Bookish Quote of the Day!

Happy National Poetry Day!!

In honor of National Poetry Day, I've decided to highlight the day with some poetry by Adrienne Rich.

The below quote about Adrienne Rich comes from Wikipedia:

Adrienne Cecile Rich (/ædriːɛn/;[lacks stress] May 16, 1929 – March 27, 2012) was an American poet, essayist and feminist. She was called "one of the most widely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century",[1][2]and was credited with bringing "the oppression of women and lesbians to the forefront of poetic discourse."[3]

Below are two of my favorite poems written and read by Adrienne Rich. The poems make me stop and think about the message that Adrienne Rich is imparting to readers. 

Power by Adrienne Rich

Diving Into The Wreck by Adrienne Rich

What do you think of these poems?

Let me know in the comment section below.

Let Jane Austen Dictate Which Book You Should Read Next!!

Since I recently finished listening to the audio dramatization of Emma by Jane Austen a couple of days ago, I couldn't resist reading and sharing the following article from Bustle's website titled, The New Book To Read Next, Based On Your Favorite Jane Austen Novel by Kristian Wilson.

Since I've only read Emma by Jane Austen, I can't say it's my favorite Jane Austen novel even if I did enjoy listening to Emma immensely. With that said though, I must admit that it was fun to see which book was recommended to those who loved reading Emma by Jane Austen. I now have a few books to add to my ever growing reading wishlist.

If you're an avid Jane Austen fan, click on the above link to see which current new book you should read next based on your favorite Jane Austen novel.

Until my next post, happy reading to you!

Emma by Jane Austen

The past few years, my unofficial reading goal has been to read at least one classic book annually. This month, I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of Emma by Jane Austen. This is the first time, to the best of my recollection, that I've read anything by Jane Austen.

I loved that this audio version of Emma by Jane Austen is a dramatization of this classic novel and is read by a wide variety of voice actors including actress, Emma Thompson.

Listening time for the Audible Original dramatization of Emma by Jane Austen is 8 hours, 21 minutes.

I actually really liked Emma by Jane Austen a lot. I thought the dramatization was really well done. The storyline, plot, and characters were entertaining and engaging, even if the plot was bit predictable at times.

Below is a plot summary for Emma by Jane Austen from Amazon:

"Regal, haughty, with a pinch of sly wit, Emma Thompson's delivery is perfect for Jane Austen's 1815 masterwork.... Beneath the opulent lifestyles and light banter, Austen adds astute observations on the English class and social justice systems. Enjoy yourself while listening carefully. 2019 Audies Finalist." (AudioFile magazine)

This Audible Original production of Jane Austen's Emma is narrated by Emma Thompson (Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA winner, Love Actually, Harry Potter, Sense and Sensibility), with a full supporting cast including Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey, Liar), Morgana Robinson (The Windsors, Walliams & Friend, Morgana Robinson's the Agency), Aisling Loftus (Mr Selfridge, War & Peace), Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, The Sarah Jane Adventures), Alexa Davies (Mamma Mia!Here We Go Again) and rising star Isabella Inchbald as our eponymous heroine.

Before she began writing, Jane Austen wrote, 'I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like' and thus introduces the handsome, clever, rich - and flawed - Emma Woodhouse. Emma is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage; nothing, however, delights her more than matchmaking her fellow residents of Highbury. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected.

This lively comedy of manners, with its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, is often seen as Jane Austen's masterpiece.

I am giving Emma by Jane Austen a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Little Free Library Finds in Castro Valley, California!!

Yesterday, on St. Patrick's Day, my hubby and I found three new to us Little Free Libraries in Castro Valley, California. 

Normally, I make individual posts for each new Little Free Library I discover... But since I found three new to me Little Free Libraries all in the same city and all on the same day, I thought I would go ahead and simply make one post instead of three separate posts.

21772 Tanglewood Drive, Castro Valley CA 94546

This Little Free Library was my favorite find of the day. I loved how it was decorated and the bench located next to the Little Free Library for one to sit down and read a book. 

Sadly, I learned that this Little Free Library will be shut down in the future due to the fact that all the books have been stolen repeatedly by someone (hence the note left inside the LFL by the LFL owner), leaving the owner to have to replace the books. Too bad that there are people out there that make trouble and take the fun out of something good like a Little Free Library.

2361 Vestal Avenue, Castro Valley CA 94546

This Little Free Library was a fun find as well and is located in a cute, older neighborhood in Castro Valley.

2626 Grove Way, Castro Valley CA 94546

This cute Little Free Library was also a fun find for us. It was easy to locate, but  parking was a tad difficult as it was located on a busy street.

How Can You Beat A Book Slump?

Last month, I had a reading slump, which has passed - thank goodness!! 

Recently though, I came across an article on Bustle's website titled, How Can You Beat A Book Slump? 9 Literary Professionals Share Their Tips & Tricks by Kerri Jarema. In the article, Kerri Jarema wrote the following:

Ah, the dreaded book slump. If you're a reader, chances are pretty high you've fallen into one at some point. Picture this: You've got bookshelves stacked with exciting unread books, your e-reader is stocked with new releases you've borrowed from the library, you've even got a few audiobooks downloaded on your phone. But... you just can't bring yourself to read anything. Reading slumps tend to happen for some extended period of time (maybe a few days or weeks, but some experience them for months) and they're a pretty universal struggle in the reading community.

So, it only makes sense to turn to the reading experts to figure out how to get out of one, right? For some people, reading is not just a lifelong hobby, it's a job. For booksellers and book editors, book bloggers and literary agents, it's crucial not only to read the projects they work on directly, but to stay on top of all the latest releases in various genres, along with book related news. It can be, well, a lot. But the industry insiders below — who read anywhere from 10 to 300 books a year — fall into book slumps, too, and following their personal tips and tricks will help you recognize and overcome one in no time.

Click on the very top link to read the article and see which tips will help you overcome a reading slump from reading professionals! 

Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski

Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski is a contemporary fiction short story which is approximately 20 pages in length.

I was able to download the ebook edition of Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon. Below is my honest, unbiased review of Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski.

I enjoyed reading this quick, short story. The writing was good overall, but I had mixed feelings about the ending to this short story as it wasn't the ending I had expected. I'm glad Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski was a free read as I'm unsure that I will seek out works by Bree M. Lewandowski in the future.

The following is a plot summary for Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski from Amazon:

Can the stars guide your way? Can patterns in the sky lead you?

Leon would have said no. All his life, he believed in getting where he was going by the hard work of his own hands.

But lately...lately, things have been different. Things have been downright unexplainable.

A short story to cozy up into. Author Bree M. Lewandowski offers her readers a different fun piece of fiction to believe in.

I am giving Constellations by Bree M. Lewandowski a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next pots, happy reading!!

Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan

Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan is a contemporary romance that is the first of three books in the Lovers & Fighters series.

I was able to download the ebook edition of Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon. Below is my honest, unbiased review of Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan.

I enjoyed reading Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan. I liked the author's writing. The main characters were fun and well developed and the plot/storyline was good overall too. 

A couple of the scenes in the novel had me a bit surprised as I didn't expect the main characters to react the way in which they did in the novel. It's nice to be surprised and not have a book be so predictable.

I enjoyed the first book in the Lovers & Fighters series so much that I may just go ahead and read the next two books in the series as well.

Below is the plot summary for Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan from Amazon:

After saving Dominic's life, will Gemma choose true love?

Gemma Siever is an ER nurse who has always seemed to make the wrong decisions about love. When she ends up saving Dominic, an MMA fighter, from heart failure, their attraction is mutual and heated. The problem is Gemma doesn't trust herself enough to give into his charms. Dominic, on the other hand, has been haunted by a tragic past and craves intimacy even while he fears commitment. 

Dominic is craving her intimacy but fears commitment. Will Gemma find out about his tragic past before it's too late?

I'm giving Dazed (Lovers & Fighters #1) by Emily Swan a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Little Free Library - My 4th LFL Find In San Ramon, California!

This was the second Little Free Library my hubby and I discovered yesterday evening... However, this is the fourth Little Free Library we've found in San Ramon to date.

I enjoyed finding this Little Free Library in a cute residential neighborhood. I left two books and left two books.

It's so much seeking out Little Free Libraries within my own community and in other communities as well. I usually carry books with me to leave in Little Free Libraries in other cities.

I've actually lost track of how many Little Free Libraries I've found since discovering my first one in Ventura, California in 2012... I'm sure if I look through all my blog posts, I could figure it.

To date, I've only visited Little Free Libraries in California. Hopefully, I'll find Little Free Libraries in other states too.