I picked up Crystal Rain by Tobias S. Buckell and discovered this:
Everything thirsted for the impending rainy season: the dry jungle...and the drooping emerald ears of corn.
Which amuses me, y'see, because corn requires a lot of rain to stay "emerald green," for one thing. If it's thirsty, the leaves curl and turn brittle, pale green - then brownish-yellow, and then pale golden white. And the ears droop when they're mature or when the plant has died. Once they're mature, rain won't help. If the ears are drooping, rain won't matter.
Also this: Rainy season tugged at their joints...soon the jungle air blowing into the streets would be wet...and the corn so fresh you could hear it grow at night in the fields.
Okay, people. Corn only grows before it puts out ears. Once it puts out ears - at the end of the plant's growing cycle - all the plant's energies go into filling the kernels. It takes about an inch of rain a week for a couple of weeks to fill an ear of corn optimally. You'll get corn with less moisture, of course, but the ears will be smaller with fewer kernels. After that, it's simply a matter of waiting for the corn to dry enough to be stored safely. At that point, you don't want rain.
I haven't read far enough to know what sort of world he's building here, or what sort of people. But surely, if they're growing corn near a jungle, they would know how to time their planting.
I don't think I'm in the mood to read this right now. I'll have to come back to it when I'm less irritable.
- Mood:
amused
tually did this on the 13th, but it is something to check off my 101 list.I headed out to Vashon Island with bookchick, her adorable child, and her husband (who as a native of the island was extremely helpful to have along). As far as festivals go, this was pretty standard small town fair. We started the day at an all-you-can-eat pancake feed, where I was surprised to eat four pancakes, as I am usually not a big fan. But they came with strawberries and ham, coffee and juice, and sweet young boy scouts came around regularly to top off your beverages and call you Mame. It was very nice.
The street fair was pretty standard stuff. The usual mix of cheap fair items, crafts folks, hippie stuff and food. I bought this somewhat awesome rhinestone encrusted belt buck
le. There was an vintage auto parade that was somewhat baffling. It took forever to get underway, and then just went right down the middle of all the vendors! There were many cool old cards, but there was also a strange mix of cars that didn't seem worth bragging about to me, but perhaps I am out of touch with the world of vintage. Either that or the parade organizers of Vashon are extremely kind.I spotted my least favorite ex, but happily he passed by obliviously, and I was not forced to make conversation.
This was not the best small town event I've been too, but it wasn't bad. And it was a joy to hang out with my friends and their delightful child.
“Monster” and “whiteant”. Have you ever used them as verbs? If your answer is yes give sentence and say where you are from.
This is in the nature of a scientific survey. Truth must be told.
That is all.
I just posted my review here. A five star review. Not handed out lightly, for those who know my review history. I'm juggling three more books at the moment. One I've been reading for personal pleasure, a bit at a time for months. One is by a 2k8 author and I'm liking it immensely already. The other is the ARC I've been waiting for. *squee* I LOVE books!!!! I'm considering doing reviews just for my blog, in addition to my "snippet" posts about books. Would that be a positive change for the couple of people reading this blog, or do you get enough of that already on your friends lists? Please be honest.- Mood:
curious
Tithe: A Modern Faerie TaleWriter: Holly Black
Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 331
Yes, I'm reading ridiculously fast lately.
The next offering is Holly Black's Tithe, so if you're a fan of faeries, you should check this out. I'm NOT a fan of faeries, and read this solely because I was interested in Black's work. And having already read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and Elizabeth Bear's Blood and Iron, a lot of this book felt very, very familiar to me, even though this book was published first.
Still, I enjoyed it, but mostly for the romantic elements than anything else, though Black does have some lovely bits of prose in her pages.
The premise: Kaye's always seen faeries. Hell, they were her "imaginary" friends when she was a kid. But since then, she's traveled the country with her rock-star mom, and has since grown out of touch with her faerie friends. But when an incident forces her back home to Jersey, she soon learns her friends weren't imaginary at all, and what's more, they need her help. Unfortunately, her help could mean her death.
The full review, with spoilers, is in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.
REVIEW: Holly Black's TITHE
Happy Reading! :)
Tithe: A Modern Faerie TaleWriter: Holly Black
Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 331
Yes, I'm reading ridiculously fast lately.
The next offering is Holly Black's Tithe, so if you're a fan of faeries, you should check this out. I'm NOT a fan of faeries, and read this solely because I was interested in Black's work. And having already read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and Elizabeth Bear's Blood and Iron, a lot of this book felt very, very familiar to me, even though this book was published first.
Still, I enjoyed it, but mostly for the romantic elements than anything else, though Black does have some lovely bits of prose in her pages.
The premise: Kaye's always seen faeries. Hell, they were her "imaginary" friends when she was a kid. But since then, she's traveled the country with her rock-star mom, and has since grown out of touch with her faerie friends. But when an incident forces her back home to Jersey, she soon learns her friends weren't imaginary at all, and what's more, they need her help. Unfortunately, her help could mean her death.
The full review, with spoilers, is in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.
REVIEW: Holly Black's TITHE
Happy Reading! :)
Well...
You see...
Um....
OK. Don't ask me.
Instead, listen to my agent. She explains it much better.
I'm a pretty optimistic person, but I do have this neurotic quirk. When everything in my life is going well, I squint my eyes and brace myself for the inevitable. Like, after my first daughter was born, I was scared to fly. I was sure the imbalance of the universe would send us crashing down because it didn't fit that someone could be so crazy happy.
So I wasn't even surprised, given the recent influx of good news, when someone rear-ended us the other day. The impact happened, I let out a breath and thought, Well, there it is.
But we were fine. My car simply scratched. The other car? The whole front smashed in. So really, I was lucky. More good news. Uh-oh.
Then, as we were driving home during a thunderstorm, we saw lightning strike in our neighborhood. Of course. A little dramatic, but a natural disaster would counter how happy high I've been. We turned the corner and... not our house. A house five over. Everyone/thing is fine, but I want to knock on my neighbors door and say, sorry, I think that was meant for me.
As a bi-product, we haven't had internet for the last few days. Not much of a disaster, except I did develop a bit of a twitch. And I'm programmed to sit down at my computer, so I thought, Hey! I should write.
Well.
Has anyone else ever been hypnotized by a blinking cursor on a blank page?
So that was it. My ironic fate.For two days and a few stolen hours, I couldn't figure out which project to work on/start/finish. I had no idea what to do with an internetless computer.
Except somewhere amongst all that blinking, I thought of something.
Dude.
Dude.
Dude.
COMBINE THEM
I had one idea that was high concept. Series potential. Fun and different. But I wasn't visualizing the characters or setting or anything. It was just an idea.
I had another book with the coolest setting in the world. So cool, it can not be disclosed. It's in locked file in a locked cabinet in er... my locked brain.
And an old novel I wrote that is the Lord of all Stinkiness, but there is a character I really love in it.
So.
I'm COMBINING THEM INTO ONE BOOK. Now I don't have to choose!
I just have to, you know, write it. But still. STILL!
And I better get to it soon. Before, you know, a piano falls on my head.
It's a big step because now I'm considered a real representative of the school rather than a beginner. I'll be able to start free sparring (white and gold sashes only do structured two-person drills, no actual sparring), and I may be invited to start coming to the advanced classes. W00t! So happy. :D
- Mood: happy
I won 4 tickets to see the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow night!! The tickets are amazing, right behind the Phillies dugout. And the weirdest thing is, my husband is a huge Phillies fan and it's his birthday tomorrow. But not only that, my parents gave him a Phillies jersey for his birthday, too.
Is that weird or what? Happy birthday to HIM. I, obviously, would rather just sit at home and write.
If you love discussing good books with other readers, please join the readergirlz! In addition to the monthly issues posted at the website, we also offer a discussion forum where teens and adults chat about books, writing, and ways to be active in their real-life communities.
This month, we've put Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher in the spotlight. Jay will be chatting at the readergirlz forum live TONIGHT, starting at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST. The chat will last for about an hour.
To learn more about this month's book, please read this month's issue of readergirlz.
Bookmark www.readergirlz.com
- Mood:
thirsty - Music:All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow
The Jimmy Fund supports cutting-edge cancer research and first-rate, compassionate care at one of the nation's leading cancer hospitals, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I'm a big supporter of the Jimmy Fund because the money they raise makes a real difference for those fighting cancer--of all types.
This year, to help raise money for the Jimmy Fund, I'm lacing up my Asics to participate in the annual Jimmy Fund Walk. The Walk covers several routes, but I am choosing to tackle the longest--the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon route, which runs from Hopkinton, Massachusetts all the way to Boston. I'm sure I'll come home with a mangled pedicure...and a huge smile on my face. I hope that you will help support my efforts to raise money for this fantastic organization--they save lives every single day, and the research they do could very well save your life or the life of a loved one in the future.
Check out my personal Jimmy Fund Walk page here or just type www.jimmyfundwalk.org/nikiburnham into your browser window. Every little bit--even five dollars--helps. You can donate anonymously, in the name of a loved one...however you want. What's important is that if we all work together, we can beat cancer!
But this past weekend, at ReaderCon, a discussion was had where we tried to identify the narrative function of werewolves and I thought maybe this would make you guys laugh.
We decided that the Narrative Function of the Werewolf is:
1. To have weird pack dynamics (sometimes really weird)
2. To be a metaphor for suppressed rage
3. To die and turn back into someone unexpected
4. To ravage the countryside
5. To lose in a love triangle with a vampire (why do they always lose? why?)
Got any more? How about the narrative function of the vampire?
So, a while back, I reported that PRADA AND PREJUDICE may be changing the title, much to my chagrin. I didn't get all up and arms or anything, but I was a little concerned.
But I just found out that I will be KEEPING MY TITLE. Yep, its staying PRADA AND PREJUDICE.
Which is good, cus the whole book is about Prada heels and prejudices. I mean, what else could I come up with that tops that?
I had no idea how worried i was until I read that email and felt the biggest surge of relief and excitement, and I keep grinning, knowing my title is stayin PRADA AND PREJUDICE, and not something really random and weird I'd be stuck with.
Also, she says they are now hard at work on my cover! What a great email. :-)
Been having a great vacation this week, even though one of the twins had to return home earlier. My husband and I and the remaining twin did some tubing on the Salt River yesterday, and I wish I had pics, but large bodies of water and high-priced electronics really don't mix. So enjoy this stock photo instead:
All was good and relaxing for the most part, except for the particularly loud group that somehow kept getting stuck in the weeds (while we'd held up for awhile to let them pass us) and the loss of my husband's flip flops. That's some hot sand right there.
We ended up on an interesting bus back to the parking lot. The woman driver had decorated the inside with colorful streamers and cut-out words that spelled "Betty Boop's Party Bus." Once she'd started the bus, she turned up the stereo and started blasting out "Do You Love Me" by The Contours. Singing along in a purposefully screechy voice, she put on a pair of oversized purple sunglasses and bopped along to the music.
When the next chorus started, she switched to beer goggles, and then to a pair of glasses that had little working windshield wipers! Even the somber guys in the back of the bus ended up laughing and clapping along. It was a riot, just watching her have so much fun at her job!
I can't wait to stick her in a book. <^^>
I hope everyone else is having a great week!
- Mood: amused
- Music:Do You Love Me--The Contours
The WNBA has handed down the suspensions for Tuesday’s brawl. I know many are unhappy about the lenience towards Candace Parker in particular. But for extremely selfish reasons I am very very very glad. Because this means I get to see her play on Friday. Woo hoo!
What’s making me cranky is the total absence of anything said about the abysmal refs. Where’s their punishment?
Update: Though I’ll admit I am very nervous about Leslie and Parker being so rested before we play then in the Garden.
1. Do you like blue cheese?
Yes. I love many soft cheeses. Goat cheese is my favorite. Feta a close second.
2. Have you ever smoked?
I used to hold my sister's lit cigarettes to pretend I was cool sometimes when Romeo and Juliet first came out in the theatre so I could be cool like Leo. See? Smoking in movies is BAD!
3. Do you own a gun?
Many many squirt guns.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?
I hate Kool Aid and my mom thought it was too junky. We had Crystal Light.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
No. Except the ultrasounds where they make sure the baby is okay.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I think they are useful for many jokes, and the kosher ones aren't bad.
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. And Home Alone. And all the old-school cartoons like Rudolph and Frosty and the one with the donkey and the baby jesus manger stuff.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Decaf vanilla latte or plain decaf coffee because I'm nursing the baby (no caffeine). Usually it's full caf.
9. Can you do push ups?
Yes. I can even do chin-ups on the monkey bars!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My engagement ring and my necklace with my son's names engraved on it.
11. Favorite hobby?
Anything on my computer (writing, internet, etc.) I wouldn't even call it a hobby, it's more like an addiction.
12. Do you have A.D.D.?
I don't think so.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
20/20 vision, baby. So no.
14. Middle name?
I have several middle names.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
Wondering if I should list my middle names, and I can't say the other ones.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, decaf coffee, vitamin water
17. Current worry?
Global warming.
18. Current hate right now?
Other people's problems
19. Favorite place to be?
Cuddling in bed in the morning with my husband and both kidlets
20. How did you bring in the new year?
I don't even remember.
21. Where would you like to go?
Hawaii.
22. Name three people who will complete this?
Hmmm...my lj friends?
23. Do you own slippers?
Off and on. Now? No.
24. What shirt are you wearing?
A grey t-shirt with spit-up stains. (It's the new fashion, have you heard?)
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
I don't think I've ever tried before. It might be kind of fun. Or I might just slide around all night.
26. Can you whistle?
Sure.
27. Favorite color?
Indigo and sea-green, the color of my children's eyes
28. Would you be a pirate?
It depends. Will we be marooned on a desert island? Is Johnny Depp involved?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I sing "It's a Small World" to my baby
30. Favorite Girl's Name?
My name and my baby's name (is that conceited to say my name? I really like it though!)
31. Favorite boy's name?
My son's name and Logan, which was what we would have named baby is she was a boy. So I've recycled it into my main character in my WIP WITCHEZ AND WARLOX.
32. What's in your pocket right now?
I don't have a pocket.
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
My dad's retelling of the 'hair caught on fire story' a couple days ago. (I guess I should laugh more)
34. What vehicle do you drive?
A beat-up Isuzu Trooper which I feel guilty about. It costs $90 to fill the tank. I'm going to buy a hybrid soon.
35. Worst injury you've ever had?
Knock on wood.
36. Do you love where you live?
Yes. I love northern California and I love my neighborhood. I wish our place was bigger though, and that it self-cleaned.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Just one and we hardly ever watch it. There is NOTHING on in the summer.
37 Odd Things About Me
1. Do you like blue cheese?
Not really. I think there are many superior varieties of cheese. (By the way, do you know that in Canada they call American cheese Canadian cheese? Or so I heard on TAL.)
2. Have you ever smoked?
Yes, I smoked from my teens until my mid-20s. I chewed Nicorette for a long time after that. I don't recommend either, really--both are expensive, neither is cool.
3. Do you own a gun?
No.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?
Does Kool-Aid come in flavors? I thought it only came in colors. Red.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Sometimes.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I think they are a ticket on the express train to profound gastrointestinal distress.
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Um, Elf? It must be said that I'm not huge on Christmas.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Just a glass of ice water (I don't drink caffeine).
9. Can you do push ups?
Hold on lemme try. Yup. I mean, I don't think I could do a thousand of them, but I just did ten, and I only feel slightly dizzy.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring. (Also my only piece of jewelry.)
11. Favorite hobby?
Watching sports. I wish it weren't, but it is.
12. Do you have A.D.D.?
Probably not.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
Um, sometimes I feel like this survey doesn't know me at all.
14. Middle name?
Oh great, and now the survey is trying to steal my identity. I'm onto you survey! Next you'll want to know my social security number and the name of my favorite childhood pet!
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
Still sort of out of breath from the pushups, wonder what Hank is IMing about, that book I just read was good.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, Crystal Light, and orange juice. (God, I'm a 1980s housewife.)
17. Current worry?
If I had just one worry, all would be wizard.
18. Current hate right now?
Malaria. What is your problem, malaria? Go away already.
19. Favorite place to be?
Fairview, North Carolina, on the porch, looking out at Little Pisgah Mountain, and writing.
20. How did you bring in the new year?
Chicago. Seersucker suit.
21. Where would you like to go?
New York.
22. Name three people who will complete this?
Well, definitely J. D. Salinger. Probably also noted meme-lover John McCain. And maybe my brother.
23. Do you own slippers?
No.
24. What shirt are you wearing?
This t-shirt I wore when painting my office Jalapeno Jelly.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Yeah, no. That seems kind of disgusting.
26. Can you whistle?
Yes, but I cannot whistle a tune, although I often manage to convince myself otherwise.
27. Favorite color?
Jalapeno Jelly.
28. Would you be a pirate?
I really value my teeth, and I hate scurvy, and I'm also generally opposed to lawlessness, so I think probably not. I would be a ninja, though.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Lately I have been singing the Guacamole Ukulele Song.
30. Favorite Girl's Name?
I'm not gonna say.
31. Favorite boy's name?
Miles. I already used all my favorite boy names in books.
32. What's in your pocket right now?
iPhone!
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
A Volvo that formerly belonged to my parents. I'm not thrilled about it. I don't like owning a car.
35. Worst injury you've ever had?
I broke my nose and got a concussion when a bike messenger ran into me in Chicago.
36. Do you love where you live?
Um, I miss New York. But there are things I love about where I live.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Oh, my God. I just counted them. THREE! THREE! That's terrible. (But one is only used for Wii.)
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
brimfire in London a couple of days ago. It was a real pleasure - a chance to talk about books and writing, and to wander my favourite bookstores with someone who doesn't look at me like I'm a (total) geek. ;) It was nice to sit outside in the sun (yes, it was actually sunny) and ramble on about plotting (and how we don't do it *g*), agents and getting published, urban fantasy, science fiction, YA and all sorts of other stuff.So, in honour of our meeting, I present my new 'Real-Life' LJ friend with a photograph of something that sums up our time together beautifully. This won't make all that much sense to anyone else. (Sorry.)
( Sandy, prepare yourself... )
- Mood:
silly
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