Category Archives: books

January 11, 2012 · 4:34 pm

the graveyard book and this day last year…

A year ago today, my dad died. Thankfully, my mom restarted his heart and the ambulance was quick to the scene. Doctors, nurses, specialists, they all managed to stabilize my dad, and then we all began the wait to see if he would pull through. There were hours spent sitting, trying not to feel to much or let it all sink in. There were nights spent not sleeping for fear we would miss his last moments with us. It was terrifying and enlightening and one of the most real moments of my life.

Today, my dad is alive and well. His new diet restrictions have given him a love for cooking and feeding his family. He spends more time at the gym than people half his age. He is the absolute picture of health.

A few days ago I started a book called The Graveyard Book (by Neil Gaiman), today I finished it.

It’s weird reading a book full of the dead on a day that you are focusing on a death not happening, however, the last pages of the book fit perfectly with my feelings about today. It’s the best way to look at life and death and everything from the beginning to the end. I refuse to spoil any piece of it for anyone that wishes to read the book (and I think you all should) so I won’t say anymore, but on this day that I’m glad to know my dad is alive and I can call him or see him or watch sports with him or laugh with him, I’m also glad that I read a book about a graveyard full of ghosts.

—

If you’re looking for more of a review on the book and less of my feelings about the day, I suppose I can say a few things. Every now and then I read a story that I’m actually sad to finish. That happened today. It was so very good and, for a book written for children, it evoked more emotion than I was expecting. So many books written for kids these days do not take care to develop deep and confusing characters. There are okay stories out there for children, don’t get me wrong, but I was happy to see that this one in particular treated its reader intelligently. I’m sure that there are those that would say, “Of course it did! It’s Neil Gaiman!” But as this was the first Gaiman book I’ve read, and therefore I had only opinions of others to go on before this, I stand by that statement. I was surprised, shocked, and ridiculously pleased. Halfway through I remarked to a friend that it was like reading my favorite children’s story, The Princess and the Goblin. This is, if you know me at all, the highest compliment I can pay. It was smart and something I would read again. There were lines that I felt like underlining and passages that made me feel. The characters felt like friends by the end, and as I devoured the last sentence on the last page, I was sorely sorry to be done.

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September 29, 2011 · 2:27 pm

banning books…

Rarely, and I do mean rarely, do I start a sentence with, “As a parent, I feel…” When I do, I’m usually being facetious. However, today I’m going to use that little intro in all seriousness.

As a parent, I feel that this banned book business is hogwash. I have heard the arguments. I have listened to parents talk about how they are scared for their kids and what they are exposed to. You know what? The books in the library are not the problem, you are. That’s right. I am attacking parenting. (*gasp*)

Here are some thoughts: Read with your kids! Pay attention to what is in their backpack. Ask them what their books are about. Tell them they can ask you questions about things, and that you won’t judge them for their curiosity, even if it scares the crap out of you. Be a parent, for goodness sake.

My kids and I are partaking in a little Lord of the Rings today. (We are watching the movie, they are too young to sit through the reading of the book.) For nap time, I’m starting James and the Giant Peach. Later, we’ll probably play Harry Potter because it’s Jenna’s current favorite. Banned books are celebrated in my house because reading is fun, and knowledge is power.

I am not saying that your kids are at the right age for some books just because I think mine are going to do okay with them. That is where parenting comes in. However, I am most definitely saying that if you are banning a book from a school library because your five year old shouldn’t be reading it, you are silly. Your five year old may be too young, but what about someone’s eleven year old? Maybe you feel like your ninth grader isn’t ready to talk about the issues in a Sherman Alexie book, but your twelfth grader is living those issues, and if you think they aren’t, you are fooling yourself.

Look, shelter your children, that is your right. If I catch you trying to push that on my kids, however, there will be hell to pay.

Final words: Open your kids’ backpacks! See what they are reading. Be happy they are reading at all, I mean, it’s that or the dreaded video games (*snort* but another rant), right?  If you are really concerned, talk to your kids’ teachers. Get reading lists. Read the books first. Everything in those books, and I mean everything, your kids have been exposed to by their peers and the media (promise). Now, take a deep breath, sit your kiddo down, and talk to them. Awkward? Maybe. Life changing? Definitely.

I Read Banned Books

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June 24, 2011 · 3:38 pm

hyde park books…

Yesterday I went to Hyde Park Books. I must confess, I did not go to buy anything. I went, instead, to visit one of their employees. My dear friend Lola works there. Her card says she is an “Associate Booknerd” and I think that my be the best job title in the universe.

Anyhow, after I found a place to park, I walked into the unassuming looking shop and was immediately in love. This is quite possibly the cutest and most inviting little used book store I have ever entered. As someone who adores great and terrible literature alike, I spend a lot of time perusing titles in many different places. Used book stores tend to have a certain air about them. They tend to feel a bit scattered, chaotic, and musty. Sometimes, I like that feeling, but I have to admit that I often find it overwhelming. In comparison, Hyde Park Books was a breath of fresh air. The books were all tucked in an orderly fashion onto shelves. The shelves themselves were well lit and well labeled. My eyes scoured their contents looking at the aged, cracked spines, colorful covers, and interesting titles.

After a bit, as Lola gave me a fantastic tour, I came to realize that they not only carry used books at this little gem of a store, but they carry a few new titles as well. They also have a great selection by local authors. It was absolutely a joy to browse around.

As I said at the beginning, when I went down to Hyde Park, I didn’t plan on buying a book. However, as Lola and I wandered and we discussed different titles, I began to pull books down to fondle them. Lola asked if I had read certain volumes, I suggested she check out a few fantasy authors I have recently discovered. During this discussion, a colorful cover caught my eye. It was in the fantasy section and I figured a colorful cover there could mean something interesting. I soon discovered that this particular book was an anthology and that the first author listed was none other than the man that wrote my most beloved The Princess and The Goblin, Mr. George MacDonald. After returning it to its self and later coming back to reexamine it, I decided to buy it.

To me, leaving a bookstore with an unintentional purchase means the shop is a success. They lured me in, caught my attention, made me feel welcome, and caused me to compulsively buy new literature. Well done Hyde Park Books, well done.

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March 24, 2011 · 12:18 am

/happydance…

Something exciting happened tonight! I refuse to share more than that, but I am one happy, tiny, blonde right now. So happy! I promise that I will share as soon as I can. I’m excited to tell you all about the awesome that is about to occur!

I created a bucket list today. My friend Kristie has been talking about hers on her blog, and I decided I needed one as well. At first I was a little concerned that it would make me feel pressured, but I think it has actually been a bit more inspiring. I made sure to include little(ish) things that I could go out and do tomorrow along with the big things that could take a lifetime to achieve. I’m thinking I’m already excited about the prospect of starting to mark things off the list.

Okay, let me tell you about the thing I am knitting. I am knitting a not so soul-sucking blanket. I was a bit worried that when I decided to create something soft, fluffy, and awesome for my soon to be born niece, it would slowly eat at me. However, so far I’ve actually been enjoying it! The project is moving along quite well and I’m so happy with it. I created a pattern that I knew I could knit with ease without getting bored. It’s a simple seed stitch border with a nice checkerboard in the middle. I’m really pleased with the way it looks so far! When it gets a little bigger, I’ll post a few pictures.

Last weekend I went to Barnes and Noble and had a lot of fun. I spent very little money and walked out with maximum booky goodness. Since I picked up so many books, I’ll blog about them as I make my way through them. I finished my second Scott Pilgrim book and have a third sitting in a pile ready to be devoured. I’ve started about 4 different books that I am making my way through at the same time right now. I’m going to finish at least two of them before I let myself start another. Boneshaker is first on the list followed by Decoded and then a Buffy comic. After that I’m starting Neverwhere and finishing whatever else has a bookmark in it. I won’t let myself near a bookstore again until I finish the pile of lovely new volumes sitting in a neat pile and waiting to have their bindings cracked.

It has been a great week or so! I’ve been taking good care of my brain and keeping myself entertained with yarn and books and writing. I’m even planning some small changes to make my blog a bit more interesting (hopefully). I really am antsy to talk about the most amazing thing ever, but it will have to wait for a little bit. I promise it will be worth the build up.

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March 2, 2011 · 12:14 pm

my happy place…

Lately my blood pressure has been slightly raised. This has lead to me to spend a lot of time going to my various happy places…

Baseball season is upon us and that means not only an entire year of saying that my Giants are the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! It also means that Brian Wilson is showing up all over the place again. That man is seriously insane and seriously dreamy. I was never the girl with a million celebrity crushes, but I can honestly say that I have a giant, old-fashioned, school girl, crush on this particular baseball player. *swoon*

I’ve finished my first fingerless glove. It is cute, but I did the binding off too tightly so I’ll have to take it out and try again. I think the rest of it will fit well though, and even if it doesn’t I have plenty of yarn to start over and make two slightly bigger ones. I’m excited for how they look though. The yarn is so soft and knits up beautifully. Someday I’ll take some pictures of my latest knitting projects and do a giant picture dump post, but for now, you’ll just have to take my word for it. After I figure out the problem with my mitts, I’m going to cast on a hat for myself. I bought some pretty yarn with a birthday gift certificate from last year and I’ve been needing a new hat for quite some time.

I’m working on a new comic. It’s official. as soon as I can figure out the logistics of getting the art done, I will once again have something that I publish on the internet that I feel good about. Anyhow, I’m hoping to have it up and going in the next few months and I’ll keep you guys posted. In the meantime, I’m scripting and loving it!

It seems that it is about time for me to go comic shopping again. I’m reading one that my friend Kevin loaned me, but I want another Buffy and another Scott Pilgrim. On another note, being out of comics means that I have been reading books. I’m almost done with one, and as soon as I am, I’ll post something long and boring about it, and then I will start Neverwhere. I’m pretty excited about that, actually. Maybe today will be spent reading one book so that I can get to another!

I wrote a bit on another writing prompt the other day. I’ll finish that at some point this week and get it posted. (Read with sarcasm, please.) I know you all live for my bits and pieces of literary genius, so I thought I would give you something to look forward to. But seriously, I enjoy posting things on here that are fictitious and just fun for me to create, and I hope you enjoy reading them.

Finally, I must say goodbye in order to go do my daily quests and get the reputation I need with a couple of different factions so that my gear can suck a little less and I can be slightly more adamant about my awesomeness in WoW when stupid people try to correct my game play. Yeah, that’s about all I have to say about that… for now anyway.

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