Here's some of what caught my eye this week...
For Fun
Seth posted a rather disturbing picture of an actual float in a parade of Germany. You need to click through on this one to see the "tier of wrongness culminating in one great wrongness overshadowing all other wrongs." (well that's how he put it)
Kristin tried making homemade laundry soap (this is the kind of thing I think I would like to do and just never get around to doing) and these pancakes made me seriously hungry. I can just taste them, looking at that picture!
Music
Brant offers an insightful review of the new U2 album and Brody Harper was nominated for a Dove Award!
Stephen shares a song of the day over at the Rabbit Room accompanied by some great thoughts.
Movies
Kat asks Christians why they're okay watching explicit sex at the movies and Wendy takes Hollywood to task for considering a remake of the movie Clue.
Books
Condoleeza Rice scored a three book deal including a YA version of her memoir. I think I'll be interested in reading the personal memoir, she's an important historic figure no matter your politics.
Tess Gerritsen blogs at Murderati about when a series is over and Nymeth reviewed a book that I immediately ordered! This was a perfect example of a book blogger generating interest in a little discussed book.
Boswell and Books observed how to spot a book they can sell....really this is a fantastic blog if you're not reading it, I link to them almost every week. Great example of how a bookseller can use a blog to give us some inside perspective and show us the value of the independent store.
Jen hosted Robin Maxwell for a guest post about the Shadow Renaissance which was an interesting aspect of the book Signora da Vinci, and Beth reviewed Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke, which was a book meant for a younger audience than she's used to, but she still enjoyed it.
Tracy reviewed My Little Red Book, which is for women! I will be reviewing this book soon as well, so stay tuned for that! ;) Book bloggers have been gobbling up Deanna Rayburn's books lately and Wendi is no exception! She really made me want to got get my copy and read it now! Shelly reviewed A Carousel Tale which looks like a really sweet children's book! Meanwhile, Carrie added several books to her TBR pile from Bookmarks magazine!
Also, the Share a Story, Shape a Future blog tour was announced this week which looks awesome!
Becky asks if it's okay to ever hate a book, and Natasha wants to know the worst thing you've ever done to a book! (which if you hated it, really wouldn't matter. ;)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A few of the links I share each week are agreed upon link exchanges. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the posts or that I don't wholeheartedly endorse those blogs...I do. It's more a strategic effort to help book blogs get more attention. If you are interested in participating in something like this, please let me know. I don't want anyone to ever feel it's an exclusive club. Everyone is welcome to join in the effort.
Looking for a Co-reviewer
Deborah and I were chatting about co-reviewing some things on our blogs (namely books and possibly tv shows), but we were having some trouble coming to an agreement on which one (I think we know which one we'll be doing now, though). I have several TV shows on DVD waiting to be watched and I thought it would be all kinds of fun to have a co-reviewer while watching them. Ideally these shows would be new to you, too. Some possibilities include Dead Like Me, Burn Notice, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Arrested Development, and Supernatural. If you're interested, email me and we'll talk!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
This Week in Links
Friday, February 27, 2009
Faith 'n Fiction Saturday: What would you like to see?
Welcome to Faith 'n Fiction Saturday! If this is your first time participating, please read this post. It will tell you everything you need to know!
Today's Question: Christian fiction is growing as a market, but there are still many unexplored storylines and under-represented genres. What issues or ideas would you like to see tackled from a Christian worldview? Or, what setting would you like to see? Which genres would you like to see more books?
My Answer: I'd like to see more international historical fiction. Seriously, when I think of historical fiction in Christian fiction, I always think of prairie romances! There is some more coming out..Bonnie Leon writes about Australia and Siri Mitchell had A Constant Heart just this year. I think there's a lot of untapped story potential!
I'd also like to see more male writers writing something other than thrillers! Have you ever noticed how most Christian fiction male writers are writing fantasy or thrillers or supernatural thrillers? Not all, not all, I know! But I'd love to see some good "literary" male writers.
Your Turn
Just write up your answer on your blog and link back here! Then come leave the direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below!
1% Well Read Challenge
So, um, yeah. I didn't finish this challenge, like, at all the first time!! So I'm going to keep almost my exact same list, since I actually did buy most of the books. The one I will change is North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (I tried ordering it and it never came) for Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. I am going to work off the combined lists this time, to read a total of thirten titles, but I'll decide those other three at a later date.
Here's my list as of now:
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Villette by Charlotte Bronte
Everything that Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor
The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
England Made Me by Graham Greene.
Saturday by Ian McEwan
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Be sure to visit the sign up page and join in the fun!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Blog Tour: Drood by Dan Simmons and a Giveaway!
About the Book: On June 9, 1865, while traveling by train to London with his secret mistress, 53-year-old Charles Dickens--at the height of his powers and popularity, the most famous and successful novelist in the world and perhaps in the history of the world--hurtled into a disaster that changed his life forever.
Did Dickens begin living a dark double life after the accident? Were his nightly forays into the worst slums of London and his deepening obsession with corpses, crypts, murder, opium dens, the use of lime pits to dissolve bodies, and a hidden subterranean London mere research . . . or something more terrifying?
Just as he did in The Terror, Dan Simmons draws impeccably from history to create a gloriously engaging and terrifying narrative. Based on the historical details of Charles Dickens's life and narrated by Wilkie Collins (Dickens's friend, frequent collaborator, and Salieri-style secret rival), DROOD explores the still-unsolved mysteries of the famous author's last years and may provide the key to Dickens's final, unfinished work: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Chilling, haunting, and utterly original, DROOD is Dan Simmons at his powerful best.
Welcome to the blog tour for Dan Simmon's latest novel, Drood!!
This weekend I had the privilege of attending an author event with Mr. Simmons at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. I've heard of Vroman's for a long time and always wanted to visit (it's about an hour away from where I live) and since I was on this blog tour, I knew this event would be the perfect opportunity.
I absolutely love to hear from authors. I don't need to have read any of their books to enjoy hearing them talk about the process of writing, talk about their books, and read from their books. I also love the chance to observe them, since I am very much an observer.
So I was impressed to observe Mr. Simmons, author of over 20 published novels, help set up additional chairs. He was very gracious in every way throughout the event, in fact. He started off by telling us about the book has already been optioned for film and that Guillermo del Toro attached to direct. Which is fabulous in my opinion, I think he would be perfect for this story, but I'm wondering how they will condense an 800 page book into 2 hours?
He proceeded to tell us about Charles Dickens. He said there is no way in our time that we can understand the importance of Charles Dickens to England and America during his time. He was an extremely important novelist. He influenced culture and was recognizable to all. He also explained in depth some of the background of what was going on in Charles Dickens life around the time of the Parkhurst accident, which changed his life.
He also gave us some background on his narrator Wilke Collins. Wilke Collins is an unreliable narrator. He was a famous novelist in his own right, but no Charles Dickens. It's interesting, because so many book bloggers have been reading his books lately. He also sounded totally crazy to me!
He read from the beginning of the book and about the accident and then signed books!
Now my dear readers...I had every intention of buying a copy of the book and getting it signed to give away. But then the person in line in front of me asked Mr. Simmons to draw a little illustration and he obliged and suddenly, I had to have that, too!
Isn't that awesome???? There's no way I'm parting with it, sorry! I also so impressed by how gracious Mr. Simmons was--he thanked me for asking him to draw it! I did get a copy of The Terror signed and Miriam at Hachette has generously agreed to give away a copy of Drood! So one lucky winner is going to soon have plenty of reading material!! Which as Mr. Simmons said, is important in these economically difficult times.
To enter the giveaway, please have a United States or Canadian street mailing address and leave a comment telling me if you have ever read anything by Charles Dickens, Wilke Collins, or Dan Simmons before! Make sure to leave a valid email address...a link back to your blog is not enough.
And be sure to visit the other tour stops today!
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com
Review: The Echo Within by Robert Benson
About the Book: Written out of his own lifelong search for and response to the calling voice of God, Robert Benson recounts his discovery of the meaning of vocation, work, and purpose through the ups and downs inherent in family life, professional choice, and spiritual experience. With clarity and insight, and in the elegant prose for which he is known, he gently invites and encourages readers to find such deep truths for their lives as well. In particular, he illuminates the way for readers to explore:
· ways to sense the Holy in our pursuits, both in the pursuits themselves and within ourselves.
· how to fall into our vocation and chart a course toward it at the same time.
· how to love the work we do, and the process of doing it.
For anyone beginning a new career or sensing a needed change in their life or wrestling with a transition suddenly thrust upon them, Robert Benson delivers wisdom, humor, and heart in what he’s learned about listening for The Echo Within—and how it can help us discover our calling.
My Review: I am in desperate need of a change in career ever since a career change was forced on me! So when this book came up for review, I thought it might give me some guidance.
I am such a lover of fiction and story, that sometimes I forget how much I love to read spiritual reflections and memoirs. This book hit me right where I am. Bringing instant tears to my eyes on occasion and resonating with me.
One of my favorite Andrew Peterson songs has a line in it, "A thing resounds when it rings true. Ringing all the bells inside of you." I have always loved that line and this book is pretty much a whole book about that...about learning to trust the unique voice that God has given you and the unique way He has created you to find your way. I particularly love that Benson is a writer so his own story is full of words and the love of creating.
This book is honest and touching and artistic. I point that last part out because I've seen some reviewers slam it for being unbiblical but rather, I think it takes truth and presents it in a fresh way as opposed to relying on the same tired words. I found tremendous encouragement in these pages. This book was a gift. It rang all the bells inside of me.
Here's a passage from the chapter Waking:
I come from a long line of folks who had ink in their blood. Or if not in their blood, then the ink was at least on their hands--writers and editors and publishers and printing salesmen.
Not surprisingly, I fell in love with the paper and ink, the tools it took to lay out the pages the rhythm of the presses, the book boxes, and the shipping-room dust. The physicality of the book itself and of the making of it was powerful and precious to me. I loved books long before I started writing them.
The book is full of that kind of beautiful writing, as it affirms that you are indeed spoken into being, given life experiences to create and shape you into only the person you can be.
Rating: 5/5
Buy the book here.
Book Spotlight: Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth
I hope to have a review of this one soon, I've really been looking forward to it, but it came only a week before the tour....that's not enough time for me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary E. DeMuth is an expert in Pioneer Parenting. She enables Christian parents to navigate our changing culture when their families left no good faith examples to follow. Her parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House, 2007), Building the Christian Family You Never Had (WaterBrook, 2006), and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House, 2005).
Mary also inspires people to face their trials through her real-to-life novels, Watching The Tree Limbs
(nominated for a Christy Award) and Wishing On Dandelions (NavPress, 2006).
Mary has spoken at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, the ACFW Conference, the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and at various churches and church planting ministries. Mary and her husband, Patrick, reside in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France, and planting a church.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis. In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.
Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Daisy Chain, go HERE
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
LOST Recap and Discussion: The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham
I feel like every week's episode is my new favorite episode of the season, but Locke-centric episodes always deliver! Tonight's episode was awesome!!! Does anyone ever feel like watching LOST is a bit like scratching a mosquito bite? There's some relief but just more itchiness...or curiosity!!
Anyway, spoilers and speculation follow!
The episode opens with the man we met last week (expressing condolences to Jack on Locke's passing) entering a darkened room and rifling through some papers and looking around. We know this man was on Ajira flight 316 but at present, we don't necessarily know where he is. A woman enters, who was also on 316 and asks him if he's found anything. He answers in the negative, but she suspiciously asks what he put in his bag. He hands over a flashlight. (in typical LOST fashion, he does not relinquish his gun!)
"We found someone. A man" She announces. A man standing in the water, wearing a suit. Caesar wants to know if he was "one of the ones who disappeared." No, she says, he wasn't on the plane. They walk by the plane heading to the campfire. We see a man sitting at the fire in a cloak (recalling Obi-wan some have said, but he seemed so hunched over, I was thinking more like Yoda) "Hello" Caesar says. "What's your name?" And bam ladies and gents, John Locke pulls back his cloak and reveals himself. (I read on Dark UFO that this was the original opening scene for the season but they changed it. Interesting, huh?)
Daytime now, and new chick tries to get some information from Locke. (and he tries to get some info from her) He doesn't have much to say but does offer that he suspects he was in a suit for burial. "You asked me what I remember," he says, "I remember dying." Now, if it was me on this island, having just seen a bunch of people disappear and my pilot run off with a woman and one of the only boats (what woman????) and then I discovered a man standing in the water wearing a suit who no one remembers from the plane and he tells me that he remembers dying...well I wouldn't just walk away. But apparently new girl is suffering from "don't really need to know any answers about the craziness I find myself in" syndrome and she does just that.
Locke flashes back. He's in Tunisia still in pain and no one is around. Soon, some men come for him, they snatch him up with no regard to his injuries and take him away. The doctors quickly take care of him with a truly cringe worthy scene as they work on Locke's leg. Locke glimpses Matthew Abaddon. When Locke wakes up lo and behold it's Charles Widmore!! They reminisce a bit about that day Locke walked into the camp back on the island. Widmore explains he was exiled from the island by Ben. "Just as you were" he says. Oh I chose to get off that rock, Locke says. I know you're lying, Widmore says, here's everything you need to know about the Oceanic 6. Why are you helping me? Locke wants to know. Because there's a war coming, Widmore replies. Locke heads off with Widmore's info and friend Abaddon.
Locke goes to see Sayid first. Sayid is building houses in the Dominican Republic and seems more at peace than we've seen him in awhile. He refuses to go back to the island, and suggests Locke only wants to go back because he has nowhere else to go.
Locke then goes to see Walt. They have a nice little chat. Walt still has some prophetic dreams about Locke. Locke doesn't mention Walt going back to the island, but they part on friendly terms. Then Abaddon says..I thought you had to get them all back? Locke responds, "If I can get one, I'll get them all."
Locke goes to see Hurley next, who naturally thinks he's dead. Locke convinces him he's real and urges him to come back to the island. Hurley adds to the.."there's no reason to go back" He then shares the paranoia of Abaddon. "He's evil." Hurley says and he runs away.
Locke is a bit shaken by this encounter, I think, so he asks Abaddon, just what exactly do you do for Widmore? Abaddon and Locke reminisce now about how Abaddon told Locke to go on the walk-about and then he gives the answer, "I help people get to where they need to get to."
Locke goes to see Kate, who is very strange and accuses him of never loving anyone. Why? Because she's bitter to have lost Sawyer or because she's in love with Jack? So Locke shares that he did in fact love someone once, not that this conversation makes any sense. I really don't like Kate in this scene. I think she's rather cruel.
At this point, Abaddon takes Locke to Helen's grave and reiterates the LOST theme..."you can't change destiny" And they start talking about Locke's death again. Suddenly there's a shot! Abaddon has been killed! Locke takes off and crashes. Is he dead? No! He gets to talk to a very tormented Jack in hospital. Guess what? Jack doesn't want to go back to the island either!
Locke has lost all hope. He pens the suicide note we saw last week. He gets ready to commit suicide, but then good old Ben comes along. With a great amount of persuasion and gentleness, Ben convinces Locke that they can get everyone back to the island. He suggests starting with Sun. I can't, Locke explains, I promised Jin I wouldn't. "Jin's alive?" Ben says with sincere surprise. A promise is a promise, Ben agrees. We'll get them all together, Ben assures Locke, don't know what we'll do after that. Oh, I do! Locke says. We'll find Eloise Hawking! Oh really, Ben says? Don't need you anymore! And he kills Locke.
Locke doesn't stay dead as we know, and back on the island he goes to Caesar to get some questions answered. Through their conversation, he comes to realize the Oceanic 6 are back on the island. There are some injured people, though, Caesar adds. He leads Locke to the sickroom, where Locke lays eyes on Ben, the man who killed him.
Analysis
I was captivated throughout the episode, it was so satisfying to see more of Widmore, and catch glimpses of what happened while Locke was off the island. I think the war is what we're building up to and I'm interested to see how all that plays out. Despite Locke's low point (near suicide) I found him to be much more sympathetic than I have in awhile as he worked to bring the O6 back to the island. The pacing was excellent and the story balanced, apart from the minor problem of no one calling him Jeremy Bentham and Caesar and Ilana's relatively easy acceptance of all the strangeness.
For Discussion:
- It seems the Ajira flight landed on the smaller island.
- I was hoping Ben was dead, but it seems he's in the preview for next week.
- Why did Ben kill Locke instead of allowing him to kill suicide? Did he think was killing him for good? Or was he playing a known role in the greater scheme of things?
- Do the preview makers really think all I care about is seeing Sawyer and Kate reunite?
- Who's good? Widmore or Ben?
- Who was the woman who ran off with Lapidus? Sun?
Tell me everything you think!!! And visit the LOST Books Challenge Blog for more recaps.
Guest Post: Lisa Dale, author of Simple Wishes + Giveaway
(I'm so excited to welcome Lisa Dale! I hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I did!) Hi everyone. I'm Lisa Dale, a new novelist with Grand Central. My first book came out in January so you may not know me yet. Thanks so much to Amy for giving me the chance to introduce myself! I love surprise endings. Always have. As a kid my gram used to read me a Sesame Street book called The Monster At The End of This Book and I remember being so scared for poor old Grover who pleaded with me not to turn the pages because there was a monster waiting for him at the end. (Of course, it turned out the monster was him!) It?s no surprise that my first novel has a surprise ending. Here's the scoop on the Simple Wishes story: the heroine, Adele, makes a mistake forces her to leave her NYC apartment and return to the mountain cottage she inherited from her estranged mother. There, the complex relationships she develops with a troubled teenager, an elderly Korean grandmother, and the sexy carpenter-next-door cause her to rethink her life and her desires. Just when true love is within reach, dark secrets from her mother's past threaten to send her running away again. Simple Wishes is about getting back to the simple things in life, but it's not simple to do that! My hero and heroine have a rocky road before they can find their happily ever after. But find it they do. And so far the twist at the end has fooled everyone I know who read the book. So, in accordance with my infatuation with surprise endings, I thought I'd put together this little list of my most memorable stories that have a twist. I won't give away any endings though! Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. I had to stay up quite late to finish this book, and the ending took my breath away. Totally upside down. Star Wars; Episode Five. Five words. Luke, I am your father. Has any surprise ending ever been so iconic as that? O. Henry's short story: The Gift of the Magi. That's the one where the impoverished young couple wants to buy each other Christmas gifts. He buys her combs and she buys him a watch chain?and the end?which should be a big bummer?is instead gloriously romantic and warm. The Usual Suspects. My boyfriend made me watch this movie even though I wasn?t totally excited about it, and it turned out to be pretty fun. I didn?t see the ending coming. Should have, though. Teresa Medieros's Yours Until Dawn. This is a risky plotline with lots of important information that?s concealed from page one. It sticks out in my mind as a fascinating read because it takes risks. Do you have a favorite book, movie, or story that ends with a twist? Leave a post and tell me about it. One winner will get a free copy of Simple Wishes! To learn more about Simple Wishes (to see an excerpt or read reviews), visit my website www.LisaDaleBooks.com. I have contests all the time, so I hope you'll join me!
Simple Wishes: Romance with a Twist
Waiting on Wednesday: Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander
(This post is part of Waiting on Wednesday where we talk about the books we can't wait to get our hands on!)
Yesterday's Tuesday Thingers question was about the genre you review. I just love books! This week I finished From a Distance by Tamera Alexander. I guess you would classify this book as Christian historical fiction romance but man did I ever love it. Fresh setting, sharply drawn and very likeable characters, fabulous romantic tension, great prose....I was so excited to find a new author in a comfort read genre. The best part is she has a backlist of four books for me to read along with a new book coming out soon. Here's some information about the book:
About the Book: Dismissed from the university where she served as Professor of Romantic Languages, Dr. Molly Whitcomb travels west to start over in the secluded mountain town of Timber Ridge, Colorado, where she'll be teaching children. Her train stops in Denver, and on a whim, Molly purchases a wedding band--an attempt to cover a mistake, but also a chance at a fresh start.
Sheriff James McPherson was eager to hire a schoolteacher, but Dr. Molly Whitcomb isn't what he expected. His instincts about people--which rarely miss the mark--tell him she's hiding something. And when Molly's secret is revealed, her reinvented life begins to unravel. What's more, she risks losing her newfound relationship with the sheriff and her renewed faith in God.
Does this sound good to you? Do you like romances? What are you waiting for this week? Share with the world at Breaking the Spine.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Let's Talk About Book signings
Okay, first of all, I haven't actually been to that many book signings. Last year I went to see some Christian authors and it was a relatively low key event where there was plenty of time to chat with the authors and get books signed. I also went to BEA where there were a million signings but they were very organized, and you could only really get one book signed.
This weekend I went to a signing which I will share more about later this week, but I realized something very important. You need to take a patience pill before you go! The author talk and reading were wonderful, but since this particular author has written 26 novels, there were people there with bags full of books to get signed.
I'm sure there's some etiquette to book signings, my personal conviction is that I should be buying at least one book. You know, as a way to say thank you to the bookstore and the author and so that real book tours (as opposed to blog tours) continue to happen.
Anyway, while it was lovely to chat with other bookish people, I had a hard time being patient because I had driven quite a long way to be there, and wanted to go home. But I put on my happy face and bought two books to get signed and it was all in all very lovely, even if I do think it's slightly tacky for other people to bring ex-library copies of books to get signed.
Am I just a big meanie? What do you do at book signings? Do you bring all your books by that author? Do you buy a book? Have you ever even been to a signing? What author would you go see if you had the chance? Or what's the best author event you've been to?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Review: Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb
About the Book: The deaths of Rob Castor and his girlfriend begin a wrenching and enthrallingly suspenseful story that mines the explosive terrains of love and paternity, marriage and its delicate intricacies, family secrets and how they fester over time, and ultimately the true nature of loyalty and trust, friendship and envy, deception and manipulation.
As the media takes hold of this sensational crime, a series of unexpected revelations unleashes hidden truths in the lives of those closest to Rob. At the center of this driving narrative is Rob's childhood best friend, Nick Framingham, whose ten-year marriage to his college sweetheart is faltering. Shocked by Rob's death, Nick begins to reevaluate his own life and his past, and as he does so, a fault line opens up beneath him, leading him all the way to the novel's startling conclusion.
My Review:The danger of putting too many good endorsements on a book is that the expectations for the book are high. So when I opened this book, I expected to be blown away.
And I wasn't. That's not to say it's not a good read. The prose is very rich, there were times when I just wanted to stop and savor the words. But the beautiful words weren't anchored by characters I cared about or a story that kept me turning the pages.
The book is very much the examination of Nick's soul and life. With the loss of his best friend, he feels he's lost himself. So every relationship in his life gets examined, as he tries to figure out how things turned out the way they did. This sort of slow examination, while telling the story of what happened to Rob in parts, does lend itself to some nice insights but since I never was able to feel anything for the characters or manage to care about what happened to Rob it didn't really have much of an impact on me. Having said that, if you enjoy getting lost in the all the wonderful ways that words can be used, this is a quick read you might enjoy. Check it out here.
Rating: 3/5
Things You Might Want to Know: There's some foul language and sex.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Sunday Salon: My Theory on the Best-Selling Nature of James Patterson Books
First of all, don't misunderstand. I read them, too, and enjoy them, so this is not a slam on James Patterson or his fans. But then I read other books and I think...why? Why is James Patterson such a best-selling author? His books are good escapist reading, they are fast compulsive reading, but...huh?
But I think I get it now.
I gave a James Patterson book to one of my students. I keep some paperbacks on hand that I got off freecycle to give to my students (all adults) as their reading improves and they find themselves more interested and willing to spend leisure time reading. Trust me, it's one of the greatest feelings in the world! Anyway, this particular student is still struggling, but when I offered her a book, she said sure! And took two. A romance novel and a James Patterson Women's Murder Club book.
When she came back and said she had finished the romance novel and was halfway through the James Patterson book and was enjoying the James Patterson book more than the romance novel. I was stunned. But let's consider why it might be so:
Short Chapters
If reading is difficult for you, nothing is more inviting than short chapters. Instead of feeling like you have a lot to accomplish through the read, the sense of accomplishment is achieved much quicker when the chapters are just a few pages long. It's rewarding right away.
Thriller/Mysteries
These books plunge you right into the action and invites you to see how it will all resolve. There's a reason to keep reading even if it's hard...you have to know what's going to happen!
Basic Vocabulary
Chances are, you're not going to run into many words you aren't familiar with during a James Patterson book. This makes the whole reading experience much easier and even inviting. Even someone who doesn't speak English as their first language would find the vocabulary to be at an approachable level.
The thing is, when it comes to reading, we are not all on an even playing field. Reading is more difficult for some people than others. The above characteristics make James Patterson's books more appealing to the person who is not likely to read much else, but is still interested in being entertained or trying to read more books. Therefore, the potential audience for James Patterson's books is much larger than say for the Dan Simmon's Drood. As I thought about this issue, I became thankful that there are books available that don't seem so daunting to the person less likely to read for pleasure. I became thankful for James Patterson and his short chapters. And I became all the more anxious to see reading education improve.
Do you enjoy books by James Patterson? Is there another author who you wonder why they are a best-seller? Maybe we can examine some more!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
This Week in Links
It's that time again! Some links you might enjoy! Mostly book related this week as I'm having to seriously cut down on time spent reading blogs.
News
You might think 3 billion dollars in federal funding would make a difference towards homelessness, but are you right? You might be surprised.
Seth weighs in on the new airport security and I have to say..I agree with him. El-creepola indeed!
Giveaways
Trish, proving her coolness again and again, is giving away a slanket. You should definitely check this giveaway out and learn just what a slanket is!
Twilight News
Yes, I just added a potential new category for you Twilight fans! Tracy brings you the latest in the continuning saga of the Twilight films. The drama oh the drama!
Book News and Chatter
Loved this article about persuading adults to read YA, since there are still many adults refusing to see the light. ;)
Liz discusses what books there are for Catholic children...I have to say this is an issue near and dear...if I were rich I would spend my days finding ways to fund the writing of books for children in every country so they could see themselves in the pages. I think of books with children of different faiths as part of that goal.
Tess Gerritsen offers up some advice to writers on what not to write about and Boswell and Books talk about different titles for different countries. (plus an interview with Chris Cleave)
This story reminds me of the importance of the freedom of speech and Kristin reminds us that it used to be much harder to be a writer with a gentle tribute to Christopher Nolan.
Ever wonder what kind of books get donated to the library? Wendy shares the scoop.
Book Reviews
The rate at which I add to my TBR pile is alarming. But here are some reviews some of my fellow bloggers would love for you to check out.
Jen reviewed The Sonnets and pointed out that she normally skips over poetry and songs in books..how about you? Go tell Jen what you do!
Beth reviewed this food memoir that looks really good. It seems to touch on many different aspects of the whole eating experience!
Speaking of food, Wendi reviewed Confetti Cakes for Kids..and while I don't have any little ones of my own, the picture of that cake made me hungry! Looks like a fun book.
Marta discovered a new favorite book of all time with While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky...I guess I'll have to check it out at some point!
Meanwhile, Kathy reviewed Very Valentine by Adrian Trigiani. I have never read anything by Trigiani though I know she's quite a popular author. Kathy's great review certainly made me want to read this one, though!
Just for Fun
Jen gave us some Oscar eye candy and I discovered that Shelly is not nearly as addicted to blogging as I am!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Faith 'n Fiction Saturday: Biblical Fiction...what's your take?
Welcome to Faith 'n Fiction Saturday. If this is your first time participating, please read this post. It will tell you everything you need to know!
Today's Topic
One of area of Christian fiction that is thriving is Biblical Fiction. Biblical fiction, in case you don't know, is when an author takes a story from the Bible and imagines more of the details. Tosca Lee's Havah would be a recent example of Biblical fiction.
What I want to know today is how you feel about Biblical fiction. Have you ever read any Biblical fiction? Did you enjoy it? Do you think Biblical fiction helps us to understand people who lived during Biblical times better or do you think that it's unnecessary? Have you ever read any Biblical fiction that offended you?
My Answer
I love Biblical fiction so long as it doesn't distort the account in the Bible. So little information is provided about most people in the Bible, that if an author wants to do the research and provide "it could have happened like this" scenarios than I enjoy it. The first such book I ever read was The Red Tent. The Red Tent is not Christian fiction, but it's about Dinah the sister of Joseph (of the technicolored deamcoat). I both loved and hated this book. I thought the explanations that Diamant came up with were very likely. In fact, after reading the book and going back to read the Biblical account I realized that many things could have been the way she described. What I didn't like was that Joseph was not painted in a good light. I have always loved Joseph, and didn't like his potrayal at all. But many other aspects of the book could very well have happened as she imagined. She masterfully brought the time period to life.
Your Turn
Just answer the questions above on your blog, link back here, and then come back and drop your answer in the Mister Linky! Be sure to add your permalink and not the general url to your blog.
Guest Post: Nicole Petrino-Salter, author of The Famous One
Fiction, Fame, and Film . . .
(Before I write anything else I’d like to thank Amy for allowing me the privilege and honor to “speak” to her blog audience about my second novel The Famous One. I appreciate her generosity in sharing her “pulpit” with me.)
Many people desire to write a book. Some think their lives worthy of memoirs, others want to charge into make believe to write that novel no one can put down. Other people love to escape into a film—noir, comedy, romance, adventure, science fiction. Most people enjoy fiction and/or film.
Few experience fame. With the Academy Awards approaching this Sunday evening, we often observe the various demonstrations of fame and fortune displayed in sometimes radical showmanship, dress, conduct, and flair, but rarely do we see a lot of humility. Oh we listen to the lists of thank-yous, the abusive political statements, or the dramatic exclamations and tears of a few, but we rarely hear acknowledgment given to the One who designed their talent and planted it in their hearts.
In The Famous One an ordinary, lonely boy grows up in a home where his parents struggle with financial problems and each other and offer virtually no guidance to their four children. Their youngest son, Joey Parr, captivates female attention at an early age and yearns for love, stability, and a solid family. Slipping effortlessly into smoking, sex, alcohol and drugs, he feels the emptiness of his lifestyle and relationships as a constant reminder to his disconnect from real happiness. With no idea how to find what he truly wants he lives his life reading his favorite detective novels, watching movies, and holding down a job in a grocery store. Until a Hollywood director approaches him with an opportunity to read for a small role in his film ...
This story is written in three parts. The first part of Joey’s life is chronicled in the omniscient point of view—which simply means the reader is observing his life almost through a narrator’s eyes. Think fictional biography. This point of view shifts as he ages and becomes the “normal” third person story most people are used to reading.
I always caution readers that this is not generally a novel for those who like sweet romances or Amish tales or books which don’t include the lifestyles of the lost in any detail. While this story is by no means graphic, it is frank, probably considered “edgy” or “raw” to some readers, but it is ultimately redemptive. If readers need to know what others have experienced from this novel, I would refer you to this post on my blog:
http://hopeofglory.typepad.
A small portion of this novel is semi-autobiographical. Having spent a good portion of my life “in the world”, I know firsthand what it’s like to be “lost”, empty, and searching for meaning in a meaningless maze of secular philosophies. This story was spawned from an actual intense burden of prayer for a specific actor which lasted for approximately two years. Running parallel with that experience I wrote this novel.
Finally, I also tell readers this is a self-published novel. It is well over the “acceptable” word count for today’s CBA fiction. I used a very professional and respected custom-publishing group who produced an attractive book equal in appearance and physical quality to any soft cover novel (Pleasant Word, a division of WinePress Publishing Group).
For those of you who are intrigued by fiction, fame, and film, check out Joey’s story in The Famous One.
(Note from Amy: Visit Nicole's blog here and buy her book here!)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Review: Tender Grace by Jackina Stark
About the Book: Audrey Eaton awakes at three in the morning and gets up to retrieve her husband, Tom, from the recliner where he has fallen asleep watching a ball game. But when she enters the living room and looks at his gentle face in the soft lamp light, she knows their time together is over. Grief attacks her until all she can think about is how much she wants her old life back. Determined to find healing, she embarks on a journey to the one place Tom and she always intended to visit but never did. Along the way, she discovers, through shared experiences with friends old and new, the meaning of the "tender graces" God provides each and every day.
My Review: It's rare to find what would be classified as literary fiction in the Christian fiction subgenre. Romantic suspense, historical fiction...those are in abundance. But strong character driven novels that slowly unfold and sweep you away with the beauty of the language? Not so much.
But more and more, Christian fiction is expanding and Tender Grace is a perfect example of that. At the beginning of the story, Audrey is in a desperate place. She lost her husband 15 months ago and has ceased to find purpose and meaning in her days, she feels she is nothing more than a tomb. She describes the sorrow that lives in her with this line from Tennyson, "But the tender grace of a day that is dead, will never come back to me."
Out of a need to live, she decides to venture West and savor the trip along the way. On a whim, she grabs Tom's Bible and at the end of each day she reads a portion of John. John is one of my favorite books in the Bible and is, as she describes it, "brimming with hope." Her nightly reading in John parallels her own journey of healing.
This is the story of a woman who is in the deepest place of pain, learning to live again. It's the story of coming to full terms with the past, learning how to reawaken the soul, and to cling to the tender grace of God found in each day. It's about a woman learning that it's the little things that bring life, and that God is in those little chance encounters.
Simply put, this is an outstanding debut, richly written, fiction that is infused with faith at its absolute best. I don't think you have to have suffered such a great loss like Audrey to be encouraged and find hope in these pages. Recommended.
Rating: 4.75/5
Things You Might Want to Know: This is Christian fiction with a strong faith element. But part of what is so masterful about this book is that it never comes across as didactic or forced, the probing for meaning in the pages of John is deeply rooted in and imperative to the story and the book could not exist without it.
Book Giveaway: Outlaw Marshal by Al and Joanna Lacy
About the Book: A good deed grants outlaw Whipley Langford early release from prison and a friendship with Chief U.S. Marshal John Brockman. Another good deed gets Whip framed for murder and looking at life through a hangman's noose. John arrives just in time to reveal the true murderers and lead Whip to Christ.
A new man and a fast draw, Whip becomes Brockman's deputy. Life is still fast and dangerous, and there's a pretty lady Whip would like to get to know better too. Before he admits his love, Whip is shot in a bank robbery. Survival looks slim until he awakens to hear his lady confess her love. Weeks later, they are married.
Readers who are familiar with the Journeys of the Stranger and Angel of Mercy series reunite with well-loved characters John and Breanna Brockman. Western history buffs will enjoy a wholesome, fast-paced story where the Gospel is presented clearly.
Giveaway: Open worldwide. Leave a comment and tell me your favorite Western (book or film) I'll email the winner on February 28th. Make sure you leave a valid email address...a link to your blog is not enough.
Review: Age Before Beauty by Virginia Smith
About the Book: Desperate to stay home with her baby, Allie Harrod launches a new career. Sure, she dropped out of Girl Scouts because she was lousy at cookie sales, but makeup is different, right? She'll do anything to make enough money to cover her share of the household bills, but how can she focus on her business when her list of problems is growing? None of her pre-baby clothes fit, her checking account is dwindling, and her mother-in-law has decided to move in! To top it off, her husband's attractive coworker suddenly needs his help every weekend. Middle sister Joan insists that God has the answers to all her problems, but Allie isn't so sure. Can she really trust him?
My Review: I really loved Virginia Smith's books about Mayla, the purple haired girl who came to faith in Jesus. Those books were VERY MUCH Christian chick lit, but they shone with authenticity and heart. So I was eager to read her new series, Sister-to-Sister.
Age Before Beauty is the second book in the series, and is the story of the oldest of three sisters Allie, who is a new mom attempting to juggle many things in her life. Allie is really likeable as she strives to meet new goals while raising her daughter, dealing with her mother-in-law, battling the baby fat, and keeping an eye on her husband! I found this book to be immensely readable, once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down and I enjoyed every second!
This is classic Christian fiction in that it contains conversions of the main characters, however, their lives are very much in crisis point up to the conversions so it's believable. I loved spending time with the sisters, I always think of my three nieces in books like this! I hope they are as close as the Sanderson sisters. There are some fun lighthearted moments, but Allie is also dealing with very real issues throughout the book.
Overall, Virginia Smith has become an author I look forward to reading in Christian fiction. Her books are fun, filled with heart, and shine with authenticity. If you enjoy chick lit, this book is recommended.
Rating: 4/5
LOST Recap and Discussion: 316
Whoa, what an episode!! If you haven't yet watched tonight's LOST, spoilers and speculation galore follow!!!
Here's the way I saw this episode....a bunch of new mysteries are opened up to keep us guessing. I decided to try a proper recap this week....so it's a bit longer than normal! 
We start off with Jack opening his eyes in the jungle again! Classic in many ways, he hears cries for help and rushes off to find...Hurley. After quickly assuring Hurley he will be okay, he frantically seeks Kate. Who is lying on a rock. One would think if she had fallen from the sky she would be dead, but no, she seems relatively intact. No bones jutting out of her skin like Locke suffered from last week. But wait! How did our beloved Losties find themselves LOST again on the island? Well, 46 hours earlier....
We find ourselves back with the ever creepy Mrs. Hawking who is also Daniel Faraday's mother, Desmond, Sun, Jack, and Ben. Mrs. Hawking has a secret! It's called the Dharma Initiative Lamp post! This is how to find the island. It has something to do with that big huge swinging pendulum, pockets of energy, and windows. Yeah, I didn't really get it either.
Suddenly, Desmond protests, "Hold up you crazy crack smoking people! Don't you remember how I spent 3 years pressing a button? Did you forget about that big black smoke thing that picks people up and throws them around? How about spending every single day on the island trying to get off it? And you want to go back????
Sun looks over at him and rolls her eyes, sighing impatiently. "Yes."
Desmond decides to hightail it out of there, and rightly he should...he needs to get his little family away from there and FAST.
Mrs. Hawking then announces they must take a flight replicating the circumstances of how they originally got to the island. Jack looks uncertain. "What if we can't get anyone else to come?" Well, the results will be unpredictable. "So that's it?" Jack asks. "Not for you!" says Mrs. Hawking.
Mrs. Hawking then throws Jack into waves of guilt and self-doubt when she shares Locke's suicide note with him. "Why would he do that?" Jack agonizes.
Well, it's simple. They need to bring a dead body back with them! And like a wedding Locke needs something borrowed to pull off the hoax...something from Jack's dad. Jack throws a fit as he is oft to do and heads out.
Jack meets up with Ben in the church again and asks Ben some questions thinking that Ben has had a major change in character and he'll get some answers. Ben is nothing if consistent and masterfully evasive. A classic LOST dialogue ensues about believing and doubts and then Ben ominously announces he needs to keep a promise to an old friend and heads out. Jack goes to drown his sorrows in a drink, but gets a call. He needs to go have a talk with his granddad. While there, he discovers a pair of shoes of his father and asks if he can take them.
Jack heads back to his place and frantically searches for a drink to cope with all the crazy turns his life has taken. He hears something and discovers Kate at his place looking a bit like she's lost everything. She announces she'll go back to the island with him on the condition that Jack never asks her what happened to Aaron. She then tries to drown her sorrows in some lovemaking with Jack.
It's the morning now, and Kate and Jack are all uncomfortable with each other, probably because Kate still looks like someone ripped her heart out. We learn the significance of the shoes going back to the island and Kate departs when Jack's phone rings. The phone call reveals a distraught Ben with blood/scratches/burns? all over his face. He's by the dock, folks, he's by the dock. AMY IS NOT HAPPY.
Anyway, Jack goes to pick up Locke's body since Ben can't make it, gives him his father's shoes and tries to bury the unread suicide note.
FINALLY! We are at the airport. A distracted Jack answers questions about transporting Locke's body. Jack looks relieved to see Kate. Sun is also there, winning worst mother of the year award for possibly orphaning her daughter. Sayid appears to have been arrested and is being escorted onto the flight (echoing Kate on 815 assume) Hurley is also there and bought up all the seats to save lives, I assume.
Soooo....we have all of the Oceanic 6 minus Aaron together again. And then a damaged Ben along, too. Hurley protests, Jack calms him down. Oh hey, those helpful security people found the suicide letter and decided to dig it out, and make sure he got it! They're so thoughtful, at least to the viewers who were all annoyed that Jack was actually NOT going to read it. Ben delivers a classic line about not caring about the other passengers...and WAIT! Our pilot is Lapidus! Jack insists on seeing Lapidus and when Lapidus sees the Oceanic 5 gathered he realizes....we're not going to Guam are we?
Ben reassures Jack that Locke's suicide was not his fault, and Jack finally reads the suicide note. Locke doesn't gush on and on in his final words on earth, but simply says, "I wish you had believed."
And ladies and gentlemen...we have ourselves a....I'm not exactly sure what. I'm not sure it was a crash. It resembled one of those time flashy things. I think it might have just snatched the important people off the plane...what do you think?
ANYWAY, we're back to the beginning of the episode. Jack immediately goes back to leader of the island mode.."let's spread out and look for the others." That would be all nice and good except....someone comes towards them with a gun in a Dharma van! And it's...JIN! cue....LOST
Analysis
I actually really liked this episode and it achieved something that hasn't happened in awhile. I felt for Jack. I actually really genuinely was interested in Jack and this journey for him. I enjoyed watching the gentle shift from pure doubt to the beginnings of belief. In that regard, this was one of the strongest character episodes we've had this season. Additionally, enough mysteries were woven into the story to keep us coming back for more.
Questions
What happened to Aaron?
Did Ben kill Penny? Desmond? Charlie? I'm really worried about that whole situation and I NEED to know.
How did both Sayid and Hurley end up at the airport?
Why is Jin dressed like a Dharma Initiative person? Is that the time period we're in?
Where are Sayid and Sun?
Will I ever like Sun again?
Favorite Line
Jack: How can you read?
Ben: My mother taught me.
Next Week
We find out about Locke. Looks pretty incredible. But was Ben kneeling to Locke in the preview??? Weird stuff.
Your Turn
What did you think? Sound off below.
Book Excerpt: Spring of Candy Apples by Viguie
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
and the book:
Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel)
Zondervan (February 1, 2009)
Debbie Viguié has been writing for most of her life. She has experimented with poetry and nonfiction, but her true passion lies in writing novels.She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from UC Davis. While at Davis she met her husband, Scott, at auditions for a play. It was love at first sight.
Debbie and Scott now live on the island of Kauai. When Debbie is not writing and Scott has time off they love to indulge their passion for theme parks.
The Sweet Seasons Novels:
The Summer of Cotton Candy
The Fall of Candy Corn
The Winter of Candy Canes
The Spring of Candy Apples
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717531
ISBN-13: 978-0310717539
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
“So, Candace, as one of the five finalists for The Zone Game Master Scholarship, you must be pretty excited,” he said.
Excited. Bewildered. Nervous. So many to choose from. Excited because the winner got a full scholarship to a college in Florida. Bewildered because she still couldn’t believe her Balloon Races doodle could be taken seriously by anyone. Nervous because she didn’t want to blow it.
She’d finally forgiven her friend Josh for secretly entering her in the competition.
“Yes, I’m very excited and pretty nervous,” she admitted.
“Just try to relax,” he urged.
“I’ll try.”
“Now, as you know, there are many stages in the competition and you’ve passed them all to get this far. During the first stage contestants who don’t meet the qualifications are weeded out. Every year I’m surprised to hear how many of those there are. Next the Game Masters take a look at the attraction concepts for viability. Then they announce the top twenty candidates.”
Candace vaguely remembered that and how shocked she had been. She had just doodled her Balloon Races idea for a new them park ride on a napkin. She had been about to throw it away but gave it to Josh instead and he had secretly entered it in the scholarship competition.
“At that point we announce the candidates and give everyone who works for The Zone a chance to submit a recommendation for a candidate. Now, this isn’t just some sort of popularity vote. Recommendations are serious things. The person filling it out has to take the time to submit a ten-page form evaluating your strengths and telling the search committee exactly why they believe you should have the position. Based on the strength and numbers of those recommendations, the group of twenty is narrowed to five.”
“Wow! I can’t believe enough people recommended me,” Candace said, humbled at the amount of work it sounded like that would take.
“Several people here think quite highly of you. You had enough recommendations to just beat out a another young man for the fifth spot.”
“So, I’m here because I had one more recommendation?”
“Basically, yes. It’s policy that we don’t allow contestants to see their recommendations. However, since you are in the top five, I can tell you the people who recommended you.”
Suddenly, Candace realized her heart was in her throat. This somehow made her more nervous than the interview itself. It was a reflection of what people thought of her and how they had chosen to support her. She found herself holding her breath as she waited for the names.
“You had eight recommendations. The first seven came from your supervisor, Martha, Kowabunga referee Josh, Muffin Mansion’s Becca and Gib, Sue from janitorial, Roger from The Dug Out, and Pete the train operator.
None of those came as a great surprise, but Candace was touched and flattered that they would all spend the time and effort on her. She made a mental note to thank them later. That had to mean that the final recommendation that had put her over the top had to come from her boyfriend Kurt. She felt a warm glow as she thought about him.
“And the last one to come in was from Lisa in food carts.”
Candace was stunned. It wasn’t Kurt, who had written a recommendation for her, but rather Lisa, the girl who hated her? “Are you sure about that?” she burst out.
John looked surprised. “Yes. Why?”
“Nothing,” Candace mumbled, dropping her eyes.
The owner of the park chuckled. “Sometimes it’s a surprise when we discover who has actually noticed and thought we’ve done a good job.”
She nodded.
“And so, here you are—one of the final five contestants.”
“What happens now,” Candace asked, still a little unsure about the entire process.
“This is it. I stay out of the selection process until the very end. Now I interview the five candidates and choose the winner.”
Candace had suspected that might be the case but actually knowing it made her even more nervous
“You’ve been doing seasonal work for us, is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You know, I think it’s time to upgrade you. How would you like to work part-time at The Candy Counter?”
“In the Home Stretch?” she asked.
“That would be the one.”
“That would be great,” she said, not sure what else to say at the moment. She hadn’t really had a chance to think about working during the spring. There was a part of her that was instantly excited, though. Working at The Candy Counter meant she wouldn’t be working at a cart.
“So, shall we begin the interview?” he asked, the smile leaving his face.
She nodded mutely.
After the interview, Candace headed straight for the Muffin Mansion. There were no customers inside and Candace made a beeline for Becca, who was manning the cash register. Candace walked around the counter and gave Becca a big hug.
“What was that for?” Becca asked.
“For recommending me! I’ve got a hug for Gib too. Is he here?”
“He should be back from break in a minute.”
“I’ll wait.”
“So, how did the interview go?” Becca asked.
“I’m not sure. I feel like I totally blew it,” Candace confessed.
“Everyone probably felt that way.”
“I don’t know. I’m still not even sure how I’ve gotten this far in the competition.”
“Are you kidding? Balloon Races looks awesome.”
“How do you know?”
Becca smiled. “Josh has been showing a copy of your drawing to everyone.”
Candace rolled her eyes. “Great, one more thing I’ve gotta kill him for.”
“Hey, go easy on the guy. If you get that scholarship you’ll owe him big time for entering you.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Candace admitted.
“What’s with the frown face,” Becca said.
“Kurt didn’t recommend me for the competition,” Candace admitted.
“Ouch,” Becca said, wincing.
“And Lisa did. Isn’t that weird?”
“Definitely freaky.”
“How did your interview go?” a deep voice asked.
Candace jumped off the counter and hugged a surprised Gib. He patted her back awkwardly.
“Thank you for nominating me,” she said.
“No problem. Glad to do it.”
“Kurt didn’t nominate her,” Becca said.
“Knave!” Gib said, his face darkening.
Before Candace could respond, customers streamed through the door. She gave Becca and Gib a little wave and headed out. Once in the clear she headed for the Splash Zone, hoping to catch Josh who had started again a couple of days earlier in anticipation of summer. She saw him in his tank top and shorts in front of the Kowabunga ride.
“You’ve gotta be cold,” she said as she walked up.
“It’s worth it for not sweating through the summer,” he said with his customary grin. “So, how’d it go?”
“I don’t know,” she confessed as she gave him a hug. “But thank you for nominating me. Thank you for entering me,” she said, laughing a little.
“Told you the Balloon Races was cool,” he said.
She stepped back with a laugh. “Remind me to listen to you more.”
“That’s an easy one.”
“So, do you think I have a shot?” she asked.
He grew serious for a moment. “I hope so, but I don’t know. I entered you and I nominated you. That was really all I could do. It’s out of my hands.”
“I know. I’m just nervous.”
She was about to tell him who had nominated her when she remembered she had other news. “I did get a part-time job out of it,” she said.
His eyes widened. “Seriously? Part-time, not seasonal?”
She nodded. “I’m going to be working at The Candy Counter.”
“That’s great! Congratulations. I’m going to miss seeing you on the carts, though.”
She shrugged. “We can still hang on breaks.”
“Absolutely! Well, that is, after the Talent Show. My team and I are practicing a lot.”
Candace blinked at him. “Talent Show? What Talent Show?”
Josh laughed. “Same old Candace.”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Let's Talk American Idol
I've been going back and forth on whether or not to recap American Idol this year. I had a blast doing it last year, but it's actually really time consuming and this year will be competing directly against LOST. Plus, I've been thinking of adding recaps for another show, though I haven't decided which one yet.
If I do start doing the recaps, I think I'll start when the top (12?) are determined. I'm not a huge fan of the format this year, I know a lot of people think this is a more even playing ground, but to me it just means we don't see some of the contestants for a few weeks, making it harder to bond with them. I think there's just no way to make things totally fair.
All that aside, I'd love your thoughts on last night's show. To be honest, while I thought a few of the singers were okay, no one really blew me away. You? Do you like this format? Do you like four judges? Let me know how you feel, also please weigh in on whether or not you'd like me to do recaps starting with the top 12.
Waiting on Wednesday: The Lost Hours by Karen White
One of my favorite author discoveries of last year was Karen White. She has a gorgeous way with words. I am really looking forward to her next book, which looks absolutely fantastic. She also gets just about the best covers ever, don't you think?
About the Book: When Piper Mills was twelve, she helped her grandfather bury a box that belonged to her grandmother in the backyard. For twelve years, it remained untouched.
Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1929 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1920s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong.
The Lost Hours will be available in April.