1% Well-Read Challenge

In a joint effort, Chelsea and I have decided to tackle the 1% Well-Read Challenge. We picked 10 books from 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. We decided it would be more fun to do this book club style. We plan on reading the books together and discussing them privately amongst ourselves. (Yeah, we are just exclusive like that.)

Now I present, in random order, our list!
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Yet to be determined by Jane Austen
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
Franny and Zoey by J.D. Salinger
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Are you planning on reading any of these books? If so, leave a note in the comments! I have really enjoyed looking at everyone's list of books for this challenge.

Poem

Morning

I roll over in bed and smile at you.
You are still sleeping with the light of the rising sun whispering across your face.
It seems too bright to sleep through
But you do

I put my arms around you, but you roll away in your sleep
I think about all the hidden meanings that could have
I decide you are just tired

I slide my feet out of the sheets and onto the cold floor
It is cold even on summer mornings
Sometimes it is a comfort
Not today

I make you coffee
Humming love songs
Force a smile

I walk up the stairs
Put my hand on the handle of the door
It is locked

I drink the too bitter coffee
I can't believe you like it this way

Booking Through Thursday - Manual Labor

Writing guides, grammar books, punctuation how-tos . . . do you read them? Not read them? How many writing books, grammar books, dictionaries–if any–do you have in your library?

I am COMPLETELY addicted to writing books. I can comfortably say I have at least 40 books on writing. I have one paper dictionary that I use right now. I mostly look up words online. I have a rhyming dictionary and a whole bunch of baby naming books.

Here are some of my favorites:

Beyond the Words


Bird by Bird


The Art & Craft of the Short Story


The Forest for the Trees

I love books by and about writers too. I also use non writing books to expand my creativity. There are a lot of great ideas in most self help books that can be applied to writing.

So what is your SINGLE absolute favorite writing book or book about a writer?

How About You?

62 words

Awake

It is before 8am and for some unidentified reason I am awake. Not just awake but awake and aware and unable to go back to sleep. Why is it that you wait and wait for some time off to sleep in and when you do get said time off you wake up before the sun?

You see, I am on "vacation." Why the quotes? Well, I did have vacation plans but they fell through. After a considerable amount of sulking I decided I was going on vacation anyway. The kids were sent to their dad's and I have been home alone. I sleep when I want, read when I want. It has been very restful so far. If I couldn't get out of town and have a break, then this is just what I needed.

Just a few moments ago, after I awoke, I stayed in bed and finished Messenger. Because this is the third book in the series, if you want to call it that, I didn't think I would be commenting on it. But after actually reading it there is a lot more I can say than I thought I would be able to without spoiling.

Yesterday I finished The Secret Scroll and am still working on a review for it. This book was given to me to be reviewed (my first one!) I want to make sure I do a good job with it.

Today I am starting The Nanny Diaries and I have two days before my vacation is over.

Wish me luck.

Contest

Are You a Wimp?

I am pretty excited to have just finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. The is the second book in the series, but I have been talking about the first one to anyone who will listen!

I love this series because it is fun and funny and perfect for a reluctant reader.

The books are the diary/comics of Greg Heffley.
<-Yep, that's him.

He shares the funny and embarrassing things that happen to him every day. This book is fun read for any age level! I certainly enjoy laughing along with it.

The books were penned by Jeff Kinney. When asked where he got the idea he said:

I wanted to write a story about all the funny parts of growing up, and none of the serious parts.

And I think Jeff's intention is why these books are such a joy to read.
There great news is that there are more Wimpy Kid books on the way. And you can check out their website!

The Perfect Blend

This is the first inspirational romance I have ever read. Truthfully I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The consideration of God in one's romantic life is not primary in my own thought process and seemed a little heavy handed even for the most devout. The book did drag a little in the middle. There were about three chapters that was a chore to get through, but I was happy I did because the ending was wonderful!!

Couldn't Resist

How White and Nerdy Are You?

The Sunday Salon - Colin Firth Edition

Warning:
My TSS post may have become obscured by my slight lust for Colin Firth.

A month or so ago Diane Craver named Colin Firth "Hottie of the Week."
I was ecstatic at the time (and still am.)
I happen to adore Colin Firth and pointed out to her readers that he has written a short story.

But being a writer is only the FIRST of his literary merits.
He also LOVES to read. In 2005 he said the following to O Magazine:

"When I’m really into a novel, I’m seeing the world differently during that time—not just for the hour or so in the day when I get to read. I’m actually walking around in a bit of a haze, spellbound by the book and looking at everything through a different prism."

Are you melting yet?
Let's take a peek at Colin Firth's bookshelf.
The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge by Rainer Marie Rilke
The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene
The Leopard by Guiseppe de Lampedusa
Preston Falls by David Gates
Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler
Light in August by William Faulkner
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Read the rest of the article here, including Firth's comments on each book!

It just so happens I am already reading and enjoying one of the books he included (that is how I found this in the first place) and now I suddenly interested in reading more!

This post was originally intended to feature Saint Maybe and few other books I have been dabbling (yes, I have actually been reading again!)

I have been reading Saint Maybe for a while and for the most part I am enjoying the experience. Each chapter takes the point of view of a new character and as the book moves along the time jumps between each chapter gets longer and longer.
I am curious to see how the book will end and where the writing will take me.
It is really a fascinating experience in voice and point of view.

It is very thrilling to me that I enjoying a book that Colin Firth also enjoyed. I think he is one of the few celebrities I would be interested in having dinner with. He seems like he would be an interesting person to know.

What celebrity's bookshelf interests you the most?

Press play for an experience that will make you giddy.
Well it make me giddy.
Maybe it will just make you laugh a bit.