.

Listen to the Mustn'ts, child, listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child, Anything can be.

-Shel Silverstein

Friday, March 2, 2012

Contest, Dr. Suess and Catcher in the Rye

As promised, we will be having a Give-A-Way to kick off my blog! The point is to create a following, so all you have to do is follow me on this blog, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @caballou. But what if you already follow this blog or we are already friends? No problem. Just post a referral to me on Facebook/Twitter or on your own blog. Leave a comment to let me know what you did to qualify for the contest. I will draw names out of a hat (very official). Winners will be announced March 16th.


The prizes?

• Signed copy of Brodi Ashton’s awesome debut novel—Everneath
• $15 Amazon Gift Card
• $10 Amazon Gift Card

With the housekeeping out of the way, on to today’s post…

A Big Happy Birthday to Dr. Suess today. Is anyone going to see the Lorax or go to IHOP for their Green Eggs and Ham? Thing 2 (That would be my youngest daughter) celebrated at school today with a Read-A-Thon. When I went to the classroom all the kids had made Cat in the Hat-Hats with their names on them.


Thing 2 spelled her own name wrong. And by spelling it wrong, she wrote a swearword on her hat. It was a proud moment for me. I wept a little inside.

Yesterday I started reading Catcher In the Rye for the first time because I was verbally flogged by cousin Emily for not reading it.

Verdict? I’m only half way in but it is making me laugh out loud and the voice? Forget about it. The voice is amazing! I love what Holden said about a good book—how it makes you wish you knew the author personally and could call them on the phone. That is so true. No wonder my phone is ringing off the hook…or something.

I started wondering. What else have I missed out on in the wonderful world of literature? I need to know because I need lots and lots of books to read if I’m going to successfully procrastinate my writing and keep Amazon in business. I want to compile a list for everyone so please share.

My favorite book is “Of Mice and Men”. I read it the summer before 7th grade. It was so edgy and honest. It made my innocent little eyes burn (yes, I was sheltered). I love books that tell the truth and bring out the uncomfortable and unspeakable.

What about you? What is your favorite book of all time and why?
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. The Ballou'sMarch 2, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    Favorite book? This will be no surprise to you, since I talk about it all the time, but The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Just the right mix of Spaghetti Western, Sci-Fi, Horror and Fiction. Seven books in the series and I've been reading/listening to them over and over for the last seven or eight years.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cam BallouMarch 2, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    I will have to invest. I do like Stephen King.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jen GrayMarch 2, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    I recommended you on my FB page. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. MelanieMarch 2, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    I love the Attolia books by Megan Whalen Turner. And North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell (watch the movie first and then read the book). It's like Pride & Prejudice meets Jane Eyre in the Industrial Revolution. The perfect combination to make me really happy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JonniMarch 2, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    I subscribed to you by email and tried to follow you with my google account but it wasn't working right now and I will like you on Facebook. Can I be entered? Btw- one of my favorite books is the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. Weird name but awesome story! Hopefully a movie one day!
    -Jonni-

    ReplyDelete
  6. TaraMarch 2, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    To Kill a Mockingbird. Does that make me fascinating or boring? I better be entered into the contest...I'm following you like a fly on stink. xoxo sis.

    ReplyDelete
  7. hollyMarch 2, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    I have to agree with Em, Catcher in the Rye is one of the best. Love Holden. I'm reading a series The Earths Children, I think it was written in the late 80's,90's ish. It is pretty good, in an anthropological way, you'll understand if you look it up. I just started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. You like?
    I want to read your book!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cam BallouMarch 4, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Welcome Jen!

    Melanie--loved The Thief books.

    Holly, Girl wit hthe Dragon Tattoo kicks arse.

    Tara--welcome. I did finally read that one last year, it was a good one and yes...you are entered!

    Jonni--of course you are entered and I will have to check that one out. Sounds very intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brenda FisherMarch 5, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    I'm a simple girl. I like the books with sex in them. But lately my new favorite author is Sarah Addison Allen. Sigh. Love her books. Such a great story teller.

    ReplyDelete
  10. katielMarch 13, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Hey Cam- remember me from your old Bennion 12 ward? I put a link to your blog on mine, www.timeoverthings.blogspot.com and now follow your blog and we're FB friends already (under Andy's acct.) Have a great day, K. Larsen

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)