Today is the last day of the year, for me a day of retrospect, introspect and goal setting. Although I often refer to my year long plan as "New Year's Resolutions". In fact they are a plan for the next 365 days of my life. Some of my goals can be accomplished and then put aside while others will be in progress for most of the year.
This is also the time when I really look at my life and ask "Is this who I really want to be?" So I bring you a short, and book related list of my goals for next year.
I want to read more, and better. Although I have read a lot this month I normally only really read 3 to 5 books per month. I would like to step that up. Timing will be the issue. I also have other things on my list that I cannot do while reading. Quality. I want to bring even more quality into my reading experience, There are many books that have been on my "to read" list for years. I want to get some of those titles onto the list of books I have read.
I want to promote the books I love. Beginning this blog started that process but I want to continue recommending books to you as well as find new ways to promote books. One thought I am playing with is to provide books to a class or a school. Maybe an assisted living facility would like the books I don't plan to read again.
I want to read every book ever written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Umberto Eco, in English of course. I have read books by each of these remarkable writers but want more. I believe you gain a new insight when you have read all the works a writer has created.
Lastly, I want to read more poetry in the coming year. As a teen I read so very much poetry, but over time I moved away from it. It doesn't make sense, it is much quicker to read several poems than to sit down and read a book. My first will be to read an autographed copy of Nine Horses by Billy Collins from cover to cover. Tucked inside is a moving letter from one of my former students about the impact I had on her life, I will read that again before this year ends.
What are your reading goals for 2012? I hope you have a few precious moments to read either tonight or tomorrow to start your year off right.
Happy New Years!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Day 25 and A Merry Christmas!
To me there is really only one story that is perfect to read today. You will find it in your Bible. No matter what translation you prefer it will tell the story in the words you most want to hear.
Join me in reading Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:1-20.
Afterword have a blessed Christmas!
Join me in reading Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:1-20.
Afterword have a blessed Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Day 24 Christmas Story
This is a night for sugarplums dancing in our heads. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore is the perfect quick read for all ages. Over the years it has also been known as The Night Before Christmas and as A Visit from St. Nicholas. This is such a Christmas classic that you may know it by heart. This poem can be found in anthologies, both poetry and Christmas. 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages, available on Kindle and recommended earlier, also contains the companion poem 'Twas the Night After Christmas.
It is also often found in a variety of picture books. I want to share the copy my Mother received as a small child one Christmas. The copyright date is 1941, by the Saasfield Pub. Co., Akron Ohio, Made in the U.S.A. and the number 2359. The book does not credit Moore as the author, that may be because it was originally published anonymously in 1823. It does have the artist's name, Ethel Hays on most of the pages. It is a large format, 9 3/4 by 12 3/4, on a heavy textured paper in full color as you can see. Enjoy!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Day 23 Christmas Story
I confess, I just could not get through the holiday without Charles Dickens. I have found that, in general, people either love or hate Dickens. There doesn't appear to be a lot of middle ground. If you are unsure about him please give The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain it is much scarier than A Christmas Carol and just as long.
The Dickens I know and love does come through, this story is about the spirit of Christmas more than the holiday itself. The main character, Mr. Redlaw is consumed by grief over the wrongs done to him in life. Rather than an actual ghost he is haunted by a phantom twin who helps him to spread bitterness to others around him. Forgetfulness is the Phantom's solution for skipping the sadness in one's life but it becomes a curse that Redlaw spreads to others. Milly is Dickens typically perfectly good female character, she and a young boy are immune to the curse. They are instrumental in leading Redlaw to the change that makes him more loving and humble in the end.
I read this story from The Ultimate Christmas Collection on my Kindle. Gutenberg has it in several formats as well. You can also download it for free here, where you can take part in a discussion forum.
The Dickens I know and love does come through, this story is about the spirit of Christmas more than the holiday itself. The main character, Mr. Redlaw is consumed by grief over the wrongs done to him in life. Rather than an actual ghost he is haunted by a phantom twin who helps him to spread bitterness to others around him. Forgetfulness is the Phantom's solution for skipping the sadness in one's life but it becomes a curse that Redlaw spreads to others. Milly is Dickens typically perfectly good female character, she and a young boy are immune to the curse. They are instrumental in leading Redlaw to the change that makes him more loving and humble in the end.
I read this story from The Ultimate Christmas Collection on my Kindle. Gutenberg has it in several formats as well. You can also download it for free here, where you can take part in a discussion forum.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Day 22 Christmas Story
A Story of the Child by Elizabeth Harrison is today's story. Harrison, 1849-1927, wrote many children's stories and made a career of early childhood education and advancement.
It is based on the legend of the Christ Child, disguised as a homeless boy, traveling the land searching for someone who will take him in on Christmas Eve. This version of the story is simple and can be shared with even the younger children. Many families turn away the poorly dressed and cold child. But the family who takes him into their home is rewarded by seeing the child revealed as Christ.
This is a very quick read that I found in a digital collection 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages edited by Christopher Hong for under $1 at Amazon. It can also be found as an individual story at Archive.org to be read online or downloaded in a variety of formats including PDF, EPUB, Kindle and Daisy.
It is based on the legend of the Christ Child, disguised as a homeless boy, traveling the land searching for someone who will take him in on Christmas Eve. This version of the story is simple and can be shared with even the younger children. Many families turn away the poorly dressed and cold child. But the family who takes him into their home is rewarded by seeing the child revealed as Christ.
This is a very quick read that I found in a digital collection 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages edited by Christopher Hong for under $1 at Amazon. It can also be found as an individual story at Archive.org to be read online or downloaded in a variety of formats including PDF, EPUB, Kindle and Daisy.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Day 21 Christmas Story
A special seasonal short story from Louisa May Alcott. The Christmas Dream, is my most recent Christmas read. It is the story of ten year old Effie, a rich girl who has already grown tired of Christmas. She is no longer excited by the gifts or the treats. Her mother suggests that she read A Christmas Carol and learn a lesson from "old Scrooge".
Effie finds the book in the family library and reads straight through the rest of the day. That night she has a dream of her own where she meets a Christmas Spirit who shows her many poor people and the miracles that grace their lives. When she wakes Effie wishes to make miracles of her own. Effie's mother promises a surprise and is busy making plans in secret although she does allow Effie and her nurse to do some of the shopping. At last Christmas has arrived and there is a surprise of grand scale awaiting the little girl.
I won't spoil the surprise for you, you really must read this story for yourself. You can read it online or print it out at Hymns and Carols of Christmas here, or order it as an ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It can be purchased on a CD from either of those book dealers for around $5. Perhaps tonight you will dream of the perfect Christmas, too.
Effie finds the book in the family library and reads straight through the rest of the day. That night she has a dream of her own where she meets a Christmas Spirit who shows her many poor people and the miracles that grace their lives. When she wakes Effie wishes to make miracles of her own. Effie's mother promises a surprise and is busy making plans in secret although she does allow Effie and her nurse to do some of the shopping. At last Christmas has arrived and there is a surprise of grand scale awaiting the little girl.
I won't spoil the surprise for you, you really must read this story for yourself. You can read it online or print it out at Hymns and Carols of Christmas here, or order it as an ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It can be purchased on a CD from either of those book dealers for around $5. Perhaps tonight you will dream of the perfect Christmas, too.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Day 20 Christmas Story
A delightful, funny and inspiring novella for the season is The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson. Every inch of Christmas Valley, Oregon is about Christmas. Mrs. Santa's Diner, the Mayor dressed up as Santa, the North Pole Coffee Shop, gift shops and the Shepherd's Inn have turned it into a tourist attraction.
The Shepherd's Inn, a Bed and Breakfast run by the Pastor's wife, fills up with people who all carry with them pain or unhappiness hoping to make a new start for the holidays. When a young couple arrive in a brightly painted but broken down bus with no money the people are skeptical. When the bus parks across from the church, right in front of the Shepherd's Inn they expect someone to do something about it. The Pastor's mid-week sermon stirs some people to action. It is based on Hebrews 13:1-2. "Stay on good terms with each other; held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it." Thanks to a bossy, difficult old woman who drops in from nowhere, a stranger who is about to give birth and a live nativity the town begins to change. The don't get want they want, but they do get what they need.
I will read this story again next year. At a time when we can all become a little frantic it is good to slow down and think about the true meaning of Christmas. This book will help. A digital format for Nook or Kindle will run under $5.00 but I really don't think you will regret the purchase or forget the book.
The Shepherd's Inn, a Bed and Breakfast run by the Pastor's wife, fills up with people who all carry with them pain or unhappiness hoping to make a new start for the holidays. When a young couple arrive in a brightly painted but broken down bus with no money the people are skeptical. When the bus parks across from the church, right in front of the Shepherd's Inn they expect someone to do something about it. The Pastor's mid-week sermon stirs some people to action. It is based on Hebrews 13:1-2. "Stay on good terms with each other; held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it." Thanks to a bossy, difficult old woman who drops in from nowhere, a stranger who is about to give birth and a live nativity the town begins to change. The don't get want they want, but they do get what they need.
I will read this story again next year. At a time when we can all become a little frantic it is good to slow down and think about the true meaning of Christmas. This book will help. A digital format for Nook or Kindle will run under $5.00 but I really don't think you will regret the purchase or forget the book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)