The Wisdom of Merlin: Seven Magical Words for a Meaningful Life by T.A. Barron (hardcover, Philomel Books, 80 pages, for ages 10 and up)Synopsis (from the publisher):
A book of advice from Merlin, the greatest wizard of all time.
Based on an address he gave to students at the University of Oxford in 2013, T.A. Barron, author of the New York Times bestselling Merlin Saga, channels the wizard Merlin and offers advice on how to live a meaningful life. Divided into sections, each revolving around a magical word, this book poetically explores the concepts of Gratitude, Courage, Knowledge, Belief, Wonder, Generosity, Hope, and an extra one: Love.
Why I recommend it: It's beautiful and inspiring and fairly bursting with optimism. Kids and adults would all do well to listen to the sage and up-to-date advice of the ancient wizard Merlin (as presented by T.A. Barron). Even if you've never read T.A. Barron's Merlin series (and why haven't you?), you'll find much to love here. The short chapters and slim size mean even reluctant readers could handle this.
Favorite lines: "Sometimes, turn off your electronic equipment--all of it... Because being serene and quiet now and then gives us the space to feel grateful. You see, being fully scheduled is not the same as being fully alive." (from p. 11)
Bonus: This book makes an excellent graduation gift or even a birthday gift for a special someone in your life.
T.A. Barron's website (be sure to watch the trailer for the book)
Through the generosity of the publisher AND the author (thank you!), I ended up with two copies of this hardcover. So I'm giving away one of them, along with a paperback of the newly revised and updated
The Hero's Trail, another inspirational gem of nonfiction from author and conservationist T.A. Barron
.That's right. One lucky winner will win
both the hardcover of
The Wisdom of Merlin and the paperback of
The Hero's Trail. This giveaway is open to anyone age 12 and up. International entries welcome. To enter, you MUST be a follower of this blog and you MUST leave a comment on this post. This giveaway will end at 10 pm EDT on Sunday May 24 and I'll announce the winner on Monday May 25.
Why does everything take so long? Um . . . maybe because I put it off forever?
But today my choices were clean off my desk (never) or finally update my Book Store (okay, yes). So what you’ll find there are not just some random selection of novels, biographies, science books, food books, etc., but an actual thought-out list of recommendations for some great reading in a bunch of different categories.
What have I read most recently that I absolutely loved? Why, Judi Dench’s memoir, of course. If you’re a fan of Dame Judi–and really, how can you not be?–then you’ll enjoy her book AND FURTHERMORE, even though those of us who aren’t British may not be as familiar with all the names she drops from her days in the Royal Shakespeare Company and all that. But I’ll tell you what, thanks to her memoir (which I’m now re-reading a week after I finished it, because I just want to), I’m on a Judi Dench movie kick lately. This weekend it was CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE, because even though Dame Judi was fabulous as Queen Elizabeth in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, really there’s nothing better than watching her as M in the James Bond flicks.
And thanks to one of her scenes in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, I really want to start answering the phone, “What is it?” That’s right, Judi, make them get right to the point.
The other book I’m absolutely rabid about right now is Laura Hillenbrand’s UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE, AND REDEMPTION. That book will amaze, horrify, and most likely change you. I’ll tell you one thing, it certainly makes you want to stop complaining about every little thing in your life. I listened to the audio book on a long car drive recently, and it not only made the miles fly by, it also made it a little dangerous at one point because I was crying so hard I probably should have pulled over. Sorry, Safety Monitors. But that book was so inspiring I’m probably going to read the print version next, because I really need to experience it again.
Both the Judi Dench memoir and the Laura Hillenbrand biography can be found in my book store under the category “Burly Adventurers Who Inspire Me.” Because you don’t have to be a mountain climber to make it into that group–you just have to lead a remarkably bold and fearless life.
My final current recommendation, listed under “Favorite Books on Writing,” is James A. Owen’s DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS: A MEDITATION ON ART, DESTINY, AND THE POWER OF CHOICE. Owen is the bestselling author and illustrator of the CHRONICLES OF THE IMAGINARIUM GEOGRAPHICA series, starting with HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS. His new book grew out of the inspirational talks he gives to middle school and high school students, encouraging them to pursue their dream of being writers and artists. I’m already pursuing that dream, but dang if I wasn’t re-inspired. It’s like one of my other favorites, Stephen King’s ON WRITING, but without the drugs.
So there! Another item I can mark off my to-do list! Now what else can I do instead of cleaning my office?
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Father's Day is right around the corner, so in honour of that we are celebrating Dad all week. And what better way to kick off this week than with Chicken Soup for the Soul's Thanks Dad – 101 Stories of Gratitude, Love, and Good Times, all featuring that one special man – Dad.
These stories will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate your own father. If you’re a dad then you can, perhaps, relate to the wonderful stories presented in this awesome collection.
Here’s What Thanks Dad has to offer:
Foreward by Scott Hamilton
Part 1 ~ How Dad’s Say “I Love You” ~
Part 2 ~ Lessons for Life ~
Part 3 ~ Dad to the Rescue ~
Part 4 ~ Making Grey Hairs – Fathering Teens ~
Part 5 ~ Through Thick and Thin ~
Part 6 ~ Stepping Up to the Plate ~
Part 7 ~ Making the Ties that Bind ~
Part 8 ~ Everyday Heroes ~
Part 9 ~ Moments that Last Forever ~
Plus a Bonus Chapter ~ Truly Grand Dads ~
This would make a wonderful Father’s Day Gift for any Father or Dad-to-Be. Chicken Soup for the Souls, Thanks Dad can be found wherever books are sold, or visit their web site at; http://www.chickensoup.com/
What a lovely addition to the collection of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Father's are an intricate part of the family and are indispensable.
It is very kind of you to celebrate what constitutes the family hero for a great deal of us, old and young, cheers!
Thanks for leaving this wonderful comment, Kimmy.
My own father passed away when I was only 12...I miss him.
So celebrating all week is my way of remembering and celebrating all dads :)