There’s a lot going on, so let’s get right to it.
What I’m Happy About: I finished the rewrite! Woot! I submitted it to my agent and she will soon submit it to an editor who is interested. Think good thoughts for me, please.
What I’m Reading: A little of this, a little of that. I read about one-third of Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan. I’m fascinated with the surfing life, but a little of this one went a long ways. Finnegan has a lyrical bent to him, and he can write about waves and the ocean in a gazillion different styles. But I couldn’t get over the sense that the story wasn’t going anywhere so I gave up. I read All The Things We Never Knew, by Sheila Hamilton, about the mental illness and eventual suicide of her first husband. I listen to her on the radio, and knew her slightly many years ago, so it was great to read her book, which I found quite riveting.
And finally, my bathroom and kitchen books (you know, those tomes you pick up when you have a spare moment) are The Yarn Whisperer: My Unexpected Life in Knitting by Clara Parkes, and Knitting Pearls: Writers Writing About Knitting, by Ann Hood. Both are essay-type books so they are easy to pick up and put down. Sort of like knitting.
What I’m Watching: My daughter has introduced me to the wonders of Fixer Upper. Chip and Joanna Gaines–too much fun.
What I’m Doing This Weekend: Teaching the Ins and Outs of Publishing at Another Read Through. Its 9 to 5 tomorrow and we’ve got room for a couple more if you happen to be in PDX and want an overview of publishing, from the legacies to the indies.
What My New Guilty Pleasure is: The smoked butterscotch latte from Starbucks. Don’t puncture my happy balloon by pointing out how bad it is for me.
Photo by ukapala.
J.D.
I’m a fan of butterscotch, but I don’t think Starbuck’s distant cousin does a latte in that. Maybe there’s a butterscotch schnapps. I’m reading mysteries: J.A. Jance and Alfred Hitchcock Magazine. I’m also 50 pages into The Life of Pi and what this book is about is a mystery. Love your blog, Charlotte.
Charlotte Rains dixon
True confession: I’ve never read the Life of Pi, either. I noticed he has another book out. If you figure out what its about and if its worth reading, let me know. The smoked butterscotch latte is about a once-every-few-months treat. It is very sweet and I’m sure its not good for you. Haven’t read J.A. Jance in years–do you recommend her? And thanks for the compliment about the blog.
Dyoung
Fixer upper is a great show. We’ve watched since the beginning. My brother in law owns a furniture store near here and they will be carrying her furniture line! One of the first in the nation!!
Charlotte Rains dixon
That is so cool! I’m stunned at how fast that show has gotten popular. I’ve just barely heard of it and started watching and now everyone I mention it to is aware of it. I think its a great example of being authentic and real and gaining admirers.