Short Story Monday: “The Green Book” by Amal El-Mohtar

by Carol5 Comments
I know I've fallen in love with characters in a few of the books I've read over the years. But then the story's over and I move on to my next crush. It's not so in "The Green Book" by Amal El-Mohtar. The piece starts out with a description of a book, perhaps part of an inventory. But after that brief introduction, the remainder is a letter copying what the writer found in The Green Book. The writer, Dominic, is an apprentice to Leuwin who has a library and spends his time collecting and learning. The Green Book is given to him because it is so special, so unusual. Dominic transcribes the writing in the book, writing done by four people throughout the years, although the two at the heart of the story are Leuwin and Cynthia. Cynthia is trapped in the book, a living death she can never escape. Leuwin falls in love with her, and is desperate to release her. The...
Read More

Read-a-Thon

by Carol7 Comments
Today's the 24-hour Read-a-Thon. I can't resist read-a-thons, an excuse to read all day. Unfortunately something else always seems to be going on. I'm going to read as much as I can today, but I do have to volunteer at a fundraiser this afternoon/evening. My plan is just to update this post throughout the day with time read, books finished, pages, that kind of thing. Of course, I'll also be spending some time visiting other participants, when my eyes start to go blurry. Update 1: Finished: Silver and Spice by Jennifer Greene Next up: The Pig Did It by Joesph Caldwell I have to admit to taking a break to do two miles at the track. I couldn't listen to a book while I was doing it, because my husband was walking/jogging with me. I also went out for lunch. I have to serve at a fundraiser dinner from 3-7, but after that -reading. Should still have plenty of time. Update 2: Okay, the rest of the night is...
Read More

I am so sad…

by Carol9 Comments
I missed the Peepster in Pittsburgh earlier today. I so would have taken the day off and headed up there. None of the other stops on the Random Act of Sweetness Tour are close enough for me. Peeps are one of my all-time favorite candies. It's the one thing David knows he has to put in my Easter basket. I'm hoping for chocolate-covered peeps this year, too. By the way, if anyone (David) want to buy me a shirt or something cute for the house, there's a shop....
Read More

Just a Dream (Flash Fiction)

by Carol4 Comments
Dottie at Tink's Place has a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge that I'm enjoying. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. I don't like this one as well as my last couple, but here you go.   Just a Dream by Carol 414 words Fiona woke with a gasp, sitting straight up in bed. “What’s wrong?” Jackson asked groggily. “Just a dream. Go back to sleep.” She kissed his forehead. After he began gently snoring again, Fiona stood up, slid her feet into slippers, and wrapped her warm, deep green robe around her. She padded down the stairs into the kitchen, where the nightlight provided a dim glow. She methodically heated a mug of milk and added several scoops of cocoa mix. Only then did she allow herself to sit at the small table and think, as tears ran down her cheeks. Andi was dead, that much...
Read More

Friday’s Tale: Bluebeard

by Carol7 Comments
I had never really thought of "Bluebeard" as a fairy tale, but it does have a bit of magic, and it was included in Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book, which is the version I read. Lang in turn gives his source as Charles Perrault who first published the story in 1697. Bluebeard was a very rich man who was considered ugly due to his blue beard, an unnatural color. He has a neighbor with two beautiful daughters, but neither will marry him, not only because of his blue beard, but also because he has been married several times before and no one knew what had become of the women. Bluebeard takes the two young women, their mother and several of their friends to his country house for a week, where they did nothing but have parties, hunt, fish, dance and eat. It was a delightful week and the younger of the sisters decided that perhaps Bluebeard was nice man and did marry...
Read More