www.Websites of Interest

During my rather brief and rather random internet browsing this week I came upon a few items that I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

Book Blog Happenings: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About 5 Minutes for Books.



April is National Poetry Month: Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, every April is now "National Poetry Month" - a time to read, celebrate and share poetry. Learn More about it at Poets.org:

• National Poetry Month FAQ
• 30 ways to celebrate
• The Classic Hundred Poems, reviewed 

Easter Activity from Books N' Boys: Resurrection Easter Eggs.
I'm always looking for creative crafts and activities I can share with my daughter. With Easter fast approaching there are countless ideas available from the simple to the very complex. Resurrection Eggs does require a little planning ahead and a small amount of recuperation, but it is fairly simple and looks like a lot of fun as well as an opportunity for learning. In order to have this activity end on Easter I need to start with Day 1 on April 13, so thankfully I have a few days to prepare.

Jane Austen's Letters Annotated and Explained: It's no secret amongst readers and bloggers that Jane Austen has become one of the most popular authors of all time.Whether you're a fan of the originals or a fan of Austen fan-fiction you might find this new website interesting.

Reading to Know: April Fools Mega-Book Giveaway!
Last Friday Carrie at Reading to Know posted 10 book give-aways as part of her April Fools Day celebration. The good news is, that even though April Fools Day is over you can still enter to win (until Thursday, April 7). Here are the books she's giving you a chance to win:

1. Hank, The Cowdog
2. Tuff Books
3. The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
4. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
5. The Nancy Drew Sleuth Book
6. A Little Bit of Love by Cynthia Platt
   
7. Hood by Stephen Lawhead
8. Tell Me the Day Backwards by Albert Lamb
9. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Patillo
10. The Strictest School in the World series

Facebook. I know it's self-promotion, but I wanted to let everyone know A Library is a Hospital for the Mind is now on facebook! Check out the page and click the "Like" button:

Have a great week!

The Borrowers: Now She Tells Us!

As I've mentioned numerous times before, when I was growing up my mother used to read to my siblings and I over the lunch hour. Some of the books she read included: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Borrowers, Rabbit Hill, Carry on Mr. Bowditch, and The Bronze Bow -- to name a few.

I was reminded of these wonderful memories when I came upon a recent post by children's book collector and blogger Peter Sieruta. I thought his post on The Borrowers series by Mary Norton was extremely interesting and worth noting on this blog.

And so if you are a fan of The Borrowers, or at least have read them -- or even if you've never heard of them -- be sure to check out Peter's post, Now She Tells Us!

A Different Type of Coffee Break for Readers

A friend sent me this link: The Carte Noire Readers. As the website states, "Choose your reader... Choose your love scene... Make a Carte Noire... And when you're sitting comfortably... he'll begin."

This might be one of the most unique coffee break ideas I've seen in a while. You, the reader, sit enjoying a steaming cup of coffee while a "hunky" Englishman reads aloud a love scene from some of the greatest English literature of all times (i.e. Pride and Prejudice, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Great Expectations). Very interesting.

Enjoy your coffee break!

Something Funny for fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

My book club met this week and one of the ladies there shared a funny website called Austenbook that tells the story of Pride and Prejudice through Facebook type messages.

For those who have ever been on Facebook and have read Pride and Prejudice, this is pretty funny, go check it out.

But those who have not... If you aren't familiar with Facebook, it probably won't make a lot of sense. And those of you who haven't read Pride and Prejudice... shame on you! Go read the book before you check out this site!

Thanksgiving

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."

~ Theodore Roosevelt

There are so many things that I am thankful for, but specific to this blog's theme of books -- I am thankful for the freedom to read whatever books I want. I am thankful for the freedom to share my thoughts about the books I read. And I am thankful for all of you, my readers, who likewise love books and drop by to hear my thoughts and leave comments with your own.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Libraries = Books+

Libraries are more than just a place to borrow a book. I've known for sometime that various community functions are held at my local libraries, but I have not paid much attention to them. At some point in the future I definitely want to take my daughter to story time, but for now it'll have to wait. They only hold story time at a certain time of day, which is unfortunately smack in the middle of her nap time.

Last year I discovered my local library was holding a "One Book, One Community" event -- which means a book is chosen and free copies are given out to any library patron interested. The patron can read the book or they can read the book and then participate in book chats, author signings, and other such related events to the chosen book. I read the book last year, but didn't participate beyond reading. It's a great idea and I may participate again this year, we'll see.

At the end of this month my local library is holding their annual book sale. I missed it the last couple of years, but I am determined to make it this time. I've also marked on my calendar another larger book sale that I saw an ad for while browsing the city website of events. Used book sales and library book sales are one of the best places to find treasures to add to your library.

Something else I discovered just recently is "Music on the Terrace" an annual event held in September by the main branch of my local library. This year the theme is Big Band and Swing music with a different band or performer each Friday. The music is free and patrons of the library are encouraged to pack a lunch to eat while listening. I took my 14 month old daughter with me today and we enjoyed our picnic on the grass while a 1940s band played and sang. It was a lot of fun and gave me a good excuse not only to get out of the house and get some fresh air, but some culture and even an opportunity to check out the main library branch, something I've not done in the 3 1/2 years we've lived in this county.

And so, while this post isn't really about books I do have a point. Libraries are more than books. You might say "Libraries = Books +". They offer more than just access to free books. If you haven't visited your library recently put it on your to do list. Who knows, you might even find some fun activities or a book sale is on their Upcoming Events Calendar.

Excuses & Laughter

Ok, ok... so I'm stalling for time. I've not posted a review in the last few days because I'm still working my way through Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters and I have two more books on my nighstand that are waiting to be opened.

My apologies for this delay, I'm reading... really I am! It just takes a little while to push through 643 pages.

So for today, here's a little something to make you laugh: