August 30, 2009
9:05 AM
Good morning to all of you! Last week I neglected to write a Salon post because I was traveling. I had a fantastic weekend with fellow book bloggers in Portland, Oregon (yes, we spent time at Powells!). There is another event in the works to bring together book bloggers – Trish at Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’? is organizing a Book Blogger Convention in 2010 (and coordinating it around the BEA). Don’t miss out – this looks like a fantastic event. I am already clearing my schedule!
This morning I got a late start with my blogging as I was working hard to complete my blog evaluations for Book Blogger Appreciation Week (September 14-18). I volunteered to sit on a panel to help short list nominees…and it was no easy task. The quality of the blogs for my panel was outstanding. I am looking forward to seeing all the shortlists in all the categories (shortlists are announced on September 7th when voting begins). To get updates, subscribe to the BBAW blog.
Since my last Sunday Salon post I’ve read and reviewed the following books:
- The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark (read my review) which I found to be an intriguing and captivating novel set in fifteenth century Venice.
- Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck (read my review) which did not disappoint. Steinbeck continues to be an author who consistently engages me.
My current read is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I received this book as an ARC and am finally getting to read it. The characters are sensitively rendered and I am finding myself immersed in the 1960s South. One of my book groups will be discussing it this week (beginning September 1st) so I am rushing to get it finished. Have you read this book yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I picked up a couple of books last weekend at Powells which look really wonderful:
The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf (recommended to me by Trish) which is about two missing children.
Woods Burner by John Pipkin – I could not resist this novel which centers around the historical figure of Henry David Thoreau and a little known fact: that in 1844 he ‘accidentally started a forest fire that destroyed three hundred acres of the Concord woods.‘
I also picked up a beautiful book which Terri at Reading, Writing and Retirement gave me for my birthday…
The Arrival by Shaun Tan – have you seen this book? It is amazing. And beautiful. And full of the most intricate drawings and artwork. I am planning to settle down and sink into this book very soon.
My day will be filled with catching up on my over 1000 unread blog posts in my Google Reader, and answering comments on my blog…and maybe a little reading and quilting for later on. How about you? I hope whatever you are doing today, it involves a great book!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
I’ll look forward to your review of THE HELP. I haven’t read it yet myself, but I’ve heard tons of good things about it. It’ll be interesting to read your take!
The Arrival is a personal favorite of mine too. Breathtaking, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for serving on a panel BBAW. It must have been a bit of work, but I am sure the whole book blogger community will benefit from your efforts. This will be my first BBAW so I am very excited about all the fun.
Happy reading!
The Help was a book I’ve recommended to several people. It showed me how discrimination can be both subtle and destructive.
I go away for a little while and I miss a lot! I am glad you had a great time in Portland with the other book bloggers. I would love to go to the convention next year, but it’s very unlikely that will be possible. If it was closer, maybe.
I came across many outstanding blogs while evaluating them for BBAW as well. I honestly didn’t think I’d finish as early as I did. I hurt my back last weekend and sitting in front of the computer for long is still difficult. I discovered some interesting positions I could work at my computer from though, and that helped.
Your new books look like they will be good! I hope you enjoy them.
Enjoy your week!
I almost took out Woods Burner when I saw it this week in the new books section at the library. I had too too many others from different sources that I needed to read first. (you know how that goes sometime
Shaun Tan is a wonderful writer/artist. His Tales from outer suburbia is also gorgeous…Oh, and he’s from downunder!!
The Arrival is one of my favorites. Thank you for volunteering to help with the evaluations for BBAW, it must be an incredible amount of work reading and organizing all those nominations! Have a great week.
The meet-up in Portland sounds like it was so much fun! I am definitely planning to go to the meet up scheduled around BEA next year.
I absolutely loved The Help. Gave it a pefect 5/5. My review is here. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Sounds like you’ve had some busy times!! I hope you’re enjoying The Help. I haven’t read it yet.
Memory: The further I get into The Help, the more I love it. The voices of the three main characters are wonderful. I should have a review up by Friday.
Frances: Breathtaking is an excellent word for The Arrival! You’re welcome about the BBAW panel – I am happy to help out. It is such a huge project that without bloggers stepping up and volunteering, I don’t think it could happen. I am thrilled that you will be participating in your first BBAW! Enjoy!!!
Debbie: I like that: “subtle but destructive” – Yes. It is hard to believe sometimes that things like this happened so blatantly in my lifetime (I was born in 1960).
WendyCat: I’ll keep my fingers crossed you’ll be able to join us in NY next year. The Portland event was really fun (and there is talk of doing this again). I’m sorry to hear about your back
I hope you’re feeling better now. Glad to hear you also served on a BBAW panel. Hope you are having a good week!
Diane: Too many books??!? Nah! *laughing*
WhisperingGums: I will have to check out Tales from Outer Suburbia…
Gavin: The panel work for BBAW *is* a lot of work, but it was also set up really well with spread sheets and the links so that it made it as streamlined as possible for the panelists. All the “big players” for BBAW have put in a ton of work this year…and it is showing! I was happy to help them out.
Kathy: YAY!!! So happy to hear you’ll be in NY next year. I will finally get to meet you face to face!!!!
Les: I’m going to wait to read your review until I’ve written mine…but I am loving The Help. It is a book which gets better and better as it moves forward, isn’t it?
Staci: I *am* enjoying The Help … great book!
Ooooh, my sister LOVES Shaun Tan. I’ll have to sneak this one out to her.
Raych: Sounds like a good deal!