Timeless Pages: A Vintage Book Collection

I have always loved most things vintage, but I have to define “vintage” in case you happen to be about the age of one of my kids. Vintage for them might be circa 1980 or 1990, and they may think vintage for me would be circa 1880 or 1890. Not so.

• Vintage, by my definition, is back in my day, the 1950s and 60s, or anything before that, but still in the 1900s.

Are we clear? Good!

One of my favorite things is “library trash”. Books that some public libraries throw away as trash because they do not have enough room on their shelves and have to make space for the “new”.

In my dictionary: old books = vintage books.

Of course, if it is left up to chance and you are searching for a specific book, the odds are not in your favor, and you may be waiting a while – wishing and hoping for that particular reading material to end up on the pile. Not all awesome vintage books are tossed by the head librarian.

Fortunately, there is a bookstore called Vintage Books, that has been around since 1954. It is physically located in New York, New York, but thanks to the wonders of information technology, you can peruse their bookshelf online. There are books listed by the usual genres from Art to History to Mystery to Travel. But you might find the selected works categorized in the Vintage Series worth examining. There are 5 different series: Civil War, Classics, Contemporaries, Departures, and International.

Vintage books are priceless additions to your own personal library and are great gift ideas. What is also great is that these published works are not very expensive, come in paperback or hardcover, as well as audiobook format or in the Kindle edition.

(NOTE: Vintage Books is part of the Random House/Knopf Doubleday network of book selling sites.)

Book Selections From the Vintage Series

♦♦♦♦♦♦

The Civil War Dictionary by Mark Boatner
(Vintage Civil War Library)

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865.

Where Angels Fear to Tread by E. M. Forster
(Vintage Classics)

A young English widow takes off on the grand tour and along the way marries a penniless Italian. Her in-laws are not amused.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
(Vintage Contemporaries)

A love story woven into a novel about hopes and dreams, and redefinition of what it means to be American.

Cuba in Mind: An Anthology
(Vintage Departures)

Explorer Christopher Columbus described Cuba as “the most beautiful country that human eyes have ever seen”. 31 writers – poetry, fiction and nonfiction – agree.

Bombay Stories
(Vintage International)

1930s Bombay provided the author with the inspiration for this collection of short stories.

Thanks for visiting!

If you’re gifting vintage books, might as well throw in some vintage bookends and a desk! :)

Sauder Graham Hill Desk, Autumn Maple Finish

Decorative Heavy Duty Bookends – Metal Large Book Ends – Vintage Tall Books Stand

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

Middle-earth Treasures: Unique Gifts for Tolkien Fans

Anyone who has done even scant research on John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 – 1973) knows that even though he was a very private man, there is no shortage of biographical information about this famous British writer and medievalist. Hardcover, paperback, digital and audio books, letters, and other materials abound. 

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His son, Christopher Tolkien, was and still is extremely protective of the legacy of his father, and has only ever authorized one official biography. His father is highly respected as a literary hero and a myth maker, and he wants to keep it that way! Understandable, however, that did not stop others from publishing their unauthorized unofficial versions. (Even moi! Tried my hand at publishing an unauthorized biographical sketch.) 

These unapproved life stories (see listing below) are just as appreciated by Tolkien fans as the approved biography written by Humphrey Carpenter. Furthermore, the commercialization of “all things Tolkien” may have started with the success of the “Lord of the Rings” books, but when these works were adapted to film, Tolkien fever infected the masses around the world. A loyal Tolkien-ite can not only build their own personal library, but can purchase puzzles, games, collectibles, and more!!

Tolkien: The Authorized Biography

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Unauthorized Tolkien Biographies ( Name of Author )

• J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century ( Tom Shippey )
• Tolkien: Man and Myth, a Literary Life ( Joseph Pearce )
• J. R. R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend ( Colin Duriez )
• Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ( Anne E. Neimark )
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator ( Wayne G. Hammond )

More Gift Ideas for the Tolkien Enthusiast!💟

Asmodee The Lord of The Rings The Fellowship of The Ring Trick-Taking Game - A Cooperative Card Adventure! Strategy Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 10+, 1-4 Players, 20 Minute Playtime

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Take a look at this Lord of the Rings Collector Chess Set.

– The 32 playing pieces made in fine pewter bear an amazing resemblance to the characters in the film. The top of the board is plexi-glass; the rest of the board is made out of cold cast porcelain. Hero pieces have a green ring around the bottom and villain pieces have a purple ring around the bottom. A map of Middle-earth is mounted below the playing surface. Board measures 15 x 15 x 4.5 in.

Who would not want to keep this magnificent chess set in the family and treasure it for generations? Is it not the perfect gift for a collector, and an avid chess player who is also a devoted Tolkien follower?

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Memorable Quote:  "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." — J.R.R. Tolkien

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

The Dickens Junction Mysteries: Cozy Fun Reads: Crimes with Dickensian Twists

Are you an admirer of Charles Dickens and also a loyal reader of murder mysteries? The two books mentioned below come highly recommended by many readers, book club members, and book review bloggers who love murder and suspense thrillers and fictional crime series. These particular books are categorized under a genre known as “cozy mystery” or “cozies”.

• They are part of the Dickens Junction Mystery Series by Christopher Lord.

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BOOK 1: The Christmas Carol Murders

(less than 300 pages)

BOOK 2: The Edwin Drood Murders

(less than 200 pages)

Both are quick reads, and based on book reviews published by bloggers like mysterysequels.com and travelingwitht.com, you probably won’t want to put the book down once you get started.

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The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a TV miniseries adapted from the work by Charles Dickens. The good thing about the Dickens Junction Mystery Series is that you don’t even have to know anything about Charles Dickens. The writer, Christopher Lord, puts a contemporary twist or spin on Dickens-style tales and his fun writing style and character creations seem to be the reason the books are gaining in popularity.

* Trivia: Charles Dickens last novel, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, is an unfinished work. More details can be found at charlesdickensinfo.com.

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Charles Dickens is of course, famous for “A Christmas Carol”. Many don’t know that’s not the only ghost story that he wrote. He has written several ghost stories which are perfect for the holiday season …
from Halloween to Christmas!

Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens (Wordsworth Classics)

glitter-graphics.com

NOTE: Content previously published elsewhere on the web, however, the site shut down. 

2 Books About God That Make You Think

Two books are suggested for those who are seeking truth, who are philosophers, who are religious, who are atheists, or who just like to read good books.

BOOK  1: The Signature of God

This book tries to convince the reader that God is the author of the Bible. The author, Grant R. Jeffrey (1948 – 2012), did research and presented his findings.

BOOK  2: The Existence of God

Three decades earlier, before Jeffrey's book was published, two other men, John Hick (1922 - 2012) and Paul Edwards(1923 - 2004) , presented the results of their research regarding "The Existence of God".

NOTE:  Content below a first published at Wizzley.com

Searching for the Truth?

Book suggestions for those searching, seeking, on a quest to find life's purpose and the meaning of truth; or for intellectuals, philosophers, or people who just like to read.

Many Seek Truth. Some Write Books About What They Find.

In Memory Of:

- Grant R. Jeffrey (1948 - 2012)

- John Hick (1922 - 2012)

- Paul Edwards (1923 - 2004)

Grant R. Jeffrey believed the Bible was the divinely inspired word of God because God signed it. There is no way it can be deemed a forgery, a fake, or uninspired. He wrote a book titled "The Signature of God" to present his proofs. 

Logic dictates that if there is a sole author of "the Book of Books", the author must exist or must have existed at some point. 

Three decades earlier, before Jeffrey's findings were made available to the public, two other men, John Hick and Paul Edwards, presented the results of their research regarding "The Existence of God".  It was an exercise in philosophical reasoning.

Jeffrey, Hick and Edwards - Believers and Philosophers

Ministers and Teachers

According to the results of research that took him decades to compile, Grant Jeffrey insisted that math, science and medicine, archaeology, and historical records provide indisputable evidence that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Oddly enough, one of his main indicators or proofs is the same claim made by President Abraham Lincoln, that is, anybody who reads the Bible will live and die a better person for doing so.

• "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man." - Abraham Lincoln, 1863

It is clear in reading The Signature of God that Jeffrey's purpose is to persuade or convince non-believers that the truths presented from Genesis to Revelation are verifiable and come from a Higher Power who reveals Himself to all mankind through His Word. Jeffrey's work is the result of several years of research and study, the final product being presented to the public in book form in 1998. But if one is to accept his analysis and conclusions, one must first accept that God is real. Suppose the non-believers don't even believe a Supreme Intelligent is Being we refer to as God? Logic dictates that if there is a sole author of “the Book of Books”, the author must exist or must have existed at some point.

In 1964, two other men, John Hick and Paul Edwards, published the results of a project they had undertaken. They went on a quest to gather “available” information from the ancient Greeks to the present day (the “present day” at that time being circa 1960s) and share arguments representing both sides, i.e., FOR and AGAINST The Existence of God.

My Assessment and Opinion

Both books, in paperback format, are between 300 to 350 pages. So first, I'd like to say that the condensing of years and years and years of that kind of extensive research into publications that are less than 400 pages is nothing short of miraculous!!! Have you ever seen “reports” promulgated by the United States government? It takes 300 pages to present the summary of whatever it is that's being reported on! (O.o) 

RE:  The Signature of God

Are you trying to convince me that an extremely wise and intelligent Being is the author of one of the greatest books ever written?  Well then, quite frankly, I think that the mysterious Hebrew codes, the mathematical signature of God, and the "Undesigned Coincidences" are totally unnecessary convolutions.  The information and arguments presented did nothing to convince me that the Bible is God-breathed, inspired words.  Hey!  I'm a tough audience! 

RE:  The Existence of God

If one decides to tackle a topic like the existence of a Supreme Being, why start with the ancient Greeks?  There were many civilizations, nations, or people who lived and walked the earth long before the citizens of ancient Greece showed up.  Take one look at their mythology, and it's plain to see that they were a pretty confused set of folks.  They had gods that treated human beings like they were toys to play with, pieces on a chessboard.  I suspect that if one went back far enough in the history of mankind, they would probably find a point in time when all men knew the one true God.  His existence wasn't a question; it was a given. :)

*****

Are you an atheist? believer? student of philosophy? truth seeker? Then the combined reading of both books is highly recommended.

Books: American Author: Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899)

Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899) could be looked at as an American Charles Dickens; although his writings never reached the level of popularity where so many of his books were so good they were adapted to film and often quoted.  The similarity is in the subject matter of his books.

Horatio Alger Jr. wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. Does that plot sound familiar?  You're right.  Charles Dickens often wrote stories like that.

Alger didn't just write juvenile novels. He also wrote novels for adults, poems, short stories, and biographies of famous people, such as American presidents James A. Garfield and Abraham Lincoln. His first work was published in 1849, and several of his writings were published posthumously after his death on July 18, 1899.  If you collect or read vintage books, Alger's writings are recommended.

Strive and Succeed by Horatio Alger Jr.

Buy books written by Horatio Alger Jr.
(various formats: hard copy, paperback, audio, Kindle editions, etc.)

10 Children's Books Everyone Should Read

Meet Shaloo Walia, vlogger and book enthusiast. I am subscribed to her channel and you should be too. She shares her reviews and recommendations for books to add to your reading list.  I personally enjoy her videos about children's books, but she shares suggestions for a wide range of books, for children and adults.

Here are her 10 Children's Books EVERYONE Should Read

Check to see if Shaloo's suggestions are audio books available at Audible, an Amazon Company:  Books for Children

Book Lovers ~ An Assortment of Books to Add to Your Reading List

Once stayed in a temporary residence when my family was being relocated from one state to another.  We stayed in this house for a few months until we found our permanent home.  What a memory! 

This house was right out a dream home magazine.  My favorite room in this house was the office/library.  Public libraries have always been one of my favorite places.  But I had never lived in a house that was big enough to have my own personal library where I could retreat to and shut off the rest of the world.  

If you had your personal library, what kinds of books would be on your bookshelves?  Here are some of the books you might find in my library.


♦ Picture Books for Children (or for grown-ups who never grow up)

• "The Eagles Are Back" : Jean Craighead George tells the story of how the American bald eagle was saved from extinction.
• "Annie and the Old One" : Written by Miska Miles.  It is an introduction to the customs and traditions of  the Navajo people and touches upon a very sensitive subject for children: explaining the death of a loved one.
• "The Emperor and the Kite":  Jane Yolen tells the tale of a young child who saved a kingdom all because she knew how to fly a kite.  So the next time someone says to you "Go fly a kite!", just imagine yourself on a secret mission saving an empire.

♦ Hot and exciting reads. Suspense Thrillers or Romance.

• FC Etier Writes Political Thrillers : "The Tourist Killer" was FC Etier's first novel; followed up by "The Presidents Club". Two novels written for those who enjoy a web of conspiracy and intrigue with lots of political overtones.
• Two Thrillers and One Romance : Just the titles of these books should tempt you. "Power Of Persuasion"; "Trusting Evil"; and "All the Beautiful Sinners".  Which one do you think is the romance?  :)
• Irresistible Historical Romance Novels : “A Rose in Winter” and “Shanna”  ~ Both books were authored by the late Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, the lady who pioneered the historical romance genre and should be credited with it being one of the most popular book genres, based on book sales in the USA.

♦ History or Mystery.

• Dickens Junction Mystery Series : Love Charles Dickens and murder mysteries? Perfect!
• The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence : History and mystery set in the ancient Roman empire, written to encourage children to learn history but adults will equally be fascinated.
• Book Selections From the Vintage Series : Choose from reading about the American Civil War to life in 1930s Bombay.

♦ Science Fiction or Fantasy.

• Books by Kev Heritage, S. M. Reine and other popular authors in the sci-fi genre
• Gifts for the Tolkien Enthusiast - Can't say the word fantasy and not mention Tolkien.

♦ Inspiring Biographies.

♥ ♥ ♥ 

Now that you've picked your book (or books), 

settle down for some good reading!  :)

Also published at partner blog.

Book Suggestions for Those Who Love to Read Ghost Stories

Do you love to read ghost stories?  

If so you might appreciate these suggestions.

PETER ACKROYD

Peter Ackroyd is an award-winning writer. He’s a poet, a biographer, a historian, and a mystery writer. He is prolific.  He even writes ghost stories!  The English Ghost: Spectres Through Time is one of his most popular writings.

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CHARLES DICKENS

Almost everyone knows "A Christmas Carol" is the most famous ghost story written by Charles Dickens. But did you know he wrote lots of other ghost stories?

"Throughout his literary career, he wrote more than two dozen ghost stories, many of which appearing as smaller tales tucked into larger novels, including The Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, and Nicholas Nickleby."  (Source)

The publishers of Oldstyle Tales Press describe their blog as "The Classic Horror Blog".  They published a list of "7 Best Ghost Stories by Charles Dickens (Not Including 'A Christmas Carol')".  But none on this list were buried inside another story.  There is one Dickens' tale that is credited with inspiring Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart.

• Charles Dickens Was a 'Fascinated Skeptic' of the Supernatural | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
• Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens (Wordsworth Classics)

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SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is beloved for his the fictional sleuth he crested, Sherlock Holmes. But he also published ghost stories. Much like Dickens he had a fascination with the paranormal or supernatural.  Unlike Dickens he is recognized by many as "the writer of one of English literature's best ghost stories".  He has even written "true" ghost stories, i.e. "supernatural non-fiction by Arthur Conan Doyle: "The Ghost of The Moat" & "A London Ghost".

The Midnight Reading: Two (Tru - Fireside Mystery Theatre - Apple Podcasts

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Read these ghost stories any time/ Don't wait for Halloween.

Three (3) Engaging Book Series for Young Readers

People make distinctions between Gen Z kids, Gen X kids, etc. Kids are kids. No matter what generation, all kids should be encouraged to read. Here are 3 book series young readers might enjoy. AGREE?

AI_Generated Image Created Using DreamUP AI Art Tool

The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence 

The goal of the author was to teach students about life in ancient Rome. She accomplished her goal by incorporating mysteries, set during the period of the Roman Empire, that four intelligent, adventurous, and curious kids solved on their own. 

Meet the kids:

• Flavia Gemina, the daughter of a wealthy sea captain;
• Nubia, an African girl who was a princess before being captured by slave traders;
• Jonathan ben Mordecai, a Jewish/Christian boy; 
• Lupus: a mute beggar boy.

This book series won awards, was adapted for television, and many episodes are on YouTube.

Redwall by Brian Jacques (1939–2011) 

There are 22 novels but the TV series was based on only 3 of those novels: “Redwall”, “Mattimeo”, and “Martin the Warrior”. The anthropomorphic animal characters are peaceful creatures who inhabit Redwall Abbey and the Mossflower Wood countryside, must rise to the call and become warriors to defend themselves. As expected in troubling times, a hero emerges known as Martin the Warrior. This book series was adapted as an animated series. Many episodes are on YouTube.

Chronicles of the Stone Series by Fiona Ingram 

These tales written for children were inspired by the author’s own family trip to Egypt. In ancient Egypt, a scarab was a gem cut in the form of a scarab beetle, often engraved with hieroglyphs on the flat underside. They were mainly used as amulets and impression seals. This series is a trilogy and in Book 1 readers are introduced to Adam and Justin Sinclair, a 5000-year-old mystery. The 2 young boys are searching for the 7 ancient Stones of Power.

Books: American Literature: Louisa May Alcott (1832 – 1888)

In Memory Of Louisa May Alcott (Nov 29, 1832 – Mar 6, 1888).

Image credit: Amazon.com

This blog post is in celebration of her birthday. Most people know her as the author of "Little Women", which was adapted for film several times. The film adaptation I remember starred Elizabeth Taylor, released in 1949. There was a much later remake with Winona Rider, { Little Women (Collector's Series) }.  Of course, Ms. Alcott wrote many more novels and poetry; and she also did other interesting things in her life during a time when the movements, actions, and decisions of women were restricted or limited.  She is worthy of double honor.

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and she had three sisters. Her father made sure that they were all educated. Louisa began her writing career publising poetry and short stories. She used a pen name, Flora Fairfield. Before she became famous she also published Gothic thrillers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. At the age of 35, in 1868, she published “Little Women”, an autobiography, which was an overnight success and has become a classic. Her company of friends included successful authors Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.

Her life was far from glamorous and sophisticated, but she lived a life worthy of admiration. She volunteered as a nurse to serve during the Civil War; however contracted typhoid fever and was sent home. She was a suffragette and in 1879 when the laws were passed allowing women to vote in Concord, Massachusetts, she was the first woman who registered to vote. She never married and her health was very poor. Nevertheless she took care of her parents when they were ill until their deaths, and adopted and cared for her niece when her sister died. Louis May Alcott died of a stroke, two days after her father's death. She was 55 years old.

• LOUISA MAY ALCOTT Ultimate Collection: 16 Novels & 150+ Short Stories, Plays and Poems (Illustrated): Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys, ... The Abbot's Ghost, A Garland for Girls...

• A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics)  A treasury of treasured holiday tales written by Louisa May Alcott, painting a vivid picture of Christmas in America during the 19th century.

glitter-graphics.com

Treasure for Readers: Where To Find Reading Material in Digital Format

I know a person who said that he believed one day all books would be in digital format.  I disagree.  For one thing, there are often times when we don't have Internet access.  Thank goodness we did not throw away our books!  For me, nothing can take the place of curling up in a sofa or your bed with a good books that has pages that I can touch and turn!  You can't get that from reading digital content.  Nevertheless, I am very pleased that there are many sites online where you can find really good reading material.

📚  Find Fairy Tales for Children at World of Tales ~ www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales...

📚  Project Gutenberg is a library of over 60,000 FREE eBooks. ~ www.gutenberg.org

📚  14 Websites To Find Thousands Of Free Audiobooks Online | Book Riot ~ https://bookriot.com/11-websites-find-free-audiobooks-online/

📚  Archive of 6,000 Historical Children's Books, All Digitized and Free to Read Online | Open Culture ~ www.openculture.com/2016/08/enter-an-archive-of-6000-historical-childrens-books-all-digitized-and-free-to-read-online.html

There are some sites online where you can read novels for free. This is one of them. ~ onlinereadfreenovel.com It's has lots of different book genres: romance, history, mystery, etc. Image is an example of a book categorized under “History & Fiction”.

Free Audiobooks by Sanity Audio Apps https://t.co/mWahmIjPQg via @amazon #books #audiobooks #reading #Goodreads #readinglist #gifts #giftideas @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/0XmwnQjOj4

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 22, 2021

GOOD READS: Charles Dickens Wrote More Than One Ghost Story

 “Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.” (Wikipedia)

Since readers seemed to appreciate my post about William Shakespeare, I decided to share a short post about another famous British writer, Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870). Unlike Shakespeare, hardly anybody challenges or questions whether Dickens is the true author of any of his works.  He is known by almost everyone as the man who wrote “A Christmas Carol“.  This novel is a literary masterpiece that has been adapted to film numerous times and has become part of the holiday tradition.  Every Christmas people want to see those ghosts! The popularity of this original work has overshadowed the fact that it wasn’t the ONLY ghost story Charles Dickens ever wrote.  Dickens had a fascination with supernatural phenomena and the existence of spirits or ghosts.  Because of his avid interest, he wrote several ghost stories. Enough to have them compiled into one volume for your reading pleasure.  That’s if you like a good ghost story!

Wordsworth Classics: “Complete Ghost Stories” by Charles Dickens

Original source

THE 16 GREATEST CHARLES DICKENS NOVELS

Books: "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono

Searching for inspiration?  "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono is a beautiful and inspiring tale about a man who single-handedly transforms a barren landscape through his dedication to planting trees.  It is a "timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth."

Story Summary:

Set in the early 20th century in the desolate and barren region of the French Alps. The narrator, who is on a walking tour, meets a shepherd named Elzéard Bouffier in a remote and lifeless valley.

Elzéard Bouffier is an elderly man who lives alone with his sheep and his dog. Despite the challenging and isolated life, he is determined to bring life back to the land. He starts by planting acorns, and over the years, he tirelessly plants thousands of trees. He tends to them with care and devotion, and as a result, a lush forest begins to grow.

The transformation of the landscape is nothing short of miraculous. The once-barren valley becomes a haven of greenery, wildlife returns, and the water sources flow again. The forest that Elzéard Bouffier has created is not just a symbol of nature's resilience, but a testament to the power of one person's dedication and commitment to a cause.

The narrator, deeply moved by Elzéard Bouffier's selfless work, visits him again several times over the years. He realizes that the shepherd's actions are not driven by any environmental movement or ideology but by a simple desire to make the land more beautiful for future generations.

The story ends with the narrator visiting the valley again many years later, during World War II. He is amazed to find the forest untouched and thriving, despite the destruction of the war. Elzéard Bouffier's legacy lives on through the forest he planted, a testament to the idea that individual actions can have a profound and lasting impact on the environment.

"The Man Who Planted Trees" is a heartwarming and inspirational novella with two (2) clear takeaways:

1. the importance of conservation, perseverance, and saving planet earth; and 
2. the positive impact one person can have on the world, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

(Content written with the help of the ChatGPT AI tool.)

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LINKS OF INTEREST:

• The Olive Tree has been highly regarded since ancient times ...
• Home and Garden: Sharing My Fascination With Bonsai Trees
• Mother Africa : Trees of Africa : Baobab Tree

Books: Sidney Sheldon, American Writer ~ Master of Suspense

Sidney Sheldon (1917 – 2007) is an American novelist who earned a reputation as a master of suspense. Crime fiction thrillers were his specialty.

If you enjoy binge-reading, you should set a goal to read several Sidney Sheldon novels. Check out these recommendations by vlogger, Shaloo Walia: Top 7 Sidney Sheldon Books. 

If you would like my recommendation on where to begin, start with his novel Master of the Game (published 1982) and follow it with If Tomorrow Comes (published 1985).

“The future was clay, to be moulded day by day, but the past was bedrock, immutable.” ― Master of the Game

“My ancestors survived famine and plagues and floods, and I’m going to survive this.” ― If Tomorrow Comes

The books will either whet your appetite or disappoint you. If you enjoyed reading them, then go anywhere from there. Choose from 18 novels.

• Link of Interest: Books by Sidney Sheldon and Complete Book Reviews | Publishers Weekly

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About Sidney Sheldon

At age 10, Sidney Sheldon wrote a poem and sold it for $10. He sold a screenplay called "South of Panama" to Universal Pictures for $250 in 1941. He lived through the Depression working various jobs while attending Northwestern University. He served in the US military during World War II. No matter what life's circumstances he was always writing. Mr. Sheldon was in the writing game for decades. His first novel was published in 1969/1970(?). But before and after that, he also wrote Broadway plays, books for children, scripts for films and television shows, and more. He was the recipient of several writing awards and is internationally known. Believe it or not, he even has a few English-speaking readers in North Korea. Several of his books were adapted to film.

Mr. Sheldon passed away at age 89 in 2007 (complications from pneumonia). If you want to know a little more about his character or personality you will probably enjoy this intereview published via Digital Journal ~ 'I find women more fascinating than men' - Sidney Sheldon Interview.; and this interesting bio snapshot published via IMDb ~ Sidney Sheldon Biography.

Faith, Fiction, Friends: “Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville (Reblog)

Thanks to my high school English teachers I developed an appreciation for American literature and especially for short stories. Below is a link to an excellent review by a fellow blogger who often shares links to his posts via a Facebook Grop called "Authentic Blogger".  Herman Melville was one of the authors my teachers introduced me to; however, I don't remember reading this particular short story. The review has piqued my interest.  If you don't already know, Mr. Melville is famous for writing "Moby Dick". 

• "In two installments in November and December of 1853, Putnam’s Monthly Magazine published a longish short story by Herman Melville (1819-1891) ... It’s a lot of weight for a short story to carry. ..."  Read more: Faith, Fiction, Friends: “Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville

Related Links of Interest:

• Putnam's Monthly Magazine of American Literature, Science, and Art Volume II Bartleby the Scrivener. A Story of Wall Street 2 July - December 1853 | Herman Melville
• Free e-Books by Herman Melville

Continuing Education: Introduction to Arabic Philosophy (with Suggested Reading)

When you tackle a topic like this the best place to start your research is in a reputable and reliable encyclopedia like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. A perusal of several EB articles revealed the following eye-opening facts:

 
~ Islamic philosophy and Arabic philosophy, are phrases that are used interchangeably and the beginning of the philosophical movements in the Islamic world dates back to the 9th century.

~ Arabic philosophy combined the Western philosophies of Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism with other ideas introduced through Islam.

~ Al-Kindī is honored as being the first Muslim philosopher. He was known as “the philosopher of the Arabs”. How did he know so much about Western philosophy? Because he was appointed by the Abbasid Caliphs to work alongside his contemporaries, and translate Greek philosophical and scientific works into Arabic.

~ An important distinction must be made between Islamic philosophy versus Islamic theology (or religion). That distinction is that … it is very similar to Western philosophy in that the philosophers sort of try to eliminate God or Divine Intervention from the picture and rely on non-religious secular human reasoning and science to explain TRUTH and the UNIVERSE.

~ In addition to Al-Kindī, others who made significant contributions to Arabic philosophy in the medieval Islamic world include: al-Farabi and Avicenna (Persia); Averroës (Andalusian Spain); and Ibn Khaldūn (Egypt).

~ Curiously, Christian and Jewish thinkers also participated in and influenced the Islamic or Arabic philosophical movements.

~ The first period from the 9th to the 12th (or 14th) century is referred to as classical or early Islamic philosophy. After that time, interest in the movement declined due to lack of supporters. However, there were and are still those who pursued a course of philosophical study to this day.

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The articles in the Encyclopedia Brittanica provided a great introduction to Islamic/Arabic philosophy. Additionally, I would like to recommend one more article published via Encyclopedia.com which is a much easier read. Arabian Philosophy | Encyclopedia.com. ~ www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/arabian-philosophy
- Image credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_philosophy
- Secondary source link: tinyurl.com/3uze7k9a

Suggestions for Additional Reading:

The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy)

The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic) 1st ed. 2015 Edition

Greek Thought, Arabic Culture: The Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement in Baghdad and Early 'Abbasaid Society (2nd-4th/5th-10th c.) (Arabic Thought and Culture) 1st Edition