Finding scrapbooking inspiration through the looking glass
In my first year of teaching, the amazing librarian came up to me to ask my favourite book so she could add new members of staff to an open house display. I froze. That’s the sort of question that needs thought: if everyone will see what you’ve declared as your favourite, you don’t want it to be too much of a best seller exactly. You need something with substance and something that says ‘Why yes, I do read books that make me sound like an English teacher!’ And yet in the end, I could not get away from what I would truly declare as my favourite story, which is Through the Looking Glass.
So you can only imagine how amazing life can seem right now with Alice things everywhere! Though I think my days of finding rare and interesting copies of Alice books at bargain prices in little used book stores are long gone. I went in one last week to find all copies sold out and the only two remotely Alice items had prices that would shock and scare us all. So until all the fuss dies down I can placate myself with smaller Alice delights in fabric, stationery and lipstick.
Truth be told, I was very nervous about the new film. Burton can be amazing, especially with Johnny Depp and Helen Bonham-Carter of course, but I was ready to change my mind entirely with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I can never and will never accept the idea of Willy Wonka the American, and it was just something I could not get over. Roald Dahl’s stories are just as British as Alice in my mind and I never once read Charlie’s story and thought it would be in America. And because of this, I held a grudge. I think it was only Sweeney Todd that made me a little more confident that Burton did remember England after all.
And without saying anything else…why yes, I adore the new tale of Alice’s return.
So…what is your favourite book then?
On odd-numbered hours throughout the weekend, I’m posting little bits of things that inspire me. I’d love to hear what inspires you too! Check back on even hours for new scrapbooking challenges and prizes to be won!
xlovesx
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17 April 2010, 04:27
Soooo many books to chose from, but for me my absolute favourite book is “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. If you’ve never read it, please, please do … it’s beautiful, sad, amazing, inspiring and brilliantly unique. xxx
17 April 2010, 04:37
I thought the new alice film was truly amazing! I absolutely loved it.
As for my favourite book that is indeed a very hard question, I love reading and have so many favourites. Please can I have 2 favs? My first is To Kill A Mockingbird. I had to read it for my O Level English Lit and it has been with me ever since. It is such a powerful story told through a young person’s eyes. Amazing.
My second is The Outsiders by S E Hinton. My friend gave it to me when I was about 14, I read it in one sitting, I just could not put it down. I have read it over and over and there is something incredible about it.
17 April 2010, 04:41
Oh no, like you I hate that question. I have a long term list of about 10 all-time faves which I can’t choose between. They are on my blog here:
http://handmadebykirsty.blogspot.com
But then I see a discussion like this and someone reminds me that I do also love ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. I must get hold of The Power of One’.
17 April 2010, 04:56
Just has to be Fantastic Mr Fax by the wonderful Mr Dahl.
So much so, that I WILL NOT watch the film! I never think commercial films do justice to books and since my childhood I have in mind the film script & no-one can beat that!
17 April 2010, 05:03
My favourite book is The Time Traveler’s Wife because it combines my two favourite genres … sci fi and chic lit!
17 April 2010, 05:36
Our school librarian asked me a similar question and took my photo. One of all my time favourite books is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen but at present I am also loving “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Steig Larson and a series of fantasy books by G Martin called “Game of Thrones”. This will change…as books are a fickle mistress.
17 April 2010, 05:49
Oh my, how to choose just one. I think I could pin it down to 20 or 30 or so LOL. OK how about The Da Vinci Code. I loved this book and the way it made me think actually that could be true
17 April 2010, 07:20
I haven’t seen the new Alice film. I must put it on my to do list.
Too, too many books that I love. The one that impressed me most was ‘the flight of the heron’ by D K Broster. It was the first book I read that introduced me to Scottish history. I get transported to a different time when I read and that book made it very real. Funnily enough I’ve recently bought a copy so I can reread it. I wonder if it will feel the same.
17 April 2010, 07:31
This reminds me I still haven’t done my desert island book list LO. At the top is The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. A real literary who-done-it with a nod of recognition to Sherlock Holmes. AND Sean Connery was great in the film of the book – obviously a trimmed down version but it keeps the story.
17 April 2010, 07:39
A favorite book, sorry I can’t play favorites and pick just one. I love books, I love to read,and as a teacher I don’t play favorites. However right now I seem to picking from Amish, historical fiction, scrapbooking mysteries, and young adult lit.
17 April 2010, 07:46
Pick just ONE favorite book? Eeek! I’d have to say ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte…or maybe it’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’…or ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’… Seriously, I can’t pick just one! :)
17 April 2010, 12:08
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. What an absolutely brilliant book and although I love the movie too, it’s not a patch on the book.
18 April 2010, 09:25
Tricky. I’m an English graduate too… Love anything by Zadie Smith (especially On Beauty), Catcher in the Rye, Time Traveller’s Wife, The Sea The Sea by Iris Murdoch… Haven’t read a book for ages. I read all day for work so my eyes are too tired for it when I get home :(
18 April 2010, 14:07
pride and prejudice & the harry potter series, those are basicly my favorites :3