From the Inkwell, From the Vein.....

I am reveling in the fact that the last couple of days have been immersed in literary splendor. With everything digital popping up--- the latest app, the newest cell phone, the greatest gaming system--- it's easy for the wonderful world of story-telling (which has been around since man first mastered the simple sentence) to be stepped over, passed over and ignored as something old and unappealing. Yesterday was National Grammar Day, everyone was told to: March forth on March 4th to speak well, write well and help others do the same.  Last night was World Book Night, some thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square, London to celebrate and share in readings of Literature. Today is World Book Day, a day where thousands of books are given away to a literary-hungry world, hoping to promote reading and a love of the written word.  We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday several days ago, an author that has started many young readers on the path to love and revel in the written word thems...

Today was the first-ever, To Write Mudblood On Her Arm, day. Worldwide, Harry Potter lovers and equality seekers sought solidarity by writing (in every possible variation) the word, Mudblood on their arms, their legs, their wrists, their hands... Some 35,000 confirmed participants and probably thousands more that were pulled along in the wake of those eager to support Magical/Muggle equality, all decorated themselves and held the love of Harry Potter and the love of their fellow Mudblood/Muggles in their heart and on their arm, leg, wrist, etc.  The obvious play on the inspiring movement, To Write Love On Her Arm, is intentional, but in no way meant to be disrespectful. TWLOHA's mission is to inspire hope in those who suffer from depression, addiction and who might suffer from self-destructive tendencies and/or suicidal thoughts. TWMOHA takes its cue from Hermione's mistreatment in the book series as a result of her Muggle(non-magical) birth. She is viewed as something ...

Must add another book to the list of favorite reads--- Book Thief by Markus Zusak. If you have not read it, I suggest that you do :) It is one of those books that stays with you, and don't let the fact that it is marketed as a Teen/Young Adult novel put you off. It is beyond awesome, one of the best-written new novels out there. Death is the narrator and it is set in Germany during WWII, but it is in no way over-done, contrived or depressing, though there are sad scenes. It centers around death's observations of life in a small German village and more specifically, his observations of a young girl whose desperation and hunger to learn to read cause her to steal books....from a cemetery, from a book-burning, from the mayor's library. It is a heartwarming, touching and awe-inspiring look at a time when life could have ended for everyone. It is a story of survival and a story of the power of words.

Yes, I know I have a list of favorite books already in my profile, but I thought I'd add to the line-up: Most recently---- ATONEMENT by Ian McEwan --I don't know how the movie turned out and I really don't have plans to go and see it, but the book was really well done. As a warning though, most people I know (myself included) struggled with about the first 50 pages or so... almost to the point of putting the book down ----DON'T put it down. Fight through the first part because the book is totally worth it by the end. You will regret it if you don't keep reading. Not on previous list---- RUNNING WITH SCISSORS by Augusten Burroughs -- I'm not really sure why this one didn't make it on my original list, because it is so well-written and entertaining. It is definitely not for every reader, there are some intense and at times graphic scenes, but Burroughs is such an entertaining and descriptive writer that it is definitely worth trying. You almost look past...