Bibliophile or Bookworm...which one I you?

A friend of mine happened to mention during a rarely given opportunity of psycho analysing me that I have a case of bibliophilism. This got me thinking do I really or am I a book worm? There’s a difference as well all probably know. The latter loves books for their content, in other words loves reading and the other not only loves reading but loves the actual book as well and these tend to be collectors and if you want to be catty I suppose you can call them horders.

I love reading, from about 11 years old you couldn’t tear me from a book and when I was single I could spend Friday to Sunday alone in my flat, going no where, seeing no and would not feel deprived because my nose would be stuck deep within the pages of a book. I got a little older and things seem to have evolved, not only do I read books now but I have to have them. I just can’t bear to part with them.



While looking these two types of behaviours  up I came across a number of quote that I fear, not only removed any remaining doubt but also failed to discourage this compulsion. Here they are:

“Maybe I should start my own local (sorry, Fred) book-lending service to subsidize mybibliophilia.”

BookFlix

“I think that in any study of anything, an example of excess is instructive, because bibliomania on the whole -- bibliophilia, which is the cousin, are productive exercises.”

A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books

“Several years ago, in a fit of bibliophilia that still afflicts me, I started buying earlier versions of some favorite titles.”

Forbes: Beware Rare Book Forgeries

Let us examine the evidence in the context of the last quote. For reasons of maintaining my sanity I only went to my dining room cabinet to test the theory and did not approach bookshelves.



That poor cabinet I should add was the dining server until it found an alternative function.

So here’s my little inventory starting from your left:

• The first two rows are all old classics that I could not pass up because they are either old or old and leatherbound. I have not as yet gotten to them or some of the others classics around the house accept for Sir. A. C.Doyle and Rupert Brooke’s in this batch. But I had to save them from dust mites and heaven only knows what other forms vermin at the second hand bookstore.


• I was looking for books on ancient Africa when I came across Graham Hancock and found Fingerprints of the gods which is about Egypt but then there was this signed copy of Underworled as well. So how could I leave a signed copy and so I immediately developed a fascination with the Ice Age.  I remember how much they cost and how I winced when they told me but heck, you only live once.


• Then I came across this adorable book on Raphael the painter in a second hand furniture store. As you can see right at the top if you squint, vermin was beginning to work its way and the old man gave it to me for $7. It’s the best $7 I’ve ever spent. This book was created at a time when publishers and printers treated the process as an art. Phiadon Press did a really beautiful job of the inside, the picture quality is phenomenal and they aren’t stuck to the book (kind of a floating effect) and yet the quality is still outstanding right up to today. This was back in 1943. Sometimes I flip through just to admire it.


• Terry Pratchette, well what can I say. I had a copy but then came across a first edition, what’s a girl to do. I have quite a few of his first editions I’m proud to say.


• Neil Gaiman: I loved The Graveyard Book which I still have not reviewed but the madness here really becomes evident when you realise that these are not first editions, they are paperbacks which came out the same year. But in my defense, the illustrators were different people dammit. So I had to get both for choice. And of course I had to have another American Gods because this is the 10th Anniverary Edition. If I didn’t buy it now who knows what I would miss out in value in 200 years.


• And that Sussana Clarke book is another hardcover earlier edition that I just couldn’t let up and so soon I have to pass on the softcover copy I got a while back.


• And last. The little soft leather bound copy of The Story Of An African farm. This edition came out in 1924, the first was in 1883. I think my reasons are obvious.

And that is me in a nutshell and I fear my friend's summation was correct; I have indeed progressed from bookworm to bibliophile. Be that as it may, as BookFlix guy says, I am adamant I’d rather find a means to support my habit than a cure. At this juncture, nothing threatens my happiness more than the prospect of ever having to give away my books. I could not, not for love nor money.

So which are you, a Bibliophile or a Bookworm?

Interview with Australian Pianist: Fiona Joy Hawkins

Today I am so excited to be conducting my first music interview. Those of you who have been with me for a long time or have browsed my blog I'm sure you would have gathered that I love music. And it is my pleasure to help in anyway I can to get the names of those in the arts out there.

Fiona has kindly agreed to be my first subject. There is something to be said for Facebook friendships which is where I met Fiona. Fiona take it away:

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Fiona what is your musical background?

I started playing piano when I was 8 years old.  My Mother was 17 when she had me and so my Grandmother moved in to look after me.  With her she bought a 100 year old piano and I instantly fell in love with it.  I asked my parents for lessons – and it started from there.  Right from the word go I wanted to write music but realised I had to follow the syllabus for long enough to be able to play to the standard I could write too – ones writing is never more sophisticated than their ability to play, so scales and years of practice had to come first!

What made you decide to turn your early interest into a music career?

I think that a career in music chose me!  There is a drive that comes from somewhere that I can’t even explain, the need to follow this crazy pursuit and keep writing music.  Writing comes out of the pores of my skin and its something I have to do.

What musical genres do you play in?

I never understood what a genre was until about 15 years ago – music was music and I either liked it or I didn’t.  Then I learned that I fitted neatly into New Age, but with a bent towards World, Classical and Jazz.  I love to listen to Folk music in my spare time.

Tell us about the musical instruments are you accomplished at and to what extent do they feature in your music?

My first and main instrument is piano, I learned a little violin but not well enough to use in my career.  I can play some guitar and I also sing.  I’m OK at percussion.

As a composer, what music, books or experiences influenced you while writing your most current album? 

My most current album is actually two albums.  I recorded them both at the same time!  I did Christmas Joy – which is half original and half covers and I also recorded 600 Years in a Moment.  In some ways I put experience from across my whole life into an album.  I have to draw inspiration from thoughts, images, places…………the landscape and my own experiences.  I’m a conceptual writer, so I need subject matter.  Whatever is happing in my life at the time, or whatever I’m looking back and reflecting on will be the subject of the day!  To give you an idea, I wrote Earthbound after a 2 year break when I had left a 25 year marriage and my 2 sons and my life had been shattered.  I had moved in with someone I loved very much and the first time I sat at the piano in this new house, Earthbound poured out like a direct response to the trauma I had been through.  Six months later I wrote Running on Joy, which I like to claim is about nothing more than being happy.  Once I asked Will Ackerman “what will happen if ever I get happy, will the well of music dry up”, he said “No, you will just discover the major key” – and so I did.  I do still write a lot of sad things in the minor key, but they are less a reflection of my own inner self and more of a way of storytelling or taking on situations outside my own life and expressing them as music.  Telling ones own story gets boring after a while, so you have to look to other people to get subject matter.

 I recently sent a link of Flight of the Albatross to a friend who loves classical music (which I must confess I am not well versed in). In his very complimentary feedback he said he could hear some Chopin influence in it, what would you say to him in response?

I have had many people say I have influences from Chopin………..actually that is the most common.  I’m very flattered.  Please thank your friend.  If I were to name the composers who have influenced me I would say Prokofiev, Ravel, George Winston and Michael Nyman – the two latter are contemporary composers.

What generally inspires creativity in you?

The sun, the moon, moods, landscapes, thoughts, images, emotions – I am a story teller.  Music is just the medium I use to convey the story.

I find your music to be beautiful, tranquil, ethereal and earlier you spoke about your early interest in music. So I deduce that current results must be influenced by years of practice but can you elaborate on how you achieve this effect? 

As a child (from age 7) I used to lie in front of the speakers and put Ravel’s Bolero on and listen for hours and hours – I used to deconstruct it in my mind and listen to how the instruments come and go.  To this day industry people tell me I’m the ‘queen of the build’ – that’s where it comes from.  I then went on to listen (for hours and hours) to Andrew Lloyd Webber – mostly Evita and Superstar.  And then Prokofiev Peter and Wolf.  Other teenagers were out doing whatever teenagers were doing, I was lying in front of the speakers soaking it all in, or dancing around the house day dreaming as far into the music as I could go.

What do you feel when you play?  

That varies – but I know I’m in the zone when I finish and forget even playing.  If I truly let the music take me away then I am able to go where the piece of music came from in the first place.  I know I have performed in a concert well when I finish and forget there is an audience there, the audience can feel it too.  I wish I knew how to do that every time, but I don’t.    I use the piano as meditation in my life – when I’m angry, sad, lonely, happy…………….I go to the piano.   The piano keeps me balanced, answers all my questions, gives me an outlet to pour my feelings.

What response do you want your music to evoke in an audience when you are on stage?  

I tend to make people cry.  Fortunately I’m a bubbly person, so I make them laugh when I talk and cry when I play – that’s the main thing I hear after a concert – which tracks made someone cry. 

Do you do musical concerts and such appearances

I love doing concerts – I just played a whole pile in the US – I even did one with Liz Story – that was amazing.  I’m about to go on tour in Australia, starting at the Brisbane Jazz Club and going as far as the Promethian in Adelaide.  It’s for six weeks and its called 2Grand I’m Yours – I’m touring with another pianist ‘Trysette’.  We have very different styles.  She is a singer songwriter in the pop genre and I will be playing and singing in the New Age style.  Its great cause our performances compliment each other.

So far what has been the most memorable performance for you?  

I enjoyed playing the David Friend Recital Centre in Boston………… and also the Basement in Sydney on a Stuart and Sons piano.  There have been a lot of wonderful concerts – I also love the Q Theatre in Sydney – where I recorded a live album.  Its due out next June and its called LIVE at the Q.  I recorded it with the Blue Dream Ensemble, and I’m really looking forward to getting that out.

Who would you love be on stage with?  

George Winston

If you were stranded on an island and had to choose one artist for company, who would that be and why?  

Liz Story – I really like her, she is warm, funny and brilliant.  Also Sting, he is a very deep person and would be interesting to spend enough time with to talk about deeper issues than the surface.

What have been your greatest achievements in your musical career?  

Recording with Will Ackerman, meeting Bob Ludwig and watching Corin Nelsen move into a producing role on my new Christmas Joy album.

What do you have in the works at the moment and what can your fans expect in your next album?  

I’m about to release Christmas Joy, and next year in June LIVE at the Q and next October sees the release of 600 Years in a Moment.  I’m also brining out SACD versions of both the albums.  I’m waiting to hear on several film scores, about to go on tour and running my record label.  I am juggling a lot of balls at the same time!

Last question, who you are outside of work and with your family?  

Just Fiona Hawkins.  I forget I even know how to play piano sometimes.  The daily grind of keeping a house, cooking dinner, dealing with children is very sobering in the middle of an international music career, awards and recording studios.  The reality of life is that we all get up in the morning, take a shower, get dressed and eat breakfast before we do anything else.  The day just deviates from there – some days its great, some days it’s a hard dreary slog.

Thank you for taking the time to accommodate my interview Fiona, I look forward to the upcoming albums and know they will be as superb if not more than your current.



Note to readers:

To find out more about Fiona's music, concert schedule and ticket sales go to her website for more info.

Website: Fiona Joy Hawkins

Is Cover Art Worth The Ink & Paper?

 

How much value does one place on book covers? Are they as important as the content or the title? What inspires you to pick up a book off the shelf if you haven't heard of it before? As a reader, how important is cover art to you? I just started thinking about this after giving my response to Jaidis Shaw's thread at Nurture Your Books. I personally think book cover art can make or break your first impression to the reader. Thank God  covers are not the only means of marketing books otherwise there would have been many a book left undiscovered. As I say that J.R Tolkin's book covers come to mind. The copies I have leave much to be desired as they are so lacking in creativity in my opinion. I have been drawn many times to picking up titles I never would have considered just because of the cover art. So I for one, vote for the group that says its crucial that a lot of thought goes into them, certainly as much as that which goes into the title. I remember buying my first set of The Twilight Saga series. I'm one of those who catch on very late when it comes to trends and frenzies. I think the first 4 books were already out before I made my way to the shops and that was only because I wanted to read the books before watching the movie first which had just come out. I walked into Exclusive Books and caught site of  them all artfully displayed with all sorts of Stephenie Meyer paraphernalia surrounding them. I tell you by just looking at them I was sold. Who could resist such imagery?

So if you were or are a writer, when creating a book cover what would you take into account? For example do you go  for hand-painted or digital covers? Do you hire a professional photographer or graphic artist or take a more DIY approach? Would you prefer a direct link between the cover and the contents or use the cover art to(for lack of a better word) overtly insinuate what the book is about? Would you get a friend to do  a paint job for you and hope we don't pay attention to the cover when it hits the stores? How would you or do you invest in this part of your project?



Here is one example of a covers that led me to parting with a few quid. What do you think?

No. 1 McSweeneys 23

When the book is covered.

Cover removed and laid out.

Inside of cover

What I love the most about this cover its its handmade feel and newspaper effect. I found it so interesting I confess I never even read the book blurb. I just thought I'd love this on my shelf.  I've had it for a couple of weeks and just figured out this morning that its a collection of short stories. Foolish perhaps I know but we're not judging my abilities to reason here. The point is the author got the sale.



No. 2 My Journal

Even journal publisher's are merciless these days. I paid what I consider to be an obscene amount of money recently for this one because the cover is so beautiful and intricate. I have many other journals at my disposal and have therefore not as yet figure out what to use this one for. I wish I had friends who write, this is the kind of things to give as a present.

No. 3 Captain Underpants

My son is in my substantial debt because yesterday while at the bookshop he fell in love with this book. I know he loves comics but I suspect he was further pushed to an  "Imusthaveit" state by the cover. Let me try to explain. Its in hard cover and the whole picture is covered in some kind of reflective almost fibre glass like plastic that has a rough surface. Every time you move the book around Captain Underpants changes positions drastically. What hope does the poor reader have. That's almost like asking a sweet toothed child if they like candy.





Some of my blog friends whom I think got it right:







I love this cover because it looks strong and uncluttered. Polished is the word. It definitely gives the impression that you'll be thrown into some kind of gangster filled underworld and yet for me I also expect romance because to have such a strong, hot virile male on the cover would be a complete waste if he has no love interest. I mean look at that neck, I can just see her fingers caressing it.

I simply love this cover. I especially love the colour scheme used for it. Myne did a brilliant job I think. Everytime I look at it I see it I feel like love is effortless, calm and warm. I really think it was a stroke of genius to rather focus on the richness of the sand for overall effect rather than the blue sea which I am sure would have taken away from the message this couple means to communicate with its audience.

I entered a blog giveaway and was selected as the winnder of this book which I am really happy about because I really loved the cover even before I stated reading. Its one of those that if it were on a bookshelf, I would have picked up. Well done Belinda.

When I first saw this cover there wasn't an immediate connection between us but the more I looked at it, the more it grew on me. Having read teh book made me also realise it really is a great piece of work because it links with the entire story. Its like a puzzle, you only fully appreciate how clever this cover is when you get the whole picture (read the story)

I could go on forever, but I'll leave room for your opinion on the following the questions I asked above.

Please send links for your favourite blogger/writer book covers  which you think should have been on this list because I'd love to create a page we can refer to.  

Wishes and Paintings.

I've had this picture for a long time and now and again I pull it out to look at. It's one of my favorites and I wish had it as a real life painting or at least knew who the artist was. But alas, I don't think I'll ever find out.....

 So I made it into my Avatar .........

Who's On The Spotlight.

Hello friends. What do you think of the new look? Extremely pink, fabulously or horrendously feminine...LOL

Honestly though, what do you think?

On the Spotlight @ Fabulosity Reads (my other blog) is reknowned author,  blogger and blog-friend, J.L.Campbell. Come by and mingle with us. @ fabulosity Reads, my review blog.

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My guest
today hails the way from fabulous Jamaica. J.L Campbell is always on the
lookout for story-making material. She writes both fiction and
non-fiction and has won several awards in the Jamaica Cultural
Development Commission’s Literary Arts Competition and........no, let me let her tell us.

For the rest head on over to Fabulosity Reads.

A Shout Out To All J.L Campbell Fans

This Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I will be hosting J.L Campbell, chronic blogger ( Snippets and Spashes, The Character Depot, Reader's Suite) and author of two published novels Contraband which I am pleased to say I finally have in my possession and Dissolution.

I'm also very excited because JL.has agreed to be a regular feature on my blog and so I will, amongst other things, be publishing snippets of her current WIP's on my blog. Wooo Hoooooo. . I had this brainwave as I read through some of the stories she writes for her Romantic Writer's Friday forum and I thoroughly enjoy those. So, please tune in tomorrow and in the mean time, enjoy this snippet from one of her current WIP;s called Taming Celeste........as if.

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Mark slogged down the front steps, squeezing the bridge of his nose. Only God knew what he was thinking when he decided to chaseCeleste. He liked his women independent; after all, he wasn’t the most dependable of men. 

When he first asked her out, she had decided where they would spend the evening, and from then on, he had to be firm with her, otherwise he would have done what she wanted on every date.

Her confidence, and the way she had of doing things on her own terms, attracted him initially. Lately, those same qualities—which he was now inclined to describe as pigheadedness—could get them both killed. 

He shoved his hands in his pockets and dragged his feet over the grass. A walk would clear his thoughts and lessen the urge to throttle her.

His fingers curled around the keys to the truck. Now might be a good time to check on things at home. A little distance might also cement the fact that she couldn’t play the sort of game she started earlier without some consequences. Then again, she would count his absence as typical and not give a hoot that he was gone. She did say she didn’t care whether or not he came back. Of course, later she’d change her tune and want to know why he’d gone missing again.

He opened the van, got in and switched on the engine.

They both needed to stop irritating the fiber out of each other and get on with their lives. He wasn’t ready to settle down, he knew that, but when he did, fireworks wouldn’t be part of the equation. He’d had enough of it with Celeste. When the time came, he’d find a woman who fit in with his ideals. Calm, soothing, willing to listen.

He pulled out of the driveway, chuckling. He’d just described a pet or figurine.  There was no getting around it - Celeste made him as confused as a fart in a wicker chair.  Whenever he thought he had a handle on her and her thoughts, she moved in another direction.

Paul’s advice came back to him.  He sighed and turned the radio up higher. Sure, he could show Celeste how he felt, but what was the point when he wasn’t looking for commitment?

And yet, I hate being separated from her for any length of time. 

    ~ Excerpt from Taming Celeste (399 words - FCA)

You Are Doing It Right.

I'm not a very social person in my physical surroundings and I excuse that by saying I invest that time in spending it with my kids because I always look forward to either lazing around with or doing things with them. I didn't think they took note of this until my son's recent comments. He's twelve and an introvert so you can imagine that every word counts. Last Saturday in his book review he mentioned that he enjoyed reading detective themes because its such programs he always watches with his mom. He's right, we even schedule them so we can remember. I can't tell you how many reruns of Diagnosis Murder we've been through in his lifetime. I realise now that, those times mean more just than tv, they are our time together, just me and him. And it made me think of all the things I do with him, without his sisters, mainly during the holidays because they are still at kindergarden even then. Something good happens to him emotionally during those times. Even if at times we do cover topics which embarass him - like sex. The other day he came home so concerned because they were shown pictures at life orientation class that were sexual. after our chat he declared he wouldn't have sex until he was thirty, I said i'll remind of that when he's 16 and I have to tie him to his bed to keep him from sneaking out the house.......I do wonder how he'll turn out, as an adult.

Then two days ago he came to my room while I was reading and said: "mommy, u know I know that everyone thinks their mom is the best but you are not only the best and but more important you the coolest mom." This immediately brought back a memory if him when he was four looking up at me and telling me: "Mommy,  you a cool woman." That audacious remark was prompted by my big dark sunglasses and a tomboy cap. Eight years later he says the same thing more tactfully but this time with deeper meaning. I asked why he says so and he explained: "there are a lots of things u do with us for fun that other moms don't do and you help me with school." I know he meant his friend's mom's in this generalization, so they must be comparing notes. I am so pleased he thinks I am doing well by him because I ask myself so many times: what the hell am I doing?

One of my bestfriends always tells me what a great mom I am because I'm always looking for things to do with my kids.
I do confess that I'm always concerned about keeping them involved, I worry about having technology as a babysitter. I even worry that my very African husband is not communicating adequately with them (not always present with all his being). But I know he's doing much better than most even though its not necessarily up my my high expectations. He certainly is doing much better than his own paternal background and some of his contemporaries. Generally tigers' don't talk to or cry with each other on this continent.
Parenting is a trail and error business and its mostly the results that will tell you whether you got it right or wrong. But you know, I guesse along the way its nice to hear from the horses mouth that you're doing some things right.
So mom, if you are doing your damndest by them but the horse hasn't spoken yet, take my word for it.
YOU...... are doing it right.

Relocation _ Panic Station Yet

There is a possibility that my family will be relocating to West Africa for a few years. Nigeria to be precise. If all goes according to plan, by God's grace, this should be in the next couple of months.
When my husband and I spoke about this as an option I was Ok with it, and for the most part I still am. HOWEVER. There is a certain disquiet creeping in at the pit of my stomach. Especially as it looks like this may happen sooner than later.
I keep switching between panic mode and excitement. Panic because this is will be the third life changing decision I make and excited because we've just finished big building a house which we initially thought was for our later years  and I really can't wait to play house.

But yes, panic is setting in and my lists are getting ever longer. My country's in my marrow. In all its beauty and ugliness. How will I leave it for an indefinite period if we decide to stay? Can I really be consoled by the knowledge that I am still moving to a country within Africa, where nature lives?
Such questions keep playing ping pong ball in my head. All the time....to what end I don't know?

To those of you who have or ever had to leave home for a while and those who relocated permanently, what words of wisdom do you have for me?

Today while driving I was listening to one of my favourite Nigerian musicians, Agbaso. I don't understand any of the words that I sing along to but the music is such fun I can't help but get swept away. I can't wait to uncover this country with all its fun loving people.

You see? I am of two minds. :(

PS! Don't watch the video, its rather silly. Just listen.