Amanda's Weekly Zen

Bout of Books Updates

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

This is where I will update what I accomplished at the end of each day during the Bout of Books 7.0 read-a-thon. This is usually done the day after to sum up what was read. My daily and hourly updates are done on Twitter at @WeeklyZen . There is a live action snapshot of my Tweets in the sidebar of my blog.

Week Wrap Up:
What a week! When the week started I told friends and family that I would see them in a week because I was going on a Reader's Vacation. In the week I went all over the world. I started off in Minnesota helping to solve a murder and eat lots of cookies, then I flew over to England to keep a dark wizard from stealing a stone that would bring him back to life and I stayed a little longer to insure that he did not kill Muggles with his hidden beast. But before I found the Chamber of Secrets I whisked of to Panem for a few snacks. After that I was suddenly brought to Florence to help an old literary friend discover where a secret plague was hidden. I tell you it was one heck of a vacation.

Books Read:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Unofficial Recipes of the Hunger Games
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Inferno by Dan Brown

Total Pages Read:
1755

Favorite Quote from the Week:
"Oh, honestly, don't you two read?" - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Day 6: (Sunday)

Can't talk...busy reading ...

Completed Reading: Late tonight I finally finished Inferno by Dan Brown.... wow... just wow! Review coming soon after I let it infect my brain a little more.

Day 6: (Saturday)

Still reading the Inferno... it is amazing can't put it down. Was at the chat tonight.

Completed Reading: Nothing at the moment.

In Progress Reading: Inferno by Dan Brown

Day 5: (Friday)

Totally abandoned my In Progress book from yesterday, The Wedding Night and moved on to the new Dan Brown, Inferno. LOVING IT!

Completed Reading: None as of today but I am flying through Inferno and should have it done today.

In Progress Reading: Inferno by Dan Brown... READ THIS BOOK! It is fantastic.

Day 4: (Thursday)

Planned on trying to read two books today ended up only reading and finishing. Good day. :)

Completed Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Oh that Lockhart when will he learn. But you have to forgive him anything with such a winning smile. :D

In Progress Reading: The Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella. Could not really get into it, might just abandon this one this week and try it again at a later time.

Day 3: (Wednesday)

Today I found a book at the library that interested me I checked it out and added it into my reading queue for the day. Did not participate in the chat today because it was just too late for me. But I wanted to answer the questions for they are below my progress report. Here is my progress report for day 3:

Completed Reading: The Unofficial Recipes of the Hunger Games by Rockridge University Press. It is funny I like to read cookbooks but I do not like to cook. This book had some simple and tasty sounding items that I might consider making. I tried the hot chocolate recipe iced and love it!

In Progress Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling about half way through at the end of the day and will more than likely finish this on Day 4.

Tweet Chat Questions and Answers:

Q1. Introduce yourself. What is your name and blog? (with link!)

A1: Amanda from Weekly Zen

Q2. How are you doing with your goals?

A2: Well I threw the list out the window and now I am just reading. Hoping to finish four books this week.

Q3. Fill in the blank: “Bad days require books with ___”

A3. Humor. There is nothing better after a bad day to laugh as hard as you can.

Q4. You’re being written into a book as a character. What type of character would you be and why?

A4: I think I would be a lot like Hermione Granger. When I first read the Harry Potter series I swear she channeled my spirit into Hermione .

Q5. Tell us your favorite character. (Name, Title, Author) What makes them stand out? #boutofbooks

A5:Hermione Granger and Elizabeth Bennet. Both are strong young women with opinions they are not afraid to share and they love to spend their time reading.

Q6. Fill in the blank: “Did you know that I___?” (tell us something unique about yourself!) #boutofbooks

A6: Lived on a sailboat for a year.

Q7. What’s the best piece of #boutofbooks advice you’ve been given? (or would give?)

A7: Don't make too specific goals just sort of go with it, if you feel like changing up your reading mid book... do it!

Day 2: (Tuesday)

Today I have totally abandoned my goals list. I have decided that from this moment on my only goal will be to read at least four books this week, which is WAY more that I will read in a normal week. Normally I can do one or two so four would of course be doubling my normal reading schedule.

Completed Reading: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling. Loved it, of course. :)

In Progress Reading: Still trying to decided what I will be reading today. So after my morning run I will be looking through my digital library and seeing what I feel like reading next. I might even head to the public library and see if there are any good reads to pick up. If nothing grabs me it will be on to the second book in the Harry Potter series Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.

Day 1: (Monday)

Sidetracked from my weekend reading I already abandoned my Bout of Book Goals to read the entire Harry Potter series this week. Ah well... I did read more today than a normal day for me and I also participated in a Twitter chat, that was a lot of fun albeit confusing at times. So here is what I read for Day 1:

Completed Reading: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke. Fun page turner that seriously had me wanting some cookies! I have a couple more of her books that I picked up that I might have to sneak in this week.

In Progress Reading: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling. Absolutely love the serious and do not need much poking to re-read at any given time. I ended the night at Chapter 6 of the book and I am hoping to finish it on Day 2.

Bout of Books 7.0 Goals

2013-05-08T17:28:00.001-06:00

UPDATE MAY 13 2013
Day 1!!! Okay I had to change my plan a little because I started reading Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder over the weekend and have not finished it yet. Normally I would just set it aside to take on my challenge but I am enjoying the book too much. So the morning I will be working on finishing that then in the afternoon I will begin Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. Also I will skip my end of the week movie marathon wrap up because this past weekend ABC Family actually aired everything up to Deathly Hallows Part I... more time for reading!

PS... I will not be spending much time here on my blog this week. I will be updating over at Twitter @WeeklyZen throughout most of the day. This is just a landing place for my goals and accomplishments of the week.

--------------------------

UPDATE MAY 9 2013
The decision has been made. I will be going with... drum roll please.....OPTION 1! I decided to make it a whole themed week all around my favorite series Harry Potter. A sort of Harry Potter reader vacation if you will.

I have all seven ebooks on my Nook I also have all the audio books loaded on my ipod and all the movies on DVD. In addition I just downloaded all the movie soundtracks from Amazon. So here is the plan:

May 13:
Read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Eat:Harry Potter Snack (TBD)
Music: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Soundtrack

May 14:
Read: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets soundtrack

May 15:

Read: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban soundtrack

May 16:

Read: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire soundtrack

May 17:

Read: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix soundtrack

May 18:

Read: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince soundtrack

May 19:

Read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Eat: Harry Potter Snack: TBD
Music: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows soundtrack

Watch: All the movies in a week ending movie marathon!

____________________________________________

The Bout of Books 7.0 challenge is set to happen May 13 through May 19. Readers will gather on various social media sources to talk about the books that they have chosen for their week long reading adventure. I will use my twitter account @WeeklyZen to post my daily updates and at the end of the week I will come back here and do a wrap up post. So I have thought about what I would like to spend the week doing. Should I read new books, re-read old favorites, take on a series... Well I have not fully committed to anything yet here are the three possibilities I have for the week:

Option 1:
Re-read the entire Harry Potter series. I have the whole series as ebooks and audio books so I thought I would split time between the two. I am no stranger to re-reading the series as I do it at least once a year but usually it takes me several months to do it. Re-reading it a week would definitely be a challenge.

Option 2:
Back in 2009 when Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater first came out I devoured the book and then Linger when it came out. When Forever appeared in 2011 I bought the book and sadly have still not read it. I thought for this challenge I might take on the series and finally have the chance to read the last book in the trilogy.

Option 3:
Re-read The Hunger Games series. When Mockingjay came out as an ebook in 2010 I was finally introduced to the trilogy. I devoured the books in a week, staying up late into the night to finish them. I thought this might be a good challenge to take on for the read-a-thon and then cap it off with a viewing of The Hunger Games movie on Sunday.

So those are my three possibilities for the week. I am still on the fence about which to choose but I like the three options and any of them will be a good way to spend the week. As it gets closer I will update this post as to what I finally chose.

If you want to sign up for the challenge go here.

Pride and Prejudice T-shirt

2013-04-30T18:37:00.000-06:00

Received my Pride and Prejudice quote t-shirt in the mail today from CafePress. It is pretty neat. The quote on it is:

"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!"

Pride and Prejudice Quote T-shirt flic.kr/p/efpN9R #LiteratiGear #quote #reading #JaneAusten #photography #fb
— Amanda C. (@WeeklyZen) April 30, 2013

Bout of Books Read-a-thon

2013-04-29T05:47:00.002-06:00

Heard about a week long read-a-thon called Bout of Books on Twitter and being the voracious read I am of course you know that I am in! Here is the link to the sign up and below is the official blurb from the site:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Soon I will add a list of the books I would like to read during the event and I will be using my Twitter account @WeeklyZen to update my reading progress.

Amanda's Weekly Zen=> I am joining #BoutofBooks 7.0 amandasweeklyzen.com/2013/04/bout-o… #reading

— Amanda C. (@WeeklyZen) April 29, 2013

Glass Slipper Challenge and new 10K at Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

2013-04-26T07:53:00.001-06:00

runDisney annouces a new 10k added to the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend and a Glass Slipper Challenge! Full press release below:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA (April 26, 2013) – Building on the success of its women-focused events, runDisney is broadening the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort next year by adding a 10K and a new two-race challenge.
The Princess 10K gives runners of various levels more opportunities to run through Disney theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. And runners looking for an even bigger challenge can sign up for the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday (19.3 miles total) to earn the inaugural Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race.

The Princess Half Marathon Weekend, scheduled for Feb. 20-23, is one of two women-focused runDisney events. The other is the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January at Disneyland Resort in California. Both races are among the largest women-specific running events in the country and focus on healthy active lifestyles for women and girls. For instance, after nearly 7,500 runners ran in the inaugural Princess Half Marathon event in 2009, the popularity of the race has grown considerably with more than 26,000 registered runners for last year’s race.

Also new in 2014 is a special edition runDisney Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge Medal for runners participating in the 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in January and the 2014 Princess Half Marathon five weeks later at Walt Disney World. Finishers receive the coveted medal featuring the likeness of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse with a pink overlay and lanyard.

Registration for the 2014 Princess Half Marathon opens June 11 at www.runDisney.com. A limited number of runners will have the opportunity to register for both the Princess and Tinker Bell Half Marathon at that time. Those not securing an early registration for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon will have a second chance when on-line registration officially opens on July 9.

Both the Princess and Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekends include signature runDisney events including a health and fitness expo geared towards women, kids races, a family fun run 5K, as well as featured half marathons for both weekend.
For more information and to register for runDisney events, visit www.runDisney.com.

About runDisneyrunDisney is a series of seven event weekends providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks. Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation. The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, Expedition Everest Challenge in May, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in October and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November. Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend. More than 125,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit www.runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @runDisney.

Will the Real William Shakespeare Please Step Forward? by David Lawrence-Young

2013-04-25T08:18:00.001-06:00

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Shakespeare authorship question is not a new notion, nor is the idea of writing a novel about exploring said authorship, it is however one of this reader’s favorite topics. I love the adventure and mystery that can be produced around Shakespeare, not to mention when you write a book about Shakespeare… the references to his plays will be plentiful. David Lawrence-Young’s novel Will the Real William Shakespeare Please Step Forward? is yet another novel to add to the list of fantastic historical fiction/literary fiction about the Shakespeare authorship question bookshelf.

Daniel Ryhope, a lecturer of the Bard of Avon, is confronted by colleagues with the idea the “William Shakespeare was a con man! A fake and a forger!” Daniel, as any good member of the literati would do set off to the library with his wife and two friends for an intense search to find out the truth about who really wrote William Shakespeare. With so many questions and so many sources the foursome discover that there are many truths out there and finding the one they seek is not an easy task.

Well their end discovery in the Shakespeare authorship question is not at all surprising the ending does pose another question that I can only hope Lawerene-Young will turn into a sequel… “Did Shakespeare have anything to do with Marlowe’s death?”

Overall, this is a fun read, and you can create a fantastic Shakespeare authorship question bibliography from the read. (I will post my notes from the book soon on my blog.) I recommend this to the reader who is interested in Shakespeare, enjoys reading books about adventures while researching. Or to the person who thinks a day or two spent in deep research in your favorite corner of the library as a dream vacation. Those looking for a sort of thriller, edge of your seat suspense however may not find this to be there cup of tea.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady..." - Jane Austen

2013-04-17T16:01:00.001-06:00

"The person, be it gentleman or lady..." - Jane Austen, a photo by Amanda's Weekly Zen on Flickr.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen

Writing Quote from Benjamin Franklin

2013-04-17T15:31:00.003-06:00

Dopey Challenge Price

2013-04-03T18:04:00.002-06:00

Dopey Challenge Banner is available on Flickr

runDisney announced a new challenge for Walt Disney World's Marathon weekend in March 2013... the Dopey Challenge which is a total of 48.6 miles over four days (5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon). On the runDisney website they list the prices as follows:

Dopey Challenge

$495 by June 18, 2013
$525 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$555 on or after August 14, 2013

However, when I filled out the registration form the grand total came to $1064.44. WOW! That is a huge jump from $495. The only reason I can see is that there is the Runner's World Challenge added to the cart (not by me I clicked on the Dopey challenge registration). There is no other option at this time to register for any of the race events. April 9, 2013 12pm EST normal registration (minus the Runner's World Challenge will open).

2014 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend Runner's World Challenge - Dopey Challenge
$999.00

Processing Fee

$65.44

Total

$1,064.44

If you are anything like me you are probably asking yourself... what is this Runner's World challenge and why did it make the price double? Here is an article about the Runner's World challenge benefits. To sum up here is a list of the benefits that $500 buys you:

Guaranteed entry to the Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon, Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, or Dopey’s Challenge with preferred corral placement
A 16-week training plan specifically designed for your race distance by The Runner's World Experts, and Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso.
Weekly e-mails from Bart with guidance on training, nutrition, injury prevention, and motivation
One year of access to the Runner's World Challenge experts on a private website where you can ask questions on nutrition, training, and injury-prevention
A copy of The Runner's World Complete Book of Running
A Runner's World Challenge tech shirt
A four-month premium membership to Runner's World Personal Trainer, our interactive training log
Private packet pick-up for Runner's World Challenge participants at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
Pre-race course strategy session with the Runner's World experts and editors
Entry to the Pasta in the Park Party on Saturday night at Epcot where the Runner's World VIPs and editors will be in attendance
Entry to the Race Retreat both pre- and post-race
Pre-race amenities, including hot and cold beverages with fruit and bagels, dedicated stretching area, and private bathrooms and bag check
Post-race amenities, including a nutritious buffet, massage, private bathrooms and bag pick up, and live results
Dopey Challenge participants will also receive entry into the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend Breakfast in the Family Reunion Area after the 5K and 10K
Post-race celebration on Sunday night at the Cool Down at Downtown Disney Area

Book Giveaway: Glow by Jessica Maria Tuccelli

2013-04-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

In honor of the reprint of the paperback edition of Glow by Jessica Maria Tucelli (Penguin Book February 26, 2013) Weekly Zen is hosting a giveaway. The giveaway is only open to readers in the United States and it starts today and ends April 17, 2013. To enter follow @WeeklyZen and tweet the following:

"@WeeklyZen Enter me in the Glow Giveaway!"

Below is a synopsis of the novel:

For Amelia J. “Mia” McGee, knowing her roots was as easy as looking above her childhood bed, where an embroidered family tree hung, showing her bloodlines reaching all the way back to the pioneer preacher Solomon Bounds. But a family is more than a list of names and dates woven into a piece of fabric.

When Mia leaves her native Georgia for Washington, D.C., she channels the strength she inherited from her ancestors into her work with W. E. B. Dubois and the NAACP. A champion of equality and justice, she becomes a target for those who oppose her ideals. With danger lurking in the shadows, Mia hastily sends Ella back to Georgia to keep her safe. But when the child does not arrive at her uncle’s home as planned, Mia must begin a desperate search to find her.

More about the author can be found at jessicamariatuccelli.com

Yoga Sparks by Carol Krucoff

2013-03-22T08:20:00.003-06:00

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Busy? Life keeping you from taking time for yourself, keeping you from a full yoga practice? Carol Krucoff author of Yoga Sparks states that yes, we are all at some point too busy for yoga but we all would not mind reaping the benefits of yoga (positive mood, decrease in stress, fewer aches and pains etc.) Krucoff takes away your excuses by offering you 108 practices or “yoga sparks” for daily life that she claims will relieve stress in a minute or less… so yes even you, Mr. or Mrs. Too Busy, will have time for yoga.

It is after a near death experience and many health issues that Krucoff starts to develop her “mircopractices” so she can cope. She really stresses throughout the book the mastery of yoga is not measured by the length of a practice or if you can turn yourself into a pretzel but instead on how it influences our daily living. The book focuses on the four main aspects of yoga which Krucoff defines as: 1) postures, 2) breathing, 3) meditation and 4) principles. Each of the 108 sparks will focus on some aspect of the four main principles and are designed to be done anytime, anywhere.

Examples of some of the sparks include; single postures like Mountain Pose to help you center yourself in stressful circumstances, being “mindful” while doing everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or doing the dishes and washing your hands to promote cleanliness. She also offers suggestions of developing empathy through loving a pet and spending more time laughing each day.
The book is short and some of the sparks are reiterations of previous sparks.

Overall, the advice is good and can be summed up as “Slow down and appreciate life.” While there are some nods towards yoga practice it is not really a book about “yoga practices.” It reads very much like a list of motherly advice. While I see nothing wrong with simple reminders to pet our dogs and wash our hands I personally do not see this as a good addition to my yoga library.
The book is set for publication on August 1, 2013 from New Harbinger Publications.

Note: I received this book from the publisher for review. In no way did it affect the content of my review.

Kundalini Meditation by Kathryn McCusker

2013-03-22T06:42:00.000-06:00

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” – Gautama Buddha

Kundalini Mediation is said to have the ability to unleash your “life force” to awaken your inspiration, insight while removing anxieties and other destructive behaviors. Ultimately Kundalini Meditation’s goal is to connect you with the divine one within yourself. Kundalini Meditation: The Path to Personal Transformation and Creativity by Kathryn McCusker is a guide for novices or advanced students.

The book is divided into six chapters. Chapter one details the Hindu gods and goddesses and explains how they are used as metaphors in Kundalini meditation. It also briefly introduces the chakras and explains their uses in Kundalini meditation.

Chapter two gives you tips on how to prepare for a Kundalini meditation practice. This includes suggestions and instructions for creating your meditation space, cleansing your body for practice, and tips on how to overcome negative thinking that may hinder you from beginning a practice. It is also in this chapter that more detail is given about god and goddesses used in Kundalini mediations. For example, it is in this chapter that we find out more about Prajnaparamita the Buddhist goddess of supreme transcendental wisdom (name means Perfection of Wisdom). When we invoke her in our meditations we are performing an exercise that will help us focus our energies on the Crown Chakra.

Chapter three further details that chakras, and asanas that can help you open one or all seven chakras. It is in this chapter that we are also given more information on prana and nadis. There is also a wonderful section in this chapter detailing various body locks that are performed in Kundalini meditation. This chapter offers many exercises you can perform and details how they will help you in everyday life. For example, Frog Pose is discussed in detail and is said to be able to activate your third chakra therefore increasing creative energy, build inner strength and circulates energy to the heart and higher chakras. It will also give you motivation, inspiration and courage.

Chapter four is the chapter that explores the importance of breath work. It details a few breathing exercises and how to visualize prana.

Chapter five deals with mantras, mudras and yantras. It defines each and offers great instructions and illustrations for performing all three. Personally, I learned a lot from this chapter as my own practice did not include many mantras, mudras and to be honest it was not until I read this chapter that I learned what a yantra was (illustrations of the chakras that you can meditate on).

Chapter six is the best chapter, and my personal favorite in the book. It gives you several specific exercises that you can perform. It ties the entire book together. Each meditation tells the reader what it will help; who it is good for, what mantra, mudra, lock and asana you should perform along with instruction on how to perform the mediation and for how long. In some cases it also offers advanced instructions should you complete the initial meditation. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.

Overall, the book is a wealth of information, worth buying. My only grievance with the book is there is some repetition in the first three chapters. I recommend this book for novices to Kundalini meditation, anyone interested in Hindu gods and goddesses or anyone in search of great Kundalini meditation instructions for emotional turmoil, anger issues, addictions or more common afflictions of the human condition.

This book was published in February 2013 by Watkins Published Limited and is currently available in a paperback edition.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Note: I received this book from the publisher to review. In no way did that affect the content of this review.

Free Da Vinci Code

2013-03-22T05:43:00.002-06:00

In order to promote Dan Brown's newest novel Inferno set for publication May 14 2013, Doubleday is offering The Da Vinci Code for free download from Dan Brown's site, Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The free download includes and excerpt from the upcoming novel Inferno. You can also directly download the excerpt directly from Dan Brown's official website Here is a summary from Doubleday's website:

"In his international blockbusters like The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history's most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces...Dante's Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante's dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust...before the world is irrevocably altered."

Elizabeth Gilbert Has Readers Vote on Cover for New Book

2013-03-22T05:13:00.003-06:00

Fans of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed will be delighted to know that they will have a say in the cover of Elizabeth Gilbert's next book The Signature of All Things. From now until March 25, 2013 you can vote on one of three covers for the book by heading over to Facebook. Gilbert's new book is set for publication October 2013. Here is a short synopsis of the upcoming novel from Penguin's website:

"In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry's brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father's money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma's research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction—into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist—but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life."

The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

2013-03-13T09:15:00.001-06:00

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normally I would not read, much less agree to review a thriller. The genre as a whole has held little interest for me in the past. However, after reading the book synopsis of The Burning Air by Erin Kelly I immediately agreed to read and review the book. The synopsis promised heart stopping plot twists and deep dives into the human psyche… I was not disappointed.

Very simply the novel is about a family of privilege whom unknowingly destroy the mental health of a child with very little in his life. He comes back into their lives as an adult with a plot for revenge that will shake the entire family’s belief system. That being said the novel is actually very complicated with many twists and turns. The novel is centered around the MacBride family and divided into five section with a different narrator for each section. This structure in itself is a feat that many writers cannot successfully pull off. Often times the voices while labeled to be different all sound the same. In Kelly’s book each voice is unique and sometimes androgynous (Darcy’s section for example).

The novel begins with a confession. Lydia MacBride feels the need to vent her long held secret to her journal while on her deathbed. Her secret changed many people’s lives and it was all in the name of revenge. The first three pages taunt us with a nail biting build up to the one horrible thing Lydia, a moral compass for the MacBridge family, did in her life. We are left hanging and not allowed to read the words because of her death.

Immediately we are given a new narrator, Sophie, whom does not know about the event that lead Lydia to write her confession. While with Sophie we get much of the MacBride family history as we stroll back through memory lane with her at Far Barn where the entire family gathered to scattered Lydia’s ashes. As the family enjoys a night out together Edie, Sophie newly born girl, is left with Felix’s girlfriend Kerry. When they return the little girl and the mysterious Kerry are missing. In a desperate attempt to find any clues about the whereabouts of her daughter Sophie searches through Kerry’s bag only to find a name from the MacBride family past that make her insides drop.

Just as we find out that Kerry may have a connection to long held family enemy we are transported back in time to meet Darcy, the child whose life was stolen by the MacBrides. This section was my favorite section of the book. It held many surprises for me and by the end of it I was tense with anticipation about what was in store for the MacBride family at Far Barn in the present. There is much here that if I were to tell you now might spoil the ending for you so let me just say this, read this book because of section and you will thank me latter.

The last two sections of the book are from the viewpoint of Rowan the patriarch of the MacBride clan and Kerry the stranger to the family whom disappears with Edie. These last two sections while still thrilling are somewhat disappointing for me. Rowan is our narrator through the climax of the novel and, for me, is a bit too weak to carry this great responsibility for the reader. He misses a lot of clues and slowly stumbles to the realization of what is happening. I am not sure whom I would have liked to take us through this portion of the story but I would have liked a stronger narrator.

The last pages of the book we are with Kerry as she leaves the family after the main event (again HUGE spoiler if I tell you now) and discovers what Darcy had been longing to find for several years. She alone has the written confession of Lydia. Finally the reader is to discover her horrible dark secret. Even in the last pages of the novel we are still given surprises the confession had more in it than I thought at the beginning of the novel.

Overall this book was thrilling. An excellent read and I recommend it to anyone. The switch between narrators was well executed and the plot was strongly held onto even with all the twists and turns. My only complaints about the book were as mentioned, to take us through the climax I would really have liked a stronger narrator. Also, the confession aside, the ending was a bit of a let down. It sort of fizzled away at the end. The characters overall are wonderfully written to the point where even the “bad guys” you sort of hope will triumph. Wonderful book, I look forward to more from Erin Kelly.

Novel Moments:
“Sophie’s eye was drawn to a framed family snapshot, taken one summer when she was around seven and the others were babies: it was a thrown stone in the still pond of her grief, and she forced her gaze elsewhere.” (18)

“If this was a delusion, I was happy to nurture it. It is better travel hopefully than to arrive.” (102)

“This journal was a rambling interior of a fine but undisciplined mine, pages of unstructured emotion that, devoid of context, contrived to exclude the reader.” (111)

Note: I received this book from the publisher to review. In no way did it affect the content of this review.

The Power of Ashtanga Yoga by Kino MacGregor

2013-03-07T13:08:00.002-07:00

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Head to any bookstore, whether brick and mortar or online, and you will find a wide variety of yoga books. All will have different titles and claim to have the secrets to yoga and ground breaking practices that will literally change your life. Knowing this I am always just a little hesitant to take on another yoga book. Most of the time you can take a variety of books on yoga set them side by side and you will notice that they all say essentially the same thing. I was pleasantly surprised that The Power of Ashtanga Yoga by Kino MacGregor is not one of those books.

The foundation of the book is the same as you will get in any yoga manual. Part I is a collection of information about the history of yoga in general, the history of Ashtanga yoga as well as a description of how it differs from other forms of yoga (Ashtanga for instance is broken into six groups of poses that must be studied in order). Part I also has a wonderful section on our relationships to food and how yoga can help us to realize these relationships and come to terms with them.

Part II of the book is the instructional part of the book. This part of the book is very detailed (you can easily compare it to the instructions given by Iyengar in The Light on Yoga). It also contains many wonderful photographs that show exactly what was described in the descriptions of the asanas. The best section of Part II is the section on Bandhas. I have read many yoga books that try to explain how to achieve a Bandhas but usually the language here becomes poetic and if you have not been introduced to the bandhas in a class the reader will more than likely finish the section having no idea how to achieve the bandha. MacGregor however lays out the bandha instructions clearly and concisely and it is for this conversation alone that I believe this book is great addition to any yoga book collection.

The Power of Ashtanga Yoga also contains a wonderful collection of Appendixes that outline the Sun Salutations and a Glossary that is impressively comprehensive.

As a resource the book is fantastic and would be a great addition to any library no matter what type of yoga you practice. Perhaps the most unique thing about this book though is the voice. It is not often that you can pick up an instruction manual and feel as if you are connecting with the person. From the introduction to the glossary MacGregor lays it out there for you and inserts her own experiences so you feel as if your time spent with the book is like time spent in the company of a knowledgeable yoga instructor.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in yoga. No matter what type of yoga you practice the advice and knowledge between the covers is universal and accessible. I personally cannot wait for the publication of this book in May of this year… it will be on my shelf right next to another classic The Light on Yoga.

NOTE: I was given this book by the publisher to read and review. In no way does that affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Title: The Power of Ashtanga Yoga: Developing a Practice That Will Bring You Strength, Flexibility & Inner Peace

Author: Kino MacGregor

Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

ISBN: 9781611800050

Price: 21.95

Edition: Paperback

This book review is also on Elephant Journal.

As Sweet as Honey by Indira Ganesan

2013-03-06T13:17:00.002-07:00

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“We glimpse such a small part of our lives. Imagine a paper clip attached to a piece of paper- or better yet, three pieces of paper. We pride ourselves on our organization, we congratulate ourselves on our innate wisdom, but in truth, all we ever know at one time is the area contained by the paper clip, while reams of paper reside in us.” (71)

The idea that our lives are so full and that we can only glimpse a few moments of our lives at a time is so enticing to think about, it is often the underlying theme of novels. Indira Ganesan weaves together snapshots of the lives of one family living on the island of Pi in the Bay of Bengal in her novel As Sweet as Honey. The story told between the covers is many faceted but our anchor throughout is Meterling. In the first part of the novel we hear about Meterling’s life from her niece Mina. At a moment in her life when Meterling thought she would not find love Archer enters her life and completely wins her heart. From the start they seem to fit together so well, understand each other so completely; “Meterling had never tasted such a fizzy drink before and immediately burped. Archer let one out too, to save her embarrassment, and that’s how their fate was sealed.” (10) Although their courtship was short they were sure that their lives together would be long and full. Unfortunately for the couple their lives together would end on their wedding day when Archer died from an aneurism. Deep in the depths of grief Meterling discovered that she was pregnant with Archer’s child. She would have a piece of him to carry with her in life after all. Just before the arrival of Oscar Meterling finds love again with the man she least expected, Archer’s cousin Simon.

The second part of the book follows Meterling, Simon and Oscar to London where for the first time in the book we hear from Meterling herself. She tells us of her insecurities, her triumphs and her encounters with Archer’s ghost. We briefly watch the family grow together and fall comfortably with one another in a place where happiness can bloom.

In part III we finally return to Pi with everyone nine years older and in different times of their lives. The three cousins who started the book with us Mina, Rasi and Sanjay are older and ready to embark on their own life changing journeys that include creating their own families. Old ghosts are finally put to rest and the family is preparing to welcome in the next generation.

As Sweet as Honey is a beautifully written novel about love, loss and life in general. Some of the characters are very compelling (Meterling for example) and others we can only wish for more interaction (Mina for instance). Overall the book was enjoyable but I have to admit the shifts in country and narration are confusing at times. Just as we were getting into the groove with one story and one character we switch to another voice and another story altogether. While most of them fit together nicely some feel as if they are missing just a little something. Should you choose to read this book (and I highly recommend you do) make sure you have plenty of time to devout to the novel. It is not one that can be read quickly, you will lose so much of the poetry of the novel if you do.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a tale of love, is interested in South Asian or English culture and even those who have a passion for classic novels (there are many illusions and direct quotes).

NOTE: I received this book from the publisher to review. In no way did that influence my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Novel Moments:
“I mean, we have such a conviction that tea will cure all ills, that all we ever really need is a good cup of tea.” (22)

“Only the first three mouthfuls will be good. You must relish them: its heat, its flavor. After that, you will drink only the memory of that first taste, until you drain the cup.” (30)

“Those first three sips said, Nalani when I told her what Meterling had told us, those first three sips are so precious to her because she lost Archer. That’s why she thinks the flavor can’t last to the last drop. Three sips and gone.” (31)

“Meterling was like a rose that kept blooming, long after everyone thought it couldn’t bloom anymore. Unfurling like a flag, like a song, like joy, like love itself.” (35)

“She savored early the idea of what could be left after the main show, what remained in the bowl.” (37)

“Isn’t that who we are at heart, a species that tells and doesn’t tell, keeps the heart and brain hidden, complicating our lives for the drama, so we don’t have to face the night?” (128)

Nostalgic Over Paper Books

2013-03-04T08:45:00.001-07:00

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C.S. Lewis

Nostalgic Over Paper Books, a photo by Amanda's Weekly Zen on Flickr.

My whole life I have been a “book” person. There is not a day that goes by that you cannot find me reading some book. For years I moved my life from place to place with at least a thousand books at a time. Getting rid of books to make room for more books was always like losing a limb, even if I never really enjoyed the book to begin with. I kept books because I wanted to read them over and over again. I kept books because I liked the way they felt in my hands or the way they smelled. I kept books because someone special had given it to be or I associated it with some special event. The physical book meant as much to me as the words inside and when eReaders started becoming more popular I was on the fence; I wanted one but at the same time I thought it would never replace my paper books. In 2010 I bought my first eReader, the first generation Nook, and it was love at first read. It felt right in my hands and slowly it was easy to find new homes for my old paper companions. Now in 2013 I am somewhat shocked to discover that I only have 5 paper books (2,348 eBooks). The five books that I move around with my life are those which to me are irreplaceable or they are simply new acquisitions that I could not purchase as an eBook. They sit on the bookshelf somewhat neglected. My Kindle and I are inseparable. There is nothing I own that means as much to me as my Kindle, that is why I find it a bit surprising that I have recently experienced a bit of nostalgia over paper.

Last month saw a wave of review requests from publishers who preferred to provide a paper copy of the soon to be released book. I was somewhat hesitant to receive these paper copies but the stories were such that I could not resist. Now for the last couple of weeks I have been sitting with paper and admiring the cut of the pages, fonts, and the smell of the binding. It has only been three years since I have been completely digital and here I am wondering why I do not read more paper books, why I only own five. Isn’t it funny how much things can change, yet remain almost exactly the same?

The Tools of Women in a Gendered Nation

2013-02-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

The following excerpt is from a paper that was submitted for a MA of English Literature seminar in Fall 2007 at the University of Colorado by Amanda Perez (BA, MA, PhD). If you wish to use any portion of it as a source for your own exploration of Hannah Webster Foster’s The Coquette and Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl please feel free to contact me at amanda@amandasweeklyzen.com for a full manuscript.

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In eighteenth and nineteenth century American fiction there are many tales of protagonists who contemplate their identity, their place in society. For many the search for identity focused on how they could obtain and maintain ownership over their person. One group of people who did not have equal opportunity for personal ownership in America was women. Early America had set itself up as a gendered nation, in which women were mere commodities without a voice in their society. For women in the gendered nation there are not many options for participation, other than control over their own bodies. If a woman wanted to control her own future her only choice was to control her body. A woman’s most effective way of regulating her body as her own possession was through rejection of suitors who asked for her hand in marriage as well as resisting unwanted sexual advances. To not be married in a nation where women had no voice was to be free. The problem of obtaining the freedom which some women desired was to walk the thin line between freedom and becoming the fallen woman. As this paper will explore in a close reading of two novels by women in early American literature, fighting for ownership of the self was not an easy task. Many women were not able to fight for freedom and instead become the fallen woman. In the gendered nation the only way to have a voice was to use their body as a tool. The body was used to one, resist the advances of men who were willing to corrupt women with sex before marriage and two, hold out as long as possible for marriage to insure that they married into a situation in which they would have a voice and an equal standing with their partner. In the novel The Coquette by Hannah Webster Foster a white woman from a middle class background fought for her freedom by ignoring her suitors and the advances of a rake because she felt that marriage was a tomb. However, she was not opposed to marriage as long as she would have the option of upward mobility. In the novel Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, a slave woman fights against the sexual advances of her master in order to continue to have control over her person. Although as a slave Linda does not have the freedom to marry as Eliza does, Linda tries to use marriage as a tool for achieving freedom for herself and her children. Although the women engage in two very different journeys for freedom both use their bodies as a tool of resistance.

Resistance takes two forms in the novels The Coquette and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. One of the ways that both Eliza and Linda try to assert their ownership of their self is to resist the sexual advances of the immoral men that surround them. Eliza Wharton is pursued by the notorious rake Major Peter Sanford who is considered to be “deficient in one of the great essentials of the character, and that is, virtue” (Coquette 20). Major Sanford makes it known early to the reader that his intentions for Eliza are not virtuous, “But I fancy this young lady is a coquette, and if so, I shall avenge my sex, by retaliating the mischiefs, she mediates against us. Not that I have any ill designs; but only to play her off her own artillery, by using a little unmeaning gallantry. And let her beware the consequences” (18). From the previous statement the reader is made aware that Sanford feels that a woman who socializes, as Eliza does with men, but resists marriage, must be a woman who can be easily persuaded to engage in sex. In the eyes of the men of the novel a woman who resists marriage but continues to engage in society with them is a woman of loose morals. Eliza is also aware of the double standard that exists for women in her society. She is aware that to have the freedom she entertained early in the novel she must consciously not only reject marriage proposals but she must also reject invitations of sex. Eliza struggles throughout the novel to enjoy the attention she receives from Sanford without submitting to intercourse. It is the only power she has to maintain her freedom and have power over Sanford,

I am really banished and rejected; desired never more to think of the girl I love, with a view of indulging that love, or of rendering it acceptable to its object! You will perhaps, dispute the propriety of the term, and tell me it is not love, it is only gallantry, and desire to exercise it with her, as favorite nymph. I neither know, nor care by what appellation you distinguish it, but it truly gives me pain (64).

Sanford writes to Charles Deighton as if he is used to getting the woman he wants and within reasonable time. Eliza has resisted him so long that now the pursuit feels more like love to Sanford then the pursuit to ruin Eliza. He associates her resistance to his advances as a blow to his ego which equates, in his mind, with love. Eliza appreciates and uses this power to her advantage as long as she has two men to play off each other. Once she loses Mr. Boyer, “farewell to these fond hopes, and leave you forever!” Eliza is left without choices and ultimately submits to the only man who is left. Throughout the entire novel Eliza resists the two men that are in pursuit of her, but she never stops to make her own choice, to discover for herself the man whose “manners, his situation, all combine to charm [her] fancy” (22). Although she notices and exercises the power of her own resistance, she never uses the power to make her own choice, as she thought she was doing when she said no to both Boyer and Sanford. Because Eliza only resists and never makes her own choice in men she ultimately becomes the fallen woman.

The Cookbook Within Tom Jones

2013-02-20T10:03:00.001-07:00

The following excerpt is from a paper that was submitted for a MA of English Literature seminar in Spring 2007 at the University of Colorado by Amanda Perez (BA, MA, PhD). If you wish to use any portion of it as a source for your own exploration of Henry Fielding's The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling please feel free to contact me at amanda@amandasweeklyzen.com for a full manuscript.

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It is human nature to need to eat. No matter what culture one identifies with food will always be a part of their identity. Because food is such a basic need of life, it can be classified as a foundation of one’s identity. What a person eats and drinks or what they do not eat and drink can say volumes about the type of person they are. In addition to food choice, a persons table manners are strong indicators as to what is at the core of their human nature. Henry Fielding, in his novel Tom Jones, uses food and drink as a portal to the different elements of human nature and what ingredients make a person English. Tom Jones is a meal that Fielding has prepared for the reader to feast on in several courses. The courses that Fielding serves in Tom Jones are; how to properly prepare a meal, what types of seasonings are appropriate for what type of dish, and the correct and incorrect ways to be a host.

Food imagery in Tom Jones is not a heavily explored topic. Only briefly mentioned throughout the novels critical history, is food’s connection with marital relationships1 and hungry authors.[2] If Fielding’s exploration of national identity through food imagery is ever mentioned in the history of criticism on Tom Jones it is a brief mention, not an in depth exploration of what Fielding defines as “English” through the use of food imagery. As Paul Langford suggests in his book Englishness Identified: Manners and Character 1650-1850, “Englishness” is a modern term [3], but the need for identification of a national identity is not. Langford suggests that the term national character in fact becomes fashionable in the late eighteenth century and was used to help describe an individual’s character and well as a nations;

Moreover, when the term national character became fashionable in the late eighteenth century it did so in a context that took little note of the innate, inherited forces. The prevailing fashions in what we would classify as psychology, sociology and anthropology, treated nations merely as convenient, and often loosely defined units for analysis, rather than self-defining organisms. Character expressed itself in what was called manners [...] Manners were largely the product of social interactions, [...] Explaining an individual’s manners was a matter of describing his upbringing, education, and experience. Explaining a nation’s manners meant investigating physical environment, its economic progress, and its political framework (7).

The need for definition of the self to identify one nation from another was heavily on the minds of eighteenth century writers, and Fielding is no exception. Many different images in the novel can be said to express a concern for identifying what it means to be English, but one of the most prevalent is food imagery. As the reader first sits down to the feast that Fielding has prepared they are politely given the bill of fare. Fielding suggests it is the polite thing to do to offer a bill of fare to the diner/reader so they will know early on if the courses that will be served are something within his/her taste. Within the bill of fare Fielding lets the reader know his intentions for the novel, his intentions for the meal. Since Fielding is our host in the feast we will call Tom Jones, he is very politely tells the reader/diner what the main course will consist of. If the reader's tastes do not coincide with the main course they may politely pick and choose to consume what they wish. As he tells the reader he will provide each reader with different palettes some provision, however the main provision will be “HUMAN NATURE,”

As we do not disdain to borrow wit or wisdom from any man who is capable of lending us either, we have condescended to take hint from these honest victuallers, and shall prefix not only a general bill of fare to our whole entertainment, but shall likewise give the reader particular bills to every course which is to served up in ensuing volumes. The provision, then, which we have here made is no other than HUMAN NATURE (Fielding 29-30).

The language in this small selection from the bill of fare is full of illusions to eating. As Fielding suggests the reader should prepare himself to be “served up a healthy provision of human nature.” With the idea in the reader’s mind that the novel they are about to devour will detail what it means to be human, Fielding follows up his novel menu with a preparation guide;

In like manner, the excellence of the mental entertainment consists less in the subject than in the author’s skill in well dressing it up. How pleased, therefore, will the reader be to find that we have, in the following work, adhered closely to one of the highest principles of the best cook which the present age, or perhaps Heliogabalus, hath produced. This great man, as well known to all lovers of polite eating, begins at first by setting plain things before his hungry guests, rising afterwards by degrees as their stomachs may be supposed to decrease, to the very quintessence of sauce and spices. In like manner, we shall represent Human Nature at first to the keen appetite of our reader, in more plain and simple manner in which it is found in the country, and shall hereafter hash and ragout it with all the high French and Italian seasoning of affection and vice which courts and cities afford. By these means, we doubt not but our reader may be rendered desirous to read on forever, as the great person just above mentioned is supposed to have made some persons eat (30-31).

Fielding prides himself on the fact that his feast has been prepared with the highest standards. One of the main tools of any fine cook or writer is his ability to use the proper amount of seasoning in the proper places. We will not just find plain human nature in the novel, but we will find human nature with seasoning. So much delicious seasoning that we will be like Heliogabalus[4] wanting to eat and eat (read and read) the novel forever. At first it seems odd that Fielding would need to add so much seasoning to a concept (human nature) that should be “natural,” but as Langford points out, “National character is necessarily a construct, an artifice. Whoever defines or identifies it is at best selecting, sifting, suppressing, in the search for what is taken to be representative (14). Human nature too can only be a construct of what Fielding chooses to present, with his highly seasoned dish. Also if the dish we are served is too plain, no one will eat all the courses. In other words, if the characters are too bland, the reader will become bored with the novel and not want to continue, reading and reading forever. And as Fielding has noted in his bill of fare, the key to a good feast is to create something so delicious that the diner will never want the meal to end.

[1] Referring to: Bliss, Michael. "Fielding's Bill of Fare in Tom Jones." ELH, Vol. 30,
No. 3. (Sep., 1963), pp. 236-243.

[2] Referring to :O’Brien, Timothy D. “The Hungry Author and Narrative Performance in Tom Jones.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900. 25: 3 (Summer 1985): 615-632.

[3] Langford page 1

[4] According to the Oxford World Classics edition of Tom Jones, Heliogabalus was a Roman Ruler who was known for his gluttony.

Re-visualizing History: Imprinting Perception

2013-02-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

The following excerpt is from a paper that was submitted for a MA of English Literature seminar in Spring 2007 at the University of Colorado by Amanda Perez (BA, MA, PhD). If you wish to use any portion of it as a source for your own exploration of Steve Tomasula's The Book of Portraiture you may purchase it for the Kindle. If it is used as a source I would love to read the paper it was used for which you can share with me via email.

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A historical account of an event or person can be considered a log of what the writer/viewer perceived of that event or person.His perception of the world that surrounds him at that fleeting moment he captures with his pen. After the writer has finished the sentence, after the painter has finished the painting that history he created has already passed. The brief moment that the writer/painter tried to capture has become history. Each sentence and painting/portrait is therefore a moment in time inscribed with an author. Each time that painting is viewed or the passage is read that history comes back to life and is reproduced in the mind of the viewer/reader. In his novel The Book of Portraiture, Steve Tomasula asserts that the "eyes" and "I" alter what is perceived as history and each a painting or text is read, a new Creation is born.

Tomasula’s novel is a portraiture of how belief about representation changed throughout time, both in the language of words and the language of images. As noted in his acknowledgments, Tomasula attempted to create a fictionalized historical account from other historical documents, but his own perception is heavily implanted into each chapter,

Though I have tried to depend on the historical documents or actual events and to incorporate the thinking of people from various periods into the narrative that makes up this novel, I have taken many liberties with these materials: the novel is ultimately a work of imagination (326).

It is evident that a perception is being imposed on everything that sits between the covers. Directly after the title page of the novel we find a page with a fingerprint. The fingerprint has no other identification except for the words "A Novel." Typically, a fingerprint is a source of a person’s identity, their being. The presence of what we can at first assume is Tomasula’s fingerprint is a visual statement of ownership of the narrative that follows. The fingerprint acts as an imprint of authenticity. Whether the fingerprint belongs to Tomasula or not, no longer matters, because the presence of the reproduced fingerprint changes the reader’s way of seeing the narrative that follows. As John Berger, author of Ways of Seeing, states “Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak. [. . . ] It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world” (7). Before we enter the narrative of Tomasula’s “imagination” we see that the work will be from the perception of an individual. A nameless individual, yet still the single fingerprint before the narrative denotes that ownership is being asserted.

Always having that fingerprint in the back of their mind, the reader enters a world in which words and images combine to make a historical account that may not have existed. Chapter two is an imagined journal of artist Diego de Velazquez.[1] Since “seeing comes before words,” the presentation of the chapter should be what the reader notices first. The first thing a reader may notice about the presentation of chapter two is the color of the pages. The Sepia tone gives the reader an impression that the document placed on these pages has seen the effects of time. The color may put the idea into the head of the reader/viewer that what follows has to the potential to be an official document. Another visual marker that functions to lend authenticity to the document is the title page of the chapter. Readers are presented with the name of the author “DIEGO DE VELAZQUEZ, Painter and Courtier [Hopeful]/As Written By Himself” (17). The text of chapter two from the very beginning wants to assert that it is owned by one man, Diego de Velazquez. In addition to the declaration of authorship, we are also given a seal and a passage written in Spanish. If the narrative that follows is indeed the work of Velazquez then the appearance of Spanish and an official seal would be appropriate markers of the time. The title page of chapter two also gives the appearance of a manuscript that someone has restored. [2] Yet another visual marker of the text that may suggest it was a manuscript that has been reproduced in our text are the page numbers. Two numbers are placed on the same page and no page numbers exist on the large sketch pages. By placing the numbers on one page it gives the reader the impression that instead of the two pages that exist in our text before us now, the original may have been one long page. Also the lack of page numbers on the large sketch pages [3] suggests to the reader that the sketch was an original that was inserted into the diary.

[1] The idea that the journal may be imaged was taken from a discussion on the novel in
ENGL 5299 on March 9, 2007.
[2] In the title of the Journal note that in brackets our pseudo restorer has noted that the
document that follows has been restored.
[3] What would be pages 34-35 for example.

Redirecting the Male Gaze in Love in Excess and Fantomnia

2013-02-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

The following excerpt is from a paper that was submitted for a MA of English Literature seminar in Spring 2007 at the University of Colorado by Amanda Perez (BA, MA, PhD). If you wish to use any portion of it as a source for your own exploration of Eliza Haywood's Love and Excess Or the Fatal Enquiry and Fantomnia or the Love Maze please feel free to contact me at amanda@amandasweeklyzen.com for a full manuscript.

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In the amatory fictions of Haywood, desire is a thing that can neither be denied nor punished. Desire is an emotion that every woman has, but must learn to effectively express said desire. If Haywood’s women are successful with their expression of desire, they will live “happily-ever-after.” If they are unsuccessful in their expressions of desire they will ultimately be isolated from society. Although Haywood’s women are given the freedom to find a way of expressing their desire they are not given the freedom to use “male tools” of expression. If one of Haywood’s females uses a “male expression” of desire she will quickly be isolated from society. Two such examples are Alovysa in Love and Excess Or the Fatal Enquiry and Fantomnia in Fantomina or the Love Maze.

In her amatory novel Love and Excess, Haywood creates a man whom every woman wants, D’Elmont. No woman can resist this man, not even the wealthy confident Alovysa. Unlike the women around her, Alovysa does not plan to wait for D’Elmont to find it within himself to take interest in her. Alovysa wants to control his desire and redirect his gaze upon her. According to Laura Mulvey in her article “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema,” the male gaze is a gaze “In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its fantasy unto the female figure, which is styled accordingly. In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact so that they can be said to connote to-be-looked-atness” (2186). The male often takes on the “active” role of looking at the woman, often without her consent, while the female takes on the passive role and is just looked at. Alovysa, with her extreme desire for D’elmont, does not want to wait to be the passive “looked at woman.” Early in Love in Excess, Alovysa decides that what she wants is to be the sexual object D’elmont makes of other women. In order for her to become an object for D’elmont desire, Alovysa must first redirect his gaze so she can be seen by D’elmont. Her first attempt at redirecting his gaze is a letter written to D’elmont telling him that she intends to have him gaze upon her,

Resistless as you are in war, you are much more so in love. Here you conquer without making an attack, and we surrender before you summons; the law of arms obliges you to show mercy to an yielding enemy, and sure the Court cannot inspire less generous sentiments that the field. The little god lays down his arrows at your feet, confesses your superior power, and begs a friendly treatment; he will appear to you to morrow night at the ball, in the eyes of the most passionate of all his voteresses; search therefore for him in her, in whom (amongst that bright assembly) you would most desire to find him; I am confident you have too much penetration to miss of him, if not byassed by a former inclination, and in that hope, I shall (as patiently as my expectations will let me) support till then, the tedious hours (39).

Alovysa knows that he “gazes” upon women and “projects his desires upon them.” Alovysa is giving D’elmont permission to gaze upon her and see that she, more then any other woman, desires his penetration. She knows that D’elmont has this power, “I am confident you have too much penetration to miss of him,” and she wants him to use it on her. With her first letter to D’elmont, Alovysa is not only acknowledging the “male gaze” but she is also actively trying to redirect the “male gaze.” By telling D’elmont in her letter that he need only look “in the eyes of the most passionate of all his voteresses,” she admits that not only may he gaze upon her but that she too will use the “male gaze” upon him.

2 day free shipping on Amazon

2013-01-10T17:54:00.001-07:00

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If you want 2 day free shipping on Amazon click the link above. Amanda and I are prime members and order most of the goods we purchase from Amazon. It’s a great service and free 2^nd day air on heavy items is a real plus. Happy New Year From Amazon!!!
I had this 12 plus ton sailboat shipped 2nd day air on Amazon and it saved me 10 grand. Well that may not be true but its still a good deal.

Beginning a Yoga Year 1/365

2013-01-01T08:11:00.001-07:00

Beginning a Yoga Year 1/365, a photo by Amanda's Weekly Zen on Flickr.

Yoga and I have had an on again off again relationship since 1996. We were always sort of friends but neither of us could fully commit to one another, that is until 2011. Late in the year I came across a RYT200 training course right down the road from where we were staying so I took a chance and dedicated myself to 5 months of an intense yoga training. We did not get along at first, but before I knew it we were best friends and early in 2012 we succeeded and were RYT200 certified. And then 2012 happened and we sort of grew apart gradually throughout the year until finally as the end of the year approach we had hardly spent any time together.

I remember back when yoga and I were friends I felt better, physically, emotionally, spiritually. So in 2013 I have decided that it is time to re-dedicate myself to yoga. Each day for the entire 2013 I will spend at least 30 minutes a day doing some yoga. Today on the first day of the year I pull out an old friend to remind myself of some leg and knee strengthening poses, plus Iyengar sets up this fantastic outline for a six year asana course.

For the first and second week he suggests working on the grounding poses such as Tadasana and Savasana. Because as he states “Without firm foundations a house cannot stand.” Even though I went through the RYT200 course and feel confident that I can lead a very pleasant and satisfying class I feel that my foundation is in need of work and my feet need to be reawakened to the earth and re-grounded before I can move forward in the rest of the year.

Day 1/365 for Project 365

I Love My Dog! 1/25

2012-12-01T07:57:00.001-07:00

I Love My Dog! 1/25, a photo by Amanda's Weekly Zen on Flickr.

Maverick is ready for lots of treats for Christmas this year with his very own stocking setting right next to where he likes to hang out... under the living room desk.

For the next 25 days I will post photos with Christmas themes right here on Weekly Zen. You can also see them in my flickr account at 25 Days of Christmas .