Author J.D. Salinger, 91, died yesterday. He wrote four books, but he is most well known for “The Catcher in the Rye” and its main character, Holden Caulfield. It’s been many years since I have read “Catcher,” and I don’t feel particularly qualified to write about Salinger’s career or his mysterious life as a recluse.
But I came across this clip, “J.D. Salinger, Reclusive Literary Icon, Dies at 91,” from PBS NewsHour and thought it was worth sharing.
I think it’s time for me to re-visit this American classic.
Author Roland Smith is visiting Chisholm Trail Middle School in Rhome today, and I bet the kids are ecstatic. His latest book, “Tentacles,” which is the follow-up to “Cryptid Hunters,” looks intriguing.
If you’re not familiar with him, he also wrote “Zach’s Lie,”“Jack’s Run,”“Peak” and “Sasquatch,” among others. (I have to say that in the wake of this week’s brush with the chupacabra, “Sasquatch” is of special interest to me.) He and his wife, Marie, have also worked together on several picture books.
I haven’t read his work, but after browsing through his web site, I can tell his books are high-energy and full of mystery and adventure. Although I know girls like action, too, I bet these books are good tools to engage boys who are possibly not interested in reading. Several student reviews by boys and girls said they couldn’t put the books down.
The past two days Smith has visited Medlin and Gene Pike middle schools, also in the Northwest school district. I’m thinking I’ve got to squeeze in a trip down to Chisholm Trail today. If I can finagle my way in, I’ll post pics and highlights. Wish me luck!
Sarah Palin will be at Legacy Books in Plano Friday, Dec. 4, to sign copies of “Going Rogue: An American Life,” which was released Tuesday. Tickets to the event went on sale Tuesday, and they are $28.99, the suggested retail price of the book, plus tax. Each ticket can be exchanged for a single book at the store event Dec. 4.
Palin is only signing copies of “Going Rogue” purchased at Legacy Books. She is not speaking, will not be posing for photographs and due to the number of people expected, can’t personalize books. She is not signing memorabilia, photos or other items.
For information, visit the store’s Web site at www.legacybooksonline.com. Legacy Books is located in The Shops at Legacy North, 7300 Dallas Parkway at Legacy Drive, Plano, TX, 75024. The store’s phone number is (972) 398-9888.
***
The Associated Press story, “FACT CHECK: Palin’s book goes rogue on some facts,” by Calvin Woodward is interesting. I know that’s vague, but you really just need to check it out for yourself. It’s too bad a “fact check” article isn’t written about more books.
Even if “Twilight” doesn’t make my all-time favorite list, I do admire Stephenie Meyer, and I’m so happy for her success. Although she was on “Oprah” Friday (which I didn’t know until after the fact or I would have given you a heads up), I chose to post the above clip, from “Ellen,” because Meyer is a little more relaxed. I think it aired about a year ago.
I truly admire her vivid imagination and the fact that she took a dream and built an entire story around it.
I’m also impressed that when she first started writing what has turned into a saga, she was writing only for herself. She was telling herself a story and only later realized that it was, in her words, “long enough to be a book.” Plus, I’m impressed with anyone who can write a coherent sentence when they are staying at home with children under 5. I’ve been there, and it’s hard some days to piece together a complete thought, much less a paragraph. In her case, she wrote the whole first book when her boys were 5, 2 and 1.
And maybe that’s why I admire her – I can relate to her. She said she felt as if she had lost herself at points during those years when her children were small, and I remember that feeling. By writing “Twilight,” she rediscovered the joy of a good story (this was even before it was slated for publication) and revived that little part of herself, and I can relate to that, too. The writing and reviving … not the wildly successful, New York Times best-selling author bit.
I am also impressed with her productivity. She wrote “Twilight” in three months. (Maybe I’m not making good use of my time.) And it took just more than two years from the time she wrote the first sentence of “Twilight” and when it first appeared in bookstores. Then she wrote four more books, three in the series and “The Host,” all in less than five years.
About two years ago, she says her husband retired, and he is enjoying spending time with their boys. She is only in her mid-30s. I’m delighted, and only a wee bit jealous, that she has forged a writing career that is off the charts successful. I know such success is scarce, but as a writer, it’s always fun to dream and admire those that make it.
