Archive for December, 2009

Quote of the week

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

GonewithWindI was finally able to start “Gone With the Wind,” and although I’m far from my 20 pages per day goal, I am already interested in the story.

I’ve read two chapters, or 39 pages to be exact, and this is what I’ve learned so far:

1. I don’t like Scarlett.

2. Or the Tarleton twins.

3. Jeems is the smartest and most likable character.

Quote of the week goes to the Tarleton twins’ mother. She does not like Scarlett and is especially unhappy that both of her boys claim to be in love with the spoiled Southern belle.

“‘It will serve you right if that sly piece does accept one of you,’ she said. ‘Or maybe she’ll accept both of you, and then you’ll have to move to Utah, if the Mormons’ll have you – which I doubt … All that bothers me is that some of these days you’re both going to get lickered up and jealous of each other about that two-faced, green-eyed baggage, and you’ll shoot each other. But that might not be a bad idea either.’”

Now that’s a hardcore mom. (Phrase coined by my 6-year-old.)

E-books top the real deal

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

I just heard last night that Amazon sold more e-books on Christmas Day than real books. At first I was truly surprised, but after about five seconds of thought, I realized they obviously sold more because so many people received a Kindle for Christmas. And those excited recipients wanted to download several books so they could check out their new devices.

“E-Books Beat Regular Books on Xmas” at InformationWeek also says Kindle is the most gifted item ever on Amazon. While its popularity is skyrocketing, The Business Insider says Amazon hasn’t yet ironed out the economic issues associated with the Kindle. In the article, “Kindle Milestone: Amazon Sold More Kindle Books Than Physical Books On Xmas,” it says the company loses about $1 per Kindle book because it loses money on new releases and makes only a small amount on older titles.

I have no idea how much they make on the actual devices. I guess it could be enough to balance out the loss on the books.

Tech Dirt says the fact that Amazon sold more e-books than regular books on Christmas Day is meaningless, and it says that purchasing an e-book is more like renting a book because Amazon can make the e-book disappear from your Kindle. (Although the company has promised not to do this again, it is possible.)

Apparently, Sony’s e-readers and Barnes and Noble’s nook were also popular gifts this year because their sites were down Christmas Day, swamped by the overwhelming number of requested downloads.

I can vouch for the increased popularity of electronic reading devices. Although I don’t have one myself, I’ve seen it go from an expensive novelty to a “must-have” device in my circle of friends. When it came out in 2007, I knew one person who owned one, but now I’d guess that 1/4 of my book club friends have one or they enjoy the iPhone app.

I’m not totally convinced I need one yet, but I am intrigued. I have only heard rave reviews from my Kindle-owning friends, so it’s probably just a matter of time. I also snubbed facebook in the beginning and promised myself I would never tweet before finally caving to the cultural pressure. I even remember thinking, ‘Will I really use this BlackBerry?’

I guess there’s no use in making promises I can’t keep about the Kindle.


Arts and Letters Live

Monday, December 28th, 2009

ArtsandLettersThe Dallas Museum of Art hosts Arts and Letters Live every year, and tickets for the 2010 season are now available.

If you’re not familiar with the series, the museum’s web site describes it like this:  ”Arts & Letters Live is a literary and performing arts series for all ages at the Dallas Museum of Art that features award-winning authors and actors of regional, national, and international acclaim. The series is recognized for its creative multidisciplinary programming, combining literature with visual arts, music, and film and for commissioning new work from musicians, dancers, and poets, inspired by works of art in the Museum’s collections and exhibitions.”

As I flipped through the virtual brochure, I have to admit I was giddy at the thought of being able to see some of these authors in our own backyard. Here’s just a sample of participating authors and illustrators:

  • David Wroblewski, author of “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” which is described as a new coming of age story. It was an Oprah’s book club selection in 2008, and although I haven’t read it yet, it’s on my list. He’s coming Jan. 21, though, so I better hurry. This could interfere with “Gone With the Wind” … just kidding, book club friends.
  • Jan Brett, illustrator and author with 34 million books in print. Her work is instantly recognizable, and you may remember it from “The Mitten” or “The Three Snow Bears.” You’ll get a sneak peek at her newest book, ”The Easter Egg.”
  • David Sedaris – is an explanation of his identity really necessary? Perhaps the most well-known satirist ever, he will read from new and unpublished material, and I have a feeling tickets will go fast for this one. Even if you’ve never read his work you’ll recognize titles like “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”, “Holidays on Ice” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.” will read from new and unpublished material.
  • Isabel Allende, author of “Daughter of Fortune” and “Portrait in Sepia,” among others. She is a best-seller in multiple continents, and her books have been published in 27 languages. She was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2004. Her newest book, “Island Beneath the Sea,” will be released in April before her appearance at Arts and Letters in May.
  • Ira Glass, host of “This American Life,” which can be heard on public radio. He has been named the “Best Radio Show Host in America” by Time magazine, and each week his show draws 1.7 million listeners. He is a master storyteller, and I was lucky enough to hear him speak last summer at the Mayborn Conference. His approach to storytelling is insightful, and my face hurt afterward from a mesmerized smile and occasional burst of laughter.

These are just a few names that jumped out at me while browsing the web site, but of course, you will find others that pique your interest. Tickets can be purchased here, and subscriptions, which allow you to buy ticket packages, can be purchased through Jan. 21. ”

It promises to be inspiring!

Quote of the week

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

BestXmasPageant2

Our family is still reading “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” and we should finish it tomorrow, Christmas Eve. And of everything I’ve read this week, this little gem is still providing the funniest, most entertaining quotes. I did upload a different cover today … for a change of pace. :)

This is from last night, chapter 5, and Mother needs a real, live baby to play baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant.

“Mother had called everybody she knew, trying to scratch up a baby, but the closest she came was Bernice Watrous, who kept foster babies all the time.

“‘I’ve got a darling little boy right now,’ Bernice told Mother. ‘He’s three months old, and so good I hardly know he’s in the house. He’d be wonderful. Of course, he’s Chinese. Does that matter?’”

G-g-g-gone With the Wind

Monday, December 21st, 2009

GonewithWind“Gone With the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell has me shaking in my shoes. It’s sitting on the end table in my living room, mocking me.

I have exactly 46 days to read it for book club. 46 days. JUST 46 DAYS!

It’s not the content that intimidates me. It’s the page count. The copy I’ve borrowed is 1,037 pages. And each page is filled with tiny text, squished together.

We meet Thursday, Feb. 4, so that means if I start today and read 22 1/2 pages every day, including holidays and the day of the meeting, I can finish. That doesn’t sound like much, right? But lately, I’ve been struggling to get done what is required of me every day as a wife, mom and writer, much less anything else.

Some book club members have already thrown up their hands, said they’re not going to read it. Another friend has been searching for an affordable version of the audiobook, but it’s like $200 – for the cassettes. Who listens to cassettes anymore?

I guess there’s nothing left to do but get started. I’ll document my progress here, or bemoan my lack thereof, so check back often.

Here goes … “Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm …”

Quote of the week

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

best-christmas-pageant-ever

The family just finished chapter 3 of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” and the quote of the week is from Imogene Herdman’s threats against Alice Wendleken. Imogene wants to be Mary in the pageant,and she is threatening Alice so Alice won’t volunteer for the part.

“And next spring,” Imogene went on, squinching up her eyes, “when the pussy willows come out, I’ll stick a pussy willow so far down your ear that nobody can reach it – and it’ll sprout there, and it’ll grow and grow, and you’ll spend the rest of your life with a pussy-willow bush growing out your ear.”

Meet Elfie Elf

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

In case you missed Elfie Elf at the Decatur library last week, check out these photos by Joe Duty. Little ones were mesmerized by the magic of Christmas.

Share in the excitement

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Check it out. Roxie Poe, of Decatur, illustrated “King Neptune’s Rodeo at MiMi’s Marine Arena,” and it’s now for sale at blurb.com.

The book, written by Betty Ann Davis, is a 42-page, hardcover storybook. You can view several pages of this whimsical story and order it here.  It takes a few seconds to load, so be patient!

Roxie is a longtime friend who teaches art and art history at Northwest High School. Current and former Alvord Bulldogs may remember her teaching English and art at AHS in the 1990s. When she’s not teaching, she is actually creating artwork and spent her summer working on the King Neptune illustrations.

She also paints and makes pottery  and sells her work at Main Street Home and Gardens in Decatur and galleries in the Metroplex.

Gifts for readers, part 2

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Christmas is only 13 days away, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to hit that shopping list hard. I’ve posted a few more literary gifts that are sure to please the bookworms on your list.

Alice in Wonderland playing cards

Alicecards They make playing cards with Disney princesses, Star Wars characters and even Littlest Pet Shop figures, but these might be a little more appealing to adults on your list. And at $10, they make a unique stocking stuffer.

They are described on The Reader’s Catalog web site as “beautiful playing cards with quotes and illustrations on every card. Every card features a quote from Lewis Carroll’s original “Alice in Wonderland” tale or his companion book, “Through the Looking-Glass,” with the full-color artwork of famous English illustrator Sir John Tenniel as featured in the classic original first edition.

The text on these cards by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) has delighted children and the literary elite for over a century. Sir John Tenniel (1820-1914) is one of the most famous illustrators in English literature. Each deck contains 54 cards with a blue back. 3.5″ x 2.25″.”

Mark Twain Bookplates

TwainBookplatesI’ve always had a fascination for bookplates and longed to have a beautiful set for my own books. These are sold by The Reader’s Catalog and is a classic choice.

As described on the web site, they are “based on the design of the cover of the first edition of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” published in 1876, in the collection of The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Conn.”

The web site also says “a portion of the proceeds of the sale of these bookplates benefits the education programs and ongoing preservation of this National Historic Landmark.” They are printed in black and gold on Nile blue stock. There are 25 bookplates per pack.

You’ll also find a variety of design choices at www.bookplates.com. They are a little pricey. The minimum order is 125 plates for $90, but they do come with your name printed on them. Barnes and Noble also offers a pretty good variety of bookplates that are much more affordable – you just write your own name on each one. B&N also sells clip art so that you can design your own.

The Literary Garden

GardeningBookAnyone who loves to read and has an interest in gardening would probably enjoy this book. It’s similar to The Book Lover’s Cookbook I mentioned in a post earlier this week, but instead of featuring recipes, it gives step-by-step instructions on how to recreate gardens made famous by literary works.

The description on Amazon says the garden plans are accompanied by excerpts from the works of

A practical step-by-step guide accompanies excerpts from the works of Louisa May Alcott, Ivan Turgenev, Carl Sandburg, D. H. Lawrence, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Charlotte Brontë, Thomas Hardy, Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Victor Hugo, and others.

Twilight Barbie dolls

twilight-barbiesTwilight fans are hardcore, so if there’s one on your shopping list, these dolls might be just the thing to make their holidays merry and bright.

Team Jacob fans are sure to be giddy about the new doll, which is, of course, shirtless. You can pre-order the Jacob doll, and it will be shipped in January.

The Bella and Edward dolls are available now, but I’m guessing a real fan would want all three!

To me, Edward’s doll looks a little “off,” but that’s probably a discussion for a different day.

Happy shopping!

Quote of the week

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

best-christmas-pageant-everI decided that once a week I’ll share a favorite quote from something I’ve recently read. Last night we read the first chapter of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with the kids. Hilarious. If you haven’t read the book, you may remember the movie circa 1980-something.

Anyway, my quote of the week is …

“My friend Alice Wendleken was so nasty-clean that she had detergent hands by the time she was four years old.”

chapter 1, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson