1. There are certain things I just do. Every fall I go to Woody Allen's latest. Every winter I buy one really nice cashmere sweater in a classic style I can hold onto forever. And every time John Irving comes out with a novel I break the bank to buy it in hardcover. Right now I have my hot little hands on Last Night in Twisted River. I can't even review it because when it comes to Irving, I'm completely biased, a squeely fangirl of epic proportions. I'll just embarrass myself. If I haven't already.
2. Plant your garlic. Now is the time.
3. My oldest boy is dressing up as a hobo this Halloween, so, after a lot of dithering, I decided to go as a gypsy (Get it, Mad Men fans?). I bought a long black wig and a crystal ball. The party should be a blast--thanks for all your recipes! My friends will be well-fed!
4. Book clubs are popping up everywhere. What could be better than sitting around someone's living room, sipping wine and talking about books? I mean, seriously. EVERYONE I know has joined a book club. Our local library reserves five very large shelves just for clubs in our neighborhood. I LOVE this. It's good for people, communities AND the publishing industry. I walked into Borders the other day and saw an awesome endcap displaying Penguin's meatier titles for YA, along with book club discussion guides for each title. Nicely done, Penguin!
5. I finished The Hunger Games last night. Now I understand why everyone would freak out when I said I hadn't read it. For anyone aspiring to write YA, this book is like a graduate level seminar. Characterization, pacing, symbolism, thematic exploration--it's all done brilliantly in one very un-put-downable package.
Anyhew, have the happiest of Halloweens! I hope you get loads of candy...and no rocks!
So glad you read The Hunger Games... are you on to Catching Fire yet? If not, get ready for some intense reading.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Halloween!
Dee-I'm going to pick up CF today. I CAN'T wait!
ReplyDeleteOh, the gypsy and the hobo. Love it! You are so symbolic.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne Collins is a genius, right? I comfort myself with the fact that she didn't debut with The Hunger Games. Surely that kind of writing takes practice.
Oh, my, I can't wait to see you as the gypsy and hobo!! And what a good idea with the cashmere sweater a year. Can you believe I don't even have one? Where do you recommend shopping for one?
ReplyDeleteLiLa--That's a good way to look at it.
ReplyDeleteAlexa--Banana Republic used to have beautiful cashmere. Now I'm not so sure. I would not recommend J. Crew--not worth the cash. You can find some great deals at TJ Maxx and Nordstrom's Rack, though.
I haven't read John Irving, but I *have* read The Hunger Games. It's amazing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've always wanted to be in a book club. (Are you in one?) I tried to start one in high school. Only my best friend came. And she left about five minutes later.
If you've never read John Irving, Sarah, then I'd recommend starting with The World According to Garp.
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, I'm not in a bookclub, though it seems every single one of my friends has either started or joined one. I've been asked, but I'm afraid. When people find out I teach literature courses for a living, they tend to clam up. And then, sometimes, if I'm really passionate about a book, I CAN'T shut up, essentially shutting everyone else down, though I don't mean to. So, no book club for me. Maybe we should start one online? I belong to goodreads, but sometimes that's just a little overwhelming.
The World According to Garp. Got it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a member of Goodreads but I'd be all for starting a book club online!
Sarah, I'd love to hear what you think of Garp when you're done. I don't think anyone still writes novels like Irving used to (and maybe Irving doesn't anymore either--I'm not too far into Twisted River so I can't tell).
ReplyDeleteHmmm...maybe a 2010 online books club? (When everyone is done with NaNoWriMo.)