“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience:
this is the ideal life.”

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was born today November 30, 1835 he was renowned American writer, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer.

A few well-known and loved works:

The classic, in all its glory – though what many forget is how well this tale of American boyhood holds up even after nearly 150 years. Tom Sawyer, his best friend Huck Finn, his would-be girlfriend Becky Thatcher, and his aunt Polly teach and learn about life, death, race, and painting fences in a “typical” 19th century Midwestern town that bears a striking resemblance to Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri.

Rated 4.4 on amazon.com

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

The brilliant 19th-century novel long recognized as one of the finest examples of American literature. It brings back the irrepressible and free-spirited Huck, first introduced in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and puts him center stage. Rich in authentic dialect, folksy humor, and sharp social commentary, Twain’s classic tale follows Huck and the runaway slave Jim on an exciting journey down the Mississippi. The picture link to the left is to a beautiful audible performance by Elijah Wood.

Rated 4.4 on amazon.com

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

“Eve’s Diary” is a comic short story by Mark Twain. It was first published in the 1905 Christmas issue of the magazine Harper’s Bazaar, and in book format in June 1906 by Harper and Brothers publishing house It is written in the style of a diary kept by the first woman in the biblical creation story, Eve, and is claimed to be “translated from the original MS.” The “plot” of this story is the first-person account of Eve from her creation up to her burial by, her mate Adam

Rated 4.2 on amazon.com

In this  3 volume Autobiography Twain embarks on his “Final (and Right) Plan” for telling the story of his life. His innovative notion—to “talk only about the thing which interests you for the moment”—meant that his thoughts could range freely. it presents the author on his own terms, flaws, quirks, and brilliance revealed, a true testament to the mind and character of a legendary man.

Rated 4.7 on amazon.com

“In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.”

That last quote really resonates with me.
Those of you who share my love of books,
especially in large quantities, can assuredly relate!