The Tao De English Major

That's nice- I am now posting once a every four weeks- go, Karin!! Good Lord, you would think I could take the time... oh, wait, that's right- time!! That thing I never have enough of, that thing they say is an illusion anyway. I enjoy posting and am not exactly sure why I haven't of late. Funny story- I watched Miss Austin Regrets (Austen? I forget) and got online soon after. The way I was writing was so funny, so reminiscent of that time. It was great. So, I have hired some people in the store and I will be out of the store more than usual- out marketing or driving a carriage or yes, occasionally, I will probably be found lounging in the park. I am still looking to hire some people, so definitely get in touch with me if you are interested in some part-time work. New 'employees' are automatically signed up for the Lending Library and can borrow 3 books at a time per month- deal of the century!!
So, I have a Facebook account for the store now- well, actually, I did before, but couldn't post comments from it and I mean, really, what's the point of FB if not to tell everyone what you're thinking about! So, now, instead of The English Major Bookstore, I can be found under English Major. I always think it's pretty funny when names like that haven't already been chosen. Anyway, in addition to new people in the store, I have been shelving and categorizing and getting rid of old books, putting new ones on the shelves. I just got in a bunch of stuff regarding The Tao De Ching, including a copy of the book itself as well as all kinds of people's take on the book, including Alan Watts'. Lots of new paperback fiction, history- all kinds of stuff- oh- new Art books!! Come and check it all out at your leisure and meet my newest representatives of The English Major Bookstore- they all seem as glad to be here as I am to have them!!
Let's see- personally, I was reading the only novel that Ranier Maria Rilke ever wrote called The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. I have been a huge Rilke fan for ages, but never knew he wrote a novel. So, I was pretty over the moon about it and was enjoying it immensely- it's the kind of book that you have to put down every now and then and just kind of reflect and be like Radar on the old M*A*S*H episodes, when he's all reflective about Bach, "Ahhhh, Bach!" You just kind of sit for a second, thinking, "Ahhhh, Good Ole Rilke." Never disappointing, other than you know that it is the only novel you'll ever read by him which is a little bittersweet. But Then!!! About a month ago, I sold my only copy of Carson McCullers' The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and was slightly torn about selling it- kind of asking they guy who bought it," You sure you want this?" So, never having read it and knowing it is at the top of the list for a lot of people's Favorite Books Ever, I had a copy come in, so I have decided to share reading time between Carson and Rilke and am enjoying both. Got up early the other day to go for a beautiful walk in 67 degree weather, then realized I could just blow off the walk and read all morning, which, of course, I did.
Hope all is well in ya'lls worlds!
As always, come take a carriage ride and support your local bookstore!
http://www.carriagetoursofmemphis.com/

Loved 'The Invention of Lying'

Watched this movie last night called The Invention of Lying and just had to reccomend it. It's about a world where no one lies, where you believe everything everyone tells you because you know they are telling you the truth. Then, smeone invents lying. It's great! I love movies like this, not really sci-fi, but fantasy like. It was fantastic, in both senses of the word.
I had last night off and was shelving books till about 10 p.m. I went through about ten boxes, one of which was from the back of the store, which, if you know anything about the bookstore, you know the back is chock full of boxes of books. The other nine or so boxes were books that were brought in in trade over the past few months, so there is a lot of new stuff on the shelves, in all cataogories, stuff that I am, quite frankly, pretty excited about. Not that I am not excited about what's already up there, but the new stuff is pretty cool. Quite the description, huh? But it's accurate, so what can I say? Come check it out and if you're going to Reba and George tonight, have fun and take a carriage ride!!

I am the Master of my Fate!

I have a grey, hooded sweatshirt I like wearing, but don't wear very often. This is one of those days that it just feels entirely appropriate to wear a grey hooded sweatshirt. The beginning of a new work week for me, my Monday, if you will. I have plans to put more books for sale online as well as empty about 8 boxes of books that have been brought into the store in the last 6 months and promptly went into storage. I also plan to write and make a Green Smoothie. That is the essential me, in a nutshell. Exciting, huh? Kind of riveting, aren't I? Glad you checked my blog? Well, I will leave you with a life- enhancing quote from Best Quotations For All Occasions, edited by Lewis C. Henry, @ 1951.

First, a random one:
Think of your forefathers!
Think of your posterity!
- John Quincy Adams, 1802

Another random one, for sheets and giggles:

It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
-W.E. Henley, Invictus

Yeah! And one about writing, or literature or supporting your local Used Bookstore:

Come to The English Major Bookstore
for the English Major in Everyone!
-Me
:) Take care, have a great day and read more books!