Grendel's Mother by The Mountain Goats

Read  Beowulf and Grendel by John Gardner and then listen to this. Or, just listen to this. So, so pretty.

The cave mouth shines.
By pure force of will
I look down on the world
From the top of this lonesome hill.
And you can run, and run some more
From here all the way to Singapore,
But I will carry you home in my teeth,

In the great hall you drink red wine.
You chew meat off the bone.
I beat down the new path to the castle.
I come naked and alone.
I laid my son on the bier; I burned the wreath.
Fire overhead, water underneath.
You can stand up, or you can run.
You and I both know what you've done,
And I will carry you home.
I will carry you home.
I will carry you home in my teeth.

Book Nerds Unite!

At the annual National Book Festival! 

Happy Birthday Mr. Dahl!

     September 13th marks the birthday of a true literary genius. In elementary school, a great summer did not exist without devouring the library's Roald Dahl section. From Matilda to The Twits to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dahl painted new worlds for his young readers. 

     Many children's books are filled with suspense, adventure and humor. However, Dahl went further than this. The author's imagination transformed every story into a genius innovation. His protagonists are unparalleled in their pizazz and vitality. His villains are unsurpassed in their treachery and abhorrence. 

     If you have never picked up a book from his collection, you have yet to experience true brilliance in the Children's literary world. Be prepared to be amazed.

September 13th is now recognized as Roald Dahl Day. So, an early happy Roald Dahl Day to all! 

Curious about Roald Dahl, his life or  his characters? Take a look at this fantastic site: 

http://www.roalddahl.com/

SENTENCES TO HOLD ON TO

You know those sentences that you read in a book and don't want to let go of? You read them twice... You come back to them in your mind...They, to be perfectly cliche, give you chills? Here are mine...

Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I'd have the facts.  ~ To Kill a Mockingbird

Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. ~ To Kill a Mockingbird

Jimmy Cross carried a compass, maps, code books, binoculars and a .45-caliber pistol that weighed 2.9 pounds fully loaded. He carried a strobe light and the responsibility for the lives of his men. ~ The Things They Carried

you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy ~ One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

We tell ourselves stories in order to live ~ The White Album 

So we drove on toward death in the cooling twilight ~ The Great Gatsby 

Some people were so delicate that one look was enough to wipe them away, but even bone-dumb grunts seemed to feel that something weird and extra was happening ~ Dispatches 

rock and roll turned more lurid and dangerous than bullfighting, rock stars started falling like second lieutenants; ecstasy and death and (of course and for sure) life... ~ Dispatches 

A puzzled look replaced the look of pain in the lead-colored face. Then Spade smiled. His smile was gentle, even dreamy ~ The Maltease Falcon

Allow Me To Share Some Quotes...

I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?

 — John Lennon 

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.

— Victor Hugo

First get your facts; then you may distort them at your leisure.

— Mark Twain

See the GALLERY!!!

Save the Date!

                                    

Be sure to mark September 17th on your calendars! Alexandria will be hosting its second annual Story Festival! No RSVP necessary. More info here