Tag: classics

Links Galore

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A few more links to get us through the middle of the week:

Friday Fifteen

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Another Friday, another Friday Fifteen, in which I review five books in fifteen words or less. Onto the books!

97806897118171. Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb
Read a short story excerpt of this in Seventeen; was excited to find the novel.

2. The McSweeney’s Joke Book of Book Jokes by McSweeney’s Publishing and John Hodgman
My dad saw this randomly and bought it for me. Nice move, Dad.

3. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Running away to the Met and figuring out an art history mystery? So much yes.

4. Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Excuse me, I’m having all the feelings. Simple but powerful.

5. Life Stories: Profiles from The New Yorker ed. by David Remnick
Excellent collection of profiles ranging from Marlon Brando to dog show people.

To Thine Own Self Be True

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ophelia200x200A personality quiz based on Shakespeare characters? Just what Friday ordered!

I got Ophelia and although they don’t give any reasoning for this result, I’m going to assume this means that I’m really trying to hold it together surrounded by a lot of evil and crazy. And I like flowers.

In case you want even more Shakespeare, tonight PBS airs Shakespeare Uncovered, which explores some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, including Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and The Tempest. And heads up, Whovians–there’s an episode in which David Tennant talks about Hamlet.

Quote of the Day

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I am not interested in the ephemeral…I am interested in those things that repeat and repeat and repeat in the lives of the millions.–Thornton Wilder, The New York Times (6 November 1961)

As you may have gathered, Thornton Wilder is a new favorite writer. I recently saw a gorgeous production of Our Town (and spent the evening crying about how beautiful and fleeting life is). Walt gave me a copy of the play for Christmas and I finished reading it over the weekend–so good.

Like in the quote above, Our Town deals with the very ordinary daily activities that are deeply meaningful and connect humans across time. I feel like this is something I want to keep in mind in my own writing–what is lasting? What is eternal? What touches all of us at our most basic human level?

Friday Fifteen

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I’m feeling kind of like this, so thank goodness it’s Friday. Check out this week’s collection of fifteen-word book reviews:9780307277695

1. My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme
Julia’s a favorite–fearless, funny, and an enthusiastic learner. She and Paul warm my heart.

2. Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
Fun art captures a wild ride. (Although reading the book is ride enough for me.)

3. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Probably my least favorite of the series, but some powerful moments–Pan! My heart!

4. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
You’re either a Faulkner or a Hemingway. I’m a Faulkner. Could not get into it.

5. Amy and Laura by Marilyn Sachs
Where I first heard the “golden arm” story. Another one I reread a lot.

Friday Fifteen

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Holy cow, it’s Friday! And the first non-holiday week in a little while. Good thing we’ve got fifteen-word reviews to send us out right.

97804864043251. The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
Compelling history of Hungarian Jews during WWII but never really connected with the main characters.

2. Jim Ugly by Sid Fleischman
Don’t remember much about the plot, but I do remember learning the term “pine box.”

3. White Oleander by Janet Fitch
Captivated reading it as a teen, especially about foster care. Would be curious to reread.

4. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
Let’s all go to the forest, dress in drag, and fall in love!

5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
Bright colors and fun narrative that would be at home in a jumping rope game.

Links Galore

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A few more links for today:

Writers Know How to Party

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Anyone who’s been to a writers conference knows that writers know how to party. But if you need further evidence, check out these photos of famous writers socializing and having a blast. My favorite has to be this one of James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry:

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Make sure to check out the full list. Although I think we could compile a list of YA/children’s writers partying and have some pretty awesome pictures as well. For example:

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I cropped out the other person in this photo not to protect his identity, but because his excited face was sub-par. I don’t accept half-assed when it comes to making faces.

(image via Flavorwire)(via The Paris Review)