Saturday, September 15, 2012
Moby-Dick Update
Listen to ‘Moby-Dick’ as Read by Tilda Swinton, John Waters, David Cameron and More: Moby-Dick is without a doubt one of the greatest works of American literature — but, being intimidatingly long and detailed, it is not read as widely as it should be. However, if you’ve been putting off the Great White Whale since you shirked the reading in college, you’re in luck – author Philip Hoare and artist Angela Cockayne have put together Moby-Dick Big Read, an incredible and ambitious project to bring Melville’s novel to the masses.
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Friday, September 14, 2012
Shirley Climo, R. I. P.
Los Altos Town Crier: Shirley Climo, a Los Altos author who published dozens of picture books, died Aug. 25. She was 83.
Mrs. Climo penned 24 books, covering fairy tales, fables and folklore from around the world. Sometimes she revisited a classic story through the lens of different cultures, dwelling on, for instance, Cinderella as Egyptian, Persian and Korean, and even as a lad.
Free for Kindle this Weekend
The Crime Interviews Volume Three: Bloody Scotland Edition: Len Wanner,William McIlvanney: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: If you’re interested in learning about how to write, how to be a writer, or about the writing life in general, what greater resource and pleasure than frank, revealing interviews with some of today's best-selling authors?
Len Wanner's acclaimed interview series continues with VOLUME THREE: THE BLOODY SCOTLAND EDITION, featuring in-depth interviews with twelve of the leading lights of Scottish crime fiction and with a foreword by William McIlvanney, creator of Jack Laidlaw and the Godfather of tartan noir.
The New Arrival Looks Happy
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Forgotten Books: Three Rode North -- Al Conroy (Marvin H. Albert)
Marvin H. Albert was a prolific and satisfying writer no matter what name he was using or what genre he was writing in. He did many standalone westerns, as well as at least one series, the one featuring a gambler named Clayburn. In Three Rode North, three men are sent from Mexico to find Juan Ramirez, whose family had raised Clayburn in Mexico after his own family had been killed. One of the men locates Ramirez, wounds him, and has him jailed in a little town in Texas just as Clayburn arrives to meet him. Clayburn breaks him out of jail and learns that Ramirez's father has been killed by men loyal to General Otero, who's pretty much taken over the entire area. Juan wants Clayburn's help in getting revenge on Otero and putting a stop to his depredations. Clayburn wants revenge against whoever killed the elder Ramirez, who was like a father to Clayburn.
That's the starter plot. It turns out the a man named Dietrich is in charge of Otero's army and is thinking about taking over for himself. And it turns out that Juan was in the U. S. to buy guns, which he can't afford but which he can pay for if he can break into Otero's impregnable fortress, get into his heavily guarded treasury, and rob it.
So there's that plot. Clayburn decides to go undercover, join Otero, and find out how to rob the treasury. All this in around 150 pages, so things move fast.
A lot of Albert's westerns were filmed, and I'm surprised this one wasn't. It has all the ingredients. The illustration is the first Dell printing. It was later republished by Fawcett uner Albert's on name. Check it out under either name when you're looking for a good time.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Johnny Perez, R. I. P.
San Antonio Express-News: Johnny Perez, drummer on the Sir Douglas Quintet's biggest hits and an accomplished songwriter collaborating on hit songs with Joe “King” Carrasco, has died.
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
This happened in Jersey Village, near Houston.
Man Pays $137 Traffic Ticket With 137 Origami Pigs In Donut Boxes (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Man Pays $137 Traffic Ticket With 137 Origami Pigs In Donut Boxes (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Free for Kindle for a Limited Time
KILL ALL THE LAWYERS (Solomon vs. Lord): Paul Levine: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: It all starts with a 300-pound marlin stuck in Solomon’s front door. Prank? Threat? High tide? Even by South Florida standards, this registers as weird.
Soon, celebrity shrink “Dr. Bill” shows up. Just out of prison, he blames Solomon for his manslaughter conviction involving the death of a patient. Victoria Lord is used to her law partner and lover cutting corners to win. But Dr. Bill claims Solomon tried to lose!
As a lawyer who always follows the rules, Victoria is appalled by one of Solomon’s Laws: “Thou shalt not screw thy own client...unless thou hast a damn good reason.”
With Dr. Bill on the loose, neither Steve nor Victoria are safe, and their relationship – both personal and professional – is on the rocks. Will this be the end of Solomon and Lord?
Free Today for Kindle
Bullets for a Ballot: Nik Morton: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: Cash Laramie Returns! Gun Smoke Rises And Blood Spills.
In the town of Bear Pines, Mrs. Tolliver has announced she is running for the mayoral office. She’s the first woman to run as a candidate which divides the residents and sets the town into a tailspin. U.S. Marshal Cash Laramie is sent in to maintain peace and order and to protect Tolliver and her family from powerful allies of the incumbent, Mayor Nolan. In a bid to force her to quit the race, things turn ugly ... and deadly. Surrounded by killers who will stop at nothing to make sure Mrs. Tolliver is not elected, Cash wires Cheyenne for assistance, but will help arrive in time?
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
www.kfoxtv.com: Parents of some elementary school students are furious over a class assignment. They said children were asked to draw images depicting the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
World's first colour moving pictures discovered
BBC News: The world's first colour moving pictures dating from 1902 have been found by the National Media Museum in Bradford after lying forgotten in an old tin for 110 years.
Video at the link.
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Video at the link.
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
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First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
Borrowed food becomes breaking point for New Port Richey neighbors - Tampa Bay Times: Barney, 31, punched out a window of Leatherberry's live-in camper, deputies said. He told Barney that if he put his hand in again, he would stab it. Authorities say Barney punched out every other window. He lobbed a cinder block into the trailer, breaking Leatherberry's dresser and microwave, the report states.
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
Texas mom gets go-ahead for historic double-arm transplant - TODAY Health: Katy Hayes, the Texas mom who lost all four limbs to an infection soon after she had her third child, has been okayed for a double arm transplant by doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She’ll be the first person in the U.S. to get two full arms transplanted at once and is now at the top of the New England Organ Bank’s waiting list for th
Assouline Publishing: Coffee Table Luxury
AbeBooks: Assouline Publishing: Coffee Table Luxury: Founded in Paris in 1994 Assouline Publishing has quickly made its mark in luxury and fashion publishing. The business was started by husband and wife Prosper and Martine Assouline, who have built a name for themselves producing books that have been described as “beautiful, splashy and highly flattering” by the Washington Post. Assouline titles focus on images rather than text in order to convey the message – a picture is worth a thousand words to this particular publisher.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
And the Winner Is . . . .
The Dead Man: Winner of the You Can Write a DEAD MAN Novel Contest: We are pleased to announce that BARRY NAPIER has won the "You Can Write a DEAD MAN Novel" Contest, snagging a publishing contract for his DEAD MAN tale DREAMLAND, a $500 advance, and a $500 gift card.
For Some Reason Judy Is Opposed to This
Florida News: Gatorland in Orlando has provided the alligators living in the atrium at the Gaylord Palms Resort and in a tank at a seafood restaurant in Kissimmee. Now the vintage Florida attraction is offering to install and maintain glass tanks holding young, foot-long alligators in homes and businesses.
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I'm Not Going to Try This, Myself
Fantasy author writes her novel ‘live’ with the Internet reading over her shoulder | The Raw Story: Fantasy author Silvia Hartmann is opening herself up to the kind of scrutiny most writers would pay to avoid: this morning, she started writing her new novel on Google Docs, and you can see it taking shape word by word as she types.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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I've Read Six of Them
I can only imagine what I might have become if I'd read the other two.
David Foster Wallace’s Formative Reading List
David Foster Wallace’s Formative Reading List
Miroslav Sasek: This is Art
AbeBooks: Miroslav Sasek: This is Art: Miroslav Sasek (1916 – 1980) was a Czech author and illustrator, who generally published under “M. Sasek”, most remembered for a series of children’s books called “This Is…”. Beginning with the publication of This is Paris in 1959, the series acted as educational and entertaining tourism and travel books for kids, to teach them about some of the great cities, countries and regions in the world.
Overlooked Movies -- Suspect
If you haven't seen this movie, I don't blame you for being a little skeptical about the casting. Cher as a public defender in Washington, D.C.? In a courtroom drama? What could be more unlikely than that? If you watch the movie, however, I think you'll become a believer. I did. Cher is very, very good.Here's the deal: Liam Neeson plays a homeless vet. He's a deaf mute. And he's accused of killing an aide to a Supreme Court justice who's recently committed suicide. The evidence, such as it is, points to Neeson's guilt. Cher thinks he might be guilty, but it's her job to defend him. When the trial begins, she starts getting notes that hint there's more going on than she knows. Here's where you might stop believing again, since the notes are coming from a juror (Dennis Quaid), who (in an even more unlikely turn) teams up with Cher to find the real killers. Lots of suspense and a surprise ending, plus, of course, some romance.
This is slick Hollywood movie-making that's out to entertain you. It sure entertained me.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Free for Kindle for Three Days
Cadaver in Chief: A Special Report from the Dawn of the Zombie Apocalypse: Steve Hockensmith: Amazon.com: Kindle Store: HE CAME TO WASHINGTON FOR BRRRRRRRRAINS. NO WONDER HE'S STILL HUNGRY. The undead have risen from their graves, and society hangs by a thread. But America's political parties aren't going to let a little thing like the zombie apocalypse get in the way of a presidential election. There are nasty whispers about the incumbent, though, and they have nothing to do with where he was born. The rumor: He's dead.
Could a zombie be running for President? It's up to ace Washington Tribune reporter Jan Woods to find out. Cadaver in Chief, the new 10-chapter mini-novel from New York Times bestseller Steve Hockensmith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls), follows Woods on her search for the truth...a search that puts her up against the most dangerous ghouls in Washington. Oh, and zombies, too.
They're Writing Songs of Bouchercon, but Not for Me and Judy
Personal stuff. Feel free to skip.
Judy and I always look forward to attending Bouchercon. It's the big event of the year for us, and we've been going whenever possible since 1980. We've missed the overseas conventions and the one in New York in 1983, the year we moved here to Alvin and were still recovering from that move and from Hurricane Alicia, which arrived here the same week we did. We also missed the one in Alaska because that one came the year we found out that Judy had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and because she was undergoing some serious chemo.
Judy's been in treatment ever since, and while she's been in remission a couple of times, it hasn't lasted. Some of you might recall that she was in remission in the early part of this year, but in August we found out that the disease was back. The doctor recommended the full chemo routine again, and this time it's two days in a row. The first day is a long one, seven or eight hours of infusion of two drugs, Rituxan and Bendamustine. The second of the two was approved by the FDA the year after Judy's first treatments, so it's a fairly new one (in the U. S., anyway; it's been used in Germany for a long time). The second day is a shorter, with only Bendamustine being infused.
Judy's had two treatments so far. We think it's working, but she hasn't been tested yet. We'll find out more later. And while she's feeling pretty good except for the week after chemo (she feels rotten then), the third round of treatments is scheduled on October 5-6. Yes, Bouchercon weekend. We couldn't have gone, anyway, because one of the risks of chemo is infection. It wouldn't be wise to fly on a crowed plane and spend four or five days in a convention hotel, and we could take the risk. So we won't be at the Bouchercon. We canceled our hotel reservations, and the Bouchercon folks were very understanding when I asked about a membership refund. Our thanks to all concerned.
We'll be thinking about the convention a lot, of course, and wishing we were there. Maybe we'll make it to Albany in 2013. Here's hoping.
Judy and I always look forward to attending Bouchercon. It's the big event of the year for us, and we've been going whenever possible since 1980. We've missed the overseas conventions and the one in New York in 1983, the year we moved here to Alvin and were still recovering from that move and from Hurricane Alicia, which arrived here the same week we did. We also missed the one in Alaska because that one came the year we found out that Judy had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and because she was undergoing some serious chemo.
Judy's been in treatment ever since, and while she's been in remission a couple of times, it hasn't lasted. Some of you might recall that she was in remission in the early part of this year, but in August we found out that the disease was back. The doctor recommended the full chemo routine again, and this time it's two days in a row. The first day is a long one, seven or eight hours of infusion of two drugs, Rituxan and Bendamustine. The second of the two was approved by the FDA the year after Judy's first treatments, so it's a fairly new one (in the U. S., anyway; it's been used in Germany for a long time). The second day is a shorter, with only Bendamustine being infused.
Judy's had two treatments so far. We think it's working, but she hasn't been tested yet. We'll find out more later. And while she's feeling pretty good except for the week after chemo (she feels rotten then), the third round of treatments is scheduled on October 5-6. Yes, Bouchercon weekend. We couldn't have gone, anyway, because one of the risks of chemo is infection. It wouldn't be wise to fly on a crowed plane and spend four or five days in a convention hotel, and we could take the risk. So we won't be at the Bouchercon. We canceled our hotel reservations, and the Bouchercon folks were very understanding when I asked about a membership refund. Our thanks to all concerned.
We'll be thinking about the convention a lot, of course, and wishing we were there. Maybe we'll make it to Albany in 2013. Here's hoping.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Gator Update (Brooklyn Edition)
NY Daily News: Pairs of alligators, bearded dragons, a gecko, scorpion, tarantula, boa constrictor and five pythons were removed by Animal Care and Control from the Dean St. apartment in Brooklyn.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
From Tom Roberts at Black Dog Books -- A Flood Sale
Over
the holiday weekend I went into the BDB storage facility—namely the
basement of our home—to find standing water. Storms from the hurricane
effect.
For anyone that reads, collects or appreciates books, further description is pointless.
The water damaged not only parts of the home, but a portion of BDB stock as well as personal effects and some of the book collection.
While the water has now been removed the cleanup and salvaging goes on while the drying out continues.
In an attempt to aid in the financial recovery from our disaster, the following new releases are now marked down with flood sale prices.
Additional backlist titles will be marked down with flood sale prices later this week. Shop early and often to take advantage of the savings.
Thanks,
Tom Roberts
BDB publisher
For anyone that reads, collects or appreciates books, further description is pointless.
The water damaged not only parts of the home, but a portion of BDB stock as well as personal effects and some of the book collection.
While the water has now been removed the cleanup and salvaging goes on while the drying out continues.
In an attempt to aid in the financial recovery from our disaster, the following new releases are now marked down with flood sale prices.
Bring 'Em Back Dead by George Fielding Eliot
The first three exciting cases of Dan Fowler, G-Man. With an introduction by Matt Hilton.
Trade paperback/290 pages. Published at $29.95. Now $20.95!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=11&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=6&item_id=118
In the Name of Honor by Albert Payson Terhune
A Civil War-set historical drama of a wrongly accused man attempting to clear his name and regain the hand of the women he loves.
Trade paperback/289 pages. Published at $16.95. Now $11.95!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=13&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=7&item_id=141
The Rajah From Hell by H. Bedford-Jones
A Hindu prince seeks retribution for an ancient offense. Now four men have been marked for murder! Does the prince carry out his threat? Or can his revenge be thwarted? With an introduction by James Reasoner.
Trade paperback/100 pages. Published at $10.00. Now $7.00!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=11&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=6&item_id=143
Dusty Ayres—Invasion of the Black Lightning by Robert Sidney Bowen
An evil foreign powers threatens the safely of the United States. Can Dusty rally the troops in time to stop their advance?
For the first time, the initial three novel-length adventures of Dusty Ayres are brought together in one unparalleled volume.
Trade paperback / 266 pages. Published at $24.95. Now $17.50!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=13&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=7&item_id=127
The first three exciting cases of Dan Fowler, G-Man. With an introduction by Matt Hilton.
Trade paperback/290 pages. Published at $29.95. Now $20.95!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=11&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=6&item_id=118
In the Name of Honor by Albert Payson Terhune
A Civil War-set historical drama of a wrongly accused man attempting to clear his name and regain the hand of the women he loves.
Trade paperback/289 pages. Published at $16.95. Now $11.95!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=13&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=7&item_id=141
The Rajah From Hell by H. Bedford-Jones
A Hindu prince seeks retribution for an ancient offense. Now four men have been marked for murder! Does the prince carry out his threat? Or can his revenge be thwarted? With an introduction by James Reasoner.
Trade paperback/100 pages. Published at $10.00. Now $7.00!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=11&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=6&item_id=143
Dusty Ayres—Invasion of the Black Lightning by Robert Sidney Bowen
An evil foreign powers threatens the safely of the United States. Can Dusty rally the troops in time to stop their advance?
For the first time, the initial three novel-length adventures of Dusty Ayres are brought together in one unparalleled volume.
Trade paperback / 266 pages. Published at $24.95. Now $17.50!
http://www.blackdogbooks.net/index.php?Itemid=13&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=7&item_id=127
Additional backlist titles will be marked down with flood sale prices later this week. Shop early and often to take advantage of the savings.
Thanks,
Tom Roberts
BDB publisher
Dorothy McGuire, R. I. P.
Fox News: Dorothy McGuire Williamson, who teamed with sisters Christine and Phyllis for a string of hits in the 50s and 60s as the popular McGuire Sisters singing group, has died.
Williamson died Friday at her son's home in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley, daughter-in-law Karen Williamson said. She had Parkinson's disease and age-related dementia.
Leave John Banville Alone! Why Chandler’s Marlowe Should Live On
The Daily Beast: Ace Atkins, the novelist who kept Robert Parker’s Spenser series going, takes exception to those who argue that Banville should not be writing a new book featuring the adventures of Raymond Chandler’s legendary private eye Philip Marlowe.
I Found a Penny in the Street Last Week
Woman Finds Renoir Original at Flea Market: The flea market box lot was less than $50, and the buyer picked it up mostly for the Paul Bunyan doll it contained. But it turns out the box lot also contained an original painting by Renoir that could fetch up to $100,000 in an auction at the end of the month, reports the New York Times. The 5.5-inch-by-9-inch painting of the Seine riverside is believed to be Renoir's Paysage Bords de Seine. It was bought from a French gallery in 1925 and later sold to a Maryland collector, but art historians aren't sure when or how it disappeared.
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
And keep off his lawn!
Orlando Sentinel: A 92-year-old Orlando-area man faces first-degree attempted murder charges after deputies say he hit his daughter over the head with a frying pan, tried to shoot her twice then tried to grab a knife to stab her.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Orlando Sentinel: A 92-year-old Orlando-area man faces first-degree attempted murder charges after deputies say he hit his daughter over the head with a frying pan, tried to shoot her twice then tried to grab a knife to stab her.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
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