My Year in Book Titles

Happy New Year's Eve, folks!

via GIPHY

2016 is knocking on the door and waiting not-so-patiently for us to welcome it in. But we'd just be rude hosts if we didn't take at least a moment to remember all the good times we've had with 2015.

*cues up "Through the Years" and tries to make it not-so-plural*

And, for someone like myself, who spends most of her reflective time staring at the calming, peaceful sight of an overcrowded bookshelf, what better way to think about these last twelve months than through the tomes I so adore?

So, based solely on their lovely titles, here's what 2015 looked like for me....

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Okay, you're up. How was your year?

Sometimes When The Curtain Falls, The Show Goes On

Hey folks! In the mood for some ghosts and ghouls this Halloween week?

I'm over at the Opera House Arts blog every day this week blogging about different folks who have made the after-life decision to spend all their time in theatres. I don't know about you, but I can see the appeal...

New Year, New Whole Bucket of Things

Happy 2015 everyone!

I haven't quite wrapped my head around the new year yet. Even knowing that's what this post was going to be about, I still wrote "2014" in that greeting the first time around. It gets me every damn time.

Hope everyone's celebrations were wonderful. I, for one, have been catapulted into all sorts of newness by the beginning of 2015. In the last week, I have moved ten hours further north and started a new job. I am both freezing and excited and half the time can't tell which feeling is prompting the shaking. But since the shaking is happening, regardless of the reason, I figure I might as well just go full out and dance.

To that end, I offer you five of my favorite "new beginning" songs. Some involve saying hello, some goodbye - but they all either make sing along or get my feet tapping, sometimes both.


Children Will Listen (from Into the Woods)

This probably would have made the list even if I hadn't just seen the movie.

Since I have - and have listened to the Broadway soundtrack recently - it's

likely that I will never again not have this song in my head. 

Uncharted (Sara Bareilles)

The Morning Comes (Delta Rae)

The Parting Glass (Irish/Scottish Traditional Song)

The New World (from Songs for a New World)

If you have any to add, let's see them in the comments! I want to know what newness you guys having coming up this year.

Christmas Cheats

As my mania is well documented here on the blog, it's not very surprising that I'm already biting at the bit for Christmas movies. I try to keep myself on a strict schedule - no holiday movies or music until Thanksgiving. I do this more for other people than myself...well, it's a little bit for myself, seeing as I'd like to keep my friends.

But once Santa comes riding down the street in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, all bets are off. 

I'm generally able to hold off until the aforementioned acceptable start time, but sometimes the insanity stirs early. Especially when I'm in the process of planning the RAINN Down Hope fundraiser. I don't know that anything puts me in the right frame of mind for the holidays as quickly or completely as dealing with all the generous and kind people involved in the dinner - whether they attendees, donors or supporters. 

Seriously, every email, text or tweet I get makes my heart grow three sizes. At this point, it's about 89,613 times larger than it should be, but them's the breaks. The real issue is that now I want to watch a Christmas movie. 

As there's only a week left until I can do and feel no guilt for rushing the season, I'm going to be breaking in to my cheat movies:

1. The Shop Around the Corner

2. When Harry Met Sally

3. While You Were Sleeping

4. Michael

5. You've Got Mail

All movies with Christmas scenes and themes, that give me the fix I need without actually being Christmas movies. 

Another great outlet for my crazy?

Making up this year's Christmas movie calendar! (I exercised great restraint in putting only one exclamation point there. You're welcome.)

Let me know if you'll be "joining" me for any of the movies. We can tweet-chat during. 

Now, all that's left is the countdown until next Thursday when I officially start to see the world through my Christmas eyes. Spoiler alert: they turn you all into claymation. It's awesome. 

Embracing the Creep-Out

Happy Halloween, ghouls and goblins!

Today is the day to embrace your fears, so I've decided to share a few of mine. To keep this list manageable I'm not including spiders and clowns. For one, I've already talked about them and their creepiness factors, but also, show me someone who is not at least mildly rattled by those two things and I will show a robot from the future sent back to destroy us all.

The rest of these are less cut and dry. Let me know if you're joining me in my creep-out or if these things don't really inspire the shudders in you.


Mirrors

Ever since I was a little kid, I've found mirrors a bit unsettling. There's the standard horror movie fear - you know, glance away from the mirror and then back to find that someone is standing behind you - but I think, even bigger than that is the fear that I will still be alone in the mirror, only my reflection will now be acting of it's own free will. That I'll be looking into a mirror absentmindedly as I wash my hands and all of a sudden my reflection will start grinning back at me. At which point I would, naturally, have to burn the house down.


Windows With No Blinds or Curtains

Even if one opts out of using said blinds or curtains, I think every window should have at least one of them - and not just for the people inside. About seven years ago, I was driving through Wisconsin in the middle of the night on my way to the World Circus Museum to do research for my final undergrad research paper. For endless stretches of road, there were no street lights, but every once in awhile there would be a glow off to the side of highway. I'd glance over and it would be a straight shot into someone's living or dining or bedroom, sometimes all of the above. Big time willies. A little bit too Rear Window for my tastes.


Mascots

To say that mascots creep me out may be underselling it a bit. I don't care who the team is or what their mascot happens to be. There is nothing less likely to inspire team spirit in me than someone in a costume that fully obscures who they are coming over to dance in my personal space. When I find myself in these situation, my first instinct always seems to be to knock their comically large heads right off. This may be the reason I'm not invited to many sporting events.


Hearts Carved Into Trees

You know what I'm talking about - that age old tradition of carving ones initials next to those of one's sweetheart to demonstrate one's endless love to the world. It really gives me the willies. Forget about the environmental impact of hacking your affections into bark, this ritual begs the question: Why in the world do so many people bring knives on dates??


Other People's Dreams

This isn't an across-the-board fear. I'm sure some people's dreams are just lovely. However, I spent too many years trying to figure out why the li'l sis was mad at me in the morning only to later be told that I'd been mean to her in a dream not to be wary of people's slumbering reveries. Not to mention, well.....other reasons.


So, those are mine. What about you? Have anything you'd like to share about the things that give you the willies?

Here's some background music while you think:

Creativity Booster: National Camera Day & Festive Frames

This Sunday is National Camera Day. I'm a big fan of photos. Even more than that, I love crafts that can be done with photos. Which is why I still print off hard copy photos and will most likely be found one day living in a house made solely of pictures. It's a lot like a house of cards, only with a larger percentage of my family's smiling faces.

Also, taking craft breaks is fantastic while I'm writing. Let's me stay in a creative mind space when I hit a point in the story that needs a little extra thought. In case you find yourself both in need of a creative boost and wanting to celebrate Camera Day, here's a photo guide to a craft I've been working on:

STEP 1: Get wooden boards/frames/decorations.

 I'm fairly sure I alone could keep craft stores in business. 

STEP 2: Paint base coat. 

 For paints, I like to pick two colors - in this case, teal and orange - 

and use them, plus whatever color they make when mixed. 

Sometimes I throw in a little white paint to create a variety of shades.

STEP 3: Ritz it up.

For the top left, I used a sponge.

Bottom right, 1" painters tape is very helpful. 

STEP 4: Add photos and/or scrapbook paper.

 It's helpful to put a book on top of these as the glue dries. 

It keeps the pictures/paper from getting bubbles. Once it's dry, add a gloss varnish. 

This prevents the photos from being easily scratched or covered in finger smudges. 

I like the gloss aspect as it adds texture and shine to the project.

STEP 5: Glue frames on base boards.

 Again, I'd recommend leaving heavy books on top of these until they're dry. 

STEP 6: Paint decorations.

STEP 7: Glue decorations to frames. Step back. Enjoy.

Once the glue dries, take the books off, kick up your heels 

and read those lovely tomes. Just don't forget to glance over every 

once in awhile and enjoy your festive creations!

BONUS TIP: If you choose to drink a beverage whilst crafting, pay attention when you grab for it. This is especially important if you're daring enough to leave libation next to your paintbrush water.

Pictured: Not delicious

Monday will be a continued celebration of this fun photo day. I'll be back with a showcase of my favorite pictures from this month and I'd love to see yours. Let me know if you're posting any on Twitter!

Top 13 for 2013

13 had always been my favorite number and I can safely say that 2013 did not disappoint. I would like to present my top thirteen favorite things that happened in my life this year:

13. Learned how to make Peanut Butter Pie. (Absolutely delicious and probably will be the death of me.)  

12. Managed to pack up my whole apartment and move it to a storage unit without setting anything on fire in a fit of rage.

11. Got to read just a whole of ton of amazing books.

10. Completed the A to Z Challenge here on the blog!

9. Had the pleasure of hosting 9 fantastic authors in the airing of their Not-So-Guilty Pleasures. (Check out the side menu!)

8. Saw a wombat for the first time. Life changing.

7. Tried a bunch of new things (such as going into Manhattan to audition for the Disney cruise line on a whim. Cause, why not? I had a free Tuesday.)

6. Finished my manuscript!!! (The fact that this is coming in at number 6 is just proof of how awesome this year has been.)

5. Got to work with the lovely and talented Cora Carmack on my manuscript (thanks to Pitch Wars.)

4. Did a lot of travel both internationally and domestically.

3. Got to celebrate a bunch of engagements of friends and family (plus one wedding, so far!)

2. Helped raise a bunch of money for RAINN (final total - $11,610! People just kept donating. It was amazing!)

1. My beautiful nephew decided to grace the world with his presence.

I hope that 2013 was just a wonderful for all of you and I look forward to seeing you here next year. Because I have some high hopes for 2014. 

Happy New Year's Eve!

Holiday Ho, Ho, Horror

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of made-for-TV Christmas movies (See: this insanity). That being said, even with my blinding love of this genre, I can’t help but notice that if it wasn’t for everyone realizing the true meaning of Christmas by the end of them, some of these movies would be straight up horror flicks.

So, today, I offer you a smattering of synopses and you get to guess whether they belong to one of my beloved holiday movies or to one of my hated horror films. Answers are at the bottom. NO PEEKING.

1. Woman kidnaps man at gunpoint and proceeds to drag him blindfolded to her family’s cabin where they will be completely cut off from any technology. 

2. Man gets in car accident and wakes up in cabin, cut off from the world, with a woman who has no intention of letting him leave.

3. On the way to their holiday destination a man and his family take a short cut and pick up a young woman and her baby, a decision which changes their lives forever.

4. Man tracks woman down through letter that she sent to soldiers for the holidays. He does not tell her of his intentions, but instead slowly ingratiates himself with her family while undermining her romantic relationship.

5. With her husband away for military duty, a mother learns more about her daughter and herself than she ever expected.

6. Older man keeps tabs on younger woman, luring her into an employment opportunity before revealing the startling information he has on her.

7. Single mother and her aging uncle invite a strange man into their home and soon find that he is insinuating himself into every aspect of their lives.

8. A young couple searching for the woman’s sister find themselves at a strange motel with an even stranger proprietor.

So, how are we feeling? Jolly or jumpy?

ANSWERS:

1. Christmas: Holiday in Handcuffs
2. Horror: Misery
3. Horror: Dead End
4. Christmas: The Christmas Card
5. Horror: The Bad Seed
6. Christmas: Crazy for Christmas
7. Christmas: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
8. Horror: Psycho

RAINN Down Hope

When I first thought about organizing a fundraiser to benefit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) back in September, I figured it would be a great way to start the holiday season. I hoped to get maybe 60/65 people to attend and I was determined to go door to door to businesses until I'd gotten twenty donations. If things went really well, then maybe I'd do it again next year and aim to make the event a little bigger.

It's safe to say that I underestimated the massive generosity of people.

Saturday night over 140 people came to Molly Malone's to buy raffles for 69 donated baskets and 22 door prizes. By the end of the night, over $7500 was raised. When combined with the online donations, that is a grand total of $10260 (more than twice my original goal!) raised for RAINN.

Throughout this process I've been truly blown away by the response I've gotten. I've always believed that good outweighs bad in the world, but if I ever needed proof, I've got it.

First, the number of local and national businesses, as well as individuals, who made basket donations was staggering. If you're in the midst of holiday shopping and still looking for ideas, I'll be posting a list later this week. These authors, artists and stores all have wonderful products and are certainly worthy of patronage.

Then, there were the auction's attendees. There were a number of different groups, people from all different stages of my life, as well as some who I was meeting for the first time. They came from a variety of distances, from Maine to Pennsylvania to Virginia. I tried to speak with everyone for at least a little while and every single person who I spent time with expressed constant love and support. I was even stopped by members of the waitstaff, for handshakes and words of comfort.

Despite the darkness of the inciting incident that led to this event, Saturday night was all about the light. People cheered when others won auction baskets, regardless of whether or not they knew the winner. There were no cross words, no grievances. I was privileged to watch all these wonderful people give of their time and money, but even more impressively, of themselves.

 Getting ready for ticket sales! (Photo by Ed Johnson)

First table of baskets (Photo by Ed Johnson)

(Photo by Ed Johnson)

Long rows of generosity (Photo by Donna Schramm)

Mingling guests (Photo by Donna Schramm)

Scariest part of the evening for me. Was terrified I was going to throw up, but made

it through public speaking vomit free! (Photo by Donna Schramm)

Lucky raffle winner! (Photo by Donna Schramm)

I'm finding myself desperately searching for something bigger to say than "thank you," but I don't think the phrase exists. (Yet. I'm working on it, stay tuned.) So, again, thank you, thank you, thank you to all donors and attendees of the first RAINN Down Hope dinner and auction.

I have never been more inspired to truly embrace the spirit of the holidays.

And to answer a question I received many times the other night, we'll definitely all be getting together again next year.

Movie Madness

Happy Day After Giving Thanks! Hope you all had a phenomenal holiday and are now safely ensconced somewhere far away from crowded stores. Unless that’s something that you look forward, then I wish you all the greatest deals.

In case you are in any way the same type of crazy as me and have been counting the days until you can appropriately watch holiday themed movies without venturing into that scary “Christmas in July” territory, I’d like to present you with this year’s super nerdy – and borderline frightening – December movie schedule.

Hope you enjoy! But, really, mostly hope that you’ll forgive this display of mild insanity. After all, I did dedicate an evening just to movies staring members of the Saved By the Bell cast. That’s got to count for something, right?

The First of Many Thanks

Hello, all!

Sorry for the radio silence recently. Fundraisers and babies and weddings, oh my! I can not believe that the dinner auction is in less than two weeks and one of the weeks contains Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful kind of insanity.

Also, having the holiday coincide with my preparations is fairly appropriate. I have a whole lot to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is the amazing generosity of all the people I’ve dealt with in this process. Since some of said lovely folks are reading this, a monumental thank you for the signed books, gift certificates, artwork, and other wonderful donations. This auction is going to be beyond anything I’d imagined when starting. The baskets are taking on an awesome life of their own.

And counting!

So, thank you! I can’t wait to fill you in on all the details after everything is said and done. 

Parade Magic

Twelve years ago, my sister and I stayed over a night in Manhattan to watch my not quite one-year-old cousin (he’s going to be thirteen next week – insaneo!), so that my aunt and uncle could have a night out on the anniversary. The next day we went for a walk through Central Park before heading back home. My aunt and uncle brought us to see where all the balloons were being blown up for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

As I mentioned last year, the parade is sacrosanct to me. That being said, never once have I wanted to battle the crowds to see it in person. I like pajamas and a jump start on eating copious amounts of food and the knowledge that I do not have to stand for one second of the festivities. Cozy cushions were made for Thanksgiving morning.

The morning before Thanksgiving? Totally different. Somehow seeing all the effort that went into making the parade the basket full of awesome that it is did nothing to take away from the wonder of it all. (Not like when you find out how a particularly cool magic trick is just smoke and mirrors. Bummer.) Instead it only added to it all.

Interestingly, it inspired the same feeling as when I’m getting ready to revise a story. All the mechanical parts are there, but they appear to be just random, disconnected bits and bobs. Then you blow life into them and abracadabra. Suddenly what you have is something full of fun and whimsy. Something that’s going to make people excited and happy. Something that can be enjoyed whilst eating eggs and bacon and, maybe, a cinnamon roll. And really, isn’t that what we all want for our final product?

So, ever since then, when I’m writing, my goal is the Thanksgiving Day Parade. What do you write towards?

'Twas the Night Before The All Hallows'

'Twas the night before the All Hallows', when all through the dwelling

The dead were arising, the witches a-spelling. 

Revenants were spreading disease without care

Whilst vampires thralled mortals into their lair. 

The bats and the crows flew to the sky. 

The ghosts took turns pondering how it was they did die. 

And though in general I am not one to grouse

I did curse that which led me to this haunted house. 

The sounds from the graveyard, a terrible clatter,

First clued me in, this was no laughing matter. 

My gut started screaming, "Run away like a flash!"

But my feet wouldn't move, my legs wouldn't dash. 

Clouds surrounded the moon, giving an eerie glow. 

Light streaming through made shadows darker below. 

When, what through the mist did catch my eye

But a man dressed in rags, my throat went bone dry. 

His expression was bleary, quite haggard and worn

And I knew without words, his tale was forlorn. 

Before he spoke, a howl and screech clamored afar

No doubt a werewolf run afoul of a car. 

Oh demons! Oh harpies! Oh sneaky shapeshifters!

And vampires! Wendigos! And hitch hiking drifters!

They float up above and rise from below. 

Why I left my safe home, I'll never know. 

The dry leaves did crackle as the fellow drew nearer

The pit in my stomach grew deeper and queerer. 

His eyes spoke of madness, feral and grim

And still I could not move, damn traitorous limb. 

O'er the pounding of blood, I heard finally his voice. 

It was rusty, enthralling and left me no choice. 

I would listen to the man's story of woe,

Then, heavens be willing, unfreeze my legs and go. 

"I tricked the devil and called myself clever

No matter my sin, he would take my soul never. 

So, I lived on happily in transgression and vice

Never understanding what would be the true price. 

My hands - how they stole! My mouth - how it lied!

My knack for the cheating was a point of great pride!

In the towns where I traveled, I paid for nary a drink

And those I befriended? Their coins in my pocket did clink!

But one day I did die, as we are all wont to do

The devil, as promised, my soul did eschew. 

But here lay a problem on which I didn't count

My veniality prevented my soul from its mount. 

Safe from below, not wanted on high

My spirit was shackled, no where it could fly. 

I was bound to this earth for a life never ending

So I traveled in darkness on roads that were bending. 

Time seemed to cease, the night never quit

The laughing devil threw up an ember from his pit. 

In a hollowed-out turnip my hellfire does burn. 

And I answer to the name, Jack of the Lantern."

A banshee cried out behind me, breaking the spell

And I ran home faster than you can say "death knell."

But I heard a voice whisper as I shivered in fright,

"Enjoy All Hallows' Eve for it may be your last night."

Happy Halloween!!!

Time for Some Pi(e)

Happy Pi Day, my friends!

I hope all of you mathematically inclined folks are doing something suitably math-tastic today. Seeing as that area of study has never been my strong point, I’ll be celebrating with the other kind of pie. You know, the kind that’s delicious.

And because it’s what we do here, I’d like to present you with my favorite pie related works in a variety of mediums.

Book: The Sweetest Thing. Pie is not the only thing baking in this Jill Shalvis work, but with names like Kick-Ass Strawberry Pie and Not Your Momma’s Apple Pie, they are hard to forget.

Movie: Waitress. I honestly can’t think of a another movie that leaves me wanting pie more than this one. My reaction is Pavlovian at this point. Someone mentions this movie, I start thinking about where the nearest place is to buy pie.

Television show: Pushing Daisies time a billion. I mean, there’s not even a close runner up when it comes to TV shows featuring pie. Ned was a pie-maker who owned a pie shop shaped like a giant pie.

Play: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. If Pi Day has you overindulging, this might be what you need to rob you of your appetite. This is one pie shop that I would certainly not want to visit and probably the reason that I stay away from meat pies in general. Of course, it is quite a bit of fun seeing how long you can wait between “Fleet” and “Street” when singing along with “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd.”

Song: “American Pie.” I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just need to take an eight and a half minute dance break. Just long enough to burn off some of the calories of pie number one before I start eating pie number two.

So, how are you going to be celebrating this auspicious day?

The Many Faces of Love

The time surrounding Valentine’s Day lends itself to discussion of romantic couplings. But we’ve done enough of that here this week, so let’s end with a look at some different kinds of love.

Here are five of my favorite fictional non-romantic pairings found on TV*:

1. Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani (Friends)

Best friends who lived together, enjoyed partaking in stupid activities together, fought, made up, mimicked each other and were always ready in hard times with a helping hand and a well-timed joke. 

2. Daria Morgendorffer and Jane Lane (Daria)

A couple of outsiders who became fast friends due to their similar world views and love of deadpanning sarcastic quips. No matter what happened to them in that strange little town of Lawndale, there was never any doubt that they would remain freakin’ friends.

3. Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Though in the earlier years there was occasionally some cause for question, it was pretty clear these two were never going to be walking down the aisle. But this certainly doesn’t mean they didn’t find true love in each other. It can’t be forgotten that it was their friendship alone that managed to bring Willow back from darkness and save the world. If that’s not a strong relationship, I don’t know what is.

4. Lorelai and Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

A mother and daughter who not only loved each other, but truly liked each other. They didn’t spend time together because they felt obligated to, but because it was what they wanted. There were periods of disagreement, and sometimes even estrangement, but, much like the audience, they always knew that they would find a way to work through things. They were the most important relationship in their lives.

5. Michael and George Michael Bluth (Arrested Development)

In a family full of fairly quirky folks, these two kept each other grounded. There was no relationship that either valued more (even the FBI figured that out). Why? Because family is the most important thing. Or was that breakfast?

Have a great weekend, folks! See you back here on Tuesday.

*Because TV is one of the few mediums I haven’t discussed this week. So, it only seems fair.

Sweetly Conveying Your Love Since 1866

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like conversation hearts. What other candy can you hand to your significant other and, in the space of second, convey the romantic feelings that swell in your chest cavity?

“Be Mine”

“Sweet Talk”

“Fax Me”

Timeless messages to show your sweethearts that they are on your minds. It’s a lovely practice and one that’s been around for quite awhile, seeing as the first messages were printed on these wafers in 1866.

Gilbert even gave one to Anne in Anne of Green Gables. I mean, she crushed it under her foot, but the point is they’ve been the resource of lovers for almost 150 years. Not too shabby.

But what about all those poor couples who came before this historic creation? My heart simply breaks that they were forced to write each other long missives to get their point across. To that end I have created some hearts for those famous romantic couples of back in the day.

Odysseus and Penelope (~1164 BC)

Benedick and Beatrice (1598)

Buttercup and Westley (~1500-1800)

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet (1813)

Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre (1847)

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks! Hope it’s filled with all the conversation hearts your real heart could desire.

All You Need Is Love....and the Occasional Well Chosen Word

Music is an amazing thing. It can draw out all the same emotions a great book does, but it often doesn’t have more than a few minutes to do so. And what’s the topic that shows up with the most frequency in songs? Love.

Apparently the Beatles were right. That’s all you need. Of course, having the words to express your emotions doesn’t hurt either.

Here are my top ten songs discussing word choice, writing, reading, and possibly the most famous romantic couple in literature:

1. “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” (1937)

The sole reason this couple is on the verge of calling it quits seems to be that they disagree on the pronunciation of certain words. Now, I’m happy that they ultimately decide to stay together, but I’m also glad they understand that an issue as important as this must be discussed when embarking on a serious relationship.

2. “Love Letters” (1945)

This song holds a special place in my heart as it always reminds me of my grandparents. But it also speaks to the power of words. It doesn’t matter that the singer is alone in a desolate place, so long as she has the words given to her by the one she loves.

3. “Adelaide’s Lament” (1950)

Sometimes love doesn’t work out exactly the way you want it to. The best way to deal with this? Break out some psychology books and self diagnose. Obviously.

4. “Show Me” (1956)

Despite the power and beauty of words, occasionally a little action is necessary. If you’re looking to illustrate that point (and aren’t above a little theatricality), this is the song for you.

5. “The Star-Crossed Lovers” (1957)

Maybe you’re not in the mood for words. You’re just looking for a nice slow dance. That doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your search for the literary. Just grab your dance partner and sway along to the melancholy sounds of Duke Ellington. Romeo and Juliet may not be verbal here, but the two saxophones representing them are still having a conversation.

6. “The Book of Love” (1957)

I too wonder who wrote the Book of Love. Mostly because I’d like to ask them what happens in Chapter 5. I get the feeling the Monotones are giving us the Cliffs Notes version. At the very least I’m missing an important step between Chapters 3 and 4. How do you go straight from remembering the meaning of romance to breaking up? And why exactly are we assuming that she will always be the one to need the second chance? I’m starting to wonder if you even really read the book, Monotones, or if you just skimmed. Did no one tell you that there was going to be a quiz?

7. “Fever” (1958)

Now, I personally don’t remember Shakespeare penning the dialogue, “Julie, baby, you’re my flame,” but after listening to this, who doesn’t want to use the line, “I burn forsooth?” (Also, technically this song was first performed in 1956, but Romeo & Juliet didn’t make their appearance in it until 1958.)

8. “L-O-V-E” (1965)

There comes a time when subtly must be cast aside and you just need to spell it out. But how do you accomplish this without coming across as either too boring or too aggressive? Make it an acrostic! You know who loves acrostics? Everybody.

9. “The Letter” (1967)

Once again, the love letter comes out swinging. Not sure if all the letter said was “I can’t live without you anymore” or if she went in to more detail. Regardless, whatever thoughts she put on the paper were enough to get her fella uprooting his life.

10. “Your Song” (1970)

On the surface, this is a song about writing a song. But more than that, it’s about struggling to find the right words to express your love for someone. And knowing that even though the words might be simple and not able to encompass the entirety of your emotions, they’re the best tool you have. So, you tell the other person that life is better with them and trust that they can feel the rest.

Can you think of any songs you’d add to the list? Particularly from more recent years, as I’ve only now noticed how historically skewed my list is.

Hope you’re spending at least some of the day dancing! (I personally find it a good mid-week catharsis. Particularly if you can manage it without your coworkers walking by.)

Literary Love

Hey folks! Time for some more stories of love and writing – today in a more literary form:

By Roger McLassus (Own work) , via Wikimedia Commons

1. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen - 1813)

“I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.” And with those words Mr. Darcy solidified his place in my twelve-year-old heart and made me absolutely sure that he and Elizabeth were indeed perfect for each other. They both loved books! No wonder they’ve been making it work for the last two hundred years.

2. Anne of the Island (Lucy Maud Montgomery – 1915)

My grandma and I used to read all of the Anne Shirley books together. It took three of them, but Anne and Gilbert finally figured out they were meant to be. Plus, book loving Anne is given letters from her birth parents, finally getting to know them through their words.

3. The Eyre Affair (Jasper Fforde - 2001)

Who else can say that they reconciled with a former love whilst helping Mr. Rochester rescue Jane Eyre who has been kidnapped from Bronte’s original manuscript? I’m pretty sure just Thursday Next. And hopefully me someday. Particularly the part about going into books.

4. Dance Upon the Air (Nora Roberts - 2001)

After faking her own death, Nell Channing settles down on the small Three Sisters Island, gets a job cooking in the local bookstore/café and starts falling for the sheriff. Oh, and she finds out she’s a witch. No biggie. Except she’s pretty much living my dream life. Working in a bookstore AND having magical powers? It’s just too much to contemplate.

5. She Went All the Way (Meg Cabot - 2002)

Despite having written a number of movies for actor Jack Townsend, Lou is not his biggest fan. Probably because he keeps taking such liberties with the lines she pens. Being on the run for their lives in the Alaskan wilderness should help though. Or…you know… at least be fun to read about.

6. Out of Control (Suzanne Brockmann - 2005)

There are a number of couples coming together and being torn apart in this thriller. Something that ties them all together? A book written by one of the character’s grandmother about her time as a WWII spy and how she got the man she loved. Reading…bringing us all together. *Hums PBS theme song.*

7. Get A Clue (Jill Shalvis – 2005)

Sure, they’re stuck in a lodge out in the middle of nowhere with a dead body, a quirky staff who may be responsible for the murder, and a possible ghost. But that doesn’t mean that Breanne and Cooper can’t fit in the occasional trip to the lodge library. Now, that’s how you order your priorities, folks.

8. Fire and Ice (Julie Garwood - 2008)

Daughter of notorious thief turned reporter, Sophie Rose finds herself in mortal danger after writing a seemingly innocuous story about a runner and his red socks. On the plus side, this means she gets to hang out with FBI Agent Jack MacAlister.

9. Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl – 2009)

Ethan and Lena fall for each other while dealing with magic, family secrets, and a battle between good and evil that stretches back to the Civil War. In addition to a number of literary references (most frequently To Kill A Mockingbird), the fate of these lovestruck teens relies on the ancient Book of the Moon.

10. Love in the Afternoon (Lisa Kleypas - 2010)

This love story is about a different type of writing – that of letters. Beatrix and Christopher fall in love through their correspondence. Only problem? Christopher thinks someone else is on the other side of the pen. Plus, kleptomania and a terrier named Albert! I personally would have shown up just for the dog.

Check back in tomorrow for the musical list!