This time, the movie is better than the book

I decided to read BIG FISH:  A NOVEL OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS by Daniel Wallace when I first realized that the movie BIG FISH was actually based on a book!  I saw the movie years ago and loved it!  I love Ewan McGregor, you know!  But I had no idea it was a book first.  A few weeks ago, we had a free movie weekend with HBO or something like that and there was a preview, I think, that mentioned the book.  I decided that I wouldn't watch the movie again until I read the book, so I immediately ordered the book and now I've finished reading it!  So I can finally watch the movie again!  

The movie varies from the book quite a bit.  It keeps the essence of the overall story--what Wallace does with this beautiful story of a man who is an amazing story-teller (on his deathbed) and his son, attempting to connect with the man he doesn't know.  

In some ways, I like the book better, but a part of me feels that I'm only saying that because as a book lover, I'm kind of supposed to say that.  It is a really good book and I am very glad that I read it, but yet I have to admit that with this one, I think the movie is better.  I don't know if it's because I'm prejudice towards Ewan McGregor or what, but I just find that the movie is much more fun.  The book is cute, but I didn't laugh or smile or even cry while reading the book.  I did all of those when I watched the movie.  Of course, again, that might be because I watched the movie first, but that isn't going to change my opinion.  

In this instance, the movie BIG FISH is better than the book BIG FISH by Daniel Wallace.  (*Don't hate!)

BTW:  did you know that there is also a stage musical?!  I didn't!

God's Armor

Larry Richards' THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD:  DEFENDING YOUR LIFE FROM SATAN'S SCHEMES is exactly what it says

it is.  If you're new to studying the armor of God, it is definitely well worth reading.  If you're not new to studying the armor of God, it's still worth reading, just know that there isn't an awful lot in it that you might not have studied or read previously.  Richards covers the information thoroughly and well....just not in a very interesting manner.  Don't get me wrong; it's a very good book and well worth reading.  It's just that I found myself nodding off during my reading because it just didn't read in a way that held my attention and WOWED me when it comes to writing about something so important.  The Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, so it doesn't need us to make it better.  I guess I just have higher expectations regarding interest level when I'm reading about something as wonderful as the armor of God.

Read through the whole Bible in 2014

I did it.  This isn't the first time in my life I've read my Bible through in a year, but it is the first time I've done it in several years.  I tried last year, 2013, but when we went to Disney, I stopped and didn't pick it back up for some odd reason.  It is NOT easy keeping up with something like reading my Bible every single day for 365 days in a row especially considering how busy I am at various times throughout the year (mainly the beginning, middle, and ends of any given semester).  Every year, I say I am going to read my Bible through and almost every year for the past seven or eight years, I just haven't made it beyond the first few months.  I am proud of myself for completing this goal this year.

Did I learn anything new from this reading?  Because the Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, of course I did.  I can't put into words exactly what, but what I do know is that rather than ending

the year thankful that it is over and afraid for the future, I am ending 2014 full of the Joy of the Lord and excited to see what miracles God is going to finish and do throughout 2015.  

I loved reading through my Bible as I focused on JOY.  I marked every single verse in the Bible with the word JOY in it as I read each day.  I found myself marking verses on JOY more days than not.  As I have studied JOY throughout the past year and as I have read my Bible through, I have found the true JOY of the Lord and that He truly has poured out His oil of JOY on me [more than anyone else].

I read the New Living Translation of the Bible on my digital reader.*

Jodi Picoult seemingly can do no Wrong

Jodi Picoult has the power, like no one else, to convince me that what I am reading at the time I reading HER book is THE GREATEST book I have ever read in my life as well as the most realistic story I have ever read.  Wow.  I had a difficult time getting started with LEAVING TIME.  Not because of the story, but because I was very busy with the end of the semester.  Once I had a few minutes to sit down and actually read the book, though, I found it next to impossible to put down.  Wow.  As I was nearing the end, I felt that I should have seen THAT ending coming, but wonderfully, I did not.  I love it when I get to the surprise without having figured it out.  I can still enjoy a book when I have figured out the surprise before getting there, but for me, it is simply more fun being able to read the surprise and experiencing it in its full force and effect.  Wow.  Great job, Jodi.  

I have always loved elephants, but LEAVING TIME has given me a much greater appreciation for them.  Wonderful.  

LEAVING TIME is a wonderful reminder of the fact that we have to be careful to pre-judge someone or simply to pass judgment on people before we know the whole truth.  There are certain characters in this book who I found myself drawn to and others I wanted to disappear simply because I didn't agree with them, didn't like their philosophy, or more importantly, I didn't like or agree with something they were doing.  But by the end of the book, I found myself changing my way of thinking about each of those characters!!!  

Picoult's books never fail to keep me riveted.  The best part is that with LEAVING TIME, we also get the back story of her novellas that she published online prior to the release of the book!  Awesome.  I can't say enough good things about LEAVING TIME by Jodi Picoult.

Did I read this before? I know I did, didn't I?!

I know I read DRAGONFLY IN AMBER years ago...back when I first read Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER, but for some reason or another, I could not remember the second half of the book.  I remembered everything right up to....well, for those of you who haven't read it, I won't say, but for those of you who HAVE read it, right up to THAT part--you know which part I'm talking about.  Anyway, everything after that part read as if I'd never read it before.  I don't remember giving up the book years ago after reading THAT part, but I honestly didn't remember any of it.  It was as if I'd never read it.  Oh well.  Now I can say for sure that I have read the WHOLE book and I doubt I will forget the reading of it this time!

I do think that these books have too much information, details that

are difficult to remember.  It is hard for me to believe that Claire, NOT a historian, would remember specific historical information that her husband, Frank Randall--a true historian, shared with her.  We remember things we're interested in and Claire just was not interested in the same things Frank was interested in.  Granted, I do believe that in times of necessity we can and do remember things, information that we didn't even realize we knew, but still...I find it difficult to believe that Claire could remember so much specific information.

I still love the story between Claire and Jamie.  It's wonderful seeing their relationship and how they interact with one another--two stubborn hot-heads who are definitely more suited to one another than Claire and Frank.  It is very difficult for me to like Frank at all when he physical resembles Black Jack Randall so much.  Yes, he also resembles Jonathan Randall's brother, Alex, but we don't meet Alex until the second book and Black Jack has made such an incredible impression on us already from book 1.

Anyway, to OUTLANDER readers, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER is still an enjoyment to read and definitely feeds our desire for more of Claire and Jamie!  I'll give VOYAGER a shot next and see if it continues to feed my desire for even more of my beloved characters!!!!  ;)

Surviving NaNoWriMo

As a NaNoWriMo participant, Kevin Kaiser's @WRIMO:  30-DAY SURVIVAL GUIDE is a motivational read.  I would not dare to say that it gave me the inspiration I needed to stay focused and actually finish my 50,000 words for the month, but I will dare to say that it kept me wanting to work on my novel.  It is written in the same style as devotionals which means that the chapters are short, sweet, quick to read, interesting, and motivational.  There is one chapter for every day of the month.  I finished it a day or two early only because I also finished my 50,000 words a few days early.  I have now read this book for three years straight during the month of November.  It just keeps getting better and better.

The one question I have for Kevin Kaiser or anyone on the NaNoWriMo staff is:  What are the current statistics and/or how do I find them?  I don't know why, but I find it fascinating to know the number of people who signed up for NaNo vs. the total number to finish.  

I guessed the twist!

IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins is incredible!  I prefer not to read books about sex, drugs, and alcohol filled with foul language, but Hopkins deals with such issues in a way that demonstrates the fact that such things can (not always, of course)--but such things CAN lead to destructive behavior.  The way she handles her stories is just fantastic.  I realize that many of her books, IDENTICAL included, come under the heading of "YA" Literature, but as an adult, I can't get enough of her!  I LOVE that she writes prose in poetic form and that she is the only author I have read up to this point who has done this--and done it so incredibly eloquently!  It's a throw-back to old English Literature such as Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Milton, and others like them who wrote prose in poetic form, but mostly in iambic pentameter or other consistent poetic styles.  Hopkins doesn't stick with one poetic form; she plays with poetry in a manner that creates a story that not only jumps off the page because it's simply brilliant, but also because of the physical appearance of the words on the page.  I loved holding my book at different angles sometimes to see if a poem held a new way of seeing it by SEEING it differently!  Hopkins is genius and should be read by EVERYONE!!!

I have to say that I am excited to note that I actually figured out the

"secret" of the book before I got to that part.  I did it with the help of someone who asked me a random question when I was talking about the book.  He didn't even realize he'd done anything.  And to be perfectly honest, at the time, I thought it was a dumb question.  But it was ultimately a question that led me to question my original perception of the book and to evaluate it from a completely different view and to figure out the surprise twist before I actually read the surprise twist!  It did NOT ruin the book for me to know that in advance!  I was, instead, quite excited to find that I had figure it out before needing to be told--by the story itself!  

Great book!  Go read it!!!!

Why aren't you reading OUTLANDER?! If you aren't....

Laurie Lyda, thank you, thank you, thank you for introducing the OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon to me!!!  I LOVE it!  I share it with everyone I can!  I even bought the audio CD and downloaded it to my computer so I can share the CDs, too!!!  So now I have the mass market paperback version (it's falling apart from being read so often), the audio CDs, and now the digital ebook!!!  And I just purchased the ebooks for books 2-4!  They're all on sale through Amazon.com (Kindle) for $4.99!!!  I can't resist!!!!  The digital reader is so much easier to hold than a massive book of over a thousand pages!  Don't get me wrong, now.  I love the actual books, but I don't mind having the ebooks, too!  In fact, while reading OUTLANDER this time on the digital reader, I had to get my paperback copy out for a day or two because my digital reader wasn't available at the time!  

I LOVE that OUTLANDER doesn't neatly fit into one genre category.  I don't believe in genres anymore anyway.  I get that publishers/libraries/book stores, etc. need to have genres in order to have places to put the books on the shelves and thus to find them quickly and easily, but yet it's ridiculous to attempt to put every single book into one simple category and expect that to be the end-all answer for what that books is really about.  For a practice book,

Gabaldon hit this one out of the park!!!  

If you haven't read the OUTLANDER series yet, what are you waiting for?!

And, yes, I LOVE the series as it's playing out on STARZ!  They're doing a fantabulous job with the books to tv series!  Jamie is even more gorgeous than anticipated!!!  ;)  

I do wish.....

THE PRINCESS BRIDE is truly one of the greatest movies ever made.  It isn't THE GREATEST, but it is pretty awesome and should be a movie EVERYONE sees!  I love it so much, I own two DVDs and, yes, I can quote a good portion of the movie, as so many others can and do!!!  I especially love to attempt the accents used within the movie, but I'm not very good at them.  Cary Elwes is pretty awesome himself and his telling some of the behind-the-scenes stories of the making one of the greatest movies of all time just made me cry--in a good way!!!  The movie is so special in so many ways that reading about it as told from the perspective of Westley himself just makes it that much better.  Thank you, Cary

and others from the cast, for sharing so much of yourselves in AS YOU WISH:  INCONCEIVABLE TALES FROM THE MAKING OF THE PRINCESS BRIDE.  I loved reading it!!!!

A "Guilty Pleasure" Read

THE MACKINNON'S BRIDE by Tanya Anne Crosby is my typical "guilty pleasure" read.  Nothing extra special about it.  Just a simple, quick read where I don't have to think much, but just enjoy reading for the sake of reading.

Another Joyce Meyer book worth reading

 I don't know why I seem to be reading so many Joyce Meyer books lately, but as I look back over my reading list for the past few years, I have read quite a few of her books.  She just has some books that I've wanted to read.  I'm probably not done reading books by her, but I'm not choosing her books necessarily on purpose.  With that being said, I do always receive a lot of great insight when I read books by Joyce Meyer and BEAUTY FOR ASHES is no different.  If I could, I would go through and highlight her the passages/words/phrases that stood out for me throughout this book.  

The only problem I have with BEAUTY FOR ASHES--if "problem" is the right word--it isn't, but I can't think of anything better that fits right now--is that Meyer focuses this book on victims of physical abuse.  Because I am not really a victim of abuse, that part of the book kind of got in the way for me, but that is not to say that

the book isn't valuable even for those who have not suffered abuse.  It's just that abuse is the basis for everything she discusses in this particular book.

I look forward to the day when God will "give [me] joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit, and beauty instead of ashes" (Isaiah 61:3).

Guest post by Staley S. Stroud for THROUGH THE WOODS by Emily Carroll

Staley's review   (from Goodreads)

Aug 24, 14

5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: read-in-2014

Read in August, 2014

Oh. My. Goodness. Holymolyholymolyholymolyholymoley.

This is the most hauntingly beautiful book I have ever read! The illustrations alone will creep themselves into your brain and burrow down deep for nightmares to come. The writing and dialogue both have a way of whispering something right into your ear, giving chills and everlasting goosebumps. I don't think I will ever be able to explain in words how absolutely brilliant and freaking creepy and unique this graphic novel is. Emily Carroll has upped my fairy tale expectations to a point that I will probably never be able to happen across a graphic novel that will captivate my heart like this little gem did.

I just want to take a moment to gush over the cover and the illustrations. The cover effectively sets the tone for the stories and it will definitely draw you in whether or not you want to be. The woods are enchanting and inviting (just look at those white trees on the cover!) - they are raised and textured, and if you look closely enough, you can see claws branching out to grab you. You will be captivated by each and every story, and you will probably skim through the whole book needing to see the stories before you can actually bring yourself to read them. That's the beauty of this graphic novel: you don't have to read it in order to feel the eeriness. The words and the dialogue only add to the horror and suspense that you already feel.

There are five stories in this collection, plus an introduction and conclusion.

'Our Neighbor's House' tells the tale of three sisters who are left to fend for themselves when their father does not return from his hunt. What happens when a man in a wide-brimmed hat starts visiting them in the dead of night?

'A Lady's Hands are Cold' has a "Bluebeard" feel, when a young woman goes hunting through her new husband's house for the source of a mysterious song.

'His Face All Red' is my personal favorite. It tells the tale of a man who has it on good authority that the person claiming to be his brother is an impersonator.

'My Friend Janna' is about two friends who get into the medium business; contacting spirits of people's deceased loved ones.

'The Nesting Place' introduces us to Bell, who is staying with her brother and his fiancee while she's on

holiday. . .but she discovers something terrifying in the woods near the house.

And then the ending, the 'conclusion' of the entire book, is a story on its own, too. It is by far my favorite part of the book since it seems to be an obvious nod to Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Yes, the entire book is influenced by this fairy tale as well, but here is where it all starts and ends, and it is truly brilliant!

I know these stories will linger in my mind for years to come. . .and I'm not ashamed to say that I might sleep with the light on tonight.

Another great novella by Jodi Picoult before LEAVING TIME's release

Now I am even more excited than ever for the October release of LEAVING TIME!!!!  Jodi Picoult's LARGER THAN LIFE is beautiful, tender, and a true page-turner that has only made me that much more excited about the release of her new book.  Why Jodi is not on EVERYONE'S reading list, I will never know.  For the past 10 years or so, I have bought Jodi's new books as they have come hot off the presses.  Yes, in hardback.  I do not regret a single purchase.  Owning all of her books is a goal of mine, but not just owning them, reading them, loving them, enjoying them for the greats works of literature that they are.  I would have to say that of all the authors writing in the twenty-first century, Jodi Picoult's books represent the world, humanity as it currently is.  A hundred years from now, people will still be reading her books not just for their amazing literary value, but also for their historical value in understanding humanity and the culture of today.  Keep on writing, Jodi, and I'll keep on reading and enjoying!!!!!

Jodi Picoult Continues to Prove She's Amazing

Jodi Picoult continues to hold my rapt attention with every single one of her books!  I am excited about her new books coming out in October!  In the meantime, she has written a novella or two that she has graciously shared with us in preparation for LEAVING TIME's release date.  WHERE THERE'S SMOKE is one of those hang-on-to-every-word books that I read in one sitting and wanted to keep going!!!  I can't wait to read more about this amazing character in LEAVING TIME!!!!  Thanks, Jodi, for sharing this great "little" story with us!

HP just keeps getting better and better with every read!

Wow.  Just Wow.

I can't help wondering if Rowling had all these connections figured out before she ever started Book 1 or if they just kinda, sorta happened in a natural way.  Those of you who have read the series, you know what I'm talking about.  So many things come full circle from the beginning to the closing of the series.  It's actually overwhelming.

I have always been someone who remembers a LOT of details from the books I read.  I'm not bragging; it's the simple truth.  It's why Reading and teaching literature is my gift and I know I'm doing what I'm meant to do.  Just like some people can remember stats from football/baseball/basketball/soccer/etc. games even from 50 years ago, I can remember specific details about books I read even 20 years ago.  That doesn't keep me from re-reading my favorite books, I must say!

With that being said, I still found myself in awe of the details that Rowling brings full circle in Book 7--things I'd completely forgotten about or hadn't paid much attention to when I read the first 6 books.  It's INCREDIBLE how well she remembers every tiny detail and makes them all fit together so neatly.

I can't help but wonder how she was able to keep everything straight....how she remembered so many details.  I know she wrote the series and that makes her THE ABSOLUTE authority on the series, but it's still so incredible to imagine that she was able to remember even the minutest of details and she brings them up at the right moment and connects the dots.....Although, it appears that Harry and Voldemort are distantly related, but Harry never seems to make that connection.  I find that a bit odd.  It seems to be an important point--at least it does to me.

Wow.

Quickly, why I love Book 7 (and/or the series):

1.  See what I stated above.  Just so incredible!!!  As a writer-wanna-be, I'm in awe!!!

2.  Rowling definitely pulls from mythology, many previous stories, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS series.  There are many great connections and similar plot devices, yet at the same time, the STORY itself is unique.  It's not a re-telling of older stories; it's a unique story that uses older stories woven throughout.  Genius.  Absolutely genius.

3.  So many "secrets" are revealed in Book 7.  What makes that even more incredible is that there are secrets revealed that we, the readers, didn't even realize were secrets that needed to be revealed!  LOL!

4.  The story CAN BE SEEN as a Christian allegory focused especially on the theme of love (sacrificial love).  Whether Rowling meant for that to be true or not,--(I know Tolkien absolutely hated that people said he intended to write an allegory--he admitted that allegory CAN BE SEEN in THE LORD OF THE RINGS series, but he in no way wrote the story with that particular intention)--it's definitely there.

5.  One feature that makes a great book great, is that we fall in love with the characters--we CARE about the characters--we become so much a part of the story that we feel as if they are OUR best friends, too--but especially that when the story is over, we just want more!  Rowling is successful in each area to the nth degree!  I bawled like a baby when my favorite characters died.  At times, I was in such shock at certain deaths that tears wouldn't come even though I was terrible horrified.  What was so great about this read is that even though it's my third time (I think) reading book 7, I still cried, I still felt each and every part of the story as if I was reading it for the first time.  Awesome.

6.  That Samuel has read the whole series, too, and he loves it, too.  I love that we share this!  He'll talk to me about things he learned from the story!  I've even been able to use examples from the story to help Samuel in certain situations in his life.  I know when I use the examples from the series that he GETS IT.  (Don't get me wrong, now.  I use the Bible when I'm helping Samuel with life lessons, but it can't be denied that the HP series has great life examples that those of us who have read it can easily connect with.)

7.  The whole story focuses on the anti-hero theme.  Harry is not a great wizard, he doesn't have any especially powers, he's not the best in his class, and he even has physical flaws--something no true hero has in much of the early British Literature.  Hermoine would have been a better hero, but even she has physical flaws what with her bushy hair, overly large teeth, and know-it-all-ness.  Even Neville, the most anit-heroic character ever, shines and helps save the day in Book 7!  It's difficult not to shout for joy at Neville's incredible bravery in Book 7!!!!  I love that the heroes in the HP series aren't perfect.  Beowulf and other perfect characters like him make me want to punch them in the throat.  But these flawed, imperfect characters are relatable, and--it makes me feel if these flawed characters can be heroes, maybe I can be one, too!!!!

8.  It's just plain and simply a GREAT series!!!!

*Read on the Nook.*

Started:  August 4, 2012
Finished:  August 10, 2012

Started again:  March 31 (?), 2013
Finished again:  April 8, 2013
Started (again):  Friday, August 22, 2014
Finished (again):  Saturday, September 13, 2014

Finding Happiness

Gretchen Rubin's THE HAPPINESS PROJECT is her wonderful story of taking one whole year to find more fun and happiness in life.  She is beautifully honest in her successes as well as her failures.  I especially love that she clearly states that everyone's "Happiness Project" is/will be different.  She is simply sharing hers as an example and we can use her examples or not as we so choose....which is the way it should always be with projects/books such as hers.  Gretchen's ideas are certainly worthy of copying, but like her, what if I do really LOVE to watch tv while someone around me thinks that's it's "of the devil!"  Should I be ashamed that I LOVE watching tv (movies, in particular)?  Absolutely not.  If it's something I enjoy, something that makes me HAPPY, then I should enjoy it when I have an opportunity to--and receive the happiness from it!!!!  Anyone searching for my happiness in his/her life will more than likely enjoy reading Gretchen's story!

When the Cesspools are deep....JOY

Barbara Johnson's SPLASHES OF JOY IN THE CESSPOOLS of life is worthy of its title.  I can't believe I never actually read this book!  As I have been studying and reading everything I can get my hands on about Joy, I realized that I already had a few books on my shelf; this book was one of them.  When I opened it, I was pleasantly reminded that it had been a college graduation gift from my favorite high school English teacher, Mrs. Godwin.  How sweet!  Barbara reminds us that we are capable of joy even in the worst cesspools of life imaginable.  Her humor certainly brought a huge smile to my face throughout my reading of her book.

I was a little disappointed that so much of the book focused on her son's coming out, but since I know that we write what we know, I certainly understood that being a huge part of her focus.  It didn't detract from the book for me; I simply wanted her to use other examples besides that.

Definitely a resource worth its money

There isn't much to blog about when it comes to a book that is part handbook and part reader beyond the fact that THE CHRISTIAN WRITER'S MARKET GUIDE 2014:  YOUR COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR GETTING PUBLISHED by Jerry Jenkins seems to be the must read resource for anyone hoping to break into the publishing industry--in the Christian Market......There are some great articles by various authors, including Jerry Jenkins, as well as the list of publishers, their publishing guidelines, agents, magazines, etc....everything a Christian writer needs to break into the market and create a product worth selling.

Here's hoping.....!!!!

Joy---Fruit of the Spirit

NINE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT:  JOY by Robert Strand is a good, simple Bible Study on Joy as a fruit of the spirit--nothing new there!  Strand provides background as well as great questions to help the student focus on JOY.

Time to DO some serious writing.....

This book by Michael Hyatt is exactly what the title says it is:  WRITING A WINNING NON-FICTION BOOK PROPOSAL.  Michael clearly and concisely states what creates a non-fiction book proposal that will get noticed by agents.  He even clearly tells the reader how to avoid the slush pile.  Of course, writing a book proposal following Michael's plan does not guarantee me--the writer/author--acceptance by said agents, but he does indicate that the qualities he explains help at least get the writer noticed rather than in the slush pile.  I, for one, hope and pray that I am not denied access to an agent just because I haven't done my homework and I don't (can't or won't) follow the simple instructions/expectations as provided by the experts--those who either are current agents or are past agents--or even those who have successfully written, sold, and published a book!

Here's hoping and praying all this homework is going to pay off.....!!!!

Feasting on JOY

Dr. Martha Beck’s The Joy Diet:  10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life is my new favorite non-fiction book.  I love the humor she incorporates into her writing.  In so many way, she writes in a manner similar to

my writing style which means not only do I GET what she’s saying, I feel it on a deeper, emotional level than your average book.  It’s not every day we read books that are written in such a manner and I relish—I FEAST—on that wonder!!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you might have noticed that I’ve read quite a few books within the past year that have the word JOY in the title in some way, shape, form, or fashion.  You might be wondering if that has been done on purpose on my part.  The answer is, “Duh!  Yeahabstolutely!!!” 

For years now, I have struggled with depression.  It has taken me down and I have had a very difficult time coming out of it.  As someone who prefers to look at the glass as half full, seeing it as half empty instead has created great disharmony deep within my soul and has left me greatly wanting.  I don’t remember exactly which year it was, but about five years ago, I bought a planner that was beautifully decorated with the word “joy” on it and a scripture verse on joy.  That was the catalyst that began my Joy Journey.  It has taken me years—and will probably take me even more years—to come to a place of Joy in my life.

I can’t get enough of JOY.  I want to read about it all the time.  I want to see the word in print.  I want to see it plastered everywhere.  I want to say it as often as I possibly can.  I want to feel it to the deepest marrow of my bones down in the deepest part of my soul.  I want to be a Woman of Joy. 

I hate the depression.  It is a true joy-killer, but even more than that, it is a self-killer.  I have hated myself.  I have hated my life.  And, tragically, I have hated even some of my loved ones.  With depression comes:  sadness, hate, enslavement, anger, low self-esteem, wickedness, doubt, self-hatred, ugliness, destruction, regret, lies, deception, danger, and the horrific list goes on and on.

With Joy, though, there is:  Life!  Happiness!  Wonderment!  Songs!  Freedom!  Peace!  Love!  Assurance!  Truth!  Beauty!!!  Safety!  Compassion!  Love of self!  Laughter!  Deep, belly-shaking, wonderful, loud Guffaws!!!  And the wonderful list goes on and on and never ends!!!

I, personally, would much rather live a life of JOY than a life filled with depression.  I have experienced both and, trust me, Joy is the much better of the two! 

Thank you, Dr. Beck, for writing your wonderful book.  Your words have inspired me.  I have even had a breakthrough with my own Memoir that I’ve been struggling with for close to a year!  I, for one, plan to work every single day at living a life of Joy using THE JOY DIET as a foundation for moving forward.

Poe Delivers....Of course

As much as I love Edgar Allan Poe, I can't believe I haven't read "William Wilson" until now!  It's typical Poe and well worth the read.  I got interested in it because Lisa Scottoline said that she read it and it gave her the inspiration for her book THINK TWICE.  I'm glad I read it!  It's definitely a story about how we all have two sides....like DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE.  In "William Wilson," it's an interesting twist, though because the second Wilson is the first Wilson's conscience even though the first Wilson never admits or acknowledges it.  I love the way Poe put this story together, too.  The only negative, if there is one--there really isn't, is that Poe, as per his usual, includes quite a few words that the reader has to stop and take the time to look up.  For me, that's a big part of what makes Poe's works so valuable and worth reading.  If you want to study for the SAT, read Poe!  (And Faulkner.)

The truth is....this book is worth the read

Wow.  I don't even know how I found this book.  I think I was doing a search for other books and this one popped up; and I just couldn't help getting it.  It's really good.  It's set in a time in America when things were done differently....when it was a sin not only according to the church, but also according to the law of the land not to go to church....when a woman could be burned at the stake for adultery....and so on.  Yet ALL THE TRUTH'S THAT'S IN ME by Julie Berry is a story about a young woman who only sees, hears, feels, and yes, fears, what she knows and is familiar with.  It is not until her kidnapper is dead that she is finally able to find her own voice and the truth that has been there all along.  It's a beautiful story that I just couldn't stop reading.  Wow.  Another new favorite!!!!

It's just worth reading over and over....What can I say?!

As a Christian, I guess I'm supposed to blast the HARRY POTTER series and condemn it, and J. K. Rowling, to eternal hell and damnation.

I must say, though, that I just don't feel that way.  Regardless of Rowling's beliefs, the HP series is a wonderful allegory (if one wants to see it as such) for the Christian.  What makes it even more awesome than anything else is the fact that the whole series has as major themes, love and friendship.  Of course, sacrificial love is a major part of that, but true friendship--even when friends have times when they don't get along or agree with each other--is a powerful message throughout the whole series.  I love that.  How can anyone say that's wrong?

Ok.  So the whole series is about witches and warlocks.  But there are witches in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and there's a warlock  or two in THE LORD OF THE RINGS--both of which are praised within the Christian community as wonderful reads.  I won't go any further with this in this post, but I just felt the need to say it......As a Christian, I LOVE the w-h-o-l-e HARRY POTTER series.

Now, a few of the reasons why HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is so well worth the read:

1.  Friendship.  At the end of Book 5, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, Harry, Ron, Hermoine, Ginny, Neville, and Luna all go to the Ministry of Magic together in an attempt to save Sirirus who they all believed was in danger of being killed by Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, himself.  This solidarity for these 6 young people brings them together as friends as not even Harry could conceive.  He honestly had no idea so many people cared--about him--or that he could care about so many.  Harry has always had a bit of a "hero-complex," but when his friends stand WITH him to do battle--even if it meant their deaths, that's some powerful stuff.  It always makes me cry.  In this 6th book in series, we see their friendships continue to grow and become more powerful.  Of course, we still don't get enough of Neville to make me truly happy, but we all realize that the series could be the NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM series if Tom Riddle hadn't chosen Harry as his enemy rather than Neville!

BTW:  I refuse to call him Lord Voldemort.  It's the name that give him more power than he deserves.  I think of him as Tom Riddle, just an ordinary warlock who went rogue in a desire for too much power.  He doesn't deserve to be called the name he himself chose....

2.  Harry and Ginny finally get together.  Well, sort of.  It's about time!  Of course, it didn't need to be any sooner because that would take away from the anticipation of Harry one day realizing that he loves her as much as she's loved him from the very beginning.

3.  Ron and Hermoine begin to realize their feelings for each other.  I truly wish Ron (Won-Won) didn't have to have the relationship with Lavender, but at the same time, it's part of what begins to open Ron's eyes to the fact that he's cared about Hermoine more than he thought--even from the first--and vice versa.  It's wonderful that we have to wait until Book 7 to see the two of them actually "consummate" their relationship, but it's definitely fun in Book 6 watching them begin to see the other with their "special eyes."  (I stole that from that 1-800 Contacts commercial!  LOL!)

4.  Snape is evil, yet throughout this school year, because Harry uses Snape's old Potions book, Snape actually helps Harry....which is what Snape has always tried to do!!!  The irony is that rather than seeing Snape for who and what he truly is, it makes Harry hate him even more.  It makes me love him even more!  I know it's a challenge for me to say this and you believe me, but even before I'd read the series through the first time or before I'd seen any of the movies, I just KNEW that there was more to Snape than meets the eye.  Sure, we see Snape at his worst--after all, he kills Dumbledore--but at the same time, we also begin to see how much he really does care about his students.  Sure, he's made a deal with Dumbledore that he'll have to kill Dumbledore when the time comes, but in large part, it's so Draco doesn't have to cross that threshold from just a mixed up kid to murderer/killer.  I LOVE Severus Snape!!!!

5.  It's just plain and simply a GREAT book.

What I don't like about Book 6 of the HP series:

1.  That we never find out the whole story of how Dumbledore hurt his hand, leading to his eventual death--

whether Snape does the deed or not.  I know we learn enough that we get a really good idea of how he damaged it, but I want to hear the WHOLE story.  Plus, Dumbledore promised Harry that he'd tell Harry.  But he keeps talking about other stuff.  It's good to learn the background of Tom Riddle because it is true that it's easier to take down an enemy when we know his (or her) strengths and weaknesses--plus, we learn about the Horcruxes--but I wanted to hear exactly how Dumbledore cursed his hand.

2.  We don't see Neville enough!  I guess that if Neville was in this book more, the book would have been THAT much longer....I, for one, would not have minded.

3.  There isn't a #3....and know that the previous 2 aren't really dislikes; they're more like frustrations!!!!!

You ARE Beautiful....What songs can you add to this list?

Lizzie Velasquez's little book CHOOSING HAPPINESS is exactly what you expect when you pick it up.  It is WELL worth the read.  My heart aches over the ugliness of the ignorant people who called her "the ugliest woman in the world" and then the rest who posted cruel comments in response to such a video.  But Lizzie demonstrates a strength beyond anything expected of someone so tiny as she is able to love and forgive the haters and prove that while she may not be the most attractive of women on the outside (although, she's gorgeous to me), she's incredibly wonderful and beautiful on the inside--where it REALLY COUNTS.  Thank you, Lizzie, for sharing your story and for making a difference in a world where ignorance sometimes
equals cruelty.

A few music videos that I think go along with Lizzie's theme:

"All About the Bass" by Meghan Trainor, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PCkvCPvDXk

"Try" by Colbie Caillat, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoZLPSw8U8

"Beautiful" as performed on GLEE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaCUyUuy1Lc

"You Can't Stop the Beat" from HAIRSPRAY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54VMAmjNSk&list=FLtVvRBaP6K-Li42iqDtFZ-g&index=14

*What other songs/poems/etc. can  you add to this list????

My favorite of the HP books

I was reading a few of the other comments about Book 5 of the HARRY POTTER series, ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, and they aren't very positive.  I don't get it.  I LOVE this one!  This is the book where we learn that Neville could have been the one in Harry's place if Voldemort had CHOSEN Neville instead of Harry--which means that Harry and Neville share a birthday!  It also means that it's a given that we'll see much more of Neville and that Neville will prove to be much more than the bumbling idiot he was in years past.  We see Neville improve as part of the D.A. We see him stand his ground and go with Harry to the Department of Mysteries.  And he fights!  It's not his fault that his nose was broken and it affected his speech so he couldn't cast any more spells.  He did the best he could, staying close to Harry as much as possible.

I LOVE that we get to see Neville move into more of a heroic spot!!!  And, as I've said before, I LOVE Ginny, and we get a LOT more of Ginny in this book!  I wish they could have been part of Harry's inner circle rather than on the periphery.  They are all definitely friends, and Luna, too, but I just think Harry, Ron, and Hermoine should include Neville, Ginny, and Luna in their daily activities more....

This is also the book where Harry becomes more of a leader and begins to realize that he does have leadership qualities.  He needs some refining, but the more he leads the D.A., the more he gains confidence in his ability to lead.

But the ABSOLUTE BEST part of this book is how everyone stands together.  Harry thinks he has to do everything by himself, yet he also realizes his need for his friends as he's stuck at the Dursley's for weeks on end without any REAL word from his friends.  None of his friends will let him do anything on his own.  When he says he wants to speak to Sirius, look at how quickly all of his friends rushed to help him without a second thought to it--they didn't ask him why or what was going on; they just jumped right in and helped him.

The bonds of friendships are forged even deeper and solidifed to be stronger in ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.  Of course, I cry at most of the sad parts throughout the series, but the one thing that made me cry the hardest each time I've read the series is in the last book when Harry, Ron, and Hermonie visit Xenophilius Lovegood and go to Luna's room---where Luna has painted the images of herself, Harry, Ron, Hermoine, Ginny, and Neville on her ceiling with FRIENDS painted across their images.  That's SOOOO beautiful......

This is truly a turning point book in the series.  THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX is necessary in order to get to the plot and subplots of the last two books.

*Did you notice that I don't even bring up Umbridge?  I don't like talking about her because sadly, I think if I were to do a see-who-you-are-most-like-in-the-HARRY POTTER-series quiz, it would show that I'm most like her.  I don't want to think that could be true.  So I'm not bringing her up in this post at all!!!  ;)

I wish I lived in Cold Sassy, GA

THE GREATEST BOOK....EVER.  Yes, I love COLD SASSY TREE by Olive Ann Burns even more than GONE WITH WIND.  Or the HARRY POTTER series.  Even more than the TWILIGHT books.  And, yes, I love COLD SASSY TREE more than THE HUNGER GAMES series.

"Boy, Howdy!"  I don't know why I don't recommend this book more often to my friends, family, students, etc.  It TRULY is INCREDIBLE!!!  I've read it several times.  There's hardly a line in the whole book that isn't marked!!!!

READ COLD SASSY TREE!!!!  NOW  Yesterday!!!!!

We are all two people

Lisa Scottoline's THINK TWICE is one of those novels, like Robert Louis Stevenson's STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, is a story about how we all have two sides--the duality of the individual.  It is about how even a good person can become a bad person or even evil if the circumstances are right or if he/she finds him/herself in a situation where it becomes necessity for survival.  It's an interesting
twist to the study of the duality of man where identical twin sisters both resort to horrific means to survive, yet neither can kill the other even though each has an almost insane desire to do so.

I am fascinated by the study of the "duality of man" simply because I have seen it happen; I have even had it happen to me, to a degree--not so much that I became and evil person bent on killing someone, mind you.  But I know what it's like to feel as if someone else has taken control of my being--my soul--and I am completely powerless to stop that side of myself from manifesting itself.  Mine came as a direct result of several tragedies in my life and not dealing with them properly.

Thankfully I never did or said anything that is irreparable, but I did feel so much anger at times that I was concerned that I could get to THAT PLACE.  Unlike Bennie, I never resorted to drugs or carried a gun, thankfully.  But I did carry my anger with me like a spray can that would spurt at anyone at any time without any provocation whatsoever.

I am so thankful that I have found my true self again--that I have control of my soul again, like Bennie.  I did not like being that other person, but when we don't take care of our deepest selves, we open the door wide for THAT PERSON--that other side of ourselves--to be released.  And unlike Dr. Jekyll, we don't need serum to become that other person.

My favorite Harry

GOBLET OF FIRE is one of my favorites in the series.  It's the one where, when dealing with plot devices in literature, we have the true turning point the overall series.  The kids aren't kids anymore--they're teenagers who are discovering just who and what they are and what they want to be in life.  (As a side note, it's interesting that even though Moody isn't the real Moody throughout this whole school term, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine all take his advice and choose to become Aurors.  You would think they wouldn't listen to anything Barty Crouch, Jr. says even if what he says is as Alastor Moody.  But, interestingly enough, Harry, in particular, does pursue a career as an Auror, proving that in spite of the fact that Moody wasn't Moody, Harry (and Ron and Hermoine) greatly admire and respect him.)

I love that we get more of an inkling that there might be something between Ron and Hermoine.  There have been hints in the 3 previous books, but this is the first time there's really a serious indication that there's more than meets the eye between these two.  Of course, it can't be TOO obvious or TOO easy for the two of them to get together ("The course of true love never did run smooth" you know!), so throwing in the fact that Ron is totally clueless to the fact that he cares more for Hermoine than as a friend as well as Hermoine getting a little friendly with Viktor Krum add a little spice and sizzle to the whole situation.

Rowling has gone on record stating that she'd originally thought about killing off Ron at some point in the series.  Personally, I wouldn't have wanted her to do that, but I have to say that a powerful, romantic love scene between Ron and Hermoine as he lay dying would have been something else to read.....I wouldn't have been able to keep reading or to sleep for a week from weeping and sobbing so hard!  It would have been genius on Rowling's part....to have Ron die, saving Hermoine's life somehow--and the two of them somehow realizing their true love for one another---only when it's too late.  And maybe even Ron telling her he understands if she finds someone else to love....even if it would be Harry.

Oh, wow.  That's powerful.  I'm all choked up just thinking about the possibility of Rowling doing that!  Not that I wanted Ron to die, you understand!  I just would have been a very powerful, moving, and, yes, romantic scene!!!

Anyway, GOBLET OF FIRE is also where we have an actual death IN and DURING the story itself.  Of course, Professor Quirrell dies in Book 1 when he touches Harry and Voldemort leaves his body.  But we all know that death doesn't really count in the overall scheme of things.  The death in this book is of a beloved character--even though Cedric Diggory doesn't really come in to the story until Book 4.  (He IS mentioned very briefly in at least one of the previous books during a scene when several other characters are in a group and are mentioned, but Cedric doesn't actually enter the STORY until Book 4.)  It's a very violent and powerful death, one which Harry feels responsible for simply because he and Cedric agree to take the Goblet together at the same time.  Plus, Harry almost dies--again.

GOBLET OF FIRE is a long book that is a bit of a challenge to get through--there's a lot of information that we have to remember as well as quite a few new characters.  It gets a little complicated trying to remember everything, but it is a testament to the fact that Rowling truly is an incredible storyteller in that we as readers DO remember as much as we do remember throughout this long, great portion of the HARRY POTTER series.....!

I had a thought during the reading of this book.....does anyone know the exact number of times Harry has had to have medical attention throughout the whole series???  And can anyone name each of those times and which book each happens????  I think it'd be fun and interesting if we started a running list that we all share and add to as we remember them!!!!  (It'd be interesting to include the times Ron and Hermoine need medical attention, too.  Hermoine needs more than I remembered from my first couple of readings!)

Another Guilty Pleasure

As you know if you've read my blog for any length of time, Mary Balogh's books are my "guilty pleasure" reading.  I can't help it.  I like her books.  They're predictable.  They're typical romance novels.  They're simple.  And they're fun.  I make no apologies for enjoying her books.  THE ESCAPE was the same.  I can't wait to read her next one!

Just keeps getting better and better

This was probably really about my 5th time read THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chobsky rather than my 3rd.  I read it last year in May (2013).  Then I read it again over the summer with my English 111 students.  I also listened to it on audio CD.  I have read it on my Nook and I have read the actual book, myself.  And then I read it again this summer to my students.

And it just keeps getting better and better.  I see things each and every time that I never saw before.  For example, it just hit me during this read that Sam has long hair in the book, but in the movie, Emma Watson's hair is very short (and very cute).  While it's not a big deal that the hair is changed so much, it's still something that stands out when reading the book and then watching the movie!  My students and I spend quite a bit of time talking about the differences between the book and the movie, you know.

I relate so much to Charlie.  I haven't been through the same experiences as Charlie, but I understand the "bad place" Charlie goes to.  I get how things get "bad" and difficult to handle.  I have been in counseling and

I also have had to take various medications as a result of the trials I've been through.  I have never taken drugs or drunk alcohol in an attempt to deal with the problems in my life, but I have tried other coping mechanisms that, like Charlie's, Sam's, and Patrick's methods, simply don't work.

I cry every time I read this book and watch the movie.  It is a wonderful, powerful story and those who think it should be banned need to read it and see beyond the language, drinking, drugs, etc. to the point, the themes, the book deals with.  Everyone should read it at least once, but personally, I think that in order to get to the true essence of the book, it needs to be read more than once.

First read:  May 16, 2013 to May 19, 2013
Again:  May 16, 2014 to July 17, 2014