Looking for Noir? Try 'Bangkok Noir' for the Kids

First of all, just so I'm clear, this isn't a review of the short story collection BANGKOK NOIR.

However, I wanted to tell you about the book, because (like I said here) I thought it was important to do so.

The thing is half the royalties from sales will go toward charities that work with Bangkok’s poorest kids. These are children who live in poverty that most people living in industrialized nations can't even begin to imagine.

If you'd like more details, please check out Timothy Hallinan's blog, where I found out about this project.

I've already downloaded my own copy, and fully intend to read it. So be on the lookout for a possible review to follow, at a time to be determined.

A New Audiobook is Born!

Although I tend to blog a lot about ebooks because I publish my work in that format and make most of my money off them, I still publish my work in other formats, as well. Other formats being limited to print, up until now. However, that changed yesterday!

My first novel the New York Times bestseller (have I mentioned that enough times? lol) IDENTITY CRISIS has been released as an audiobook through Perfect Voices! Check out the awesome cover!

You can order it right now at Crossroad Press or SpringBrook Digital. You can also listen to a sample of the awesome reading done by the amazing Melba Sibrel on both sites. Do check it out — I don't think I could’ve picked a better reader for my book — seriously!

And be on the lookout for the audio version of the book to pop up on Amazon eventually. I'll let you know when that happens. Natch! :)

Bamboo Fence Styles | Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

In prior years, you may purchase, construction or installation of a bamboo fence tropical flare to your backyard. However, in the past season may be this time, tan or silver-gray weathered cedar fence, maybe this new "worn in" color does not match your views on the theme of the island. Do not worry, bamboo can be easily restored to near its original color and a few simple steps.

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

Bamboo Fence Design Pictures

First, it does not recommend staining the bamboo, until at least one season, and its morals. Cellulose fibers covered with sugar cane wax, stain or seal is not absorbed very well need to grittier texture in the stains persist. If necessary, you can use sandpaper sand the new bamboo, and then apply the stain; use sandpaper to further lower the application. After sanding, be sure to wipe clean, a nail bamboo cloth or rag.
Dyeing, dip rag or sponge the stain, seal or varnish and directly applicable in bamboo. Before the liquid dry bamboo, wipe with a clean cloth. Allow the stain dry, lightly sand the surface to prepare it for re-staining. Repeat until you like the color.

Fabric Wall Coverings

Fabric wall covering is technology, technology covering wall.When have not found one wallpaper, fabric wall covering techniques were blooming.Cloth is a medium, is quite cheap, colors, patterns varied terms, and application technology tekstur.

 

Fabric Covering Pictute

Fabric Covering Pictute

To apply the fabric wall covering, fabric can be hung on the walls of freedom, taking into account the Velcro so easily removable and washable, or caught in the wood, or service as a border, near the ceiling near the top or bottom of the adhesive layer of cloth floor.The Elements a bit stiff, thick fabric fabric covered walls give the small wall.Proceeds noise, heat insulation, an extra fabric covered walls better results than the thin fabric.

Fabric Covering Pictute

Fabric Covering Pictute

Fabric Covering Pictute

Fabric wall covering come in so many styles, colors and textures is sometimes tempting to use your wall covering every house.Fabric room is clean and simple, when it comes time to remove it, a process that requires weeks of immersion is no longer And washing time. Beautify your home can simply cover the walls with a cloth. No need to paint the walls and small bug fixes; fabric wall covering is a more economical solution.

Modern Wall Coverings Images

Wall Coverings Photo

Pink Wall Coverings Photo

Accoustic Wall Coverings Photo

White Wall Panels Coverings Photo

Luxury Wall Coverings Photo

Orange Wall Coverings Photo

Wall Coverings Photo

Woods Wall Coverings Photo

The Spirit, The Peace, The Love, Singleton Hippie Art

"Just Give Me Peace...a mantra,a song,a silly little nursery rhymeI sing~song over and over again...Searching for the moment....And then the dirt roadsopened,wandered,spilled over the roots of old treesand footsteps of ghosts before me,and led me to the River...To the dusty little heart of the Earth...And there on the banks of the Suwannee River...we gathered ....Kindred Spirits,and sister loves.

Cat Moon, Singleton Hippie Art

Cat Moon(c) Singleton 2011"It slithered,climbed,tip~toed up the live oaks,dangled from the skinniest branchesandthen satpurring,licking it's paws,lounging on the midnight blue sky above us....The Full Moonover My Wanee....""Words and Artwork (c) Singleton 2011Painted in the dappled woods of the Suwannee River, off and on, over 10 days and 9 nights of the Moon rising....painted to the disco lights

A Tempest in 'Three Cups of Tea'

Once again, we have what appears to be a true account that is allegedly not completely accurate.

When I saw this article's headline, I was a bit dismayed, because I found the book THREE CUPS OF TEA to be highly inspirational.

However, if you actually read the article you'll see the accounts being called into question don't pertain so much to the mission of Greg Mortenson's organization as how well he runs it, along with certain other aspects of his story that aren't relevant to it.

Now ... given that many people don't bother reading past the first few paragraphs of a news article. And given that none other than Jon Krakauer, who wrote the bestseller INTO THIN AIR, has stated of Mortenson's book (and I quote): "It's a beautiful story, and it's a lie."

Given all that, please read the entire story. And consider the bigger picture. Thank you.

And I'm not just saying that because I happened to like this book very much.

The First Night in the Woods

Moon over my Wanee,over my tent,over my spirit....washing me,rinsing me,readying mefor 10 days of Peace....I could have never imaginedthe magic,the moment,the movement,the music...And for once,I didn't have to pretend....

The Scariest Story Ever ...

And now, dear reader, prepare for the horrible truth. Why do people tell stories?

In the case of one person, it was to scare the living sh*t out of her sister. Read the story in Hyperbole and a Half to see how well that turned out.

BTW, thanks to grandhello for pointing this one out in the comments to this post. :)

50 Quintessential British Novels

Having previously written a post about 50 quintessential American novels, it seemed only fair to grant equal time to another country.

As it happens, I've come across an article listing 50 quintessential British novels. My, how convenient! :)

Many of my own favorites are on this list. THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE, POSSESSION, LORD OF THE RINGS, 1984 and BRAVE NEW WORLD, just to name a few. And SHERLOCK HOLMES, of course.

Incidentally, my decision to write this post has nothing to do with this rather stunning news at all.

Libraries: It's All About the Information

Here's a thought. What would you say to the notion of a library without books?

Too radical by far? Let's stop and consider for a moment. In this case, Newport Beach, CA is toying with the idea of ridding one of its library's branches of books as a cost cutting measure. Keep in mind public libraries don't usually have a lot of bucks in their budgets to throw around. So ... what to do? Particularly when (as in this case) a collection is underutilized, i.e., just sitting there and gathering dust.

Besides, libraries are really more than book repositories. They are community gathering places. Places to find information, whether it be in print or electronic databases.

Besides, what with the increasing availability of options like this, how long before a print book collection becomes too costly and cumbersome to maintain? Just wondering.

Bummer. Because I really do like print books still. Honest.

When Hippies are Little....

I saw him on Thursday,tossled hairfalling in hippie swirls,curls,sunset colored...two and a half years bigand smilingcrooked and up to something,anything,everything... Saturday his smile was jack-o-lantern huge and his little red head was pumpkin big...He flew into my arms with batman wings,legs flying wildlyand wrapped me in Love...The baby with the fresh haircut,the little pink shoulders,and

Politics and Prose: Why Community Bookstores Matter

As a reader (and even as an author) I'm a huge fan of bookstores. Particularly small independent bookstores that cater to community interests. Bookstores that become gathering places for people or "hang outs," if you will.

Recently, one DC-area independent bookstore, Politics and Prose, found a buyer. This saved it from getting shuttered. Why does this matter to someone like myself who's making a living selling ebooks like LEAST WANTED, IDENTITY CRISIS and FIVE UNEASY PIECES?

Because bookstores are about more than just the books, in my opinion. They are gathering places where people congregate and exchange rational discourse. Or as often randomly meet.

And I thought this article summed that up nicely.

Call me nuts, but I still like bookstores. Even if they won't carry my print books. :)

Moon over my Hippie, Singleton Hippie Art

Moon Over My Hippie (c) Singleton 2010 "He laughed and slid one more beer across the bartop, Clink! It was late and we were the only ones left, teetering on the rickety bar stools, falling into each other's arms on the dusty dancefloor... whispering under the Disco lights of another Hippie Moon...." Because sometimes I do carry my paints to the bar...And sometimes it's just Magic...

Faith and Begorrah, This is Brilliant

Being that I have bugger all to post here today, but not being so blinkered that everything posted here has to be a review or about books as such, you know? Point is, I'm doing something slightly (well, completely) different.

So, you'll pardon me (I hope) if I do this different thing and post a short work of fiction called Brilliant. I ran across this on Twitter, where it was posted in a tweet by @dbgrady. It's Irish and awesome and mentions Dublin. What's not to like? :)

PS: Thank you, Internet.