Are Authors the New Rock Stars?

I don't know how middle and high schoolers are now, but books weren't the high topic at the lunch table back then for me, and I don't remember hearing much discussion from my peers. My crowd enjoyed music, like a ton! I'll admit it, when I read, it was for class; it wasn't for fun.

Sadly enough, I didn't really start loving words until I read the Harry Potter series and then came the Twilight Saga. That's when my book collection started and I haven't stopped devouring words since.

Was literature discussed as much before Harry Potter? I assume so; however, it seems like reading is the talk of the town now, and in all age ranges, to boot.

Many movies these days are brought to a theater near you because of books. Goodreads floods the internet with countless reviews to tempt our reading fancy. E-books are available at the click of the mouse.  

Has reading taken over the world on a higher scale than it was ten or fifteen years ago? If so, great! If not, no worries!

Are authors the new rock stars? I'd agree with that statement. 

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- U

U is a special one for me. Without fail what (who) this letter stands for makes me smile. It stands for...

U2

Salt Lake City, Utah  May 24, 2011

Photo by Julia King 

Yup, my favorite band. Ever. Period. My U2 journey commenced when I was 15 and U2's Pop album was released. I attened the PopMart tour and since then I have seen them three more times. Lovely evenings for sure! Oh, how I smiled during those few precious hours listening to my Irish lads rockin' out on the stage. And yes, I spent time in Dublin, Ireland, and I saw all the U2 sites including Bono's house in Killney Bay. I even met his brother Norman Hewson. Coolness. Yes, I'm obsessed!

Yet, the story goes back farther than that... Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved music. It stems from my brother and sister listening to music during my formative years. Their musical favs were new-wave synth 80's all the way to alternative 90's tunes. As any good little sister, I followed in their footsteps. Listening to music has been a huge part of my life since then. In junior and high school, I pretty much was a radio junky. I won a bunch of radio contests and heard my voice on the air plenty of times; they should have paid me for all the air-time.

Because of my love of music, I totally love concerts! And I've been to more than I can count on my fingers and toes. Plus, my precious U2 concerts. Oh, sorry, I already mentioned that. Silly me. :D

Music is inspirational when I write. Gotta have me some music blaring in my ears to get me in the creative zone. :)

Are you a music fan? What are your favorite bands or types of music? Do you listen to music while writing? Starting with the letter U, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

I like concerts

I was thinking last night of all of the concerts I have been to. I love music and I love concerts even more. They are completely fun. They allow me to step out of my shell to dance around to my hearts content. I want to make a list... This may not be exhaustive but I think that it will be fun to try to remember them all.

Sting (twice)
Tori Amos (twice)
INXS (with Michael Hutchense)
Kays Choice
The Verve
Tonic
Morrissey
Depeche Mode (twice)
U2 (three times - four next year. They are my FAVORITE)
David Bowie
Blue Man Group
Moby
Busta Rhymes (not by choice)
Rage Against the Machine (there again, not by choice. They opened for U2)
Sarah McLachlan (Lilith Fair - can't remember who all performed)
Sarah Brightman (Totally Awesome)
Pet Shop Boys

Imogen Heap
Muse

Hanson

There are lots of concerts that I wish I could have gone to like U2's ZooTV tour. I was a bit too young at that time and not a die hard fan then. It would have been awesome though. Funny thing is that I have seen Bono's home in Ireland and took dirt from his front yard. Yes, that obsessed but not stalker obsessed. Maybe that will get back to him and he will want to meet me just because I am strange enough to take dirt from his front yard.

If you haven't been to a concert, GO! They are fun!