A Post: Literary Tattoos

There seems to be a lot of talk about literary tattoos as of late. I find that I see articles and posts on the subject on my twitter feed quite regularly now. I can't say I'm surprised by this development as tattoo culture seems to be less and less taboo. However, I have a feeling that most of the people posting images of their ink and their love for the art probably don't really care if society's accepting and were doing it long before it was cool. So. I'll admit that I have more than a few tattoos. Yes, I got them when I was younger. No, I don't necessarily regret the decision. Not all anyway. But when it's done, it's done and there's really no going back.

When I read over this awesome post by Book Riot over the weekend I was finally convinced that despite my no-more-tattoos rule, I had to get something from one of my favorite books. I sat there thinking... how could I not have a single literary tattoo? Well... I guess I have a pretty lame explanation. While I've always loved reading. Always. I was, like most young adults, really into my music. So into my favorite music, in fact, that virtually all of my tattoos are lyrics or interpretations of songs. For instance, take a peek at 23-year-old Beth. Yes, this photo is seeing the light of day despite that fact that this expression is a little too close to the dreaded duck face for comfort. But. It gives you a good glimpse of this Beatles-inspired piece I had drawn based on the song "Dear Prudence."

I wanted mother earth and sunshine and all things beautiful. I wanted a tattoo that would make me smile on the darkest days. My love for the Beatles actually precedes my love of reading because I totally jammed to "Twist and Shout" before I could even speak properly.

I have others... some in places that aren't visible when I'm walking down the street (I bet you would love to see those). And then some like this bit of a Bright Eyes song on the inside of my arm that people can't seem to refrain from asking me to read. BEWARE: 21-year-old Beth is even scarier and maybe COOLER than 23-year-old Beth. Don't even get me started on what this line actually means to me. No, people can't kill people and be in the right in my mind. Jeez. I'm looking at you, Mom and Dad.

Hopefully if you've been having a bad morning these photos are totally turning all that around.

The whole point of this post was to work through whether or not I should get a tattoo to reflect my love of reading. But is this even a question!? No, it's not, and yes, I should totally get another one. I knew the title I'd pick up immediately. Most of my regular readers probably know too. I thumbed through my battered, highlighted, dog-eared, and post-it-noted (totally made up) copy of The History of Love and located some of my favorite quotations. I think I've got it narrowed down to two quotations. Hell, I might even get both.

What's your opinion on the subject? Don't be afraid to speak up! What would you get if you could get any literary piece? Would you stick with a line, or go for a full out interpretation? Feel free to link up if you already have some so we can all see!

Note: 28-year-old Beth definitely frowns upon the provided photo decisions of younger Beth. Ugh. You live, you learn.

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A Post: Quotations, Thoughts on Autumn and Instagram Goodness

There were times in my life, whole years, when anger got the better of me. Ugliness turned me inside out. There was a certain satisfaction in bitterness. I courted it. It was standing outside, and I invited it in. I scowled at the world. And the world scowled back. We were locked in a state of mutual disgust.

-The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

This particular quotation has always held a special place in my heart. The whole novel speaks to me, but this particular line more so. I think I've always been more pessimistic than optimistic (glass is always half empty). I guess you could say it was all those years of being a teenager and then early 20s angst. As I get older, however, I realize that I'm much more relaxed, I stop to contemplate the little things much more often and I try to be as positive as possible. (I still get stressed and worry too much, but it's work in progress.) 

I wanted to visit the blog just to connect with everyone since it's been sometime since I posted a review or featured a bookstore. I have yet to complete my review of Gillespie and I despite the fact that I absolutely loved it. Lately I've found (as so many others have expressed) that I have a harder time reviewing books I love over those that I don't necessarily enjoy. It's strange, but perhaps says something about my personality. I celebrated my 28th birthday and spent the weekend after Thanksgiving in a secluded cabin with J (who was also celebrating a birthday) in the mountains of North Carolina. We played scrabble, sat in front of a fake fire and actually took time to relax. It was perfect. (Beautiful cake from my mama!)

 

I was bummed to return to the routine even though there were so many things I was looking forward to doing. Generally, my days are filled with anxiety. Traffic in Atlanta is horrendous and makes anyone want to pull their hair out. My job revolves around helping people fix problems when they're on a deadline (which means they aren't always so nice) in front of large social audiences (so definitely not nice). And the sun seems to set just as I'm walking in the door which leaves me feeling tired. However, a few things have happened (it's the little things) this week that have made everything seem much more cheerful: 

- Someone held the door for me at the coffee shop.

- A guy on the street told me to have a nice night when I was leaving the parking deck.

- I played trivia with my friends and conspired with the waiter (who gave us mostly wrong answers), which left us laughing.

- A man let me out in a long line of traffic after waiting for what seemed like forever (a rarity in Atlanta, indeed).

I love this time of year, but the grey sky and the early darkness always seem to affect me a little more than I remember. 

This year has definitely been a tough one, but as it comes to a close I realize that I love everything that surrounds me. I'm so thankful for my friends, family and each and every bit that makes the world go round. 

Perhaps this is a late Thanksgiving post. Or just a rant of sorts... as I'm prone to do. But I thought I could share my joys with you. Hopefully you're encountering people in the same spirit. If not, I hope you have the happiest of weeks! 

I'd also like to share this video because it is the sweetest thing I've ever seen: 

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A Rant: Pet Peeves and Books

We all have things that make us tick (bookish and otherwise). You know, some people hate dogearing (yep, guilty), highlighting (guilty again) and hardcovers (I don't hate). And then in life, you know real life, some people dislike tardiness, or clutter or the sound of people eating. Ok. So I'm going somewhere with this. I was recently a little bored at work, which doesn't happen too often, and my mind began to wander. I started to contemplate some of the things that I just couldn't stand in the world of books. Maybe you'll agree, or not, either way, it is what it is.

Here goes:

Movie poster as new book cover.

Let's discuss this for a moment. Years ago I bought the book Four Feathers. After reading reviews, I headed to Barnes and Noble, only to find a shiny cover with Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson starting back at me. Now, I'll admit I thought they were cuties and she was also a looker, but I wasn't necessarily all jazz hands when I found that it was the only copy available. I bought it and ended up enjoying it (the movie too), but can't say I want to display it will all my other beauties.

Yes, a book shouldn't be judged by a cover, but I feel that this doesn't apply because the book is essentially being reprinted because the MOVIE has suddenly REINVENTED the novel. Look at these cool people endorsing this book that some weren't aware was even a book until A-LIST PLAYER was added to the cover. That probably means a lot of people are judging this thing by the cover. I don't like it. Not one bit.

Classic novel introductions that give away the entire story.

I may be in the minority on not knowing what every classic novel is about, so I apologize if this is a big, fat borefest. Thank you, Barnes and Noble Classics, for telling me exactly what occurs in The Woman in White before I've actually read The Woman in White (I finished it last year). Actually, I was smart enough to STOP reading once I realized I was heading into spoiler territory, and fast. Perhaps it's a no-brainer that the introduction contains the entire plot in 10 pages, but I was unaware and have suffered (fist shaking). I get that you want to introduce the reader to the work, break them in, bring them up to speed, but please explain to me why the entire storyline is divulged in those first pages?! I just don't get it.

Movie adaptations that rip the heart out of your favorite novel. 

A couple of years ago I heard that there were talks of adapting Nicole Krauss's The History of Love for the screen. Let's just say I was not happy about it. Ok, so I know some people would be overjoyed. And sometimes I'll admit that I am. But for the most part I really don't enjoy books as movies. Books like The History of Love would never translate well. It just wouldn't. This might be a case of bias because of it's one of my favorite books, but really, those who have read it agree. When I discussed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (another example of beautiful literature) with those that had the expectations of something that wouldn't shame the book, several expressed that many of the best parts of the book were cut. It just couldn't be done in a Hollywood film. I refused to see it because I loved the book and couldn't think about all those beautiful moments left in the cold. And while I did note that the latest rage, The Hunger Games, was not so different from the novel, I can't say I'm entirely convinced it's a good idea. I get it's an adaptation, but that doesn't mean sacrificing the most moving/essential bits to make a sale.

Thoughts?

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A Recap: World Book Night

So. Let's talk about World Book Night. I made sure to join in on the festivities, the entire day, by keeping up with other givers on Twitter. I was bombarded with news that people were giving their books away in 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 10 minutes - tops. My excitement could barely be contained. And then, there I was, books in hand, approaching people who thought I was asking for money. They rushed past, heads down, acting as if I were, both, visible and invisible. Odd (chin scratching).

I was unable to participate until after work and found that the streets were completely deserted in the place I had originally planned to occupy. The weather was on the chilly side and the wind was hell bent on ruining the party. Optimism. slowly. deflating...

For the most part, I had a nice laugh about it. I couldn't give FREE books away, wondering what other givers had done to get their copies out so fast.

Maybe it was just me? Maybe I looked like a prowler, a person that was going to mug someone as soon as they came close enough for me to hand them a book? Doubtful. My imagination was starting to run away with itself.

Look at this face. Does it look mean? Scary? Cold? OVERJOYED at the thought of giving away books?

Sadly, J only managed to snap this photo before we assumed our position. That's the little sign tied to my tote. Oh, and I took this one of the books.

So, I took several copies down to a lady friend's coffee shop where a community shelf is maintained on an honor system. I left a copy there and had a chat with the co-owner and barista. They expressed feeling that they needed to read more, so I handed out a couple more.

J, noticing my fading enthusiasm, suggested we grab a bite to eat. I had a little chat with the guy taking my order and handed off another copy. I was feeling good.  When we left, it was approaching night and the wind had picked up considerably. East Atlanta was deserted.

I decided to give others out on Tuesday, during the day, when the sun was out and people were grabbing lunch. I work near the CNN center, so we get an enormous amount of traffic, so I'm almost wondering why I didn't think of Centennial Park all along. I managed to give away a few to coworkers that thought the concept was really cool and admitted to not reading much at all. In the end, it was perfect! I even found myself comfortably gushing about the details of the book.

I'm so glad I was able to participate, despite the fact that I didn't hand out all 20 in one night. I'm looking forward to joining in again next year and confident I can be even more successful with the insight I have now. I'll know to choose another time, and invest a little more time into coming up with something that really stands out, to draw a crowd (I saw one woman who decorated a little wagon that she pulled along). I'll admit that looking over while dining and seeing the cashier flipping through, settling on the counter to crack it open was worth it. Getting the books out, settling into good homes is really what it's all about, no matter what day they're given away.


Did you participate in World Book Night? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

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An Event: World Book Night U.S.

Today is the big day. To say I'm anxious is an understatement. I believe I'm one of those people that goes over the possibilities of a certain event ad nauseum. So... I'm a little nervous about the whole throwing myself out there to strangers, announcing my conviction that this is going to be THE BOOK that grabs them by the gills. Yeah, all that. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm going to place the books on while giving them out, and I'm positive that the sign I made suggests I should stick to reading books. It's the little things. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than thrilled to be participating and know it's going to be so much fun.

I've been on a reading road of destruction this past weekend. In the best way possible. I finished Rules of Civility in a day and a half, and moved on to a door-stopper of a biography of Catherine the Great, breezing through about 150 pages in an afternoon. So hopefully my reading mojo will be written all over my face, and those hands grasping the free copies of The History of Love will know that they need to start reading it as soon as they get home.

I announced a readalong/reread of sorts, but found that most people were just too busy. And I can always identify with that, so I reread and mulled over my favorite excerpts without making a big go of it.

I won't rehash the storyline, but I did want to highlight some of my favorite passages, lines that made me weep and laugh and love the novel from the start.  Hopefully, you'll remember with fondness those that I cite, or will be prompted to pick it up after reading.  Either way, these are my favorites and it's the perfect day to share.

 I want to say somewhere: I've tried to be forgiving. And yet. There were times in my life, whole years, when anger got the better of me. Ugliness turned med inside out. There was a certain satisfaction in bitterness. I courted it. It was standing outside, and I invited it in. I scowled at the world. And the world scowled back. We were locked in a stare of mutual disgust.

Once upon a time there was a boy who lived in a house across the field from a girl who no longer exists. They made up a thousand games. She was Queen and he was King. In the autumn light, her hair shone like a crown. They collected the world in small handfuls. When the sky grew dark they parted with leaves in their hair. 

I tried to write about real things. I wanted to describe the world, because to live in an undescribed world was too lonely. 

I'm looking forward to sharing the experience later in the week and will be on the look out for tales from other givers.  Here's to a happy night of giving!

(Fun fact: I always move a copy of THOL front-and-center when perusing used bookstores. Seriously, people need to know about it.)

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A ReadALong: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

In honor of the opportunity to give away one of my favorite novels for World Book Night, I'm hosting a readalong/reread of sorts!

The event will take place between April 9th through the 20th.  If you fail to finish in the allotted two weeks, please come back and share whenever you finish.  I wanted it to be very informal, so no halfway point check-ins and the like. I'll be posting my final thoughts on the 20th and hope that you guys come back to share!

I cannot express the joy I felt when I saw that The History of Love was an available title when I signed up to be a World Book Night giver (if you want to learn more about this amazing event, click here).  When I received the acceptance letter, and later, a confirmation letter stating I'd be able to hand out THOL, I was elated. 

What better way to celebrate the occasion, right?!?! I'm hosting a readalong and taking it to the streets!


Please comment and leave links to your blog if you want to join in on the fun!  Feel free to grab the image above to add a little snazzzz to your page!

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Thrifty Book Finds

I love to read, but it can be quite an expensive practice. So, I visit thrift stores, yard sales and used book stores to indulge my habit without giving up sustenance.

Finds: The Book Thief, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The Time Traveler's Wife (for Mom!).
Where: Goodwill
Money Spent: $ 4.50

Pretty nice!

Note: I refrained from purchasing a beautiful new hardcover copy of Nicole Krauss's The History of Love, even though my paperback is clinging to life, so give me some credit.

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