Right now, I'm reading Jodi Picoult's Picture Perfect. I'm finding it harder to get into than most of her work, but we'll see.
I'm also reading a bio on Harper Lee called Mockingbird. I almost immediately started frothing at the mouth over Lee, my hatred making me rabid, since Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird (revised and everything, I think) in just 2 1/2 years. (I worked for almost that long on a WIP and when I dropped it off with my writing friends, it self-destructed. Yikes.)
But those two books I had to buy. Okay, I "borrowed" the bio from a retreat center I recently went to, and--oops--I was not supposed to take the book out of the library, but it had only been checked out twice in the last ten years. Don't you think it needed to get the cobwebs dusted off of it? Besides, although I liberated books from my high school library and never returned them (they deserved a far, far better life) I will send this book back by mail without a return address (to protect the guilty). Here is an offering for a free book.
Sean McLachlan is serving up The Scavenger, a novelette, for free. It's a limited offer...now until April 8. If you're tempted to dip your toes into his Radio Hope book (the first in a series) and are not sure or haven't had the time yet, check out this stand-along shortie. To get more information on what Sean's up to, along with the link for the free book, go to his post.
And I also wanted to tell you about--What? They said on the intercom there's some week-old birthday cake in the teachers' lounge? Gotta go...
I have read 12 or 13 of Picoult's books. All were pretty good reads but some were astoundingly good. You can count on her for a plain good story. One of my favorites was Salem Falls. Have you read it? I think you might like this one too. I have not read Picture Perfect...missed it. Thanks for pointing it out as I have added it to my To Read List!
ReplyDeleteClaudia--"Handle With Care" is one of my favorites. I also really enjoyed the one she did with her daughter (Samantha van Leer is her name, I believe).
DeleteYes, she writes a good story and does loads of research.
Who's not crazy about free? Can't believe you admitted to your thievery...
ReplyDeleteLynn--I assure that I have--in the past, during my high school years--indeed stolen books. (I was doing the books I "liberated" a favor) But this book I'm only borrowing, and will mail it back or return it in person.
DeleteI promise. ;)
I certainly hope you are not hunted down and interrogated by the library police. Would you happen to have seen a copy of "Tropic of Cancer" checked out in 1971?
ReplyDeleteI am not helping out any of those Seinfeld hooligans. The books they checked out--that's their problem.
DeleteI'm crazy and also love free! Win, win! Thanks for the tip, Sioux!
ReplyDeleteJon--I will warn you. You might get hooked on Sean's series and have to buy the first book--"Radio Hope"--to continue the momentum...
DeleteMy sister used to teach fourth grade, and I used to give her some of my nastiest leftovers to put in the teacher's lounge to get rid of them. It sort of became a game to see if there was anything they wouldn't eat. Some foreign candy with a mystery filling that might have been coffee grounds slowed them down once, but they finally managed it. Sounds like you're reading some great books! I'm about to start one. ;)
ReplyDeleteTammy--It's true. Elementary teachers will anything that's not nailed down. (And if you're beginning what I think you are, you might be disappointed by the end...we'll see.)
DeleteAnd I love the birthday cake scene in the movie "Office Space."
ReplyDeleteMary--I haven't ever seen that movie. I guess I should put it on my list...
DeleteOnly you could admit to pinching a book and make it sound like a good thing. :) I've no doubt you'll return it as advertised, and maybe you've breathed new life into it by talking about it here.
ReplyDeleteLisa--"Pinching" is such a great verb.
Delete(And steal from a bunch of monks? No, I don't want to have to worry about the bad karma I would be bringing down upon myself.)
I read Mockingbird a few years ago. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I agree. Free makes me shout, wheee!
Pat
Critter Alley
Pat--Now I can't get the image of a pink piggy skateboarding down a hill and saying "Wheee!"
DeleteI am REALLY liking the biography so far. (I also loved Capote's "In Cold Blood" so it's fascinating to get so much information about his childhood.)
Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I believe you said something about cake???
Pearl
Pearl--You're welcome. (And I just got back. It's all gone, down to the very last crumb...)
ReplyDeleteFree is good. I haven't read "Mockingbird," maybe I can find somewhere to borrow it from, but with my luck I'd get caught and put in jail.
ReplyDeleteI'm hungry for cake now.
Donna--Perhaps I can loan it to you before I un-liberate it?
Delete