Friday, June 10, 2011

A World Without Books - A Blog Tour

Hello faithful followers - always good to see you here. Dropping by with a fun BONUS POST for the weekend! Here's how it goes...

Being chosen as one of thirty blogs to participate in the "Blog-A-Licious" Blog Tour, I get to write a quick idea of what my "World Without Books" would be. 29 other bloggers have participated. When you're done reading my thoughts, you are cordially invited to visit the blogs of La Vonya - http://www.Battered-not-broken.blogspot.com  and Jim - http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/ to read about their ideas on the same.

Thanks for playing along, and as always, my regular weekly post will hit Sunday night at 12:01 midnight. Have a great weekend and enjoy this BONUS POST!

"A World Without Books" 
by Janet Beasley

A world without books is sadly a real world for many.
For many, illiteracy is not a joke, but a way of life.
There is nothing that breaks my heart any harder, 
than to have an elderly person ask me to read 
something to them, 
not because they are having trouble seeing it, 
but because they never had the opportunity 
to learn how to read.

~   ~   ~

A world without books is sadly a real world for many
who live in areas where books may not be allowed.
For them, their children, and their children's children
will most likely go through life, 
never knowing the joy of a 
timeless story and its characters.

~   ~   ~

A world without books is sadly a real world for many
who may not have possessed the ability to learn
to read early on, but were too embarrassed to 
tell their friends and family.
So for the most part, they "fudged" their way
through life, until the day came when
they truly needed or wanted to know how to read.

~   ~   ~

Would you believe that only a few short years ago, 
I, Janet Beasley, was among the last group mentioned above?
It was a sad world without books, 
but I couldn't read and understand a story,
and I was too embarrassed to ask anyone for help. 
Eventually the longing to be a part of my friends conversations 
was overtaking my embarrassment and I was desperate to learn.
If it weren't for my closest friends and family 
who listened to me instead of laugh at me, 
then graciously spent the time to help me learn,
I would not have read more books in the past couple of years
than I ever had in my entire 50 years of life. 
And to boot...I'm only a few weeks
away from publishing my first ebook:
An epic fantasy novel titled "Maycly."

~   ~   ~

A world without books is sadly a real world,
a real world that should never be. 

~   ~   ~


Join Me!
Blog-A-Licious Blog Tour

Thanks again for visiting JLB Creatives Blog on the tour.
See you next week! 
~Janet~

29 comments:

  1. Janet - that was beautiful. And SAD. But HOPEFUL. Very well-put.

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  2. Hi Shelley! Thanks for stopping by and leaving the kind post. Glad you liked it. I'll be starting my rounds tomorrow on the other bloggers. It's such a cool idea, and I'm so happy to be a part. Again, my sincere thanks. Hope you have a stellar weekend!

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  3. Great poem.A world without books is indeed a sad one. Very insightful.

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  4. Hey Shaeeza - thanks for taking the time to post. Appreciate the kind words. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Lovely and inspiring! Happy to be part of the hop with you!

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  6. Hey woshushi - thanks for stopping by and posting such kind words. I'll be making my blog rounds in a couple of days. Can't wait to see everyones ideas. Have a wonderful weekend. ;-)

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  7. Janet,

    What a beautiful story! I am so glad to meet such an inspiration!
    Paula Renaye

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  8. Changes are upon us with the easy availability of E-book readers. Two sides of the coin to this technological development- it may mean more younger kids begin to read more because the technology makes carting a whole library of 'books' in digital form so easy and available. And that's good.
    But the current paper book may become just like old LP records, or even wax cylinder type- collectibles or used mainly by those who can afford them. E-book readers will mean cheaper ways of taking stories and knowledge to the masses far more cheaply than paper books, and that's good.
    But for we oldies, ya just can't beat a good book you can pick up and feel the paper as you gently turn each page.

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  9. Absolutely inspiring. Thank you for joining us Janet.
    Cheers - Dora
    http://pandorapoikilos.com

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  10. @Paula - it's nice to meet you too, glad I could bring a smile.
    @jimshu - it's great hearing the input of someone who still sees both sides of the coin. I'll be doing "Maycly" on ebook myself, but it is VOL 1 in a 6 novel series, so while "Maycly" is being discovered as an ebook, I'll be submitting for hard copy publishing too. ;-)
    @Pandora - it is my pleasure to join, and am honored to be a part of such a wonderful tour. Thanks again for having me. I'm going to post the entire blog list on my Monday weekly post with a shout out for how cool this is!
    @Everyone - Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be making my rounds starting Monday...can't wait! Have a great weekend!

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  11. What a story of achievement that is - I am so glad to have met you in this tour... I feel real proud for you and your style of writing - you inspire me.

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  12. This is a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing! It makes me sad to know people who can read, but choose not to. I feel so sorry that they never get to experience the thrill I get from reading. Glad to be on the Blog-A-Licious tour with you.

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  13. So true. Being what I call a compulsive reader, I can't imagine a world without books. I'm saddened by how long you had to go through life "without books," but inspired by your determination to open the door to new worlds through entering the world of books, and for accomplishments since then!

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  14. Inspiring and well said. Thank you for sharing your insights. I am encouraged. :)

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  15. @Kriti - thanks so much for your kind words. Glad to be a part of your inspiration.
    @Lisa - I never even thought about people who CAN read not wanting to...especially after learning how...I can't imagine a world without books now. Glad to be on the tour with you.
    @ Rosie - good to see you here! As always, you're kind words inspire me right back. Love ya ta bits!
    @Sonia - glad to be an encouragement, and thanks so much for the kind words - they're truly appreciated.
    @ EVERYONE - thanks so much for stopping by JLB Creatives Blog on the tour, I'll be making my rounds on Monday - gotta keep up with my sis on the editing over the weekend! Have a good one!

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  16. What a beautiful and sad poem. A world with out books is indeed hardly a real world. Nice to meet you on the tour : )

    I am leaving my World Without Books Link here
    Finding One's Way

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  17. Thank you for reminding me of the forgotten and unspoken reasons why a world without books already exists.

    I am glad I came by. This Blog-A-Licious Tour has taken on a social justice tone with this elegant post. Thank you.

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  18. Beautiful, lovely site! Glad to follow!
    Susie Rosso Wolf

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  19. BRAVO JANET! An accomplishment to be proud of...actually two! The book, and the learning to read that lead you down the pathway to writing that book.

    I wish you the very best of luck and MUCH success! In my opinion, you are already a success!
    ~cath
    @jonesbabie on Twitter

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  20. Love your post, Janet. I have had many occasions where I have had to fill out someone's information because they cannot read or write. Excellent and thoughtful post.

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  21. @Finding One's Way - Thanks for the kind words. It's nice to meet you too.
    @Lovebabz - Your words have brought a tear. Thanks for chiming in. I'll be making my tour round on Monday. Looking forward to reading so many wonderful renditions.
    @Susie - Thanks for stopping by, appreciate the follow. Glad to be connected.
    @cath - Thanks for the kind words. I've been telling myself all along, if I can finish the novel - I've achieved a self-set goal that would be beyond belief...I never dreamed of it becoming something that would hopefully be ebook worthy. ;-)
    @John - Oh wow, my heart just breaks when those people enter my life. I can definitely relate in all too many ways, but am now glad to be able to help them.
    @EVERY ONE - Have a marvelous Sunday and a great week! See you on the tour. ;-)

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  22. You are truly amazing!

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  23. Janet - I'm so Inspired by your post!! Most of us immediately thought doomsday scenarios and here you pointed out the obvious, the reality for so many who can't read. Well Done, Janet. Well Done! And congratulations!

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  24. Hey Craziness - appreciate the kind words.
    Hey GirlParker - Glad to be an inspiration, and thanks for the kind words.

    @Everyone - I am so glad to have found a group of people from around the world (readers and authors) who welcome me with such open arms and encouragement. You probably don't know how much you are truly appreciated, and I doubt I could ever express it in words. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Have a great Monday! (((my fellow authors & readers)))

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  25. How moving! Congratulations on moving past that fear Janet! You're right, it is a reality for many - a world without books. I forgot that it's something we take for granted!

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  26. i was lost in a world of books till i read a story book. i am dyslectic reading was a problem, writing even more so. but like you i have turned a page and i will be publishing a novel or three maybe more. thank you for being on the tour god bless

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  27. @divalush - Thanks for the congrats...it truly is what I consider to be my biggest accomplishments in life. Thanks for chiming in - glad to be an inspiration. Have a wonderful evening. ;-)
    @Roy - that is really great news! YAY you!! Congrats on all of the novels. May God richly bless you right back! ;-)

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  28. Janet - What an inspiration you are! I'm so honored to have been on the BlogTour with you. You inspired me and made me think of the many who do indeed live in a world without books - your story will be an inspiration to many!

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  29. @Corinne - thanks so much for the kind words. I was happy to find you too. Glad I could be an inspiration. Again, appreciate the kindness and glad to be connected. ;-)

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