2008 Books # 26, 27, and 28
Catching up now:
#26: How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead, by Ariel Gore
Entertaining, encouraging, full of spirit, and probably a good thing for a person to read early on in the process of learning about the writing life. I'm not sure about the focus on self-publishing and self-promotion. I guess it depends on your goals. If you want to write a 'zine and get it out there ASAP, this is your book. If you want to write novels, I'm still a believer in traditional publishing that involves an editor, because self-publishing novels does not seem to get people much respect at all. I liked this book, but didn't love it.
#27: The Green Glass Sea, by Ellen Klages
I SUPER-loved this one. A science-oriented but not science-fictional young adult novel set in the mid-1940s, with quirky girls finding their way in the very weird situation of living in Los Alamos while their scientist parents work to end WWII. Klages' writing style is beautifully clear, and I can't wait to read the sequel, White Sands, Red Menace, when it comes out this fall. I only wish I could have read this book when I was eleven years old--I would have loved and been comforted by it then, from inside a quirky childhood.
#28: The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson.
I'm glad I've finally read this, but I have mixed feelings about it. And I may expand on that in the future, or I may not, but now I have to get going! I do think everyone should read it, because it is certainly a well-written and extremely interesting creepy book.
#26: How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead, by Ariel Gore
Entertaining, encouraging, full of spirit, and probably a good thing for a person to read early on in the process of learning about the writing life. I'm not sure about the focus on self-publishing and self-promotion. I guess it depends on your goals. If you want to write a 'zine and get it out there ASAP, this is your book. If you want to write novels, I'm still a believer in traditional publishing that involves an editor, because self-publishing novels does not seem to get people much respect at all. I liked this book, but didn't love it.
#27: The Green Glass Sea, by Ellen Klages
I SUPER-loved this one. A science-oriented but not science-fictional young adult novel set in the mid-1940s, with quirky girls finding their way in the very weird situation of living in Los Alamos while their scientist parents work to end WWII. Klages' writing style is beautifully clear, and I can't wait to read the sequel, White Sands, Red Menace, when it comes out this fall. I only wish I could have read this book when I was eleven years old--I would have loved and been comforted by it then, from inside a quirky childhood.
#28: The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson.
I'm glad I've finally read this, but I have mixed feelings about it. And I may expand on that in the future, or I may not, but now I have to get going! I do think everyone should read it, because it is certainly a well-written and extremely interesting creepy book.