1.08.2007
TRAMBLINGS. . .
It's been awhile but today we're back with a new episode of WHAT'S ON YOUR DESK?. Read what MELISSA SENATE has to say about her writing space...
"Love my writing desk! It's an old-fashioned mahogany secretary with many little drawers and cubby holes. On it are: my Dell laptop, my beloved tiny snowglobe of Rome from the Vatican Museums, a picture of my son with his huge smile, my six novels and the anthologies I've contributed to, a photograph of me that my four-year-old took (came out pretty good!), three advance review copies to be read for blurbs, and my favorite lamp with its white beads. And the ever-present glass of Diet Coke."
-- Courtesy of MELISSA SENATE author of LOVE YOU TO DEATH. Senate also contrinuted to IT'S A WONDERFUL LIE: 26 TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE IN YOUR TWENTIES. You can also visit her on her MY SPACE PAGE.
A couple years ago, I tried (on two separate occassions) to start a book club here in Los Angeles. I had a great group in northern Cal but my L.A. attempts have fallen short. Always get a great group of people but, somehow, the book discussion ends up turning into movie business talk. Interesting for about five minutes, a good hour or two when I'm not focused on books, but I want my book club to be about BOOKS.
Anyway, I've been threatening to try again but in the meantime me and NYC/CARIBBEAN RAGAZZA have an informal email book club jumping off. Very cool. We share similar reading tastes and she loves to read as much as I do. How cool is that? The most recent email exchange motivated me to give ON BEAUTY one more try. Smith's writing is beautiful, cultured, layered and skillful but it also leaves me cold. I'll go back in with an open mind and keep you posted.
Ordered a couple new books today. Drop me a line if you've read any of them. Here's the list. . .
LAST OF THE RED HOT POPPAS by Jason Berry.
ABOUT ALICE by Calvin Trillin.
LET THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ERASE YOUR NAME by VENDELA VIDA.
SACRED GAMES by Vikram Chandra.
TRUE EVIL by Greg Iles.
Lastly, here's a TERRIFYING BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT. The background music is particularly amusing. Happy about the safe, healthy birth and all that but the PARENTS are out of control. I understand self promotion and all that jazz but (insert unChristian thoughts) ...
Just my opinion but, in fiction, a good editor would read about these two and scribble in the margins, "These character are too over the top and unrealistic. Scale back if possible. Try and infuse with a little more humanity."
Until next time. . .
It's been awhile but today we're back with a new episode of WHAT'S ON YOUR DESK?. Read what MELISSA SENATE has to say about her writing space...
"Love my writing desk! It's an old-fashioned mahogany secretary with many little drawers and cubby holes. On it are: my Dell laptop, my beloved tiny snowglobe of Rome from the Vatican Museums, a picture of my son with his huge smile, my six novels and the anthologies I've contributed to, a photograph of me that my four-year-old took (came out pretty good!), three advance review copies to be read for blurbs, and my favorite lamp with its white beads. And the ever-present glass of Diet Coke."
-- Courtesy of MELISSA SENATE author of LOVE YOU TO DEATH. Senate also contrinuted to IT'S A WONDERFUL LIE: 26 TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE IN YOUR TWENTIES. You can also visit her on her MY SPACE PAGE.
A couple years ago, I tried (on two separate occassions) to start a book club here in Los Angeles. I had a great group in northern Cal but my L.A. attempts have fallen short. Always get a great group of people but, somehow, the book discussion ends up turning into movie business talk. Interesting for about five minutes, a good hour or two when I'm not focused on books, but I want my book club to be about BOOKS.
Anyway, I've been threatening to try again but in the meantime me and NYC/CARIBBEAN RAGAZZA have an informal email book club jumping off. Very cool. We share similar reading tastes and she loves to read as much as I do. How cool is that? The most recent email exchange motivated me to give ON BEAUTY one more try. Smith's writing is beautiful, cultured, layered and skillful but it also leaves me cold. I'll go back in with an open mind and keep you posted.
Ordered a couple new books today. Drop me a line if you've read any of them. Here's the list. . .
LAST OF THE RED HOT POPPAS by Jason Berry.
ABOUT ALICE by Calvin Trillin.
LET THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ERASE YOUR NAME by VENDELA VIDA.
SACRED GAMES by Vikram Chandra.
TRUE EVIL by Greg Iles.
Lastly, here's a TERRIFYING BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT. The background music is particularly amusing. Happy about the safe, healthy birth and all that but the PARENTS are out of control. I understand self promotion and all that jazz but (insert unChristian thoughts) ...
Just my opinion but, in fiction, a good editor would read about these two and scribble in the margins, "These character are too over the top and unrealistic. Scale back if possible. Try and infuse with a little more humanity."
Until next time. . .
