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 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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Top Ten Favorite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from a favorite blog of mine: The Broke and The Bookish.  This week's question asks bloggers, and readers alike, to name their top ten favorite authors.  It's tough, but I think I can manage...

Here are mine in no particular order:

• Nicole Krauss- A few years ago I picked up a copy of Nicole Krauss's The History of Love.  While innocently skimming the first chapter, I suddenly found that I could not put it down.  Krauss's novel expresses the joys and heartache of the human condition, breathing such depth into characters that made me laugh and cry.  I'm currently reading her latest novel, Great House, and am already overwhelmed by her brilliance.

• Leo Tolstoy- Having once held an obsession for all things Russian, there was a period in which I read nothing but Tolstoy's works of fiction.  And if you've read Tolstoy's fiction, you know it's time consuming.  Anna Karenina may be one of his best known titles, and should be, as the superfluity of such banal repetitions of everyday life provide a realism that begs character attachment from readers.  Tolstoy also offers glimpses into the landscape of a growing and changing Russia, and the politics of the time.  It's great social commentary, to say the least.  The Death of Ivan Ilyich is another of my favorite reads. 

• Gustave Flaubert- What can I say?  Madame Bovary was more entertaining than I ever thought it could be.  The narrator's tone in the beginning of the novel reminds me of the narration in the film Amelie.  His precise way of naming situations, without providing too many details, gets to the point, and carries an air of wit, to boot. I've yet to read his rants and raves during his travels throughout North Africa, and not sure I'll ever make that endeavor.  

• Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.- I've read so many of his novels, and while many address recurring themes or characterizations, Vonnegut's imagination doesn't cease to amaze me.  Initially, I disliked his characters, finding them absorbed, and generally lacking a unique voice; however, after finding more of his work, I found that his stories always contained symbolism in some form that completely transformed my method of observing the world.  There's so much underlying currency in such a dream-filled abyss.  

• Margaret Atwood- I had the opportunity to see Margaret Atwood speak at Emory University a few years back.  She was witty and passionate, and these attributes made me enjoy her work even more.  I had inadvertantly found myself an abandoned copy of Oryx and Crake in a closet in a house my friends and I had rented.  Initially shocked by the suggestions of the dystopic world Oryx and Crake inhabited, I knew I had to find more of Atwood's work.  I found The Handmaid's Tale to be just as shocking.  I laughed and cried and loved Cat's Eye.  I am currently working on finishing her newest title: The Year of the Flood.  I would also like to note that her poetry is especially moving.  Seriously, get a copy of anything she's ever written, you won't be disappointed!

• Edith Wharton- Edith Wharton's imagery sparks images in my mind that no author's work could match.  Her ability to use natural landscapes to completely create the tone of a work simply amazes me. In addition, she was such a strong female presence for her time, and I respect that greatly.  

• Voltaire- Voltaire's Candide made my sides split from laughter.  Many people just stare at me, mouths gaped open when I admit this, but it's true.  I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdities of Candide's situation.  Candide embodies a mouthpiece for Voltaire, expressing frustrations with the society that surrounded him. Candide's naivete amused me more than it should have.  Furthermore, I just happen to share a birthday with this particular man of genius! 

• Jefferey Eugenides- I just recently finished Middlesex and loved it. I added him to the list because I felt that his other work must be just as enjoyable.  

• Alain de Botton- Alain de Botton's work is mostly non-fiction, but his insight and philosophical debate is refreshing and eye-opening.  I read The Art of Travel and had a much different understanding of the reasons why people travel, and the ways in which individuals conceptualize the act of travel and all that accompanies the process.  His inclusion of philosophical references, in comparison to everyday acts of life, such as travel, elucidate concepts that may be difficult to understand otherwise.  

• John Kennedy Toole- Toole's life ended before readers came to adore his novel The Confederacy of Dunces.  This dark comedy explores some of the social aspects of living in Louisiana in the 1960s.  Furthermore, Toole's lead, Ignatius Reilly, is a character everyone loves to hate.  

There are so many other great works of literature by brilliant writers that I've wholeheartedly enjoyed, but these are the first that came to mind. What are your thoughts?  Share any favorites of mine?

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Thesaurus Thursday

One more day and the weekend's here!  I'll be watching my sweetheart play his last show with his band, It's Elephant's, at the 529 Club in East Atlanta Village tomorrow night! An event that will undoubtedly be coupled with feelings of nostalgia, gaiety and sadness. Here's to a great show! On Monday, W.W. Norton & Norton, released Lan Samantha Chang's All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost, which I'll be posting a review of this coming weekend.  I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking dialogue, strengthened with elevated language in a palatable manner. Today's word, virulent, can be found while Roman, our protagonist, engages in heated discussion with one of his most promising students.  The word's negative connotation is indicative of the underlying gloom that resides within the novel's storyline. (Hopefully, this will not detour you from reading Chang's latest title.)

Virulent- Adjective, 14th Century. 1. Marked by rapid, severe, and destructive course. 2. Able to overcome bodily defensive  mechanism : markedly pathogenic.  3. Extremely poisonous or venomous.  4. Full of malice : MALIGNANT.  5. Objectionably harsh or strong. 

What I would say: As his facial profile changed to that of utter contempt, she anticipated the virulent words that would soon begin to spew from his lips. 

Dont' forget to watch out for new posts this weekend! Count down to the release of Nicole Krauss's Great House: A Novel... 4 days!

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And A Book Club Materializes...

Tonight was an extra special night in the now twice monthly routine.  I've finally pulled everything together and have participated in my first book club meeting!  It's a rather exciting affair, meeting people you don't really know, or at all, while settling in together and discussing the types of literature that really speaks to your soul.  I thought I'd be about a million times more nervous than I was, but it all seemed to fall neatly into place. 
I never imagined that organizing a group of people, or even getting interested participants, would be hard work, but I was completely wrong.  Half of the responses I received from several ads I placed on the Craigslist website were spam and promptly deleted. Others either found book clubs closer to their homes, or abandoned my inability to conclusively set a date.  I don't blame them.  However, I finally managed to retain one lady's attention... making it two!
From Craigslist, I moved on to Facebook, inviting anyone that I knew, or those who had joined an Urban Exploration group I had created in Atlanta, allowing me to find two more ladies willing to join.
So, the group comes to a grand total of four incredibly intelligent and fun ladies in the Atlanta area. And it's definitely off to a strong start!
Furthermore, the coffee shop chosen, typically packed, was experiencing a slow night and allowed us all the room we could want.
Everyone showed up, the atmosphere was nice and just like the little researching nerd that I am, I definitely printed notes and summaries from Litlovers.com to accompany some of the novels I felt could be incorporated into the group's reading decisions.

Can you even imagine what novel the group will start reading?  
Could it be The History of Love? 
You're certainly correct.  I discovered while retracing notes, that choosing a book you enjoy is an absolute no-no in the book club arena.  I made my suggestion, however, and there was no turning back.  I feel that I love the book immensely, regardless of what anyone tells me otherwise, and besides, there's a lot to learn when you're looking at things from another person's perspective. I'm really excited to be able to tackle that challenge and see one of my favorite novels in a new light.
Overall, I felt like everyone that attended was on the same page and possessed the same goals for the group, as a whole.
This experience was exhilarating, as exaggerated as that  may sound, but getting out and meeting like-minded individuals in your community, whom you will no doubt learn from, is definitely an experience to write home about.
I'm excited about the discussion and the great literature I'll be able to share.  I'm excited about the thought of meeting the week after next to discuss the first half of The History of Love. And you can certainly count on me blogging about it every step of the way!


A little side note:  Shortly before composing this blog entry, I finally finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson


My short, but sweet, Goodreads review:
Enjoyable, even if completely unbelievable at times.  Definitely more action that I had anticipated.


View all my reviews >>


Suggestions?  Don't hesitate to tell me what you've got to say!

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Top Five Fiction Reads, Book Blogs and Release from the Classic Grip.

Until recently, I was caught up in Classic literature; writers like: Tolstoy, Flaubert, Voltaire and Hardy kept me buried in language I could hardly understand, researching the political climate of periods of time and immersed in a world that I could never genuinly grasp. I really enjoyed the challenge, not to mention the knowledge I gained while reading many of those beloved titles.
Like many readers, I tend to slide comfortably in-and-out of moods, which my literature reflects, and will not abandon that sacred place until I've had my fill. So, needless to say, I'm done with the Classics of the worlds before me, for now. I've realized that my devotion to Anna Karenina and the like, in addition to my academic endeavors, namely anthropological works, like, Laughter Out of Place, while fulfilling, have left me far behind the times, unaware of the many new, and exciting, fiction titles. Using my twitter account, bkwrmmeetsbkwrm, I've been introduced to a superfluous amount of new literature. The blog, The Millions, released this list of the most anticipated titles of the year. Can you believe that almost every novel ended up on my Amazon Wish List?! No joke! I'll have to get a second job to fund reading like that, because as much as I love the library, I'll be waiting many months before any of these amazing reads are actually available. Of course, several of these little gems have been placed at the top of the list;  specifically, the following five:




1.
    Great House: A Novel by Nicole Krauss. Publishing Date: October 12, 2010. 


I can't even express how much I am looking forward to the release of this novel. A story within a story, much like The History of Love, Krauss presents her fans with a novel exhibiting the power inanimate objects have over those that possess them. Objects can hold meaningful memories, existing long after the players in those memories are gone. This work delves into the human pysche and modern society's obsession with holding on to material goods in order to proclaim their existence in this world, regardless of consequence. 


2.

     Memory Wall: Stories by Anthony Doerr. Published: July 13, 2010. 


Thought-provoking/emotionally-evoking prose that reminds readers of the beauty of life that surrounds us, captured by the stories of characters from four corners of the world. This novel could easily be the most desired book on my list. 


3.
     The Four Fingers of Death by Rick Moody. Published: July 8, 2010.


An emotionally overwhelmed writer faces dying, attempts to reinvent past successes and offers a glimpse of the chaotic future of America.  Really can't say much more... Moody's dystopic approach is enough to convince me that this book is a must read.


4.
    The Imperfectionists: A Novel by Tom Rachman. Published: April 6, 2010.


Newsrooms, journalists and the exploration of the psyche of the characters that work within this ever-changing profession. 


5.
    Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. Published: July 27, 2010. 


Social commentary embedded within a rich, free-flowing and well conceived text- you'll have to read this review for yourself.  Too many words - too many ideas for little ol' me to give you here. 
  
So, these are the five titles I'm really excited about, but the Wish List is full of other great 2010 Fiction reads.  Have suggestions?  Give me your thoughts on the list above and the titles you can't wait to get your hands on. Can't wait to hear!

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Monday is Funday-- Beach Weekend Review

Happy Monday! I'm happy to say, that, despite the gloomy mood that set upon arriving home from the two afternoons lounging seaside, I have returned more motivated than ever! I must admit that I haven't finished Krauss's Man Walks Into A Room  just yet, although I'm hopelessly devoted to her writing. I'm choosing to refrain from posting excerpts that I especially enjoyed, because, in all honesty, I'll need to re-read much of the text I've completed. As much as I was looking forward to sticking my nose into a good book, lying idly, as waves fell just steps from my jellyfish body; the wind, restless and wandering, couldn't help but send small layers of sand sailing towards my face. Needless to say, I had difficulty handling my book and battling mother nature. However, to possess an opportunity to take in that world, so naturally beautiful, I was able to fully regain enthusiasm, not to mention experience the awe of certain emotions, inspired by Krauss's novel, which magnified the depth of my feelings for individuals so important in my life.  Man Walks Into A Room is emotionally gripping, and forces you to examine the characters' reactions and heartaches at an extremely personal level. So, if you're willing to be a tad bit patient with me, I'll continue reading tonight, in the comfort of my bedroom, and paint the pages yellow. I highly suggest picking a copy up for yourself, so you know exactly what I'm talking about.

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