Used Books and their Previous Owners

One of the things I love about used books is when I find something from the previous owner. It could be something like a signature or a message. It's also interesting finding random things they used as bookmarks - receipts are the most popular one I've found! Recently, I purchased a used book from the library. A book published in the 60s, I found the previous owner's name (and address - I wish they would white this out before selling it though!), but the most interesting part was this.

It is a chemical structural formula of.... something. I took many health classes and admittedly, Organic Chemistry was a challenging one for me, but thankfully, I remember some material from it. I know that NH3 is ammonia, but what is NH (Nitrogen Hydrogen)? CH3 means methyl and C is carbon. I am just so interested in finding out what this stands for though, because let's be honest, finding this sparked my curiosity!

Then, there's this beauty here. I found this in an antique shop a few years ago. It is an old journal/class book from the 20s-30s. The book contains handwritten letters, poems, and short stories. However, this is the one that truly got my attention. It is a special poem about a girl and a funeral. It's beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

 If you want to read it in its entirety, I posted about that here.

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These are just two examples that stand out to me, but most of my vintage books and old books have some sort of dedication on them. It always makes me wonder what happened to the previous owner. Why did they give away the copy if it was a special gift to them? It's interesting to me how not only the books tell the story, but the copies themselves. What's some of the most memorable things that previous owners of your used books have left for you to discover, whether accidentally or intentional? A note perhaps, a message, or a dedication. Tell me all about it!

24 Hour Readathon: Book Recommendations

The Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon takes place this Saturday, April 25th, just a few days away. This is probably my favorite bookish event online and I finally just decided on my own stack of books! I have heard some are still looking for some options, so I thought I'd create a recommendations list. You still have four days to get them! Now these books are here for three reasons: 1. I loved them. 2. I enjoyed my time as I was reading them. 3. They are all fast-paced page turners.

Graphic Novels and Comic Books

These ones are great to add to your pile. They are the perfect ones to pick up when you are in the hours of the readathon when you feel blah or exhausted. There's pictures for one, so it's so much fun to look at the art. They are also usually very short and quickly paced, that it's easy for anyone to go through them.

• Watchmen by Alan Moore (graphic novel)
• The Sandman by Neil Gaiman -(horror comic book series)
• Y: The Last Man - (comic book series)
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (graphic novel)
• Marvels by Kurt Busiek - If you want to get into the Marvel universe and its expansive world, start with this. It will introduce you to the world and to the characters. It's a fantastic introduction. It was a series of comic books, but is now compiled together in graphic novel format. 

Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction

Generally, Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction are relatively shorter compared to adult novels. They're perfect for readathons in my opinion.

• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (a sweet contemporary) 
• Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson (contemporary young adult)
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery (children's classic?) This is also an awesome re-read! You discover something new everytime. 
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (fantasy middle grade - for all ages for sure!) 
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman (contemporary young adult)

Non-Fiction

I always say I don't read a lot of non fiction, but I guess that's not true. I enjoy non fiction and memoirs a lot, but they have to be incredibly engrossing for me!

• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer 
• The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson 
• If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young by Kurt Vonnegut - a collection of Vonnegut's inspiring speeches 

Fiction Page Turners that I Recommend

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (sci fi dystopian)
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (mystery)
• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (classic mystery)
• Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (chic lit) 

That's it for my recommendations. If you notice, there's no classics or modern classics on here! For me, I find them mentally time consuming, so I wasn't sure if I could include a solid recommendation. That's funny though, because some of the books in my own pile are modern classics! I'll show them later on this week. Also, if you have a twitter, blog, or instagram, leave them below so I can follow you on the day of the readathon! If you have other recommendations also, let me know. 

WANT. THESE. NOW.

I've been very good when it comes to buying books. I do not remember the last time I splurged on books or did a huge haul. I usually get my copies from the library through my Kindle, or buy used copies from the used bookstore which usually cost less than $6. However, I am a bibliophile and a book hoarder no matter what I do, and when I saw this edition, I was just like, "TAKE MY MONEY!"

See them here

But you know what's even crazier than these elegant little black books? PINK BOOKS.

I saw them on here

Aren't they so simple, beautiful, and understated?? Sigh. The temptation is real. What are some of the recent editions you just absolutely want to have? Let me know so I can feel better about myself and my need for these beauties. 

Book Guilt Part Deux

Last year, I put up a post on books I probably should have read already but haven't. I've since fixed that and read three out of that list - The Picture of Dorian Gray, Into the Wild, and Lolita. I am happy I did so, because I liked all three, especially The Picture of Dorian Gray. Today, I figured I would go ahead and list down a few of the books I'm guilty I haven't read yet, even though I've always wanted to. Here's to hoping I tackle on them this year.

• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Animal Farm by George Orwell

Now there's a ton more books that I haven't read like Moby Dick for example, but I honestly don't feel like reading it in general, so I'm not including it on the list. These titles are here because I've always wanted to read them. I just haven't yet.

What are some of the books you are ashamed you have never read? 

If I had a superpower, it'd be to read all the books at once.

So many books, so little time. This is such a usual thing for readers to say. We have piles of books stacked, unread, and we could only wish we could pick all of them up at the same time and read them all. Sadly that may be an impossible feat.

I am halfway through In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larson, which is highly engaging, and I had no plans of stopping, but then my public library emails me. The said email let me know that Americanah, a book I have been wanting to read for a while, is finally available for me to download on my Kindle. I get serious anxiety when that happens, because I almost want to yell, "No! I'm not ready yet. I'm still working on one book!"

Because I felt torn, I went on twitter and said this.

Then, surprise surprise. Erik Larson himself tweeted back. 

I ended up choosing to finish In the Garden of the Beasts, because how could I say no after this awesome response? So how do you decide which one to read first, which one to read next? Have you ever been in my position wherein you get anxious over choosing which one to pick up? And have you had any memorable interactions with authors through social media? I'd love to know.

the weekend that was.

I had a pretty good weekend. Not only was the #bluebooks campaign for World Autism Awareness day/month a huge success, I also had complete days off, which was perfect as it gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted, and also have the choice do nothing at all.

On Saturday, I spent the afternoon taking a walk with my dog. It was 65 degrees and the sun was out, a perfect spring day in my opinion. We eventually sat on the grass at a nearby park and there, I enjoyed an iced coffee and a new book. I'm starting this historical mystery, The Man from Berlin by Luke McCallin, which surrounds a murder of a German officer and is told from the point of view of a military intelligence officer who's assigned to the case. 

On Easter sunday, it proved that the Bay Area has such unpredictable weather. I woke up in the morning and it was raining. I love listening to the rain, so it was a perfect way to start the day. I also was able to have the "luxury" of breakfast - something I never get to have on a daily basis. I made sunny side up eggs, toast with peanut butter and bananas, pieces of cantaloupe, two biscuit cookies, and of course, coffee. It was quiet in the house and it was probably one of the most peaceful mornings I've had in a while. 

How was your weekend? Did you get some reading done at all? I hope you did, and that your easter sunday was just as relaxing as mine.

#BlueBooks for World Autism Awareness

April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day and as a teacher for some children with autism, I wanted to recognize the day. I also find it important to spread the word about it. Since I'm neither rich nor famous, I decided to go about that through something I know most about: books.

I went ahead and asked as many book lovers as possible online to spread awareness by taking photos of their books with blue covers. Then, I asked them to post them up on Instagram and use the hashtags: #WorldAutismAwarenessDay and #bluebooks. 

I only started messaging people the night before, and could not have imagined that it was going to be so successful. I received an overwhelming response and over 400 participated. The hashtag #bluebooks is insane, and its participants are still increasing by the minute, because that is the power of social media after all.

just some from the hundreds of participants yesterday for #bluebooks

In the grand scheme of things, posting about books is such a small gesture. Doing this alone can not make a difference. However, I believe it is an effort to get people to pay attention. To listen. By seeing that sea of blue, they will wonder about it first. Then, they will ask questions. This effort easily spreads awareness, encourage conversations, and push people to start educating themselves more. These things will shed a much-needed clearer light on the disorder that is heavily misunderstood. My hope is that someday, we will all  be more educated about it and compassionate, and that the misconceptions about people with autism are erased. 

Having said that, I had the most inspiring day. I have been told so many stories related to autism yesterday from people who have it, or who know family members/friends/colleagues who have it. There were also a few who asked for more information as they weren't as aware of it. It was eye-opening.

Because it is Autism Awareness month, I would love #bluebooks to keep going. If you have instagram at all, please join us as it's not too late to post your photos. Tag me @jillmray so I can easily find you and follow me because giveaways will be hosted later on. 

Follow me on Instagram

Look at the rest from the #bluebooks hashtag

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Rating: 4 stars

In this non-fiction book, the author, Erik Larson, takes us back to 1893 during the Chicago World's Fair, the very first fair in the country. This fair was where the very first Ferris Wheel was built as well as other carnival-related activities that we still have today. In this book, the author focuses on two people - a man who was the architect behind the fair and then H.H. Holmes, who is infamously known as the serial killer who used the popularity of the fair to lure people into his hotel to kill them. 

All I can say is this author sure has some talent! This book about this specific time in American history was so incredibly well-researched and well-written, but not only that. He was able to tell it in a way that is engrossing and absorbing. I could not stop reading! It was dark, grim, and reads like a history book, but even non-history buffs will appreciate his style as he tells it as if it is a fictional narrative. If only every non-fiction out there is like this, I think more people would read from the broad genre.

I do have to say one thing: I was most definitely more fascinated by the Holmes side of the story. While I cared and liked knowing more about the process of setting up the fair, I think the architect's part in the story dragged on too much. There were too many details, but I think that this is another thing fans of the book loved about this, so to each his own.

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Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this book. It was informational and entertaining at the same time. It was excellently written and was so fascinating that after reading this, I went on to watch documentaries and read more articles based on this historical time. It's an interesting look into such a popular (and yet surprisingly not as talked about) part of American history, and to look at two completely different human beings. I highly recommend reading this book if you like non fiction, if you're interested in history, or just want something different than your usual picks.

(sort of unrelated, but if you watch American Horror Story, don't you think this Holmes' storyline could be a good story for season 5?? They said it was going to be focused on a hotel, and the only clue they gave the viewers was a top hat... which Holmes wore all the time. Just a thought!)