Friday, December 23, 2011

Friday Funnies #10

'Twas the night before Christmas... Well, not really. But it's the night before the night before Christmas and that's why this week's Friday Funny is a fun (albeit a bit inappropriate) take on an old classic. Don't share this one with the kids.

When I was little, on Christmas Eve my sisters and I would all squeeze into one bed as my dad read us the story of The Night Before Christmas. It's a memory I will always cherish.

Now that we're all older, Christmas Eve involves a little less storytime, and a little more... indulging in some Christmas "spirits" -- If you know what I mean.  By the time we're home from dinner at the grandparent's house we're all feeling warm and fuzzy and we're ready to "settle down for a long winter's nap."

That's why this version resonates with me. And likely why we don't read the story anymore. Enjoy!

Click the image to view the video.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and that you get to spend time with family and friends.

Merry Christmas from Turning the Page!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Holiday Gift Guide

It's down to the wire. Christmas is only a few days away.  We're nearly smack dab in the middle of HanukkahKwanzaa starts in less that a week. Diwali... was in October. But if you celebrate any of those other major holidays and festivals you probably need to get out and get some gifts for some special people in your life.

If you're done your shopping already, pat yourself on the back. You won't have to fight a desperate mother for the last Lalaloopsy doll.  Or wait in line for 2 hours at WalMart just to purchase a box of chocolates for that Secret Santa you forgot about at work.

Instead, you can just read this post and take notes for the next gift you need to buy.

Everyone else, read fast, put on your best "shopping on a mission" comfy shoes, and face the mob of last-minute shoppers, because these are gifts anyone on your list can love. (Unless you've got a list full of those people I mentioned last Friday... In which case, you're probably screwed).

Here you go! Gifts for...

Captain Keepsake
We all know someone who has shoeboxes full of trinkets from "major moments" in their lives. Like the movie stub from that time they went to see that movie with those people they're not even friends with anymore. Or the cork from that bottle of champagne from that one special New Years Eve. The list of items goes on and on.  For that person, I recommend: Listography: Your Life in Lists.  Every page has a title of a new list for you to create: People You've Lived With, Places You've Travelled, Concerts You've Attended...



Plus, it's a whole series of books where you create lists of things you have done, will do, or want to do. There's a Love Listography for relationships, Music Listography for favourites and concerts, and lots more!

Joe Jokester
Got a friend who loves to laugh?  Maybe a cousin who can't help but tell an inappropriate joke at a large family function?  You've got a Joe Jokester on your list! And good news! For him (or her) there are SO many options!

It was only a matter of time...

A little dark, but trust me, a book that sees the downside of everything is funny.

It's always funny to read about the crap that happens to other people.

The Teacher
It's safe to say everyone knows a teacher. Not all of us have a teacher on the gift-list, but for those that do, these two are a sure hit.


For the History Teacher (of even just a History Lover)
The Do-Gooder
Know someone who always seems to be volunteering time to this charity or that organization?  Someone who always seems to be coming home with a story about how she rescued a kitten while helping an elderly man cross the street to reunite with his long-lost daughter?  Or maybe you know someone who is always saying they want to start changing the world but has no idea where to begin?  Either way, this book is your answer:

From the website http://www.doonenicething.com/ this books lists little things you can do each day to make a difference.
It's actually on my must-have list.

The Twi-Hard or Twi-Hater
If you don't know what this is, you probably don't have one on your list, and you can count yourself lucky or unlucky (depending on which one you ask). But the perfect gift solution for this person, no matter on which side of the fence they sit, is this winner of a novel:


Here's a sample: "He had reddish, blonde-brown hair that was groomed heterosexually. He looked older than the other boys in the room—maybe not as old as God or my father, but certainly a viable replacement. Imagine if you took every woman’s idea of a hot guy and averaged it out into one man. This was that man."

The Special Interest...Person
Okay, so that's a terrible name compared to the others. But you definitely have someone on your list with a "special interest." This can be anything from food to fashion to Ferrari's. In which case, there is a book for ALL of those things. Traditionally called coffee-table books, these books are beautiful hard cover masterpieces with gigantic, page dominating photos on high gloss paper.  Even if they NEVER open them, ever, they'll love them. Because they aren't always meant to be read.  Merely treasured.  Just walk into your neighbourhood bookstore and browse around or ask someone.  You'll find something.

I think I've made my point. Books = Great Gifts! Still at a loss for someone on your list I didn't mention? Get a gift card for a bookstore! Even if they aren't really much of a reader, bookstores are full of fun trinkets, audio books, even music and DVDs. Have a question about someone on your list?  Leave me a message, and I'm sure I can think of something.

Happy Shopping! And...

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Twosday Timeout

So this week I did manage to squeeze in a bit of reading between all of the holiday hustle and bustle and then prepping to start teaching in only 3 weeks! (Where has the time gone!?)

I didn't make a great dent in the novel, but the story is moving along. I hate not being able to really pour myself into this book, but you do what you can! ...Though at this pace, I'm likely to be reading this holiday themed novel well into March Break.

Alfred narrowed his eyes, studying Gabe, and he looked back at Lou with a slightly nervous smile. 'Help me out here, pal.'

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, page 80

A little mystery for your Tuesday. Could someone else, not just Sarah, post their two this week? (Thanks for always playing, Sarah! Check out her book blog after you comment on mine!)




Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday Funnies #9

At Christmas, one of my most favourite gifts to give is books. I love giving people books! Books with great stories, beautiful books, funny joke-type books. I don't think anything says "I know you" better than a book.

Unfortunately, not everyone thinks books are as great as I do. And I'm sure, more than once, I've given someone a book they've either a) never even opened or b) read and hated. That's the nature of a book. In the end, whether you love it or hate it, is totally subjective. I can't think of one book ever written that the entire population of humans has ever said "this book is AMAZING!" (Can you?)

So, in the spirit of giving gifts not everyone likes, I'm sharing this hilarious video that has taken over my Facebook feed in the last week.


Did you see how many books made it as terrible gifts!? If you didn't, I'll tell you it was 3.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Twosday Timeout

Try not to compare this week's page number to last week's... How embarrassing. I think I'll blame the holidays and the corresponding "hustle and bustle" of the season. Yeah... That's why I only read one page this week.

'We find ourselves in a familiar situation,' Sergeant O'Reilly said with a grimace. 'Unfortunately for you, we both head home at the same hour.'

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, page 58

Hope you had a more successful week of reading than I did. Show me your two!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Friday Funnies #8

It's nearing Christmas time, so I think it's about time to share "The Grestest Story Ever Told." This is, of course, the Nativity Story, or the story of the birth of Jesus.

But, let's be honest. You've all already heard that story.

So today, I bring to you, a different version. One told by none other than, Twilight's Kristen Stewart. That's right. Friday Funnies just got SUPER literary up in here. The Christmas Story AND Twilight combined? Bring it on, K-Stew.


If you couldn't laugh at the story, let's at least share a laugh at how spot on this impression of Kristen is!

Enjoy your weekend!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Twosday Timeout

Get ready for some description!

Those were the days either made up of a sun so hot he could still taste the ice-cream as soon as he set foot on the pier, or were so stormy that the wind whipped with such strength they would hang on to one another to avoid being whisked off land and lost to the sea.  On those family days, Lou would disappear into his own world.

The Gift  by Cecelia Ahern, page 57                     

Remember to share your 2 sentences! I want to see what you're reading!



Friday, December 2, 2011

Friday Funnies #7

Let's get back to books. Today I have a little nostalgia for you. Remember Reading Rainbow? Well I do. But I bet you won't remember ever seeing these Book Reviews.

Click the image to link to the video on FunnyOrDie.com
Links will open in a new window.

 


Thursday, December 1, 2011

A Good Book

As we usher in December, arguably one of the loveliest months of the year, I share with you a thought that seems fitting considering my feelings on finishing The Next Always:
I hope we all find this kind of good book this December.