LFL New Year’s Resolutions

My 2016 New Year’s Resolution is to have and Steward a

Little Free Library

1082118316http://littlefreelibrary.org/

I don’t usually do NY’s resolutions,
so I’m taking this one very seriously, and I’m super excited.

8461848b014b6ef8_8108-w400-h534-b0-p0--home-designI know there are many different feelings about the Little Free Library movement, and it’s mostly positive ( at least within the LFL community.) Unfortunately there has been some nuetral and negative feedback as well. People have made statements that they don’t understand the idea, since we have public libraries. Others say the books and/or  library are likely to just be stolen, and/or vandalized/damaged. I’ve also heard people say LFL’s are only in rich neighborhoods, so they aren’t really helping anyone. >:/

I can certainly understand confusion, and most of the various thoughts and feelings about these little wonders. However, I think if you take the time to consider who and what these libraries are really for, you’ll likely begin to see the beauty in them.

Here are my thoughts on the matter:
8afa2c92a9ba8fbd09bca9d9f0e77a7a I think Little Free Libraries are a great way to build community relationship. Most of them encourage taking a book, so you can’t really “steal.” They start people talking about books, add interest and a touch of fun to any area, and they are oh so quaint. The project alone can be a great team building exercise, family project, and/or form of self-expression. Once one is posted, it is a great opportunity for conversation. Best of all if you are like me and have a gazzillion books, and have a serious Tsundoku problem, they create a fun place to put some used books.

There doesn’t really have to be a reason to create and steward one, but I’m sure the majority of reasons are well intended.

I personally would like to do one because I love books, and I especially love sharing books. Plus, Little Free Libraries are just the kind of quirky fun concept that inspires me. As for my future LFL, if it gets stolen or damaged, sure I’ll be sad, but it is what it is, and I’ll probably just do another one (eventually.) Maybe they are a fad and will fizzle out like Ferbies. Maybe mine will sit there cold and lonely and no one will appreciate or use it, but then hey, I’ll just have a really cool birdhouse. 😀

What are your thoughts on Little Free Libraries?

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The Strange and Beautiful

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Have you ever read a book that was super strange, and yet oddly moving? Well I have, plenty in fact. These books speak to a deeper side of our psyche, the side that is there lurking beneath the surface (well, for some.)

Here are some of The Strange and Beautiful books I’ve encountered:

(click any picture or title for more info.)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
What better book to start with than Lewis Carroll’s strange and delightful story of Alice; who has some rather interesting adventures in Wonderland. This story is like a quirky silly bizarro dream. It is witty and charming, and full of intriguing characters to love. It may be a bit of an oddball, but it is beautiful!

“Have I gone mad?     I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.”

11eab24bb4ff8d59eeed4c5f997c274bRated: 4.3 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Rose Tea
Steeped with cream and sugar to taste. 
 
Out of the Silent Planet
Another of C.S. Lewis’ treasures that I love. This book is so wonderfully strange. It is futuristic and prophetic, and thick with symbolism. There is a surreal ethereal like vibe to the story, that is captivating. I really enjoyed this book because well, it’s just so odd but so beautiful. As abstract as the book is, I felt it was very relate-able.

“The love of knowledge is a kind of madness.”

Vegan-Toasted-Coconut-Latte.jpgRated: 4.5 on amazon.com
Book
Bean: Cocomallow Steamer
Coconut milk concentrate and milk (to taste) heated and added to a blender, add a dab of cream marshmallow, blend til thick n’ frothy. MMM…

 

House of Leaves
The presentation of this book is bold and odd and crazy, and completely non-conventional. However, it somehow  works. Mark Z. Danielewski writes beautifully and with a daring one of a kind concept. It’s so interesting to read about how this book came to be in the world.

“We all create stories to protect ourselves.”

NF6zoQho-2400-2920 Rated: 4.0 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Flat White
Use whole milk for your foam and pour over 2 ristretto (short) shots. Perfect blend, not to strong and not too creamy.
Green Eggs and Ham
Well it most certainly is an oddball story. Green eggs..? It’s silly and random and full of rhyme. There is so much to love! Dr. Seuss’ unique characters are so odd and weird, but so natural somehow… I love the poetic playfulness he weaves into his books so gently and generously, it’s beautiful.

You do no like them, so you say. Try them! Try them! And you may!

downloadRated: 4.8 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Matcha Latte
Matcha is a powder made from finely grinding green tea leaves. Make a latte as you would usually but with the powder in place of your shots. It’s mild earthy flavor is lovely, and well, green. 🙂

Flowers For Algernon
This book truly is a beautiful story. I loved it so much. It’s unique writing style takes a bit to get used to, but in the end you realize the power in it. The perspective and feeling that the story generates is phenomenal. It’s interesting and fascinating, sad and brilliant.

“I am afraid. Not of life, or death, or nothingness, but of wasting it as if I had never been.”

images (1)Rated: 4.6 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Caramel Hot Cocoa
Chocolate and steamed milk drizzled with rich caramel. Toss in some marshmallows if you desire.

 

The Neverending Story
This book is strange and magnificent, and full of magic. It is well written and has a great story line. Once again a book with a timeless aura. It is filled with superb characters, and interesting twists and turns. I love the beauty tangled in-between it’s pages. This is the book that you want to find a place hidden away from it all, and let it read you.

“Everything must be equal in your eyes, good and evil, beautiful and ugly, foolish and wise.”

download (1)Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Maple Mocha
Stir together espresso, candied maple cubes, chocolate, and steamed milk. Top with whip,  chocolate drizzle, and maple crumbles (if you fancy.)

You know what book  I wanted to put on this? You guessed it “The Gargoyle,” but I didn’t, aren’t you proud? There are books I imagine could make it on, but I haven’t finished them yet “Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil” and “What Dreams May Come,” maybe even Dante’s “Inferno” (I know, another shamefully unread classic.)

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?
Tell about any books you’ve read that are Strange yet Beautiful.

Book Nook Lookbook

books-are-beautiful - Edited.jpgI love cozy little book nooks I think they are the bees knees! Having a place set apart where you can curl up with your book just enhances each experience. They vary in sizes and styles, but they are a book lovers little piece of heaven.

Here is my book nook lookbook:
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I love this little lofted book nook. It is full of cozy charm. It has a place to lounge, a rolling ladder, and an inviting color scheme.
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This book nook is great it’s on the modern side but still oh so cozy. I love the couch with double chaises. This design is sleek while keeping it warm and comfortable, and I love that!
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I am beside myself over this idea! It is a closet turned in to a book nook… Yes please! So awesome!
images (1)
This is a little rustic book nook. I love the ambiance of this nook and imagine it smelling wonderfully of wood and books. I’d curl up here any day.
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I love the simple comfortable vibe of this book nook. The white with pops of color make it fun and versatile.
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I adore the idea of creating book nooks for children. Lets teach them early the importance of a serenity space for relaxing to read.

Book nooks are a great way to encourage reading and promote relaxation. They become a place you can really take time to unwind, that way  you can really  sink in and
enjoy your book.

Which is your favorite book nook?

Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas!Coutts-Visual-940x325

And how better to say it, than with a compilation of Christmas wisdom from a few brilliant books and authors.
(made into a Christmas tree to boot.)
IMG_4819a54c4fa100f0c3648edfbb76cc347eabA-Christmas-Carol-Quotes-e1353872928130the book thief quotes christmas funny sad

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid: for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,christmas-nativity-pictures-ber10anc.jpg“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
~Luke 2:8-14

images (1)

 

The Spell Begins to Break

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“Didn’t I tell you,” answered Mr. Beaver, “that she’d made it always winter and never Christmas? Didn’t I tell you? Well, just come and see!”

 And then they were all at the top and did see.

2014-12-23-09-00-54.jpgIt was a sledge, and it was reindeer with bells on their harness. But they were far bigger than the Witch’s reindeer, and they were not white but brown. And on the sledge sat  a person whom everyone knew the moment they set eyes on him. He was a huge man in a bright red robe (bright as holly berries) with a hood that had fur inside it and a great white beard that fell like a foamy waterfall over his chest. Everyone knew him because, though you see people of his sort only in Narnia, you see pictures of them and hear them talked about even in our world-the world on this side of the wardrobe door. But when you really see them in Narnia it is rather different. Some of the pictures of Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that the children actually stood looking at him they didn’t find it quite like that. He was so big, and so glad, and so real, that they all became quite still. They felt very glad, but also solemn.
“I’ve come at last,” said he.
C.S. Lewis “The Chronicles of Narnia”

Novel Treasures Wishlist

There are a few books that I have that I would absolutely love to get a special edition of. These books are favorites of mine and the special editions make such timeless pieces.

Here are a few books I want to upgrade:

(Click any picture or title to see more info.)

The Last Unicorn
I own and love the original book, but I am so excited about this deluxe edition. The illustrated comic rendition has me in awe. Peter S. Beagle is a fantasy author who also wrote the screenplay for the animated film version of “The Hobbit.” Looking at the preview of it, I can only imagine how stunning the rest of the art work is going to be! The story is so beautifully enchanting. I hope to one day add this visually rich book to my personal library.

The Princess Bride
An Illustrated Edition of S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure. One of my all time favorite books. So of course I want this beautifully illustrated edition. This books was created as the 25th anniversary. This book is such an amazing story, and now it gets illustrations! I hope I get to own this book in all it’s quirky swashbuckling glory.

 


The Chronicles of Narnia

Full-Color Oversize Gift Edition Box Set: The Magician’s Nephew; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Amazon doesn’t even offer a preview of this editions, but I have no doubt that it’s contents are brilliant. Narnia is such a beautiful place and C.S. Lewis created such enchanting and magical things. Illustrating those creations further is a perfect extension of his work. I only hope it lives up to the brilliance of Lewis. One day I will own this book, I am over the moon at the very idea of it.

There are many other books I’m sure that have great illustrated editions, but for now this is my eminent wishlist. These books are true treasures, and I would be so lucky to be able to add them to my library one day.

Two other books I’m on the fence about:

The Hobbit
AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE FANTASY CLASSIC. The Hobbit was also adapted into a fully painted graphic novel, a classic in its own right

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 1) Illustrated by award winning artist Kate Greenaway.
These are two books which I love, and these editions both look intriguing and well made. However for one reason or another I’m not necessarily ecstatic about them. I would be happy to own them, but they do not share the excitement I have for the other three books.

What Illustrated novels do you own, know of, and/or wish you had?

 

2014-12-23-09-00-54b Happy Christmas Eve everyone!