I’m jumping in with Bloglovin! I’m hoping to find other amazing blogs and connect with people who might enjoy mine.
I have to post this to have it connect to my site…
<a href=”http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12015497/?claim=ndfftwv24ak”>Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
I’m excited to try it out!
Brooke
I just finished reading Harlan Coben’s “Missing You, (which was fantastic and you can see my review HERE). He brings up a thought that has stuck with me, spinning around in my head all day. The main character, Kat Donovan’s father was murdered many years prior, and she’s been hunting his killer ever since. There’s a moment where she is having this revealing conversation with someone who knew her father, and learning both good and bad things that she never knew about her dad. This person says that they would give up anything, forgive anything, forget anything, for just a few more minutes with him. Kat is struck by this thought and it changes her perception on everything.
That idea of loving and missing someone so much that you would literally do anything to even have just a few more minutes with them has got me thinking about what’s really important in life. It could just be someone who you don’t see anymore for whatever reason, or someone who has passed away. It made me think of moments I might otherwise take for granted. It made me realize how much faster we should forgive, how much deeper we should love, and how much harder we should fight for what makes us happy.
It’s funny how a gripping thriller would make me turn so introspective, but its good to have a wake-up call to level everything out so you can see things in your life clearly.
Life is unpredictable.
Be happy. Forgive. Work hard. Be grateful. Find your passion. Love with everything you’ve got.
Til next time…
Brooke
It’s no secret that in the last few years I’ve become an avid reader, which got me thinking about my reading habits, and the evolution of how I got here.
Confession: I didn’t always read like this. While I’ve always enjoyed a few books during the year, interspersed between thing I needed to be reading for school or work, I didn’t always finish them and didn’t really think about them much afterwords. I would say I was a pretty typical reader, busy and wanting an escape only when I could find the time. The books I read tended to be very fast paced, thrillers mostly, because that’s all that would keep my attention.
When I started writing seriously, I read Stephen King’s famous book “On Writing” and learned that one of the best ways to become a talented writer was to read. A lot. So, I decided to expand the genres. About the same time, I joined a book club created by the amazing Kelly Dearth (the Delicious Reads Book Club) which stretched me into books I may not have picked up, some young adult books for example. After years of participating in this book club, I’m so glad I’ve given all sorts of books a chance. I also signed up for Goodreads and started reviewing books I read as a form of writing study- what worked for me, what I wanted more of, and what I loved.
Tip- How to Choose What Books to Read I scour book reviews on multiple sites before purchasing. I have a limited amount of time to devote and I want my experience to be meaningful. Goodreads and Barnes and Noble, and Amazon are good places to start. If you’re looking for a referral I can do my best to point you in the right direction. Once nice thing about Goodreads is that it lets you compare your books to those of your friends. I’ve been able to identify people who seem to have the same taste in books as me and get ideas off of their lists.
Tip- If You’re Not Loving a Book… Put it down! I’m not one of those people who have to finish a book. I try to give a book at least 50 pages to get going, but ultimately, I want to love reading… so I don’t feel bad about abandoning a book if I’m not into it. It’s freeing in a way. Try it- just read books you love! I bet it will enhance your reading experience.
Trick- Make it Convenient At any given time I have an audiobook on my iPhone, a book on my Nook and a Book-book (yeah, that’s what we call bound books these days to differentiate it from all the e-readers). This makes it easy to grab one when I have some down time or listen while I’m driving, working out or doing stuff around the house. If you’re going on a trip, make sure you have a few to choose from.
Trick- Go with your moods! I like to read different kinds of book depending on my mood, what I’ve read lately and even the season. I can only handle so many WWII books, can’t stomach ongoing young adult angst, don’t want to read a beachy book in the dead of winter. Sometimes I just want something some romance or something light and funny!
My overall theme of what I look for in a book is EMOTION, which I’ve mentioned several times on this blog. I don’t care if you make me laugh or cry or get angry, but at the end of the book I want to have felt something or have been moved in some way. My tastes have changed over the years, and now I enjoy books with complex characters who are dragged through heartache and forced to make impactful decisions. I love depth. I love twists and things I didn’t see coming. Give me a character to root for and then make me question everything. I’ve learned so much about life, about relationships and places I’ve never been through the pages of book. Reading has enriched my life in countless ways.
Hopefully sharing my evolution from light and sporadic reader to bookaholic will inspire you to pick up another book.
Happy reading!
Brooke
While thinking about what topic I wanted to discuss today, I stumbled on THESE QUESTIONS that are psychologically intended to bring people closer. You can go through them with a good friend, family member, in a group setting or even on a social media site. If you ask these questions to someone you’re romantically involved with it will raise the stakes and make things interesting! The questions are designed to target specifics that will reveal a persons character/hopes/intentions/regrets etc.
Today I thought it would be fun to answer some of them, so you can get to know me better. I’m going to choose 10 random questions. If there’s one you really wanted to know that I skip, next time you see me… ask away. If you want to take part or answer some of them, I would love to hear your answers too.
39 Thought Provoking Questions
1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
No, I don’t think I would want to be famous. I like my privacy and I’ve already been through times where I’ve been judged up and down. I don’t really care to go through that again, although I would handle it much better now. I would like to be influential in some way, leave my mark on the world, but I don’t think that necessarily equates to being famous. If I was famous for something I would like to think it would be for something I’m passionate about… maybe from writing a book someday.
3. Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you’re going to say? Why?
No. I think I’m better when I’m just real and off the cuff. If I think about something too much I might talk myself out of it. I’m a believer in saying things that need to be said, even if it’s hard. Lay it all out on the table. Life’s too short to be anything other than boldly authentic.
4. What would constitute a perfect day for you?
5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
I sing all the time! I used to perform quite a bit and miss doing that. Let’s see, the last time I sang to myself was in the car ride back from the library with my little man an hour ago, and I was rocking out to Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” and Pharrell’s “Happy.” The last time I sang to someone else was last weekend when I was doing yard work and had music blaring on the jambox. Does that count?
6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or the body of a 30 year old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you choose?
7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?
8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.
We both love to laugh about everything. We’re both wicked smart. Hah, no that’s just him. We both have the cutest kids in the world.
9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Undoubtedly, my family. I cherish them and all their shenanigans. I am also extremely grateful for all our of our health. Knock on wood.
10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
11. Take four minutes and tell you partner your life story in as much detail as possible.
12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?
13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
14. Is there something that you’ve dreamt of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
16. What do you value most in a friendship?
I value friends who are genuine. I value friends who can make me laugh and who don’t take themselves too seriously. I value friends who make me want to be better and work harder. I value friends who aren’t judgmental. I value friends who are innovative and creative. I value friends who are honest.
17. What is your most treasured memory?
18. What is your most terrible memory?
19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?
20. What does friendship mean to you?
21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?
22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.
23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?
My family was very close growing up and still to this day. I’m the oldest of six kids and and feel very lucky to have all my siblings in my life. We’ve had our share of hardships and bumpy times as we each have gone through things, but I think all of those things made us stronger. It’s the hard stuff that binds you.
24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “we are both in this room feeling…”
26. Complete this sentence “I wish I had someone with whom I could share…”
27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.
28. Tell your partner what you like about them: be honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.
29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.
30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
I cried when my grandpa passed away. Death is so hard for me to wrap my head around. The hurt just sneaks up on you in unexpected moments. Love that man.
31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.
32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
My laptop! It has all my pictures of my family (I kind of have a problem… I’m a bit obsessed with pictures) and it also has a zillion hours of things I’ve written.
35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?
36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
37. If you could choose the sex and physical appearance of your soon-to-be-born child, would you do it?
Ah! This is a hard one. Of course you want to give your child all the best opportunities in the world… but the question is WHAT makes something the best opportunity? I know many beautiful/handsome people who are unkind or nasty. And how could I give more weight to one gender or the other? I would talk myself in circles trying to decide this one. I don’t think I would want to do it. If I did, I would always blame myself for any ramifications. AH. This one makes me feel stressed out.
38. Would you be willing to have horrible nightmares for a year if you would be rewarded with extraordinary wealth?
39. While on a trip to another city, your spouse/lover meets and spends a night with an exciting stranger. Given they will never meet again, and you will not otherwise learn of the incident, would you want your partner to tell you about it?
Well…. I’ve already answered ten! Hah
Alright, I had fun answering these and I hope they make you think. If you answer any questions on a social media site be sure to tag me. Or hopefully they will generate some interesting conversation with someone!
We’re half way through the daylight savings nonsense week! See ya next time!
Brooke
Dear Ms. Fey,
I read your book Bossypants, as part of the book club I belong to, the DeliciousReadsBookClub and it was amazing! I have to warn you, we go a little over-the-top crazy for our discussions. It’s really more like a party. I volunteered to moderate and decided the best way to go about it was to impersonate YOU for this meeting. Your book hilarious and entertaining, as well as thought provoking (as you can see in the Powerpoint Presentation– yes… we really did a powerpoint).
To kick off the evening, we set up the room as a mock set of SNL. For the main event, “YOU” came out to host SNL with your opening monologue. In true SNL fashion, the sketch is satirical. So just to be clear, absolutely nothing in it is true. Not a word. But, all of your SNL and 30 Rock Fans should be able to catch a bunch of references….
I hope you enjoyed it Ms. Fey. I think you’re brilliant and funny and I especially appreciate all the important issues you bring up in your book. I’ll be raving about Bossypants for a long time!
You can see the breakdown and pics from the rest of the night HERE.
Sincerely,
Brooke Hargett
(your biggest fan)
Lots of information, but it keeps the reader at a distance. It doesn’t make them feel like they are INSIDE, riding the waves of emotion, seeing the differences between what’s real and what’s not.
SHOWING is the equivalent of making the reader feel like they are the one inside, dodging the bullets with Keanu.
The same information is presented, but in a way that it’s tangible and emotional to the reader.
The picture is a little extreme, but it showcases the idea. Here’s a written example:
She got on the plane to fly from Virginia to Los Angeles. Kathy was scared during the take off. She was also worried about what Jim would say when she showed up at his door after their fight about his infidelity.
Ok you know something interesting is going on, but it’s masked by the way it’s written. Let’s try again.
“This is the flight to L.A., right?” Kathy asked the man in front of her.
He slung his backpack onto his shoulder and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Just checking,” she said and dug through her bag to find the ticket for her seat assignment. “I never fly.”
Then man nodded in a polite but uninterested way and shuffled further ahead. Kathy boarded the plane, her shirt still sticking to her from the stress of the security line. She found her seat, got situated and picked at a hangnail while the stewardess went over the safely information.
The engine roared to life and and Kathy scrunched her eyes shut and pushed her head into the safety of the headrest. Her stomach lurched along with the plane’s ascent, a single thought overriding all others: What would Jim think when she showed up at his door? In the eight months they’d been wading through the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship, she never thought he would cheat.
See the difference? The second example is much more compelling because you feel like you’re going through it with Kathy. Her stress is tangible.
Brooke
