Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Let's BookTalk: Jennifer Donnelly's Lost in a Book

from Goodreads.com
So, we all know the story of Beauty and the Beast. Belle, a strong and intelligent young woman from a French village, takes her father’s place as a prisoner at the castle of the Beast, a vapid prince who was cursed by an enchantress. They fall in love, go through conflict, overcome the conflict, and then live happily ever after.

Jennifer Donnelly’s Lost in a Book, tells the story of what happened while Belle was a “prisoner” of the Beast, as well as gives us a glimpse of why the enchantress cursed the peace and who she really is.

“Reading became my sanctuary,” Belle continued. “I found so much in those books. I found histories that inspired me. Poems that delighted me. Novels that challenged me…” Belle paused, suddenly self-conscious. She looked down at her hands, and in a wistful voice, said, “What I really found, though, was myself.” (p. 19)

After the Beast gives Belle the library and all its collection, Belle discovers a book within the library that shows her a world of adventure, knowledge, and freedom. However, the enchantress who created the book, Madame …, is more than she seems.

Love and Death are in a competition that has gone on since the beginning of time. Love, believes the Beast can be saved and that Belle will be the one who saves him, through love. Death, knows she is all powerful, because sooner or later, everyone journeys with death. And so, Belle and Beast are caught in the middle of the ongoing game of Love versus Death.

“Love is not for cowards.” (p. 111)


“Something There" from Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Friday, June 9, 2017

Let's Booktalk: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Book cover taken from Goodreads.com

“If I’m at a party where I’m not enjoying myself, I will put some cookies in my jacket pocket and leave without saying good-bye.” from Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

Sometimes you just need to have a conversation with yourself about where you fit in, in your life. Other times you need to share your revelations about what you've learned from trying to fit in and make it in this world.

Mindy Kaling is a writer, actress, comedian, daughter, and so much more. Or at least that is what she shows you throughout her memoir regarding growing up, trying to make it as a comedian in the "Big Apple," and dealing with the monster that is fame.


Giving us nuggets of truth and morsels of comedy that only the reality that is life can bring you, Mindy takes the reader on a journey through snippets of her life whether she comes off as a bad ass or the poster child for the definition of "awkward".