A Book By Any Other Name....

For three hours a day, I wander the house alone. Gloriously alone. Between about noon and 3:00pm, everyone attends their respective schools except me. Three hours may sound like a good chunk of time, but trust me, it zooms by.

But it's during this stretch my brain unfurls-- like one of those desert flowers that only blooms at night. I can actually think. Deep thoughts even. And I don't waste a moment.

Like yesterday, for instance. Yesterday I thought about popular fiction. I wondered how the plots of books would change if the authors had tweaked their titles just a tad. Sometimes a single letter can make all the difference in the world.

Imagine....

Hairy Potter
The story of a bearded boy who attends art school to learn the secret of making clay pots.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Jam
Will he join his friend Peanut Butter in a sandwich, or will his dream of becoming a condiment for scones finally come true?

Hunger Pains
The playground at recess becomes a dangerous place when the whole school skips lunch one day.

Photo Credit

50 Grades of Shay
Join Shay on her journey as she proves to herself that she can, indeed, raise her math scores-- one test at a time.

Cents and Sensibility 
Sisters struggle over the responsibility of managing their widowed mother's paltry estate.

Lord of the Fries
After a schedule mixup, a group of boys is left at McDonald's without adult supervision. One portly lad decides to steal all the fries of his friends.

The Scarlet Fetter
A socialite is caught embezzling, but insists police haul her to prison in style.

The Old Man and the Pea
An elderly gentleman spends an inordinate amount of time gardening, only to be rewarded by a solitary, giant pea.

The Asphalt in Our Tars
A young road construction worker finds it difficult adjusting to her challenging job, but discovers love while paving a highway.

As you can see, I spend my free time wisely. On second thought, maybe it's good I'm limited to a few afternoon hours. Besides, the laundry calls....

But first, if you're looking for book recommendations for your adolescent, I got 'em. Real ones. Check these out:

Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan (Geared more for boys.)
Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan (Geared more for boys.)
100 Cupboards Series by N.D. Wilson
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (Geared more for girls.)
The Matched Series by Ally Condie (Geared more for girls.)
The Reckoners Series by Brandon Sanderson
And, of course, look at some classics too!

Happy thinking (and reading)!