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What I’m Reading: Ø
Hope you
enjoy and find some good reads & check out the
links below. February 2010—I’ve been laid our with
bronchitis, so besides watching too many movies, I’ve read a few novels
for fun. Stayed away from the second-hand store this time so I wouldn’t
get repeats. Have you learned to check the copyright dates at the mega
stores? Those aren’t all new releases! And I’m not reviewing all
the magazines I read each month. Only if there’s an especially exciting
article. However, I continue to recommend The Writer, Writer’s
Digest, National Geographic, and National Geographic Traveler. The Little
Death, by P.J. Parrish. Nicely plotted. Some
rather kinky turns in the bedroom. Kept me going to the end. Plum
Spooky, Janet Evanovich. I can always depend on Stephanie Plum for a
laugh-out-loud experience. I only wish the stories were longer. The
characters and events are beyond belief, but that’s part of the fun. Fractured, by Karin
Slaughter. Haven’t read one of her books in a while. The story’s
got a good solid hook right at the start. The cover blurb has you wondering
whether the mother really killed her daughter’s attacker with her bare
hands or not. Piece by piece the events up to that moment become clear. The
detectives have to determine who’s been victimized and who committed
what crime. When they finally figure out the who’s,
they still have to prove it. Excellent story-telling. Daddy’s Little
Girl, by Mary Higgins Clark. Clark mentions this is her first attempt to write a
novel in first person. Part One, the first five chapters, deviate from that
with an omniscient account of a murder committed twenty-three years earlier. For
the remainder of the novel, she uses first person for the voice of the young
sister of the victim, now grown and full of anger and guilt. Using first
person limits what the reader can know to what the speaker knows. That
eliminates a major tool for suspense that Clark used very effectively in her
first novels, which let the reader slip into the villain’s viewpoint
now and then while the victim carried on unaware of the danger. The result is
a novel that is more a character study of the impact of a crime on the
survivors than a true suspense novel. It was well written, just not what I
expect from this writer. January 2010—Focused on writing this month, but I did read my
regular magazines, at least parts of them, and I made a trip to the used book
store down the street to look for books for my reluctant-reader students. I
found some for them, but what I read were a few I picked up, then realized I’d read them already when I got home
and curled up with them. The good thing about that is the reading went faster
and I got back to work! Plus it’s good for studying plot and character
development. Mystic
River, by Dennis Lehane.
Couldn’t remember whether I’d read it until I got into it, but it
was worth the re-read. I kept seeing and hearing Kevin Bacon in his role as
Sean Devine, but the book gives a lot more depth to the characters than a
movie can. The Vision, by Dean Koontz.
Picked this up at the second hand store and realized quickly that it was a
re-read, but I enjoy looking for the details that foreshadow the end. Cold Fire, by Dean Koontz. Ditto. December 2009—E Gads! I know I read some books this month, but not
many with the holidays and working on my own writing. I grabbed a Janet Evanovich one weekend when I needed to laugh. I think it
was 13, but it could have been 11. I did read magazines. National Geographic, October 2009 issue. Especially taken with the
article on Redwoods. Also covered: Bryde’s
Whales, Indonesia, a different look at the Sahara Desert, and a Diamond
Shipwreck. National
Geographic Traveler, January/February
2010 issue. Why I have wanderlust. November 2009—Interesting month. I read several romance novels prior
to writing the beginning of one for a contest, a Koontz novel that made me
weep, and a J.D. Robb novel I don’t remember a week later… ? by Death, by
J.D. Robb. While I read it, I enjoyed it, but I simply don’t remember
the title or much of the story! Possibly because I read it in bits and pieces
while visiting with family over Thanksgiving week. I prefer sinking into a
novel. Your Heart
Belongs to Me, by Dean Koontz.
Really, the tears poured out of me at the end of this novel. Harlequin
Presents: Novels by Abby Green,
Marion Lennox, Kate Hewitt, Jennie Lucas, Carole Mortimer, Miranda Lee. Sorry to lump them all
together, but I read several to get a feel for the current market. While each
story was unique, there were underlying patterns that I’d expect to
follow to write in the genre. And while at first I wasn’t sure I could
write the same kind of scenes, it ended up being fun! Read bits and pieces of
several different magazines as well: The Writer, National Geographic, Ode, AARP Magazine. October 2009—Well, polished the screenplay for Michael Dolan McCarthy this
month as well as getting some other aspects of my writing organized better,
so I just did a little recreational reading. My writing magazines are piling
up! Unseen, by Nancy Bush. A quick read. I did have the twist
figured out early in the book. Black Widow, by Randy White. If you like James Bond
you’ll probably like the style. I don’t. Bloodborn, by
Kathryn Fox. She’s obviously done a lot of research on rape and sexual
assault. At times it’s presented too obviously for a fictional work. I
found the story depressingly realistic, and that made me realize some of my
work probably has the same effect. Therefore, I’m looking at doing some
lighter long projects. Where
There’s Fire, by Maureen McKade. A quick read. Left me neutral. National Geographic, August 2009 & September 2009. So this is my main
means of connecting with the rest of the world. The article I found most
interesting was in September’s issue: “Plugging into the
Sun” describes (and of course has outstanding photos of) the different
ways solar energy is being used in different countries. September 2009—I gave myself this month to get the teaching job
under control without jumping on myself for not doing enough writing, so I
finished quite a bit of reading at the end of the days. You can tell I prefer
thrillers. This month’s selection included several with endings that
surprised me, which is highly unusual and cause for a re-read to see how they
slipped in the details I apparently missed. I don’t think they were
guilty of deux ex machina. Black Out, by Lisa Unger. Excellent psychological suspense
novel. The author structured the telling of the story in such a way that it
brings the reader inside the mental instability of the main character,
leaving both reader and character uncertain what is real and what is not. A
keeper that will be re-read for learning purposes. It Only
Takes a Moment, by Mary Jane
Clark. She led me astray and I didn’t figure out the ending. I’ll
probably re-read it to make sure she didn’t cheat, but from a quick
scan, I think she handled the scenes deftly to mislead the reader. Say
Goodbye, by Lisa Gardner. This
is another I’ll have to re-read to examine the plot construction and
delivery of details, because there were elements in the ending that I
didn’t see coming. The Bodies
Left Behind, by Jeffery Deaver. This novel has the same problem I have to fix in Michael Dolan McCarthy—there’s
way too much attention to detail in a journey and it makes the story DRAG.
Besides which, he had his characters worried about the perils of berry bushes
while they were being stalked by killers. Must be a city boy. However, he did
have a well-supported twist at the end that I hadn’t anticipated. He
let his main character be duped as well and berate herself
for missing all the signs, so I know they were all there without re-reading.
My only question is whether the dragging in the middle helped bore me enough
to miss the essential clues. It may have been deliberate. Therapy, Jonathan Kellerman. I
have a feeling I read this before, and I should have put it down. Way too
much talking between the protagonist and his supporting character about how
it might turn out. Got the feeling the author was trying to decide who done
it himself. The Writer September 2009 This issue was geared more
to non-fiction writers, but did give me several additions to my “to
read” list and a couple smaller publishers that might be willing to
look at my work. August 2009—I’ve been reading novels at the end of the day when I’m
too exhausted to do anything else. Left my TV in storage, so all I have to do
is resist renting movies and limit theater visits. Runaways, V.C. Andrews. I picked this up at a second-hand
bookstore near my new apartment because of the title (which is so close to my
Running Away) and because it had a tape with it that might help a challenged
reader at school. Now, V.C. Andrews did not write this book—her family
chose to let her name sell the work of other writers after her death. I have
issues with manipulating the purchasers that way, but if the ghost writer(s)
are being paid decently and can put it on a resume when they submit under
their own name, then it’s serving a purpose. I wouldn’t turn down
the job myself. As for this novel, the story-telling is good enough to keep a
teen reading, and I can believe the really nice people they run into because
they do hit a few rotten ones as well, but the main characters are entirely
too shockable for girls who’ve been brought
up in foster care and they come across as types instead of real people.
I’d still have it in my classroom if I had any girls in there, but
I’m hoping I did a better job of making my characters real in Running Away. Smoke
Screen, Sandra Brown. Well,
maybe it was just because I was so tired when I was reading, but she got me.
I didn’t know how the twist would go at the end. It’s billed as
suspense, but there’s a romance-novel feel to it as well. The romantic
thread develops through almost instantaneous attraction and is revealed
through the characters’ thoughts as much as their actions. Dead and
Alive, Dean Koontz. Zombies and
their cousins are not my preferred genre, but Koontz does such a nice job
writing from their point of view and making it clear they think like the
movie versions move. He’s also crafted the story nicely to flow from
one point of view to another. July 2009—Made a deliberate effort to get to some of the dozens of books
I’ve been meaning to read because they’ve been recommended by a
friend, author, or in an article. Wild
Indigo, Sandi Ault. Jamaica
Wild is a Bureau of Land Management agent who witnesses a death and questions
whether it was truly an accident, then is blamed for causing it herself.
Nicely maintained suspense on a backdrop of an imaginary Pueblo, which is
based on the author’s authentic research but deliberately a fictional
composite. Dog/wolf lovers will also love this novel, as her roommate is a
wolf. However, there is a dash of romance as well. The
Executioners, John D.
MacDonald. This slim suspense novel was instantly recognized as the source
for the movie Cape Fear, which was
an excellent film. I whipped right through the book to find out how closely
they matched. The psychological impact’s the same, but the
action/visuals were suitably increased for the film & everything was
updated. If it weren’t for the Freudian references, I’d have been
surprised to see the copyright was more than fifty years ago. The
Turquoise Lament, John D.
MacDonald. Almost put this one down. It was published fifteen years after The Executioners, and it’s as if
someone insisted on more description. It slowed the action, especially at the
beginning. I much preferred the earlier book. Breaking
Dawn, Stephanie Meyers. Someone
finally got the message to Meyers that Jacob and company are shape-shifters,
not werewolves, which probably pleases those who are really into werewolf and
vampire stories. Frankly, I’m reading the series because it’s
selling to my audience. I want to know why they are willing to plow through
that many pages. I think it’s because, despite flaws in detail and the
writer’s verbosity, the readers can identify with the characters and
want things to turn out okay for them, and the story keeps them in sufficient
peril to keep those pages turning. The Road, Cormac McCarthy. This is
an apocalyptic tale of a father and young son traveling alone through the
wasteland. It was a short novel, but I skimmed through the last third (at
least), wishing he’s made it a short story. I did finish it however,
because I wanted to see how the author pulled together an ending. Empire
Falls, Richard Russo. The novel
really captures the feel of a small town and the story pulled me right into
it. If you’ve always lived in the suburbs or city, it’s a glimpse
at a different life. The DVD has an excellent cast, but had to compress so
much that you probably will enjoy it more if you read the book first. The Bluest
Eye, Toni Morrison. One of the
reasons to read fiction is to understand people outside one’s immediate
experience. This novel was definitely worth reading on that account alone. As
a writer, the structure of the story telling was also fascinating. She has
one first-person narrator, who is actually witness to the central character,
and then goes into third person in various times to make all the other key
characters whole. Recommend it especially for writers. June 2009 – I’ve been too busy to read
anything but my magazines the last two months—time for a book! National Geographic May & June 2009 The June issue has
fantastic articles including: “The End of Plenty” and “The
Forgotten Faithful”. The latter is about the Arab Christians…
remember where Christianity started? The May issue has articles on turning
urban roofs into green zones and about how close we are to cloning a
mammoth…should we? There were plenty of other articles in both issues,
of course. These are the ones that were most interesting to me. The Writer July 2009 This issue focused on
making a living as a freelancer in a tough economy, with several articles
giving suggestions. There were also articles on the value of a conference
critique, remembering to use non-web research, an interview with Alice
Hoffman, and lots more. I’m letting my subscription expire only because
I’m not sure what my address will be. May 2009 The Writer June 2009 More on e-books, markets, and
contests. Ways to live and write abroad. A lovely article by Ken Follett
noting that good literature and commercial fiction have not always been
separate entities. Nine Questions for
Self-Publishers, by Lisa Safran, and how to
write for college magazines. And these were just the articles that grabbed my
interest. The Writer May 2009 There were several articles
on making a living as a writer, the new trend of “book trailers”
similar to movie trailers, and some encouragement to write and publish
e-books. As always, this is best for non-fiction unless you have or are
developing a base of readers. I reviewed my notes in: Straczynski’s Scriptwriting,
Field’s Screenplay, and
Successful
Scriptwriting by Wolff & Cox. I also read a young adult
fantasy manuscript and gave detailed notes to the author—a colleague I
met at a conference. April 2009 The Writer April 2009 It’s important to
keep working on your craft, so I’m happy to say I’m actually
keeping up with my professional reading! About a third of the pages in this
issue ended up folded in half, which means I’m going to go back and add
notes from those pages to my files, or rip out entire articles for filing, or
add websites to my “to visit” list. This month, the majority of
the articles were about how to “Get Connected, Get Published” and
included excellent “Tips on finding the right writers conference”
by Jennifer McCord. Then, in keeping with that theme, the Markets section was
devoted to Conferences this month. One of the reasons I like this magazine is
that they regularly work on a theme and connect advice with practical
information. Eclipse, Stephanie
Meyer I was relieved that the heroine
is finally having some doubts or at least realizing what she’s planning
on sacrificing by becoming a vampire. I’ll probably read the next
because, of course, I’m hoping the under “dog” wins the
girl in the end. National Geographic April 2009 Actually read it the month
it came, cover to cover! Since I’m living in Arizona, the articles
about the Australian drought and the changing patterns of rainfall worldwide
pulled me in quickly. “Vanishing Amphibians” was more frightening
than Stephen King’s stories. And I now know about the resurrection of
religion in Russia and Egypt’s female king. Timeline, Michael
Crichton Thought I’d missed
this one, until I started reading it at home. Then I compulsively skimmed
through it to remember how the story developed and ended. What I’ll
miss is Crichton’s research and bibliographies. The introductory
discussion “Science at the End of the Century” drew credible
parallels and the scientific references at the end of this novel are on my
reading list, along with another hundred books. Everything’s
Eventual, 14 Dark Tales, Stephen King I suspect Mr. King and I
read some of the same books as kids: Twilight Zone collections, the complete
Sherlock Holmes, a collection of medical investigations (12? Blue Men), O.
Henry, horse stories, dog stories, and scads of others. Short story
collections were common. I still prefer reading a story in one
sitting—when it’s a novel length, I set aside a few days of down
time and snarl at anyone who interrupts. Hopefully the advent of online
outlets for short stories will help generate enough sales to get the
traditional publishers to risk more anthologies. As for this collection, my
favorites are Autopsy Room Four (though I’d tweak the ending), The Man
in the Black Suit, and The Road Virus Heads North. However, reading them at
bedtime on the edge of wilderness was probably not my best idea. March 2009 Writer’s Digest, August
2008 issue Soon I’ll be revising
my screenplay of Running Away and
writing one for Michael Dolan McCarthy,
so when I saw “Screenwriting” on the cover, I borrowed this
issue from the library. This series of articles on screenwriting reminded me
of things I already knew, but helped me get into screenwriting mode.
I’ll also be skimming through all the notes and books I have on
screenwriting before beginning my task. (I’ve been alternating
subscriptions between Writer’s Digest and
The Writer; when finances improve, I’ll be
getting both so I can cannibalize the pages.) The Forester’s Log, Mary Stuever Mary’s naturalist parents
supported her solo trek of the continental divide as a teenager. She
completed a degree in forestry and has worked for over twenty years as a
forester in many capacities. A few samples: fire-fighter, developer of
educational programs, and five years as leader of the White Mountain Apache
efforts to rehabilitate their forests after the Rodeo-Chediski
Fire (over half of the 500,000 acres burned were on the reservation). She
also published a monthly log during that time. This book is a selection of
those essays, grouped into five chapters: Fire, Forestry, Burn Area
Rehabilitation, Environmental Education, and Recreation. A good read for
naturalists, those interested in creating a sustainable environment or
developing environmental education programs, and any girl/woman looking for
alternative role models. Her poetically detailed
descriptions of the forest make me realize how much I don’t see. The Wealthy
Writer, Michael Meanwell An excellent resource for
anyone who would like to make a good living writing. While the advice is
geared for commercial writing, much of it is also applicable to those who
only write fiction, as you still need to set up as a business, handle
contacts, build a website, and sell your work. February 2009 Caught up on a stack of
back issues. If you are a writer and have never looked at this magazine,
check it out. Water for
Elephants, Sara Gruen One of the best pieces of
fiction I’ve read lately. The author researched traveling circuses
circa the 1930’s and used those details to bring her fictional account
alive. Anyone who’s wanted to be in a circus will find it fascinating.
She also did a wonderful job with her elderly male narrator, going between
his clear memories and his less certain present. Available most everywhere. This book literally made me
laugh out loud, as I knew it would. Whenever I need a break from work and/or
worry, I know I can escape with one of Janet’s Stephanie Plum stories.
The website is a fun place for fans, too. Her books are everywhere. January, 2009 Twilight and New Moon, Stephanie Meyer Checked out this series
that’s so popular with young adults, and I can understand why.
There’s a neat mix of everyday teen detail mixed with the vampire and
werewolf aspects. The characters interact realistically. It’s a quick
read. However, I share the vampire boyfriend’s concern that the
heroine’s sacrificial desire to give up her life to be with him forever
is unhealthy. It hits me as a throwback to the pre-liberation concept of a
woman’s place. Hopefully, that’s not what teenagers are getting from
it. You know you can find these books. Caught up on back issues.
What I love about this magazine is that they carry stories about research
months, sometimes years, before it hits headlines as if it were new
information. Well, I also love the pictures and the glimpses it gives into
other ways of living and the way it tickles my adventurer’s bone to go
do new things and see new places. |