Monday, December 26, 2016

New Year
Word of endless oration,
Christ, I to thy call appear:
On my knees in meek prostration
To begin a better year.

Spirits in eternal waiting,
          Special ministers of pray’r,
Which our welcome antedating,
          Shall the benediction bear.

Which, the type of vows completed,
          Shall the wreathed garland send,
While the new blessings are intreated,
          And communicants attend.

Emblem of the hopes beginning,
          Who the budding rods shall bind,
Way from guiltless nature’s winning,
          In good-will to human kind.

Ye that dwell with cherub-turtles
          Mated in the upmost light,
Or parade amongst the myrtles,
          On your steeds of speckl’d white.

Ye that sally from the portal
          Of yon everlasting how’rs,
Sounding symphonies immortal,
          Years, and months, and days, and hours.

But nor myrtles, nor the breathing
          Or the never-dying grove,
Nor the chaplets sweetly wreathing,
          And by hands angelic wove;

Not the Musick or the mazes
          Of those spirits aptly tim’d,
Can avail like pray’r and praises
          By the Lamb himself sublim’d.

Take ye therefore what ye give him,
          Of his fulness grace for grace,
Strive to think him, speak him, live him,
          Till you find him face to face.

Sing like David, or like Hannah,
          As the spirit first began,
To the God of heights hosanna!
        Peace and charity to man.

Christ his blessing universal
          On th’arch-patriarch’s seed bestow,
Which attend to my rehearsal
         Of the melodius pray’r below.
                                                           Christopher Smart

Saturday, April 25, 2015

April 2015 Read-a-Thon

Hour 18 - Best of the Best
Best Book of Your Reading Year
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Best Romance Book of Your Reading Year
Sucked, but the only romance I read this year was Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins
Best YA Book of Your Reading Year
Vicious by VE Schwab
Best New Adult Book of Your Reading Year
Everything I never Told you by Celeste Ng
Best Mystery Book of Your Reading Year
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Best Non-Fiction Book of Your Reading Year
Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago
Best Sci-Fi Book of Your Reading Year
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Best Fantasy Book of Your Reading Year
Miss Peregrine's Home...by Ransom Riggs
Best Children’s Book of Your Reading Year
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Best Fiction Book of Your Reading Year
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Best Main Character of Your Reading Year
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille from Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Best Author of Your Reading Year
Bebe Moore Campbell
Best Cover of Your Reading Year
Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice
Best Setting of Your Reading Year
Lifeboat in Life of Pi
Best Story Line of Your Reading Year
Shipwrecked in Life of Pi



Currently Reading: Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin

TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
             Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
             Misanthrope by Moliere
             Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
             The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Hour 17 - Check In
Probably my last book of the night and it's pretty meaty. Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin

Currently Reading: Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin

TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
             Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
             Misanthrope by Moliere
             Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
             The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Hour 13 - Check In
Hooray I'm on book number 5 and my second cup of coffee. My coffee cup is very big.
Old Picture - Same Mug
Currently Reading:  Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished: Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
              Misanthrope by Moliere
              Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
             The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Hour 12 - Mid-Event Survey
1. What are you reading right now?
Slaughterhouse 5
2. How many books have you read so far?

I read four books
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

I just started it. Slaughterhouse 5
4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

I took a nap, but I am happy to report I got my Dad to participate.
5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

The international readers and teen readers with good taste.

Hour 11 - Check In
Took a two hour nap and woke up refreshed. Cut up some watermelon for snacking and getting back into Call of the Wild. I had no idea the story was about a dog and told from his perspective. Not into it so far, may switch to something else.

Currently Reading:  The Call of the Wild by Jack London 25/157

TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished: Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
              Misanthrope by Moliere
              Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan

Hour 7 - Treasure Hunt

Also I am now starting The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This leather bound copy from the library is absolutely stunning and I kind of don't want to return it ever. It has gold gilt, silk lining, sewn-in satin bookmark Also the spine has never been broken and the previous owner was a person named Jack Dewey Helms. The Dewey must mean luck. So I'll be off the internet for awhile.



Currently Reading:  The Call of the Wild by Jack London

TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished: Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
              Misanthrope by Moliere
              Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan

Hour 5 - Cast It
Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
Ajax Penumbra is a bibliophile looking for a rare book when he gets invited into the exclusive book club. In the first book he is an old man but in this one he is young.
For a young Ajax I can't help but envision Will Forte. I've been liking his show "Last Man on Earth"
Why he would make a good Ajax? He is a plain looking bookish guy. This series is really not that great anyway.

Currently Reading: Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
TBR:The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         The Call of the Wild by Jack London
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Finished: Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
              Misanthrope by Moliere

Hour 4 - Let's Get Together
Currently Reading: Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid 50/87
TBR: The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         The Call of the Wild by Jack London
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Finished:Misanthrope by Moliere

Hour 2 - Classic Words of Wisdom
“If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied.” 
― Leo TolstoyAnna Karenina

Well this one is pretty obvious.
Book Stack


Currently Reading: Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
TBR: The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         The Call of the Wild by Jack London
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Finished: Misanthrope by Moliere

Hour 0 - Opening MEME
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?


3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?


4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

When it comes to reading I am a late bloomer. In only started the reading habit as my 30th birthday approached. I read a bit as a teenager but mostly Francesca Lia Block. Alsoi I plan on staying in my PJ's all day.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
I always have a good game plan going in but tend to get distracted during the day. I think I take on too much and set high standards which I fail to meet.

Currently Reading: Misanthrope by Moliere

TBR: The Devils Grin by Annelie Wendeberg
         Lucy By Jamaica Kincaid
         Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan
         A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
         Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Bladwin
         Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
         The Call of the Wild by Jack London
         A Separate Peace by John Knowles
         Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Finished:


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Hour 22 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon

Best Book of Your Reading Year
I only rated it 4 stars,Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch
Best Romance Book of Your Reading Year
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Best YA Book of Your Reading Year
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Best New Adult Book of Your Reading Year
A History of Stone and Steel by Christopher Fisher
Best Mystery Book of Your Reading Year
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Best Non-Fiction Book of Your Reading Year
Canyons and Ice: Wilderness Travels of Dick Griffith by Kaylene Johnson
Best Sci-Fi Book of Your Reading Year
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Best Fantasy Book of Your Reading Year
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Best Children’s Book of Your Reading Year
The Secret of the Unicorn by Herge
Best Fiction Book of Your Reading Year
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Best Main Character of Your Reading Year
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Best Author of Your Reading Year
Vladimir Nabokov
Best Supporting Character of Your Reading Year
Will Traynor of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Best Cover of Your Reading Year
The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
Best Setting of Your Reading Year
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Best Story Line of Your Reading Year
My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
Best Indie Author of Your Reading Year
Christopher Fisher




Calling it a night at hour 22.
Currently reading: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Finished reading:
Animal Farm by George Orwell
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Hour 16 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon


Kiki Dee resting with some Lewis Carroll

Currently reading: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Finished reading: A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind

Hour 14 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon

Color Cover




















Currently Reading:
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Finished Reading:
A Clash of Kings - George RR Martin
The Pigeon - Patrick Suskind

Hour 12 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014



Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? 
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
2. How many books have you read so far? I finished The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I may start Animal Farm by George Orwell, but I have no commitment to books today.
4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I didn't rest well last night, so I took a midday nap for a coupe of hours, but that was my only setback
5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Can't say there are any real surprises other than how interested I finally became in finishing A Clash of Kings 

Hour 11- Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014

Check In

Took a nap and a break from A Clash of Kings
Awoke and then started and finished The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind   4 out of 5.


Made a chicken sandwich and baked some cookies.
Second mug of coffee today
Now to finish my previous.

Hour 6 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014

Name Your Read-a-thon


The Book of Deadly Rabbit Alchemist

Hour 3 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014

Weird Reading Position Challenge!


I am some strange four legged creature.

Currently reading: A Clash of Kings page 564 of 865

Hour 2 - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014

Coffee or Tea?
#TeamTrollope
(is my mug big enough)

Still Reading: A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin

Opening Meme - Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon October 2014

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

The Pigeon by Peter Suskind

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
I'm gonna bake some chocolate chip cookies later. I'm also looking forward to breakfast, because I never have breakfast.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I'm really grumpy when waking and have obscene reading goals, but I started reading later in life.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
I really have no set goals. My aim is just to read, so my list may change or I might switch it up or never finish anything.

Currently Reading: Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
To Read: The Pigeon by Peter Suskind