Bookreporter.com Blog

Joshua Gaylord: The Gift of the Unreadable

2009-11-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, the things we do for love.... Today's guest blogger, HUMMINGBIRD author Joshua Gaylord, reminisces about an adolescent crush and the impact of his affections more than 2 decades later.

In the ninth grade, I was in love with my English teacher. Her name was Carol Mooney, and what made her so irresistible was her belief that I was extraordinary --- a delusion which, when I discover it in people around me, never fails to raise them in my estimation. It was one of those classic student-teacher romances. I found reasons to hang out in her classroom before school, after school, during lunch. I offered to help her hang posters of the Transcendentalists on her walls. I made pathetic romantic overtures in my awkward fifteen-year-old way, and she tolerated them with grace and politesse. Far from trying to avoid the label of teacher’s pet among my peers, I flew that flag as though I had battled nations to win it --- and the result was that everyone eventually acquiesced to my right to the title, including Carol Mooney herself.

When Christmas came, she gave me a gift. It wasn’t wrapped, but it was contained in a brown paper bag, the kind I used to bring my lunch to school. Inside I discovered a book, a mass-market paperback copy of William Faulkner’s THE SOUND AND THE FURY. She had inscribed it to me:

for the gothic in you, J. Alden

J. Alden Gaylord was how I liked to think of myself at that age. It was the moniker of a portentous writer, someone who had so many names of such gravity that one of them had to be elided, and I was glad that she was able to appreciate the direction my future would take. I had not known before that I had any gothic in me at all, nor did I quite know what this meant, but I was pleased to discover that I could add this to the gradually accumulating list of things that made up my identity.

“It’s one of my favorite books,” she said, while I turned it over in my hands.

“How come we don’t read it in class?” I asked, suspicious.

“Most ninth-graders aren’t ready for it,” she said.

I took this as a winking acknowledgment that I was better than everyone else in my class, and I winked back. I understood. It would be our secret. We were like secret agents in the service of my awesomeness.

I brought the book home and immediately fell to studying it as though it were the Rosetta Stone of the adult literary world. If I could decipher it, it would be my key to untold poetic wisdom.

The cover showed a mansion on a hill, one of those neoclassical Southern-style homes with six columns in front and a porch balcony on the second story. There was a leafless tree reaching down its claw-like branches over the roof of the mansion, and a sky filled with black clouds that looked like a flight of vengeful specters. The whole picture had a distorted fish-eye quality that I would later come to associate with Thomas Hart Benton. Very sinister all around.

The cover also declared that this version of THE SOUND AND THE FURY was “The Corrected Text,” which made me feel like an aficionado, someone who could appreciate this particular brand of academic-sounding nuance. And the back cover claimed that this was the first “indisputable masterpiece” of this “central figure in twentieth-century literature.”

Surely, what Carol Mooney had given me was not simply a book, but Greatness itself.

The problem was that I could not read it.

What were “curling flower spaces”? What was a “flower tree”? Who were “they,” and what were they hitting? Was Luster really the name of someone? What was going on here?

But this book was meant for me. The inscription by Carol Mooney proved it. So I read it --- in the sense that I put my eyes on every word of every page in that book. I did not understand more than ten percent of it, but I read it in three days and closed it and went around declaring it a masterpiece.

Now, over twenty years later, when I read THE SOUND AND THE FURY, I can proclaim its beauty with a respectable amount of authority, with conviction based upon actual comprehension. But back then what I remember most is believing in the beauty of the book before I had even opened it. It was the gift of Greatness given to me by a person of Greatness, and if I was going to be Great as well, I had better damn well see the beauty in that book. I didn’t actually see it, but I said that I did --- and that was enough to hold me over for a while, until the next time I read it. In my second reading, about a year later, I did actually see a bit more of the beauty, and my blind belief in the book became a little less blind. The next time I saw a little more, and the time after that a little more. And now, twenty years later, I make pilgrimages to Oxford, Mississippi, to visit Faulkner’s grave.

It’s true: I would have taught myself to adore any book Carol Mooney gave me, so I’m grateful she gave me William Faulkner rather than Anthony Trollope. Nonetheless, I sometimes wish I could go back there, wish that Carol Mooney could give me more books, wish that I could read a book with the same religious faith in its greatness that I once did. Not all authors write in the service of their readers’ instant gratification; there are some whose books require a certain blind trust to get you through. Frequently these are the greatest authors, and what may be required is that you pick up the book and hold it to your lips even before you open it, incanting it with your whispered devotion: This book is meant for me, for me. For me.

-- Joshua Gaylord

Check back tomorrow as Edward Falco shares some fond memories of a large, rowdy Christmas, and Wendy Smith gives reflects on what a gift can truly mean to someone.

Beverly Barton: The Circle of Love

2009-11-20T09:00:00.006-05:00

Kicking off this year's Bookreporter.com Holiday Blog is Beverly Barton, whose latest novel, SILENT KILLER, was recently spotlighted in our Romantic Suspense feature. Below, she discusses one of her most favorite childhood stories and shares how she came to own two equally beloved copies of the timeless fairy tale.

I’m one of those lucky (or depending on your point of view, unlucky) people born at Christmastime, so over the years, many birthday and Christmas presents have been combined into one gift. The year that I turned six, my paternal grandfather gave me an illustrated copy of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and I honestly don’t remember if the book was one of my birthday presents or one of my Christmas presents. But I do know that this fairy tale about the power of love to transform a beast into a prince became my all-time favorite story, and it opened the world of romance to my young heart and impressionable mind.

Born into a family of storytellers who had the ability to enhance the most mundane aspects of life and turn them into high drama, I quiet easily adopted the theme of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as my romantic mantra. Unconditional love for another person having the ability to perform a miracle seemed like the perfect romantic formula. From childhood, I have believed that there is no power greater than the power of love --- all types of love, from parental love to wedded bliss, from loving friendships to love of God and country. And when I began writing romance novels, this fairy tale from my childhood formed the basis for many of my bad boy/good girl stories that ended with that essential happily ever after.

Although slightly tattered from much use and the pages yellow with age, that treasured copy of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST given to me so many years ago is still in my possession. It resides in a place of honor on a corner bookcase in my home office, alongside another copy of the book, printed and released the same year as the copy my grandfather gave me. And the interesting tale of how I came to own a second copy is a story of a son’s and daughter’s love for their mother and a son’s determined search for “the perfect gift.” Everyone close to me knows about my favorite fairy tale, knows how much I treasure that book, and knows about the very special relationship I shared with my grandfather. My children have delighted me, surprised me, and brought me to happy tears with numerous thoughtful gifts over the years, but none as absolutely perfect as the second copy of my beloved fairy tale. Two identical Christmas gifts, given decades apart, the first given to a granddaughter, the second given to a mother.

Both copies of this book are important to me, each a gift of love. One from a grandfather I adored and the other from the son and daughter I love unconditionally. The love my grandfather gave me --- which included a book about the power of love --- I gave to my children and they returned that love to me and passed it to their own children, continuing the never-ending circle of love within our family.

-- Beverly Barton

Check back tomorrow as Joshua Gaylord reminisces about how an adolescent crush taught him the importance of having blind trust in unreadable masterpieces.

Sharing the Holidays With Author and Reader Friends

2009-11-19T14:44:00.005-05:00

Last weekend as I was sitting at a panel at the Miami Book Fair, I had this moment where I realized how deeply my life has been enriched by the many authors and readers whom I have met over the last 13 plus years. Sitting with a group of readers in a room listening to an author share her story, there was something really lovely --- and satisfying --- about acknowledging that. It was a revelation of something pretty simple, but I have been thinking about it all week.

Through the years, I have been lucky enough to be able to count so many authors as friends. We have shared anecdotes about our lives, our children and our families. There have been moments of joy and times of loss all shared at readings and conferences, on airplanes, phone calls, and endless emails. We’ve talked knitting, decorating, haircuts, sports and our children’s special moments as much as we have about the stories that they have written.

And when I am in a city that is not home, it’s been wonderful to meet readers. Their suggestions about things to see, places to shop, and things I just cannot miss have given me a very different lens on so many of the places where I have touched down or driven to. Readers’ recommendations of books I “must” read and authors I “need” to explore have expanded my horizons in more ways than I can count. From their suggestions, I have become much more well-read.

There’s this generosity of spirit that I do not take for granted, as I realize it’s pretty special.

As the holidays approach, I am thrilled to share that --- as we did last year --- we will once again be bringing you holiday stories from authors on this blog starting tomorrow that will run right through Christmas Day. There will be pieces about gift giving and getting, bookish tales of the stories that have enhanced their lives and the traditions that they share. I have read some pieces and teared up, laughed and smiled as I read them. I am thrilled that so many authors want to be part of this special celebration of the holiday with us. For me, though they will not be at my holiday table, it will be a chance to spend time with them and celebrate.

Since we cannot all be together, I am glad that you will be able to escape with me and enjoy these moments in the days and weeks ahead. We’ll start tomorrow with Beverly Barton, as she describes two very treasured copies of of the classic fairy tale, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. In the weeks to come, more than 50 authors will be joining us. I hope you end up both discovering an author's work you want to read --- and ideas for bookish giving and getting.

-- Carol Fitzgerald

Bookreporter.com Facebook Page Roundups for the Week of November 2nd

2009-11-05T18:22:00.005-05:00

Week of November 2nd

Next Monday, Oprah.com, CNN.com and Facebook will present a live Oprah's Book Club webcast for the current selection, SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM by Uwem Akpan. During the 90-minute event, readers will be able to submit questions for the author and may be featured during the live discussion. The proceedings will be streamed live simultaneously from CNN.com's video player on Oprah.com. The webcast will be on November 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

The New York Times says Anne C. Heller’s biography of Ayn Rand, AYN RAND AND THE WORLD SHE MADE, conveys the conviction and odd charisma of Rand, whose individualist message is still resonant for American conservatives.

Bookreporter.com posted The New York Times Best Seller Hardcover Fiction List and Paperback Trade Fiction List.

Simon & Schuster has started to sell individual e-chapters to its bestselling You series of titles written by Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz.

There was a terrific piece in the NYT on the book that Carol is calling The Book of the Year for 2009: THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett.

A group of Santas hit Grand Central, the Flatiron, and Union Square on Monday to promote Augusten Burroughs’s new memoir, YOU BETTER NOT CRY: STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS. The Santas handed out thousands of postcards, danced, took pictures, and appropriately flashed their message to onlookers everywhere. Burroughs then did a signing at the B&N in Union Square at 7 pm.

A link to an excerpt from KINDRED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb was posted.

Penguin's INVICTUS movie adaptation is already getting the buzz from the LA Times.

On Wednesday, NPR's Morning Edition talked to Sapphire, author of PUSH: A Novel about her technique of teaching illiterate students. The movie Precious, based on the book, opens in select theaters tomorrow.

Bookreporter.com Facebook Page Roundups for the Weeks of October 12th, 19th and 26th

2009-10-30T17:45:00.005-04:00

Week of October 26th:

A Strange Coincidence: Michael Connelly comes across a real-life missing persons case while researching NINE DRAGONS, which is #3 on this week's New York Times Bestseller list.

Unbridled Books hosted a Twitter author event during which Masha Hamilton will field readers' questions about her new novel, 31 HOURS. You can read a transcript of the event here.

The "Today Show" has posted a great video about the book NOTES LEFT BEHIND, a diary of a child's cancer battle and the notes she left behind after she died.

Author John Irving shared a special note about his newest book, LAST NIGHT IN TWISTED RIVER.

Miami Book Fair News: One of our sites, GraphicNovelReporter.com, will be presenting "The School of Comics and Graphic Novels: Educational Sessions for Teachers, Librarians and Comics and Graphic Novel Creators." Registration is FREE. Find out more and sign up today!

Stephen King gave an exclusive UNDER THE DOME interview.

The Teenreads.com 2009 Reader Survey was the cover story in the October 26th edition of Publishers Weekly. Carol wrote the piece which addresses the results from readers under 18. The 77-question survey had 4,073 respondents!

Week of October 19th:

USA Today spotlighted Rhoda Jansen in its New Voices feature and posted a video of Josh Lieb of the "Daily Show" who has written a satirical fantasy for teens, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President.

Barnes and Noble unveils the Nook 3G/Wi-Fi digital reader.

Michael Connelly's promotional NINE DRAGONS commercial was posted.

National Bookstore Day is set for Saturday, November 7th.

Looking for some bookish activities near you? Check out the list of Penguin author events.

Week of October 12th:

Mark T. Sullivan's award-winning, bestselling novels are available for free now in digital format, including files for iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Kindle, Sony Reader, B&N Reader and a host of others. You can now download THE PURIFICATION CEREMONY, the first of six novels that will be available in the coming months.

John Grisham took the stage at the 2009 National Book Festival and talked about the early days of his career and the new world of publishing in the twenty-first century. Watch his speech here. You can also watch part 1 of a series of conversations with John Grisham about his first collection of short stories, FORD COUNTY.

THE BOX: UNCANNY STORIES by Richard Matheson is a collection of a dozen horror and suspense stories. The standout title story is now a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. The Box will hit theaters on Oct. 30th.

Looking for some reading material to help get you in the Halloween spirit? DRACULA THE UN-DEAD by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt was released this week.

USA Today posted a fiction book roundup.

Are you a fan of graphic novels? Follow GraphicNovelReporter.com on Twitter via @GNReporter!

The 2009 National Book Award finalists have been selected.

T en coolest indie bookstores in the U.S.; did your fave make the cut?

Week of September October 5th: Roundup Of Topics Mentioned on Bookreporter.com Facebook Page

2009-10-09T15:35:00.007-04:00

Here is a roundup of some of the topics that were posted on the Bookreporter.com Facebook Page the week of October 5th:

Publisher Weekly interviewed John Connolly, whose new novel, THE GATES, was published by Atria on October 6.

USA Today says Margaret Atwood's THE YEAR OF THE FLOOD is a timely and gripping story and goes behind the scenes with Mitch Albom, the sports columnist turned best selling author of the inspiration books TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, and HAVE A LITTLE FAITH.

Audrey Niffeneger also talked to USA Today about the success of THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE and her recently released second novel, HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY.

THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane was released this week in paperback.

Hilary Mantel has won the 2009 Booker Prize for her fictionalized account of William Cromwell's life, WOLF HALL.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that TNT has given a cast-contingent pilot order to "Rizzoli," a drama pilot based on Tess Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli mystery novels. Written by Janet Tamaro ("Bones"), "Rizzoli" revolves around the crime-solving team of Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli.

Carol went to see Jeannette Walls at an event sponsored by the Clinton Bookshop. Here's a v ideo to give you background on her new book HALF BROKE HORSES, now in stores as well as an article in USA TODAY .

William Kamkwamba recounts his mission to overcome famine and poverty in his village by building a windmill, which he saw in a picture at a library book, in a terrific interview on "The Daily Show."

Frank McCourt was remembered at "An Evening of Reminiscence, Music, Poetry and Laughter," a memorial held in his honor at Symphony Space on Tuesday night. Also, New York City Schools chancellor Joel Klein’s announced that the Frank McCourt High School of Writing Journalism and Literature will open next fall on West 84th Street in Manhattan. Such a fitting honor for Frank!

USA Today posted a book roundup focused on memoirs and motherhood.

Yesterday, the "Today Show" celebrated Read for the Record Day, a campaign to bring preschool kids together to read the same picture book, with Eric Carle and his 40-year-old picture book classic, THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. Two nonprofit groups—Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation—run the event to promote reading among low-income preschoolers.

If you read and loved THE HELP, what book like it would you recommend to readers? Someone asked Carol that and she wants to see what your thoughts are. Here's what some readers had to say:

Kris: Personally I have not read another book of late like "The Help" which is probably why I loved it so much to begin with. However, readers who loved it should also read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee if they haven't already.

Chris: I would recommend FOUR SPIRITS by Sena Jeter Naslund. Set in Birmingham in 1963 it has a similiarly young, white, protagonist, who witnesses the civil rights struggles going on in her city. Beautiful writing and a story you won't forget soon.

Melissa: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd --- you will fall in love with these Southern characters!!!

Mary Lou: I haven't read THE HELP but its on my list now for sure!!!!

Suzanne: My book group thought it was in the same vein as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. We all enjoyed this book very much and hope there is a sequel...we want to know what happened to all the characters.

Margo: BENEATH A MARBLE SKY by John Shors.

Rhonda: I read THE HELP on Carol's recommendation. I loved it, recommended to my sister, who loved it and we both are recommending it to everyone we know who will listen. Kris, I cannot think of anything I have read that is like this book. But,even though this is not the question there is a 1990 movie called "The Long Walk Home" with Sissy Spacek and Whoppi Goldberg that is a wonderful movie and similar in subject matter to THE HELP. Go rent it if you have not seen it. I will keep thinking about the question though and write again if I think of a similar book.

Dicksie: I've got it ordered. Really anxious after hearing and seeing so many rave reviews.

Tammye: THE HELP reminded me of GONE WITH THE WIND. Prissy was wonderful.

Jerri: THE SPACE BETWEEN US' explores the relationship between lady and maid in India.

Julie: RUSH HOME ROAD by Lori Lansens

Belinda: THE AIR BETWEEN US by Deborah Johnson

Suzanne: Loved THE HELP and recommend all future novels by Kathryn Stockett

Rhonda: I remember a book I read years ago. THE COLOR OF WATER by James McBride. It is non-fiction about the author's bi-racial family. An absolutely beautifully written memoir!

Janet: TWO RIVERS by T. Greenwood which came out early this year. Loved it as I did THE HELP.

Mary: THE HELP was one of those books that made you temporarily ignore your life and resent any interruptions. The last book I read like that was PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

Mary Lou: Interesting, I put in a request for this book with my local library, there are over 200 ahead of me in the list. Twice the waiting list for Ted Kennedy's memoir. This is a popular book!!! At this rate I'll be reading it next summer!

Veronica: LOVED THE HELP and agree with the SECRET LIFE OF BEES recommendation, but also wonder if someone who liked help wouldn't also like anything by Connie May Fowler, maybe WHEN WOMEN HAD WINGS.

Julie: I loved THE HELP so much. I am having trouble thinking of something similar, maybe FAMILY TREE by Barbara Delinsky?

Week of September 21st: Roundup Of Topics Mentioned on Bookreporter.com Facebook Page

2009-09-25T16:46:00.004-04:00

Here is a roundup of some of the topics that were posted on the Bookreporter.com Facebook Page the week of September 21st:

AJ Jacobs, author of THE GUINEA PIG DIARIES, appeared on Fox News Channel on Fox & Friends where he talks abt outsourcing his life and living like George Washington.

From Garth Stein's newsletter: "Universal Studios has optioned THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN. Patrick Dempsey will produce/star as Denny Swift."

Voting is now available to choose The Best of the National Book Awards Fiction from the past sixty years.

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series was featured in USA Today.

The late Patrick Swayze's memoirs, entitled THE TIME OF MY LIFE, will be coming out on September 27th.

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Week of September 14th: Roundup Of Topics Mentioned on Bookreporter.com Facebook Page

2009-09-18T16:23:00.005-04:00

Here is a quick roundup of some of the topics that were posted on the Bookreporter.com Facebook Page this week, for those not on Facebook:

On Tuesday, we announced the winners of the 2009 New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) Books of the Year Awards.

On Wednesday, John Krakauer appeared on the Diane Rehm show on NPR to discuss his new book, WHERE MEN WIN GLORY.

On Tuesday, Dan Brown spoke to Matt Lauer on NBC's Today Show about the "double-edged" sword of fame, and how it impacted his research for THE LOST SYMBOL.

Jonathan Karp, editor-in-chief and publisher of Twelve Books, discussed the experience of working with late Senator Edward M. Kennedy on his memoirs, TRUE COMPASS with Terry Gross on Fresh Air.

Janet Maslin published one of the first reviews of THE LOST SYMBOL in The New York Times on Sunday.

Parade Magazine had an interview with Dan Brown discussing life after THE DA VINCI CODE.

60 Minutes had a segment on the life of Ted Kennedy on Sunday where both his Editor Jonathan Karp and his son Patrick were interviewed.

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Carol Fitzgerald's Bookish Travel

Oct 2-4 Scottsdale
Fairmont Hotel with Lisa See, Anita Diamant and Debra Dean

Oct 15-18 Indianapolis:
Bouchercon Mystery Fan Convention

Nov 12-16 Miami
Miami Book Fair

Nov 19-22 Philadelphia
NCTE

Summer Vacation Reading 2009

2009-09-11T13:55:00.007-04:00

I have certain beach vacation habits and one is reading Sandra Brown's latest summer book while floating in the pool. Thus as soon as we got settled in the house I made my way with a large tube to read SMASH CUT. It was everything I wanted in a book to kick off vacation --- good plot, great pacing, lots of twists and turns, some hot romance and in this one some fun references to a number of movies and yes, the definition of what a "smash cut" is in a film. And let's just say Sandra knows how to write a smash cut too. I have had the pleasure of both hearing her speak and spending time with her at various conventions through the years and thus reading was interesting since I saw how she put into action the craft ideas she had spoken about. I have learned it's not just about writing a book, but rather about crafting a story. A few years ago she was on a panel with a group of male authors and there was a moment where in one just one sentence she cut right to what was important about writing and everyone took notice. That same kind of kap-pow power was in this one.

Next up was GONE TOMORROW by Lee Child. Now there was a reason for this selection. I had seen Lee this summer at ThrillerFest and there he spoke about the many different kinds of readers. Some are uber readers, like most of those reading this blog, others are occasional readers and others still are vacation readers, what he calls the one-book-a-year kinda guys. When he writes his Reacher books, he thinks of that guy as much as the other readers. To him he is the person in the airport who says I am going on vacation and I should read a book. He wanders to the bookstore and says, hmmm, I liked that author last year...and I wonder what Reacher is up to. Well, I was just as curious about what Reacher was up to and as I had not had time to get to this in April when it first came out, I plucked this one from the shelf next. There is no way the one book a year guy was going to have anything on ME! Read a lot of Lee's books. This is one of his best. You don't have to read them in order. And you easily can jump in with this one. That said, I dare you to only want to read one.

I have liked Masha Hamilton's writing through the years and she wrote a terrific blog post for us on ReadingGroupGuides.com that I peeked at an advance copy of before I left for my trip that had me pack this one. It's called 31 HOURS and it's a brisk story of the 31 hours before a boy who seems a lot like kids we all know, turns his back on the world to become a suicide bomber. Masha has spent time in Afghanistan, she's a journalist and she also crafts a terrific story. This one is brisk and tight and is one of my favorite books of the year. Why? The characters are all compelling and while it's literary, it's also written with the pace of a thriller.

After my weekend reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO a few weeks ago, I could not wait to read THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. I confess that I had felt Dragon started a bit slowly and it took me a while to get into it. I had none of these same issues with Fire. I think it had to do with the terrific setup in the first book where there were multiple stories that all came together. There's a lot of backstory in the second one, but you will be cheating yourself if you do not read both. Those of you who are intimidated by long books, do not fear, this one reads so quickly that you will be flipping pages. I really look forward to the third book.

I stopped reading fiction here to read THE GAME-ON DIET, a book by Krista Vernoff and Az Ferguson. They are the Grey's Anatomy and Body for Life Million Dollar Champion, respectively. The book talk about how to set up a team of friends to lose weight and shape up together. "While I have never been a team kinda girl (I was always picked last in gym class), I do love reading about things you can do to get healthier." On this trip I went cold turkey on Diet Coke and for a girl who drinks 3-4 a day, that was a big deal. I did not give up caffeine, switching to home brewed iced tea, but I jotted a number of workout and simple food ideas from this that I have been trying, like eliminating belly fattening foods, or as I ate a tortilla chip, just being aware of them! I am competitive and I can see how if you can come up with even one buddy for this one, it would be worth it. I also have to see if it talks about whether muscle weighs more than fat!

Next up I wanted something lighter and Nicholas Sparks fit the bill with THE LAST SONG. There is nothing like reading a book that takes place at the beach while you have sand between your toes. It was everything you expect in a Sparks book and for those who loved A WALK TO REMEMBER, you will love this. Fun book for a mother/daughter book club discussion! It was a nice way to just disappear into a story for an escape.

Coming in November Sandra Brown has written a very different book for her, a historical fiction book set during the Depression in Texas. It's called RAINWATER and Saturday after we checked out of the house I toted that to the pool while my younger son read THE COLOR OF WATER, his last summer reading book and my husband played what had to be his 145th hole of golf. (He plays golf holes like I turn pages.) The story opens with a couple shopping in an antique shop during a leisurely afternoon. As their packages are being totaled up the woman sees a pocket watch and inquires about buying it, but is told it's not for sale. It's inscribed August eleventh, 1934.

RAINWATER is the story of the man who owned that watch. Now those who know Sandra and her husband could picture them spending an afternoon shopping like this and coming upon a piece from which you can tell a story. And the way the story is told with rich historical details and lots of emotion is true testimony to the power of Sandra's storytelling. I am so looking forward to sharing this with you. It's a real treat.

On the drive home Saturday I read the Betsy-Tacy books. When I was at the library convention this summer my friend Virginia Stanley talked about how these were being reissued and said that growing up there was a huge group of women who loved Betsy-Tacy and the librarians in the room swooned. I had no idea what they were talking about and wondered what I had been reading as a child that I missed there. To catch up I made a call to my friend Jen Hart who set me up! They are for children 8 and up and I immediately saw the charm of them. Soooo for those of you who want to reminisce your childhood, or those who like me want to see what you missed out on, the first four are out now --- BETSY-TACY, BETSY-TACY and TIB, BETSY AND TACY GO OVER THE BIG HILL and BETSY AND TACY GO DOWNTOWN with three more coming on September 29th.

Sunday once we were home I spent the day in the hammock with a manuscript of a book that will be out next summer. I know, I am a terrible tease, but since I like our readers to hear about books I like early, make a note of STILL MISSING by Chevy Stevens. It's written in the first person and the fact that it is is one of the things that makes it so special. The book opens with a session at a therapist's office where the protagonist who we later learn is Annie O'Sullivan is telling the doctor how she wants to conduct the session. Her tough style has you wondering...hmmmm what happened.

Well it seems that Annie was abducted and terrorized and brutalized, and now that she's free she wants to tell her story. From the first page even when her story got tough I never turned away and stopped reading. The way it's written you are in this world trapped with her, and like her you are invested in seeing how she gets out. I kept going inside to get 50 more pages...then 50 more. I love moments like that. We're going to do something special with this one in the next couple of months so stay tuned.

I also got home to find that Chelsea Cain's third book EVIL AT HEART had arrived and it was calling to me to be read as much as Gretchen calls and texts Archie. In this one we pick up where Gretchen who has escaped from jail and Archie has committed himself to a mental hospital as he realizes he needs someplace to recover from what Gretchen has done to him. More murder victims are being found, but there are new twists here. Is Gretchen committing these murders, or is there someone else? It's one of those books you will want to read with a friend so when you both say, "done" you can talk about what really happened there. Lots of bam bam bam action or should a say, the suspense cuts you like a knife. If you like to read a series...this is book three. Reading the others is a good idea.

Ten days; 11 books if you combine all the Betsy-Tacy titles. I had a blast and for the record there are at least 8 others that I packed that I did not get to, but I will!

Happy Anniversary Bookreporter.com

2009-08-27T23:44:00.001-04:00

Thirteen years ago today we launched Bookreporter.com. We started out with a site on AOL called The Book Report that morphed into Bookreporter.com a few years later.

Over these last very lucky 13 years I have had the pleasure of watching this website build and become a place where readers connect with authors and books --- with about half a million unique visitors each month, a far cry from 13 years ago when only the staff was logging on.

I, who always considered myself a good reader, have learned so much these last years from our readers, as well as from our reviewers. I cannot tell you how many times reading reviews and comments on the site have made me want to pick up a new book or discover a new author.

So tonight I raise my mouse to celebrate you, our readers. And I want to thank our amazing editorial staff including Tom Donadio, our absolutely brilliant and amazingly organized and diligent Editorial Director: Marisa Emralino, our Editorial Coordinator who juggles many balls to ensure that features like Word of Mouth and Question are available on schedule and without typos: Alex Kassl, our Advertising/Promotion Associate who ensures that our contests, giveaways and special features are ready for you and our Web Producer, Vicky Kariolic who gets the train out of the station every week.

Thank you all for reading...you make this one terrific ride for me.

Back to Vinyl!

2009-08-10T22:45:00.001-04:00

Last night I was watching the NBC Nightly News and their last story of the evening was about the return of vinyl records and how they are hot sellers in music stores. Yes, as publishing is working to digitize everything and e-reader commentary is in the publishing trades everyday, this was the wrap-up story on the news ---- how old-fashioned vinyl records are making a comeback.

A 25-year-old man was interviewed and he said, "I prefer vinyl 100%. I like records. It sounds like they are playing right in the room." Sales were up 89% in 2008 and they are on pace to be up even higher this year. Best Buy has vinyl back on the shelves and Radiohead's "In Rainbows" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" were the hot sellers last year. Many labels are now releasing music simultaneously on CD and vinyl and Green Day is rereleasing their entire list on vinyl.

Around our house the shelves and shelves of vinyl records that my husband and I have accumulated through the years have been finding their way to the turntable as my sons play their favorite classic rock albums and tell me how much better the sound is --- and that is when they are listening to the older stuff that has not even been remastered. The remastered music with its crystal clear highs and lows is even more revered. Now both of them have loaded iPods and stacks of CDs, but more and more I find myself slipping vinyl back into album sleeves when I am picking up after them around the house.

So it got me to thinking about books. When I read a book I realize how much the feel of it in my hands matters. How I look at the page layout. How I realize that care and planning went into that as much as the writing and editing. I notice paper and as I fight the tug of reading glasses I note kerning. I confess that people talk about the smell of books and while I have read thousands of books the smell has not ever done anything for me. I guess I am missing the book-smelling gene. But I know that the page layout and look does matter. And that is just lost when I think about reading digitally.

I have yet to figure out how a digital book gets signed by an author. I am trying to figure out how you have a book festival when there is nothing to pick up right now. (Of course if you have a Kindle you are immediately downloading.)

As I write this I am looking at my shelves of books and I am fairly sure I would not flip through digital files quite the same way.

So as we race to the future, keep an eye on the vinyl trend, since I get the feeling that everything old may be new again. And books are a lot more portable than vinyl albums and they don't even need a turntable.

Freshman Summer Reading 2009

2009-08-07T15:17:00.004-04:00

Here's a look at what freshman entering college in fall 2009 have been asked to read by their respective schools. Lots of nonfiction and memoirs, some fiction and even a few graphic novels. How many of these books have YOU read?

Adams State College: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Agnes Scott College: Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
Albion College: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
American University: True Enough: Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society by Farhad Manjoo
Appalachian State University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Arcadia University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Augustana College: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
Ball State University: A Long Way Gone: Memories of a Boy Soldier by Ismael Beah
Barry University: The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey Sachs
Baylor University: Wit by Margaret Edson
Belmont University: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Berry College: An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina
Bowling Green State University: This I Believe edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman
Brandeis University: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Brown University: The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner
Bryant University: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Butler University: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
California State University (Northridge, Chico, Long Beach): The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Case Western Reserve University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Chaffey College: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Chapman University: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Clemson University: The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
Coastal Carolina University: Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard
Coker College: Where We Stand: Class Matters by bell hooks
Colorado College: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Cornell University: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Cumberland University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Dartmouth College: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
Duke University: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Duquesne University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Earlham College: The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon
East Carolina University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Eastern Illinois University: This I Believe edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman
Eastern Kentucky University: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Edgewood College: The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Jr., Tom Farley and Tanner Colby
Endicott College: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
Fayetteville State University: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Florida Community College, Jacksonville: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Florida Gulf Coast University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Florida Southern College: Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
Florida State University: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Fort Lemoyne College: Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul by Kenneth Miller
Framingham State College: Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travels Among the Youth of the Middle East by Jared Cohen
Frank Phillips College: Choosing Civility by P.M. Forni
George Washington University: Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thoman L. Friedman
Georgetown University: The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
Goucher College: The Devil in White City by Erik Larson
Grace College: The End of the Spear by Steve Saint
Graceland University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Grand View College: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Green Mountain College: The World Without US by Alan Weisman
Gustavus Adolphus College: Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
Gwynedd-Mercy College: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Hawaii Pacific University: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Holy Cross: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Hunter College: Drown by Junot Díaz
Idaho State University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Illinois Wesleyan University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Make the Impossible Possible: One Man's Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary by Bill Strickland
Indiana University Southeast: Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood; Whose Water is it? The Unquenchable Thirst of a Water-Hungry World by Douglas Jehl and Bernadette Mcdonald
Indiana University, South Bend: There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz
Ithaca College: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
James Madison University: The DNA Age a series of New York Times articles by Amy Harmon
John Brown University: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
John Jay College of Criminal Justice: The Front by Patricia Cornwell
Johnson County Community College: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Johnson State College: How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America by Moustafa Bayoumi
Kalamazoo College: Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner
Keene State College: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky
Kennesaw State University: Soul of a Citizen by Paul Loeb
Lehigh University: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
Lincoln University: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Linfield College: Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elzabeth Kolbert
Los Angeles City College: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Madaille College: The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Manhattan College: Everything Bad is Good for You by Steven Johnson
Mars Hill College : The Translator by Daoud Hari
Marymount Manhattan College: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Merced College: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Miami University (OH): What Learning Leaves by Taylor Mali
Michigan State University: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Michigan Tech: Lay that Trumpet in Our Hands by Susan Carol McCarthy
Middle Tennessee State University: How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else by Michael Gates Gill
Midlands Technical College: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Montana State University: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Moorpark College: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Mount Holyoke College: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
Murray State University: It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Niagara University: When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
North Carolina State University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Northern Arizona University: Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
Northwestern University: Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman
Ohio State University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Ohio University: Cion by Zakes Mda
Ohio Wesleyan University: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Okahoma City University: Sounds of the River by Da Chen
Parkland College: The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Pennsylvania State University, Berks: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Philadelphia University: Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough
Principia College: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Purdue University: Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen
Quinnipiac University: In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong by Amin Maalouf
Ramapo College of New Jersey: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Roanoke College: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert
Roger Williams University: The World Without US by Alan Weisman
Rosemont College: Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
Sacramento State University: When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
Saint Augustine College: Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny by Hill Harper; Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny by Hill Harper
Salem State College: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
Salve Regina University: Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World by Paul Hawken
San Diego State University: The Ape and the Sushi Master by Frans de Waal
San Jose State University: Color of the Sea by John Hanamura
Seattle University: The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama by Pico Iyer
Seton Hall University: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
Siena College: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Smith College: The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones
Southern Utah University: The Civility Solution by P.M. Forni
Southern Vermont College: The Color of Water by James McBride
St. Bonaventure University: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
St. Mary's College of Maryland: Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elzabeth Kolbert
St. Michael's College: The Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka, Ritchie Robertson, and Joyce Crick
Stanford University: My Own Country: A Doctor's Story by Abraham Verghese
State Fair Community College: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
SUNY Oswego: The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Sweet Briar College: Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation by Olivia Judson
Texas Lutheran University: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Texas State University San Marcos: A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
Texas Tech University: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The College of New Jersey: Black Dog of Fate by Peter Balakian
Thomas College: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Tulane University: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman
UC Berkeley: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
UC Santa Barbara: Ethics for the New Millennium by Dalai Lama
UCLA: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
UNC Charlotte: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
University of Akron: Run by Ann Patchett
University of Alabama, Birmingham: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
University of Bridgeport: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
University of California, Berkeley: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
University of California, Davis: Bliss by Eric Weiner
University of California, Merced: The World Without US by Alan Weisman
University of California, Santa Barbara: Ethics for the New Millennium by the Dalai Lama
University of Cincinnati: Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul by Kenneth R. Miller
University of Delaware: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
University of Florida: The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea
University of Illinois: Once Upon a Quinceanera: Coming of Age in the USA by Julia Alvarez
University of Kentucky: The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
University of Louisiana, Monroe: The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman
University of Maryland: What Is the What by Dave Eggers
University of Missouri: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
University of Montana, Missoula: The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: A Home on the Field by Paul Cuadros
University of North Carolina, Wilmington: Long Way Gone: Memories of a Boy by Ismael Beah
University of Northern Florida: A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown: A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
University of Richmond: Fountain and Tomb: Hakayat Haretna by Naguib Mahfouz and Soad Sobhy
University of South Carolina, Aiken: Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
University of Texas: In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
University of Texas, Arlington: Deep Economy by Bill McKibben
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia: Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi
University of Toledo: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
University of Wisconsin, Madison: In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
University of Wisconsin, Parkside: Maus II by Art Spiegelman
University of Northern Colorado: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
UT Tyler: The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Utah State University: Barefoot Heart: Stories of a Migrant Child by Elva Trevino Hart
Villanova University: Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
Virginia Commonweath University: Maus I by Art Spiegelman
Virginia Tech: Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything by Daniel Goleman
Viterbo University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Washington State University: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Washington University in St Louis: When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
West Texas A&M University: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Western Illinois University: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Western Michigan University: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz; Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
Western Washington University: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Whitworth University: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Winthrop University: Growing Up by Russell Baker
Wofford College: One Foot In Eden by Ron Rash
Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

An Author's Plea for the People of Iran

2009-06-25T12:28:00.002-04:00

We received an email from Marjane Satrapi, the author of PERSEPOLIS, whose memoir is set in Iran and tells the story of Satrapi's early childhood, with its main focus on her life from age ten through fourteen, from 1980 through 1984. As our review on Bookreporter.com says,"Those were particularly turbulent years for Satrapi's native country of Iran, encompassing the overthrow of Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (the Shah of Iran), the installation of the Islamic Republic, and the war with Iraq. The story is told entirely through the eyes of Satrapi, the child, and how these events affected her parents, her relatives, her friends, and herself."

Thus this email from her is from the heart from one who understands the crisis that Iran is facing now all too well.

Dear Friends:

To all who beleive in freedom and democracy...

Please sign this petition to United Nation to stop the violence, arrests and torture in Iran.
The situation is really really bad.

Please forward it to whoever you know.

Best and lots of love
Marjane Satrapi

http://www.petitiononline.com/12June/petition.html

Reading in the Rain

2009-06-22T14:55:00.002-04:00

And to prove my point about the fact that reading is not contingent upon the weather I heard that Lucas Glover, who won the U.S. Open today reads three books a week. And that this weekend during all the rain delays, he read. Now, I am wondering WHAT he read. If anyone finds out, let me know!

Illuminating Thought

2009-04-28T19:09:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago when I was buying items for our Bookreporter.com Mother's Day Contest, I clicked over to one of my favorite sites for gift items, Illuminations.com, and got this message:

"We want to thank you for your interest in the Illuminations brand and your loyalty over the years. We recently made the difficult decision to close our business in response to the unprecedented economic challenges. We appreciate your business and your love of candles." They referred me to Yankee Candle, which actually had bought Illuminations a few years ago. They are perfectly nice candles, but they are just not the same.

Illuminations had closed their east coast stores a while back and thus I only was ordering from them online for a while now, but seeing that option was gone as well got me taking a second look in my mailbox. I saw other companies sending me special email offers much the same as the ones I had gotten from Illuminations in the months before they closed, with free shipping and sales offers in them.

I keep saying that "I do not need anything" from those companies now. And I truly do not NEED anything, but it also made me wonder how much I would miss them in the years to come if they were not there when I wanted something from them, like Illuminations. Thus I thought about buying another set of sheets...or pillowcases...or the set of shelves I was thinking about saying "those would be perfect on that wall." Sure I, like everyone else, am thinking about every dollar that I spend, but there is a part of me thinking about how much I would miss these stores if they were not around when I wanted them at a later date.

And as a bibliophile I also thought about the bookstores that I love. How would I feel if they were not around?

And it gave me this thought. What if I looked at the places I really love to shop and figured out a way to buy SOMETHING from them in the next 30 days. I would not plunk down money wildly, but I want to take a serious look at the special places where I like the selection, personal service or the ambience. And support them.

May I ask you to take a moment and do the same thing, especially with places like indie stores and small size companies that you love? Friday, May 1st has been identified as a Shop Indie Bookstore Day where readers are encouraged to buy books from independent store owners. We'd love to see you support this effort. Click on IndieBound.org to find the indie bookstore nearest you.

It's not about crass materialism. It's about supporting the places --- and the people that run them --- that you love. So they always will be there for you.

MJ Rose: Christmas Presents

2008-12-25T06:00:00.004-05:00

For a bit of irony this Christmas, today's guest blogger is M. J. Rose --- author of THE MEMORIST --- who grew up Jewish the remaining 364 days of the year. Here, she reminisces about a very special present she received from her father, and describes what she's given him in return, albeit decades later.

I'm Jewish but we celebrated Christmas growing up. My dad was in the toy business, and to a man in the toy business, December 25th is a holy day no matter who you pray to the rest of the year.

Imagine: it's Christmas and your dad is the EVP at one of the top three toy companies in New York City. Imagine the sight under the tree. Nah . . . double that. Practically all of FAO Schwarz was under our tree (the tree, by the way, was five feet tall, plastic, pink and decorated with pink and silver ornaments.)

We had a rule in our house: no matter what time my sister and I woke up on December 25th, we couldn't wake up our parents until 6 a.m. And then, painfully, excruciatingly, agonizingly, we had to wait until my mother made coffee and my sister and I each drank down a full glass of orange juice before we could start opening presents.

And then it was a wild free for all.

When the dust and the ribbons and the wrappings settled, no matter how many Barbies and Barbie clothes and doll houses and stuffed animals and games there were under that fashion tree, my favorite presents were the books.

To this day I still have almost all those books and none of the toys, and my favorite is ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME. Every year on December 25, at some point during the day, I pull it out and read it again.

Of all the characters, in all the books I had, I related to Eloise the most. She lived in the Plaza Hotel on 59th and Fifth --- only twelve blocks away from where we lived. I got into same kinds of trouble she got into. She had a turtle. I had a turtle. My school uniform was a carbon copy of what she wore. My hair was just like hers: stringy and messy. And she was always with her nanny, never her parents, because they were always away. While my mom was there, my father wasn't around as much as I wished he was.

Part of that toy business job required him to travel constantly, and I missed him so very much so very often. Somehow, because of that, there was a special bond between us, and every year at Christmas he gave me something special --- something just from him to me.

This is one of the reasons ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME is such a special book to me.

On the first page, the illustrious Hilary Knight drew Eloise holding up a giant-sized wrapped gift with an overly large gift card tied to it. On the card are spaces for the giver of the book to fill in the appropriate inscriptions.

My copy says: To Melisse With Love From Daddy.

This November my tenth novel, THE MEMORIST, was published. The dedication page says, For My Father.

And under it I've written: To Daddy With Love from Melisse.

We don't have the pink tree anymore, but this year I'll be giving my father that book and I hope it means as much to him as my copy of ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME still means to me.

Jacqueline Winspear: A Book for a Child

2008-12-24T06:00:00.006-05:00

Today's guest blogger is Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs novels, including AN INCOMPLETE REVENGE. Here, she describes a very special tradition she shares with her friends each holiday season, and reminisces on the very first book she ever owned.

"We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open. " -- Harry Edwards

As a book lover, whenever it's time to give a gift, I turn to books, and I'm just as delighted when I see the tell-tale shape of a book gift --- wrapped with my name on it. But, I have felt most joy in giving books to children. One of my friends, writer and teacher, Barbara Abercrombie, organizes a party at her house in early December each year, and it's a very special party: each guest is asked to bring a book for a child who might not otherwise ever receive a book as a gift. One table is set aside for gift wrap, with ribbons and everything you might want to decorate a gift for a child, and at the same time Barbara's kitchen table groans with yummy holiday fare for the partygoers.

The invitation offers pointers as to age-appropriate reading, and guests label their gifts accordingly. It is such a joyous task to choose a book or two for a child you've never met, imagining their eyes as they open THE TALE OF MISS TIGGYWINKLE, or perhaps cracking open the latest Harry Potter. How enchanting to visit again the favorites of one's own childhood, those perennials that stand the test of time and fashion and can still capture the imagination of a child; or to be excited by new authors and innovative illustrators.

I remember, when I was a child, my aunt bought me an illustrated ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. It was the first book I ever owned (we were instead enthusiastic patrons of our local library, and I'd had my library card from age two). How I loved that book. I would open the pages as if unearthing buried treasure, and as I touched each color plate, my fingers tingled with excitement. I had a lair to which I always escaped to read, behind the door at the top of the stairs leading from the dining room down into the kitchen. I'd spend ages cocooned there with my library books, but it was also the place where ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS lived, held safe in the original wrapping paper. I think of the wonderful sense of belonging I felt upon taking ownership of my first book, and find it heartwarming to rekindle that feeling when I choose a book to send to a child I will never know, but am connected to through the gift of story.

Tomorrow, M. J. Rose recalls the lavish Christmases of her childhood, and the one special present that stood out amongst the rest.

Adriana Trigiani on THEY HAD FACES THEN

2008-12-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Adriana Trigiani's upcoming book, VERY VALENTINE (to be released this February), may be named for a different holiday, but she still knows how to jump right into the Christmas spirit. Here, she recalls fond memories of her grandparents, and how she shares them with her young daughter through the pages of a favorite book.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm a huge fan of old movies. I especially love the movies of the 1930s --- probably because I heard so many stories about them from my grandmother, who was dating my grandfather then. Every Saturday night, he would drive her from her farm in Delabole, Pennsylvania over to Easton, to see "the show". When I was a girl in the 1970s and 80s in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, I checked a large book about the movie stars of the 1930s out of the library: it was called THEY HAD FACES THEN, written by John Springer and Jack Hamilton. I would check the book out every week, take it home, and pore over it. I knew of financial struggle and want, so the Great Depression held a sort of allure for me --- a time of suffering gave way to stories on film about runaway heiresses and cards sharps. And there, in THEY HAD FACES THEN, the stories behind the stars and their movies were written with spunk and insight.

This Christmas, I received an early gift from my good friend, the great actor/entertainer Mario Cantone. I had spoken of the book so often that he went on a hunt to find it for me. He gave it to me this week, so I might have it before the Christmas rush. My husband put up the tree, and my daughter and I decorated it, and as we snuggled on the couch, I opened the book and showed her pictures of Claudette Colbert, Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell and working actresses like Virginia Grey. The best books to receive are ones that you long for --- that somehow, along the way got lost --- and then a good friend, thinking of you, finds it in a stack somewhere and remembers you. THEY HAD FACES THEN is that book for me; it conjures my grandmothers, my childhood, and the innocence of a time gone by. For me, it's the perfect Christmas present from a perfect friend.

Tomorrow, Jacqueline Winspear ruminates on the wondrous experience of giving a book to a child.

Joni Rendon on HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING

2008-12-22T06:00:00.004-05:00

Today's guest blogger Joni Rendon, co-author of NOVEL DESTINATIONS, comes clean about her lack of skill in the kitchen, and shares how she's tackling this challenge with the help of Mark Bittman's HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING.

I'm sure my in-laws meant well when they gifted me with Mark Bittman's HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING a few years back. Coming on the heels of one too many culinary meltdowns, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. After all, they were the hapless victims on the receiving end of my well-meaning, but ultimately disastrous, demonstrations of kitchen prowess. There was the Shrimp Bercy that congealed into a Papier-mâché-like substance (a victim of too much corn starch), the 20-alarm seafood enchiladas (the result of that all-too-important distinction between one "canned" jalapeno and one "can of" jalapenos), and the key lime pie that never firmed up and quivered unappetizingly on our plates until my husband was brave enough to tackle the pale green mass. (Would anyone like another slice. . . errr, dollop?)

Ruining a few dinners among family was one thing, but the prospect of entertaining friends became fraught with stress. Each dinner party invitation received sent my stomach churning with fear on when we'd have to reciprocate. Who could compete with my friend Nancy's Fourth of July flag sheet cake with buttercream frosting and raspberries lovingly nestled into place to form stripes? Or my husband's boss's slow-roasted shoulder of pork with apricot honey glaze? Quickly, I learned that the best way to cook a no-fail meal was to order it in and get rid of the evidence. As guests would arrive, I'd strategically be removing the piping hot creation out of my stove, to a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" and "doesn't that look delicious?" But even that didn't always go smoothly (let's just say my dog Penelope --- eyebrows intact --- now knows not to linger near the stove). But over time, the guilt wore on me. I felt bad about deceiving my friends, who'd wholeheartedly pooh-pooh my "woe is me, I can't cook" angst by waxing poetic about some great meal I'd supposedly prepared.

Enter Mark Bittman, whose step-by-step instructions on everything from cookware and ingredients (evaporated milk is NOT the same thing as condensed milk, even though the can looks similar --- hmmm, this could explain the failure of that key lime pie) to explicitly worded recipes that leave nothing to the imagination. I mean, how can you resist a man who goes so far as to warn you, in the case of the pan-seared steak, that "clouds of smoke will instantly appear; do not turn down the heat"?

These days, I've progressed on to the Barefoot Contessa recipes, because she's one of the few U.S. chefs we get on the Food Network in England where I live now, and having the visual aid really helps. (Though I'm sure Ina never had to do battle with a temperamental British convection oven or perform complex mathematical equations in her head to convert measurements to the metric system.) Soon, I'll be putting months of preparation to the test by hosting my book group's annual Christmas gathering --- want to come over for dinner?

Tomorrow, Adriana Trigiani reflects on perfect presents, perfect friends, and the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.

Shannon McKenna Schmidt: Bad Habits in Book Buying

2008-12-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

It isn't always easy to find the perfect Christmas present for a loved one. Today's guest blogger, Shannon McKenna Schmidt --- co-author of the literary travel guide NOVEL DESTINATIONS --- reveals her secret to holiday gift giving, which sometimes benefits her just as much as the recipient.

I have a bad habit. When buying books to give as holiday gifts, I sometimes keep myself in mind --- like the time I bought 1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE for my husband. After all, we're traveling to the same places, right? I'm doing part of our trip planning, so it's only fair I get to "borrow" it to see what Patricia Schultz recommends. Plus I work from home, so I can peruse it while he's at the office.

Last Christmas I gave my sister Deanna Raybourn's SILENT IN THE GRAVE, the first book in a series set in Victorian England featuring amateur sleuth Lady Julia Grey. I had already read an advance copy of SILENT IN THE GRAVE, and I bought my sister a fresh, new edition. I thought she would love the book --- the characters, the setting, the mystery, the hint of romance --- and luckily she did.

But there was a second part to the present: a gift certificate to a local bookstore. I made her promise that with it she would buy SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, the second book in the series, which was being published the following month. She did indeed get SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY and, as I had hoped, graciously and unsuspectingly asked if I wanted to borrow it when she was done. (It's still on my shelf. I should probably give it back.)

With the holiday shopping season now in full swing, I have to figure out what I. . .I mean they. . .want for Christmas this year.

Join us tomorrow, as Joni Rendon shares some of her misadventures in the kitchen.

Mark Sullivan: A New Meaning of Christmas

2008-12-20T06:00:00.008-05:00

Mark Sullivan, author of the upcoming novel TRIPLE CROSS (to be released in April), reminisces about a particularly memorable Christmas that perhaps laid the groundwork for him to become the kind of writer he is today.

My mother taught me to read when I was four and we didn't have a television until I was nine, so books were right up there with toys, skis and hockey sticks at Christmas when I was growing up.

I loved mystery and adventure books especially, and when I was a kid on December 25th, I got installments of the Freddy the Detective series about a pig who solved barnyard crimes, The Hardy Boys of course, Tom Swift, Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators, and usually, from my father's mother, a classic tale of adventure like ROBINSON CRUSOE, KIDNAPPED, or TREASURE ISLAND or KIM. These last were usually condensed and rewritten so a child of the sixties could follow the plot.

After I'd gotten my fill of the toys and games and had the chance to bomb down the side yard on my new skis or sled, I'd grab one of my book presents, sit by the fire, smell the goose my mother was cooking, open the book cover and slip away for a few hours into the new world I'd been given.

On Christmas afternoon, I met the white whale for the first time. I met Professor Moriarty for the first time on a Christmas afternoon as well. And Jack Hawkins and Long John Silver. And Friday. And Jim, Huck and Tom. And the complete story of Jesus's birth according to the gospel of St. Luke; was there ever a better tale?

The greatness of all those books aside, as I near my fiftieth Christmas, one year and two books stick out in my memory.

I was thirteen and sick as a dog. I'd gotten the flu a few days before and spent most of the holiday curled up in a blanket on a sofa between the Christmas tree and the fireplace while my brother and sister went outside to sled with the neighborhood kids.

My grandmother Sullivan had given me a collection of short stories by Joseph Conrad. My mother had given me THE DAY OF THE JACKAL by Frederick Forsyth, which had dominated the bestseller list that year.

I cracked the Conrad book first and was surprised to find it was the real stuff --- not a dumb-down version --- and I initially struggled with the language of "The Duel (A Military Tale)".

But soon, I was swept away into 18th-century France and the tale of two Hussar infantry officers, D'Hubert and Feraud, who clash with sabers as young lieutenants while a deaf gardener and a young maid watch in horror.

The first duel between them ends up with Feraud slashed up and near death. D'Hubert gets him a surgeon and he lives. Feraud recovers, and over the course of decades the duel continues in shades of psychological suspense and overt acts of non-lethal violence until they are both older, scarred men and generals. At the end, despite their supposed obsessive hatred of the other, the duelists have become so firmly intertwined in the meaning of each other's lives that they can't imagine living without the other. Indeed, they've each given the other the most "alive" parts of their existence.

It was great stuff. Up until that point, it was the best short story I'd ever read, and I fell asleep for a while pretty happy and amazed that a writer could tell such an epic story in so little space.

I woke up around noon, ate some soup, and felt sorry for myself because I couldn't be outside with the other kids who'd built a jump on a side hill and were chucking themselves off it, getting ruined but having a pretty darn good time at it.

Then I met the Jackal.

After reading Forsyth's novel for two pages I forgot all about sledding, chucking myself off jumps and ruining myself. I'd never read anything like it. The language was precise, straightforward and easy for a thirteen year old to understand, but it seemed to carry an intense amount of weight and pressure as Forsyth described the hiring of an assassin to kill French President Charles DeGaulle.

From that point forward, I felt like I was right there, hovering in the air around the Jackal as he set about preparing for the assassination. In the novel, the reader never really learns much about the killer in terms of his history. But the way Forsyth describes the Jackal --- his actions, his tics, his cold ruthlessness --- had me believing he was right there in front of me, moving through France, gathering what he would need to kill DeGaulle.

My mother called me to Christmas dinner about the time the Jackal gets his gun. I tried to sneak the book to the table, but my old man was having none of that. He snatched it away and set it on the hutch. Growing up, Christmas dinner was an affair of heavy rituals in my house. You were expected to show up in a white shirt and tie. My mother made goose, yams, and string beans with almonds. My parents shared a bottle of wine. We prayed before eating. You were expected to have thought about the gospel and the sermon and be ready to voice your thoughts after the main meal was eaten.

My shirt collar was digging into my neck. I could barely stomach the chicken broth, and wanted nothing more than to head back to the couch, when my father asked me what Christmas meant to me in light of the morning sermon at Mass.

I didn't know what to say at first, but then blurted out, "I don't know about the sermon. But this year, Christmas to me means being sick and reading about these two guys dueling their whole lives with swords and pistols, and then this other guy, the Jackal, getting hired to kill Charles DeGaulle and he gets this really cool, break-down gun made for him. And he's like this amazing shot."

My father, who is very hard of hearing, looked at me like I was some kind of imbecile. "What the hell does that have to do with Jesus's birth?" he snapped.

"I dunno," I said. "Because of Jesus's birth I get to read really good books?"

My father, who'd had a couple of glasses of red wine by then, started to redden himself, and looked ready to launch into a tirade of some sort. Then my mother held up her hands at my dad.

"He's running a fever," she said. Then she looked at me. "You want to go back to your book and your blankets?"

"It's Christmas Dinner!" my father cried in outrage. "We haven't even had pie and ice cream."

"He can't keep toast down!" she yelled back at him. Then she nodded to me. "Go on, I'll bring you something in a while."

I grabbed THE DAY OF THE JACKAL and headed back into the living room, tearing off my clip-on tie and opening my collar. The Christmas tree was glowing. The fire needed a log or two.

But all I cared about was the Jackal. I read all that evening while Christmas carols blasted from the stereo speakers so my father could hear them and while my brother and sister fought over how much candy they were supposed to have in their stockings. I didn't care.

I was in Paris, meeting this French cop who everyone thinks is kind of an imbecile, watching as he begins to suspect that someone's going to try to assassinate DeGaulle and then hovering right over his shoulder as he sets out to foil the Jackal.

The suspense was excruciating and relentless. I finished the book by flashlight under the covers in my bed around two in the morning, and fell asleep in awe of all that I'd been through in the last fourteen hours: duels, killings, an assassination averted.

I woke up the next day around noon, feeling better, hungry, and I stumbled to the kitchen table and asked my mom for breakfast. While she was cooking me some soft-boiled eggs, she looked over and asked me, "Where's your book?"

"I finished it last night," I said, perking up. "You should read it. It's like the best book I've ever read. And I read the best short story I ever read yesterday too."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, and then felt something come over me. "I'd like to write books and stories like that someday."

Looking back thirty-seven years, I realize I got a gift that Christmas far larger than two books that helped me through a bout of the flu. Through that story by Conrad and that novel by Forsyth I was given a glimpse of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. In retrospect that glimpse was the greatest Christmas present I've ever received.

Tomorrow, Shannon McKenna Schmidt shares a sneaky tip for buying presents for loved ones.

Brad Meltzer on the Best Present He's Ever Received

2008-12-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

Brad Meltzer, author of THE BOOK OF LIES, shows us how sometimes the little things make all the difference in the world, as he describes a very special present given to him after a momentous event.

The best book present I ever got was the one my Mom gave me after my first novel was published. It was an old leather journal, with one of those cool old-book-tie thingies on it. And it had just the right amount of spacing on the lined pages inside. Perfect for any nut who cares about such things.

But the best part was the tiny note she put inside. The note she wrote just for me.

Tomorrow, Mark Sullivan recalls his first introduction to the likes of the Hardy Boys, Robinson Crusoe, Professor Moriarty and Long John Silver.

Carolyn Jourdan on ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

2008-12-18T06:00:00.003-05:00

Sometimes life doesn't quite work out the way we plan. However, today's guest blogger, Carolyn Jourdan --- author of HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE --- proves that isn't necessarily always a bad thing.

When I was 17 years old, I was given a book for Christmas that --- before I'd finished the first page --- I knew was going to change the direction of my life in a big way. I was a senior in high school, and the book was ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL by James Herriot.

The intensely funny, self-deprecating comedy and radiant kindness in that book affected me so deeply I spent the next 30 years struggling to learn to write (and live) in the hope that one day, somehow, I'd be able to render the wacky misadventures of my physician-father and his patients.

What I experienced while reading ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL was the healing power of laughter and community and the blessing of learning to be comfortable with who, what, and where you are.

Then, like most young people, I got caught up in chasing after "success." By most standards I achieved it. I was a high-powered, high-tech environmental lawyer for the U.S. Senate, living a life like a character out of a TV show. In fact, I was the basis of a well-known character on a famous TV show about Washington.

But then, my mother had a heart attack and my father asked me to come back home to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee "just for a couple of days" and cover for her on her job as the receptionist in his medical office. She'd been his jack-of-all-trades sidekick for 36 years and, because he treated so many of his patients for free, he couldn't afford to hire anyone to replace her. How could I say no?

The "couple of days" stretched into weeks, months, and then years.

Overnight I went from a glamorous life as a respected professional to an old maid daughter living in her parents' basement, trapped in a flunky job. I never did get back to Washington.

My transition was not graceful. But when I finally relaxed, I realized that although my job was a humble one (to say the least) and I had no talent for it, I was filling a space that needed to be filled. And in fact, I was living out that Herriot book I'd been given for a Christmas present and loved so long ago.

It wasn't a bad life.

By the grace of God, a deeply disrupted career path, and an unbelievable amount of effort I eventually managed to write that book I'd hoped to write one day and it came out in the hardback just in time to give to my father for Father's Day, thus completing a long circle.

Books are important. With the books we give and the books we receive, we can change each other's thinking and even change each other's lives in ways we could never imagine when we've stuffed ourselves with Christmas dinner, settled into a comfy chair, and cracked open the cover of an interesting-looking new book.

Tomorrow, Brad Meltzer describes a touching present given to him by his mother just after he published his first book.

Garth Stein on 90 MINUTES

2008-12-17T06:00:00.007-05:00

Life lessons abound in any great book, and Garth Stein --- author of THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN --- shares a poignant one his young son learned through the pages of a collection of sports photography.

It's been a crazy December for us. My son, who plays on a U-11 soccer team (there's some terminology that will separate the soccer folks from the non-soccer folks), was on a juggernaut with his team, the Mount Baker/Lakewood Tidal Wave. They're kind of a rag-tag bunch --- more Bad News Bears than New York Yankees --- and yet they have a huge amount of spirit. And they manifest well.

So in the City Championship double-elimination tournament, they won their first three games with guts and determination. And suddenly found themselves in a sea of big fish. They were among the elite. They were one of 6 remaining teams out of 26 that started.

And then they lost. And they lost again and were out of the tournament, on a cold, snowy Sunday in Seattle, with the dark clouds hanging low over the field.

I found myself in a strange situation. How do I explain to my son that this experience is about learning how to lose as well as how to win? But more, how do I explain that it's about learning how to deal with the elements: how to take a bad call. Yes, the young referee of our match whistled a penalty kick in a game tied at 1-1 with fewer than three minutes to play, and our guys --- smaller and less physical players who had been banged around all day --- found themselves losing because of a phantom penalty that even the other team didn't see.

Well, I said to my boy, we play them as they come. We are here because we put ourselves here, and we have to stand up to that. We haven't manifested well today; tomorrow, we will manifest better.

He was disappointed, yes. There were tears, of course, slackened only by a stop at Dick's Drive-In for a vanilla shake and some famous Dick's fries.

But there was also a renaissance.

After the game, when we had all unraveled from our Extreme Winter Wear and settled down in our cozy house, safe from the looming storm, I went up to look for my son and make sure his spirits were not damaged beyond repair. And I found him in his room, on his bed, paging through a book my sister-in-law and nephew had given him for Christmas two years ago, called: 90 MINUTES: The Greatest Moments from the World Cup.

It's a beautiful book of photographs from World Cup soccer matches. The 90 minutes of the title refers to the length of a match. There are few words --- only the captions of photographs. But it is a powerful book.

"You okay?" I asked. "You're not too bummed out about today?"

"I'm okay," he said. And he turned another page to see another fantastic photo.

Perhaps he imagined himself in that book. Perhaps he just loved the energy of it. I don't know. But there he was, seeing himself on the field with a different outcome. Knowing that a hero's journey is not without difficulty and disappointment, but ultimately is about embracing the path traveled.

I've given many books for Christmas; I've received many books. All of them have their stories and are significant. But this day --- today --- 90 MINUTES is the most important book my son has ever received. Perhaps, one day, he will give a book to someone that will be as special as this one is to him.

Happy Book-Giving Season to everyone!

Tomorrow, Carolyn Jourdan discusses how --- despite her life's ups and downs --- she came to embody the ideals represented in one of favorite books.

Susan Meissner on POEMS FOR LITTLE EARS

2008-12-16T06:00:00.005-05:00

Today's guest blogger, Susan Meissner --- author of THE SHAPE OF MERCY --- recalls the touching gift she was given by her parents one Christmas to encourage the budding writer in her, and gives us a taste of some of her earliest "masterpieces."

When I was eight, and just beginning to grasp that I had restless urge to write that would define me for the rest of my days, I began writing poems in a little red notebook given me by my second-grade teacher. I still have that particular notebook. It is filled with gems like:

Christmas Day
Christmas Day is fun and gay
Christmas Day is a time to pray
Christmas Day is so much fun
Christmas is for everyone

And this one, sure to be a classic someday:

The Sweet Tree
I sat on a log
With my dog
I saw a tree in the sky
So high!
With so many cookies and pies
At first I couldn't believe my eyes!
I looked at the goodies, and my eyes grew to see all the things
I saw sugar-coated bird wings
I climbed the tree way up to the top
I threw some down for my dog, down it went. Plop!
Then I went home.

Just gives you goose bumps, doesn't it? Well, that my Christmas --- we're talking 1969 --- my parents gave me a book of poems; no doubt to encourage the blossoming poet that I was struggling to become. POEMS FOR LITTLE EARS by Kate Cox Goddard became a fast favorite. I loved that book. I loved the illustrations. I loved the perfect meter of each rhyme, each line. I loved Kate Cox Goddard. I wanted to be Kate Cox Goddard. Consider this, perhaps my favorite in the whole book:

Song
When I'm happy inside
I've a bird in my heart
It flutters and beats with its wings
When I'm happy inside
The small bird in my heart
Opens my mouth --- and it sings!

At some point in my childhood I realized poetry was not truly my first love. I waltzed away from it in my teens, dived into community journalism in my younger adult years but truly found my writing voice when I began writing novels. Forty Christmases have come and gone since POEMS FOR LITTLE EARS was first given to me but it still seems like an old, good friend. I knew right where to find it so that I could write this blog post. I knew the hue of its turquoise-blue spine, its shape and size. Flipping through it just now, I couldn't help but smile as I read "Needles and Pins," "The Looking-Glass Child" and "The Tinkling Gate," remembering the little girl that was me when I read them for the first time.

I guess it's no surprise that poems about everyday things would resonate so long and so well inside me. Written rhymes are like music to the eyes.

There are other books I've kept over the years that first came to me under a Christmas tree, but this one has been with me the longest. I don't have such "little ears" anymore, but I still love to see music with my eyes.

Tomorrow, Garth Stein shares the perfect book that managed to put a positive spin on his son's bad day.