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On my 18th birthday, my friend Kelly and I made appointments at our local tattoo parlor to celebrate our adulthood. Kelly already knew what she wanted to get. She had forever been a fan of Tigger, and that is exactly what she felt she needed to have permanently drawn on her.

I thought that a childish tattoo wasn’t exactly a celebration of adulthood. I didn’t really know what I wanted, but I knew that I wanted it to be something that meant something to me. Perhaps something that symbolized who I was. We arrived an hour early for our appointments so that I could look through the stacks and stacks of tattoo books.

I was not sure what I was hoping those tattoo books would show me, but I knew that I would know it when I found it.

The first tattoo books I glanced through had some incredibly scary looking artwork that I couldn’t imagine anyone would ever want. Apparently, people did though. I wanted something feminine and simple that would look attractive on my ankle.

I wasn’t really sure what exactly would represent me for years and years but I knew those tattoo books would show me something perfect. For the first 30 minutes, I thumbed through pages of hideous tattoos as well as really brilliant ones. Still, nothing jumped out at me and said “Pick me.” I was feeling incredibly discouraged. One of the tattoo artists joined me in my search, asking me tons of questions about what I liked and my beliefs.

Finally, after trying to explain who I was for 5 minutes, he stood up and dug through some of the tattoo books that I have not yet had the opportunity to look through. He flipped through several pages as well until he smiled. He brought it over to me and pointed. I smiled as well. He was showing me a dainty and attractive small dolphin. It represented me in many ways.

I was an artist and this dolphin had a rainbow of colors on it. I loved the ocean and dolphins were my favorite of all of God’s creatures. It was perfect. I nodded and laid down the other tattoo books. I’d found what I’d wanted.

Last weekend, I helped another friend of mine look through tattoo books for something that would be perfect for her. She had the same pains of finding something that I’d had. After she’d found what she wanted, I sat there and glanced through the tattoo books for the sole purpose of passing time. In the very first of the tattoo books that I opened, I smiled.

Here we go again! My friend and I walked out of the tattoo parlor a few hours later, with smiles on both of our faces. If you’re planning on getting a tattoo, consider yourself warned, sometimes those stacks of tattoo books can be rather addictive.

Born in Britain, Saira Shah was inspired by her father’s dazzling stories to rediscover the now lost life their forebears knew for 900 years within sight of orchards, snow-topped mountains, and the minarets of Kabul.

This is Saira — part sophisticated and sensitive Western liberal, part fearless (even fierce) life-gulping Afghan, falling in love with her ancestral myth, chasing Afghanistan. Saira, at 21, becoming a correspondent at the front during the war between the Soviets and the Afghan resistance. Then Saira, self-imprisoned in a burqa, risking her life to film Beneath the Veil — her acclaimed record of the devastation of women’s lives by the Taliban.

Saira discovering her extended family, discovering a world of gorgeous family ritual, of community, of male primacy, of arranged marriages, finding at last the (now war-ravaged) family seat, discovering at last what she wants and what she rejects of her compelling heritage.

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between SEAL Petty Officer Mark Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine after an impulsive night of passion goes awry. And then suddenly Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist, vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.

Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness, Jenk and Lindsey must put aside their feelings as a record snowstorm approaches, dramatically reducing any hope of finding Tracy alive. The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery - a brutally murdered young woman wearing the jacket Tracy wore when she disappeared.

Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer - one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement. In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Risking everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy - and each other.

It’s Ellie’s last night in her old bedroom before the big move in the morning. But she cannot fall to sleep because of a popping sound in the night sky. In the morning she discovers something really strange and when the newsreader starts reporting about special measures and emergency numbers, it’s time for Ellie to become famous. “Another fantastically simple yet captivating story for young children…”

We all accumulate a great deal of stuff over the years. Mementos from our own lives and from our children’s pile up. It all needs to be organized and presented. I had drawers full of ticket stubs, theatre programs, newspaper cuttings and so on. Some people have memory boxes for this sort of thing but I have a creative memories scrapbook.

The book traces the history of my family and I, starting with the birth certificates for my husband and myself and going on to school memorabilia for both of us.  There are landmark items from our marriage from the printed wedding invitation to photographs of all our houses and cars. Holiday items such as postcards, admission tickets and brochures take up a lot of room.  Continue Reading »

For many people, books may seem intriguing but finding the time, energy, or the actual interest in reading a book can be troublesome. This is why recorded books are becoming very popular in our world today. You can find many different types of recorded books on the market, so finding a genre to fit your needs should not be hard. It may be worth taking a second look at them, even if you are in the habit of reading the books that interest you.

When you are driving a long distance or even daily on your way to work listening to a book as opposed to a radio station can be not only more relaxing but educational as well. And recorded books are a good way to peak the interest of younger children whom have yet to find the magic from book reading. If you can get them interested in listening to books, it may very well interest them in reading. Mysteries are probably some of the most popular recorded books because of the suspense that can be drawn from beginning to end, making it close to impossible to stop listening to children get lost in these and won’t want you to turn them off before they’re done.

Children also enjoy classic stories and having the ability to listen to them gives them a better understanding. Many of the classic stories are now available as recorded books and parents can often be found listening to them as well.

Because of the selection and their convenience these types of books are doing extremely well on the market. The problem that many critics see with recorded books is the end of reading all together. They surmise that this would result in a nation full of book listening consumers. This can extremely inhibit the essential reading skills each and every one of us need to succeed in our lives through our jobs and raising children. Reading is a fundamental aspect of being a human being and communicating with one another, so without it we would tend to be lost.

By balancing the need to read a book and listening to recorded books, you can have the best of both worlds without sacrificing the knowledge factors that come with reading words. If reading books is not for you, read articles or short stories. Anything that will engage your mind in thought is better than nothing at all, and you will be thankful you didn’t give up reading completely just because your favorite books can be found as recordings. Another idea to balance book reading with book listening is to do both! Read the book, and then listen to it on tape or on your mp3 player. You are sure to find a different experience with each, giving you double the pleasure with one story!

Journal writing is a favored practice of writers, a centuries-old occupation around the world. Why do writers keep journals? What do they write in their journal? Should you keep a journal? I think that anyone who enjoys writing should keep a journal. Take a look and see how you might benefit from this activity.

Journal writing can serve many purposes.

A journal is akin to a diary, in that it is generally a “private” book, where you put down thoughts and ideas, ponder on life, write down a joke you heard today, mull over a problematic situation, or maybe just plain vent. Journal writing can give you an opportunity to express yourself on topics you may not have the chance or inclination to talk about with someone else. This type of journal writing may, over time, give you a fresh perspective on yourself and others. Continue Reading »

One of the best gifts you can give your children is a love of reading. Children who begin to read at an early age tend to carry a love of reading straight through to adulthood. Children who love to read often do better in school due to the fact that reading any type of book will be easier for them. Textbooks may not be as much fun to read, but it will be easier for a child who loves to read to get through their assignments. The best way to get your child started is to buy books for children at an early age.

You can begin buying books for children earlier than you might think. There are picture books that children can handle as young as six months old. They may not even understand what it is, but it will give them a positive association with books. Many of these books for children are soft, have bright, stimulating colors, and can be chewed on safely.

As your children age, the books for children you buy will begin to involve words as well as pictures. One of my daughter’s first books was a picture book of other babies. Children are often fascinated with other children their own age. The book had very few words, but it helped her to understand that words tell a story, and the pictures in the books go with the story. When children reach age three or four, you can purchase more complicated books for children. They can have longer storylines, and they should encourage your child to ask questions. Rhyming stories are great, because they engage your child’s mind in learning and understanding patterns and sounds. 

You can find books for children just about anywhere you buy books. Many bookstores have special sections just for books for children, and they often have extras like a play area, and they may also have story time. You can also find them at the library, and the library will have story time as well. These programs are geared towards getting your children to develop a love of books that will last a lifetime.  It is one of the best gifts you can give them. You can also start a book-sharing program with some of your friends and family. If you are really ambitious, you can start one of these for your community. This will encourage people to share or donate books for children to the community, and will helplower income families give their children the gift of reading.
 

Once you have your novel or book written, edited, and stuffed into an envelope, you have to decide where to mail it. There are hundreds of book publishers out there, but you shouldn’t just pick one at random and mail off your pride and joy. You have to do a lot of research to make sure you are sending it to the right place.

You also have to consider if you have the book formatted correctly, and if the submission is up to their standards. If you don’t consider these things, you are going to end up with nothing more than a large stack of rejection slips from book publishers. Continue Reading »

It wasn’t until college that I realized how many different creeds and religious beliefs actually existed. The list goes on forever. Personally I was raised a Lutheran. Of course this doesn’t mean that I have total faith in these beliefs still today. Viewpoints change as you age and travel through life.

Experiences and acquired knowledge can definitely lead you down an alternate path other than traditional bible books do. Once we’re molded into adults, things tend to become a bit clearer. Our individual ethos and personalities are developed more. Where do you stand in this large spectrum of religions and creeds? Continue Reading »