THE CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK ADDICT

A series of essays.....

 LIBRARY AND MUSIC ROOM

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

This morning I discovered a simple truth about myself. I have more books in my 'To Be Read' pile than food in my refrigerator. Plain and simple, it's just a fact, Jack.

It's the absolute truth but, I don't understand it. You know me, always preaching about taking time out for yourself through meditation, long walks in the woods, and curling up in a comfy spot and reading a good book. So, is it just that I don't practice what I preach or, is there something even deeper and more sinister happening here?

THE TOPSY-TURVY 'TO BE READ' STASH

While observing my TBR stash grow and grow in a very short time, I'm alarmed by the 'top-heavy' appearance of books and fear for the structural integrity of my small wooden desk. The scene imitates a linear brick wall artistically spray painted with the names of books and their authors. Squinting, my collection resembles a colorful cascade made of paper instead of vertically flowing liquid. My beautiful books appear to be melting onto the floor in true Salvador Dali fashion. Yet.....I can do nothing about it. Instead, more books are piled on and my fear is that I will eventually lose this giant Jenga game and the tumbling towers will decide to fall to my office floor around three o'clock in the morning! 

Why is the supply growing and the demand faltering so acutely?

Some people feel the need to add to their shoe collection on a regular basis while others are obsessed with trading in their car for a new one every two years. I can spend one hour in a book store and exit carrying four to five books, easily! Trust me when I say that the longevity of the 'paper' book will never be in jeopardy as long as I am around!

THE NEWEST ACQUISITIONS

As I sit and take a few moments to analyze the situation, I can derive several logical explanations for my predicament. I am insatiable, for one, when it comes to dynamic writing! Whether it be current or classic, fiction or nonfiction, based in history or jetted out into the far-flung corners of a futuristic world, I am there to absorb its contents with gusto and fervor.

Today's market offers us a wide variety of writing styles by awe inspiring authors that truly stand-out within their fields. Some of them, such as J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume, have successfully crossed over from one genre to another with expertise and ease. 

FOR MORE BOOKS........
JUST CLIMB INSIDE THE MIRROR!

Based on their own merits, so many new names have reached public attention and have made quite an impact within the past decade. They include, "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt; Young Adult writers, Suzanne Collins and John Green for the "Hungers Games" and "The Fault In Our Stars," respectively; "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah; "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson; the humorous 2004 release by 'funny man,' Christopher Moore, "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," that chronicles the 'missing years' of the Messiah's life as told by Biff, His best bud. His work is reminiscent of that of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams.

Avid readers adore trilogies. The most obvious reason, I believe, is to be able to keep the story going on for as long as possible if you enjoy what the author is writing about. As a writer, peaking the interest of your readers for an extended period of time is a strong tactic to embrace. This keeps your work, as well as your name, in the 'bright lights' for as long as possible. And, the revenue for three books is most appealing.

Also, authors often have so much to say with regards to their subject matter, that their thoughts tend to stretch-out much further than only one book might allow.

E-book authors, those who choose to self-publish their books, often use the idea of a three book series. This is a fantastic marketing strategy for these authors for several reasons. As I mentioned before, elongating your story into three parts helps to sell yourself and your stories for a longer period of time. Considering one of the strongest forums for an e-book author is the use of Social Media, this strategy assists in building interest and promoting sales among your fans, especially while you are working on the second, and, eventually, the third book of your series.

Essentially, many self-published authors will give their first novel away as a promotional ploy. I have seen contests where if you are the first to contact the author on Social Media within a particular time period, he or she will upload their book to your computer. Or, they can offer a 'free' Kindle version on a specific day with the hope of having readers like what they read for free and share that knowledge with others. Thus, building future sales and readers for their next two books in the series.

In answer to your looming question about e-books.....Yes, I do have them stockpiled on my computer's iBooks program, too. Insatiable. Would you expect anything less by now?

LIBRARY TABLE

BEDROOM

FOYER

I have enjoyed their bodies of work and have become friends with several e-book authors. Because I had fallen in love with their stories first, I asked permission to write a book review for them on my Blog so that I could share their talent with others. In doing so, I have gotten to know the strong personalities behind the novels, as well. Two examples would be Eric Vance Walton, author of "Alarm Clock Dawn," a chilling futuristic thriller that captures Corporate greed and corruption as it whittles away at our middle-class society. "Echoes of the Oasis" by A.R. Tirant, evokes the life of a young woman growing-up on the beautiful Creole islands of the Seychelles located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, east of mainland Southeast Africa. Both authors are currently working on the second book of their trilogy series. 

My point is this.....there is so much writing talent offered and so little time to enjoy all of it! In the past, I would cling to the works of several great authors and concentrate on their books alone. They included the bone chilling, 'scare me out of my mind' works of Stephen King; the life of identifiable and homespun Irish characters lovingly written about by the late Maeve Binchy; the monumental writings of the great James A. Michener whose stories would brilliantly thread generations of family members through time and turn learning about history into a cohesive and understandable experience; the intrigue and romance surrounding the Cold War was always intensified by the hand of the seamless author, Robert Ludlum. As you may surmise, my worldly adventures began long before securing my first Passport

I have diversified since the early Stephen King era....and, today, the quote "So many books, so little time!" by Frank Zappa, renowned musician and author of twenty-five distinct works of his own, haunt me every day. Yes, I am a 'Confessed Book Addict.' The signs are everywhere you look. From overflowing bookshelves to bloodshot eyes in the morning after a late night romp between the pages. 

 PARTIAL COOKBOOK COLLECTION
 

From hundreds of pastel sticky-notes stuck between the glossy pages of my favorite cookbook, "Flavors of France," part of The Beautiful Cookbook series, to sinking deeper and deeper into the political genius of Abraham Lincoln by way of the brilliant biographical writings of Doris Kearns Goodwin and her number one Bestseller, "Team of Rivals," reading can become an awesome complexity; a true value towards soothing the body and soul, exercising the imagination, and enlightening the mind.

With much persistence, I have been guided down the many paths of life via imagination and words. Each plot twist, new character, and creative storyline takes me back home. I continue to find 'stunning beauty' in every turn. I would not have it any other way.

LIBRARY CHAIR ALONG WITH
MY LATEST READ, "OF IRISH BLOOD"
BY MARY PAT KELLY

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

BOOK REVIEW: Alarm Clock Dawn

A Book Review.......

Books....Books....Books.....and, Even More Books, Please!!!!!

.......as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Occasionally, within your busy, daily life, you unexpectedly run across something that turns your head, makes you think and helps solidify that what you and many others do is nothing short of......well, impressive!!!

When I began to write many years ago, it was a time decidedly punctuated by a lifestyle rife with reading as many books, classic and modern, fiction and non-fiction, as I could get my hands on.  My passion, my future was 'written in stone' around the age of ten and I have been quite comfortable ever since.  Life (marriage, children and work) intermingled with my writing and time certainly carried me away upon its illusive wings until our youngest, Corinne, began her freshman year of college at Michigan State University in 1997.  We had become 'empty nesters' at the ripe, young age of forty-six and my life changed in so many ways. 

Dan obtained a job with a multi-family building company out of Altamonte Springs, Florida, and moved down to the Orlando area about one year before I followed him.  This allowed me time to tie-up loose ends at my current position, as well as see Corinne through her first year of college....something I felt quite strongly about.

Even though I now 'lived in paradise,' I continued to work outside of our home.  However, my passion for writing, finally, had time and space to blossom into a feasible desire to be published one day.  Becoming a freelance writer afforded me the chance to hone my craft even more and, with a travel article published in the local paper, the Orlando Sentinel, travel writing seriously appealed to me....Big Time!

Social Media soon followed and I was addicted to it as my 'drug of choice.'  Among Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Tumblr, to name a few, I have not only initiated and shared my weekly blog, Moving On...2014, but the greatest perk through all of this has been the opportunity to meet so many beautiful people throughout the world, become friends and discover their talent and passions, as well.  Hence, my addiction....

Today, I am taking yet another giant leap within this amazing, colorful world via social media.  Because the talent (out there) beyond cyberspace and into the daily life of many gifted people is so prevalent, it deserves recognition on so many levels.  Authors, photographers, painters and sculptors....just to name a few.  People with day jobs, hopes and dreams, families and aspirations of being able to share their talents with others; entertain the masses.

Upon meeting Eric Vance Walton via Twitter and Facebook, I  familiarized myself with his writing and decided I had to showcase his work and give more people the chance to become captivated, as I was, by his debut novel.  Eric, you are my first author reviewed but, I guarantee you have set a precedence here at Moving On that I am so proud to be a part of.... and will be for a long, long time!!
  
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BOOK REVIEW: "Alarm Clock Dawn" by Eric Vance Walton


Alarm Clock Dawn, a brilliant debut novel by author Eric Vance Walton, is a chilling foreshadowing of the possibilities all of us might be facing if our paths continue to lead us through the controlled darkness and corruption of Corporate greed and the continued annihilation of the so-called Middle Class.

Power mixed with Idealism can be a lethal combination when applied to Johann Pfizer.  As CEO of XenTek, a leader in futuristic technology, Johann based his corporate success upon Middle Class consumerism with the constant desire to live competitively on the 'cutting-edge.'  By dictating for decades what he feels the consumer needs and must have, XenTek and Johann Pfizer have locked into the individual greed of mankind while creating depersonalized human robots and declassifying the art of individual thinking.

Adam Harkin, an employee at XenTek, while intelligent and carrying high degrees within his qualified resume, had become just another 'number' as he was plied with material rewards and impressive job titles.  (The more money you made the higher line of credit you enjoyed.)  When Adam left work each night heading for his sterile cubicle called 'home,' he was becoming more aware of his lofty consumer status as his number, based on his credit score, allowed
him privileges well beyond those with much lower scores.  Your status within society was color-coded depending on your credit and displayed on an identification card that must be carried at all times.  Adam knew his 'green' card reflected his exclusive lifestyle, just as he was more aware of the everyday souls whose lower credit line deprived them of looking forward to brighter futures and only allowed them to solely concentrate on maintaining their current lifestyle...as if, even this was possible.

Adam, becoming more disillusioned by the inequality of life around him, realizes that the time required to maintain his own 'green' credit status has left him alone and lonely.  His life is punctuated by routine and habit with little or no time for pleasure or the simple joy of laughter.

With opposition groups forming and others being enlightened by the possibilities of a better, more wholesome life, devoid of corporate control and the rising financial gulf between the world run by XenTek and the majority of people classified by conventional values and conservative attitudes, Adam fears for his own future.  He was growing tired of his puppet-like life of rising at dawn when his alarm dictated he must, in order to begin this charade all over again.  

With Johann Pfizer planning to disrupt the delicate balance of the world once again by introducing his latest scheme to try to control it, Adam's recent promotion within XenTek presents him with the 'dark side' of his company's corporate image along with the absolute disregard for all life, in general, falling below CEO status.  Adam's desire for change opens his heart to the possibilities beyond the walls of the city, to the people and camps continually filling-up with others disillusioned and hampered by greed and power.  He soon learns how these camps are comprised of seekers of freedom and truth!

Even though I, as a reader, quickly realized what a 'page-turner' Alarm Clock Dawn turned out to be and, how fascinated I'd become in finding out the ultimate plight of Adam Harkin and the fate of humanity, so many things about this novel intrigued my imagination and prompted me to savor their many nuances that had become unique segues throughout the book.  Like an intricately decorated, multi-tiered cake, Eric Vance Walton was able to fill each delicious layer with suspense, intrigue, understanding of spirituality, as well as his ideal use of images and indirect suggestions.

Eric Vance Walton, a renowned, published poet in his own right, has astutely enhanced his storyline by supplying us with ample poetry interspersed throughout his novel.  Not only do these wonderful, original poems offer insight and add continuity to the plot, they serve to blend various dimensions of each character into a human, artistic form and balance them within the storyline.

The harsh realty of this brilliant debut novel is uncomfortably familiar to all of us.  By the end of the book I wanted to scream wildly at the greed and stupidity of mankind.  Why do some people enjoy and respect the natural beauty God has lovingly bestowed upon all of us while others treat mankind and nature as expendable commodities?

If you are looking for a poignant read that is well written and includes a monumental "twist" at the very end....then, Alarm Clock Dawn should be placed on your e-book library shelf or personal bookshelf at home as soon as possible.  Is it ever too late to help change the direction our world is headed in for a better one?  This novel may encourage this change before it is too late for all of us.

I have heard that this project is the initial part of a trilogy and, after reading Book I, can only hope that Book II will be just around the corner.

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Author Bio provided by Eric Vance Walton:

Eric Vance Walton is a novelist, author and poet with a writing career spanning nearly two decades.  He has published several books in different genres and has won several awards for his work including the "James Thurber Treat Prize".  Alarm Clock Dawn is Eric's debut novel.


Facebook Author Spotlight Link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eric-Vance-Walton/320090161436012


 Lulu Author Spotlight Link:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/ericvancewalton


 Author Website Link:

http://ericvancewalton.wordpress.com/


 



















 

ART, BALANCE AND MEDITATION.....REPOST FROM MARCH, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. VONNEGUT!!!!!  NOVEMBER 11, 1922. 

THE FOLLOWING IS A 'REPOST' OF MY ORIGINAL STORY DATED MARCH 20, 2014.
BECAUSE OF MY PROFOUND RESPECT FOR THE INTRICATE AND TALENTED MIND OF THIS INTERESTING MAN.....I HONOR HIM ONCE AGAIN....ON THIS, HIS DAY OF BIRTH. 

A series of essays.....




Kurt Vonnegut: The Celestial Teapot Magazine

.....through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Several days ago I posted a quote by the author and humorist Kurt Vonnegut on my Facebook Page that read, "I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found."  I posted it because I believe what it states to be true and insightful.

Many of us within the 'Facebook Family' have shared similar messages with FB friends.....even though their subject matter might be entirely different: fast cars, spiritual insights, beauty tips, hot travel spots, military homecomings and (inevitably) seemingly impossible cat poses, just to name a few. 

Welcome To My Library!

Certainly, as a writer, I am obsessively attracted to quotes by authors of no specific genre, location, time or gender....  I am proud to promote libraries, franchised bookstores, Indie bookstores and personal 'book nooks' located in private homes across the world!!  I posted a picture of my very own reading niche just a few days ago.  I do not understand homes without some form of library, whether it be filled with hard bound copies, paperback novels or a combination of the two.  In my estimation, ALL rooms within a given space are eligible and worthy of including bookshelves within their design.  (Yes, even, and perhaps, especially, the bathrooms...)

                                        Kurt Vonnegut's Office

E-books, although less tangible to many, are by no means less important.  Actually, Indie Published authors have designated the Internet as the most popular track for exposure and marketing of some of the very best writing talent to be found today!  With so much technology at our disposal, it would be unreasonable not to consider promoting and circulating your literary creations for others, including publishers, to see at the touch of a few keys!  Personally, I have been following several highly talented e-book authors within the last few months and have marked their overwhelming appeal among readers, along with their steady growth towards the mainstream of book publication.  The hard bound copies of their impressive work can now be found on display at your local Barnes & Noble with book launch, book signings and author forums neatly placed in their future 'schedule of events.' 

However, as the old saying goes....I digress.  Mr. Vonnegut's quote has not been pushed aside; rather, it has been reined back into my thoughts.  Best known as an author, Mr. Vonnegut was, also, a freethinker, a humanist and an atheist.  He once wrote, "I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without expectations of rewards or punishments after I am dead."  I can only imagine that by getting lost in either the act of writing his own books (The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five, to name a few) or, reading books written by others....Mr. Vonnegut was truly able to "...train the mind to be familiar with states that are beneficial: concentration, compassion, correct understanding, patience, humility and perseverance."  I would be safe in stating that 'most' authors today have meditated for years in order to achieve that feeling of being 'one with themselves' and able to provide their readers with the best they have to offer...

Nadine Within Her Elements

After posting this quote, a FB friend of mine and "artiste extraordinaire," Nadine Fourre, who lives and creates in the South of France, commented on my posting.  "Any Art form, isn't it?" she asked me.  Nadine's main area of artistic expression as a sculptor is the uncanny ability to establish an environment based upon Zen ideals utilizing natural elements which include, but are not limited to, sand, driftwood and dry-stacked stones of various shapes and sizes.  Her creations are highly personal, extremely beautiful and always thought provoking.

When I think about Nadine, I am constantly reminded of balance, nature and meditation.  Her work defies gravity while it draws the eye to its innate beauty!




By: Nadine Fourre

The Free Encyclopedia defines Zen as a school of Mahayana Buddhism meditation that originated in India and passed into China during the 6th century.   Zen developed fully in Japan by the 12th century and had a significant following in the West by the later 20th century.   Zen emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment through meditation, self-contemplation and intuition.  Contemplation of one's essential nature, to the exclusion of all else, is the way of achieving pure enlightenment.  Few understand nature as beautifully as Nadine...

Nadine At Work

Her poignant question affected me deeply.  I realized, being an author of words, Mr. Vonnegut's emphasis on reading and writing exclusively created shortcomings that were bound to draw the attention of friends who incorporated many forms of artistic expression into their lives.  I needed to take it several steps further by broadening "the most nourishing forms of meditation" to include all forms of art.  The great American novelist, John Updike, once said, "What art offers is space---a certain breathing room for the spirit."  

Writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers, musicians, architects, poets, photographers, actors......and, the list goes on and on.....all require that space, that breathing room that will allow their spirits to soar, their talent to exceed all expectations and, their creative minds the benefit of concentration...perseverance!!

Kurt Vonnegut

Thank you to all my friends who take their work d'art to the highest levels possible...and, beyond!  Michael, Cathy, Eric V. W., you know who you are!  The world is nothing less than blessed by your current achievements.  We patiently (?) wait to see what comes next....


NOTE:  To see more of Nadine's amazing work, this is one Website that exhibits her "Art of Balance":   gallery.knoxox.com/nadine-fourre