Monday, July 5, 2010

Etc.

  • It's hot.
  • I sent a few queries out today even though I know nobody's working, and lo and behold I got a rejection just hours later from Joe Veltre. I appreciate those agents who send out rejections while the rest of the country takes the day off.
  • The Wife and I watched Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief last night and holy smoke did it suck. I can't think of a movie I enjoyed less. I turned it off with ten minutes to go because I just couldn't take it anymore and because it was almost eleven o'clock and I figured even the local news would be more interesting. I was right.
  • Conversely, we just got back from Toy Story 3 and it was awesome.
  • I read a book for grown-ups recently, Michael Crichton's Pirate Latitudes. It was found in his files and published posthumously. Now I know why. Here's a tip for all you successful writers out there: If you have unpublished novels just lying around, get rid of them. Because after you die your family members, caring more about money than your reputation, will publish them to your embarrassment (assuming you can still feel shame in the grave). My guess is most of the music in Michael Jackson's vault similarly blows. (But I'll probably still listen to it. I mean, c'mon, it's Michael Jackson.)
  • I'm struggling to find books this summer and my reading is suffering. The local library has a limited selection and my checking account has limited funds. Most of the stuff I'm excited to read (Fat Vampire) isn't out yet. So recommend some slightly older books for me, will you? I'm looking for titles that are maybe a couple of years old that fell through the cracks and I forgot about them. Young adult and middle grade preferred, go heavy on plot and if there's some humor all the better.
Out.

11 comments:

Anita said...

I'm thinking hard about what YA you might like. I went to the library right after I read your post (I was going there anyway...I'm not THAT big of a fan) and checked out a couple YAs to see if they'd be good for you. I'll get back to you. Sadly lacking on the shelves were YAs for young men.

Unknown said...

Toy Story 3 was awesome. Blondie was enthralled. Books, hmmmm. How bout some more John Green? Have you read Teacher Man by Frank McCourt? If not, read it. Delve into some old Richard Peck or Linda Sue Park, library should have their older stuff.Try a bookswap site to not break the bank. Haven't used one yet, but they're becoming popular. You have plenty of books to swap.

Jonathon Arntson said...

I hope you have read SWIM THE FLY.

Also, don't forget about interlibrary loan.

Jonathon Arntson said...

I thought I had left this comment earlier. Guess not:

I hope you have read SWIM THE FLY.

Also, don't forget about interlibrary loan.

Chris said...

You should definitely read THE BOY WHO COULDNT SLEEP AND NEVER HAD TO. If the title alone doesn't get you then I don't know. It's listed as an adult book everywhere but is very ya in my opinion. Also is hilarious.

Jonathon Arntson said...

Oops. I see blogger has fixed their comment issue.

I like GuysLitWire for suggs too: http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com/

Ray Veen said...

You've probably read most, if not all of these, but here are my faves:

Fablehaven series -- Brandon Mull
Bartimaeus Trilogy -- Jonathan Stroud
Abhorsen Trilogy -- Garth Nix
Midnighters Trilogy -- Scott Westerfeld (anything by Westerfeld)

Anita said...

Have you read ROOSTER?

Paul Michael Murphy said...

Thanks, all. I haven't read most of those recommended. Believe it or don't, but I couldn't get into Swim the Fly. I may try again. I've read Bartimaeus, but not the others and I still need to finish reading your novel, Ray. Thanks again.

Anita said...

I'm reading ROOSTER now and will get back to you. I actually LOL a couple times last night while reading it, and I was dead tired. Also, I'll post my MFA's YA reading list here:
ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF A PART TIME INDIAN

WINTERGIRLS
MARE'S WAR
PAPER TOWNS
THE FIRST PART LAST
WICKED LOVELY

LEVIATHAN
HARD LOVE

Paul Michael Murphy said...

Do you still need writing to carve up for that MFA?