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.

photo credit: Herkie

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 marxchivist

First, 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!

Welcome back!