Summer Long

This summer my Kindle has been serving me well with some great reads…

Currently: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett – by far my favorite book of the season. I can’t wait for the film!

I also jumped into The Story Factor by Annette Simmons for some writing tips before starting my copywriting job, thanks to my creative employer who loves the art of storytelling just as much as I do.

Since I’ve been trying to learn a bit more about Buddhism and the skills I learned in my meditation course last spring, I started out the summer reading You Are Here. For some of life’s most complex questions and troubling topics, poetic monk Thich Nhat Hahn gives clear, tangible perspective on a beautiful spiritual practice.

On the lighter side, I HAD to read some more David Sedaris after obsessing over a melange of short stories assigned in one of my English classes. So I finally picked up his popular collection Me Talk Pretty One Day, and I really can’t rave about this one enough. If you’re looking for humor with a real, raw edge – get your hands on this!

Midnight’s Children, by Salman Rushdie, was definitely a worthwhile investment. I say investment because I have yet to finish it – I won’t lie, it’s a dense read and difficult to regain your bearings on the plot if you put the book down for a while, as I did. But it’s well worth the attention and time; Rushdie is such a fantastic storyteller.

If you’re into magical realism or just great writing in general, I’d highly recommend it! Next up: Life of Pi by Yann Martel – If Amazon comments are a good indication, then I’m definitely expecting good things. Have you read this one? Leave a comment!

Cold Facts About Ice

I’ve blogged a great deal about my own favorite children’s books, most of which are now considered classics. But that doesn’t mean new stories are any less intriguing: exhibit A, Swedish author and illustrator Lena Sjöberg. It’s always refreshing to see how old tales are revived (such as Sjögren’s version of Sleeping Beauty) and entirely original works are thought up, making the young literary genre as exciting as ever.

Out of ideas for your little ones? Head on over to the PBS Bookfinder for a bit of help locating the perfect title, old or new.

World Transformed

I’m sitting next to a chic little copy of Brideshead Revisited (seriously, how amazing is this cover art??) It’s a fantastic novel in which I took entirely too many notes. To me, a great story is one that inspires its reader to write a book’s worth of annotations – with pencil, e-ink or even the mind’s eye. So naturally, Evelyn Waugh had me filling the margins with reflections of every kind. I got carried away in the world of Charles Ryder… perhaps a result of that very same charm the protagonist himself felt upon his visits to Brideshead.

Waugh c0nstructs a story of love, self-love, war and faith. I felt myself evaluating the duplicity often encountered in the spheres of youth and adulthood, as sometimes we all find ourselves envelopped in a false sense of reality – cloaked beneath a distorted sense of self. And as difficult as it may be to grow, to change, and to see things clearly, the end result of this journey is often a profound encounter with a great power within ourselves.

We all feel nostalgic of our youth, and at times it is quite uncomfortable and even painful. But the ending of Brideshead made me consider that we can find comfort in the present, no matter what challenges confront us.

I’m 21 and a bit afraid of growing up – of leaving behind the charm of college and adolescence. But I’m also hopeful that I may cultivate some peace with who I am and where I am heading. If you have any thoughts on this topic or advice on how to approach change with grace, feel free to leave a comment or two.

Language of The World

http://thebooksmugglers.com/2009/09/banned-books-week-2009.html

This year, I’ll have the opportunity to read an old favorite for my Contemporary British Novel class: none other than the infamous Harry Potter. I’m sure all of my classmates are just as excited as I am to encounter our beloved boy wizard once again; but the reason I am most eager to re-read the piece is tied to a story of personal didactic and growth.

The first time I truly understood the meaning of banned books was at the tender age of 9, while attending a parochial school in a small Massachusetts town. I was thrown from a world of uninhibited classroom activity to a tidy Protestant church that actually had uniforms and (*gasp!*) desks.

While it was not easy for me to orient myself with solemn morning prayer and addressing teachers by “sir” and “ma’am,” I quickly grew to love this challenging environment – cooking and catechism classes only added to my excitement. The best part was my fourth and fifth grade instructors, whose determination and patience actually allowed them to put up with my afternoon antics and direct my creativity toward scholastic endeavors. My most influential teacher and mentor, Miss H, entered one of my stories in an HP young writer’s competition (I won a computer game and was glued to the family desktop for a month) and suggested that I produce and direct a stage-play for our class (to date, one of my most cherished accomplishments). I am forever grateful for the world of passion and artistry that was revealed to me during those elementary years.

Still, there were difficulties to this pastoral lifestyle as well. I was sent to the principal’s office one day for the streaks of black nail polish that remained from my Halloween costume; I just remember sitting there with a bottle of acetone and a nose-bleed, tears running down my face – what a Monday.

During one morning chapel session, we were warned of the potential dangers of Harry Potter tales and Pokemon cards. I was flooded by confusion, bordering on embarrassment; only a few days before, I brought in Chamber of Secrets as my free-reading book and my teacher – whose sagacity rivaled Dumbledore in sound, spirit and beard – said nothing of it. Despite his tolerance, that morning’s sermon got the best of me. I promptly hid the book in the bottom of my cubby, sneaking it out that afternoon only to shovel it straight into my backpack and head for home.

We all have a lot of choices to make in life, and I believe that reading is both a privilege and a decision. I am so lucky to have access to a bounty of literature, and on that day in fourth grade, I realized the full impact of this freedom.

A lot of noise has recently been made about Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist, and whether or not his books were banned in Iran. The situation was murky for a number of days, but out of this commotion, Coelho decided to release free Farsi translations of his novels online.

Just as my college professor will be giving me a chance to relive a pivotal moment of youth, or as a notable author distributes his work in a foreign language via blog, we can all take steps to create opportunities for others to enjoy literary independence. Check out Scholastic’s Global Literacy Campaign to learn about ways in which you can help bring the gift of reading to children in your community.

Behind The Clouds

http://www.canon.com.au/en-au/About-Canon/News-Events/News-Press-Releases/Canon-brings-the-latest-World-Press-Photo-Exhibition-to-Australia

As children, our family and friends help shape who we are to become; we carry their love and influence with us during the hardest and happiest of times.

Mahbod Seraji’s Rooftops of Tehran illuminates the significance of these bonds, as young Pasha, Ahmed and Zari take brave steps into adulthood amidst a society entrenched in grief and fear. In the context of turbulent historical conflict, Pasha’s neighborhood teaches us of the hope that lies only in our humanity – and the risks that we often take to ensure peace for our brothers and sisters.

Villanova University hosted the gifted storyteller last year for its annual One Book program. I’m proud that those involved made the visit worthwhile for him, as his presence was an enriching experience for our community.

(Photo courtesy of Carrie’s YA Bookshelf)

Turtle Crossing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My new blog launched a couple of days ago! Tavern & Thyme is a place where I’ll be sharing images and ideas that inspire me. Whether I’m in Boston, Philly or – who knows? – even overseas, I want to give you guys a glimpse of what I’m seeing and experiencing. Of course, I’ll still be frequenting Book Turtle (since we all know I couldn’t give up my reading habit if I tried)… but I’m excited to now have an extra outlet for topics of a different breed.

I hope you all are enjoying these first, beautiful days of 2011… it’s a great time to start new projects or revive old ideas. Or, if you’d rather, just live in the moment and let the magic of winter soak in.

(Photo from Ingalls Photography via A Cup of Jo)

From Coco to Kasbah

Today I arrived at The Little Bookroom, a most charming collection of guidebooks and postcards for the independent traveler. For those of us whose birthdays are just around the corner (*hint hint* JANUARY 10th), let me share a few gems that just set my heart aflutter:

Everything I wish I could be — embodied by 16 women, summed up in under 130 pages. Check, please!

 

 

Pia jane bijkerk, the author & photographer of this delightful book, also happens to pen one of my favorite blogs.

 

 

 

I’ve never been to Morocco — but if I do go one day, I’m taking this little beauty with me.

 

 

 

My dear friend Hannah just returned from a fabulous semester abroad in Edinburgh… I’m sure she’d approve of this Scottish shopping & travel guide by Sawyers, Hewitt & Lowe.

 

 

 

Or, if you’re simply looking to journal, perhaps a smattering of Moleskines will suit your fancy! If I’ve inspired you enough to make a purchase, do leave a comment and share your findings with the rest of us.

The School of The Good Soldier

What better way to celebrate the end of 2010 than with a nod to my favorite novel of the year. I just finished The Unforgiving Minute, an American soldier’s narrative about his education at West Point and brave service oversees. Mullaney’s memoirs were so impressionable that I found myself both chuckling out loud and holding back tears during my post-Christmas travels. This was the finest war story I’ve added to my literary arsenal since Catch-22, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unrivaled read.

The author splits his stories into three sections: Student, Soldier and Veteran. First, we are introduced to the unrelenting obstacle course that is life at West Point. If you’re looking for tales of toga parties or frivolity on frat row, I’d suggest you turn your attention to Animal House; Craig Mullaney spent his Plebe year enduring 6 am PT sessions and excruciating mealtime rituals (not to mention the inhumane tear-gas drill at Beast Barracks.) A testament to hard boiled education, honor and perseverance, these tales will make almost any college student highly aware of their blessings – and of the lack of restriction we so often abuse.

Mullaney’s college career serves as a foundation for subsequent years, as the war veteran gives us a glimpse into his journeys abroad as a Rhodes Scholar, the courageous battles he fought in Afghanistan, and a bold passage into manhood. “Maybe combat,” he writes, “was both the ultimate test of courage and its classroom.”

Of course, I enjoyed the delicate humor Mullaney sprinkled throughout the novel— his stories of Turkish masseurs and clumsy courting are rich in self-targeted candor. But what I most appreciated were the lessons I learned about my country and the price others selflessly pay for my freedom. For the first time, I could briefly envision a platoon’s gumption on the front lines, a portrait of the sobering resolve of our troops. Yet I also realized that I have so much more to learn— knowledge that I have perhaps willingly neglected during my teenage years. Linda Brinson of The Winston-Salem Journal suggests that this bestseller “should be required reading for all Americans,” and I couldn’t agree more.

Book Jackets

It probably goes without saying that Anthropologie carries the best outerwear collection around: shawl collars, fur cuffs and hooded capelets — these decadent designs would have even the cobalt-cloaked Madeline feeling jealous. But during one of my a.m. browsing sessions, after tearing apart the cyber-racks of Steven Alan and J.Crew, I stumbled on a few coverlets that Anthro had left out of their winter collection.

These Clothbound Penguin Classics are exactly what I would have wanted for my bookshelf as a kid, and while some may say I’m too old for The Secret Garden or Anne of Green Gables, I’m thinking I may invest in one of these hardcover gems. The embossing is easy on the eyes, and so is the price tag — compared to Anthropologie’s winterwear, at least. The playful canvas reminds me a lot of Lilly Pulitzer’s patterns… I only wish they sold matching sundresses!

For more fantastic cover art (and a sneak peak at one of my favorite blogs), check out the posts on lox papers. You just might get addicted.

Grimm Realities

http://www.csulb.edu/~bhfinney/carter.html

Angela Carter is queen of the modern day fairy tale genre. This bizarrely enchanting author refurbishes time-honored tales, stripping away the mundane to craft works that are at the same time both chilling and satisfying.

My favorite feature of Carter’s collection is her suggestive exposé of female standards prescribed by novels, films and society at large. Take “The Lady of The House of Love,” where Carter mixes two traditional female roles— spellbound princess and villainous vampire— to create a complex and conflicted primary character: Nosferatu. In “The Tiger’s Bride,” our beloved, bookish Belle flaunts a courageous persona during some hairy situations. And as for “The Werewolf,” well, let’s just say our little red heroine takes matters into her own hands this time around.

http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_119/

Now, word on the block is that Disney’s ditched the damsels for a new brand of Pixar flicks instead. But deep in my heart, I find it hard to believe this change was driven by some Miley Cyrus spawned influx of tweens-going-on-twenty, as some have speculated. My hope is that the next generation of women have already caught on to Carter’s cues — aiming to emulate fearless, dignified, candid heroines that have their own stories to tell. While it may seem far-fetched, I truly believe some girls are simply opting for gender non-specific roles to headline the big screen in 2011.

And personally, I’d choose Fiona & Shrek over Beauty and The Beast any day of the week.