Food for Thought: An Apple a Day by Caroline Taggart

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Today we are going back to the classroom here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers because let’s face it; we learn something new every day anyway, right?  Right!  The feature of today’s post is a reference type book, notice I said “type”.  I make this distinction because most hear the term reference and think one thing…B-O-R-I-N-G.  This one…not so much; in fact it has quite a few pearls of wisdom to share that I think you’ll be receptive to.  (To gauge your level of learning interest, check out the quiz from the author posted earlier this week.)  Today’s book of choice is….

An Apple a Day:

Old-Fashioned Proverbs – Timeless Words to Live By

by

Caroline Taggart

The early bird catches the worm…or so they say.  But wait, why DO we say that?  What does it even mean?  It’s not like we’re going out worm hunting eat morning or anything, and let’s face it, early and I are NOT on good speaking terms.  So how in the world does this even relate to me?  Grab your thinking caps and prepare for a little lesson in what I like to call…Proverbs 101. 

Just what is a proverb exactly?  Simply put (via the author), a proverb is…”a piece of wisdom or advice expressed in a short and memorable way”.  In other words, those catchy little phrases and sayings you’ve heard time and time again.  Delivering lessons through the ages, they make learning something that’s usually discovered through previous experience that much easier and much less painful…provided we heed its “warning”.  But really, that’s just the surface of this work.

As you delve deeper into this unusual reference guide, you find not only wisdom and wit but humor.  Now you may be thinking wit and humor are one in the same; ah, but there you'd be mistaken.  Wit refers to a knowledgeable statement that often said in jest or to trump a situation; humor is just plain funny.  Sprinkled here and there are doses of this "wonder drug" both in good taste and political punches, allowing readers the chance to both expand their minds and chase their cares away.  You're bound to pick a favorite or two (or more...hey, there's a whole book of them to choose from...) along the way; I know I did.  Some appear as old favorites, such as "Never choose a book by its cover", while others become new friends, like the "A little learning is a dangerous thing".

Ignorance is bliss...but...knowledge is power.  Honesty is the best policy...but....desperate situations call for desperate measures.  A collection of wise words and sayings that when taken individually add up to a sum worthy of note, but if digested wholly can leave you in quite a conundrum.  Whether your aim is to be the life of the party or the “top dog” of the water cooler trivia, this book along with the entire Blackboard series will add many a wordy weapon to your verbal arsenal.  How much you use or lose of it is up to you, but you’ll certainly be the wiser for the read. 

Recommended reading for all ages and interests.  It’s a perfectly suited reference book (of sorts) for a quick definition or origin at a glance, as well as an interesting read for those merely seeking something to pass the time (or for their next "did you know…" stumper).  Review copy received courtesy of Ruby at FSB Associates.  (THANKS!)  For more information on their current projects, feel free to visit their website, or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more about the Blackboard Books, check out the site dedicated to this collection of knowledge.

Until next time…don’t put all your eggs in one basket…and happy reading!