30 Days 2 + I'm Off!
25 Aug
I’ve had a productive couple of days before I must head out of town on my way to Context. I’m hanging out with the parents tomorrow night (they live between here and there somewhere) and then it’s off to–I don’t know. Act like a professional all weekend. Wait, I am a professional. Er, then act like I’m not incredibly nervous in crowds. How’s that?
S’okay. Where there are books, I cannot feel out of place for long.
A few notes of interest before I go:
1. Pete Kempshall, one of my favorite writers and an all around excellent kind of guy, is up for a Ditmar Award for Best New Talent. He’s done a lot of awesome things, but I’ve made his acquaintance thanks to shared ToCs from Morrigan Books, both in Grants Pass and Voices. (We have another upcoming, too!) Pete’s work is stunning, and so if you’re voting–well, did I say he’s awesome? Because he is.
2. If you missed it, the link to the ToC for the first issue of The Red Penny Papers is up. The issue is entirely too much fun–and I can say that as it’s absolutely no credit to me at all and a lot of credit to the clever, wonderful authors who agreed to contribute. Also, the cover is cool.
3. … I’m pretty sure there was a #3, but I guess not. Huh. Well, I like things in threes, dammit.
And now, to our section of the 30 Days of Books meme for the week.
Day 06 – Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Mm, let’s say The Great Gatsby. I love Fitzgerald and his hateful characters so much–but in Jay Gatsby there’s actually a lot to love, and that’s why this one is my favorite. (In truth, The Picture of Dorian Gray is my “desert island book”, but that’s the answer to a later question!)
Day 07 – Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Male MC. Female character falls in love with him–or so our narrator keeps telling us. It’s never explained why or how, nor is it shown, but since he’s The Hero, we are supposed to take their word for it, I guess. This of course makes her sacrifice all kinds of shit for him over the course of the novel, because as you know, that is a woman’s function. Because she loves him. Really. Did we mention that she loves him? Because she does!
I like stories of sacrifice for love, so don’t get me wrong there. I’d just like to actually believe there is love involved. For examples of this phenomenon, see The Last Legion by Valerio Massimo Manfredi (which I keep hoping just lost something in the translation, because it’s cool otherwise) and the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (which has awesome aspects, but I gave up after book 8). Those are big offenders, but a lot of things do it to a degree.
Day 08 – A book everyone should read at least once
Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Day 09 – Best scene ever
“The Paths of the Dead” from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien. I was so pissed when they cut most of it out of the movie–but the extended edition saved the day. It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty damn cool.
Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis. I love non-fiction in a general way, but business and finance bores my face off. Michael Lewis is my husband’s favorite author, though, so he insisted that I would love this one. You’d think I’d learn to stop doubting him when he says this, but no. (Not my fault, really. I can never get over him liking Tom Clancy. If you saw the comments on the last post, you now see the sense of humor I live with daily. God help us both.)
And that’s it for me. See you Monday-ish!
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Now playing: Arnold Schoenberg – Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4: I. Grave
via FoxyTunes
You’ll have a great time : ) I’m still bummed that my plans to go fell through. I’ll have to wait for next year to get drunk and hit on Japanese waiters. Or at least, to do those things in Ohio.
Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean with that creaky plot device. It’s the worst kind of ‘telling not showing’ and insulting to boot.
I haven’t read The Great Gatsby. It’s one of those staples of US literature that hasn’t really made an impact over here – if I’m typical of the UK public. I’ve heard of it but have no idea what it’s about. We prefer that misery Orwell.
I wish you could be there, Nat, but hey–at least you get to get drunk and hit on Japanese waiters in Japan. HELL yes.
Mike, drives me up the wall.
Also, IS there a staple of US literature that’s really made an impact over there? Not even just the UK types, but most of my Commonwealth friends never really had to bother with it. I mean, considering the amount of time it takes just to comb through the basics of English lit, who could be bothered? My husband’s grandmother recognized Thackeray instantly when I was reading Vanity Fair in Madras, but I introduced him to Steinbeck myself.
Seriously though, Fitzgerald is amazing. (So’s Orwell!)
I love The Great Gatsby too. Have a fantastic time at Context.
I hated reading Animal Farm at school. Dorian Gray however… I’ll love that book forever.
It’s a shame you and Natalie won’t be able to meet up at Context. Maybe next year.
I bow before your assessment of Least Favorite Plot Device. That seriously pisses me off, too. There are times when telling is better than showing… but that isn’t one of them.
Danielle, it was great! (Both the book and the con
)
Cate, I think I’d have hated it in school. Luckily I didn’t read it til I was in my 20s.
Megh, yes. Exactly. That.