My New Story Has Been Published
Journal Entry: Thu May 15, 2008, 7:12 PM
The latest installment of the webzine I write for has been published, featuring my new story and four other tales. My story this time was difficult to write, as it uses a recent tragedy as the background and touches in general on how people react to tragedy. Hopefully I've balanced those aspects with developments in the ongoing plot. I also felt that this story covers very similar thematic ground to my story "Conversions" from a couple of months back. Both focus heavily on the friendship between Katy and Kelsie and on the need for support of friends. This one is a darker take on those themes.
Hello everyone! Volume 29 of The Edge of Propinquity has been published! If April showers bring May flowers, our garden is filled with carnivorous plants sporting sharp thorns and poisoned petals. This month we have a fight between practitioners of the Old Ways, the leaving behind of an old life, an unexpected fist to the face, trapped people fighting a hidden monster and innocents caught between two hard decisions.
Kendrick - May Day by Jennifer Brozek Powers are gathering to fight the avatar of Anu while mere mortals are being forced to chose sides in this battle they do not understand. First blood is struck to unknown consequences.
Luminations - Chains by Rick Silva A distant tragedy casts a shadow over the campus, and Katy McCormick finds herself caught up in watching the events unfold on cable news. It's the day of the Virginia Tech shootings, and Katy faces her own fears as friends come together for comfort and reassurance. Amidst the distractions, Katy's enemies seize an opportunity.
Santa Maria - Prisoners by James M. Sullivan Mac finally reaches the prison below Santa Maria and Ant stews in his jail. Bree and Rodrigo worry about the future. The creatures attack again.
Vorare - Away by Ivan Ewert In the aftermath of the Chainfield's invasion of their home, Gordon's mother is assisted by her neighbors while Gordon himself faces the hospital, the police - and the wrath of his Ally.
Guest Author - Hotter Than Hell by Mischa Sagan Deep in the Chicago summer months, during a deadly heat wave fit to set records, Abigail is asked to take in a poor refugee and her daughters. Reluctant but unable to say no to this request, she does and discovers something: an evil worth fighting against.
Have you ever looked over the edge and seen something looking back at you?
- Mood:
Compassion - Listening to: Springsteen's Greatest Hits
- Reading: The Pumpkin Patch by Margaret L. Schwarts
- Playing: Neopets
- Eating: Chicken with green beans and couscous
- Drinking: OJ
Book Review: Cape Wind by Robert Whitcomb and Wend
Journal Entry: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 7:33 PMCape Wind delves deep into the politics surrounding Jim Gordon and his proposal to build 130 offshore wind turbines in Nantucket Sound. From the town meetings in Barnstable to the halls of the Capiton in Washington DC, Whitcomb and Williams chronicle the effort to build the wind farm project and the surprising opposition it faced, often from politicians who were strongly on record of being in favor of alternative energy.
Cape Wind is not an unbiased book. The authors clearly are in favor of the wind farm, and they make no effort to hide their perspective. It is, however, an exceptionally well-researched book, and an insightful look into the politics of some of the wealthiest communities in Massachusetts.
The Cape Cod communities centered around Oyster Harbors (home of the DuPont and Mellon families) and Hyannisport (of the Kennedys) are profiled with extensive background information that shows the origins of their opposition to the wind energy project in the waters that were considered their back yard.
Jeff Gordon, the energy entrepreneur behind Cape Wind is profiled, and the authors follow his victories and frustrations in the still-unresolved battle over the wind farm.
With energy policy becoming a more serious priority every day, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the challenges and hurdles facing the clean energy movement.
It's also a great book on local politics, dirty and otherwise.
Cape Wind is book #8 in my goal of reading and reviewing 50 books in 2008.
- Mood: Compassion
- Reading: The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis
- Playing: Moola
- Eating: Dark chocolate bunny
- Drinking: OJ
Book Review: The Dog Who Cried Wolf by Keiko Kasza
Journal Entry: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 7:25 PMMoka was a typical housepet until one day when his owner, Michelle, read a book about wolves. Suddenly Moka decided that there must be more to life than dry food, walks on a leash, and tea parties with Michelle.
He runs away to the mountains to live the life of a wolf. But Moka learns that hunting isn't as easy as it looks, and eventually comes home for a happy reunion with Michelle.
Written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza, this story is quick-paced and funny. The artwork is excellent, especially the eye-catching cover illustration featuring Moka howling at the moon.
The "running away from home" theme is a classic that goes back to the parable of the prodigal son, and this retelling presents it in a form that children, especially animal lovers, will really enjoy. Kids will also like the funny ending to the story.
Definitely an enjoyable bedtime read.
This this was the last of a set of three reviews of book I bought for my nephew who turned 2 recently, and it is #7 in my goal of reading and reviewing 50 books in 2008.
- Mood: Compassion
- Reading: The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis
- Playing: Moola
- Eating: Dark chocolate bunny
- Drinking: OJ
Book Review: Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC by Ju
Journal Entry: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 7:11 PMShiver Me Letters plays off a very cute (and wonderully geeky) joke, the pirate's fixation on the letter "R", as in "ARRRRR!". The pirate captain has decided that his crew needs to expand their horizons beyond just "R". So they lower their anchor ("A"!) at a desert island and set off seeking a buried treasure of letters.
And yes, "X" does indeed mark the spot.
Told in rhyming couplets by June Sobel, this story will have youngsters reading along as they follow the adventures of the pirate crew through the letters of the alphabet. Henry Cole has illustrated the pirates as cute cartoon animals, including a crocodile captain who wears a rubber-ducky floatation device (it even has an eyepatch!).
The illustrations are humorous and colorful, and the text is plain fun as it bounces from one location to the next, covering all of the classic pirate motifs while it moves through the alphabet. To make things even more fun, the letters of the alphabet are hidden in the illustrations, giving a nice treat for visual and artistic learners.
The ending is adorable too.
Alphabet books are great learning tools for young children, and this one has the added advantage of telling an amusing story.
This book was a birthday gift for my nephew (age 2), and it is #6 in my goal of reading and reviewing 50 books in 2008.
- Mood: Compassion
- Reading: The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis
- Playing: Moola
- Eating: Dark chocolate bunny
- Drinking: OJ
Book Review: Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup
Journal Entry: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 6:59 PMThis is a very cute story about the virtues of bathing, as seen through the eyes of a bear who has a distinct lack of personal hygiene skills.
Just looking at the cover, the comparisons with Eric Carle's style will be inevitable (something that the publishers seem to have intended, considering the layout).
The story is simple, but clever. Big Smelly Bear never bathes. The only creatures who want to come near him are flies. The other forest animals all ran to get away from his stink.
But when Big Smelly Bear needs a friend to scratch an itch that he can't reach, he might finally have to take that dreaded bath. He may even find that his friendship with Big Fluffy Bear is worth the trouble of an occasional dunking in the river.
Kids will giggle over the title and the main character, and the book gives some good positive reinforcement about baths, as well as some lessons in friendship. The illustrations are colorful and fun, and the book is a good length for a quick bedtime story with big legible print for youngsters to follow along.
This book was a birthday gift for my nephew (age 3), and it is #5 in my goal of reading and reviewing 50 books in 2008.
- Mood: Compassion
- Reading: The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis
- Playing: Moola
- Eating: Dark chocolate bunny
- Drinking: OJ
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