Thing 1 and Thing 2; or, Photos from the Tour
At Sirens, in Vail, Colorado, I learned how to wear chain mail and intimidate people. AARRRR! I WILL CRUSH YOU!!!
Thanks to Artemis for the photo :o)
Moving on, at stop three in the tour -- Seattle -- my dear friend, secret codename: T. Lovely R., took me to meet the Troll Who Lives Under the Bridge.
A tip to anyone going on tour: It will boost your morale if around stop nine you can arrange to wake up to the following:
And then it helps to bring thousands of family members to your bookstore events. Here are secret codename: Cordelia, secret codename: Apocalyptica, me, our mother, our father, and Cordelia's daughters, secret codenames: Phoenix and Isis! Joe, sorry you couldn't be there, but hope you enjoyed the brief man-cation. This photo was taken at The Bookmark in Atlantic Beach, Florida -- thanks, Rona!
Here's one more photo. Just in case I haven't gotten my point across.
I'm trying to exercise restraint on the blog when it comes to photos of the twins. Really. Have you looked at this post recently?
:o)
So. Just a few images from my trip. It's lovely to be home.
What are you reading these days? I've embarked on a spate of rereading, starting with A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet. I might move on to The Princess Bride next, and Beauty by Robin McKinley. I've got my eye on Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (the Tiina Nunnally translation), but at 1400 pages, that's going to take some commitment. Anyone out there doing any good rereading?
Thanks to Artemis for the photo :o)
Moving on, at stop three in the tour -- Seattle -- my dear friend, secret codename: T. Lovely R., took me to meet the Troll Who Lives Under the Bridge.
A tip to anyone going on tour: It will boost your morale if around stop nine you can arrange to wake up to the following:
And then it helps to bring thousands of family members to your bookstore events. Here are secret codename: Cordelia, secret codename: Apocalyptica, me, our mother, our father, and Cordelia's daughters, secret codenames: Phoenix and Isis! Joe, sorry you couldn't be there, but hope you enjoyed the brief man-cation. This photo was taken at The Bookmark in Atlantic Beach, Florida -- thanks, Rona!
Here's one more photo. Just in case I haven't gotten my point across.
I'm trying to exercise restraint on the blog when it comes to photos of the twins. Really. Have you looked at this post recently?
:o)
So. Just a few images from my trip. It's lovely to be home.
What are you reading these days? I've embarked on a spate of rereading, starting with A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet. I might move on to The Princess Bride next, and Beauty by Robin McKinley. I've got my eye on Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (the Tiina Nunnally translation), but at 1400 pages, that's going to take some commitment. Anyone out there doing any good rereading?
Comments
PS. the Thing 1 and Thing 2 outfits are so adorable.
I am contemplating the trio "The Safe-Keeper's Secret", "The Truth-Teller's Tale", and "The Dream-Maker's Magic" by Sharon Shinn. I have re-read all of her other books and always rediscover some gem of a scene that I forgot - or find one that I knew was there and need to re-read for the mood it imparts. This will put me in a good spot to read her new "Quatrain" when it arrives in the mail.
I am currently reading Jerry Spinelli's "Stargirl" for the first time, and I already know that I will need to buy the sequel.
And, I am eagerly waiting for Juliet Marillier's "Hearts Blood" - coming soon. For those who came late to the knowledge (like me), Juliet is currently recovering from chemo and radiation for breast cancer and is welcoming positive thoughts from her fans.
Laura
The book stuff is great too. *wink*
(I just finished "Catching Fire" and am considering parking my butt on my library's front door so they'll hurry up and get "Fire" to me...)
I'm also really sorry to hear about Juliet Marillier. I love her books and hope she's doing better.
Back on topic, I'm going through epic rereads of Pratchett, Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters books, and Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest chronicles. There are a few new books tucked in, like Libyrinth, which I grabbed at random and which turned out to be really great. I wish the good fiction section were on campus though, instead of in town.
I'm not sure how great it will be, but I'm beginning The Dutchess today. I borrowed it from someone almost a year ago. I need to read and return it. Hope it's good!
I definitely recommend Sharon Shinn - haven't read a bad book by her yet. "Mystic and Rider" is a good one to start with and one of my favorites. I post her name here because her character development and handling of romance is akin to Kristin's. I rotate between those mentioned and also Lois McMaster Bujold, while I am waiting for their next book to come out. I'd also recommend Megan Whalen-Turner - "The Thief was the first, and should be the first to be read, but I really loved the next two, especially "The Queen of Attolia". Madame Whalen-Turner takes SEVEN years to write the next book, so we shouldn't complain too much about Ms. Cashore :-)
Laura
P.S. - write to Juliet Marillier (see her website) - I think she really appreciates the mail.
I would reccomend The Caliph's House by Tahir Shah. It's a very entertaining telling of a man who uproots his family and moves them to an old Caliph's house Morrocco that needs a lot of fixing up and perhaps the removal of a djin or two.
Babies are so sweet. I keep wondering if all of Fire's desire for a baby wasn't fueled by impending arrivals of Thing 1 and Thing 2. ;-)
I just started reading Going Bovine by Libba Bray. No rereading at present, as my list of new reads is very long. However, I have reread Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games and Catching Fire before. I read Graceling twice. I read the Mortal Instruments series twice. And, uh, I read Twilight three times. *blush*
*Terrier and Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce (I've read Terrier several times, Kate, and STILL can't put it down)
*Heidi by Spyri -- one of my favorite books of all time
*The Dark Is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper (such fun books, with amazing descriptions that only add to the story)
There are others I've been through recently, but these are the ones I'm working on now!
Ah and Thing 1 and Thing 2. I repeat, nothing is as comforting as a baby, no matter what it's doing. Double your pleasure, double your fun! Talk about the twins as much as you like and ALWAYS include photos! :D
Glad to hear you're home safe and sound and settled again. And that you had a good time on your tour.
Hmm, reading... Right now I'm working my way through Alvor. Next on the list is Girl in the Arena. And I've got All the Windwracked Stars ordered from Amazon... I keep leaving off Alvor though because I'm close to finishing the first draft of a YA I've been working on...
RobinPS- good call on the smiley shield! I held the darn thing in my own hands and never noticed that! :)
I, too, have A Wrinkle in Time on my rereading list, as soon as I finish Fire. Then, I'd like to finish the Mortal Instruments Trilogy (Book II and III).
I have a copy of Kristin L. that I started years ago, always meaning to pick it up again. Maybe now's the time.
I'm currently reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon. It is a bit The Name of the Rose, a bit Possession, with a bit of Dickens and Hugo thrown in. Anyone read this? Please, please discuss it with me! I'm dying to talk about this book.
I finished Fire. It was so beautifully written! I am in love with this book!! I can't wait to share it. I cried, I laughed, I gasped out loud, I shouted "I KNEW IT!" when something happened that I had suspected would, and then I cried some more. Absolutely one of my favorite books!! I wish there was more. I cant wait for more of your writing.
I have a few books that I've been told I definitely need to read, and a few of them are in my TBR pile: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (his blog is hilarious), and the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon...So, I am not re-reading anything at this time, but have SO many new ones in my pile!!
I shouldn't be reading too much, I've got exams tomorrow, but in a week I've swallowed The Hunger Games, Bloodhound and digging my way through Mansfield Park. I've got to buckle down and review stodgy philosophers tonight, though :S
I saw on your appearance sched that you've got an event on Nov 10 at Books of Wonder (with Suzanne Collins!) any more details yet? It's the only place I've heard of it, so I'm nail-biting a little...
I just finished The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, and I am currently reading Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Both excellent books!
Hopefully I'll be receiving Fire for my birthday next month. I'm holding out until then, and it's almost killing me!
I'm attempting to read "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. Great book, just haven't had time to do a lot of reading lately due to grading research papers and other English class papers.
I have quite a pile (literally) of books that have accumulated on my kitchen counter, nightstand and bookshelf. Here are some of the titles in the piles: "Graceling," "Fire," "Hunger Games," (2nd time through), "Catching Fire," "Ice," "Curse of the Spider King," ""Call of the Wild," "Carter Finally Gets It," and "Silksinger." I'm sure I'm missing a few...needless to say, way too many good, enticing books!
I'd love to re-read Madeleine L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time quartet again, one of my favorite authors.
Kel
gwyn
-Amy Brecount White, author of FORGET-HER-NOTS, Greenwillow/Harpercollins, 3/2010
And just to explain something -- a book is in production for a good year before it's published and often in revisions for a year before that -- meaning that Fire was written years ago -- so unless I used a time machine, there's no way my nieces could have influenced the book.
I have Shadow of the Wind on one of my to-be-read bookshelves, but haven't gotten around to it yet, despite multiple recommendations!
~Cheers, Andrea
I'm reading Marcelo in the Real World thanks to your recommendation and I'm loving it! Next is The Sorceress by Michael Scott. It's the 3rd in the Nicholas Flamel series.
After that, I'm hoping for some great books for my anniversary in November. I married a wonderful human who gives books books and more books for gifts!
I am actually on a No-you-don't-have-time-to-reread kick, because I have so many new books to be read and not a lot of time (or no time at all, if you want me to give up ALL my leisure time to housework). Nonetheless, my evil-disguised-as-thoughtful-and-sweet husband, wanting to get something for himself off Amazon that didn't quite reach the $25 free shipping mark, pulled Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle off my Wish List and added it to his order. "Look, I got a present for you!" he said all sweet an innocent. "Oh, I love that book! How very ... CRUEL of you, do you not see the humongous pile of library books I must get through before I can be allowed to reread anything? Now this book sits here TAUNTING me!" I gave in as soon as I finished the book I was already reading,* though, thus breaking my no-reread vow this weekend.
*which was, for the record, the 7th or 8th book in Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, a series that reminds me a LOT, incidentally, of L'Engle's Time books. NOW I am reading the last Thursday Next book. I'm trying to think what else is in my library pile here to mention... the Geektastic anthology, but I haven't gotten to it yet so can't say if it's good. Twice Upon a Marigold (also haven't read yet. The first was a lot of fun but not Great, expecting the same). I forget what else.
When I was AT the library last I did see Fire, and only didn't get it because by that point I already had more books than I really thought I could read in three weeks. Turns out by the time my son was done playing in the toddler area, someone ELSE took it out, anyway! Hope they've returned it by the time I go back...
I did request everything my library system has on Madeleine L'Engle. I love her. A Ring of Endless Light is one of my all-time favorites. I'm reading a Circle of Quiet and Love Letters right now, as well as Lines Scribbled on an Envelope, one of her poetry books.
I devoured Fire. It was fantastic. Really and truly. I'm at work thinking about it right now. I didn't expect to like it as much as Graceling, but I do. I wish I could tell you how much your books mean to me. I was having a hard time recently and reading Graceling was a refuge. Thank you.
Lindsay
One of my favorite books to reread is Diana Wynne Jones's Deep Secret. A lot of it takes place at a SciFi convention, so there are lots of references to other books. When I read it for the first time at age 12 I didn't catch most of them, so every time I reread it I can discover something new and witty slipped in between the lines.
Currently, I'm listening to Burned by Ellen Hopkins, which is bringing me back to my teenage years.
RobinPS, how is Going Bovine? I've been meaning to pick it up. I absolutely loved the Gemma Doyle trilogy!
I came across the first of Diane Duane's Young Wizards series this past summer at a book sale, and it did remind me of L'Engle's writing. I haven't had time to get back to reading the series...maybe I'll do that soon.
Definitely read the Geektastic anthology soon, it's wonderful! Some of my high school students have been turned off by the title, but it's right up their alley, reading-wise. I've talked so highly of it that it now is constantly being borrowed from my classroom library!
Thanks for sharing!
Kel
Lindsay, that's just about the best thing an author can hear. Thank you!
And thanks to everyone for all the comments. I can't explain the Wrinkle thing either; I think for me it has to do with sibling love. Everytime Meg starts with the "I love you, Charles Wallace" stuff, I turn into a puddle on the floor.
Also: the chain mail was heavyish, but evenly distributed, so not hard to wear at all. It was oddly comfortable!
All the mentions of Tamora Pierce makes me wish I wasn't at Uni so I could grab my fav books out of the cupboard and have a re-read. Gosh darn it! And i've now got a huge craving to re-read Graceling since I read Fire the other week and my friend read and loved Graceling just the other day (After i told her to read it)
I'm currently between books and undecided as to what I'll pick up next. I feel in a re-reading mood right now so I may grab Poison Study or River Secrets of my shelf for some bedtime reading (I don't wholy care if I stay up until 2am to finish them)
LadyV
Anyone looking for another good book--- I highly recommend "The Effects of Light," by Miranda Beverly-whittemore. It is wonderful.
The twins look so much older!! I can't believe it.
As ever
--candelion
I can't speak for all but 'A Wrinkle In Time' touched me profoundly because it was about a girl who succeeded purely because she was smart and courageous. It was a book unafraid to discuss science, spirituality and creativity. Heavy stuff for a ten year old.
Also recently read: The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines. Fun! Strong girl character ... princesses in fact ... rescue the charming prince.
Kristen
(http://www.nanowrimo.org/)
Well I just finish reading a great book, "vibes" by amy kathleen ryan. It even made cry by the end.
and can you believe I order graceling from UK?! I liked the cover and I was like why not?! I'm currently reading it again.
my next book will be Libyrinth by pearl norht so we'll see how it goes.
Cute family by the way!=) do you miss florida? I bet you do once in a while. Well hasta luego!
I love those Dr. Seuss outfits! It definitely made my day. O.o I mean night.
^_^
-Amelia