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Read more about the article Thumbing Through Thoreau, compiled by Kenny Luck: Book Review

Thumbing Through Thoreau, compiled by Kenny Luck: Book Review

Synopsis from the book's website. On July 4, 1845, when Henry David Thoreau moved into his cabin on the shores of Walden Pond, he was probably unaware that his abode in the woods, and the impact and influence of that endeavor, would forever echo through time. Thoreau was an uncompromising idealist; an ardent maverick who criticized his fellow man. He urged that men and women ought to live more simply, and more deliberately. “The mass of men,” he famously wrote, “lead lives of quite desperation.” Yet the scope of Thoreau’s message is much wider than social criticism. He speaks of spiritual transcendence in Nature and the unbounded potential of the individual. Thoreau is a dreamer and he speaks to dreamers. In a word, shun dogmatism and demagoguery; see beyond the immediate conventional religious explanations to reap a higher understanding. In our commodified contemporary American society, with the rise of religious intolerance and fundamentalism, materialism and mass consumerism, Thoreau’s message is needed now more than ever. Author Kenny Luck has thumbed through Thoreau’s voluminous journals, correspondences and other publications to make this the most comprehensive collection of Thoreau aphorisms available. Illustrators Jay Luke and Ren Adams lend their talents to artistically interpret Thoreau's vision. Each quote is accompanied by an original drawing. A collaboration of three individuals breathes new life into the immortal words of Henry David Thoreau. Thanks to the publicist for sending me an unbound galley for review. I see this review as being in two parts: the quotes and the format. The quotes are pretty easy. I think most people already have at least a vague idea as to what Henry David Thoreau was all about.  I enjoyed studying the transcendentalists in college, and I enjoyed reading more from Thoreau now.  Here are some quotes that I marked…

Author Spotlight

Author Masha Hamilton and Two Projects You Should Know About

Over the weekend, I attended the Blue Ridge Book Fest in nearby Flat Rock, NC. It was a small event, but I recognized the names of local(ish) authors Robert Morgan, Ann B. Ross, and Joshilyn Jackson, so I decided to head on out. I knew I'd have the opportunity to meet some authors whose work I had read and liked, and I just might meet some new favorites. Well, I've probably got at least three blog posts to write about this small event, but I'm going to start with an author whose name I did not recognize although one of her books was already on my gigantic to-read list. Masha Hamilton Masha was a journalist who spent years reporting from the Middle East and Soviet Union. You know she has stories to tell! Now that she's based in New York, she's turned her attention to novels and world literacy. She has written 31 Hours, Staircase of a Thousand Steps, The Distance Between Us, and The Camel Bookmobile. They all sound interesting. But it is really her world literacy efforts that I want to tell you about. I was so impressed. According to her website, Masha reported from Afghanistan in 2004 and went back in 2008. While there, she was interested in the women's stories. Among the obvious loss of freedoms we consider basic rights, they seem to have even lost their voices and their stories. Who among us can imagine living like that? She wanted to give them their voices back. She started The Afghan Women's Writing Project. She said it began as her own commitment to spend 10 weeks at home tutoring a small group of Afghan women who had access to the internet. She quickly saw that their needs were outstripping her availability, and she reached out to…

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June 7, 2010
Read more about the article A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: Book Review

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: Book Review

Bill Bryson is back and this time's he's tackling the question of "Where do we come from?" in a very accessible kind of way. He gives an everyman's scientific explanation of the creation of the universe, the world, the atmosphere, evolution, human evolution, you name it. Pretty much all the sciences are covered, from astronomy to physics to geology to biology and plenty more that I can't think of at the moment. I'm not really a non-fiction person. I'm just not. But Bill Bryson usually keeps me entertained with his witty writing style. He didn't really manage to be witty while writing about science, but he was interesting. Probably some of my favorite parts were back stories about how odd some of the most famous scientists were (Did you know that Sir Isaac Newton, probably one of the most brilliant scientists that has ever or will ever live, decided to shove a big needle into the back of his eye one time, just to see what would happen?). I also got my biology degree once upon a time, so he did get around to covering stuff that does obviously interest me. There was absolutely no mention of creationism in this book, so I wouldn't recommend it to people who would be offended by that. He did get a little environmentally preachy right at the very end, but that didn't bother me. If you're interested in how things work--or, sometimes, just how scientists think things might work--this book is for you.

Read more about the article Captain Frederick Wentworth: Character Connection
Introverted Reader Features

Captain Frederick Wentworth: Character Connection

We all have characters we love. Let's spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too! Most of you will probably post about how much you love each character, but this is a great place for the more creative ones among you to let go and have fun! Write a love letter to Captain Wentworth. Write yourself into a scene with Anne and Diana. Draw a picture of yourself in Jamie's arms. The possibilities are endless. Be sure to post the book's title and author, and be very careful not to give away spoilers while talking about how much you love your characters. Mr. Linky will be posted here on The Introverted Reader every Thursday. MAJOR SPOILERS FOR JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION Dearest Captain Wentworth, I can passively read no more. I must write of how you are stealing my heart, even as you are reclaiming Anne’s. You are so true, faithful, and honorable. Even when I watched you with Louisa, fearful that you would fall under that silly girl’s spell, knowing in my heart that you could only belong with Anne, I admired the way you were so attentive to all the women around you. When your sister and brother-in-law met your walking party, you saw that Anne was tired and assisted her into their carriage. When Louisa insisted in jumping off every wall in her vicinity, you blamed yourself when she fell, although she had only herself and her childish ways to blame. When you came to Bath for the express purpose of seeking out Anne, you stood aside when you thought she had an understanding with Mr. William Elliott, thinking you left Anne free…

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June 3, 2010
Read more about the article The Heroine’s Bookshelf Reading Challenge
Book Review Lists

The Heroine’s Bookshelf Reading Challenge

After reading The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore, Bibliophibian was inspired to read about the heroines she didn't know. And so this challenge was born. Read 1-5 books that feature the heroines from The Heroine's Bookshelf. I own but haven't read 3 of these, so this will help a little with the Off the Shelf challenge as well. Re-reads do not count. Check out the heroines and then sign up. I'll track my progress here. The Color Purple by Alice Walker Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop's, my local independent bookstore located in downtown Asheville, NC; and Better World Books. I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

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June 2, 2010
Read more about the article Gothic Reading Challenge
Book Review Lists

Gothic Reading Challenge

Well-Mannered Frivolity is hosting the Gothic Reading Challenge on a dedicated site. I love a good Gothic read, but I don't pick up the genre often. Here's another much-needed push for me! My goal is A Little Madness--to read one Gothic book. Visit Gothic Reading Challenge for more details.  I'll track my progress here. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, read by David Warner I have an affiliate relationship with IndieBound, Book Depository, and Better World Books and will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

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June 2, 2010
Read more about the article Read Me Baby, 1 More Time Challenge
Book Review Lists

Read Me Baby, 1 More Time Challenge

Midnight Book Girl is hosting Read Me Baby 1 More Time. Who can resist a title like that? The challenge is to re-read your old favorites. We're talking a full re-read, no skimming favorite scenes. I'm signing up for a Trip Down Memory Lane at 3 re-reads. Visit the site for more details.  This one includes prizes! I'll track my progress here. Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint Jack of Kinrowan by Charles de Lint The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust The Wayside School Collection by Louis Sachar, read by the author From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint I have an affiliate relationship with IndieBound, Book Depository, and Better World Books and will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

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June 2, 2010