123 twice and five.

This meme has been all over the place, and I’ve only been tagged in passive-aggressive ways, but I like it and will therefore join in.

Rules: Find the book nearest to you with 123 pages or more. Turn to page 123 and find the fifth sentence on the page. Provide the title and author, and then type in that sentence.

It was a tie between two books for me:

• The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan: “What thing so deserving, as to turn us out of the Way?”
• German Stories and Tales by Robert Pick: “These peaks are difficult to ascend, moated as they are by snow, now wide, now narrow, and the Bergschrund or rim must be compassed by a leap.”

So no great words of wisdom for you today, dear readers.

I’m tagging Jenn, Saartje, Mimsie, She’s in Fashion (I don’t know her real-world name …), and Tonya.

Favorites

1. word1_final03_o, 2. Praying Mantis, 3. aran hat, 4. “brights 2”, 5. that which we call a rose, on a vintage button might look as sweet, 6. another green hen, 7. TIF May, 8. e sem o laço……, 9. Jeans recycled., 10. White Garden, 11. tree sweater, 12. Earthly Fae Hood in Wheat, 13. 5 of 12 2008, 14. tropique, 15. Knitted Felt Bracelet, 16. Mellow Yellow, 17. Green and Brown Clutch!, 18. crochet-covered suitcase

Cars.

I have a problem with Cars. The movie.

Okay, so everything in the movie is metal and glass and rubber, right? No people, no animals, just machines with personalities. But, if everything on a car can be replaced, how do they maintain the same personality?

I think that a person’s character is stored in the brain – because I think it’s mostly environmental, and not genetic. And brain cannot be replaced. So, even if we change our hair color and wear colored contacts and get a tummy-tuck and a nice tan and a new liver, we’re still the same people. Because the core of us is stored in a place that cannot be exchanged.

So where are the cars’ personalities stored? As far as I know, there isn’t a part of the car that is so integral that it cannot be replaced. Engines, electrical systems, body – it’s driving me crazy!

I just can’t watch cartoons anymore. They mess with my head.

A nice little meme.

From around n round she goes.

1. Whatcha reading?
A: The Headless Hawk by Truman Capote.
B: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.
C: The Devil Finds Work by James Baldwin.
2. How much of it have you read so far?
A: 29%. I’m anal about knowing exactly how far along I am in a book.
B: I just started. But I read the introduction twice because it is so fantastic.
C: 45%.
3. What’s it about?
A: So far, it’s about a man who works at an art gallery who is followed by a girl with short hair and green eyes. Then, she tries to sell him some of her art, and disappears before he can pay her. Then, he thinks that he sees her all over the place, but he doesn’t. It’s just because she’s on his mind.
B: A summer in Illinois from the point of view of a twelve-year old boy. It’s semi-autobiographical.
C: It’s about American films and race (of course) and how the former distorts Americans’ views of the latter.
4. What does the title refer to?
A: I haven’t the slightest.
B: In the introduction, the author talks about his writing process. He said that in the morning he would just start with a word and then laboriously write until he finished on the path that that word lead him to. He liked the sound of the two words together. He liked the way that the two words made him feel. But I don’t really get it yet.
C: It’s in reference to film.
5. Would you recommend it?
A: I wouldn’t jump right into it. Read some of Capote’s more understandable work first. An essay here, a novel there. This is pretty complicated.
B: Totally. But I hold a special place in my heart for novels about young boys’ summers. If you read this, you should also read Cold Sassy Tree.
C: People who are totally obsessed with Bradbury don’t usually like this one. But, it’s my first experience with the author, and I rather like it. I like it when a writer can publish something that’s unorganized and bitter and scathing just because he wants to. And he deserves it.

Thirty!

Thirty viewers yesterday!

Thirty!

Well, that’s about it. Today, I got three wonderful books from my Christmas list; A Lifetime of Secrets, Super Stitches Knitting, and Favorite Socks. Lovely.

And I’ve decided that “Super Stitches” is just alliteration, not a pun. Well, maybe not a purposeful pun. Dast, I can’t get away from the alliteration.

I think I’ll try to link as many words in this post as possible.

Acedia

I’ve noticed something lately. For months, I haven’t written anything unless it is going to be published. This just isn’t healthy! It isn’t me! My journal has been almost completely abandoned, and (I’m sure you’ve noticed) my blog doesn’t really contain much actual writing.

First thing to do when you have a problem? Blame other people.

First off, I blame English 1010. Now, when I write, I have to go through the WHOLE rhetoric process, because it has been put in my head, and I can’t get it out. My old writing used to be fluid, quick, organic, without drafts, and mindless. Mindless in a good way, that is. It just came from my gut. But now, as I type, I’m actively considering my audience, purpose, and genre. I’m searching for an equal representation of pathos and logos (I’ve totally given up on ethos until I’m a grown-up).

Second, I blame my knitting. Because I can just as easily record my thoughts in stitches, instead of on paper. The problem is, when people look at my lovely socks they think, Oh what even stitches, and not Oh what interesting ideas. I want to get to know this person.

Third, I blame my room. Because I have no place to put things. My room’s a great scapegoat.

Oh well, I’ve made some progress already. Here are a few paragraphs of actual writing. I hope you enjoyed them.

And here’s a kitty picture.

Winston: 1. Daisy: 0.

Too busy reading to write.

I have a fantastic Bloglines account. I just became aware of this today. But I really have collected a wonderful menagerie of blogs, and I thought it is only right to share some of my favorites. If you are anxious and want to see the entire collection, my account name there is valleyadvice, as far as I can tell. It is kind of confusing. Anyway …

1. ah-yi

Just a wonderful, simple, beautiful blog. My favorite thing is that though the author is originally from Taipei, the blog is in English. The bad grammar (and I say that in the most complimentary way) is charming and matches the pictures well.

2. Anna Maria Horner

There are no words for how much I love this blog. Obviously, the pictures are wonderful. It’s a new American aesthetic, and … I just love it!

3. Brooklyn Tweed

For the true yarn addict. Everything here is so absolutely pretty. It’s hand spun paradise.

4. Bits and Bobbins

I’m having some problems putting photos on. Which is a shame, because this is a fantastic blog. The author is the founder of wardrobe_remix, which is one of the most inspirational things for a lazy morning.

5. Cute Overload

I know, I know, everybody and their (incredibly cute) dogs know about this website. But just in case one of my three readers is still ignorant of the cuteness, I had to slip this one in. If anybody would like to come to my house and convince me to submit a picture of Winston, you are welcome. He would just be so sad if they didn’t accept his picture.

6. Black Cigarette

Oh, how I loved LiveJournal. But then I found Bloglines, which made me feel much more grown up (and didn’t display comments). But, I have held on to a few of my old LJ addictions. Black cigarette is wonderful, because it is a large group of people, all of whom comment on fashion, art, travel, style, etc. There isn’t a specific topic or specific limitations. And in general, the posts are magnificent.

7. The Daily Purl

Simple and lovely. There is plenty of knitting, but I love this blog because of the hand weaving. This is something that I want desperately to do, but haven’t a clue where to start. Or where to find the patience for it.

8. Go Fug Yourself

Some people say this site is rude and cruel and the worst thing to ever happen to style, but I just love it. The redemption is in the fug: because ugly is something that’s not your fault, but fugly is something that you can change. Alicia keys wasn’t forced to wear the hideous bodysuit. Gemma Ward wasn’t tricked into putting on that terrible dress and those shoes that ruin even HER legs. I’m sure Nicole Kidman wasn’t coerced at gunpoint to age herself twenty years with that suit. Plus, the prose is witty and surprising.

9. Inside a Black Apple

I can’t read this blog without listening to the Decemberists. It just doesn’t happen. I don’t know why, but the two always go hand in hand in my mind. But look how adorable everything is!

10. Hoping for Happy Accidents

I admire this blog for its devotion to a specific style. All of the posts feature pictures of modern, contemporary, simple homes or tidbits with clean lines and an almost stark mood. I can’t seem to decide on a style for more than two days.

11. Kris’ Color Stripes

This site is absolutely brilliant. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

12. Ramblings of a Knitting Obsessive

It is hard to come by a good knitting blog penned by someone (around) my age. But this one is absolutely fantastic. The author just blows me away sometimes.

13. Ruby Crowned Kinglette

This blog makes me want to marry rich, never get a job, and stay at home all day sewing and cooking for the rest of my life. Look at how pretty everything is! I’m especially fond of the embroidery in the picture on the right.

14. The Sartorialist

I don’t know all of the details. But the author travels (and travels and travels) and takes pictures of well-dressed people on the street. And there is generally a nice caption, or description of why the picture was chosen.

15. Sew, Mama, Sew!

The tutorials on this blog (especially from November 2007) are spectacular. There are just so many!

16. Sfgirlbybay

I’m completely enamored with San Francisco, and so many of her posts are about the city. The pictures are fantastic and the content is entertaining. This is how I want to live someday, with a lot more knitting.

17. The Innerworkings of a Redhead’s Mind

This is my dear friend Janeal (yes, that is me impersonating Christian Bale on the far left – you’re such a good guesser!). She has a very witty new blog, and you should visit it. Go to!

18. Life as a Me

And this is the blog of my sister Jenn. She is very very silly, and her pictures are always fantastic. Because look at those nephews! They’re adorable!

I suppose that is enough for now. Enjoy!

I yearn for yarn.

 

Dear Santa,

I thought I would make your Christmas shopping a bit easier. Here is an extensive, specific Christmas list. It is in no way all-inclusive (or vice-versa, for that matter), but I thought it would, if anything, get you started on the right track. I’ve been working on it for months.

Oh, and I’ve been very good all year, bla, bla, bla.

1. A Citizen folding bike in yellow. If only I had this bike, I could stop spending thirty-freaking-dollars a week on gas. And it could fit in my trunk, so when I move, I wouldn’t have to install a bike rack to bring it with me. And yeah, it is kind of ugly, but the rest of the folding bikes are ridiculously expensive. I’m thinking of you here.

1 1/2. My So Called Life (the complete series) on DVD. This is probably one of the best television shows in the history of mankind.

1 3/4. A Sephora Blockbuster Pallet. It’s AMAZING. And only $48.

2. Here is the entire (well, almost) list of yarn I would need to complete my ravelry queue, including prices.

• Knit Picks Andean Silk: 8 skeins Mustard for my Cropped Cardi ($34.52 plus tax); 10 skeins Olive for my Somewhat Cowl plus money for pattern download ($48.40 plus tax); 5 skeins Hyacinth for my Green Day ($21.45 plus tax); 17 skeins Navy for my Circular Jacket ($72.93 plus tax); and/or 10 skeins Lettuce for my Maude Louise ($42.90 plus tax).
• Laines Du Nord Softlight: 13 skeins Peas for my A-Shape Jacket ($38.74 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Merino Style: 13 skeins Moss for my Patti Jacket ($32.37+$1.80 for download plus tax); 1 skein Storm for my Midwest Moonlight scarf ($2.99+$16.93 for the book plus tax); 2 skeins Tide Pool and 3 skeins Fog for my Exchequered ($12.45 plus tax); 5 skeins Crocus for my Jacket with Circle Effect ($12.45); 7 skeins Pine for my Dress in Safran ($17.43).
• Knit Picks Swish Superwash: 2 skeins Squirrel Heather for my Fetching gloves ($6.58 plus tax); 8 skeins Lemongrass Heather for my Brittania ($26.32 plus tax); 11 skeins Truffle for my Montparnasse ($36.19 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Cadena: 2 skeins of Neptune for my Amy ($10.58 plus tax); 6 skeins Mahogany for my Provincial Waistcoat ($31. 74 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Palette: 1 skein Ash and 1 skein Yellow for my Endpaper Mitts ($3.98 plus tax); 3 skeins Green for my Haruha scarf ($5.97); 2 skeins Ivy for my Crochet Hat ($3.98); 1 skein each Grass and Green for my Sheldon ($3.98); 1 skein each Bark and Twig for my Mr. Dangly ($3.98); 2 skeins each of Bark, Grass, and Salsa Heather for my Universal Toe-Up Sock ($11.94); 2 skeins each of Brindle Heather, Autumn Heather, Golden Heather, Tidepool Heather, and Merlot Heather and 1 skein each of Ivy, Teal, Salsa Heather, Navy, Verdant Heather, Rainforest Heather, Calypso Heather, Marine Heather, Blue Note Heather, Iris Heather, Clematis Heather, and Garnet Heather for my Babette Blanket ($43.78); 2 skeins Garnet Heather for my Spin me Right Round, Baby ($3.98).
• Knit Picks Shamrock: 2 skeins MacNamara for my Cats Love Sweaters ($4.98 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud: 1 skein Autumn Heather for my Branching Out scarf ($4.99 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Bare: 2 skeins Superwash Merino Worsted Weight for my So Called Scarf ($11.98 plus tax); 2 skeins Superwash Merino Worsted Weight for my Drop Stitch scarf ($11.98 plus tax); 1 skein Merino Wool Fingering Weight for my Cat’s Paw scarf ($4.29 plus tax); 9 skeins Peruvian Highland Wool Bulky Weight for my Starsky sweater ($31.41 plus tax); 9 skeins Peruvian Highland Wool Bulky Weight for my Josephine sweater ($31.41 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Shine Sport: 4 skeins Violet for my Ballet T-shirt ($9.96+$19.98 for the book plus tax); 4 skeins Turquoise for my Leaf Shirt ($9.96 plus tax); 9 skeins Crocus for my Razor Cami ($17.91 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Telemark: 13 skeins Lichen for my Tangled Yoke Cardigan ($25.87 plus tax); 14 skeins Lichen for my Ivy sweater ($27.86 plus tax); 4 skeins Flame Heather for my Flappy hat ($7.96 plus tax); 14 skeins Squirrel Heather for my Crochet Jacket ($27.86).
• Knit Picks CotLin: 6 skeins Key Lime for my Cherry Cardigan ($14.58+$5.00 for download plus tax); 9 skeins Key Lime for my Crochet Crop Cardigan ($22.41 plus tax); 1 skein Nightfall for my Stegs ($2.49).
• Knit Picks Elegance: 5 skeins Redwood for my Mrs. Marigold ($21.96+$5.50 for download plus tax); 2 skeins Ash for my Bainbridge scarf ($10.98).
• Knit Picks Risata: 4 skeins Burgundy for my Vintage Vest and Shorts ($17.96 plus tax); 2 skeins Grass for my Climbing Vines scarf ($8.98 plus tax); 3 skeins Burgundy for my Mead scarf ($13.47 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Main Line: 11 skeins Blueberry and 2 skeins Dusty Lavender for my Jacket in 2 threads ($42.77 plus tax).
• Knit Picks Wool of the Andes: 9 skeins Avocado for my Mrs. Darcy Cardigan ($17.91 plus tax); 9 skeins Onyx Heather for my Perfect Sweater ($17.91 plus tax); 3 skeins Stream for my Gretel ($5.97+$4.16 for download plus tax); 21 skeins White for my Lizard Ridge ($41.79 plus tax); 3 skeins Coal for my Yorik ($5.97 plus tax); 16 skeins Avocado for my Belle Epoque ($31.84 plus tax); 4 skeins Claret Heather for my Wavy scarf ($7.96 plus tax); 1 skein each Iris Heather, Dove Heather, White, Onyx Heather, Mist, and Coal for my Very Tall Socks ($11.94 plus tax); 3 skeins Mulled Wine for my Cranium ($5.97 plus tax); 4 skeins Amethyst Heather for my French Market Bag ($7.96 plus tax); 4 skeins Mocha Twist for my Drops Shrug ($7.96); 5 skeins Cranberry for my Tailored Cardigan ($9.95).
• Knit Picks Gloss: 6 skeins Dusk for my Serrano ($23.94 plus tax); 2 skeins Dune Twist for my Harry Bear ($3.98).
• Knit Picks Shine Worsted: 2 skeins Sea Spray and 1 skein Green for my Twiggy Tweed ($5.97 plus tax); 6 skeins Green Apple for my Asana ($14.94 plus tax); 1 skein each Bachelor’s Button and Sunflower for my Nautie ($4.98); 1 skein each Ebony, Cream, and Sunflower for my Pasha ($7.47); 1 skein each Coral and Green Apple for my Norberta ($4.98); 1 skein Cream for my Bunny ($2.49).
• Knit Picks Shadow: 3 skeins Redwood Forest Heather and 2 skeins Campfire Heather for my Leaves and Waves Shawl ($9.95 plus tax).

Wow, that took forever. I hope you appreciate the hours I put into that.

3. Books! After some consideration, I decided to organize these by genre.

1. Fiction

• Men of Letters and People of Substance by Roberto De Vicq de Cumptich.
• Hand Job: A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry.
• Transit Maps of the World by Mark Ovenden.
• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.

2. Non-fiction; miscellaneous

• The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchanan.
• A Lifetime of Secrets: A Postsecret Book by Frank Warren.
• PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives also by Frank Warren.
• Conversations with Woody Allen: His Films, the Movies, and Moviemaking by Eric Lax.
• The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters.
• How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food (How to Cook Everything) by Mark Bittman.

3. Non-fiction; craft

• Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams.
• Pine Needle Basketry: From Forest Floor to Finished Project by Judy Mallow.
• Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino.
• How to Make Books: Fold, Cut & Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book by Esther K. Smith.
• Bag Style: 20 Inspirational Handbags, Totes, and Carry-alls to Knit and Crochet (Style series) by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.
• Cross Stitch Antique Style Samplers by Jane Greenoff.
• The Yarn Lover’s Guide to Hand Dyeing: Beautiful Color and Simple Knits by Linda Labelle.
• The Surface Designer’s Handbook: Dyeing, Printing, Painting, and Creating Resists on Fabric by Holly Brackmann.
• Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, Mary Kellogg Rice, and Jane J. Barton.
• Doodle-Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners by Aimee Ray.
• Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To by Jenny Hart and Alexandra Grablewski.
• The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery by Katherine Shaughnessy.
• The Art of Embroidery: Inspirational Stitches, Textures, and Surfaces by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne.
• Knitting New Scarves: 27 Distinctly Modern Designs by Lynne Barr and Tyllie Barbosa.
• Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol.
• 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant.
• Knitting Little Luxuries: Beautiful Accessories to Knit by Louisa Harding.
• The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years (Interweave) by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.
• Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams.
• Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter by Alison Hansel.
• Crazy Aunt Purl’s Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split by Laurie Perry.
• Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann.
• Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave by Ann Budd and Anne Merrow.
• Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors.
• Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter by Stefanie Japel
• Folk Style: Innovative Designs to Knit, Including Sweaters, Hats, Scarves, Gloves and More (Style series) by Mags Kandis.
• Harmony Guide: Cables & Arans: 250 Stitches to Knit (The Harmony Guides) by Erika Knight.
• Harmony Guide: Lace & Eyelets: 250 Stitches to Knit (The Harmony Guides) by Erika Knight.
• Twinkle’s Big City Knits: 31 Chunky-Chic Designs by Wenlan Chia.
• Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic and Lingerie-Inspired Designs by Joan McGowan-Michael and Thayer Allyson Gowdy
• The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice by Vogue Knitting Magazine.
• Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape by Jennifer Stafford.
• Romantic Hand Knits: 26 Flirtatious Designs That Flatter Your Figure by Annie Modesitt.
• Scarf Style: Innovative to Traditional, 31 Inspirational Styles to Knit and Crochet (Style series) by Pam Allen.
• Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby and Alexis Xenakis.
• Lace Style: Traditional to Innovative, 21 Inspired Designs to Knit by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.
• Anticraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister by Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart.
• Inspired Fair Isle Knits: 20 Creative Designs Inspired by the Elements by Fiona Ellis.
• Masterpieces of Irish Crochet Lace: Techniques, Patterns, Instructions (Dover Needlework Series) by Therese de Dillmont.
• Complete Book of Tatting by Rebecca Jones.
• Contemporary Tatting: New Designs from an Old Art by Judith Connors.
• 101 Needlepoint Stitches and How to Use Them: Fully Illustrated with Photographs and Diagrams (Dover Needlework) by Hope Hanley.
• Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks & Techniques for Working With the World’s Most Versatile Medium by Nancy Reyner.
• Art Stamping Workshop: Create Hand-Carved Stamps for Unique Projects on Paper, Fabric, Polymer Clay and More by Gloria Page.
• Complete Embellishing by Katherine Terry.
• Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects by Lotta Jansdotter and Meiko Arquillos.
• Amy Butler’s In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects by Amy Butler and Colin McGuire.
• The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn by Carol Kroll.
• Art Nouveau Floral Patterns and Stencil Designs in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) by M. P. Verneuil.

That’s it for now, Santa. I’ll send you an updated list soon.

Love,

Mel

November’s a mad, mad, month.

So, NaBloPoMo is the Kablam! to NaNoWriMo‘s All That. And in this analogy, NaKniSweMo is Action League Now!

None of those exclamation points were consensual on my part, I’ll have you know. And just for those who weren’t raised on the Disney channel, let me rephrase:

NaNoWriMo: All in the Family.

NaBloPoMo: Maude.

NaKniSweMo: Either Good Times or All in the Family, it depends on you look at it.

This deserves a list of terms: NaNoWriMo is internet-speak for National Novel Writing Month. NaBloPoMo is the same for National Blog Posting Month. And NaKniSweMo is what we crafties have created in turn, meaning National Knit a Sweater Month. They all take place in November, and require 50,000 words (or stitches), and for the participants to work on their novel/blog/sweater every day.

I’m SO not writing a novel.

But, I can do the blogging and the knitting. I started my Mrs. Darcy sweater a few days ago, but we’re just going to pretend that that was done yesterday. And I did a TON of work (seriously, about two hours) on a very detailed draft of my Christmas list, soon to be posted, yesterday, so even though nothing was posted, we’ll be okay.

Ready, set, GO!

A disturbing trend: Students stick to their literary comfort zone

Mel Sundquist

Issue date: 10/29/07 Section:Life

Lately, there has been a noticeable inclination in the minds of fresh young college students when concerning literature: they are sticking to what’s familiar.

It seems that most students can fit into one of three categories: there are those who read only religious compositions, those who read so-called “intellectual” or classical literature, and those who stick to Sweet Valley High romance novels or sci-fi.

On one hand, it is great that millennials are reading; developing a mind for literature in any form is very important. However, adding some variety, the personal library can make for a more cultured and universal thought process in everyday decisions.

True, reading Poe isn’t going to help twenty-somethings deal with their “maybe, someday I’ll have a girlfriend” problem. It won’t help them get through a salacious romantic scandal (although flipping through a couple of Gossip Girl books, by Cecily Von Ziegesar, may give you a few ideas).

On the other hand, spending a couple afternoons with Whitman may actually help students to walk down a path that holds the answers to life, the universe and maybe even love.

If “variety is the very spice of life,” as the author of some first-rate poetry William Cowper said, adding some of that variety into an average student’s lettered life can improve not only their repertoire of books but other aspects of their existence as well.

So, Keats enthusiasts are double-dog dared to head to the library and check out a couple books with bright pink covers and titles incorporating the words shop, love, gossip and/or boy-trouble. The same goes for those who read bodice-ripping chapters-check out some Yunque or Dickinson, and be ready for a pleasant surprise.