Archives
The best part of our recent trip was seeing ginormous
peregrine falcons swooping overhead:
Posted by Justine at 10:41, May 31st, 2008 under New York City/USA, Praising |
I have been noticing much skiting on the internets of late. "Oh look," says a blogger, "look what amazing Advanced Readers Copy I has been sent! Is mine, not yours. Hahahahahah!"
Well, now it's my turn. I has an ARC of
Margo Lanagan's first novel in years and years, Tender Morsels. I hugs it to my chest and will share with no one! Well, okay, I'll share what I thinks of it with you but not the actual ARC cause that's mine!
But before I get to actually, you know, read the delicious bookie which is calling to me---seriously, everything about it screams, READ ME!, from the gorgeous cover to the jacket copy to the fact that Margo Lanagan wrote it---I ...
Posted by Justine at 12:10, May 30th, 2008 under Liar, Praising, Ranting, Reading, Young Adult literature |
Posted by Justine at 22:35, May 29th, 2008 under Liar, New York City/USA, Travelling |
Posted by Justine at 9:27, May 24th, 2008 under Liar, Praising, Travelling |
I think the title says it all. Rather than me bore you with a description of same how about you lot cheer me up? Links to amusing sites, comics, whatever. Suggest fun reading, viewing, listening. Share an amusing anecdote. Make me think about something other than my not being in Sydney.
Yours in whingerland,
Justine
Posted by Justine at 11:42, May 23rd, 2008 under Sydney/Australia, Whingeing |
Several peoples have writ me saying, "See you at
WisCon!" Alas and alack they will not. Scott's niece Renee is graduating and we will be there to cheer her on. Go, Renee!
This is the second year in a row we have not been. I does not like it. WisCon is my favourite con in the whole world filled with all my favourite peoples. I love it so much that for a while there I organised the academic track and then the readings. I feel like I am a WisCon hometown girl. And here I am missing it again. Wah. Bad enough that I haven't been to
my real home in a year.
Hope everyone has fun without me. Even ...
Posted by Justine at 16:12, May 22nd, 2008 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Sydney/Australia, Whingeing |
Posted by Justine at 12:14, May 21st, 2008 under Best of Blog, Publishing business, Writing life |
Certain writers write the same book over and over and over again. Personally, that would drive me insane. Here are the novels I have written thus far:
Novel, the first: (unpublished) is a big sweeping historical set in ancient Cambodia from multiple points of view. Third person, past tense. Adult.
The second: (unpublished) is---actually it's so bad I'm not even sure what it is---let us not think of it. First person, past tense. Young adult.
Novels, the third, fourth & fifth: (the Magic or Madness trilogy, Penguin) a medium dark urban contemporary fantasy from three povs. Third & first person, past tense. Young adult.
The sixth: (How to Ditch Your Fairy, Bloomsbury) is a light and fluffy romantic science fictional take on luck and ...
Posted by Justine at 10:37, May 20th, 2008 under Fans & readers, Reading |
Posted by Justine at 12:33, May 19th, 2008 under Listening, Praising, State of the World, Sydney/Australia |
Posted by Justine at 20:19, May 18th, 2008 under Writing life |
When homesickness eats at me I listen to
podcasts. I listen to
news broadcasts,
talk shows, shows about
sport,
science,
design,
culture. I don't care just as long as I'm hearing voices from home.
One of the my favourites is
The Book Show ((Which I can't help thinking of by it's old name,"Books & Writing")). Ramona Koval's voice and sense of humour soothe me and the range of coverage is excellent: old books, new books, local books, o.s. books, books in translation, poetry, essays etc. etc. ((Though it'd be nice if there was more YA coverage. I keep waiting for the show devoted to all the Oz YA writers storming the world: ...
Posted by Justine at 0:00, May 18th, 2008 under Listening, Praising, Reading, Sydney/Australia |
. . . Is USians what know zero about cricket writing about it.
Today's example comes from the New York Times and concerns
a novel that's been written about the Staten Island cricket club ((And apparently other things such as 9/11, family, politics, identity. That kind of stuff. Obviously, none of it as important as cricket.)) by one of the members, Joseph O'Neil. Here's my favourite bit:
That Mr O'Neill in his other life happens to be a novelist is a matter of indifference to most of his teammates. They're more interested in him as an accomplished batsman, a sure-handed fielder and a decent off-speed bowler.
Off-speed! Hahahahahahah! Perhaps they meant "
off-spin"? Or has the Staten ...
Posted by Justine at 12:13, May 17th, 2008 under Cricket, New York City/USA, Praising, Reading |
Posted by Justine at 0:01, May 16th, 2008 under Ranting, Reading, Whingeing, Young Adult literature |
Posted by Justine at 0:19, May 15th, 2008 under Writing life |
Don't ask.
Via
Cat Sparks.
Posted by Justine at 11:39, May 14th, 2008 under Sydney/Australia |
Posted by Justine at 0:00, May 14th, 2008 under Fashion |
I can't believe no one's voted against gypsy skirts either. Mis-matched flaps of coloured cotton (or worse synthethic) piled layer on top of layer in an unholy mess. What's to like, people?
Also the next person who writes to me defending their hideous taste in liking ballet flats/espadrilles/formal shorts/shrugs/other fashion atrocity will be hit with a bad fashion curse. That's right I will hex you so you never look good in clothes again. EVER.
Though, come to think of it, perhaps you're all writing to me to defend these fashion atrocities because you've already been hit with the bad fashion curse. Hmmm. I will have to think further on a better punishment . . .
And for those who seem unable to find ...
Posted by Justine at 13:52, May 13th, 2008 under Fashion, Frippery |
Some stuff I have been remiss in sharing with you:
A while ago I mentioned that
E. Lockhart's
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is the best book she's written. It wasn't out then but it is now. This book is so amazing that I'm rendered dumb trying to come up with the words to describe its wit, genius and splendiferousness. Just buy it! Or borrow it from the library! Or steal it from a friend. You will thank me. ((Though your friend might be a bit cranky.))
Christopher Barzak who wrote the wonderful debut novel, One For Sorrow, is up for one of MTV's
LOGO's NewNowNext Awards: "Brink of Fame: Author". If you read and loved that ...
Posted by Justine at 10:56, May 13th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Praising, Reading |
Posted by Justine at 12:05, May 12th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Fashion, Frippery, Vainglory, Writing goals & milestones |
Cricket Buzz just named its
top 51 cricket blogs and I'm on the list!
Yay!
And also---how embarrassing! I have been very remiss of late when it comes to cricket blogging. I mean I haven't mentioned the blessed sport since March and not written anything proper since January. Largely because (for reasons beyond my control) I have not been home since May of last year. ((Waaaaahhhh!!!!!)) Thus I have not been immersed in cricket culture and have not been keeping up with things such as the new
Twenty20 Indian Premier League. ((The link is to a NYT article explaining the League which will amuse those of us who know about cricket and hopefully be a clear-ish explanation for ...
Posted by Justine at 0:00, May 12th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Cricket, Liar, New York City/USA, Sport, Sydney/Australia |
Posted by Justine at 10:59, May 11th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Writing life |
I'm curious: Are any of you interested in reading about writers' word counts? And if so why? Cause I confess I'm not sure I entirely get the point of blogging about it. And those who post 'em on your blog why do you?
Don't get me wrong I keep an eagle eye on my word counts. They are the measure of my days. ((Better than coffee spoons.)) I'm aiming to hit 60 thou by the last week of July. But, you know, it's housekeeping. I don't keep people posted on how many dishes I've washed, meals I've cooked, or hours I've spent exercising. ((For the record: today I've washed no dishes, put together two meals, and spent an hour at the ...
Posted by Justine at 0:06, May 10th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Sport, Writing goals & milestones |
Posted by Justine at 0:15, May 9th, 2008 under Liar |
Current estimates say that in the wake of
Cyclone Nargis 100,000 people have died and a million are homeless.
I've been trying to figure out where best to donate to make sure that the money actually goes to the people struggling to survive in Burma. Most people are saying that
UNICEF and the
UNHCR are the best bets seeing as how the UN is one of the few agencies getting aid into the country. So that's what me and Scott have done.
If anyone else knows of other organisations who are able to get in and help, please let me know in the comments. Thanks.
Update: Lots of people have been suggesting
Avaaz which is apparently getting the ...
Posted by Justine at 21:39, May 8th, 2008 under State of the World |
Posted by Justine at 8:13, May 8th, 2008 under Ideas, State of the World |
I am still very behind with all my email. As I have a book due soonish and much much much more work to do on it, I suspect that I will not be getting through that backlog any time soon. For which my apologies! But, you know, my publisher pays me, which helps keep roof over head and rent paid and food in mouth---so they're my priority.
I will continue to keep blogging daily and as much as possible responding to comments here. Cause if all I do is write all day I'll go insane.
Anyway what I'm attempting to say is if I haven't gotten back to you it's not because I don't love you but because I'm working my arse ...
Posted by Justine at 15:40, May 7th, 2008 under Admin, Liar |
Posted by Justine at 0:00, May 7th, 2008 under Travelling |
Posted by Justine at 12:56, May 6th, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Ideas, Young Adult literature |
As usual I'm not going to mention the books that I didn't like because I don't want the authors to hunt me down and kill me. ((Or their family and agents.)) Writers are scary people.
I'm still on a bit of a crime binge. And have been reading a scary amount of adult books. Who'd've thunk there was some good books over on those shelves? Colour me, shocked.
So here are the novels:
The final book in
Denise Mina's Garrnethill trilogy, Resolution, was every bit as good as the other two. I have a major writing crush on Mina. She's amazing. I love the way she writes. I love it so much, in fact, that
I typed out an entire chapter ...
Posted by Justine at 0:18, May 6th, 2008 under Manga, Praising, Reading, Travelling |
Posted by Justine at 0:00, May 5th, 2008 under How To Ditch Your Fairy, Praising, Vainglory, Writing goals & milestones |
A commenter on Scott's blog,
Liset, asked:
now that i'm in college i get a little disapointed with the YA selection,
it seems to be filled with IT girls, and all that other non-sense.
I want a book where the main character is just stepping into being an adult, not 15 or 16 but 18-21.
I think I'm in an age that is highly ignored,
I can vote and join the military but I can’t drink, go to a club (on most nights) and I can't find a book that talks about the first years of college!
It's insane too, because college is seriously the most interesting thing.
Anyone got any suggestions for Liset?
I immediately thought of Diana Peterfreund's Secret Society Girl. I can think of ...
Posted by Justine at 8:26, May 4th, 2008 under Young Adult literature |
Posted by Justine at 10:46, May 3rd, 2008 under Praising, Publishing business |
Posted by Justine at 12:14, May 2nd, 2008 under Bloggery/Internetty Stuff, Publishing business, Young Adult literature |
I see that it's more than a year since
I last ranted about clothes. That's ridiculous! It's well past time that I ranted again!
Except that, well, on my European travels I didn't see many clothes that offended me. Shocking but true.
I'll admit that I'm not wild about ballet flats or kitten heels. But I can't really get up into a frothing rage about them.
Low riders seem to have disappeared altogether. Formal shorts are getting very rare. There are no neon or pastel coloured clothes. Though some of the clothes I've been seeing bore me---none of them appal me. I know! I can't believe it either.
Fortunately last night at the
opera I saw some shocking numbers. One girl was ...
Posted by Justine at 9:04, May 2nd, 2008 under Fashion |
Posted by Justine at 0:11, May 1st, 2008 under New York City/USA, Reading, State of the World, Sydney/Australia, Travelling |
