Suzzallo Library Reading Room, University of Washington (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bedbugs found in UW library books
This is the headline I came across doing some other Internet research. Apparently the bedbug brouhaha is far from over. I had heard the warning about the pesky critters when staying in hotels and even when ordering clothes, yet, never thought they would be interested in books. The Seattle Times article discusses how bedbugs hitch rides in books and live in the spine and come creeping out at night to feed. This is especially bad news for those of us that fall asleep with a book in hand in bed.
Here is one suggestion: give the little buggers the cold shoulder by popping the book in a Ziploc bag and popping it into the freezer. The cold makes them chill out for good. That comes from Stephanie Lamson, head of preservation services at the University of Washington Libraries.
I have often wiped off covers before allowing books to hop up on my bed at night (I’ve worked in libraries and reading dirty books takes on a whole new meaning after working with them all day long). I guess I will now be leaving them in the cold before they can warm my heart, which seems much more practical than hiring a bedbug sniffing dog.
English: Bedbug sniffing Dog, New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Saturday I decided to go visiting other bloggers and what a fun time! There are soooo many interesting people and posts out there. It’s blogdelicious! I invited folks to join up on Book Boosters, which is a recognition page of bibliophiles (lovers of books), and whopping 15 people responded and we are now sporting a roster of 55 Book Boosters.
If you would like to add your name to the roll call of Book Boosters simply drop me a line. I look forward to hearing from you 🙂
Do you love books?
Do you have favorites you read, recommend, and even re-read?
Are you a frequent flyer at the local library?
Are you an on-line regular of book sites, be they promoting to buy, review, or boast books?
Perchance you operate on a need to read basis–you have to have a book in hand, by the bed, stashed in the car, or have one nestled in the backpack.
You then, my friend, are a Book Booster. And you are in good company. Add your name to the list and welcome to the shelf of those who appreciate and advance the cause of books.
It never fails. About the time I begin to feel *normal* I go back to work. For those of you who are not teachers I may not get much sympathy–after all, most of the world does not get large chunks of time off scattered throughout the year like educator types do. Skip this post then. I really don’t want to read comments about whatever am I complaining about getting almost two weeks off for Christmas Break. This post is more about coping with the deprogramming I go through while on break. I definitely feel regret, remorse, and/or sorrow; I rue.
Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t rue my choice of career. I love teaching. Some days I even like it (old joke). What I rue is how intensely I view my career. I don’t stop thinking school during my break and I am constantly forming lesson plans, looking up new sites, checking mail (answering questions from students–yes, I will write you a reference letter), and refining old units as I create new ones. That creative energy, that inertia of teaching doesn’t just quietly wait for me in the classroom; it follows me home and won’t let me enjoy reading a book without marking a passage to share with students, I can’t read the newspaper without clipping out an article that underscores a lesson recently covered, and I’m unable to work on my writing because of all those teacherly cobwebs covering up my creativity.
Until today. Today I woke up and felt like teaching is a distant memory, a fond reminiscence, something I once did. Today I really got the urge to write, write, write. New ideas, a resurgence of purpose, a desire to edit and revise and investigate new publishing opportunities. Aah, then there is the crashing reality of it being Friday and knowing I return to the classroom on Monday, meaning writing will once again take a nestled backseat to my day, that is f I have time and energy after grading papers and configuring another day’s set of lessons.
Today is today. Monday is Monday. I shall not rue my break, only embrace the fact it gives me glimmer of what retirement might be like.
P.S. I found this documentary at the library: American Teacher. Wow! What an eye-opener.
Although I do enjoy a mystery now and then I must ,with some embarrassment, confess I hadn’t read an Agatha Christie until most recently. Shocking, I know. After all, Dame Christie is the Queen of Mystery. That reason why I hadn’t read any of her books was my contentment to experience the film adaptations.
That is until I watched A Murder Is Announced.
This particular series stars Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, and while I have no real complaint with her portrayal, I do have concerns over other liberties. For one, Miss Marple is well-known for her ditzy little old lady approach to solving crimes, which makes the juxtaposition all the more interesting, for who would think this sweet spinster who continually knits has a mind sharp enough to see past the obvious and solve what the detectives can’t?
Exactly.
When something is seasoned right, don’t add more spice. Or in this case, let’s pass on making the Miss Marple sweeter for modern audiences. For instance, Miss Marple is classified primarily as a cozy mystery, meaning the murders are more mystery than gory. Also, Miss Marple plots tend to be conservative, not straying too far in social issues. Then there is the main personality of Miss Marple who is known for her prudent, if not prudish manner and values. With all that said, it is perplexing why the McEwan series takes viewers on such a darker path than Christie ever did. This series includes topics not overtly addressed in the books: incest, homosexuality, racism, feminism, religion. The addition of these spicier elements does not improve the plot, and actually detracts from it. There is also the suggestion Miss Marple had an affair with a married man in her younger days. All these extras did not entice me to continue with the series; it actually quelled my interest in continuing. It’s as if the producers felt a good solid mystery wouldn’t be enough for modern audiences.
At this point you might be wondering how I know about what Christie had or didn’t have in her books if I hadn’t read them. Easy–I consulted an expert. ET, my local librarian and mystery aficionado, assured me Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series did not focus on those previously mentioned topics, and she’s read them twice. After watching A Murder Is Announced I read it for myself. Already knowing the identity of the murderer rather spoiled the read, but I was actually reading for comparison. They should have stuck to the original plot.
While I might read more of Agatha Christie I will have to be careful not to read those which I’ve watched. Nothing spoils a good whodunnit more than knowing whodiddit. Then there is the fact I very much prefer Hercules Poirot, especially David Suchet’s studied performance of the Belgium detective. The little grey cells find his plots decidedly delicious and there are extra sweeteners in Suchet’s series.
WordPress recently reminded me of my one year anniversary. Oops. Time swiftly flies when having so much fun? I didn’t acknowledge the anniversary with a card or make dinner reservations or even buy flowers. And yet, my life has been enhanced by this relationship. I know my writing has improved, I’ve met an amazing array of people, I’ve been enlightened, amused, astounded, and decidedly enriched through my WordPress endeavour. Here are some highlights so far:
first post on January 5th (I guess I took a bit between registering and actually posting)
Ordinary Days was my first blog offering (EagleEyed Editor commented and we have been happily exchanging commentaries since then. Shout out to 3E!)
128 posts so far
4 pages
44 categories
430 tags (I have never really gotten the whole category/tag designation thing–open to clarification)
698 comments
best day ever consisted of 86 views on March 17th and the post concerned itself with bookcases
But stats are rather dry. It’d be like saying: “During our marriage I’ve cooked over 15,000 meals, washed the windows over 250 times, made the bed at least 565 times, and rearranged the living room at least 17 times.” Of course these stats are bogus because who keeps track of that kind of stuff? I do find it fascinating that WordPress keeps stats and sometimes I wander around them finding out what countries have visited, what posts have earned the most looks, and who is making the most comments. Wouldn’t it be cool to have someone keep stats on our everyday doings like that? Or not–
That reminds me of the opening scene fromStranger Than Fiction. I don’t think Harold enjoyed having his life tracked in such a manner. Actually, I don’t think I would like it either.
After a year, especially moving into a new year, I should become reflective and resolutionated. Nah. That’s smacks of banal and boring. I will offer the following on the evolution of this blog:
I felt I needed to create a blog since so many writing articles pounded the importance of establishing a platform. I saw it as a “Build it and the agents will discover you.” Didn’t that work for Julie of Julie and Julia?
Cover of Julie & Julia
If you are an agent I am open to talking about that multi-media package of book, movie, and video game.
The original intent of my blog was to read books, review them, and address how the book helped me as a writer. I still do that; however, after a few of these entries I decided to spice things up with different book related entries. I’m still promoting my journey as a writer as a reader through my posts–I’m a bit more eclectic in my approach now. After all, I don’t eat the same breakfast every morning.
I’m still learning how to blog. I just discovered the kitchen sink widget. Thank goodness I’ve located the undo button. Colors are fun to write in as well.
Not content with one blog, I have developed another blog, Veranano, which was a vehicle for my 2012 NaNoWriMo entry. I didn’t have the heart to disengage Vera once the novel project was completed so I am continuing her entries. Thinking like a creative fifteen year old who has a singular outlook and variant lifestyle (did I mention her parents are professional writers?) is a stretch for me. It’s been a while since I’ve been fifteen and she no way represents much of the way I lived life as a teen. Two blogs with two different directions is a stretch and when I’m writing like Vera I feel a tad schizzy around the edges.
My Book Boosters page doesn’t rage up into the hundreds of committed bibliomaniacs as I had initially thought. On the other hand, I’ve not aggressively promoted it either. Serendipity signer-uppers has been a pleasant way of gaining growth. Oh, here’s my chance: Are you a Book Booster yet? No? I will gladly sign you up and you will enjoy the benefits of finding yourself on the page with other BBers. No dues, no annual meetings or conferences. I’m still working on the secret handshake.
So–thanks to all those 153 followers who’ve made this year memorable.
Oh, and WordPress? Freshly Pressed? I wouldn’t mind.
When the world reveals too much darkness I tend to retreat. I know I can’t just hide and pretend it will all go away, yet I don’t want to dwell on tragedies and troubling events. So when the world is at its darkest I look up and out and around to find the bright spots.
And I escape by reading.
My love and prayers go out to those affected by the turmoil and troubles of the day. I do encourage everyone to keep looking for the bright spots as I am reminded of Emily Dickinson who spoke of hope:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
254
“Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all—
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm—
I’ve heard it in the chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me
Disclaimer: my commentary (not to be confused with a diatribe) is by in no means a diss upon those authors who have achieved success in their ability to appease the hunger of a ready populace for further forays of their favorite literary characters. I applaud publication success, even though I may not applaud the content.
The Janes of my reading life have left me wanting. Wanting more that is. Having read through Jane Austen and desiring more of Jane Eyre, I have continued to found solace in the many continuations that are currently available.
As we all know, there truly is no satisfying replacement for the original. However, when you crave a Godiva and only Hershey is available, sometimes there is a willingness to settle for less when the best is no longer available. In my Search for More Jane (not a book title, but wouldn’t it be a fun one?) I have scoured my GoodReads lists to find plausible reads. I attempted several titles and grew weary in my searches for a true Elizabeth B. and company. Only JA knew Elizabeth best. Besieged by the plethora of Pride and Prejudice knock-offs, I have turned to other novels of classic inspiration. Jane Eyre is one such hopeful.
I dutifully read Wide Saragossa Sea since it ranked a place on the AP Suggested Reading List. Touted as the prequel to Jane Eyre and hailed as a classic, I braved through the novel ever hopeful it would answer those nagging questions of how Edward Rochester became smitten and taken in by Bertha. The novel turned out to be more of a stand alone than a companion read.
I then chanced upon Death of a Schoolgirl by Joanna Campbell Slan at my local library on the new releases shelf. Seeing it featured Jane Eyre in her married state of Mrs. Rochester I quickly plunked it into by book bag. Overall, I enjoyed this as a weekend read with its premise that Jane’s curiosity and tenacity makes her a rival to Miss Marple in sleuthing skills. A fun read, granted, it offered only a shadow in terms of the depth of Jane.
image: amazon.com
I then remembered reading a book review about a contemporary version of Jane Eyre. Setting the intrepid ET upon the search, she found Jane by April Linder. I too checked it out. Here is the catalog summary:
Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.
image: amazon.comI read it anyway.
No, Jane had not been what I had originally been looking for, and fortunately I found the lost review buried under my get-to-it-someday stack. The Flight of Gemma Hardy, proved a much better replacement crave read and definitely proved the glowing review it received.
image: amazon.com
Set in Iceland and Scotland in the fifties and sixties, Gemma Hardy’s life parallels that of Jane Eyre’s in travail and hardships. Gemma is a young woman who becomes an au pair for the precocious niece of a Mr.Sinclair, who infrequently visits his Scottish home. Gemma’s journey and subsequent flight adequately pays tribute to that of Jane Eyre’s, yet manages to be a distinctive and well-written plot twist of its own merit. I reluctantly finished Livesey’s tribute novel, quite satisfied with having found a glimpse of Jane through Gemma. I am looking forward to discovering her other works.
Sometimes the best way to find a continuation of a familiar voice is to discover a new acquaintance.
Conclusion: There is real no “eyrror” in finding replacement reads for Jane; it’s only a matter of discernment.
Poor Vera–her state of mind and mood often is a reflection of mine. After my push week of PTCs and then a weekend of flu my creative verve is very much swerving like a tipsy ballerina on a wet dance floor. To elucidate, my words are slipping all over the place.
Out of the 2,406 words I posted today I really only like this snippet: Books can be the best friends in the world. I can find them waiting for me on a shelf no matter where we move to.
You see, Vera, my NaNo protagonist has the misfortune of having a set of parents who tend to move often because her mother Sylvia likes a change of scenery. This means a lot of adjusting and readjusting for Vera. Which means making friends is not easy for her. However, she finds solace in books. Like me, Vera long ago discovered all kinds of friends are waiting to be made at the library. They are there waiting patiently on the shelves, just waiting for someone to discover them.
So my Thirteenth NaNo post is a bit of a bobble, a slip of a wobble, yet the main dance move, the main step is in place and that is books are always there for you.
Happy Pages (and I’m 22,000+ invested in NaNo–drat, where’s the Haagen Daz when you need it?)
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT THE GOTHIC TO WHICH I REFER
I have admittedly strayed from my AP book list and I am in the midst of coasting in my reading tastes: the gothic romance novel. oh yeah.
I’m not talking your acceptable-found-on-the-list novel like Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre. Nope, I’m talking about the forgotten books by a forgotten author that needs rediscovering. Maybe I will start a resurgence of Dorothy Eden readers. You never know.
Intrigued by what constitutes a gothic romance novel I Googled to find a most excellent site called Virtual Salt, which is written by Robert Harris, former professor and general busy guy. He’s got an exciting menu of topic choices on his website and it is a recommended stop by. I chose “Element of the Gothic Novel” and will definitely be borrowing from and referring to his article once I get to Wuthering Heightsand Jane Eyre in AP Lit.
Currently I’m cheat reading and have discovered amidst the buried “E”s when I was last shelf shopping, Dorothy Eden, who had once upon a time a long writing career spanning from the 1940s into the 1980, being known primarily for writing these smashing gothic romances with heroines exhibiting contemporary tendencies. I’m deep into my second one and these are exactly what I need, having come off of a grading campaign of freshmen poetry notebooks.
Here is Gothic Romance Elements 101 in a Nutshell. For in-depth article investigation I encourage you to investigate Robert Harris’s site.
A Gothic Romance needs to have the following:
1. a castle
2. inexplicable events
3. suspense
4. a damsel in distress
5. overwrought emotions
6. metonymy of gloom and horror *
*refresher for metonymy: it’s a type of metaphor. For instance, in movies to get some immediate gloom and horror tone going the script will throw in some approaching footsteps and of course you gotta have the sudden torrential downpoour complete with thunder and lightning.
Here’s what Dorothy Eden fare I’ve dined upon so far–the title alone, let alone the cover art, indicate a GR is within the grasp.
I couldn’t improve on Amazon:
There was something about the tall, dynamic Dane that disturbed Luise Amberley. But he was so attentive, so charming, that she silenced the small warning voice within her and yielded to his passionate persuasions. The wedding ceremony was hasty, almost furtive, but Luise was too wildly infatuated to care. Even his insistence that their marriage be kept a secret did not seem unreasonable. Otto Winther was, after all, a Count…a man whose ancestors were royalty in Denmark. Not until they left the small seaside resort where they had met and arrived at Maaneborg Castle did Luise become aware that something was wrong. It was not merely the coolmess of the welcome. There was an atmosphere of desperation and danger. They were hiding something. And Luise was determined to find out their secret, no matter what the risk. She did not want to remain a SHADOW WIFE.
It’s actually much better than the description. Considering the publishing date was 1967 I found myself surprised that the following being mentioned: a)computers b)open love affairs within a marriage c)abortion. Plus Luise is no fainting Melba. She does not easily whimper off or get locked up in a dungeon. She reminds me a lot of Jane Eyre, one of my all time fave heroines.
I’m in the middle of Winterwood and once again I will let Amazon do the honors.
See the castle? See the damsel in distress? Gloom and suspense? And you know that inexplicable event is about to happen.
Enough of the blogging. I must return to my saga of the socialite forced by circumstance to become governess to the wealthy family consisting of handsome husband, aloof wife with a myriad of light illnesses, and two spoiled children. I did mention the dying, extremely rich aunt, did I not?
Over the past couple of years I’ve been fortunate to journey with some of the more elite and talented thespians of this age. The likes of Jeremy Irons, Cherry Jones, Jessica Tandy, and Sissy Spacek have kept me company on my long travels and daily commute. They have challenged me, enlightened me, and entertained me. And I showed my appreciation by never interrupting them as they spoke.
“Read me a story.” These words are among the first requests we have as a child once we figure out language. Somewhere between infancy and childhood the request to be read to drops to the wayside–maybe it’s seen as being rather babyish, since, after all we have learned to read books on our own. Yet, I never tire of having a book read to me. I especially have learned that while I need to read, I’m not very good at juggling the reading of more than one book unless one of them is an audio book. I am hooked on audio books.
I’ve been listening to audio books since they became available on cassettes all those years ago. Sometimes the dratted tapes would fuss up and I’d lose part of the story. Aggravating. Then came CDs, (much better thank you–although occasional scratching causes blips and hiccups–so annoying). Now there are websites, Ipods, and Playaways, where all that is needed are a set of headphones.
There is nothing like having a good story read out loud on a long, solitary car trip. As I prepare for my trip I gleefully check out several audio books from my lovely neighborhood library and perch them on my passenger seat as my companions. Most books play any from seven to fourteen hours. Great for those long hauls. I’ve been known to stay in my car to listen to the last of the story even after arriving at my destination.
The downside to audio books is due to their very nature of interactive reading–once started as an audio book, it’s difficult to finish it by traditional eye-to-page. I made that mistake with The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Coming home I was about halfway through listening to the book and decided to finish reading it via my checked out library book. What better way to spend the remaining sunny summer afternoon? However, as emotionally involved as I got with the story, due to the excellent voice of Cherry Jones, I couldn’t sufficiently feel the proper grief when * SPOILER ALERT* I read of Singer’s demise. It didn’t register at all.
Lately, I’ve taken to listening to audio books on my short commute to work. It helps get more reading done, since I get tired of listening to music. Except I have run into a bothersome problem. My last audio book still resonates with me and I am having a difficult time moving on to checking out my next selection. How can I possibly find a better reading than what Jeremy Irons did in The Alchemist? I may have to go back to listening to music for a while. I even tried to recapture the glorious reading by checking out both library copies which are wonderfully illustrated. Nope, wasn’t the same thing as listening to Jeremy’s sonorous tones. I may even be spoiled for the movie they keep saying will eventually be made.
What is your favorite audio book? Is it just me, or is there really something about having someone read you a story?
)
I couldn’t improve on Amazon:
Pam Webb 