Making My Day

I made Bybee’s day (thanks!!) so here are 10 people who made my day recently: Sheila, for blogging a Real Housewives conversation I wish I’d been a part of. YA author extraordinaire Laurie Halse Anderson, for running to raise money to fight leukemia and lymphoma. Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist for my free book. Eva for such a fabulous meme. The other 6 aren’t bloggers (nor are they individuals), but I’m just so happy for all of them: Judy & Mako’s son & new fiancee Catherine and…

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There’s No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern

Synopsis: When a missing persons investigator goes missing herself, she discovers a world where the lost can be found–but can she find her way back home? Review: There’s No Place Like Here is the second book by Cecelia Ahern, author of the immensely popular PS, I Love You, which I have not read. I picked up an ARC of this book at Book Expo, but put off reading it because I was anticipating something light and fluffy and not worth my time. I was certainly…

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More Library Dreaming

I posted this today to a community mailing list, in an exchange sparked by the observation that there are no bookstores within walking distance of our large, densely populated urban neighborhood. We don’t warrant favor from the powers-that-be at Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores can’t thrive. Someone talked about the need for “third places” in our community, and proposed the library. I responded: Libraries… now there’s a subject I’m passionate about. Libraries are not what they could be. They are designed like municipal spaces,…

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Early Oscar Predictions

I know, I know… this is a blog about reading. But I have to indulge myself for the occasional post about film. The nominees are in. I’ve bolded what I want to win, and italicized what I think will win. 1. Best Picture: “Atonement,” “Juno,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood.” 2. Actor: George Clooney, “Michael Clayton”; Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”; Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street”; Tommy Lee Jones, “In the Valley of…

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The Smartest Book Meme in Town

As created by Eva, who will enter you in a drawing if you leave a comment on her post. Thanks for the, Sheila! I’m tagging Alissa, Terri, Megan, Rhinoa, and Ian–or Ian’s dad Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. I was in the midst of a horrific breakup while reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, and I put it down halfway through and have not Chabonned since. In addition,…

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Huh? (Booking through Thursday)

What’s your favorite book that nobody else has heard of? You know, not Little Women or Huckleberry Finn, not the latest best-seller . . . whether they’ve read them or not, everybody “knows” those books. I’m talking about the best book that, when you tell people that you love it, they go, “Huh? Never heard of it?” A Candle in Her Room by Ruth Arthur tells the story of several generations of a family haunted by a charismatic and evil doll. It scared me silly…

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Use Google Reader? Let’s Be Friends

I’m always sharing book-related items through Google Reader, as well as posts about film and random items that catch my fancy. Nothing controversial, just stuff that’s fun and interesting and perhaps intellectually or creatively stimulating. Now, Google Reader lets you share items even more easily through your GChat friends. If you’re signed up for this service and want to read what I’m reading–and have me read what you’re reading–use the contact form to send me your GChat email address, or leave it in the comments…

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Let’s Review (Booking Through Thursday)

This week’s question is suggested by Puss Reboots: How much do reviews (good and bad) affect your choice of reading? If you see a bad review of a book you wanted to read, do you still read it? If you see a good review of a book you’re sure you won’t like, do you change your mind and give the book a try? Reviews don’t get me excited. I prefer to read them after I’ve read a book, to see how my experience matched up…

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