lit*chick

Coming Soon - Ann Patchett

Since the last wildly successful go-round of book signing/readings I have been on the lookout for the next one...and have found it.

Ann Patchett is coming to Politics and Prose in DC on Tuesday, July 29. Her latest novel, a type="amzn">Run, is coming out in paperback. I know it's a work night for some of you...but if you are local and want to come along or meet me there it can be arranged. Let's grab a bite while were out.

this is taken from their website:

What Writers Read
Authors reveal the books that inspire them--and the stories they love to share

With a few rare exceptions—signed hardbacks written by friends and favorite childhood novels that say “Merry Christmas, Ann, with love from Grandma” on the front page—I am not possessive about my books. The way I look at it, easy come, easy go. Loads of books show up at my door. I buy too many, people send me too many. If I was conscientious about holding onto them I wouldn’t be able to have those other things I enjoy, like bedrooms. So when people ask to borrow an old favorite I’m never really sorry when it doesn’t come back to me. The problem is I often find my bookshelves loaded down with things I either haven’t read or don’t particularly like, then there’s nothing to recommend to house guests who need something for the plane ride home. That’s why I started buying certain favorites a dozen at a time. These are the books I call the Universal Donors. I deeply love Henry James, but there are only about three people I know who would read The Ambassadors. On the other hand, I can give James McBride’s The Color of Water to literature professors and people who haven’t touched a book in five years knowing everyone will love it. I keep a healthy stock of Shot in the Heart, by Mikal Gilmore for people who want riveting nonfiction, because I assume they’ve already read In Cold Blood. For a good thick novel, I’ve never met anyone who could put down Scott Spencer’s Endless Love. I’ve bought more copies of it in my life than anything else. If someone wants a short perfect novel, maybe for a book club read, I pass out handfuls of William Maxwell’s classic, So Long, See You Tomorrow. For a pure, crystalline pleasure that wipes away that terrible taste that chick-lit leaves in your mouth, I keep stacks of Nancy Mitford’s novels, Love in a Cold Climate and In Pursuit of Love, at the ready. I find that where books are concerned it’s always best to be generous. I make sure the people I love will have the books I love close at hand.

Ann Patchett is the author of several novels, including Bel Canto, The Magician’s Assistant and Run, and the memoir Truth & Beauty.

...and that is why I'm planning to go. Anyone else?

The End.

PS Don't forget to enter the Breaking Dawn blog birthday giveaway. If you've already entered, link me up for an extra chance to win.

still no books...

Well, there it is. Proof that I indeed met Leif Enger, and incidentally his lovely wife. She sat in front of us and we started to chat. After I confessed this was the first book signing I'd ever been to, but I was compelled since this was my favorite author.. blah blah, she smiled and said, "I'm his wife Robin." He read from the new book and I admit to thinking that a read aloud for adults was kind of strange.But it is a wonderful thing to hear the words coming from the person who created them. He knows how they are supposed to sound, where the inflection goes, what the characters are dealing with...it completely transforms a story. And it inspires me to read to my kids more, because it can be magical. It made me yearn for footie pajamas and a pillow....anyhoo.  We had him sign both Peace Like a River and So Brave, I asked him about his involvement with the Peace Like a River movie.  Apparently, he did the latest script rewrite, so he's pleased. And he likes the team that is in place. They are planning to begin shooting in the fall.  It was a delightful evening, my one regret is that I didn't ask them to join us for dinner, because I had the feeling afterward they may have come along. (Green Papaya in Bethesda) Maybe next time I'll have more nerve.  Have you ever been to a book reading/signing? Do tell.

 

 

I did a layout for the scrapjacked challenge - go check it out. It is rare that I instantly know what I want to do, but this was kind of a no-brainer for me.

Our kind friends invited us to the Orioles v. Red Sox tonight. The Sox lost, but we enjoyed good seats, great company, and lovely weather.

(Mike Lowell)

 

And I'm feeling the urge to pick up a book - I have plenty to choose from. I think the inspiration is a combination of meeting the Engers plus it's the last week of school and I'm looking to escape. Either way, I'm glad I won't have to change the name of my blog.

The End.

leif goes local

This Friday, my favorite author (Leif Enger) will be at Politics and Prose in DC.

I am taking the hubs on a "date" to the bookstore.

I am missing my girls' night out.

I am rereading So Brave Young and Handsome.

I will refrain from bringing up Peace Like a River.

I am officially the queen of the nerds.

the end.

undiscovered brother

This is the kind of stuff that thrills the book nerd in me.

Leif Enger's brother Lin is also a writer and lookie here:

Undiscovered Country: A Novel - due out in July.  That's some gene pool.

The End.

loveliness

As most of you know, my favorite children's book author is Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane). Her writing is smart and true, yet gentle. When I was poking around her website I found this:

(from her October 2007 journal entry)

CRY ME A RIVER

My favorite six letter word is
always
because it promises
so much.
My favorite five letter word is
never
because it insists on contradicting
the promise.
My favorite four letter word is
once
because it says it
happened then.

My favorite three letter word is
yes
because I’m just now learning
to say it
to my heart.

My favorite two letter word is
if
because it makes
all things possible
like this:

If not always
If not never
Then once.

Yes.

The End.

About Sara Gruen

If you are curious about the author of Water for Elephants, here is her website.

As you will see, she has two other books - Riding Lessons and Flying Changes. With another book set to publish in 2008 - Ape House.

I don't look at author's websites nearly enough. Does it in anyway ruin the mystery? Or is it good to know more about them?

The End.