So What Are You Reading?

First, those of you who finally guessed Barbara Bush on the photo in the previous blog post are correct. Wasn't she a babe? She still is a stately woman, tall and regal, and one whom I admire.

Today I'm asking you to participate in a reading exercise. Whatever is by your computer (or that you are reading right now) is what I am interested in. I am going to tag a few people who also write blogs, but if you have a blog and want to play, you are welcome to steal it. And if you don't have a blog or don't have a blog where you play memes, play in the comments. I told you I love to know what people are reading!

LeAnne Martin of the Christians in the Arts blog tagged me with this book meme. If you haven't checked LeAnne's two blogs and her web site out, you must. Simply beautiful and inspiring.

The Rules:

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

LeAnne was reading It was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God (Square Halo Books).

She says,"It’s a collection of essays edited by Ned Bustard, who I featured in December. Page 123 falls in the middle of a piece titled “Why We Need Artists” by Tim Keller, founding pastor of Manhattan’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church, known for its arts program."

Crystal again: I usually keep several books going at once. The first book I have here is a historical romance just released this month called The Rogue's Redemption by Ruth Axtell Morren (Steeple Hill.) Ruth lives in the Netherlands with her husband and three children and she has won many awards for her writing. She is nearly as interesting as the historical romances she pens.
Steeple Hill Books
mass market, Feb.2008
ISBN-10: 037378600X
READ AN EXCERPT here.



He was tall and dark with eyes as blue as cobalt.
In a London ballroom Miss Hester Leighton saw a man who interested her more than anyone she'd met since coming to town. A woman of deep faith, Hester knew she should not keep company wiht Major Gerrit Hawkes, a jaded, penniless soldier haunted by nightmares of war. But their connection would not be denied.
Hester was the ony woman who'd ever made Gerrit feel truly worthy of love, and he would not lose her. Separated from her by her father--and an ocean--Gerrit must decide whether he will risk his life and his soul to earn a home in Hester's arms forever.




On page 123 I'm part way into Chapter 7. The fifth line and next 3 lines:

She stood with her back toward him, a bow poised in her hands, her head tilted to one side as she took aim. Beside her stood a bevy of young men, all intent on the target ahead.

The arrow flew straight and true and landed just at the edge of the bull's eye circle.


"Bravo, Miss Leighton! Well done!" the gentlemen congratulated her.


The second book I'm reading through (that is right by my computer) is a writing craft book published by W.W. Norton called The Making of a Story by Alice LaPlante. It's a guide to creative writing. In the section on page 123 she is discussing metaphors and the use and abuse of symbols.

It must be part of the story (or poem) yet mean more than the story (or poem.) It can be a shared symbol, something common to our culture, language, religion, nationality; or it can be created within the work of fiction or poetry.

It's no accident that a figure of speech is, "X has become a symbol," or "Y is becoming a symbol."



Back cover copy for The Barefoot Believers:

Three sisters. One Secret.
Once there were three Cromwell girls. But their father abducted the baby...and neither was seen again. The has haunted sisters Kate and Jo ever since, though they can't bear to talk about it.
And then life's ups and downs send the Cromwell women back to tiny Santa Sofia, Florida. To the cottage containing their worst--and best--memories. Where Kate will reconnect with the magnetic single father she'd run from years ago.
Where Jo will fall for the handsome minister of the Traveler's Wayside Chapel.
And where the cottage caretaker, a familiar young woman named Moxie Weatherby, will get the surprise of her life.

I figure I'm the boss of this blog and if I want to put a third book, I can.

In The Barefoot Believers by Annie Jones (Steeple Hill,) on page 123, the fifth line and next three sentences are,

"In Santa Sofia. In the house across the street. This is where we need help, Jo."

"But this place is only temporary...I mean, for us."

"Everything but this place has been temporary for us, Jo."

Now comes the part where I tag five bloggers. Here are people who might play along. Be sure to check the links.



1. Nancy J. Ring at Anchors, Signposts and Wanderings. Nancy is a Chicago gal who posts on Forks, bends, detours, scenery, and fellow travelers I've discovered while Exploring the Path Home. She currently is working on her 101 Goals!! Wow. I'm impressed.



2. Delia at Gatorskunkz and Mudcats. Delia is a Christian, a wife, a mother, a wannabe writer, an avid reader, and finder of all things lost, and writer of one of my favorite blogs.



3. Cara Putnam at Books, the Law and Life.

Cara is a wife, an attorney, law professor, mom to three (one still in utero until about May,) and author. Her first book, Canteen Dreams, released in October 2007 from Barbour's Heartsong Presents line followed by Sandhill Dreams in May 2008 and Captive Dreams in September 2008. Love Inspired Suspense will publish her first romantic suspense Deadly Exposure in May 2008. Be sure to check out Cara's Musings and web site.



4. Sabrina Fox at Hijinks from the Heartland.

Sabrina is a wife and mother who also works outside the home. She does freelance journalism and is a first reader for a major New York publisher. She's finished one book, Prescription for Murder, and started a second book, Rock Bottom, which is a sarcastic, deep-lit type of story that is a 2007 ACFW Genesis Chick-Lit finalist.



5. Camy Tang at Camy's Loft.
Camy is the self-proclaimed loud Asian chick who has written some of my favorite books (I have the first two.) Her blog is something I'm addicted to as she posts photos of her hunky Captain Caffeine, her dog Snickers, the food they prepare, and her knitting.(Maybe I need to get a life? Well, she is just interesting!) Oh, and she has a lot to say about writing, how to write and books.
The Sushi Series
Sushi for One?, September 2007
Read an excerpt of book 1
Only Uni, February 2008
Read an excerpt of book 2
Single Sashimi, August 2008
The Sushi Series



So, what are you reading?