George Orwell would’ve laughed; did you?
My Achy Breaky Heart
This is one of my favorite book blog follow alongs to participate in. They usually have really provoking questions, and I’ve been racking my brains, and shedding a few tears coming up with this weeks list.
Question: Top 10 books that broke my heart.
Answer: I am only going to include books that made me cry, which is a rarity.
1.My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult
We’re talking sobbing, gut wrenching slobbery, red-faced, snotty nose sobbing. Oh and I was on a plane, and the adorable little old lady beside me kept patting me on the arm and offering me a tissue. I’m not even exaggerating.
2. The Street Lawyer – John Grisham
I can’t explain why, or how it happened. It was in the first couple chapters and I just broke down. I saw humanity and all its evils, I decided I wanted to help the homeless, and I did for a while.
3. Beatrice & Virgil – Yan Martel
I just finished this book about a week ago. I’m going to do a post on it when I’ve finally calmed down. I was un-prepared for my reaction to “Games for Gustav”. It was unbearably sad, but this is the most beautiful book I have read in over a year.
4. A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irvine
I loved him, and he was so smart and funny and brave. I cried at the end.
5. A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
They say unrequited love is the most painful thing on earth. He loved best.
6. A Fine Ballance – Rohniton Mistry
This book was an ache that lasted a long time after I closed the back cover. How can mankind treat itself that way? How can goodness and simple happiness survive?
7. 1984 – George Orwell
You know when you’re so angry, and you’re trying to make a valid point, and explain your reasoning/view/why you’re right, and all you can do is feel your face grow redder, and hotter, and your vocal cords squeeze tight and you feel hot, angry, shameful tears leak out of your eyes? Ya. This book.
8. The Shack – William P. Young
I can’t even get into it.
9. The Subtle Knife – Phillip Pullman
*SPOILER*
I don’t think I have ever cried quite so hard at the death of a character ever, (except maybe in number 1.) than at the death of Hester. I still tear up, sniff, (no joke), when I think about it. Then I get mad. I’m not a weepy person!
10. The Crucible – Arthur Miller
Angry tears, sad tears, defeated tears, and hopeful triumphant tears. All in one play.
_____________________________________________________________
I almost forgot! The REAL number 1. The ULTIMATE book that caused me to cry, and feel loss even to today is…..
A book I have already talked about and will likely talk about again.
Fool’s Fate – Robin Hobb
The ultimate love story, the ultimate character development. You really have to read the whole 9 books to understand why this is as great as I say it is. Or trust me.
“Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.”
Hey! It’s Friday, and I got featured!
Well imagine my surprise, when my little blog jumped from a 21 visit average to 92 in one day. I was flabbergasted! (I love that I get to use that word in context, never give up the right to go all vocab when you can.) So today is feature friday! Hosted by Parajunkee over here and I am the featured book blogger! This weeks question:
Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?
Most of my books are wildly different from each other. However, the ones that I get lost in most easily all have a varied and rich universe. It may sound confusing but shouldn’t be. Think Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia… and before you think I’m just a fantasy lover this also pertains to the awesome universes of John Grisham and Dick Francis novels. Basically when an author “creates” their worlds with passion and detail I can’t help but escape into them time and time again. Stories aren’t just about characters for me, the more real the world, the easier to get lost in it.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by! Feel free to look around, it’s not all books here as I recently got engaged, and can’t stop blabbing about it. Books are one of the most constant things I turn to, so there’s a lot on them, but there’s also Life The Universe and Everything… which you should know, comes from a book 
Peace out and Happy Friday!
Moi
xo
Out With The Old?
I used to be able to throw things away with abandon. I was ruthless, (despite my middle name being Ruth), in my ‘trashing’ of so-called valued possessions. I was a cold-hearted killer of old school projects, childhood pictures, and last years tax information. Sometimes to my financial detriment. Somewhere along the lines of constantly moving, I divorced sentiment from object and was able to travel the world free, and unencumbered.
[The previous paragraph is in no way a reference to any of my books:
1. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
2.
a. A printed or written literary work.
b. A main division of a larger printed or written work: a book of the Old Testament.
3.
a. A volume in which financial or business transactions are recorded.
b. books Financial or business records considered as a group: checked the expenditures on the books.
4.
a. A libretto.
b. The script of a play.
5. Book
a. The Bible.
b. The Koran.
6.
a. A set of prescribed standards or rules on which decisions are based: runs the company by the book.
b. Something regarded as a source of knowledge or understanding.
As I have never willingly parted with such an object. I have both the Bible and the Koran.]
As I have never willingly parted with such an object. I have both the Bible and the Koran.]
Around 2010, I was living in a travel trailer on my parents property. I was refusing to live indoors, as that would mean I would have to say I “lived with my parents”, again, at the age of 25. I couldn’t handle it so I was ‘homeless’ instead. My poor mother.
I was down to the absolute bare minimum of ‘personal property’. My two cats, my dog, my iMac computer, and my childhood teddy bear named Simpson. [Before you ask, he is not a possession, he is a childhood friend. You can't throw out a friend!] I lived in that trailer for 5 months. I would lie awake at night, on the elevated bed, staring at the ceiling four inches in front of my face, and I planned my next home.
My next home, would be home, it would be the place I resided until I got married. It would have a wood stove, and an ocean view, and a bathtub. I would really live in it! Put pictures on the walls and everything! I would throw dinner parties, I would paint, I would choose color schemes. I would ‘settle down’ with myself. And a short five months later, sans bathtub, I did all that and more.
I love my home. I should have shown you all pictures, but I am only so organised. Despite the lack of bathtub, and proper flooring, it is everything I have ever wanted. It’s a little beach house, I painted my kitchen bright spastic lime green, and not only does it have a wood stove – that’s it’s only source of heat! Like, totally authentic. However, something happened, I got engaged.
I am in the pink fluffy cloud of newly engaged. I am showing everyone my ring, telling and re-telling the story of how he popped the question, I am totally forgetting that I have to move in with him. Crap. Somewhere in the joyful bliss of living in my dream home, I stopped throwing away stuff. Now I look like one of those “buried alive” people. This brings up two topics of panic for me.
1) I have to pack up all my stuff. No, not all my stuff….
a) I have to throw away tons of stuff then pack up all my stuff. No, wait…
b) I have to organize my stuff into three piles; “Keep” “Toss” and “Donate”.
Then I have to pack up my “Keep” stuff and eventually, after much
procrastination and two forgotten garbage days, throw away the “Trash”
and “Donate” stuff.
a) I have to throw away tons of stuff then pack up all my stuff. No, wait…
b) I have to organize my stuff into three piles; “Keep” “Toss” and “Donate”.
Then I have to pack up my “Keep” stuff and eventually, after much
procrastination and two forgotten garbage days, throw away the “Trash”
and “Donate” stuff.
2) I have to move in with TF for all time. No, wait… nope, yep that’s it. (I have
some ignored and neglected committment issues, I’m sure they’ll be fine.)
some ignored and neglected committment issues, I’m sure they’ll be fine.)
Anyway, if you’re wondering where I’ve been, it’s been mulling over and stressing about above topic. Nope I haven’t done anything about it yet, just waste a lot of thought on it. Now, go finish your real job! What do you think this is, Friday afternoon?
Moi
Where The Wildings Are: [Lifestyle: What’s the Point of Higher Education?]
Where The Wildings Are: [Lifestyle: What’s the Point of Higher Education?]
My super cool cousin is living one of my alternate existence dreams. She’s in the Maritimes, spending $$ on education, going to such shows as Joel Plasket, Dan Mangan, and, if she knows what’s good for her, The Wet Secrets.
Read about why you shouldn’t feel bad about learning.
Moi
Things to do while engaged: Pt. 3
The conversation I’m enjoying most right now on an almost daily basis
Me: “Hey! Good to see you today in this our local coffee/grocery/bank shop”
Them: “Yes, very nice to see you too! How are you?”
Me: “Engaged, you?”
t-t-t-Tuesday!
This morning was crazy! The animals at the farm were all white eyed and spazzy. Horses that are usually calm and loving trying to rear and buck and kill us all. Dogs going to a dark and angry place while trying to eat each other. A cat that just would not leave me alone, I felt violated, and I kept hearing Antonio Bandaras’ voice in my head… strange days.
An update on my Monthly Recipe for Intentionally Having a Great Year is in order, so here you go:
-I have both found my running shoes and started C25k. So far I’m loving it.
I guess that’s it, wow I’m liking this whole ‘monthly’ thing.
Ok so now here’s a picture of my current journal. I was trying to figure out what to do about 2012 documentation earlier and I decided on a change/compromise of sorts. Still Moleskine, (love them, can’t [won't]change), but this one’s a cheap one and I can doodle all over the cover. Do you do doodle too?
O&O
Moi xoxo
Things to do while engaged: Pt. 2
Instead of gloves, wear wrist warmers. You can stay warm and stare at your ring while driving. Win!
