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Meeting Book Bloggers in the Nation’s Capital

Florinda was the first to fly into Washington, D.C., for her summer vacation, and Anna and I decided to meet her in Dupont Circle at Chipotle.  Before we had lunch, we decided to take a walk and chat and she took a few shots of the historic buildings in Dupont.  We were accosted several times by the Human Rights Campaign as one of their members was handing out stickers.  When you walk by the same person more than once, you’d think they’d realize they already asked you and that when you said no thank you, you meant it.

It was funny to realize upon meeting Florinda that she got to Dupont Circle early, just like we did, and she’d already been to one of my favorite bookstores, Kramer’s, and bought a bunch of books.  We did take her over to Books-a-Million , but we all refrained from buying any books.

Once inside Chipotle it was a quick ordering until Florinda wanted a veggie burrito bowl, and the poor man behind the counter had no idea why she didn’t want chicken.  Once we sat down to eat we chatted about crazy office structures and books, naturally.  And of course, I had to take a picture of the books we carried.  I was reading Garth Stein’s Raven Stole the Moon, Anna was reading The Visibles by Sara Shepard, and Florinda was reading This Is Not the Story You Think It Is by Laura Munson.

Most recently, Alyce came into town with her husband, who was apparently an important part of ALA this year.  Cecelia and Kristen met with Alyce before I could get to Matchbox DC in Chinatown with my husband.  We had a table for 12, but alas due to some cancellations and one no-show, it ended up being only the six of us.  I cannot tell you how wonderful the food and the service as at this pizzeria.  I would definitely eat there again, and they were so gracious to do a Friday reservation even though that is not their normal protocol.  Hubby and I ordered a Q Special, which was delicious, and even took a couple pieces home as leftovers.  Alyce and her husband shared a veggie pizza, and we took their one leftover slice home too.  Cecelia had her own anchovy pizza with some other stuff on it, but you know me and fish heads?!  I didn’t look to closely at her pizza.  Kristen got a crab cake sandwich that looked delicious.

We all chatted about our crazy blogging lives, with Kristen being the newbie to the blogging world, and our work lives.  It was such a great atmosphere that even my hubby chatted, and he’s not a big conversationalist…he’s pretty shy around people he doesn’t know.  He was gracious enough to take the picture of us (Me, Alyce, Terry, Cecelia, and Kristen) — going around the left side of the table around to the right front.  You should check out all these gals’ blogs!  Cecelia loves fantasy novels and more, while Kristen loves women’s fiction (even Nicholas Sparks — but we’ll forgive her for that one!)

And then came dessert, which basically meant that Alyce and myself were going to indulge in chocolate and Cecelia imbibed with a spiked and rich pecan pie.  And for some reason, my husband thought gulping down the cinnamon shot was a good idea.  Later on, Alyce, Terry, my hubby, and myself rode the metro together and got to see some interesting characters, including some girl with a red Chinese food container stuck on her head with her braids sticking out the sides.  Not sure what was up with that, but unfortunately, she was in another car of the train so I couldn’t take a clear photo . . . they all came out blurry.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday, but I’ll be off celebrating my husband’s birthday!  Happy birthday honey!

51st Virtual Poetry Circle

Welcome to the 51st Virtual Poetry Circle.

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Let’s return to a classic poet.  Li Po is one of the most well-known Chinese poets:

Alone and Drinking Under the Moon

Amongst the flowers I
am alone with my pot of wine
drinking by myself; then lifting
my cup I asked the moon
to drink with me, its reflection
and mine in the wine cup, just
the three of us; then I sigh
for the moon cannot drink,
and my shadow goes emptily along
with me never saying a word;
with no other friends here, I can
but use these two for company;
in the time of happiness, I
too must be happy with all
around me; I sit and sing
and it is as if the moon
accompanies me; then if I
dance, it is my shadow that
dances along with me; while
still not drunk, I am glad
to make the moon and my shadow
into friends, but then when
I have drunk too much, we
all part; yet these are
friends I can always count on
these who have no emotion
whatsoever; I hope that one day
we three will meet again,
deep in the Milky Way.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let’s have a great discussion…pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence.

I’ve you missed the other Virtual Poetry Circles, check them out here. It’s never too late to join the discussion.

Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis by Al Gore, read by Cynthia Nixon and John Slattery (audio)

Our Choice:  A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis by Al Gore , which I received as a win from the Green Books Campaign with Eco-Libris, is not what readers will expect.  The foreword is read by Al Gore himself (check out the audio excerpt), but the remainder of the audio is narrated by Cynthia Nixon and John Slattery in alternating chapters.  Many will expect this volume to talk about how to save the planet, but some may mistakenly think that this is a practical guide for the average American.  Upon listening to the audio, however, readers will quickly realize that it is geared at providing larger scale solutions to the climate crisis.  However, it would be wrong to assume this book is only for policymakers, scientists, and other societal players because without support from individuals these initiatives will not come to pass.

Our Choice is a comprehensive look at the most viable solutions available to combat and reverse climate change, and it examines each solution from a variety of perspectives to determine which would be the best investment.  The book is about not only learning to conserve energy, but also about learning to use waste energy to supplant energy needs and make processes more efficient.  From deforestation in developing nations to population growth, Gore discusses many of the pressing issues facing the sustainability of the globe.  Although many of the developed nations have contributed most to the carbon emissions and developing nations find it unfair that they should adhere to caps when they have not had enough time to develop their industries, Gore makes the case that we all live on the same planet and regardless of who caused the most damage the time has passed for the blame game.  It is now time for humans to look beyond nations, cultures, and societies to save our home.

Depending on your level of enthusiasm for environmental issues or affinity for audio books, Our Choice is a deeply informative book about the broader picture of climate change and the possible solutions.  However, readers may find the narration a bit dry at times given the nature of the information provided and may prefer to read this book on their Kindle or in paperback.  Gore’s book is a must have for each American so they can learn about the crisis, make note of the possible solutions available to individuals and those for the broader society, and take action on a grassroots level.  America was built on grassroots activity, and that great tradition should continue.

OK, I’m jumping down from my soapbox.  As a bonus, I would like to do the “green” thing and pass along my copy to another reader.

This giveaway for the audio of Our Choice by Al Gore is international:

1.  Leave a comment about your feelings on the climate crisis.

2.  Blog, Tweet, Facebook, or spread the word and leave a link on this post.

Deadline is July 4, 2010, at 11:59 PM

The Guilt Gene by Diana M. Raab

Diana M. Raab‘s The Guilt Gene is a collection steeped in nostalgia that fails to glorify the past.  The collection is broken down into six sections:  “Cherry Blossoms, Book Tour, Two Evils, The Devil Wears a Poem, Yad Vashem, and California Roll.”  Additionally, “guilt” is defined in the pages preceding the table of contents, although most readers are aware of its definition and uses.

In “Cherry Blossoms,” Raab revisits the bloom of her youth when she was just beginning to discover boys and realize that she wasn’t popular with her classmates.  Hindsight is 20-20 in these poems as she examines how the behavior of her mother impacted her adolescence, particularly in “Moth Balls.”

The “Book Tour” section of the book is amazing in its raw honesty about never taking advantage of friendships because they are incredibly loyal and the emotional toll writing books, publishing them, and marketing them to the general public.  Raab discusses how writing is a reflection of who authors and poets actually are, the depression that follows the completion of a book, and many other scenarios.

Author Blues (page 26)

If women after delivering a baby

suffer post-partum,

why can’t writers

after delivering a book

suffer post-ISBN?

Raab’s frank perspective is like a hammer hitting readers with a deep sense of loss in “Two Evils.”  Her personal struggle with breast cancer is vivid and pulsates with anger, but also with confusion and a child-like wonder about the world around her.  Like her previous collection, Dear Anais (my review), some of the poems take on the tone of a diarist, an observer of life.  The Guilt Gene covers a range of events and emotions, and Raab will draw in readers through her casual tone, witty turn of phrase, and images that anchor readers to a time and place.  One of the best collections I’ve read this year. 

Thanks to Bostick Communications and Shirley at Newman Communications for sending along The Guilt Gene by Diana M. Raab for review.

This is my 7th book for the Clover Bee & Reverie Poetry Challenge.

Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein

Garth Stein’s Raven Stole the Moon was originally printed in 1998, but was recently republished by Harper following Stein’s success with The Art of Racing in the Rain (my review). The Tlingit legend — including that of Raven — that becomes Jenna Rosen’s life is absorbing, blurring the lines of reality and folklore.  Jenna’s life fell apart upon the death of her son in an accident, and she spirals out of control, seeing psychiatrists and taking addictive pharmacological substances.  After emerging from a drug haze, she and her husband Robert go through the motions until Jenna makes a definitive move to change her life.

“The two options were mutually exclusive.  There was no middle ground.  Maybe I’m a little crazy and there are some spirits.  No.  It was either/or.  And Jenna was determined to find out which.”  (Page 199)

Set in the 1990s in Alaska and Washington State where it’s about “recapturing the glory of the eighties at a discount,” Stein crafts a surreal tale where reality blends with the past, the present, and folklore turning men into beasts and soul robbers and generating three dimensional characters ready to deal with the unknown and irreparable grief.

“Digging deep down into the crust of the earth, pumping black goo up to the surface, cooking it in aluminum containers so it can be used in a BMW.  The evolution of Man smells like gasoline.”  (Page 35)

Despite the tragedy in these pages, readers are on the edge of their seats as they ride with Jenna through the Alaskan wilderness to unravel the mystery behind her son’s death and uncover her heritage as a descendant of the Tlingit tribe.  Along the way, Jenna is joined by a lonely young man and a wild dog, while being pursued by a private investigator hired by her husband to find her.  Just as Jenna relaxes, the unknown creeps up on her alongside the harsh reality of the life she left behind, which all threatens to impinge on her life suspended in limbo.

Stein not only create dynamic characters; Dr. David Livingstone, the shaman who is consulted during the construction of Thunder Bay, resembles the original from Joseph Conrad‘s Heart of Darkness who was based upon a real missionary and explorer of Africa.  Stein’s Livingstone undergoes a transformation to take on the visage of evil, but he is also a presence that hovers over the story, like Conrad’s character.

Readers will be surprised by how much is packed into Raven Stole the Moon and by how quickly the story unravels and carries them along down river with Jenna and her compatriots.  The only possible nit-picky thing to point out is that the time line gets a bit muddled when jumping between the story of how Thunder Bay came to be and Jenna’s current journey, which could have been rectified by revealing the story of Thunder Bay as Jenna makes her way through the wilderness.  However, that is a minor complaint in an otherwise captivating, suspenseful story that readers will be hard pressed to forget when the final page is turned.

This is my 10th book for the 2010 Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge.

The Wrong Miracle by Liz Gallagher

The Wrong Miracle by Liz Gallagher uses tongue twisting phrases and juxtaposition to shed light on and deal with the expectations of family and society.  Wrong miracles occur everyday in Gallagher’s world from the cat that drags in a poem it found to a breeze that cracks the narrator open.  Gallagher’s playful phrases will have readers smiling in amusement, and she enjoys turning cliches upside down.

“I still have not

bought the doghouse — a real one, not

the metaphorical one where husbands some

times hang out while wives are belt loosening

or just simply giving things a twirl.”  (From “Prelude to Getting One’s Act Together,” Page 15)

In many cases, Gallagher is whimsical with her imagery even when her poems deal with serious events, such as paying for the best and getting something unexpected and disappointing.  In “Woman in a Redhead,” she seeks a new look, cappuccino hair that ends up being red and having to deal with the result.

“On my way home, I fake a swagger and ants

in my pants.  I am singularly impressed by the rife

humour that is making its way down the broad of my

back.  I will be back to get my cappuccino-chocolate hair,

I think.  Sometimes we don’t get what we pay for and blood

does curdle.”  (Page 3)

But beneath the whimsy of her verse lies a dark anger and disappointment that simmers and bursts forth. Can you talk yourself into doing anything?  Can you justify waterboarding like you can justify jumping out of an airplane with a parachute as a hobby?  Is the unthinkable a norm that we haven’t gotten used to yet?  Gallagher asks these questions and more, but she also examines fatherly love and forgiveness.

A Poem That Thinks It Has Joined a Circus (Page 10)

A handkerchief is not an emotional holdall.

A cup of tea does not eradicate all-smothering sensations.

A hands-on approach is not the same as a hand-on-a-shoulder

willing a chin to lift and an upper lip to stiffen.

A forehead resting on fingers does not imply that the grains

of sand in an hourglass have filtered through.

A set of eyes staring into space is not an indictment that the sun

came crashing down in the middle of the night.

A sigh that causes trembling and wobbly knees should be

henceforth and without warning trapped in a bell jar and retrained

to come out tinkling ivories with every gasp.

A poem trying to turn a sad feeling on its head does not constitute

a real poem, it is a cancan poem, dancing on a pinhead

and walking a tightrope with arms pressed tightly by its sides.

Readers just starting out with poetry will find this collection needs to be read aloud and more than once because some of the lines are dense with imagery, double-speak, and juxtapositions.  However, the poems do exude a song-like quality as tongue-twisters roll off the tongue, which will have readers repeating Gallagher’s lines over and over again.  The Wrong Miracle by Liz Gallagher is a buzz worthy collection.

***Please check out my previous two-part interview with Liz Gallagher.  Also, proceeds from the sale of her book, The Wrong Miracle, will go to support Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death society.***

Thanks to Liz for sending me a copy of her book for review.

About the Poet: (Photo Credit: Vladi Valido)

Liz Gallagher was born and brought up in Donegal, Ireland. She has been living in Gran Canary Island for the past 14 years. She has an Education degree where she specialised in Irish language. She also has a Computer Science degree. She is at present doing research into online debating for her PhD. She began writing about 5 years ago and has won a variety of awards in both Ireland and the US: Best New Poet 2007 (Meridian Press, Virginia University) First Prize in The Listowel Writers’ Single Poem Competition 2009 and she was selected by Poetry Ireland for their 2009 Introductions Series in recognition of her status as an emerging poet.

This is my 6th book for the Clover Bee & Reverie Poetry Challenge.

This is my 35th book for the 2010 New Authors Reading Challenge.

Portugal Trounces North Korea

After waiting two years to see Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, score a goal with his national team, he succeeded today against North Korea as the time trounces the 105th ranked team in a 7-to-0 win.

After watching the first half of the game, it looked as though that North Korea would have a chance to come back in the second half.  But that was not to be as Portugal did not allow any openings for the North Koreans, and instead score seven goals with six different players to show the depth of their roster.

I am a happy camper that this team has finally won a decisive victory and revived their reputation as a leading soccer team.  I’ll leave you with a fun look at Ronaldo’s goal; I think he’s an acrobat:

Mailbox Monday #86

It’s been a very crazy week, but I did receive a couple of books in the mail.  I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Marcia at The Printed Page and Kristi of The Story Siren both sponsor memes in which bloggers share what books they’ve received in the past week.  I’m going to continue calling these Mailbox Mondays, but The Story Siren also has In My Mailbox.  Just be warned that these posts can increase your TBR piles and wish lists.

Here’s what I received:

1.  Plain Kate by Erin Bow for review in September from Scholastic.

2.  Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye for review in October from Unbridled Books.

3.  Bon Jovi:  When We Were Beautiful by Bon Jovi and The Circle CD, which I won at auction for Book Blogger Convention.

What did you receive?

Giveaway: Unfinished Business by Lee Kravitz

Bloomsbury recently contacted me about offering my readers Unfinished Business by Lee Kravitz, a nonfiction book of transformational stories about redemption and reconnecting.

About the book (from Good Reads):

After losing his job, Lee Kravitz, a workaholic in his midfifties, took stock of his life and realized just how disconnected he had become from the people who mattered most to him. He committed an entire year to reconnecting with them and making amends. Kravitz takes readers on ten transformational journeys, among them repaying a thirty-year-old debt, making a long-overdue condolence call, finding an abandoned relative, and fulfilling a forgotten promise. Along the way, we meet a cast of wonderful characters and travel the globe?to a refugee camp in Kenya, a monastery in California, the desert of southern Iran, a Little League game in upstate New York, and a bar in Kravitz’s native Cleveland. In each instance, the act of reaching out opens new paths for both personal and spiritual growth.  All of us have unfinished business?the things we should have done but just let slip. Kravitz’s story reveals that the things we’ve avoided are exactly those that have the power to transform, enrich, enlarge, and even complete us. The lesson of the book is one applicable to us all: Be mindful of what is most important, and act on it. The rewards will be immediate and lasting.

Also please view this video, the blog, and the Reader’s Guide.

Giveaway of 3 copies of Unfinished Business by Lee Kravitz (US/Canada only):

1.  Leave a comment on this post about what unfinished business you would like to get off your plate.

2.  Blog, Tweet, Facebook, or spread the word about the giveaway and leave a link.

Deadline is July 4, 2010, at 11:59 PM EST

50th Virtual Poetry Circle

Welcome to the 50th Virtual Poetry Circle.

Stay tuned for the giveaway details below.  Only participants in the circle are eligible.

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Today, we’re going to go easy on you with a contemporary poem from Gregg Mosson:

California Orange Trees

Racing the river, events resurface within abiding shapes;

the heart pounds rapidly, but the hands must steer.

Orange superabundance—I once saw just waste.

My dear friend washed elsewhere, cheer me through God’s ear.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let’s have a great discussion…pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence.

I’ve you missed the other Virtual Poetry Circles, check them out here. It’s never too late to join the discussion.

Giveaway details:

1.  Leave a comment on this post about what poets you’d like to see featured.

Deadline is July 17, 2010, at 11:59PM EST.
Here are the books to choose from:

  1. An Anthology of Twentieth Century New Zealand Poetry by Vincent O’Sullivan
  2. Lost Possessions by Keri Hume
  3. Walt Whitman Selected Poems
  4. A Coney Island of the Mind


Challenges Completed! Others Not so Much!

I joined this challenge a bit late last year, but it ran from May 2009 through May 2010 (click on the image for more information).  I completed the deep end of the challenge, which required me to read and review 11-15 books of contemporary poetry and poetics.

See the books I reviewed here.

I joined the 2010 Ireland Reading Challenge (click on the image for more information) at the Shamrock Level for 2 books.

Check out my book reviews here.

I’ve completed this challenge by reading 3 books.  Check them out here.

Ok, that’s it for the completed challenges.  For the other challenges and my progress, here you go:

I’ve read 34 out of 50 books for this challenge.  Check them out here.

I’ve read 3 out of 10 books for this challenge.  Check them out here.

I’ve read 5 out of 11 books for this challenge.  Check them out here.

I’ve read 9 out of 12 books for this challenge.  Check them out here.

I haven’t even started this challenge.  It ends June 30 and you have to read, listen or watch between 3 and 6 items.

I’ve read 4 out of 5 spinoffs/rewrites and 0 out of 6 Jane Austen originals.  Check them out here.

I’ve met the requirement to read 2 books of poetry, but I’m not sure I’ve finished a badge yet.  I’ve read 5 contemporary poetry books, which I think qualifies for a badge.  Check them out here.

I’ve read 2 out of 6 vampire books from any series.  Check them out here.

I have not started this challenge either.  I think this one is perpetual, so I may be good on this front.

Sept. 13-17 is Book Blogger Appreciation Week

During Book Blogger Appreciation Week, there will be fun events, introductions to bloggers you may have heard of or may be new to you, giveaways, and other activities.  There also are awards for Best YA, Kidlit, Eclectic, etc.

For information about the event, please visit the blog.  For information about the awards and nomination process, go here.

To register for BBAW, go this form.

As part of BBAW, bloggers are asked to nominate their blogs in a niche category.  I’m going to nominate my blog in Best Poetry, Best Writing, and Best Author Interviews categories.

In accordance with those nominations, I must list 5 posts (3 of which must be reviews) for the judges and voters to check out.

Here’s are the posts for the Best Poetry category, though I would like to mention that my blog is home to the Virtual Poetry Circle every Saturday in which a new poem is posted and discussed weekly.

  1. Song of Napalm by Bruce Weigl (review)
  2. Full Moon Boat by Fred Marchant (review)
  3. Poetry Speaks Who I Am by Elise Paschen (review)
  4. Welcome to National Poetry Month
  5. Reviewing Poetry

Here are the 5 posts for the Best Writing category:

  1. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran (review)
  2. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (review)
  3. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (review)
  4. Tim O’Brien Gets to the Emotional Core at Politics & Prose
  5. 2010 Split This Rock Poetry Festival WrapUp

Here are the 5 posts for Best Author Interviews:

  1. Interview with Frank Delaney
  2. Interview with Pam Jenoff
  3. Interview with Lisa See
  4. Interview with Abigail Reynolds
  5. Interview with George Bishop, Jr.

I hope everyone participates in BBAW.  It is always a fun time.