Wishlist Wednesday: Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

Guess what I spotted in a GoodReads email? 

My wish book for this week! 

It is the latest in the fun Five Hundred Kingdoms Series by Mercedes Lackey. 

The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella—Isabella Beauchamps, daughter of a wealthy merchant—vows to escape the usual pitfalls.

Anxious to avoid the Traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with "Granny," the local wisewoman.

But on the way home she's attacked by a wolf—who turns out to be a cursed nobleman! Secluded in his castle, Bella is torn between her family and this strange man who creates marvelous inventions and makes her laugh; when he isn't howling at the moon.

Have you read any Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms? 
 
In this series, the characters are usually trying to avoid the powerful pull of Tradition or shape it to improve their lot. Tampering with Tradition can cause big trouble so Godmothers must find ways for 'Tradition' to be satisfied while ensuring the safety and happiness of all... even if it is in very unexpected ways.  
 
If you like quirky fairy tale retellings, you are in for a treat. 




Please visit Pen to Paper to see more Wishlist Wednesday offerings.

Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child

Hello! Adele here!Remember the books that I wished for a couple of weeks ago?

Guess what?!  I went shopping and found both of the books: Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes and Alice-Miranda at Sea.

Of course, I bought them immediately and I've just finished reading Ruby Redfort.




Here is my review!

Ok,  the story line is that there is a girl, Ruby, from a wealthy family and her best friend is named Clancy Crew. 


Ruby is a code cracking genius, and when a suspicious butler, Hitch, comes along she has a "hunch" that he's not a butler. 

And, of course he's not. 

Hitch is an agent for a spy agency called "Spectrum". And when Ruby finds out why he's there , she gets an invitation to join Spectrum...

I won't spoil any more for you.

It is a fantastic book, with lots of mystery and intrigue.  I'm really into mysteries at the moment.

Ruby Redfort is perfect for 8 to 13 year olds. But, of course, whether you're 30 or 6, you can read it if you really want to.

I'm just about in the middle of Alice-Miranda at Sea, so I will review it soon.

Ok, gotta go read!

C:

Wishing for Zombies?

Hi! It is me, Lesa, wishing for a book. I think. 

You see the book in question is Zone One, a post-apocalyptic novel about the aftermath of a zombie plague, by Colson Whitehead

Post-apocalyptic novels, I do like.

Zombies, meh... not so much.

Now, no offense to zombies. It is just that I am not a 'Squee! Zombies!' sort of girl. In fact, my interest in zombies is zilch. 

Be that as it may, I have enjoyed the occasional zombie movie/book. The friendly but misunderstood zombies from the magically punny Xanth books are funny.  And The Forest of Hands and Teeth (with traditional unfriendly zombies) is an excellent post-apocalyptic dystopian YA read.

But do I wish to read another post-apocalyptic zombie book?

My interest waned a bit since first hearing about Zone One a couple of weeks ago in a NPR Fresh Air author interview. 


image Erin Patrice O'Brien/Doubleday


After relistening to the extremely engaging author, Colson Whitehead, discuss his novel and share anecdotes from his childhood and prep school days, I was completely enthralled again. 


So yes, I do wish to read this book. And Mr. Whitehead's previous non-zombie literary works as well.

Give a listen. Bet you won't be able to resist his giggle. (Or the fact that the book is a tip of the hat to his favorite sci-fi and horror shows/comics/books from childhood.  I can't resist, I love that sort of thing.)



Click 'summary' to read a synopsis and abbreviated companion article.

So, book wishing friends, is Zone One a wish-worthy book?  And have you read any Colson Whitehead novels?


Wishlist Wednesday is a bookish linky party hosted by Pen to Paper.  

Alice in Wonderland is a true story

 Now bloggers, here is the story you asked for in my last post. Just be reminded that some of the information in here is false (I was allowed to alter the truth a little for my assignment) but mostly based on fact. Feedback would be appreciated. Is it worthy of an A?

Alice Liddell was a ten year old girl living in the 1860’s when she acquired a peculiar friend. His name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (his pen name was Lewis Carroll).

When he met the Liddell family in 1955, he was a stuttering mathematician with a brilliant mind and knack for telling stories. He would entertain Alice and her siblings with many great tales full of nonsense. Though, it was not until 1964 that he came up with, on the spot, the magical story that we know now to be Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. A story with such detail, such a developed plotline, it seems so (pause) unreal. It was taken straight from the imagination of Lewis Carroll. Or was it?

After he died, a diary was found of Lewis Carroll’s work. Around seven pages were missing from 1853-1863, when he was around 21-30 years old. 1863, the year the missing pages ended, was the year before he supposedly told Alice Liddell the story of Wonderland.

What could he possibly have to hide in these torn-out pages? His experience in Wonderland, that’s what.


Karoline Leach found one of the pages he had ripped out in 1996 in his family archive. The page looked like this (show new slide on screen). It contains what seems to be the first manuscript of the story. In the year 1854, he left the rugby school he was attending and ventured on a period of time explained in a biography (by Karoline Leach, who discovered his missing diary pages) as an “unexplained interval”. The interval was one of the years he had missing diary pages.


Such a mysterious period of time must contain something worth hiding.


Charles must have ventured to Wonderland in his “unexplained interval”. It stands to reason that Charles found the adventure so brilliant and so mysterious that it was something that he could only keep with himself. He then wrote the adventure down in his diary and ripped the pages out before anyone could see.

Now, the idea of travelling down a rabbit hole is a little far-fetched. But is the idea of other worlds or lands so crazy? The universe is basically infinite. The existence of parallel universes is believed by many scientists and physicists, though cases of travelling to these are extremely rare. Charles’ adventures appear to be based on his experience in a different world.


Eleven dimensions actually exist within our universe. The conclusion was made that our universe is merely one membranous bubble floating amongst a large number of other bubbles, which ripple as they travel through the eleventh dimension. When two bubbles touch, a bubble, which clashes the theories of both universes within the bubbles, is formed. If such a clash can occur when merging universes, wouldn’t worlds merge to create such a space as Wonderland?


Some worlds may contain merely a different version of the world we live in.


Sound familiar?


Yes, talking cats, abstract games of croquet and nonsensical tea parties contain elements of the atmosphere around us. Suddenly, the whimsical story of Alice and her adventures doesn’t seem so whimsical.

It’s the missing pages of one of these surviving diaries that leaves a mystery about one critical moment in Carroll’s life: the rift between him and the Liddell family.


What exactly happened that caused Mrs. Liddell to prevent Carroll from no longer spending time with her children?


Alice and Charles had a very special relationship and were friends for many years. Many references to Alice Liddell are made in the book, such as the Mad Tea Party being held on her birthday. In the year Charles travelled to Wonderland, Alice must have been taken with him. When she returned, Alice told Mrs Liddell her stories of Wonderland leaving her very disturbed. She then banned Charles from seeing her children. He describes her adventures in his torn-out diary pages, as the girl in the pages is obviously not a portrayal of himself in Wonderland.


In his poem Epilogue to the Looking-glass, her name is spelt out in acrostic letters. Secrets between them were great, and they believed what they shared was special and only between them. I have exploited the mystery and left you revealed to the monument of a truth that is Alice’s adventures in Wonderland.


As Charles wrote in his secretive acrostic poem, “What is life but a dream?”

X.

www.viewsofnow.blogspot.com

More Fashion... More Alice...

G'day, Izzy here! I honestly did not mean to go this long without book blogging. Honest! I just let time slip away a little, combine that with the fact that I can barely keep up my own blog and I have been reading pure rubbish lately and you have a very lazy book blogger. Sorry!

Okay, I may be a little obsessed with fashion. I know what you're thinking, (Doesn't every little fourteen-year-old want to be a fashion designer?) but I like to think of myself as a little, well, deeper than that. And I am going to be a writer, thank you very much. Or a marine biologist. Or a magazine editor. Or a stylist. But I'm deep, obviously.

Back to the point: I had to blog about this book. 

The Atlas of Fashion Designers is like that magical man-book in Ella Enchanted (excuse the PG children's movie reference). You just think of what you want, look it up and it's there!

It contains what seems to be every fashion designer you ever wanted to know about. And then some. Plus, interesting interviews with the designers, an overview of their work and glossy, full-page pictures.

Who doesn't love glossy full page pictures?

Sketches, close-up shots of their handiwork and exclusive photos are also included. Believe it or not, it's not just full of high-priced couture like Chanel. It also has ethnic designers and accessory masterminds. I don't understand why you wouldn't be interested by now. Unless of course you're not deep enough.

Aside from reading about fashion, I have also been working very hard on a little English project of mine. You should know by now that I am obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. Obsessed to the point that I am convinced it is a true story and someday a rabbit in a waistcoat is going to run by my window and I will have a fabulous adventure.

We were asked in the project to prove the existence of a mythological creature, myth or legend. So I just had to prove Alice in Wonderland was a true story. For those who are interested, tell me and I will do a blog post containing my revealing speech to the monument of truth that is Alice in Wonderland. If you aren't. I'll get the memo. 

X.

My blog: http://www.viewsofnow.blogspot.com/

Books I Could Actually Stand...

Well hello there, book lovers! Okay, I admit, I have been very much on the slack side lately. I have gotten into the habit of just reading the same books over and over again, to avoid having to think. Lazy much? So I developed a post about books I could read again without wanting to shoot myself or the book or the people around me. So here goes.

1. The Key To Rondo by Emily Rodda

I actually didn't have a choice but to read this over and over again because it was for a competition called Reader's Cup. But I found it was the only book I didn't eventually get sick of taking notes about and analysing each paragraph.

I have always had a weak spot for fantasy: Harry Potter, The Shadow Thief, Series of Unfortunate Events, that kind of thing. This book was perfect because it didn't have that really dark aspect that sometimes keeps me away but did have the exciting fantasy.

In the book, A boy named Leo inherits a music box that comes with a strict set of rules. Mimi, Leo's hated cousin, and her dog come to stay. Quickly the strict rules are broken and they find themselves transported to a land ruled by the evil Blue Queen. This book is filled with quirky characters and nail-biting moments. Feel free to read it over and over again.

2. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Alright, we've probably all seen the movie, but the book is ten times better!

It talks more in depth about things like her mother's death, her romance with Prince Charmont, and her curse. I guess when you talk about it  like this it sounds pretty typical fairy tale, but if it's anything it's probably anti-fairy tale.

Ella, a beautiful girl from the kingdom of Frell, despises the Prince, the most wanted boy in the whole kingdom. She protests for ogre rights and takes down the king, the evil one in the story. Lucinda, a fairy who bestowed a "gift" on her when she was very young, is a ditzy, stubborn woman.

The whole fairy tale concept gets turned on its head by this story. Lesa actually gave this to me! We all knew she had excellent taste.

3. Teen Vogue

I know, I know, it's not technically a book. I had to write about it, though, because I just read them over and over again! It is amazing the amount of times I can pick one up and notice something new. It's like with a goldfish, you put something new in their tank, and because they have such a short memory span, they get surprised every time they pass it! Okay, not the best comparison, but you get the idea.


 The magazine is filled with advice on problems I actually am facing, amazing fashion (not in my price range but what do you expect) and up-and-coming stars with interesting backgrounds (except that time they put Justin Bieber on the cover). It's also very affordable and I don't feel like my brain cells are frying every time I pick one up!

I really like the section where they photograph girls wearing things from their own closets. It reminds me to op-shop every now and again.

I know it isn't targeted for adults, but it makes a great gift for teenagers from 13-17 years of age. And my Mum likes it, too. But maybe that's just her.

X.

Follow me, I'm desperate! http://viewsofnow.blogspot.com/

The Devil Wears Prada

I was really quite surprised at myself when I worked out that I hadn't read this yet. A fashion classic! I have seen the movie a countless amount of times, and I love it. The book has to be fantastic, right?

The first thing I noticed was the size. It was pretty thick, considering the size of the brain-dead books I've been reading lately. The plot is roughly the same as the movie. Slight changes- Emily is nice, Miranda is more evil, and there is a large focus on Andrea's best friend, Lilly, who isn't even mentioned on screen.


As I plowed through the book, devouring every couture brand name mentioned, I began to get well... annoyed. Just quit already! She has terrible working conditions, she complains about it on every page, she loses her boyfriend and her best friend, and she stays. By the end of the book, it seems pretty repetitive.

Overall, the book is better than the movie, but so frustrating. I haven't read the end yet, but I'm guessing she finally quits, and all those frustrated readers become relived. And we all go back to eating cereal out of the box and not worrying about Andrea's future.

X.
http://viewsofnow.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Treasures: The Boy's Life of Abraham Lincoln

 Tuesday Treasures is a recurrent feature in which I share the bookish distractions that catch my eye in the school library I work in on Tuesday. I'm not the librarian; I am the speech pathologist. You will hear no complaints from me about sharing a workspace-- this little old school library collection is chock full of wonderful treasures. Plus, I get to release my inner-librarian. The students who wander in looking for books assume I am the Tuesday Librarian.

Can't believe it has been so long since I've posted a Tuesday Treasures! My only excuse is personal difficulty with the space/time continuum that the school had no heat for over a month and it was too cold  in the cavernous library to think let alone take photos with frozen fingers. (FYI: articulation therapy is not good when the speech path is chattering from the cold; now I have stutters to fix.)

Today, I spotted a very ugly book on the library cart...

See.. isn't it ugly? Poor dingy grey thing. Never one to judge a book by its cover, I took a peek inside and it is an absolute treasure!

Can you believe that books this old are still in the school library?! Makes my little bookish heart go pitter-pat.  The first few pages are a bit worn and torn but the book is in remarkable condition considering how many book reports it has aided over the last century. Don't you wish more hardbacks today had sewn bindings?


Helen Nicolay, the author, was the daughter of Abraham Lincoln's secretary, John G. Nicolay.  You can read more about them here.  Very interesting-- especially the part about Mary Todd Lincoln not trusting Mr. Nicolay. Bet there is a good story there.


Anyhoo, back to Helen:  As a young woman, she took dictation for her father's ten volume biography of Lincoln. Following her father's death, she began writing her own books of history and biography, as well as becoming a recognized artist. This talented lady wrote many books for children to make 'history seem alive and interesting to young people'.  

Helen sure succeeded with this one. It is very engaging and informative and I lost myself in several chapters!

The book is loaded with compelling black and white illustrations. Here are a few...

'He borrowed every book in the neighborhood.'   Gotta love a bookworm!

"He always brought a cheery atmosphere into the dining-room."   Lincoln told great stories and loved to jest. If political dicussions became too hot, he was able to soothe any ruffled feathers. 

I didn't get a photo of Lincoln scything hay/wheat but apparently politicians were expected to prove their muscle and mettle out on the campaign trail. Lincoln won many a vote by helping out farmers or joining a game of quoits.

The house in which Abraham Lincoln was married. I'd like to pop right in this one-- in living color, of course, not black and white.

"The lad took her picture from his pocket and showed it to him." 

This illustration refers to a meeting with soldier William Scott who was sentenced to be shot for falling asleep on his watch within range of enemy fire.  Lincoln heard about the incident and went himself to talk to the young man. After chatting awhile, the president kindly said... 

"My boy, you are not going to be shot to-morrow. I believe you when you tell me that you could not keep awake. I am going to trust you, and send you back to your regiment. Now, I want to know what you intend to pay for all this?" 

The young man had no money but said his family might mortage the family farm or, if the president could wait till payday,  perhaps his comrades would help. The President replied:

"My bill is a great deal more than that, it is a very large one. Your friends cannot pay it, nor your family, nor your farm. There is only one man in the world who can pay it, and his name is William Scott. If from this day he does his duty so that when he comes to die he can truly say 'I have kept the promise I gave the President. I have done my duty as a soldier,' then the debt will be paid."

William Scott fell in battle a few months later and the debt was paid.  Can hardly bear that one, bloggy friends!  You know how battle, honor and glory affect me...  

There are funny little penciled notes scrawled here and there throughout the book but look what I found on the back of one illustration:  notes for a whole book report assignment! Some of it makes no sense.  Number three reads 'His reason in writing this book'... hmm...

Like I mentioned before,  this biography has been well used by a century of students (and still being used). I really really had to fight the urge to swipe it for it's own protection but if it has survived this long...  

If you are interested in The Boy's Life of Abraham Lincoln,  the text is available to read online or for ebook download at Gutenberg.org. 

The Skinny on Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

What is Mockingjay (for those of you living in caves)? 
The final book in the crazy popular Hunger Games Trilogy  by Suzanne Collins. Part Lottery by Shirley Jackson and part gladiatior games, this YA dystopian series is chilling and intense (especially the first one).  If you haven't read it, go find the first book, The Hunger Games, right now! Don't even worry about the trilogy if you aren't a series person, just read the first book and if you end up hooked, so be it. ;o)

Why did I wait five months to read Mockingjay? 
Just a combination of contrariness and not being in the  mood when it came out, I suppose.  Can you believe I actually had it in hand on the day at Walmart and didn't buy it?! It was only $12 too, which is a steal, but I really couldn't justify buying it knowing the library would have it by the time my mood improved.  Plus, even as much as I've enjoyed this series, I doubt it will be a beloved reread (a person can only take so much intensity) so no need to own it. 

Did I like Mockingjay?
Simple answer: Yes!  Of course, I prefer The Hunger Games best since I am a beginnings person (and it was so dang intense) but I was not disappointed like so many other fans were in the ending of the series.

 I never cared one way or the other about the Team Peeta or Team Gale business. Both boys were worthy and Katniss' choice made sense in the circumstances. 

 As for the unfortunate event(s), very sad but again it made sense in the context to illustrate the horrors of war-- and those horrors are happening right now in our own world, folks! 

The characters exhibiting symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder added an element of reality. Some fans complained about Katniss' coldness but I see it as a manifestion of not just the stress of the Hunger Games but surviving the day to day life in District 12.


Final thoughts?
 The Hunger Games stuck in my mind for days and days after reading it--  Catching Fire and Mockingjay didn't have quite the same impact but are still thought provoking.  

All dystopians make me muse and wonder: Could such a society occur? Would I survive in such a society? As an American, I tried to guess which states made up the districts of Panem. And like many dystopians, this one left me dying to know what is going on in the rest of the world! 

Mockingjay suited me to a tee as an ending to the Hunger games trilogy and the epilogue.. oh, the epilogue was perfect!  Because, really....  What will we tell the children?

Storytime: Muddy Paws by Moira Butterfield

This cute little picture book has been a favorite since last spring. (yes, that is how long this post has been languishing in draft form.) 

As soon as I spotted Muddy Paws by Moira Butterfield, I knew my little boy would love it.  You see, we had a new puppy that we had been trying to name for several weeks and this story is about a boy attempting to think of a name for his new puppy. Just perfect!

The illustrations are soft, diffused and very sweet but also dynamic.

 

In the story, as the boy explores the neighborhood seeking inspiration for a puppy name, the puppy explores too.

Of course, each of puppy's adventures involve dirt, water and muddy pawprints everywhere--- but he earns a name-- Muddypaws!

This is such a cute book and my little guy recommends it highly. Here is his review!

Linking to the Read to me: Picture Book Challenge.

What Shall I Wear Today?- Style secrets of a furry fashionista

Fifi Lapin, (or Fifi Lapip, if you're me because well, erm .... it just sounds cute, okay?!) is a very stylish bunny with a very fashionable book, and also surprisingly helpful. I know. Weird, right?

So the flowerpot-on-the-head thing may be a little out there, but a couple of the outfits are-gasp-wearable! Besides, most people need a little bit of fun in their wardrobe. I mean, suits are nice and all but what you really need is a patchwork v-neck jumpsuit. Fifi will take care of all your style related problems with the flip of a page, show you your essential makeup tools, and some cheap DIY tricks. Don't you wish you were as fabulous as Fifi?

X.
www.viewsofnow.blogspot.com

My Funny Holiday Reading

Not funny, hahah. Funny, peculiar. 

The need to read was intense but an odd mental block kept me from starting a new book.  My Mt. Everest sized TBR pile is extremely eclectic so there is no lack of variety to suit any mood.  I even felt anticipation so why couldn't I settle? 

Not one to shy from self-analysis, I figured it out. For one thing, my brain was awhirl with all the possibilities of 2011: personal reading goals,  official reading challenges and readalongs.  Being a predominantly serendipitous reader, so much planning threw me a bit out of whack.  I couldn't possibly begin any new books till finished thinking or after January 1 whichever came first.

Also, it was the holiday. It wouldn't do to fall into the void with a new book right in the middle of all the festivities!

Can you guess what I did? Yes, reread, of course.  Rereading is a common occurance for me-- not because of  frequent mental blocks-- just because it brings so much pleasure and new insights gained from life experiences. 

 Of course, sometimes it is just pure dee old comfort reading.  Finishing the whole book isn't even necessary-- sometimes a few pages or a favorite chapter will do-- cozy, familiar and interesting but not so absorbing that one can't come back to the real world at a moments notice.

My first reread:

Yep, good old Harry! I haven't seen the new movie yet and even told Enbrethiliel that I was a bit burnt on Potter. Guess I was wrong.  This pick is definitely inspired by E's recent posts on rereading  the series.

After reading about five chapters during a few teatime breaks, I started over-- Now, it is my little boy's bedtime book. If you ever need a distraction for an overwrought five year old on Christmas night, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone is the ticket. 

My second reread:

What can I say? The  movie on tv ensnared me-- guess I got off lucky, I just caught the battle of Helm's Deep-- but the glory and heroics get me every time and then, of course, I start to ponder the inconsistencies in the movie. The elves did not join the battle and  I only meant to confirm that fact but ended up rereading all of  part 3 which is the first half of The Two Towers.

This part of LOTR never fails to move me: the death of Boromir, the race across Rohan, the return of Gandalf, casting out Wormtongue, the battle at Helm's Deep, the anger of  Fangorn Forest,  a reunion of old friends and the lessening of Sarumen. Truly, it is enough to make a girl swoon! Well, maybe a weird girl. I do wonder sometimes if I was a petite amazon or warrior princess in a past life.

My holiday reading was immensely satisfying. I feel refreshed and ready to leap headlong into a wonderful  new year of reading and rereading.  

Did you reread an old favorite or a brand spanking new book during the holidays?

Legacy of Cain

Ooooh, doesn't that sound thrilling??

Well, I am cheating a bit with this, as it is another re-read. But. Here's the dealio.

I ran off to NE Texas (remember, the Cabin?) without going to the library! I know! I couldn't believe it myself. I really don't know what was wrong with me. I have a list of books to read too!

Anyway, I have left a few books to read here and two of these are books by Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone and The Legacy of Cain. You might have also heard of The Woman in White. These are all really enjoyable books.

My favorite by Collins

Collins was one of the first of the mystery writers. Although these novels were written in the 1800s and are not "bloody" or gratuitously violent, they are, in my humble opinion, fairly suspenseful. With quite a few twists and turns, and differing viewpoints, you are not quite sure what is going on 'til the end.


The Legacy of Cain is the story of two girls - one is the daughter of a murderess and the other of a minister and his wife. The couple adopt the first one and raise her, never telling her, nor anyone else, of her past.

The two grow up together and love each other like sisters...UNTIL...a MAN enters the picture! It's interesting to see how their jealousies play out. How far will each go to defeat her rival? Will their mothers' traits affect their actions now?

Well...you have to read it to find out.

Good Will Hunting... For Books!

Have you ever checked the Goodwill Store for books? Take a few minutes to run in for a quick peruse the next time you are tootling around town, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. 

Check out my crazy good haul from Friday's Goodwill hunting! The sole goal of this visit was books so not a lagniappe find but sure didn't expect to find so many. Yippee!  And in case you are wondering,  I completely blocked out my towering TBR mountain and lack of shelf space.   



What a deal! Seven books in good to new condition for $4.91

 My picks:

Jane Eyre-- Not the most attractive cover but I've been wanting to reread it for awhile.   And it is a Norton Critical Edition, whatever that is... 

War and Peace-- Oops, no more excuses for putting off reading this one and it is another Norton Critical Edition. Still don't know what that signifies but I'm feeling quite snooty in a bookish sort of way.

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume-- A historical romance. Hmm, haven't been able to finish one of these in ten years but had a sudden hankering...   (A big ol' ;o) at Tracy and Leslie)

The Devil Wears Prada-- Anyone read this?  I liked the movie...

The Color Purple--   Another that I've been meaning to read someday since I absolutely loved the movie and the book is my baby brother's favorite reread.

Alexandria Link--  Love thrillers! Especially science or history thrillers. This one involves the lost Library of Alexandria and a shocking revelation that could alter modern geopolitics. Oooo, makes me shiver in anticipation.

The Songs of Distant Earth-- Love me some sci-fi too!

Some Goodwills have a musty selection so can't promise your local store is a biblio-goldmine but do check it out!  

Book pretty. Wish list.

Words are nice,

but sometimes, what's called for is pretty and that needs no words:

Remodelaholic

wish list:

Decorating with Books (House Beautiful)

At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries

and just because we can all dream about heaven..

A Stairway, though they called it "Bibliophile Porn.
I sort of like it.