Recent Reading

"Foul Matter' is the publishing term (who said those guys didn't have a sense of humor?) for the marked-up, coffee stained, original hard copy  of a manuscript that the publishers return to the author once the book is in print.  From whence it can go to a box under the author's bed, a closet shelf. or a library's archives, if the author is Somebody. (Mine are in a drawer.)

Foul Matter is also the title of a wonderful book by Martha Grimes in which she does to the publishing industry what Elmore Leonard did to Hollywood in Get Shorty. A fun read for a glimpse inside.

Three more recent reads -- Deb Crombie is a favorite of mine but I put off reading Necessary as Blood  when it came out because some of the plot line was similar to my  work in progress -- female protagonist agonizing over whether to marry her long time boyfriend.  It's a wonderful novel -- as are all of hers -- with an interesting look at the international mix that is modern London and the clashes that can occur. I'm feeling like starting back and re-reading this series from the beginning.

Remarkable Creatures  by Tracy Chevalier traces the life of Mary Anning who, though uneducated, was a great discoverer of fossils in the chalk cliffs near Lyme Regis. I enjoyed the story for the setting and because it reminded me of bits from The French Lieutenant's Woman. As with her other novels, Chevalier has a website that will enhance your enjoyment of the book -- lots of pictures of the fossils described in the novel!

Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon is a kind of fairy tale for adults -- a retelling of the Little Mermaid story. Some lovely, lovely description.

Bouchercon 2009~ Friday

Escalators and
Elevators -- effortless.
Why am I so tired?

Too many heroes?
Too many panels to see?
Info overload!

And then the book room . . .
Could I please have one of each . . .
Mysteries old and new?

Two full days of Bouchercon and I'm reeling. I've been able to see and listen to writers that are among my heroes -- that's Laurie R. King in the shot of the Sherlock Holmes/Conan Doyle panel above. I've discovered far too many writers that I want to read and best of all I've met quite a few readers who say they've fallen in love with my books.

I've shared a cab with Charles Todd (both of them) to the Random House cocktail gathering where I caught up with Deborah Crombie (whom I raved about before this) and got to chat with Naomi Hirahara, a charming diminutive person who writes the Mas Arai series. And, of course, Herself (my editor) was there -- we'll be having lunch tomorrow. There were so many others, around whom I tend to go all speechless -- the afore-mentioned Laurie King, S, J. Rozan, and Lee Child, to pick three.

It's all fun -- but a little overwhelming for one who's used to the quiet life. (Sorry the pictures aren't better -- I didn't bring the Nikon and I think the little Lumix is feeling hurt that I have a new love in the camera line.)