Monday, August 26, 2013

My week in poetry:



As this past week came to an end. I sat down to write about it for my blog. About the third paragraph in, I felt writing a summary or memoir type passage did not feel right. I decided the only way, the only true way to share how I felt this week with any reader who comes across this, is through a poem.
This will be the first poem I post on the internet. Normally my poems are handwritten in notebooks or sketchbooks. Not that I am embarrassed, but poetry has always been my first creative outlet long before sharing thoughts via blogs, or Twitter became another.
So today I have decided to combine the two. Thank you for letting me share, and thank you for reading.


Through Your Eyes
your warmth swallows me whole
my soul is set on fire with the light of your love
floating through the darkness of what I believe to be my biggest fears
as each wave of doubt and worry crashes on me,
I lift up my hand towards the sky
and I feel your fingers intertwine with mine,
and you pull me out of the empty ocean and into your arms
I know it was all a dream
because when I look at you,
I see myself as you do
with love

Friday, August 23, 2013

ebooks or books?



Hello my name is Melissa, and I am addicted to buying books.
With anything there are pros and cons. I will not go into a full list, as I’m sure it will vary from person to person. These are my pros and cons, not a rant, and sprinkled with some of me getting sidetracked.
Pros to ebooks: it saves space, and you can buy them at any time of day.
Cons of ebooks: you need to make sure the battery of your electronic device does not die, and don’t forget to blink.
Sidetrack: Blink? In this case, Whovians, blinking is good. At my work, we spend eight hours a day on the computer, and often people forget to rest their eyes and blink after starring at a computer screen too long.
Pros to books: you can fall asleep with a book and not have to worry about breaking it, maybe just bending the pages a little. You need not worry about getting books recommendations via email, or your online account.
Another pro, the amazing feeling you get when you find a book you have been looking for. *Cue in the background music. Perhaps a Bear McCreary piece that begins with a decrescendo.*
Con, depending on the book it may add some weight to your handbag or backpack.
As a book buying addict, and someone who has ebooks on their phone, I would have to say I prefer books. I just love the feeling you get when you order books online and they come to your house - it’s like an early birthday present. Or, when you’re in your local library and you pass by the new book section and something catches your eye.
Sidetrack: Visit your local library folks. If you are on a budget and do not have cable, libraries do get awesome tv series on DVD like Doctor Who, or BSG (Battlestar Galactica).
Another wonderful thing about books, they can easily be shared with loved ones. It’s like a handwritten letter, while email is quick and efficient, nothing compares to holding onto something from a loved on.
ebooks or books? The important thing is we read to learn, have adventures, and simply fall in love with the stories and their characters.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Checked this out at my local library ...



My thoughts so far on, Wonder by RJ Palacio

I am 3/4 done reading Wonder by RJ Palacio. I ran across this book while searching for new books to read online. As with most my online searches for new books, I cannot recall my original search. I often do a search and then it takes me to one link to another. Nonetheless, I am grateful I am reading this book.  
On my online search it does state it is categorized as juvenile fiction for ages 9 years and up. In my opinion, it should just be categorized as fiction.  However, as a juvenile fiction book, I am truly glad of its honesty. This book talks to and with the reader, not at the reader.
This is one of the best books I have read this summer.  The main character of the book is August who was had quite a few facial surgeries to assist with his medical needs.  The book’s chapters are done from the perspective of August, his sister and her boyfriend, along with Augusts’ classmates. Each character discusses their relationship with August, how they truly see him, and how their lives intertwine with one another.
This book also raised another question for me. Hopefully, this does not come across as if I am standing too much on a soap box. But this book has made me reflect on a lot of things I have seen in my life, on the news, online. One question being, is it nature verses nurture? Or, do (in this case) the characters in the story use their environment, or bad day, wanting to fit in, etc. as a reason to say and act as they do.
Wonder is a book that everyone can relate to. As I am reading this book, it makes me question what true kindness is, and how much the human spirit can endure. It also makes one reflect on when someone says they didn’t mean to hurt you, or that person. It still hurts even if they may not show their true feelings. It makes you sincerely question and think about the saying, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
So with Wonder almost done I am reluctantly finishing this book. Why reluctantly? As I tweeted once, when I am in love with a book I will not read the ending. With this book I feel I must finish. Not only to see how the story ends, but not to let go of knowing what I already believe - it does not take much to truly be kind.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

By The River Piedra I sat Down And Wept



My thoughts after reading,
By The River Piedra I sat Down And Wept by Paulo Coelho


While the title and subject matter may seem a bit heavy. This book was beautifully written without leaving your heart too much in the pit of your stomach, and at the same time not losing its humanity.
The story is written in first person. The two main characters were childhood friends, and find themselves reconnecting after several years. They fall in love, only to find themselves facing a difficult decision. Do you give up your true love, so they can follow their life’s calling?
While book does mention religion, it does not overwhelm the reader, but plays the role of another character in this love story. 
The story also takes place within a week. Although while you are reading, it seems longer. Not in a bad way, but in the way where you know even one day could change your life’s journey.
What first drew me to this book was not the title, or subject matter, it was the author.
When Coelho was a teenager, his father had him committed twice to a mental institution. His parents had him committed because they felt his love of writing, and not wanting to give it up was a sign of mental illness, and were uncertain of how to handle the situation.
This story contains emotions we have all felt, and deals with conversations we have had with ourselves. If you have ever experienced love lost and found. Forgiveness. Finding yourself standing in the way of your dreams. Finally letting go, then this book might interest you.