Oh, the shuttle will be here in about 20 minutes and I feel like I am forgetting to do something important - you know, that same feeling you get every time you travel. Not sure what it could be. 

I still haven't settled on my final plane read and Calypso is making it really hard to leave. Hell, Kodiak and her quiet, shy self is also making it hard to leave. This will be the first time that I leave these guys totally alone. Friends are coming to feed them, but they won't have anyone around for 4 days. Agh! I feel like a bad mother. So, above is the only pic I really have of the two of them in the same frame. It's not a great shot but it's there.

Sadie will be fine, she gets to go on an extended slumber party. I just hope she behaves. And I hope my cats aren't emotionally damaged when I get home. 

I'd better go now. Will be back on Monday and will let you guys know what goodies I bring home.

Packing for Vacation

I hate packing. Loathe, despise, and abhor it. Every time I go somewhere, I think that it's finally my opportunity to get some major reading in. I am trying not to look at this weekend like that because I know it's not true in this case. Mike has been working in NYC for two weeks and I am going up to see him. We're going to be doing the touristy stuff while I am there and even though I know I won't possibly last walking around every minute of every day that I am there, I have a feeling any down time is actually going to be nap time.

So, my reading time will be relegated to the 4 hour plane ride there and back plus the 90 minutes waiting in the airport prior to flights. Worst case scenario, there will be delays and that means more reading time in the airport.

This presents a major dilemma for me. First off, I'm in vacation mode. I've had Koji Suzuki's The Ring sitting on my TBR shelf since last fall (amongst the mass of other mating titles that continue to procreate). I have ARCs that need reviewing that should take precedence, but they're looking less and less interesting the more I want to read my Asian horro. I have limited luggage space, especially once you consider the books that I will be buying while I am there (1/2 priced books at the Strand and Otto Penzler's mystery store!). I also hate having lots o' stuff to keep track of at the airport and have been limiting myself to a Strand tote lately. Course this method only really works well when visiting the family because then I can just UPS stuff back to myself!

So, what's a book junkie to do? I figure I can bring 3 books tops. How do I choose? I go through this every single time I travel. Last time I went home, I brought 8 books! I was gone for 6 days. How many did I read? 2!

Ugh! I have to go check laundry now.

Technology is against me today

It's been rough lately. I think I have a karmic black cloud hanging over me resulting from actions of past lives. I don't know. After an hour screaming at the computer earlier, I left to run some errands in preparation of my weekend away. Errands complete, hunger sated, and work seemingly done for now, I am ready for a nap. But, it's not to be! I have too much to do.

Before I can leave, I have to finish my reviews for the week. This is kind of a problem as I still have 2 books to finish and another to start! I don't feel confident that I can get a review done and e-mailed in while on my city weekend, but who knows. It's 4:30 now and if I start right this minute and don't sleep until I get on the plane tomorrow, then I think it might be doable. Yeah, I know.

Anyway, Jincy Willett's Writing Class should wind me down a bit. I've almost finished it and it's a pretty darn good read. It's sarcastic and funny - that much more so if you know anything about publishing, have taken any kind of classes lately, or have ever had the pleasure of taking a creative writing class.

Amy Gallup teaches a sort-of continued education creative writing class. It's her only real connection to the outside world these days. Fortunately for Amy and her class, though, some shred of human interest does remain, and she's disturbed when some of her students report strange incidents regarding the class. These incidents begin as mean pranks, but soon escalate to violence, and Amy becomes determined to discover the twisted mastermind and their motives behind wreaking such havoc. Willett's novel is a fine blend of sarcastic humor and mystery. A great read that, for me, succeeded where similar titles have failed.

This is a lighter mystery than most I have been reading lately, but it's really fun. I especially liked that each "writer" had their own voice which is what I mean by her succeeding where others haven't.

Ah well, off to read and pack - more on that later.

Oh, another post in the same day!

Yep, I know it's rare. I just couldn't help it, and I am going to be out of town this weekend after all.

So, I am supposed to be getting a copy of a book acquired by our fab marketing teach from DPI last summer. The book in question is due out in Jan '09 and it's a superhero satire. I haven't received it yet, so I really can't tell you much more other than the fact that it is going to be knock your socks off HILARIOUS! How do I know? Well, this is how.

So, have fun checking out the link and I'll keep you posted once I receive Captain Freedom!

It's Summertime!

I know a lot of readers are looking for lighter fare for the summer - me, my moods change so quickly and without any rhyme or reason, I can read whatever. I do enjoy fun and silly reads, though, and they are undeniably more popular over the summer months. In fact, I hold to the thought that fluff is a necessary part of life - you need something to help you get through all the stress of real life!

In just a couple weeks, some of the newest fluffy reads from the biggest hitters in the subgenre will be hitting shelves, including:

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot - continuing the hilarious saga of my favorite big mouth, Lizzie Nichols

This Charming Man by Marianne Keyes - Irish chick-lit, although I have heard that this one is a bit more serious. We'll see.

And, of course, Janet Evanovich's Fearless Fourteen

I'm heading out for the weekend and will be taking some plane reads (review books) with me so I stay on track, and two of the above will be in my bag. Personally, I've been waiting to find out who Lizzie chooses since last summer so this is going to be good!

If you thought Meg was only for teens (i.e. you HAVEN'T been reading either the Heather Wells or Lizzie Nichols books) you are so mistaken. Queen of Babble is quite possibly one of the funniest books I have ever had the pleasure of reading (I mean, Bridgette Jones funny).

Here's my bookbitch review from way back when it first hit shelves. Hopefully you'll check it out and then you'll be just in time to join me in finding out which guy Lizzie will end up with!

The first in this new series for adults by Princess Diaries author, Meg Cabot, finds Lizzie Nichols in a bind. Lizzie has an awful habit – she can’t keep a secret. That’s the least of her problems when she finds herself broke and sleeping above the washing machine in her English boyfriend’s parents’ house. She quickly realizes that this relationship is not meant to be. Could it be the hideous Michael Jackson style jacket he insists on wearing? Or maybe it’s the fact that he lied about his job, lives with his parents and expects Lizzie to loan him money to pay his debts! Lizzie hops a train to France where she spills her own mortifying secrets the hottie sitting next to her. Normally, this would not be a problem. What are the chances that she’ll run into him again, right? Unfortunately, the hottie just happens to be her best friend’s boss! This hilariously sweet and cute novel is a refreshingly light and easy read.

Oh yes, it's so true!

Am I the last person to know about these cookbook bloggers? I sincerely hope not. Apparently, following the massive success of Julie Powell's book Julie & Julia in which she chronicles her adventures cooking her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, others have decided to try it themselves. 

Let me back up a bit. Ever since visiting NYC last summer, I've been an occasional binge reader of grub street (the food blog for New York magazine). Amongst the articles about Tailor restaurant's absinthe gummy bears and the daily reservation round-ups, I found a link to this Wall Street Journal article about cookbook bloggers. 

I was particularly impressed with this blogger who is working her way through The Gourmet Cookbook. While I think the Gourmet Cookbook is definitely more accessible than some of the others people have chose, I'm just not sure I could actually do this. I love cooking, but I cook per my mood. Not at all a good dieting technique, I know, and it would also make working through one cookbook kind of difficult. I dunno, I'm pretty impressed by anyone who can keep this up, though. I'll be tuning in regularly now to see how it's going for her. 

In other cooking news, I found this fantastic site while looking for some info to use in the Georgia cookbook (turned it in today!).  

So, am heading to NYC this weekend and, obviously, food is on the brain! Trying to decide which spots to hit while I am there. I think a trip back to The Strand bookstore is definitely called for. We'll probably head over to the natural history museum as well since Mike has never been. 

Ah well, I'm going to read now. I started The Blood Detective by Dan Waddell last night and it's super great so far.   

New Releases 6/3

Some of the titles hitting shelves this week include:

China Lake by Meg Gardiner - though Meg's got a brand spanking new series hitting shelves next Tuesday, powers that be in publishing have finally decided to release her previous series stateside. Each of the following books in the Evan Delaney series will follow in the coming months and forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett makes her world debut in one week! 

Trust Me by Brenda Novak - first in a thrilling new trilogy

Season of Strangers by Kat Martin - thanks PW for ruining the surprise. I haven't read this one just yet, but the synopsis is intriguing without giving much away - PW blew the whistle, though. 

Before the Storm by Diane Chamberlain - a mother who must prove her son's innocence after he's accused of arson

House at Midnight by Lucie Whitehouse - a debut about growing up and growing apart

Rabbit in the Moon by Deborah and Joel Shlian - I ran out of time, but still plan on getting to this one (and most on this list). This is a political thriller set around the events in China in 1989.

Summer Blowout by Claire Cook - the author who brought you Must Love Dogs and her newest beach read

Nothing to Lose by Lee Child - latest in the amazing Reacher series

spies of Warsaw by Alan Furst - new espionage thriller from the man some call the best in the genre

And, it's June. Check out booksense.com to see what booksellers are recommending this month.

New on DVD:

The Eye the American remake starring Jessica Alba

New reviews at bookbitch.com this week:

The House at Midnight

Coffin County by Gary A. Braunbeck

Bobbie Faye's (Kinda, Sorta, Not Exactly) Family Jewels by Toni McGee Causey

Tonight I'll finish up Dirty Secrets Club and start on Blood Detective by Dan Waddell.