The Story/Book-Sara

I'm excited to introduce you to Sara from Sweet Harvest Moon. She has a beautiful and simple style that is immediately obvious when you see how she's curated her blog. I love the moody, saturated quality of the images she shares and she always has the best quotes from literature. And to top it all off, she's a native French speaker which, if you know some of my history, is high on my list of the best languages!

Thanks Sara, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~

Reading has always been a big part of me. Growing up, I would read a lot of books to improve my English and French but also to escape the everyday world. I had a childhood without much television and electronics. Books were my only escape to far away places. Travel and adventurous books are still my favorite. There is something fascinating about reading someone else’s voyage.

The Book~

The book I’m sharing with you today is my ultimate favorite book. I read it religiously every year. Since I started college, I can’t read as much as I used to. This deeply saddens me but I still always make time to read The Hobbit. I was introduced to Tolkien’s world when the first installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy came out in theaters in 2001. I was eleven and I was completely mesmerized. I decided to read The Hobbit first as it is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings books. I first read the book in French (my mother tongue) but the magic wasn’t there. Some time later, when I was in high school, I bought the English paperback and started reading the minute I came home. I wasn’t disappointed.

The Hobbit takes you on a journey in a mysterious world with the most unlikely characters (A Hobbit? What is a Hobbit?). Tolkien’s enchanting words make it impossible to put the book down. You want to leave everything behind and join Bilbo and his companions on their quest.

Other Recommendations~

The Lord of the Rings trilogy J.R.R. Tolkien, Walden Henry David Thoreau, On the Road Jack Kerouac

Thanks Sara, for being a part of The Story/Book. I just read The Hobbit for the first time for my English novel class and after finishing it I couldn't believe that it had taken me so long to pick it up. Definitely worthy of your yearly re-readings. 

The Story/Book-Laura and John

I'm excited to introduce our Story/Book couple for today. Laura and John (code names Topsy and Havoc) make my day whenever I read their blog. Laura has a pithy writing style-which is a nice diversion from my loquaciousness; I read Topsy and Havoc the way some people lust after Swedish decor--maximalists wanting to live in a minimalist's world.

I keep hoping to bump into Laura and John (not so casually) at the local grocery store since we're practically small town neighbors. When we went to Bijou Market a few weekends ago the only thing that actually kept Nick's interest were John's hilarious and somewhat controversial cards. The first one here is Nick's favorite. Basically, Laura and John are the kind of quirky people you need to blog-stalk, not the least because his code name is shared by a Marvel Comics character. ( In case you didn't know, I'm a huge nerd, I love X-men comics. I've been reading them since I was 11. No offense to DC, but I'm a Marvel Girl through and through.) *Cyber high five if anyone got the Jean Grey reference.

Thanks Laura and John, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~

Him: I grew up in a house with a huge book case and I loved participating in the public library's Summer Reading Program for prizes. I also had a bachelor neighbor whose entire house was a library and he gifted our family a book every couple months throughout my childhood. My imagination did a better job with the words I read than Hollywood could ever do on the big screen.

Her: I started reading consistently only a few years ago. We lived in Virginia for a year and when we first moved there I was pretty lonely. We lived across the street from the public library, so I got a list of recommendations from my mom and checked out a bunch of books. The characters I read about became my friends and reading and I have been pretty tight ever since. 

The Book~

His: Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. It's like a perfect mix between The Book Thief and Maniac Magee. In a nutshell, it's about a street urchin's first hand understanding of WWII, which is both humorous and emotional. 

Her: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. Read this book. It's an easy read, and it's hilarious. You'll be done in no time and ready for the sequel- She Got Up Off The Couch. 

Other Recommendations~

His: Anything by H.P. Lovecraft (Fantasy Horror), Bonds that Make Us Free C. Terry Warner, The Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas.

Hers: The Book Thief Markus Zusak, These Is My Words Nancy Turner, Fingerprints of God Barbara Hagerty.

Thanks Laura and John, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Kylie and Spencer

I'm so happy to be featuring Kylie and Spencer today. Kylie is a beautiful writer and has written for one of my favorite publications, Kinfolk, but she also happens to be an amazing photographer. I swoon over her work, especially the cultural/humanitarian pieces. Spencer works in the film industry and they travel the world together capturing their experiences in words and images. Go be smitten by their beautiful life together on their blog, The Flybird.

Thanks Kylie and Spencer, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~

We both grew up with mamas who read us books at night. My mom was a bookworm, known for staying up to the wee hours of morning tucked in bed with a good romance novel. She was also known to be a speed-reader, finishing book after book before I could even ask what it was about. Spencer's mom was similar - and coming from mothers who both happen to be 3rd grade teachers, reading is just in our blood.

The Book~

The Anatomy of Peace is a book that will change the way you think about, view and behave in relationships. It's a self-analysis that will really snap you into check and inspire you to just be an all around better and nicer person to be around. It's a lesson-learning book. However, it's not just one that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside but rather it challenges you to face your hardest and biggest problems with a humble heart and willingness to change. Are you ready for this? As for Star Wars, is that not self-explanatory? It's awesome. 

Other Recommendations~
The Anatomy of Peace Arbinger Institute, First They Killed My Father Loung Ung, Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom

Thanks Kylie and Spencer, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Lena and Becca

I was introduced to Becca's blog through the normal blog-stalking way of seeing who comments and then getting interested in the lives of the people behind the blog. Becca, her husband Elliott, and their little girl Magdalena are currently living in Italy. However, Becca and Elliott first met in Cambridge, Massachusetts when he was at veterinary school at Tufts and Becca was an ICU nurse at Mass General Hospital. This summer Nick and I lived in Cambridge, just down Massachusetts Avenue from Harvard Square, which is where they lived when they were there. So even though we're many miles of land and an ocean apart, we both share a love of Boston. 

I'm so impressed with their adventurous spirits, living in a foreign country and learning the language one word at a time while Elliott serves in the U.S. Army. Becca, Elliott and Lena are expecting an addition to their family in January--a little boy to even out the number of boys and girls in the house. You can read some of Becca's personal insights and experiences on their blog, Making Room. 

Thanks Lena and Becca, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents," said Emilie Buchwald, and my husband and I can attest to the truth of that statement.  Our fathers read aloud to us and our siblings every night until we were teenagers.  Soon after Elliott and I met, one of our first dates involved sitting in a tea shop in Harvard Square with a book next to each of our cups.  We had been planning to spend the afternoon reading, but fortunately we were so fascinated with one another that six hours of lively conversation sped by before we even thought about our books. Today we both love reading aloud to our 18-month-old daughter Lena and rediscovering a much-beloved world of children's literature.

The Book~We hear crickets outside our windows all day and night in Sicily, so it seems appropriate that Lena's current favorite book is The Quiet Little Cricket.  It's a sweet little story of a cricket who rubs his wings together to say hello to other insects, but unfortunately for him nothing happens.  Not a sound.  Then he sees another cricket, and she too is a quiet cricket, and he rubs his wings together one more time.  And this time he makes the most beautiful chirping sound she has ever heard.  The end.  

Other Recommendations~Lena: Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, Hop on Pop Dr. Seuss, Doggies Sandra Boynton
Becca and Elliott: East of Eden John Steinbeck, A Severe Mercy Sheldon Vanauken, Jayber Crow Wendell Berry

Thanks Lena and Becca, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Steph and Nick

Nick and Stephanie Hammer are definitely the kind of people that I'd want to be friends with in real life. He's an architect and she's an artist, hence the address to their blog. As these pictures show, they are a very fun, bright and funny couple. I was just reading their Bucket List and wishing that we lived closer to them so we could hike the Narrows again in Zion National Park with them, and so that I could dress up and go to her "real tea party." They are way too cool to live so far away!

Thanks Steph and Nick, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~

I have a hard time picking which books are my favorite. I get attached to one and claim that it's my ultimate favorite. Then, a while later, I read another book and claim that as my absolute favorite. What's a girl to do? Well, my favorites as of right now are some design books we picked up right before moving from Salt Lake. I love that both my husband and I mull through pages and pages of ideas and history for hours and never run out of interesting things to talk about.

The Book~

The NEW Big Book of Layouts. It's not your typical kind of reading with words and stories. What enthralls me is that I have the chance to imagine and concoct situations leading to how a certain designer created a specific piece. Each example is a story in and of itself, and I grow personally and isn't that what reading is all about? 

Other Recommendations~

Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen, Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom, Twelfth Night William Shakespeare 

Thanks Steph and Nick, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Alli

Alli writes one of my favorite blogs to read (I'm not biased at all by her parents good taste in names). We also have locale in common; she's a midwesterner as well, and in great company living in the state of Michigan. Alli has a paper shop with lovely items that make me want to plan a party just so I have a reason to buy this and this. If you love beautiful, simple design as much as I do then Alli's blog will make you want to shout Hooray when you read it. 

Thanks Alli, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~
Reading has always been a part of my life. Roald Dahl & Shel Silverstein sparked my imagination as a kid, and mystery books intrigued me in my early teens. And then in High School, I read Pride & Prejudice for the first time, and so began my love for Jane Austen novels. These days, I read a bit of everything.

The Book~

A good cover will easily pique my interest, as was the case with this African series by Nicholas Drayson. I just finished A Guide to the Birds of East Africa and recently started the sequel (this time, all about the Beasts), and the story is sweet and entertaining. It's filled with little facts and beautiful descriptions, and follows an older gentleman (and the woman he secretly has a crush on), his friends, and their adventures around Nairobi that involve politics, an old murder case, and African wildlife. It's such an enjoyable summer read.

Other Recommendations~

The Principles of Uncertainty Maira Kalman, The Commoner John Burnham Schwartz, French Women for All Seasons Mireille Guiliano

Thanks Alli, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Katherine

Katherine is the lovely thrifty-fashion blogger behind Thrifted Things. I've followed her blog for a while, but I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet her in person even though she lives relatively close.  She is an Apparel and Design student at BYU-Idaho in the little town of Rexburg, which I think is so cool and appropriate for her since she loves clothes and has awesome style. She recently got married and you can read about some of their adventures together on her blog. Katherine said that she loves thrifting and ice cream almost as much as she loves her hubs Rob.

Thanks Katherine, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~
One of my favorite books is The Great Gatsby. I'll be honest with you all--reading has not always been a priority or love of mine. But by growing older and I've really learned to enjoy reading. I read this book for the first time my sophomore read of high school. 

The Book~
I fell in the love with the period of time it was written in. I wish that I could go back in time and live in this book. The way he describes people and the places and the time... goodness, it gets me every time.

Other Recommendations~ A couple other favorites that I love are Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, and I'm reading the Hunger Games right now and I am hooked.

The Hunger Games can be so addictive! Thank you Katherine, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book-Kimberly

Kimberly is the kind of person who names her camera, which is definitely my kind of person. (The name is Perry since I know you were wondering.) Her attachment to her camera is well earned since she is an amazing photographer.  You can find her blogging and photographing her life in Hawaii (I know, I'm jealous too) on her blog, Amusing. I'm sad to report that her Etsy shop is closing as she moves on to a different phase in her life, but the good news is that she's offering a 20 percent discount for all of her lovely, minimalist jewelry from her shop, Fildee.

Thanks Kimberly, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~

I remember when I first began to discover the world of books. My mom was a great reader in the past, and when I started to see my older brother reading thick novels, I wanted to try it too -- literature was in our blood. However, I didn't fall in love with books until I discovered the realm of classics. My mom suggested I read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, one of her favorites when she was my age. Once I dove into Jane's heroic tale, I was smitten.  

The Book~

One of the main reasons I admire the character of Jane is because of her integrity and unwavering faith in God. Her selflessness in love and yet honest inner struggles were worded beautifully throughout. To me, Bronte's writing style is a work of art. I re-read my favorite passages constantly just to marvel at her style. Not to mention that one of my favorite things in a story is a good twist, and Jane Eyre is loaded with them.

Other recommendations~

The Blue Castle L.M. Montgomery, Great Expectations Charles Dickens, Shirley Charlotte Bronte.

Jane Eyre is the reason I love the classics. Thanks Kimberly, for being a part of The Story/Book. 

The Story/Book-Rachel

I'm so excited to be featuring Rachel today. She is a writer, photographer, graphic designer and two time business owner of both elephantine, a lovely jewelry shop, and Mignon Kithchen, which has "cute" (that's what mignon means in French), and unique items for making and sharing food. And since shiny things and pretty food are my favorite, I love perusing Rachel's shops.
She lives in Seattle—my husband's hometown—and I would love to meet her in person someday, but for now I enjoy reading her flash fiction on Fridays and reading and looking at the beautiful, simple images that she captures and shares on her blog, elephantine, which shares it's name with her jewelry shop. 

Thanks Rachel, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~
I've loved reading as long as I can remember. I've also wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember, so when I read, part of me is always dissecting the language and characters and scenes, trying to figure out why something works (or doesn't work). I'll forever be grateful for the authors who have written my favorite books.

The Book~
Two types of books I'm really drawn to are coming-of-age stories and family sagas, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is a combination of both. It's the coming-of-age tale of a hermaphrodite and the story and secrets of his Greek family. From the very first sentence, I was completely absorbed. ("I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974.") It's one of my favorite books because of the depth of the characters, the beautiful writing, and the humor.

Other Recommendations~
Interpreter of Maladies Jhumpa Lahiri, Rabbit, Run John Updike, The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel Amy Hempel

Thanks Rachel, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book- Bri

This is Bee. Doesn't she take the most beautiful pictures? And, not to make her blush, but she has gorgeous eyes and a snazzy sense of syle. She blogs over at The Secret Life of Bee where she writes about life, art vintage style and, oh yeah, takes amazing photographs. I've enjoyed her pictures and writing for a long while now.

Thanks Bee, for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story~
I am excited to be over here talking about one of my favorite things in the world: books! I am a total bibliophile which I proudly get from my mother. My all time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. For those of you that have not read it, it is about poverty, prejudice and loyalty in the deep south as seen through the eyes of a child. Like many people, I read it in high school. The particular teacher I had when I read it was so wonderful and really brought the story alive for me.

The Book~
I honestly don't have one specific reason why it's my favorite. There are so many pieces/people in the story that are dear to my heart: Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Miss Maudie, Calpurnia, Scout, Dill. So many reasons to love all of these characters. Someday I plan on giving one of our children a name from one of these beautiful characters.

Other Recommendations~
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Betty Smith, The Old Man and The Sea Ernest Hemingway, The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald, As I Lay Dying William Faulkner, Life of Pi Yann Martel. 
I am always looking for more books, so stop by and let me know what your favorite is!

My mom was a great supporter of my reading habits too, Bee. Thanks again for being a part of The Story/Book.

The Story/Book

I'm starting a feature called The Story/Book.

I hope that it'll be an interesting way to bring different bibliophiles and bloggers to your attention and a fun way to find new books to read, because as Martin Tupper said, "A good book is the best of friends, the same to-day and for ever."

The column will feature a different blogger each week and I'll include a short background about them and their favorite book, and their other literary recommendations.
I've been thinking about what feature would be a good fit for a while now and this feels right.

Nick and I will go first by telling you about how we met and fell in love with each other and Fire and Hemlock.

The Story~
We met over dinner, but not in a date way.When Nick first asked me to do something with him I turned him down because I was legitimately busy but I was also thinking he was one of those kind of guys (fill in your own stereotype here.) When we finally had a  couple of conversations he turned out to be pretty much the opposite of what I had first thought and by then I was hoping he would ask me out.

Our first date we were supposed to go hiking but the weatherman said it was going to storm so we went to a sheep and wool festival instead.
Nick later told me that one of the things that drew him to me was that I was intelligent, and that we could have deep conversations and that I read so much. He said, "I liked how you always had your nose in a book."
Nick proposed by giving me a first edition of my favorite book, Fire and Hemlock, which he had carved a slot into for my ring with help from my friend, Travis. It was so romantic and perfect. We spent the rest of that week reading Fire and Hemlock out loud together.

The Book~
I first fell in love with Fire and Hemlock when I was in high school. I have a habit of reading all of the books of authors that I like, and Fire and Hemlock is by one of my favorite authors, Diana Wynne Jones.

It's a story of a girl named Polly who at nineteen realizes that she has two sets of memories and tries to figure out which ones are real. It's not the easiest book to follow but it's funny, magical, and spot on about so many real-life things. Polly is exactly how I wished that I was growing up.

Other Recommendations~
His: Pastwatch Orson Scott Card, Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro, Frankenstein Mary Shelley
Hers: The Blue Sword Robin McKinley, Stargirl Jerry Spinelli, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows