Absence..
Booking Through Thursday – Which end?
In general, do you prefer the beginnings of stories? Or the ends?
It depends on the book. But in general I find the end more enjoyable because the beginning can be a little tough to get into in some books.
Musing Monday #46
There’s been some discussion on my blog this week about what should or shouldn’t make a ‘best’ books’ list. What elements do you think lands a book in that ‘best’ category? Think of your top 5 best books and tune in next week to see the collated list.
That is a very tough one. Really. Because there are alot of things that make a Best book for me. But here is a few.
Emotion~ The book HAS to involve me. Has to make me feel the characters. Doesn’t need to be sad persay but just has to be emotional and make me feel connected.
Well Written~ I do not mean no mistakes or perfect prose (lord knows I can not do that) but it has to not have any really dumb plot devices or twists that just do not make sense at all. As much as I LOVE the Twilight books they wouldn’t make my All time best list because of silly plot devices.
…that is my top two I will update this post if I think of anymore.
1. Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
2. Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens (don’t laugh to hard at that one)
3. Mozart’s Sister by Nancy Moser
4. The Necklace Series by Kat Martin (again no laughing please)
5. The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory
Booking Through Thursday – Plotting
Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness? Which would you rather read?
Either. It really depends on the story and how it fits. I have found some of the long pen pal letters I have gotten even better than some boring books I Have read.So really it depends on everything.
Musing Monday #47
Are you planning on participating in the upcoming readathon? Why not tell us a little about your plans: reading solo or with a partner/group? How long to do plan to read? Do you have your books chosen? If not reading, do you plan to be a cheerleader? The floor is yours.
I didn’t know there was an upcoming readathon. As much as I would like to take part my health has been on a down swing again so I don’t think I will be pushing myself on the reading. I might see about being a cheerleader though.
Booking Through Thursday – Learning
spent the day with my friend’s twins the other day. Twins who are learning to read, sounding out the words, trying to make sense of the stories in their books, and it made me nostalgic for when I learned. I still remember the distinct moment that the concept of reading clicked, with a meglomaniacal realization that, all I needed to do was learn the words and I could read anything in the whole world. (That’s my kind of world domination.)
Do you remember learning to read? What’s your earliest reading memory?
I do not remember learning to read. My Mom says that I learned very early. My earliest reading memory is sitting on my Dad in the living room. He was in a flannel shirt and I was reading Hop on Pop.
Teaser Tuesday #44
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!Please avoid spoilers! Musing Monday #46
Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything?
I keep an eye on TV sometimes and I often RP with a friend of mine while reading. She always giggles at me that I can do both but I am a multi tasker by nature.
Quotable Sunday #31
Abd Er-Rahman III of Spain:
I have now reigned about 50 years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to fourteen. (960 C.E.)
Abraham Lincoln:
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.-
Albert Camus:
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.
Albert Camus:
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?
Albert Camus:
All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.
Albert Camus:
When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought of the unhappiness and night you cast, by the mere fact of living, in the hearts you encounter.
Albert Schweitzer:
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer:
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Albert Schweitzer:
Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn:
One should never direct people towards happiness, because happiness too is an idol of the market-place. One should direct them towards mutual affection. A beast gnawing at its prey can be happy too, but only human beings can feel affection for each other, and this is the highest achievement they can aspire to.
Alexandre Dumas:
There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.
Algernon Black:
Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one’s own way to the highest, to one’s own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one’s ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication.
This entry continued …
Allan K. Chalmers:
The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
Amy Lowell:
Happiness: We rarely feel it.
I would buy it, beg it, steal it,
Pay in coins of dripping blood
For this one transcendent good.
Anne Frank:
We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
Anne Frank:
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
Aristotle:
Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient
The Sunday Salon #26
