GingerLand

Read-lease

2007-07-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

Some girls at my work are starting a book club. One of the girls suggested a book by Jodi Picoult called My Sister's Keeper. I ran to B & N on my lunch hour to see if they had it, and, very unlike my favorite book store, they did not. I was disappointed, but left with 3 others (2 hilarious choices by Celia Rivenbark, and a children's book I read long ago and wanted to re-visit, The Callendar Papers) and a movie (The Bridges of Madison County... one of the few movies that lives up to the book's wonderfulness).
Later that night, my husband and I went to Panera (our deal was Sunday night we eat at Burger King... yuk, and watch Harry Potter for him, Monday night we eat at Panera, watch BoMC for me). There, lying on a shelf was My Sister's Keeper. I've noticed before a few books lying around on a shelf, but figured they were for education or something, so I never picked one up. I had some time, so was reading the poster, and this is the coolest concept: It's called BookCrossing. There are specified sites, or you can get stickers to designate a certain book as a swap book. You leave them lying around, wherever, and others pick them up, if interested. Each book gets it's own "call number" and you can register for free where you left one, or where you picked one up.
It reminds me of a time before we were worried about littering up the environment, when kids were allowed to release helium balloons with a message for whomever found it to contact the class who sent it off.

Reruns!

2007-05-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

As the summer reruns season is now upon us, I've had much more time to devote to the pursuit of chronicling the Gilmore girls library. Below is the complete list of all books mentioned in Season 2 of the Gilmore Girls. They've been reading a lot this time! Get thee to a library and do the same!

New York Daily News
Robert Benchley
Dorothy Parker
Anne Sexton
Bhagavad Gita
Steven King
James Reach-David & Lisa
Charles Dickens-Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol
Emily Post
Edward Albee-Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Weddings magazine
In Style Magazine
Susanna Kaysen-Girl, Interrupted
Samuel Beckett-Waiting for Godot
Mark Twain-Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Martha Stewart
Menchen's Chrestomathy
Mojo
The New Yorker
Grimm's Snow White & Rose Red, Rapunzel
Stephen Hawking-Brief History of Time
Rebecca Wells-Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Sinclair Lewis
Lord Byron
Mussolini
Hartford Courant
New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Collette biography
Lewis Carroll-Alice in Wonderland
Henry James
W.E.B. DuBois
Mitch Albom-Tuesdays with Morrie
Dr. Spencer Johnson-Who Moved My Cheese?
Compact Oxford English Dictionary
Virginia Woolf
Washington Post
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Dawn Powell-Selected Letters
Allen Ginsberg-Howl
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Vincent Malay
William Faulkner
Gore Vidal
Eudora Welty
Victor Hugo-The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Harper Lee-To Kill a Mockingbird
Shakespeare-Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, Othello
Jane magazine
Homer-Iliad
Washington Irving
Amy Tan-Joy Luck Club
Nancy Drew
Margaret Mitchell-Gone with the Wind
Architechtural Digest
Bible
Gustave Flaubert
Winston Churchill
Financial Times
L. Frank Baum-The Scarecrow of Oz
Ayn Rand-The Fountainhead
Ernest Hemingway
Lillian Hellman-The Children's Hour
William Congreve
Reader's Digest
Marcel Proust
New York Times Magazine
Vanity Fair
Tokutomi Roka-Letters to a Young Poet
J.D. Salinger-Franny & Zoe
Franz Kafka
Jack Kerouac
Charles Bukowski
Jane Austen
Mary Shelley-Frankenstein
Sherman's Memoirs
Voltaire-Candide
Motley Crue-The Dirt
Teen magazine
YM magazine
Seventeen magazine
Spin magazine
Rolling Stone magazine
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings-The Yearling
Kurt Vonnegut-Slaughterhouse-Five
Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain-Please Kill Me
Katharine Butler Hathaway-The Little Locksmith
GQ magazine
Essentials of Economics
Richard N. Bolles-What Color is Your Parachute?
The Portable Nietzsche
Tom Wolfe
Emily Dickinson
New York Post
John F. Kennedy
Kate Douglas Wiggin-Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

GiGi Goodbye...

2007-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

I've long shared one major characteristic with a character of one of my favorite shows of all time--Gilmore Girls. As you all know, I (and Rory) love to read. And I've often said that just by observing Rory's love for books, and reading everything she read, one could get a wonderful education, at least in the literature department. After all, she did attend Chilton and Yale.
With the series finale this week, I thought what better of a time could there be to post some of what our favorite bookworm heroine was reading all these years. I own each season on DVD, and watch them frequently. Over the past months, anytime I've popped in an episode, I simply jotted down what Rory was reading, either for school or pleasure (usually both). Following is a rather extensive list of books to start with. And this is just Season 1!

Jack Kerouac
Mark Twain--Huckleberry Finn
Steven King
Herman Melville--Moby Dick
Gustave Flaubert--Madame Bovary
Robert Burns--To a Mouse
Leo Tolstoy--War & Peace, Anna Karenina
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Charles Dickens--David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Tale of Two Cities, Little Dorit
George Sand
Honore de Balzac
William Shakespeare--Romeo & Juliet
Martin Luther
Bible
Plato
Mencken's Chrestomathy
Christopher Marlowe
Francis Bacon
Ben Jonson
John Webster
Alexander Pope--An Essay on Critism
Virginia Woolf
Jacqueline Susann--Valley of the Dolls
Oliver North
Roald Dahl--Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
fairy tales--Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty
Emily Dickinson
Jane Austen
Hunter Thompson
Charlotte Bronte
Judy Blume
Tennessee Williams--A Streetcar Named Desire
Mary McCarthy--The Group
The New Yorker
Dorothy Parker
William Gibson--The Miracle Worker
Franz Kafka--The Metamorphosis
Wall Street Journal
Barron's
Financial Times
Marcel Proust--Swann's Way
Michael Crichton
Walt Whitman
Homer
Dante
Sylvia Plath--The Bell Jar
Lewis Carroll
In Style magazine
Glamour
Cosmo
Miguel de Cervantes
Compact Oxford English Dictionary
Dr. Seuss--The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Illustrated Encyclopedia
Nancy Drew series
Edward Albee--Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Friedrich Nietzsche
James Joyce--Ulysses
Isak Dinesen--Out of Africa
Henry James--The Art of Fiction
The New York Times
John Muir
Henry David Thoreau

Did I miss any?

Spring Cleaning!

2007-04-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've been Spring Cleaning all morning, and one of my most anticipated projects was to color-coat my bookcase. I saw this a few months ago in House & Garden magazine, and adored the idea. It's so much more aesthetically pleasing than alphabetically order, and I still don't think I'll have too much trouble finding anything I want. Whatdya think?

$180

2007-04-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, so those of you that know me, know two things:
1. I love books.
2. I have an addictive personality.

These two things manifested themselves at my lunch yesterday, after I finished a scrumptious book, over a chicken salad sandwich at Panera. I simply had to read more of Elizabeth Berg, after having finished The Year of Pleasures. So, I jotted over across the street to my beloved Barnes and Noble, thinking I'd reward myself with a book or two, after a long morning of disasters (woke up late, iron broke, was out of gas, forgot to send a really important email, overdue library book notice... so buying things always make me feel better).
In reading the book descriptions on the back cover, I couldn't decide between 2 of many titles they had in stock, then 3, 4, 5... I definitely left B & N with 12 of Ms. Berg's books.
If this doesn't tell you something about how immensely I enjoyed Year of Pleasures (or how much reading time I've got sans husband for a few days), I don't know what will.
You simply must run out and buy everything you can of this brilliant author. I'll keep you updated on the next of hers in my stack, Durable Goods.

See, sometimes Oprah does discover a gem!

Citations & Library Things

2007-03-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

Recommending books is tricky business. I relate to Sara Nelson in So Many Books, So Little Time when she woes that on one hand, I can never quite help myself, but to share all the wonderful morsels I've picked up through the years, on the other hand, I know if they don't like it, I'll feel responsible, or even worse, wonder what kind of bad taste does this person have that they didn't like what I considered a masterpiece.
Even trickier, asking others for recommendations. It's not necessarily that I'm that hard to please, but people just read less and less these days, and if they are reading, it's more than likely a watered-down version of the latest movie that came out, so I'm usually not interested. Most of my choices these days come from wandering around B & N, learning that you really can tell more than you think by the proverbial "book's cover."
So, with all kinds of technology these days, it's no wonder that the internet has what we'd like down to a science. I was chuckling the other day at an article on TheOnion.com where a lady was convinced that Amazon's recommendation emails knew her better than her own husband. While Amazon is a great resource for cheap books, they've never quite nailed it when it comes to figuring out what I'd like next, I have just discovered another feature on the site that is just as useful.
So many of the authors I've ever discovered a love for, I stumbled across in another author's writings (Lauren Winner via Donald Miller; Chesterton, Pascal, and McDonald via John Eldredge; Anne Lamott via Professor Malone), so it makes sense that a book you love, might cite another book you would equally relate to. Scroll down past "Better Together," Editorial Reviews, and Product Details, and you'll find "Citations." Here Amazon will list all the books that refer to the particular volume you happen to be viewing at the time and any books that the book cites as well.
Another brilliant site I've happened upon, LibraryThings.com, will catalouge your books for you, then suggest books based on your library. Like Pandora for books!
Next time you need a great book to read, check out these sites (or here!), and see what you can find. Let me know what you love/hate.

Google Books

2007-02-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

This relates to books, my favorite thing, so I think it has an interesting place here.
Google is a leader in today’s search for knowledge. When I want pizza, I type in “Papa Johns” and up comes the site. If I’m searching for a news story I heard, simply search for “shortage of tortillas in Mexico.” Well, what is the greatest source of all knowledge? Books, of course! While any old kook (including myself) can publish information, false or true, it takes at least two people to agree on putting information out into the world in book form (the writer and the publisher). So in a quest to make the universe a slightly more knowledgable place, Google is attempting to make the Internet a worldwide library, but not without some opposition.
There is an interesting article in last week's New Yorker concerning their quest. Each week, a Google truck pulls up to the Cecil H. Green Library at Stanford University and collects thousands of books. They are then taken and scanned, page-by-page, into a database collected by Google. And Google intends to scan every book ever written, and make the texts searchable, as they already have with Websites. They believe they can do this amazing feat inside of ten years.
Their only motivation for such a mission: to make “the world’s information…universally accessible and useful.” Noble, and mind-boggling at the same time. However, for such a huge company (worth billions of dollars) to be quietly consuming libraries full of volumes of knowledge creates some modicum of resistance.
Nearly all attempts at making books electronic have failed, however, these free electronic versions infringe upon publishers’ domain. Simon & Schuster, Penguin Group, and McGraw Hill have all filed a lawsuit against the company, urging Google to stop the project. The issue lies, of course, in copyright laws.
The first such law was passed in 1790, but is confusing, and constantly amended, most recently and memorably in 1998. The publisher’s complaint is that Google is essentially copying millions of volumes of books without any compensation or payment to the owners. While many books copyright protections have expired, the vast majority of books are still under copyright or out of print. Google is scanning the entire book, but only making “snippets” available on the Web. Herein lies the rub.
Copyright law has never forbidden all copying of a work; for instance, most of us have quoted material in a paper or for other such fair use. Google’s argument is that it’s the same concept as Websites. People expect their websites to be found, even though they are also copyrighted, so by scanning books, Google gives people a chance to find books as well, and for them to be more easily accessible. But publishers maintain that the act of copying is an infringement of the traditional understanding, even if only portions are available for viewing.
As Google is first and foremost a business, it will be up to the courts to ultimately allow Google to continue scanning the material, but most involved believe that a settlement is most likely. Google could pay in cash, or in kind with advertising for the publishing companies, or even specific books. Business exists in a world outside the court time; it can’t wait for lawsuits to be resolved.
In this digital age, it’s an interesting conundrum. Libraries, publishers, people must adapt. But this could change the way we read. Technology has been evolving for many years, and it will certainly continue to. My personal opinion is that anytime knowledge, and particularly BOOKS are more readily available, it’s only a good thing, never evil. What do you think?

A Reading Game

2007-02-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, so one of my very good friends, a fellow avid reader, posted this game on her Xanga site, and "tagged" me to respond, so I feel obliged. Here are the rules:

Grab the nearest book to you,
Open to page 123, look down to the 5th sentence,
Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog,
Include the title and the author's name,
Tag 3 people.

Now, I was tempted to go find a classic, well-written, intelligent, or at least obsurely bookish book to charm you all into thinking I am ever so clever and deep, but... rule #1 does say to grab the book "nearest" and lo and behold, the book on the top of my library stack, sitting next to the couch is... We're Just Like You, Only Prettier by Celia Rivenbark. It just caught my eye the other day in the Southern American section, as an interesting "study" in Southern psychology (see, Dr. Blalock, that psychology hasn't wormed its way out of my system just yet), so I picked it up, and now I must divulge to you the dark secrets of how indescriminatory I am with my library card (hey, it's free! so if you don't like it, you can just return it a week later, and be none-the-poorer... the beauties of our tax-dollars at work).
Well, this is pretty funny, but man, does Mrs. Rivenbark write in some run on sentences! Enjoy y'all!

"Shoot, that's thirteen and the bread basket hasn't even arrived yet. We followed with: Enron; Ronnie Reagan; da-doo-ron-ron; how to pronounce Ilyanla's name and wonder if she signes her check with a little exlamation point like on TV; speeding tickets; the comeback of fishnet pantyhose...
There was more of course: how pineapple salsa always give me bad dreams; is brown or gray the new black; why nobody RSVPs for a kid's birthday party and how that makes you crazy; the trend of sending invitations to big-budget parties for engaged couples and then, on the same invitation, hitting you up to help pay for it (consensus: tacky beyond words); liposuction (well it had been an hour); Russell Crowe; crow's feet; the Black Crowes (this is typical estrogen stream-of-consciousness stuff; try to hang); Chelsea's sleek new bob; Sarah Jessica Parker's sleek new bob; how we'd have kept the curls; the Winter Olympics; how somebody's brother-in-law used to live in Salt Lake City and said they do, too, drink coffee out there; how our waiter lookes exactly like Joey on Friends."

I hadn't even started reading this one yet, when I jumped on ahead to Part 3: Chapter 3. But I think I'll go start in on Part 1: The Southern Family, Chapter 1: Stop Watching Your Plasma TV and Start Selling Your Plasma!
I got a good feeling I'm gonna be laughin' so hard, milk's gonna done shoot out that thur nose o mine, ain't it? Gosh, I miss Tennessee!

Paper

2007-01-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

My dear husband likes to say that I like paper. He's usually chiding me on leaving various forms of the substance around the house. My books, magazines, calendars, tiny journals are always strewn about waiting to be thumbed through, or jotted in, or just for decorative effect--like more coffee table books than my coffee table could reasonably support. I suppose he's right. Funny, there are those SSB (Secret Single Behavior) things that you never notice when living alone, until someone gets close enough to point them out.
I do love paper. I barely parted with every last church bulletin I'd saved for 6 years until my parents moved houses and Mom insisted that she would not lug the box around any more. I have hundreds of books, read, but marked in so personally that I can't bear to be a good citizen and donate the used treasures to the public library or even lend them to most friends. I still prefer a good old fashioned Franklin Covey day timer to my husbands PDA, and many a note-filled spiral from college classes sit in boxes under our bed. I've been writing three or four books on receipts, napkins, and credit card offer envelopes for years.
I say all this to say, that despite my utmost fondness for books, there are so many mediums that I enjoy reading, so for those of you that will never pick up the 1072 pages of Brothers Karamazov (you should, you really should, but...) here are some more pieces you might enjoy. If nothing else, it will make you look smarter, lugging around the Times in your briefcase.
1. Magazines- This whole thought actually came to me the other day while reading a riveting piece in the February issue of Vogue. I'll concede that probably Cosmo and Glamour aren't necessarily "intellectual" reading material, but there are some magazines out there that actually have articles worth exploring. "Prisoner of Love" in this month's Vogue was just such a piece. You'll also find such worthy articles in Harper's Bazaar, Martha Stewart Living, Health, and a few select others. I subscribe to several magazines that cater to my tastes, but if you just have a few moments at lunch, or waiting for an appointment, or on the bus or train, you could pick up a host of magazines on art, cars, or health, home and garden, travel, psychology, or fashion, news and the list goes on...
2. Blogs- There are a few that I check regularly, some just to know what goes on in friends lives, some for the photos, and a few to learn new hobbies, but others are just as well-written as any great novel I've ever invested weeks in. One of my favorite blogs is frequently updated by a singer/songwriter, Jason Mraz, popular for his song "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)"--a well written song, and an even better journal on his website. This man has a way with words that will pierce your heart at times, and make you double-back with laughter even more. Also wonderful blogs are: Gastrokid, LaurenWinner.net, Design*Sponge, Xanga, Preppy Cafe, and... any suggestions? Find one about a topic you love and get to know a new "friend." It's like reading someone else's diary.
3. Letters- Write them to friends far away, or get a pen-pal. Because... a) it's fun in a retro sort of way, b) you're handwriting needs practice, c) stamps!, and d) when is the last time you got something in your mailbox that wasn't a bill or advertisement?
4. Wikipedia- If you haven't discovered this online encyclopedia, get out from under your rock! Way more fun than those dusty volumes that grandma has on her TV credenza. Be sure and click the "Random Article" button-- fun for those 2.09 hours at work that Americans don't really produce (according to San Fransisco Chronicle). Which brings me to my next point...
5. Newspaper- the daily news. How many of us flip on "Good Morning, TownWhereYouLive" each morning during breakfast, hear 15 minutes of one human interest story that you aren't even interested in, only to dash off to work, and then be embarrassed once you get around the water cooler, to fake your way through a conversation about what's going on in the war effort? You could get 100 times more info from just reading the headlines in a newspaper during your morning coffee than in 30 minutes of witty banter between your charming local newscasters.
6. Those free newpapers/magazines in front of Panera, the library, coffee shop, CD store... you know, with names like "Folio Weekly," "VIP," or "Black & White." I'm sure your city has one-- some good local info, and if nothing else, you'll have something cool to do this weekend. That the Blockbuster man knows you by name is not a good thing.
7. Short stories- You can find these in book form, on the Internet, or in magazines such as The New Yorker. Like a segway drug, it's a start, and who knows, someday, you might even pick up Brothers Karamazov (the abridged version, at least).
On a final note, one of the most common mis-conceptions, and reasons I believe people don't read, is that they don't find 100% of writers to be people they agree with, and they think it's a waste of time to read a varying opinion. In fact, you might do yourself the greatest service of all, by consistently reading those who you have little in common with. Your horizons will be broadened, your mind sharpened, and if the argument in your head with the author becomes too heated, at least you can say you gave "ear" and a bit of time to the other side. I say this to say that not all the mediums I've listed above are always in line with my beliefs, opinions, and values. But I guess I just love any words on paper.

Luck of the Irish

2006-12-29T09:35:00.000-08:00

For those of you out there who find history boring, you've never had a teacher like Thomas Cahill. I was first introduced to this author by Hugh Hewitt, author of In, But Not Of. In his encouragement to young professionals to learn a bit of this and that, he lists books everyone should read to gain a working knowledge of history (I'll give a complete list sometime). One book he happens to suggest there is The Gifts of the Jews, which I read about a year or two ago and was instantly turned on to Mr. Cahill. This book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, happens to be the first in the "Hinges of History" series, and the best in the series, I think. The series takes an interesting look at the history of the Western world, not through the tragedies, catastrophes, and wars, but of the gifts bestowed from one civilazation to another--through the Irish, Hebrews, Christians, Greeks so far, and he is expected to publish three more volumes in the next decade.
For those of you who need some extra encouragement, I remembered to pick this one up while reading John Eldredge's new book The Way of the Wild Heart, a follow up to his bestselling Wild at Heart. Eldredge has a love for all things Celtic, and when he mentioned this volume, I just had to make a trip to B & N and pick it up, and I suggest you do too.

My Second "Politically Un-Correct" Entry in the Span of One Week

2006-10-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

So, I started a new job this week. There’s all the excitement of setting up email, and meeting new colleagues, reorganizing your desk, and bringing a few things from home to make the desk your own. Of course, among my pictures and candles, I have to bring a few books to make the desk truly “Ginger.”
Included in these books, a bargain buy I had picked up from B & N a while back, called The Girl’s Guide to Power & Success by Susan Wilson Solovic. The cover was cute, and it seemed an appropriate title to sit on a working girl’s desk. I started to read it one day when I had left my lunch book in the car and the rain was coming down too hard for me to run out and retrieve it.
For the first time in a while, I broke my “stop reading after 50 pages, if you don’t like the book” rule. I made it just three chapters in (page 24), and couldn’t take anymore. Maybe Ms. Solovic’s talent lies somewhere else, other than writing, because she is obviously a successful woman. But when it comes to inspiring a “girl to power and success,” we’ve heard all that she has to say already. I guess that’s what I get for buying off the overstock table. She whines for the first chapter about how the playing field still isn’t equal. She tells fairly limited stories, based almost exclusively off of her own experiences, about people who done her wrong. Then, she proceeds to encourage us girls with tired advice like, “Go for it!” “Be prepared for anything.” “Stay upbeat!” “Be a superstar, not a superwoman.” And, my favorite, “Use your feminine charm, but your masculine smarts.” Advice you could get at any high school career day pep rally. One of her favorite refrains really burns me, as one who considers herself a successful woman. She is constantly encouraging women to free themselves from the “good girl” mentality. Her argument is that traditional breeding has given most females the image of being “nice” and this robs us of the ability to free the aggressive nature that it takes to succeed in business. Well, what ever went wrong with being good and nice? Most women I know have a fierce side. We can go to war when we need to, but we reserve these times only for the things that are really important. No need to pick a fight, when being “good” will get you just as far, if not further, if you ask me.
It seems this book is about 10 or 15 years behind its time. Women are beginning to recognize that you can’t have it all. We evaluate our priorities, and go for the important things in life to us. And we don’t need someone telling us anymore that “anything you can do, I can do better.” We know; we just don’t need to prove it to anyone.

Discrimination is NOT a Bad Thing

2006-10-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

There is a difference between definition and connotation.
Webster's Dictionary defines "discriminate" this way:
1: to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of
2: to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences
3: to make a distinction; to use good judgment
"Discriminate" has gotten a bad reputation. It seems to me that to be discriminatory would be a good thing. It would involve exercising judgment, noticing things and people, seeing differences and features. From kindergarten up, we are taught to "use good judgment." I mean, when I go to the grocery store, I "discriminate" between the firm, ripe apples, against the ones that have sat in the bin past their prime. And when I pick out a new car, I use my good sense and judgment to notice that this one runs smoothly, while the other appears to need some engine work. I picked a college based on qualities of one or another that were better or worse. So, before you all go haywire all me, I will plainly state that I am absolutely NOT a racist. I lived for 10 years in Memphis, the seat of the civil rights movement. And furthermore, I am married to a "minority." (My handsome husband is Spanish.) As a matter of fact, I've been thinking and reading a lot lately about the leader of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Allow me to continue. When I say that "discrimination," in and of itself, is not a bad thing, I am saying that to discriminate is not wrong. It depends on what qualities you are using to discriminate with. Color is not a proper reason to discriminate. This entry is inspired by a book I've been reading (of course) called "Soul Survivor." If you've never read anything by Phillip Yancey, you must, immediately. He is responsible for practically shaping my views on grace full living.
The book is his tribute to thirteen individuals who have shaped his life, and encouraged him, sometimes in unusual ways, to "survive the church." I'd like to focus, however, primarily on Chapter 2: Martin Luther King, Jr. (Other interesting lives include Dr. Paul Brand, Leo Tolstoy, Dr. Robert Coles, Feodor Dostoevsky, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. C. Everett Koop, and Shusaku Endo.)
Mr. Yancey grew up in an incredibly racist environment in Atlanta, Georgia. And he admits to looking down upon blacks as a child mostly just because they "gave [them] someone to look down on." While he stresses repentance and healing from those feelings now, it's rare to read a defense of MLK, Jr. from this perspective, and it started me thinking.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was by no means perfect. In fact, there is a good deal of proof that he participated in sexual dalliances, even up to the night before his death. And however powerful a writer and speaker he was, Dr. King is also accused of plagiarism on certain occasions. But this does not excuse us from looking at the good he did seek to accomplish. Yancey talks about Dr. King's upbringing, conversion, and the message he brought in a socially changing day, ripe for his movement. He even compares Martin Luther King, Jr. with the prophets of the Old Testament. Dr. King went directly against laws and social assumptions of his time, and all doing this nonviolently, forgiving his enemies in love, despite threats to his own body and defamations to his character. He heralded the message that "moral change is not accomplished through immoral means." God has always stood on the side of the oppressed throughout history, and Dr. King was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts.
But it's ironic that having come from such a legalistic, oppressive, and ungrace-filled place, Phillip Yancey has become such a champion for grace. It's because of this I've vowed to read more on Dr. King, starting with a couple of autobiographies by David Garrow and Taylor Branch and "A Testament of Hope" (excerpts of famous speeches and writings from MLK, Jr. himself). While few in this day would ingore Dr. King's message to cease discrimination based on race, I think part of his message has been lost.
I stood in line today behind a man wearing a shirt, sporting the message in bold red letters: "Stop SNITCHING." So I must evaluate not only what Dr. King accomplished, but what his actual desires against "discrimination" were.
I had heard of this "Stop Snitchin'" concept before, but I was not exactly sure as to the meaning of the message this, ahem, gentleman(?) was trying to get across. The color of his skin did not rouse me. His education level, IQ, job history, place of employment, or address were complete mysteries to me. All I know of this young man is what he chose to tell me, and everyone else he came in contact with today, through the wearing of that shirt.
A simple Google search lead me to 62,500 references to the "Stop Snitchin'" campaign. Basically, it started as a tactic from criminals to frighten people with information from going to the police. The campaign gained attention in Baltimore, Maryland and spread across the country through rap, videos, and even professional athletes. Some of the shirts even sport "bullet holes" tearing through the material. While I believe in free speech, and certainly the man that stood in front of me today has the RIGHT to wear whatever shirt he pleases, this is where my right to discriminate comes in. No, I am not judging him based on the pigments in his skin, but given the choice to be friends with/do business with/live near this man with such an evidently pro-criminal attitude, I use my better "judgment" and say, "no, thank you." This is what it means to discriminate properly, and I'll disagree that it's best just to be blind to these types of displays that are so obviously against what the entire message of Dr. King stood for.
This is put best by Martin Luther King, Jr. himself. He give me permission, and encouragement to judge, based on one thing: the content of their character.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
So I will take that admonishment. I will never judge someone by the color of their skin, but I will most certainly use my right to judge you based upon the content of your character.

P.S.-On a side, personal note, I have been offered a job today, so if my full time current job of reading/bloging subsides a TAD, forgive me, please.

One Size Does NOT Fit All

2006-10-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

From time to time in a book store, they'll have that table of books sitting by the register for like 170% off. And usually the cover isn't that well designed, and there are at least 10 copies of each of them, so you figure these are just the ones that didn't sell too good, but you're compelled to stop by and look, just in case. Well, some of my greatest treasures have been found on said table, and today's selection is one of them. I'm only sorry this book has been sitting on my shelf for years now--intriging enough for me to spend my hard-earned money on, but not intriging enough, apparently, for me to read. Until this weekend. Shame on me.
Well, my dearest husband is gone (boo!), so I was purusing my collection, and remembered that this book's concept looked interesting, so I started reading. The book is called "Sacred Pathways" and it's written by Gary Thomas. The premise is, that like personalities and temperments, our path to God is also an individual one. While Mr. Thomas does not discount the value of corporate gatherings, such as church (in fact, he maintains that we all, with our different pathways, are strengthened even more when coming together), he does propose that most of us were taught that in spiritual matters, one size fits all. And that's just not so.
Now, this book does not let that all religions are equal paths to God. Mr. Thomas takes the doctrinal position of Christianity (Jesus being God, etc.) is the only way, but our worship styles can be quite different. A spiritual life can come in many different forms. Much like Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory, "Sacred Pathways" outlines nine roads, one or two of which, we will find that we have a tendancy to enjoy most.
They are:
Naturalists... loving God outdoors
Sensates... loving God with senses
Traditionalists... loving God with rituals
Ascetics... loving God in solitude
Activists... loving God through causes
Caregivers... loving God by loving others
Enthusiasts... loving God with celebration
Contemplatives... loving God through adoration
Intellectuals... loving God with your mind
While we all can gain from all of these, a practical example is this. I am, at times, envious of my sister who can go camping for a whole weekend, and come back refreshed and filled. An afternoon picnic in the park usually leaves me indifferent, at best, annoyed (ants, melty chicken salad, melty hair, dirt!), at worst. She can enjoy and rejuvenate through seeing God's creation in nature. But then again, people like my Dad can't possibly imagine what I get out of a liturgy we've recited over and over, year after year. We each express ourselves to God, and He expresses Himself to us in individual ways. If we were to get ahold of this, our souls might cease being mal-nourished, as we would be properly fed, spiritually.
Look to some of your favorite authors, friends, heros of history. See if you don't notice a pattern in your choices. Perhaps, if you look to C.S. Lewis and John Calvin, they found strength in long hours pouring over theological studies. Or maybe you admire Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr., who rallied for causes.
Pick this book up if you come across it on the sale table (just proof that you should never judge a book by its cover). Or better yet, search it out. I know that it will bring refreshment, no matter what your Sacred Pathway--especially if you diagnose as an "Intellectual."

A Specific Miscellany

2006-10-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Trivial Pursuit. Jepoardy. Common books found in bathroom reading. All these things prove our enjoyment of useless facts and figures.
A few years ago, I came across a most fascinating book: Schott's Original Miscellany. A fun "coffee-table book," it is chock full of such vital information as shoelace lenghts, a list of the seven dwarves, Miss Americas by hair color, and the motto of the US Postal Service. My husband can be entertained for hours.
But even better than this, when I came across a series of books just yesterday, by T. J. McTavish including "A Theological Miscellany" and "A Biblical Miscellany." It's no secret that I love all things pertaining to religion, and these two books have kept me reading for hours since, including which U.S. President was ordained as a minister, the five points of Arminianism, or the twelve myths of Christmas. While considerably weightier subjects than Schott's version, these books take a light and quirky look at "miscellany."
For interested Jepoardy contestants, also check out:
-Schott's Food and Drink Miscellany
-Schott's Sporting, Gaming, and Idling Miscellany
-The Shakespeare Miscellany
-Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany
-Miscellany of Parent's Wisdom
-Cat's Miscellany.

More Narnia

2006-09-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Something about fall time (ok, fall time in Florida means the temps drop to 80, but still...), makes me want to pull out certain genres. Mysteries. Any book that takes place in cold weather places, especially in Great Britain. War stories. Tragic dramas. Grand epics. I guess with the heavy weather comes a certain spirit that encourages me not to take the world lightly.
I'm a firm believer that literature can mirror, or even stir up, real life. And, as I've declared before, you can't read better stories than from our dear friend C.S. Lewis. They contain a bit of every genre--mystery, romance, war. It's because of this I'm sure I'll never tire of his stories, and as I read them over and over, I find truths that grow up with me from the 4 year old girl that first discovered the magical world through the wardrobe.
I was in my beloved LifeWay bookstore the other day, with every intention just to run in and pick up a book that MIL (my mother-in-law) had recommended, when I found myself walking out with several other titles, including "Roar!" by Heather and David Kopp. This book caught my eye with its colorful illustrations by Martin French and guide-like formula.
With the Narnia movie last Christmas, and a renewed interest in great children's literature, it seems there has been a rush of books exploring life lessons for children, and adults alike, through classic literature. But this is one of the best I've seen on this subject.
The book contains so many great features, I was caught up for hours exploring them. The Chronicles take a reader through many adventures, but "Roar!" leads the reader deeper in to the wisdom of Narnia by sharing mythology, interactive activities (including a recipe for Turkish Delight!), indexes of the creatures and places, and even a glossary of the difficult language gap sometimes created for those of us that didn't live in World War II days. Every page is full color and packed with articles, chapter-by-chapter guides for each of the seven books, quizzes, and the history behind Mr. Lewis and his beloved "childrens'" stories.
To explore the world of Narnia further, also check out:
-A Field Guide to Narnia by Colin Duriez
-Companion to Narnia by Paul F. Ford
-Lessons from the Lion by my personal friend, Michael Pritchard
-both CDs, Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and the score to the motion picture contain fabulous music.

The Best-Laid Schemes

2006-09-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today I read "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. It's only 107 pages, so a perfect size for my purse. Ever since I got back from California, I've been craving a bit of Steinbeck, so I've been carrying it around for a while, and today I showed up half an hour early for my interview, so I started this tiny gem.
I don't know how I missed this in high school. But it's a shame that I did. It's sad, and sweet, and such a great story.
In the spirit of keeping things short and sweet. That's all I'll say about the book. Other than you should read it, if you haven't. Or at least some Steinbeck. If you love it, then go on to "East of Eden." It's anything but short, but well worth the time. Ignore the "Oprah's Book Club" sticker on the front. It's good too. I promise.

Wandering Through the Kid's Section

2006-09-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

As I ran into my beloved B & N (Barnes and Nobles, if you don't know that, shame on you), the other night to pick up Lauren Winner's latest book, Real Sex (I know, risque title, not the "throw in the purse to read in a spare moment" kind of book. I accidentally didn't think about that when I was in the doctor's office the other day. It took about a dozen funny looks before I wanted to scream out, "I'm just getting my eyes checked, people!" ...anyway...), I ironically came dangerously close to the most charming section in the place, the children's section.* It's so alluringly decorated with bright Winnie-the-Pooh characters, and lovely hardwood, that I can scarcely resist going in.
It must be the holdover from the education major days in college. I'm not sure. But although I went running when I realized that I'd actually have to work with 30 of them--at the same time, I'll still argue that it just doesn't get any better than a good work of children's fiction. And in the spirit of my latest clandestine purchases from the aforementioned section (see, I am an adult... did you know the word "aforementioned" in second grade? Well, you would have if you had read a lot!), I'd like to recommend my top 5 favorite children's books of all time. In alphabetical order.**
Here goes:
1. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
I never read anything by Ms. Paterson that wasn't brilliant and touching and unforgettable. My elementary school librarian recognized a girl after her own heart, and recommended this and "Jacob, Have I Loved," also by Katherine Paterson, in 4th grade, and it has haunted me (in the good way), ever since.
2. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Loved this author's humor and storytelling so much, that just last month, I searched out another read: Silent to the Bone. Good too, but you must read "Mixed-Up." It's like a grown-down (opposite of grown-up?) version of Da Vinci Code.
3. Homer Price by Robert McCloskey (My Daddy introduced me to Homer when I was very small and we still laugh about his foibles).
Mr. McCloskey is one of the most celebrated authors, and left us with some of the most beloved works for children ever written (most of you remember his picture book "Make Way for Duckings"). The stories of Homer Price and his small town life in Centerburg are one word: hilarious.
4. The Nancy Drew Mystery series by Carolyn Keene
Yes, I know this doesn't count as just one, as there are 56 (origianl... and who knows how many more recent spin-offs), but every young girl especially should be able to admire Nancy for her manners, wit, and clever ability to solve any puzzling situation that came her way (with the help of her Dad, and her friends Bess, George, and the handsome Ned).
I hear a rumor a major motion picture is in the works about our favorite girl dectective. I hope so. She stole my heart long before Veronica Mars was on the scene.
5.Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
It's no secret to most of you that I am fascinated by Jewish culture. But this isn't a recent love. I remember reading this book, and my heart being touched by what horrors and triumphs two girls, Annemarie and Ellen (best friends, but Ellen is a Jew), went through during World War II. Every bit as good as "Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank.

Read these to a kid you love, or even yourself for a real treat. And that, my friends, is your first annual Sepember is Back To School reading list!

*A dear thanks to my good friend, Sara, for emboldening me to admit that, at an age where my mom already had two children (scary), I don't! but still READ for children.

**Mr. John Newberry would agree with me. Three of the above are Newberry Medal winners--the highest honor in young adult fiction.

Welcome, Xanga-ers!

2006-09-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

As I was saying, I found a jewel on my very own bookcase. I once purchased "Orthodoxy" by G. K. Chesterton in college, planning on joining that Rounders group, but never got around to that, or to reading it.
I knew it would be good. I knew it would be deep. I figured it would be just as hard to read as any meaty, classic that we all should read at some point in our lives, but I had just been avoiding it. Shame on me.
It is one of the most refreshing books I have picked up in a long time. Mr. Chesterton puts his faith in terms of romance and adventure and turbulent change. It's almost autobiographical, in his journey from believing certain doctrines, to actually embracing them as his creed. The book moves along with the compelling nature of a mystery, but he explains that "the riddles of God prove more satisfying than the answers proposed without God."
Not that there is anything wrong with logic. I'm a big fan. But it seems most intellectual books put this on the highest pedestal, and focus solely on reason to define theology. But this Victorian English journalist explores God more in terms of poetry, drama, and fluid, active beliefs. He goes into the doctrines of original sin and Christ's divinity that are so applicable to our world today.
For any fans of John Eldredge, Donald Miller, or John Ortenberg, G. K. would have been a fan, and a friend.

Coastliners

2006-08-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

The coast. This plays a double feature in my entry today. Number one: if you'll notice a small, if somewhat typical for me, break in the "consistancy" of the writing, it is because I have had none too few major life changes in the past months. I was married in June to a jewel of a man, Matthew, and... have become, myself, a coastliner. Yes, my friends, I now live in the beautiful state of Florida--the closest thing to paradise this side of heaven.
And while things have been rather busy of late being a newlywed (side note: if you've never been married, you really should, immediately, if not sooner. It's tres fun.), I have found myself now with an extraordinary amount of time at the library. Why is this? You see, my dearest is in the U.S. Navy, so the noble men have to ship out and protect all the coastliners. (Thank you, brave men.)
This brings me to my next referrence to Coastliners. This time, a book by the talented Joanne Harris. You might remember Chocolat, by Joanne Harris which was turned into a charming movie, starring everyone's favorite--Johnny Depp. But anything I've ever read from Ms. Harris is equally as delicious (pun intended). I especially love "Five Quarters of the Orange" and her short story, "There's No Such Place as Bedford Falls."
But Coastliners is my newest read, about a girl who moves back to her hometown, after 10 years in Paris. Her "hometown" is really an island, complete with some of the most interesting characters you'll ever meet. Full of suspicion, holding on to superstitions, stubborn, hard, and destitute, you'll love them just the same as our main character, Mado.
This book is perfect as the last sticky days of summer slip away, but rather than a bright yellow umbrella and bottles of sunscreen, you might grab a thick wool coat to brace you for this salty and chilling coast.

Don't Do This

2006-04-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

I came across a seemingly wonderful website. Beautiful books, and they boast 18 miles of them! And I even agree that books can be some of the most beautiful form of decor. But only when they are books that you have read (or at least have some interest in), bought will a great deal of thought poured over them, enjoyed their knowledge and treasure deeply. This: http://www.strandbooks.com/bbtfoot/. This is not the way to buy books. And, imagine the embarrassment when a date walks into your apartment and exclaims, "I love Langston Hughes!" and you have to say "Who?"
"You have a biography of him here."
"Oh, well, I just bought those books by the foot..."

Beach Read

2006-03-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not sitting in paradise somewhere, but with the 80 degree Memphis March, my best friend leaving for vacation today, and the new news that my Matthew will soon be living just steps away from the ocean, I’m feeling a tad summer-y. Not that I'm ashamed of anything that I ever read, but I don't make a habit of reading books targeted at tweenagers, but make an exception from time to time. Today is one of those such days. Upon high recommendation of yes, a colleague (who is a few years older than me at that, mind you), and the knowledge that many people will soon trade in copies of the Wall Street Journal for something they could pick up on the paperback bestsellers rack, I am reading… The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
It is light, fun, and even at times, thoughtful. Another one of those books that attracted enough attention to make a movie of (which is on my Blockbuster list for this weekend now), probably a lot more of you took your daughters to see the movie than sat down to read a 300 page book. But it really does have some redeeming read-worthy qualities to it.
First of all, before each chapter, a relevant quote from a well-known person is presented. They range from Winston Churchill to J. R. R. Tolkien to Jerry Seinfeld. This is a great way to expose yourself, or a young person in your life, to the wisdom of others.
Another redeeming quality that really does make this a good read is the resonant qualities and principles that seem to flow from these high school characters. Even if you don’t remember being that age, so many of the things they are dealing with as sophomores, I’ll stop and notice that I’ve thought something similar just last week. For example, one of the four characters is taking in a sunset and comments at her frustration in not being able to capture the beauty of it sufficiently. She questions herself, “Why did she always fell she had to do something in the face of beauty?” Pretty profound for 15.
But by far, the most wonderful thing about this book is the sense of community and fierce loyalty these girls have. I know most of us wish for, spend a good part of our lives looking for these types of “bosom buddies” (to steal a phrase from another wonderful book for young ladies, Anne of Green Gables). These girls have found friends that are different from themselves, but yet interesting, and confident, and loving, and committed to each other. If only we could all find even one such friend. Well, in the meantime, we can live vicariously through Bridget, Carmen, Lena, and Tibby.
Read it. I know you’ll love it.

A Modest Proposal

2006-03-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Before I suggest that you go out and immediately buy/borrow/sit in Barnes and Noble's for 6 hours reading this next book, I must confess that although I've read it several times, it's not what's in my bag currently ("Prison Angel" by Jordan & Sullivan is, but I've only barely read the preface and the first chapter, so more on that later). I was just reminded of this book from reading a blog by Lauren Winner (Laurenwinner.net--really, really good author and thinker). She has written a book called "Real Sex" (which I have not yet read) and seems to be currently a leading Christian thinker these days about modern chasity.
Well, the book I'm suggesting today, "A Return to Modesty," by Wendy Shalit, is not written necessarily from a Christian perspective, but it is quite conservative. It's really excellent. I suppose it's mostly directed at women, but the main themes have nothing to do with the hemline of your skirt or the neckline of your blouse, so I think men would do well to read this too. It ranges from moments that make you think to disturbing statistics about the shape of our sexual culture today, to hilarious synopsis of the "pre-hook-up post-break-up check-up" theory. A good read, and Ms. Shalit, I read your book about 2 or 3 years ago, and am dying for more. Please, please write more.

Happy Father's Day

2006-03-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know, I've got my holiday's mixed up. It's St. Patrick's Day (pinch, pinch), but June 18th has more in common with my book selection than green beer and shamrocks (though for some of you, the dad-beer correlation is strong too).
Now before I hail the greatness of my latest book recommendation, I must start by saying that I have the best father, no Daddy, ever.
My Daddy is kind, supportive, loving, firm, stable, and strong. It's almost unfathomable to me to have lived without that support. I'm certain though, I would be a vastly different person. I have many friends though that weren't so fortunate. I have a precious friend who had an amazing daddy, until she was about 10 years old. He was heroicly killed fighting a fire. I have other friends who's dad's lived in the house, but had little interaction with their sons. What they did teach them was to run around on their woman, or to withdrawl emotionally from their families.
I've never met Don Miller, but after reading 3 books by him, I feel like he's a friend. His father left when he was young, so he does know what it's like to grow up without a dad.
"To Own A Dragon" is about his journey to find out what he missed growing up. By the time the book starts, Don has already realized the hole that this void has left him with. And Don explains the processes he went through, from teenage neighbors next door, to youth ministers, to roommates, that all played a part in the stand-in dad.
If you grew up an absolute Daddy's girl like I did, this will only make you appreciate what you never had to miss, but if you grew up like Don, perhaps his healing will show you a bit of grace.

King of Beasts, Beautiful Villian, and a Gateway into...

2006-03-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

Narnia.
Everyone's familiar with it these days, especially with an onslought of popularity of the classic writer C. S. Lewis and the recent release of the movie "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
I'll keep this short, but to the point. If you read no other book this year, read LWW. The movie's great. It is. But the book is so much richer. Please read. And let me know your thoughts when you do.

Gee, That's Swell!

2006-03-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

If you've been to Target in the last, say year or two, you've noticed some really positive changes. I remember a time where Tar-jay (as the rednecks trying to be fancy call it) was just another Wal-mart (ew! a topic for another day, I know, but Wal-Mart is notoriously dirty, overstocked, but never in the items you want, and understaffed by people that always look like they've been up for about 3 weeks straight and could care less if you can't finds the aisle where wrapping paper is located), but now with the "Issac for Target" brand apearing in fashion magazines, and the "Design for All" campaign, Target is a place where most shop regularly, and where most females, demographed between the ages of 19 and 31 don't let a week pass without visiting.
Speaking of these females, my most recent book acquisition is a book, designed for young women called "The Swell-Dressed Party." The Swell brand is another brand carried by Target, featuring kitschy, cutesy items for the home and entertaining. Designer Cynthia Rowley is one of the contributors to the Swell designs and line of books, and her ideas are simply... charming, in the truest sense of the word.
Light and flighty, the Swell ladies take you from an over-all journey of being a Swell girl, to making your home a Swell place, to now, in the latest installment, entertaining like "your mom went to charm school, in Las Vegas."
Second only to books, is my hobby of planning parties. This book is chock full of ideas for arranging for the perfect get-together. Glittery, practical, whitty, and easy breezy fun... if you like Sex in the City and Martha Stewart, you'll love Swell-Dressed Party.