Sunday, June 25, 2006

WRITING IN PARADISE


So much time between posts can only mean one thing: I was sitting in a cabin in Maine staring at lobster boats and watching the tide taunt me with its ever-changing mind. While away I found some time to write (the second book is coming along nicely and for father's day my family made me action figures of the 4 main characters so that I am always inspired!).

By the way - I read the perfect seaside book there, THE HIGHEST TIDE by Jim Lynch, a thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age story about a thirteen year old insomniac as much in love with the sea as he is with the older girl next door. The details of Miles O'Malley's forages into the Puget Sound marine habitat are exquisite and the emotional core of the story resonates for anyone who ever felt the pangs of summer loneliness mixed with the stirrings of adolescent growth.

I also checked email and found some lovely surprises, including kind words from kid-lit lioness Jen Robinson and the ever-moving Anne at BOOKBUDS, whose apology for not getting around to reading POND SCUM was hysterical (and no you are not Pond Scum for packing it away in moving boxes!!!)

POND SCUM continues to show up on Summer Reading lists and when I check with libraries around the US, it is usually checked out or on hold. Thanks again to you fabulous Librarians, Teachers, Parents, Bookstore folks and most of all READERS.

Spreading the word keeps the words spreading - speaking of which, back to the keyboard. My Action Figures are calling to me!

Monday, June 12, 2006

SUMMER READING TIME


With one week to go before my son gets out of school (3 and a half days actually) - SUMMER finally seems here. Of course in Montreal the weather seems more like fall with wet cool grass and a sun that enjoys playing hide and seek. I know as soon as the peepers start making their nocturnal noise and the cicadas kick into gear- it's time to crank out the summer books and start wandering through the pages.

I'm always reminded of the summer I had to switch schools (4th grade) and got my first bona fide "reading list": 'Treasure Island' sticks out as the book that stuck me on the couch and didn't let me go. Just finished reading "Sea of Monsters" and really love what Rick Riordan is doing. Such a great twist on mythology with a real hero who seems like a kid you really could be sitting next to in class.

Let me know what SUMMER BOOKS have grabbed you. I'm always looking for a good one!

Check out my new POND SCUM SUMMER PROMO!