Nanu Nanu
Robin Williams: "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world." from "Dead Poets Society"
It feels odd to mourn someone I never knew. But every once in a while, a writer, artist or actor will pass, and my world tilts a little bit.
On the evening of August 11, I was having dinner with my sisters, niece and cousins. There we were, nine of us, all talking at once in a living room. Nine conversations at full speed. Suddenly a phone buzzed with a news alert. After a few attempts to silence us, my cousin read aloud the news that Robin Williams had died earlier that day. The room became quiet, and disbelief took over. "Is it an Internet hoax?" "No way, he's too young." "What happened to him?"
For the rest of the evening, between stories of family and work, between bites of pizza and dessert, one of us would mention his death again and we'd all fall silent.
In the car on the way home, I thought about Robin Williams' appearances on David Letterman's Late Show, when I'd laugh so hard I'd lose my breath and start wheezing. The strange sweetness of Mork. His work with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal raising money for Comic Relief.
We're fortunate to have Robin Williams' comedy and drama available to us any time we need to laugh (Mrs. Doubtfire) or watch his transition to downright creepy (One Hour Photo).
Good Morning, Vietnam. Aladdin. Insomnia. Man of the Year. Night at the Museum. Jumanji. Birdcage. Law & Order: SVU. Dead Poets Society. Good Will Hunting.
I'll miss you, Robin Williams.
*******************************
There are books written by the funniest people on the planet. Caution: some memoirs can be quite poignant. Prepare for an occasional lump in the throat.
And this is a SHORT list!
Tina Fey - Bossypants
Whoopi Goldberg - Is it Just Me or is it Nuts Out There?
Jim Gaffigan - Dad is Fat
Lizz Winstead - Lizz Free or Die
Jon Stewart - Earth
Richard Pryor - Pryor Convictions
Bruce McCall & David Letterman - This Land was Made for You and Me (But Mostly Me)
David Letterman - Book of Top 10 Lists
George Carlin - Brain Droppings
Jerry Seinfeld - Seinlanguage
Steve Martin - Born Standing Up
Don Rickles - Rickles' Book
Billy Crystal - Still Foolin' Em
Jimmy Fallon - Thank You Notes
Roz Chast - Can We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
Carl Reiner - My Anecdotal Life
Mindy Kaling - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Darrell Hammond - God, if You're Not Up There...
Stephen Colbert - I am America and So Can You
Bob Newhart - I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This
Carol Burnett - This Time Together
______________________________
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Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Sunday, August 31, 2014
September
Mary Antin: "The apex of my civic pride and personal contentment was reached on the bright September morning when I entered the public school." from "The Promised Land"
Summer is drifting away and fall is creeping closer. Daisies and impatiens are moving aside for pots filled with mums and pansies. The evening air is becoming a bit chilly as the sun drops behind the treeline. It's time to settle into a new routine of school, reading, and shorter days.
New books:
Ken Follett - Edge of Eternity
Lee Child - Personal
Lena Dunham - Not That Kind of Girl
Kathy Reichs - Bones Never Lie
James Ellroy - Perfidia
Tana French - The Secret Place
Ian McEwan - The Children Act
Ginger Alden - Elvis and Ginger
Geoffrey Ward & Ken Burns - The Roosevelts
Carl Hiaasen - Skink - No Surrender (YA)
September is Library Card Sign-up Month & Be Kind to Writers and Editors Month
September Days
1 - National No-Rhyme Day
1-7 - International Enthusiasm Week (share your enthusiasm for reading!)
3 - Birth of Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers)
4 - Birth of Richard Wright (Black Boy)
8 - International Literacy Day
11 - Patriot Day; National Day of Service and Remembrance
13 - Birth of Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach)
16 - Anne Bradstreet Day. American poet,1612-1672. "I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold." Questioned her Puritan faith as well as the role of women in society.
20 - Birth of George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones)
21-27 - Banned Books Week
21-27 - National Keep Kids Creative Week
22 - First Day of Autumn
22 - Hobbit Day (Thanks, J.R.R. Tolkien)
24 - Punctuation Day. Watch those commas and periods.
24 - Death of Dr. Seuss (Green Eggs and Ham)
26 - Birth of Jane Smiley (A Thousand Acres)
27 - R.E.A.D in America Day. Celebrate Reading Helps Everyone Accomplish Dreams Day. Encourage a child to read each day.
30 - Birth of Truman Capote (In Cold Blood)
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to "Read With Enthusiasm." It's easy - look for the follow by email box at the top right hand corner of the blog. You'll receive a follow-up email to activate your subscription. Thank you!
Mary Antin: "The apex of my civic pride and personal contentment was reached on the bright September morning when I entered the public school." from "The Promised Land"
Summer is drifting away and fall is creeping closer. Daisies and impatiens are moving aside for pots filled with mums and pansies. The evening air is becoming a bit chilly as the sun drops behind the treeline. It's time to settle into a new routine of school, reading, and shorter days.
New books:
Ken Follett - Edge of Eternity
Lee Child - Personal
Lena Dunham - Not That Kind of Girl
Kathy Reichs - Bones Never Lie
James Ellroy - Perfidia
Tana French - The Secret Place
Ian McEwan - The Children Act
Ginger Alden - Elvis and Ginger
Geoffrey Ward & Ken Burns - The Roosevelts
Carl Hiaasen - Skink - No Surrender (YA)
September is Library Card Sign-up Month & Be Kind to Writers and Editors Month
September Days
1 - National No-Rhyme Day
1-7 - International Enthusiasm Week (share your enthusiasm for reading!)
3 - Birth of Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers)
4 - Birth of Richard Wright (Black Boy)
8 - International Literacy Day
11 - Patriot Day; National Day of Service and Remembrance
13 - Birth of Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach)
16 - Anne Bradstreet Day. American poet,1612-1672. "I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold." Questioned her Puritan faith as well as the role of women in society.
20 - Birth of George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones)
21-27 - Banned Books Week
21-27 - National Keep Kids Creative Week
22 - First Day of Autumn
22 - Hobbit Day (Thanks, J.R.R. Tolkien)
24 - Punctuation Day. Watch those commas and periods.
24 - Death of Dr. Seuss (Green Eggs and Ham)
26 - Birth of Jane Smiley (A Thousand Acres)
27 - R.E.A.D in America Day. Celebrate Reading Helps Everyone Accomplish Dreams Day. Encourage a child to read each day.
30 - Birth of Truman Capote (In Cold Blood)
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to "Read With Enthusiasm." It's easy - look for the follow by email box at the top right hand corner of the blog. You'll receive a follow-up email to activate your subscription. Thank you!
Monday, August 4, 2014
August
Natalie Babbitt: "The first week of August is motionless and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank, white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color."
from "Tuck Everlasting"
Celebrate the arrival of August with picnics, chilled white wine, ice cream desserts, and trips to the cool library! On the shelves are new books by Chris Bohjalian, Amy Bloom and Stephen Carter. Look for paperbacks by Louise Penny, Margaret Atwood and Edwidge Danticat.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. I'm reading Barbara Tuchman's "Guns of August" and Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front."
August Days
3 - Birth of P.D. James (Children of Men) in 1920.
5 - Birth of Guy de Maupassant (The Necklace) in 1850.
7 - Garrison Keillor was born on this day in 1942. No, he wasn't born in Lake Wobegon!
9-13 - Play Scrabble Days. Check those dictionaries!
10 - Read Hunger Games in honor of Suzanne Collins' birthday.
12 - In 1964, the world welcomed Katherine Boo (Behind the Beautiful Forevers) and said farewell to Ian Fleming (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
14 - In 1949, Margaret Mitchell (Gone With the Wind) died.
18 - Bad Poetry Day. Choose your own worst poet!
10 - Ogden Nash (Candy is Dandy) was born in 1902.
17 - Freedom author Jonathan Franzen was born in 1959.
18 - Birth of Nicole Krauss (History of Love) in 1974. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes author, Anita Loos died in 1981.
22 - Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles) was born in 1920.
27 - Theodore Dreiser (Sister Carrie) was born in 1871. Bennett Cerf (Shake Well Before Using) died in 1971.
28 - Anna Karenina's Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828.
30 - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) was born in 1797.
Natalie Babbitt: "The first week of August is motionless and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank, white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color."
from "Tuck Everlasting"
Celebrate the arrival of August with picnics, chilled white wine, ice cream desserts, and trips to the cool library! On the shelves are new books by Chris Bohjalian, Amy Bloom and Stephen Carter. Look for paperbacks by Louise Penny, Margaret Atwood and Edwidge Danticat.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. I'm reading Barbara Tuchman's "Guns of August" and Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front."
August Days
3 - Birth of P.D. James (Children of Men) in 1920.
5 - Birth of Guy de Maupassant (The Necklace) in 1850.
7 - Garrison Keillor was born on this day in 1942. No, he wasn't born in Lake Wobegon!
9-13 - Play Scrabble Days. Check those dictionaries!
10 - Read Hunger Games in honor of Suzanne Collins' birthday.
12 - In 1964, the world welcomed Katherine Boo (Behind the Beautiful Forevers) and said farewell to Ian Fleming (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
14 - In 1949, Margaret Mitchell (Gone With the Wind) died.
18 - Bad Poetry Day. Choose your own worst poet!
10 - Ogden Nash (Candy is Dandy) was born in 1902.
17 - Freedom author Jonathan Franzen was born in 1959.
18 - Birth of Nicole Krauss (History of Love) in 1974. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes author, Anita Loos died in 1981.
22 - Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles) was born in 1920.
27 - Theodore Dreiser (Sister Carrie) was born in 1871. Bennett Cerf (Shake Well Before Using) died in 1971.
28 - Anna Karenina's Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828.
30 - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) was born in 1797.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Welcome Back
Russell Baker: "Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
Summer - what happened to summer? June is a fond and distant memory of being busy with classes, books, plans for fall etc... There was another writing class scheduled in July along with the dream of day trips and enjoying summer afternoons. However, during a visit to my hometown just before Independence Day, acute bronchitis took control of my family. Tucked back into our own homes (in three different states) we complained to each other via texting (it hurt too much to talk). We compared doctors' visits and temperatures. We coughed a lot. A whole lot. I missed my class in early July and spent the rest of the month in a tired haze.
A hopeful sign of better health around the corner was a renewed interest in evenings spent reading. And I was fortunate enough to have a leaning tower of books as company.
Nancy Jensen's "The Sisters" is a poignant story of an older sister trying to protect a younger sister, and the plan goes horribly wrong. "The Sisters" examines the power of family secrets and misunderstood actions.
The newest memoir by Gail Caldwell, "New Life, No Instructions" will resonate with baby boomers as Caldwell works through the universal question: "What do you do when the story changes in midlife?" Caldwell shares her own struggle with aging and making sense of a rapidly changing life.
The first book I've read from the long list of Kate Morton's work is "The Secret Keeper." Morton's character, Laurel, witnesses a murder, and as with many family secrets (especially in Morton's books) the truth demands to be set free decades later.
If you need to cool off and shiver with fear at the same time, check out these two books: "Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon and "Mind of Winter" by Laura Kasischke. I read them back-to-back over a weekend. If I had to choose which was the most gripping - "Winter People" would be my choice. Told from different viewpoints and even different eras in West Hall, Vermont, the story involves a mother's disappearance and asks the question - can we bring back the dead? "Mind of Winter" tells the tale of a young couple who adopt a baby from Russia. But did something else join them on the trip back to the United States? A snowed-in Christmas Day provides all the answers. If you still need to feel a shiver, read Stephen King's latest - "Mr. Mercedes." The novel is both unsettling and sad.
And just in time for back to school, read "Year of Billy Miller" by Kevin Henkes. It is a sweet, but not sentimental, story of a little boy's journey through second grade.
Happy Reading!
Russell Baker: "Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
Summer - what happened to summer? June is a fond and distant memory of being busy with classes, books, plans for fall etc... There was another writing class scheduled in July along with the dream of day trips and enjoying summer afternoons. However, during a visit to my hometown just before Independence Day, acute bronchitis took control of my family. Tucked back into our own homes (in three different states) we complained to each other via texting (it hurt too much to talk). We compared doctors' visits and temperatures. We coughed a lot. A whole lot. I missed my class in early July and spent the rest of the month in a tired haze.
A hopeful sign of better health around the corner was a renewed interest in evenings spent reading. And I was fortunate enough to have a leaning tower of books as company.
Nancy Jensen's "The Sisters" is a poignant story of an older sister trying to protect a younger sister, and the plan goes horribly wrong. "The Sisters" examines the power of family secrets and misunderstood actions.
The newest memoir by Gail Caldwell, "New Life, No Instructions" will resonate with baby boomers as Caldwell works through the universal question: "What do you do when the story changes in midlife?" Caldwell shares her own struggle with aging and making sense of a rapidly changing life.
The first book I've read from the long list of Kate Morton's work is "The Secret Keeper." Morton's character, Laurel, witnesses a murder, and as with many family secrets (especially in Morton's books) the truth demands to be set free decades later.
If you need to cool off and shiver with fear at the same time, check out these two books: "Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon and "Mind of Winter" by Laura Kasischke. I read them back-to-back over a weekend. If I had to choose which was the most gripping - "Winter People" would be my choice. Told from different viewpoints and even different eras in West Hall, Vermont, the story involves a mother's disappearance and asks the question - can we bring back the dead? "Mind of Winter" tells the tale of a young couple who adopt a baby from Russia. But did something else join them on the trip back to the United States? A snowed-in Christmas Day provides all the answers. If you still need to feel a shiver, read Stephen King's latest - "Mr. Mercedes." The novel is both unsettling and sad.
And just in time for back to school, read "Year of Billy Miller" by Kevin Henkes. It is a sweet, but not sentimental, story of a little boy's journey through second grade.
Happy Reading!
Friday, June 13, 2014
We'll miss you, dear Spot
Eugene O'Neill, speaking on behalf of his dog, Blemie: "Say to yourselves with regret, but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long and happy life with you: 'Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved.' "
*****
Toddlers around the world have lost a true friend. Eric Hill, author and illustrator of the beloved "Spot" series, died on June 6. Mr. Hill was 86 years old.
According to Penguin Books USA, Mr. Hill first freelanced as an art director, graphic designer and illustrator before creating the Spot series. Mr. Hill had credited his son, Christopher, as being the inspiration for the stories detailing the mischievous puppy's adventures.
If you're ever at a loss as to what book to buy for a newborn or preschooler, consider "Spot." Lift the flaps, turn the pages, and smile as the little pup learns manners, goes on a walk, and bakes a cake.
My favorite Spots:
Spot's First Walk
Where's Spot?
Spot Goes to the Library
Thursday, May 1, 2014
**May**
Robert Burns: "It was the charming month of May, when all the flow'rs were fresh and gay."
Let's celebrate the arrival of May. The warmer days invite us outdoors to enjoy sunshine along with a good book. We're encouraged to honor mothers, and remember those who died in battle. There's a nod to childhood with memories of Mother Goose and Batman. Maybe the most creative celebration of May is "Get Caught Reading Month." What will YOU be caught reading??
In May, look for new books by Stephen King, Dorothea Benton Frank, Richard Paul Evans, Mary Pope Osborne, Laurell K. Hamilton, Douglas Preston and James Patterson.
May is:
Creative Beginnings Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Latino Books Month
1 - Batman Day; Mother Goose Day. Channel your inner Gotham City hero or recite a rhyme or two.
3 - World Press Freedom Day. Reporters around the world struggle each day to bring us the news. According to the Huffington Post and the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 70 journalists were killed in 2013, covering conflict zones or "sensitive" subjects.
4 - Birthday of David Guterson, author of "Snow Falling on Cedars."
5 - Cartoonist Day. Your favorite cartoon character would be... Snoopy? Zonker or Blondie? Mark Trail or Sally Forth?
10 - Birthday of Caroline B. Cooney, author of "Face on the Milk Carton."
11 - Mother's Day
11-17 - Reading is Fun Week. Humor, celebrity memoirs, gardening, etc... There's a book waiting to charm or amuse all of us.
12-18 - Children's Book Week. Discover or read again these classic authors: Lois Ehlert, Beverly Cleary, Walter Farley, E.B. White, Robert McCloskey, Madeleine L'Engle.
15 - Birthday of Laura Hillenbrand, author of "Unbroken."
19 - Birthday of Jodi Picoult, author of "My Sister's Keeper" & "Nineteen Minutes."
20 - Birthday of Mary Pope Osborne, author of "Magic Tree House" series & "American Tall Tales."
25 - Birthday of Ralph Waldo Emerson, author of "Nature" & "Self-Reliance and Other Essays."
25 - Birthday of Robert Ludlum, author of "Bourne Identity."
25 - Birthday of Eve Ensler, author of "In the Body of the World."
25 - Birthday of Jamaica Kincaid, author of "Autobiography of my Mother."
26 - Memorial Day
28 - Birthday of Meg Wolitzer, author of "The Interestings."
Robert Burns: "It was the charming month of May, when all the flow'rs were fresh and gay."
Let's celebrate the arrival of May. The warmer days invite us outdoors to enjoy sunshine along with a good book. We're encouraged to honor mothers, and remember those who died in battle. There's a nod to childhood with memories of Mother Goose and Batman. Maybe the most creative celebration of May is "Get Caught Reading Month." What will YOU be caught reading??
In May, look for new books by Stephen King, Dorothea Benton Frank, Richard Paul Evans, Mary Pope Osborne, Laurell K. Hamilton, Douglas Preston and James Patterson.
May is:
Creative Beginnings Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Latino Books Month
May Days
1 - Batman Day; Mother Goose Day. Channel your inner Gotham City hero or recite a rhyme or two.
3 - World Press Freedom Day. Reporters around the world struggle each day to bring us the news. According to the Huffington Post and the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 70 journalists were killed in 2013, covering conflict zones or "sensitive" subjects.
4 - Birthday of David Guterson, author of "Snow Falling on Cedars."
5 - Cartoonist Day. Your favorite cartoon character would be... Snoopy? Zonker or Blondie? Mark Trail or Sally Forth?
10 - Birthday of Caroline B. Cooney, author of "Face on the Milk Carton."
11 - Mother's Day
11-17 - Reading is Fun Week. Humor, celebrity memoirs, gardening, etc... There's a book waiting to charm or amuse all of us.
12-18 - Children's Book Week. Discover or read again these classic authors: Lois Ehlert, Beverly Cleary, Walter Farley, E.B. White, Robert McCloskey, Madeleine L'Engle.
15 - Birthday of Laura Hillenbrand, author of "Unbroken."
19 - Birthday of Jodi Picoult, author of "My Sister's Keeper" & "Nineteen Minutes."
20 - Birthday of Mary Pope Osborne, author of "Magic Tree House" series & "American Tall Tales."
25 - Birthday of Ralph Waldo Emerson, author of "Nature" & "Self-Reliance and Other Essays."
25 - Birthday of Robert Ludlum, author of "Bourne Identity."
25 - Birthday of Eve Ensler, author of "In the Body of the World."
25 - Birthday of Jamaica Kincaid, author of "Autobiography of my Mother."
26 - Memorial Day
28 - Birthday of Meg Wolitzer, author of "The Interestings."
Happy Reading!
**If you enjoyed this post, why not subscribe to "Read With Enthusiasm"? It's easy - look for the follow by email box at the top right hand corner of the blog. Thank you!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Random Word of the Moment
A generous round of applause, please, for Noah Webster. Thanks to him, it's our lucky day - April 14 is Dictionary Day!
There are many people to thank for the glorious gift of the dictionary, but I'll showcase just one: Noah Webster.
According to the Dictionary of American Writers, Webster published The American Spelling Book in 1783. Webster went on to deliver his first dictionary in 1806, but didn't rest on his laurels. Instead, he started working on a comprehensive study of the English language, and in 1828, his dictionary of 70,000 entries was published.
In honor of Webster's dictionary, I'll occasionally post a "Random Word of the Moment." The words won't be common or archaic. They're just words that aren't heard too often. If we all use them a time or two, maybe their popularity will rebound.
The first Random Word of the Moment is: MELEE.
'may-,lay (French 1648) noun. A confused struggle, especially a hand-to hand fight among several people. From: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
Example: When shoppers heard about free Swedish meatballs, a melee broke out in Ikea.
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