My 2010 Reading Year

My Reading Year

Goodbye 2010.  You've been good to me.  I've discovered some new to me authors, rediscovered some old to me authors and explored around the world, plus journeyed through the atmosphere, planet hopping.   I also discovered the joy of reading e-books.  Surprisingly, when I received my nook last year, thought only would be using it for reading when traveling.  Toward the 2nd half of the year I started using it about 50% of the time.  For the first half of the year I instituted a book buying ban and was pretty good in resisting the temptation to buy books.

How did my reading year go?

I ended up reading 179 books compared to last year in which I read 184.   Out of those 179 books, 67 were new authors and 52 were e-books.   I started off the year joining way too many challenges and dropping out of all of them except for the 

Ireland Reading Challenge

New Author Challenge

Blogging Author Reading Project

I slowed way down with book reviews this year and only reviewed about 35 books, doing book tours for TLC Book Tours and various publishers and authors. 

I hosted two challenges:  Read 52 books in 52 Weeks and Mind Voyages Science Fiction Reading Challenge and had a hard time keeping up with three blogs, so for 2011 have melded Mind Voyages in with 52 Books in 52 Weeks.  If you'd like to join in, head on over to 52 books and sign up.

My top ten favorite reads or discoveries for the year 

1. The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.  Thank you to Candace of  Beth Fish Reads for introducing me to Sookie. 

  

2)  Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman. Great christian romance which lead me to read the Daughters of Boston series.

3) The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser which also resulted in me reading the whole series.

4) Rainwater by Sandra Brown

5) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Yes, I fell in love with Claire and Jaime)

6) The last stand mysteries: The Perfect Couple, The Perfect Liar and The Perfect Murder by Brenda Novak - creepy, chilling murder mysteries.

7)  Nora Roberts Bridal quartet series - Visions in White, Bed of Roses, Savor the Moment and Happy Ever After.

8)  People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks

9) The Forgotten Legion - Ben Kane (good historical fiction)

10) The Lace Makers of Glenmarra - Heather Barbieri

I currently have a huge mixture of books (112 to be exact) currently on my nightstand consisting of classics, mysteries, science fiction/fantasy, paranormal, romances, historical fiction and e-books.  I am instituting another buying ban for the first half of the year in order to concentrate on reading my own books.   I limited the number of challenges as well and only joined the one's I currently have books on the shelves that will meet the goal.  I won't be reviewing as many books in 2011.  I'll mainly be doing book reviews for book tours and author/publisher requests, but only a couple a month in order to concentrate on my last two classes, writing challenges and home school.  Be on the look out for mini reviews or reviews of books that really strike a chord with me.  

2011 is shaping up to be an interesting year and I'm looking forward to it.  

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

  Cheers!

2011 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge

2011 52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge

As well as joining in on a few challenges in 2011, I'm going to continue to host Read 52 books in 52 weeks. I  am going to spice it up a bit this year and blend in several mini challenges, including the Mind Voyages challenge I created in 2010.   I worked rather hard to create the Mind Voyages blog and don't want to see it go to waste. So the blog will remain up so folks can refer to the links for their voyages.  All the mini challenges are optional and offered to help you meet the 52 books goal.  

1)  Mind Voyages is a science fiction / fantasy challenge to explore the hugo and nebula winners, take side trips through the different decades reading the nominees, check out Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein.   Also, Since I can't  possibly imagine a reading challenge without exploring new releases that come out in 2011, we have the all inclusive Pluto challenge. Links to all the voyages are available on the Mind Voyages blog.  

Moon Voyage :  Read at least 6 winners on the Hugo Winners List

Sling shot back to Earth:  Read at least  3 winners on the Nebula Winner's List

Venus Voyage:   Philip K. Dick Quest  - Read at least 2 of his books

Mercury  Voyage:   Robert Heinlein Quest - Read at least 2 of his books

Mars Voyage:   Read at least 6 winners on the Hugo List and take a side trip through the 21st century and read at least 4 nominees.

Go into Warp Drive and visit the other planets

Jupiter Voyage:   Go side tripping 90's Style

Saturn:  Go Side Tripping 80's Style

Uranus: Go Side Tripping 70's Style

Neptune Voyage:  Go Side Tripping through the 50's and 60's

The I'm going to Pluto because Pluto is still a planet as far as I'm concerned Voyage:   Mix it up, choose the number of books you want to read from each voyage, include some new books you pick up along the way and enjoy the ride. 

2)  Read around the World:   I probably did read around the world last year but didn't pay much attention. So this year I'm paying attention to setting. Keep track of where the story takes place and see how many places you end up. 

3)  Ireland Reading Challenge: or just stick with one country such as Ireland and read books set in Ireland, written by Irish Authors or with an Irish theme. Pick 2, 4, 6, or 12 books to read.

4) Jane Austen Mini Challenge: Read Jane Austen's books -Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion. All can be found online here.

5)  Well Educated Mind Mini Challenge:  The Well Educated Mind written by Susan Wise Bauer is a guide to reading the great works.  Read 3 books from each category: Fiction, autobiography, history, drama and poetry.  

6) New Author Mini Challenge:   Read at least one new to you author per month.

7) Try a new genre challenge: Read at least one book in a genre you've never tried before. 

8)  E-Book reading challenge:   read at least 3, 6, 9, or 12 e-books this year. 

9)  Chunkster Challenge:  Chunksters are considered books that are over 500 pages in length.  Read one chunkster a month.  

10)  Read 12 classics in 12 months 

A new year, a fresh slate.  Time to discover some new friends and rediscover some old friends. Make the challenge as easy and casual as you want or spice it up and challenge yourself. Explore a bit, but most of all have fun.  



The rules are very simple and the goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks. 

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. 
2. Our book weeks will begin on Sunday.  
3. Participants may join at any time.
4. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
5. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2011.
6. Books may overlap other challenges.
   
7. Create an entry post linking to the 52 Weeks blog. 
8. Sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" post.
9. You don't have a blog to participate.  Post your weekly book in the comments section.
10. Mr. Linky will be added to the bottom of the weekly post to link to reviews of most current reads. 

I'll be changing the header and modifying the theme a bit over on the 52 weeks blog, so don't mind the dust for the next couple weeks. I'll also be posting Mr. Linky in the next couple days for participants to sign up. 

Secrets To The Grave - Tami Hoag (special giveaway)

Secrets to the Grave

By

Tami Hoag

Author Synopsis:  Marissa Fordham had a past full of secrets, a present full of lies. Everyone knew of her, but no one knew her.  When Marissa is found brutally murdered, her young daughter, Haley, with her head on her mother’s bloody breast, this mystery woman sends the idyllic California town of Oak Knoll into a tailspin. Already on edge with the upcoming trial of the See-No-Evil killer, residents are shocked at reports of the crime scene, which might not have been discovered for days but for a chilling 911 call: a small child’s voice saying, “My daddy hurt my mommy.”

The police face a puzzle with nothing but pieces that won’t fit. To assist with their only witness, four-year-old Haley, they call teacher-turned-child advocate Anne Leone. Anne’s life is hectic enough—she’s a newlywed and a part-time student in child psychology, and she’s the star witness in the See-No-Evil trial. But one look at Haley, alone and terrified, and Anne’s heart is stolen.

As Anne, her FBI profiler husband, Vince, and local sheriff’s deputy, Tony Mendez, begin to peel back the layers of Marissa Fordham’s life, they find a clue fragment here, another there. And just when it seems Marissa has taken her secrets to the grave, they uncover a fact that puts Anne and Haley directly in the sights of a killer: Marissa Fordham never existed at all.

I just finished reading Deeper Than The Dead and Secrets To The Grave by Tami Hoag.  Hoag has been around for a while but is a new to me author. She has an amazing book list that I'll definitely be checking out in the future.  Both stories are excellent  with interesting characters and a tale that will grab you and hold on for the entire story.  You really should read the first book to appreciate the second.   Deeper Than the Dead introduces you to Anne, Vince, and Tony and various characters you will meet in both books.  Secrets to the Grave continues the story and it takes place back in 1986 so modern forensics don't exist yet.  There are many twists and turns to the story and anyone could be a bad guy.  Everyone has a secret and something to hide.   Chilling, graphic, heart rending, as well as gut wrenching, the stories are well worth the read.

Secrets to the Grave is being released on December 28th and thanks to the publisher, some lucky person will have the opportunity to read both books.  I will be giving away a copy of both books to one of my lucky readers.   Leave your name in the comments along with your email address.  The giveaway is open U.S. and Canadian residents only (no P.O. Boxes please and will end on December 27, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.

Thank you to TLC  Book Tours for asking me to be a part of the tour, Dutton Publishing for providing me with a copy of both books and Tami Hoag for writing remarkable, entertaining stories.   Be sure to check out the rest of the tour at TLC book Tours or these blog stops:

Monday, December 6th:  A Bookworm’s World

Tuesday, December 7th:  Luxury Reading

Wednesday, December 8th:  Musings of an All Purpose Monkey

Thursday, December 9th:  Under the Boardwalk

Friday, December 10th:  Life in Review

Monday, December 13th:  The Well-Read Wife

Tuesday, December 14th:  My Two Blessings (me)

Wednesday, December 15th:  Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Thursday, December 16th:  Bewitched Bookworms

Friday, December 17th:  Presenting Lenore

Monday, December 20th:  Man of La Book

Tuesday, December 21st:  I’m Booking It

Wednesday, December 22nd:  Rundpinne (Deeper Than the Dead)

Thursday, December 23rd:  Rundpinne (Secrets to the Grave)

Monday, December 27th:  Reviews by Molly

Monday, January 3rd:  Teresa’s Reading Corner

Wednesday, January 5th:  Lesa’s Book Critiques

Monday, January 10th:  Jen’s Book Thoughts

Blogging Author Reading Project Wrap Up

At the beginning of the year, I joined in on Florinda's Blogging Authors Reading Project.  The project was basically to read books by authors who blog.  I follow a number of author blogs including group blogs such as Murderati, Running with Quills and Deadline Dames.  I've been working my way slowly through all their books.

Murderati is a group blog of 14 mystery writers includes Pari Noskin Taichert, Alafair Burke, Allison Brennan, Brett Battles, Cornelia Read, J.D. Rhoades, J.T. Ellison, Louise Ure, Robert Gregory Brown, Zoe Sharp, Toni McGee Causey, Stephen Jay Schwartz,  Alex Sokoloff and Tess Gerritsen. Wonderful blog. If you haven't been following them, you should. I've read stories by Tess Gerritsen, Robert Gregory Browne, J.T. Ellison, and Allison Brennan.    This year I read

Toni McGee Causey's Charmed and Dangerous

Louise Ure's Liar's Anonymous and The Fault Tree (e-book)

Tess Gerritsen's  The Sinner 

Running with Quills was a blog with  7 great romance suspense authors including Susan Anderson, Stella Cameron, Kate Douglas, Lori Foster, Jayne Ann Krentz, Elizabeth Lowell and Carla Neggers. They just recently decided to pull the plug on the blog.  I've read stories by Susan Anderson, Lori Foster, Elizabeth Lowell, Jayne Ann Krentz and Carla Neggers so far.    However I love most of the authors and will continue to read their stories.  This year I completed 

Carla Neggers' Cold Pursuit and Cold River  

Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick  The Third Circle

Lori Foster aka L.L. Foster's Servant: The Kindred, 

Lori Foster's Caught in the Act and the Buckhorn Brothers series.

Deadline Dames is the group blog of paranormal romance authors including Rachel Vincent, Keri Arthur, Devon Monk, Jackie Kessler, Karen Mahoney, Lilith Saintcrow, Rinda Elliot and Toni Andrews.

I read the entire Riley Jensen Guardian Series by Keri Arthur

My Soul to Lose. and Stray by Rachel Vincent

The Kill Zone is a group blog with authors James Scott Bell, John Ramsey Miller, John Gilstrap, Joe Moore, Michelle Gagnon,  Kathryn Lilley, and Clare Langley Hawthorne.

I read Michelle Gagnon's The Gatekeeper and Kidnap and Ransom.

I also read several other blogging authors books including:

Robert Liparulo's Comes a Horseman

Ted Dekker's "Burn" 

Susan Helene Gottfried Shapeshifter Demo Tapes year 1 and year 2 (e-books) and Trevor's Song.

Christine Fonseca's Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children


I'm going to continue the project in 2011 along with Florinda and will writing up a 2011 post detailing which books will be reading from the blogs I've been following.  I've already acquired a number of their books, so won't be breaking my self imposed buying ban with the beginning of the new year.  

Sunday Salon: November, Nanowrimo, and notions

November is over and winter is approaching. Time to cozy up to the fire and do some thinking, reading, writing, or just some good old fashioned cuddling.  November was a hectic month with the start of my short story's class and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). 


I love Nanowrimo because it not only challenges me, but gets me back in the habit of writing every single day.   The challenge of writing 1667 words a day for 30 days also weaned me off of my too many hours spent browsing, not getting anything done, internet habit.  I discovered Twitter was just a big, time consuming distraction that at this point in my life, doesn't serve a useful purpose for me.  So *gasp* I deleted my account.   And I've decided to set up a schedule for blogging.  I'll be posting at least once a week on a day to be determined.  Still trying to figure out which day is the best.  Sunday will remain the scheduled post day for Reading 52 Books in 52 weeks challenge. 


I've set a goal of 25,000 words for the month of December in the hopes of completing "Red Thief."  The story may end up needing more words than that, we'll find out.  I'm enjoying the story and learning so much about my characters.  I sort of skipped around in the story, jumping around, writing scenes out of sequence.  When I initially decided to write the story, I started writing in my mind, from somewhere midpoint in the story and worked my ways backwards to a beginning point.   Weird, but that's how it worked.  So when I'd get stumped as to what the next sequential scene should have been, I'd jump back to the midpoint and start writing from there.  


Joseph Bates of Novel Journey's wrote the most awesome post: Off the Clock, On Preparation, Inspiration and Time Management  in which he quoted Toni Morrison

"I type in one place, but I write all over the house. I never go to the paper to create. The meat and juice and all that I work out while doing something else..."

Wonderful post. Go read it, then come back.  So, true.  I found that by daydreaming about the story while involved in other things - cleaning, driving, etc and writing it in my mind that  when I was ready to sit down and write, the words flowed.  My writing time is more productive.  Although a side effect of all that, was I read less, spent less time on the internet and got side tracked somewhat while involved in other things. But hey, that's November for you.  My family has learned Novembers are for Nano and are quite accommodating. 

As you can imagine I didn't get much reading done and books reviews for the year have kind of fallen by the way side.  I decided to limit my reviews for the time being and also  limit the number of book tours to one or two a month for the new year.   I'm also not going to go all challenge crazy in the coming new year and will limit it to three or four.   I'll be hosting the Read 52 books in 52 books challenge again in 2011 and will meld the Mind Voyages in with it as a mini challenge of some sort, so I'm managing one challenge only.  If you want to join in, let me know.  

Sometimes you just have to stop, re access and find your balance.  Thanks for sticking around through the November madness and I'm working on catching up with everyone slowly but surely.  See you on the interwebs.

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

--- Thomas Merton

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger Tyger

By

Kersten Hamilton

Back Cover:  Teagon Wylltson thinks her best friend, Abby, is joking.  But Abby swears that she's psychic.  And she's dreamed that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, shadows, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting her friend.  Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried.  Her life isn't in danger.  In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. she has a great job.  She's focused on school, work, and her future.  No boys, no heartaches, no problems.  Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives.

Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself.  He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about Goblins too...  And about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind.  Finn has survived alone on the streets since he was twelve, so he knows a thing or two about fighting.  Which is a very good thing, because this time Abby's right.  The goblins are coming.

Sixteen year old Teagan loves her family. Her father, the librarian who says he's descended from Merlin the magician. Her mother the artist who illustrates children's books and likes to draw scary goblins and her genius, electronic game wizard of a 6 year old  brother.  Everything starts going a little crazy after Abby's dream and her long lost cousin Finn comes to live with them.  Teagan starts seeing shadowy figures, her mother suddenly  gets sick and goes into a coma, her father disappears and a social worker thinks Teagan and Aiden need to be removed from their home and taken care of.  Suddenly Goblins are after her family and Finn. Teagan and Aiden set off on a journey to save her family and Teagan learns more than she ever thought she could about her family and their history.   The story is fascinating, full of Irish mythology, dark and scary with plenty of action.  It's considered a young adult book, but adults will be equally entranced and entertained by the story.   

Thank you to Amy Riley for asking to review the book, the publisher for providing with me with a courtesy copy of the book and Kersten Hamilton for writing such a fascinating story with well drawn characters.

Pages:  320

Publisher:  Clarion

Release Date:  November 15, 2010

Other Thoughts:

I just want to sit here and read:

"I actually loved every character written, even the bad ones if you can believe it. Each character had his/her own thing to make him/her stand out."

Word Lily:

"I loved the Celtic mythology at the root of much of the story. Tea is incredibly real — earnest and likable. Abby is a great counterpoint. I appreciated all the characters, actually."

Sidhe Vicious Reviews:

"Kersten Hamilton has written a grand adventure with danger, suspense and a touch of romance thrown in. The characters are rich and full of personality. I also loved the sidhe, goblins, shape-shifters and the world building."

2010 Reviewing Policy

2010  Review Policy

The majority of books I read and review on My Two Blessings are books I purchased for my own personal enjoyment.  The remainder of the books are review requests and advanced reader copies.  I generally will not mention who I received the books from unless they are review requests or arc's from authors, publishers or distributors.

I am open to review requests from all sources and if you would like to send me a book to review please contact me by email: rlmccormack59(at)gmail(dot)com.



I read a mixture of young adult and adult main stream and christian fiction genres including but not limited to:


Classics
Historical Fiction
Mysteries
Paranormal
Paranormal Romance
Romance
Romantic Suspense
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Thrillers and Suspense


I don't read nonfiction, self help books or poetry nor do I like true to life, tear jerker stories or stories involving child abuse. Rarely do I read horror but there are exceptions. Please see the list of books I'm currently I currently have on my Nightstand  and  2010 Books Completed which will give you an idea of the books I like to read.  I will consider books not only from traditional publishers, but also self published books as well.   I prefer receiving books but will consider books in e-format as well.  I do not listen to audio books. 


In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I do not receive any compensation for reviews on my blog. the reviews are based solely on my opinion of the story and extremely subjective.  I do not sell the books or receive any compensation from any of the links to online book sellers, authors or publishers. The links are for informational purposes only.  I don't sell or auction the ARC's I receive. Occasionally, I will do a give-a-way, but only with the permission of the publisher or author.
  
Reviews are done on a voluntary basis and I can't guarantee I will review every book sent to me. I will post reviews for ARC's within the specified time period requested by the publisher.  Otherwise, if the book has already been published, it will be read and reviewed in a timely manner.

Winner of Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for Christine Fonseca's Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students.   I plugged all the names into Random.org and the winner is.

John Ross 

Congratulations, John.  Please email me your address and Christine will personally send you a copy of her book.  

For those who would like a copy of the book, you can order it directly from Prufrock Press.

Bouchercon 2010 - Declan Hughes Play "I Can't Get Started"

One of the major highlights of Bouchercon 2010 was the reading of Irish Playwright and mystery writer Declan Hughes play "I Can't Get Started  by Hughes and an all star cast of authors.   The cast included Declan Hughes, Martyn Waites, Alison Gaylin, Brett Battles, Megan Abbott, Christa Faust and Mark Billingham.  I wish I could have recorded the whole thing because found out later that they didn't arrange to have the reading recorded.  And it was a memorable event.  All the authors put their hearts and souls into the reading.   It was touching, hilarious, entertaining, and educational.  I managed to catch a few snippets with my digital camera

Martyn Waite and Alison Gaylin




Brett Battles and Declan Hughes



Mark Billingham


Mark Billingham, Christa Faust, Martyn Waite and Alison Gaylin



Brett Battles and Megan Abbott


The reading was the brain child of writer Ellen Clair Lamb and you can see the whole story here on how it came to fruition. 

Bouchercon 2010 - Day Three

View from the window at the end of the hallway from the 11th floor

After a completely filling breakfast down in the Eclipse restaurant where they served cowboy proportions of delicious food, headed over to Grand Ballroom Foyer.   I had volunteered to work for two hours in the Registration area.   Turned into more of an information, pointing out where to go person than registration, since most folks had registered by Saturday. However they did end having over 100 walk-in's come in for day passes.  According to Karen, a most wonderful hard working volunteer, there were over 1400 people pre-signed for the conference, 200 walk-in's on Friday and 100 on Saturday.  Lots of people.  Had a blast helping folks out, and if I ever do another conference will volunteer more time. 

Walked down to the Port of San Francisco with Laura of I'm Booking It where we feasted on taco's from Mijita Cocina Mexicana and then wandering through Ferry Building Marketplace and explored Book Passages and picked up some delicious chocolate from Scharffen Berger.  

Headed back to the conference to the Grand Ballroom where Jacqueline Winspear interviewed Guest of Honor Lee Child.   Among many things, Child talked about his research and writing process. He mentioned how folks thought the ending of 61 hours was a cliff hanger and it really wasn't. He assumed people would be able to use their imagination and figure it out without him having to spell everything out. The answers are all right there in the book.  When he decided to write The Killing Floor and have the setting in Georgia, he didn't have the money to go to Georgia, so what did he do. He watched My Cousin Vinny, which even though it was set in Alabama was close enough. He said it didn't matter whether he actually went to the locations his books were set in, because he received complaints that he hadn't gotten it right.  

After listening to Lee Child, went on to sit in on a Continuous Conversation about the Business of Books with a large group of panelists including Seth Harwood, Elizabeth Sims, John Goodwin to name a few.  Then moved on to a 30 on the 30 which was a 30 minute presentation by Dennis Palumbo on How to address writers' block, procrastination and other perils.   

I could have listened to Dennis for a couple hours.  He was a screenwriter for the first two seasons of Welcome Back Kotter back in the 70's and is now a licensed psychotherapist for screenwriters, authors, directors, etc.   His viewpoints on writers block made a lot of sense.  In a nutshell:

Writer's block is an inevitable developmental process for writers.  A block general happens before a big growth spurt. It is that tension between stages.  Once you have gotten past the block, you have grown as a writer.  Are you a worse writer after that. No, you are a better writer.   Whatever is blocking you, write about it. If it is fear or worry, then write about your character fearing or worrying about something.  If you feel like you are drowning, then write about the character drowning, figuratively or literally.  Don't give writers block a negative meaning.  It only means something if you let it.   Dennis has three cosmic rules of writing.

1st cosmic rule:  "You are enough."   Quit with the if only's.   Everybody thinks the party is happening somewhere else.     You have everything in you to be the writer you want to be right now.

2nd cosmic rule:  "Work with what you are given."  Use who you are, your personal voice, your experiences and emotions.


3rd cosmic rule:  "Writing begets writing."   Quit thinking and worrying about it, do it, write.  If you get to your computer and along the way, stumble over the cat in the morning, and then sit there and can't think about what to write.  Start with the cat.   

He gave us all quite a bit to think about.  I'm looking forward to reading his book:  Writing from the Inside Out: Transforming Your Psychological Blocks to Release the Writer Within.   

From there, I headed over to the Grand Ballroom for a reading of a play by Irish playwright and mystery author Declan Hughes called I Can't Get Started with an amazing all star author cast of Megan Abbott, Brett Battles, Mark Billingham, Christa Faust, Alison Gaylin, Martyn Waites and Declan Hughes.  Highlights of the play to be continued in the next post.  

Bouchercon 2010 - Day two

I was awakened by room service delivering my breakfast which is better than a wake up call any day. The first night, Hyatt had a neat door hanger thing you could circle what you wanted for breakfast and what time you wanted it delivered, hang it outside your door before midnight and wallah, breakfast delivered.  Plus, when I looked out the window  I was treated to this beautiful sight.  What a way to start the day. 

My first panel of the day with one of my favorite authors - Michelle Gagnon. I've been wanting to know what happened to Kelly ever since I read her last book "Gatekeeper."  Her newest book "Kidnap and Ransom" answers that which is coming out November 1st.   But guess what, I got a copy. Yeah!  The panel Runaway discussed the use of horror and violence as plot points with authors April Smith moderating and Michael Ayoob, Jonathan Woods, Michelle and Shane Gericke.  I unfortunately forgot my pen so don't remember a whole lot of things they said. It's all a blur except yep you guessed it. More authors to add to my want list.

Next stop - an unscripted conversation between Hank Phillipi Ryan and David Baldacci.  David's newest book "Hell's Corner" will be out November 9th.  Interestedly enough he said he doesn't know the ending of any of his books when he starts them.  Writing for him is a totally spontaneous, creative process.  His best advice - "If action doesn't help the characters or the enhance the plot, leave it out."  And Scholastic has asked him to write the very last book in the 39 Clues series.  When he asked them what made them think he could write a young adult novel, they said they were impressed by his character Willa in First Family.  

From there, I sat in on the Interlude Panel talking about a story is more than just action with authors Chris Knopf moderating, Robert Gregory Browne (one of my favorite murderati blog authors), Michael Dymmoch, Bill Crider and Todd Ritter.  These guys were quite humorous, played off each other quite well and Bill Crider has a delightful Texas accent which reminded me of when I used to live in Texas.   Lots of talk about intuitive writing, emotional action, and the quiet times in the book between moments of action and how to handle it.  Bill Crider's favorite - have your character play with their dog.  This seemed to come up quite a bit in panels. Animals are favorites.

After lunch and taking a short nap, went to Mulholland Books (the new imprint of Little, Brown and Company)  Murder By Proxy presentation introducing marketing director,  Miriam Parker (just as bubbly and nice in person as she is on the blogosphere including squeals and hugs on both our parts when we met) and editor John Schoenfelder.

Miriam Parker and John Schoenfelder 

They introduced the authors who will be writing for Mulholland books including Mark Billingham, Marcia Clark,  Duane Swierczynski,  Daniel Woodrell, and Sebastian Rotella

 

Mark Billingham and Duane Swiercynski Both men are just hoots and I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing their books.

Marcia Clark.  Yes, the prosecutor from the infamous O.J. Trial.   Her debut crime thriller novel "Guilt by Association" will be out in 2011. 

Then I was the unofficial water girl, official bearer of name badges for the Crossfire Panel about putting your protagonist in jeopardy.  

 The panel included professor Randal Brandt moderating for authors Lori Armstrong (squee), James Rollins (double squee) and Dianne Emley, Karen Olsen and James L. Thane.  I've read most of their books except for Dianne and headed right down to the bookstore to buy "The First Cut."  

Randall and Diane

Lori Armstrong And James Rollins

I lurved Lori's Julie Collins Mysteries and she now has a new series, the Mercy Gunderson Mysteries with the first book out "No Mercy."   Can't wait to read it.  They talked about the cost to characters for escaping jeopardy whether it is physical or emotional.  James Rollins also talked about the sympathy builders. He has a list of 7 things - he shared two but then made available the link to his website with the list. 

(1) Have the character demonstrate exceptional skill at his/her profession or some other task.
(2) Have the character be funny/humorous.
(3) Have character treat others well.
(4) Have the character demonstrate kindness to pets/kids/elderly.
(5) Have the character afflicted or suffering from undeserved misfortune.
(6) Show other people demonstrating affection for the character.
(7) Give the character some physical/mental/educational handicap, or make them a massive underdog.

After all those panels, I was pretty much wiped out for the day.   Had dinner and retired to my room and watched a movie, Knight and Day, then passed out. 

Bouchercon 2010 - Day one

I just spent the past three days geeking out at my first ever mystery writers convention "Bouchercon By The Bay" in San Francisco.   I enjoyed getting to meet my favorite authors, new to me authors and readers from all over the world.  

I arrived Thursday afternoon, registered and headed over to my first panel.   

Commitment Panel: Conversation with William Link and Lee Goldberg

Lee Goldberg, producer of diagnosis murder, writer for Monk and author of several Monk books interviewed William Link who is the creator of multiple movies and tv shows such as Columbo, Mannix, Murder She Wrote, et al.  

After the panel, I explored the hotel for a bit, then meet Maria Alexander, an old friend and roommate who I haven't seen in 20 years.  We had a wonderful time catching up over dinner and she is trying her hand at writing mysteries, rather than the horror fiction and poetry she is known for.   She introduced me to her good friend,  Christa Faust who just happened to be hanging out with Jason Pinter and I have two more authors to add to my must read lists.

I wandered down to the reception in the grand ballroom and unfortunately my introvert geekiness kicked in.  I didn't see a soul that I knew and it didn't help that the badge only listed people's names.  There were people there that I knew but didn't recognize because I knew them by their twitter or blog handles and not regular names.  I remember when John and I went to the Consumer Electronics Show reception.  We'd be able to identify folks we've worked and talked with on the phone by their badge. "Oh, honey, there's such and such from Stereophile or there's whosiwhatis from Audible."   Then we'd go up and talk to them.   Nor did I have my extroverts around to help ease me into conversations with complete strangers which completely stressed me out so I headed back up to my room and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Although it did give me the idea of conventions having a Designated Extrovert program.  If you're an introvert, you'll totally get it.   Once I quit worrying about forcing myself to go down to the bar or to the after parties alone, I had a completely wonderful time. 

Bouchercon Swag

Swag bag contained:  Graham Moore's ARC of The Sherlockian, Laurie R. King's Locked Rooms, Rita Lakin's Getting Old is Tres Dangereux and Meg Gardiner's The Memory Collector.  Plus magazines - RT Book Review, Mystery Scene, The Strand, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery magazine, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, and the Baker Street Journal.  And oodles of bookmarks.  And volunteers (worked a couple hours in registration and had a blast) received an ARC of Dennis Lehane's Moonlight Mile.

After attending panels with some of these authors, headed right down to the book room and purchased their books.   Sasscer Hill walked up while I was looking at books, fixed a book so it displayed better on the shelf and handed me her card.  Of course, I just had to buy her book.  :)   I picked up Cara Black's first novel "Murder in the Marais" while exploring Book Passages at the Port of San Francisco. 

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students

by

Christine Fonseca

Back cover:  Designed to provide support for the difficult job of parenting and teaching gifted children, Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings provides the resource parents and teachers need to not only understand why gifted children are so extreme in their behavior, but also learn specific strategies to teach gifted children how to live with their intensity.

Presented in a an easy-to-read, conversational style, Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students uses real world examples through case studies and role plays that show parents and teachers how to interact with gifted children in a way that teaches them how to recognize, monitor, and adjust their behavior.  Worksheets, tips sheets, and checklists are included to help parents, teachers, and the students themselves learn to cope with the explosive feelings that often accompany giftedness.  Specific strategies for stress management, under performance in school, perfectionism, and social anxiety make this a must-read for anyone wishing to make a positive lasting impact on the lives of gifted children.

If you have an emotionally intense child, gifted or dually exceptional this is a book for you.   When James was born, he was the guest of the NICU for a few days and the nurses all told me - he goes from 0 to 60 in one second. Good luck!   Yes he is a spirited child and I've read every book out there imaginable.  For the longest time, Raising your Spirited Child was my bible - very well thumbed, revisited time and again.  When you have a perfectionist child that is all the mores - intense, sensitive, persistent, and perceptive, life is challenging. Not only for them, but you.

So you can guess how excited I was last year when Christine started talking about her new book - Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students.  Aha - something specifically related to gifted kids and their emotions.

Part 1 begins with What it really means to be Gifted.  There are three cases studies in which we are introduced to three gifted students: Andrew, Meredith and Emily.  Christine dives into the intellectual characteristics, personality traits and emotional characteristics of giftedness.  And how those characteristics jive with school, peer relationships and emotions.   Plus throw in gifted children intensity, their temperament, introverts versus extroverts and those who are twice blessed.   One particular part stood out for me since we deal with this almost every day.

"Another aspect of emotional intensity lies in a strong affective memory.  This refers to a memory of not just the events of a situation, but the feelings associated with the event as well.  Gifted children often will relive the feelings of significant moments in their lives, such as a move, or the loss of a pet, over and over again.  Strong attachments to people and things coupled with their strong memory often can make transitions very difficult."  pg 38

Both James and my husband John are gifted, so they tend to hang on to things and revisit the past  and try to figure out things.  James has a memory of an elephant though and will come to me and say for example:  "Mom, on September 5, 2003 you said (fill in the blank), what did you mean by that?"        Wait...what?  Mom's brain explodes once again as try to remember the situation. 

Which brings us to part 2 is Great Information, But Now What?    Worksheets!!! There are some wonderful worksheets in the book that will aid you.   How do you coach your child?  Do you know what your expectations are as a family, for yourself, for your child.   Does your child know what your expectations are, the consequences for his/her behavior and what the boundaries are.  Do you or your child know how you will react in certain circumstances.  We are currently working on the worksheets so will have to let you know how things work out there.

Christine provides some great advice for dealing with explosions.    How do you get your child to recognize that they are spiraling up or going to blow - both their emotional and physical feelings.   What do you do when they explode and how do you deal with it afterwords.   What are your hot button issues?  She also provides strategies for how teachers can handle explosions, coach their gifted students and deal with a whole classroom of kids as well.

Part 3 Being your Child's Coach-Specific Strategies.  I was raised by a very strict mom and military dad, so no talking back, no yelling, period. Very authoritative.  Unfortunately the authoritative style and "because I said so" doesn't work with my kid.   And for a period of time there, I turned into a yeller.  And it's hard to impress upon your child that his yelling and using the wrong tone of voice is wrong, when you are doing exactly that. The only thing it was teaching is that yelling was okay.Which brings us to the strategies for a good coach:  modeling, prompting, cueing, reflection and debriefing.

Christine says:

Parents are in a great position to act as coaches to their child, teaching everything from understanding the unique characteristics of giftedness, to coping strategies, to managing the intensity that comes with being gifted.  (pg 125)

With gifted children facilitated learning particularly is effective because it makes use of their superior logic skills as an avenue to retrain their emotional responses.  Furthermore, it helps the child learn to become more aware of why he makes the decisions he makes and deliberately choose a new response--definitely a win-win for everyone involved. (pg 131)

You can't tell your gifted child how to act, you have to teach them how to act. You can't fix them, because they aren't broken. They are unique and one of a kind.  Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students is a wonderful book full of tips, strategies, worksheets, a sample dialogues with kids on how to coach them.  I highly recommend it.  It will become your new bible on how to help your gifted child. Be prepared - this is one book you will read over and over again.  Plus you'll want to have your yellow (or color of your choice) highlighter with you because you'll find plenty of things you want to remember.   Buy it for yourself, your best friend, your child's teacher or school principal.  I highly recommend it. 

Christine is having a special giveaway: She will draw a random winner from all commenters throughout the tour AND the reviews. Contest ends Sunday at midnight, and she will announce the winner on Monday, 10/18. The winner gets book swag consisting of a t-shirt, bookmarks, magazines, notepads, sticky notes, and a signed copy of the book.

Check out the other reviews:


Lisa Rivero
Medeia Sharif
Taffy Lovell
Thomas Furman
Danyelle Leafty
Jennifer Merrill
Margaret Barney
Michelle McLean

To find out more about Christine and her book, check out the following links.

   

Website

Blog

Find her on Facebook or Twitter

Order the book.

Want an e-reader version? Order here.

Read the first chapter here.

Thank you to Christine for not only writing the book, but also providing me with a courtesy copy as well.