Ramble: A Grand Ambition

I wrote a few weeks ago about the prospect of not purchasing any books, thru any means, for a whole year. You can see that I choose not to pursue that route.

I am, however, serious about attempting that for the month of February. I’ve given myself the deadline of today to buy any books I wish and then to wait until March 1 to purchase any more.

This is a grand ambition, to be sure. But I am notorious for sabotaging myself. We shall see, dear readers, if I may last.

EDIT: I lasted 5 days. I'm certain no one is surprised.

Aquisitions: Thrift Shopping

A dear friend and I went thrift shopping this afternoon, for items unrelated to books, but it's nigh impossible for either of us to ignore the siren's call of used books.

For about $15, I purchased:

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

So Far from Home: the Diary of Mary Discoll, an Irish Mill Girl by Barry Denenberg

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes

A Fine White Dust by Cynthia Rylant

Pregnancy: the Ultimate Week-by-Week Guide by Dr. Laura Riley

What to Expect Your First Year by Arlene Eisenberg

Vampires in the Mists Christie Golden

March by Geraldine Brooks

Monster by Frank Peretti

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques

The Discworld Graphic Novels by Terry Pactchett (The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic)

Hank Zipper by Henry Winkler

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Tess of the d'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy

Steal Away Home by Lois Ruby

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

EDIT: I'm experimenting with the idea of doing video each aquisitions post. This is my first attempt. Format and Titles may change. Also my outfit and hair.

In the Mailbox is meme created by The Story Siren.

Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: A collection of fairy tales told to wizarding children, along with commentary from the late Albus Dumbledore.

Review: Fairy tales are a hobby of mine, and it was delightful to read new tales, each well done. The format of the book was enjoyable, in particular the commentary by Dumbledore. His insights were illuminating and pleasant to read. I look forward to reading this collection to my children, along with the traditional Muggle fairy tales.

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: several

Date Complete: 1-23-2011
Pages: 128

Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: If you don't know what this book is about, come out from your cave and rejoin the human race.

Review: The greatest compliment I give this book is it surpassed the hype. Which, in all my years reading has never happened. A book may live up to, but never surpass. This one did. I am certain this is one of the greatest (and I say greatest, not best, for a reason) books I have ever read. There is nothing more to say.

Bookmarks: 10 out of 10

Awards: all of them

Date Completed: 1-22-2011
Pages: 759

Aquisitions: Paperbank Inc.

There is a cute little used book store near us I frequent. While 80% of their inventory is romance, I often find small treasures among the sci-fi/fantasy, classic and young adult sections. They are more expensive then thrift stores or book sales, but I don't mind supporting independent book sellers. Plus, you earn money-off and free books with every dollar spent. Not a bad deal, in my mind.

Today, for $40, I purchased:

Dead Until Dark by Charlene Harris

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

The River Between Us by Richard Peck

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

Daughter of the Mountain by Lousie Rankin

The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Since all but the Julia Quinn books were on my list, I am very pleased with my acquisitions. Now, which to read first?

EDIT: New Video, mostly to practice. Enjoy!

In the Mailbox is meme created by The Story Siren.

Review: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions ed. by Arthur Bennett

Synopsis: The strength of Puritan character and life lay in prayers and meditations. In this practice the spirit of prayers was regarded as of first importance and the best for of prayers, for living prayer is the characteristic of genuine spirituality. Yet prayer is also vocal and may therefore on occasions be written. Consequently in the Puritan tradition there are many written prayers and meditations which constitute an important corpus of inspiring devotional literature

Too often ex tempore prayer lacks variety, order and definiteness. The reason for this lies partly in a neglect of due preparations. It is here that the care and scriptural thoroughness which others found necessary in their approach to God may be of help. This book has been prepared not to "supply" prayers but to prompt and encourage the Christian as he treads the path on which others have gone before. (From the back of the book)

Roughts: This is a simple, concise collection of one-page prayers and meditations written by the Puritans. It is part prayer and part poetry. The language is old, making use of "thy", "thee" and "thou" but it gives the words a depth and richness lacking in the more romantic prayers of today. There is much focus on repentance, the vileness of sin and the evil of the heart, but also the absolute grace of Christ and the everlasting love of God. This book encouraged my heart and my mind and my desire for prayer. An excellent read.

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: None

Date Completed: 1-16-2011
Pages: 220

Review: One Hundred Famous Haiku ed. and trans by Daniel C. Buchanan

Synopsis: A collection of 100 Haiku from various poets, ranging from the 1500-1900s. Each is written in the original Japanese script, the Japanese in Arabic script and the English translation. With each is a short paragraph about the poet, the meaning of the poem, symbolism or tradition. They are arranged in 4 chapters, each after a season.

Roughts: This is an excellent introduction to the best of the Haiku. As someone who has very little exposure to the form, I enjoyed the overview, the wide variety of poets and the accompanying explanation. I have added several names to my list of poets to read from this book. My favorite was by a female poet named Chiyojo:

Dragonfly catcher
How far have you gone today
in your wanderings?

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: None

Date Completed: 1-15-2011
Pages: 120