Two Thumbs DOWN!

Those who know me well know that I am an avid reader. Have been all my life.

Many years ago I was a member of a book club and over time that group disbanded. Thankfully, two years ago I came across another book club and have been thoroughly blessed as a result. Not only do we read great books, but the three hours that we spend together each month absolutely FLIES by because we enjoy each other's company that much.

One of the many things that I love about the group is that we read EVERYTHING. All genres, all authors. This allows our minds to be open, allowing new ideas and points of view to flow through. I love it!

There have been some books that I simply didn't' want to end because I'd gotten so wrapped up in the characters and their stories.

And then again...there have been books like the one I just finished yesterday that leave me saying, "I think I heard my brain cells falling to the floor while reading that!"

I try to find something positive to say about everything I read...really, I do. And most times that's pretty easy. However...the ONLY positive thing I can say about this particular book is that the author got it published...which is more than I have done (so far.) But really...the subject matter was waaay out there, and after page 100, the author just got sloppy. There were typos and sentences that just didn't make sense. She'd either leave a word (or two) out, or have too many words.

Once I finished the book I was curious to find out more about this author. She actuall wrote in her bio that she is an "editor and proof-reader." SERIOUSLY?!? If that's the case then she should have edited and proof-read her own work.

If I had to give a two word critique on this book I would say this: HOT MESS!!!

I gave it a ONE star rating on Goodreads and that was only because ONE star was the lowest option to choose from.

You're probably wondering the name of the book, and I simply will not share it. I can't. I value YOU, my fellow Dialogue Denners too much to subject you to such foolishness. Your time, and intelligence are far too valuable.

One thing this book showed me is that it's not always about QUALITY. Sometimes it's simply about getting your work out there and being able to say that you are a "published author." I get it, but that's not my philosophy. Once my books are published I want folks to be better for having read them, rather than wishing they hadn't.

With that said...

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's the WORST book you've ever read?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Sign Me UP!

Last Saturday I had an opportunity to do one of the many things I love...I volunteered by reading to some "little ones."

The event took place at a library and at the end of the session I asked the librarian if I could sign up for a card. YES...I already had a card for the County of Los Angeles Public Library, but in my opinion one can NEVER have enough access to books, sooo...I was overjoyed when she told me that I could.

You see, this particular library wasn't part of the CoLAPL system...it was part of the Los Angeles Public Library. I know, I know...they sound like the same entitiy, but...they're not.

It's a good thing too...for oh so many reasons. I'll give you just one of those reasons now.

My bookclub selection for this month (which we will be discussing on Saturday) was Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Well...I couldn't find it through the CoLAPL, but THANKFULLY...I was able to find it through the LAPL, and can now say that I have read it and will be ready to join in on the discussion.

I feel like all I'm missing now is a card from the Long Beach Public Library. If I could get my hands on one'a those, it would feel like Christmas in August.

For now though, I will be content with having the two.

With that...Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you visited your local library? If you have young children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbor kids...I encourage you to take them and sign them up for a card. With one, they will have the WORLD at their fingertips.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Reading Makes Me Mirthful!

So I'm in the middle of an amazingly good book, Room by Emma Donoghue and as I am reading I can actually feel my heart race. I am so incredibly nervous for the mother and son in this story...Wanting to yell, "No...don't do it!", and at the same time wanting them to take the chance that's making me ever so nervous.

I read everyday at work during my lunch break and have to set an alarm or else I'd be reading until folks came to find me.

Folks always ask what I'm reading and I sometimes wonder if I should tell them ALL of the books that I'm reading at a particular time...or just the ONE that they see me with.

I love books sooo much that I have to have one with me AT ALL TIMES, which means that I read a variety of formats.

I am reading Room in the most traditional sense, as in, a bound book with PHYSICAL pages that I have to turn.

I am also reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. That one is on CD and I listen in my car while driving. I gotta tell ya...audio books make these L.A. commutes so much more bearable.

And then there's, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (with Great Hair) by Rosie Perez. That one I listen to via Overdrive which I just recently discovered. Still audio format, but I connect my phone to my blue tooth speaker in the house and listen while I'm cleaning, cooking, or whatever I'm doing around the house. LOVE IT!

So yeah...at any given time I am READING at LEAST three books.

I capitalized reading because some folks don't consider AUDIO books as actual READING. Pfft! I beg to differ, and will continue READING my audio books as long as they are available.

I haven't gotten into "e-reading" and I'm not sure that I want to, nor am I sure that my "special" eyes can handle reading from a screen. So...to keep my eyes happy, I think I'll pass on e-books...at least for now.

That ends my short break from the book. Gonna make some home-made chicken soup (yes...on a Thursday night. Who does that?!?), and then go back and let my heart race a bit more.

Before I go...Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR favorite format for reading books?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Reading is FUNdamental...and so much MORE!

Question: Is there anything that you do in excess?

Eat?
Watch TV?
Exercise?

Anything???

I have recently come to the realization that I READ in excess. I mean, I just can't get enough. I am devouring books as though they will no longer be available to read.

I've always been a bit of a "bookworm" and now I am a "bookworm" on steroids.

For those who know the story regarding my eyes, then you understand why I read as much as possible. Every day that I open my eyes and can still SEE, is a GIFT. Every time I get to the end of another book...that too is a GIFT.

Between 2009 (when I first found out about my "condition") and 2013, I didn't ready ANYTHING. I was too depressed to pick up a book.

Then, out of the blue, I found a group on Facebook that was about to read "The Purpose Driven Life." I read that book and haven't stopped reading since. My library card is WORN OUT, and I love it!

So as long as God continues to let these eyes of mine function, I will continue to use them to their fullest, admiring the beauty of EVERYTHING I see, and devouring EVERY WORD I read.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What was the last book you read?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Rule XV

Every morning when I wake up I begin my day with prayer. For the past couple of weeks I have also incorporated reading a chapter from Og Mandino's, "A Better Way to Live."

There are so many great principles in that book...seventeen to be exact. He calls them "rules."

This morning I read "Rule XV" and it spoke so loudly to me based on things, or more specifically, PEOPLE I've been dealing with lately. It helped justify some of my recent decisions and reinforced the fact that although some decisions may be painful, they're necessary in order for me to maintain a positive level of health and wellness.

Bottom line (and I'm paraphrasing):
I do not have to allow negativity into my space. If someone is bringing me down, intentionally hurting me, unintentionally hurting me (but when I make them aware of the offense they CHOOSE to do nothing about it), and/or only speaking negativity into my life...the decision is up to me with regard to how close I let them get to me.

At this point in my life, I can only have those around me who are here to support, encourage, uplift (and most certainly NOT smile in my face while STABBING me in the back).

My circle may be growing smaller, and folks may be hating and/or calling me everything but a "Child of God." That's ok I imagine. I have spent ALL of my life trying to make other folks happy...walking on eggshells so as not to offend them or "make them mad" at me. But where has that gotten me? It's gotten me disrespected and having folks think they can treat me any old way. Well...NEWSFLASH...those days are GONE.

As I said in a previous post, the older I get, the more I become like my Mother. She spoke her mind ALWAYS. If someone offended her, she confronted them. If they walked out her life afterward as a result, she was ok with that. She didn't suppress her feelings for the sake of "being liked." You either liked my Mother for the "real deal" that she was, or you stepped. No skin off her nose, as she would say...and none off mine either.

As Porky Pig would say..."That's All Folks!"

It's a BEAUTIFUL morning, and my day is JAM PACKED with FANTASTIC people I love spending time with. I've been looking forward to this day for WEEKS. So I'm about to get out there and "let it do what it do!" I hope you do the same.

For those who love me...and I mean GENUINELY love me...I love you right back! MUAH!!!
And for those who don't...I love you too (because Christ commands me to). You've simply taught me that I need to love YOU from a distance.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What do YOU have planned for this lovely Saturday?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

It Pays to Read!

Have you ever gone through the pockets of your clothes, (maybe as you were about to wash them or give them away) and found money in them that you'd long since forgotten about? Well that just happened to me...sort of. Couldn't find my book club selection through the library so I decided to go ahead and give good ol' Amazon a try. Can't remember the last time I actually BOUGHT a book, my budget has been so tight. But I've gotten tired of missing out on the discussions due to my inability to obtain the book, so I decided to "bite the bullet" and see what I could find.

EUREKA!

I found the book I need...used...for a penny...yes...ONE cent (plus $3.99 for shipping). Not bad. Not bad at all.

As I go to check out I am greeted with this blessing of a message: "Use 4.00 of your $34.00 gift card balance?"

I'm like YES...Yes PLEASE!!!

I had completely forgotten about the gift card that a friend gave me a while back. WOW!

So now...my book is on its way, and I still have some $ left over in case I have a tough time finding any other books through the library. The library will ALWAYS be my first choice, but it's nice to know that I have options.

How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you found "forgotten money", and how much was it?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Oh...and just one small thing that I wanted to add about my book club -- we are not REQUIRED to read the book in order to attend the meetings. I just hate being "out of the loop" and need to know what everyone is talking about, so I prefer to read the books before the discussion. That's just me and my quirkiness at work.

Say It Loud!!!

So a few weeks ago "Joe" and I were talking about some of his "favorites". His favorite movie is "Roots" followed very closely by "Coming To America." One of...and this very well MAY BE his favorite books is Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur.

So many things about Joe fascinate me, especially his love and passion for helping to empower people in the community. He thrives on doing exactly what I wish I could do EVERYDAY. He is all about community activism which is one of the many characteristics that I love about him.

Finding myself curious, I went to my local library and got the book. Can I tell you...it has been virtually impossible to put down. I am LOVING it, and wondering how it is that I'd never read it before now.

Then again...I'm not THAT surprised. You see, books like these aren't part of the "mainstream curriculum" at most schools. Not in grades K-12 and sadly, not in most colleges, except for the HBCUs. When I consider those facts, it's really NOT that surprising that I've never read the book.

Here's what I'm finding though...as I've just gotten through a little over half of the book, I'm anxious for it to end, yet I don't want it to end, and I am ready for MORE books like this one which detail the "Black struggle" and the strength of those who have been brutalized, yet endured as a result.

So many stories have been told. So many stories I have yet to read.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What are some of YOUR favorite books about the Civil Rights Movement, and the amazing folks who fought through it. Not so much a "physical" fight, but a fight for their lives, just to make it through.

Talk to me...

Til next time...