Labor Day Fun with Our Fave Literary Characters
As well all know, Labor Day is coming up quickly (as in, like, Monday!), and we only have one day to celebrate a whole year worth of hard work. There are many ways to celebrate, so to get some ideas flowing, let’s take a look at what some of our favorite literary characters would be up to.
A day out with friends: Harry Potter
They celebrate their own version of Labor Day in England, you know! And Harry would certainly take a break from his spells, homework, and fighting evil to hang with his pals and grab a butterbeer at Hogsmeade. They’d probably even spring for some Bertie Botts jelly beans, so don’t be shy…go all out!
Weekend long par-tay: Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
The self-made man he is, there’s no doubt Jay Gatsby would be more than eager to celebrate his hard work. Surely, he would throw a weekend long party open to all and simply oozing with people from high society. But don’t be like Jay and waste your time secretly waiting for that one special person…enjoy the party!
Road trip: Humbert Humbert, Lolita
Some people may take Labor Day to the extreme and prolong it into a road trip across America! Humbert Humbert would certainly be one of these people, criss-crossing across the good ol’ US of A, stopping at all the hotels, motels, and B&B’s along the way. Or, if your time is limited, maybe just a road trip to the beach or something.
Day at home: Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye
Say Holden Caulfield was plopped into 2012. What would he be doing on this upcoming Labor Day? He would probably choose to stay at home and, uh, relax…you know, sit in his basement and play video games all the while complaining about how phony and stupid video games are. Perhaps cut out the video games and complaining and just stay at home and relax this Labor Day.
Can’t possibly take the day off: Sherlock Holmes
We all know there are those people who don’t get the day off at all. Firefighters, policemen and doctors are just a few jobs where, despite all their hard work, they must still be going at it, even on Labor Day! Detectives meet the same fate. Sure, Sherlock Holmes might show up to Jay Gatsby’s party, but you better believe he would still be on the hunt for clues, cleverly disguising himself as one lucky enough to enjoy the holiday.
Whatever you choose to do this Labor Day, we hope you have a safe and happy day and enjoy the fruit of your labor, so to speak!
we love literature. we love lists.
Source: flavorwire.com
Books to Read to Write
I’m a big advocate of the belief in order to be a good (wonderful, magnificent, superb–you pick) writer you must be an even better reader. More important than any sort of formal writing training–whether it’s schooling, workshops, seminars–is getting back to the basics. And you shouldn’t just school yourself in the genre or type of writing you prefer. No, even the most specified writer should read far and wide, anything and everything. A well written book is the most valuable tool a writer can have. Lucky for you all, I have a whole list of books I have found invaluable in my process of becoming a writer. And now, although I’ve moved about 4 times in the past 2 years (long distances, I may add) these lovely books always accompany me because they’ve become a part of me in one way or another. I call them my security books, and I now bequeath them onto you. Oh, and I hope you enjoy the lovely photo above of Jack Kerouac as much as I do. There’s just something about an antiquated black and white that makes my heart aflutter. Swoon.
- Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
- The Awakening, Kate Chopin
- The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand
- Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov
- Everything That Rises Must Converge, Flannery O’Conner
- The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter, Katherine Anne Porter
- The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
- Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut
- On the Road, Jack Kerouac
- Cathedral, Raymond Carver
- The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, Aimee Bender
- Drown, Junot Diaz
Now this is by all means not a comprehensive list at all. And an arguable one at that, but these are some of the pinnacle books in my young reading career and I highly suggest taking a good look at any you’ve yet to read. And I would also love love LOVE if you commented with any books you’ve found influential. Happy reading!
Books to Read to Write (via Books to Read to Write | PUBSLUSH Community)
Source: blog.pubslush.com
