A Reader’s Bill of Rights
January 29, 2012
The above “Bill of Rights” is the work of one Daniel Pennac and is contained within his popular book, Better Than Life.
Its publisher, Stenhouse Publishers, describes it best: “In Better than Life, Daniel Pennac shares the secrets that all book lovers treasure. Delving into his experiences as a parent, a writer and a teacher, he asks, how does the love of reading begin? How is it lost? And how can it be regained? This remarkable book explores simple ways to create a life-long devotion to reading.”
Sticking to the “Reader’s Bill of Rights”, note that there is an enchanting version of it produced in a stand-alone book illustrated, and with a forward by, Quentin Blake. Anyone recognize the look of Literary Love in that expression?!
Though first drawn to Daniel Pennac by his “Rights”, I was impressed by what I learned about his career and commitment to promoting Literacy for children. An article in the Independent newspaper entitled: Daniel Pennac: Head Teacher from the School of Joy will tell you more … click the link to read on and enjoy!
Reading Here and There
January 22, 2012
I had to chuckle on Saturday morning while reading The Globe and Mail feature “My Books, My Place”. This week’s guest was Kate Beaton, a cartoon artist whose work appears primarily on the web (Hark! A Vagrant) and now in a recently published book format of the same title. Here, along with her illustration above, is Kate’s charming contribution to the Globe:
My favourite place to read is really anywhere so long as I can spread myself out. Couch, rug, bed, whatever feels best. This is because I’m a fidgeter. I flip-flop around a book like it’s the only thing I have to hold onto in a storm.
I wish I could tell you that I read in my favourite café with my legs neatly crossed, sitting next to a peppermint tea atop a dainty saucer, all in a beam of morning light. But I can’t, because I’m lying on my belly, ignoring the fact that leaning on my arms is making them fall asleep. When they do, no problem. I just plop around onto my back and hold the book above my head, or maybe curl around the book on my side in some unnatural fashion, or sit up and balance it on my knees.
Did you just step on something? Oh, that was me. I was rolled up in a blanket on the floor. Don’t worry about it.
When I was a teenager, I even threw sitting awkwardly upside down into the mix, legs thrown up and over the back of an armchair, but had to give that up when I became a Lady because no gentleman worth his salt takes an upside-down person to the altar. Not that I’m fishing for husbands when I’m halfway through the latest George R.R. Martin, but you have to draw a general conduct line somewhere, don’t you think?
Are you like Kate, a fidgeter? I love a big armchair with room to curl … you?
Journaling Inspiration
January 12, 2012
There’s something about January that musters up a desire to be creative – have you found that? Specifically, I find that Journals catch my eye and the idea of keeping one appeals more than usual; I suppose that must be linked to the start of a new calendar year. I have never religiously kept a “Diary” type journal but do have a jumble of well-loved and scrawled upon notebooks – I always have one with me and fill it with random thoughts and observations. If I don’t write it down … whoosh! Gone for good. There are so many beautiful notebooks available these days; the notebook itself can serve as inspiration. It also fascinates me to peek at the notebooks kept by artists. Take a look at these lovely books featuring the sketchbooks of various artists – you’ll be trotting out to pick up a palette of paints or a crisp box of Crayolas (deep sniff – yum!) and bursting forth with your own creativity in no time.
Take a video wander through the pages and hear about An Illustrated Life’s creation below:
Drawn In: A Peek Into the Inspiring Sketchbooks of 44 Fine Artists & Illustrators, Graphic Designers & Cartoonists presented by Julia Rothman. Click on the image to be taken to amazon.ca and an opportunity to look within.
And of course there are a few other artists who have their sketchbooks published for our enjoyment. Here are two classics:
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden is out of print nowadays but you can keep an eye out in your local Used books store. Worth a search.
Sara Midda’s tiny watercolours are beautiful. South of France is my favourite but she has done several other books in similar style including In and Out of the Garden.
Feeling inspired yet? You could start by treating yourself to a whimsical notebook like these ones … (available at Chapters and beyond) Have fun!
Happy New Year – Good Reading Ahead!
January 3, 2012
Happy New Year to you all … and yes, a wish as well for a year of good reading ahead!
To give you a little kick-start, here are a few articles I’ve enjoyed on-line in recent weeks – just click on the link and read away!
How many of you have crossed over to the e-reader side? Were you the recipient of an e-reader gift this Christmas? I’ve not surrendered but admit to being tempted. I enjoyed Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun’s take on her e-reader experience here.
Katherine Paterson, recent US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, reviews her tenure in a moving article here in the Huffington Post.
Read about the true life inspiration for the beloved novel National Velvet: Enid Bagnold’s daughter and British First Lady Samantha Cameron’s great-aunt, Laurian, Comtesse d’Harcourt. Liz Hunt’s article in the Telegraph beautifully captures the lady and the fascinating life she’s lived. Ah the trivia!
Did you manage to read some good books over the holidays? Let me/us know which ones were hits. I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately – haven’t read a “love-it!” book for a while so I’m all ears.
And finally, a lovely quote to read at the start of a year from the short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
