Good Books and My Love of Penguins. . . . . . . .

If I was ever able to take another journey to Antarctica, I would go in a heartbeat. 

Main reason you may ask. Definitely to spend more time among penguins.

Penguins, those adorable flightless birds who waddle around on land, and

 swim like fish in the Southern Ocean, always seem to be popping back into my life.

The recent beautiful gift of a carved penguin named Fiona from Jannett at her shop

 Barouke HERE, is bringing me such happiness daily. 

Then, coming across my little wooden box with the penguin on top - purchased in

Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern most city in the world as a souvenir before we sailed

 out on the most exciting adventure ever. I just now have realized it's perfect for

 some of my rings and it's on my dresser where I can enjoy it and the memories

 of another place, another time.

Yesterday, over coffee with Mr. Johnny as he took a break from making

 our walk-in shower tile and grout look like new, I showed him some penguin 

photos I took on that expedition, and he loved them - even asked if I would share

 one with him which I was happy to do. Mr. Johnny is a true artist, painting

 colorful canvasses, writing songs, playing guitar in his other life away from tiles

 grout and caulking.

When a real artist, such as he, reassures you that you too are creative and

 have a good 'eye' for composition, that's always a generous compliment. 

Then there's the book which arrived at Christmas! 

The Penguin Lessons - What I Learned From a Remarkable Bird -

by Tom Michell

Such a huge story packed into a fabulous little book. 

Heartwarming, witty, funny, and oh so sad at the end. . . . . . 

well actually not come to think of it!

The last couple of chapters were difficult and brought tears.

Then, turning a page, the Epilogue appeared (no spoilers here 

in case you are thinking of reading the book), and it was so brilliant 

I was able to put the tissues away and start smiling. 

I do love a happy ending, don't you?

Two other 'Christmas books' were waiting in the wings. 

Which one first - a hard decision because I'm anxious to devour both. 

It was a toss up. I decided to start with Juman Malouf's

The Trilogy of Two

This book is categorized under young adult literature and is Ms. Malouf's 

first novel. After reading a short article about her and this book, I was 

drawn to it by the fact it's a story of twins, and that she did all the

 phenomenal and quite addictive b/w illustrations of some very 

unusual characters in her story.

I've read a couple of chapters and I'm finding it enchanting. 

I feel it would not be appropriate for very young children, more for 

age ten and up. I feel quite at home reading her excellent prose, then 

anxious to turn the page to see the next eccentric character brought to

 life via Ms. Malouf's marvelous dexterity with pencils. 

Do you have a stack of great books awaiting?

With cold weather coming what do we require to make an afternoon

cozy - perhaps a fire in the hearth, a comfy chair, a warming drink

in a favorite mug. . . . . . . . and an interesting and beautiful book.