Archive for 2008
Books, Books, and More Books
First I want to thank those of you who took the time to read some of my writing mentioned in Friday’s post; it reminds me again what a warm, fuzzy place the blogging world can be.
Now let’s keep the reading thing going and talk about one of my favorite things on this planet or any other: books. It’s been a while since I’ve done a meme, but when I saw this one on books at Chel’s Chasing Contentment, I felt some meme withdrawal and had to fill this one out.
Apparently books make me do strange things.
Speaking of which, remember you can always keep up with what I’m reading through the books link on the navigation bar above.
1. One book that changed your life: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. This was the first book of any real length that I ever read, and I’ve been writing stories trying (in vain) to live up to E.B. White’s legacy ever since. I *so* wanted to be Fern and play with Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton, and the g-g-goose. Love. This. Book.
2. One book you’ve read more than once twice: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. A few Jane Austens as well, but Catherine and Heathcliff are my all-time favorites. A more recently published favorite that I’ve read a few times is Chocolat by Joanne Harris.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: William Shakespeare Complete Works. How could I ever get bored?
4. One book that made you laugh: OK trying to think of an answer here was far too difficult, so I definitely need to read more funny books. Feel free to leave suggestions. Oh! The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Hilarious!
P.S. I wish I could answer Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs here since the book blurbs describe it as “screamingly funny!” and “funny as hell!” but I found it quite disturbing. I mean, it was good, but “funny” certainly isn’t a word I’d use to describe it. Anyone else have an opinion on this book?
5. One book that made you cry: Most recently, Resistance by Anita Shreve. This is the first Shreve book I’ve read, and wow. Grazie mille Qualcosa di Bello!
6. One book you wish you had written: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. I love how she weaves together the stories of characters from different generations around the core of love—two of my favorite themes.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Now that’s not very nice. I’m no player/writer hater.
8. One book you’re currently reading: The Italian translation of Paulo Coelho’s By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. Judging from the Italian version, I’d say the English one would be pretty good too. Have I mentioned how much I loved The Alchemist (in Italian at least)?
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light–and I can prove it as it’s been on my Amazon Wish List since it came out! I was raised Catholic, so Mother Teresa has always had a special place in my heart. This book is said to give greater insight into her as a person, including her fears and doubts, rather than treat her as simply a persona. Has anyone read this? Opinions?
Looking forward to your answers fellow booklovers!
rest in peace
olive riley
Olive Riley, the World’s Oldest Blogger,
passed away peacefully on July 12, 2008 at the age of 108.
May we all follow our dear Ollie’s lead and live life to the fullest.
what’s that? you wanna read more of me?
When I started writing this post, it quickly turned into a rant about how some people don’t realize that freelance writing is hard (actual!) work and that just because we can walk our dogs on a whim doesn’t mean we don’t have real jobs with real responsibilities.
Phew.
But that’s not where I wanted to go with this post.
What I *did* want to do was share with you what I’ve been up to lately, some of the writing I’ve done so that you can visit me elsewhere around the web and maybe learn a few things along the way–I certainly did as I was writing these!
I tried to gather a wide assortment of pieces so that there’d be something in there for everyone. Please let me know what you think!
- First, there are two articles at CheapStingyBargains.com:
(1) For those feeling pain at the pump (and who isn’t?), check out 101 Ways to Save Money on Gas.
(2) Looking for fun summer activities with the kiddos? Summer Fun on a Budget.
- Next, two fashion-related pieces at LifeScript.com:
- Some legal fun as well as serious advice at LegalZoom.com:
- And finally, something I *know* you’ve been dying to know about. From TomatoCasual.com:
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy!
And buon weekend!
love thursday: hand-picked centerpiece
Hand-picked by P, of course, and then given to me . . . just because.
Aren’t these the best kind of gifts? The “I thought of you when I saw this” kind?
I know Mary agrees with me.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
what’s cooking wednesday:
caprese salad
Well, Mom is safely back at home. We’ve only spoken on the phone a handful of times (OK, closer to two handfuls) since she left on Monday morning, so I’d say we’re dealing with the withdrawal symptoms well, wouldn’t you?
So as I try to beat the heat (it is HOT!) and rejoin real life, including full-time work again (I cut back to part-time while Mom was here), I’m feeling a bit lazy around the kitchen.
But lazy doesn’t have to mean “bad for the tastebuds” when tomatoes and basil are in season!
I’ll tell you, if we’re not having Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil or homemade Pesto alla Genovese, we’re having a Caprese Salad or Insalata Caprese if you want to be fancy. Or, you know, Italian.
Many of you know this one, but since it is absolutely one of my favorite summer treats, here it is for this week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday:
You’ll need:
- Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and olive oil in the *best* qualities you can find
- Salt to taste
You can arrange this salad any way you like, but I usually do slices of tomatoes alternating with slices of mozzarella on a serving plate. Then I tear up the basil leaves and drizzle olive oil on top and finish with a sprinkling of salt.
The quantities of everything are up to you and your tastes, as is the decision on whether to “dress up” this simple salad with other treats like black olives or balsamic vinegar.
So who’s up for a refreshing, easy-to-prepare, delicious summer salad with the colors of the Italian flag?
And more importantly, who’s bringing the crusty Italian bread to sop up all those juices left on the plate?
Buon appetito!
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
