Hi all—Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Our was just what I’d hoped—my daughter and sister were with us as well as good friends (most California transplants like us.) Naturally, I forgot to take pictures BEFORE we started eating so all you can see are the ruins. Now that the house is empty again, it seems WAY too quiet.
I know it's too small to see, but if you look to the right of the china cabinet, the painting on the wall is by none other than my distinguished blog partner. If I wasn't so technically challenged, I'd blow it up...well, not literally of course.
We had a four legged visitor, too-- Alli is a rescue dog who belongs to my daughter. She was a perfect house guest!
A few items of interest (at least to me) in the news. As "a tribute to American booksellers, librarians and educators who supported" The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Penguin Group built and opened a primary school in Afghanistan, about 150 miles from Kabul. Working with the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and the U.S. Association for UNHCR, some 270 students in grades one through six are attending the school. Before it was completed, the students, a third of whom are girls, were taught outside. Makes me proud to be a Penguin author!
The 2008 Literary Review
Bad Sex in Fiction Prize went to Rachel Johnson for her novel Shire Hell, according to the Associated Press (via USA Today). "All the passages this year are equally awful, but Rachel Johnson's struck us because of the mixture of cliche and euphemism. There were a couple of really bad animal metaphors in there."
Animal metaphors? John Updike was awarded the lifetime achievement award for winning the dubious honor four times in the past. He was a finalist again this year for “an explosive oral encounter in his latest book, The Widows of Eastwick.” He lost to Johnson. She must write really BAD sex.
I almost hate to ask this—any of you out there have a favorite BAD sex scene you’d like to share?
Saved the best for last—or next to last---some BSP coming up.
If anyone has NOT yet seen the great Dr. Horrible check
this out. Not only can you view the video here, there’s a direct link to Amazon to order it in time for Christmas!!! How awesome is that? I loved it…
AND check out the rumors of a proposed Buffy film
here and
here. Now THAT would be a great Christmas present…recession, depression, market dumps…nothing could ruin my mood if this proves to be true!!!!
Now for the BSP:
If you’re in the area this weekend, please stop by the Neighborhood Book Store in Littleon. It's an anniversary celebration but also a fundraiser for the Littleton Public School Foundation. Get good Santa credits and do your Xmas shopping at the same time! I’ll be there Sunday afternoon and here’s the full schedule:
Neighborhood Book Store
5661 S. Curtice St.
Littleton, CO 80120
ph: (303) 730 3682
Friday, 5-8 p.m.:
Christine Jorgensen
Laura E. Reeve
Patty Ross
J. Troy Seate
Saturday, 3-6 pm:
Beth Groundwater
Lynda Hilburn
Janet Lane
Pam Nowak
Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
Mike Befeler
Carol Berg
Linda Berry
Bonnie Ramthun
Jeanne C. Stein
I’ll end with this pic of EPPIE award winner
Cher Gorman, a fellow Denver author, and me at lunch the week before Thanksgiving. Good pal
Margie Lawson got us together. It’s always fun to meet other local authors.
PS Our mysterious Lord X is still unaccounted for. Where in the world is he?????