Author Birthdays: March 27-March 29
Happy birthday to:
March 27: Dana Stabenow, the author who writes Alaska the way few other writers ever have. In an interview, she once said that she learns something about writing from every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that she watches.
March 28: Byrd Baylor, Mary Stolz, Maxim Gorki, Bertram Chandler, Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz
March 29: Elizabeth Hand, novelist, critic, playwright, and comic book writer.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Saralinda
No, Saralinda isn't an author (not yet, anyway). She's my niece. And she's not my niece.
Several years ago, my sister-in-law decided to start home-schooling her daughters. Since she was not herself a reader, she and I talked at length about what was good literature to interest my nieces in reading. I considered it a quest.
For several years, I read all the young adult literature I could get my hands on and made what recommendations I could. When I sent them to her, it was with letters talking about why I thought the particular book was good--or not.
Later, I stripped out the personal information and began posting those letters as reviews. However, in the interest of protecting my niece's privacy, I chose a different name for her. Having just read James Thurber's The Thirteen Clocks, I picked the name of the brave princess from that tale.
This year, my niece graduates from high school. J.K. Rowling probably contributed far more to her love of books that I did, but I'll always treasure those books that we were able to share.
If you'd like to read some of those letters, or are looking for some good literature to pass along to a young lady in your life, they're posted throughout BookHelpWeb:
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
Castles of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Dating Hamlet by Lisa Fiedler
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon, Maybe by Bette Greene
The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw
The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
Nightbirds on Nantucket by Joan Aiken
Libby on Wednesdays by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
No, Saralinda isn't an author (not yet, anyway). She's my niece. And she's not my niece.
Several years ago, my sister-in-law decided to start home-schooling her daughters. Since she was not herself a reader, she and I talked at length about what was good literature to interest my nieces in reading. I considered it a quest.
For several years, I read all the young adult literature I could get my hands on and made what recommendations I could. When I sent them to her, it was with letters talking about why I thought the particular book was good--or not.
Later, I stripped out the personal information and began posting those letters as reviews. However, in the interest of protecting my niece's privacy, I chose a different name for her. Having just read James Thurber's The Thirteen Clocks, I picked the name of the brave princess from that tale.
This year, my niece graduates from high school. J.K. Rowling probably contributed far more to her love of books that I did, but I'll always treasure those books that we were able to share.
If you'd like to read some of those letters, or are looking for some good literature to pass along to a young lady in your life, they're posted throughout BookHelpWeb:
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
Castles of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Dating Hamlet by Lisa Fiedler
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon, Maybe by Bette Greene
The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw
The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
Nightbirds on Nantucket by Joan Aiken
Libby on Wednesdays by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Monday, March 27, 2006
Avi
Finding appropriate literature for young people is no easy task--and it isn't because there is any lack of options. Young adult literature today is in extremely robust condition. There are tons of authors out there who are sensitive to the desires, needs, and interests of young people. They are authors who recognize that the "young adult" novel is not a generic, monolithic one, but one filled with readers of highly diverse interests.
One of this generation's giants of young adult literature is definitely Avi, a prolific author who came from a family of artists.
My first encounter with Avi was the book, Bright Shadow, a book that left me wondering why Avi was so popular and renowned. I thought it a rather mediocre tale filled with such ambiguous meanings that it ended up saying nothing at all. For many months, I backed away from other Avi titles.
Then I was told that I should read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Now there is a truly incredible read and it was easy to see why it was an award-winning novel. It was refreshing, it had a strong protagonist, and was a rollicking sea adventure. It's easily a book I would recommend to a wide array of young readers (and adults as well--why should the kids have all the fun?).
After that, I came across Crispin: Cross of Lead--a winner of the 2003 Newbery award. While I didn't like it as much as True Confessions, it was again a highly enjoyable book that gave you something to think about when you were done with it.
Avi is an author who, at least with the latter two books, is able to meet the challenge of having a book mean something without devolving into a condescending sermon aimed at readers who are often picking up a book to escape from their lessons.
Finding appropriate literature for young people is no easy task--and it isn't because there is any lack of options. Young adult literature today is in extremely robust condition. There are tons of authors out there who are sensitive to the desires, needs, and interests of young people. They are authors who recognize that the "young adult" novel is not a generic, monolithic one, but one filled with readers of highly diverse interests.
One of this generation's giants of young adult literature is definitely Avi, a prolific author who came from a family of artists.
My first encounter with Avi was the book, Bright Shadow, a book that left me wondering why Avi was so popular and renowned. I thought it a rather mediocre tale filled with such ambiguous meanings that it ended up saying nothing at all. For many months, I backed away from other Avi titles.
Then I was told that I should read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Now there is a truly incredible read and it was easy to see why it was an award-winning novel. It was refreshing, it had a strong protagonist, and was a rollicking sea adventure. It's easily a book I would recommend to a wide array of young readers (and adults as well--why should the kids have all the fun?).
After that, I came across Crispin: Cross of Lead--a winner of the 2003 Newbery award. While I didn't like it as much as True Confessions, it was again a highly enjoyable book that gave you something to think about when you were done with it.
Avi is an author who, at least with the latter two books, is able to meet the challenge of having a book mean something without devolving into a condescending sermon aimed at readers who are often picking up a book to escape from their lessons.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Author Birthdays: March 26
The author birthdays of March 26 are a literary delight--especially to those hard-working teachers who spend their lives trying to spark a passion for literature in the souls of their students. Such is no easy task--I'm not sure that it ever has been, but now they must make stationary black and white words compete with the compelling imagery of today's literary media. Literature may hold far many more rewards that more passive entertainments, but it takes digging and effort to find those rewards.
But to the birthdays of March 26:
Tennessee Williams, the American playwright who brought us The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire. He was born in 1911 and died in 1983--choking to death on a bottle cap.
Two poets: Robert Frost and A.E. Housman.
Also Erica Jong, Betty McDonald, and Jerry Pallota.
Yesterday, by the way, was the birthday of Flannery O'Connor.
The author birthdays of March 26 are a literary delight--especially to those hard-working teachers who spend their lives trying to spark a passion for literature in the souls of their students. Such is no easy task--I'm not sure that it ever has been, but now they must make stationary black and white words compete with the compelling imagery of today's literary media. Literature may hold far many more rewards that more passive entertainments, but it takes digging and effort to find those rewards.
But to the birthdays of March 26:
Tennessee Williams, the American playwright who brought us The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire. He was born in 1911 and died in 1983--choking to death on a bottle cap.Two poets: Robert Frost and A.E. Housman.
Also Erica Jong, Betty McDonald, and Jerry Pallota.
Yesterday, by the way, was the birthday of Flannery O'Connor.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Author Birthdays: March 14-24
We haven't done author birthdays for almost ten days now, so let's do a little catch-up.
March 14: Marguerite DeAngeli. (1889-1987) I have a friend to thank for her discovery as I managed to miss her growing up. But she is a delightful author and The Door in the Wall is one of those touching books worth reading many times over, even if you aren't in the targeted 8-11 age range.
March 15: William Lamb, Lawrence Sanders, and Heather Graham
March 16: Sid Fleishman, Alice Hoffman, and Sully Prudhomme. Also born on this day was Margaret Weis, who with her DragonLance Chronicles and Legends series proved that you really could create real literature out of a fantasy role-playing setting. Not that there have been many since to follow the example that she and Tracy Hickman set.
March 17: Pearl Buck (pictured to the right--portrait in the Library of Congress by photographer Arnold Genthe), Kate Greenaway, Penelope Lively, Zibby Oneal, and William Gibson.
March 18: John Updike and Joy Fielding
March 19: James Otis, Irving Wallace, Nikolai Gogol, and Philip Roth.
March 20: Ellen Conford, Lois Lowry, Mitsumasa Anno, and Pamela Sargent. Playwright Henrik Ibsen was also born on this day. Reading his works in high school, in particular The Doll's House and Enemy of the People was part of what turned me on to a lifelong love of dramatic literature.
March 21: Phyllis McGinley
March 22: Randolph Caldecott (the 18th century illustrator after whom the prestigious Caldecott Awards are named), Louis L'Amour, William Shatner (yes, we have to count him as an author as well as an actor), and James Patterson, the bestselling author who in his previous life as a marketing guru came up with the slogan, "I'm a Toys R' Us Kid."
March 23: Eleanor Cameron
March 24: Bill Cleaver and Dario Fo
Whew! That's a lot of birthdays.
We haven't done author birthdays for almost ten days now, so let's do a little catch-up.
March 14: Marguerite DeAngeli. (1889-1987) I have a friend to thank for her discovery as I managed to miss her growing up. But she is a delightful author and The Door in the Wall is one of those touching books worth reading many times over, even if you aren't in the targeted 8-11 age range.
March 15: William Lamb, Lawrence Sanders, and Heather Graham
March 16: Sid Fleishman, Alice Hoffman, and Sully Prudhomme. Also born on this day was Margaret Weis, who with her DragonLance Chronicles and Legends series proved that you really could create real literature out of a fantasy role-playing setting. Not that there have been many since to follow the example that she and Tracy Hickman set.
March 17: Pearl Buck (pictured to the right--portrait in the Library of Congress by photographer Arnold Genthe), Kate Greenaway, Penelope Lively, Zibby Oneal, and William Gibson.
March 18: John Updike and Joy Fielding
March 19: James Otis, Irving Wallace, Nikolai Gogol, and Philip Roth.
March 20: Ellen Conford, Lois Lowry, Mitsumasa Anno, and Pamela Sargent. Playwright Henrik Ibsen was also born on this day. Reading his works in high school, in particular The Doll's House and Enemy of the People was part of what turned me on to a lifelong love of dramatic literature.
March 21: Phyllis McGinley
March 22: Randolph Caldecott (the 18th century illustrator after whom the prestigious Caldecott Awards are named), Louis L'Amour, William Shatner (yes, we have to count him as an author as well as an actor), and James Patterson, the bestselling author who in his previous life as a marketing guru came up with the slogan, "I'm a Toys R' Us Kid."March 23: Eleanor Cameron
March 24: Bill Cleaver and Dario Fo
Whew! That's a lot of birthdays.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
New Releases: Kellerman and Peters
I first learned of the Alex Delaware series after reading Faye Kellerman's The Ritual Bath and falling in love with her series. I liked her work so much that I thought it would be interesting to see what her husband's novels were like--unaware at the time that he was the far more well-known author of the two. I dropped into the middle of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series with The Web. While some of the references to his and Robin's relationship left me confused, it was an intriguing story. Later I would learn that Kellerman's writing was far more compelling in his other works and just as intense and gritty as his wife's novels.
Book #20 in the Alex Delaware series will be released next week on March 28.
Another series which I fell into the middle of and have been addicted to ever since is Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries. While the early books are far, far superior to the later ones, she's made me care so much about her characters that I'll continue to read because I want to know what becomes of them. Her next installment, Tomb of the Golden Bird, is also due out next week.
Elizabeth Peters is the penname for Barbara Mertz, an Egyptologist.
The week of March 28 will see these new titles available (among hundreds of others):
I first learned of the Alex Delaware series after reading Faye Kellerman's The Ritual Bath and falling in love with her series. I liked her work so much that I thought it would be interesting to see what her husband's novels were like--unaware at the time that he was the far more well-known author of the two. I dropped into the middle of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series with The Web. While some of the references to his and Robin's relationship left me confused, it was an intriguing story. Later I would learn that Kellerman's writing was far more compelling in his other works and just as intense and gritty as his wife's novels.
Book #20 in the Alex Delaware series will be released next week on March 28.
Another series which I fell into the middle of and have been addicted to ever since is Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries. While the early books are far, far superior to the later ones, she's made me care so much about her characters that I'll continue to read because I want to know what becomes of them. Her next installment, Tomb of the Golden Bird, is also due out next week.
Elizabeth Peters is the penname for Barbara Mertz, an Egyptologist.
The week of March 28 will see these new titles available (among hundreds of others):
- Gone by Jonathan Kellerman
- Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters
- The Great Transformation: Beginnings of our Religious Traditions by Karen Armstrong
- The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
- Dark Assassin by Anne Perry
- Engaging the Enemy (Vatta's War, book 3) by Elizabeth Moon
- Terri: The Truth by Michael Schiavo
- Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast by Lewis Wolpert
- Cold Kill by David Lawrence
- Dude, Where's My Spaceship? by Dan Greenburg
- In the Company of the Cortesan by Sarah Dunant
- Demon by John Varley
- Maze by Catherine Coulter
- Henri Cartier-Bresson in India by Henri Cartier-Bresson
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Ray Bradbury
When in high school, I was barred from taking a science fiction class because my parents felt that science fiction wasn't "real" literature. If they were making that judgment based on the pulp novels that were churned out by early science fiction writers, then they'd have a point.
However, during my life I've gained a healthy respect for science fiction writers. There's Isaac Asimov who wrote a book for every category of the Dewey Decimal system. There's George Orwell who was as much a political scientist as a science fiction writer. There are too numerous authors to count who explored important ideas through speculative fiction.
One of those writers who has made a continual impact on the way our society thinks is Ray Bradbury. Here is a man with no formal schooling beyond high school who has gone on to become a Science Fiction of America Grand Master and in 2004, win a National Medal of the Arts.
His Fahrenheit 451 made us think long and hard about censorship and what it might look like in the extreme. He forced us to question what moral courage looks like.
Yesterday, we added a review of a collection of his short stories at BookHelpWeb, a review by one of our newest contributors. The Stories of Ray Bradbury contains 100 works of this genius and the review gives some of the highlights.
Writers like Ray Bradbury proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that science fiction deserves to be classified as real literature.
When in high school, I was barred from taking a science fiction class because my parents felt that science fiction wasn't "real" literature. If they were making that judgment based on the pulp novels that were churned out by early science fiction writers, then they'd have a point.
However, during my life I've gained a healthy respect for science fiction writers. There's Isaac Asimov who wrote a book for every category of the Dewey Decimal system. There's George Orwell who was as much a political scientist as a science fiction writer. There are too numerous authors to count who explored important ideas through speculative fiction.
One of those writers who has made a continual impact on the way our society thinks is Ray Bradbury. Here is a man with no formal schooling beyond high school who has gone on to become a Science Fiction of America Grand Master and in 2004, win a National Medal of the Arts.
His Fahrenheit 451 made us think long and hard about censorship and what it might look like in the extreme. He forced us to question what moral courage looks like.
Yesterday, we added a review of a collection of his short stories at BookHelpWeb, a review by one of our newest contributors. The Stories of Ray Bradbury contains 100 works of this genius and the review gives some of the highlights.
Writers like Ray Bradbury proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that science fiction deserves to be classified as real literature.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Adult or child?
It's convenient to be a parent and to have an excuse to once again read those delightful books of childhood--and to discover the new offerings by authors who weren't yet publishing when I was a child. In fact, I'd have to say that some of the most exciting things going on in the publishing industry are happening with children's and young adult literature.
Then there are those books which cross the age-barrier and which it would be hard to determine who they were written for. One of our BookHelpWeb contributers recently gave us a review on just such a book. Istvan Banyai is an illustrator whose book has been hailed as one of
the best children's books of the year by The New York Times and Publisher's Weekly.
His "children's" book, though, is also being used by businesses as a management tool. Zoom is a book about perspectives--something that is as important in the corporate boardroom as it is to the picture-book set.
I find it all together delightful when a book can speak with layers of meaning to people of many different ages.
It's convenient to be a parent and to have an excuse to once again read those delightful books of childhood--and to discover the new offerings by authors who weren't yet publishing when I was a child. In fact, I'd have to say that some of the most exciting things going on in the publishing industry are happening with children's and young adult literature.
Then there are those books which cross the age-barrier and which it would be hard to determine who they were written for. One of our BookHelpWeb contributers recently gave us a review on just such a book. Istvan Banyai is an illustrator whose book has been hailed as one of
the best children's books of the year by The New York Times and Publisher's Weekly.His "children's" book, though, is also being used by businesses as a management tool. Zoom is a book about perspectives--something that is as important in the corporate boardroom as it is to the picture-book set.
I find it all together delightful when a book can speak with layers of meaning to people of many different ages.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Symbolism on the NYT bestseller list
Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle made its first appearance this week on the New York Times Bestseller list--it debuted at #2. The #1 bestseller is the recently released James Paterson and Maxine Paetro novel, The Fifth Horseman. With The Da Vinci Code following up at third, I'm starting to see a theme. The use of religious symbolism in literature is alive and well.
There was some argument awhile back about whether a public institution should be allowed to offer an elective of the Bible as literature. Given how much biblical symbolism has always been and continues to be present in Western literature, I'm not sure how you justify not offering it. Are we not taking an allergy to religion just a little too far?
Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle made its first appearance this week on the New York Times Bestseller list--it debuted at #2. The #1 bestseller is the recently released James Paterson and Maxine Paetro novel, The Fifth Horseman. With The Da Vinci Code following up at third, I'm starting to see a theme. The use of religious symbolism in literature is alive and well.
There was some argument awhile back about whether a public institution should be allowed to offer an elective of the Bible as literature. Given how much biblical symbolism has always been and continues to be present in Western literature, I'm not sure how you justify not offering it. Are we not taking an allergy to religion just a little too far?
Friday, March 17, 2006
Are books dangerous?
I suppose books must be dangerous, or there wouldn't be so much effort through the years at suppressing them.
And yet, I think suppressing books is far more dangerous than anything that might be contained in a book.
A junior high teacher near where I live was recently told by a parent that her daughter was not to read The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton because it was too violent and it was in conflict with the family's values. It reminded me of when I was attending a small religious university and was told that I shouldn't read Nitzche because he was "wrong" and my mind was analgous to a computer--if I put garbage in, garbage would come out.
I happen to be of the opinion that our brains are much better at processing and analyzing than even the most sophisticated of computers. However, we must learn how to analyze. There is a danger that we will spout whatever we read if we haven't been exposed to things that we disagree with and learned to recognize differences and to articulate them.
Sometimes, it is far more important to read things we disagree with than to read things we agree with. If we don't, how will we be able to fight the battles that need fighting?
There are many books that make me uncomfortable, but they are all the more important for causing me discomfort.
So my assignment for the weekend: Find a book that makes me uncomfortable and read it.
Any suggestions?
I suppose books must be dangerous, or there wouldn't be so much effort through the years at suppressing them.
And yet, I think suppressing books is far more dangerous than anything that might be contained in a book.
A junior high teacher near where I live was recently told by a parent that her daughter was not to read The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton because it was too violent and it was in conflict with the family's values. It reminded me of when I was attending a small religious university and was told that I shouldn't read Nitzche because he was "wrong" and my mind was analgous to a computer--if I put garbage in, garbage would come out.
I happen to be of the opinion that our brains are much better at processing and analyzing than even the most sophisticated of computers. However, we must learn how to analyze. There is a danger that we will spout whatever we read if we haven't been exposed to things that we disagree with and learned to recognize differences and to articulate them.
Sometimes, it is far more important to read things we disagree with than to read things we agree with. If we don't, how will we be able to fight the battles that need fighting?
There are many books that make me uncomfortable, but they are all the more important for causing me discomfort.
So my assignment for the weekend: Find a book that makes me uncomfortable and read it.
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Trivia contests
Last week I posted about several unique book contests that are floating out there on the web. This week I found some slightly less creative ones, but ones that might still be fun. These are all trivia contests—contests design to reward faithful readers of particular books, series, or authors. Some of the prizes are pretty fun too.
Eagle Blue
You can win a book from Bloomsbury if you’re up on your trivia. Do you know your Alaskan basketball? Do you know your Michael D’Orso books? If so, then answer their question by March 31, 2006 to qualify to win his latest book. http://www.bloomsburyusa.com/Contests/default.asp?cf=0
Danielle Steele
Fans of the bestselling romance novelist can take their shot at winning a linen-bound limited edition novel at Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/quizzes/index.cgi?steel
Deborah Turrell Atkinson
In a quarterly contest at this author's site, trivia winners can win such goodies as autographed books, homemade passion fruit jelly, and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
http://www.debbyatkinson.com/contest.html
Fatal Burn by Lisa Jackson
Lisa Jackson's Web site will be drawing weekly winners from trivia entrants until May 1. Prizes are a copy of her book and red hot candy.
http://www.lisajackson.com/fatalburncontest.cfm
Baker Books Trivia Contest
Baker Books has a monthly trivia contest. To get into this month’s contest, you’ll have to submit an answer by March 16. The winner will get an advance reader copy of Leonardo’s Swans by Karen Essex.
http://bakerbooks.net/triviaform.asp
Penury Press
Penury Press is also offering a free book to be awarded via a drawing of people who correctly answer their trivia question at:
http://penurypress.com/_wsn/page6.html
Can You FTP?
Techies who excel at trivia have a chance to win a wide range of technical books—that is if they’re lucky enough to get third prize. The other prizes? Oh just little things like an Apple iPod nano, an HP workstation, a vacation for two, or an FTP conference pass.
Try your luck here:
http://www.ftponline.com/members/15th/prizes.aspx
Last week I posted about several unique book contests that are floating out there on the web. This week I found some slightly less creative ones, but ones that might still be fun. These are all trivia contests—contests design to reward faithful readers of particular books, series, or authors. Some of the prizes are pretty fun too.
Eagle Blue
You can win a book from Bloomsbury if you’re up on your trivia. Do you know your Alaskan basketball? Do you know your Michael D’Orso books? If so, then answer their question by March 31, 2006 to qualify to win his latest book. http://www.bloomsburyusa.com/Contests/default.asp?cf=0
Danielle Steele
Fans of the bestselling romance novelist can take their shot at winning a linen-bound limited edition novel at Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/quizzes/index.cgi?steel
Deborah Turrell Atkinson
In a quarterly contest at this author's site, trivia winners can win such goodies as autographed books, homemade passion fruit jelly, and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
http://www.debbyatkinson.com/contest.html
Fatal Burn by Lisa Jackson
Lisa Jackson's Web site will be drawing weekly winners from trivia entrants until May 1. Prizes are a copy of her book and red hot candy.
http://www.lisajackson.com/fatalburncontest.cfm
Baker Books Trivia Contest
Baker Books has a monthly trivia contest. To get into this month’s contest, you’ll have to submit an answer by March 16. The winner will get an advance reader copy of Leonardo’s Swans by Karen Essex.
http://bakerbooks.net/triviaform.asp
Penury Press
Penury Press is also offering a free book to be awarded via a drawing of people who correctly answer their trivia question at:
http://penurypress.com/_wsn/page6.html
Can You FTP?
Techies who excel at trivia have a chance to win a wide range of technical books—that is if they’re lucky enough to get third prize. The other prizes? Oh just little things like an Apple iPod nano, an HP workstation, a vacation for two, or an FTP conference pass.
Try your luck here:
http://www.ftponline.com/members/15th/prizes.aspx
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Author birthdays: March 12 & 13
March 12 was a huge day for author birthdays. Those sharing a birthday include: Jack Keroac, Virginia Hamilton, Sandra Brown, Harry Harrison, Carl Hiaasen, John Aubrey, and Edward Albee.
Edward Albee has been a popular one in local theaters of late. In the past few years, local groups have done Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Seascape, Three Tall Women, and The Goat--or Who is Sylvia. I saw Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf the same weekend that I saw a version of Closer by Patrick Marber. Talk about a combination that will make you grateful for the relationships that you're in!
I will soon have to get profiles up for Virginia Hamilton and Carl Hiaasen, especially the latter since his book, Hoot, has been made into a movie that will be released later this year.
March 13 has several author birthdays as well: Diane Dillon, Ellen Raskin, Thomas Rockwell, Bill Ballinger, and L. Ron Hubbard.
Ellen Raskin wrote one of my favorite childhood books: The Westing Game. I recently picked up one of her other novels, Figgs and Phantoms, but it dragged and I didn't get past the first couple of chapters before I forgot about it and moved on to another book.
March 12 was a huge day for author birthdays. Those sharing a birthday include: Jack Keroac, Virginia Hamilton, Sandra Brown, Harry Harrison, Carl Hiaasen, John Aubrey, and Edward Albee.
Edward Albee has been a popular one in local theaters of late. In the past few years, local groups have done Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Seascape, Three Tall Women, and The Goat--or Who is Sylvia. I saw Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf the same weekend that I saw a version of Closer by Patrick Marber. Talk about a combination that will make you grateful for the relationships that you're in!
I will soon have to get profiles up for Virginia Hamilton and Carl Hiaasen, especially the latter since his book, Hoot, has been made into a movie that will be released later this year.
March 13 has several author birthdays as well: Diane Dillon, Ellen Raskin, Thomas Rockwell, Bill Ballinger, and L. Ron Hubbard.
Ellen Raskin wrote one of my favorite childhood books: The Westing Game. I recently picked up one of her other novels, Figgs and Phantoms, but it dragged and I didn't get past the first couple of chapters before I forgot about it and moved on to another book.
Dwelling in Prydain
For the past couple days, I've been re-reading the Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. I missed them as a child and read them for the first time four or five years ago. Unfortunately, I read the middle book (The Castle of Llyr) first and then went back to the others, starting with The Book of Three.
After seeing the horrific Disney movie bearing the name The Black Cauldron last week, I knew I needed to go back and re-read the series, this time in order. OK, back up a moment. In fairness, the movie wasn't absolutely horrific. If I'd never read the book, I would have thought it a decent movie. However, having read the book and fallen absolutely in love with it, I was horrified at the way the movie twisted the plot and the themes completely out of recognition.
The Prydain Chronicles really are magical for so many reasons. For me the themes of war and peace resonate especially strong. Coll wants to be known not as a great warrior, but as a grower of turnips. There is such an immense respect for the work of people who create things and an emphasis that leaders carry a burden and are servants first and foremost.
When reading Pages magazine this week, I learned that the same film company that created this year's The Chronicles of Narnia were going to be doing Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising.
Perhaps, then, there is hope that someone will soon tackle The Prydain Chronicles with the respect and faithfulness that the series deserves.
For the past couple days, I've been re-reading the Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. I missed them as a child and read them for the first time four or five years ago. Unfortunately, I read the middle book (The Castle of Llyr) first and then went back to the others, starting with The Book of Three.
After seeing the horrific Disney movie bearing the name The Black Cauldron last week, I knew I needed to go back and re-read the series, this time in order. OK, back up a moment. In fairness, the movie wasn't absolutely horrific. If I'd never read the book, I would have thought it a decent movie. However, having read the book and fallen absolutely in love with it, I was horrified at the way the movie twisted the plot and the themes completely out of recognition.
The Prydain Chronicles really are magical for so many reasons. For me the themes of war and peace resonate especially strong. Coll wants to be known not as a great warrior, but as a grower of turnips. There is such an immense respect for the work of people who create things and an emphasis that leaders carry a burden and are servants first and foremost.
When reading Pages magazine this week, I learned that the same film company that created this year's The Chronicles of Narnia were going to be doing Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising.
Perhaps, then, there is hope that someone will soon tackle The Prydain Chronicles with the respect and faithfulness that the series deserves.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Passing of a Poet Laureate
Tsegaye Gabre-Medhim, Ethiopia's poet laureate, died on Feb. 25 in Manhattan at the age of 69.
A fascinating man, Tsegaye passionately believed that literature could change lives of both people and countries. His poetry and plays promoted a respect for cultures and a desire for a national unity that would bring about stability to his homeland of Ethiopia.
Tsegaye began writing at a young age and wrote his first play at 13, a play that was performed at his school and which counted Ethiopia's final emporer as one of its audience members. Later in life, he would be the artistic director of the Ethiopian National Theater and would found the theater department at Addis Ababa University.
"It was Tsegaye who initiated a new style for Ethiopian drama," says Jane Plastow, a former professor of theater at Addis Abeba University, in an interview with Ethiopian Review. A style that was "serious, highly poetic, but most importantly, no longer concerned with Church morality and the exploits of the aristocracy, but with the evils of life as experienced by the poor."
Because his poetry was often political in nature, it was often banned by political groups in Ethiopia and he was once thrown in prison without charges.
He wrote more than 30 plays all of them in Ethiopia's official language, Amharic. He also translated such writers as Shakespeare, Brecht, and Moliere. He was fluent in many African languages and in English.
In 1998, he moved to New York to receive treatment for kidney disease.
Tsegaye Gabre-Medhim, Ethiopia's poet laureate, died on Feb. 25 in Manhattan at the age of 69.
A fascinating man, Tsegaye passionately believed that literature could change lives of both people and countries. His poetry and plays promoted a respect for cultures and a desire for a national unity that would bring about stability to his homeland of Ethiopia.
Tsegaye began writing at a young age and wrote his first play at 13, a play that was performed at his school and which counted Ethiopia's final emporer as one of its audience members. Later in life, he would be the artistic director of the Ethiopian National Theater and would found the theater department at Addis Ababa University.
"It was Tsegaye who initiated a new style for Ethiopian drama," says Jane Plastow, a former professor of theater at Addis Abeba University, in an interview with Ethiopian Review. A style that was "serious, highly poetic, but most importantly, no longer concerned with Church morality and the exploits of the aristocracy, but with the evils of life as experienced by the poor."
Because his poetry was often political in nature, it was often banned by political groups in Ethiopia and he was once thrown in prison without charges.
He wrote more than 30 plays all of them in Ethiopia's official language, Amharic. He also translated such writers as Shakespeare, Brecht, and Moliere. He was fluent in many African languages and in English.
In 1998, he moved to New York to receive treatment for kidney disease.
Author birthdays: March 11
What a day March 11 has been for welcoming into the world those writers whose talents would eventually wow the world.
Who was born today?
The late Douglas Adams, 1952-2001, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series as well as a Zen detective series. The British humorist began writing for BBC radio. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49.
Wanda Gag, 1893-1946, was primarily an illustrator and artist whose work enlivened children's books as well as hung in galleries. She was also the author of many a beloved children's book, most notably Millions of Cats and The ABC Bunny which were Newbery Honor books and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Nothing at All which were Caldecott Honor books.
Ezra Jack Keats, 1916-1983, wrote children's books and illustrated more than 85 of them. In 1963, he won a Caldecott Award for The Snowy Day. Every year a foundation in his honor gives out the Ezra Jack Keats Award to new writers and illustrators.
Christopher Rice, 1978-, born the child of author Anne Rice and poet Stan Rice, Christopher writes moody mysteries that delve into the gay subculture. When his mother slipped into a diabetic coma, he went to care for her and wrote his first novel at her bedside. He's also made a name for himself as a gay celebrity who has appeared on the cover of The Advocate.
What a day March 11 has been for welcoming into the world those writers whose talents would eventually wow the world.
Who was born today?
The late Douglas Adams, 1952-2001, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series as well as a Zen detective series. The British humorist began writing for BBC radio. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49.
Wanda Gag, 1893-1946, was primarily an illustrator and artist whose work enlivened children's books as well as hung in galleries. She was also the author of many a beloved children's book, most notably Millions of Cats and The ABC Bunny which were Newbery Honor books and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Nothing at All which were Caldecott Honor books.
Ezra Jack Keats, 1916-1983, wrote children's books and illustrated more than 85 of them. In 1963, he won a Caldecott Award for The Snowy Day. Every year a foundation in his honor gives out the Ezra Jack Keats Award to new writers and illustrators.
Christopher Rice, 1978-, born the child of author Anne Rice and poet Stan Rice, Christopher writes moody mysteries that delve into the gay subculture. When his mother slipped into a diabetic coma, he went to care for her and wrote his first novel at her bedside. He's also made a name for himself as a gay celebrity who has appeared on the cover of The Advocate.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Jodi Picoult Interview Posted
BookHelpWeb's exclusive interview with Jodi Picoult is now available on our home page.
She shares fascinating insights into her writing and novels as well as relates a few entertaining stories about the research she's done. It truly was a pleasure to communicate with her.
Enjoy!
BookHelpWeb's exclusive interview with Jodi Picoult is now available on our home page.
She shares fascinating insights into her writing and novels as well as relates a few entertaining stories about the research she's done. It truly was a pleasure to communicate with her.
Enjoy!
Author birthdays: March 10
Authors with birthdays today include:
There's No Such Thing as a Dragon
Kiss the Boys Goodbye
All Creatures Great and Small
A Man to Call My Own
Authors with birthdays today include:
- James Herriott
- Jack Kent
- Johanna Lindsey
- Claire Boothe Luce
There's No Such Thing as a Dragon
Kiss the Boys Goodbye
All Creatures Great and Small
A Man to Call My Own
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Discover New Writers
In 1993, Barnes & Noble began recognizing works by new authors. Each year they give an award to whomever they think is the most promising new author of the best year in several different categories.
The 2005 awards were announced March 1. They were:
Nathaniel Flick (pictured left) for nonfiction. He wrote a memoir of his service as a Marine Corps officer called One Bullet Away.
Martin Moran took the second place award for nonfiction. He also wrote a memoir on his experiences of being seduced by a sexual predator when he was a boy. His book is called The Tricky Part.
Louise Brown, a social scientist, took third place for nonfiction with The Dancing Girls of Lahore, a book about an ancient pleasure district in Pakistan.
Uzodinma Iweala was the first place winner for fiction. His novel Beasts of No Nation tells of a young African boy who is drafted by guerrilla fighters.
Kitty Fitzgerald's Pigtopia nabbed her the second place prize for fiction. She's an Irish poet and her first novel pulls together several unusual elements.
Catherine Tudish took third prize for fiction. Her short story collection, Tenney's Landing, tells the stories of people in a small Pennsylvania town.
In 1993, Barnes & Noble began recognizing works by new authors. Each year they give an award to whomever they think is the most promising new author of the best year in several different categories.
The 2005 awards were announced March 1. They were:
Nathaniel Flick (pictured left) for nonfiction. He wrote a memoir of his service as a Marine Corps officer called One Bullet Away.Martin Moran took the second place award for nonfiction. He also wrote a memoir on his experiences of being seduced by a sexual predator when he was a boy. His book is called The Tricky Part.
Louise Brown, a social scientist, took third place for nonfiction with The Dancing Girls of Lahore, a book about an ancient pleasure district in Pakistan.
Uzodinma Iweala was the first place winner for fiction. His novel Beasts of No Nation tells of a young African boy who is drafted by guerrilla fighters.
Kitty Fitzgerald's Pigtopia nabbed her the second place prize for fiction. She's an Irish poet and her first novel pulls together several unusual elements.
Catherine Tudish took third prize for fiction. Her short story collection, Tenney's Landing, tells the stories of people in a small Pennsylvania town.
March is...
National Reading Month
Ethics Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
Improve Management Skills Month
International Mirth Month
Listening Awareness Month
Women's History Month
National Craft Month
National Social Workers Month
Who knew it would be so busy?
After seeing that list, I thought it might make an interesting challenge to see whether I could come up with suggested reading material in tribute to each of those topics. It might be a fitting tribute to Reading Month.
So here’s a start, but I’d love to hear any additional suggestions from people reading this blog.
Ethics Awareness Month
While they were more theologians than teachers of ethics, I can’t help but think of Dorothy Sayers and C.S. Lewis, who were careful apologists for ethical and moral behaviors. Both of them took the currently unpopular stance that there are moral absolutes.
Reading suggestions:
Creed or Chaos by Dorothy Sayers
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Practical Ethics by Peter Singer
Humorists are Artists Month
This one is almost too easy—except perhaps in truncating the list to be manageable. Who can’t help but think of Mark Twain or James Thurber? In fact, there is a James Thurber Prize for American Humor which has recognized such modern humorists as David Sedaris, The Onion staff, and Ian Frazier.
Crossing the ocean, there are such delightful authors as Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Milan Kundera.
I’ll also always have an immense amount of respect for the very dark humor of Joseph Heller.
Reading suggestions:
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Eric by Terry Pratchett
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber
Improve Management Skills Month
I’d be remiss if I didn’t top this list with Ken Blanchard and Stephen Covey, two people who have revolutionized the way we think about management in the past couple decades. Both are authors and speakers who are almost a brand name in themselves for the ideas that they have taught about management and professional development.
Of course, there are no shortage of books on all aspects of management—either from specialty human resource publishing houses or on the shelves of the local Barnes & Noble.
Reading suggestions:
Fish
Built on Trust by Arky Ciancutti and Dr. Thomas Steding
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
International Mirth Month
Edith Wharton and the author of Ecclesiastes might frown on a month of mirth, but there is no shortage of others who will take up the banner for at least a day of dallying in frivolity and joyful laughter. For as long as there have been authors taking quill to paper, there has been the
literature of mirth.
Reading Suggestions:
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet by Anne Marie MacDonald
Cheaper by the Dozen by Ernestine and Frank Gilbreth
Listening Awareness Month
In honor of listening awareness month, perhaps we should all go see a play. If we want, we can read the script either beforehand or afterward. If that simply isn’t an option, then perhaps indulging in an audiobook might be the way to celebrate.
Some of the most delightful audiobooks experiences I’ve had have been when authors who are also actors read their own stories. I was blown away by The Way the Crow Flies read by actress Anne Marie MacDonald.
Reading suggestions:
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen
Closer by Patrick Marber
As the Crow Flies by Anne Marie MacDonald
Women's History Month
I don’t know how people pick a particular month to be the month that honors one thing or another. Perhaps March was chosen for women’s history because it is the month in which was born Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Janet Guthrie, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bonnie Blair, Fannie Farmer, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Dortohy Height, Gloria Steinem, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sarah Vaughn, and Muriel Wright.
Perhaps it was because during this month in 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the first American book to sell more than one million copies.
Perhaps it is because this month saw the organization of the National Council on Women of the U.S. (organized by Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton), Camp Fire Girls, and Girl Scouts.
Perhaps it was because during this month Virginia Woolf started Hogarth Press with her husband and women began Navy pilot training for the first time.
Whatever the reason, there is almost an endless reading list of books covering women’s history, certainly more than could be read in a single lifetime. But it’s worth picking up at least one this month and learning a tad more about women throughout history.
Reading suggestions:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
What Paul Really Said About Women by John Temple Bristow
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
National Craft Month
You’d think March would be my favorite month as it pays tribute to two of my passions: reading
and crafting. I've had the good fortune over the past few years to attend a number of arts and craft shows as a vendor and am pleased to report that handiwork is alive and well in this country and a thriving art form.
Now, I’ll grant you that I rarely wander outside of yarn and crochet art, but I have long drooled over the beading and jewelry work done by my friend and fellow publisher, Lynn, at BeadingHelpWeb.
Suggested reading:
Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet
Ashley’s Book of Knots by Clifford Ashley
Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller
Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry by Linda Jones
National Social Workers Month
All right, I confess I’m stymied here. The part of me that indulges in irony began thinking of Tennesee Williams’ Glass Menagerie and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. However, social workers really do deserve a much more respectful tip of the hat.
So, any suggestions out there?
We could go on. There are other sources that say this month is kidney month, earthquake month, colorectal cancer awareness month, national nutrition month, national athletic training month, MS awareness month, Red Cross month, fraud awareness month, mindfulness month, and brain injury awareness month.
But we’ll just let it go at this for now.
National Reading Month
Ethics Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
Improve Management Skills Month
International Mirth Month
Listening Awareness Month
Women's History Month
National Craft Month
National Social Workers Month
Who knew it would be so busy?
After seeing that list, I thought it might make an interesting challenge to see whether I could come up with suggested reading material in tribute to each of those topics. It might be a fitting tribute to Reading Month.
So here’s a start, but I’d love to hear any additional suggestions from people reading this blog.
Ethics Awareness Month
While they were more theologians than teachers of ethics, I can’t help but think of Dorothy Sayers and C.S. Lewis, who were careful apologists for ethical and moral behaviors. Both of them took the currently unpopular stance that there are moral absolutes.
Reading suggestions:
Creed or Chaos by Dorothy Sayers
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Practical Ethics by Peter Singer
Humorists are Artists Month
This one is almost too easy—except perhaps in truncating the list to be manageable. Who can’t help but think of Mark Twain or James Thurber? In fact, there is a James Thurber Prize for American Humor which has recognized such modern humorists as David Sedaris, The Onion staff, and Ian Frazier.Crossing the ocean, there are such delightful authors as Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Milan Kundera.
I’ll also always have an immense amount of respect for the very dark humor of Joseph Heller.
Reading suggestions:
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Eric by Terry Pratchett
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber
Improve Management Skills Month
I’d be remiss if I didn’t top this list with Ken Blanchard and Stephen Covey, two people who have revolutionized the way we think about management in the past couple decades. Both are authors and speakers who are almost a brand name in themselves for the ideas that they have taught about management and professional development.
Of course, there are no shortage of books on all aspects of management—either from specialty human resource publishing houses or on the shelves of the local Barnes & Noble.
Reading suggestions:
Fish
Built on Trust by Arky Ciancutti and Dr. Thomas Steding
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
International Mirth Month
Edith Wharton and the author of Ecclesiastes might frown on a month of mirth, but there is no shortage of others who will take up the banner for at least a day of dallying in frivolity and joyful laughter. For as long as there have been authors taking quill to paper, there has been the
literature of mirth.Reading Suggestions:
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet by Anne Marie MacDonald
Cheaper by the Dozen by Ernestine and Frank Gilbreth
Listening Awareness Month
In honor of listening awareness month, perhaps we should all go see a play. If we want, we can read the script either beforehand or afterward. If that simply isn’t an option, then perhaps indulging in an audiobook might be the way to celebrate.
Some of the most delightful audiobooks experiences I’ve had have been when authors who are also actors read their own stories. I was blown away by The Way the Crow Flies read by actress Anne Marie MacDonald.
Reading suggestions:
Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen
Closer by Patrick Marber
As the Crow Flies by Anne Marie MacDonald
Women's History Month
I don’t know how people pick a particular month to be the month that honors one thing or another. Perhaps March was chosen for women’s history because it is the month in which was born Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Janet Guthrie, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bonnie Blair, Fannie Farmer, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Dortohy Height, Gloria Steinem, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sarah Vaughn, and Muriel Wright.
Perhaps it was because during this month in 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the first American book to sell more than one million copies.
Perhaps it is because this month saw the organization of the National Council on Women of the U.S. (organized by Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton), Camp Fire Girls, and Girl Scouts.
Perhaps it was because during this month Virginia Woolf started Hogarth Press with her husband and women began Navy pilot training for the first time.
Whatever the reason, there is almost an endless reading list of books covering women’s history, certainly more than could be read in a single lifetime. But it’s worth picking up at least one this month and learning a tad more about women throughout history.
Reading suggestions:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
What Paul Really Said About Women by John Temple Bristow
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
National Craft Month
You’d think March would be my favorite month as it pays tribute to two of my passions: reading
and crafting. I've had the good fortune over the past few years to attend a number of arts and craft shows as a vendor and am pleased to report that handiwork is alive and well in this country and a thriving art form.Now, I’ll grant you that I rarely wander outside of yarn and crochet art, but I have long drooled over the beading and jewelry work done by my friend and fellow publisher, Lynn, at BeadingHelpWeb.
Suggested reading:
Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet
Ashley’s Book of Knots by Clifford Ashley
Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller
Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry by Linda Jones
National Social Workers Month
All right, I confess I’m stymied here. The part of me that indulges in irony began thinking of Tennesee Williams’ Glass Menagerie and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. However, social workers really do deserve a much more respectful tip of the hat.
So, any suggestions out there?
We could go on. There are other sources that say this month is kidney month, earthquake month, colorectal cancer awareness month, national nutrition month, national athletic training month, MS awareness month, Red Cross month, fraud awareness month, mindfulness month, and brain injury awareness month.
But we’ll just let it go at this for now.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Author birthdays--March 9
Mickey Spillane, 1918
The creator of Mike Hammer who was also a circus performer who was shot out of cannons and who indulged in stock car racing, flying, and diving for sunken treasure. In 1995, he was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Allen Poe Awards.
While critics were tough on his books, they loved him as an actor and he was able to star in movies as his own creation, Mike Hammer.
Victoria Sackville-West, 1892
A poet who wrote 13 novels, Victoria Sackville-West led a dramatic life filled with adventure. She was best known as Vita. She was born in Kent, England and her first work--a verse drama written when she was 17--was published privately. She married a diplomat, but both of them had homosexual affairs throughout their long marriage. Her longest companion was Violet Trefusis, though she also had relationships with Virginia Woolf, Hilda Matheson, and Mary Campbell.
She was made a Companion of Honour for her services to literature and she and her husband created the garden at Sissinghurst Castle. She died of cancer in 1962.
Mickey Spillane, 1918
The creator of Mike Hammer who was also a circus performer who was shot out of cannons and who indulged in stock car racing, flying, and diving for sunken treasure. In 1995, he was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Allen Poe Awards.
While critics were tough on his books, they loved him as an actor and he was able to star in movies as his own creation, Mike Hammer.
Victoria Sackville-West, 1892A poet who wrote 13 novels, Victoria Sackville-West led a dramatic life filled with adventure. She was best known as Vita. She was born in Kent, England and her first work--a verse drama written when she was 17--was published privately. She married a diplomat, but both of them had homosexual affairs throughout their long marriage. Her longest companion was Violet Trefusis, though she also had relationships with Virginia Woolf, Hilda Matheson, and Mary Campbell.
She was made a Companion of Honour for her services to literature and she and her husband created the garden at Sissinghurst Castle. She died of cancer in 1962.
Fun collection of book contests
There are plenty of sites and contests out there offering you free books and other prizes in exchange for signing up for their newsletters. However, some publishers and authors have gotten clever and want you to have fun with their sometimes memorable and unique contests.
Do Before You Die
Do you have a list of things you want to do before you die? Well, Anansi Press wants to add a few things to that list. OK, they want to add 100 things to that list. They’ve published Have Your Poo Rolled Away by Dung Beetles and 99 Other Things to Do Before You Die, Plus a Few Afterwards.
To get you started on their list, they’re having a contest. They’ve selected three things from that list. They want you to try one of them and send them an e-mail about your experience. The top 3 findings, as judged by Bob McDonald, host of CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks, will win a free autographed copy of the book.
What three things are they?
Extract your own DNA.
Weigh your head.
Visit Tuvalu.
For more details of the rules, check here:
http://www.anansi.ca/current_contest.cfm
But you’ll have to hurry. Entries are due March 15.
Cross Bones Contest
Simon and Schuster invited readers in 2005 to weigh the evidence and solve a mysterious death. To qualify for the sweepstakes, readers had to figure out who the victim is and determine the cause of death. The game includes a databank of evidence, a clue navigation system, a notebook, and a crime lab.
Several prizes were given, but the grand prize winner will have his or her name appear as a novel in an upcoming Kathy Reichs novel.
The contest is over, but you can still play the game at: http://www.simonsays.com/extras/cb/game.html
Scrambled Beer
Want a signed copy of Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes’ latest collaboration, Full Scoop? Then unscramble the names of seven types of beer found here: http://www.evanovich.com/monthlycontest.html, answer a bonus question and you’ll be entered in the contest.
Scavenger Hunt
Perhaps a scavenger hunt is more to your style? Are you an expert at searching the Web and finding treasures no matter where they might be hiding? Then try your hand at Lori Handeland’s Crescent Moon Scavenger Hunt.
She’s hidden 12 items on several different Web sites. If you find them all, you’ll be entered in a drawing. The winner will receive a $500 gift certificate on the airline of his/her choice.
For complete rules and information, go here: http://www.lorihandeland.com/scavengerhunt.html
Webquests
Nor are Webquests just for the school set. Adults might enjoy the Webquest set up by The Rule of Four. Filled with riddles and cryptograms, the official Website for The Rule of Four has two Webquests its visitors can take.
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/theruleoffour/play.html
The Templars and Cryptograms
Random House is sponsoring a cryptogram contest in conjunction with its release of The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry. If you can solve the cryptogram before Aug. 17, you’ll be entered to win one of 100 hardcover copies of the book. And you’ll have some fun along the way.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/templar/
Shakespeare Diaries
Why let Shakespeare monopolize the inner monologues of his characters?
For those readers still in school, there is an opportunity to win two sets of Bantam Classic Shakespeare Editions. All they have to do is write three diary entries from the point of view of one of Shakespeare’s characters.
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/shakespeare/scholars.html
Bring Out the Lyricist in You
Can you write song lyrics? Are you between age 8 to 18?
Random House is looking for original songs that might be sung by Louis Sachar’s Kaira DeLeon. Winners of the contest will receive an ipod, itunes gift certificate, and an autographed copy of Small Steps.
Contest rules are here: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/smallsteps/contest.htm
There are plenty of sites and contests out there offering you free books and other prizes in exchange for signing up for their newsletters. However, some publishers and authors have gotten clever and want you to have fun with their sometimes memorable and unique contests.
Do Before You Die
Do you have a list of things you want to do before you die? Well, Anansi Press wants to add a few things to that list. OK, they want to add 100 things to that list. They’ve published Have Your Poo Rolled Away by Dung Beetles and 99 Other Things to Do Before You Die, Plus a Few Afterwards.
To get you started on their list, they’re having a contest. They’ve selected three things from that list. They want you to try one of them and send them an e-mail about your experience. The top 3 findings, as judged by Bob McDonald, host of CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks, will win a free autographed copy of the book.
What three things are they?
Extract your own DNA.
Weigh your head.
Visit Tuvalu.
For more details of the rules, check here:
http://www.anansi.ca/current_contest.cfm
But you’ll have to hurry. Entries are due March 15.
Cross Bones Contest
Simon and Schuster invited readers in 2005 to weigh the evidence and solve a mysterious death. To qualify for the sweepstakes, readers had to figure out who the victim is and determine the cause of death. The game includes a databank of evidence, a clue navigation system, a notebook, and a crime lab.
Several prizes were given, but the grand prize winner will have his or her name appear as a novel in an upcoming Kathy Reichs novel.
The contest is over, but you can still play the game at: http://www.simonsays.com/extras/cb/game.html
Scrambled Beer
Want a signed copy of Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes’ latest collaboration, Full Scoop? Then unscramble the names of seven types of beer found here: http://www.evanovich.com/monthlycontest.html, answer a bonus question and you’ll be entered in the contest.
Scavenger Hunt
Perhaps a scavenger hunt is more to your style? Are you an expert at searching the Web and finding treasures no matter where they might be hiding? Then try your hand at Lori Handeland’s Crescent Moon Scavenger Hunt.
She’s hidden 12 items on several different Web sites. If you find them all, you’ll be entered in a drawing. The winner will receive a $500 gift certificate on the airline of his/her choice.
For complete rules and information, go here: http://www.lorihandeland.com/scavengerhunt.html
Webquests
Nor are Webquests just for the school set. Adults might enjoy the Webquest set up by The Rule of Four. Filled with riddles and cryptograms, the official Website for The Rule of Four has two Webquests its visitors can take.
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/theruleoffour/play.html
The Templars and Cryptograms
Random House is sponsoring a cryptogram contest in conjunction with its release of The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry. If you can solve the cryptogram before Aug. 17, you’ll be entered to win one of 100 hardcover copies of the book. And you’ll have some fun along the way.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/templar/
Shakespeare Diaries
Why let Shakespeare monopolize the inner monologues of his characters?
For those readers still in school, there is an opportunity to win two sets of Bantam Classic Shakespeare Editions. All they have to do is write three diary entries from the point of view of one of Shakespeare’s characters.
http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/shakespeare/scholars.html
Bring Out the Lyricist in You
Can you write song lyrics? Are you between age 8 to 18?
Random House is looking for original songs that might be sung by Louis Sachar’s Kaira DeLeon. Winners of the contest will receive an ipod, itunes gift certificate, and an autographed copy of Small Steps.
Contest rules are here: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/smallsteps/contest.htm
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Jodi Picoult
Several years ago, nine women (myself included) got together for a ladies weekend in Florida. We'd all met online, though many of us had met in person as well.
One of the activities that we did that weekend was a book exchange. We each brought a used book that we had enjoyed and thought that our friends would enjoy as well. We wrapped them and exchanged them much the way a white elephant is run--with one book being chosen at a time and each person having the option of "stealing" another person's book.
The book I went home with that weekend was Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth. It was the first time I'd read anything by her and was immediately captivated. She explored the loyalties and disciplines of the Amish--through the story of an unmarried Amish teenager who was found with her dead baby and charged with its murder.
I was impressed with her sensitive handling of the topic and fascinated by the depth of culture that she was able to reveal without being exploitative or condescending. It was a sympathetic story that was also intense in its suspense.
At BookHelpWeb, we have a review of this and many of Picoult's other books--all written by the woman who first gave me Plain Truth. (You can find them here: http://www.bookhelpweb.com/authors/picoult/picoult.htm)
Coming later this week, we are especially fortunate to be able to run an exclusive interview with Jodi Picoult. She was incredibly responsive, giving us an interview even as she was readying to launch on tour for her latest book.
Her latest book, The Tenth Circle, was released today. In it, she partners with graphic novelist Dustin Weaver. He provides the artwork in this story about a comic book artist and a teacher of Dante's inferno who must deal with the date rape of their daughter. It's a combination of two art forms that is sure to be fascinating, especially in such deft hands as Picoult.
If you'd like to see her on tour, her appearances are listed at:
http://www.jodipicoult.com/
And I'll let you know here when you can read our interview with this talented author and the review of her latest book.
Until then, good reading to you!
Several years ago, nine women (myself included) got together for a ladies weekend in Florida. We'd all met online, though many of us had met in person as well.
One of the activities that we did that weekend was a book exchange. We each brought a used book that we had enjoyed and thought that our friends would enjoy as well. We wrapped them and exchanged them much the way a white elephant is run--with one book being chosen at a time and each person having the option of "stealing" another person's book.
The book I went home with that weekend was Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth. It was the first time I'd read anything by her and was immediately captivated. She explored the loyalties and disciplines of the Amish--through the story of an unmarried Amish teenager who was found with her dead baby and charged with its murder.I was impressed with her sensitive handling of the topic and fascinated by the depth of culture that she was able to reveal without being exploitative or condescending. It was a sympathetic story that was also intense in its suspense.
At BookHelpWeb, we have a review of this and many of Picoult's other books--all written by the woman who first gave me Plain Truth. (You can find them here: http://www.bookhelpweb.com/authors/picoult/picoult.htm)
Coming later this week, we are especially fortunate to be able to run an exclusive interview with Jodi Picoult. She was incredibly responsive, giving us an interview even as she was readying to launch on tour for her latest book.
Her latest book, The Tenth Circle, was released today. In it, she partners with graphic novelist Dustin Weaver. He provides the artwork in this story about a comic book artist and a teacher of Dante's inferno who must deal with the date rape of their daughter. It's a combination of two art forms that is sure to be fascinating, especially in such deft hands as Picoult.
If you'd like to see her on tour, her appearances are listed at:
http://www.jodipicoult.com/
And I'll let you know here when you can read our interview with this talented author and the review of her latest book.
Until then, good reading to you!
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Welcome to Book Help Web!
This blog is the companion site for BookHelpWeb.com
We have hundreds of author profiles and reviews as well as comprehensive award sections and EXCLUSIVE interviews. We'll also blog regularly here to let you know what is going on with your favorite books and authors, as well as to alert you to special new content on the site.
Please comment back as often as you like. If you would like to be a contributor, we are always looking for new team members. Drop a line to bookpublisher@consumerhelpweb.com if you are a passionate book fan who would like to see your reviews on one of the web's hottest book review sites.
This blog is the companion site for BookHelpWeb.com
We have hundreds of author profiles and reviews as well as comprehensive award sections and EXCLUSIVE interviews. We'll also blog regularly here to let you know what is going on with your favorite books and authors, as well as to alert you to special new content on the site.
Please comment back as often as you like. If you would like to be a contributor, we are always looking for new team members. Drop a line to bookpublisher@consumerhelpweb.com if you are a passionate book fan who would like to see your reviews on one of the web's hottest book review sites.
