Ketchup Time!

Book 31 - A book you started but never finished

The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm edited by Noel Daniel, translated by Matthew P. Price

"Silly Songs with Larry. The part of the show where Larry comes out, and sings a silly song."

You may have noticed that the last few books have trailed one behind the other with little time in between. If we are going to keep with our challenge and show the list who's boss; we will need to read some books that are of little volume and quick reading. I don't regret the two weeks where vacations took hold and I only read one book. With such slacking on my part, you had to have seen this coming. 

But let's not dwell on the past, tis a nasty place to sit and ponder. To the book!

If there is one thing I absolutely hate, it is starting a book and not finishing it. I can't start a book and then put it down and start a new one. That just isn't okay.

So then you may be wondering how I have come to read a book that I started but never finished. 

Well, this isn't a novel. If I hadn't already used the "A book of short stories" this book would have been perfect. This book is comprised of 27 fairy tales all written by the Grimm Brothers, translated from the seventh edition which was written in 1857.

If there is one thing I love about The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm it is how wonderfully they are different from those Disney versions we've all seen. They are, after all, the originals.

Today's parents would have a hard time reading these tales to their children as they are not exactly written for a younger audience. 

These stories are rather morbid, gruesome; not, altogether, pleasant. 

A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting the cinema, on my own independence, to view the film Into the Woods. I rather enjoyed the fable as it is both musical and fairy tale wrapped into two beautiful hours. The movie is dark and very much Grimm. (See what I did there?) While I was reading the stories in this book I was happy to encounter fairy tales which the movie bad based it's stories off of. These sorts of fairy tales are far more exciting than Disney's butterflies and daisies. 

Though I have happily viewed many a Disney classic in my time, I was very excited to have the opportunity to confront the same tales that I've always loved, but in a wonderfully new way. 

I would not suggest that you take this book to your next daycare read-a-long, but if you have even the slightest respect for literature, pick it up. It's fantastical!

Take a break, for heat exhaustion's sake! this is t-bear signing off

I wished for an LOL.

Book 30 - A funny book

Alice in tumblr-Land by Tim Manley

I found this book in the section in Chapters marked "Humour". I am sad to say that I did not find it as humorous as Junie B. Jones. 

You may be scratching your head a little, maybe staring off into the distance, your thoughts may have traveled somewhere in the vicinity of "then why did she pick this book?" 

Well, because the book is from the humour section and that makes it funny, okay?

I'm sure it is a rather funny book to the correct person. That person is just not me.  

So why did I choose this book? I thought it would be an easy read. I genuinely thought it would make me literally LOL. Alas, I was mistaken. Though I have read the book and therefore must account for it. 

All the while, I'm sitting here thinking I should have bought Ellen DeGeneres' book. The way life happens...it's startlingly annoying sometimes. 

Don't track sand through the house, Ma doesn't like it, this is t-bear signing off

Swell and quite well.

Book 29 - A book from your childhood

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park

You may read the above and laugh at my book selection. If you are a member of my immediate family, you have already done so one of the times that you entered my room over the past week and observed it upon my reading stack. I assure you, this is no laughing matter. 

The Junie B. Jones books led me through my childhood. 

If I had to pick one specific author or book series that created the reader that I am today; I would pick these books. Barbara just has it all together. She really brought her A-game when she wrote the masterpieces that create Junie B. Jones' life story.

To help you understand the awesomeness that is Junie B., I have chosen two sections of this particular book to relate to you.

I must point out that although Junie B. and I share the a love of books and reading, I don't display it as outwardly as she does. If you were inside my head you may view similar opinions, but I keep it together more when I'm in public. 

The first place we walked to is called the Media Centre. My mother calls it a library. It's where the books are. And guess what? Books are my very favourite things in the whole world!

"HEY! THERE'S A JILLION OF THEM IN HERE!" I hollered, feeling very excited, "I THINK I LOVE THIS PLACE!"

The librarian bent down next to me. She said to use my quiet voice.

"YEAH, ONLY GUESS WHAT? RIGHT NOW I JUST LIKE THE KIND OF BOOKS WITH PICTURES. BUT MOTHER SAYS WHEN I GET BIG, I'M GOING TO LIKE THE KIND WITH JUST WORDS. AND ALSO, STEWED TOMATOES."

The boy I can beat up said, "Shhh."

I made a fist at him.

This second excerpt is mainly for Papa on Sunday afternoon. If you or someone you know tend to "rest your eyes", have no fear, that isn't napping. After all, napping is for babies.

I still didn't come out of the closet, though. When you're a good hider, you can't come out for a very, very long time.

I just stayed there all bend up. And I told myself a story. Not an out-loud story. I just told it inside my head. It was called "The Little Hiding Girl."

I made it up. And this is how it went:

Once upon a time there was a little hiding girl. She was in a secret spot where nobody could find her. Except her head was very tight. And her brain was squishing out.

But she still couldn't come out of her spot. Or a smelly yellow monster would get her. And also, some meanies with chocolate milk.

The end.

After that, I rested my eyes.

Resting your eyes is what my grampa does when he watches TV after dinner. Then he snores. And Grandma  Miller says, "Go to bed, Frank."

It's not the same think as a nap, though. 'Cause naps are for babies, that's why.

You don't necessarily need to read these books, (though I do suggest that you do) but if you know a child who just can't seem to find a book that's good enough; please hand them one of Barbara Park's books. She will help them love to read.

Yoga is on the horizon, this is t-bear signing off

The lies that be.

Book 28 - A book of short stories

The Amazing Spider-Man, Edge of Spider-Verse by various authors and artists who really shouldn't remain unnamed.

When I first began the journey that is this comic book, I fully intended to place it under the "A funny book" category. People, just because it says "comic" book doesn't mean it's funny. 

I felt more anguish for the characters than humour. I suppose you live and learn. Don't take things so seriously. Finally, don't judge a book by its cover. 

Going back to our challenge for this book...

I have only ever read one other superhero comic book before, and that was Batman. That comic book was just one story; so I was a little confused by the fact that there were five different stories within this comic book. 

As I sat to write to you, I observed the rear of the book and noticed that if one had perused its fine words prior to embarking on the journey from cover to cover, they would be entirely prepared for a five story book. This is where I find myself in somewhat of a pickle. 

Under no circumstances do I ever read the back cover of a book. I don't care what kind of book it is, I won't read it. There are spoilers there. Many people chuckle and claim otherwise, but there are. I've read them. They ruin things.

Therefore, it is indeed my own fault that I was unprepared for what I read. Not that this bothers me. I'm actually quite okay with it already. There may have been a moment of unrest, but I've recovered from such.

If you approve of the Andrew Garfield Spider-man, or are under the impression that there is no Spider-man but Tobey Maguire, please do not read this book. Or rather do read this book. Horizons may be broadened. 

I say this because this book takes the basic idea of Spider-man and then adds alternate universes and strange realities to make what you know as Spider-man into something that resembles Spider-man, but isn't. I am, therefore; disappointed in my choice of comic book. All this time, I could have had Andrew Garfield. The world is harsh sometimes. 

Inhale the smell of freshly chopped grass, it'll cure anything, this is t-bear signing off

The Shape Struggle

Book 27 - A book with a love triangle

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Brought to you by the tired mind of an airport dweller whose flight has been delayed until 3:30am. Don't...fall...asleep...

So, this may be a tad bit of a lie. 

Technically, there is a love square, but only three human bodies are involved. 

Now that I've got your attention... 

Also, I feel that people are concerned about this novel because it's written by Stephanie Meyer. Please don't judge an author by their previous novel(s). (Also, Hollywood did their part to ruined those movies, the books were decent.) The novel in question is gold. Read it. 

The basic storyline: 

(Before I begin, I'd like to mention that this novel would fall under the futuristic/sci-fi category of novel specifications.)

The basic storyline:

Wanderer is a soul from a different planet. Back up, souls "invaded" the earth and stuck themselves inside humans to help bring peace and harmony and loads of hugs. Because what happy, non-violent planet doesn't have hugs?

Wanderer is a soul from a different planet. She gets put in Melanie's body and, unlike usual, Melanie resists this and continues to live in her mind with Wanderer. (Normally, the human consciousness slips away into an abyss of nothingness.)

Melanie has directions to a group of humans who are living off grid, hiding from the souls who are trying to make the humans hosts for souls. 

Wanderer starts to see these directions in Melanie's mind and decides to try to find these humans without her Seeker (similar to a police officer, yet more likely to hug you than arrest you) knowing that's where she's going. Wanderer doesn't appreciate the watchful eyes of her Seeker. 

See, Wanderer has been falling in love with two humans who were very close to Melanie just from the thoughts and memories that Melanie shows her. 

Long story short, Wanderer finds this group of humans. She spends some time being hated for being a soul. People start to appreciate her more. 

Melanie is still in love with a human that she lost before being inhabited by Wanderer, and who is living with these humans.

Then Wanderer starts to fall in love with this other fellow who lives in the group of humans. 

So you can see, it's rather a love square since there are four separate minds involved. 

Confusing, I know. But if you read the book three times you will definitely have a good handle on it. Not that I've done that, cause that would be rather ridiculous. 

I can't very well give you more details as that would involve giving away too many *spoileralert* moments. That would be totally unacceptable of me. 

Initially, I was a bit hesitant myself, to embark on the journey that is this novel, but I was rather pleased with the entire storyline.  "Addicting," as M said on our way back from Myrtle Beach. 

What I've recently realized is that Stephanie Meyer had goals. I, for one, can appreciate a good, strong goaler.

Goals, people, goals, this is t-bear signing off

DC to MB, the glory days.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you a travelogue update.

 

In case you hadn't noticed, I have recently been participating in activities which do not include reading. However, last week I was able to read and engage in such consuming activities.

I have the heart and soul of a traveler. Last week, I went on a most wonderful adventure with my best friend, M.

As we are of the ripe age of 21, this was the very first trip that either of us had taken without parents or family members or classmates. It was a very exciting time for both of us.

We left for the airport on Saturday, July 18, 2015 with so much bubbling excitement! Little did we know that that excitement would be squashed by the wonderful announcement at our gate that our flight had been cancelled. We were left to spend the night at a hotel in Detroit, which was an experience; let me tell you.

In the morning, we finally made it to Washington, DC. If there is one thing I love about history, it's American history. Ever since I spent those many months in that grade 11 American History class, I've wanted to take a travel to Mr. Obama's place of residence. There is just so much history there. If only we could have stayed a month, although I fear even that wouldn't have been enough.

One of my favourite things was sitting across the street from the Washington Monument and thinking about all the television shows and movies that I've seen that are based in DC. Just think of all the people who have stood right here in this very spot. Magical, I tell you! Magical!

National Treasure was one of the many movies that we watched on repeat as children. There were so many moments during the day where we observed places that became settings in the movie. That will remain one of my all time favourite movies, even if Mr. B (grade 11 American History teacher) claims it's historically inaccurate. (We were all appalled that he wouldn't let us watch that movie in class.)

Anywho, we visited Mr. Obama's White House, but were surprised that he didn't come outside to greet us. All those people showed up and he didn't even come out of that big white house. The nerve, I say!

We were off to a rather slow start, but the road trip portion of the adventure began on Monday, July 20.

In our rented Toyota Prius, we started the journey south. There were many beautiful things to see as we travelled through the countryside. M chose a path that would take us through the various little towns between Washington, DC and Myrtle Beach; instead of living the fast paced life of a freeway-er.

As we took a wonderfully long time to exit DC, we had not travelled nearly as far as we had hoped the first day. That is not altogether terrible. We were on vacation after all.

We stayed the night in Kitty Hawk, NC. That is just on the edge of the Outerbanks; which are a fantastically beautiful place to travel through. You may have some issues with catching ferries though. Don't worry, there is always the Jolly Roger to entertain your traveling soul as you wait three hours for the next ferry.

We finally arrived in Myrtle Beach at 10pm on Tuesday, July 21. I would normally prefer to be driving during the daytime, but I must say; it was quite a sight to be welcomed into MB with bright lights and excited vacationers. They have a lovely night life there. If you have a vehicle, why not cruise up and down North Ocean Blvd for a few hours every nigh? Traffic pileup at 10pm? Not a problem.

The air that surrounds a vacation destination is one that would make our little Ltown jealous if it were to ever see such a place.

After two and a half spectacularly vacationy days in MB, I was ready to stay forever. Unfortunately, reality took hold of my mind and made me get on the airplane to come home.

Side note: if you ever book a trip where you arrive at the Atlanta airport with only a 50 minute layover, re-evaluate your life. It was enough time, but there are better things in life than rushing from gate C55 to gate B7 in the hopes that you will make it in time. Just leave yourself some room, enjoy your travel.

After arriving home at midnight on Friday, July 24 I felt like I needed a vacation to recuperate from my vacation. We packed so much into 7 days. The week felt like forever, but I wouldn't have changed any of it.

 

One day, I'll be back, this is t-bear signing off

France is Sweet

Book 26 - A book that was originally written in a different language

Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky

"Suite Française (French; "The French Suite") is the title of a planned sequence of five novels by Irène Némirovsky, a French writer of Ukrainian-Jewish origin. In July 1942, having just completed the first two of the series, Némirovsky was arrested as a Jew and detained at Pithiviers and then Auschwitz, where she died. The notebook containing the two novels was preserved by her daughters but not examined until 1998. They were published in a single volume entitled Suite Française in 2004."

-This quote brought to you by the most reliable, Wikipedia.

 

As you may have noticed, summer is here.

I was all gung-ho when the end of June arrived, and then July hit. There was little I could do to assist the progress of my challenge.

When one is too busy with friends to read, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Oma would be proud of my socialness.

I greatly enjoyed spending time with this novel. It was hard to read a lot in one sitting, as I was constantly on the move, but I rather loved traveling through France with the characters.

As Wikipedia kindly described, this novel is just two of the, potentially, five novels. The first series is called Storm in June which follows the lives of different families from varying social classes, fleeing Paris after hearing news of an invasion from Germany. It was interesting to see that even though there was a war going on, social class was still a major part of life. It could determine whether or not you have a place to stay, have food to eat or are even able to escape the impending invasion at all.

We are faced with every day situations, "have we packed all the linen?", "is the silver in the trunk?"; amid the people who are more concerned about saving their lives, and the lives of their family members, than saving their valuables.

Some people made it out of Paris before the invasion, some left and then returned after not reaching their destination, only to find Paris untouched and rather empty.

The second series is called Dolce which is centered around the lives of different classes of people who live in the same town. The series starts with an occupation by a troop of German soldiers.

At first all the residents of the town do not appreciate anything that involves the German's. Slowly, certain groups start to become more comfortable with their new arrangements.

The children are the first to be welcoming to the troops, followed by the ladies who are excited about the presence of men who aren't from their town. I rather enjoyed the opinions of the townsfolk regarding the mannerisms and traditions of the German's. Although many people grew very comfortable with the German soldiers, they could always take a moment to harshly judge the German way of life; therefore, proclaiming the correctness which is the French way.

These series' were wonderfully helpful in portraying what life was like to be running from dangers and what it was like to be held hostage in your own hometown. There was quite a large amount of seriousness to the tales, but there was also an appropriate amount of humour, which is always welcome.

If you happen to be looking for a novel which was originally written in a different language, look no further, I have found one for you! But really, read it. There is history, war, romance, humour and even a bit of suspensefullness. In other words, there is something for everyone!

 

Travelers, start your packing! this is t-bear signing off