Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: In my Hands...
Well, boys, girls and groupies of all sizes, shapes, and genders.
In my hands is what I think is going to be the final version of The Demo Tapes. You've asked and I'm about to deliver... Wow. This is scary and exhilarating all at once. Sort of like I imagine how I'd feel if I were allowed to be the first person to try out a new roller coaster... with a blindfold.
No, maybe not. Blindfolds take the fun out of it, no matter what Trevor says. We're talking roller coasters here, folks. And books. MY book.
Since this is mine, thanks to the good folks at Lulu, I get to make the rules. One of which is that you'll be able to buy The Demo Tapes from me. You'll be able to buy them through Lulu. You might be able to buy them through Amazon, but I'll only earn 66 cents per copy once Amazon gets their cut, and that doesn't leave me much to pay off my (limited) expenses and still have enough profit to donate to charity.
What I need to know right now (Yes, this instant!) is ... would you like an autographed copy? The only way to get one is to get it directly through me for a million reasons, one of which is that this book is being produced Print on Demand, so until someone places an order, there's nothing for me to sign.
Tell me in the comments. Lay it all out; I have comment mod only only to get rid of the spammers who leave links to obnoxious spam sites.
Here's the back cover copy:
As Frigga asked, the book is priced at $9.98 and there will be shipping costs involved. I need to figure them out yet (think three bucks for US addresses, tops). And yes, PayPal is a FINE form of payment.
More details on all this to come. Stay tuned.
In my hands is what I think is going to be the final version of The Demo Tapes. You've asked and I'm about to deliver... Wow. This is scary and exhilarating all at once. Sort of like I imagine how I'd feel if I were allowed to be the first person to try out a new roller coaster... with a blindfold.
No, maybe not. Blindfolds take the fun out of it, no matter what Trevor says. We're talking roller coasters here, folks. And books. MY book.
Since this is mine, thanks to the good folks at Lulu, I get to make the rules. One of which is that you'll be able to buy The Demo Tapes from me. You'll be able to buy them through Lulu. You might be able to buy them through Amazon, but I'll only earn 66 cents per copy once Amazon gets their cut, and that doesn't leave me much to pay off my (limited) expenses and still have enough profit to donate to charity.
What I need to know right now (Yes, this instant!) is ... would you like an autographed copy? The only way to get one is to get it directly through me for a million reasons, one of which is that this book is being produced Print on Demand, so until someone places an order, there's nothing for me to sign.
Tell me in the comments. Lay it all out; I have comment mod only only to get rid of the spammers who leave links to obnoxious spam sites.
Here's the back cover copy:
A band's demo tape is intended to introduce listeners to their music. Likewise, this collection of short pieces allows readers into the fictional world of Trevor Wolff and his band, ShapeShifter.
Originally published online between April 2006 and March 2007, The Demo Tapes: Year 1 brings together the moments that parallel -- but never encounter -- Susan Helene Gottfried's debut novel, Trevor's Song. Arranged chronologically and with introductions to each, this is a must-have volume for anyone who's ever wanted to hang with a rock band.
As Frigga asked, the book is priced at $9.98 and there will be shipping costs involved. I need to figure them out yet (think three bucks for US addresses, tops). And yes, PayPal is a FINE form of payment.
More details on all this to come. Stay tuned.
Labels: publishing, Susan's Book Talk, The Demo Tapes
Thursday, September 25, 2008
BTT: Well, that was different!
I like this week's Booking Through Thursday question. Here it is:
You know what? I can't answer that so easily.
I've got two degrees in English and while I like to laugh and brag about having managed to avoid many of the classics, I've also read things that, at the time, stretched my boundaries.
Moby Dick and the Scarlet Letter. Two classics (and possibly what turned me off the entire genre of classics) that convinced me that I could read the damn things out loud and still not retain much of anything that I read.
In college, it was old texts like Beowulf, which I loved. That opened the door to Grendel, which was brilliant. (No, I have not yet seen the movies.) Those were all good experiences, but did they turn me into raving fangirls?? Nope.
Fast forward to grad school. Experimental writers like David Bowman's Let the Dog Drive (a book still on my shelf). Carole Maso. Kathy Acker. Metafiction. Interesting, but not for me.
And literary writers, too. Anne Panning, who was a classmate. Susan Sontag. E. Annie Proulx. Sadly, like the metafiction and experimental stuff, it didn't do much for me. It's nicely written literature, sure. But not what jazzes me.
And despite how difficult most Latin American literature is, some of it is so achingly beautiful that it makes me cry. One Hundred Years of Solitude. The House of the Spirits.
But some of it? Ick. I may still have a copy of The Aleph on my shelf but that's more because after all I went through to get it, I'm not parting with it so fast.
Now, as an out-of-school writer and mom, I read whatever makes me happy. Right now, it's Edwidge Danticat's The Dew Breaker. And a SciFi by Gregory Benford. I like to read all sorts of different things, not just the same old, same old.
Part of the fun of participating in sites that blog about books, be they blogs by authors or blogs by book lovers, is exposing myself to new stuff. The nice thing about a book you don't like is that you can close it and give it away.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Sorry for the lack of buy links over to Powells.com. The kids got home from school as I was composing this and I need to go hang with them. If any of these titles grab you, head on over to your nearest independent bookstore -- even if it's an online one -- and pick up your own copy.
What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?
And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?
You know what? I can't answer that so easily.
I've got two degrees in English and while I like to laugh and brag about having managed to avoid many of the classics, I've also read things that, at the time, stretched my boundaries.
Moby Dick and the Scarlet Letter. Two classics (and possibly what turned me off the entire genre of classics) that convinced me that I could read the damn things out loud and still not retain much of anything that I read.
In college, it was old texts like Beowulf, which I loved. That opened the door to Grendel, which was brilliant. (No, I have not yet seen the movies.) Those were all good experiences, but did they turn me into raving fangirls?? Nope.
Fast forward to grad school. Experimental writers like David Bowman's Let the Dog Drive (a book still on my shelf). Carole Maso. Kathy Acker. Metafiction. Interesting, but not for me.
And literary writers, too. Anne Panning, who was a classmate. Susan Sontag. E. Annie Proulx. Sadly, like the metafiction and experimental stuff, it didn't do much for me. It's nicely written literature, sure. But not what jazzes me.
And despite how difficult most Latin American literature is, some of it is so achingly beautiful that it makes me cry. One Hundred Years of Solitude. The House of the Spirits.
But some of it? Ick. I may still have a copy of The Aleph on my shelf but that's more because after all I went through to get it, I'm not parting with it so fast.
Now, as an out-of-school writer and mom, I read whatever makes me happy. Right now, it's Edwidge Danticat's The Dew Breaker. And a SciFi by Gregory Benford. I like to read all sorts of different things, not just the same old, same old.
Part of the fun of participating in sites that blog about books, be they blogs by authors or blogs by book lovers, is exposing myself to new stuff. The nice thing about a book you don't like is that you can close it and give it away.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Sorry for the lack of buy links over to Powells.com. The kids got home from school as I was composing this and I need to go hang with them. If any of these titles grab you, head on over to your nearest independent bookstore -- even if it's an online one -- and pick up your own copy.
Labels: Booking Through Thursday, books, Susan's Book Talk
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: The Kommandant's Girl
For every clunker I find for my book club, I manage to find some absolute keepers, too. This month, we read The Kommandant's Girl, Pam Jenoff's debut novel. Here's a blurb, taken from the author's website:
Okay, how do I even begin to tell you guys about this book? Here are some thought fragments:
Utterly impossible to put down
Compelling
The sort of book you get lost in
Impossible to keep from identifying with Emma/Anna
See a trend here? I'm writing this before tonight's meeting, but the members of the book club I've spoken with thus far have all spoken highly of this book. They've all agreed it's the good kind of fast read: the kind that sucks you in and you just want to read and read and read until it's over. And then, dammit, you want more.
Best of all, part of the central conflict of this book is one that leads to such great discussions: if you were Emma (or Jacob), what would you do? How would you view Emma's actions?
The ending is open. We don't get to find out what happens to Emma, although the story of Lukasz, the rabbi's son who the resistance passes off as Anna's cousin, would make for a compelling story in its own right. Again, this will also make great discussion at the meeting tonight.
I've mentioned before that my book club tends to veer away from the Holocaust; when you get a group of Jewish women together, you're bound to have someone whose ties cut a little too close to this period in history. But like A Thread of Grace, this is one book I'm glad we chose to read.
There is a follow-up that was just released in April. Called The Diplomat's Wife, it's the story of Marta, a secondary character in this book. I've already got it on my wishlist, even though from the summaries I've read, many of the themes parallel this book's. We shall see...
In the meantime, don't miss this one. I'm actually giving it to my vet tech next week, or I'd do a giveaway with it. Truly, I loved this book.
Nineteen year-old Emma Bau has only been married for three weeks when the Nazis invade her native Poland. After her husband, Jacob, is forced to disappear underground as part of the resistance movement, Emma soon finds herself imprisoned in the ghetto with her parents. There she meets one of the resistance leaders and with his help, she is able to escape the ghetto and live under an assumed, non-Jewish identity.
Emma’s already precarious situation is complicated by her introduction to Kommandant Georg Richwalder, a high-ranking Nazi official who insists that Emma come to work for him as his assistant. In this position, Emma has the opportunity to provide information to the resistance movement and potentially help her still-imprisoned parents. To do so, however, she must become perilously close to the Kommandant, a troubled man with a dark secret whose romantic intentions are clear. Emma makes the difficult decision to become involved with the Kommandant and, as their relationship intensifies, she is forced to acknowledge her own undeniable feelings for him. Desperately, Emma wrestles with questions of loyalty and duty until at last she is able to locate information sought by the resistance movement regarding the Nazi liquidation of the ghetto. Spurred by this information, the resistance undertakes the fateful bombing of a Nazi café, unleashing a chain of events that will change Emma’s life, and the lives of those she loves, forever.
Based in part on actual events, The Kommandant's Girl is a compelling tale of love and courage in a dangerous and desperate time. Unique in voice and evocative in historical detail, the novel’s widespread appeal stems not only from its eternally popular subjects of World War II and the Holocaust, but also from its timeless themes of hope, struggle and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.
Okay, how do I even begin to tell you guys about this book? Here are some thought fragments:
Utterly impossible to put down
Compelling
The sort of book you get lost in
Impossible to keep from identifying with Emma/Anna
See a trend here? I'm writing this before tonight's meeting, but the members of the book club I've spoken with thus far have all spoken highly of this book. They've all agreed it's the good kind of fast read: the kind that sucks you in and you just want to read and read and read until it's over. And then, dammit, you want more.
Best of all, part of the central conflict of this book is one that leads to such great discussions: if you were Emma (or Jacob), what would you do? How would you view Emma's actions?
The ending is open. We don't get to find out what happens to Emma, although the story of Lukasz, the rabbi's son who the resistance passes off as Anna's cousin, would make for a compelling story in its own right. Again, this will also make great discussion at the meeting tonight.
I've mentioned before that my book club tends to veer away from the Holocaust; when you get a group of Jewish women together, you're bound to have someone whose ties cut a little too close to this period in history. But like A Thread of Grace, this is one book I'm glad we chose to read.
There is a follow-up that was just released in April. Called The Diplomat's Wife, it's the story of Marta, a secondary character in this book. I've already got it on my wishlist, even though from the summaries I've read, many of the themes parallel this book's. We shall see...
In the meantime, don't miss this one. I'm actually giving it to my vet tech next week, or I'd do a giveaway with it. Truly, I loved this book.
Labels: Pam Jenoff, Susan's Book Talk
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: Vlad Taltos
It was a few years ago now that I first encountered Steven Brust via Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille. I loved it; there's this hipness to it that never makes the reader feel like the narrator is too hip for you. Instead, you're part of the happenings.
Brust has a fantastic narrative voice.
But if I liked that one, I wasn't prepared for what Jhereg did to me. Or what Yendi did, now that I've finished it.
These books are really hard to explain. For one, they're science fiction, so they're set in an alternate reality that's intriguing as hell. (And must have taken Brust years to create; you guys commend me on my vision, but it's nothing next to Steven Brust.)
All I can say is, "Go read it and see."
My copy of Jhereg is long traded away, sad to say. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with Yendi yet, as I'm still away (or am I?) and thinking about books other than my own is low on my priority list right now.
Stay tuned. There will probably be more when I read Teckla. It's also sitting here, waiting for me. After that, while there are more in the series, they aren't in my house yet.
Must... fix... that...
So much for thinking about books being low on my priority list...
Brust has a fantastic narrative voice.
But if I liked that one, I wasn't prepared for what Jhereg did to me. Or what Yendi did, now that I've finished it.
These books are really hard to explain. For one, they're science fiction, so they're set in an alternate reality that's intriguing as hell. (And must have taken Brust years to create; you guys commend me on my vision, but it's nothing next to Steven Brust.)
All I can say is, "Go read it and see."
My copy of Jhereg is long traded away, sad to say. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with Yendi yet, as I'm still away (or am I?) and thinking about books other than my own is low on my priority list right now.
Stay tuned. There will probably be more when I read Teckla. It's also sitting here, waiting for me. After that, while there are more in the series, they aren't in my house yet.
Must... fix... that...
So much for thinking about books being low on my priority list...
Labels: books, Steven Brust, Susan's Book Talk
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Thursday Thirteen -- Susan's Book Talk
 |
Lately, I've taken to posting about authors whose new releases cross my radar. There are plenty of them, of course -- and I'm always looking for more. Since my latest update has thirteen authors with new releases (or re-releases), I figured I'd let the band party for another week and remind you of the good stuff that's already out there. Buying a book in the first 90 days of its release is a great way to support your favorite author (followed only by buying up everything else they've published in the past). Here you go: 1. Anna J. Evans Wicked Witch of the West Village Devil Take Me 2. RG Alexander Who Needs Another Superhero? 3. Carrie Alexander Nobody's Hero 4. Donica Covey Tides of Maryna's Love 5. Dakota Cassidy Accidentally Dead 6. Amy Wallen MoonPies and Movie Stars is now out in paper! 7. Christina Dodd Into the Shadow 8. Shelley Munro Price of Love 9. Jennifer Estep Karma Girl has been re-released in the mass-market-size format 10. Elin Hilderbrand A Summer Affair 11. Lorelei James Tied up, Tied Down 12. Stephanie Kuehnert I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone 13. Vanessa Jaye Felicity Stripped Bare Let me know if you've encountered anything great, rave-worthy, or just worth talking about. Yes, feed my small book problem! ** A lack of link in the book title simply means you can't buy it via Powells. It's no statement of quality. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will try to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: books, meme, Susan's Book Talk, Thursday Thirteen
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: How Many Makes a Trend?
Maybe it's a byproduct of that Thursday Thirteen I did about the Fake Bands site (which, according to its owner, won't be updated anytime soon). Maybe it's because I took the advice of many of you groupies and am working on my own listing of books about rock and roll. Maybe it's just because something's in the air.
BUT.
All of a sudden, I'm hearing about all these books that are coming out/have been released relatively recently that focus on ... what else? Rock and roll in some form.
First is Sheila Copeland's Diamond Revelation. This came out last November; I only found it because I'm that far behind in my print copies of Publishers Weekly.
Then came my dear resource Winter (which is better than a friend), telling me about Kathy Love's Vampire Band. I'm waiting for these books to show up in my PO Box so I can check them out.
More lately is Jeri Smith-Ready and her latest release, Wicked Game.
And last, Stephanie Kuehnert's I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone.
Yep, they're all on this Rock and Roll Fiction page I'm working on for the website. Don't worry if you don't click through and buy them now. You'll be able to once I finish with the new webpage.
Seems like a trend, huh? We've got vamp bands, young adult books about how girls relate to music, "an insider's view of the music industry, replete with money, materialism, jealousy, deception, sex, and cold hearted ambition" (says Publisher's Weekly).
So where's the book about the bass player who finds his life turned upside down the day after his best friend and partner-in-crime goes out and lands a date with a girl all by his lonesome?
Sometimes, when you step back and ponder if your view of things is correct, patience is a virtue that sucks big toes. Ya know? Even when you know the circumstances behind the delays, even when you agree that yes, there should be delays in this case...
I've never been patient. Ever. I keep telling myself that this is what I'm supposed to be learning right now: patience. It'll happen when the time is right, and I probably won't know when the time is right, no matter how much I want it to be right spanking now.
But, on a happy side, there's four or five books for all of us to read while we wait. One thing I hear over and over again is that books about rock stars don't sell.
There's four (or five, depending on how many of the Kathy Love books you pick up) chances to prove that credo wrong.
Let's go for it.
BUT.
All of a sudden, I'm hearing about all these books that are coming out/have been released relatively recently that focus on ... what else? Rock and roll in some form.
First is Sheila Copeland's Diamond Revelation. This came out last November; I only found it because I'm that far behind in my print copies of Publishers Weekly.
Then came my dear resource Winter (which is better than a friend), telling me about Kathy Love's Vampire Band. I'm waiting for these books to show up in my PO Box so I can check them out.
More lately is Jeri Smith-Ready and her latest release, Wicked Game.
And last, Stephanie Kuehnert's I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone.
Yep, they're all on this Rock and Roll Fiction page I'm working on for the website. Don't worry if you don't click through and buy them now. You'll be able to once I finish with the new webpage.
Seems like a trend, huh? We've got vamp bands, young adult books about how girls relate to music, "an insider's view of the music industry, replete with money, materialism, jealousy, deception, sex, and cold hearted ambition" (says Publisher's Weekly).
So where's the book about the bass player who finds his life turned upside down the day after his best friend and partner-in-crime goes out and lands a date with a girl all by his lonesome?
Sometimes, when you step back and ponder if your view of things is correct, patience is a virtue that sucks big toes. Ya know? Even when you know the circumstances behind the delays, even when you agree that yes, there should be delays in this case...
I've never been patient. Ever. I keep telling myself that this is what I'm supposed to be learning right now: patience. It'll happen when the time is right, and I probably won't know when the time is right, no matter how much I want it to be right spanking now.
But, on a happy side, there's four or five books for all of us to read while we wait. One thing I hear over and over again is that books about rock stars don't sell.
There's four (or five, depending on how many of the Kathy Love books you pick up) chances to prove that credo wrong.
Let's go for it.
Labels: Susan's Book Talk
Friday, June 27, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: It's been a Big Week
I'd been all celebratory when I decided to write up this post. After eight days away on business, the Tour Manager was headed home. Then he called to say he'd been held hostage on the plane AT THE GATE for an hour.
Poof! There went my shiny mood.
Anyway, so many of you responded that I should start my own website for fake bands that I'm going to. Sort of. It's going to be a page on my main site that'll feature books about rock and roll. I've got about sixty (maybe more) listed already. If you have suggestions, leave 'em in the comments or drop me an e-mail.
Huge thanks once again to Winter for doing not only my awesome ShapeShifter logo but for doing a bit of investigating on that front.
Anyway. Back to the books. This was a big week for news of releases to cross my path. Ready for what I've found?
Beth Williamson: Hell for Leather
Joely Sue Burkhart: Beautiful Death
Gena Showalter: The Darkest Pleasure
Lauren Dane: Making Chase (now in print!)
Melanie Atkins: Voodoo Bones
Vivian Zabel: Midnight Hours
Phyllis Campbell: Danger in Her Arms (now in print!)
and last but perhaps most longingly by me (because I'm missing her release party!)
Kathryn Miller Haynes: The Winter of her Discontent
Busy week, huh? Congratulations to all my author buds on their new releases. May your sales be huge and your advance earned out soon. And may the Tour Manager actually get off that plane and be back West of Mars.
Poof! There went my shiny mood.
Anyway, so many of you responded that I should start my own website for fake bands that I'm going to. Sort of. It's going to be a page on my main site that'll feature books about rock and roll. I've got about sixty (maybe more) listed already. If you have suggestions, leave 'em in the comments or drop me an e-mail.
Huge thanks once again to Winter for doing not only my awesome ShapeShifter logo but for doing a bit of investigating on that front.
Anyway. Back to the books. This was a big week for news of releases to cross my path. Ready for what I've found?
Beth Williamson: Hell for Leather
Joely Sue Burkhart: Beautiful Death
Gena Showalter: The Darkest Pleasure
Lauren Dane: Making Chase (now in print!)
Melanie Atkins: Voodoo Bones
Vivian Zabel: Midnight Hours
Phyllis Campbell: Danger in Her Arms (now in print!)
and last but perhaps most longingly by me (because I'm missing her release party!)
Kathryn Miller Haynes: The Winter of her Discontent
Busy week, huh? Congratulations to all my author buds on their new releases. May your sales be huge and your advance earned out soon. And may the Tour Manager actually get off that plane and be back West of Mars.
Labels: Susan's Book Talk
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Susan's Book Talk and Author Spotlight
Let me first tell you who's up to what since my last report a whole two weeks ago...
LA Day, who is cool, has a new release at Ellora's Cave: Satin Seduction. And for you Fictionwise shoppers, her Undercover Pleasure Droid (which is a truly kick-ass title and I want it for myself) is now available there.
The awesome and smart Shelley Munro seems to have her name on two new releases, too: Lovers at Last and Midnight Treat, an anthology that's now available in print.
Beth Williamson, who I met at RT and thought was quite lovely and I'd like to be her friend, has an entry in the perfectly timed Sand, Sun, and Sex series. It's available in an e-book AND in print, for those who prefer to hold a book, not some sort of electronic device. Oh, yeah. It's called Marielle's Marshal.
And my dear friend Red Garnier has another new one. Color my Heart is its name. You know you can't resist.
Completely without intending to, I won a copy of the Nothing But Red anthology from Jessica Tudor, with whom I've been chatting all things Pittsburgh Penguins. This is an important book, one whose genesis just makes me sick. Let's all band together and make a difference in the world. A positive one.
And now... to make a difference in YOUR world, let me rave about Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day. I met Toni in an elevator at RT, where she showed off her Suck Me, Shuck Me t-shirt and raved about her book. She was on this incredible adrenaline high; I took to her immediately. Getting to know her a bit better at the Mystery Chix and a Dick breakfast that final morning before the book sale (hey, it was final for me!) was a treat. I hope to have lots more Toni goodness for you guys in the future. (Hey, Toni! Are you listening?)
Anyway. The book.
I mentioned in my last Book Talk that I was reading this and loving it. It only got better. Bobbie Faye is this woman who seems to be able to do nothing right, yet has as many fans as she has detractors. Think Stephanie Plum and her exploits and multiply it by a factor of ... a million. If it can go wrong, it does (except for maybe blisters. Maybe.) -- but somehow, Bobbie Faye finds a way out.
Not only does Causey write fantastic action sequences (that didn't make me squint as I tried to envision and understand what was happening. Ever notice how some do?), but the romantic male lead... okay, his name is Trevor, so I'm partial in the first place. He's a Trevor worthy of the name.
That was in April when I first met Toni. A few weeks ago, the second in the Bobbie Faye series came out, Bobbie Faye's (Kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels. I threw it on my wish lists at the book trading sites ... I'm not the only person at Paperback Swap who's a fan of Bobbie Faye, let me tell you. I'm #50 of 56 (at last check) in line for a copy.
Know what that means? Word's getting out, and fast. Check Toni and Bobbie Faye out and help spread the word, yourself. You know you want to.
You can thank me later.
(btw, stay tuned or scroll or something. I wound up with an extra copy of Very Bad Day and will be giving it away here in a second or two. See? I knew you wanted to!)
LA Day, who is cool, has a new release at Ellora's Cave: Satin Seduction. And for you Fictionwise shoppers, her Undercover Pleasure Droid (which is a truly kick-ass title and I want it for myself) is now available there.
The awesome and smart Shelley Munro seems to have her name on two new releases, too: Lovers at Last and Midnight Treat, an anthology that's now available in print.
Beth Williamson, who I met at RT and thought was quite lovely and I'd like to be her friend, has an entry in the perfectly timed Sand, Sun, and Sex series. It's available in an e-book AND in print, for those who prefer to hold a book, not some sort of electronic device. Oh, yeah. It's called Marielle's Marshal.
And my dear friend Red Garnier has another new one. Color my Heart is its name. You know you can't resist.
Completely without intending to, I won a copy of the Nothing But Red anthology from Jessica Tudor, with whom I've been chatting all things Pittsburgh Penguins. This is an important book, one whose genesis just makes me sick. Let's all band together and make a difference in the world. A positive one.
And now... to make a difference in YOUR world, let me rave about Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day. I met Toni in an elevator at RT, where she showed off her Suck Me, Shuck Me t-shirt and raved about her book. She was on this incredible adrenaline high; I took to her immediately. Getting to know her a bit better at the Mystery Chix and a Dick breakfast that final morning before the book sale (hey, it was final for me!) was a treat. I hope to have lots more Toni goodness for you guys in the future. (Hey, Toni! Are you listening?)
Anyway. The book.
I mentioned in my last Book Talk that I was reading this and loving it. It only got better. Bobbie Faye is this woman who seems to be able to do nothing right, yet has as many fans as she has detractors. Think Stephanie Plum and her exploits and multiply it by a factor of ... a million. If it can go wrong, it does (except for maybe blisters. Maybe.) -- but somehow, Bobbie Faye finds a way out.
Not only does Causey write fantastic action sequences (that didn't make me squint as I tried to envision and understand what was happening. Ever notice how some do?), but the romantic male lead... okay, his name is Trevor, so I'm partial in the first place. He's a Trevor worthy of the name.
That was in April when I first met Toni. A few weeks ago, the second in the Bobbie Faye series came out, Bobbie Faye's (Kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels. I threw it on my wish lists at the book trading sites ... I'm not the only person at Paperback Swap who's a fan of Bobbie Faye, let me tell you. I'm #50 of 56 (at last check) in line for a copy.
Know what that means? Word's getting out, and fast. Check Toni and Bobbie Faye out and help spread the word, yourself. You know you want to.
You can thank me later.
(btw, stay tuned or scroll or something. I wound up with an extra copy of Very Bad Day and will be giving it away here in a second or two. See? I knew you wanted to!)
Labels: books, Red Garnier, Susan's Book Talk, Toni McGee Causey
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: Book Binge!
I decided that joining the Book Binge challenge was something I could easily accomplish. Despite the fact that school is letting out and the Penguins are in the Stanley Cup Finals (for how much longer, no one knows and I really fear for Game 6, but that's how life is. I loved my Pens when they sucked. I love them if they don't win the series.), I read like a demon.
Here's the list:
The Long Lavender Look -- John D. MacDonald
Nine Princes in Amber -- Roger Zelazny
Master -- Colette Gale (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
H -- Elizabeth Shephard
The Rabbi's Cat 2 -- Joann Sfar (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
Little Vampire Does Kung Fu -- Joann Sfar
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress -- Dai Sijie
Rashi's Daughters II: Miriam -- Maggie Anton
The Island of Dr. Moreau -- HG Wells
Windfall -- Rachel Caine
Leave a Message for Willie -- Marcia Muller
Wow. Eleven books. Pretty good, but I'd been hoping to finish a certain ARC of a certain upcoming release of a certain series I love so much, I can hardly wait to sit down, crawl inside, and read some more of. Stay tuned for more about that, but it's possible that I like this place more than my own creation right now (probably because it's not my creation. You know how that goes).
Only one of these books disappointed me, and I'll have more about that later on. The rest I really dug, especially Little Vampire, which both my kids attached themselves to. The book says it's for kids 10 and over. My kids aren't ten. That hasn't stopped them yet.
Three of these books are still here in the house (H, Dr. Moreau, and Willie). If you'd like to read one of them, give a yell and I'll share my copy with you. Yes, they're all registered at BookCrossing. Why? Because it's fun to see where a book I've read ends up (and for how long, which is something I'm terribly guilty of).
Now, I must leave and go finish up that ARC 'cause I'm also in the middle of a cool mystery I'll tell you about when I finish it. And there's a lot of buzz right now about the way cool Toni McGee Causey, whose new book, Bobbie Faye's (Kinda, Sorta, Not Exactly) Family Jewels, has me excited to pick up the first in the series as my next read... I've got a copy to share, too, so stay tuned.
Other new releases on my radar:
Fox's Bride, by my bud Amy Ruttan.
A new Ellora's Cave release from Anna J. Evans
One Too Many by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Reilly's Promise by Christyne Butler
Maybe I ought to quit this writing gig and do nothing but read all day. And ride my bike, but that part's a given...
Here's the list:
The Long Lavender Look -- John D. MacDonald
Nine Princes in Amber -- Roger Zelazny
Master -- Colette Gale (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
H -- Elizabeth Shephard
The Rabbi's Cat 2 -- Joann Sfar (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
Little Vampire Does Kung Fu -- Joann Sfar
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress -- Dai Sijie
Rashi's Daughters II: Miriam -- Maggie Anton
The Island of Dr. Moreau -- HG Wells
Windfall -- Rachel Caine
Leave a Message for Willie -- Marcia Muller
Wow. Eleven books. Pretty good, but I'd been hoping to finish a certain ARC of a certain upcoming release of a certain series I love so much, I can hardly wait to sit down, crawl inside, and read some more of. Stay tuned for more about that, but it's possible that I like this place more than my own creation right now (probably because it's not my creation. You know how that goes).
Only one of these books disappointed me, and I'll have more about that later on. The rest I really dug, especially Little Vampire, which both my kids attached themselves to. The book says it's for kids 10 and over. My kids aren't ten. That hasn't stopped them yet.
Three of these books are still here in the house (H, Dr. Moreau, and Willie). If you'd like to read one of them, give a yell and I'll share my copy with you. Yes, they're all registered at BookCrossing. Why? Because it's fun to see where a book I've read ends up (and for how long, which is something I'm terribly guilty of).
Now, I must leave and go finish up that ARC 'cause I'm also in the middle of a cool mystery I'll tell you about when I finish it. And there's a lot of buzz right now about the way cool Toni McGee Causey, whose new book, Bobbie Faye's (Kinda, Sorta, Not Exactly) Family Jewels, has me excited to pick up the first in the series as my next read... I've got a copy to share, too, so stay tuned.
Other new releases on my radar:
Fox's Bride, by my bud Amy Ruttan.
A new Ellora's Cave release from Anna J. Evans
One Too Many by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Reilly's Promise by Christyne Butler
Maybe I ought to quit this writing gig and do nothing but read all day. And ride my bike, but that part's a given...
Labels: Amy Ruttan, books, Front Street Reviews, Susan's Book Talk
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: Colette Gale's Master
I saw that Colette Gale was offering peeks at her new book, Master, if we'd promise to blog about the book. How could I resist? After all, she's the one who wrote Unmasqued, a book with no small amount of controversy behind it -- seems that it was too sexy for some. (I still don't get that, as both the spine and the cover of the copy I bought at RT clearly mark it as an erotic novel. But then I don't get the person who was offended by Trevor. What did she expect from a rock star if not the word motherfucker? Sometimes, I don't get people. I just don't.)
Therefore, anything I say comes with that caveat: this book is full of explicit, wonderful, yummy sex. Okay? Got that?
Now, you can read my full review over at Front Street Reviews. It's done, it's up, and it says lots of things about the book. I'm going to use this space to say things that I didn't put in the review. Like how absolutely stunning the cover is. How I want to wear the dress on the cover model (even though it seems totally contrary to the outfits of the times). Like how this book reads really fast yet also has a nice, strong subtext.
Oh, wait. I said that last part in my review. Sorry.
But that's probably what struck me most about Master. The fact that on the surface, you've got this story of love and revenge, all tied up into what ought to be a neatly confused package. But it's not. Ms. Colette Gale transcends the easy way out and goes for something better.
I don't want to say too much. Read the review. Buy the book. And no, don't even ask where the contest for my copy is. Not. Gonna. Happen. MINE. Hear me? I'm not parting with this one. Go buy your own.
You won't be disappointed.
Two more you won't be disappointed with: H, by Elizabeth Shepard. This slim, older (1995) book would make great book club discussions.
And... the review is coming. The giveaway is coming. The Rabbi's Cat 2, by my hero, Joann Sfar. Stay tuned, but take this chance to pick up The Rabbi's Cat (the original) so you know what's going on when you read The Rabbi's Cat 2. Because you don't want to miss out on brilliance.
(psst. Master. Buy it!)
Therefore, anything I say comes with that caveat: this book is full of explicit, wonderful, yummy sex. Okay? Got that?
Now, you can read my full review over at Front Street Reviews. It's done, it's up, and it says lots of things about the book. I'm going to use this space to say things that I didn't put in the review. Like how absolutely stunning the cover is. How I want to wear the dress on the cover model (even though it seems totally contrary to the outfits of the times). Like how this book reads really fast yet also has a nice, strong subtext.
Oh, wait. I said that last part in my review. Sorry.
But that's probably what struck me most about Master. The fact that on the surface, you've got this story of love and revenge, all tied up into what ought to be a neatly confused package. But it's not. Ms. Colette Gale transcends the easy way out and goes for something better.
I don't want to say too much. Read the review. Buy the book. And no, don't even ask where the contest for my copy is. Not. Gonna. Happen. MINE. Hear me? I'm not parting with this one. Go buy your own.
You won't be disappointed.
Two more you won't be disappointed with: H, by Elizabeth Shepard. This slim, older (1995) book would make great book club discussions.
And... the review is coming. The giveaway is coming. The Rabbi's Cat 2, by my hero, Joann Sfar. Stay tuned, but take this chance to pick up The Rabbi's Cat (the original) so you know what's going on when you read The Rabbi's Cat 2. Because you don't want to miss out on brilliance.
(psst. Master. Buy it!)
Labels: Colette Gale, Front Street Reviews, Joann Sfar, Susan's Book Talk
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #72 -- Susan's Book Talk
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will try to link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Labels: books, contest, Joann Sfar, meme, Susan's Book Talk, Thursday Thirteen
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Susan's Book Talk: Another writer named Susan
Okay, I need to start this post by saying I've yet to read any of Susan Wiggs' fiction.
But this is THE PERFECT time for me and anyone else around to change that.
Susan's publisher, Harlequin, is re-releasing an anthology she contributed to (along with Sharon Sala and Emilie Richards). That would be More than Words: Stories of Courage, and my handy-dandy link will take you to a spot where you can pick up your very own copy.
Woo hoo, right?
Well, here's the kicker: Susan's not making so much as a penny on it. Rather, anything that should come her way is going to go to Cottage Dreams, a charity that allows cancer patients to have a quiet vacation once their treatment is finished.
Read Susan's post here. Kudos to Susan and Harlequin for doing this. (and before you ask, I can't find information as to whether or not the same donation holds true for Sharon and Emilie's parts; I'd love to be enlightened!)
But this is THE PERFECT time for me and anyone else around to change that.
Susan's publisher, Harlequin, is re-releasing an anthology she contributed to (along with Sharon Sala and Emilie Richards). That would be More than Words: Stories of Courage, and my handy-dandy link will take you to a spot where you can pick up your very own copy.
Woo hoo, right?
Well, here's the kicker: Susan's not making so much as a penny on it. Rather, anything that should come her way is going to go to Cottage Dreams, a charity that allows cancer patients to have a quiet vacation once their treatment is finished.
Read Susan's post here. Kudos to Susan and Harlequin for doing this. (and before you ask, I can't find information as to whether or not the same donation holds true for Sharon and Emilie's parts; I'd love to be enlightened!)
Labels: charity, susan Wiggs, Susan's Book Talk
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: 2007 Reading Roundup
Wow. What a year it's been. Lots of new characters here at the blog, particularly Roadie Poet and Springer. You'll definitely see more of RP; I'm into him, too.
But this is about the books I've read over the past twelve months. I'm not quite at 100 read for the year, but there are five days left and a trip in there (more on that trip to come), and I know it'll be close. I can do it.
So let's take a few minutes and look at some of the highlights from my reading year:
It took me five books before I fell in love with something this year, and when I did, it was a doozy. Clay's Quilt, by Silas House. I even blogged about it here, so go back and see what I had to say.
Then I began my year-long reviewing blitz, as I think of it. First was LL Cool J's Platinum Workout. Check out the name of my post when I told you about it! Now that I'm reviewing a bit more steadily, it seems funny to see how excited I was.
I also read two good ones: The Potter's House by Rosie Thomas and The Wild Girl: The Notebooks of Ned Giles, by Jim Fergus. I'd loved Fergus' debut, One Thousand White Women, and this follow-up was not a letdown. The Potter's House was a neat read with a kicker of an ending.
Unthinkable? I don't think so. Joshua Braff's debut novel knocked my socks off. Will there be more from Braff? I don't know, but I certainly hope so -- so long as it's of this same quality.
I revisted a now-favorite writer, Jeanne Ray, this time with Step-Ball-Change, a dance move that always makes me smile when I hear it used in real life, like it has been lately in my household. And right after, I had my first taste of James Alan Gardner via Expendable, which gave new meaning to the phrase, "Oh, shit."
2007 was the year to catch up on my Linda Fairstein books. I'm now up to Entombed. I can see it from where I sit; that's a good sign. Hopefully it'll get read in 2008. You'd think after reading four or so of her novels in a fairly short period, I'd burn out, but nope. I can't wait to see what trouble lies ahead for Alex next.
My first Tess Gerritsen, whose blog I really like, my first Nancy Martin (who is a local!), my first Susan McBride, my first Allana Martin, catching up with oldies by Marcia Muller and Edna Buchanan... it was a big year for reading mysteries, so I softened it up with some of my favorite graphic novelist's works: Joann Sfar writing with Lewis Trondheim.
Nevada Barr's books run hot and cold with me, but the discovery of debut author Jennifer Estep sure soothed my crankies. As you guys know, I've become a huge Estep fan and can hardly wait for the 2008 release of Jinx.
My favorite book title of the year? Lily Bret's You Gotta Have Balls. NOT what you're thinking, folks. This was a fun, breezy read that my book club chose, probably so I'd stop having fun with the title. And did I have fun!
I did some cross-cultural reading, with Victor Villasenor's Rain of Gold. This huge, fat book was a great read, although I'm not sure if his follow-up works could come close to matching the scale of this debut. And I kept up the cross-cultural stuff, sort of, with the self-published phenomenon, Rashi's Daughters: Book One: Jehoved. Another book club pick, I can see why this did well. It's well-crafted and I'm eager to see if author Maggie Anton's shift to a major publisher fixed the nits I had with her writing, itself. So yes, my book club will be reading Book Two: Miriam at some point.
Speaking of book club, we also read Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace. Read what I had to say about it here.
At long last, I got into Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld series, reading the first two. I spent some time with Rachel Caine, again, and, of course, finished off the Harry Potter series.
More reviews, this time for Colleen Gleason's first two books. Make that another sequel I hope to get my hands on during the upcoming year...
And more local writers: Lila Shaara's beautiful Every Secret Thing and Rebecca Drake's The Next Killing (the review for which is up at Front Street). Friends, too: Ann Pino's My New-Found Land was great fun, and KL Going's The Garden of Eve is a quick, thought-provoking middle-grade book. I can hardly wait to catch up enough to sink into Going's St. Iggy. And my e-published friends, who have shown me a whole brave new world and new ways of reading. Robyn Rotham and Red Garnier; you guys rock. What a great way to be exposed to e-books.
But the read of the year? The one that has impacted me the most deeply? Nope, not The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, even though I can't believe I said that. You guys know what my best of the year pick is -- Nikki Sixx's The Heroin Diaries. I still say it's a marketing failure, given that it's got its own soundtrack. And I still say it ought to be required reading in high schools. There's nothing like a funeral to make you feel alive.
Happy reading in 2008, everyone. Let me know if you read any of these; I'd love to know what you think. As always.
But this is about the books I've read over the past twelve months. I'm not quite at 100 read for the year, but there are five days left and a trip in there (more on that trip to come), and I know it'll be close. I can do it.
So let's take a few minutes and look at some of the highlights from my reading year:
It took me five books before I fell in love with something this year, and when I did, it was a doozy. Clay's Quilt, by Silas House. I even blogged about it here, so go back and see what I had to say.
Then I began my year-long reviewing blitz, as I think of it. First was LL Cool J's Platinum Workout. Check out the name of my post when I told you about it! Now that I'm reviewing a bit more steadily, it seems funny to see how excited I was.
I also read two good ones: The Potter's House by Rosie Thomas and The Wild Girl: The Notebooks of Ned Giles, by Jim Fergus. I'd loved Fergus' debut, One Thousand White Women, and this follow-up was not a letdown. The Potter's House was a neat read with a kicker of an ending.
Unthinkable? I don't think so. Joshua Braff's debut novel knocked my socks off. Will there be more from Braff? I don't know, but I certainly hope so -- so long as it's of this same quality.
I revisted a now-favorite writer, Jeanne Ray, this time with Step-Ball-Change, a dance move that always makes me smile when I hear it used in real life, like it has been lately in my household. And right after, I had my first taste of James Alan Gardner via Expendable, which gave new meaning to the phrase, "Oh, shit."
2007 was the year to catch up on my Linda Fairstein books. I'm now up to Entombed. I can see it from where I sit; that's a good sign. Hopefully it'll get read in 2008. You'd think after reading four or so of her novels in a fairly short period, I'd burn out, but nope. I can't wait to see what trouble lies ahead for Alex next.
My first Tess Gerritsen, whose blog I really like, my first Nancy Martin (who is a local!), my first Susan McBride, my first Allana Martin, catching up with oldies by Marcia Muller and Edna Buchanan... it was a big year for reading mysteries, so I softened it up with some of my favorite graphic novelist's works: Joann Sfar writing with Lewis Trondheim.
Nevada Barr's books run hot and cold with me, but the discovery of debut author Jennifer Estep sure soothed my crankies. As you guys know, I've become a huge Estep fan and can hardly wait for the 2008 release of Jinx.
My favorite book title of the year? Lily Bret's You Gotta Have Balls. NOT what you're thinking, folks. This was a fun, breezy read that my book club chose, probably so I'd stop having fun with the title. And did I have fun!
I did some cross-cultural reading, with Victor Villasenor's Rain of Gold. This huge, fat book was a great read, although I'm not sure if his follow-up works could come close to matching the scale of this debut. And I kept up the cross-cultural stuff, sort of, with the self-published phenomenon, Rashi's Daughters: Book One: Jehoved. Another book club pick, I can see why this did well. It's well-crafted and I'm eager to see if author Maggie Anton's shift to a major publisher fixed the nits I had with her writing, itself. So yes, my book club will be reading Book Two: Miriam at some point.
Speaking of book club, we also read Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace. Read what I had to say about it here.
At long last, I got into Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld series, reading the first two. I spent some time with Rachel Caine, again, and, of course, finished off the Harry Potter series.
More reviews, this time for Colleen Gleason's first two books. Make that another sequel I hope to get my hands on during the upcoming year...
And more local writers: Lila Shaara's beautiful Every Secret Thing and Rebecca Drake's The Next Killing (the review for which is up at Front Street). Friends, too: Ann Pino's My New-Found Land was great fun, and KL Going's The Garden of Eve is a quick, thought-provoking middle-grade book. I can hardly wait to catch up enough to sink into Going's St. Iggy. And my e-published friends, who have shown me a whole brave new world and new ways of reading. Robyn Rotham and Red Garnier; you guys rock. What a great way to be exposed to e-books.
But the read of the year? The one that has impacted me the most deeply? Nope, not The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, even though I can't believe I said that. You guys know what my best of the year pick is -- Nikki Sixx's The Heroin Diaries. I still say it's a marketing failure, given that it's got its own soundtrack. And I still say it ought to be required reading in high schools. There's nothing like a funeral to make you feel alive.
Happy reading in 2008, everyone. Let me know if you read any of these; I'd love to know what you think. As always.
Labels: books, Colleen Gleason, Jeanne Ray, Jennifer Estep, Joann Sfar, Joshua Braff, Karma Girl, KL Going, Linda Fairstein, LL Cool J, Mary Doria Russell, Nikki Sixx, Red Garnier, Susan's Book Talk
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Reading Challenge Update
I figured I'd take a few minutes and update my From the Stacks challenge. I'm doing quite well. Sort of.
Here's my original post.
As of Thanksgiving, I've read:
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
The Hook, by Donald E. Westlake
Death of a Saint Maker, by Allana Martin
The Heroin Diaries, by Nikki Sixx
Something else that was really badly written that I didn't finish
Stolen, by Kelly Armstrong
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (I must be missing something; I don't get it)
My New-Found Land by Diana Channing (ed by Ann Pino)
I decided I needed to read the first Kathy Reichs, which I have here in the house, before Death du Jour. And The Historian? I've decided to save it for the end of this month.
I need to pause here and say that Allana Martin's Death of a Saint Maker (links above) was quite the pleasant surprise. I've added her other books to my lists at my favorite book trading sites and as soon as I'm further caught up on what's here, I'll be picking those up, too. If anyone would like my copy, holler. I'll send it out to you, complete with promo bookmarks from other authors, many of whom hang out here. Really. If you want the book, leave a comment. If I get more than one, I'll either pick someone I particularly like, or I'll let The Opening Act pick the winner.
I've got until January 30 for this challenge. I may not make my 100 books for the year (I'm at 92 right now; I'm thinking it's not gonna happen) but I think it's safe to say that even if I don't finish the other books I'd stuck on my initial list, I'll at least read five -- which was all the challenge called for. *wink*
As for the Jewish lit challenge... nada yet, you'll notice. I'm reading a debut mystery for review at Front Street Reviews right now, but I might fix that whole Jewish reading challenge drought very soon. We'll have to see what sort of mood I'm in when I finish this.
Here's my original post.
As of Thanksgiving, I've read:
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
The Hook, by Donald E. Westlake
Death of a Saint Maker, by Allana Martin
The Heroin Diaries, by Nikki Sixx
Something else that was really badly written that I didn't finish
Stolen, by Kelly Armstrong
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (I must be missing something; I don't get it)
My New-Found Land by Diana Channing (ed by Ann Pino)
I decided I needed to read the first Kathy Reichs, which I have here in the house, before Death du Jour. And The Historian? I've decided to save it for the end of this month.
I need to pause here and say that Allana Martin's Death of a Saint Maker (links above) was quite the pleasant surprise. I've added her other books to my lists at my favorite book trading sites and as soon as I'm further caught up on what's here, I'll be picking those up, too. If anyone would like my copy, holler. I'll send it out to you, complete with promo bookmarks from other authors, many of whom hang out here. Really. If you want the book, leave a comment. If I get more than one, I'll either pick someone I particularly like, or I'll let The Opening Act pick the winner.
I've got until January 30 for this challenge. I may not make my 100 books for the year (I'm at 92 right now; I'm thinking it's not gonna happen) but I think it's safe to say that even if I don't finish the other books I'd stuck on my initial list, I'll at least read five -- which was all the challenge called for. *wink*
As for the Jewish lit challenge... nada yet, you'll notice. I'm reading a debut mystery for review at Front Street Reviews right now, but I might fix that whole Jewish reading challenge drought very soon. We'll have to see what sort of mood I'm in when I finish this.
Labels: books, Jewish Literature challenge, Susan's Book Talk
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Booking Through Thursday: OOP
Do you have a favourite book, now out of print, that you would like to see become available again? (I have several…)
Again, I was going to pass on this one, and again, it was Karen! to the rescue.
Let's stop and pretend, because we all know I prefer to pretend than be bored by real life. *grin*
Well, maybe we don't have to pretend. Let's dream, instead. Of a future that, when a book's print rights expire, will include a way for those rights to be resold, maybe on a royalty-only basis (but a HIGH royalty basis. Like ridiculously high) to a system that is essentially digital and POD. Yes, I said the dirty word: Print-on-Demand.
Because let's face it: for almost every book on the planet, there's someone who'd like to have it. Maybe they can't or won't pay a collector's price for it. Maybe they don't want a collector's edition in the first place. What they want is an old friend they can return to, time and again.
If it's done digitally and with a POD format, people can have these books when they want them. Books can be available forever.
And authors can have the option to re-sell the rights to a publisher who might want to promote the book and make a really slick copy that would be sold through bookstores around the world. Yep, the POD option would go away ... until the rights expire again.
Let's face it: most of us readers may be willing to wait for it to come out in paperback. But how many times have you sat down to pick up a book you've really wanted and bought whatever you find at a used book site? I'll admit, I do it all the time (that's why I have this small trading problem).
This means I don't think that people would wait for a book to return to its POD status. And who said it'd be cheaper that way, anyway? Not if an author would get the stupidly high royalty that I personally think we're entitled to!
No, it's not a perfect model I'm putting forth here. Remember, I'm dreaming here. Because let's face it: most books go out of print because the demand's dried up. Maybe one or two would sell on my imperfect model. But maybe enough would that a publisher would sit up, take notice, and buy the rights and promote the book and earn a few bucks.
And maybe publishers will promote all their mid-list and new authors, too. I know. I know.
Like I said, it's only a dream.
Again, I was going to pass on this one, and again, it was Karen! to the rescue.
Let's stop and pretend, because we all know I prefer to pretend than be bored by real life. *grin*
Well, maybe we don't have to pretend. Let's dream, instead. Of a future that, when a book's print rights expire, will include a way for those rights to be resold, maybe on a royalty-only basis (but a HIGH royalty basis. Like ridiculously high) to a system that is essentially digital and POD. Yes, I said the dirty word: Print-on-Demand.
Because let's face it: for almost every book on the planet, there's someone who'd like to have it. Maybe they can't or won't pay a collector's price for it. Maybe they don't want a collector's edition in the first place. What they want is an old friend they can return to, time and again.
If it's done digitally and with a POD format, people can have these books when they want them. Books can be available forever.
And authors can have the option to re-sell the rights to a publisher who might want to promote the book and make a really slick copy that would be sold through bookstores around the world. Yep, the POD option would go away ... until the rights expire again.
Let's face it: most of us readers may be willing to wait for it to come out in paperback. But how many times have you sat down to pick up a book you've really wanted and bought whatever you find at a used book site? I'll admit, I do it all the time (that's why I have this small trading problem).
This means I don't think that people would wait for a book to return to its POD status. And who said it'd be cheaper that way, anyway? Not if an author would get the stupidly high royalty that I personally think we're entitled to!
No, it's not a perfect model I'm putting forth here. Remember, I'm dreaming here. Because let's face it: most books go out of print because the demand's dried up. Maybe one or two would sell on my imperfect model. But maybe enough would that a publisher would sit up, take notice, and buy the rights and promote the book and earn a few bucks.
And maybe publishers will promote all their mid-list and new authors, too. I know. I know.
Like I said, it's only a dream.
Labels: Booking Through Thursday, books, Susan's Book Talk
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: A Thread of Grace
My book club this month is reading Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace. (Click on the first link to see Ms. Russell's website, and on the second to buy the book)
I'm not quite halfway through it, but I need to rave about it -- with a caveat. The book is brilliant, it's absorbing, beautifully written, it's haunting, it scares me silly, it's so vivid. This book wraps itself around your emotions and doesn't let go. It's a definite don't miss.
Now, for the caveat. It's a book about people who lived during the Holocaust, people in Italy who helped hide the Jews from the Nazis. It's an important book because this is something that's not spoken of particularly often; one of those hidden parts of our past. While I've noticed more Holocaust list focusing on the people who helped save the lives of Jews, not even Thomas Moran's Man in the Box had this much power to it.
That's exactly what concerns me about it. Not for me, but for the members of my book club. For a Jewish book club, we read a scarily (to some) scant amount of Holocaust Literature. There's a reason for that: most of the women in my book club were young girls during World War II. One is married to a man who lost his brother to the Nazis.
Over the years, as I've led them through choices good (Noah Gordon) and bad (nope, not gonna name the bad), one thing they've always asked me to avoid bringing them was books that are heavy about the Holocaust.
To be fair, I wouldn't have suggested this one except that I'd heard from another woman what a wonderful book it is. She's not in our book club, but I know her both from the gym and the temple. If she suggests something, I'm going to do her the honor of listening and presenting a synopsis of the book to my group. In this case, I'd tracked down a copy through PaperBackSwap and showed it to the group. You can argue that we knew what we were getting into when we agreed to read this. And it was a democratic choice.
Yet I worry. This is the sort of powerful book that can rip open wounds. If I've learned anything about the Holocaust during my lifetime, it's that merely being a Jew gives you wounds from that event. To be much closer to it than I am and then to be faced with a book like this, which describes the cattle cars so vividly...
Maybe there is a balm yet to come in the remaining pages of my copy of A Thread of Grace, and I am worrying for nothing. Given my history of wasting time and energy on worry, this is entirely probable. I won't know until I read the rest of the book.
I won't know until November 1, the next time my book club meets, how everyone reacted to this. So until then, I'll worry that I've unwittingly suggested a book that's opening raw wounds on these women I consider my friends. Because I know I've ripped open a few of my own.
I'm not quite halfway through it, but I need to rave about it -- with a caveat. The book is brilliant, it's absorbing, beautifully written, it's haunting, it scares me silly, it's so vivid. This book wraps itself around your emotions and doesn't let go. It's a definite don't miss.
Now, for the caveat. It's a book about people who lived during the Holocaust, people in Italy who helped hide the Jews from the Nazis. It's an important book because this is something that's not spoken of particularly often; one of those hidden parts of our past. While I've noticed more Holocaust list focusing on the people who helped save the lives of Jews, not even Thomas Moran's Man in the Box had this much power to it.
That's exactly what concerns me about it. Not for me, but for the members of my book club. For a Jewish book club, we read a scarily (to some) scant amount of Holocaust Literature. There's a reason for that: most of the women in my book club were young girls during World War II. One is married to a man who lost his brother to the Nazis.
Over the years, as I've led them through choices good (Noah Gordon) and bad (nope, not gonna name the bad), one thing they've always asked me to avoid bringing them was books that are heavy about the Holocaust.
To be fair, I wouldn't have suggested this one except that I'd heard from another woman what a wonderful book it is. She's not in our book club, but I know her both from the gym and the temple. If she suggests something, I'm going to do her the honor of listening and presenting a synopsis of the book to my group. In this case, I'd tracked down a copy through PaperBackSwap and showed it to the group. You can argue that we knew what we were getting into when we agreed to read this. And it was a democratic choice.
Yet I worry. This is the sort of powerful book that can rip open wounds. If I've learned anything about the Holocaust during my lifetime, it's that merely being a Jew gives you wounds from that event. To be much closer to it than I am and then to be faced with a book like this, which describes the cattle cars so vividly...
Maybe there is a balm yet to come in the remaining pages of my copy of A Thread of Grace, and I am worrying for nothing. Given my history of wasting time and energy on worry, this is entirely probable. I won't know until I read the rest of the book.
I won't know until November 1, the next time my book club meets, how everyone reacted to this. So until then, I'll worry that I've unwittingly suggested a book that's opening raw wounds on these women I consider my friends. Because I know I've ripped open a few of my own.
Labels: A Thread of Grace, books, Mary Doria Russell, Susan's Book Talk
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Surprises
I was feeling bad over the weekend for not doing a BAFAB contest this quarter. I didn't hear a lot of hype and hoopla about the event from its founder, so I'd figured it would be a quiet thing.
But then I started, as I said, to feel bad. I like giving away books, especially books that I really loved.
So I went to a BookCrossing companion site, Cliff's wishlist, and found people who were wishing for some of the books sitting here, waiting for a new home (or three). I double-checked them against another companion site (for security reasons, I'm not going to name it, as it's a place where you can list your address), and then I sent out three books. One went to a friend and the other two went to random BookCrossers.
Sadly, these weren't books I loved. In fact, one was a book I'd loathed. That takes some of the fun out of sharing a book you love, but maybe their opinion will differ and they'll love it and I'll at least be responsible for having someone fall in love with a book.
As if to tell me that my karma was already on the upswing for my generosity, I had a prize from J. Kaye Oldner waiting for me at the post office. J. Kaye's got a cool thing going at her place(s), so stop by and check 'em out. You, too, can win a book!
Oh, yeah. The prize was a doozy: a copy of Harlan Coben's The Woods. Large print, even, which is always nice on eyes fatigued from blog surfing, writing, and editing.
One last bit of book news before I sign off and turn my attention to this week's Thursday Thirteen (I'm open to topic ideas, folks!): Lucy, at a new site called BooksPrice.com contacted me and asked me to spread the word about what she's up to. I've been playing with it a little bit and it looks like it can be a valuable tool -- if you're interested in shopping the big chains. Granted, once you start adding indies, you're going to have thousands upon thousands of listings. But you guys know me. I like supporting the little guy.
That's why Lucy at BooksPrice deserves a bit of your time. She seems to be a little guy, although I didn't dig too much into who she is and where she's from (yeah, I'm doing that Pittsburgh "I'll take you at face value" thing again). I really like how the site shows you not only what the book will cost, but how much shipping will be. And you can customize whose results you see, too.
It's a nice idea. I hope it's valuable to you guys -- 'cause admit it. I'm not the only one who tries to save some money and buy used (or remaindered).
Speaking of books, before I go, if you've read anything you think I need to know about, leave me a comment. I only have a few hundred books sitting around the house. What's a few hundred more?
(yeah, uhh, don't tell the Tour Manager I said that, okay?)
But then I started, as I said, to feel bad. I like giving away books, especially books that I really loved.
So I went to a BookCrossing companion site, Cliff's wishlist, and found people who were wishing for some of the books sitting here, waiting for a new home (or three). I double-checked them against another companion site (for security reasons, I'm not going to name it, as it's a place where you can list your address), and then I sent out three books. One went to a friend and the other two went to random BookCrossers.
Sadly, these weren't books I loved. In fact, one was a book I'd loathed. That takes some of the fun out of sharing a book you love, but maybe their opinion will differ and they'll love it and I'll at least be responsible for having someone fall in love with a book.
As if to tell me that my karma was already on the upswing for my generosity, I had a prize from J. Kaye Oldner waiting for me at the post office. J. Kaye's got a cool thing going at her place(s), so stop by and check 'em out. You, too, can win a book!
Oh, yeah. The prize was a doozy: a copy of Harlan Coben's The Woods. Large print, even, which is always nice on eyes fatigued from blog surfing, writing, and editing.
One last bit of book news before I sign off and turn my attention to this week's Thursday Thirteen (I'm open to topic ideas, folks!): Lucy, at a new site called BooksPrice.com contacted me and asked me to spread the word about what she's up to. I've been playing with it a little bit and it looks like it can be a valuable tool -- if you're interested in shopping the big chains. Granted, once you start adding indies, you're going to have thousands upon thousands of listings. But you guys know me. I like supporting the little guy.
That's why Lucy at BooksPrice deserves a bit of your time. She seems to be a little guy, although I didn't dig too much into who she is and where she's from (yeah, I'm doing that Pittsburgh "I'll take you at face value" thing again). I really like how the site shows you not only what the book will cost, but how much shipping will be. And you can customize whose results you see, too.
It's a nice idea. I hope it's valuable to you guys -- 'cause admit it. I'm not the only one who tries to save some money and buy used (or remaindered).
Speaking of books, before I go, if you've read anything you think I need to know about, leave me a comment. I only have a few hundred books sitting around the house. What's a few hundred more?
(yeah, uhh, don't tell the Tour Manager I said that, okay?)
Labels: BookCrossing, books, Susan's Book Talk
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Wanderings
I've decided to do a Web Wanderer type of thing and highlight some of the books that I come across through my own wanderings. Check 'em out; there are debuts in here that you can put aside for this winter's Debut a Debut, and there are hidden treasures in here that you may want to fill up the time between now and Debut a Debut with.
The Department of Lost and Found
Bookgasm looks at Dark Gold, now out in paperback -- and includes a hot excerpt...
Critical Mass leans a bit more literary than my tastes do, but these might be good.
Ace and Hoser are at it again, with A Gathering Light.
Another one from Critical Mass, looking at stealth best-sellers. How many of us authors dream of having this happen to us? Not only would I love to see it happen to me and Trevor's Song, I'd love to help you guys make it happen, too.
A non-book note. Yesterday was #1's first day of second grade. It was the last day in which he'd be six (yes, today's his birthday), and it was also the day in which he lost his first tooth. Talk about a day of firsts and lasts!!
The Department of Lost and Found
Bookgasm looks at Dark Gold, now out in paperback -- and includes a hot excerpt...
Critical Mass leans a bit more literary than my tastes do, but these might be good.
Ace and Hoser are at it again, with A Gathering Light.
Another one from Critical Mass, looking at stealth best-sellers. How many of us authors dream of having this happen to us? Not only would I love to see it happen to me and Trevor's Song, I'd love to help you guys make it happen, too.
A non-book note. Yesterday was #1's first day of second grade. It was the last day in which he'd be six (yes, today's his birthday), and it was also the day in which he lost his first tooth. Talk about a day of firsts and lasts!!
Labels: books, Susan's Book Talk
Friday, August 17, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Monogamy and contests
First off, entries for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest are now closed! Thanks to everyone who read a hidden treasure; sounds like you guys found good stuff out there.
Secondly, this week's Booking Through Thursday asks us about monogamy. You regulars around here should know how vehemently Trevor hates monogamy, and that should be the end of it, since Trevor is a creature of my own construct.
However, the nice thing about fiction is that you get to create characters who are different from yourself. Thus, I'm all about monogamy ... where the Tour Manager's concerned. (Once you meet him, you'll agree. And envy me. He's the best.)
That's a marriage, though. The until-death-do-us-part type.
Reading a book is a marriage of a different sort. It's the sort that lets you enter and exit the book's world at a second's notice, yet at the same time, the best ones suck you in and demand full attention.
However, that doesn't mean you should be devoted exclusively to one world at a time. I usually have at least two books going: one upstairs by my bed and one downstairs, in the family room. I'm never searching for my book, only to realize it's midnight, I'm in pajamas that are a bit too revealing for the glass front entry I'll have to pass through, and I'm too tired to drag myself up and down the steps again today. And yes, I've been there. And yes, I've strolled through the front entry in my jammies and given thanks for living on a quiet street with early birds.
Back soon with a final update on the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. If you can't wait, visit it at my website.
Secondly, this week's Booking Through Thursday asks us about monogamy. You regulars around here should know how vehemently Trevor hates monogamy, and that should be the end of it, since Trevor is a creature of my own construct.
However, the nice thing about fiction is that you get to create characters who are different from yourself. Thus, I'm all about monogamy ... where the Tour Manager's concerned. (Once you meet him, you'll agree. And envy me. He's the best.)
That's a marriage, though. The until-death-do-us-part type.
Reading a book is a marriage of a different sort. It's the sort that lets you enter and exit the book's world at a second's notice, yet at the same time, the best ones suck you in and demand full attention.
However, that doesn't mean you should be devoted exclusively to one world at a time. I usually have at least two books going: one upstairs by my bed and one downstairs, in the family room. I'm never searching for my book, only to realize it's midnight, I'm in pajamas that are a bit too revealing for the glass front entry I'll have to pass through, and I'm too tired to drag myself up and down the steps again today. And yes, I've been there. And yes, I've strolled through the front entry in my jammies and given thanks for living on a quiet street with early birds.
Back soon with a final update on the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. If you can't wait, visit it at my website.
Labels: Booking Through Thursday, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Susan's Book Talk
Friday, August 10, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Multiples and other things
First off: this week's Booking Through Thursday:
Do you have multiple copies of any of your books?
If so, why? Absent-mindedness? You love them that much? First Editions for the shelf, but paperbacks to read?
If not, why not? Not enough space? Not enough money? Too sensible to do something so foolish?
I have a lot of multiples that have come to me through BookCrossing -- I'll forget to take something off my wishlist (with 1200+ books on there, can you blame me?) or someone will think I'll like a book, so they send it to me, not knowing I've got a copy here that I haven't registered at BookCrossing yet.
And I buy multiples, too -- to share via BookCrossing or the book trading sites ('cause whenever I offer you guys my books, you don't take me up on it. What's up with THAT?). Those multiples are books I loved and want to help spread the word about. You know, sort of like my own way of helping people find a Hidden Treasures book.
Speaking of Hidden Treasures, there's only five days left in the contest. Get your last reviews up! If you're web wandering and you find a review posted, why not encourage the writer to submit it to the contest?? They've already done the hard work; invite them to come get rewards and some extra linkie love for it.
I hear that Jennifer Estep, one of our Hidden Treasures authors, has a few ARCs for the second in her Big Time series, Hot Mama. I'll let you know when the review's up at Front Street Reviews.
And lastly (I think), I'd love to thank Robin L. Rotham for pulling my very own name out of a hat and declaring me the winner of a copy of her new short, Seniorella. This is going to be my very first foray into e-books, so if you prefer Microsoft Reader to PDF format, or the other way, you'd better weigh in on that subject now...
Happy reading, everyone! Let's get some last reviews in for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest, okay?
Do you have multiple copies of any of your books?
If so, why? Absent-mindedness? You love them that much? First Editions for the shelf, but paperbacks to read?
If not, why not? Not enough space? Not enough money? Too sensible to do something so foolish?
I have a lot of multiples that have come to me through BookCrossing -- I'll forget to take something off my wishlist (with 1200+ books on there, can you blame me?) or someone will think I'll like a book, so they send it to me, not knowing I've got a copy here that I haven't registered at BookCrossing yet.
And I buy multiples, too -- to share via BookCrossing or the book trading sites ('cause whenever I offer you guys my books, you don't take me up on it. What's up with THAT?). Those multiples are books I loved and want to help spread the word about. You know, sort of like my own way of helping people find a Hidden Treasures book.
Speaking of Hidden Treasures, there's only five days left in the contest. Get your last reviews up! If you're web wandering and you find a review posted, why not encourage the writer to submit it to the contest?? They've already done the hard work; invite them to come get rewards and some extra linkie love for it.
I hear that Jennifer Estep, one of our Hidden Treasures authors, has a few ARCs for the second in her Big Time series, Hot Mama. I'll let you know when the review's up at Front Street Reviews.
And lastly (I think), I'd love to thank Robin L. Rotham for pulling my very own name out of a hat and declaring me the winner of a copy of her new short, Seniorella. This is going to be my very first foray into e-books, so if you prefer Microsoft Reader to PDF format, or the other way, you'd better weigh in on that subject now...
Happy reading, everyone! Let's get some last reviews in for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest, okay?
Labels: book reviews, BookCrossing, Booking Through Thursday, books, Front Street Reviews, Jennifer Estep, prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Susan's Book Talk
