1. Most importantly, I am back from the dead. At least I hope. I was brought down hard by a stomach ulcer which started earlier this month, but decided to try and kill me this week. I wasn’t even able to start school, which means I didn’t get to don a cute back-to-school outfit. Bummer. Anyway, I’m catching up on life now and am feeling pretty good. Nothing like an angry belly to remind you of your limitations.
2. I’ve been really into books-on-tape recently. Will we ever stop calling them books-on-tape? B/c mine are definitely on cd. I will hopefully someday graduate to iTunes audiobooks, but right now I’m not that fancy. I owe my newfound obsession to the local library, which happens to have an awesome selection of YA/MG grade audiobooks available AND doesn’t cost me $40 a pop. Recently, I’ve been listening to The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I have to say that this is one of the better audiobooks I’ve listened to because I enjoy the narrating voice. Oh-so-important as I’ve discovered. I plan to do a few audiobook-specific reviews, probably all heaped into one, b/c annoying background music and weird voice choices can totally ruin the experience and make it not worth the listen.
3. Writing-wise my progress has been slow–which is actually a euphemism for virtually non-existent. However, today has been a particularly productive day school-wise and that usually leads to general productivity. I’d say anything is possible. Stay tuned…
4. I’m particularly excited about some interviews that Realm Lovejoy has done for a bunch of my writer friends. You should go check them out. Realm has done lovely renditions of each author’s main character. Isn’t that a cool way to promote?
5. Ummmm, Catching Fire comes out so so soon! September 1 to be exact. I can’t believe it’s already (or finally) here. It’s supposed to be even better than Hunger Games. I was not lucky enough to get an ARC, but you can bet your pants I’ll be reading asap!
Love, love, love Lightning Thief. I can’t wait to see the movie. Our school was lucky enough to snag him for an author visit the last year he was still doing them. He’s been at TLA several times as well. He’s a terrific guy.
I, too, can’t wait for Catching Fire. Of course, you can catch a chapter 1 and 2 sneak peek at http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/
If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, you could always backtrack and read Suzanne’s Gregor the Overlander Series.
Libraries rule. Love all those free materials. Of course, I’m not biased or anything…
I can’t believe Catching Fire already comes out tomorrow. Of course I can’t believe it’s already September–it feels like last week I was making New Year’s Resolutions
I’m glad you’re feeling better–a stomach ulcer sounds absolutely terrible and I can only imagine how painful it was. But glad that you’re doing well now!
i had an ulcer b4 i got married – it hurts like a mofo!