May Your Soul Rest in Peace, William Peter Blatty

I was sad to hear the news that author and filmmaker William Peter Blatty died yesterday at the age of 89. His novel, The Exorcist, was one of the most frightening books I've ever read, and the movie of the same name gave me chills. 

Note: While the setting for the novel The Exorcist was Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., according to many, the story was based on an actual exorcism performed in 1949 in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Several years ago, when I wrote book reviews for Bookreporter.com, I was assigned to review Blatty's novel Dimiter.

 In my Bookreporter review I described Dimiter as "enigmatic, compelling, and beguiling. Part mystery and part spiritual thriller  . . . rich in detail and written with wisdom and grace."

At the end of my review I mentioned a minor detail in the novel that puzzled me. I wasn't sure if I should even comment on it. After all Mr. Blatty was an award-winning writer who won an Academy Award. Who was I to point out a mistake? Yet, I felt an obligation to readers to be completely honest in my review.

A few months later, I received an e-mail from someone whose address I didn't recognize. I scanned the e-mail quickly then started to delete it. But I paused and read it a few more times before realizing it was for real.

The e-mail was from Mr. Blatty himself, who thanked me not only for my review, but also for pointing out his mistake, which, he wrote, had been missed by him and several editors but would be corrected on the next print run.

Receiving his e-mail made me realize what a gracious and talented writer Mr. Blatty was.

May your soul rest in peace, William Peter Blatty. You were not only a gifted writer, but also a humble and generous man whose work inspired many.

News from the World of Publishing . . . THE HAPPY LIFE OF PRESTON KATT by J. J. Zerr

Congratulations to Jack Zerr, one of my critique group writing pals!

If you look closely at the photo on the left, you'll notice three things:

The smile on Jack Zerr's face
The logo on his tee-shirt that says, "I love the smell of jet fuel in the morning."
And
The copy of his latest novel, "The Happy Life of Preston Katt."

Recently Jack generously handed out copies of his novel to members of the Coffee and Critique writing group, and I read my copy right away.

Zerr's military fiction novel, which opens on the Island of Oahu on December 7, 1941, is the story of Seaman First Class Preston Katt's heroic adventures during World War II.

As the story unfolds, we learn about the daily grind of Navy life, as well as Katt's struggle with guilt and insecurities and his strong and sustaining faith.

As a Navy combat aviator and Vietnam veteran, Zerr writes with authority and compassion. His vivid writing, strong characterization, and attention to detail make The Happy Life of Preston Katt a compelling read.

If you would like to read my complete review of Jack's latest novel, visit the Coffee and Critique blog.

A Day in the Life of a Book Editor (Part II)

During her visit to Saturday Writers, Jane Henderson answered questions from the audience. She was engaging and thorough when she explained the review selection process and candid and encouraging when she gave tips for local writers and publishers on how and when to submit their books for review.

Here's a summary of what I learned:

* All books, including children’s books, should be sent directly to Jane Henderson at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

* You do not need permission to submit a book for review.

* About six weeks ahead of the event/release date, send her a heads up e-mail that you will be submitting a book (galley or ARC) for review consideration.

* No later than four weeks before the release date or event, submit the book (galley or ARC).

* She has to have a physical copy. (I took this to mean no e-books or PDF files.) 

           

* Succinctly summarize (in a couple lines) why Post-Dispatch readers would be interested in the book.

* Describe the local connection, if any.

* Mention if there's a local event planned—date, time, location, etc.

* Include the date of publication, price of the book, and name of the publisher.

* It’s okay to send one additional follow-up e-mail to make sure the book was received.

* But, sending more than two or three reminders can be counterproductive.

* Jane mentioned that the newspaper uses metrics of online readership to determine which reviews, features, and types of books readers are most interested in reading about. These metrics are used when selecting books for future reviews. 

* Here is a selection of newsworthy items that have appeared recently in the PD book section/book blog.

            A review of Gravity Box written by local author Mark Tiedemann and published by WalrusPublishing, a local press.

            A feature about esteemed local writer William Gass on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

            A feature about the October literary festival, Lit in the Lou.   

           Weekly listings of best-selling books.

  

Final note:  Jane's talk confirmed my belief that writers can generate interest and get more visibility for books and book reviews by visiting the Post-Dispatch online book section and book blog site regularly. I visit them several times a week to make sure I don’t miss any news about books, publishing, local authors, or special book-related events.

A Day in the Life of a Book Editor (Part I)

Jane Henderson talks
to Saturday Writers

Jane Henderson, book review editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was the special guest speaker at the July meeting of Saturday Writers. 

SW president Jennifer Hasheider, along with the rest of the board, did an excellent job recruiting and hosting Jane at the monthly meeting at the St. Peters Community and Cultural Arts Center.

During Jane’s talk, and afterwards at lunch, she was candid, approachable, informative, and gracious when describing her review selection process and when answering questions about books, reviews, writing, and the changing world of publishing. 

Here are some highlights.

* Jane receives about 300 books a week for review. She held up some of the books from her “July stack” and explained why she might send one book out for review but not the others. (Some selection considerations are listed below.)

* Most of the books sent to her come from mainstream publishers and small presses, although she also receives books from independent authors.

* Due to cutbacks in print space, personnel, and revenue, the paper has a limit of three reviews each week--although occasionally a feature writer will do a story about a writer if there's something newsworthy. (She remarked that several newspapers have discontinued their book review sections entirely.)

* The main area of focus for book reviews is the paper’s readers, not the author.

* The paper sometimes reviews paperbacks, but rarely reviews self-published books.

* The paper does not review self-help or diet books.

* When selecting which books to send to reviewers, some considerations are:

   Is it newsworthy?

   Is it unusual?

   Is it unusually well done?

   Is it something readers are interested in reading about?

   Is it something readers should be interested in reading about?

   Is there a local connection?

   Who published it?

   When was it published? 

   Has the book won a major award?

   Is the book written by a known name of someone who is coming to town?

   What is the story about?

   Is it original or the first book of its kind? (She used the example of follow-on books about wizards similar to the Harry Potter series are not as newsworthy as the original Harry Potter books.)

* Stories are important.

* The best books have good plots, engaging characters, extraordinary use of language, and compelling stories.

 * A review is not just free publicity; it is one person’s opinion about a book.

* She trusts her reviewers and doesn't edit a lot. Reviewers conform to the newspaper's style and standards.

In my next post I’ll share some of Jane’s suggestions for local authors and publishers who want to submit their books for review: when to contact her, what to include in their submissions, and what to avoid doing.

Check out Jane's book blog here.

Win a Copy of YA Novel BAKER MOUNTAIN by Doyle Suit

To celebrate the release of my critique group writing pal Doyle Suit's historical fiction YA novel, I'm giving away my advance reading copy. Baker Mountain is a Cactus Country novel published by High Hill Press.

Here are the blurbs from the back cover, including my own:

"This man puts a whole lot of himself into his books. His years spent wandering the Ouachita Mountains were not wasted. Baker Mountain tells it like it was for men and their families during and after the Great Depression." Dusty Richards

"Set during America's Great Depression, Baker Mountain by Doyle Suit harkens back to days of hard work and hard times. Through Suit's crisp and clear prose, vivid descriptions, and skillful painting of an era gone by, we learn the story of sixteen-year-old Gary Hill, whose life is turned upside down after the death of his mother. While Gary's father travels around the world in search of work, Gary moves in with his grandparents on their farm in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. In the shadow of Baker Mountain, city-boy Gary learns about farming, hunting, horseback riding, bootlegging, and falling in love. Baker Mountain is an entertaining coming-of-age novel of historical fiction whose message about the importance of education, self-reliance, and courage still resonates today." Donna Volkenannt

"Doyle Suit is a great storyteller with a smooth writing style, which is more than evident in his historical fiction YA,  Baker Mountain. From page one, my heart went out to poor Gary, having to leave his home in New Orleans to move to the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. But what he experiences in his new home will have you laughing out loud at times and crying with him at others. This book is especially wonderful for any library, classroom, or home school program." Margo Dill

To win a copy, just leave a comment between now and Oct 2. Winner will be announced Oct 3.

Worth a Read: HELP FOR THE HAUNTED

Raise your hands is you like ghost stories.

HELP FOR THE HAUNTED by John Searles is a mysterious ghost story with a murderous twist.

Sylvie Mason is an unusual teen with a special gift. She belongs to a family of Christian ghost hunters and healers living in Maryland. But all is not well, and all is not as it seems, in the Mason family.

After Sylvie's older, rebellious sister Rose goes missing, her parents receive a mysterious call on a snowy night to meet in a church if they want to find out where Rose is. Sylvie is told to wait in the car, and she does for what seems like forever. Finally, she traipses inside the church. When she discovers her parents have been murdered, she is grazed by a bullet that whizzes by her ear.

Flash forward: A year later, Sylvie is being "raised" by her negligent sister Rose, who barely provides food or clothing for Sylvie. In high school, Sylvie's life is unbearable, except for the school counselor who does his best to help Sylvie cope with her shattered life.

Who is the mysterious person who leaves casseroles on the doorstep at night, but which Rose throws out because she tells Sylvie they could be poisoned. And what's causing the unexplained noises and happenings in the basement?

After the man originally charged with the murder of her parents is cleared of the crime, the police reopen the case and question Sylvie. Forced to relive the horrible night, Sylvie is determined to find out who killed her parents. But that knowledge will reveal deep family secrets that could put Sylvie's life in jeopardy.

Narrated by the haunting voice of Sylvie, HELP FOR THE HAUNTED is a well written and satisfying ghost story that is surprising and a bit creepy.

Review and Giveaway of Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

After recently returning from a wonderful vacation on Fripp Island in South Carolina, in the beach home of my generous writer friend Berta, I've been in a beach frame of mind -- wearing flip flops and craving seafood and remembering the feel of sand beneath my feet and the sound and smell of the ocean.

Later this month I'll post about the amazing time my grandchildren and I spent at Sandcastle, the Rosenberg's large and lovely home on Fripp Island, right on the beach.

For now, in the spirit of passing on a bit of the sweet, salty air to my blog visitors, I've decided to post about an entertaining novel of a summer adventure that takes place on a remote island off the coast of Maine.

***

Sweet Salt Air by New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky is a delightful book, filled with the sights and smells and tastes of the beach.

The story is about Charlotte and Nicole, best friends who spent their summers in Nicole's family home on an island off the coast of Maine. After Nicole's marriage, the women's lives spin off in separate directions.

Charlotte has become a successful freelance travel writer whose assignments and adventures across the globe leave her longing to set down roots. Nicole lives in Philadelphia and is married to Julian, a successful surgeon. Nicole has turned her passion for organic food and fresh fruit and produce from farmers' markets into a popular food blog.

Ten years after Nicole's wedding, the women get together and spend the summer in Nicole's family vacation home where they collaborate on a cookbook featuring island foods and recipes.

Working on the cookbook rekindles pleasant memories, but it also unearths secrets, insecurities, and betrayal. Charlotte is consumed by guilt over something that happened before she left the island. Nicole also has a secret involving her husband that could be a matter of life or death.

While collecting recipes for the cookbook, the women reconnect with and befriend some islanders, including bad boy Leo Cole, who fiercely protects access to his late mother's garden and guards a surprising secret.

The women also experience the joy of rediscovering the beauty and uniqueness of the island -- the special scents and herbs that grow there -- and the delicious foods prepared with islanders' loving touches. Just about every chapter is infused with some sort of food, herb, plant, flower, or beverage. There's coffee, lots of coffee.

What I like most about Sweet Salt Air are the characters, especially Charlotte and Leo. I also was swept away by the beach setting and the engaging twists and turns the story took.

The sensual details make the novel come alive. The mention of so much food is expected with a story about the writing of a cookbook, but at times I felt dizzy with sensory overload and got sidetracked from the story. And telling a good story is what Barbara Delinsky does best.

So, if you're hungry for a tasty summer read, add Sweet Salt Air to your list. It is a sweet and touching novel about friendship, betrayal, redemption, love, forgiveness -- and food.

***

In the spirit of sharing, I'm giving away my Advance Readers' Edition of Sweet Salt Air to one of my visitors.

For a chance to win, just leave a comment by June 20 about a trip you've taken to a beach or a favorite vacation -- or just stop by to say "Hi!"

I'll select one commenter's name at random and on June 21 I'll post the winner's name, along with instructions on how to contact me to collect your winning.  

Good luck!

Almost forgot: Although St. Martin's Press provided me a free copy of the ARE of Sweet Salt Air, I was not paid to give a favorable review.

Review and Giveaway of Until My Soul Gets it Right by Karen Wojcik Berner

Today, I'm pleased to participate in the WOW! Women on Writing author blog tour, featuring Karen Wojcik Berner. Sorry for this midday post, but I thought I was supposed to post my review on Friday.

Several weeks ago I received a signed copy of Until My Soul Gets it Right: Book Two in The Bibliophiles series by Karen Wojcik Berner.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the pages of Karen's novel, but I have to admit I was instantly engaged with the story of Catherine Elbert, a farm girl from Wisconsin who is trying to find her place in life.

Her story opens in Wisconsin in 1985. Catherine is an excellent high school student who is selected for a plum part in the class play. Much to her disappointment, her stern and unloving mother squelches her dream of becoming an actress. In fact, her mother does her best to destroy Catherine's self-image at every turn.

Two years after graduation, with a dim future ahead of her and after watching a travel show on public television, Catherine embarks on a journey that takes her from Wisconsin to an island off the coast of Maine, to San Diego, California, and back to the Midwest.

Along the way she makes several friends and makes a lot of mistakes, while she learns a lot about life and about love, but mostly about herself.

Berner's characters are lively, and the book has mild touches of humor, some soul-searching situations, and some swearing. Berner does an excellent job of setting the scene and giving the reader a good sense of place. The writing is strong and fluid, with one minor exception involving the eye color of one of the characters. On one page his eyes are green, on another brown--the "same brown eyes" as Tom Cruise's--except TC's eyes are blue. That hiccup took me out of the story for half a second, but for the rest of the book I found myself flipping the pages to find out what was going to happen to Catherine. I wondered: would she ever find love, would she make amends for her mistakes, and how was the Bibliophile Book Club going to fit in? All my questions were answered by the last page.

Until My Soul Gets it Right by Karen Wojcik Berner is a novel of self-discovery, sin, redemption, and forgiveness--and also wicked fun.

In the spirit of sharing, I am going to give away my signed review copy to one lucky person who leaves a comment between now and October 2nd. The name of the winner will be picked at random and announced on October 3rd.

Review of Footprints in the Ozarks, A Memoir by Ellen Gray Massey

A few months ago, Ozarks writer Ellen Gray Massey wrote and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing her memoir, Footprints in the Ozarks.

It took less than a minute to reply, "Of course!"

At that time I had a list of books I'd already been assigned to read and review, along with deadlines for several writing projects, but Ellen's request was a no-brainer.

Full disclosure: I've known Ellen for about 15 years, and for as long as I've known her she has been an inspiration to me and other writers. She is kind and generous and wise, as well as a talented writer and storyteller and a respected authority on the Ozarks.

After explaining my workload whining about my workload, I wrote that most likely I couldn't finish my review until May. She graciously answered that would be no problem and promptly sent me a signed copy of her memoir. While Ellen gave me a copy of her memoir, she did not pay me to review her book, and I did not promise to give it a favorable review--just an honest one--by the end of May.

True to my word, on this last day of May, I am reviewing Ellen's delightful memoir.

Footprints in the Ozarks is a collection of short essays that capture the essence of the Ozarks, its people, its traditions, and its impact on American culture. Ellen's Ozarks story opens in December, 1944, with a story about her future husband Lane Massey. Dedicated to the memory of Lane, Footprints in the Ozarks is a  personal glimpse into Ellen's years as a wife, mother, teacher, writer, and Home Agent for the Missouri Farm Bureau.

The memoir is divided in three parts: Home Agent in Lebanon, The Farm, and Back in Lebanon. The book's primary setting is Laclede County, Missouri, around the town of Lebanon, Missouri, located along historic Route 66, now Interstate 44.

As you read about Ellen's life, you'll learn about Ozarkians, Ozarks customs and sayings, and a rural lifestyle in bygone days --- a time of Shivarees, homemade rag rugs, pie suppers, and one-room schoolhouses. The photos enhance the memoir and give an intimate portrait of Ellen and her family.

While Ellen Gray Massey's footprints mark her life's work, her memoir Footprints in the Ozarks will leave an indelible impression on readers who want to learn about the people and the place --- the mysterious, magnificient, Missouri Ozarks.

Happy Mother's Day - Win Free Books From Bookreporter

Happy Mother's Day!

Bookreporter has some amazing giveaways going on this month, especially for women who love to read.

While I can't enter (darn it) because I'm a Bookreporter reviewer already, I thought I'd share a link and some details with my blog visitors who love to read, write, and get free books!

Here's a sampling of what they're giving away this month:

The Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santo - 200 specially formatted early reader editions to give away to readers who would like to preview the book.

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon - 25 copies to readers who would like to preview the book and comment on it.

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall - 25 copies to readers who would like to preview the book and comment on it.

Visit the Bookreporter Contests page to find details on how to enter and even more chances to win!

Good Luck, and Happy Mother's Day!

Erma Bombeck 2012: Dinner with Adriana Trigiani, author of THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE

Friday night dinner at the Erma Bombeck 2012 Workshop was an unforgetable experience. The reading by Andy Bombeck before dinner of his mother's column about his marching to a different drummer was a bittersweet moment that brought tears to the eyes of just about everyone in the banquet room.

After dinner, listening to Adriana Trigiani felt like sitting around the kitchen table with my sisters after a holiday meal talking about family, friends and  Hollywood celebrities. Adriana was open and funny and wise.

She spoke about her fondness for the Bombeck family, about leaving her shoes in Nashville, growing up in Virginia, her aunt's special holiday appetizer (cream cheese and crackers), going to school across town from Notre Dame, writing scripts for Hollywood celebrities, and lots more.

She joked with the audience--the "late responders" who were seated in the back--and with a few women who married into large Italian families. She answered questions from the audience, even the ones who crossed the line.  

Sadly, a couple attendees took the opportunity of being in the presence of a bestselling author and screenwriter to ask inappropriate questions. One guy asked her to dish out gossip on celebrities she'd worked with in Hollywood. She didn't rise to the bait; instead she deflected the question by sharing a humorous incident she had with Dolly Parton.

Another man asked Adriana to take a look at his manuscript and send it to her agent. Her response was graceful, yet pointed. She explained that legally she couldn't read his manuscript, but she promised to let her agent know the man would be sending his manuscript. She told us she liked to make her agent work hard and earn her money. Boy, would I love to read what Adriana wrote to her agent about the man's out-of-line request to fast-track his manuscript.

After her talk, a circle formed of people asking more questions. I didn't want to slow her down from getting to her book signing, so I missed my opportunity to meet her personally and tell her how much I enjoyed her latest novel, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE. I had brought my review copy with me and planned to ask her to sign it, then I decided it would be tacky asking her to sign a book I got for free--so, another missed opportunity.

The Friday night banquet was the last workshop event my sister Kathleen and I attended. I was worn out and having shoulder pain, so we left early Saturday morning to drive back to Missouri.

Of all the workshops and conferences I've gone to over the years, the Erma Bombeck Workshop in Dayton has been the most memorable, and the banuet dinner with Adriani Trigiani the most fun. 

Don't you love the gorgeous cover of her latest novel, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE? 

If you would like to read my review of THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE, you can find it on the Bookreporter website. In essence, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE is a heart-warming tale about two young peasants who meet briefly before leave their separate villages in the Italian Alps at different times and are brought together in America through fate and faith. It's an epic family saga and a love story, which is based on the history of Adriana's family, and the book "she was meant to write."

If you visit the Bookreporter site you can also find an interview of Adriana. The book trailer will give you chills. No wonder THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE has been on the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks. I'm hoping there will be a sequel!

Oh, and to show you how gracious Adriana is, here's some feedback I received from my editor after I returned from Dayton. Adriana's expresses her thoughts on my review which appeared on the Bookreporter's newly re-designed website: "How beautiful- the review! the new site design! the layout! it's totally gorgeous and energized and easy to navigate. The review of The Shoemaker's Wife is absolutely lovely!"

Even though I didn't get to meet Adriana personally, her comments about my review helped me get over it. 

That's all for the workshop, except for some photos I received the other day from Debe Dockins of the Erma Event at the Centerville Library; I'll post most them most likely next week. 

Hope you all have a great weekend.   Ciao!

My Interview with Lisa Jackson is Posted on Bookreporter

My interview with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson is now available on the Bookreporter website.

In my interview with Jackson I asked about New Orleans, the setting for DEVIOUS, her latest Rick Bentz/Reuben Montoya novel. I also asked Jackson about: how she researches to get details just right, how she gets into the minds of serial killers, her collaboration with her sister Nancy Bush in the Wicked series, and the best writing advice she's ever received.

Over on Bookreporter, you can also read my review of DEVIOUS, which is now available in paperback. Here's an excerpt of what I had to say in my Bookreporter review: "DEVIOUS . . .  takes readers on a journey into the isolated world of a cloistered New Orleans convent filled with deadly secrets. Jackson measures out the right dose of mystery, suspense and romance to create a captivating story of jealousy, lust, murder, redemption and revenge."

Next week I'll post more about my amazing time at the Erma Bombeck Workshop on the campus of the University of Dayton, where Adriana Trigiani was a keynote speaker. And I'll share my thoughts on Trigiani's latest novel, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE.

Extrovert or Introvert - Which are You?

The other day on the NPR "All Things Considered" site I read an interesting interview of Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.

After reading Susan's interview and reviews of her book, I realized I definitely need to head to the library and check out her book.

In her NPR interview she responds to questions, including: the difference between introversion and shyness, the culture of character vs. the culture of personality, and the value of working alone. The end of her interview includes a "Quiet Quiz" to gauge where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum.

Although it's not a scientific quiz, the questions "were formulated based on characteristics of introversion often accepted by contemporary researchers." Some of the questions include: I often prefer to express myself in writing, I enjoy solitude, I dislike conflict, along with 17 others.

If you would like to read the entire article, interview, and quiz, here's a link to the NPR article, "Quiet Please: Unleashing the Power of Introverts."

I took the quiz then asked my husband the questions. I rank high on the Introvert scale, and hubby is more in the middle. As I took the questions, though, I realized that had I been asked these same questions 20 years ago, although I still would be an introvert, some of my answers would've been different.

So, how about you? Are you an extrovert or introvert or do you fall somewhere in between?

My Review of Newbery Medal Winner "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Last week I was excited to learn that DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos was selected to receive the John Newbery Medal from the American Library Association (ALA) for the "most outstanding contribution to children's literature."

Back in the fall I read and reviewed DEAD END IN NORVELT  for Kidsreads.com and gave it five stars--the highest rating I can give for a book.

Gantos' novel has so much going for it, I don't know where to begin, so I'll summarize my review.

DEAD END IN NORVELT is part autobiography and part historical fiction, with some mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure. The setting is 1962 in Norvelt, Pennsylvania. The main character is twelve-year-old Jack Gantos, who has a problem. When he gets startled, excited or scared, his nose bleeds. And during the summer of 1962, there are lots of exciting and frightening events happening in Jack’s hometown. After he accidentally fires a live bullet from his dad's Japanese sniper's rifle, he gets in big trouble. To redeem himself he agrees to help Miss Volker, an elderly neighbor, with a special project.

Because of his Miss Volker's arthritis--and her promise to Eleanor Roosevelt--Jack helps type obituaries of the original residents of the town, which was established during the New Deal. During the summer an increasing number of original residents die, and Jack wonders if something sinister is going on in his home town.

While typing the obituaries, he also learns about how each resident has impacted the town. Besides Jack and Miss Volker, there are some strange residents in Norvelt, including his own parents, who are a study in contrasts of the era. His dad is a World War II vet who wants to leave Norvelt, while at the same time preparing for a Russian invasion from the Commies. His mom loves her community and wants to stay.

Without giving too much away, I'll add that Gantos uses a gentle touch to weave twentieth century American history into the story line along with wonderfully wacky scenes, delightfully memorable characters, and a mystery to boot.

You can read my entire review on the Kidsreads.com website.

Reading Roundup III - Some Favorite Children's Books for 2011

To complete my reading roundup, here are some of my favorite children's books for 2011. The links are to books with my reviews for Kidsreads.

BLESS THIS MOUSE by Lois Lowry is a charming story for animal-loving readers of all ages.

DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos weaves twentieth century American history with wacky scenes and memorable characters.

PAINTINGS FROM THE CAVE: THREE NOVELLAS is Gary Paulsen’s dark and gritty collection of stories about three children who use the beauty of art and/or the unconditional love of dogs to survive troubled childhoods.

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE by Melissa Ann Goodwin is a sweet and suspenseful tale filled with surprises.

THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: FOURTEEN AMAZING AUTHORS TELL THE TALES, Chris Van Allsburg. Stories written by children’s and adult authors: Sherman Alexie, M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King, Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka and Chris Van Allsburg, with an introduction by Lemony Snicket.

WARP SPEED by Lisa Yee is a touching story about belonging, being unique and standing-up to bullies.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with wonderful books.

Reading Roundup I - Some Favorite Books for Adults from 2011

Books make great Christmas gifts, so if you're thinking of buying books for Christmas, here's a list of some books I've read this year. This list is for books for adults. I'll post my suggestions for children's and young adult books in the next week. You can find my complete reviews of most of these books on Bookreporter.com

ON CANAAN’S SIDE by Sebastian Barry is an elegantly written, touching story of love and loss, sorrow and joy, secrets and surprises.


KILLING LINCOLN: THE SHOCKING ASSASSINATION THAT CHANGED AMERICA FOREVER by Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard is a suspenseful historical narrative that chronicles events that changed America.

THE PRIEST’S GRAVEYARD by Ted Dekker is a fast-paced thriller that doesn’t shy away from dark and bloody scenes, while at the same time being surprisingly tender.

THE LOST SUMMER OF LOUISA MAE ALCOTT by Kelly O’Connor McNees imagines the summer of 1855, a summer that would change the course of Louisa Mae Alcott’s writing career.

THE MAID: A NOVEL OF JOAN OF ARC by Kimberly Cutter is written with vivid details and lovely prose, portraying the range of emotions of Jehanne (Joan of Arc), an uneducated peasant teenage girl who struggles with the destiny she must fulfill.

Review and Winner of MY RUBY SLIPPERS: THE ROAD BACK TO KANSAS

In MY RUBY SLIPPERS, Tracy Seeley faces her mortality as she chronicles her physical and emotional journey from her adult home in San Francisco to Kansas, where she mostly grew up as a child. By visiting the many places she lived during her formative years, she rekindles memories, discovers family secrets and experiences the liberating power of forgiveness. In the process she finds the meaning of home.

At the age of eighteen, Tracy left for college in Texas, where she worked at “shucking Kansas off like the skin of a cicada.” Years later, after graduate school and teaching at Yale, her children grown, she lives in San Francisco, where she has “joined the land of the lotus eaters, intoxicated by pleasure, forgetful of our pasts in other lands.”

Then her parents, long divorced, die two weeks apart. In her grief, Tracy pulls out her baby book with a list of thirteen addresses recorded by her mother--places where her family lived before Tracy turned nine. For her, those thirteen addresses take “on the power of a spell” to carry her back to Kansas. More than two years later, after completing radiation treatments for cancer and being abandoned by her significant other, she grabs her thirteen addresses and takes off on the road towards Kansas.

Reading Seeley’s memoir is like stepping back in time and getting to know a young girl, her family, their dreams, and the Kansas of her childhood home. MY RUBY SLIPPERS: THE ROAD BACK TO KANSAS is an elegantly written story, filled with warmth and wisdom. Seeley's thoughtful and thought-provoking memoir is part of the American Lives Series, published by the University of Nebraska Press, edited by Tobias Wolff. A lovely book and a wonderful story.

MY RUBY SLIPPERS: THE ROAD BACK TO KANSAS

Tracy Seeley

University of Nebraska Press

ISBN: 978-0-8032-3010-1

$15.95

www.bisonbooks.com

***

It was such an honor to have Tracy Seeley as my guest blogger earlier this week, as part of the WOW! Women on Writing Guest Author program. I thank Tracy for generously sharing her time and wisdom with everyone who visited during her post. I also thank all those who left a comment or a question for Tracy.

When I e-mailed Tracy yesterday and asked her to select the name of a winner of her memoir, she lamented that she could only pick one name. So, just beneath my review above, I've added some information about where visitors can purchase a copy of MY RUBY SLIPPERS. Another option is to check with your local library. If they don't have one on hand, ask them to order a copy. You'll be glad you did!

Now, for the name of the winner. The name selected by Tracy to win a copy of MY RUBY SLIPPERS is

CLARA GILLOW CLARK

Clara, please e-mail Tracy your mailing address at seeleyt (at) usfca.edu and remind her you were the winner she selected to win a copy of her memoir on Donna's Book Pub.

Thanks again to Tracy and all my faithful visitors who once again prove how generous and encouraging writers are.

How to Write a Sentence by Stanley Fish

I'm reading the book "How to Write a Sentence" by New York Times columnist and professor Stanley Fish. The subtitle is "And How to Read One."

Fish's book demands more than reading; it requires study and contemplation. In his book, Fish analyzes sentences by breaking them down into their basic elements and gives examples of those memorable ones--those that draw readers in, hinting at plot and character, and making them want more.

"Call me Ishmael" from Moby-Dick is a sentence Fish cites, and one that tops several memorable first sentence lists.

Speaking of which: Did you know there are several websites devoted to sentences? Fish mentions several in his book. I found a couple on my own. Here's the American Book Review site with the Best First 100 Lines from Novels. And another one with the best last sentences.

One of my favorite first lines is from a children's book -- Kate DiCamillo's "Because of Winn-Dixie." The opening line introduces the character, conflict, setting, and voice. "My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog."

Another is from the O. Henry's short story, "The Gift of the Magi," which begins, "One dollar and eighty-seven cents."

My hope is that by reading and analyzing memorable sentences I can make my own sentences more appealing.

How about you? Do you have any favorite opening (or ending) sentences?

February Giveaway for My Followers

My regular readers know that I am a book reviewer for Bookreporter, Teenreads, and Kidsreads. After finishing my reviews, I often give away books to family or friends or donate them to local libraries.

Sometimes rather than receiving copies of books, I am sent Uncorrected Proofs and Advance Reader's Copies (ARCs), which I can't really donate to a library, so I keep them in a stack that has been growing larger.

To shorten my stack and show my appreciation to my blog followers, I'm giving away two ARCs this month.

In honor of February, with St. Valentine's Day and healthy-heart month, I'm giving away an ARC of THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE, written by National Book Award Nominee Beth Kephart and published by HarperTeen.

The gracefully written book is about two friends who travel to Juarez, Mexico, as part of a mission to help improve a community. The story is about courage, loyalty, and the responsibilities of friendship. You can read my entire review of Kephart's novel on the Teensreads.com site.



The second ARC giveaway is HIGHWAY ROBBERY written by Irish author Kate Thompson, published by Greenwillow Books. This is a middle-grade novel intended for ages 10 and up. It's a story of danger and suspense and an infamous horse.

You can read my entire review by visiting the Kidsreads site.

If you are a children's writer, these books are great to read to study the craft of writing. They also make great gifts for children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students.

To sign up for the February ARC giveaway:
* Be a follower of my blog
* If you aren't a follower, just sign up before Feb 28
* Leave a comment by Feb 28 and let me know which ARC you would like
* If you would like both ARCs, leave two separate comments
* Be sure to include an e-mail address so I can contact you

I will separate comments by titles requested then randomly select the names of two followers who have left comments. Winners' names will be announced the first week of March.

Good luck to all who enter. If this giveaway receives a fair amount of response, I will repeat the process next month with similar giveaways.

Review of Geese to a Poor Market by L. D. Whitaker

Recently I finished reading Geese to a Poor Market, written by L. D. Whitaker and published by High Hill Press. The book's setting is in the Missouri Ozarks in the 1950s. Its title comes from an Ozarks expression that means selling yourself or your goods for less than they are worth.

Whitaker's novel is rich with the sights, sounds, sayings, and characters of the Missouri Ozarks. Told from multiple points of view, the story centers on the lives of Rita Sanders and her son Wesley.

At the beginning of the story, Rita leaves her semi-truck-driving-hard-drinking-cheating husband Ray and takes their seven-year-old son Wesley back to her parents' home in rural Missouri. Life isn't easy for Rita or Wesley, but Rita's parents tighten their belts and do their best to welcome them home.

Rita's father Will O'Dell is strong and proud, but also has a gentle streak, especially when it comes to his grandson. Although Will's left arm has been amputated above the wrist, he manages to make a living by farming.

Rita's mother Beulah is prudish and judgmental. She disapproves of Rita's leaving her husband, even though he was the one who was cheating, but she loves her grandson and wants what she thinks is best for him. Beulah is insensed when Rita gets a job working for retired Navy vet Sam Rockford at a local honky-tonk to help pay for their share of the family expenses. Beulah tells Rita her actions are like, "driving geese to a poor market."

Things get dicey after Rita moves in with Sam, and Ray shows up to reclaim his son.

In the tradition of Ozark storytellers, Whitaker knows how to spin a good yarn. His book is peopled with characters who leap off the pages, including moonshiners, lame-brained criminals, fire-and-brimstone revival preachers, the goodly, and the goodless. Whitaker's background as an attorney shows in the parts of the book that deal with the intracacies and nuances of Missouri law.

His descriptions of life in the Missouri Ozarks are vivid and specific. It's hard to find fault with Whitaker's debut novel. My only criticism--and it's a minor one--is that at times the detailed descriptions and lengthy dialogue interrupt the flow of the story.

On balance, Geese to a Poor Market is a thoughtful and an entertaining tale that captures the essence of the struggles, loves, and lives of a family living in the Ozarks in the mid-1950s.