My Summer Reading List

The sun is shining, the temperature is rising, the bugs are buzzing, and I decided it's an ideal time to sit indoors and organize my reading plan.  I spent the past few days googling lists of books trying to sort out a few that I wanted to read this summer.  I jotted down ten titles and then painfully whittled them down to six, a goal possibly attainable. When making this list, I focused on a getting a diverse set of well-written books.  This isn't ordered in any particular way, I have yet to decide which one to start with.

• Breakfast At Tiffany's by Truman Capote.  The goings on of a female city socialite narrated by a man who is a tenant in the same apartment complex.  I'm not quite sure what to expect out of this novella, but Capote's work is well respected for his mastery of prose.  This novella seems to be mainly character driven, so I'll be getting a taste of that.
• The Postman by David Brin.  Set in post-apocalyptic America, a cold and hungry man finds a United States Postal uniform, and sack of mail and poses as a post man for food and supplies but also gives hope to the people.  I've read that the touching plot is what makes it worth reading.  I know there is a movie out there with Kevin Costner, but surprisingly I've never seen it.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey.  A man fakes insanity to escape a prison sentence and instead goes into an insane asylum.  I've seen the movie and now I'm even more excited to read the book. 
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.  Through he eyes of five Russian aristocratic families we see the story of Russia during the Napoleonic era.  The book delves into many philosophical discussions along as a historical narrative.  I am pretty sure I'll save this book for last and will likely finish it sometime before I die.  War and Peace is one of the longest books ever written somewhere over a whopping 560,00 words.
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie.  A detective murder mystery that investigates the death of Roger Ackroyd, if you didn't catch that in the title.  Agatha Christie is considered the best of the best when it comes to detective murder mysteries, so I hear.  On top of that this novel is considered her best work. So I deduce that when it comes to detective fiction, this novel the best of the best of the best.
• Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.  A story about a boy growing up in Ireland who discovers that he wants to be writer and his struggles grow as an artist.  This story is suspected to be semi-autobiographical of James Joyce's own life.  It's said the style of writing in this novel is spectacular; that's why I'm reading it. 

I sure have my work cut out for me.  After I finish each book I'll do a review and analysis post.  For the lack of content in the last couple of months, I apologize.  I'll be getting back to my three posts a month in June.


Have you read any of these books? If so what did you think? What's on your reading list? Which book do you think I should start with?  Answer in the comments below or tweet me @mandycalvin .  I love feedback.

60 Uses for a Fork: Divergent Thinking Practice

This challenge is an indirect writing exercise.  Indirect because I'm not actually going to write but it's a practice in creative/divergent thinking which is the life source of fictional writing.  I was inspired by RSA's video Changing Education Paradigms.  They mentioned a test in which they asked people to think up as many uses as they can for a paper clip.  Some could come up with 200 unique uses.  I've always been meaning to give it a try just for the fun of it.  However, instead of a paper clip I'm going to use a fork.  This exercise is untimed and you stop when you can't think of any more ideas. It's also fun to set a number goal or to make it a game between friends to see who can come up with the most uses.  Feel free to try it yourself with whatever object you wish.  If you post your list on a blog or website please leave a link below in the comments.  I'd be great to see all the ideas you guys come up with. 

April Fool

We writer's can be so cruel to our characters can't we?  We just dump them into a world of terrible conflict.  Anyways, happy April Fools Day!  What pranks do you have up your sleeve today?  Tell me about it in the comments below.

Mandy Calvin

Out in the Rain

Some days it rains
In a unpredictable way
During those days
I watched the downpour from inside
But I was soaked
With all of my limitations
But not today,
I will not remain indifferent
Into the storm
I go, my eyes looking forward
I am still soaked
But by rain water, not by tears

 

All comments, question, and constructive criticism are welcome. Thank you for reading and watching.

Sip of Iced Tea

Today I'm going to write a short story inspired by The One-Minute Writer's prompt for Friday: Lie

 It was one of those days, when the sky was perfectly clear and the sun was ridiculously bright.  Just by looking the world would seem to be a warm and inviting place.  In the reality of standing amiss the bright light it was frigidly cold.  The wind would hit it gust so violent that your very soul was knocked out of you.   I scurried from my car, battling the mischievous wind to keep my skirt from flying up.  Any onlooker watching would see a much less graceful version of Marilyn Monroe.   Finally I reached the doors of a familiar restaurant and entered.

   I was here in part monthly ritual concocted years ago in which my three closest friends and I would meet for lunch or dinner no matter what.  When they (being all three since I was apparently the last to arrive) saw me, a clamor of squealing and laughter arouse to greet me. I hugged and politely said hello to everyone then sat in the remaining chair at the table.  We ordered our food before commencing to talk.

   Janet, not able to contain herself, started talking about her upcoming wedding that we all were already aware of.  Her fiancée had proposed no less that a month ago.  I happily listened as she blabbered about color schemes and dreamy marital plans.  Kelsey was next talking about her job, then Hannah about how her houses seems to be falling apart with a recent termite infestation.  Janet turned to me and commented that I was awfully quiet today.  I shrugged.   Hannah asked me, "So how's life going for you?" 

   I smiled on the outside.  Inside I reflected on how terrible I really felt.  This past month a multitude of small incidents seemed to conspire against me.  I felt so frustrated with myself as I go through the daily grind of life.  I feel like I'm going nowhere, that all this effort I put into making a better future is hopeless.  I don't remember what the epicenter of this quake of misery was.  I just feel the aftershocks.  I looked into the eyes of my friends, with a feeling that they would not understand especially since I don't completely understand.  Nobody likes a whiner.
   I took a sip of iced tea and said, "I'm doing good."

Things You Shouldn't Write on a Card

Ah, Valentines Day, the official day of material affection.  Numerous cards, flowers, and chocolates are exchanged between sweethearts on this day and many people find it a swell time to get engaged or married.  Commercials and ads are in full swing suggesting that their product will be the best gift for your valentine.

What I find unappealing about this whole charade is how unoriginal it all is.  It's like one giant cliché in a 24-hour period.  There are 324 other days that are probably way more meaningful to you and that special someone than February the 14th.  Aside from everyone deciding to be especially affectionate on the same day, they are all doing it the same way: Roses, chocolate, balloons, teddy bears, hearts, cupids, red and pink everywhere, ect.  Bleh

However, if you must do something on Valentines Day, please try to put your own twist on it.  Cards are the easiest things that can be very personal.  You can hand make them and write what ever you desire.  There is an art to card writing.  A good card is brief, poetic, personal, and heartwarming.  I've written up a few examples of what you shouldn't write in a card.: 

·    Sweet heart, you are so lucky to be my Valentine.

·    Roses are red . . . you know the rest

·    We are meant for each other, like a criminal in prison.

·    There are a lot of fish in the ocean but you aren't a fish. You're more like a really awesome dog.

·    I almost forgot to send this card, but my e-calendar reminds me of these little things.

·    You are the most beautiful person, on the outside.

·    I believe that love is the romanticization of the chemical reaction responsible for the procreation of our species.  I would be delusional if I said I love you, but I truly want to procreate with you.

·    You are worth a lot to me, especially your wallet

·    I owe all my joy to you and $5 for this card and the chocolates

·    I'm not inspired enough to write this card myself, that is why I bought a pre written Hallmark card to express how much I care for you.

·    Love is definitely blind

Any ways, on a serious note, your card, for whatever holiday would mean a lot more to someone the more personal it is.  If you're reading my blog you more or less likely to be a writer/ poet so this shouldn't be so hard.  Write up a memory of when you first met or a poem or if you're more artistically inclined draw something.  Make it something that only you can do and means something to the other person.  Sometimes the best gift is you.  Spending time together could be worth more than any object.

Happy Early Valentines Day,

Mandy Calvin

Do you have any (appropriate) funny things that shouldn't be in a card?  If you do please share them in the comments.

In the Arctic

I have been watching animal planet a lot recently.  Watching the simple life of animals is a refreshing break from action packed, super explosion movies drugged up on special affects.  On a few of the animal shows I found myself poking fun at the narration.  Some of the things the narrator said were melodramatic and/or cheesy.  It really took away from the sincerity of story being filmed.  I think there is a lesson in that.  When you have story, don't try to force more drama than there is.  Let it be, as the Beatles so nicely put it.  Tell the story the way it is and it will be more realistic than phony.

I hope you enjoyed my little comic and I would love for you to check out other comics, poems, and stories on this blog.  All comments and constructive criticism are welcome.

Yours Truly,

Mandy Calvin