"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."
Carl Jung
1875-1961, Psychiatrist
With the economy in dire conditions, patience during this time is indeed a virtue. But as my daughter often reminds me, “We have to endure the rain if we want to enjoy the rainbows!” During this time of turmoil, I turn to books. Books have their own unique power. They allow us to get inside the lives of characters and lose ourselves in an adventure in a way that movies, the internet, or real life can not. Books last for generations and never lose their appeal. They are the gift that keeps on giving. I still have most of my childhood books which have been passed on to my children. Books never lose their charm and there is always something for everyone, even the reluctant child who says he hates to read. Literacy comes wrapped in various packages. Find a topic you or your child enjoy. Then visit your local bookseller to discover a plethora of books guaranteed to ignite your passion during a long winter’s night.
I received an email from the President of the Author’s Guild this week stating that he had been talking to booksellers who report that times are hard. Here’s an edited snippet of his observation. “Booksellers aren't known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don't receive congressional attention. A government bailout isn't in the cards. We don't want bookstores to die. Authors need them, and so do neighborhoods. So let's mount a book-buying splurge. Get your friends together and have a book-buying party. Buy the rest of your Christmas and holiday presents, but that's just for starters. Clear out the mysteries, wrap up the histories, beam up the science fiction! Round up the westerns, go crazy for self-help, say yes to the university press books! Get a load of those coffee-table books, fatten up on slim volumes of verse, and take a chance on romance!
There will be birthdays in the next twelve months; books keep well; they're easy to wrap: buy those books now. Buy replacements for any books looking raggedy on your shelves. Stockpile children's books as gifts for friends who look like they may eventually give birth. Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they'll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books. " Yes, yes, yes!
As a charity dedicated to improving literacy, we agree with his gift giving idea. In fact, Be the Star You Are! provides an online book store where you can find many of your favorite books at a deep discount. Visit http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity.
Make your selection and if you need them in time for holiday gifts, choose the expedited option. Our volunteers ship books on the same day the order is received. And it’s tax deductible. If you are feeling generous or you need a tax write off before the end of the year, Be the Star You Are!® offers the Book Cents program, also known as the Give a Case of Books Program. For a donation of only $99 to Be the Star You Are!®, our volunteers will ship a case of BRAND NEW BOOKS valued at $500 or more to the organization or charity of your choice. We call it the triple win because you are donating to two charities with one contribution and you get a tax deduction and a feel good sensation. Visit http://www.bethestaryouare.org/Donate/BookCents.html to make your holiday donation today.
In addition, if you want autographed copies of the best selling books, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Be the Star You Are!, Miracle Moments®, or The Business of Show Business, order directly by emailing info.bethestaryouare.org. All proceeds benefit the charity. As the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jon Scieszka, stated, “ The paperback book is still one of my favorite pieces of technology. It’s portable, and you can tell how far along you are just by the feel in your fingertips.”
Don’t spend the holidays wondering about the future. Buy a book and dive into the pages. You’ll soon realize that what’s old is new again. History does repeat itself. Most importantly remember this fact- you will be the same person in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read. Buy a book today!
“To be a leader, you must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed!”
Cynthia Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are! ® 501 c3 empowering women, families, and youth through improved literacy and positive media programming. Besides hosting a weekly radio program interviewing authors, she reads four books a week! Tune in at http://www.ideocast.com/show.asp?sid=118 and visit http://www.bethestaryouare.org.
