• you'll want good friends there with you as witnesses to the fact (Rachel, me, Annalisa)

• you hope this person looks like what you think they look like (seriously, how can an author be so cute?)

• you hope they'll look at your camera when you take their picture

• you'll listen intently, gratefully, to every amazing word he says and every story he tells, not only because he's articulate, disarmingly funny and charming, but because he's also Australian and sounds like it

you'll be happy to see old friends again and to rejoice that they get to have this experience too

you'll be flabbergasted that you get to spend just a few minutes with him, watching him sign your books

you hope they won't be fazed by your nervous hero-worship induced state

• you'll be amazed that it was their idea to pose for a picture with you (even though it was against the rules)


• you'll be forever grateful for the people that made it possible

• you may also secretly wish that your friend Annalisa, who is due the next day, will go into labor because that is the only way that this night could possibly be more memorable.

What an amazing blessing to see Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, I am the Messenger and Getting the Girl, to hear him speak of personal stories, writing, creativity, eggs, his experiences as an author, advice and to hear him read from The Book Thief! This evening will be a highlight for my life. Definitely.

Cameron has known for weeks that I'm going to see Markus Zusak, author The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger. He likes to tease me, wondering if he should be worried about me going to see someone I, a-hem, like so much. Well Markus Zusak is pretty cute and all, but it's his writing that blows me away.

This morning I mentioned again how excited I was to being going tonight and Cameron asked me "Why is your friend Rachel (who I'm going with) excited to go see Mark Kozelek? I didn't know she liked your Dead Can Dance or Red House Painters music or whatever."

Huh?

Cam thought I was going to see the musician/poet Mark Kozelek whom I have admired for a decade. (I have written about his music here)

"No, Markus Zusak wrote The Book Thief. Remember, you read it?"

"Ha! It all makes sense now."

"What, that it's at a library? That he's coming to Provo? That I'm going with people with my writing group?"

"No," says Cameron "I was wondering why 400 people were interested seeing your obscure musician guy."

Oh.

Well, if it was Mark Kozelek maybe he should have worried. *wink*

I get to be in the same room as one of my favorite authors: Markus Zusak.

I'm thankful for the timely intervention of friends that made this possible. Woo hoo!

Reading The Book Thief was one of the most moving reading events of my life.

I loved I Am the Messenger.

I could live on his writing.

Since I've just made the ridiculous goal of reading 70 books in 2011, I've been thinking about the many books I read in 2010. It was a great reading year. Such great books!
Here are a few that stuck with me the most (in chronological order):

1. My Name is Asher Lev (read in Feb 2010)

Author: Chaim Potok

This one shook me up a lot. It was good and intriguing. I loved the practical writing.

2. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (read in Mar 2010)

Author: Jonathan L. Howard

This was such a cool book. It was dark, but carnival under-belly creepy. It was intelligently funny and I kept thinking about the main character. Too bad the second in the series was such a let-down.

3. Saturday (read in May 2010)

Author: Ian McEwan

This was kind of an Everyman tale of what one man experiences one fateful Saturday. I really enjoyed the excellent writing, story line and experience of reading this book.

4. When My Name was Keoko (May 2010)

Author: Linda Sue Park

This young adult novel by a great author was recommended to me by my dear cousin who happens to be Korean herself. It made me aware of a portion of World War II that I'd never known about: the Japanese occupation of Korea and the experience of the Korean people being robbed of their identity and culture, one piece at a time.

The good news is that the story is told wonderfully through the eyes of a little girl.

5. The Miracle of Forgiveness (July 2010)

Author: Spencer W. Kimball

Reading this was a painderful experience. Yeah, you read that correctly. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The comedy of it, is that Cameron gave this book to me fifteen years ago. Finally got around to reading it.

I am very grateful for this book and its teachings.

6. The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay (July, Aug, Sept 2010)

Author: Suzanne Collins

I loved this so much as a complete series. My husband and I read it together and it kept us turning pages like crazy, waiting anxiously to get our hands on the next one. I really enjoyed the complete arch Katniss experiences from start to finish.

7. Water for Elephants (July 2010)

Author: Sara Gruen

I loved the experience of reading this. I am not the type of person to want to read about a circus and the connected folks, but this was great! Read with an eye willing to skip a few gritty moments, but definitely consider reading it before seeing the movie.

I was just as fascinated by how she came to write the book as she was not the type of person to write about a circus.

8. Stolen (Sept 2010)

Author: Lucy Christopher

The premise of this book was a kidnapped girl writing about her experience with Stockholm Syndrome. This brings the syndrome to you. You feel it and it is hard to shake. Honestly, only the fact that I am a mother set my mind to rights.

9. The Tale of Halcyon Crane (Sept 2010)

Author: Wendy Webb

This was a great Gothic thriller written in modern day. It was a fun little thrill and I really enjoyed it.

10. The Patron Saint of Liars (Sept 2010)

Author: Ann Patchett

The writing here was so fantastic, the characters so whole.

11. Rose Daughter (Nov 2010)

Author: Robin McKinley

I read three different fairy tale retellings by Robin McKinley this year and thoroughly enjoyed them all. They each affected me differently. Deerskin was upsetting and amazing. Perhaps I should have put that here instead.

12. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Dec 2010)

Author: Rebecca Skloot

I loved how this scientific book/biography held my attention. It was so well-written. I was fascinated by cells. Who'da thunk?

I can hear my 4-year-old reading aloud from his little reading book.

"Sam!" he shouts (because I told him that an explanation point means something like yelling)

I'm excited to see him gain this skill.

Go Bryce!

This is my baby, growing up.

While we were in New York City we stumbled upon an illustration at the NYC Public Library, this one matter of fact, that Cam said was very familiar to him.

The more I looked online through illustrations by Harry Clarke, I couldn't help but be a little chilled up my spine.

This is from the Tell-Tale Heart by Poe. Just look at that simper on the murderer.

Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was born in Dublin, Ireland. During his career he illustrated editions of works by Hans Christian Anderson, Perrault (Cinderella's author), Edgar Allen Poe, and Goethe's Faust. He designed stained glass windows as well.

Look at how lovely these are! And as fall and harvest and Halloween approach, they just seemed too appropriate not to post.

Wow.

What are you hungering for today?

I finished a little clothing project for Ella today and I find myself hungering for more creative out-letting.

I'm also hungering for this and maybe chocolate administered intravenously.

You?

Just heard a great song that seems to reference one of my favorite children's books: The Boxcar Children

Give it a listen. If you've read the book, what do you think?

Chorus:
We can find an old boxcar
In the woods to make our home
Make a bed of maple leaves
Sleep with doves on the door
On the sill what we need
Keep our milk in the stream
We can make a broom of weeds
And brush and sweep while daddy's away

I was so determined as a young mom to make my son a 'reader.' One who dives head-first into words and language and story.

I really think I accomplished that goal. It's very rare to find him without a book in his hands, though Legos and drawing run a very close second.

Dane takes reading very seriously.

I'm thinking about books and all that I need/want/long to read.
I'm thinking about New Moon that's happening tomorrow night.
I've been thinking about New York City. I'd sure like to go back.
I've been thinking about birds. Fabric birds. I have 10 all cut out, waiting to be sewn together from this very pattern.
I thinking that a spool of white thread can make you cool.
Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.
Song for a Blue Guitar by Mark Kozelek.
I am thinking about Chocolate. Sometimes my mind goes blank (like pictures in this mosiac tool) and I just feel.
I love books. Yes I do.
I'm wondering where all my small forks have gone.
Oh Ella.
I'm wishing for headphones.
Markus Zusak, definitely.
Love you Bryce!
Dane you are my hero.


Photo Credits

1. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= 141: Books. etc., 2. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Pattison, 3. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= York - West Side Story, 4. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= mobile - work in progress, 5. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= & Gray Thread, 6. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= know know know, 7. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Kozelek, 8. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Mars bar ad, 9. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Step, 10. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= to Ordinary Friends: my books, 11. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Cutlery, 12. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= fairy, 13. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= la la land with my boyfriend, music, 14. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Book after the Book, after the...., 15. http://www.flickr.com/photos/16879142@N07/2884881331/">Upward>>, 16. IMG_2042http://www.flickr.com/photos/16879142@N07/1799172801/?edited=1">IMG_2042>>

Rachel, this one's for you.

Tori Amos has been known to give many a wink and nudge to her good friend and confidant, Neil Gaiman, author of the novels Stardust and The Graveyard Book.
The following are the Tori songs where Neil reference are made. (my thanks to http://www.hereinmyhead.com/)

The tree made reference to in "Horses".Now this is the only thing I've read by Neil Gaiman so far. He's not for everyone, but he is a bit of a genius.
And Tori is a genius on the piano. Loved her since 1993

Other than building up beings [aka my children] of faith, confidence, and love of self who have compassion for those around them and want to serve them, who love God and Christ and want to follow them... After (and along side) all that, I want readers!

Last time we were at the library, all three kids had their noses in their book. They followed my image on their vision's periphery, their eyes crowded with images and words. I'm just glad they managed to follow me and not someone else.

Oh how we love books at our house.

I searched for some really cute pics I have with Bryce and books, but haven't found them yet. I'm also searching for a picture of Ella with a Dr. Suess book covering her face during her nap.