Once Upon a Time 2

Though school is kicking my butt, I joined another challenge the Once Upon a Time 2. It's hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. The challenge is one that is bringing me back to my childhood. For the challenge you read at least one book that is forklore, a fairytale, fantasy, or mythology. I've decided to do Quest 1 and read five books from those categories. I plan on reading at least five books out of this growing list.

1. The Stolen Child - Keith Donahue


2. Penelope - Marilyn Kaye


3. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger


4. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Alan Moore


5. Love and Murder - Jodi Picoult


6. Little Black Book of Stories - A.S. Byatt


7. American Gods - Neil Gaiman


8. Forever - Pete Hamill


9. The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly


10. The Ice Queen - Alice Hoffman

Monday's quote

In the depth of winter,
I finally learned that within me
there lays an invincible summer.

-Albert Camus

Triple Thursday

Yesterday the UPS man came and gave me the five packages from Amazon.com that I've been waiting for. Three great books for me to read and try in my own way to change the world and get my creative juices flowing. Every Monday Matters by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza, 52 Projects by Jeffrey Yamaguchi, and Not quite what I was planning edited by Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith.

The subtitle for 52 Projects is Random Acts of Everyday Creativity. The book is filled with artistic projects that are so simple to do and you don't need money or artistic skill to do such as project #10: making a poster or project 29: stuffing an envelope with as many things as you can and mailing it to someone special. You don't have to do the projects in the exact way the author suggested. You can come up with something of your own. 52 projects is a great book that has me jumping to do my own. You can also do the projects with your children. My family and I are going to work on project 10 this weekend. The author, Jeffrey, also has a website that goes with the book.52 projects is the muse for the everyday person.

Not quite what I was planning: Six word Memoirs by famous and obscure writers is edited by Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith for Smith Magazine.Smith magazine is a "storytelling community: a place to read, write, and share stories." That's their words but it's more than that. Smith magazine is a great place to hang out online for a couple of hours and just get lost, becoming an active part of the website by submitting your own experiences along with other readers. In November of 2006, Smith Magazine asked their readers to submit their six-word memoir. It was a hit and they received thousands. The memoirs range from funny ("I think, therefore I am bald,") to tragic ("Everyone who loves me is dead,") to thought provoking ("Cursed with cancer. Blessed with friends.") With no more than five memoirs on a page, you can read this 240 page book in one sitting or take your time. Now, I'm trying to come up with my own six-word memoir.

Every Monday Matters: 52 ways to make a difference by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza. Every Monday matters is about changing Mondays from those days that you hate to arrive to days of reward by doing simple things to change the world around you. Monday #37 is about mentoring a child while Monday #22 is about thanking your local firefighters.Information for each Monday is concise and only two pages long.The exercises are creative, doable,and will probably turn Monday into one of your favorite days of the week.