BJ's Book Store

Let your imagination free

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Bikes and Books

Growing up I loved reading, as I am sure I have mentioned a number of times, but as I grew older I out grew certain books. Despite one day wanting to have an awesome library there was really no need for me to keep my used books. Instead of throwing them away my mother would take them to her school in Trenton and give them to her students.

Sounds like a nice trade off right? I am inclined to agree. Ever since then donating books that I do not wish to keep has become part of my life. So when I came across the Ride for Reading  I was very happy to see a program that carried out the same act.

Ride for Reading is a program designed to bring children in low income hows books by way of bicycle. Although this may seem to be an unusual form of delivery I think it makes the idea more fun!

The non-profit organization is based in Nashville, Tennessee but has grown to to16 cities including Las Vegas. 

The mastermind behind this idea is Mathew Portell. The idea for his program came about when he was a graduate student in his first year of teaching. After asking students to read for 15 minutes a day at home one student stated that they did not have any books to read, a common trend among low income households.

"I think that it's no fault of our families," Portell told The Tennessean. "Some of our families have to think about everyday life necessities — food, shelter, electricity.”

If more educators realized this it may become easier to curve the ratio of one age appropriate book for every 300 children.

Books to children are a gateway to the imagination a place to spark creativity. It is more than disheartening to know that the mental development of a child and their physical development must compete for a place in many households.

Ride for Reading should become a national program in multiple cities. My mother is an educator in Trenton and has been bringing books from our house to her job for years. I have seen first hand the effect this can have on a child’s reading development.

It is very difficult to educate the youth if their education stops in the classroom. Programs such as Ride for Reading help to curve that and for that I commend them!

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BJ’s Bookstore-Let your imagination free

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Flip through the pages of imagination. Open your mind to a whole new world. Soar into a magical world and enjoy the pictures your mind creates. Reading opens up your mind to a whole new level of creativity. 

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Me: I’m gonna rearrange my bookshelf! Clementine: I’m gonna make it very hard for you to do that 😈

#bookstagram #books #booksandcats #catsofinstagram

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An people wonder why I am ok with not having a cat however my dog seems to think that sitting on my lap while I’m reading is not distracting especially when she does that circling thing.

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NYT Best Seller List

FOOL ME ONCE, by Harlan Coben. (Dutton.) A retired Army helicopter pilot faces combat-related nightmares and mysteries concerning the deaths of her husband and sister. ONE WITH YOU, by Sylvia Day. (St. Martin's Griffin.) The chronicle of a tempestuous marriage comes to a close.

THE BEAST, by J. R. Ward. (New American Library.) Book 14 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

AS TIME GOES BY, by Mary Higgins Clark. (Simon & Schuster.) Secrets emerge when a television journalist searching for her birth mother covers the trial of the widow of a wealthy doctor.

FAMILY JEWELS, by Stuart Woods. (Putnam.) In the 37th Stone Barrington novel, the lawyer becomes entangled in a mystery involving a wealthy divorcee’s ex-husband.

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Books Be Gone

On Monday the list came out for books that should be banned from libraries. This list includes some well known books like “50 Shade of Grey” and “The Holy Bible.” 

Many of the books on the list deal with sexual discovery, discovering culture and other themes related to this. My first and only question is: WHY?

Why would a group of people feel the need to ban these books form libraries? I do not understand as to why someone would feel the need to get rid of these books.

Although these novels can cause a large amount of controversy these conversations created by the themes are important to society. The idea of banning a novel from a public place is the same as silencing someone because they may express an unpopular opinion. Although the opinion may not be popular unless it is harmful in any way then the person should be allowed to express it.

A major argument for the banning of these books deals with children. However, the best solution for that would be parental responsibility. Parents should be checking the books their children check out regardless. Also, libraries tend to separate the books by section anyway. 

 Some other books that have been placed on the list also deal with transgender and LGBT issues as well. 

Books that discuss these topics can be vital to people who are discovering themselves or just wish to become educated on the topic. I see no reason to take them away from the libraries.

The point of a library especially a public one is to allow access to books that some groups may not be able to afford or access themselves. By only allowing certain novels to be placed in them takes away form the learning experience. It also allows for the next generations to become very ignorant to these topics.

As generations continue on they will seek out this information in one way or another. So why not provide them with an accurate source for the information? It is way more dangerous for people to be ignorant to these didn’t groups whether they be racial, sexual, or religious. 

Moving forward it should be important for generations to educate as well as celebrate what makes people so diverse.

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What’s your favorite fiction novel?

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I hate E-Books

In 2007 Kindle came out with its first e-reader. This new found technology was meant to improve the way people were able to read books. No more carrying around a ton of books on vacation or fighting with bookshelves to fit your newest read instead you could have all of your favorite books in one place. That sounds amazing right?

For me this was not at all what I wanted for the book world. My mother, like many, went out a bought the new e-reader. I remember her being super excited about it, downloading books and learning how to use the device. As she raved on about how great and convenient it was as I continued on with my pre-historic book and I loved it.  

As someone that loves reading you would think that I would be ecstatic about this new invention but I was the complete opposite. How can you enjoy reading without the physical book? There were no pages to turn or the satisfaction of feeling one side of the book get heavier as you continued to read. There was no new book smell and I couldn’t feel the pages as I turned them (you know books have a specific feel to them). Nothing could replace a physical book for me. 

I would be lying to you if I said I never used an E-reader, my boyfriend actually bought me a Kindle Fire for my 19th birthday. I did download the second Game of Thrones novel on it, which I never finished reading. I can confidently say I love real books more.

Besides the obvious lack of physical attributes the most important thing an e-reader is missing is a book store. That joy you get from walking into a bookstore, browsing the shelves, picking up a book flipping its pages, and reading a few lines of it. These are all things you can not get from a an e-book. 

E-books do serve their purpose in the book world but I will forever love having a physical book in my hands. Nothing beats the feeling of an old fashioned book.

[onthebookshelf]

“Hello. I hope somebody is listening…” — Radio Silence, Alice Oseman

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5 Places I really want to read in

Besides picking out the best book to read you also need a place to read it. A comfy couch, the hammock next to the stream,  or under the covers on your bed. No matter what you have some place that just screams “read here.” Of course my spot of choice is my bed but I have found 5 places that I wish I could read in. (These are in no particular order)

NUMBER 1: Okay so this place may seem simple but who doesn’t like an in house library. This place isn’t just a bunch of dusty bookshelves with encyclopedias to make you look smart oh no. This is a two story library with a fireplace and comfy chairs. Just add some cozy slippers and a pipe and I think I found my new reading spot.

NUMBER 2: This place spoke to my inner diva. The therapist like chair and the cute chandelier makes me want to lay down in my long elegant robe with my high heel slippers and read. 

NUMBER 3: If you don’t think of Harry Potter when you see this I feel really bad for you. Come on! This place screams wizardry and magic. How could you NOT want to read here? (BTW this is a REAL place. The Shakespeare and Company in Paris)

NUMBER 4: It could be the water or the idea of being completely surrounded by books but I love the idea of reading here. It feels old and heart warming jus the place to read those fictional classics like The Great Gatsby or Emma. Whatever you choose I’m sure reading it here is a good idea. (Another real place! The Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice)

NUMBER 5: Just look at the books. I don’t know about you but seeing rows and rows of untouched books is like being a newly emerged butterfly. The amount of hours I could spend here borderline endless and I am truly okay with that. This place is a book nerds heaven. (*ping* Real place alert:  OLD LIBRARY, TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY DUBLIN – DUBLIN, IRELAND

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Sneak previews are a tease

Going to college has left me little to no time to browse the new books section of the Barnes and Noble. In order to get my fix of novels I must now do my browsing online.

Today I stumbled upon, well scrolled upon, a book by Paul Hawkins. Hawkins is the author of “The Vision of Benjamin and Feather,” “White Moon Tree,”  and “Crow Feather.” I would like to point out that I have never read any of these book. However, after reading the preview to Hawkins’ newest novel “The Girl on the Train” this might need to change.

As many know Barnes and Noble likes to gives its readers a sneak peek at the contents of the book. Like many for me this acts as a way to determine whether or not I want to buy the book making it a very useful tool.  

Despite how useful this feature it I can confidently say it is a tease. For example: “She’s buried beneath a silver birch tree, down towards the old train tracks, her grave marked with a cairn. Not more than a little pile of stones, really. I didn’t want to draw attention to her resting place, but I couldn’t leave her without remembrance. She’ll sleep peacefully there, no one to disturb her, no sounds but birdsong and the rumble of passing trains.”

Doesn’t that make you want to keep reading??? I mean it is almost like giving someone a piece of chocolate and then taking it away for health reasons but you leave it in a place that they can reach hoping they take it to prove your point. It’s just cruel.

Regardless of the teasing nature of this practice I think I have found my newest read and to Barnes and Noble thanks for getting me hooked. 

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What’s your favorite fiction novel?

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Write your story

Reading gives you the ability to escape from your current world into another one. Your problems disappear into the ocean while you fight to tay alive with a tiger (Life of Pi) or you place them to the side as you spend time in your own loneliness (Sula). 

Whatever you want to do a book is able to take you there. What makes these ancient forms of entertainment so amazing is that despite the number of stories that are told there is always one more to write. Toni Morrison said: “If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”

What story will you write?

[irinahedez]

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…because things change, and friends leave, and life doesn’t stop for anybody

Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

A very emotional journey and one that was totally worth every bump in the road

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Thank you Harper Lee.

[nownovel]

New Post has been published on http://www.nownovel.com/blog/how-to-write-a-short-story/

How to write a short story: 10 steps to a great read

Writing a short story differs from writing a novel in several key ways: There is less space to develop characters, less room for lengthy dialogue, and often a greater emphasis on a twist or an ‘a-ha’ realization. How to write a short story in ten steps: Step 1: Devise an intriguing