Month: May 2018

4 Books for $4 – Thrift Store Haul!

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ Leave a comment

Instead of parades and BBQs, I spent part of Memorial Day in a thrift store. 50% off everything, it was a madhouse. I had to climb over some people just to get to the book section. One of my favorite things is cheap books. You know, a brand new, hard cover book can cost about $20-$30 bucks. But if you rummage through all the used books, you can find some gems, in decent condition, for only a few dollars.

Yes, you read that title right. I bought four books for less than five dollars! It’s a literary miracle. Check out what I found at the thrift store.

Title: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Cost: $1.25

Condition: Near Excellent

 Short Summary: “She took 1930s New York by storm, working her way up at R.H. Macy’s to become the highest paid advertising woman in the country. Now it’s the last night of 1984 and Lillian is on her way to a party. On a 10-mile walk through the city she reviews her life, illuminating all the ways her world has changed ― and has not.”

Why Did I Buy This?: Being a New Yorker myself, I’m a lover of stories set in New York City. Also, I know I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but I’m sorry, that cover is very pretty.

Title: Grendel by John Gardner

Cost: Like .75 cents

Condition: It’s a little bent and beat up, but overall, not horrible.

 Short Summary: Grendel is a 1971 novel by American author John Gardner. It is a retelling of part of the Old English poem Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist, Grendel. In the novel, Grendel is portrayed as an antihero.

Why Did I Buy This?: Because I read Beowulf in college. And I was interested in a reinterpretation on an epic epic.

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Titles: The Hound of Baskervilles and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Cost: Both cost $1 each!

Condition: Perfect condition!

 Short Summary: The Hound of the Baskervilles is the third of the crime novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1893

Why Did I Buy This?: I can’t resist anything Sherlock Holmes related. I have the casebook of Holmes, but not the memoirs. Also, both books came with fantastic illustrations!

The rest of today was spent making too much lasagna and tackling a ton of work writing. Very patriotic. Also, very stressful. Seriously, I’m up to my eyeballs in work and tomato sauce.

How’d you guys spend your Memorial Day weekend? Hopeful, you all had way more fun than I did. And what do you think about my thrift store finds?

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.

“Can You Name a Book?” – A PSA To Read Books!

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 4 Comments

While falling down one of those YouTube Rabbit holes, I stumbled across a video that gave me a knot in my stomach. There was a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live the other night where his crew asks random people walking on the street questions. Hilarious responses usually follow.

According to a study by the PEW Research Center, 1 in 4 Americans has not read a book in the past year. That’s an astounding statistic.

So, passersby were asked to name any book title. What was even more crazy than the statistic were the answers some of these people said. Most could not think of any book they have read. Now, I understand, being put on the spot and not being able to think of something. However, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed at those who just laugh and say “I don’t read books.”

Seriously?

Here is a link to the video below.

Fudge. So that happened.

If that isn’t a public service announcement for reading, I don’t know what is.

At least Dr.Seuss is mentioned by multiple folks. That’s somewhat reassuring, I suppose.

Please don’t let this be the generation that just doesn’t read books. Books are the closest thing we have to real magic. There are stories that just leave an impact on your life and on your heart.

I’ll leave it to Mr. Ernest Hemingway who said “There is no friend as loyal as a book”

Bookworms unite! In the comments below, name a book. Any book. Also, let me know your thoughts on this video. I love to hear from you guys.

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.

 

 

The Wizard and His Lady (Part Four)

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 3 Comments

The Wizard and His Lady

[Part One]

[Part Two]

[Part Three]

[Part Four]

     The lake, the forest, the entire world fell silent once again. The fog enveloped the Wizard. The wind settled into a gentle breeze. His shoulders slumped; He slowly walked along the lake’s shore. The air whispered softly against his ear.

     “I have trust in you, and the legacy you believe in”

     As the mist cleared, the Lady appeared once again, this time with the sword in her hands. “An unbreakable weapon, forged by daybreak’s first light for a noble and brave warrior.” She offered the sword to him, entrusting the enchanted blade in his care. “I bestow Excalibur onto you, for your precious king. May he never know defeat. May his heart never break. May his courage never falter.”

     The Wizard held the sword carefully in his hands, admiring the gold embellishments on the hilt and the carving of vines and flowers on the blade. He gave his thanks to the maiden of the lake. As he turned to take his leave, the Lady spoke once again. “We will meet again, great Wizard.”

     He pressed his lips into her hand, his words like a vow. “We will always meet again, my lady.”

     Years passed. In a distant land, a war raged on. Valiant warriors were slaughtered like livestock. Snow began to fall, coating the forest in a layer of white emptiness.

      The Lady waited for the Wizard’s return.

    Then, a knight in battle torn armor approached the lake. He held the magic sword, drenched in the blood of combat, and offered the weapon to the clouded water. The Lady revealed herself swiftly. The knight collapsed to his knees in anguish.

     “The king of Camelot has fallen in battle” He announced in utter despair. “His dying wish was to return the sword to it’s rightful place. To you, fair lady.”

“What of the Great Wizard?” She asked with a note of dread in her voice.

The knight shook his head; the surface of the lake trembled.

 [End]

Writing Prompt Weekend #19: Pastries on the Playground.

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ Leave a comment

“So, there we were, just eating pastries on the playground.”

Keep the story going

In honor of Mother’s Day, here is a direct quote from one of my mom’s long winded stories. It was her birthday recently, and some of the other teachers aides at the school she works at brought her a bunch of sweets. This image of her and her friends watching kids play while they munch on like, a cannoli and crumb cake, makes me laugh.

To every kind of mother out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.

The Wizard and His Lady (Part Three)

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 6 Comments

The Wizard and His Lady

[Part One]

[Part Two]

[Part Three]

[Part Four]

     A small smile graced her pale lips. “Chivalry extends to men of magic as well, I see.” The maiden turned away from the wizard. Her gaze traveled from the blooming waterlilies to where the sword was held, trapped in stone under the cerulean surface. “You, Great Wizard, know the events that will come. With my treasure by his side, your king will be victorious in every battle except for his last. You are merely prolonging the inevitable.”

     With much softness, he stepped closer to her. The man attempted to reason with her. “I come as a friend. We are both creatures of magic. We both play a role in this man’s fate and-“

   “And the sword does not grant it’s wielder immortality” Her tone was sharp. A dragonfly perched on her outreached fingers. “Humans. Such fragile and insignificant lifespans.” She mused, her pale lips pursed in annoyance.”Why should I relinquish the blade? He will perish regardless.” The insect flew off as she turned to face the lake, her dainty hands clenched into fists. “I am bound to protect the sword as you are bound to protect your king.”

      The Lady disappeared into a wisp of fog. Clouds eclipsed the sun’s light. A strong gust of wind pushed through, rattling the leaves. His cloak waved furiously behind him. Despite the conjuring storm, he stood his ground. Her delicate voice became the hazy air that hissed around the Wizard.

      “…A fool to meddle in a human’s life….Insignificant…..Your precious king will fall in the end…….Inevitable.“

     A tremendous ache weighed on his heart. His disposition grew somber as he nodded gravely. “I am aware of that, sweet one. He will not endure. As the battle approaches, the King will face unimaginable scorn. I wish for the King’s reign… For his mark in time…To be remembered as an honorable one” The wizard leaned on his wooden staff as he braced against her fury intertwined with nature. “My lady… I need your trust. His life will end, that is certain. His legacy, however, will endure.”

     The lake, the forest, the entire world fell silent once again.

The Wizard and His Lady (Part Two)

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 3 Comments

The Wizard and His Lady

[Part One]

[Part Two]

[Part Three]

[Part Four]

He peered into the lake, to stare at his own reflection, and was met instead by the image of a beautiful maiden. Her eyes were the color of forgotten pearls and her hair fell into gentle waves of gold. Not startled in the slightest, he placed a hand on his heart and bowed solemnly. “My lady.” The corner of her lips curved up slightly. “I was wondering when you would show yourself.”

The leaves in the trees bristled in the wind. “Wizard” Her honeyed voice, familiar and sweet, danced in the air. “I know why you are here.”

With that, the Wizard let out a hearty laugh. “Can I not visit an old friend? I wanted to see you.” The water began to ripple. Her eyes narrowed as the reflection wavered. “Clever as always, dear one. I am in need of your assistance.”

The maiden emerged from the glass-like surface. Her skin was as pale and delicate as the water lilies surrounding the lake. Clothed in white samite, she exuded the grace of a queen entering her court. “You’ve come to take the sword, haven’t you? My treasure?” She sounded disheartened as she stood on the water with bare feet, gazing at her wizened companion.

From the water’s depths, the sword’s light radiated like a burning torch. “It seems a war is brewing. My King requires the blade’s power” He said, lifting his wrinkled face the sky and stroking his beard.

“There have been many men who have come in search of a glory they are not fit to bear.” She explained, her chin raised proudly. “Why is your beloved king not here to claim the sword for himself?”

The Wizard looked upon the Lady with great care and gentleness. “You are a lady, a most wondrous lady. You are not a conquest for the King, or any knight, to pursue. I would not allow you to be subject to false kindness or an outright assault.” His warm hand caressed her chilled skin, tracing the curve of her cheek with his thumb. “I would never allow you to be harmed, which is why I have come instead, to speak plainly with you.”

A small smile graced her pale lips. “Chivalry extends to men of magic as well, I see.” The maiden turned away from the wizard. Her gaze traveled from the blooming waterlilies to where the sword was held, trapped in stone under the cerulean surface. “You, Great Wizard, know the events that will come. With my treasure by his side, your king will be victorious in every battle except for his last. You are merely prolonging the inevitable.”

Sorry for being MIA, been super busy lately. Hope you guys enjoy part two!

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.