Inspired by the quotes I highlighted last week, I couldn’t help but think of Mark Twain — my choice for the state of Missouri.
photo credit: The Confluence
I recently re-read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and was re-amazed. Although controversial and frequently banned today, Huck Finn was so ahead of its time… sadly. But beyond the fascinating context, subtext, and pretext of the novel, it is simply a rollicking good read. If you haven’t read it as an adult, I recommend that you do. I was disappointed in the ending, but loved reading it with adult eyes, heart, and mind nevertheless.
photo credit: saborcesar
And now, for some of Twain inimitable wisdom…
A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.
Everything has its limit – iron ore cannot be educated into gold.
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.
‘Classic.’ A book which people praise and don’t read.
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.
Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.
photo credit: JamieSanford
Thanks, Twain… Still entertaining us and, more importantly, making us think…
Curious about what states we’ve done so far and which ones are on deck?
Photo by marxchivistFirst, from Melanie Jones:
Alabama: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (check out my To Kill A Mockingbird Sample Kit!) Michigan: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides Alaska: The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord Arizona: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver North Dakota: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Vermont: The Secret History by Donna Tartt Hawaii: Heads by Harry by Lois-ann Yamanaka Georgia: Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones And I went out on my own for…
Florida: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Zeale Hurston Minnesota: In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien Wisconsin: When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton Louisiana: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells (Jones’ pick) and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (my pick) Colorado: Plainsong by Kent Haruf Maryland: Anything by Anne Tyler Georgia: Awakening by Kate Chopin Ohio: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Arkansas: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Virginia: John Grisham Idaho: Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson North Carolina: Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons Tennesee: Run by Ann Patchett New Jersey: Anything by Janet Ivanovich Texas: Anything by Elmer Kelton Connecticut: The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx Montana: The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie Utah: Edward Abbey South Carolina: Pat Conroy Iowa: Wallace Stegner Pennsylvania: John Updike and James Michener
Wondering where your state is? Coming soon… In the meantime, weigh in on future picks!
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