Book Buying Update!!

So, I haven't quite given up buying books altogether despite my intention of holding off on any further book buying adventures until at the start of 2013. 

As I mentioned in my January 31, 2012 post, I have become quite a book buying addict!! I love visiting bookstores and buying books as much as I enjoy reading them. I already have plenty, actually more than plenty, of reading material awaiting to be read.

On a positive note, I've decreased the number of books purchased this past month. From February 1 through March 31, 2012, I have purchased 20 books. That averages out to ten books per month, which is better than buying twenty books in a one month period, as I did back in January of this year. 

Three of the more interesting sounding books purchased in the past two months include:

Room by Emma Donoghue, The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry, and Paris, and My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas.

Which books have you added to your collection lately?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

"Books to the ceiling Books to the sky. My pile of books Are a mile high. How I love them! How I need them! I'll have a long beard By the time I read them." Arnold Lobel

The Hunger Games Nail Art?

Did you love reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins? If so, why not have your nails painted with images inspired from the novel? The BuzzFeed website shows several different manicures that were inspired by The Hunger Games. There is even a nail art tutorial video on the Buzzfeed link above that shows you how to paint your own nails in a Katniss Everdeen inspired design.

Ever wonder what writers really think of each other as writers?

This isn't a question I've ever really though about before... That is until I came across an article published on Flavorwire entitled The 30 Harshest Author-on-Author Insults In History.

Boy, is there some mudslinging going on here as these writers don't hold back how they really feel. Vladimir Nabokov on Ernest Hemingway (1972) “As to Hemingway, I read him for the first time in the early ‘forties, something about bells, balls and bulls, and loathed it.” Quite scathing!!

Literature Map -- The Tourist Map of Literature.

I stumbled onto the Literature Map website by accident as I am always on the lookout for interesting websites that pertain to reading, books, authors, etc. and may be useful for other readers like myself.

The basic idea of Literature Map is to enter the name of an author whose works you've enjoyed reading in the past. Then Literature Map will then display a list of other authors that you may also enjoy reading. According to the Literature Map site "The closer two writers are, the more likely someone will like both of them."

So, check out Literature Map and let me know what you think!

When did your love of reading begin?

My love for reading began as a child when my mother read to me at bedtime or any other time I could persuade her to read to me. I enjoyed books as a youngster, but my mother tells me that Babar the Elephant books were my all time favorite books. 
So, it was a wonderful surprise when my mother gave me a copy of the hardback edition of Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar by Jean De Brunhoff for Christmas some years back. An extra special touch was the inscription my mom wrote to me inside the cover of this book. I'll cherish the message of love forever.  

I truly enjoyed rereading the Babar books that had given me such joy as a toddler and had fostered my love of reading books today.


I also recall enjoying many other books as a youngster. The Ghost of Windy by Clyde Robert Bulla was one of the first books I remember reading entirely on my own and that I read multiple times as a child because I liked the story so much. I don't know what happened to my original copy of this book. Perhaps my mom still has it packed away with some of my other childhood books and mementos. All I do know is that I was able to find a used copy of The Ghost of Windy earlier this year and purchased it to reread once again. The joys of becoming reacquainted with books again is so much fun. It's kind of like meeting and catching up with an old friend.

Ultra-Violet Catastrophe!: Or, The Unexpected Walk with Great-Uncle Magnus Pringle by Margaret Mahy was another book that filled me with joy to read as a child and yes, I read this one too several times over the years. I love the story and the illustrations in this book as well.

So, which books have inspired you to become the reader that you are today?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." Emilie Buchwald

This quote seems to be a very relevant quote for me, as I have a love of reading due to my mother reading to me as a child!

Junior League of Santa Barbara to Host ‘A Seussical Ball’ Literacy Gala

I love it when local organizations hold fundraisers to raise money for literacy projects!!

Tonight the The Junior League of Santa Barbara will host its fifth annual Literacy Gala at the Coral Casino in Montecito, California. 

Kielle Horton, the communications chair for the Junior League of Santa Barbara, writes in an article published on Noozhawk, entitled Junior League of Santa Barbara to Host ‘A Seussical Ball’ Literacy Gala:

“A Seussical Ball” will benefit the Junior League and its efforts to improve youth literacy in the community. With its partner, the Santa Barbara Public Library, JLSB facilitates community literacy events and has been fundraising toward building a new Children’s Library space to be rich with programming.

Encouraging literacy within ones community is so important!! I'm happy to hear that special attention is being made to promote literacy among the young as they are our future.

I'm in a Reading Slump!

I am currently reading three different books right now...  A memoir Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas, a philosophy book The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten: 100 Experiments for the Armchair Philosopher by Julian Baggini and a cozy mystery novel Monet Talks by Tamar Myers.

Usually, I focus on reading one book at a time, but I'm having difficulty staying focused on reading this year, which is odd for me. I usually average reading about one book a week, which adds up to about 12 books read by this time of year. I've only read six books this year to date.

It isn't that the books I am currently reading aren't engaging.... They are enjoyable so far. I'm just finding that I am enjoying many other activities at the moment... Like my new found pleasure in blogging! 

I'm positive I'll eventually become captivated with reading once again in the near future... My reading slump has me wondering how many other avid readers in the world also go through reading slumps? How long did your reading slump last and what did you do with your extra time?

Calling All Foodies!!

The James Beard 2012 book award nominees are announced in eleven categories! Checkout the list of categories and book nominees that have been shortlisted in an article I found on the Los Angeles Times website.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Flash Fiction!

Need something really (and I mean really) quick to read while standing in line? May I suggest reading flash fiction, which is defined by Wikipedia as:

A style of fictional literature or fiction of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash fiction impose caps as low as three hundred words, while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction.

Flash fiction is also known by several other names, which Wikipedia says:

include sudden fiction, microfiction, micro-story, short short, postcard fiction and short short story, though distinctions are sometimes drawn between some of these terms; for example, sometimes one-thousand words is considered the cut-off between "flash fiction" and the slightly longer short story "sudden fiction".

To read examples of flash fiction, check out the following story, Micr-O Fiction: 8 Provocative Writers Tell Us a Story in 300 Words or Less, from O Magazine! I enjoyed the eight stories provided and agree with the O Magazine writers that flash fiction is "short (and we mean short), intense (imagine a novel crossed with a haiku), and mesmerizing (whether they're illuminating a single moment or a whole life)."

Paperback Swap

I've heard of Paperback Swap before, but have never joined their website as I've been heavily involved with Bookcrossing the past five years. I've really enjoyed being a member of the Bookcrossing community, but am also open to other online book sharing sites as well.

So, now I'm now a bit more curious about how the Paperback Swap website works and hearing from Paperback Swap members about their experience being a member of the Paperback Swap community at large. If you're a member of Paperback Swap, then please share your experiences with me!

Here's what Paperback Swap writes on their website:

What our Book Club is all about...

We help avid readers Swap, Trade & Exchange Books for Free.

• It's easy: List books you'd like to swap with other club members.
• Once a book is requested, mail it to the club member.
• In return, you may choose from 5,102,172 available books!

- Books you request are mailed to you for free.
- No late fees. No hidden charges.

This sounds like my kind of book club!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." Jorge Luis Borges

Artist Brian Dettmer Creates Amazing Sculptures from Books!

All I can state is that the book sculptures created by artist Brian Dettmer are beyond F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C !! Brian Dettmer started out as a painter, but eventually changed mediums and began making very elaborate book sculptures. Book sculptures like his can sell on average for $4000, but run as high as $20,000 and I can see why -- They're exquisite!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to All!!

How are you celebrating Saint Patrick's Day today? I wish I could say I was reading a book written by an Irish writer or a book about Irish history, but sadly I am not!

If pressed to select my favorite Irish author I'd have to say Bram Stoker, but that's only because I've read his novel Dracula.... In the 8th grade! Obviously, I need help here expanding my realm of awareness when it comes to Irish writers and also with regards to Irish history.

Do you have any suggestions on captivating books by Irish writers I should read or interesting books that pertain to Irish history?

After 244 years, the Encyclopaedia Britannica is going out of print.

On March 13, 2012, writer Julie Bosman wrote an article for The New York Times titled After 244 Years, Encyclopaedia Britannica Stops the Presses. 

Am I surprised by this bit of news? No, not really. It seems that with the advent of the internet and easy access to Wikipedia, who needs the printed version of  an encyclopaedia taking up shelf space in one's home?

The Bookseller/Diagram Prize (aka Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year)

I have been in complete and utter darkness until now about a literary award given annually for the oddest book title called The Bookseller/Diagram Prize. Who would have guessed there would be an award for oddest book title? Apparently, The Bookseller/Diagram Prize been a tradition since the 1978 Frankfurt Book Fair when it was "originally organized to provide entertainment." according to the Wikipedia site.

The 2011 shortlist of nominated book titles are as follows:

1) A Century of Sand Dredging in the Bristol Channel: Volume Two by Peter Gosson

2) Cooking with Poo by Saiyuud Diwong

3) Estonian Sock Patterns All Around the World by Aino Praakli 

4) The Great Singapore Penis Panic: And the Future of American Mass Hysteria by Scott D Mendelson

5) Mr Andoh's Pennine Diary: Memoirs of a Japanese Chicken Sexer in 1935 Hebden Bridge by Stephen Curry and Takayoshi Andoh
 
6) A Taxonomy of Office Chairs by Jonathan Olivares
 
7) The Mushroom in Christian Art by John A Rush

Personally, I'm rooting for Cooking with Poo by Saiyuud Diwong as the oddest book title for 2011! By the way, I should add here and now that I've learned "Poo" actually is the Thai word for "crab".  Which book would you choose to win the The Bookseller/Diagram Prize?

Have you ever thought of turning your blog into book form?

I happened across a website over the weekend called Blog2Print. What is Blog2Print? According to the Blog2Print's homepage it states:

Next time someone asks "How can I print my blog?" send them to Blog2Print. With a couple of clicks, you choose a cover, the posts you'd like to include, and you're on your way to creating your own Blog Book!

You pick

• Cover
• Images
• Number and Order of Posts
• Comments

Would you consider printing your blog and turning it into a book as a keepsake?

The idea of turning my blog into a printed keepsake book hasn't even occurred to me as I am new to the blogging community as of this year. 

Right now, I'm simply enjoying the process of blogging about the various book related topics that come to mind or book related topics that will hopefully make for great content and appeal to readers that discover my blog's website. 

Hopefully, you find the idea of turning your blog into a book appealing!! If you should turn your blog into a book using Blog2Print, let me know how it turns out!

Are you swayed to read books that have won prestigious awards?

I'm curious how many of you are swayed to read books that have won a book award simply because the book has won a prestigious award?

The reason I bring this subject up is because I noticed that a lot of book awards have been awarded recently and written about in the news lately. 

For instance, I read on Flavorwire that "Nigeria-raised, and Brooklyn-based author Teju Cole has won the $100,000 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for his fantastic novel Open City." I've never even heard of Teju Cole before until reading that he the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award.

I also read that the National Books Critic Circle Award winners had been announced recently as well. The following writers have won in the following categories:

1) Edith Pearlmanhad won the fiction category for her published work titled Binocular Vision: New and Selected Stories. 

2) John Lewis Gaddis won the biography category for his published work titled George F. Kennan. 

3) Maya Jasanoff won the nonfiction category for her published work titled Liberty's Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary War. 

4)  Laura Kasischke won the poetry category for her work titled  Space, in Chains. 

5) Mira Bartok won the autobiography for her published work titled The Memory Palace: A Memoir.

For me personally, just because a book has won a prestigious award doesn't mean I'll want to read it for that reason alone. Many times, I've never even heard of the book or the author before. Sure, I am opened minded and enjoy discovering new authors and books as much as the next avid reader. However, just because a book has been given an award, doesn't automatically mean I'll want to read it. A lot of other factors come into play as I am sure it does with many other readers out there. 

Do you continue reading books you aren't enjoying?

Most books I read are ones that I enjoy reading and have no problem finishing in the least.

However, every so often there is a book that I come across that ends up being one that I'm not enjoying for any number of reasons. The question that always comes to mind when I'm reading a book that I'm not enjoying is whether or not I should even continue reading it. 

My first instinct is to quit reading the book altogether if I'm not enjoying it at all and move on to the next book. After all life is short and there are way too many wonderful books out there waiting to be read... So, skip the bad ones and move on to the next one. But this seems to be easier said than done.,, at least for me anyway.

Sometimes I do stop reading books I don't like and move on to the next book. Other times I keep reading a book that I don't like because it is written by an author whose writing I've enjoyed in the past and I keep hoping that the book will get better. Or perhaps a friend has recommended a book to me and I want to see what my friend liked about it or the various other reasons I have for continuing to read a book that is less than captivating. So, whether to continue reading a book or not has no simply answer for me.

How do you decide whether or not to continue reading a book that doesn't capture your interest?

So Faux, So Good by Tamar Myers

I read So Faux, So Good by Tamar Myers earlier this year and was less than impressed by this cozy mystery novel. In fact, I was pretty turned off by this novel and it took me awhile to finish reading it. Usually, I can finish a cozy mystery novel in two to three days, but not this one... I really had to force myself to finish reading it.

I should clarify here and now that I've read several of Ms. Myers cozy mystery novels in the past. All of them were part of her Den of Antiquity Mystery series. I enjoyed reading Larceny and Old Lace, which was the first novel in Tamer Myers' A Den of Antiquity Mystery series. Since then I have read several other novels written by Tamar Myers that have been part of the Den of Antiquity Mystery series. I felt some of the novels in the Den of Antiquity Mystery series were better than others, but overall I still felt all of novels were well written and fun to read... That is until I read So Faux, So Good. I thought the leading character, Abigail Timberlake, was annoying in So Faux, So Good. All she seemed to do throughout much of the novel was shriek, moan, whine or wail. Normally, I find Abigail Timberlake's character to be funny, but not this time around. I also felt the cast of supporting characters were annoying as well and that the story line seemed to veer off in all directions. By the time the end of the novel came around, I was just glad it was over with and I could move onto the next novel. 

I'm surprised that I didn't end up liking So Faux, So Good very much, when I enjoyed reading so many other novels written by Tamar Myers in the past. I haven't given up on reading her novels. I still have a one or two of Tamar Myers' Den of Antiquity Mystery series novels laying around waiting to be read. I'm just hoping the next novel I read by her is more entertaining.

There are many authors out there in the marketplace that write novels that are part of a series. Have you ever read any of these books and been disappointed by one of the novels in the series?

Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson

I recently finished reading Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson, which is the 13th installment of Swanson's Scumble River Mysteries Series. Murder of a Bookstore Babe is actually the first cozy mystery novel I've ever read by Denise Swanson and I really enjoyed reading this novel quite a bit largely because the storyline was well written and filled with many red herrings.

Murder of a Bookstore Babe is your typical cozy mystery with the leading character being a female amateur sleuth. In this case, the leading lady & amateur sleuth is school psychologist Skye Denison, who also spotlights as a consultant for the local police department. For the most part, I enjoyed the character of Skye Denison as well as the rest of the characters... Some of the characters were a bit annoying, but nothing one couldn't get past. Murder of a Bookstore Babe started of a bit slow, but picked up speed and kept my attention throughout the rest of the novel.

Here's a description of Murder of a Bookstore Babe from the author's website:

Who could be driven to kill by books and sweets? While school psychologist Skye Denison eagerly anticipates the grand opening of a new bookstore called Tales & Treats, many of Scumble River's most outspoken citizens want to shut down the owners before they even open — and one is angry enough to commit murder...

Dropping off some books at Tales & Treats, Skye trips over a toppled bookcase, which has crushed a woman beneath its weight. While police search for motives, Skye sees the messy aftermath of a half-baked plot to murder somebody else. Skye is juggling her own busy life, but when all the clues lead to dead ends, she turns up the heat on her own investigation ... and stumbles upon the deadly secret that got this bookstore babe done in. And if Skye isn't careful, the killer just might make her the sequel...

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

"Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice; journalism what will be grasped at once." Cyril Connolly

Movies Based On Books...

As we all know, many movies that are released are based on published books. I've recently read Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay as well as seen the movie of the same name based on the book this past weekend. The book was an excellent read and the movie was decent, but definitely not as good as the book.

How do you feel about movies based on books? I often walk away with mixed feelings about a movie based on a book that I have read. In the majority of the cases, I always find the book is far superior than the movie. I feel as long as the movie captures the essence of a book and that the storyline isn't tweaked too much, then I think the movie based on a book is usually a good one in my opinion. What are your thoughts after watching a movie based on a book you've read?

Interestingly enough though, there is one, and only one, movie based on a book where I actually enjoyed the movie better than the book. That movie would be Eat, Pray, Love based on Elizabeth Gilbert's book of the same name. Anyone else find that they liked watching a movie better than reading the actual book it was based on?

I also thought that the movie version of Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon was spot on and very well done... Off hand, I cannot remember feeling this way about any other movie based on a book. 

There are many movies based on books that I didn't like after watching them. I enjoyed reading the novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, but I remember being disappointed with the movie version of this novel. The storyline was changed a bit in the movie and I felt some of the story's essence was lost in the movie version of this novel. Which movies, based on books you've read, have you been disappointed with after watching?

Happy International Women's Day!!

International Women's Day is an annual event which falls each year on March 8th, but was 1st observed on February 28, 1909 in the USA. Each year International Women's Day has a particular theme to spotlight and this year's theme is Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.

Since 2010, I've hosted an  International Women's Day Book Exchange on Bookcrossing with the goal of exchanging books that are either written by women and books pertaining to women's health, women's history, feminist theory, biographies/memoirs about women, and so on. Basically, any book written by or about women may be exchanged for this book exchange! This year 32 women from around the world, including myself, participated in the International Women's Day Book Exchange that I organized on Bookcrossing!! It was a lot of fun to organize.

I also thought I'd share some of my favorite women writers with you. The following authors are phenomenal writers and have written books (or poetry) that I have truly enjoyed reading. Drum role please to the following women writers who have made reading so much more enjoyable!

Agatha Christie
Barbara Kingsolver
Charolotte Perkins Gilman
Diana Gabaldon
Geraldine Brooks
Harper Lee
Jessica Hagedorn
Kate Chopin
Margaret Atwood
Mary Shelley
Maya Angelou

There are many more women writers I enjoy reading. I just chose a few to spotlight.

So, who are some of your favorite women writers?

Truman Capote's Brooklyn Townhome Sells for $12 Million!

The home where Truman Capote wrote both of his iconic works Breakfast At Tiffany's and In Cold Blood recently sold for the whopping price of $12 million!!

"The final price set a new record, becoming the most expensive single family home ever sold in Brooklyn. The previous record was $11 million, also for a townhouse in Brooklyn Heights, according to the Daily News." as sited in an article written by Julie Zeveloff and Kamelia Angelova titled Truman Capote's $18 Million Brooklyn Townhouse Just Sold For A Huge Discount.  

Julie Zeveloff and Kamelia Angelova further added that Capote's former residence was:

Built in 1839, the home features a three-story elliptical mahogany staircase with rosette oculus window at the top.
Here are other highlights: 38 windows have east, south, and west exposures, 11 fireplaces, 11 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, and a private gated driveway, 12-ft. ceilings, artist’s studio, and library.

Click on link above to view photographs of both the interior and exterior of Truman Capote's former home.

Where do you like to read?

I find that I do most of my reading at home in our living room while seated comfortably on the sofa or occasionally while seated at our kitchen table. I like to read when it's quiet or sometimes while listening to music playing softly in the background. The time of day I like to read doesn't really matter... Anytime is a good time to read in my book!!

I also enjoy reading while taking long train trips as it helps pass the time when traveling alone. However, my favorite place to read though is at the beach or at a favorite park next to my hubby or with friends on a warm, sunny day in a comfortable chair with hats, sunglasses, sunscreen & a picnic basket or cooler in tow. This scenario doesn't happen as often as I'd like though! So, I guess it's time to start making that happen more often.
 
I use to love reading at coffeehouses, but now I find them too noisy and distracting these days to accomplish much reading... I also use to love reading at libraries too, but I don't frequent libraries like I use to do anymore.

Where do you like to read? Do you have a favorite time of day you like to read or a favorite spot you enjoy reading at when you do sit down to read?

Flavorwire Website

One of my favorite places to find interesting news about books is from the Flavorwire website. I love the variety of newsworthy book related topics on the Flavorwire website. There is always something for someone to read there. Checkout the Flavorwire website and discover which book related posts captivates you!

World Book Night Update!!

I have exciting news! I have received word from World Book Night that I will be a book giver this year on World Book Night, which falls on Monday, April 23, 2012. I also learned that I will be receiving 20 FREE copies of Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings to give away on Monday, April 23, 2012. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings was my first choice as a book to give away on World Book Night. I am thrilled to be giving a book away to other others that I've enjoyed reading and also by an author I admire and respect.

Here's more information about Maya Angelou's book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings for those of you not familiar with her writing. The following quote about I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings comes from the World Book Night website:

Here is a book as joyous and painful, and as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s first memoir, published in 1969 is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.

Sent by their mother to their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” When she journeys at eight to her mother’s side in St. Louis, she is attacked by a man many times her age. Years later, in San Francisco, she learns about love for herself–and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. The kindness of others, Maya’s own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Poetic and powerful–now in a beautiful keepsake edition–I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds as long as people read.

I look forward to picking up my 20 copies of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings from a local bookstore in the near future. I'll keep you posted about how my personal experience goes on giving away free books within my community on World Book Night. Wish me success!!

Portrait of a Bookstore

I read an online article titled, Best Independent Bookstores In Los Angeles, on the CBS Los Angeles site last week. One of the bookstores named as the best independent book in Los Angeles was Portrait of a Bookstore in Studio City, California. 

What peaked my interest and captured my imagination about Portrait of a Bookstore (aside from being named one of the best bookstores in LA) was that it is tucked away inside another local business, the Aroma Coffee & Tea Company, like a hidden gem! What a wonderful idea, I thought, to have a bookstore inside a local cafe where one may enjoy a meal alone or with friends or simply to enjoy a pastry along with a favorite beverage and then, finally cozy up with a good book to read afterward!

Portrait of a Bookstore

Portrait of a Bookstore

Late last Sunday morning, my hubby & I stopped by the Portrait of a Bookstore to peruse the bookshelves and take in the ambiance. We were in for a real treat. Portrait of a Bookstore is more than just a bookstore. In addition to selling a wide variety of books, one may also find an assortment of other fine gift items for sales... Like "fine journals, exquisite pens, jewelry, purses, trays, candlesticks, hand-knit baby sweaters from England... You never know what you'll find at Portrait of a Bookstore, but you can be sure you'll find something!"

Portrait of a Bookstore has been in business since 1986. It truly is a lovely establishment. The store's layout and decor is wonderfully warm and inviting. Everywhere one looks, one sees something interesting to capture one's attention. Also, the sales woman who was on duty the day we were there, was kind and helpful to customers who came into the store. I love it when businesses offer good customer service! 


Portrait of a Bookstore is open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm and may be reached by telephone at the following number 818.769.3853. There are many other ways to stay connected with Portrait of a Bookstore. By visiting their website, you may join their mailing list or follow their blog. If you're on Facebook, you may become a friend Portrait of a Bookstore or follow them on Twitter.

Last words and final thoughts... I also discovered that Portrait of a Bookstore has a monthly book club called The Women's Book Club, that meets on the second Monday of each month at 7pm. Click on link above to find out more details including the upcoming books to be read.

Happy Read Across America Day!!

Read Across America Day is happening today across the nation! What exactly is Read Across America Day? According to the National Education Association (NEA) website: 

NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

Read Across America Day began in 1997 and its purpose according to the NEA:

 Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.

"Read for the Trees" is the 2012 Read Across America Day theme. The NEA describes this year's Read Across America Day as follows:

The theme is green for a very special 2012 Read Across America celebration. NEA's Read Across America campaign will showcase the Lorax book as well as NBC/Universal's The Lorax. For a sneak peek, here's the latest trailer. The film opens nationwide March 2, 2012 and Universal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Random House have joined NEA's Read Across America, creating new posters and classroom guides for the campaign.

Watch the cast from The Lorax movie promote Read Across America Day by watching the following video. 

Happy World Book Day!!

World Book Day is an annual event that falls each year on March 1st and according to Wikipedia is "organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright." March 1st also happens to be Copyright Day as well.

Daniel Donahoo wrote an online article for Wired.com entitled Free and Cheap Apps on World Book Day. Check out Donahoo's article to see where you can find the apps mentioned in his article.

Until next time, happy reading!