Fine Just the Way It Is

Not a holiday read in any way, shape or form, but Annie Proulx, the author of Brokeback Mountain, Shipping News and several other novels has done it again in this new book of short stories. 

To quote the Associated Press: "Brilliant!"

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS

My favorite spot to holiday shop? 

BOOKSTORE!

Maya Angelou and several other authors and celebrities agree,

 BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS. 

Absolutely!

A group of Oxford researchers have compiled a list of the top 10 most irritating expressions in the English language. The researchers kept track of "overused buzzwords" found in current books and media outlets.  Take a look. Do you agree?

10.  It's not rocket science.

9. 24/7

8. Shouldn't of

7. It's a nightmare

6.  Absolutely

5. With all due respect

4. At this moment in time

3. I personally

2. Fairly unique

1.  At the end of the day

A NEW AMERICA!

Listen to Sally!

Are you tired of hearing, reading and seeing coverage about the upcoming election?  Me, too.

Vote on November 4th or the Great Pumpkin may come after you!

Foxtrot in Iraq

Award winning journalist, Mike Kelly, of The Record in New Jersey hopes readers remember that war is personal and changes lives. He's following the Foxtrot Company, recently deployed to Iraq, as well as their families in New Jersey. 

I recently interviewed Mike for an upcoming magazine piece and truly admire his passion for finding the heart of those he writes about. 

Global Cooperation

The Olympics exist as a tremendous example of global cooperation. I'm working on a magazine piece about Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, who has written extensively about his ideas and efforts to eradicate poverty. His Millennium Promise project is on the cusp of this achievable goal.

August Daze

Whether you're vacationing or staying put in front of your television to watch the summer Olympics, enjoy the glorious month of August!

Three Songs

National Public Radio is probably the only place where you'll hear the following, one after the other:

Frank Sinatra singing, "The Best is Yet to Come"
Joe Jackson blasting out "Hot Time, Summer in the City"
The gorgeous opening song (half Italian/half English) from Tony Award musical, A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

Opening Lines

WORST OPENING LINES OF NOVELS

Here's a good one—

"You still have 873 pages to go."

Thanks for the laughs, George!

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.


—George Carlin

Snow in June

Where I live, it's 100 degrees outside. This photo was taken yesterday in New Mexico.

Think cool. Listen to Platinum CD, Snow In June by Canadian group, The Northern Pikes or read the play of the same name by Chen Shi-Zheng.

Let's Help!

Devastation has rocked Myanmar and rural China killing and injuring thousands. 

Please help, if you can.

The Writer, May issue

I've got a piece (cover story) in the May issue of The Writer.

Spring Fever

Anyone else experiencing this?

A feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of Spring.

Exciting New Site

Check out this new site:

Interesting Non Fiction for Kids

hht://inkrethink.blogspot.com

Praise the Writer!

Congrats to DIABLO CODY for winning a well deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

An Education in Graphic Storytelling

Persepholis is a must see. An animated "comic novel" about a girl growing up during the civil war in Iran. Beautiful animation and strong story. Political, personal, charming, touching, humorous, and thought-provoking.

Caldecott Winner!

If you didn't read this last year when it came out, you might want to now. It's a world worth getting lost in for a few hours.

Not a Review, but a Hearty Suggestion

I can't help but agree with the raves about this book—a top choice of many reviewers for 2007.