Using Wit & Wisdom to Relieve Pressure

I am under a pretty intense editing deadline at the moment. I have found myself, for the past week, sitting in a fixed position, in front of my computers. To relieve a bit of pressure,  I've been continuously running what is arguably the best series on cable television. Game of Thrones. It's tv gold. I can't seem to get enough, hence the photo below. I was gifted this treat and because of the hilarious nature, I've yet to stick the book on the bookshelf. The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister.
Like Tyrion, this book is small, yet powerful. With quotes such as,  "Sleep is good. Books are better", and "Schemes are like fruit, they require a certain ripening". Genius. That's Tyrion.

Books make great gifts and any GOT fan will appreciate this little gem. I know I do.
Ok. Back to editing and the sweet background noise of my show with perhaps the unmistakable sound of Dragon Fire.

Today's Book Choices For The Children

Christchurch City Libraries Book Sale

Book and sale are two of my favorite words so when the Christchurch City Libraries Annual Book Sale was announced, we were overwhelmed. Events are at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre. There are books for all of us moms, dads, kids and babies. The artist, hobbyist, techie, musician and dabbler will all find book prices to shop with the best of them. With children's books priced at $1 and that is just the start of it. 

Hours are as follows:
Friday March 21       9-7 (note the later hours tonight)
Saturday March 22  9-4

Ample parking but come early  to #shopsmart and though they provide bags, bring your own! It's good for the earth and there are a lot of books. We went this morning and are now off to shop for a bookshelf...or two.

Pay with cash and EFTPOS only.
Pool and coffee bar in the same facility. Check available hours.

Summer Reading: The Glass Castle

We had to share our current book choice for the summer. Besides a quick re-read (for the fourth time) of The Great Gatsby, we've chosen Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle upon the recommendation of my sister. I am halfway through and since I've promised to pass it over to a friend tomorrow, I'm finishing it up tonight. This will be an easy feat. It is one of the best books we've read recently. It's funny, sad and honest all at the same time. You will be shocked yet compassionate as the story, "...of a nomadic, impoverished childhood", is told from the perspective of Walls who lived with her ingenious, alcoholic father and artist mother who had a complete disdain for the conventions of domestic life. 

The story opens in New York City as Walls, now a highly successful urbanite, passes her father as he is rummaging through rubbish on the city street. It took courage to retell this tale and you are sure to be as amazed as I was with her memoir. 

For ordering in NZ and the UK, use The Book Depository and order it here.

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Darth Vader For Dads

I came to bed tonight and found this book on my side. The children read it with their father again for storey time tonight. This is a new favorite in our house having bought it for Father's Day (which was this past weekend in the Southern Hemisphere) but the anticipation of the day had the kids pre-gifting this to dad weeks ago. Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown has an old-school quality depicting characters from the original three movies and intertwines it with creative new scenarios that would be part of the Skywalker's daily family life. Dealing with sisters, going to work with dad, schooling, playing, and all the other aspects of a pretty normal life of a father and son but it's Darth and four year old Luke. The illustrations are clean and colorful displaying images that are both familiar and hilarious. With each page turned you will vividly recognize scenes from the movies redone to amuse and entertain the entire family. We all laughed but did edit what pages we read with them. We have varying ages but our nine year old gets the most out of it. He laughs non-stop and we have noticed him choosing this one for silent reading.
In short, fathers and sons who are Star Wars fans will want to add this very funny and fresh book to their collection. It's off the beaten Star Wars path and defines a generation of devotees that are passing the Holy Trilogy on to their children. That includes us. Happy Reading!

Summer Reading-A Life in Frocks: A Memoir

It has been a while since I shared a good read and this time, it is for the ladies. It's a book for those of us who love clothes and to shop for amazing things just like I do. Everyone out there has to wear clothes but there are some of us who have a slight obsession with their history and our ever evolving style. A Life in Frocks: A Memoir by Kelly Doust is a pleasant read about a real life fashionista's lifelong and loving relationship with clothes. The pages fly by as we see poignant hand drawn images by Zoe Zadokierski coupled with hilarious stories of fashion hits and misses. It was passed along from a friend who has it on loan from the local library. What a perfectly smart and green way to go. I finished it over our lazy weekend and will be returning it for her because that is what friends do. 

Pick this one up locally to share or buy it for yourself online. Perfect read for your weekend, too!