Last night I finally did it: I opened up all of our boxes of books. They've been locked away for over a year and finally—FINALLY!—they're free again.
You may be wondering why I waited for a full week and a half considering I've been wailing about my books for months and months. I waited because, well, I've been busy and exhausted. Also we don't have bookshelves yet. I'm still holding out an unrealistic hope for built-in bookshelves that we can maybe save up for or something.
I know. Unrealistic. Leave me to my fantasies, please.
Last night I knew I just had to see them all. Touch them. Flip through them. I marched upstairs with scissors clutched in my hand and started tearing the boxes open. I had no idea where things were because Curt packed them this time around. It was like Christmas.
And it was like seeing old friends after a long time apart.
No, it was like seeing myself in a mirror for the first time in months and remembering features that I'd forgotten were there.
Maybe this is what will make my house feel truly like home: Our books.
And happily, I finally found the book of poems that my parents gave me for Christmas years ago, which has the poem I was trying to remember nearly a year ago, and talked about in this post. The book is called A Poem a Day, edited by Karen McCosker and Nicholas Albery and published by Steerforth Press.
The poem I was looking for is called Fall by Laure-Anne Bosselaar (that link is to her website, if you want to learn more about her).
Fall
Laure-Anne Bosslaar
So it's today, and in the chokecherry this year:
the first leaves turn ochre, there, by the gate.
I grab the sweater you left on a chair, wrap it
around my shoulders, and — as I did for days last year
until I couldn't keep up with the season — I pick
every single rusting leaf, each fading flower
and hide them in my apron pocket: their crush
clandestine against my belly. It's a simple gift
for you — for us — such an easy thing to do
for a few more days of summer.
Sometimes I'm surprised by the poems I fell in love with when I was only thirteen or so.
I hope this poem sends you into the weekend with a quiet sense of bittersweet beauty, which is what I love most about fall: that is will end, as everything must end. Winter always comes eventually. But for a little while, it is the most glorious, most achingly alive time of the year.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Marketing a Book Is Like Making a Bomb That You Hope Will Explode Joy and Confetti
...but that same bomb might instead explode anger and accusations and other messy words that start with "a"...like assumptions.
Bombs are delicate business. That is why I avoid them. Books on the other hand, I can't seem to stay away from. I've never been attracted to bad boys, but I guess writing books fills that void in my life.
Anyway, this is all a bunch of brain scatter while I try and work out the cover launch for Ellen Oh's debut PROPHECY. You see, I've followed Ellen's blog for years and I feel a little protective of her, though I've never met her. And I'm really really excited to read her book!
Let's check out her cover:
Keep in mind that many people are responsible for writing and designing this stuff—not the author. The author only writes the book. The author may have some say in the cover, but usually not much. Yet the author often takes the brunt of the praise or outrage when readers decide they love or do not approve of a cover/copy.
Of course that's mostly because the author is the one with her face beside the book and her name on the cover. You'd have to dig pretty hard to find out which publishing people were responsible for the cover/copy, and the average person doesn't necessarily have knowledge of how publishing works. So, the author is held responsible.
Knowing that, let's check out the plot summary:
So. People are already drawing parallels between this book and Kristin Cashore's Graceling. It's interesting to me that because the plot summary says absolutely nothing about ancient Korea, the similarities between the two books seem even greater, when in fact, I'm guessing the mythology and culture in Oh's book is going to be totally different from Cashore's.
(Besides the fact that the graceling concept, which doesn't seem to feature in Oh's world at all, wasn't even unique to Cashore. For example the same idea was a huge part of Orson Scott Card's The Tales of Alvin Maker Series! Remember what Neil Gaiman said: “Genre fiction, as Terry Pratchett has pointed out, is a stew. You take stuff out of the pot, you put stuff back. The stew bubbles on.”)
But getting back to marketing, it's a delicate balance, isn't it? As a marketing person you don't want to set people off who may not think they want to read about fantastical ancient Korea, and at the same time you want to attract an audience that you know will like a book about a female warrior. Enter: fans of Cashore's novel. So it makes sense that the marketing people would think to themselves, "Let's highlight the similarities between the two and attract Cashore's readers to this new and different series because they're sure to like it!!"
Alas, it's not that simple. Because now the marketing people have downplayed what makes Oh's book unique. And in the process, they've already started collecting some less than positive accusations on GoodReads. Check out some of the comments already popping up on PROPHECY'S GoodReads page:
"Is it just me, or does this sound... slightly like Graceling by Kristin Cashore?"
"In the first part of the blurb, it sounded very much like Graceling by Kristin Cashore. But then again, there is no evil shaman in Graceling, right?"
Remember: These people HAVE NOT READ the book. It doesn't come out until January 2013! They are just making assumptions based on the information given to them, which was selected by marketing people in an effort to sell the book. That's what the cover/copy is for. Sales. It's not to perfectly and accurately represent the book. It's just to get it out of the store and into readers' hands.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...let's try not to judge a book by its cover and cover copy, hmm? And try not to blame the author if you don't like the cover/copy. The author only has control over the words INSIDE the book.
I'm not suggesting we all stop criticizing covers and discussing cover copy. It's not only important (for example, speaking out against whitewashing covers), it's also a hell of a lot of fun. But let's try not to cry wolf about a book that won't come out for half a year and let's all try hardest of all not to blame the author for the things on the outside of her book, because like I said, all she controls is the inside, and that's what we should hold her accountable for: The story.
End of story.
As my dad would say, "Capisce?"
Edit Thursday, June 21: I was just reading Ellen Oh's post where she interviewed her cover designers (read it here), and they pointed out that they used a font that would appeal to both boys and girls. Interesting point. I do agree that the cover is gender neutral. It doesn't scream, "This is a fantasy book for and about girls!!" And of course it shouldn't because it's a story about one girl and many other characters including a prince. Anyway, there are so many layers to a book cover!
Bombs are delicate business. That is why I avoid them. Books on the other hand, I can't seem to stay away from. I've never been attracted to bad boys, but I guess writing books fills that void in my life.
Anyway, this is all a bunch of brain scatter while I try and work out the cover launch for Ellen Oh's debut PROPHECY. You see, I've followed Ellen's blog for years and I feel a little protective of her, though I've never met her. And I'm really really excited to read her book!
Let's check out her cover:
First things first: The cover doesn't feature a (white) girl in a pretty dress. HUZZAH! I'm not sure I'm in love with the tagline, but whatever. (omg a GIRL is going to save us all!? We're doomed...OR ARE WE = sarcasm).
The cover definitely has a High Fantasy feel to the design, which also explains the lack of girl in pretty dress (the girl in dress design telegraphs a more paranormal/ urban fantasy story). So, that's all to the good, and I do appreciate the smoky dragon. Who doesn't love dragons?
It's interesting to me that they seem to be downplaying the fact that the story is set in a fantastical ancient Korea. Has this become the way to market non European-centric books? We have to trick people into not realizing it until it's "too late?"
Keep in mind that many people are responsible for writing and designing this stuff—not the author. The author only writes the book. The author may have some say in the cover, but usually not much. Yet the author often takes the brunt of the praise or outrage when readers decide they love or do not approve of a cover/copy.
Of course that's mostly because the author is the one with her face beside the book and her name on the cover. You'd have to dig pretty hard to find out which publishing people were responsible for the cover/copy, and the average person doesn't necessarily have knowledge of how publishing works. So, the author is held responsible.
Knowing that, let's check out the plot summary:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms . . . is a girl with yellow eyes.
Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope. . . .
Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.
Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.
Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope. . . .
Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.
Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.
So. People are already drawing parallels between this book and Kristin Cashore's Graceling. It's interesting to me that because the plot summary says absolutely nothing about ancient Korea, the similarities between the two books seem even greater, when in fact, I'm guessing the mythology and culture in Oh's book is going to be totally different from Cashore's.
(Besides the fact that the graceling concept, which doesn't seem to feature in Oh's world at all, wasn't even unique to Cashore. For example the same idea was a huge part of Orson Scott Card's The Tales of Alvin Maker Series! Remember what Neil Gaiman said: “Genre fiction, as Terry Pratchett has pointed out, is a stew. You take stuff out of the pot, you put stuff back. The stew bubbles on.”)
Alas, it's not that simple. Because now the marketing people have downplayed what makes Oh's book unique. And in the process, they've already started collecting some less than positive accusations on GoodReads. Check out some of the comments already popping up on PROPHECY'S GoodReads page:
"Who else thinks this is a copycat of Graceling? I'm pretty sure Prophecy can be rewritten like this (bolded = Graceling copied, underlined = substituted with Graceling aspects)..."
"Is it just me, or does this sound... slightly like Graceling by Kristin Cashore?"
"In the first part of the blurb, it sounded very much like Graceling by Kristin Cashore. But then again, there is no evil shaman in Graceling, right?"
Remember: These people HAVE NOT READ the book. It doesn't come out until January 2013! They are just making assumptions based on the information given to them, which was selected by marketing people in an effort to sell the book. That's what the cover/copy is for. Sales. It's not to perfectly and accurately represent the book. It's just to get it out of the store and into readers' hands.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...let's try not to judge a book by its cover and cover copy, hmm? And try not to blame the author if you don't like the cover/copy. The author only has control over the words INSIDE the book.
I'm not suggesting we all stop criticizing covers and discussing cover copy. It's not only important (for example, speaking out against whitewashing covers), it's also a hell of a lot of fun. But let's try not to cry wolf about a book that won't come out for half a year and let's all try hardest of all not to blame the author for the things on the outside of her book, because like I said, all she controls is the inside, and that's what we should hold her accountable for: The story.
End of story.
As my dad would say, "Capisce?"
Edit Thursday, June 21: I was just reading Ellen Oh's post where she interviewed her cover designers (read it here), and they pointed out that they used a font that would appeal to both boys and girls. Interesting point. I do agree that the cover is gender neutral. It doesn't scream, "This is a fantasy book for and about girls!!" And of course it shouldn't because it's a story about one girl and many other characters including a prince. Anyway, there are so many layers to a book cover!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Post BEA 2012
Hi Reader. I'm sorry for my lack of blogging since I jetted off to BEA in my usual frantic and frazzled state. It's so funny, once I got off the plane and wandered over to the taxi stand, I was ready to go. Serious. I should write a letter to myself every year. It would go something like this:
Dear Jennifer,
Stop worrying so much. Just get to the airport, buy yourself some chocolate and remember that everything will be fine.
Love,
Your Smarter Self
This was my fourth year working at BEA. I felt much more jaded this year. BEA is so strange. I always find myself wondering why it exists. It's exhilarating but also somewhat ridiculous. Celebrities are everywhere. Chris Colfer (aka Kurt on Glee) glided a few feet away from me while I paid for my coffee. His skin really does look like porcelain in person.
I stood a couple feet from Tim Gunn and watched people stand in line for AGES just to take a photo with him and get a free stapled together preview of his new design book. Not even the actual book. Just a flimsy preview. So, basically they just wanted to meet him. I get it, but it also sucks. I thought BEA was about books.
I did spot a few writer celebrities as well. Most notably, Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife, floated past me like a red haired ghost. She was so quick, I didn't have a chance to stop her. Not that she looked particularly eager to make some talk with random book hawkers such as myself. She definitely looked like a gothic heroine who has only just escaped the clutches of an evil baron and stumbled her way into the Javits Center, which I loved. Very appropriate.
I saw Cat Valente, Naomi Novik (The Temeraire Series), N.K. Jemisin (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms),, Kristin Cashore (Graceling etc), and Lev Grossman (The Magicians: A NOVEL) at the New York Public Library reading I attended on Wednesday night. My impressions regarding each of them (except Cat, who I've met several times and therefore know better than the rest):
Naomi: Genuine, down-to-earth, seems like she'd be fun to have a beer with and there's a good chance she'd jam with the band at some point during the night (I don't have any evidence to support this, she just seemed the type to be all, "Oh sure, I dabble in guitar...")
N.K.: Soft spoken, Erudite, cerebral
Kristin: Incredibly normal, thoughtful, maybe a little shy
Lev: Surprisingly charming. For some reason I thought he'd be cockier but he was the host and he really stepped back and let his fellow authors shine. I'm now more likely to read his work than I was before.
I also bumped into Ellen Kushner on my way out of the bathroom at one point and discovered that she and Holly Black were doing a somewhat impromptu signing and giveaway of the new Borderlands paperback. Lucky me!! I marched straight to the booth and was first in line. That's the book I was happiest to get.
Well, that and my friend hooked me up with a 75 page preview of Days of Blood and Starlight, the sequel to Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
Whaaaaat!?!?!?!
I know. I KNOW. More on this later. Don't forget, I still have a signed hardcover of Daughter that I'm going to give away closer to the release of the second book this fall. SQUEE.
That's all I'll write for now. I did too much with my right hand last night and my wrist/ thumb problems are going crazy. I'm feeling a little bit more like myself now. BEA and New York always leave me feeling like I just got beat up. Like I'm bruised on the inside. More on this later as well.
Dear Jennifer,
Stop worrying so much. Just get to the airport, buy yourself some chocolate and remember that everything will be fine.
Love,
Your Smarter Self
This was my fourth year working at BEA. I felt much more jaded this year. BEA is so strange. I always find myself wondering why it exists. It's exhilarating but also somewhat ridiculous. Celebrities are everywhere. Chris Colfer (aka Kurt on Glee) glided a few feet away from me while I paid for my coffee. His skin really does look like porcelain in person.
I stood a couple feet from Tim Gunn and watched people stand in line for AGES just to take a photo with him and get a free stapled together preview of his new design book. Not even the actual book. Just a flimsy preview. So, basically they just wanted to meet him. I get it, but it also sucks. I thought BEA was about books.
I did spot a few writer celebrities as well. Most notably, Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife, floated past me like a red haired ghost. She was so quick, I didn't have a chance to stop her. Not that she looked particularly eager to make some talk with random book hawkers such as myself. She definitely looked like a gothic heroine who has only just escaped the clutches of an evil baron and stumbled her way into the Javits Center, which I loved. Very appropriate.
I saw Cat Valente, Naomi Novik (The Temeraire Series), N.K. Jemisin (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms),, Kristin Cashore (Graceling etc), and Lev Grossman (The Magicians: A NOVEL) at the New York Public Library reading I attended on Wednesday night. My impressions regarding each of them (except Cat, who I've met several times and therefore know better than the rest):
Naomi: Genuine, down-to-earth, seems like she'd be fun to have a beer with and there's a good chance she'd jam with the band at some point during the night (I don't have any evidence to support this, she just seemed the type to be all, "Oh sure, I dabble in guitar...")
N.K.: Soft spoken, Erudite, cerebral
Kristin: Incredibly normal, thoughtful, maybe a little shy
Lev: Surprisingly charming. For some reason I thought he'd be cockier but he was the host and he really stepped back and let his fellow authors shine. I'm now more likely to read his work than I was before.
I also bumped into Ellen Kushner on my way out of the bathroom at one point and discovered that she and Holly Black were doing a somewhat impromptu signing and giveaway of the new Borderlands paperback. Lucky me!! I marched straight to the booth and was first in line. That's the book I was happiest to get.
Well, that and my friend hooked me up with a 75 page preview of Days of Blood and Starlight, the sequel to Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
Whaaaaat!?!?!?!
I know. I KNOW. More on this later. Don't forget, I still have a signed hardcover of Daughter that I'm going to give away closer to the release of the second book this fall. SQUEE.
That's all I'll write for now. I did too much with my right hand last night and my wrist/ thumb problems are going crazy. I'm feeling a little bit more like myself now. BEA and New York always leave me feeling like I just got beat up. Like I'm bruised on the inside. More on this later as well.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Marianne Review: The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland
For the unfamiliar, here is my explanation of a Marianne Review.
So, this morning I finished Catherynne Valente's Fairyland sequel The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. I had fifty pages to go, so I spent the morning in the secret garden with the chubby unicorn and his unicorn girl for companions.
How did finishing the book make me feel? Well, a little bit like how I imagine this feels:
Re: AWESOME.
This book, in my opinion, is perfect. I absolutely loved it.
The story was exactly what I Wanted, even if I didn't realize I wanted it until I read it.
I really enjoyed Fairyland #1, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, but I wouldn't say it was perfect. In my opinion it rambled a bit at the end and left me trailing behind, unable to keep up.
But just like September herself, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland is a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and with all the confusion of a new heart (she is growing up and is not entirely heartless anymore!).
This book mixes the whimsy and strangeness of the first with the darker depths you discover at the end of book #1. There are new friends and old, though everything is not quite what it seems and it will take all of September's strength, boldness, and cleverness to try and set things right.
And to be clear, this is not the end of September's story. There will, I believe, be 5 books in the series. So. The story continues, but it ends on a very satisfying note with plenty to mull over until the next installment.
You will love this book. You will hug this book. You will sleep with it under your pillow. It's going on my list of Favorite Books Ever. I can't wait for you to read it and then come back here so we can talk about our favorite parts!
So, this morning I finished Catherynne Valente's Fairyland sequel The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. I had fifty pages to go, so I spent the morning in the secret garden with the chubby unicorn and his unicorn girl for companions.
How did finishing the book make me feel? Well, a little bit like how I imagine this feels:
Re: AWESOME.
This book, in my opinion, is perfect. I absolutely loved it.
The story was exactly what I Wanted, even if I didn't realize I wanted it until I read it.
I really enjoyed Fairyland #1, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, but I wouldn't say it was perfect. In my opinion it rambled a bit at the end and left me trailing behind, unable to keep up.
But just like September herself, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland is a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and with all the confusion of a new heart (she is growing up and is not entirely heartless anymore!).
This book mixes the whimsy and strangeness of the first with the darker depths you discover at the end of book #1. There are new friends and old, though everything is not quite what it seems and it will take all of September's strength, boldness, and cleverness to try and set things right.
And to be clear, this is not the end of September's story. There will, I believe, be 5 books in the series. So. The story continues, but it ends on a very satisfying note with plenty to mull over until the next installment.
You will love this book. You will hug this book. You will sleep with it under your pillow. It's going on my list of Favorite Books Ever. I can't wait for you to read it and then come back here so we can talk about our favorite parts!
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland
Reader. Brace thyself.
Last week was seriously epic.
Why?
Because of this:
Last Wednesday night Curt and I went to Longfellow Books in Portland, Maine. It was the first book birthday of Catherynne Valente's book The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making.
When Curt and I arrived at the bookstore, I smiled awkwardly at Catherynne, then I ran away to hide in the bathroom. I mean, she is one of my favorite authors. I admire her work so much. She definitely has magic running through her veins. So, I was nervous. And shy.
Finally I emerged from the bathroom and re-introduced myself to her for the third time. The first time was here in 2010 and the second here, in 2011.She totally did remember me (again)!
She is so nice and smart and she was even really patient with a grumpy guy, who peered at her through thick glasses and declared that he didn't "get" fantasy books. Well then, Sir, why are you here??? That's what I wanted to say, but Cat took it in stride. She politely answered the man's awkward questions and revealed that whenever she travels, she researches the myths and legends of wherever she is going. She encouraged him—and everyone—to do the same.
Catherynne read one of my favorite parts of Fairyland #1 in which September takes three baths before entering Pandemonium. I must admit, with some chagrin, that there were two puns I had missed while reading that I thoroughly enjoyed when C.V. read them aloud.
While it was really fun to hear Cat read her work, I was a little disappointed that she didn't seem to be reading an excerpt from Fairyland #2.
But then.
Then she announced that she was giving away ONE advanced reader copy of Fairyland #2. She said she'd ask a trivia question based on the excerpt she'd just read.
I think I spontaneously starting drooling right then, I wanted it so very badly. It was nerve wracking because there was one cute little girl there and I knew that if the girl truly wanted the book, then I was not allowed to take it from her.
But to my extreme relief, the girl did not seem to be a Fairyland superfan (yet), so...
I have a strong suspicion that other people in the audience let me win, because I was radiating such desire to have that beautiful purple book in my hands. And also because I was drooling all over myself and they probably took pity on me. But whatever, Reader.
It doesn't matter because I HAZ IT! (There is a lot of caps yelling in this post. I am very excited.)
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland is So. Good. I love it. Really love it. I can't wait to see where September goes next. There are rebellious shadows and familiar faces who are not as familiar as they seem, and there are wild revels and the Vicereine of Coffee and that is all I shall say for now.
Cat wrote an interesting article on her Fairyland sequel for Tor.com and I recommend you read it here.
I will post a spoiler-free review of the book when I'm done. Wasn't that a fabulous adventure to have on an otherwise drizzly Wednesday night?
Last week was seriously epic.
Why?
Because of this:
 |
| Mine mine mine mine.... |
Last Wednesday night Curt and I went to Longfellow Books in Portland, Maine. It was the first book birthday of Catherynne Valente's book The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making.
 |
| Me, hugging my copy a little too tightly. |
When Curt and I arrived at the bookstore, I smiled awkwardly at Catherynne, then I ran away to hide in the bathroom. I mean, she is one of my favorite authors. I admire her work so much. She definitely has magic running through her veins. So, I was nervous. And shy.
Finally I emerged from the bathroom and re-introduced myself to her for the third time. The first time was here in 2010 and the second here, in 2011.She totally did remember me (again)!
She is so nice and smart and she was even really patient with a grumpy guy, who peered at her through thick glasses and declared that he didn't "get" fantasy books. Well then, Sir, why are you here??? That's what I wanted to say, but Cat took it in stride. She politely answered the man's awkward questions and revealed that whenever she travels, she researches the myths and legends of wherever she is going. She encouraged him—and everyone—to do the same.
Catherynne read one of my favorite parts of Fairyland #1 in which September takes three baths before entering Pandemonium. I must admit, with some chagrin, that there were two puns I had missed while reading that I thoroughly enjoyed when C.V. read them aloud.
 |
| Catherynne Valente at Longfellow Books |
While it was really fun to hear Cat read her work, I was a little disappointed that she didn't seem to be reading an excerpt from Fairyland #2.
 |
| It doesn't come out until October (sob!). |
But then.
Then she announced that she was giving away ONE advanced reader copy of Fairyland #2. She said she'd ask a trivia question based on the excerpt she'd just read.
I think I spontaneously starting drooling right then, I wanted it so very badly. It was nerve wracking because there was one cute little girl there and I knew that if the girl truly wanted the book, then I was not allowed to take it from her.
But to my extreme relief, the girl did not seem to be a Fairyland superfan (yet), so...
I have a strong suspicion that other people in the audience let me win, because I was radiating such desire to have that beautiful purple book in my hands. And also because I was drooling all over myself and they probably took pity on me. But whatever, Reader.
It doesn't matter because I HAZ IT! (There is a lot of caps yelling in this post. I am very excited.)
 |
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland is So. Good. I love it. Really love it. I can't wait to see where September goes next. There are rebellious shadows and familiar faces who are not as familiar as they seem, and there are wild revels and the Vicereine of Coffee and that is all I shall say for now.
Cat wrote an interesting article on her Fairyland sequel for Tor.com and I recommend you read it here.
I will post a spoiler-free review of the book when I'm done. Wasn't that a fabulous adventure to have on an otherwise drizzly Wednesday night?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Marianne Review: Paranormalcy
Today I read Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
As in, I bought the book this weekend at the absolutely gorgeous bookstore R.J. Julia's in Madison, CT, read the first chapter on Sunday, then cracked it open today after lunch and finished it in a few hours.
Another binge read complete. If I had another book handy, I wouldn't even be blogging right now. Sick.
Anyway, how'd I like the book? I liked it! I liked it more than I expected.
Here are the things I liked:
1. General World Concept: government agency contains paranormal creatures who exist secretly in the regular world. It's like that episode of BTVS with Riley. I liked it. It was nice to have a protagonist on the inside who was also outside in a lot of ways.
2. Focus of the story is on the protagonist Evie's journey to learning more about herself, her past, and the world around her NOT on the romance, which is sweet and natural and definitely not the axis on which everything revolves
3. Ash-like Love Triangle: Much like Malinda Lo's novel Ash, there is a faerie who creates a certain love triangle dynamic but the faerie relationship is complicated and not necessarily romantic.
4. Girl Friendships: Granted, Evie's friendship with mermaid Lish was entirely one-sided, but still it was there. And two other friendships are introduced before the end of the story. Girl Power!
5. Story Scale: The scale was small enough to be contained in one book, and satisfying enough that I don't have to read the continuing books in the series if I don't want to, but the scale was also just large enough (with hints at it being even larger) to make me feel like this story was Important.
6. Parents and Parental Figures: They do exist! And sometimes they help and sometimes they don't.
Here are the things I didn't like so much:
1. Old fashioned cursing: White does invent a cute way to introduce "What the bleep" into the novel, but used it more than I would have liked. Unfortunately she also had Evie say things like "Oh Heavens!" which I find patently ridiculous. This girl spends her days surrounded by government personnel. You really expect me to believe that they didn't teach her any interesting swear words?? I don't have a problem with an author not wanting to put swear words in his/her writing, but don't shove outdated, anachronistic phrases in the protagonist's mouth instead. It's jarring and silly.
2. Pink: Evie loves pink but guess what? She's also a capable young woman. She is girly and capable. How refreshing you guys! She's like EVERY OTHER GIRL POWER HEROINE EVER. I was totally on board with Evie's soap opera obsession (totally legit for any teen, and her in particular) as well as her excitement over prom dresses. But the pink overload felt really forced to me and induced more than a few eye rolls on my part.
3. I didn't find all the "wit" to be that witty. Am I just being super picky in that regard?
Anyone else out there read the book? I wouldn't say I'm compelled to keep reading about Evie, though I think I'd be more into it if I knew that Vivian was going to appear again, in a more complex, nuanced way. I would totally recommend this to YA Fantasy fans and anyone who liked Buffy.
Also, if you liked Paranormalcy, you should TOTALLY read Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series. Evie and the Fever series heroine Mac have a lot in common. They are both blonde and bubbly, love pink, love weapons when they are pink and sparkly, are determined to remain cheerful despite discouraging circumstances, and also they both love pink.
Another binge read complete. If I had another book handy, I wouldn't even be blogging right now. Sick.
Anyway, how'd I like the book? I liked it! I liked it more than I expected.
Here are the things I liked:
1. General World Concept: government agency contains paranormal creatures who exist secretly in the regular world. It's like that episode of BTVS with Riley. I liked it. It was nice to have a protagonist on the inside who was also outside in a lot of ways.
2. Focus of the story is on the protagonist Evie's journey to learning more about herself, her past, and the world around her NOT on the romance, which is sweet and natural and definitely not the axis on which everything revolves
3. Ash-like Love Triangle: Much like Malinda Lo's novel Ash, there is a faerie who creates a certain love triangle dynamic but the faerie relationship is complicated and not necessarily romantic.
4. Girl Friendships: Granted, Evie's friendship with mermaid Lish was entirely one-sided, but still it was there. And two other friendships are introduced before the end of the story. Girl Power!
5. Story Scale: The scale was small enough to be contained in one book, and satisfying enough that I don't have to read the continuing books in the series if I don't want to, but the scale was also just large enough (with hints at it being even larger) to make me feel like this story was Important.
6. Parents and Parental Figures: They do exist! And sometimes they help and sometimes they don't.
Here are the things I didn't like so much:
1. Old fashioned cursing: White does invent a cute way to introduce "What the bleep" into the novel, but used it more than I would have liked. Unfortunately she also had Evie say things like "Oh Heavens!" which I find patently ridiculous. This girl spends her days surrounded by government personnel. You really expect me to believe that they didn't teach her any interesting swear words?? I don't have a problem with an author not wanting to put swear words in his/her writing, but don't shove outdated, anachronistic phrases in the protagonist's mouth instead. It's jarring and silly.
2. Pink: Evie loves pink but guess what? She's also a capable young woman. She is girly and capable. How refreshing you guys! She's like EVERY OTHER GIRL POWER HEROINE EVER. I was totally on board with Evie's soap opera obsession (totally legit for any teen, and her in particular) as well as her excitement over prom dresses. But the pink overload felt really forced to me and induced more than a few eye rolls on my part.
3. I didn't find all the "wit" to be that witty. Am I just being super picky in that regard?
Anyone else out there read the book? I wouldn't say I'm compelled to keep reading about Evie, though I think I'd be more into it if I knew that Vivian was going to appear again, in a more complex, nuanced way. I would totally recommend this to YA Fantasy fans and anyone who liked Buffy.
Also, if you liked Paranormalcy, you should TOTALLY read Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series. Evie and the Fever series heroine Mac have a lot in common. They are both blonde and bubbly, love pink, love weapons when they are pink and sparkly, are determined to remain cheerful despite discouraging circumstances, and also they both love pink.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Fetch Me My Smelling Salts
So, tonight in the middle of kickboxing class, I almost fainted. It was the strangest sensation. My vision got blurry but not dark, I felt wobbly but not dizzy, and it suddenly seemed as if I had my hands over my ears because I couldn't quite hear anyone around me.
I must have gone even paler than usual too because the women around me immediately asked if I was all right. Then again, I was also clutching my punching bag for dear life, because I'll be damned if the granddaughter of Dot Smeaton is going to faint in public.
And just in case you're thinking it, no, I am NOT pregnant.
That being said, this has never happened to me before, and I'm a person who has pushed her body beyond its limits many many times in my thirty years. I've had my low blood sugar moments where I subtly (I hope) leaned against a wall to keep from falling, or moments when the blood roared in my ears when I stood up (again, low blood sugar). That doesn't happen much anymore now that I try to avoid carbs and candy (TRY being the operative word, of course).
(Reader, this seems to be a parenthetical kind of post. Please forgive.)
The last couple weeks have been very...full. There's a lot going on, or almost going on. I thought I was handling it, but maybe I'm not? Maybe I need to go a little easier on myself.
I always think NOT being hard on myself is enough but maybe I need to go a little further. Maybe I need to treat myself a little more gently. I'm only sharing this because it may serve as a reminder that you also need to be a little gentler and kinder to yourself.
Note: It's best to consider this BEFORE you find yourself flat on your back with your legs propped up against the bag your supposed to be kicking and punching.
I feel a reading binge coming on. You know how I am. Reading comes in waves and I've learned not to fight it. Since last week I've had the overwhelming urge to crawl inside a book. It wasn't possible a few days ago, but now it is. I'm supposed to start with Audrey Niffenegger's THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, which I'm rereading for a local book club. Then I'm going to read Sarah Waters' TIPPING THE VELVET. And after that, I'm hoping to read CHIME.
The thing is, I can be surprisingly stubborn when it comes to books. I guess I used up all my self control on all the books I was forced to read in middle and high school that I loathed and now I just read whatever I want. There are many nice things about being an adult, that being one of them.
Another is that sometimes, when I feel like it, I buy I candy bar in the checkout line at the grocery store ON A WHIM, just because I can.
Anyway, I'm going to try and be extra nice to myself this week and I hope you will too. I've started by making myself some Tension Tamer tea, which has such an odd taste. And then I shall go to bed. And we'll just see what happens tomorrow, won't we?
I must have gone even paler than usual too because the women around me immediately asked if I was all right. Then again, I was also clutching my punching bag for dear life, because I'll be damned if the granddaughter of Dot Smeaton is going to faint in public.
And just in case you're thinking it, no, I am NOT pregnant.
That being said, this has never happened to me before, and I'm a person who has pushed her body beyond its limits many many times in my thirty years. I've had my low blood sugar moments where I subtly (I hope) leaned against a wall to keep from falling, or moments when the blood roared in my ears when I stood up (again, low blood sugar). That doesn't happen much anymore now that I try to avoid carbs and candy (TRY being the operative word, of course).
(Reader, this seems to be a parenthetical kind of post. Please forgive.)
The last couple weeks have been very...full. There's a lot going on, or almost going on. I thought I was handling it, but maybe I'm not? Maybe I need to go a little easier on myself.
I always think NOT being hard on myself is enough but maybe I need to go a little further. Maybe I need to treat myself a little more gently. I'm only sharing this because it may serve as a reminder that you also need to be a little gentler and kinder to yourself.
Note: It's best to consider this BEFORE you find yourself flat on your back with your legs propped up against the bag your supposed to be kicking and punching.
I feel a reading binge coming on. You know how I am. Reading comes in waves and I've learned not to fight it. Since last week I've had the overwhelming urge to crawl inside a book. It wasn't possible a few days ago, but now it is. I'm supposed to start with Audrey Niffenegger's THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, which I'm rereading for a local book club. Then I'm going to read Sarah Waters' TIPPING THE VELVET. And after that, I'm hoping to read CHIME.
The thing is, I can be surprisingly stubborn when it comes to books. I guess I used up all my self control on all the books I was forced to read in middle and high school that I loathed and now I just read whatever I want. There are many nice things about being an adult, that being one of them.
Another is that sometimes, when I feel like it, I buy I candy bar in the checkout line at the grocery store ON A WHIM, just because I can.
Anyway, I'm going to try and be extra nice to myself this week and I hope you will too. I've started by making myself some Tension Tamer tea, which has such an odd taste. And then I shall go to bed. And we'll just see what happens tomorrow, won't we?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
That New Book Smile
Reader, let's get real. Real Talk. I'm not having a good day. I'm not in a cheery mood.
Why? you ask, with that gentle look of concern. I woke up without heat (I now have heat, it's fine). This is not a good way to start the day. I'm behind on work, which means I can't write, which means my writing soul is stuck in RivenHell Purgatory along with my protagonist for the time being.
I'm having a bad hair day. It's basically the Apocalypse over here.
But something just happened to make me smile.
I was trudging home in the snow with my lukewarm coffee when I saw one of my professor neighbors. He is super friendly with waves and hellos but we don't normally exchange more than that. Today he gives me a big grin.
PROFESSOR NEIGHBOR: ....just got a new book!
ME (not hearing him well and thinking maybe he's telling me this because I just missed the delivery person): Oh! Wait—you did, or I did?
PROF N: I did!!!
ME: Oh. That's great.
PROF N: Yeah! It's one of those books I've been waiting for for a while now too. So now I've got that new book smile.
ME: Awesome.
How cute is that? I mean, I know he's a professor and all, but he's also young and he parks his car super late at night and leaves it running in the driveway while he blasts reggaeton loud enough for me to hear through the walls so...I don't know I guess my point is he doesn't come off as a quiet, nerdy professor but he's still super super excited about a new book and I just found that adorable and it made my day.
Carry on. Nothing to see here.
Why? you ask, with that gentle look of concern. I woke up without heat (I now have heat, it's fine). This is not a good way to start the day. I'm behind on work, which means I can't write, which means my writing soul is stuck in RivenHell Purgatory along with my protagonist for the time being.
I'm having a bad hair day. It's basically the Apocalypse over here.
But something just happened to make me smile.
I was trudging home in the snow with my lukewarm coffee when I saw one of my professor neighbors. He is super friendly with waves and hellos but we don't normally exchange more than that. Today he gives me a big grin.
PROFESSOR NEIGHBOR: ....just got a new book!
ME (not hearing him well and thinking maybe he's telling me this because I just missed the delivery person): Oh! Wait—you did, or I did?
PROF N: I did!!!
ME: Oh. That's great.
PROF N: Yeah! It's one of those books I've been waiting for for a while now too. So now I've got that new book smile.
ME: Awesome.
How cute is that? I mean, I know he's a professor and all, but he's also young and he parks his car super late at night and leaves it running in the driveway while he blasts reggaeton loud enough for me to hear through the walls so...I don't know I guess my point is he doesn't come off as a quiet, nerdy professor but he's still super super excited about a new book and I just found that adorable and it made my day.
Carry on. Nothing to see here.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Blogs You Should Be Reading
The way women are depicted in geekdom art is insane. From comics to manga/ anime to video games to RPG art to urban fantasy book covers, you've got to wonder if these illustrators have ever seen real women before.
You know I've sounded off about this with my paperback boobs post and guide to urban fantasy covers post.
Want more?
How about fantasy author John C. Hines attempting to contort himself into urban fantasy cover art poses with painful, funny, and insightful results?* Yes, please.
Or Escher Girls, a Tumblr account showcasing how ludicrous this art really is? Don't Mind if I do.
To balance it out, make sure you visit the Tumblr Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor, to reassure yourself that yes, women can be depicted with anatomy and clothing within the bounds of reality and some people out there are actually doing it. Hell to the yes.
And finally, for you gamers out there, Go Make Me a Sandwich provides, "A (mostly) humorous look at how not to sell games to women." Yes yes yes!
Now, read and get fired up and spread the word!
FUN FACT: during adolescence, there were three girls I wanted to be like:
1. Sailor Venus: kickass fighter with super skinny thighs
2. Buffy Summers/ Sarah Michelle Gellar: Sure she could kick your ass but SMG was and continues to be my height and about half my weight (here's my favorite photo of her from those days, which I aspired to)
3. Caitlin Fairchild: from the short-lived, X-men ripoff comic book series Gen 13. She was smart, responsible, the group leader, and her power was super strength (I really like super strength). Plus, she had red hair.
Also, she looked like this:
I thought I couldn't be beautiful unless I looked like them. A part of me still does. I struggle with my body image ever single day. By allowing this sort of art to continue, this is what we're telling young women.
If we don't stand up and say this isn't okay, who will?
*Much thanks to my friend and fellow writer Jazz Sexton for sharing the Hines post with me. You can check out her blog Write the World here. Go say hello!
You know I've sounded off about this with my paperback boobs post and guide to urban fantasy covers post.
Want more?
How about fantasy author John C. Hines attempting to contort himself into urban fantasy cover art poses with painful, funny, and insightful results?* Yes, please.
Or Escher Girls, a Tumblr account showcasing how ludicrous this art really is? Don't Mind if I do.
To balance it out, make sure you visit the Tumblr Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor, to reassure yourself that yes, women can be depicted with anatomy and clothing within the bounds of reality and some people out there are actually doing it. Hell to the yes.
And finally, for you gamers out there, Go Make Me a Sandwich provides, "A (mostly) humorous look at how not to sell games to women." Yes yes yes!
Now, read and get fired up and spread the word!
FUN FACT: during adolescence, there were three girls I wanted to be like:
1. Sailor Venus: kickass fighter with super skinny thighs
2. Buffy Summers/ Sarah Michelle Gellar: Sure she could kick your ass but SMG was and continues to be my height and about half my weight (here's my favorite photo of her from those days, which I aspired to)
3. Caitlin Fairchild: from the short-lived, X-men ripoff comic book series Gen 13. She was smart, responsible, the group leader, and her power was super strength (I really like super strength). Plus, she had red hair.
Also, she looked like this:
I thought I couldn't be beautiful unless I looked like them. A part of me still does. I struggle with my body image ever single day. By allowing this sort of art to continue, this is what we're telling young women.
If we don't stand up and say this isn't okay, who will?
*Much thanks to my friend and fellow writer Jazz Sexton for sharing the Hines post with me. You can check out her blog Write the World here. Go say hello!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Best Tumblr Yet
Ryan Gosling + YA books = Genius
Ch-ch-check it OUT here
Here's my favorite so far: because, Reader, anything can happen at the school dance!
Ch-ch-check it OUT here
Here's my favorite so far: because, Reader, anything can happen at the school dance!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Holiday Gifts for the Nerdy, Book-Loving Woman
Here are some ideas for gifts you can give to the bibliophile woman in your life, limited, of course, by my reading preferences. Warning: I haven't labored over this, I'm just throwing out some ideas I had. I'll add more if they come to me. This is by no means a comprehensive gift guide!!
1. The Woman Who Will Always Be Little Red Riding Hood
Book: Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale
Gift: Gorgeous Linzor Hood from Anthropologie: Perfect for lunch with Grandma or a date with the huntsman—or wolf, whichever she prefers.
2. The Woman Who Loves His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman
Book: The His Dark Materials Omnibus just released Dec 6, 2011.
Sure, it must be REALLY heavy, but that cover is to die for. I'm drooling all over my keyboard as we speak.
Gift: (Not exactly for grown women, but is this not SO incredibly cool??) Netto's Polar Bear Rocker
3. The Woman Who Wants to Be Karou
Book: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Wait for my contest, which will feature a hardcover signed copy OR buy it yourself, if you haven't already!
Gift: A wishbone necklace (readers will know why.)
You can find many lovely versions in silver or gold on Etsy. I like this one by Lisa Loren (shown).
4. The Woman Who Will Always Love Fairy Tales
The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm published by Taschen Books. Gorgeous book for a long-time fairy tale reader, or a first timer.
[Edited 12.15.11]
Gift: When shopping for the fairy tale girl, the question is not what to get, but where to begin? She may be shy, she may be demure. She may kick around in old jeans and never wear makeup. And yet, secretly, she is a princess.
Oh, I just upped the ante now, didn't I? You're shopping for a princess! But don't despair. Here are several ideas that will surprise and delight her.
1. An extravagant headdress: Don't think it's her style? That's only because she's in disguise. She may never dare to wear one of these lovelies at a ball for fear of giving herself away, but there's nothing wrong with dressing up for a Saturday night in with a good book!
Here are a few headdresses I like:
a. Star Chylde Golden Crystal Stars and Bronze Chain Headpiece Headdress by Raven Eve Jewelry on Etsy for $38.00.
b. Blue Bead and Silver Chain Headdress by BOHOBO Collective on Etsy for $48.00.
2. Shoe Clips: Because every princess needs a special pair of shoes and these clips ensure that even the simplest peasant flat has a bit of faerie godmother magic.
Pom Pom Shoe Clips from BHLDN (available in many colors)for $25.00
3. Toadstool: Maybe she's a wild woodland princess, who doesn't like fancy shoes or jewels. In that case, perhaps she'd like a toadstool of her own!
Mushroom Pouf at Anthropologie for $138.00. (It's 15" high)
5. The Dragon Rider...I mean, Reader Despite the obvious fire hazards, bibliophiles and dragons can't help but fall in love. Every book-loving woman needs a trusty dragon companion, don't you think?
Book: There are too many to list! The dragon-loving reader might feel a kinship with Cimorene from Dealing with Dragons and the rest of the series by Patricia C. Wrede (now available as a boxed set), or perhaps at heart she's a dragon rider of Pern in Anne McCaffrey's beloved series. Then again, she might, deep down, be Danaerys from George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, or September from Catherynne M. Valente's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
Gift: Handknit Dragon Hatchling by Sweet Bauer Knits on Etsy.
6. Women Who Run—I mean, read—with Wolves
Book: She might be Team Jacob, or maybe she prefers Sam from Maggie Steifvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls, or maybe she's a fan of Nick from Carrie Jones' Need series. Maybe, she loves them all. It takes more than one wolf to make a pack, right?
Gift: For this woman, why not give her a wolf of her very own? Through the World Wildlife Fund, you can adopt a gray wolf for as little as $25.(Image borrowed from the WWF site)
1. The Woman Who Will Always Be Little Red Riding Hood
Book: Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale
Gift: Gorgeous Linzor Hood from Anthropologie: Perfect for lunch with Grandma or a date with the huntsman—or wolf, whichever she prefers.
2. The Woman Who Loves His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman
Book: The His Dark Materials Omnibus just released Dec 6, 2011.
Gift: (Not exactly for grown women, but is this not SO incredibly cool??) Netto's Polar Bear Rocker
3. The Woman Who Wants to Be Karou
Book: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Wait for my contest, which will feature a hardcover signed copy OR buy it yourself, if you haven't already!
Gift: A wishbone necklace (readers will know why.)
4. The Woman Who Will Always Love Fairy Tales
The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm published by Taschen Books. Gorgeous book for a long-time fairy tale reader, or a first timer.
[Edited 12.15.11]
Gift: When shopping for the fairy tale girl, the question is not what to get, but where to begin? She may be shy, she may be demure. She may kick around in old jeans and never wear makeup. And yet, secretly, she is a princess.
Oh, I just upped the ante now, didn't I? You're shopping for a princess! But don't despair. Here are several ideas that will surprise and delight her.
1. An extravagant headdress: Don't think it's her style? That's only because she's in disguise. She may never dare to wear one of these lovelies at a ball for fear of giving herself away, but there's nothing wrong with dressing up for a Saturday night in with a good book!
Here are a few headdresses I like:
a. Star Chylde Golden Crystal Stars and Bronze Chain Headpiece Headdress by Raven Eve Jewelry on Etsy for $38.00.
b. Blue Bead and Silver Chain Headdress by BOHOBO Collective on Etsy for $48.00.
2. Shoe Clips: Because every princess needs a special pair of shoes and these clips ensure that even the simplest peasant flat has a bit of faerie godmother magic.
Pom Pom Shoe Clips from BHLDN (available in many colors)for $25.00
3. Toadstool: Maybe she's a wild woodland princess, who doesn't like fancy shoes or jewels. In that case, perhaps she'd like a toadstool of her own!
Mushroom Pouf at Anthropologie for $138.00. (It's 15" high)
5. The Dragon Rider...I mean, Reader Despite the obvious fire hazards, bibliophiles and dragons can't help but fall in love. Every book-loving woman needs a trusty dragon companion, don't you think?
Book: There are too many to list! The dragon-loving reader might feel a kinship with Cimorene from Dealing with Dragons and the rest of the series by Patricia C. Wrede (now available as a boxed set), or perhaps at heart she's a dragon rider of Pern in Anne McCaffrey's beloved series. Then again, she might, deep down, be Danaerys from George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, or September from Catherynne M. Valente's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
Gift: Handknit Dragon Hatchling by Sweet Bauer Knits on Etsy.
6. Women Who Run—I mean, read—with Wolves
Book: She might be Team Jacob, or maybe she prefers Sam from Maggie Steifvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls, or maybe she's a fan of Nick from Carrie Jones' Need series. Maybe, she loves them all. It takes more than one wolf to make a pack, right?
Gift: For this woman, why not give her a wolf of her very own? Through the World Wildlife Fund, you can adopt a gray wolf for as little as $25.(Image borrowed from the WWF site)
Monday, November 14, 2011
May The Odds Be Ever in Your Favor
Okay, confession time: a few days ago I was telling Curt that while I love following casting decisions and seeing the actors in character for novels-turned-movies, I tend not to care about the movies themselves.
And then I watched this a couple minutes ago. It's the official trailer for The Hunger Games. Have you already seen it?
I know that my relationship with this series ended in a really bitter, messy breakup. You can read how it went down here but be forewarned there are spoilers all over the place.
But you never forget how that first book makes you feel, you know? I thought I was passively curious. Now? Now I'm freaking. Out.
Heart racing, sick to my stomach—pretty much the same way I felt while reading that first book. RUE, you guys. Forget the love triangle. You know how I feel about Rue.
Please to enjoy:
And then I watched this a couple minutes ago. It's the official trailer for The Hunger Games. Have you already seen it?
I know that my relationship with this series ended in a really bitter, messy breakup. You can read how it went down here but be forewarned there are spoilers all over the place.
But you never forget how that first book makes you feel, you know? I thought I was passively curious. Now? Now I'm freaking. Out.
Heart racing, sick to my stomach—pretty much the same way I felt while reading that first book. RUE, you guys. Forget the love triangle. You know how I feel about Rue.
Please to enjoy:
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Gratitude
Last night I couldn't sleep again. Lately it's been so easy to let life overwhelm me. It's always high tide and the waves are always crashing over the walls, I guess.
But today I'm going to try and focus on gratitude. Here's a list of good things in my life today:
1. I went to get pumpkin coffee but left with French Vanilla. Oh, hello French Vanilla goodness. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?
2. It's warm! Like, in the 60s. The snow is mostly gone at last. The sunshine feels warm, the sky is blue, and best of all, I can smell the earth. Oh how I will miss that smell when everything is frozen for the winter.
3. Had a great yoga class today. No head stands, thankfully, but some bridge/ backbends and lots of balance work, which I like. Today I felt good in my body. It reminded me of how only a couple years ago, my body felt entirely foreign to me. Whether you have an injury, an ongoing body/ food issue, or illness, it can be so painful to feel disconnected from yourself. Today I'm saying, "Thank you, Body."
Finally, if you're on Goodreads, I hope you'll friend me. I joined ages ago, put a bunch of books on my list and then never went back. Well, now I'm back for good!
With my friend Faye, I'm going to be running a Goodreads book group for Sirens, the conference I attend every October. I'll also be posting about local author/ book events and am hoping to encourage other people to share events in their area.
So if you're interested in women in Fantasy literature, I hope you'll check out the Sirens Group and introduce yourself on the Intro Thread! It's open to everyone. I just go by Jennifer Ambrose on the site, just so you know.
If you've been a monster grump this week, I hope you take a few minutes to make a gratitude list, to walk outside, and—if you're lucky—smell the earth.
As ever, be kind to yourselves.
But today I'm going to try and focus on gratitude. Here's a list of good things in my life today:
1. I went to get pumpkin coffee but left with French Vanilla. Oh, hello French Vanilla goodness. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?
2. It's warm! Like, in the 60s. The snow is mostly gone at last. The sunshine feels warm, the sky is blue, and best of all, I can smell the earth. Oh how I will miss that smell when everything is frozen for the winter.
3. Had a great yoga class today. No head stands, thankfully, but some bridge/ backbends and lots of balance work, which I like. Today I felt good in my body. It reminded me of how only a couple years ago, my body felt entirely foreign to me. Whether you have an injury, an ongoing body/ food issue, or illness, it can be so painful to feel disconnected from yourself. Today I'm saying, "Thank you, Body."
Finally, if you're on Goodreads, I hope you'll friend me. I joined ages ago, put a bunch of books on my list and then never went back. Well, now I'm back for good!
With my friend Faye, I'm going to be running a Goodreads book group for Sirens, the conference I attend every October. I'll also be posting about local author/ book events and am hoping to encourage other people to share events in their area.
So if you're interested in women in Fantasy literature, I hope you'll check out the Sirens Group and introduce yourself on the Intro Thread! It's open to everyone. I just go by Jennifer Ambrose on the site, just so you know.
If you've been a monster grump this week, I hope you take a few minutes to make a gratitude list, to walk outside, and—if you're lucky—smell the earth.
As ever, be kind to yourselves.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Elinor Book Review: Malinda Lo's Ash
Ash by Malinda Lo is a lovely book. The whole time I read it, I felt like I was in a floaty world surrounded by mist. In that sense, it's a true fairy tale. This is due, in part, to Lo's writing style. It's beautiful but restrained. I didn't feel very connected to Ash because for me everything was held at a blurry distance, like an old photograph. This is not a criticism, just an observation.
I felt that this distance allowed Lo to explore some pretty dark themes, such as suicide, with a light touch. As with the old fairy tales, a younger reader could read this story and only skim the surface of what the characters were feeling. An older reader would be able to appreciate the nuances. I actually felt that despite the heavier themes due to Ash's sad childhood, this was a younger YA book.
You may have also heard that it's a LESBIAN retelling of Cinderella. That makes for a nice hook, I suppose, but it's also a narrow way to describe the story. The development of the relationship between Ash and Kaisa, the King's huntress, felt natural and sweet. In contrast to Ash's relationship with the fairy prince, Kaisa was grounded, warm, real. In my opinion, the story is not about whether or not Ash likes boys or girls, it's whether or not Ash will choose to live or die (by forsaking her human life for the Fairy realm).
I read this book very quickly. It was like a spell settled over me and I had to read until I was done—not in a heart-pounding way, but in a dreamy, mesmerized sort of way. It just sort of happened, page after beautiful page, until I was done.
Ash didn't stay with me too sharply, but I attribute that to two things: the book's style and my age. I think this book would really seize a younger reader and like I said, the darker themes are beautifully muted so that the reader can decide how deeply to experience them.
I would happily recommend this to fairy tale lovers of any age, and middle school to high school readers.
The Dashwoods of Book Reviews
Good morning! I'm not totally a morning person. I would rather stay up all night and sleep until, say, 11 AM maybe. Also I would like to need less sleep. Something to think about as you draft my Christmas list this year, hmm?
Normally I fritter away the morning, but since I owe you so many book reviews, I decided to commit my mornings to the reviews until they are done.
First, I wanted to go over the basics of my reviews. I review in one of two ways: with my immediate reaction within 24 hours of finishing a book, which we will from hereon refer to as the Marianne, or over a month afterward, now known as Elinor. I try to always tell you what kind of review I'm giving you, because I think each style offers a slightly different perspective on the book.
Marianne
The Marianne review tells you how the book might make you feel when you are done, ie buoyed up with joy or barely restraining yourself from throwing said book out the window. The plot threads and characters are still bright in my mind so you might think that this is the most accurate review I could give and in some ways, that's true. However, having just closed the book, I tend to have very strong feelings for it and may get carried away with my emotions.
Elinor
The Elinor review tells you how I view a book from a comfortable distance. Did it stay with me? Have I forgiven the book for a minor issue that infuriated me when I first finished the story but with time has since proven to have been a—dare I say it—necessary aspect of the plot? What is the book's lasting impression and how does it make me feel over time? In hindsight, was it worth reading?
There you have it: The Dashwood book reviews. Any questions?
Normally I fritter away the morning, but since I owe you so many book reviews, I decided to commit my mornings to the reviews until they are done.
First, I wanted to go over the basics of my reviews. I review in one of two ways: with my immediate reaction within 24 hours of finishing a book, which we will from hereon refer to as the Marianne, or over a month afterward, now known as Elinor. I try to always tell you what kind of review I'm giving you, because I think each style offers a slightly different perspective on the book.
Marianne
The Marianne review tells you how the book might make you feel when you are done, ie buoyed up with joy or barely restraining yourself from throwing said book out the window. The plot threads and characters are still bright in my mind so you might think that this is the most accurate review I could give and in some ways, that's true. However, having just closed the book, I tend to have very strong feelings for it and may get carried away with my emotions.
Elinor
The Elinor review tells you how I view a book from a comfortable distance. Did it stay with me? Have I forgiven the book for a minor issue that infuriated me when I first finished the story but with time has since proven to have been a—dare I say it—necessary aspect of the plot? What is the book's lasting impression and how does it make me feel over time? In hindsight, was it worth reading?
There you have it: The Dashwood book reviews. Any questions?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Squirrels v. Starks
I've noticed lately that squirrels around here are getting pretty brazen. Earlier today there was a little squirrel eating right in the middle of the sidewalk. He looked so cute that I didn't want to interrupt, so I crossed the street.
I crossed the street. To avoid a squirrel.
What!?
I know, it's crazy. But he looked so sure of himself, his little white haunches bristling. It looked like he belonged there. And he's not the only one. The squirrels don't even notice me anymore when I walk past. That's how single-minded they are about eating everything in sight.
Every time I see one, I think about winter. The squirrels obviously know it's coming because they have come to the accurate conclusion that Winter is scarier and more dangerous than humans.
I'm going to say that one more time: Squirrels understand that Winter is scarier than humans.
Do you realize what this means!????
It means that the average squirrel is smarter than EVERY SINGLE (living) PERSON in Westeros*.
(Image available as a tshirt from redbubble.com)
*Reference to George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. But then, you knew that already, didn't you?
I crossed the street. To avoid a squirrel.
What!?
I know, it's crazy. But he looked so sure of himself, his little white haunches bristling. It looked like he belonged there. And he's not the only one. The squirrels don't even notice me anymore when I walk past. That's how single-minded they are about eating everything in sight.
Every time I see one, I think about winter. The squirrels obviously know it's coming because they have come to the accurate conclusion that Winter is scarier and more dangerous than humans.
I'm going to say that one more time: Squirrels understand that Winter is scarier than humans.
Do you realize what this means!????
It means that the average squirrel is smarter than EVERY SINGLE (living) PERSON in Westeros*.
*Reference to George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. But then, you knew that already, didn't you?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Coming Soon: More Book Reviews!
Now that my computer is alive and well, I can catch up on some long overdue book reviews! It may be a bit ambitious considering it's already Wednesday, but this week I plan to review the following books:
1. Laini Taylor's forthcoming Daughter of Smoke of Bone
2. Catherynne Valente's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
3. Malinda Lo's Ash
Also, guess what!?!?!?! I was one of the winners of the book giveaway from Carrie Jones, which I blogged about here! So soon I'll be reviewing her books After Obsession (co-written with Steven Wedel) and Dear Bully (co-edited with Megan Kelley Hall)
Currently I'm reading Brando Skyhorse's The Madonnas of Echo Park as well as a great collection called Fantastic Women, which includes BOTH Aimee Bender and Kelly Link. They were gifts from a friend. Huzzah for friends who send me books in the mail!!
1. Laini Taylor's forthcoming Daughter of Smoke of Bone
2. Catherynne Valente's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
3. Malinda Lo's Ash
Also, guess what!?!?!?! I was one of the winners of the book giveaway from Carrie Jones, which I blogged about here! So soon I'll be reviewing her books After Obsession (co-written with Steven Wedel) and Dear Bully (co-edited with Megan Kelley Hall)
Currently I'm reading Brando Skyhorse's The Madonnas of Echo Park as well as a great collection called Fantastic Women, which includes BOTH Aimee Bender and Kelly Link. They were gifts from a friend. Huzzah for friends who send me books in the mail!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Did You Miss Me?
Reader! Hello! How are you? My computer has been working on her breathing and affirmative visualization exercises and has managed to overcome the trauma of the hurricane.
In other words, Curt figured out that some knobs had gotten loose and so we tightened them and the computer turned back on.
No, I'm not joking.
So, here is a mishmash of things from my head for your Tuesday evening enjoyment:
1.I am officially an aunt! Should I insist on being called "Auntie"? No, I don't think so, though it's tempting. I got to hold my niece and it was pretty cool. I'm still not really into the whole baby thing. I prefer kids once they can talk and walk but oh well. As babies go, my new niece is as cute as they come!
2.I was coming down with a cold but it seems to be going away and it's only been a few days! This may be the first time that has happened since I got mono way back in 2005. HA! Take THAT, Sickness. I have triumphed over thee!
Sadly (or perhaps not so sadly, depending on your tolerance for gross posts), my returning health means you will not be treated to another Consumption joke or another gruesome post about eye seepage.
3.Here's a link to the blog The Art Order, which ran a contest for artists to interpret the LOTR scene in which Eowyn fights the Nazgul. It's really fun to scroll through. I kept finding more and more that I loved, in all different styles. Here are a couple of my favorites:
4. Rhetorical Question: How can I ever enjoy Orson Scott Card again after reading this????
Answer: I just can't. I can't love you anymore, OSC. Not when you spread hate and ignorance and homophobia and bad retellings of Shakespeare. No. Just stop before my newfound indifference towards you sours into something darker.
Editor's Note: From now on OSC shall be struck from my Ongoing List of Favorite Authors. Sad Face Party.
5.Today I went to the campus HR Office to fill out paperwork because I'm helping out at the bookstore for the book rush. I was filling out my W4 and I stopped because there were three options: Single, Married, and Married but file as single. I was puzzling over why I might want to file as Single since I'm married. Kindly remember that I've been fighting a cold and haven't been particularly sharp the last couple days.
The HR woman helpfully leans in and goes, "Single. Single. Single." Three slow blinks and slow oh-so-very-slow chugs of the brain gears later and I realize she thinks I'm single. "I'm married," I tell her.
Here we go, I think. She sits back in shock. "So young!" she shouts.
Lady, go on and ask me how long I've been married. Go. Ahead. I love it when they do that. Then I can see them trying to run the math without actually asking me how old I am. Because what I really need is the freshmen looking at me like I'm as old as Death while the adults in HR think I'm a child bride. What is up with that??
And finally: the Happy Song of the Day. Get up out that seat and DANCE!
In other words, Curt figured out that some knobs had gotten loose and so we tightened them and the computer turned back on.
No, I'm not joking.
So, here is a mishmash of things from my head for your Tuesday evening enjoyment:
1.I am officially an aunt! Should I insist on being called "Auntie"? No, I don't think so, though it's tempting. I got to hold my niece and it was pretty cool. I'm still not really into the whole baby thing. I prefer kids once they can talk and walk but oh well. As babies go, my new niece is as cute as they come!
2.I was coming down with a cold but it seems to be going away and it's only been a few days! This may be the first time that has happened since I got mono way back in 2005. HA! Take THAT, Sickness. I have triumphed over thee!
Sadly (or perhaps not so sadly, depending on your tolerance for gross posts), my returning health means you will not be treated to another Consumption joke or another gruesome post about eye seepage.
3.Here's a link to the blog The Art Order, which ran a contest for artists to interpret the LOTR scene in which Eowyn fights the Nazgul. It's really fun to scroll through. I kept finding more and more that I loved, in all different styles. Here are a couple of my favorites:
4. Rhetorical Question: How can I ever enjoy Orson Scott Card again after reading this????
Answer: I just can't. I can't love you anymore, OSC. Not when you spread hate and ignorance and homophobia and bad retellings of Shakespeare. No. Just stop before my newfound indifference towards you sours into something darker.
Editor's Note: From now on OSC shall be struck from my Ongoing List of Favorite Authors. Sad Face Party.
5.Today I went to the campus HR Office to fill out paperwork because I'm helping out at the bookstore for the book rush. I was filling out my W4 and I stopped because there were three options: Single, Married, and Married but file as single. I was puzzling over why I might want to file as Single since I'm married. Kindly remember that I've been fighting a cold and haven't been particularly sharp the last couple days.
The HR woman helpfully leans in and goes, "Single. Single. Single." Three slow blinks and slow oh-so-very-slow chugs of the brain gears later and I realize she thinks I'm single. "I'm married," I tell her.
Here we go, I think. She sits back in shock. "So young!" she shouts.
Lady, go on and ask me how long I've been married. Go. Ahead. I love it when they do that. Then I can see them trying to run the math without actually asking me how old I am. Because what I really need is the freshmen looking at me like I'm as old as Death while the adults in HR think I'm a child bride. What is up with that??
And finally: the Happy Song of the Day. Get up out that seat and DANCE!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Library Love and Author Carrie Jones
Hey everyone, I wanted to spread the word about a rural library in need of help and an awesome giveaway by Carrie Jones (Bates alum, holla!), the kindhearted and talented author of the Need series, Tips on Having a Gay (Ex-)Boyfriend, and several other books.
Here's the deal: There's a private library with a devoted Super Librarian in rural Cherryfield, ME. The library is $3,000 short of its annual budget.
How can you help??
You can donate $5 or more to the library. The other day on Facebook, Catherynne Valente asked people how much a cup of coffee costs and most people said $5! So if you tend to pay $5 for coffee, consider skipping it tomorrow and helping out a library instead!
Here is the library's Facebook page.
If you are seriously short on money (hey, who isn't?) but still want to help, you can enter Carrie's contest and spread the word! AND you might win some books too. Huzzah!
Here are The Rules straight from Carrie's LiveJournal:
RULES!!!!
1. Comment on Carrie's LiveJournal post.
2. Put a link back to where you've posted about the library's challenge and this contest. You can post about it anywhere, on Facebook, on your blog, Twitter, anything, just provide a link. If you put in a picture of AFTER OBSESSION you get a double entry. If you put in a picture of DEAR BULLY and/or talk about bullying, you get a triple entry.
3. If you have don't have a Livejournal ID and have to comment anonymously, please give me a way to find you. Lots of people win things but then I can't get them again because they are anonymous. This makes me sad.
4. This will run until Sept. 1, noon EST.
5. I (Carrie) will pick five random winners who will get books.
6. For everyone who comments Carrie will donate a dollar. So tell your friends!
And here's a picture of the two awesome books you could win just by being nice and spreading the word:
Dear Bully
And After Obsession
Reader, let's be honest: if you EVER stop by this blog, then you must love stories and books and reading. And that means there must be at least one important library in your life. So spread the word and the library love!
Here's the deal: There's a private library with a devoted Super Librarian in rural Cherryfield, ME. The library is $3,000 short of its annual budget.
How can you help??
You can donate $5 or more to the library. The other day on Facebook, Catherynne Valente asked people how much a cup of coffee costs and most people said $5! So if you tend to pay $5 for coffee, consider skipping it tomorrow and helping out a library instead!
Here is the library's Facebook page.
If you are seriously short on money (hey, who isn't?) but still want to help, you can enter Carrie's contest and spread the word! AND you might win some books too. Huzzah!
Here are The Rules straight from Carrie's LiveJournal:
RULES!!!!
1. Comment on Carrie's LiveJournal post.
2. Put a link back to where you've posted about the library's challenge and this contest. You can post about it anywhere, on Facebook, on your blog, Twitter, anything, just provide a link. If you put in a picture of AFTER OBSESSION you get a double entry. If you put in a picture of DEAR BULLY and/or talk about bullying, you get a triple entry.
3. If you have don't have a Livejournal ID and have to comment anonymously, please give me a way to find you. Lots of people win things but then I can't get them again because they are anonymous. This makes me sad.
4. This will run until Sept. 1, noon EST.
5. I (Carrie) will pick five random winners who will get books.
6. For everyone who comments Carrie will donate a dollar. So tell your friends!
And here's a picture of the two awesome books you could win just by being nice and spreading the word:
Dear Bully
And After Obsession
Reader, let's be honest: if you EVER stop by this blog, then you must love stories and books and reading. And that means there must be at least one important library in your life. So spread the word and the library love!
Friday, August 12, 2011
There is No Joy in The Serious
The other day, I blogged about "literary" fiction's prejudices against genre fiction. To be honest, I've got a pretty big prejudice against "literary" fiction myself: That it's all DEPRESSING.
Which is why I avoid it unless a particular book has been recommended to me.
It's funny, because I do love tragedies. I suppose you haven't ever seen the amazing Bollywood film Devdas, have you? I adore it—one scene in particular, which always makes me cry. Always. I also love Hamlet. I haven't quite figure it out, though I do find there's a difference between a grandiose, epic tragedy and a wear-you-down, life is hopeless depressing story.
The thing is, I'm very good at depressing myself without any outside help.
Why is it that Art has to be serious to be taken seriously?
People used to mock me for loving Sara Teasdale's poetry, despite my contention that she can be just as piercing and pensive as Sylvia Plath.
I was teased at the publishing house for selecting a holiday book (yes, every year we each got to choose a book that was then wrapped and opened in front of the entire company) about Maxfield Parrish (ever heard of "Parrish Blue?").
This is "Ecstay" my favorite Parrish painting and the first one I ever saw.
One editor told me I might as well like Thomas Kinkaid. Everyone laughed. At 23 and lowest on the company totem pole, I was mortified.
Similarly in college I struggled to enjoy dance class, which had been one of my primary loves up through high school. But there was no more Fosse, no more tap, and very little ballet. Dance was not to entertain and express a range of emotions. No, because it was college and so there was only Modern Dance and Modern was ONLY for the purpose of talking about Serious Topics.
Even the folks who made White Christmas knew that. ("Instead of dance it's choreography.")
Last night I attended yet another modern dance performance. I never learn, I guess. The entire time I kept thinking, "Where is the joy??" One piece after another featured stressful music, serious themes, and hardly any dancing at all. One piece that explored a little shred of hope (I'm not asking for sequins here, folks), would have stood out like a beacon of light.
Instead we were treated to one piece in particular, which involved a woman making upsetting noises, stomping her feet, and randomly spinning a top, all with her back to the audience.
I don't go to a performance to watch someone else's self indulgent display of emotion. Ditto for reading a book. I go to have emotions evoked in ME through the work. The artist shouldn't try to control what that emotion/ reaction is. Interestingly, that piece also required several paragraphs of explanation in the program, something about the world's sadness. Sad was not how I felt. Anger was more like it.
It seems to me that the only people who like this stuff, are the ones making it, be that certain literary fiction or modern dance or any other art form. It reminded me of a strange moment last summer at the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference wherein a couple literary magazines informed everyone that, "If you expect us to publish your work, you need to subscribe to our magazine." The implication being that otherwise the magazines would fold. You know, because no one wants to read that stuff, not even the people who are WRITING it!
As Curt said so eloquently, "That's not art, that's a bunch of people masturbating on each other."
I like to think of this crassness as my influence on him.
Please don't misunderstand, I'm not saying I want everything to be sunshine! rainbows! and jazz hands! But everything needs balance. Without an understanding of the hope a character might have for the potential joys they might experience, I can't then truly comprehend the meaning of their loss when/ if those hopes are not realized. I can't appreciate darkness without a candle, nor can I appreciate these long, lazy summer days without the dark, cold winter nights.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with a little joy. Mock me all you want. Shake your head all you want. Snub me all you want Mr. Snobby Narrow-minded Literary Agent, who doesn't have a clue what my writing abilities are. Dismiss my thesis or my dance composition piece or my holiday book selection.
For a serious person like me, exploring life's capacity for joy is far more difficult and meaningful than exploring its capacity for despair.
Editor's Note: I guess I think about this a lot. Here's a post from last year as a refresher.
Which is why I avoid it unless a particular book has been recommended to me.
It's funny, because I do love tragedies. I suppose you haven't ever seen the amazing Bollywood film Devdas, have you? I adore it—one scene in particular, which always makes me cry. Always. I also love Hamlet. I haven't quite figure it out, though I do find there's a difference between a grandiose, epic tragedy and a wear-you-down, life is hopeless depressing story.
The thing is, I'm very good at depressing myself without any outside help.
Why is it that Art has to be serious to be taken seriously?
People used to mock me for loving Sara Teasdale's poetry, despite my contention that she can be just as piercing and pensive as Sylvia Plath.
I was teased at the publishing house for selecting a holiday book (yes, every year we each got to choose a book that was then wrapped and opened in front of the entire company) about Maxfield Parrish (ever heard of "Parrish Blue?").
One editor told me I might as well like Thomas Kinkaid. Everyone laughed. At 23 and lowest on the company totem pole, I was mortified.
Similarly in college I struggled to enjoy dance class, which had been one of my primary loves up through high school. But there was no more Fosse, no more tap, and very little ballet. Dance was not to entertain and express a range of emotions. No, because it was college and so there was only Modern Dance and Modern was ONLY for the purpose of talking about Serious Topics.
Even the folks who made White Christmas knew that. ("Instead of dance it's choreography.")
Last night I attended yet another modern dance performance. I never learn, I guess. The entire time I kept thinking, "Where is the joy??" One piece after another featured stressful music, serious themes, and hardly any dancing at all. One piece that explored a little shred of hope (I'm not asking for sequins here, folks), would have stood out like a beacon of light.
Instead we were treated to one piece in particular, which involved a woman making upsetting noises, stomping her feet, and randomly spinning a top, all with her back to the audience.
I don't go to a performance to watch someone else's self indulgent display of emotion. Ditto for reading a book. I go to have emotions evoked in ME through the work. The artist shouldn't try to control what that emotion/ reaction is. Interestingly, that piece also required several paragraphs of explanation in the program, something about the world's sadness. Sad was not how I felt. Anger was more like it.
It seems to me that the only people who like this stuff, are the ones making it, be that certain literary fiction or modern dance or any other art form. It reminded me of a strange moment last summer at the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference wherein a couple literary magazines informed everyone that, "If you expect us to publish your work, you need to subscribe to our magazine." The implication being that otherwise the magazines would fold. You know, because no one wants to read that stuff, not even the people who are WRITING it!
As Curt said so eloquently, "That's not art, that's a bunch of people masturbating on each other."
I like to think of this crassness as my influence on him.
Please don't misunderstand, I'm not saying I want everything to be sunshine! rainbows! and jazz hands! But everything needs balance. Without an understanding of the hope a character might have for the potential joys they might experience, I can't then truly comprehend the meaning of their loss when/ if those hopes are not realized. I can't appreciate darkness without a candle, nor can I appreciate these long, lazy summer days without the dark, cold winter nights.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with a little joy. Mock me all you want. Shake your head all you want. Snub me all you want Mr. Snobby Narrow-minded Literary Agent, who doesn't have a clue what my writing abilities are. Dismiss my thesis or my dance composition piece or my holiday book selection.
For a serious person like me, exploring life's capacity for joy is far more difficult and meaningful than exploring its capacity for despair.
Editor's Note: I guess I think about this a lot. Here's a post from last year as a refresher.
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