Reading Sanctuary

The words Reading Sanctuary more than likely, does not sound foreign to fans of Avid Readers Unite. Many of you have already established that quiet personal space where you go to relax and dive into a good book without being disturbed. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, coffee, tea or wine….there’s nothing like escaping the hustle and bustle of your day by creating a cozy ambiance with a can’t-put-it-down book in hand. How do you set the mood for peaceful reading? I’ve tried the library, coffee shops, parks, etc. None of these work for me. Somebody, somehow, in some way will disturb me, causing that start, stop, start again type of reading that I hate. No doubt, my home is the best place to create that much needed relaxing atmosphere. That is, when my 3 year old has gone to bed and hubby’s in another room, doing homework or watching TV. Then, I pull out my wickless candles from Scentsy, choose a relaxing aroma and plug it in. Now, I curl up on my sofa with green tea or a glass of wine and I lose myself for a couple of hours in a book. Tonight will be no different. I just borrowed ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ from my brother and I’m so looking forward to reading it.

www.arucandles.scentsy.us

National Poetry Month

Today marks the end of National Reading Month but tomorrow, we celebrate Poetry. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now celebrated every April of every year. Let's spread the word, celebrate and show our appreciation for the richness and creativeness of poetry. Here's a great way to start. Sign up to receive one poem a day via e-mail throughout the month by visiting http://www.poets.org. Happy Reading!!


Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

~Maya Angelou

What diffference do it make?

It's not often you read a book that leaves you thinking of its' message for months after you've read it. In fact, the inspiration I got from 'Same Kind of Different As Me' and 'What difference do it make?' will last a lifetime. That's why, in celebration of National Reading Month, I've passed these books on to my friends, hoping (knowing) they will gain the same positive experience. Trust me; these books will forever change you.

Like 'Same Kind of Different As Me', this book is full of determination, hope and inspiration; you will never feel the same about homelessness. Ron Hall and Denver Moore continue their quest to truly make a difference and help people in need. They give the reader updates on their lives and tell more stories about their past. It was particularly enjoyable to hear more about Ron Hall's life outside of his marriage to Deborah; specifically, his relationship with his alcoholic father. What a powerful lesson on forgiveness and acceptance!

And how brilliant was it to add testimonies from readers who were inspired by the first book? Hearing their stories made you realize how much your actions can impact other people's lives. Generally, that's not something we really think about. Sometimes the simplest things can change a person's whole outlook on life. Denver makes you see just how important your actions are. His words will literally make your heart heavy. You'll ask yourself like I did, "Am I doing everything I can to make a difference?"

Others say you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one. That may be true, but I highly recommend you read 'Same Kind of Different As Me' first. By then, you'll have so much love and admiration for the characters, the sequel will be that much better. If you haven't read them, you must. I promise, you'll walk away inspired. If you have, pass them on to your friends. I've already convinced two of my friends who are not readers to read 'Same Kind of Different As Me'. Stay tuned for comments on the Avid Readers Unite fan page. Remember, this month is National Reading Month. Share your love for reading!

Favorite quote: "Mr. Mike, everybody's lookin for God everywhere on the outside. He ain't in no book, and He ain't in no preacher and He ain't in nothin or no one on the outside. You got to go inside 'cause that's where God is--in the deepest place inside you". ~ Denver Moore

National Reading Month

Did you know that March is National Reading Month? What a great time to share your love and passion for reading! Hope everyone had the opportunity to celebrate 'Read Across America Day' on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Let's keep this going! Read new books this month or go back to old ones you love, but haven't read in a while. Read to your children everyday and share a good book with a friend.

Here's another challenge! We all have friends who, for whatever reason, do not read. Introduce them to the wonderful world of books!! I challenge you to entice at least one of these friends to read a book you've selected and post a comment on the Avid Readers Unite fan page, letting us know what they thought of it. Let's go, Avid Readers! WE LOVE BOOKS!!

Blog Update

It's been a while since I've actually posted to this blog. Hopefully, all of my blog followers have joined the Avid Readers unite fan page on facebook. If not, you're missing out on some really good recommendations. I've been having a blast this year reading some unforgettable books. We have alot going on this year. First, the 25 book a year challenge. Some of our readers are already very close to meeting this goal with only 2 months into the new year. Wow!! If you read at a slower pace,don't let that intimidate you. Set your own goal and post the title after each read. We just love to talk about books!

Second, we choose a book each month for discussion. This month is 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' by Jamie Ford. Last month was 'Water for Elephants'. If you've read it, stop by the page and let us know your thoughts. Books are chosen by suggestions from fans. Have your say and post a book from your tbr list. Any book! One of my goals is to expose our readers to books outside of their normal genre. You'll be surprised of the outcome.

Third, I've set a personal goal to read at least one classic each month. I started with 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Ok read, but I'm sure I would've enjoyed it more as a teenager. Then there was 'Jane Eyre' and 'Lolita'. Both were good books but I can hardly call them one of my favorites. This month I'm reading 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. Looking for something like, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' and 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'. Is 'The Color Purple' a classic? That leads me to this question, "What do you consider a classic book?" How old does a book have to be to meet the criteria?

Also, stay tuned for more information on Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon scheduled for April 10, 2010. We're going to have so much fun! To find out more, visit http://24hourreadathon.com/. I'll keep you posted on what ARU has planned for this event.

Lastly, each year I celebrate Banned Books Week during the last week of September. It's the only national celebration of the freedom to read. More than a thousand books have been added since 1982 and more are added each year. You'll be amazed at what titles you'll find on that list! Hope you'll join me.

See you on the fan page!

'So Many Books, Not Enough Time!'

‘So many books, not enough time!’ I’m sure I share this feeling with thousands of avid readers out there. Just as fast as I remove a book from my ‘to read’ list, three books are added. Reluctantly, I’ve accepted the fact that I will never reach the end of my list. And with the hundreds of thousands of books published each year, there is absolutely no way possible I can read all of them. With this acceptance comes my ability to slow down, relax and completely enjoy the experience of every book I read.

Reading is my passion, which is why I stay up late at night, and why I carry a book everywhere I go, hoping for a quiet moment to open it. Most importantly, it is why I started this blog. Lately, I’ve read some amazing books, many thanks to the followers and fans of ‘Avid Readers Unite’. Connecting with people, who share your passion, truly intensifies your experience.

I’ve decided to share a fraction of my ‘to read’ list with you and invite you to share a fraction of yours. Here goes:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult
The Shack by William Young
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
Ahab’s Wife by Sena Naslund
Escape by Carolyn Jessop
Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Sold by Patricia McCormick
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Mama Dearest by E. Lynn Harris
The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell

As a reminder, Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert will be discussed this month on our Facebook fan page. And, the Nov. book selection has not yet been chosen; I want to hear from you! Happy Reading!!

Time is running out!

Only 5 more days til the beginning of Banned Books Week. By now, you should have chosen your banned or challenged book in hopes of completing it by 3 Oct. This awareness campaign celebrates the freedom of choice and focuses on the need to make every book publicly available so that we can develop our own opinions. It has been a tradition since 1982! Let's continue to support it and bring awareness to the power of literature. I am finishing up 'Blood Done Sign My Name' and will probably only have time for one more before the celebration ends; I've decided to read 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. Let us know what you've chosen.

Happy Reading...