And you guys thought I was bad...

See?  I'm not the only one who makes up book-affiliated words. :) Now try and tell me that you don't want a T - shirt with that on it.


I've been being a librocubicularist quite a bit these past two weeks. Somewhere, within some friendly handshake, I received a horrid bit of bacteria. Said horrid bacteria, drained every bit of life out of me and left me coughing and sneezing my way through almost 2 entire weeks.

It was awful.

So, wrapped in my sweatshirt, armed with many books, and a pantry full of vegetable broth and Ramen noodles, I buckled down and tried to get better. It took several complicated crimes on my favorite mystery show, 2 audiobooks, 39 cups of tea, a can of paint, multiple episodes of Dr. Who, one furry cat, and precisely one and a half boxes of Cheez-its.

(Yes, Cheez-its are required when you are sick.)

But I am better now, and ready to attack life head on. :)

I'll be back very soon.  Stay well, and take time to be a librocubicularist today.

:)
Fine Print:  Above image and word is not mine. Much applause to the brilliant genius who created this word. :)

Books and Boxes

Fellow bookworms, I have done the nearly impossible. I have boxed all of my books up. Enshrouded in cardboard, secured with heavy duty tape. They now stand stacked in the corner of my room. I miss them already.

I love to study bookshelves. If you would happen to invite me to your home, you would catch me surveying your shelves. You can learn a lot about someone by scanning their bookshelves. Personality traits that would probably have taken years to discover, literally jump from the pages of their books.

I've never taken the time to step back and analyze my own shelves. Not until I started to pack all my beloved treasures.

There was the collection of tiny miniature vintage books. Many of them as old as 1860-70's. Most of them created as rewards for children in Sunday School. One of them still bearing a note from the teacher, imploring "Henry to read and not forget while enjoying the stories to see the lessons inside. "

There were the tattered children's fiction books. Many with math problems worked on the flyleaf. A few with notes from Father's, Mother's and best friends.

A history of English literature, written in 1910 comes off the shelf next. Inside, in a neat feminine hand are notes, questions, and ideas for writing assignments. I don't know who G.V. was, but I believe she and I are kindred spirits.

Next I pull out a beautifully bound, Sermons by D.L.Moody. In original edition, with lovely silver leaf lettering. But it wasn't it's age, or it's innate beauty that makes me love this book. It's the bullet hole in the corner. The story behind it, I'll never know,  I can only imagine.

Classics come off one by one. Ugly books with dearly loved stories, and tea stains to show their love. There is a handful of writing help, their new covers contrasting to all the vintage books. Several of my old journals go into the box. Scraps of notepaper flutter as I open several books.

My original edition Elsie Dinsmore's are packed with care, their embossed pansies (which Finley begged the publishers to put on the books) still lovely even after their long life.

There are books on screenwriting. Books on how to grow corn and beans. Craft books, decorating books, an English/French dictionary. A brand new girls devotional books side by side with a cookbook well over 100 years old.

The last box is packed and taped shut. Every box holding the evidence of who I am, and what I love.

What do your bookshelves say about you?

Fine Print: Image not mine.

Tiny Record Book

My eyes opened, a warm paw patted my cheek. Brown, cat eyes looked into mine, impatiently begging me to wake up and replenish her food bowl. Soft sunlight spilled into my room, making visible the floating dust particles, like sparkles.

There was something distinctly happy about waking up today. Not that I wake up grumpy or sad every day, just that today I was happy. Perhaps it was the lovely evening I had before sleep. An evening full of new library books, Charles Dickens, and happy music. Maybe it was the remembrance of the red winged blackbird and the robins I had seen the day before. 

The happiness has continued all day. The sun is bright, the daffodils are bursting their little green heads through the ground. There is a hum of new life, new hopes, new dreams. Not to be poetic, but it is a simply lovely day. Spring seems to be a reality now, just sitting right around the corner. 

Not every day is a happy day. There are way too many depressing days. That's why when I saw tutorials for tiny books I knew I had to make one. 

Well, come on, it's a tiny book, that alone makes it something necessary. :) 

I decided to combine it with a necklace, like those tiny necklace charms, only mine is a real book.  

Now here is how this tiny book necklace ties in with my happy day. There are exactly 100 pages in my book, that's just enough to write 200 happy things. It will be my new remedy for sad days, a constant reminder that life isn't always as crummy as it can look. I call it my "Record" book, in which I record all those tiny things that make like bright. 

Why don't you make one too? Or perhaps you would just like to have one already made and waiting for your happy things. If so, check out my etsy shop where you can order your own custom made tiny book. 

Fine Print: Images are all mine. Don't mind if you use them as long as you provide a link back to me.  Linking up with Defective Composition's Inspiration Challenge. Check it out!  Now go take a walk in the sunshine and list some of your happy things. 

Literary Heroines

Blog questionnaires, I never do them. I'm always curious as to whether or not anyone really want's to read my answers. But this one, well, this one is all about literary heroines. I couldn't help myself. It beckoned and called to me.  So here you are, 23 things that I want to share with you, about everything bookish, and literary heroine-ish. :/  Grab a cup of tea, please, keep reading.

 1. Introduce yourself! Hi, I'm Amanda. I read, a lot. I collect books, the older and mustier the better. I wish I could write like Dickens, instead, well... I like tea, I'm normally covered in cat hair due to my cat, and I really like to buy earrings. 

Confessions... sigh

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? A true heroine knows her weakness, a true heroine isn't afraid to lean on God and someone else for help. A true heroine has faith, love, and forgiveness. A true heroine stands up for what is right, even when she is scared to death. 

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. Esther Summerson (Bleak House) I love how sweet and gentle she is. She is willing to give up everything for others.  Meg March, probably not the first person you would think of, but she is a true heroine. Lastly, Eurie Mitchell, in Isabella Alden's Chataqua girls series. 

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?  Hidden Hand, Mr. Standfast, To Have and to Hold, Anne's House of Dreams, Bleak House.  (Do I have to stop????) 

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?  Hidden Hand- Capitola- I like a heroine who is not only heroical, but hilarious! 

Mr. Standfast- okay Richard Hannay is of course great, but I like Mary too.  

To Have and to Hold - can I choose the villain? He's like the BEST villain ever! Alright, Captain Percy, he is so.... perfect.

Anne's House of Dreams - Anne. :) 

Bleak House- Esther Summerson of course. :) 

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? Hidden Hand - Black Donald- Old Hurricane comes in close. 

Mr. Standfast - Peter Pienarr- His fortitude and trust in God. 

To Have and to Hold - Lord Carnal - okay, confession, I love good villains! (I mean bad villains, really bad villains!) 

Anne's House of Dreams- Sorry Gill, I have to choose Captain Jim. :/ I feel bad. 

Bleak House- Mrs. Jellyby- I know she's only a minor character, but hey, she's my favorite! 

7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? London, buy books and drink tea.  

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? Victorian and Edwardian times. The Mid-evil is close, and WW1, and the "modern age" of America, and ancient times and...

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? Comical Recitation. 

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? Anne. That would be fun. :) 

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? Firmly decided. Chocolate is necessary to health and long life. I am positive Anne would agree. 

12. Favorite author(s)? Too many really- Dickens, Montgomery, Southworth, Stevenson, Verne, Alden...

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? A friend. Adventures are always better with a friend. And lot's of extra suitcases for all the books returning home with me. 

14. In which century were most of the books you read written? 19th

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is... Captain Ralph Percy. Not only does he have every attribute necessary: gentleness, love, strength, protectiveness, courage... He's also the best swordsman in the colonies, Plus he is pretty good at acting like a pirate. Can't beat that. 

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place. A tiny fairy-tale house, with lots of little nooks and crannies, a plethora of windows, a stone fireplace, and an English cottage garden. 

17. Sum up your fashion style in five words. Haven't found it yet. (I did it in four words! :) Okay really, whimsy, accessories,  casual, dark colors. 

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? Yep, in a child's book I used to read, one of the main character's was named Cecilia.I couldn't pronounce it, so reading it was almost painful. 

19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...  Oh boy!  I love Villains! :) James Carker- from Dombey and Son. 

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books?  Elements of Style- Strunk and White,  Literary Taste: How to Form it,  Tremendous Trifles. 

21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? Outside in a flower strewn meadow. Laying out on the grass, with a picnic basket, some good books, a journal, and maybe even a friend. 

22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.  A floppy yet stylish sun hat, something that reminds you of the 50's (or was that 60's?)  Perhaps a bit of ribbon around it. 

23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. Going through one of life's biggest trials, the loss of someone very near and dear. 

24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently. Isaiah, the promises of God's faithful love are enough to take your breath away. 

Fine Print: Images Not mine. Linking to Accordion to Kelly for the Literary Heroines. Had much fun. Going to find the episode that Lucy and Ethel go to London, didn't know they had done that too. All the books I site are not exactly recommendations, some have to be taken with a grain of salt, a few with  a black permanent marker. 

The Hidden Hand ~ A Bookworm's Calendar

Heavy banks of thick clouds hover just overhead, the sky itself is hidden away. We won't see it until March. The world is painted in indistinct shades of white, gray, and brown, from the sky to the trees to the ground.

Most people hate February. But I like it. It's soothing, quieting, and the perfect time to curl up with a good book, some quiet music, and a nice warm mug of Chai. If you happen to think that February has to be gray and boring, then I suggest you check out this month's book. It was chosen just for you to cure the February blues.

The book for this month is The Hidden Hand. And I have to say, of all the books I've featured so far, this is my favorite. It's a complex, intricately woven historical adventure story. Featuring everything necessary to a really good adventure:  villains, the  Mexican-American war, Highway men, estranged relations, and deep dark secrets.

I guarantee you will not be able to put this one down. It's about 500 pages long, and every page is full of new twists and turns. I guess my favorite thing about this book is the realization that no matter how difficult and impossible things seem, there is always a plan. And behind the scenes there is an Almighty Hand, hidden, yet working for our greater good.

Please read it. I guarantee, you won't regret it. : )

Music is an absolute necessity on chilly grey days, or any day for that matter. But music is even more fun as a backdrop to reading. This CD is a perfect match to the Hidden Hand. It's been created just for Virginia, where our story just happens to be set. I love how they stuck to the original Appalachian style music, much of which contains remnants of the Celtic music loved by the original Appalachian settlers.





Grab your book, turn on your music, and brew yourself your favorite cup of tea. Look up at those grey February clouds and enjoy the peace.






Fine Print: All images of products are clickable, and will take you to the very best place to buy them. As for the other photos. they are not mine, but were simply too lovely not to share with you. 

Jack and Jill -A Bookworm's Calendar - November

 Jack and Jill went up the hill
     To coast with fun and laughter,
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
     And Jill came tumbling after. 

So begins one of my favorite children's stories by L. Alcott. I cannot even count how many times I have read this, and enjoyed it. Though written primarily for children, adults will enjoy the simple joy and cheer that this little book gives.

The story opens just like the poem. Jack, and his friend Jill are out for a fun day of coasting (sledding). But a terrible accident occurs. Leaving Jack with a broken leg, and Jill with an injured back. The two children are faced with bed rest for several months. And they learn to be content and have fun when flat on their backs.

Christmas is one of the big themes of this book. Everyone works hard to create little gifts for each other.  I enjoyed learning some of the old Christmas customs of the late 1800's.

Probably my favorite thing in this book is the lessons it teaches. During a day when Jill and all her little girl friends were struggling to be good. Kind Mrs. Pecq asks them if they each wouldn't like to be missionaries. Each little girl agrees, wishing that she could live the adventurous life of a missionary. Mrs. Pecq then goes on to show the girls that each one has a mission field of her very own in her home, and that they ought to try and be little missionaries .

Overall this is a sweet story of children, their growth, their struggles, and their victories. Read along with me, and let me know what you think.

Want the link to buy it? Go here Jack and Jill . 

To Have and To Hold

Despite it's name, this book is far from a mushy romance novel. Captain Ralph Percy, a stern soldier and homesteader in this new world of the colonies, is the narrator of the story. Through his eyes we can see the rocky beginnings of the country we now call the United States.

Life was hard for the early settlers around Jamestown. There was always the fear of hunger, disease, of wild animals, and the Indians. But to the men who first founded Jamestown there was another problem.

They had no wives.

And the fragile new colony faced extinction.

To remedy this problem, King James the first filled up several ships with lower class women. Girls who had strong bodies from working the English fields. Women who had no chance of anything but a hard life of toil and want. In America these women would be treasured by their men, they would have the chance to live, grow the land, and become the mother's of the Jamestown colony.

What King James didn't bargain for was that his ward, the Lady Jocelyn Leigh, would seek safety on the ships and disappear in the wild forests around Jamestown.

Captain Percy, unwittingly, marries the Lady Leigh, only to find out that with the wedding vows he had become a condemned man. Hated by the King, and the King's court favorite, and Jocelyn's old fiance' Lord Carnal.

The story is one of adventure, as Captain Percy fights for the woman he has married. There are pirates, Indians, soldiers, and wild animals all thrown against the dark and foreboding backdrop of the American forests.

2 Notes - Although love, and marriage are important pieces of this book. This is not a "love story" and there is nothing inappropriate. I recommend this book for the brilliant way it shows how true love will fight and battle and war against every odd.

Secondly, Though the original edition is in the public Domain, I do recommend you read the Vision Forum version of the book. The original story had several passages where a very angry Lord Carnal said certain things he ought not to have said. Vision Forum has done an excellent job in removing those, without damaging the excellence of the book.

Lastly, I chose this book for  November because of the incredible history of our early colonists that is portrays. With thanksgiving approaching, we often only think of the Pilgrim's alone in the New England Forests. But there was so much more than that. Reading this book deepened my appreciation for the American heritage. Read it yourself, you'll never think of history the same again!

Fine Print: Images are not mine. In hopes that Blogger will let this post through, it ate my last version of it. :/

Introducing... A Bookworm's Calendar

I love books.

That's obvious from my blog's title right? :)

I read as often as possible, and when I'm working and can't hold a book to read, you'll often find me listening to the Librivox version of the book. (Love Librivox by the way, but that's another blog post.

Anyhow, we haven't talked about books too much. I feel kinda bad about that, like I've neglected a dear friend. :(

Now it's all gonna change.

Every month I'm going to bring to you one book, a book suited to the month, but superbly excellent to read all year round. We'll call it the A Bookworm's Calendar, okay? I'm going to even compose a page (check the top of my blog right beside "About the Abibliophobiac". There I will give you the name of the books I'll be featuring a couple months in advance. That way you too can get the book and read along with me.

Sound fun?!

So, even though it's a little late in the month I'll be featuring November's book ASAP. Hopefully, you'll be inspired to grab it and we'll enjoy it together.

Happy Reading!

My Week

It's been a cloudy week. Heavy cloud banks outside, contributing to my brain fog inside. A week of misty ideas and plans, of indecision and thought.

But it's been an interesting week, slow, calm, cozy. A week of taking it all gently. A week of crafting, baking, and turning page after page in the books I'm reading. 

It's been a week of marveling at the changing world. Leaves falling, kittens chasing acorns, flower gardens put to bed for winter. 

It's been a week of chill. Necessitating many layers, chunky afghans, hot chocolate, and ginger cookies. 

It's been a week of music. Wind whipping the wind chimes, pleased kittens purring, Midnight Sonata played slowly. 

It's been a week of poetry, as I (who have always been afraid of poetry) discovered the loveliness of it. Any good suggestions for poets to read? 

It's been an interesting week. Full of ups and downs, of gray mist and sunshine. But it's been a good week. 

How was yours?

                                                     Ginger  Cookies

Cream 3/4 cup butter, with 1 cup sugar. 

Add 1 egg, and 4 Tbs. Molasses (the real stuff, thick dark and bitter)

Mix in 2 Cup Flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp Cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp powdered ginger. 

Chill dough.

  Make balls and roll in sugar.

     
 Press with either a cookie press, the bottom of a glass, or your hands.

Making the cookies a little less than an 1/2 in. thick.                              





 Bake at 375 degrees F. For 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

 Fine print: First image of window and coffee is not mine. The cookie ones are. I only wish I could share the smell of these with you as well. :) 

Vacation Adventure Day 4 and 5 Simple Things.

Things I loved about these last two days.

Cool drizzly air necessitating soft cardigans and warm drinks.

Sunny park benches, perfect for reading books on.

Burgers, grilled by myself, the first ever, and they were edible. :)

Hammered Dulcimer shop, with the most unbelievably beautiful dulcimers - That I was allowed to play. Taking home a set of new hammers to try out on my own dulcimer.

Sense of supreme accomplishment of looking over the hills after a steep hike.

Campfire warming my face and hands, while the cool mountain air blows across my ankles.

Swirled clouds above mountains.

Seeing complete blackness in the depths of a cave, and knowing just a little of what it must have felt like for the blind to be given their sight.

Little hillbilly produce stands along the road, proudly pronouncing the fact that they sell "boiled peanuts" and "taters".

Drippy caverns with their beautiful rocks, and blind trout. (And yes, even a bat or two)

Southern accents.

And I saved the very best for last -

A store entirely dedicated to Scotland, with a brief nod to Ireland and Wales. Bodhran's, kilts, haggis, claymore's , and clan plaids. Bagpipe music in the background, Scottish flag in the foreground, it was perfect. :)

Fine print: Images are my own. The cave picture being one of the last ones taken, after I realized that flash photography is necessary in a cave. :)

It's Coming...

Today there were dark and dreary clouds overhead. But somehow, under all that grayness there seemed to be a subtle change. The air was cooler, the breeze crisper. All I wanted to do was curl up with a book and a mug of warm, spicy cider. Fall is coming, and though I mourn the loss of my warm bright days, I am looking forwards to the coziness of Autumn.

Here are my multitudes for this week. : )

24. Hint's of fall in the

air.

25. Plum colored clothing. (I love that the color plum is everywhere this year.)

26. Stanton Lanier's beautiful music. (Check my mixpod on the side, There is some of his music in there. : )

27. Corn Stalks turning brown

28. Red Raspberries.

29. Cloud Banks telling us that Autumn is near.

30. Vacation Plans. (Excuse me a second.... Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I can't wait!)

31. Gray Sweatshirts in the morning with...

32. Chai Tea : )

33. 5 unread books on my shelf. (And they were half off at the thrift store!!!!!)

34. An Assignment nearly done!!!!!

What are you thankful for this week?

Fine Print: Picture not my own. It's made me feel less sad for giving up summer. :)

The Forward

First posts always intimidate me. What are you supposed to write about?

First off, the title. : ) Believe it or not abibliophobia is a word, (wiki says so :), and there are such people as abibliophobiacs. They are rarely seen it's true, generally because they are hidden behind a stack of books. I am one, and I come by it honestly, many of my relations are too. Just drive past a bookstore with one of us and you'll see.

Secondly, the "why" of this blog: Why? Just because. I like blogging, I didn't realize how much I liked it until I quit blogging. I'm not a terribly vocal person, I have a hard time being coherent when I do talk. But writing is something I'm slightly better at. I like to write, love to write. And I like to communicate with my family and friends through writing, here is where I'll do that.

Lastly, what will I be writing about? Anything and everything. Since I'm an eclectic individual, y'all will have to put up with an eclectic collection of material. There will be long drawn out rhapsodies on my favorite books, brief accounts of the ups and downs of writing, ramblings about every day life, squeals of delight over favorite things, and in general just the thoughts I am thinking.

In short, the material will vary, If I happen to bore you one day, hang on, the next day may be better.