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By Vick Mickunas
| Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 11:52 AM
Who needs a teleprompter? Sarah Palin just writes her notes all over the palm of her hand.
The former governor, former VP candidate, current FOX News commentator, and the author of a new memoir, Palin knows how to stay in the headlines.
The latest kerfuffle involves her staying on “message” by repeatedly looking down at her hands for written guidance. Hey, whatever works, right?
I don’t suppose she’ll be mocking Obama’s teleprompter skills again any time soon….
One time I interviewed an author on the radio. He was sitting across from me in the studio and he kept looking down at a sheet of paper in front of him. I could read what it said from across the room. In big block letters it read: SLOW.
He was reminding himself to speak more slowly during our interview I suppose.
Whatever works, right?
Vick Mickunas
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looks good on paper
By Vick Mickunas
| Monday, February 8, 2010, 12:25 PM
Libraries are magical places. I spend such pleasant hours surrounded by stacks of books — a library is like home away from home.
So when the Washington-Centerville Library asked if I would make some reading suggestions for their patrons I jumped at the opportunity. They are celebrating their 200th anniversary this year.
I came up with a list of 25 of my favorite novels. The list is divided into two sections. I begin with suggestions of books that are true classics.
“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
“Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
“1984” by George Orwell
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
“Gargantua and Pantagruel” by Francois Rabelais
“The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
The second half of my list is made up of a dozen books that are not considered classics yet but who knows? Maybe someday.
“Life and Fate” by Vasily Grossman
“Call it Sleep” by Henry Roth
“Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts
“Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson
“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz
“The Lazarus Project” by Aleksandar Hemon
“Europe Central” by William T. Vollmann
“River of Darkness” by Rennie Airth
“White Doves at Morning” by James Lee Burke
“The Yiddish Policeman’s Union” by Michael Chabon
“The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
“The Russian Debutante’s Handbook” by Gary Shteyngart
I made additional comments about these books. You can peruse them by clicking HERE:
Bicentennial events in Centerville
The Washingon-Centerville Library is marking two centuries of service to the community this year with special events in their “Great Books, Great Libraries” celebration. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, best-selling author Martha Moody will be honored at a special reception. Moody, a Washington Twp. resident, has published three novels. Her book “Best Friends” has sold more than 700,000 copies.
How to go: Martha Moody will be giving a talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Centerville Library, 111 West Spring Valley Road. For more information, call (937) 433-8091.
Vick Mickunas
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escapism
By Vick Mickunas
| Sunday, February 7, 2010, 04:47 PM
Valentine’s Day is one week away. I have been trying to find some appropriate books to feature. I just checked out the three volumes of The Notebooks of Madame B (Tarcher Penguin).
There’s “Desire,” Seduction,” and “Ecstasy.” Gasp!
This is very naughty stuff. I can’t really find much here that I can quote in a family newspaper.
(Blush). I think I’ll just make a Flirtini instead….
Vick Mickunas
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secret passions
By Vick Mickunas
| Saturday, February 6, 2010, 09:34 AM
Robert Crais, the crown prince of LA crime fiction writers just sent me an e-mail with his Super Bowl prediction. Crais gives away his La. roots and allegiance in his subject line: Cajun Ex Pat.
Crais was born and raised in bayou country where he comes from a long line of crime fighters and law enforcement members in his family. He relocated to Los Angeles decades ago but the prospect of a first Super Bowl title for his Saints has the usually soft spoken Crais bubbling with excitement.
His most recent Joe Pike novel, The First Rule (Putnam), just debuted at #2 this week on the New York Times fiction list. Crais is on a roll. I would not doubt that his prediction could pay off. Here is what Bob Crais predicts for the Super Bowl:
“Saints 38, Colts 31.
You heard it here first.
Geaux Saints.”
What do you think? Who is going to win? And what will be the final score? Please post your predictions in our comments section. Thanks!
Vick Mickunas
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booms and busts
By Vick Mickunas
| Friday, February 5, 2010, 11:50 AM
one more clue
Google’s plans to publish millions of “orphan” books has been stalled. Here’s more from the New York Times:
Continue reading "Google world domination postponed for now…"...
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clearing the cobwebs
By Vick Mickunas
| Thursday, February 4, 2010, 12:02 PM
the mystery deepens
The mail just arrived and it contained another clue; a postcard that reads IT’S SAD.
On the reverse side it says what the other card said - COMING JULY 2010. Read my previous post to see about my first clue.
I know this is a buzz builder for a book. But what book? I’m guessing it will be a book published by an imprint of the biggest publisher in the USA, Random House.
I can’t wait for more clues….
Vick Mickunas
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confessions of a galley slave
By Vick Mickunas
| Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 10:27 PM
Super!
Book teasers can drive a reviewer wild. I got this postcard in the mail. It says “It’s Super”.
Now, if it was really super it should have an exclamation point, right? “It’s Super!”. But it doesn’t.
Who sent it? There is no identifying characteristic except for the message: COMING IN JULY 2010. OK. And there is a postmark: 10019. New York. That would be New York City. Home of book publishing. Former home of book publishing hype.
Still trying. I guess. (yawn). They did pay letter rate though! 44 cents! I’m impressed!
Vick Mickunas
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confessions of a galley slave
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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..
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It was her left hand. I’m thinking she’s being manipulated by the forces of darkness.