Signs of fall

My special sneakers only come out when fall weather approaches.

Hurricane probability loop

HERE.

UPDATE: Yes, Hurricane Earl IS threatening land. Maybe it won't threaten ours, but if you click the link above, there's a chance.

Hurricane Earl

I'm reading news reports that Tropical Storm Earl won't threaten land. Why does the map make it seem like it will, though?

you know it's time to go on maternity leave when...

'It’s not what you call a happy fun read'

A new Carrie Pilby review is up...I'm glad it's trickling onto people's blogs! Even with the characterization above, the reviewer gave it four stars. Thanks!

Hurricane day is Sept. 10

Interesting story.

Nice new review

A blogger posted this very complimentary review of Carrie Pilby over the weekend. Her blog is very well set up!

Looks like she saw the book on NetGalley, an on-line resource that allows reviewers to download books for free and spread the word. I think it went up there on Aug. 1, a month after its release. I like this idea. I hope it gets more people to read it and enjoy it.

Oh, also, here's a new one in French this week.

'Capturing the Friedmans' update

For those who watched the movie and were similarly horrified, here is some news:

"Now Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice plans on revisiting the case that probably wrongfully convicted Jesse Friedman, now 40 years old and paroled in 2001. According to the Huffington Post, Rice's decision "comes a day after a federal appeals court criticized police, prosecutors and the judge who handled the case against Arnold and Jesse Friedman." Jesse Friedman's latest appeal was rejected on technical grounds as a judge ruled that, "The record here suggests 'a reasonable likelihood' that Jesse Friedman was wrongfully convicted...the police, prosecutors and the judge did everything they could to coerce a guilty plea and avoid a trial."

Headline

Saw this headline:

Body of Missing French Chef Found Stuffed in Freezer

And then thought maybe it was HIM.

(Oops, I just realized he's Swedish. Well, that really kills THAT joke, doesn't it?)

Leave Jennifer Aniston alone

Gosh, any woman approaching 40 (or older, as in this case) is criticized and scrutinized and blamed for being single. Why isn't anyone badgering George Clooney about not being married or having any kids, like they do with Jennifer Aniston? Whichever choices she makes in those arenas, I'm sure they are right for her, and it's her business and her right.

So leave Jen and her choices alone, especially you, Bill O'Reilly. As someone said on the internet, what thoughts do you have for Bristol Palin?!?!??

Nice review

One of the better developments in publishing over the last few years is the trend in "book blogs." Many readers, even some teens, have started their own book review blogs to comment on what they're reading. Some of them are really professional looking and impressive.

Here's one such book blog that gave a really complimentary review to Carrie Pilby this weekend. Thanks, Khadija!

Self-publishing successes

and a new J.D. Salinger biography

This article in Newsweek shows how people self-published their books to Kindle and did well. Since I get asked often if it's worth it to self-publish, I'm posting the link. I also talk about self-publishing on my website (it's question 8 in the 'advice' section).

This issue of Newsweek also talks about an 800-page biography, The Private War of J.D. Salinger, written by Shane Salerno and David Shields. Salerno apparently spent millions of dollars and lots of hours researching the book. There is so much about Salinger we don't know, so I'm looking forward to reading that when it comes out. Salerno's also got a two-hour documentary coming out next month.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey...

and the world's most shameless plug

Apparently if you mention the popular "Real Housewives of New Jersey" TV reality show on your blog or website, you get a ton of hits. Especially if you mention Danielle Staub, Teresa Giudice, Kim Granatell, etc...

Well, if you watch it and came here, then you should take a moment to read a humorous chick-lit novel about a 19-year-old genius who graduates from college early and doesn't know how to date or socialize in the real world...until she pushes herself out there in Manhattan to do so. It was just re-released by Harlequin Teen. It's called Carrie Pilby. Details are here on Amazon.

And then you can go back and watch more TV! Doesn't that show remind you of junior high? Talking about people behind their back, trying to get people against one another, oh boy...except, the women are in their 40s. Of course, I watch it, so that doesn't make me any better!

Hurricane watch

It's that time again.

Photo from last January

Noticed in my files.

'Boob Man'

Should we really buy our infant son wear a hat that says "Boob Man"? My hubby thinks so. Actually, that wouldn't be so bad if it didn't cost $18!! That's more than a whole baby outfit. I guess the sense of humor is extra...

On another note, I got this email today, my first after the debut of the new edition (and my first email ever from Morocco!):

I've just read you're book "Carrie Pilby" and I was amazed I'm 19 years old and I live in Moroco witch I hope you will visit sometime I really adored you're way of seeing things through Carrie and it really helped me go through alot of things because reading it made me realize I'm not alone thanku you sooo much

Guess they should send me there on a book tour (ha ha).

Beautiful clouds

Check out Iowa, Maine, and Washington. I'd love to take pics like those!

Thought for the week

"You take a chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan." - Lt. Frank Drebbin

Hmmm...why was this person Googling me?

Executive Office Of The President Usa 17 July, Sat, 22:21:03

Must be to give me the National Book Award! Thanks; I am honored.

Scream for ice cream

In the news: "For our sweet-toothed readers, we have some bad news to report: Baskin-Robbins announced that it's shelving five of its 31 signature flavors including the classic staple French Vanilla, which was with the company since it started in 1945, Caramel Praline Cheesecake (1970), Campfire S'mores (1975), Apple Pie a La Mode (1976) and Superfudge Truffle (2007). This has happened before, but never to such magnitude."

I actually wasn't aware that Baskin-Robbins had such interesting flavors. I think I would have really liked all of those. Oh well! My favorite specialty ice cream flavor remains Ben & Jerry's triple caramel chunk (which was discontinued for a while and then brought back...thanks to ME [just kidding, but it WAS brought back]). I sometimes go years without having any, but I highly recommend it!