“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!
Cafe Book Bean 
Too true!
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“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” … bugger! I knew there was a catch. 🙂
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Interesting tidbits about Mark Twain’s life. Happy Birthday to Mark Twain!
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I haven’t read Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Fin, unfortunately, but they’re on my tbr this winter break. I think it’s great that you’ve paid tribute to such a renowned author and the quotes chosen are perfect, especially that last one!
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Great post. He was an extraordinary man and a wonderful author. I am reblogging this on Routine Matters.
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He was indeed 🙂
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Reblogged this on Routine Matters and commented:
A great post from Abbie Lucy over at Cafe Book Bean.
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Reblogged this on Leena Maria.
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A wonderful tribute!
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Thank you 🙂
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Pingback: Tribute to Twain – worldtraveller70
Very good. You should add “A True Story, Repeated Word for Word as I Heard It.” It’s the story of Aunt Rachel, told in her own words, that opened his eyes to the evils of slavery and greatly informed Huckleberry Finn.
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Love the two quotations (not ‘quotes’) you have offered here. Confession: Mark Twain is one of the few American authors I absolutely consider in the “great” category. I wish I could be 1/4 the writer he was. Thanks for this wonderful tribute, Abbie Lu.
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Pingback: Tribute to Twain | Donmaker's Blog
And he loved cats, especially kittens!
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Good friends and good books, yes! A sleepy conscience… not so much. To grow and learn and better yourself – to become the best version of yourself – this is to have lived, more so than to exist with a sleepy conscience. ❤
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thanks, Abbie Lu, for stimulating me to reread “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” I enjoyed them as much as I did when I read them, or at least “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” as a boy. I also reread them in 2009-10 when my son-in-law assigned them for us to read and discuss in our family reading, their being favourites of his. They’re great books.
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I am so glad to hear it! 🙂
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I must confess I never read Mark Twain. Cooper, Curwood and others, but not him. Wonder why. (And I don’t have any in my – new – library) (The latter came out rather nice)
Be good.
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I’m glad to hear it!
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Hello Abbie. Nice to meet you. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions…” Love it.
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Hey Abbie..Thanks it was my best read for the day
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