Friday, October 29, 2010
Confession/Question
Hey writers, get ready to slap my hand cuz I've been naughty. I haven't written anything, not a sentence not a phrase, not a twinkly shiny word in months. Why you ask? Well because life is really serious and complicated right now. I ask you who are children's book writers, how do you write for kids when you are dealing with very grown up things? I feel like right now I could probably write a really kick-ass novel with deep and dark themes, but a picture book, not so much. Maybe I'm just psyching myself out by saying life is too hard to write right now so I get a pass. I know I need to just GBIC (get butt in chair) but every time I try, Craigslist starts calling me,or I need to update my Netflix queue or log into my latest addiction meetups.com(there are some weird groups out there). So how do you make yourself write when you just don't want to? Holla if you feel me!!! Until next time.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Happy Saturday
Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Life can sometimes get crazy. Neverfear, I'm here!!! Just thought I would leave you with a couple of quick quotes to ponder. Talk amongst yourselves until I can get back in my blogging groove.
"Life is not the way it's supposed to be, it's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference." Virginia Satir
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." Charles C. West
Discuss amongst yourselves. Until next time.
PS: I'm currently reading How to Be an American Housewife. Hope you're reading something good. If you don't have a book in your hands may I recommend The Book Thief!!!
"Life is not the way it's supposed to be, it's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference." Virginia Satir
"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." Charles C. West
Discuss amongst yourselves. Until next time.
PS: I'm currently reading How to Be an American Housewife. Hope you're reading something good. If you don't have a book in your hands may I recommend The Book Thief!!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Book Review: The Duff
What I like most about this book is that because the author is so young she was able to write the story from current experiences. She wasn't trying to remember what it felt like to be in high school, she was living it. Everything about the characters feels very real and authentic. I love Bianca. She has an awareness that I didn't realize teenagers had. She realizes that she is using this boy to distract herself from real life. She's not trying to convince herself that it is love or trying to get him to take her on dates and be romantic (which is also kind of sad). There is a good bit of hot and steamy sex in the book so will it make the banned list? Seems like many parents and librarians frown on sex in books. I frown on it too if it's in an inappropriate medium. This book is YA so it will fall into the hands of teenagers who are already having sex or thinking about having sex.
I would be very interested in having a discussion about the book with a group of high schoolers to see if the story resonates with them. That would be cool, but I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to teenagers so that will never happen. Excellent debut Ms. Keplinger. I look forward to hating on you some more. Until next time.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fear Factor
What are you afraid of? I'm pretty brave (I think) but I also have a very weird fear of balloons. It's not that I hate balloons, I just worry about them popping. (I know it sounds ridiculous and it is.) I used to be afraid of thunder but I've come around. Snakes are definitely on my list of things I'm afraid of. My real fears however are all internal. I worry a lot about being "good enough". I have my theories on how this issue came to be but that's between me and me. I worry about being a good mom constantly. Now that I'm working hard to pursue this dream of becoming a published author, I worry about what if that doesn't come true. Lately I've had a story brewing in my brain (for months) but I haven't written anything down. Why? Because the last story I wrote was really certifiably bad. It's hard when you spend so much time on something then to finally at some point look at it and say "sorry dude, gotta feed you to the trash can." Blah, Blah, Blah, woe is me. I say all that to now tell you about something I just read that has been helpful to me in working to overcome some fears. This list is taken from a book by Debbie Ford and they are called Healing Action steps. I can't tell you the name of the book or else I will incriminate myself.(Don't worry though, it's not porn.)
Healing Action Steps: Find a quiet space and answer the following questions.
What am I resisting in my life?
What am I afraid of?
What will happen if I surrender to the situation?
What am I getting out of holding on to the resistance?
Who is getting hurt?
What obstacles need to be removed before I can surrender?
Then she suggests asking yourself "with this fear what is the worst possible outcome that could happen?" From there you ask yourself " what actions do I need to take to keep moving forward despite this setback."
It has been helpful to me as I am wrestling with some big questions and fears right now. Some days I've got my big girl panties on and I'm ready to kick-ass and take names. Other days I just want to hide in my bed forever. (Beds are good) But by staying focused and working to release the fear opens up space for good things to come in. Am I right or am I right!!! Leave me some comments. Please don't make me obsessively check my comments box to see if anyone loves me!!!! (Ahh, can you hear the tiny violins?) Until next time.
Healing Action Steps: Find a quiet space and answer the following questions.
What am I resisting in my life?
What am I afraid of?
What will happen if I surrender to the situation?
What am I getting out of holding on to the resistance?
Who is getting hurt?
What obstacles need to be removed before I can surrender?
Then she suggests asking yourself "with this fear what is the worst possible outcome that could happen?" From there you ask yourself " what actions do I need to take to keep moving forward despite this setback."
It has been helpful to me as I am wrestling with some big questions and fears right now. Some days I've got my big girl panties on and I'm ready to kick-ass and take names. Other days I just want to hide in my bed forever. (Beds are good) But by staying focused and working to release the fear opens up space for good things to come in. Am I right or am I right!!! Leave me some comments. Please don't make me obsessively check my comments box to see if anyone loves me!!!! (Ahh, can you hear the tiny violins?) Until next time.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Today.....
I need money!!!
I need more sleep!!!
I need more books!!!
I need a hug!!!
How's that for a post. Hey at least you heard from me. Until next time.
I need more sleep!!!
I need more books!!!
I need a hug!!!
How's that for a post. Hey at least you heard from me. Until next time.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Book Review: Room
Emma Donoghue, author of Room is a genius. After reading Room I had to sit in silence and stillness for awhile. It is an extraordinary story about a boy who has spent his entire life in an eleven by eleven foot room. His mother was kidnapped at the age of 19 and forced to live in a backyard shed. Seven years and one child later she is still there.
Room is told straight from the perspective of five-year-old Jack. If you have only lived in one room, with one person your entire life what is your reality? If you've never felt rain on your skin and only seen cars on TV which is make believe, what is real? Jack is very comfortable and happy in his world but his mother knows that there is a bigger world outside of their box. Now, I'm not spoiling anything by saying that they do get out and have to learn to function in our fast-paced world.
This isn't a horror story although what the character endures is a horror. It is partly about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. It is partly a look at how as a society we become so hungry for the dirty details that we forget
about the souls of the people behind them. Room will make you look at the world in a whole new light. I don't know how Ms.Donghue was able to tap into the experience of actually seeing the world for the first time and becoming the voice of a young boy, but she nailed it. This is a phenomenal read. It is beautiful, heartbreaking, and eye-opening. I haven't read a book like this in a long time and I know it will be along time before it leaves my memory. Until next time.
Room is told straight from the perspective of five-year-old Jack. If you have only lived in one room, with one person your entire life what is your reality? If you've never felt rain on your skin and only seen cars on TV which is make believe, what is real? Jack is very comfortable and happy in his world but his mother knows that there is a bigger world outside of their box. Now, I'm not spoiling anything by saying that they do get out and have to learn to function in our fast-paced world.
This isn't a horror story although what the character endures is a horror. It is partly about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. It is partly a look at how as a society we become so hungry for the dirty details that we forget
about the souls of the people behind them. Room will make you look at the world in a whole new light. I don't know how Ms.Donghue was able to tap into the experience of actually seeing the world for the first time and becoming the voice of a young boy, but she nailed it. This is a phenomenal read. It is beautiful, heartbreaking, and eye-opening. I haven't read a book like this in a long time and I know it will be along time before it leaves my memory. Until next time.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Triple Picture Book Reviews
Some fantastic books mysteriously appeared in my mailbox. The mailbox and I both thank Abrams Books for Young Readers.
Me being the honest, super kick-ass girl that I am, have to admit that the first book I'm reviewing is written by one of my BFF's. Tameka Fryer Brown has written a wonderful first picture book titled Around Our Way on Neighbors's Day.
Neighbor's Day celebrates diversity, community, family and fun. In Ms. Fryer Brown's neighborhood there are blue skies, no clouds, football games and double dutch, old men playing chess. Of course you can't have a block party without food. From rice and beans provided by Ms. Consuelo to grilled lime chicken from Ms.Fu. I think there was even some gumbo and oxtail stew. This is definetly a neighborhood day I would like to attend. Ms.Fryer Brown and her illustrator Charlotte Riley-Webb did an excellent job of not only capturing the spirit and energy of this close knit community but also the diversity that is (or should be) a natural part of our lives.
On the warm cobblestone streets of Coyoacan, everyone knew her name. Frida Kahlo lived in the Blue House with her new husband, the famous artist Diego Rivera. Frida was an artist too. Okay, you had me at warm cobblestone streets. I immediately began hearing spanish music and smelling spicy salsa. I also could feel the passion between the two artists.Not really an appropriate response for a pb, what's my deal? Nonetheless you always hope your readers have some sort of response that makes the book memorable. This book will surely win some awards this season. I know that there have been several books written about Frida Kahlo but this one stands out. The writing is crisp and tasty like a samosa straight out of the oven. The writing is also simple yet captures the passion and love between the two artists. I also love the touch of feminism in the story as Frida who has always been the small one behind Diego comes to see herself as big too. Do I need to say anymore?
Fort Mose
Author: Glennette Tilley Turner
Three extremely different books that I have chosen to review today. Fort Mose is the story of the man who built the first free black settlement in colonial America. I had never heard of this dude until I received this book. See this is the stuff that gets my blood boiling, instead of churning out the same old books about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, tell the untold stories. But let me get off my soapbox and get on with the review. Although this is a picture book it is written as a historical book with different sections. This would be a great resource to use in the classroom or homeschool. There is a lot of information to dig into. The book opens by describing the early life of Francisco Menendez. He was born into the Mandingo tribe around 1700. It describes him being captured and shakled on a ship(The Middle Passage) and arriving in South Carolina. The book continues to detail what transpired once they reached land and how Fort Mose came to be. Although it is a "kids" book I found it really informative and interesting. It has really inspired me to want to now more on the subject which is proof of a book well-written. Ms.Tilley Turner certainly did extensive research and covered a lot of territory. Fort Mose should certainly be shown some love in the way of last years Claudette Calvin. Head on out to your local bookstore and buy some great books today. Until next time.
**Thank you Abrams Books**
Neighbor's Day celebrates diversity, community, family and fun. In Ms. Fryer Brown's neighborhood there are blue skies, no clouds, football games and double dutch, old men playing chess. Of course you can't have a block party without food. From rice and beans provided by Ms. Consuelo to grilled lime chicken from Ms.Fu. I think there was even some gumbo and oxtail stew. This is definetly a neighborhood day I would like to attend. Ms.Fryer Brown and her illustrator Charlotte Riley-Webb did an excellent job of not only capturing the spirit and energy of this close knit community but also the diversity that is (or should be) a natural part of our lives.
 | ||
| Me, Frida by Amy Novesky |
On the warm cobblestone streets of Coyoacan, everyone knew her name. Frida Kahlo lived in the Blue House with her new husband, the famous artist Diego Rivera. Frida was an artist too. Okay, you had me at warm cobblestone streets. I immediately began hearing spanish music and smelling spicy salsa. I also could feel the passion between the two artists.Not really an appropriate response for a pb, what's my deal? Nonetheless you always hope your readers have some sort of response that makes the book memorable. This book will surely win some awards this season. I know that there have been several books written about Frida Kahlo but this one stands out. The writing is crisp and tasty like a samosa straight out of the oven. The writing is also simple yet captures the passion and love between the two artists. I also love the touch of feminism in the story as Frida who has always been the small one behind Diego comes to see herself as big too. Do I need to say anymore?
Fort Mose
Author: Glennette Tilley Turner
Three extremely different books that I have chosen to review today. Fort Mose is the story of the man who built the first free black settlement in colonial America. I had never heard of this dude until I received this book. See this is the stuff that gets my blood boiling, instead of churning out the same old books about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, tell the untold stories. But let me get off my soapbox and get on with the review. Although this is a picture book it is written as a historical book with different sections. This would be a great resource to use in the classroom or homeschool. There is a lot of information to dig into. The book opens by describing the early life of Francisco Menendez. He was born into the Mandingo tribe around 1700. It describes him being captured and shakled on a ship(The Middle Passage) and arriving in South Carolina. The book continues to detail what transpired once they reached land and how Fort Mose came to be. Although it is a "kids" book I found it really informative and interesting. It has really inspired me to want to now more on the subject which is proof of a book well-written. Ms.Tilley Turner certainly did extensive research and covered a lot of territory. Fort Mose should certainly be shown some love in the way of last years Claudette Calvin. Head on out to your local bookstore and buy some great books today. Until next time.
**Thank you Abrams Books**
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Comfort
Sorry it has taken me longer than usual to get back to the blog. Life has handed me a big pile of lemons that I'm trying to deal with. Actually I'm not sure if life handed me the lemons or if I gave myself the lemons, but nevertheless there are lemons everywhere. The only thing I know to do of course is to add some Vodka and make a kick-ass lemonade. I have to believe that if you live in truth the universe will take care of you. It might not be easy but it will work out in the end.
Of course when you are buried neck high in lemons that is always when you seem to remember or notice those little things that make you happy. Last night someone made me mashed potatoes. Total comfort food. I had forgotten how yummy buttery mashed potatoes are. I also went to the library yesterday. We all know how much of a sanctuary the library is for me. Maybe it is the quiet and the order and the thrill of thousands of books waiting to be read. Good people are also a comfort. For instance yesterday at the library I went to the information desk to ask a question. The librarian pointed me in the right direction and then later came and found me to give me some additional information. Maybe he just did it because he is a great librarian or maybe he did it cause I was a snotty, mascara running hot mess. Either way it brought me comfort.
My life is going to be a bit crazy for awhile so forgive me if I don't post as often. I'm going to try really hard to be diligent. I'm also reading a lot slower now so the reviews may not make it out like I want them to. So to tied you over here is what is on my TBR shelf. We all know that having a stack of books by the nightstand is the ultimate comfort.
Female Nomad and Friends
How to be an American Housewife
Duff
Displaced Persons
Room
I can't wait to get back on my regular reading schedule. Send me happy, peaceful vibes folks!!! Until next time.
Of course when you are buried neck high in lemons that is always when you seem to remember or notice those little things that make you happy. Last night someone made me mashed potatoes. Total comfort food. I had forgotten how yummy buttery mashed potatoes are. I also went to the library yesterday. We all know how much of a sanctuary the library is for me. Maybe it is the quiet and the order and the thrill of thousands of books waiting to be read. Good people are also a comfort. For instance yesterday at the library I went to the information desk to ask a question. The librarian pointed me in the right direction and then later came and found me to give me some additional information. Maybe he just did it because he is a great librarian or maybe he did it cause I was a snotty, mascara running hot mess. Either way it brought me comfort.
My life is going to be a bit crazy for awhile so forgive me if I don't post as often. I'm going to try really hard to be diligent. I'm also reading a lot slower now so the reviews may not make it out like I want them to. So to tied you over here is what is on my TBR shelf. We all know that having a stack of books by the nightstand is the ultimate comfort.
Female Nomad and Friends
How to be an American Housewife
Duff
Displaced Persons
Room
I can't wait to get back on my regular reading schedule. Send me happy, peaceful vibes folks!!! Until next time.
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