Misc.

The winner of My Mom's Mock Newbery: The Very Good Sticker was Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. And the second place went to Diamond Willow by Helen Frost. We had a great time---everyone was so excited about this year's books and had extensive comments. Agnes brought the M&Ms. And my dad got to watch ALL the grandchildren and keep them away from the dessert table---what a learning experience.

Just noticing my recent post about Diamond Willow and the performance by a number of actors. I was lucky enough to meet some nice folks from the audio industry (more about that to come) who estimate that there are fewer than twenty audio books with multiple actors!

Back from Vacation

Photos to follow. Great time. Greater memories.

HOME:
Bathroom leak.
Emissions test.
Computer virus.
Bored kids.
Back-to-school shopping.

How do you bring a little of your vacation home with you? I could stuff rocks and sand and river water and pine cones into a jar, but then what?

Rock the Mock Newbery

I finished Quest by Kathleen Benner Duble. After some rocky exposition qualms, I went on to enjoy this book. And, I'm ashamed to say, I was really in suspense about whether or not the characters would survive: the shame is that I spent the first 17 years of my life spitting distance from the Hudson River and yet knew nothing of the life of Henry Hudson. Also, you might think I could have guessed the outcome from reading the jacket copy, but if I've already commited to reading something, I don't want any spoilers running my fun. So, a cursory glance is all I'll allow myself. Once I accepted the different styles separating the voices, the story moved gracefully. Very satisfying.

One question we'll need to address is whether or not it is MG (middle grade). I think my library had it in the teen section. Not that some books can't be both. We'll see.

Now, I'm on to Trouble and so far I love it. Man, can that dude write about the ocean! (I recently finished Lizzie Bright..., not for this year's contest, also set on the coast.) Another thing that fascinates me is how the author can tell us what the dog is thinking (without it being cutesy) and how the kayak is sinking (while the MC is sleeping)...I'm always trying to stay in the head of my character exclusively! You must show everything through the MC's eyes. Yet this book takes you all over the place but you never feel betrayed. Or like the author lost control of the story. He makes it look so effortless. Darn him. Darn you Gary Schmidt for soaking up all the talent!

I'm listening to Diamond Willow by Helen Frost (a kindred verse novelist) with my girls as we drive back and forth to camp. They are WILD about it! And the side benefit is they don't fight because they don't want to talk over it and miss something. Interesting to note, the different voices are literally different actors---food for thought for other multiple POV books such as my own.

I read this book early in the year, so this is review. It does seem a bit younger than the other two above. Also, the Avi book is older at some points, like talking about Republicanism and Horace Greely. I haven't finished that one yet, so I'll reserve judgement on the age question. Fate hasn't let me finish an Avi book yet: G-belle and I were reading Poppy when the Warriors invaded our homeland and seized power, (silent prayer for the health, long life and productivity of the Erin Hunters) so back to the library it went.

Well, back to my own revising and reading up on Ireland.

Perfect Day

I'm not sure what Lou had in mind, but when I hear this song I think of how someone might chose to spend their last day on Earth...if in fact we could chose...to spend it as if it were any other day, only with the heightened awareness of observing, treasuring and trying to hold on to the impermanent even while it's happening.

Not unlike a birthday, where you think, I gotta have the best day ever!

What would you do with your day if you knew you only had one more day to live? A bucket list? Or one last hurrah for your life exactly as it was?

Lou Reed
Transformer (1972)

Perfect Day

Just a perfect day,
Drink Sangria in the park,
And then later, when it gets dark,
We go home.
Just a perfect day,
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later, a movie, too,
And then home.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.

Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone,
Weekenders on our own.
It's such fun.
Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was someone else,
Someone good.

Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.

You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow...