Another Wall Street Journal article from the Saturday/Sunday, July 11-12, 2015 edition. This one really hit home from many years of reading aloud to my boys. My picks from the article:
I had, incredibly, just been permitted to leave a Tokyo hospital with our first born, a daughter. .....
.....I carried the infant to the little room we had prepared for her, sat down in the rocking chair that I had painted before her arrival, and began to read aloud from a book of fairy tales.
"Long ago there lived a widower who had one daughter," I informed the pudding in my arms.
My shining role model Lisa [Wolfinger], the vanishing hostess - and as it happens, a film producer and thus no reflexive enemy of the screen - notes: "Creating that world in your head is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Kids now are being spoon-fed the visual storytelling, so there's no reason for them to close their eyes and imagine a world, imagine what these people would look like, the clothes and smells and landscape."
Wait, I hear an irritated chorus say, what's so bad about the iPad? What about all those zippy interactive storybooks that tiny kids can "read" to themselves? And what about audio books - are they bad too? IPads and audio books have their virtues, but they don't have warm arms, they can't share a joke, and they haven't any knowledge of, or interest in, a particular child. In the case of recorded stories, they can't answer questions or observe a child's puzzlement and know to pause and explain what, say, a "charabanc" is.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
How I Found My Future in a Marrakesh Bazaar by Patricia Storace
I don't usually write a post about a newspaper article, but I read this article in the Wall Street Journal and it struck me. Now I want to read some more that Storace has written. Here is what struck me in this article:
I saw it immediately, propped up against a dressing table - an intricately carved door whose rich, nocturnally dark wood was studded with stars that I would soon learn were formed of brass, camel bone and silver, and which seemed to pulse and shimmer as my eyes moved over them. ...... No matter how long I stared at it, I found more to see.
"Why don't you take the door?" he asked. It seemed to be a genuine question, gently posed, not the opening of a subtly aggressive sales pitch. It had never occurred to me that I could buy it. I lived in an already crowded studio apartment and, though I often dreamed of doing so, had no prospect of moving. "I'm afraid I have no place for it," I said, apologetic that I had kept him in the shop for so long. "I don't have a house."
"Don't be afraid," he told me. "A door is the beginning of a house."
I saw it immediately, propped up against a dressing table - an intricately carved door whose rich, nocturnally dark wood was studded with stars that I would soon learn were formed of brass, camel bone and silver, and which seemed to pulse and shimmer as my eyes moved over them. ...... No matter how long I stared at it, I found more to see.
"Why don't you take the door?" he asked. It seemed to be a genuine question, gently posed, not the opening of a subtly aggressive sales pitch. It had never occurred to me that I could buy it. I lived in an already crowded studio apartment and, though I often dreamed of doing so, had no prospect of moving. "I'm afraid I have no place for it," I said, apologetic that I had kept him in the shop for so long. "I don't have a house."
"Don't be afraid," he told me. "A door is the beginning of a house."
Saturday, June 20, 2015
A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
What could not be mended must be lived with,.... Loc 102181
Quick words make long troubles. Loc 104115
"Min, I'd say she is as pretty as you, but how can you compare two sunrises?" Loc 105795
Loc refer to the e-reader version of The Complete Wheel of Time
Quick words make long troubles. Loc 104115
"Min, I'd say she is as pretty as you, but how can you compare two sunrises?" Loc 105795
Loc refer to the e-reader version of The Complete Wheel of Time
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
The Sparrow And His Four Children by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Little birds have to encounter great dangers!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan
There was a saying in the Borderlands: "Duty is heavier than a mountain, death lighter than a feather." Once you had that mountain firmly on your shoulders, there was no way to put it down. There was no one else to carry it anyway, and no use whining about it. Loc 82141
"Women do not become exhausted," Haman said, "they only exhaust others. that is a very old saying among us." [Ogier] Loc. 85480
"When you wish for so long that you could hear something," he said slowly, "and then suddenly, with no warning, you do, it is like a lightening strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You're stunned, but you cannot hear enough." Loc 86564
Loc refer to the e-reader version of The Complete Wheel of Time
"Women do not become exhausted," Haman said, "they only exhaust others. that is a very old saying among us." [Ogier] Loc. 85480
"When you wish for so long that you could hear something," he said slowly, "and then suddenly, with no warning, you do, it is like a lightening strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You're stunned, but you cannot hear enough." Loc 86564
Loc refer to the e-reader version of The Complete Wheel of Time
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
This book made a great book club read and it was a lot more thought provoking than I thought after immediately finishing it. The more I thought about it, the more layers I saw. It made for great discussion. But only a few quotes really stood out, which is not a bad thing. Sometimes it takes only one to make a book. Here are the standouts for me:
Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me. Insisting on this story was a form of mind control, but for the most part, it worked. p.51
Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren't a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was. p. 119
"I don't know what's right," I said, though I did. I knew exactly what I had to do. It was what I'd had to do so many times now: choose the best of two horrible things. page 160
I couldn't make them understand why I'd had to smash things up. But you seemed so happy was all they could say. And it was true: we had seemed that way. Just as I'd seemed to be doing okay after my mom died. Grief doesn't have a face. p.212
There's no way to know what makes one thing happen and not another. What leads to what. What destroys what. What causes what to flourish or die or take a course. ....He [stepfather] hadn't loved me well in the end, but he'd loved me well when it mattered. p.304
Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me. Insisting on this story was a form of mind control, but for the most part, it worked. p.51
Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren't a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was. p. 119
"I don't know what's right," I said, though I did. I knew exactly what I had to do. It was what I'd had to do so many times now: choose the best of two horrible things. page 160
I couldn't make them understand why I'd had to smash things up. But you seemed so happy was all they could say. And it was true: we had seemed that way. Just as I'd seemed to be doing okay after my mom died. Grief doesn't have a face. p.212
There's no way to know what makes one thing happen and not another. What leads to what. What destroys what. What causes what to flourish or die or take a course. ....He [stepfather] hadn't loved me well in the end, but he'd loved me well when it mattered. p.304
Monday, February 23, 2015
Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
Defeat was simply the absence of hope and she needed that more now than ever before. p.59
"...while our actions and words may speak differently, the soul is unchangeable. It remains constant. ..." p. 65
"...while our actions and words may speak differently, the soul is unchangeable. It remains constant. ..." p. 65
Blood Magick by Nora Roberts
"You're mine, and I am yours. All that you are, I'll take. All that I am, I'll give. I'll be with you,....through fire and flood, through joy and grief, through battle and through peace. Look in my heart, for you have that power. Look in me, and know love." p. 6
"A distance in space means nothing. We are always together." p. 14
"A distance in space means nothing. We are always together." p. 14
Friday, February 13, 2015
kira-kira by Cynthia Kadohata
Sometimes it seemed that one way or another, no matter what my father was saying, he was talking about us. He was talking about all the things he could do for us-and, more often, all the things he could not. Page 157
Through a break between the buildings, I saw that the sun hung low over the horizon. I watched it until it started to hide between two trees in the distance. Then I climbed on a car and watched until only half of the sun was visible, then a quarter, and then I felt a huge sickening panic inside of me and ran as hard as I could to a ladder I saw down the alley. I rushed up the ladder and climbed on the roof of somebody's garage. I saw the sun again, a quarter of it, and then a slice, and then it disappeared, the last time ever that the sun would set on a day my sister had lived. Page 205
He would accept anything and anyone, so long as he could earn a living to help his family. But I saw that on this one day, for the first time since I'd known him, he could not accept the way his life was turning out. page 210
I had loved tacos the one time I ate them. But it was weird to eat them now, in my saddest moment. Page 213
Here is a special memory about my sister, Lynn. One day in Iowa there was a strong wind, the kind of wind that seems to go up and down and back and forth. I could hardly see because my hair was blowing around my face. Some of the corn blew almost flat. Lynn and I climbed on a ladder to the top of the roof with two boxes of Kleenex. She said to take the Kleenex out one at a time and let the wind catch it. In a few minutes hundreds of tissues sailed over the cornfield. I held the hair out of my eyes to watch. The tissues looked like giant butterflies.
Later we got in trouble, and our allowance was docked for the price of the Kleenex. We had to go and pick up every single piece. It was worth it to see the butterflies flying over the corn.
Lynn could take a simple, everyday object like a box of Kleenex and use it to prove how amazing the world is. She could prove this in many different ways, with Kleenex or soap bubbles or maybe even a blade of grass. This is the main theme of my sister's life. Page 223
My sister had taught me to look at the world that way, as a place that glitters, as a place where the calls of the crickets and the crows and the wind are everyday occurrences that also happen to be magic. Page 244
Through a break between the buildings, I saw that the sun hung low over the horizon. I watched it until it started to hide between two trees in the distance. Then I climbed on a car and watched until only half of the sun was visible, then a quarter, and then I felt a huge sickening panic inside of me and ran as hard as I could to a ladder I saw down the alley. I rushed up the ladder and climbed on the roof of somebody's garage. I saw the sun again, a quarter of it, and then a slice, and then it disappeared, the last time ever that the sun would set on a day my sister had lived. Page 205
He would accept anything and anyone, so long as he could earn a living to help his family. But I saw that on this one day, for the first time since I'd known him, he could not accept the way his life was turning out. page 210
I had loved tacos the one time I ate them. But it was weird to eat them now, in my saddest moment. Page 213
Here is a special memory about my sister, Lynn. One day in Iowa there was a strong wind, the kind of wind that seems to go up and down and back and forth. I could hardly see because my hair was blowing around my face. Some of the corn blew almost flat. Lynn and I climbed on a ladder to the top of the roof with two boxes of Kleenex. She said to take the Kleenex out one at a time and let the wind catch it. In a few minutes hundreds of tissues sailed over the cornfield. I held the hair out of my eyes to watch. The tissues looked like giant butterflies.
Later we got in trouble, and our allowance was docked for the price of the Kleenex. We had to go and pick up every single piece. It was worth it to see the butterflies flying over the corn.
Lynn could take a simple, everyday object like a box of Kleenex and use it to prove how amazing the world is. She could prove this in many different ways, with Kleenex or soap bubbles or maybe even a blade of grass. This is the main theme of my sister's life. Page 223
My sister had taught me to look at the world that way, as a place that glitters, as a place where the calls of the crickets and the crows and the wind are everyday occurrences that also happen to be magic. Page 244
Monday, February 9, 2015
The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
"He is only trying to find his way," Lan said suddenly. "No man likes to run forward blindly when he knows there is a cliff somewhere ahead." Page 89
"....My mother says men are different from us. She says we want to be in love, but only with the one we want; a man needs to be in love, but he will love the first woman to tie a string to his heart." page 129
"I expect you will not lack for company after I go. Just remember that some women see a man with their hearts, while others see no more than a bauble to wear, no different than a necklace or a bracelet. Remember that I will come back, and I am on who sees with her heart." page 153
...Why was it women could go to pieces or fly into a rage at the smallest thing, yet never flicker an eyelash at what left you gaping? page 156
"...Change comes like an avalanche whether we want it or not." page 380
"...Life is uncertainty and struggle, choice and change...Humankind is made for uncertainty, struggle, choice and change." page 386
"...If you plan for the worst, all surprises are pleasant." page 459
"... The worst sin a general can commit, worse than blundering, worse than losing, worse than anything, is to desert the men who depend on him." page 687
"...Men have thrown their hearts and fortunes at the feet of women who danced the sa'sara. If Mother suspected I knew it- " Her teeth clicked shut as though she had said too much, and her head whipped back to face forward; scarlet mortification covered her from dark hair down to the neck of her dress.
"Then there isn't any reason for you to dance it," he said quietly. "My heart and fortune, such as they are, already lie at your feet." page 702
"Men don't really change that much, only grow taller." page 721
-but most of the time he simply inquired what the questioner thought was a good solution and told him to do that. It was seldom he really had to come up with an answer; people knew what to do, they just had this fool notion they had to ask him. page 738
"Free men can have a need to follow someone, too," she said gently. "Most men want to believe in something larger than themselves, something wider than their own fields. That is why there are nations, Perrin, and peoples...." page 741
... In stories, things always happened as the hero planned, seemingly when he wanted them to happen. In real life it rarely occurred that way, even for a ta'veren with prophecy supposedly working for him. In real life it was scratch and hope, and luck if you found more than half a loaf where you needed a whole. page 827
Perrin's hands trembled as he cupped hers.
"I, Perrin Aybarra, do pledge you my love, Faile Bashere, for as long as I live." For as long as I live and after. "What I possess is this world I give to you." A horse, an axe, a bow. A hammer. Not much to gift a bride. I give you life, my love. It's all I have. "I will keep and hold you, succor and tend you, protect and shelter, for all the days of my life." I can't keep you; the only way I can protect you is to send you away. "I am yours, always and forever." By the time he finished, his hands were shaking visibly. page 907
"....My mother says men are different from us. She says we want to be in love, but only with the one we want; a man needs to be in love, but he will love the first woman to tie a string to his heart." page 129
"I expect you will not lack for company after I go. Just remember that some women see a man with their hearts, while others see no more than a bauble to wear, no different than a necklace or a bracelet. Remember that I will come back, and I am on who sees with her heart." page 153
...Why was it women could go to pieces or fly into a rage at the smallest thing, yet never flicker an eyelash at what left you gaping? page 156
"...Change comes like an avalanche whether we want it or not." page 380
"...Life is uncertainty and struggle, choice and change...Humankind is made for uncertainty, struggle, choice and change." page 386
"...If you plan for the worst, all surprises are pleasant." page 459
"... The worst sin a general can commit, worse than blundering, worse than losing, worse than anything, is to desert the men who depend on him." page 687
"...Men have thrown their hearts and fortunes at the feet of women who danced the sa'sara. If Mother suspected I knew it- " Her teeth clicked shut as though she had said too much, and her head whipped back to face forward; scarlet mortification covered her from dark hair down to the neck of her dress.
"Then there isn't any reason for you to dance it," he said quietly. "My heart and fortune, such as they are, already lie at your feet." page 702
"Men don't really change that much, only grow taller." page 721
-but most of the time he simply inquired what the questioner thought was a good solution and told him to do that. It was seldom he really had to come up with an answer; people knew what to do, they just had this fool notion they had to ask him. page 738
"Free men can have a need to follow someone, too," she said gently. "Most men want to believe in something larger than themselves, something wider than their own fields. That is why there are nations, Perrin, and peoples...." page 741
... In stories, things always happened as the hero planned, seemingly when he wanted them to happen. In real life it rarely occurred that way, even for a ta'veren with prophecy supposedly working for him. In real life it was scratch and hope, and luck if you found more than half a loaf where you needed a whole. page 827
Perrin's hands trembled as he cupped hers.
"I, Perrin Aybarra, do pledge you my love, Faile Bashere, for as long as I live." For as long as I live and after. "What I possess is this world I give to you." A horse, an axe, a bow. A hammer. Not much to gift a bride. I give you life, my love. It's all I have. "I will keep and hold you, succor and tend you, protect and shelter, for all the days of my life." I can't keep you; the only way I can protect you is to send you away. "I am yours, always and forever." By the time he finished, his hands were shaking visibly. page 907
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
"Just because fate has chosen something for you instead of you choosing it for yourself doesn't mean it has to be bad. Even if it's something you are sure you would never have chosen in a hundred years. "Better ten days of love than years of regretting,' " she quoted. page 26
"...Rumor takes wing along a hundred paths. Always plan for the worst, child; that way, all your surprises will be pleasant ones." page 104
"Most of those we call heroes only did what they had to do. ...." page 184
"... For the young, death is an enemy they wish to try their strength against. For those of us a little older, she is an old lover, but one we are not eager to meet again soon." page 383
"... Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive: women forgive, but never forget. ..." page 466
"...Rumor takes wing along a hundred paths. Always plan for the worst, child; that way, all your surprises will be pleasant ones." page 104
"Most of those we call heroes only did what they had to do. ...." page 184
"... For the young, death is an enemy they wish to try their strength against. For those of us a little older, she is an old lover, but one we are not eager to meet again soon." page 383
"... Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive: women forgive, but never forget. ..." page 466
Monday, January 5, 2015
The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
There is one rule, above all others, for being a man. Whatever comes, face it on your feet. p.119
"... The best of men are not much better than housebroken." Nynaeve paused, and added half to herself, "But then, the best of them are worth the trouble of housebreaking." p. 139
"Some men," she said, not raising her eyes from his hand, "choose to seek greatness, while others are forced to it. It is always better to choose than to be forced. A man who's forced is never completely his own master. He must dance on the strings of those who forced him." p. 256
Lan said the time to sound most sure was when you were least certain. p. 298
Women often seemed to leave things unsaid, and in his limited experience it was what they did not say that proved the most trouble. p. 298
"Does it surprise you that your life might go differently if you made different choices, or different things happened to you?...." p.533
"... The best of men are not much better than housebroken." Nynaeve paused, and added half to herself, "But then, the best of them are worth the trouble of housebreaking." p. 139
"Some men," she said, not raising her eyes from his hand, "choose to seek greatness, while others are forced to it. It is always better to choose than to be forced. A man who's forced is never completely his own master. He must dance on the strings of those who forced him." p. 256
Lan said the time to sound most sure was when you were least certain. p. 298
Women often seemed to leave things unsaid, and in his limited experience it was what they did not say that proved the most trouble. p. 298
"Does it surprise you that your life might go differently if you made different choices, or different things happened to you?...." p.533
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