Hello, dear wordsmiths.
If you love writing, I know you love reading.
Image from Unsplash, by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova.
Facebook recently showed me a memory of a ‘challenge’ that did the rounds a few years ago: to post, one a day, the seven most significant books you ever read. Not quite the same thing, perhaps, as the ones you loved the best – but in my case hard to disentangle the two lists.
My most loved and significant book is probably The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I haven’t re-read it all that often – though I have, of course. (Re-reading favourites has to count as one of life’s great pleasures.) I’m more inclined to dip into it here and there, for my favourite bits. But every time I see it, I’m filled with joy. I want to pick it up and hug it to my heart. (I often do.)
Yet I say ‘probably’. Don’t I know?
Well, there are so many different kinds of books. The Young Adult Fantasy novels of Holly Black are huge favourites in that genre, and that is very likely my favourite genre. [Sub-genre? Combined genre?] But what about poetry? I’ll never fall out of love with Yeats, or Dylan Thomas, or Neruda, or Mary Oliver, or Sylvia Plath (and how different they all are!). Probably my very favourite is still the Australian, Michael Dransfield. For fiction, it might be truer to say I have favourite authors. But The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is another favourite book – somewhat like The Little Prince, being a lovely fable – whereas I am less enamoured of his others.
I’m sure you could wax eloquent about your own best-loved books, and I invite you to do so.
The (optional) prompt: Your mission for today, should you choose to accept it, is to be inspired by a favourite book or books – to describe it/them, and/or the effect on you; or to retell the story; or to invent a sequel, a prequel or an alternate ending; or to attempt something in that style; or to let it lead you in some other new direction of your own. Don't forget to tell us the source of your inspiration!
And if you don’t choose to do any of the above, we’ll welcome whatever else you care to write and share.
You know the drill: poetry or prose; one entry per person; prose limited to 369 words max, excluding title; link below to your blog post (not just your blog); visit and comment on others’ offerings; drop us a quick line here too. The prompt stays open all week.
Next week: Magaly will invite us to write poetry or prose inspired by the following lines: “be genuine / in life and ink / rebel against hypocrisy” (from one of her blackout poems).
Reminder: If Blogger insists you must post anonymously, please add your name in the text or in a follow-up post.
Wow...that's a blast from the past. Michael Dransfield. I had actually forgotten him. Marvellous poet and Paddington/Darlinghurst party tragic...like we all were in those days...sigh! Enjoy the long weekend. Bloody freezing here in Sydney.. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI was in Melbourne, myself. And a little older, exploring marriage and motherhood instead. But I'm glad I'm not the only one here who knows Dransfield's work.
DeleteIt's feeling bloody cold here, too! Actually 4 degrees lower than Sydney temp at present (I just checked). However, doing what I can to stay warm. Trust you are too.
I was recently gifted a copy of The Little Prince in Spanish. It's been a while since I read it in my native language. I think I will now (thanks a bunch for the nudge, Rosemary).
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteI have more books in my home than I'll ever read. When I retired from teaching my office was filled with texts from other disciplines. Other profs would give them to me, given to them by book salespeople and now out of date.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was on Human Anatomy, from it I learned.
I also was admitted to a U.S. Army 43 week school in electronics, radars, and computers for learning to gain proficiency in NIKE Hercules Fire Control System Maintenance. Upon my discharge, without a degree, I was hired as an Aerospace Engineer from having experience and being third in my class ranking at the school.
I like books, better still, I should read more.
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Jim,
https://jimmiehov6.blogspot.com/2022/06/writing-books-author-tutors-my-life.html?m=0
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Ha ha, I too am inclined to pile up more books than I'll ever read. I'm currently doing a bit of a cull – but only of the paper books. Now they are piling up as ebooks on my devices instead. It is terrible to think I might not get to read them all – but it would be even more terrible to run out of books to read!
DeleteI inserted your blog in my list https://sintrabloguecintia.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAh, I see that comment was addressed to Jim. We don't mind a bit if you decide to participate with this community too! (By following the instructions at the end of this post ('You know the drill' etc.).
DeleteCouldn't get into site, so you can find mine at: https://purplepeninportland.com/2022/06/11/alice/
ReplyDeleteOh dear! This must be getting extremely annoying! I suppose you've phoned your service provider, the manufacturer of your device, and have posted questions on your blogging forum? (Yes I know, but I had to ask just in case.) I hate to tell you, but this link produced for me a statement that it did not match any documents! I am going to try going to your blog home rather than the specific post.
DeleteHooray, that got it! And now I have been able to post the specific link successfully to Mister Linky. In future, please send me your links and I'll add them. Or, first, try not including the https:// because that wasn't showing up in the url at your post and I didn't use it.
DeleteThanks, Rosemary. I will give it a try.
Delete“The Little Prince” was the answer to the Final Jeopardy clue one day last week about being translated into the most languages. I hope younger generations are being introduced to it.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! And I hope so too.
Delete