10 Good Things on a Monday: Ten Fantastic Book Back Covers

10 Good Things on a Monday is a weekly feature  I am doing dedicated to every person's compulsive list-writing.  Every Monday we are going to make a list of 10 things that will cheer us up and help tide us over the whole week.

<a href="http://buoyreading.blogspot.com/search/label/good%20things" target="_top"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZLJhw831LIwGjiA8RrpkyCa2Kw0vJ-MCDZ92vwi4is-CRlAzDfrov1rTTH16ntcfHxERkDFchxdM-bLazZ6g9M8tSP4JfsgI1z6BjiHzILQVknmvbcSdG9PpCXAdG9SZ1LU5PvsKPpM/s1600/10.JPG" border="0" /></a>

Here's how it works:

1. Think of a particular group of good things you want to make a list on, does not necessarily have to be about books, e.g. your current book wish list, or your favorite book foods (you know, foods you love to eat while reading, if you're like me), or your favorite girly names, whatever you can think of, as long as it makes you feel good.
2. If you have no ideas for a list, you can always visit my blog post to check out my theme for that week and you can take a cue from my list.
3. Post your list on your blog, grab that cute ARGH button above and put it on your post too, so we'd know you're doing this meme.
4. Leave the link for your post on my own 10 Good Things post for the week, if you see others doing it, comment too and let's share our good things with everybody.
5. Everybody goes through the whole week happy!

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My 10 Good Things for this week:  Ten Fantastic Book Back Covers
 
Just recently, I did a list of Ten Fantastic Book Covers.  Obviously, it showed us the front covers of the books.  And while it's only common that we should show what's in front, I sometimes wonder how a book's back cover feels - if it could feel anything at all.  So to give tribute to the terribly underrated part of a book, let's see some back covers that rock my socks :D

1.  This cover of Wuthering Heights is already tons of awesome, but you see that back part?  I am love, love, loving that window!

2.  I can't exactly tell you what I like about this back cover - maybe the fact that there are some phrases that were enlarged and given more emphasis?  Maybe because it echoes minimalism?  The gray color?  Maybe all of the above!

3.  What I like about this one, I can definitely tell you:  The colors!  I like that it has those smudges of colors arranged in a very orderly way but still looks like it was just thrown together.

4.  I was initially confused about which goes in front and which goes in the back, then I figured it out (obviously the one with the title and author goes in front, stupid me), and although the back part just features words, words, and lots of words and less focus on the design, I loved the awesomeness that the written message tells me.

5.  I have never seen a frumpy cover for Brave New World, every copy of that book looks really cool, and this one by far looks really cool - it just screams 'Acid rock!' to me.

6.  I have this book and I just can't stop staring at the back cover.  It's so clean and really relates to the whole story. 

7.  Where are you?  Why not try asking me what I like?  Because I'm really liking this back cover.

8.  Those wings look really glorious!

9.  When have you ever seen a kiddie book that does not have a really attractive cover?  And this back cover looks whimsy and fun.

10.  Graffiti love! ♥

So tell me, what are your Good Things?

10 Good Things on a Monday: Ten Movies About Dads

10 Good Things on a Monday is a weekly feature  I am doing dedicated to every person's compulsive list-writing.  Every Monday we are going to make a list of 10 things that will cheer us up and help tide us over the whole week.

<a href="http://buoyreading.blogspot.com/search/label/good%20things" target="_top"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZLJhw831LIwGjiA8RrpkyCa2Kw0vJ-MCDZ92vwi4is-CRlAzDfrov1rTTH16ntcfHxERkDFchxdM-bLazZ6g9M8tSP4JfsgI1z6BjiHzILQVknmvbcSdG9PpCXAdG9SZ1LU5PvsKPpM/s1600/10.JPG" border="0" /></a>

Here's how it works:

1. Think of a particular group of good things you want to make a list on, does not necessarily have to be about books, e.g. your current book wish list, or your favorite book foods (you know, foods you love to eat while reading, if you're like me), or your favorite girly names, whatever you can think of, as long as it makes you feel good.
2. If you have no ideas for a list, you can always visit my blog post to check out my theme for that week and you can take a cue from my list.
3. Post your list on your blog, grab that cute ARGH button above and put it on your post too, so we'd know you're doing this meme.
4. Leave the link for your post on my own 10 Good Things post for the week, if you see others doing it, comment too and let's share our good things with everybody.
5. Everybody goes through the whole week happy!

----------

My 10 Good Things for this week:  Ten Movies About Dads
 

1.  Up - The film centers on an elderly widower named Carl Fredricksen and an earnest young Wilderness Explorer named Russell who fly to South America by floating in a house.  I know this is not about a father and his child, but the bond between Carl and Russell was like that of a father and his son, it was so touching.  And of course, I could not resist the animation!  Awesome!

2.  17 Again - is the story of 37-year-old Mike who becomes 17-year-old high school student after a chance accident.  This was a really nice film and it had some really funny moments. 

3.  Dad - This is a film based on William Warton's novel, Dad.  I haven't yet read the book, but the movie was very emotional and engaging.  I loved the relationship between Jake and John. 

4.  Everybody's Fine - Frank Goode is getting ready for his children to come visit him. He gets everything all set, goes out and buys a new grill, expensive wine, and gets the backyard and house all ready. One by one though, each of his children call to cancel on him. Feeling a bit down by the rejections, Frank decides to head out on a cross-country trip, visiting each of his kids.  This movie made me really, really sad and I sympathized with Frank so much.  I loved Robert de Niro's acting, it was so effective and I really felt like I was witnessing a real story before me as they all delivered their roles perfectly.

5.  Finding Nemo - What Father's Day movie won't be complete without this really cute animated film?  It tells the story of the overly protective clownfish Marlin who, along with a regal tang called Dory, searches for his abducted son Nemo. Along the way Marlin learns to take risks and to let Nemo take care of himself.

6.  Frailty - Let it be known that not only is this one of the most psychologically frightening film (in my opinion at least) out there, but I really think the father-son bond here is very unique, albeit disturbing.  The plot focuses on the strange relationship between two young boys and their father, who believes that he has been commanded by God to kill demons.

7.  Grumpy Old Men - Retired school teacher John Gustafson and former TV repairman Max Goldman have lived next door to each other in Wabasha, Minnesota for decades, but have not gotten along since childhood. With not much else to do with their boring and lonely single lives except watch television and fishing, Max and John compete and argue with each other on just about everything, and partake in pranking one another (icing the other's roof, throwing a dead fish in the other's car, etc.), interspersed with bits of Minnesota culture including ice fishing and polka music.  A really funny story.  So where, do you ask is the father-son element?  Why, watch the movie to see for yourself :D

8.  The Lovely Bones - The film adaptation of the novel by Alice Sebold really played on how deep is a father's love for his child.  I was so amazed by Mark Wahlberg's acting and not just once did I shed tears for his on this film. 

9.  Major Payne - This is another film that does not really have a father for a character.  Instead, this has a semi-neurotic Marine who was discharged from his duty and tasked to train the Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps of a local school.  I think I watched this twenty times with my father and we always had a good as if we haven't watched this yet.  It was so funny!

10.  Mrs. Doubtfire - I love, love, love this movie!  I remember my Dad did an impersonation of the main character after we watched this film. 

A Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there!

So tell me, what are your Good Things?

10 Good Things on a Monday: Ten Fantastic Book Covers

10 Good Things on a Monday is a weekly feature  I am doing dedicated to every person's compulsive list-writing.  Every Monday we are going to make a list of 10 things that will cheer us up and help tide us over the whole week.

<a href="http://buoyreading.blogspot.com/search/label/good%20things" target="_top"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZLJhw831LIwGjiA8RrpkyCa2Kw0vJ-MCDZ92vwi4is-CRlAzDfrov1rTTH16ntcfHxERkDFchxdM-bLazZ6g9M8tSP4JfsgI1z6BjiHzILQVknmvbcSdG9PpCXAdG9SZ1LU5PvsKPpM/s1600/10.JPG" border="0" /></a>

Here's how it works:

1. Think of a particular group of good things you want to make a list on, does not necessarily have to be about books, e.g. your current book wish list, or your favorite book foods (you know, foods you love to eat while reading, if you're like me), or your favorite girly names, whatever you can think of, as long as it makes you feel good.
2. If you have no ideas for a list, you can always visit my blog post to check out my theme for that week and you can take a cue from my list.
3. Post your list on your blog, grab that cute ARGH button above and put it on your post too, so we'd know you're doing this meme.
4. Leave the link for your post on my own 10 Good Things post for the week, if you see others doing it, comment too and let's share our good things with everybody.
5. Everybody goes through the whole week happy!

----------

My 10 Good Things for this week:  Ten Fantastic Book Covers
 

I know, I know, I have done this so many times now, but I just can't get enough of awesome cover art!  So for the nth time, a list of awesome book covers:

1.  Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon.  I really do not understand what I like about this cover, but I do.  I love the overall concept.  That's all I can say.

2.  The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood.  I mostly see the other cover where the woman wears black, but this looks way, way better.  The color and the design are more minimalist and it's really pleasing to the eye.

3.  Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.  I love drawings, and I love bright colors, and this is totally eye-catching for me.  I could stare at this for hours!

4.  Entwined by Heather Dixon.  This retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses does not only promise a beautiful story, but also boasts a beautiful cover.  I love the gown!

5.  Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde.  This is by far the best cover for this book, in my opinion.  I like how the colors were reduced to a minimum, and the picture really reflects the story.

6.  Forgotten by Cat Patrick.  Exquisite!

7.  Epileptic by David B.  I haven't heard of this book before, but if I were to just judge according to its cover, this is probably a bestseller!

8.  Eeeee Eee Eeee by Tao Lin.  The title itself is interesting, what more the cover?

9.  That Salty Air by Tim Sievert.  A very beautiful illustration.  Apart from being as stunning book cover, this could also be a really beautiful mural.

10.  Monoculture:  How One Story is Changing Everything by F.S. Michaels.  Bright and colorful.  ARGH would approve.

Don't you just agree with me that these look fabulous?  I can look at them for hours!

So tell me, what are your Good Things?

10 Good Things on a Monday: Ten Awesome Wedding Stuff You Should Check Out

10 Good Things on a Monday is a weekly feature  I am doing dedicated to every person's compulsive list-writing.  Every Monday we are going to make a list of 10 things that will cheer us up and help tide us over the whole week.

<a href="http://buoyreading.blogspot.com/search/label/good%20things" target="_top"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZLJhw831LIwGjiA8RrpkyCa2Kw0vJ-MCDZ92vwi4is-CRlAzDfrov1rTTH16ntcfHxERkDFchxdM-bLazZ6g9M8tSP4JfsgI1z6BjiHzILQVknmvbcSdG9PpCXAdG9SZ1LU5PvsKPpM/s1600/10.JPG" border="0" /></a>

Here's how it works:

1. Think of a particular group of good things you want to make a list on, does not necessarily have to be about books, e.g. your current book wish list, or your favorite book foods (you know, foods you love to eat while reading, if you're like me), or your favorite girly names, whatever you can think of, as long as it makes you feel good.
2. If you have no ideas for a list, you can always visit my blog post to check out my theme for that week and you can take a cue from my list.
3. Post your list on your blog, grab that cute ARGH button above and put it on your post too, so we'd know you're doing this meme.
4. Leave the link for your post on my own 10 Good Things post for the week, if you see others doing it, comment too and let's share our good things with everybody.
5. Everybody goes through the whole week happy!

----------

My 10 Good Things for this week:  Ten Awesome Wedding Stuff You Should Check Out
 

It's June now!  Officially six months of 2011 has already passed, and you know what?  It's now the time of June weddings!  So what better 10 Good Things than stuff about weddings right?

1.  Invitation off a book page.  What book lover would not love this invite?  Unfortunately, I do not have the source for this photo anymore, but if you do, let me know.  This looks so awesome!

2.  Wedding Blog.  Style Me Pretty must be the best wedding resource site out there.  I love the pictures, the ideas you can get from the weddings posted there, and there are a lot of wedding vendors you can contact from their blog.  You can also share your own wedding, or one that you organized, and let the whole world know how awesome your wedding was!

3.  Don't these shoes look so pretty?  If you're the type of bride who does not want to stick with white shoes but not comfortable with wearing brightly-colored shoes, why not try this beaded ones from norakaren?

4.  Bridal Gown.  This dress from Rosa Clara shows sleek, clean, modern lines - which I am really fond of.  It really exhibits simplicity and innocence while still retaining class and elegance.

5.  Wondering what special drink you can serve on your wedding day?  Why not try Marital Bliss?  Check out Martha Stewart Weddings to prepare this yourself.  Who knows, drinking this might actually make you enjoy marital bliss with your better half.

6.  Wedding Movie.  I know, Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden is not exactly a movie about weddings, unlike The Wedding Planner or My Bestfriend's Wedding, but someone does intend to get married in this film, and the story is very simple and romantic, and the fashion, the FASHION is just so stunning!

7.  Wedding Music.  Marry Me by Train sounds so sweet.  Can't say anything else.

8.  Silver-gray Suit.  As I said, I love modern, clean, simple lines.  And that extends to men's suits.  This suit looks particularly dashing in itself and would surely lend some elegance to any wedding.

9.  Wedding Color for 2011:  Honeysuckle.  Yes, it's the year for this reddish-pink hue, and I do agree that this is a really great wedding color.  After all, I love pink!  The thing is, pink is not always pretty when used in weddings, especially those bubblegum pink dresses that bridesmaids wear that make them look like a huge ball of cotton candy.  Honeysuckle is more classy, and more vibrant than just ordinary pink.

10.  Wedding DIY.  Would you believe, this is a 'just add ice' ice cream?  From the Style Me Pretty blog, this awesome ice cream in a jar is not just great  for weddings, but for almost every special occasion.  Head on over to the Style Me Pretty blog and check out how to do your own ice cream in a jar!

So how about you?  Care to share your Good Things?

10 Good Things on a Monday: Ten Careers for Book Lovers (other than Librarian or Book Store Clerk)

10 Good Things on a Monday is a weekly feature  I am doing dedicated to every person's compulsive list-writing.  Every Monday we are going to make a list of 10 things that will cheer us up and help tide us over the whole week.

<a href="http://buoyreading.blogspot.com/search/label/good%20things" target="_top"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZLJhw831LIwGjiA8RrpkyCa2Kw0vJ-MCDZ92vwi4is-CRlAzDfrov1rTTH16ntcfHxERkDFchxdM-bLazZ6g9M8tSP4JfsgI1z6BjiHzILQVknmvbcSdG9PpCXAdG9SZ1LU5PvsKPpM/s1600/10.JPG" border="0" /></a>

Here's how it works:

1. Think of a particular group of good things you want to make a list on, does not necessarily have to be about books, e.g. your current book wish list, or your favorite book foods (you know, foods you love to eat while reading, if you're like me), or your favorite girly names, whatever you can think of, as long as it makes you feel good.
2. If you have no ideas for a list, you can always visit my blog post to check out my theme for that week and you can take a cue from my list.
3. Post your list on your blog, grab that cute ARGH button above and put it on your post too, so we'd know you're doing this meme.
4. Leave the link for your post on my own 10 Good Things post for the week, if you see others doing it, comment too and let's share our good things with everybody.
5. Everybody goes through the whole week happy!

----------

My 10 Good Things for this week:  Ten Careers for Book Lovers (other than Librarian or Book Store Clerk)
 
Welcome to another edition of 10 Good Things!  A friend of mine once commented on my love for books when she saw my bookshelf.  I know it's not yet as huge as yours, but that friend of mine is not a big book fan so my collection is as much a library to her already.  She told me I should have been a librarian or worked at a bookstore.  Which, although really awesome careers, were not something I would go for (I love high-pressure jobs, like being a nurse :D).  So that got me thinking, what other options are there if you love books and want to work in the book industry?  A little research yielded these results:

1.  Book Buyer - If you love books and enjoy discovering new titles, then this might be a great job for you.  You will purchase books according to the prescribed purchasing regulations and procedures of a book store.  You will also review and analyze sales reports for ordering, planning, and merchandising purposes, etc.  In other words, you get to have a say on which book would be sold in your book store!

2.  Voice Actor for Audio Books - Friends and acquaintances have been remarking for the longest time that you have the best telephone and speaking voice ever:  Well-modulated, expressive, and with perfect enunciation.  Then why not become a voice actor?  Interested?  Then send your demo 'reading' tape to audio book studios and get started!

3.  Acquisitions Editor - You would be dealing with literary agents and authors and you BUY BOOKS FOR PUBLISHERS.  You will be the one dealing with choosing which manuscripts would be published and would sell well and will be enjoyed by more readers.  You have the power!

4.  Translator - Are you bilingual?  Multilingual?  Then this job may be for you!  Imagine if The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon were not translated in English by Lucia Graves, then we have two less awesome books in the English-speaking world to read, right?  There are a million other The Shadow of the Winds and The Angel's Games waiting to be translated into English or another language out there, and you might just be the man for the job.

5.  Rare Book Archivist - Are you very particular about how to shelve your book?  Do you cover your books with plastic and hate it when someone dog-ears a book page?  Then you would probably become a great archivist, preserving old and rare books to make them last for several years.

6.  Book Jacket Designer - Are you the artsy, techie kind?  Love creating and re-creating book covers?  Then why not try to become a book jacket designer?  As the 'art director,' your task will be to conceptualize original book covers for individual books, how cool is that, right?

7.  Book Publicist - If you have vast media connections, then promoting specific books may be perfect for you.  You will be responsible for the marketing of a certain book, contacting major newspapers, scheduling book signings, even contacting TV or radio show producers to promote a book.  Which is quite awesome, if you ask me.

 

8.  Book Cover Model - Now this one could not really be classified as a 'career' but if you think you've got the looks, you can try to audition as a book cover model.  Imagine, your face, or a part of your body right smack on a book cover!

9.  Copyeditor - You would be responsible for making sure the book has correct grammar, no typos, spelling, and punctuation.  You will also watch out for consistency, like whether the character from page 16 who hiccups when nervous does hiccup on page 125 when that character became nervous. 

10.  Bookbinder - This is a skilled profession and you will be required to operate machinery.  You will be the one responsible for putting book covers and pages together. 

Have you chosen which career fits you yet?

Happy New Week!