What Is One Of Your Favorite Books–Revisited?

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I am a teacher, a writer, and a lover of books. I cannot remember a time when I could not read, and the simple act of reading a book is one of the best pleasures in life.  So, I was thinking today about a book, one of my all time favorites: The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, that I have used in classes at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. This novel is brilliant, funny, witty, Gothic, romantic, and deeply engaging.  Can you tell I love it?

Here is a quotation from the back cover of the paperback:

“Wondrous . . . masterful . . . The Shadow Of The Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero.”

— Entertainment Weekly, Editor’s Choice

I love to ask this question of readers: What is one of your favorite books? (If you wish, offer more than one.)

 

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What Are You Currently Reading?

Hello to everyone!

Here is a quick question for you–what book or books are you currently reading?

To answer my own question, I am reading:

Bruno, Chief Of Police by Martin Walker

Swan Peak by James Lee Burke

The Siberian Dilemma by Martin Cruz Smith

and Culture: The Story of Us From Cave Art to K-Pop by Martin Puchner.

It is an odd coincidence that three of the four books are written by authors with the first name of Martin.

So, I ask you–what are you reading?

Have a Happy and Blessed Ostara!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Ostara! This is a holiday on the pagan and pre-Christian Celtic Calendar, and it marks the beginning of Spring and the Spring Equinox. It is a holiday of hope and fertility. And please do not worry, there is nothing Satanic about this celebration of life. It is a time of joy and celebration of the coming of Spring.

Libraries of the Lehigh Valley, PA: Trexler Library of Muhlenberg College

The next entry in my series on libraries in the Lehigh Valley, PA is Trexler Library of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. We, in this area, are extremely fortunate to have not only several city public libraries, but also we have small town libraries and those in six private colleges and universities, and in an extension campus of Penn State University, and two community colleges. This section of Pennsylvania is truly blessed with an abundance of knowledge and resources from these numerous institutions.

This building has a fascinating design, with three floors that descend. The top floor is the area with the checkout desks, information areas, talking sections, and the valuable writing center. Down the next two floors are the stacks with books, and these are quiet areas.

Not only does this building hold many volumes of books, music, and films, but it also has a rare books room, in which displays of unusual and often unseen items are put on display.

I was delighted to find that Trexler Library has in its collection several example of cuneiform tablets, dating probably from circa 2500-3000 B.C. as well as several ancient parchments. Here are some examples:

I also want to mention that I am proud that two of my novels, Maledicus, The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1 and Gallows Hill, The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2 are in the library’s collection! 

Lastly, I apologize for the blurred photographs. Clearly, photography is not one of my talents.

What Is A Book That You Love?

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I am a teacher, a writer, and a lover of books. I cannot remember a time when I could not read, and the simple act of reading a book is one of the best pleasures in life.  So, I was thinking today about a book, one of my all time favorites: The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, that I have taught often, both at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. This novel is brilliant, funny, witty, Gothic, romantic, and deeply engaging.  Can you tell I love it?

Here is a quotation from the back cover of the paperback:

“Wondrous . . . masterful . . . The Shadow Of The Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero.”

— Entertainment Weekly, Editor’s Choice

So, I ask you: what is one of your favorite books?

A March Wish For Writers

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Can you believe it is the beginning of March already? Winter is almost over, even though where I live it has been almost unbelievably mild, and Spring will soon be here. I know it is a function of age, but it does truly seem that time is racing by!

With that thought in mind, I simply wanted to wish all writers a productive month of writing. Remember to take your writing in chunks, first a day at a time, then a week, and then a month.

Also, keep in mind that if you write only 250 words a day, that by the end of one year, you will have completed a full first draft of a book!

Don’t stop, don’t give up, and always believe in yourself.

Happy Writing!

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A Review of Lion Scream by Robbie Cheadle

I received this book and read it in one sitting. It is staggering in its beauty and message. Robbie Cheadle has crafted an excellent book, filled with syllabic poetry, commentary, and a short story. Taken as a whole, this text is an important lesson on the impact of humanity on the wildlife of Southern Africa and, by extension, the rest of the world.

“Lion Scream”, the title of the book and one of the poems within, is my favorite. It is short but deeply impactful. Cheadle shows her talent with words as she creates this poem, and then many others in a fascinating form called the Double Enead, which has 99 syllables.

Cheadle’s book is a masterpiece! I do not use these words lightly or easily, but this book moved me emotionally and intellectually. I was shaken and in tears while I read it. As a man of my age and generation, I am not given to crying easily, but Cheadle’s words staggered me with their power, their beauty, and their message.

I recommend it to anyone who loves poetry, cares about global climate change, animals, and the craft of using words to create messages.

This book is a must read! I encourage everyone to get it as soon as possible. I hope the world soon learns of this extraordinary, beautiful, and excellent work.

Quotations On Censorship

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“Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.”

                                                                   Henry Louis Gates Jr.

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“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you’re going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book…”
Dwight D. Eisenhower

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“Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.”

                                                                    Judy Blume

( By Moritz Daniel Oppenheim)

“Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.”

                                                                     Heinrich Heine

“In our current political climate, in which some politicians openly state their plans to ban books, it is time for those of us who love books and who honor and cherish the freedom to choose our reading, to oppose their censorship. Let our voices be heard. Stand up against censorship. Always remember that book banning is the act of a tyrant or someone who would be a tyrant.”

                                                               Charles F. French

Creativity Quotations

 

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“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

                                                                                     Maya Angelou

 

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“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”

                                                                                   Albert Einstein

 

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“Creativity takes courage.”

                                                                                    Henri Matisse

 

“Creativity is the expression of the human soul in the form of art. It brings meaning to our lives; creativity is essential to experiencing life in its fullest.”

                                                                                          Charles F. French

Here Is A Simple Wish For Writers

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To all the writers out there, whoever you are and wherever you may be, please remember to value yourselves, to respect your efforts, and to keep on writing.

Also please remember, writing comes from dedication and consistency and not from waiting for inspiration.

Trust your creativity, believe in yourself, value your efforts, and take joy from your writing!

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