what a Tweet is
…you must.tweet.constantly from you your electronic devices (yes, plural)
…you sigh or grumble when you see the FailWhale
…you see someone say “see my twitter page” and go there to follow them
…you make your friends,relatives,colleagues and strangers get on Twitter so you have even more to tweet about
…your followed list is in the stratosphere
…ditto for your followers
…you feel ‘in touch’ with celebrities because you follow their tweets
…you feel strong emotion because of what someone else tweets and have to tweet back a response immediately
…You see a blue bird outside and think of Twitter
…You actually take a picture of that bird and tweet it to everyone
…you get together with your twitter friends and tweet about it before, during, and after the events
…you speak in 140 characters or less in everyday conversation
…you think of more to add to this list without hardly thinking

Have one to add? Leave a comment and let us all laugh together.

Oh, and if you want to follow my own tweets, click here for my twitter page. It’s delicious!

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twitter, signs of addiction

The Path from Weekend Wordsmith

OMG, I’m writing poetry again, thanks to one of regular inspirational sources, the Weekend Wordsmith. This week, Rich posted a picture of a Path. I’m not sure why, but here’s where my mind conjured at first look…okay, maybe second look (first look, I thought, “dirty stones” – hah!):

Path

Well-worn path
Where do you go?
If I’d take a trip,
would you lead me astray?
Perhaps, I’d have a
grand adventure.
Maybe I’d end up
at the local store.
Then again, maybe a
bunch of bugs would
eat me up -gasp-
Suddenly, being inside
does not sound so bad.
And yet…I wonder…
~©ThePearLady2009

Okay, that poem is a bit strange, if I do say so myself. I’m not quite sure if it’s showing depression in me or just childlike dreams…perhaps both. I do know I’ve just finished reading some intense prize-winning books , so my mind could be in total fluff mode. In that case, I think I may be really happy when I get to lay on my pillow tonight.

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weekend wordsmith, poetry, nature