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monthly book giveaway for february

February 2, 2013

author ayad akhtarphotos of Ayad Akhtar

Congratulations to Lucy, (from the blog Craftberry Bush) for winning the giveaway book for January!  I used random.org to pick a winner from the author of every comment that was made to pleasure in simple things during the month of January.  Lucy has won a copy of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York’s newest book Ballerina Rosie (click here to see more about it.)  I don’t know if Lucy has any small children, but knowing she is an artist, I am sure she will appreciate this beautifully illustrated picture book signed by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

A signed copy of Ayad Akhtar’s debut novel American Dervish is February’s giveaway book.  Last September I had the opportunity to meet the award-winning filmmaker, playwright, actor, and novelist Ayad Akhtar when he visited the Wilton Library in Wilton, Connecticut.  The author discussion with Ayad Akhtar was truly one of my very favorites in some time.  As an American-born, first-generation Pakistani-American, I found his discussion of the Muslim-American experience extremely enlightening.

photo of American DervishAmerican Dervish is a fresh and touching coming-of-age story of a first generation Pakistani-American that gives the reader a look inside the interplay of religion and modern life.  The book examines the strong cultural forces at play for young men and women growing up Muslim in America.  The child of immigrants in the story struggles to find a place in his life for the traditions and beliefs of his ancestral homeland in a new world of broader possibilities that are both enticing and threatening.  Although the main narrative unfolds in pre 9/11 America, it is a timely and thought-provoking story.  I always enjoy a read where I can better understand a culture different than my own and through the Shah family in American Dervish; the reader most definitely better understands the struggles, complexities, value, and cost of being Muslim in America.

photo of ayad akhtar

It is a great read and I am excited to give it away to one of you!  Make some comments during the month of February and you may win a signed copy of this beautifully written first novel by Ayad Akhtar, February’s giveaway book, American Dervish.  Good luck!

Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful weekend :)

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

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1,000 places to see before you die

August 24, 2012

field trip friday

This week’s field trip is to the bookstore.  Have you heard about the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die?

In my very wildest dreams I could not visit the 1,000 places listed.  Who could?!   Who has the time, or more importantly, the resources to accomplish it?  Flipping through the book certainly makes me feel inadequate – I have seen very few of the places even listed in the U.S….heck, I haven’t even seen one of the four places listed in my state!

We live in a global society and I have seen very little of the globe.  I am lucky to live in a time when technology affords me the opportunity to discover many places I can’t visit.  I know watching television documentaries or reading a book is not the same as actually experiencing a destination with all five senses.  This was very obvious listening to Patricia Schultz talk about her travels at RJ Julias in Madison, CT where I saw her promoting the second edition of her New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.  Admittedly, she hasn’t seen all 1,000.  Although, I really started to believe she may have while listening to her, almost breathless, excitedly sharing all her knowledge of faraway places. It definitely seems like she has been everywhere!

As I sat waiting for the evening to start, I was sure I would be depressed knowing how many of these marvelous places I haven’t been.  But, it did not take long listening to Ms. Schultz to realize her presentation was more a reason to develop a love for travel, rather than a motivation to create a checklist of places visited.  Instead, she provides a list of opportunities…hoping to whet the reader’s appetite to discover someplace new.  Her enthusiasm is contagious.  And, although I don’t have much of a budget for travel, I came home inspired to try and visit more places.

A photo of Patricia Schultz discussing her book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”…a signed copy will be Septembers giveaway selection.

Ms. Schultz decided to pick 30 of the 1,000 places from around the globe listed in the book and present them in the form of a slide show.  Yes, the photos were incredible….but, equally incredible was the knowledge and love Ms. Schultz has for travel..and her thirst for learning about other lands and cultures.  She tours the world extensively. ..a  far cry from the first journey she credits with the start of her love to travel…instilling a desire  for adventure – Atlantic City!  As a child, from her home in New York state,  she couldn’t wait for the annual family journey to the shores of New Jersey.

So, I didn’t come home depressed at all….I came home exhilarated.  Ms. Schultz was enchanting.  And her presentation left me with a feeling of wanting to experience so much more.  So, even if many of my ‘visits’ are merely reading from her book, I feel motivated to experience more of the world.

Like I did, I want you to share some of Ms. Schultz’s enthusiasm for world travel.  If she is in your area, be sure to see her.  A signed copy of her book will be the giveaway book for September…so you too can catch some of her love for travel.  It may just give you the inspiration to visit a place nearby that you were always meaning to visit….or you may just book that faraway place you always wanted to see – it will open your mind to 1,000 possibilities.

‘Like’ my facebook page, follow me on twitter, or leave a comment on a post anytime during the month of September for a chance to win a copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, signed by Patricia Schultz.  (During August is a chance to win Yes, Chef signed by Marcus Samuelsson)

Happy trails!

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

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change your perspective challenge

July 10, 2012

living in the moment

Have you heard of life coaches?  I was talking to friend recently who told me a life coach had totally changed the lives of two people she knew.  How?  Simply by helping these two people change their perspective.  Can a change in perspective have that profound an effect?

Living in the moment is something I am really working  on.  I am trying not to have regrets about the past or get too crazy about planning for the future.  How many times have I thought if I could just manage to get everything ‘just so’,  I could relax…it is an easy way to miss the moment.   Sometimes it is hard not to think about how different things could be with one little change.

I remember after seeing the movie A Bronx Tale years ago – a great movie about the Bronx during the 1960’s that was Robert DeNiro’s directorial debut (wonderful music – get the soundtrack!) -  I wondered how the young boy’s whole life would have changed if he just didn’t live near the Sonny character! Contemplating the answer to that question was a big motivator for me on whom and what I would surround my kids with as they grew up.  Our environment obviously has a huge effect on who we are and how we perceive life.

How can one moment  change your life?  Are you up for a challenge to participate in an exercise to change your perspective?  If so, I have two pieces of ‘homework’ you might want to consider completing:

1.  Read the book Q:  A Novel  by Evan J. Mandery.  It is a very thought-provoking book that will help you appreciate your own life and consider the consequences of actions carefully.  The author has a cool way of using pop culture references to illustrate his points.

2. Watch the 1998 movie Sliding Doors starring Gwyneth Paltrow.  Here is a little preview:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi1557175833/

A great illustration on how the change of a single action can change everything!

For me, I want to live in the moment, but be aware that all I do does have consequences… so I need to do the best I can do, in all I do…without getting too crazy – since some things are just simply out of my control.  And, changing perspective is always a good thing…what did you see in the cloud photo in the beginning of this post…from my perspective it was a mermaid :)

Let me know your thoughts :)

 

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