a lifestyle blog for book lovers

My favorite finds from around the web:

Making the road safer: the power of words. “I wrote a letter to the magazine’s editor, criticizing the journalist’s use of this cruel comment. I said I had a daughter with Asperger’s who was an empathetic and caring girl (she was that way at age 8 and still is). Then I said I would never read this magazine again (which I haven’t), and I ended by saying that if the writer wanted to call me to apologize, here was my phone number. Much to my surprise … she called me.”

How to raise a creative child. Step one: Back off. “Hear that, Tiger Moms and Lombardi Dads? You can’t program a child to become creative. Try to engineer a certain kind of success, and the best you’ll get is an ambitious robot.”

Excuse me, but your book is too long (and your movie is too short). “I find, as a reader, that sometimes I’m half way through a non-fiction book and start to feel antsy. I think “hm. I think I know where they’re going with this.” Then I read a chapter more, just to see if anything new comes up, but often it’s just variations on a theme. And at that point, it gets tossed into the teetering tower of Great Books I Didn’t Finish Reading next to my bed.”

Watch: Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin Find Love in ‘Me Before You’ Trailer. “The first trailer for “Me Before You,” based on the novel by Jojo Moyes, debuted Wednesday, giving fans of the novel a sneak peak at the feature film directed by Thea Sharrock.”

Favorite instagram:

book stack nightstand

It gets a little out of hand sometimes. (Follow me on instagram @annebogel.)

On the blog: 

• One year ago: 7 books that changed the way I live, love, and parent.

• Two years ago: The work that makes more of you.

• Three years ago: Maybe I should read less.

• Four years ago: Quick fashion tip: Spend to your weakness.

Have a great weekend!

11 comments

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  1. Jeannie Reid says:

    Isn’t it funny how a trailer for a movie will make the book more appealing? I just never got excited about ME BEFORE YOU…and then I saw the trailer. Whoa. I need to read this story. Also, I love the quote raising a creative child. Have you read or heard of THE GIFT OF FAILURE by Jessica Lahey? Probably the most important parenting book I’ve read in years!

    • Courtney says:

      Same here…it’s been on my TBR for ages, but as soon as I saw the trailer I reserved a copy at the library. I’ll be picking it up today, along with a box of Kleenex.

  2. Jaime says:

    Anne, if that picture is of your stack of library books currently checked out you made my day. I’ve taken a little grief from a few snarky librarians who asked recently if I actually read all of the books I check out. So glad to see someone else has a not so small mountain of library books! (And the snarky librarians? One reason I cheered when the library instituted check yourself out stations.)

  3. Rachel says:

    Thanks for sharing the “your book is too long post.” I can completely relate! I rarely dive into nonfiction to start, so I get frustrated when I’m less than halfway through one and realize I have no desire to finish it. Maybe it’s not just me : )
    Also agree that it can go the other way with movies that are unnecessarily drawn out. Harry Potter is the only one I’ve seen so far that justified two movies for one book.

  4. Phaedra says:

    The “your book is too long post”? YES! I agreed with everything about it. (This is exactly why, although I finish non-fiction, I didn’t give rave reviews to Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly. Loved the ideas, hated the repetitive nature.)

  5. Alicia says:

    Haha! I thought I was the only one that didn’t always finish non fiction because I completely saw where the author was going. I tend to lose interest and the desire to finish. Glad to know I’m not the only one ! 🙂

  6. René says:

    I read Me Before You not long ago but had no idea a movie was in the works, now I’m sitting here blubbering after watching the trailer.

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