When I had my son, Christopher, I had the opportunity to open myself up to the wonderful library of books available to children. Some, from my childhood, I revisited, and others I enjoyed for the first time. One book that was new to me yet first published in 1952 is Charlottes Web
Fern Arable, is a young girl living on a farm, when she hears that a runt born to her father’s pig is destined to be killed because of his size, she runs screaming to her father. She persuades her father that the piglet has a right to life, after all would he have killed her if she was born too small! This young tenacious girl promises that she will raise the piglet on her own, that he, the piglet, will be absolutely no problem to the family, and she names him Wilbur.
This young tenacious girl promises that she will raise the piglet on her own, that he, the piglet, will be absolutely no problem to the family, and she names him Wilbur.
Fern succeeds in raising Wilbur all too well. Soon, Wilbur is too large to keep and Fern is forced to sell him to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman. So off Wilbur goes to a farm where his only purpose is to keep growing until he is becomes a meal! Fern still visits, but Wilbur learns of his fate and gets depressed. Crying in a corner of the barn, Wilbur, is heard by Charlotte, a big hairy, orb weaving spider who lives above the sty, who decides to help him. This smart sassy spider decides, with the help of Templeton the resident rat, and some of the other barn animals, to spin a message in a web. She writes out, “Some Pig”, and soon people from all over come to witness this amazing web and the pig who inspired it.
The story has more twists and turns that I will leave to you and your little one to discover.
All in all, Charlottes Web, is a fantastically entertaining story for all ages, packed with life lessons sure to please.
M.
Suzanne has picked great reads and with her choice of Still Alice by Lisa Genova she has picked another winner. This is a story about a 50-year-old woman who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from Harvard University, and her very sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer’s disease. as I read the first part of Still Alice
M.
Happy 2010 bookworms!
I kept meaning to read, The Lovely Bones
Wow, what a story! I have never read anything like it. It’s brutal, and beautiful all at the same time. The novel is about a fourteen year old girl who is brutally abused and murdered by a neighbour, and is now trying to adjust to life in heaven. On earth, her family is left to deal with her murder, a harsh reality that takes years to come to the slightest of acceptance, and which takes each member on a different path. This novel is compelling. It has been said to be, “Stunning and unforgettable.” I completely agree!
I will not say too much more…yet, but will revisit blogging on this one after I view the movie. I doubt that any movie can do this superbly written novel justice. I am anxious to see.
M.
Tags: Novels
Nora Roberts’ book two in the Bride Quartet, Bed Of Roses
The novel begins with theses two lines;
Romance, in Emmaline’s opinion, made being a woman special. Romance made every woman beautiful, and every man a prince. A woman with romance in her life lived grandly as a queen, because her heart was treasured.
So very true, so well said, or in this case, so well written. Isn’t this the very allure of romance? If you look up the word, you’ll find definitions such as; a love affair, or, ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people; love, even, a mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful. All true, yet, Nora Roberts, at least in my opinion, really captures the meaning of romance with those two lines.
Snuggle into a warm blanket, in your favorite sitting area, with a hot chocolate, and read this novel, you will not be disappointed. The holidays are fast approaching, Bed Of Roses
Happy Holidays!
M.
Tags: Gifts, Nora Roberts, Novels, romance
So, at times, quite often in fact, I can be Mrs. Procrastinator. I have received a couple of questions concerning my twitter account, and have failed to update you properly. I am simply, thebookwormcafe on twitter. Now, I know that that is what I should have been all along but what can I say…..actually not much, except, “What was I thinking?”.
So, come follow me…, http://twitter.com/thebookwormcafe …..let’s follow each other; another avenue to chat, ah the wonders!
Catch you on Twitter,
M.
As a young girl, I read and fell in love with, Louisa May Alcott’s ” Little Women“. Amongst my many Harlequin Romances that I have soaked up in the last couple of months, I decided to revisit the heart-warming story of the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Set during the American Civil War, this family falls onto hard times, and all while Dad is off serving as a Chaplain with the United Army. Of course, these are ingredients for fast growth for any child, and the girls are no exception. Guided by their incredible Marmee, and Bible studies, the girls learn to shoulder responsibilities in this time of need. But, what I found myself most engrossed in is the girls having to overcome their individual character flaws. Wonderful, domestic Meg’s flaw was greed, and an envy for other’s wealth; realizing that wealth does not bring her friend Sallie happiness, she learns the lesson that money cannot buy happiness. The talented musical Beth overcomes her overpowering shyness with the help of Laurie, the boy who lives next door, and their shared love of music. Beautiful artistic Amy’s vanity is challenged when she learns that helping others is rewarding. Last, but not least, is my favorite, literary Jo, who is too outspoken and has a quick temper, learns that these two flaws cost her the chance to be taken to Europe by her rich Aunt March, teaching her, that any privilege is earned and that her temper must be curbed. All common life lessons!
As a young girl, I related with Jo, as I read through this novel as a class assignment. Today, as the adult, I still relate with Jo, smiling at the thought of the lessons learnt and being learned, knowing, as the March girls learn, that these lessons are not always easily learned.
Little Women stands the test of time, giving you an optimistic look at growing up. A great stocking stuffer for any young reader.
M.
Tags: Kid Books, Novels, romance, teen readers
I am stuck! After my romance reading marathon, I picked up a few magazines. Now that I am ready to start a new book, I am not sure what I want to read. I am not one to check the best seller lists and read those particular titles; I prefer to browse around, read summaries and choose from that. I just do not know what I’d like to read at the moment, therefore I am open to suggestions. So, do you have a favorite you would like for me to read? Send me your suggestions, I will post what I have picked and we can have a blog discussion about it after I’m done. I am anxious to hear about your selections!
Marisa
Tags: Reading
Wow! It has been quite a while since my last post. I get that way some times; all I do is read book after book without a break in between. Why? Life gets busy and my escape is reading.
So, after reading Dope, which I blogged about in my last post, my son started school and my volunteer work kicked in overdrive! I’m busy so of course I enter my reading marathon phase. I read lots of romances, quick little getaways, easy on the mind and soul. Will I blog about the books? Probably, but not tonight. It’s late and I wanted to just say, “Hey, bookworms! I have not abandoned you, I have just been a real little bookworm of late”.
I am now going to bid you a good night, climb into bed and get carried away by romance. Interested in getting your own romance? You can get quite a selection at ,
Enjoy!
Marisa.
Tags: romance
Every so often I walk into a bookstore and rifle through their bargain selections, and I find some real jewels. One such jewel is Dope, a novel by Sara Gran. Dope is a novel about a former heroine addict, and prostitute named Josephine who should by all counts be dead by either an overdose or bullet. Josephine has defied all odds and has cleaned up her life. Her past has led a suburban couple to offer her two thousand dollars to find their daughter, a privileged yet troubled girl who has gone missing. Since two thousand dollars is a lottery win for Josephine she readily takes on the search leading her back into the underbelly of New York City she so desperately wants to leave behind. A place so dark, a place where reality and truth are an illusion, where one important rule must never be forgotten – trust no one.
A noir thriller with twists that keep you hooked. An ending that creates an abrupt silence. A novel well worth your time.
Marisa.
This is not at all about anything I have read, but yet deserves a mention.
On Sunday, August 23rd, Montreal’s Club Soda hosted, “We Are The World”, a tribute to Michael Jackson presented by Angel Dust Music. In memory of Michael Jackson, all the proceeds of this event went towards buying musical instruments for the non -profit organisation Culture X. Montreal music label Angel Dust Music’s artists Gage, Daniel Dupuis and Barnev Valsaint, were joined on stage by other Quebec favourites such as Les Respectables, Antoine Gratton, Mélanie Renaud, Luck Mervil, Imposs and TV hosts Herby Moreau & Isabelle Racicot and many more.
One person up on that stage was Joel Campbell, a friend, and talented musician, who has toured with none other than Tina Turner. It was because of him that I heard of the fundraiser, and attended with his lovely wife and kids, and my ten year old. It was absolutely awesome! The energy was electrifying and gratitude towards Jackson’s gift of music was evident in the wall to wall attendees. Of course, Thriller was preformed and what a performance it was. Singer and dancers in mummy get-ups performed an amazingly theatrical number to the applause of all. The evening ended with a heart felt and appropriate rendition of “We Are The World” which made you feel like you were part of something bigger and better. Now isn’t that exactly what Michael Jackson forever wished to accomplish? We are the world, a melting pot of brothers and sisters, who are capable of coming together and creating wonderful and awe inspiring results if we so choose!
Bravo to all! Thank you Joel!
For all of you out there I hope you get inspired to be the best you can be and smile throughout your day. If you need any inspiration at all, take the time to listen to “We Are The World”, and sing along!
Marisa
Tags: Music
