Thoughtful Gift from a Beauty

My darling Lisa, how wonderful are you?

Lisa bought me the most thoughtful (double entendre) belated birthday gift. Not only was it so elegantly wrapped and perfectly suited to my personality/personal tastes, it was also a great tester for my literary knowledge. I will not pretend that I am as well read as my beautiful friend but I did pretty well. (I have not yet brought myself to tote any to school for fear that a student may get their grubby hands on them and they may never return.)

Speaking of reading, I did manage to get a few books read this summer. A very few for me but one stunner stood out from the rest: Room by Emma Donoghue.

Now I definitely only judge books by their covers; books, not people. Promise. I DO NOT read the back/jacket of books. I like to let them unfold as the author intended, not with my own preconceived notions or expectations. Room (based on the cover) was a no brainer. I had heard that it was a dark book. I had also heard that it was a story of hope. I had also heard (from April who lent me the book) that many nouns were capitalized and it annoyed her :) I found the proper names given to everday objects clever and necessary. (We disagree about writing style again Apes :)) It spoke to the human condition and the determination of the human mind to create meaning in the (seemingly) meaningless. I really enjoyed the authors style and there were few artistic liberties that bothered me. April and I both agree that this book was excellent and, I speak for both of us, would highly recommend for an easy but powerful read.

Cards, Cards and More Cards!

As promised, here are my cards for the upcoming "Kids Camp" at TM. I think I have mentioned before that I do not normally make cards. However, this class as required me to do many things outside of just scrapbooking than I would normally do, and so, I give you CARDS! I actually really like doing cards now. They require fewer supplies, they do not take as much time and you can give them to people. I mean I simply lurve having my memories captured in the unique art form we all know and love, but who doesn't like to hear the reaction: "you made this?"? Nobody. That's who. Also, I decided to incorporate a little more of myself in this blog by setting the cards on my most prized possessions: my books! I heart reading. My parents used to give us one dollar for every novel we read during the summer. I would make big bucks! I'd climb into our treehouse and read for hours - not for the money, that was just a bonus - but because I loved reading. So I'll point out a few of my favorite reads from the pictures where possible. I would love any author/book suggestions that you may have for me! Anybody out there?
The "Book of Negroes" (the small face in the upper left-hand portion) by Lawrence Hill is the best book I have read in a long time. Powerful, yet and easy read, I couldn't get enough. Interesting point, the book is only called this in Canada but is based on an actual historical artefact.
Tucked in behind this card is one of my favorite books of all time: "Kit's Law" by Donna Morrissey. This is the only book I cried after reading. It's heartbreaking, heart-warming and just downright touching.
Harry Potter - yes its true! Can't deny these fantasy favorites.Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much is True". He creates such real characters. Heart.
Anne-Marie MacDonald's "Fall on Your Knees" Compelling, disturbing, still fantastic.
For those of you "real readers" out there, Diana Gabaldon might be considered smut but I want to marry every male character in her books. Dreamy.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" (Mark Haddon). Need I say more than the title. I think not.