My favorite books of 2011

Isn't reading such a joy? An adventure, a riddle, a journey! In light of the fact that reading is awesome and that we have one more day in 2011 I thought I'd give you all a look into my top seven favorite books I've discovered this year. {Yes, I know, seven is a weird number to pick}

1 - Scoop by Rene Gutteridge


This was a fantastic book! I loved all the characters and the plot was so fun and easy to understand. This one might be in my top ten favorites books of all time.

2 - Very Good, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse

P. G. Wodehouse is a master of humorous delight and a must read for everyone. Out of the Wodehouse books 'Very Good, Jeeves' is my favorite.




3 - The Maze Runner by James Dashner


I don't think I can even begin to describe how amazing this book is. The plot line was unbelievable and his writing made you feel like you were right there. Read this and you will be at the end of your seat the whole way.

4 - A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

Sadly, this was my first Sherlock Holmes book I ever read. Why is that sad, you ask. Well, because Holmes books are awesome and I waited 16 years before I read one. So all in all Sherlock Holmes book are amazing and should be read by all.

5 - One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

A beautiful book that is exactly what it says it is, 'A Dare to Live Fully Right Were You Are'.

6 - Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

This book made me laugh, and it made me cry. I loved this book and the minute I finished it I drove to a bookstore and bought it for my book shelf

7 - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Now, all of Agatha Christie's book are legendary but this one was unbelievable! Yes, this one is the best of Mrs. Agatha Christie.




8 - The Outcasts by John Flanagan

I was so disappointed when his Ranger's Apprentice series ended but I think his new series 'The Brotherband Chronicles' is super cool and I'm excited to continue to read it. The series ties right in with the ranger's Apprentice but with a very fun twist.

What about you? What are your favorite books that you discovered this year?

Philosophical Thoughts

not my photo

I love books with a philosophical message hidden deep inside it. And a book I have been reading recently is just that. As I was reading Showdown by Ted Dekker an insisting question is discussed in the book.

In writing is it best to show peace or conflict first?

Character one says, "How can there be conflict unless there is first peace?"

But character two answer, "But how can you write about peace or love unless you first subject the reader to ugly conflict?" 

Well that makes since, until character one answers. "Unless the reader begins with knowledge of peace, why should we demonstrate peace through conflict if the reader already knows peace?"

Um...I'm going to have to take a rain check on the rest of this conversation. Dispite the confusen of this conversation, it brings up some very good points. Do we not react to conflict in books because we are not familiar with the conflict but understand it's conflict because we first know peace. The funny thing is I don't really think there is an answer for this question. It can be debated both ways and I believe they are equally right. Maybe I will get to the bottom if it by the end of the book.

But what about you? What you do think is best to show first in writing, peace or conflict?

Coffee?

"It is true, my friend. I am much worried."
"Why?"
"Because Mademoiselle Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee."
-The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The latest of Agatha Christies books I finished. This one was pretty good, but it has one the best quotes. I laughed for minutes after I read this and I still giggle when it comes to mind.

DIY: book box

You will need:
- A book with good binding
- A ruler
- A pocket knife or box cutter
- A pair of scissors
- A pen


Step 1 :
Decide how big you want you book compartment to be.



Step 2 :
Trace a line so you know where to cut.



Step 3 :
Cut on the line all the way around.



Use the scissors in the arrears the knife does not happen to cut through.

Repeat set 3 until your box is to the desired depth. This project takes time and patience but is well worth the effort. Good luck on your book boxes.

P.S. Don't throw away your cut away pages. There are so many uses for them. Watch out for another DIY on how you can use them.

50 cents

I love my library. And recently I have come to love it ever more. Why? I bought one of my favorite book ever! And only for 50 cents!

*Sigh*

I'm in love! In love with poetry! Dear sweet, beautiful poetry.



They have some amazing poems in here. But I couldn't leave all this amazing stuff to my self. I have to share some awesome lines from my favorite poems.

Lines from "If-" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can dream-and not make dreams you master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat them those two impostors just the same;

Lines from "Our Heroes" by Phoebe Cary

He has a hard battle to fight.
Who strives against self and his comrades
Will find a most powerful foe.
All honor to him if he conquers.
A cheer for the boy who says "No!"

Lines from "Sometimes" by May Riley Smith

And if, though patient toil, we reach the land
Where tired feet, with sandals looked, may rest
When we shall clearly see and understand,
I think that we will say, "God knew the best!"

The poem "The Optimist" Unknown author

The optimist fell ten stories
At each window bar
He shouted to his friends:
"All right so far."

And what about you? What are some of you favorite poems?

a sneak peek (my current writing project)

Although my current writing project is unnamed, it still has a special place in my heart. And after some thought I decided to post an excerpt from it.

*nervous laugh*

What have I got to lose?

We will just call this bit; coffee & bubbles.

The cream seems to dissolve as it swirled into the coffee. I pull the spoon out of the cup and smile. I dip the wet spoon into the sugar dish. I smile again. There's no one to scold me for this silly act. There is no need for this silly act, but I do it none the less.

The smell of coffee fills the room as I bring it into my bedroom.

Oh, my dear lovely caffeine.

The coffee brightens up my morning as I sip it. I close my eyes once more and savor the the wonderful brown liquid. I sip it again and feel the warmth fill my body.

The October chill seeps through the walls in the bedroom. I look out the window. Beautiful colors dance as the wind blows. Red, orange, green and yellow.

I hold my coffee close to my face as I watch the trees blowing in the wind. Such a beautiful day. I look back over to my laptop. The few sentences I had written look back and seem to mock me. A groan erupts from inside me. Disappointment sets into my mind.

A smile set on my lips as I remind those words I am in control. I have the power of the backspace button. The power to delete. I am in control!

I am in control, right?

My subconscious mocks me. In control? No way! I may be able to push the backspace button but I have no control over inspiration. I search for anything to stop this lack of inspiration. Is there anything else I can do?

Well, as long as I have nothing to write I will take Agatha Christie's quote to heart.

"The best time for planning a book is while washing the dishes." -Agatha Christie.

I decide to take a shot at it and start washing the dishes.

The yellow dish soap becomes bubbles as the contact the water. Sweet bubbles. Yellow bubbles. I take a handful of them and blow. They float around before allowing gravity to work. They all sink; all but one. The stray bubble dances on air. Swinging to an invisible beat. I reach my sudsy hand and catch the bubble. It pops.

I wish I could be like that bubble. Defiant of all writing rules and just dance. Swing to the invisible beat of a good story and just write.

It's a little more poetic than a normal novel but I find I like the style of it. So there it is. The first draft of an interesting piece of written work. Although I don't plan on editing it until I finish the book I would love to hear your impute.

Day 13 {book}

Sorry for how late this post is my dear followers. Today was a long work day. But back to our current event; the 15 day challenge (writers edition).

Day 13 - Your favorite book about writing

I haven't read to many books about writing. And being I read so many books, and some of them have slipped my memory so I will just post one I can remember. At the moment I am reading:



This book is good, but I don't know if I agree with it one hundred percent. One thing they point out is how all these book are not very good souly on the purpose of whether information is true or not. Or if grammar and punctuation are correct.

I would like to quote Jenny, over at The Penslayer, when she says this, "Has it ever occurred to those literature teachers that any book may have been written for the sole purpose of creating a good story?". Bravo! Bravo! I don't think I could have said it better.

I do agree that grammar and punctuation are important but us writers are here, writing, to tell a story; to create a world no man has seen before. We are not, at least I am not, writing to impress on a philosophical level. I am here to enjoy doing what I love to do.

So I'll have to see how I like the rest of the book. And maybe I'll do a book review on it when I finish.

Day 2 {male author}

Welcome all to day 2 of the 15 day challenge. I'm really excited about the number of post linked to yesterday. And remember, it's not to late to join. Whether you start on late and go through all 15 days or jump in right in the middle. I'd love for you to join.

Day 2 - Your favorite male author.

There are SO many good male authors out there! First, let me say it's hard to pick a favorite author as a whole, not just on one book I liked. After careful consideration and thought I finally picked one.

Stephen R. Lawhead, the author of one of my favorite books of all time. ☺


But it's not just because of this book but it's his writing style. His amazing characters, enjoyable plots, and all over his way of captivating a reader with well put together words.

Mind you, it wasn't easy to pick him. I mean how many good male suthors does there have to be out there? Now that I think about it Stephen R. Lawhead is only one of many favorite authors. Oh, crumb cake!

Some of my other favorites are:
-C. S. Lewis (author of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)
-Roald Daul (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
-Frank Peretti (author of This Present Darkness)

15 day challenge (writers edition)

Yep, for two weeks this summer I plan on doing my own 15 day challenge (writers edition).

For those of you who are new to this, the goal of a 15 day challenge is to post for the next 15 days on the subject you are given each day. My own writers edition set:

Day 1 - Your favorite character you've written.

Day 2 - Your favorite male author.

Day 3 - Your first attempt at writing.

Day 4 - A novel or author that has inspired something in your writing style.

Day 5 - Your least favorite character you've written.

Day 6 - One thing on you bucket list that has to do with writing?

Day 7 - Your favorite genre to write (fantasy, non-fiction, sci-fiction, history, poetry, etc.)

Day 8 - A video about books or writing.

Day 9 - What is your current writing project

Day 10 - Your answer to, "What is the most important thing I should know about writing".

Day 11 - Your favorite female author

Day 12 - A song about writing or books

Day 13 - Your favorite book about writing

Day 14 - One of your favorite quotes about writing or books.

Day 15 - Your favorite song to write to.

I would love it if anyone wanted to do this with me, even if it's not all 15 days. Just comment on the post that matches and leave me a link to the post, I'd love to look and comment on everybodys. ☺

I will be starting this challenge on August 1 and ending August 15, I hope you can join.

my summer reading list

Summer is here which, for me, means more time to read. And for remembrance and goal purposes, and if any of you want to know what I plan on reading this summer, here is a list of books. Both serious and funny, non-fiction and novel.

Serious:

- One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

- Crazy Love by Francis Chan

- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- The Pastor's Wife by Sabina Wurmbrand

- Joni: an unforgettable story by Joni Eareckson Tada

- These strange ashes: is God still in charge? by Elisabeth Elliot

Fun Novels:

- Deadline: a novel by Randy Alcorn

- Curse of the Spider King

- The Death Cure by James Dashner

- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (again)

- As many Agatha Christie novels as I can read!

- Poetry

If you've read any of these books please comment on how you liked them. I'd LOVE to hear your opinion.

And a question or two for all of my blog friends, what are your thoughts about posting poetry on this blog? And what are some writing things you would like me to post about?

Have a great summer day. ☺

I'm reading a book

This is awesome! The end is SO random!