Booking Through Thursday:Symbolic or Not?

Question suggested by Barbara H:
My husband is not an avid reader, and he used to get very frustrated in college when teachers would insist discussing symbolism in a literary work when there didn’t seem to him to be any. He felt that writers often just wrote the story for the story’s sake and other people read symbolism into it.

It does seem like modern fiction just “tells the story” without much symbolism. Is symbolism an older literary device, like excessive description, that is not used much any more? Do you think there was as much symbolism as English teachers seemed to think? What are some examples of symbolism from your reading?

Oh this one is making me think very early this morning. I think that symbolism was much heavier in the classics. But I think if you look in the modern fictions that you will find it as well. I will use the Twilight Saga for a moment as it is hot right now, and it is one that I have mostly enjoyed

I believe the basic symbolism in the theme of the Saga is a time tested true one. Love conquers all. Bella and Edward face a lot of horrible differences, a little Romeo & Juliet to be sure but they overcome it all eventually. It also seems to remind people that you have a choice to be good or evil. Vampires I general are considered evil beings. But the Cullen’s have made a choice. That chose to be good, not to kill humans even in a fate that condemns them to a horrible craving they make a choice.

So yes, I think modern books can have symbolism. But I do not think it’s as present as it used to be.

My first interview coming up.

Oh my oh my! I am very happy right now. When I woke up from my less than satisfying sleep I found a reply to an email I sent to author Candice Hern. She has agreed to let me interview her for the blog. So my very first interview will be with the wonderful Author Candice Hern! Wish me luck in coming up with some good questions to ask her. I am very excited.

My Fellow Minnesotans

Have you ever had one of those days when you shake your head and laugh your hiney off? I have, It turns out 2 authors I have come to enjoy 2 very recently are all from Minnesota! I never would have known or paid much attention until I went to their websites. They are all historical writers to. I wonder how much serendipity that is? It makes me giggle to be sure. So Bravo to my fellow Minnesotans! Candice Hern, Julie Klassen and Nancy Moser (ok After the fact Edit. Nancy Moser is from Kansas. Close enough though hehe. Her publisher is still a MN based one).

Wicked Wednesday #2


Wicked Wednesday a place to be wicked to other book readers and make them get those TBR piles growing. The concept is simple. Pick a book or two and tell s about them. If its one you read tell us what you liked. If its one you found tell us about that to. Than leave a comment to let us know where to find your Wicked Wednesday titles. Make sure to link back in your posts for other people to follow Wicked Wednesday.

So here is my pick for this week’s Wicked Wednesday. It is my next book up to read and I have heard some great things about it. I hope you think about it and think about reading it.
So Share with me..whats your Wicked Wednesday thought? What book will you tempt me to read?

Contest Contest when will there be another Contest…

I have had a couple of people ask when I will be doing another giveaway. *Tehehe* Well the answer is soon. I have to check ye old Mail book fund. But if there is not one before the end of this month, we will have one to start May off correctly. I have a birthday in May after all. But alas since this little book girl has been up with insomnia once more it’s time to try for some rest.

And..as I typed that some soap opera guy just got shot, and can I say..I am glad I do not read these things. CHEESEY.

Book Review: Mozart’s Sister by Nancy Moser

Nannerl Mozart’s early days seem to be the stuff of fairy tales — traveling far and wide, performing piano concerts with her younger brother, Wolfgang, before the crowned heads of Europe. But behind the glamour lurk dark difficulties — the hardship of travel, agonizing bouts of illness, and the constant concern over money. Their father, Leopold, is driven by a desire to bring his son’s genius to the attention of the world. But what about Nannerl? Is she not just as talented? In a world where women’s choices are limited, what hope does she have of ever realizing her own dreams? In this lovingly crafted novel, author Nancy Moser brings to life one of history’s hidden heroines.


The story of Nannerl Mozart has not really been told before. We all know of her famous brother. But he was not the only Mozart who could play. In their younger years Nan and Wolfie played together as the WunderKinder, but those days are fleeting and soon disappear as their Father puts Wolfgang forward, and Nannerl is forgotten. After all is that not a woman’s place in the 1700’s? Sadly it was. Women truly had little to depend upon besides the men in their lives. Only a small few had their own livings. And those choices were limited.

This book grabbed me into it from the very beginning. It is positively amazing and masterfully written. Nancy Moser does a stunning job of telling us the tale of this little known women and how her life goes from happy to sad and back again. How two siblings so bound together as younglings get ripped apart as age makes them so different.

I am a historical fiction fan, I truly am and this story lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. I was riveted and pulled into the story. Nan has a life that truly is sad, and filled with disappointments to herself. And yet overcoming all of that is love. She strives to tell us about the love in her life. She has complaints, don’t we all? But so often throughout the book she changes her mind. She learns from her mistakes, and she forgives so many wrongs. A wonderful woman who was loyal, and strong and steadfast her whole life. Many compliments for her, and she proves in the end of her life that she has learned. She says she has regrets, but that her life was full of people. And full of love. How can anyone truly ask for more than that? Pick up this book for sure, it is a must read.

It is Award Time Again.

The Crazy book Slut handed out some more awards to those who follow her. Oh my! I Do love that Lady. So..here we go, the awards that have been chosen to display at my humble Fire & Ice Blog.


This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.
The rules to follow are:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Here are my Award winners:

Moon@ Narnian Photography
Sara@ Subjective Beauty
Luanne@
A book Worms World

Toni @ A Daily Dose of Toni
Jen@ Cheaper than Therapy

Teresa@ Ultimate Giveaways
Purplgrl@
So many Books So little time


I will finnish my 15 when I find a few more who don’t have the award.

And the Sisterhood Award! Here are the rules to spread the sisterhood spirit:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

Moon@ Narnian Photography
Sara@ Subjective Beauty
Luanne@
A book Worms World

Toni @ A Daily Dose of Toni
Jen@ Cheaper than Therapy

Teresa@ Ultimate Giveaways
Purplgrl@
So many Books So little time

And again I will have to find more who don’t have this award.

Teaser Tuesday 9

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!
It was so easy for him to make such a decleration when he had multiple sources of income. As a teacher Franz’s options Were far more limited. As were mine ~ page 273 Mozart’s Sister by Nancy Moser.

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