Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Brandon Area Book Clubs?
A local book-lover wrote me asking if I knew of any good book clubs in the Brandon/Riverview area. Any recommendations out there?
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
More Local Author News
Wow, our local authors sure stay busy:
*Keisha Bell will participate in the "Read to Succeed Family Read-A-Thon" this Saturday, February 25th at the Sanderlin Center in St. Pete.
*Wendy Boucher had a great time at the recent Suncoast Writers Conference. Her book Parvenue Throws a Party has been chosen as this month's pick by the South Tampa Barnes & Noble Women's Fiction Book Group (discussion night is March 28th). Boucher will also take part in the Dunedin Books-A-Party in April.
*Jerry Cowling will attend the Florida Voices Book Fair in Gainesville on March 4, the Crystal River Civil War Show March 10-12, the Confederate Ball in Miramar on April 4, and the Dunedin Books-A-Party on April 22.
*Keisha Bell will participate in the "Read to Succeed Family Read-A-Thon" this Saturday, February 25th at the Sanderlin Center in St. Pete.
*Wendy Boucher had a great time at the recent Suncoast Writers Conference. Her book Parvenue Throws a Party has been chosen as this month's pick by the South Tampa Barnes & Noble Women's Fiction Book Group (discussion night is March 28th). Boucher will also take part in the Dunedin Books-A-Party in April.
*Jerry Cowling will attend the Florida Voices Book Fair in Gainesville on March 4, the Crystal River Civil War Show March 10-12, the Confederate Ball in Miramar on April 4, and the Dunedin Books-A-Party on April 22.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Presentation About J.R.R. Tolkien at the University of Tampa Thursday
J.R.R. Tolkien fans, get ready:
Leaf-mould of the Mind:Philology & Fantasy in Tolkien’s Works
presented by Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Professor of English, University of Maryland
Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m.
Alumni Conference Room, Riverside Center
University of Tampa
Free and Open to the Public
Professor Flieger is an internationally known specialist in myth studies and comparative mythology who teaches a sequence of graduate and undergraduate courses on Celtic, Arthurian, Hindu, Native American, and Norse myth. Concentrating on modern fantasy with a special focus on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, she has written numerous essays and books including Interrupted Music: The Making of Tolkien’s Mythology; A Question of Time: J. R. R. Tolkien’s Road to Faerie, winner of the 1998 Mythopoeic Award for Inklings Studies; Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien’s World; and Tolkien’s Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth co-edited with Carl Hostetter and winner of the 2002 Mythopoeic Award for Inklings Studies. She is also the author of fictional works including a fantasy novel, Pig Tale, and co-editor of Tolkien Studies, a yearly journal published by West Virginia University Press.
Leaf-mould of the Mind:Philology & Fantasy in Tolkien’s Works
presented by Dr. Verlyn Flieger, Professor of English, University of Maryland
Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m.
Alumni Conference Room, Riverside Center
University of Tampa
Free and Open to the Public
Professor Flieger is an internationally known specialist in myth studies and comparative mythology who teaches a sequence of graduate and undergraduate courses on Celtic, Arthurian, Hindu, Native American, and Norse myth. Concentrating on modern fantasy with a special focus on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, she has written numerous essays and books including Interrupted Music: The Making of Tolkien’s Mythology; A Question of Time: J. R. R. Tolkien’s Road to Faerie, winner of the 1998 Mythopoeic Award for Inklings Studies; Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien’s World; and Tolkien’s Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth co-edited with Carl Hostetter and winner of the 2002 Mythopoeic Award for Inklings Studies. She is also the author of fictional works including a fantasy novel, Pig Tale, and co-editor of Tolkien Studies, a yearly journal published by West Virginia University Press.
Learn About Nobel Prize-Winning Author Harold Pinter Thursday Night
University of Tampa's Dr. Frank Gillen will speak Thursday night about Nobel Prize-winning author Harold Pinter:
"Harold Pinter, 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature"
Dr. Frank Gillen, University of Tampa Thursday, Feb. 23, 7:30 pm Lewis House
Refreshments will be served at this ASPEC-sponsored event.
Playwright Harold Pinter, recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature, is the subject of a presentation by Dr. Frank Gillen, co-founder and co-editor of the Pinter Review, the only scholarly journal devoted entirely to Pinter's work. Dr. Gillen is Dana Professor of English at the University of Tampa.
Pinter has long been recognized as one of the finest and most powerful playwrights of the latter half of the 20th century. His plays include The Caretaker, The Homecoming, Betrayal, The Room and The Birthday Party, as well as screenplays The Last Tycoon, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Betrayal, The Handmaid's Tale, The Trial and The Tragedy of King Lear.
Click here for more info.
"Harold Pinter, 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature"
Dr. Frank Gillen, University of Tampa Thursday, Feb. 23, 7:30 pm Lewis House
Refreshments will be served at this ASPEC-sponsored event.
Playwright Harold Pinter, recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature, is the subject of a presentation by Dr. Frank Gillen, co-founder and co-editor of the Pinter Review, the only scholarly journal devoted entirely to Pinter's work. Dr. Gillen is Dana Professor of English at the University of Tampa.
Pinter has long been recognized as one of the finest and most powerful playwrights of the latter half of the 20th century. His plays include The Caretaker, The Homecoming, Betrayal, The Room and The Birthday Party, as well as screenplays The Last Tycoon, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Betrayal, The Handmaid's Tale, The Trial and The Tragedy of King Lear.
Click here for more info.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Standasone Productions Looking For Writers and Artists
Joe Sanchez at Standasone Productions is putting together a 'zine and is looking for short stories, reviews of independent films, opinions, pictures you have taken or images you have drawn. Visit www.mmjstandasone.com to learn more or click here for his contact info.
Killing Naked Roses
I read recently in Newsweek about the website www.lulu.com/titlescorer, which lets you test a book title for potential box office success. This model is based on a study of 700 books (half best sellers and half less-successful works by the same authors) and findings show that names with abstract language sell well. The model isn't perfect (The Da Vinci Code only shows a 36% chance of success), but it's fun.
According to the article, Killing Naked Roses scored 100%.
(Tampa Book Buzz scored 72.5%. Hmmmm....)
According to the article, Killing Naked Roses scored 100%.
(Tampa Book Buzz scored 72.5%. Hmmmm....)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Florida Bibliophile Society Meeting Today
Don't forget about the Florida Bibliophile Society meeting this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the University of Tampa library, 2nd floor. Today's speaker will be FBS president Jerry Morris, who will talk about "Mary Hyde and the Unending Pursuit." According to Morris, Mary Hyde was one of the last great book collectors. He has more than a handful of books from her library, which he's acquired since her death in August 2003.
Visit www.floridabibliophilesociety.org for more information.
Visit www.floridabibliophilesociety.org for more information.
Recent Observations
Here are a few random thoughts that have been rolling around in my head recently:
*Reading is a necessity, like breathing, eating and sleeping. During the recent hectic craziness of my life I've concentrated on those other three and all but abandoned reading. I feel weird. Unsettled. Off balance. I bought Cell by Stephen King a few days ago and have managed to read a few pages. I can feel that off-balance uneasiness slipping away...
*Thank goodness for my Tampa Book Buzz Online Book Club, which forces me to read at least one book a month. I say "forces" only because honoring my obligation to the book club is the only reason I've made time to read a few books over the last couple of months.
*Bookstores are magical, wonderful places. No matter how stressed out, depressed, upset, or otherwise mood-impaired I am, a brief stroll through a bookstore cheers me right up.
*People can be judgmental about literary tastes. I've never claimed that I've had taste -- literary or fashion or otherwise -- and I freely admit that I love to read anything and everything. Two weeks ago I had jury duty and spent a mind-numbing eight hours reading. Reading for hours on end at home stretched out on the sofa in your jammies is one thing; doing it in an uncomfortable chair surrounded by strangers waiting for the bailiff to call your name is quite another.
I brought a tote bag full of magazines with me, to catch up on my reading. No one noticed me (that I could tell, anyway) when I was reading Time, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly or Jane. But when I was reading Sirens of Cinema:The Women of Television & Movies, Rue Morgue or my Buffy and Angel magazines, well, that was a different story. Total strangers stared at me and commented on my reading choices. One woman, after commenting that she used to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV, made a lame joke about my being an obsessed fan if I'm reading a magazine about it. To which I proudly replied "yes" and then moved to a different seat.
*Reading is a necessity, like breathing, eating and sleeping. During the recent hectic craziness of my life I've concentrated on those other three and all but abandoned reading. I feel weird. Unsettled. Off balance. I bought Cell by Stephen King a few days ago and have managed to read a few pages. I can feel that off-balance uneasiness slipping away...
*Thank goodness for my Tampa Book Buzz Online Book Club, which forces me to read at least one book a month. I say "forces" only because honoring my obligation to the book club is the only reason I've made time to read a few books over the last couple of months.
*Bookstores are magical, wonderful places. No matter how stressed out, depressed, upset, or otherwise mood-impaired I am, a brief stroll through a bookstore cheers me right up.
*People can be judgmental about literary tastes. I've never claimed that I've had taste -- literary or fashion or otherwise -- and I freely admit that I love to read anything and everything. Two weeks ago I had jury duty and spent a mind-numbing eight hours reading. Reading for hours on end at home stretched out on the sofa in your jammies is one thing; doing it in an uncomfortable chair surrounded by strangers waiting for the bailiff to call your name is quite another.
I brought a tote bag full of magazines with me, to catch up on my reading. No one noticed me (that I could tell, anyway) when I was reading Time, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly or Jane. But when I was reading Sirens of Cinema:The Women of Television & Movies, Rue Morgue or my Buffy and Angel magazines, well, that was a different story. Total strangers stared at me and commented on my reading choices. One woman, after commenting that she used to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV, made a lame joke about my being an obsessed fan if I'm reading a magazine about it. To which I proudly replied "yes" and then moved to a different seat.
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Upcoming Events for Book Lovers
Mark your calendars:
The Tampa Museum of Art has a special exhibition of the work of award-winning author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, known for such children's classics as Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. The exhibition includes 144 drawings, artwork for posters, theatrical sets and costumes, and runs through April 23.
USF is hosting Poet Laureate Billy Collins Wednesday, February 8, in a free public symposium.
USF is bringing Augusten Burroughs, author of Running With Scissors, to Tampa this Thursday, February 9, as part of its University Lecture Series. Click here for details and to read more about Burroughs.
(thanks to fellow bloggers Kate and Joel for sending this info my way)
(cross-posted at Sticks of Fire)
The Tampa Museum of Art has a special exhibition of the work of award-winning author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, known for such children's classics as Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. The exhibition includes 144 drawings, artwork for posters, theatrical sets and costumes, and runs through April 23.
USF is hosting Poet Laureate Billy Collins Wednesday, February 8, in a free public symposium.
USF is bringing Augusten Burroughs, author of Running With Scissors, to Tampa this Thursday, February 9, as part of its University Lecture Series. Click here for details and to read more about Burroughs.
(thanks to fellow bloggers Kate and Joel for sending this info my way)
(cross-posted at Sticks of Fire)
February's TBB Online Book Club Pick is...
...Cell:A Novel by Stephen King. King's latest book will make you think differently about your beloved cell phone. Cell rhymes with hell, you know.
As powerful as the Masons and as secretive as the Illuminati, the Tampa Book Buzz Online Book Club -- subject of an upcoming Dan Brown novel -- picks one book a month to read and then to discuss on the last day of the month.
Ok, most of that last sentence is fiction. Click here for the truth.
As powerful as the Masons and as secretive as the Illuminati, the Tampa Book Buzz Online Book Club -- subject of an upcoming Dan Brown novel -- picks one book a month to read and then to discuss on the last day of the month.
Ok, most of that last sentence is fiction. Click here for the truth.
News From Local Authors
Ersula Knox Odom was recently spotlighted on the website Interlink City. She's been busy recently with appearances promoting her book At Sula's Feet.
Jerry Cowling, author of Lincoln in the Basement, also has a busy speaking engagement schedule lined up. He attended the Brooksville Raid re-enactment in January and the Mount Dora Civil War Show in early February. On February 18th, he attend the Brooksville Heritage Festival and on February 23rd and 24th he'll go to the Fort DeSoto Civil War Show. Cowling will speak on the differences between fictional and non-fictional accounts of history.
R. Beck will sign copies of his book Elements of Recovery at Inkwood Books on February 16th at 7 p.m.
Jerry Cowling, author of Lincoln in the Basement, also has a busy speaking engagement schedule lined up. He attended the Brooksville Raid re-enactment in January and the Mount Dora Civil War Show in early February. On February 18th, he attend the Brooksville Heritage Festival and on February 23rd and 24th he'll go to the Fort DeSoto Civil War Show. Cowling will speak on the differences between fictional and non-fictional accounts of history.
R. Beck will sign copies of his book Elements of Recovery at Inkwood Books on February 16th at 7 p.m.
Monday, February 6, 2006
Online Book Club Review:"The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The inside book jacket description calls The Shadow of the Wind "the international literary sensation about a boy's magical journey through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona in search of a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget."
The Shadow of the Wind is that, and much, much more. It's a testament to the power and magic of a good book. It's a celebration of the joy of reading. It's an exploration of a young boy's growing pains and his many firsts -- first crush, first true love, first loss of a loved one, and the first book to touch his soul.
The Shadow of the Wind is part mystery, part love story, part history lesson, part thriller, part dark drama about the horrors of war, and part whimsical fantasy. It's an absolute delight and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
What did you think?
The Shadow of the Wind is that, and much, much more. It's a testament to the power and magic of a good book. It's a celebration of the joy of reading. It's an exploration of a young boy's growing pains and his many firsts -- first crush, first true love, first loss of a loved one, and the first book to touch his soul.
The Shadow of the Wind is part mystery, part love story, part history lesson, part thriller, part dark drama about the horrors of war, and part whimsical fantasy. It's an absolute delight and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
What did you think?
Local Author Terri Garey
Local author and fellow blogger Terri Garey has sold two of her books. Dead Girls Are Easy will be available from Avon Books in 2007, followed by Where the Ghouls Are in 2008. Her website describes her books as "humorous paranormal tales."
Visit www.tgarey.com to learn more about Garey's work and to read excerpts of her upcoming books.
Congratulations, Terri!
Visit www.tgarey.com to learn more about Garey's work and to read excerpts of her upcoming books.
Congratulations, Terri!
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Romance Author Virginia Henley in St. Pete February 12
From the St. Pete Beach Public Library:
World-famous historical romance writer Virginia Henley will be the guest of honor at a Valentine Party at the St. Pete Beach Public Library on Sunday, February 12.
The St. Pete Beach Library is located at 365 73rd Avenue, St. Pete Beach (just around the corner from the Beach Theatre). The event begins at 2 p.m.
For more information, call (727) 552-1762 or email libadmin@stpetebeach.org.
World-famous historical romance writer Virginia Henley will be the guest of honor at a Valentine Party at the St. Pete Beach Public Library on Sunday, February 12.
The St. Pete Beach Library is located at 365 73rd Avenue, St. Pete Beach (just around the corner from the Beach Theatre). The event begins at 2 p.m.
For more information, call (727) 552-1762 or email libadmin@stpetebeach.org.
This Month's Book Pick Is...
...I have no idea, because I forgot to consult with the Secret Order of the Tampa Book Buzz Online Book Club to figure out what to read next. We'll decide quickly and I'll get it posted. Also, I'll post the review of the January book club pick later today.
BookTalk.org
I recently discovered www.booktalk.org, the "freethinker's book discussion community." It just so happens that the owner of this website lives in the Tampa Bay area and wrote to let me know about the website (cue It's a Small World).
At BookTalk.org, the members read and discuss books every quarter, have informal online chats Thursday nights at 9 p.m. (EST), and invite authors for live chats. They used to read only non-fiction, but just last month added best-selling fiction to their lists. The only rule is that they don't read books that advocate a theistic approach or solution to life's problems. BookTalk.org fully supports the American Humanist Association.
The next scheduled author chat is March 23 at 9 p.m. (EST) with Erik J. Wielenberg, author of Value and Virtue in a Godless Society. Visit www.booktalk.org to learn more or to join (it's free).
At BookTalk.org, the members read and discuss books every quarter, have informal online chats Thursday nights at 9 p.m. (EST), and invite authors for live chats. They used to read only non-fiction, but just last month added best-selling fiction to their lists. The only rule is that they don't read books that advocate a theistic approach or solution to life's problems. BookTalk.org fully supports the American Humanist Association.
The next scheduled author chat is March 23 at 9 p.m. (EST) with Erik J. Wielenberg, author of Value and Virtue in a Godless Society. Visit www.booktalk.org to learn more or to join (it's free).
One Week Access to the Book Standard
I'm sure there's some sort of sales pitch gimmick attached to this (I haven't had a chance to log on yet), but I wanted to pass this email from the Book Standard along:
ONE WEEK OF FREE ACCESS TO THE BOOK STANDARD!
In celebration of The Book Standard's one-year anniversary, we invite you to visit us at http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679 and enjoy free access for an entire week to all of The Book Standard's web content, including all 150 Bestseller Charts and Publishing-Contact Databases.
From Feb. 1 through Feb. 7, we are offering FREE access to anyone who visits http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679. Access includes:
Bestseller Charts - View more than 150 sales charts, including regional data and over 40 different data categories, including overall, fiction, nonfiction and children's. Every chart is powered by Nielsen BookScan and is available to you FREE during this trial period.
Comprehensive contact databases for:
Books and Authors - Search by a title get an author's name. Or search by an author to get titles, publication dates, subtitles and more.
Books-to-Film - Search books that are being or have been adapted for film and find the producers, stars, directors, productions companies, agents, screenwriters and production status.
Literary and Film Agents - You'll find names, agencies, contact information and the books and film adaptations those agents represent.
Industry news and articles. Whether you're an author, publisher, agent, bookseller, librarian or screenwriter, you'll get all the publishing news and information you need. It's all at http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679.
Don't miss this opportunity to search The Book Standard's ENTIRE website at no cost.
TRIAL PERIOD ENDS FEB 7. HURRY!
ONE WEEK OF FREE ACCESS TO THE BOOK STANDARD!
In celebration of The Book Standard's one-year anniversary, we invite you to visit us at http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679 and enjoy free access for an entire week to all of The Book Standard's web content, including all 150 Bestseller Charts and Publishing-Contact Databases.
From Feb. 1 through Feb. 7, we are offering FREE access to anyone who visits http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679. Access includes:
Bestseller Charts - View more than 150 sales charts, including regional data and over 40 different data categories, including overall, fiction, nonfiction and children's. Every chart is powered by Nielsen BookScan and is available to you FREE during this trial period.
Comprehensive contact databases for:
Books and Authors - Search by a title get an author's name. Or search by an author to get titles, publication dates, subtitles and more.
Books-to-Film - Search books that are being or have been adapted for film and find the producers, stars, directors, productions companies, agents, screenwriters and production status.
Literary and Film Agents - You'll find names, agencies, contact information and the books and film adaptations those agents represent.
Industry news and articles. Whether you're an author, publisher, agent, bookseller, librarian or screenwriter, you'll get all the publishing news and information you need. It's all at http://tbs.vnh10.net/r/?ZXU=220519&ZXD=56762679.
Don't miss this opportunity to search The Book Standard's ENTIRE website at no cost.
TRIAL PERIOD ENDS FEB 7. HURRY!
