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Isabel

Isabel

Voracious reader, music lover, movie watcher, daydreamer!

"Reading was my escape and my comfort, my consolation, my stimulant of choice: reading for the pure pleasure of it, for the beautiful stillness that surrounds you when you hear an author's words reverberating in your head." From "The Brooklyn Follies" by Paul... more »
  • Johannesburg, South Africa
  • member since January 11 2008

Isabel’s last login was Saturday, August 1 2009.

Random books from my shelf

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • The Reformer

    The Reformer says

    Psalm120:1

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Richard W

    Richard W says

    A very merry Christmas to you.

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )
  • daisybats

    daisybats says

    I really liked the quotes you put in your profile. Im going to check out some of your reads.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Elizabook

    Elizabook says

    Hi Isabel!
    I was wondering what you thought of American Gods by Gaiman. I read Neverwhere and enjoyed it, is this one as good? Thanks!
    Elizabeth

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Maverick

    Maverick says

    ello,i see we share interests in the same books!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Maverick

    Maverick says

    ello,i see we share interests in the same books!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Beloved D

    Beloved D says

    Welcome my friend.

    Beloved49

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Richard W

    Richard W says

    Bel, Welcome. RichardW

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • arlene

    arlene says

    Hi Bel, just touching base. What have you been reading? I have been struggling with the first two chapters of Love in the time of Cholera by GGM. Have you read it, how did you find it? Thanks!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • alma d

    alma d says

    wow, how nice all your books.. i just wish i do the same. but i didnt keep some of my books. because i'd shared to others, i sometimes give it as a gift.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Bonita M

    Bonita M says

    You pop up as one who has many of the same books that I have or want. I've requested to be your friend. Great shelf! It gives me many ideas. Hope this finds you happy, healthy and reading a good book! Take care! Bonita

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • BellaNette

    BellaNette says

    So many great books!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • TearsOfAJadedStar

    TearsOfAJadedStar says

    To all of you who were born in the following years...

    1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996
    you are Rats! Rats are cheerful, charming and welcome everywhere.
    So live it up my rat buddies! This is our year!
    Gung hay fat choy (a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous.")
    Sun nien fai lok (meaning, "Happy new year")

    Here is a little history on this sweet event!

    Mythology
    According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián (??) was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the colour red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the colour red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián (simplified Chinese: ????; traditional Chinese: ?^??), which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

    Here are some tips for the New Year!!!


    The following is a list of beliefs that vary according to dialect groups / individuals.

    Good luck
    Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
    Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
    Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.
    It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year's Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house after New Year's Day is frowned upon)
    Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Asians will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.
    Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
    The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.
    Bad luck
    Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese, or "evil" in Mandarin.
    Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants"(kù) is a homophone for the word for "bitter"(kŭ) in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive, as the word 'pants'(fu) in Cantonese is also a homophone for the word for "wealth".)
    Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one's own luck (although modern hygienic concerns take precedence over this tradition)
    Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
    Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.
    Buying books is bad luck because the word for "book" is a homonym to the word "lose".
    Avoid clothes in black and white, as black is a symbol of bad luck, and white is a traditional funeral colour.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • katrin c

    katrin c says

    :)

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Roya P

    Roya P says

    Thank you for joining us here in this new shelfari group.
    we will be happy to have your disscusions in our group

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • pramit t

    pramit t says

    hello,
    it is nice to know about somebody, who has read so many books.
    Pramit

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Abhijit

    Abhijit says

    Hi there, quite a collection i must say.

    cheers!

    abhijit

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Abdul R

    Abdul R says

    hello,
    tnx for add me in ur friend list.
    may i ask ur real name?
    and where u from?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Olga

    Olga says

    Thank you for the Add, and Welcome Bel :)
    Olga

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • arlene

    arlene says

    Thanks for writing. I will try to look for the authors you mentioned. I have just finished reading The Beach House by James Patterson. It was a good read. Trying to follow it up with Tara Road by Maeve Binchy. This is the first book I have of this author, I noticed that you have several books of hers in your shelf. How do you find her writing?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )