BW17: Quest!

 

Quest

 by 

Carrie Williams Clifford 

My goal out-distances the utmost star, 

Yet is encompassed in my inmost Soul; 

I am my goal—my quest, to know myself. 

To chart and compass this unfathomed sea, 

Myself must plumb the boundless universe. 

My Soul contains all thought, all mystery, 

All wisdom of the Great Infinite Mind: 

This is to discover, I must voyage far, 

At last to find it in my pulsing heart. 

    

Happy Sunday!  Let's end National Poetry Month with a Quest over land, by sea,  through space or into ourselves. I have a few interesting nonfiction books on my shelves that fill the bill such as Wanderlust: A History of Walking – Rebecca Solnit from the Personal Quest's List as well as the memoir -  True North: A Journey into Unexplored Wilderness by Elliott Merrick, plus All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley.  

Robin Hobb's Dragon Keeper,  The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi By Shannon Chakraborty, The Bone Ships By RJ Barker, among others which are mentioned in the most recommended lit.  

From the Wisdom list - Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Persig, and Virginia Woolf's A Room on One's Own.  I'm looking forward to reading them all.  I may not get to all of them this year but I'll have fun trying. 

Armchair Travel: 10 Books About Walking

The most recommended quest books

Set sail with these 10 books about epic ocean voyages

Books about traveling a long time in space.

Personal-Quest Books

Have fun!

BW16: Happy Easter

 

God, give us eyes to see

the beauty of the Spring,

And to behold Your majesty

in every living thing –

And may we see in lacy leaves

and every budding flower

The Hand that rules the universe

with gentleness and power –

And may this Easter grandeur

that Spring lavishly imparts

Awaken faded flowers of faith

lying dormant in our hearts,

And give us ears to hear, dear God,

the Springtime song of birds

With messages more meaningful

than man’s often empty words

Telling harried human beings

who are lost in dark despair –

‘Be like us and do not worry

for God has you in His care.

–Helen Steiner Rice

BW15: Occam's Razor by Odin Roark

 

Occam’s Razor as Arbiter

by

Odin Roark

Might the simplest of explanations be the right one?

In the maze of thoughts, where complexity weaves its web,

the sharpness of a simple thread of clarity

 cuts through the tangled mess.

Words, like gentle rustling, unravel the knots of confusion,

 each syllable a beacon, guiding us to understanding.

In the quiet reserve of a hush, truth finds its voice,

unburdened by the weight of unnecessary adornment.

A child’s question, a teacher’s patient reply,

the elegance of a clear answer in a world of noise and haste.

For in the heart of simplicity, lies the power to illuminate,

 to bridge the chasms of doubt and bring light to the darkest corners.

BW14: 52 Books Bingo - Narrative Non Fiction

Happy Sunday!  Our next 52 Books Bingo category is Narrative Nonfiction. Also known as creative or literary nonfiction which are true stories told in literary form rather than dry objective reporting. Narrative nonfiction entertains as well as informs but engages the reader's emotions as well their attention.  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt was the first nonfiction book I read written in narrative or creative nonfiction format and led me to reading read more nonfiction.  Join me in reading Narrative Nonfiction this month. 

The Painted Porch Bookshops - Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative Nonfiction - created by Epic teacher, Mrs. Gorli

Allegheny County Libraries staff created list - Narrative Nonfiction: Books that read like novel

Five Books Narrative Nonfiction

Goodreads 42 Popular Narrative Nonfiction Books for Riveting Reading

Happy Reading! 

BW13: Meander through April

 

Welcome to April where we are going to meander through the month, reading this, reading that, dipping our toes into a little bit of poetry, an epistolary or two, maybe learning about astronomy, or history, or humor.  And dragons!

Our dragon of the month is Querig from Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant which I'm looking forward to reading. 

"In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share.

By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory."

Ishiguro is a Nobel prize literature winner who has written classics such as Remains of the Day to  science fiction stories like Klara and the Sun.

Happy meandering! 

BW12: Literary Linguistics

 

Happy Sunday!  Literary Linguistics - the interface between literature and linguistics and the study and analysis of language.  Since one of our 52 Books Bingo categories is linguistics, I figured it would be fun, and ended up following so many rabbit holes on the internet, I forgot what I was there for.  Digging myself out of the linguistic hole before I forget to write this post.  LOL! 

There are many science fiction and speculative fiction authors who enjoy creating new languages and cultures for their stories, whether from our past or the future, much to our benefit, which is what I'll probably be reading. So join me inn reading about the etymology of language or delve into fictional world where linguistics plays a huge role. 

The best books on Linguistics recommended by Professor David Adger

Pop Linguistics Books for Prep or Pleasure

A very long list of pop linguistics books and lingfic

The Best Science Fiction Books with Alien Languages

Science Fiction using Languages or Linguistics as a Plot Device

Try not to fall into any rabbit holes! 

BW11: Kickin up our heels for Spring

Happy Sunday!  Who else is kickin up their heels with the arrival of Spring on March 20th?  I think springtime is my favorite season. The temperatures are perfect, the flowers are starting to bloom, the urge to take on a new project, or declutter. And read new books or dive into old favorites.  

We have an eclectic mix of lists this week to peruse, which may also lead to a bunch of rabbit trails. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. 

Town and Country Magazine's The 49 Must-Read Books of Spring 2025

ABA's The Spring 2025 Reading Group Guide Preview

Pretty Little Memoir The Perfect Spring 2025 Reads for Every Mood

Milkweed Org's Spring 2025 Catalog

Book Bub's Here Are the Must-Read Books of Spring

Goodread's Spring Reads 

Happy Spring!

BW10: Journey around the world

 

Happy Sunday!  I'm always in the mood to journey across the United States, or follow in the footsteps of authors, cross the seas and oceans, hike through countries of Europe or Asia, or transverse space.  My latest book, James Rollin's Arkangel, #18 in the Sigma Force series, takes us from the Vatican to Russia to the Arctic in a quest to determine if an ancient myth of a lost continent is true or not. Rollin's books blend science fiction with history as well as archeology, blending fiction with truth.  

A Journey Through Literary America

Long Journey on Foot

Books Full of Wanderlust 

15 Best Travel Books to Cure Wanderlust

10 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books About Fantastical Voyages

Stellar Books That Take Place in Space

Where are you traveling this week? 

BW9: Infinite possibilities

 

“As the earth awakens from its slumber, let March awaken your spirit 

to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.”

Welcome to March and our month of infinite possibilities where any thing can happen.  This month we celebrate Women's History Month, Irish American Heritage month, and Craft month to name a few,  as well as the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Spring.  Girl Scout cookies go on sale this month and the thing we all love to hate - the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. 

Our dragon of the month is Clefspeare from Bryan Davis's middle grade series Dragons in our Midst which is an excellent series. I have had fun reading both as a youngster and as an adult. 

And speaking of youngsters, its time for the annual March Book Madness sponsored by a pair of school teachers in Ohio that has gone viral over the years.  

Check out these special editions of new book releases this month including Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the 50th anniversary edition of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke, the 100th anniversary of  the Annotated Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald & James LW West, as well as 20th Anniversary Edition of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Have fun exploring this month!

BW8: Happily Ever After

 

I Dream Of A Magical Place...

by

Parker A Blackwood 

And I, I dream of a magical place

Where I might have a smile on my face

A mother and father who love me

Living together under the eldest tree

It is a beautiful land

There are always adventures at hand

Ones where the good prevails

But darkness endures, as the tales

I wouldn't have to live in a castle

We needn't any vassal

Having each other was always enough

Even when things got tough

My friends would fight by my side

And we may never die

We had each other

We loved one another

My whole family, blood or not

Could always save each other if we sought with purity

Because love is the most powerful thing

So we all end up living as the king

Because our love is truelove

And the trees sing out above

The water flows with the music

Wind singing loud as the humans

The forest, the kingdom, the people

And even those who were thought to be evil

Their homes would be filled with love and laughter

And we would all live happily ever after

BW7: 52 Books Bingo - Gaslamp

 

Happy Sunday! My son surprised me with two books for Valentine's day:  Alan Moore's The Great When and Carly Fortune's Every Summer After.   Neither one was on my radar, but both look equally interesting. Moore's book fits our 52 Books Category this week - GASLAMP - and Fortune's book is a love story. I look forward to reading both. 

What's the difference between Gaslamp and Steampunk?  While both are considered Victorian Fantasy,  steampunk is science fiction centering around steam powered tech and magic vs gaslamp is more fantasy and centered around magic and supernatural creature.  Gaslamp has also since evolved to take place from the early 1800's Victorian era to the beginning of World War one in 1914 according to New York Public Library's Bewitched, Bothered and Betrothed: An Intro to Gaslamp Fantasy  

Some words on Gaslamp Fantasy, Good Friends, and Great Fiction

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is an excellent example of a Gaslamp fantasy which I thoroughly enjoyed when I read it back in 2014.  I think it's time for a reread.  It's a chunky book at 1006 pages but well worth the effort. 

"The year is 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation's past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country.

Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange.

Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms that between England and France. And their own obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts are going to cause more trouble than they can imagine."

12 Gaslamp Fantasy Books Full of Magic and Mystery

Reddit Fantasy recommendations

Goodreads Listopia Gaslamp Fantasy

Helene Wecker's the Golem and the Jinni, Marie Brennan's Lady Trent series, as well as Devon Monk's Age of Steam series to name a few are all excellent as well.  

Happy reading!

BW6: Fascination

 

Happy Sunday! For some reason, I lost last week. All week I thought it was this  week and Friday was Valentine's Day.  I kissed hubby and wished him happy VD day as I headed out the door to work on Friday. The plan was to give him the card I bought when I got home and make a special meal on Saturday.  He calls me a few minutes later to let me know I was off by a week.  So every day now, he's wishing me happy Valentine's day. LOL!  Well, at least he won't forget now.  

To celebrate our day of love, according to the hallmark calendar, and the year in and year out love for everyone else, this week read a book which has Valentine or love in the title, or has a pink cover, with or without flowers, hearts, or is part of the book's theme. 

Fascination  ~ Nat King Cole 

It was fascination, I know

And it might have ended right then, at the start

Just a passing glance, just a brief romance

And I might have gone on my way empty hearted

It was fascination, I know

Seeing you alone with the moonlight above

Then I touch your hand and next moment I kissed you

Fascination turned to love

It was fascination, I know

Seeing you alone with the moonlight above

Then I touch your hand and next moment I kissed you

Fascination turned to love

Happy Valentine's Day