Kindle Anyone?
Do you Kindle? Would you Kindle?
I never thought I would really be a Kindle girl, I mean you can’t very well take it in the bath, but on Saturday at my RWA meeting I got to touch feel and read on one up close and I fell in love. It’s so sleek, light weight and cool and it kind of feels very bookish. Also the thought that I can have so many books with me all the time right at my fingertips kinda makes me giddy.
Amazon is putting the new Kindle 2 on sale February 24th. (should have been available for V-day). It’s even slimmer and can hold so many more books and even has a read aloud feature. Very dangerous. I’m putting the Kindle 2 on my extended wish list. Of course I still need to get through my Nationals books. A girl has to have tub reading!
Best,KwanaP.S. Scroll down for Top CheferyHappy Day Reading
This was just lovely. Like I said before. She can write right.
Lookie what I’ve got my hot little (ok, not to little) hands on now. Scandal by the fab author and now I’m happy to call my friend, Carolyn Jewel. Scandal has been getting rave reviews all over the place since it’s debut a hot minute ago. You can check out my past interview with Carolyn here. I can’t wait to dive in. I can feel a very late night coming.
Best,
Kwana
P.S. Scroll down for Jack’s antics. ugh! That dog. It’s a good thing he’s so cute.
Guest Blogger! Sarah- One Smart B. on warm reading
Imagine my twitterly glee when I saw that Sarah from one of my all time favorite blogs: Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books was offering to guest post on folks blogs today since SBs we
re going through maintenance. Their loss my gain. Evil I am. I jumped at the offer! So without further delay here’s Sarah…OMG you are SO RIGHT. My thermometer in NJ is reading a balmy 32.8 and I am excited about every last one of those last .8 degrees above freezing.The thing about cold weather is that it makes me crave soup, hot beverages, and really long, luscious, forget-where-I-am-and-how-cold-it-is books. These are a special section of my keeper shelf – cold weather books. I have vacation books, need-a-break-books, and the ones that Calgon-take-me-away immediately.My top cold weather books (add blanket and hot beverage, spiked if you like it, and really, really warm socks) are:“The Duke and I” – Julia Quinn. Holy smackerel I love this book. No matter where I start reading it, I’m in. Warmth of a happy family and a truly loving heroine: le sigh.”
Charms for the Easy Life,” by Kaye Gibbons – not a romance, but three women’s storys, past present and future, heavy on the magic and midwifery.
“Lyon’s Lady” by Julie Garwood. This one is on my bedstand because I am always FREEZING when I get in bed, and a few pages makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I love old Garwood historicals but this one is among my faves.
What books warm your toes?(Thanks for letting me guest blog!)Smart Bitch SarahSmart Bitches Trashy Books LLCThanks so much Sarah! I’m honored to have you on my blog today. I’ll be sure to put those books on my snuggle up list along with a Snuggie!
Everyone please hop on over to SBTB when they are up and running. It is the place to be for those in the know on romance. And chime in on the books that warm your toes. For me it’s anything with a sexy rake and a stubborn heroine. Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James please.Best,KwanaLisa Kleypas Made Me Clean My Closet
What’s Jack up to? Jack has been an early riser lately, wanting to eat early, go for walks early, play early. So that means we all have to get up early. You may be cute and all but this is not fun, Jack. I am not an early bird.
I know this may seem like a funny title for a post, but it’s really true. You all know from here what a huge Lisa fan I am. I was crazy for her historicals but now I’m ga–ga for her contemporary books too. Well, I was blog hopping and read on M. G. Braden’s blog that she got a copy of Sugar Daddy at RWA Nationals this year. Now this got me thinking about all my books from Nationals. I’ve been slowly going through my books and thought that I remembered getting Sugar Daddy in my haul. Remember this pic?
I decided to go on the big dig. That book had to be there. But before I could get to it I noticed that my Nationals boxed had been covered with school supplies, Christmas wrap and all sorts of other mess in the utility closet. Yikes! For a moment I thought about shutting the closet door. But how could I? Sugar Daddy could be in there just waiting for me. I took I deep breath rolled up my sleeves and got busy.After much sweating and a complete reorganization of shoes, magazines, school supplies and wrapping papers, sweet success! Sugar Daddy! Yes, it’s now in my hot little hands and the rest of my books from Nationals are on my shelves with all my many other books to read. Oh, the treasures I have. It’s going to be a good weekend. I hope yours is great.
Best,
KwanaWhat Makes A Story
On my current reading list is a Christmas gift that was given to me by one of my critique partners. As a matter of fact she gave a copy to each of us in our small group with the comment of something like, “this book is making me miserable so I thought you all had to have it too!” Sweet. This is why I love my critique partners and wouldn’t trade them for anything. She did back it up with, “don’t get me wrong, it’s making me miserable in a really good way.”The book in question is The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby.
Here is a blurb: “If you’re ready to graduate from the boy-meets-girl league of screenwriting, meet John Truby . . . [his lessons inspire] epiphanies that make you see the contours of your psyche as sharply as your script.”—LA Weekly. John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood’s most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all his secrets for writing a compelling script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby’s own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.
Now, I’m just beginning the book and am only up to step three. I’m horrible at finishing writing books. It’s a strange block with me or maybe they are just hard to get through. The only one I did do start to finish was Stephen King’s On Writing. He even made a writing book interesting. Go figure.
But so far this book has me with its talk about The Dramatic Code which says: character change is fueled by desire. Truby steps away from the classic 3 act structure of most stories. He promises you’ll enjoy the creation process as you follow his 22 step program then in the very next chapter on premise he challenges you to: Write something that may change your life! Gulp. Sure I’ll get right on that. And then he gives this little tidbit: 9 out of 10 writers fail at premise. Yeah, it’s a real upper. Tons of enjoyment there.
But I’m up for the challenge. I just adore my friends. Misery, company and all that.
So tell me, what makes a story good for you? Can you pin it down? Is it a feeling? The Characters? The flow? The tension? The suspense? Please share or give examples of your favorite stories, either books or movies. Don’t be shy now.
Best,
KwanaP.S. – Scroll down for Top Chef talk. Warning spoilers ahead.Caught
What’s Jack up to? He’s admiring all the snow that I’m coming to loathe. Enough already with this winter thing. Is it over yet? Come on, another snow storm? Another snow day? Waa Whine…
So, I’m happy to say Katie was not telling tales when she made Lisa Kleypas’ Blue Eyed Devil one of her top picks for 2008. I finished the book the night before last and I can’t tell you all how disappointed I was that it was actually over.There I was at 11:30 at night looking around with at least a hundred other unread books in my house, but sad that I didn’t have another Lisa Kleypas just like this one to begin reading right at that moment. Don’t you love it when that happens?
It was refreshing to read a straight contemporary for a change. No mystery, magic, shape shifters or vampires. No deep tales of angst or melancholy. Just a good romance with an intriguing heroine and sexy rake (yep, a contemporary rake) of a hero with all sorts of trouble getting in the way of their love.The tension was kept so high. There was one suspenseful moment where I was so into the book and it just so happens something fell in another room of the house and I actually jumped. Eek! Like a little girl. That never happens to me. (note to self: keep the tension high)Well done! Thanks for the recommendation, Katie. I’ve turned into a huge Lisa Kleypas fan. The woman can write right.Best,KwanaSo I’m Reading What Now? and Top Chef Restaurant Wars… Spoiler Alert
What’s Jack up to? Jack has been staying in devilment (such a Nana word) lately. It seems that every time I turn my head he gets into something. His favorite thing is pushing the lock on the trash can. Yes, he knows how to do that. Sigh.
So I have this great list of books that I’m reading over to the right there. The only problem with that list is that
it’s not changing as fast as the list of books I’ve read lately. How can that be?It’s because of bloggers like Carolyn and Katie with all their recommendations and reviews. You know me, there can’t be a book party going on without me inviting myself. And don’t let it be an historical with a bad news rake for a hero. Then I’m all in.
What was the latest? Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas. All the talk over at Carolyn’s Trillionth Page over The Ring scene pulled me in. I totally enjoyed it. BTW I got the pull of the ring and how Sebastian could be aroused by it. It was a control and power thing if you ask me. Thanks Carolyn.Now to my list, but first Blue-Eyed Devil also by Lisa Kleypas but a contemporary. I think this may be Katie’s
doing. Making it a top pick over at her blog. Thanks Katiebabs. The poor list may never get checked off if Lisa Kleypas keeps this up.I apologize for the lack of full Top Chef recap. I was just too tired from all the grand balls and celebrating the other night. Let’s just chat shall we? What did you think? If you didn’t watch stop here. Spoiler Alert!….
It was a jam packed episode with the restaurants being run my two unlikely chefs Leah and Radika. Then there was the making out/cheating by Leah and Hosea. It was such a crack-up/cop out how Hosea called it flirting. Really? We’ll see what your girlfriend calls it.
Leah was off her game after the kiss off and couldn’t de-bone or cook a simple piece of fish. Carla was lost in space and couldn’t make dessert but she still could send out the love. But in the end it was Radika’s “sparkling” personality and awesome people skills that got her sent home. At least Stefan and Fabio could still bring it.
Best,
KwanaBite Me
What’s Jack up to? Jack is Mr. Chill today, happy sitting on his cozy spot high on the top of the couch. Don’t mess with him and you won’t get hurt. He’s so scary.I normally don’t talk much about my kids here on the blog and just keep it to Jack because like I said in my first post, Jack can’t sue me, but this is just too good to pass up.So I’m in my DD’s dance class last night because it was the parents sit in day and the instructor asks the girls to do a turning combo across the floor. She tells them to be graceful and to make their necks long and vulnerable, exposing them. Without missing a beat my dear daughter (yeah the one without a filter) pipes up with, “So Edward Cullen can bite me.”
Oh my! Was that my kid that said that? Teens today. Sigh.Giggles and twitters flutter through the room. Let me tell you everyone knew who Edward Cullen was including the instructor who was on book three of the TWILIGHT series.If only all us writers out there could be so lucky as to write an Edward.
Hey, it’s a snow day today in Westchester for the dear twins in anticipation of a supposedly big storm to come. So far, nothing. So the kids are home and very happy to have dodged Friday tests.Have a great weekend!Best,
KwanaTrue Read
Jack is snoozing ever so quietly by my side. I love it when he plays like the sweet little lap dog. He’s such a little faker at times. I’m currently reading Charlaine Harris’s DEAD UNTIL DARK which HBO’s True Blood is based on. I really like her voice. It’s like being in Sookie’s head all the time. Luckily I don’t mind and find Sookie quite funny and quirky.I find it so interesting, reading this after enjoying the series on HBO. It’s usually the other way around for me. I’m only a few chapters in and already it’s a few episodes in. Wow. Charlaine sure gave them lots of rich material to work with and this is just the first book in the series. Very cool
. I am always so in awe of creative people. It just makes me smile.What are you currently reading?Best,KwanaBravo
