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!