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Weekly Geeks #10


I have not participated in Weekly Geeks as much as I would have hoped, but lives get in the way sometimes. Anyway, I decided to post on this week’s topic: The Magazines We Read

Here’s the rules:

For each magazine you want to talk about, here are a few questions. Answer as many or as few as you want.

1. Name of magazine.
2. Do you subscribe or just buy it now and then?
3. What’s your favorite regular feature in the magazine?
4. What do you think your interest in this magazine says about you?
5. How long have you been reading this magazine?
6. Is there any unique or quirky aspect to the magazine that keeps you reading?

So here it goes:

1. Writer’s Digest

I have subscribed to this magazine off and on, mostly on since I was a pre-teen. I’ve been writing even longer than that. What this magazine says about me is that writing is an important part of me. I love the monthly contests with sentence prompts and the feature articles, which can vary from novel writing tips to whether an MFA is worth it.

2. Poetry

I’m a poet who has subscribed to this poetry journal for about three years now. I love the poems in it, though the translation issue sometimes falls flat for me. I love reading the latest poems from people we know, like Billy Collins, but also from people I don’t know.

3. Poets & Writers

I have had a love hate relationship with this magazine throughout the last eight years. i subscribe and unsubscribe, but currently, the editor is on target with me. The latest issue is about summer reading. What’s great about this magazine is that it is not only about writing, it’s also about the latest books, poetry or fiction, that are out on the market and what living poets and writers have to say about their craft and the state of literature and publishing today. What this says about me is that I enjoy reading as much as writing, and that I am concerned about the state of the literature and the market.

4. AGNI

This literary journal is part of my own private war. I’ve always wanted to be published in this journal to prove a point to an old professor of mine, but thus far, it has not happened. I have subscribed to it for a couple of years at a time, but mostly I just buy it in the bookstore once in a while. I continue to look through it to find my niche. I will win this battle some day.

5. The Virginia Quarterly Review

This is a journal that I have not subscribed to, and will probably continue to just pick up when I find an interesting issue in the bookstore. I’m not sure what it says about me, but I have read issues over the last five years. This is the journal that published the “lost” poem of Robert Frost in 2006.

I’m sure there are other magazines and journals that I have forgotten about because I only get them sporadically when they have an interesting issue that I happen upon in the bookstore.

What magazines and journals are you reading?

Intricately Braided Family Quilt


Helen Frost’s The Braid takes the reader on a simple family journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the strange land of Canada’s Cape Breton in the Mid-1800s, while at the same time allowing us to follow the delicate yarn that stretches across the sea back to Scotland and Mingulay where the rest of the family remains. This book served three purposes for me: first, my Word Nerd partner, Jaimi, was inspired by this book to start her own writing; second, it fulfills the Irresistible Review challenge because I saw the book on two separate blogging sites ages ago—Here and Here; thirdly, it was very entertaining.

It was such an easy read, it only took me two short 15-minute Metro rides. I also didn’t even notice the intricacy of the book, its narrative poems, and its praise poems. Frost’s explanation of how the poems are interwoven together surprised me, perhaps because I was not looking for it or because it was so well done that I was not jarred out of the narrative by its style.

***Spoiler Alert***

Jeannie and Sarah are close sisters, who are separated by the Atlantic Ocean when Sarah makes a rash decision to hide away while the rest of the family boards a boat for Canada. Sarah stays behind in Scotland with her grandmother, while Jeannie boards the boat with her other sisters, brother, and parents.

Jeannie must step up to the plate in the New World and help provide for her family by begging strangers for food and shelter. She finds strength within herself. Sarah meanwhile succumbs to her emotional weakness, but turns out to be a positive for her. Jeannie, on the other hand, then transitions from an “adult” back to her childlike self.

***End Spoiler Alert***

This is another Young Adult novel that I would never have read without the advice of some great book bloggers and my Word Nerd partner. Helen Frost is a very creative author and this book is a simple story told in a unique way. I would love to recommend this to anyone who likes Young Adult novels and to those who just want a breath of fresh air.

Anyone else who has reviewed this or other books I have reviewed in the past couple months, please feel free to drop me your link. I will add it to my posts.

Another Contest Update!

Ok, So I just found out that someone in the blogosphere is celebrating their 1,000th post! Check out her contest at Monniblog.

There are a wide breadth of “surprise” prizes for readers, knitters, pet owners, and a surprise prize for the one guessing closest to the number of comments she receives for the contest.

The contest runs from July 5 through July 24th at midnight GMT-8.

I’ve entered; how about you?

Haunted Is Not the Word That Comes to Mind…


Chris Palahniuk’s Haunted is a novel of short stories and poems. Let’s start off with the positive. This is the first set of short stories in a novel format that actually are cohesive. The poems paired up with each character are narrative in nature, but I noticed that the character of Mrs. Clark has the most short stories in the novel, which to me signifies she is the main focus of the book. However, she isn’t the main point of the book, which I can only describe as disgusting. I hit total utility with this book, which I read as part of the Irresistible Review Challenge. This book was reviewed by Anna at Diary of an Eccentric.

I want to caution anyone picking this book up that if you don’t have a strong stomach, do not attempt to read this. And I know what you are thinking: “It can’t be that bad.” My answer to that is: “It is and worse.”

The 17 members of the writer’s retreat get on a bus and head for an abandoned theater, which I can now only call the theater of horror. I won’t go into all the details of each character’s past, but I will tell you that their pasts pale in comparison to how they behave to themselves and their companions while on this retreat. Mr. Whittier, whom they deem the devil of their little show, is the catalyst, but whether he is worse or better than the rest of the cast, I am not really sure. I can tell you that he is very devious.

My one issue with this book, other than each story being more horrific than the last, is the ending story. The one-upping by the characters is not carried through, and I wonder if that was done on purpose or because the author himself ran out of things to do to these people in their stories and pasts. I also would like to comment that not all of these characters are haunted by their past lives or behaviors, but by themselves–their essences or their inability to change themselves. They are haunted by the incalculable lengths they will stoop to become the center of their “show.” They are haunted by their own lack of humanity and their inability to “save” themselves even when their salvation is before them. They remain focused and unchanged.

I guess that brings me to my second pet peeve with the book is that none of the characters evolve. Mrs. Clark, in particular, who is the most haunted by her past and her daughter, Cassandra, does not change. This disturbs me given that she insists she came on the retreat to discover what happened to her daughter and what her daughter saw in the nightmare box. She seeks answers that she doesn’t receive and then proceeds to fall into the same trap consuming the others at the writer’s retreat.

I recommend readers interested in this premise to be careful because the book makes you want to close your eyes and put the book back on the shelf. But curiosity draws your hand back to the shelf to reopen the book to find out what happens to these characters in spite of their faults. I guess in a way they got their wish and became famous.

Also Reviewed By:

Books & Other Thoughs
PinkIndiaInk

J. Kaye’s Book Contest

Here’s another set of books being given away via contest.

Check out the details for Witch Ember and The Raven.

Both are in the fantasy Genre.

Deadline: July 5

Good Luck to all!

Hey Lady! 14 Book Giveaway

Check out this great contest!

There are 14 books in this giveaway for five winners. You better get cracking. There are also multiple ways to win and bolster your chances.

Contest deadline is July 12.

What a plethora of book giveaways on the blogs this summer. Good luck to anyone entering.

Read-A-Thon Plug

Here’s my attempt at plugging the Read-A-Thon! This is a different kind of challenge that takes place over several days this coming weekend. They are looking for more participants, so head on over. The mini-challenges could be loads of fun, plus book bloggers are spending their days doing what they love best–reading.

While you are not required to stay up all day and all night reading and blogging and competing in challenges, the organizers believe it would be more fun to do so. Give it a try!

Did I forget to mention there are PRIZES? Go Check them out.

If you sign up, just let them know you saw my plug here. It will help me gain more entries into this contest, where you can win 14 books.

And the Winners Are….

So, I decided not to wait for the hubby to come back from his deep sea fishing trip to draw the names and headed over to Randomizer to have the winners picked. I really find this site helpful. I know I read about it on someone’s blog; I just can’t remember which blog. Anyway, to anyone mentioning that site on their blog, thanks!

Ok the winners in order:

First Prize: Suey, who will be getting 3 A.M. Epiphany

Second Prize: BlueViolet, who will receive a one-year subscription to Writer’s Digest

Third Prize: Rashmi, who will receive a journal and “crafty” pen

Thanks to everyone who entered. I can’t wait to do another giveaway. This was fun. It was great to have everyone celebrate my blogiversary.

Last Chance and Book Sale in Bethesda, MD

Today, midnight EST, is your last opportunity to enter my blogiversary contest. Those without blogs, I hope you will leave me your email address so I can contact you for mailing information.

Also, this weekend is the last weekend for the book sale at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md. Books are in their reading room, and are $1 per pound. If you are in the area, I am likely to be there at some point on Saturday, June 21. Hope to see you there with arm-loads of books.

Summer Book Sale June 3-22

The Writer’s Center’s First Annual Summer Reading Sale!
When: June 3-June 22 (Every day except Sundays and Mondays)
Where: The Reading Room (We’ll have tables set up to make book browsing easier.)

Choose from our wide variety of used books: $1 per pound

Or selected New titles 30% off the cover price (40% for members)

Come to our Open House June 7th. Get some great books, learn more about The Writer’s Center, and see what’s in store for summer workshops.

Blogiversaries, Giveaways, and Contests

Hello Readers:

I wanted to remind you of the June 20 deadline for entering my Blogiversary Contest. I have quite a few entrants already, but more are always welcome. It will be fun to find out who wins.

I also wanted to alert you to Diary of an Eccentric‘s Blogiversary Contest, which features book and yarn prizes. Contest Deadline is June 30.

Maw Books’ Contest is for all of Stephenie Meyer’s books, including The Host and Twilight Series. There are numerous ways to enter. Contest Deadline is June 30th at Midnight MST.

The Written Word’s Contest is for a copy of Nefertiti. Contest Deadline is June 23 by midnight EST.

Booking Mamma’s Contest is for The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Clayton. Contest Deadline is Saturday, June 21st at 11:59 p.m.

Interested in winning a book by Jodi Pocoult? Check out the contest at Book Addiction. Contest deadline is June 29, 2008.

At The Hidden Side of the Leaf (aka Dewey Monster) the contest is for a box full of 14 books, which are listed on the contest page, including one by Jimmy Buffett. The Contest has a rolling entry, but one winner will be chosen from today’s comments on Saturday, June 21. Check out the other timed drawings for the contest.

A Patchwork of Books is giving away The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, and there will be five winners for this contest. Deadline is June 22.

West of Mars’ Contest is for Bobbie Faye’s Very (very very very) Bad Day, which is autographed. Deadline is June 22. The catch is you have to comment and spill one of your worst bad days to garner an entry.

A Book Blogger’s Diary’s contest is for three books. Check out the rules. Deadline for entry is June 30

Age 30–A Year of Books’ contest is also giving away three books. Deadline is June 26.

As I become aware of contests, I will periodically add to this post today. But for now, these should keep you busy, especially that one on Maw Books.

Blind Submission


Debra Ginsberg’s Blind Submission is another book I found through the book blogging world, and it qualifies for the Irresistible Review Challenge. I read the review of this book at Book Escape. While this book was deemed a mystery, I found it less mysterious than I originally expected. Whether that is because I am overly analytical, I don’t know. I did figure out the ending among the first mentions of the mystery manuscript, Blind Submission, but I was eager to see how the mystery unfolded.

***Spoiler Alert***

Angel Robinson is introduced as a book store manager of Blue Moon Books, but her book store is going out of business. Her boyfriend and writer, Malcolm, pushes her to apply to the famed Lucy Fiamma Literary Agency, one of the only literary agencies on the West Coast. Angel half-heartedly applies and goes to the interview, which she aces. Angel is beside herself that she interviewed successfully, but when she gets to the office, she feels a bit nervous about her ability to perform the tasks before. Angel quickly comes to realize that her boss is hard-nosed and a bit bipolar. She tells her to complete tasks one way and then complains when they are not completed the other way.

Eventually, Angel gets a handle on her job and grows a bit more confident in her position at the firm. She rustles the feathers of her co-workers. One of whom is named Kelly, but Lucy refuses to call her Kelly–Lucy calls her Nora and expects everyone to do the same. Nora-Kelly is an anorexic beauty, with little brains, while the other co-worker, Anna, is lazy and eager to please. Angel seems to be the only one excelling at her job. Meanwhile, the money man, Craig, takes the reins of the office in his hands to ensure the agency runs smoothly and the workers stay in line.

Meanwhile, Angel sells a major book, which Lucy takes credit for….eventually things spiral out of control at the agency and in Angel’s life. She breaks up with her boyfriend, becomes paranoid, and spends many sleepless nights reading over a manuscript that eerily mirrors her life.

However, in the process she finds love and direction to her life. The mystery of the Blind Submission manuscript unravels quickly toward the end of the book.

***End Spoiler Alert***

I’m glad I found this book at Book Escape. It was a worthwhile read, and I hope to see more from this author. I recommend that other pick it up and try it out.

Look forward to an upcoming book review later this week. And as always, fellow book bloggers, remember that I will add your links to my review posts if you review the same book.

Also, Please feel free to enter my Blogiversary contest.

And like a good blogger, I am posting information about a giveaway on The Written Word. Feel free to enter the giveaway and spread the word about her contest.

Another Giveaway at Maw Books for all the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. Check it out, numerous ways to enter.

Check out this Giveaway at Booking Mamma for The Wednesday Sisters.

Another Blogoversary or Blogiversary at Diary of an Eccentric, check out Anna’s contest; It’s for knitters, yarn lovers, and bookaholics.

Blind Submission Also Reviewed By:
A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore

Word Nerd Co-Op Update, Contest, and Giveaway

Here’s the June update of my experience with the Word Nerd Co-Op:

First, I have a great writing partner, who happens to be a teacher in New York. She enthusiastic and committed, which is great. I’ve been in writing groups before where some of the members are committed and some are not. It’s good to be in a summer online writing group with committed partners.

Initially my goals for June are as follows:

1. write or edit at least 3 times per week
2. finish my short story by the end of June
3. revisit one of my novels

Week one–June 1-7–was successful in terms of goal #1. I edited on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Week two–June 8-14–was a bit less successful. I only edited on Monday and Wednesday. I fully hoped to get more editing done on Saturday, but we had planned a cookout, which was cut short by thunderstorms. It was fun picking up all the stuff and heading out on a hike, coming back in the rain was not so much fun. We made it to the car from the hike without being soaked, which I guess is a plus. Heading into the house with all the cookout stuff, we got soaked. Then I was too tired and fell asleep on the couch after the stressful workweek.

This week, I vow to make the three times per week goal. And I hope to get the story at least through the second round of edits before I head up North to Massachusetts for bridal shower festivities. So, I may fall short of my third goal for the month, but I am hopeful.

On the other hand, my writing partner, met her writing goal for the week. I’m very proud. I hope that she continues to meet her goals, and that her success will keep me motivated.

I will close with a photo of a deer we saw on the hike. She’s a bit far off in the distance, but she was gracious enough to stick around for me to take her portrait. She is a bit blurry because I keep forgetting I need a tripod with my zoom lens…my hands shake a bit too much.

Look forward to an upcoming book review later this week. And as always, fellow book bloggers, remember that I will add your links to my review posts if you review the same book.

Also, Please feel free to enter my Blogiversary contest.

And like a good blogger, I am posting information about a giveaway on The Written Word. Feel free to enter the giveaway and spread the word about her contest.