West of Mars -- the Meet and Greet

Yeah, I know. I put the asterik in there... makes me sick, too, but every now and then, you gotta conform.

Anyway, I've been meaning to bring these two things to your attention for too long now. Long enough that I'm tired of The Tour Manager closing my Firefox window and the open tabs along with it. And it's Sunday. Seems like a good time to bring you a Sunday Best.

First off, we have a very cute set of cookie cutter and six cookie recipes from the folks at Punk Rock Kitchen. While this is sort of pink and definitely missing the biting social commentary that characterizes punk rock, it's still a lot of fun. I'd definitely give this as a birthday present to the younger set.

And next, this is something I'd totally like to track down and get for myself. It's a new graphic novel (and you guys know how I love my graphic novels *coughJoannSfarcough*) about an all-girl rock band, the Apocalipstix. The book was actually released in July, so it only took a month to cross my radar. Not bad, but really. They could have sent me a review copy and I'd be telling you all to go on over to Front Street Reviews and read what I thought of it.

So there ya go. Some cool shit for a US Labor Day weekend. Make it a good one; it's the unofficial end of summer. I'm going to miss summer around here. Sort of.

Labels: books, food, Sunday Best

Yep, I've gotten some of the big storm that's pelting Cleveland and Buffalo and Carmi in Ontario. The best part is that I've got the house to myself for a bit over 24 hours; I've been soaking in the solitude -- even if my plans to have dinner with a friend were nixed by slow road crews. Oh, well. It can't all be perfect.

Two of my friends have releases this week!

Aline de Chevigny (Damn, that's hard to spell!) released Toss of a Coin. The link will take you to her blog about it and you can follow those links to buy it. (Have I mentioned that being home alone has made me lazy?)

And my dear friend Joely Sue Burkhart has The Rose of Shanhasson about to explode onto the e-book market, too. Same thing with the links.

Check them out, pick them up. Wouldn't it be cool if, five years from now (or less), they hit the best-seller list and you can say you read them when?

I've some new fiction for you tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Labels: Aline, books, Joely, Sunday Best

So in this week's Booking Through Thursday post, I promised you talk about a great read I'd just finished.

Here it is, a definite Sunday Best.

The book is called A Day of Small Beginnings, and it's the debut novel by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum, who seems very nice from the very small e-mail exchanges we've had. (Notice how we're back to the debut novel thing? I can't get away from them, can I?)

A Day... is the story of three generations of Liebers, a Jewish family from Poland whose history is changed by a single act of courage -- and stupidity, all rolled into one. We begin with Itzik and then spend some time with his son and finally, the family's redemption is at last complete through the acts of his granddaughter, Ellen. (Notice how it takes a woman for redemption to happen? Hmm?)

The tale's more subtle than this. It's also hard as hell to explain; there's a ghost involved, named Friedl. She's an interesting ghost, as she tells us many things but never really lets us, the reader, see for ourselves. Do we take her at face value? There's no reason not to, but ...

Now, I believe in the possibility of ghosts like this. While Friedl bothered some of the members of my book club last Thursday, she didn't bother me. In fact, I liked her. And she sings better than I do, too. Brownie points for that.

Okay, so we've got Itzik, his son, and his granddaughter. And a ghost. Time to throw in three more elements and you'll have the essence of this complex story: the country of Poland, which becomes a character in and of itself; anti-Semitism; and Raphael, the last Jew in the fictional town of Zokof.

(Have you ever heard of a Polish Jew named Raphael? Do you know how long it took me before I connected the idea of this fictional Raphael to the idea of the Angel Raphael? I am going to ask Rosenbaum if that's the proper leap. But back to my rave about the book.)

For me, what makes this book isn't that redemption is Ellen's to deliver. In fact, that might be the most obvious part of the book -- that the redemption happens at last and how, in fact, Ellen arrives at it. I figured it out very quickly, and groaned, "No, we're NOT going there." But we did. And it worked better than I'd hoped, too, which is a huge prop to Rosenbaum.

Rather, what made this book for me was the character of Raphael, Zokof's Jew. Yes, he was the town's own personal Jew. And he was the last one, having returned after the War and deciding to tend to Friedl the ghost. His mission is to find her eternal peace, and Itzik's family is the key to that (and the reason she's not at peace in the first place. She is, after all, dead, and the dead should rest in peace. Right?).

At once pious yet willing to question religion and its rules and dogma, at once serious and mischievous, Raphael is one of those characters we readers desire in our fiction: the kind who lives and breathes, the kind you wish you could sit down and have dinner with.

This book really makes you think about religions, about how we view people who are other than us. It makes you question God right along with Itzik, Nathan, and Ellen -- and some of the various other supporting cast, such as Ellen's love interest, who was also an interesting character. Rosenbaum bucks the trends and gives us some really great men in this book.

It's a huge book smooshed into a small package, but it doesn't feel squished. It's sort of like a clown car: you can't believe how much Rosenbaum packed in. And yet, unlike a clown car that never seems to end, you're never overwhelmed by what's happening. Things are moving and changing, yet we wind up exactly where we're supposed to, all the pieces fitting nicely.

Really. Don't miss this one. Use my link above and get your own copy; you won't regret it. (What? You want MY copy? Well, take that up with my Mom, okay? I gave it to her.)

Also, don't forget that there are only a few more days for Scribbit's February Write Away contest. Get your entries in and check back on Friday for the list of participants. Oh, yeah, and the winner. Can't forget about that; it's a contest, not a carnival. Still, I'm eager to read what others have written. Hope you'll visit some, too. And mine, of course. (although some of you may have done so already. Visit again, okay?)

Happy reading! May you all find such neat gems in your TBR pile as A Day of Small Beginnings.

Labels: A Day of Small Beginnings, books, Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum, Sunday Best

Wow. What a week. I'm laid up with The Plague that's going around and you guys are... handing out awards to me. Is this your way of telling me to feel better?

If I've forgotten to list you and the award here, please let me know. We can blame it on a fever delirium. Really, it probably was.


Leeanne, who is one of the coolest chicks around -- and who I hate to bug for WordPress advice (yes, I'm flirting with it) -- gave me a new award: The Blogger of the World award. She says I take her to places she's never been and that I make her feel wordly. Well, how is THAT for high praise?



And then there's my collecting friends, who gave me this one. I mean, come on. How can you NOT use the words Yum Yum the right way?

Robin, bless her heart gave me this one:


Megan was kind enough to pass this along. Have you met Megan yet? She's cool.


Whew. All these accolades... for me to sift through the almost 300 blogs in my reader (yes, I've culled a few; this is why it pays to delurk from time to time!) and pass along each one as justly as possible would probably take a few days. And while I'm feeling better, I'm still worn out and need a nap today (not to mention the Penguin game this afternoon).

If you're a regular around here, if you know who Mitchell's favorite person on the planet is, consider yourself rewarded. Be sure to let me know you've taken it so I can make a big fuss over you. It'll be well-deserved.

If you don't know who Mitchell's favorite person on the planet is, you should hang out here more often and check out the archives.

And finally, here's the deal. Bunnygirl is hosting a Valentine's Day themed Flash Fiction carnival. With the big red day fast approaching, why not whip up some fiction and shoot Bunny the url? You know you want to -- and saying, "But I'm not as good as you, Susan. My stuff sucks next to yours" will only accomplish one thing: me spitting my water at the computer screen before I collapse in peals of laughter.

What a dumb reason to hold yourself back. Trevor does not approve. Then again, neither does anyone else who hangs around this joint. Except for maybe Springer, but he's another story (hopefully to be developed into a novel of his own).

If you're not the carnival type, check out Scribbit's Write Away contest. Michele is cool. Actually, she's probably cold this time of year, but you get the idea. She's giving away Alaskan yummies this time around and her theme is love. How can you resist? Two places to share your writing for the single theme of love.

Love makes the world go 'round. Unless you're Trevor; then it makes your bill at Lyric's place higher.

Labels: Awards, Carnival, Sunday Best

The Tour Manager was kind enough to give me, an asthmatic, his upper respiratory infection. So I feel lousy and am keeping this week's Sunday Best simple.

WAY back in November, I joined this challenge. The idea was to read five books from your To Be Read pile between November and January 30.

I thought I'd let you know how I did.

Here is my last post, checking in and talking about what I'd read so far.

And check out what I did between December 15 and the end of January.

The Sex Club -- LJ Silvers (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)

The Garden of Eve -- KL Going

Spin Some More -- Red Garnier

White Bicycles -- Joe Boyd (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)

The Historian -- Elizabeth Kostova

The Loop -- Joe Coomer

Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil -- Nancy Atherton

Visions of Sugar Plums -- Janet Evanovich

The Reluctant Swordsman -- Dave Duncan (no link because Powell's only links to the e-book version and I did not read this version.)

July 7th -- Jill McCorkle

State of the Onion -- Julie Hyzy (watch Front Street Reviews for my review!)

A couple of cool things of note:
1. There are NO books in here that I disliked and refused to finish. This is a super-long stretch for me. Maybe I'm finally getting better at picking books.

2. That said, I don't get what all the fuss over The Historian was about.

3. Pleasant surprises? The Reluctant Swordsman, a fantasy novel from the 80s. The Loop, a quirky read that had been on my Wishlist since my Grad School days. See? Patience does pay off.

3. Lots of reviews, possibly more than I intended. Yes, reviews keep me from writing, but it's also good to stretch and discipline my brain, which likes to be about as disciplined at times as Trevor's. (and yes, he's yowling a protest at me for that dig.)

4. I really like Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity series. They are fun, smart, and just right. I really like KL Going, too. Even though The Garden of Eve is aimed for a younger audience, it still kicks. I've got a few more of each of these authors' books on the Mountain Range that is TBR.

5. I'm already eager for the next in the new Julie Hyzy series that was kicked off by State of the Onion.

6. Despite this list, it's still not enough. In fact, one more book arrived in January than I was able to read. At this rate, I'll be caught up in 2011. Maybe.

7. I've begun reading for the Jewish Lit challenge. Just wait to see what I'm about to blitz you with.

See ya later for the Poetry Train. And keep an eye out for Trevor. He's escaped my grasp and is leaving comments on the blogs owned by friends of mine. I think he's going to take this getting-his-story-published business into his own hands. Watch out!

Labels: books, challenge, Front Street Reviews, Sunday Best

Man, it's been a busy week. And wait until you see what I have for tomorrow's Poetry Train, too! I may have to post it a bit unfinished; we'll see. You'll like it, regardless. And if you love it, once I polish it, if you ask nicely enough, maybe I'll make it available as a PDF or something and you can have your very own copy to sleep with. Or whatever it is you do with those things.

But in the meantime, before I can hop on the train (and why don't you join me on it?), let me address the Sunday Best. The best of my week.

This week, even though two great books arrived for my reading and reviewing pleasure, the best has to be a plethora of awards.

First is Pussreboots and Breeni, who both awarded me the You Make My Day Award.

Is it tacky to give it back to them? They both make my day, on a regular basis.

The rules say I'm supposed to pass this on to at least ten people. Ten's a big number (even though, as Puss says, "[Susan's] blog goes to Eleven.")

But let's see...

1. Amy Ruttan makes my day, and not just because she gave me the next award. Amy's got a happy-go-lucky attitude that shines through her blog and always makes me smile. Even when the EDJ is making her nuts.

2. Joely, who's just all-around awesome and whose dedication and discipline leave me speechless.

3. Thomma Lyn, who is on the same wavelength as me concerning cats and the outdoors. (hey, TL, remind me to send you the link to the live feed from Yellowstone!)

4. L^2. I'm not a dog person, but Stella and Willow are trying to change that.

5. Red, whose unflagging enthusiasm to get me into print keeps me going when I'm frustrated.

6. Spy Scribbler, who always makes me think about the writing process. And who doesn't live that far away from my Martian self; we totally ought to do the face-to-face thing one day.

7. Of course, Rhian, who has cool posts and hosts the Poetry Train. And has graciously offered to make ShapeShifter's logo come to life for us. Three cheers for Rhi and that offer aren't enough; we need more like eighteen. Per minute.

8. Robin, who hangs out around her island and is going to keep me sane when I'm playing single parent and she's hosting the Tour Manager around that island...

9. She'sawriter is a new read of mine. She's making a great community for writerly resources. And turning me on to new places to hang, too.

10. And Frigga, from Any Apples. I hate to admit I missed musical Fridays and that I've gone out of my way some days to make sure I'm alone in the house so I can play to my heart's content. So I won't. I will own up, though, to having her picture blog in my reader. Cool stuff.

Whew. That was a lot of people, and this post is long.

But I have to acknowledge the new Roar

that Amy gave me. I needed it; the day she awarded it to me, I got a rejection letter from an agent who had the gumption to come out and say that Trevor doesn't fit nicely into today's marketplace. Makes you wonder what's wrong with the marketplace that they don't want a cranky rock star with a bad attitude. And an ugly cranky rock star with a bad attitude, to boot. But still.

So what three things hook me about a book?
1. Characters who could be alive. You know. Sort of like Trevor.
2. Prose that allows me to picture things in my head. Who needs movies when there's writing that's this clear and wonderful?
3. A willing suspension of disbelief. I mean, do you REALLY think people like Trevor exist? Of course not; he's too much like the rest of us. You can't possibly have the kind of success that ShapeShifter's had and not have to insulate yourself from real life, even a little bit. Yet it's fun to think about and believe in.

And to pass it along? I'm picking this time a writer who is more of a blogger than an actual writer, per se. It's Bob-Kat, whose posts are incredible. She takes me places and shows me the world. Her posts linger in my brain, and I suspect many of my groupies around here haven't met her yet.

That's it for now, boys and girls. (Be glad Mitchell's not here; he likes calling his audiences pussies.) Lots of awards that're giving me warm fuzzies. I'll be back soon with a new outtake...

Labels: Awards, Sunday Best

First for the overdue congratulations: to author Jeanne Marie Laskas, who was one of my non-fiction professors at Pitt once upon a time. This is SO overdue, I'm embarrassed. But I'm mentioning it anyway 'cause I once ran into Ms. Laskas at a metal show. I was all decked out in a pair of cute shorts, topped with a heavy metal t-shirt that Mitchell would try to wheedle away from me if he could. And there is my used-to-be prof, at her first show, sticking out like a sore thumb and friendly as everyone else in the place. I like Jeanne Marie Laskas.

WELL, way back in June, it was reported that her next book sold at auction. There's no news of it yet on her website, but we can hope for word soon.

And for the winning part... I was thinking the other day that I never win anything, and my luck must be tied to my poor bamboo plant that's struggling right now. Shows you what I know: I've won two online contests!

First was at Stacy's Place on Earth, where I won a $10 Borders gift card. Can you say new Colleen Gleason next month?

And then the other was at Katrina's Stone Soup. I won a copy of Nectar from a Stone, by Jane Guill, and some artwork from this very talented author. Cool!

Now if my luck can hold long enough to get Trevor some publishing love, the world will be a happier place. Or if Sid can heal fast. That would be a good thing, too.

Labels: books, Jane Guill, Jeanne Marie Laskas, prizes, Sunday Best

I've decided to try something new here: The Sunday Best. Want to join me and highlight something? Sign Linky below!

I've been seeing promotion for this carnival all through my reader and after much thought, I've begun submitting some of my archived posts. Come join me -- carnivals are a great way to meet new people, both on their blogs and on yours.

Here's the blurb:

Have you ever been to a progressive dinner? You start out at one house or restaurant to have hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, then move on to a different one for appetizers, and continue moving from place to place all the way through dessert.

That’s the idea behind the new Progressive Dinner Blog Carnival…

Soup To Nuts is ONE BLOG CARNIVAL presented in five “courses”, each with a different host.

Entries are being accepted NOW.
Dinner will be served on Wednesday, January 30th.

{You can submit one post, per blog, on any subject - please do not use any post more than once}

You can participate in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 courses

The Hors d’oeuvres & Cocktails course…
will be served at Fear and Loathing - The Gonzo Papers.
Email your entry for the hors d’oeuvres & cocktails course
to Kilroy {subject line Progressive Dinner} at: kilroy60@gmail.com

The Appetizer course…
will be served at Change Therapy.
Email your entry for the appetizer course
to Isabella {subject line - Progressive Dinner} at: moritherapy@shaw.ca

The First Course…
will be served at Fallen Words.
Email your entry for the first course
to Sara {subject line - First Course} at: ilovetowriteSMP@yahoo.com

The Main Course…
will be served at Anja Merret - Chatting To My Generation.
Email your entry for the main course
to Anja {subject line - Progressive Dinner} at: anja@hqlondon.net

The Dessert Course…
will be served at Fiction Scribe.
Email your entry for the dessert course
to JM {subject line - Progressive Dinner} at: sylver1@tpg.com.au

Your entry should include…

—(-)-> Your name as you want it to appear
—(-)-> The name(s) of your blog(s)
—(-)-> The corresponding URL(s)
—(-)-> The title of your post(s)
—(-)-> The corresponding URL(s)

The Rules are simple…

1. Only English language posts will be accepted.
2. No posts with titles that include profanity or pictures of a sexual nature.

This is a one-of-a-kind blog carnival. The hosts would appreciate your help to promote the event. Let us know if you publish a post promoting the progressive dinner, your effort will be recognized. To make things as easy as possible for all involved, I ask the post more or less follow the structure of this one.

Labels: Carnival, Sunday Best