This review has spoilers for previous books in the Alpha and Omega Series. There are no real spoilers for Fair Game.
( Read more... )
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 293 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Other books I've read by this author:
Next I will be reviewing Fables 7: Arbaian Nights by Bill Willingham
xposted to![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1)
temporaryworlds, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.1)
bookish, and goodreads
( Read more... )
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 293 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Other books I've read by this author:
Next I will be reviewing Fables 7: Arbaian Nights by Bill Willingham
xposted to
temporaryworlds, bookish, and goodreads- Mood:sore
Things continue to come together over here. Yesterday we finished the last of our Major Stuff Shopping, and when the last thing gets delivered on Thursday, we'll officially have the place fleshed out - at least from a furnishing standpoint.
Not that we'll be "done" in any real sense. My dad says that when it comes to home ownership, you're only ever done for now. He's right, I'm sure. There are already a dozen little projects I'd love to fiddle with, not least of all the garden - which is, at present, a rectangular patch of backyard harboring dandelions, semi-wild onions, clover, and the tail-less cat.
The tail-less cat (henceforth TLC, as her name eludes me) showed up in our back yard shortly after we arrived, and at first, I thought she was a pregnant stray. A pretty little black-and-white longhair, TLC was too skittish to touch, and her pendulous tummy swayed as she waddled frantically away.
Poor kitty, I thought. I will feed her and lure her close, and maybe she'll have the kittens nearby - so I can catch them and vet them and home them and oh yes, I was making plans.
After a few days, she'd figured out I was a food-dispensing monkey - and I'd find her sitting outside the roses, waiting for me to open the curtains every morning. Just to make sure I would see her, and know that there was a hungry, pitiful, single-mother-to-be hoping for breakfast.
And then I met the neighbors, who had a good laugh about it.
Formerly a feral stray, TLC was taken in and spayed by these same neighbors - who have never successfully gotten her to stay indoors or wear a collar. She is, however, spoiled silly, routinely vetted, and amply fed.
On the one hand, I'm relieved. I'm always sad to see homeless animals, and it's just as well I don't have to find homes for half a dozen kittens. On the other hand, I could do without the turd presents the fat little scammer leaves outside our back door every day, now that I've stopped accommodating her.*
I'm told that she's an excellent mouser who has never successfully caught a bird to anyone's knowledge, and both of these points please me. We're right at the foot of a mountain, backing up to thick woods which are no doubt teeming with mice ... and we have a shit-ton of birds hanging around, not least of all because I feed them.**
Speaking of birds, though - we may have a couple of new under-the-porch-eaves residents: two of the cutest wee tiny purple-headed finches you ever did see. At first they considered the hanging planters, but after I knocked down an unrelated, long-abandoned nest from a corner, they seem to feel that prime real estate has unexpectedly opened up and the time to buy is NOW NOW NOW.
(Aside I: Obviously I would not have taken down the old nest if it had not very, very clearly been out-of-use for ages.)
(Aside II: Maybe it was haunted, and that's why nobody else took over the lease in all this time. Some kind of bird-atrocity was committed there, and word's gotten around. Maybe other birds called the nest, "The old McFeatherstone place" and teenage birds dared one another to go sit there by themselves ... and when the moon is full, they say that the ghost of Widow McFeatherstone hangs from the petunia planter while moaning, "I KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN DOVES CRY" and never mind now this just getting silly.)
Anyway, now they're checking out that freshly vacated corner, and I really do hope they move in.
Hm. Let's see, what else?
Well, today we went to the Chattanooga Market, which frankly blew our minds. The weekly (seasonal) market had just started up around the time we moved away, but it was pretty damn pitiful. Now it's a total circus - well stocked, with a lot of great local crafters, farmers, and other assorted people-with-stuff-to-sell. Well done, Chattanooga. Well done.
I spent a few bucks, brought home a few things, and plan to return, but here's hoping that next week it's not quite so damn hot. And you know it was damn hot if I'm complaining about it, because I'm the sort who keeps the AC set around 80 degrees if I'm left to my own devices, and if it's cooler than that indoors, I'm likely to jaunt around in a bathrobe. You can take the girl out of Florida, etc. etc. etc.
But damn. A few thousand people were crowded into a big old pavilion, and it was 95 degrees.
This having been said, the heat prompted me to sample the wares of a really great two-person soda company offering some seriously fantastic custom syrups. I had a "honey lime" beverage, and would cheerfully go buy another - or try out some of the other flavors. Now I just wish I could remember the company's name. I'll keep an eye out for them next time.
[Edit: It was these guys. Pure Sodaworks. Two thumbs up.]
Not a lot of news to report in home repair and improvement news. This is partly because we're coming up close to Done For Now - and now we're figuring out bills and services, and whatnot. The Perplexing Back Room is now a guest room, but it's big enough that yes, we use it as a game room too. We threw our old TV back there, hooked up the game system, and now we're just waiting for the seating to arrive. (On Thursday, see above.)
It actually looks pretty nice, despite the carpet. I took a picture or two for Twitter, but we've rearranged everything since I did so. The whole thing is still a work in progress.
The library/study has come along nicely, too. The husband's bookcases arrived, and are assembled, and are now holding up books - so yes, we are Officially Unpacked. [:: throws confetti ::] He still has some art to hang, but the place looks great.
If this meager tally sounds like a pitiful excuse for how little I've updated as of late, I would add another excuse to the pile: the copyedits for The Inexplicables landed a few days ago, and I've been eyeballs deep therein. I'm still not done, but I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I was going cross-eyed, so I thought I'd take a break and come over here to ramble.
Mission accomplished, I'd say.
Right. Well. Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone. Go hug a veteran. I have to wait to hug my two nearest and dearest veterans, as my dad and stepmom won't be here to visit for another few weeks - but I will surely make up for it then.
* In all fairness, she quit doing this after a week. And now she'll let me pet her sometimes, which is great. She's really a beautiful, sweet little cat. Just ... hilariously fat.
** "Feeding" is one of the many services I am likely to provide for random critters.
Not that we'll be "done" in any real sense. My dad says that when it comes to home ownership, you're only ever done for now. He's right, I'm sure. There are already a dozen little projects I'd love to fiddle with, not least of all the garden - which is, at present, a rectangular patch of backyard harboring dandelions, semi-wild onions, clover, and the tail-less cat.
The tail-less cat (henceforth TLC, as her name eludes me) showed up in our back yard shortly after we arrived, and at first, I thought she was a pregnant stray. A pretty little black-and-white longhair, TLC was too skittish to touch, and her pendulous tummy swayed as she waddled frantically away.
Poor kitty, I thought. I will feed her and lure her close, and maybe she'll have the kittens nearby - so I can catch them and vet them and home them and oh yes, I was making plans.
After a few days, she'd figured out I was a food-dispensing monkey - and I'd find her sitting outside the roses, waiting for me to open the curtains every morning. Just to make sure I would see her, and know that there was a hungry, pitiful, single-mother-to-be hoping for breakfast.
And then I met the neighbors, who had a good laugh about it.
Formerly a feral stray, TLC was taken in and spayed by these same neighbors - who have never successfully gotten her to stay indoors or wear a collar. She is, however, spoiled silly, routinely vetted, and amply fed.
On the one hand, I'm relieved. I'm always sad to see homeless animals, and it's just as well I don't have to find homes for half a dozen kittens. On the other hand, I could do without the turd presents the fat little scammer leaves outside our back door every day, now that I've stopped accommodating her.*
I'm told that she's an excellent mouser who has never successfully caught a bird to anyone's knowledge, and both of these points please me. We're right at the foot of a mountain, backing up to thick woods which are no doubt teeming with mice ... and we have a shit-ton of birds hanging around, not least of all because I feed them.**
Speaking of birds, though - we may have a couple of new under-the-porch-eaves residents: two of the cutest wee tiny purple-headed finches you ever did see. At first they considered the hanging planters, but after I knocked down an unrelated, long-abandoned nest from a corner, they seem to feel that prime real estate has unexpectedly opened up and the time to buy is NOW NOW NOW.
(Aside I: Obviously I would not have taken down the old nest if it had not very, very clearly been out-of-use for ages.)
(Aside II: Maybe it was haunted, and that's why nobody else took over the lease in all this time. Some kind of bird-atrocity was committed there, and word's gotten around. Maybe other birds called the nest, "The old McFeatherstone place" and teenage birds dared one another to go sit there by themselves ... and when the moon is full, they say that the ghost of Widow McFeatherstone hangs from the petunia planter while moaning, "I KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN DOVES CRY" and never mind now this just getting silly.)
Anyway, now they're checking out that freshly vacated corner, and I really do hope they move in.
Hm. Let's see, what else?
Well, today we went to the Chattanooga Market, which frankly blew our minds. The weekly (seasonal) market had just started up around the time we moved away, but it was pretty damn pitiful. Now it's a total circus - well stocked, with a lot of great local crafters, farmers, and other assorted people-with-stuff-to-sell. Well done, Chattanooga. Well done.
I spent a few bucks, brought home a few things, and plan to return, but here's hoping that next week it's not quite so damn hot. And you know it was damn hot if I'm complaining about it, because I'm the sort who keeps the AC set around 80 degrees if I'm left to my own devices, and if it's cooler than that indoors, I'm likely to jaunt around in a bathrobe. You can take the girl out of Florida, etc. etc. etc.
But damn. A few thousand people were crowded into a big old pavilion, and it was 95 degrees.
This having been said, the heat prompted me to sample the wares of a really great two-person soda company offering some seriously fantastic custom syrups. I had a "honey lime" beverage, and would cheerfully go buy another - or try out some of the other flavors. Now I just wish I could remember the company's name. I'll keep an eye out for them next time.
[Edit: It was these guys. Pure Sodaworks. Two thumbs up.]
Not a lot of news to report in home repair and improvement news. This is partly because we're coming up close to Done For Now - and now we're figuring out bills and services, and whatnot. The Perplexing Back Room is now a guest room, but it's big enough that yes, we use it as a game room too. We threw our old TV back there, hooked up the game system, and now we're just waiting for the seating to arrive. (On Thursday, see above.)
It actually looks pretty nice, despite the carpet. I took a picture or two for Twitter, but we've rearranged everything since I did so. The whole thing is still a work in progress.
The library/study has come along nicely, too. The husband's bookcases arrived, and are assembled, and are now holding up books - so yes, we are Officially Unpacked. [:: throws confetti ::] He still has some art to hang, but the place looks great.
If this meager tally sounds like a pitiful excuse for how little I've updated as of late, I would add another excuse to the pile: the copyedits for The Inexplicables landed a few days ago, and I've been eyeballs deep therein. I'm still not done, but I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I was going cross-eyed, so I thought I'd take a break and come over here to ramble.
Mission accomplished, I'd say.
Right. Well. Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone. Go hug a veteran. I have to wait to hug my two nearest and dearest veterans, as my dad and stepmom won't be here to visit for another few weeks - but I will surely make up for it then.
* In all fairness, she quit doing this after a week. And now she'll let me pet her sometimes, which is great. She's really a beautiful, sweet little cat. Just ... hilariously fat.
** "Feeding" is one of the many services I am likely to provide for random critters.
This coming week I'm going to be at the Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH. Here's my schedule if you're in the environs and want to stalk me say hi!
Thursday
3:00—Flash your fiction
4:00—The Fine Art of Schmoozing
Friday-
11:00—gender-bending fiction
12:00—what’s in your literary kitchen?
Saturday
10:00—Pushing the YA envelope
11:00 Practice makes perfect
6:00—Reading
- Location:castle room
- Mood:
cheerful
If you’ve been reading these posts for the last week, you know that my intention was to write two posts. The first, about help, I did write. The second, I still haven’t written. This is very much in keeping with the way I write anything. I have a general idea. I put the words on the screen. And then other words arise out of interaction, and, well.
We, as parents, all want our children to be happy. I take that as a given. We do not always make our children happy - but at base, we want our children to lead happy, long lives.
Given the way life works, life is not predictable. We are adults, our children are not. We know the things that caused us pain - and we want to help our own children avoid that pain, and avoid bearing those scars.
( But... )
And now, I am running out of the house because it’s our 23rd anniversary :)
We, as parents, all want our children to be happy. I take that as a given. We do not always make our children happy - but at base, we want our children to lead happy, long lives.
Given the way life works, life is not predictable. We are adults, our children are not. We know the things that caused us pain - and we want to help our own children avoid that pain, and avoid bearing those scars.
( But... )
And now, I am running out of the house because it’s our 23rd anniversary :)
Today I'm posting at YA Outside the Lines on "Taking off the Parent Hat." It's about how "writers can’t parent their YA characters. We can’t protect them from their own mistakes. Sometimes we have to let characters do things we would never want our own children to do."
33464 / 120000
(27.89%)
(27.89%)
The better part of a day just got 250 words. And almost all of the stuff that happens between characters remains in the gaps - the parent's approval is shown, but not dragged out, the deep conversations are hinted at, but take pace offscreen; Gajut does not even meet, onscreen, the people we know ern will meet - they were introduced in Oresh's segment; we don't need to repeat the experience. I will pick up the story again on the next day when something truly _new_ happens - new people to meet, new events to cover.
And I want to take time out to rewrite the previous scene. The one in the woods, where I've just skipped - again - over all the sensory details and description.
Today, I walked in the woods. Not *quite* the right woods - it is spring on planet Earth and it is autumn in the world of my story - but the right _type_ of woods. Unstocked, fairly open woodland with plenty of groundcover (including the entrance to a den I found with my left foot - my camera is fine, thanks for asking) - but it gave me the sensory details I needed. How you can't see very far because there are trees and bushes everywhere. How you can't see your own trail, much of the time, let alone the trails someone else left. How frightening the woods would look like from a knee-high perspective, and how they're not much better for an adult. The sense of 'this is forbidden ground, if you enter, you might not find your way out again' even though I was less than a hundred meters from the edge. The hidden traps - you absolutely *cannot* see what you're stepping on.
And based on _that_ experience, I should be able to write this scene better second time round. It won't need much, but it needs _something. And I also now grok why you just _cannot_ go after a small child and look for them in those woods. And why everybody takes keeping paths open in the woods so seriously - so that there's a chance for someone lost to find their way to _somewhere_.
Linkdump:
The Objectification of Women: it's a measurable thing
State of Publishing: a survey by Writer's Workshop
(More on this, and on a self-publishing survey, at Writer Beware
The self-publishing survey includes, according to WB, the lines:
The most financially successful self-publishers write more than their peers, and spend less time marketing. In fact, those self-publishers who marketed the most earned the least.
That's probably not _entirely_ the whole picture, but I'm not overly surprised. If you write a good book, I want to read all of your other books *and* I'll tell the world about your books. No amount of 'buy this' can have the same effect.
Whales. Obviously on this planet. And yet...
Also posted at http://green-knight.dreamwidth.org/2285
- Mood:all walked out
Originally published at John Joseph Adams. You can comment here or there.
GUEST OF HONOR
New Orleans, LA
Learn More
Originally published at John Joseph Adams. You can comment here or there.
From the official website of the Horror Writers Association:
The Horror Writers Association is proud to announce prolific anthologist John Joseph Adams as the Editor Guest of Honor for the World Horror Convention (WHC) 2013. In 2013 the HWA is hosting WHC as part of the Bram Stoker Awards™ Weekend in New Orleans from 13-16 June. [...]
HWA President Rocky Wood said, “John Joseph Adams is the type of anthology editor readers love – they know each of his books will be filled with well written, interesting tales to captivate them during their precious reading hours. We are very pleased that John has accepted our invitation to be World Horror Convention Guest of Honor, where he is likely to find 300 horror writers, all eager to impress him with their wares!”
Adams joins previously announced Guest of Honor Ramsey Campbell and Toastmaster Jeff Strand on the Guest list.
Obviously I’m thrilled and grateful to be selected for such an honor, and the timing couldn’t be better with Nightmare scheduled to launch in October. I’ve never been to a World Horror or to New Orleans, so it should be quite a trip!
In related news, it just so happens that I have a story in inventory by my co-GOH Ramsey Campbell, scheduled for issue #2 of Nightmare!
Originally published at John Joseph Adams. You can comment here or there.
As of 9:24am Pacific Time yesterday, the Nightmare Magazine Kickstarter is funded! Due to the $245 pledge by sf author and all around great guy John Scalzi, we’ve now reached 100% funding. So a big thanks to John, and to the rest of you who pledged. (Also a special thanks to Arachne Jericho, who obviously had the same thought as John, but was about two seconds too late to be the one that put us over the top.) A big thanks too, to our largest donor, George Peyton, who purchased a lifetime subscription to Nightmare and to Creeping Hemlock’s entire list of books.
Although we’ve reached our goal, there’s still time–11 more days–to pre-order an issue or a subscription, or to get one of our limited edition chapbooks (which will only be available to people who pledge via the Kickstarter).
For more information about Nightmare, you can visit www.nightmare-magazine.com or follow us on Twitter @nightmaremag.
***
Note to writers: We’ll be opening to submissions soon. Stay tuned for updates.
Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray
It wants to be Lord of the Flies + Austin Powers; it's actually Mean Girls + LiveJournal.
Scholastic, 2011, 396 pages
( So very earnest and precious and mildly amusing, but not half as smart as it thinks it is and it treats its audience as being not half as smart as they are. )
Verdict: Snarky snarkety snark snark snarkingly. Beauty Queens is unsubtly, anviliciously funny, and you will probably agree with the messages and maybe even chuckle a little. But it's not a serious book; the plot does not wear even a G-string of plausibility, and it's more like reading someone's collection of humorous fanfic outtakes than a novel. It also assumes that the audience is denser than Miss Mississippi and must have every message reinforced, underlined, and highlighted, making it the sort of joke where half the time the teller ruins it by explaining the punchline. This is a book for people who like their socially-aware satire delivered liked anvils launched from a catapult.
My complete list of book reviews.
Scholastic, 2011, 396 pages
The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.
What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?
Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.
( So very earnest and precious and mildly amusing, but not half as smart as it thinks it is and it treats its audience as being not half as smart as they are. )
Verdict: Snarky snarkety snark snark snarkingly. Beauty Queens is unsubtly, anviliciously funny, and you will probably agree with the messages and maybe even chuckle a little. But it's not a serious book; the plot does not wear even a G-string of plausibility, and it's more like reading someone's collection of humorous fanfic outtakes than a novel. It also assumes that the audience is denser than Miss Mississippi and must have every message reinforced, underlined, and highlighted, making it the sort of joke where half the time the teller ruins it by explaining the punchline. This is a book for people who like their socially-aware satire delivered liked anvils launched from a catapult.
My complete list of book reviews.
Yep. Still spinning this faux cashmere. But I MIGHT finish the singles this coming up week. If I do nothing but spin. Heh. This yarn is thiiiiin.
My mom’s birthday is coming up and I told her I want to knit her something for it. What did she want? She immediately said, “I want a hat like yours.” I got to see her during the Dark Days tour in Austin and she DID seem jealous of my hat. So I said I’d make her one. (The pattern is Spring Beret. Rav link.)
Here it is finished, but unblocked.
I used handspun merino wool in a colorway called “Stardust.” Neither of these pictures are accurate, but the second is a little closer.
Here is the hat blocking on a plate and posing with Bob the Spinning Wheel. The lace stretches out a lot!
Since I have a little time before I visit her, I might knit something else for her out of the rest of Stardust. Hmmm.
Originally published at Jodi Meadows. You can comment here or there.
It's been quite the week. NYC was great, even though I've once again come home with a cold. I learned a lot at Deanna's workshop, which I hope to apply to future gigs (and one definite gig, if the other parties will get moving on their end). The other women staying at D's place were awesome, and we had a margarita & tarot pajama party Thursday evening.
Friday morning we went to the Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, very close to D's apartment. If you've been reading for any length of time, you'll know how I feel about old cemeteries, and this one is just magnificent. Lots of wonderful statuary and landscaping, and set on the site of the Battle of Brooklyn (and the highest point in Brooklyn). It was appropriately misty, making for some great moody shots. See the whole set here. After Green-wood, we went out to Coney Island in the fog and dipped our toes in the ocean, then had a Nathan's hot dog before heading back.
The bus ride home was a nightmare of traffic and construction, taking 5 1/2 hours (normally a 4 1/4 hour trip). And the poor driver had to turn around and do the return trip! He was a hoot, though: a real New Yorker, with a great sense of humor. He made the trip a lot less unpleasant than it could have been.
Yesterday, I went down to Southwick's Zoo with sea_dark_wine, justjanus, and our friend Jess, where we saw lots of interesting and awesome animals.
OMG, the big kitties! Lions, tigers, and a leopard. Not to mention chimps, birds, rhinos, kangaroos, and a multitude of others. It was packed with families, but spread out enough it didn't seem too crowded. It was great fun. See the whole set here.
Unfortunately, the cold had really started to get its grip into me at that point, so I came home and crashed hard for a couple of hours. Today, I'm not much good for anything. I went out this morning for juice, tissues, and cold meds, and I am down for the count. I really hate being sick, and the last cold I had was last May, right after that NY trip. My usually robust immunity apparently doesn't stand a chance against the millions of NYC germs.
How has your weekend been?
The Iola Tuberculosis Sanitarium served the public in Rochester for over 50 years, beginning some time in the early 20th century. Since its closure in the 1960s parts of the campus have been re-purposed as a factory, a traffic control center and a veteran's outreach center, though the latter two have slipped back into abandonment.
Today, Iola seems to be a popular spot for local teens to get trashed and party and for scrappers to steal piping, radiators and whatever else they can get their hands on.
Quite some time ago I posted another small photoset of Iola to this community, here. The photos in this post are from a range of time between then (late 2010) and now. The earlier ones were taken with a point and shoot (Canon SX20IS), but late last year I decided to step up and get myself an EOS 60D and I'm still getting the hang of it (but also loving it!). Advice, criticism, etc are all welcome. I'm a noob, I admit it.
( Explore further? )
Today, Iola seems to be a popular spot for local teens to get trashed and party and for scrappers to steal piping, radiators and whatever else they can get their hands on.
Quite some time ago I posted another small photoset of Iola to this community, here. The photos in this post are from a range of time between then (late 2010) and now. The earlier ones were taken with a point and shoot (Canon SX20IS), but late last year I decided to step up and get myself an EOS 60D and I'm still getting the hang of it (but also loving it!). Advice, criticism, etc are all welcome. I'm a noob, I admit it.
( Explore further? )
- Currently Reading:Overcast Sound - Run
For those of you who happened to Google your title and ended up here, please know that one star is not a bad thing in Robin's world -- just the fact that I picked up your book and started it means that somewhere it's getting good buzz (or that your blurb was really cool). 'R' means it's a re-read. Brackets mean it's an ARC or e-galley. I'm linking to Tattered Cover's pages for the ARCs.
If you'd like to see my recent four-plus- and five-star recommendations, visit Robin ReadsnWrites.
* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.
** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.
*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.
**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.
***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.
[First Impressions, by Christopher Koehler *** Part of this I really enjoyed -- and I must admit, I enjoyed it overall much better once I realized it was a retelling (of sorts) of Pride & Prejudice. Interestingly, I've never been able to get through P&P (reading it), either -- and it's for a similar reason: I'm not a huge fan of Lizzy (or Cameron, in this version). Most of this book was written from Cameron's POV, and I just wasn't a huge fan of the guy, so I had a hard time (and skimmed A LOT). I felt very similarly about Lizzy...and I love Darcy (and Henry, in this version). I adored Henry and his POV sections, and about 2/3 of the way through, when it hit me that it was a P&P retell, many of the pieces fell into place, and I enjoyed the rest of the story much more. (a/n: I love both P&P movies -- and the Darcys are my favorite characters in both, as well, though I can at least enjoy the Lizzys on-screen in a way I don't through written word.) The story: Cameron would love to find a guy to love, but when he meets Henry at an event, Henry's behavior is not pretty (he's angry with his manager and takes it out on Cameron) -- and Cameron decides that initial attraction aside, Henry is a huge jerk! Although the two are thrown together a number of times, Cameron refuses to change his initial opinion -- and Henry despairs of ever getting through to him. Finally, when Cameron's long-time crush invites Cam to visit (and Cam meets Simon's 'boyfriend'), Henry and Cam seem to click -- until Cam panics and runs off. When Cam is faced with evidence of who Henry really is, will he ever be able to convince Henry to forgive him? (Adult romance, GLBT, released 4/12, publisher: Dreamspinner Press)]
[Complete Faith, by Sue Brown **** I enjoyed this. I thought it was a good blend of ranch challenges, religious politics, and romance. I enjoyed both Noah and Tommy, and I liked the supporting characters, as well. I've seen too many parents act just the way Tommy's did when he came out, and I felt it was solidly portrayed. There were a fair amount of sex scenes (they didn't really interrupt the flow, however -- I never found myself rolling my eyes, like I sometimes do with romance). The ending seemed realistic and hopeful, without being saccharin or too easy. The story: Tommy has a crush on his pastor (Noah), but he's too shy -- and too in-the-closet -- to make a move. Finally, Noah gets tired of waiting and lets Tommy know that as soon as he's willing to tell his parents (who also attend the church) that he's gay, Noah will be ready to date. Tommy wants what he sees in his ranch bosses, so he builds his courage and tells his parents...only to have them reject him and the entire church. In the meantime, others in the small ranch area continue to make problems for the Lost Cow (the ranch where Tommy works), and it's obvious they are making it personal (because the owners are gay). In the end, Noah stands to lose everything he's worked for, the ranch is struggling, and it seems like the bigots are winning...and Tommy must, once again, dig deep and find the courage to do what he knows is right, no matter what his parents think. (Adult contemporary romance, GLBT, released 4/12, publisher: Dreamspinner Press)]
On Deck: I have a huge stack (yay), but I'm saving most of them to take with me when I travel...I'll see how long I can hold off!
If you'd like to see my recent four-plus- and five-star recommendations, visit Robin ReadsnWrites.
* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.
** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.
*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.
**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.
***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.
[First Impressions, by Christopher Koehler *** Part of this I really enjoyed -- and I must admit, I enjoyed it overall much better once I realized it was a retelling (of sorts) of Pride & Prejudice. Interestingly, I've never been able to get through P&P (reading it), either -- and it's for a similar reason: I'm not a huge fan of Lizzy (or Cameron, in this version). Most of this book was written from Cameron's POV, and I just wasn't a huge fan of the guy, so I had a hard time (and skimmed A LOT). I felt very similarly about Lizzy...and I love Darcy (and Henry, in this version). I adored Henry and his POV sections, and about 2/3 of the way through, when it hit me that it was a P&P retell, many of the pieces fell into place, and I enjoyed the rest of the story much more. (a/n: I love both P&P movies -- and the Darcys are my favorite characters in both, as well, though I can at least enjoy the Lizzys on-screen in a way I don't through written word.) The story: Cameron would love to find a guy to love, but when he meets Henry at an event, Henry's behavior is not pretty (he's angry with his manager and takes it out on Cameron) -- and Cameron decides that initial attraction aside, Henry is a huge jerk! Although the two are thrown together a number of times, Cameron refuses to change his initial opinion -- and Henry despairs of ever getting through to him. Finally, when Cameron's long-time crush invites Cam to visit (and Cam meets Simon's 'boyfriend'), Henry and Cam seem to click -- until Cam panics and runs off. When Cam is faced with evidence of who Henry really is, will he ever be able to convince Henry to forgive him? (Adult romance, GLBT, released 4/12, publisher: Dreamspinner Press)]
[Complete Faith, by Sue Brown **** I enjoyed this. I thought it was a good blend of ranch challenges, religious politics, and romance. I enjoyed both Noah and Tommy, and I liked the supporting characters, as well. I've seen too many parents act just the way Tommy's did when he came out, and I felt it was solidly portrayed. There were a fair amount of sex scenes (they didn't really interrupt the flow, however -- I never found myself rolling my eyes, like I sometimes do with romance). The ending seemed realistic and hopeful, without being saccharin or too easy. The story: Tommy has a crush on his pastor (Noah), but he's too shy -- and too in-the-closet -- to make a move. Finally, Noah gets tired of waiting and lets Tommy know that as soon as he's willing to tell his parents (who also attend the church) that he's gay, Noah will be ready to date. Tommy wants what he sees in his ranch bosses, so he builds his courage and tells his parents...only to have them reject him and the entire church. In the meantime, others in the small ranch area continue to make problems for the Lost Cow (the ranch where Tommy works), and it's obvious they are making it personal (because the owners are gay). In the end, Noah stands to lose everything he's worked for, the ranch is struggling, and it seems like the bigots are winning...and Tommy must, once again, dig deep and find the courage to do what he knows is right, no matter what his parents think. (Adult contemporary romance, GLBT, released 4/12, publisher: Dreamspinner Press)]
On Deck: I have a huge stack (yay), but I'm saving most of them to take with me when I travel...I'll see how long I can hold off!
- Mood:
cheerful
Alyx Dellamonica’s photostream on Flickr.
Enjoy!
Originally published at A.M. Dellamonica. You can comment here or there.
I haven't been near reliable internet for the last week, hence the silence. In that silence came a really lovely interview with cathschaffstump about writing process. Belated thanks, Catherine, for inviting me and lovely to trade hugs at WisCon!
As is tradition with voyaging to Wisconsin, there was the maternal clan visit, which consisted of much pot roast, far too much pie, and a marathon of horse-racing movies that required Kleenex and recitation of every racing bloodline from Man O'War to Sunday Silence.
Next WisCon. It's been a while. The Concourse has so many sense memories for me. It's strange to remember coming here with my first-ever novel to workshop and to think this time I came here on the verge of publishing my seventh. This year, I only took on one reading and I'm still in awe at my compatriots--ellen_kushner, Caroline Stevermer, and Franny Billingsley. They were SMASHING. If time had permitted, I'm quite certain I could have stayed up all night talking to deliasherman. I had a lovely lunch with glvalentine and a great conversation with Chris Barzak which I hope to continue at some later date. I met the most sparkly Nancy Werlin, also hoping to talk to her again some day. Sad I couldn't spend more time with Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders, who are also made of awesome.
And there were so many people I missed--Stephanie Burgis & Patrick Samphire, Gwenda Bond, Ysabeau Wilce (who sent me chocolate via courier since she couldn't be here herself!!)...the list goes on and on.
I can remember early years of feeling like I was on the outside looking in, nose pressed to glass, so anxious about being on the outside that I could barely speak. This year, I was with people I most admire whom I'm so proud to also now call friends. There was no anxiety at all (perhaps there should have been--I went over on my reading time! Oops!). We talked about Things that Matter to all of us as writers, as women, as people. I have oft likened it to being in Fairyland, and this year was no exception.
I was very sorry I had to cut it short this year. Maybe next year will be less frantic. (Who am I kidding?)
And now, I must write like the wind before June 15th swallows me whole. I fear things will be again sparse and dark for a bit until I come up for air, but I hope you're having a lovely weekend, whatever you may be up to.
cathschaffstump about writing process. Belated thanks, Catherine, for inviting me and lovely to trade hugs at WisCon!As is tradition with voyaging to Wisconsin, there was the maternal clan visit, which consisted of much pot roast, far too much pie, and a marathon of horse-racing movies that required Kleenex and recitation of every racing bloodline from Man O'War to Sunday Silence.
Next WisCon. It's been a while. The Concourse has so many sense memories for me. It's strange to remember coming here with my first-ever novel to workshop and to think this time I came here on the verge of publishing my seventh. This year, I only took on one reading and I'm still in awe at my compatriots--
ellen_kushner, Caroline Stevermer, and Franny Billingsley. They were SMASHING. If time had permitted, I'm quite certain I could have stayed up all night talking to deliasherman. I had a lovely lunch with glvalentine and a great conversation with Chris Barzak which I hope to continue at some later date. I met the most sparkly Nancy Werlin, also hoping to talk to her again some day. Sad I couldn't spend more time with Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders, who are also made of awesome.And there were so many people I missed--Stephanie Burgis & Patrick Samphire, Gwenda Bond, Ysabeau Wilce (who sent me chocolate via courier since she couldn't be here herself!!)...the list goes on and on.
I can remember early years of feeling like I was on the outside looking in, nose pressed to glass, so anxious about being on the outside that I could barely speak. This year, I was with people I most admire whom I'm so proud to also now call friends. There was no anxiety at all (perhaps there should have been--I went over on my reading time! Oops!). We talked about Things that Matter to all of us as writers, as women, as people. I have oft likened it to being in Fairyland, and this year was no exception.
I was very sorry I had to cut it short this year. Maybe next year will be less frantic. (Who am I kidding?)
And now, I must write like the wind before June 15th swallows me whole. I fear things will be again sparse and dark for a bit until I come up for air, but I hope you're having a lovely weekend, whatever you may be up to.
For my birthday, I got ... misgendered. Constantly. Everywhere I went. And it was almost all in queer spaces, and it was all done unintentionally and as kindly as could be, by well-meaning folks, so I couldn't even work up a righteous head of indignation; I just got depressed.
I am not making progress. Part of it is that I haven't been able to afford my full doses of testosterone -- the treatment runs a little over $300 a month, which I pay completely out of pocket -- and so I've been stretching it out to half-doses, figuring some T going into my system was better than none. (Medically speaking, this isn't wholly unsound, as many trans guys start off on low doses.)
Thanks to Grey, I had a wonderful birthday weekend anyway. When we're alone together, the rest of the world recedes to the point where even gender seems relatively unimportant. And he can always boost my confidence, and he's so romantic, and he even seems to think I'm interesting. I know, the man must be deranged, but I sure do love him.
Re: misgendering, there was a good moment of comic relief at the drag show we attended last night. Local drag diva Bootsy DeVille was talking to us at the bar at Michael's on the Park before her show, and she turned to me and said, "I have a question for you. Now it's hard for me to phrase this right ... " Grey and I were both bracing for The Question, which I wouldn't have really minded answering for Bootsy, but instead she said rather hesitantly, "Did you use to be the boyfriend of a famous writer? Because we were googling Billy Martin, and there seemed to be some connection ... "
After collapsing with laughter, we explained as best we could, and only later did I realize I should have said, "Why yes, I used to date Stephen King, but I dumped him for Grey!"
I am not making progress. Part of it is that I haven't been able to afford my full doses of testosterone -- the treatment runs a little over $300 a month, which I pay completely out of pocket -- and so I've been stretching it out to half-doses, figuring some T going into my system was better than none. (Medically speaking, this isn't wholly unsound, as many trans guys start off on low doses.)
Thanks to Grey, I had a wonderful birthday weekend anyway. When we're alone together, the rest of the world recedes to the point where even gender seems relatively unimportant. And he can always boost my confidence, and he's so romantic, and he even seems to think I'm interesting. I know, the man must be deranged, but I sure do love him.
Re: misgendering, there was a good moment of comic relief at the drag show we attended last night. Local drag diva Bootsy DeVille was talking to us at the bar at Michael's on the Park before her show, and she turned to me and said, "I have a question for you. Now it's hard for me to phrase this right ... " Grey and I were both bracing for The Question, which I wouldn't have really minded answering for Bootsy, but instead she said rather hesitantly, "Did you use to be the boyfriend of a famous writer? Because we were googling Billy Martin, and there seemed to be some connection ... "
After collapsing with laughter, we explained as best we could, and only later did I realize I should have said, "Why yes, I used to date Stephen King, but I dumped him for Grey!"
- Mood:
recumbent
YA author Karen Healey gives her feelings on teen fiction, swearing, and the latest round of censorship pleas. Seriously? The "let's protect all the kiddies by coating the planet in sanitized rubber" movement makes me crazy. I suppose censorship is easier than thinking or actual parenting for that matter.
There's a great interview over at SFSignal on Some Thoughts on Post Colonialism and Politics in SF. And well, here's a link from NPR on baby-naming and political affiliations. (Statistically, it doesn't work out the way you'd think it would.) I thought this article on Why Some Nations Become Wealthy While Others Remain Stuck in Poverty was pretty facinating. Take-away point: "Countries that have what they call “inclusive” political governments — those extending political and property rights as broadly as possible, while enforcing laws and providing some public infrastructure — experience the greatest growth over the long run. By contrast, Acemoglu and Robinson assert, countries with “extractive” political systems — in which power is wielded by a small elite — either fail to grow broadly or wither away after short bursts of economic expansion." I've long felt that extreme conservatism and well as Libertarianism both think short term. "American" corporations certainly do these days.
On a lighter note... and now... McSweeney's "Ultimate Guide to Writing."
Spent entire day yesterday dressed in my jammies, eating aspirin and hanging out on the couch. Watched mostly brainless films* until the very last -- Casino Royal (2006)** -- which told me my brain was finally getting back to normal. Just couldn't bring myself to think. It hurt too much. Am feeling so much better today. Dane says I'm my self again. Which is good. I've two days of slack to make up for today. So much writing to do. Am looking forward to it.
----------------------------------
* Underworld and Days of Thunder. I couldn't watch Underworld all the way through. I usually can't. Days of Thunder was awful, but it featured growly engines. So, I made it all the way through.
** That film was so well written. Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond and always will be, I suspect. And Eva Green hits that sweet spot of smart, tough, competent, feminine, and a little bit vulnerable. Come to think of it, Craig's Bond has that vulnerable quality too. I think I prefer characters (either male or female) who are a touch vulnerable. It makes them more realistic and sympathetic.
There's a great interview over at SFSignal on Some Thoughts on Post Colonialism and Politics in SF. And well, here's a link from NPR on baby-naming and political affiliations. (Statistically, it doesn't work out the way you'd think it would.) I thought this article on Why Some Nations Become Wealthy While Others Remain Stuck in Poverty was pretty facinating. Take-away point: "Countries that have what they call “inclusive” political governments — those extending political and property rights as broadly as possible, while enforcing laws and providing some public infrastructure — experience the greatest growth over the long run. By contrast, Acemoglu and Robinson assert, countries with “extractive” political systems — in which power is wielded by a small elite — either fail to grow broadly or wither away after short bursts of economic expansion." I've long felt that extreme conservatism and well as Libertarianism both think short term. "American" corporations certainly do these days.
On a lighter note... and now... McSweeney's "Ultimate Guide to Writing."
Spent entire day yesterday dressed in my jammies, eating aspirin and hanging out on the couch. Watched mostly brainless films* until the very last -- Casino Royal (2006)** -- which told me my brain was finally getting back to normal. Just couldn't bring myself to think. It hurt too much. Am feeling so much better today. Dane says I'm my self again. Which is good. I've two days of slack to make up for today. So much writing to do. Am looking forward to it.
----------------------------------
* Underworld and Days of Thunder. I couldn't watch Underworld all the way through. I usually can't. Days of Thunder was awful, but it featured growly engines. So, I made it all the way through.
** That film was so well written. Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond and always will be, I suspect. And Eva Green hits that sweet spot of smart, tough, competent, feminine, and a little bit vulnerable. Come to think of it, Craig's Bond has that vulnerable quality too. I think I prefer characters (either male or female) who are a touch vulnerable. It makes them more realistic and sympathetic.
I am desperately seeking an LA couple for a questionnaire for my psychological testing class!
I need to interview the couple in person and have them fill out a questionnaire. It should take about half an hour to forty minutes. I will buy you both lunch or coffee.
- Must be available before about 4:00 PM TODAY or TOMORROW.
- Must have been a couple for at least six months.
- Must be willing to let me know about your couplehood. No detailed questions about your sex life, but the questionnaire asks about stuff like how satisfied you are with your sex life, your time spent together, how you handle your finances, etc.
Crossposted to http://rachelmanija.dreamwidth.org/1041
I need to interview the couple in person and have them fill out a questionnaire. It should take about half an hour to forty minutes. I will buy you both lunch or coffee.
- Must be available before about 4:00 PM TODAY or TOMORROW.
- Must have been a couple for at least six months.
- Must be willing to let me know about your couplehood. No detailed questions about your sex life, but the questionnaire asks about stuff like how satisfied you are with your sex life, your time spent together, how you handle your finances, etc.
Crossposted to http://rachelmanija.dreamwidth.org/1041
Profile
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- Karen Mahoney
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Page Summary
- bookish :: temporaryworlds : #48 Fair Game by Patricia Briggs [+0]
- cmpriest : Catching up and moving onward [+0]
- kelly_swails : Upcoming appearance [+0]
- msagara : Decisions about children and their happiness [+2]
- writerjenn : Taking off the parent hat [+0]
- green_knight : The Zen of writing [+0]
- johnjosephadams : World Horror Convention [+0]
- johnjosephadams : The World Horror Convention 2013 Editor Guest of Honor is…Me! [+0]
- johnjosephadams : The NIGHTMARE Kickstarter has Funded! [+0]
- bookish :: inverarity : Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray [+1]
- jmeadows : Spinning Sunday [+0]
- lizziebelle : NYC, and the zoo [+0]
- abandonedplaces :: floodspectre : Iola Tuberculosis Sanitarium [+11]
- robinellen : Book Reports (67-68)... [+0]
- otterdance : Today's Buddhist Thought [+3]
- planetalyx : Moths, marmot, beauty from Tinhorn Creek [+5]
- tltrent : On WisCon [+1]
docbrite : I Am Poppy Z. Brite's Ex-Boyfriend [+7]
- stina_leicht : Sometimes You Gotta Do Whatcha Gotta Do [+5]
- rachelmanija : Any couples in Los Angeles? [+3]
