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    Pick-me-up …

    So I had my monthly critique group meeting last night. It’s always fun just to hang out with the other gals in the group and talk about life, writing, books, or whatever. And since we meet at a Barnes & Noble, it also gives me a chance to browse through the books and lust after the yummy-looking (if overpriced) desserts in the cafe. 😀

    Despite my TBR pile at home, I usually give myself permission to buy one book before my critique group. Last night, I picked up Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I’ve been trying to read some more young adult titles since that’s what I’m writing these days, and I don’t think there’s a hotter YA author out there right now than Mead. I’m looking forward to reading it.

    And frankly, I needed the little pick-me-up of buying a shiny new book. Mainly because there were more layoffs at my newspaper this week — and I expect there will be more to come before the year is over with. Sigh. (Unless, of course, there is some kind of miraculous economic turnaround. Not holding my breath on that one.)

    But wandering through the B&N aisles last night and looking at all the shiny covers made me feel a little better. I really do believe that books can pick you up when you’re down, whether it’s re-reading a favorite title or just buying a new release you’ve been looking forward to for a while. Even with money as tight as it is, books (especially the $8 paperbacks) are still pretty affordable — and even more so if you hit the used bookstores or your local library.

    So I plan on escaping into some young-adult worlds this weekend by reading Vampire Academy (or The Hunger Games) and working on my own book, Quiver. Because I know the story I’ve created in Quiver is going to have a happy ending — no matter how uncertain the real world is right now.

    Happy endings — I suppose those are the real pick-me-ups of books, aren’t they? So here’s hoping y’all have time to settle down for a good read this weekend.

  • Not too bad …

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    So I’ve been reading through my first draft of Quiver, my young-adult fantasy. And I am pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t suck out loud. I think I’ve actually got some good stuff in there, which always surprises me.

    We’ll see what my critique group says when they get done reading it — and what my agent thinks of it. Anyway, now it’s time for me to sit down and start on the second draft.

    That’s my weekend plan, along with possibly seeing a movie with Wheezley. Has anyone seen Monsters vs. Aliens? Is that one any good?

    If only it was May 1, Wolverine would be out, and we could go see that. I know it was leaked online earlier this week, but I haven’t heard if it was good/bad. Anyone know? Share in the comments. :ww:

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    Fool me never …

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    So today is April Fools’ Day. I have to say that I’ve never gotten the point of this so-called holiday. (Really, it’s not a holiday if I have to go to work, now is it?)

    But then again, I’m not much for practical jokes anyway. For the most part, I think they are pointless and not funny. Yeah, I’m a grump when it comes to jokes. 👿

    But if you do like that sort of thing, head on over to Dear Author and Smart Bitches for some pretty funny book stuff.

    Other random links of the day:

    Jim C. Hines has a very thoughtful post up about rape.

    HelenKay Dimon and some other authors are holding a contest with some pretty awesome prizes.

    I spotted this over at The Good, the Bad, and the Unread about author Jo Goodman penning a western and decided to share. Just because I love me some westerns.

    And Smooth-Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas is finally out. Huzzah! I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while now.

    Anyway, that’s all for today folks. Have a great day! :ww:

  • Going, going, gone …

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    Where did March go? Seriously, I want to know.

    It seemed like yesterday was March 1, and here it is March 31 already. I had so much I wanted to get done this month. Finish writing my young adult fantasy, update the Web site, clean off my desk …

    Perhaps April will be less busy. Sigh … :rolleyes:

  • 932 and counting …

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    Finished Night and Day by Robert B. Parker. This is the eighth book in his series about Jesse Stone, the police chief of Paradise, Mass.

    In this one, Jesse has to deal with two problems — a peeping Tom who calls himself the Night Hawk and a school principal who made several girls show her their underwear before a school dance. The Night Hawk soon escalates to home invasions, while the principal insists she did nothing wrong. Jesse also has to deal with his ex-wife, who’s gone off with another man (for about the tenth time or so).

    Jesse figures out who the Night Hawk is pretty quickly, although it takes him a bit longer to figure out what to do with the principal. There’s not a lot of mystery in Parker’s books, but he writes great dialogue. I just love his style — it’s easy to read and entertaining at the same time.

    But the highlight of the book for me was the end, where Jesse finally (finally!) tells his ex-wife that he can’t be her safety net anymore and that he wants her out of his life. Huzzah! I’ve never gotten the obsession Jesse has with his ex, and I thought Jesse should have kicked her to the curb a long time ago. Let’s hope it sticks this time — and that he hooks back up with Sunny Randall, a private investigator who’s the star of one of Parker’s other series.

    Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read, pick up one of Parker’s books. Thumbs up.

    Up next: Something from the TBR pile.

    Books in my TBR pile: About 20.