Shall We Play a Game?

Shall We Play a Game?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. If you've never seen the movie WAR GAMES, you should give it a try. With all of the remakes being pushed through Hollywood, I'm seriously surprised this one has not yet received a reboot.

Speaking of games... some years ago I participated in a blogfest game based on the famous Bernard Pivot questionnaire which was used for years on the INSIDE THE ACTOR STUDIO series hosted by James Lipton. This was a great show which you can catch replays of on youtube. Unfortunately, Lipton retired a couple of years ago, and then died earlier this month. Anyway, I digress. You can see that original post here: Bernard Pivot Blogfest.

I mention all of this now because recent events, conversations, and publications have inspired various versions of this game. I'd love for you to play along with me as well. Please share your comments below, or link to your own post about this game.

So, let's play!

What book(s) are on your nightstand? The Bible, Player Piano, by Kurt Vonnegut, a biography of the artist Prince, and a couple of Nora Roberts works.

What’s the last great book you read? I just finished reading The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien who I was fortunate enough to meet and interview a few years ago.

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, how?).  In the evenings - or late into the night, snuggled into my favorite pj's, with a dog in my lap, and hot chocolate to drink.

What’s your favorite book no one else heard of?  Wow, this one is difficult. I'm not sure what all would be considered "unheard of" as someone knows of it since it was published. Instead, I'll mention a favorite that is not currently being discussed in popular culture. I've always loved The Lady of Shalott. It's a lyrical ballad by the English poet Alfred Tennyson and based on the medieval Donna di Scalotta. It tells the story of Elaine of Astolat, a young noblewoman imprisoned in a tower on an island near Camelot.

Which writers working today do you admire most? I've read many works by, but not all of, and enjoy Nora Roberts, R.L. Stine, Karen Kingsbury, and Stephen King. 

Has a book ever brought you closer to another person, or come between you? Many books have brought me closer to my children. Reading and enjoying that time together is priceless. Some of our favorites have been Alice in Wonderland, the Harry Potter series, and right now we are enjoying Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. 

How do you organize your books? Mostly by genre, then by author, and then by favorites.

Disappointing, overrated, just not good: Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing? The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I just couldn't...

How about you? It's your turn. Please leave your answers, or a link to your own post, below. 

Walking, War, Weather, Welsh, Writers, and Writers' Museum

Walking – People say Scotland is a paradise for ramblers, and I wholeheartedly agree. Some of the best times we had during our visit were spent traveling trails, both hidden and waymarked for the public. Beautiful scenery, variety of terrain, and magnificent coastlines make it difficult to imagine a more beautiful country to explore. Local tourist information centers are always a good place to stop if you are looking for advice or suggested routes.

War – Southern Scotland is a blend of attractive landscapes and historic houses, castles, and abbeys. Sadly, many of these ancient buildings exist only in fortified or ruined form due to the frontier wars that dated from the late 13^th century mostly against the invading English. You can read more datails: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/articles/the_wars_of_independence/

Weather – We visited Scotland in mid May which is the beginning of the peak travelling season there. Most visitors come to Scotland from May to August, when they can enjoy the best weather, and longer hours of daylight (the dark only lasted about three hours while we were there). Many people ask me about the rain, and a good joke many share is that “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”. Temperatures, sunshine, and storms all fluctuated throughout our stay, but it only added to the charm and mystery of the country. Out of season, a good winter snowfall in the Highlands can provide great winter sporting opportunities such as skiing and snowboarding.

Welsh - a Scottish novelist, playwright and short story writer. Irvine Welsh is recognized for his novel Trainspotting, which was later made into a film of the same name. http://www.irvinewelsh.net/

Writers – From medieval poets through Robert Burns to Irvine Welsh, writers in the three languages of Scotland – Scots, English, and Gaelic – have created a body of literature expressing both their place in the Europeans mainstream and the diversity within Scotland. I’ve only mentioned a handful of the greats in this months’ posts. There are so may more you can find here.

Writers’ Museum – This fine Old Town mansion was built in 1622 on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. In the 1720s it was acquired by Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Stair, and has since been called Lady Stair’s House. Its official title reflects its role as a museum of memorabilia of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. I found this location to be a surprising and delightful hidden jewel. Many of the pavers outside building hold quotes from various authors. To learn more: http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/The-Writers--Museum

As a thank-you to the blogging community, and to celebrate one year since its publication, I am offering FREE e-pub copies of my western short story “Broken Angel” from now through April 30. If you would like to receive a copy, simply email me at writinginwonderland(at)gmail(dot)com