I’m going to go out on a limb and make a little assumption right now about you. Yes, you- the person sitting on the other side of the Internet from me in this post. I feel very confident in declaring you to be an avid reader, a lover of words, possibly even a person who at one point in life was labeled a bookworm. My guess is that you can relate to the feeling that occurs when the last pages of a compelling book are flipped and the desire to talk about the story takes over. Have you ever been reading and had the need to say to a person nearby, “You’ve just got to listen to this!” Have you ever tried to slyly peek at the covers of books in strangers’ hands just to see what they’re reading, on the off-chance that you have something in common? Could you, right now, call to mind a book, a poem, or a short story that affected you long after you placed it back on the shelf?
If I haven’t been too bold with my assumptions here, then trust me when I say that a new website launched by SONY called Words Move Me is right up your alley. The tagline states their mission: Connecting readers around the literary moments they love. If you think along the lines of social networking for book lovers, you’ll start to get the right idea. After registering and setting up your profile for the site, you can share the ‘literary moments’ that are meaningful to you, in 255 characters or less, tagging them with the book title and author’s name. You also have the ability to tag your entries with up to three emotions that you associate with each particular submission, giving another level of searchability to the site.
My personal experience with the Words Move Me site has been interesting and thought-provoking, from both the perspective of a submitter and a reader. I’ve searched for other users’ moments about books that I hold dear in my heart, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the very wide variety of emotions that have been used as tags. It’s eye-opening to see how so many other people out there have been affected by the power of stories. As I began to ponder what to submit myself, there were some immediate books that leaped to the forefront of my thoughts, undoubtedly the books that have made the biggest impressions on me. My submissions number a total of nine (so far, that is!), and you can see what I have to say in just a few words about some of my favorite literary moments right here in this handy-dandy widget of my Words Move Me profile. (Click on the ‘pages’ on the sides to navigate through my entries.)
Now, as with every new social media site out there, the larger the group, the richer the experience for everyone involved! So, I encourage you to check out the site and register for your own profile, so you can begin submitting the literary moments that mean the most to you.
In their effort to promote the Words Move Me site, SONY is generously offering a fantastic addition to our Gift Guide & Giveaway. In the spirit of full disclosure- for reviewing the site and sharing this promotion, I’ll tell you that I will be receiving a SONY Reader Pocket Edition (TM), valued at $199.99, but the best part is that SONY is offering an additional SONY Reader Pocket Edition (TM) for one of you lucky 5 Minutes for Books readers! (I’m so excited, so please forgive me my infomercial voice!)
Here’s the info that you need to know to enter this fabulous Gift Guide and Giveaway contest. It’s a little different for this giveaway, so please keep reading:
1. Leave a comment on this post describing a ‘literary moment’ of your own around a book that you’ve either given or received as a gift by describing what makes this book special to you.
2. One entry per person, U.S. addresses only, please.
3. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning are not increased by a purchase.
4. All entries will be read and reviewed by Jennifer and me, and we will assemble a list of our top ten favorites based on originality and content. A winner will be randomly selected from those ten entries.
5. The giveaway will close at 9:00 pm (EST) on Friday, 12/11, with the winners announced in a special post on Monday, 12/14. Please watch your email and check the site for your name, so that we can collect your shipping information!
6. My hope is that there will be enough time to get the SONY Reader Pocket Edition (TM) shipped to the winner before the holidays, but if it’s a few days later, it can always be considered a New Year’s gift, too!
So, start thinking like the avid readers that you are, and we can’t wait to hear all about your own special literary moments! Don’t forget to visit Words Move Me to experience a new interactive book lovers community.
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who shared their wonderful literary moments!!
Dawn loves any opportunity she can get to talk (or type) about the books that live forever in her heart and mind. Life, as she knows it, is chronicled on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
You had me with “declare you an avid reader.” What a great tool for adding your own thoughts or looking for the perfect literary quote for a theme you’re building. I admit, though, that I couldn’t figure out what the tag SBTB means, though.
I think the best literary moments are when books I love turn into books that my kids love. I gave my son The Wizard of Oz and he read the whole thing in one day. It was wonderful.
When I was in elementary school, one of my Christmas presents for the year was Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. It was one of the last Christmas gifts I opened, and I’ll admit I was tired and became a little cranky at getting a book instead of a toy. However, to this day I remember how much my parents loved this book, and the way my dad’s voice sounded when he read it to me, and now I love it, too. I know this will be a book I’ll be reading to my children.
A friend had told me once in high school that she was named after two of the girls in Little Women (Amybeth), my favorite book of all time. I asked her a question about the book and was shocked to hear that she had never read it! She said it would have been a nice thing for her mom to buy for her, but never had, and not that much later her mom died.
Years later I remembered that, and got her a really nice, hard-cover, leather-bound edition of Little Women. The look on her face when she opened it made me want to cry. I think it’s the best gift I’ve ever given anyone.
It’s a drawn out moment, but I love reading the Little House on the Prairie series to my daughter. She’s old enough to read, so sometimes I need to angle the book away from her so she doesn’t read head, but sharing quiet time together reading a book that I LOVED as a child is pretty special.
I recently spent most of two weeks sitting in a dining room in Idaho with my sister-in-law while our men were out hunting. She had brought good books to enjoy on her trip and her never-ending knitting projects. We worked out a perfect plan. I would read aloud while she continued her knitting.
We chose SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See, National Best Seller a few years ago.
We were so engrossed in the powerful narrative, memoir style, penetrating ancient Chinese culture, that we could hardly wait for the men and the family to leave, get our chores out of the way, and have our own devotional time, to get back to our book. We began to call the area where we spent our days ‘the women’s chamber’ and referred to ourselves as ‘sworn sisters’. More than that we were moved by the harsh realities endured by the characters, we struggled with their wrong choices, understood more about our own humanness, and learned valuable lessons about unconditional love and loyalty.
The impact of this book will remain with me for a long time and the bonding experience with my SIL will never be forgotten.
When I was about 11, my mother took a trip to the US and brought back a copy of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden”. I remember struggling through the first few chapters of the book and wondering why I was even bothering with it….. then, just as Mary began venturing out into the dull, grey Yorkshire outdoors, I became captivated. I couldn’t read fast enough. To this day it remains one of my favorite children’s books. I will never forget how the story bloomed for me, as bright and colorful as Mary’s own secret garden.
As a child my father use to read to my sisters and brother from a book of short stories. We did a lot of sailing and when we were anchored at night he would have our undivided attention. My favorite story was Shovels and Bricks. It was the story of a man that was Shanghai’d and taken to sea, and then starts a mutiny with, you guessed it, Shovels and Bricks.
I know it’s not exactly Kid Lit, but I loved it. After my father passed away I hoped to get the book, but somehow it was lost. I still look for it online from time to time. I can’t remember the name of the anthology so that makes it difficult. Anyway, the story was a wonderful gift and a warm memory of time with my father
I think when I read my son the juvenile book “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn it made both of us feel more at ease about his starting school. Since then I have given the book to many of my nieces and nephews before they started school too.
jhoorm01(at)yahoo.com
My most favorite literary moment is when I read ‘Leota’s Garden’ by Francine Rivers. It’s about the reconciliation between a grandmother and her two children through her granddaughter. Throw in a college student who is doing research in what is best for aging citizens, and you get a serious book of misunderstandings due to ’silent’ issues and comedy as the grandmother deals with the college student’s ideas. The intimacy between grandmother and granddaughter is so touching and heartwarming, as well as the relationship with the college student as the days go by. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has issues such as these, as communication is the key, along with prayer.
When I graduated college my friend gave me a copy of Paulo Coehlo’s The Alchemist. She told me it changed her life and hope I would get something out of it. I glanced at the back cover and set it aside.
Due to my career choice, we moved around quite a bit. I could never let myself give away the book since it was gift from a close friend. It just moved with me from place to place.
About 2 years ago (several years after I received the book), I decided to read it. Other friends had introduced me to the idea that having a positive outlook on life makes it much more pleasant.
The Alchemist’s story totally fit in where I was in my life. That things happen for a reason, but you just have to believe in your goal and keep it in site. If I had read the book when I first received it, I would have thought it was a bunch of baloney. I was not ready for the message. It’s like the book called me to read it when it knew I wold be ready
My literary moments tend to revolve around Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Atlas Shrugged. My fave from HHGTG is the quote about little green pieces of paper being unhappy. I laugh out loud every time!
As a history and english literature teacher my great literary moment arrived when my students became voluntary active research participants after being introduced to The Heretics Daughter and Cleopatra’s Daughter. Students were determined that they would detect the fictious elements. At my student’s request, we are studying symbols and symbolism in art and literature in preparation for reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol; they are determined that no symbol will escape the class’s scrutiny and that every student will understand every symbol.
My favorite book present was the Bobbsey twin book set I received as a child that started my love of reading.
My best literary moments are when my students have an insight to a piece of literature that I had not considered. It is amazing how readers are true participants in literature.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I always got such joy out of reading to and with my son. They were the perfect moments for us.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I have never been a big fan thrillers but I just read The Thirteen Tale and had no idea it was one until the end. The main character is writing the biography of a famous writer who had told many versions of her life story over the years, but swears this is the real truth. Her life story is so unconventional yet intriguing. Very good read that has open my mind to reading more thrillers (as long as they are not gory!).
I have always been an avid reader myself. I remember reading so many books when I was growing up. We never had a great deal of money and I’m sure by today’s standards, we would have been considered poor, but I never considered myself underprivileged. My parents, especially my Mom, considered reading very important. While we may have not had many toys, we always had plenty of books to read. Some of my favorites were Charlotte’s Web and The Little House on the Prairie series. I have tried to instill the same love of reading in my kids and in fact, we have read some of the same books together, that I read as a little girl. My parents gave me such a great gift that will last a lifetime, the love of reading and learning.
About 10 years ago I was in a bad relationship and needed out. I had endured verbal and physical abuse for 4.5 years and finally had enough. I went into a Homeless Women’s Shelter and soon began accomplishing my goals so I could make it on my own.
I met great women there, one being a staff member who will always remain close in my heart. She gave me this book “I hope you dance” containing poems and inspirational thoughts, as well as a CD of the single of the song of the same name. she wrote a really sweet caption inside the book to me telling me that she always hopes that I dance.
Every time I hear that song I still cry and I’m welling up thinking about this gift now.
We had a wonderful literary moment the other day, when my son brought me our copy of the Eric Carle Storybook Collection. He climbed on my lap and asked me to read it to him. Then when we finished, he wanted me to read it again. It was wonderful to see his imagination and interest so peaked in this book, and it warmed my heart that he wanted me to experience it with him. I can only hope that his love for books will continue for the rest of his life.
One of my literary moments would have to be getting a book of poems by Elizabeth Barret Browning that contained one of my favorite poems of all time ( How do I love thee) I just loved the background of her life and how that poem embodied her being able to overcome those struggles.
One very hot summer when I was young, I ‘discovered’ the Nancy Drew books in the local library and spent the entire summer reading the series. It was the start of a lifelong love of reading. Now I always give the gift of a Nancy book to the budding readers in my life.
In the book The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio the woman in there struggles against so many odds and remains positive no matter what. This really makes me think on a daily basis I have the choice to be happy today!
When I read “Pillars of the Earth” I became totally engrossed in the work of the builders of great cathedrals in the middle ages. A whole world of culture was created by the author! It really is amazing.
I’ve loved reading since I was a child. When I was in 7th grade, our class read Where the Red Fern Grows and it was reading that particular story when I truly realized how much emotional impact a book can have. It was the first time I cried while reading book.
When I was in graduate school, my major professor asked me to coauthor a new college textbook with him. The book we created was life-changing for me, because I enjoyed the experience so much I changed my goals and chose a career in textbook publishing over the academic career I had planned.
At age 14 I spent 3 months in a hospital 700 miles away from my home. When my mother wasn’t able to visit she sent me care packages full of books. My favorite was A Ring of Endless Light. I realized that even though the causes of our stresses where different that the emotions were the same. It has helped me many times in life to relate to situations I havn’t expeirenced.
When growing up, my literary moments were picking out and receiving books that were ordered from Scholastic Books at school
My son is a huge Hunter S Thompson fan. I gave him the book that came out after his death. The weird thing was the cover pic looks just like my son.
Well, this is going to seem pretty immature of me, but a friend gave me a Dr. Seuss book (Oh, the places you’ll go) when I was off to graduate school. I thought it was really touching, and it really inspired me when I had my many many (many!) occasions of feeling like I definitely couldn’t do it. It made me remember that someone really had faith in me and thought that I was doing something great.
My great literary moments are when I come across a book that just moves me. When I’m truly upset that I’ve reached the last page, that’s a great literary moment.
Wonderful giveaway!
This would be the best win EVER. 😀 Keeping my fingers and toes crossed, heheh.
A book I received as a gift that made was very special to me is The Lost Princess by George Macdonald. One of the many books my father would get me. All my life he’s encouraged me to read. I’m quite grateful for that.
i received a thomas perry book many years ago and ended up reading everything he has written
The Beatles. Gave as gift to a special lady who we shared them as part of our history
I’ve been moved by many books but none so much as Little Women. It’s the first book that actually brought me to tears. The scene of Beth’s dying is one that I will never forget. She was so full of such goodness and love. We all should be so loving.
the onion field, it was great.
What a wonderful, wonderful prize.
I guess my best ‘literary moment’ is when my sons and I read the whole Harry Potter Series of books together. I have such a passion for reading, have since I was a child and I’m thrilled to see my sons starting to show this same passion. We would read a bit of each Harry Potter book together each night. This went on for months until we finished the series. So, seeing my sons share a passion for reading is by far my best literary moment.
Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!
My best literary moment was when my Dad gave me my first “big girl” book. He was always one to insist we read. From the time I was 2 he started teaching me. By the time I was 5 he gave me Little House on The Prairie, my first book without 10 words to a page and millions of pictures. I read that book with such pride and still have the copy he gave me all the 40 years later.
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My best literary moments is when I was eight years old and I read Helen Keller.From that day on I was hooked on reading books . I love reading true life stories about personal struggles and how they overcame.
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Hard to answer-Jody Picult, My Sister’s Keeper was one of them
I was grounded as a teenager and my mother thought I should read Gone With the Wind. I did not want to but did. I ended up loving the book and then watched the movie. I’ll never forget it.
A favorite moment is hard to pick, but I love the ones that make me glad I’m a teacher. While teaching Hamlet to a class, one of the girls raised her hand. When I called on her, she said, “He’d be so much better if one of them who would just be nice to him.” I just wanted to hug her!
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. I enjoyed this book about China and the movie that was based on it. I’ve read a lot about China and was so sorry I could not get to the Olympics.
I have both received and given 2 book by the same author, Jennifer Weiner. Good in Bed was the first and I loved it because I could relate to the overweight main character. Little Earthquakes was great and even though I’m not yet a mom, I could relate to the characters. I gave it to all my friends with kids and it quickly became their favorite book!
The Geography of Bliss made me so happy I cried after finishing it,then I immediately began reading it again. I went right out and bought a copy for my friend and she loved it too.
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The book Wicked is special. I bought my niece a few years back for Christmas. She was so excited to receive it. Thanks!
Rediscovering Catholicism changed me for the better! Great read!
I loved sharing “The Secret Garden” with my daughter when she was younger. Now I enjoy reading it with my granddaughter.
Like you, I love, and have always loved, reading books. I can’t say there was one favorite, but I fall in love with authors. I read all of the Pearl Buck books, and Daphne du Maurier stories. I like Dean Koontz and Nora Roberts. And the classics as well. I love to relax into a book before bed. It interests me and makes me sleepy. I know that I will probably be reading my book on a Sony Pocket Reader (or equivalent) pretty soon. And I won’t be reading my newspaper as paper in a year or two. But that’s OK. It’s the story that matters.
when my uncle gave me his collection of edgar rice burroughs books when i was a kid [email protected]