GalleyCat provides a cool report and photos from the LA Times Festival of Books (including a shot of one of my very favorite writers, Walter Mosley).
All that plus not just one, but two reports from the festival by Sarah Weinman in her blog, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind, and you almost feel like you're there.
Speaking of events, I'm off to another one this weekend. This one is the Association of Independent Information Professionals' annual conference.
So, even though it's only Wednesday, I shall wish you all a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Bookstores Beware!
In a development that can only be described as bizarre, the LA Times reports that several local bookstore owners are being targeted by scam artists who call them up, pretend to be an author and try to get the store owners to send them money after relating some made-up tale of woe.
In an age of rampant identity theft and hoax emails, it's not too surprising that other cons are being attempted. But of all businesses to pick on--they choose bookstores?
But then, I suppose it is easier to call a bookstore and try to convince the owner you're Walter Mosley than it is to call a Hollywood producer and convince him or her that you're Brad Pitt. Or the San Francisco Giants' front office, pretending to be Barry Bonds. And who would believe those guys needed money wired to them, anyhow?
In an age of rampant identity theft and hoax emails, it's not too surprising that other cons are being attempted. But of all businesses to pick on--they choose bookstores?
But then, I suppose it is easier to call a bookstore and try to convince the owner you're Walter Mosley than it is to call a Hollywood producer and convince him or her that you're Brad Pitt. Or the San Francisco Giants' front office, pretending to be Barry Bonds. And who would believe those guys needed money wired to them, anyhow?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Review: The Hitchhikers Guide to Holistic Detecting
I've been wanting to read DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY, as a big fan of detective novels and author Douglas Adams' HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE series, for some time. Having finally gotten 'round to reading it, I will say this.
The novel starts a bit shakily, but soon draws you in as you see Richard, the hapless computer geek protagonist, end up being sought by police in connection with a murder. Through a series of odd events, Richard is led to the offices of Dirk Gently (aka Svlad Cjelli, but let's not get into all that, shall we?), who helps get to the bottom of things (which are far stranger and darker than Richard can imagine them to be) by, among other things, questioning Richard's eccentric old university professor. Gently then goes on to save the human race from extinction.
How does the murder connect with the professor and the extinction of humankind? To say more would be to say way too much. Just know that the story has the usual mix of Adams' surreal situations, satire and absurd humor, only with a dark edge that creates tension toward the end, but resolves in rather a muddle. It also includes quite a bit of computer-oriented and math/science speak that may put off some readers.
I liked it, but I'm an Adams fan. And would recommend the book for other fans.
It's a bit of fun, really. And mostly harmless.
The novel starts a bit shakily, but soon draws you in as you see Richard, the hapless computer geek protagonist, end up being sought by police in connection with a murder. Through a series of odd events, Richard is led to the offices of Dirk Gently (aka Svlad Cjelli, but let's not get into all that, shall we?), who helps get to the bottom of things (which are far stranger and darker than Richard can imagine them to be) by, among other things, questioning Richard's eccentric old university professor. Gently then goes on to save the human race from extinction.
How does the murder connect with the professor and the extinction of humankind? To say more would be to say way too much. Just know that the story has the usual mix of Adams' surreal situations, satire and absurd humor, only with a dark edge that creates tension toward the end, but resolves in rather a muddle. It also includes quite a bit of computer-oriented and math/science speak that may put off some readers.
I liked it, but I'm an Adams fan. And would recommend the book for other fans.
It's a bit of fun, really. And mostly harmless.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
You saw the yellow butterfly, didn't you? , Singleton 2008 outsider hippie art
You saw the yellow butterfly, didn't you?(c) Singleton 2008"I've never noticed them before"you said....Sunday walking,drenched in daybeerslooking at your feet,stumbling on your words,counting cracks that mightbreak your Mother's back....."They're everywhere"you whispered....on borrowed minutes,sneak peeking backwards,crawling in betweenthe sheets ofthen,long arms andlegsstretchingreaching"Peace~
Out of Office, In the Money
Who couldn't see this one coming? But $350,000 for a tell-all book . . . are that many people really that interested in hearing it all?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Three Days at the London Book Fair
the carnival of Book Expo America; more like an accountancy seminar."
And speaking of things literary, I'll be taking some time off from blogging duties to attend Malice Domestic, a mystery writers' convention. Have a great weekend!
And speaking of things literary, I'll be taking some time off from blogging duties to attend Malice Domestic, a mystery writers' convention. Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sex and Literary Fiction
Descriptions of kinky sex and lurid covers aren't just for romance novels and erotica anymore.
First-time author Melanie Abrams' recently published novel PLAYING is described as "[p]art erotica, part chick or mommy lit, part memoir-mimicking confession of childhood sexuality and trauma," and has a cover featuring a tied-up blonde laying on "sensually rumpled burgundy satin sheets."
Abrams is not alone, either. The article notes, "Tom Wolfe indulgently explored coed hookup culture in 'I Am Charlotte Simmons.' Walter Mosley's 'sexistential novel,' 'Killing Johnny Fry,' starts with sodomy and gets dirtier and darker from there. Later this year, Chuck Palahniuk will publish 'Snuff,' about a female porn star's attempt at a record for most sex partners in one day, partially told from the perspective of participant No. 600."
Even the romance genre is getting edgier, they say. (Though don't tell that to the Christian romance writers, in whose work "bodices remain resolutely un-ripped and couples politely shake hands on the ladies' doorsteps after a night on the town.")
But, of course, controversial sex in literature isn't really all that new, is it? Remember LOLITA or LADY CHATTERLY'S LOVER. It's pretty much a question of degree.
First-time author Melanie Abrams' recently published novel PLAYING is described as "[p]art erotica, part chick or mommy lit, part memoir-mimicking confession of childhood sexuality and trauma," and has a cover featuring a tied-up blonde laying on "sensually rumpled burgundy satin sheets."
Abrams is not alone, either. The article notes, "Tom Wolfe indulgently explored coed hookup culture in 'I Am Charlotte Simmons.' Walter Mosley's 'sexistential novel,' 'Killing Johnny Fry,' starts with sodomy and gets dirtier and darker from there. Later this year, Chuck Palahniuk will publish 'Snuff,' about a female porn star's attempt at a record for most sex partners in one day, partially told from the perspective of participant No. 600."
Even the romance genre is getting edgier, they say. (Though don't tell that to the Christian romance writers, in whose work "bodices remain resolutely un-ripped and couples politely shake hands on the ladies' doorsteps after a night on the town.")
But, of course, controversial sex in literature isn't really all that new, is it? Remember LOLITA or LADY CHATTERLY'S LOVER. It's pretty much a question of degree.
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