Start your Monday with a laugh about sh*t writers say:
Oxford commas are non-negotiable. This also really made me want to be on a writers’ retreat in a cool cabin somewhere with lots of other awesome writer friends.
(H/T Sarah J Schmitt)
Category: Humor
Grab Your Giant Bears and Don’t Smile at the Camera
From Flavorwire’s list of silly author photos, here’s my favorite:
Edward Gorey, where did you get that giant teddy bear? Also, that’s some beard, sir. And why aren’t you happier with either one?
Although Gorey and Neil Gaiman are included, I think we need a list of silly pictures of children’s/YA authors. Internet, do you accept the challenge?
A Truth Universally Acknowledged Via Webcam
I managed to catch up on the Lizzie Bennet Diaries last night. In case you haven’t seen them yet, here’s the first video:
Such an awesome take on Pride and Prejudice, and really well executed as a web series. I’m kind of obsessed.
Sorry, Vikings
Apparently vikings didn’t wear horn hats. And vomitoriums? Not what you think. Check out this video for information on these topics and other common historical misconceptions:
(via The Dish)
Links Galore
Lots of cool links for the afternoon:
- Cool look at typography and capitalization through body art.
- HP Lovecraft is the new Carrie Bradshaw.
- You can win at book collecting.
- One man is trying to gather and catalog every book ever. He’s also working on every website ever.
- Library cats from around the country. Five-year-old Annie would have freaked out over the awesomeness of library cats.
Dewey Decimal Goes Stop Motion
Most libraries have online databases now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun with card catalogs. Check out this delightful video from Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University:
A little part of me hopes this was created in an effort to procrastinate studying for finals.
(H/T Noa Wheeler)
Books You Used to Love
Think about your favorite books. Now think about your favorite books from five years ago. Ten years ago. I’m sure some of these are the same, but are there any that you loved ten years ago but don’t anymore? Any that you’re embarrassed to have loved?
The Awl asks that very question of some writers/editors/book enthusiasts. Several people call out Ayn Rand (not surprising), a few mention On the Road (including John Green) and Raymond Carver, and some talk about their Stephen King phase. One of my favorite responses comes from Sadie Stein:
“Wow, that’s tricky: I tend to kind of revel in the bad stuff I read, and I never had, like, an Ayn Rand phase! But! I did go through a period where I would covertly—but slavishly—read every book I could lay my hands on on how to be sexy/chic/mysterious/alluring like a French woman. This in turn led to the purchase of several very unflattering striped shirts and one of those stove-top espresso makers.
Oh, and I once came across a “Felicity” novelization in a thrift store, and devoured it. I wish there had been a hundred: it totally went into the summer she leaves Noel for Ben after season 1! Oddly, it also contained recipes.”
Sadie, you could totally write a Friday Fifteen.
My other favorite comes from Maureen Corrigan:
“I’ve been wracking my brain, but honestly it’s hard to suggest any without feeling disloyal. In fact, at the risk of sounding sentimental—oh, what the hell, I’ll be sentimental—to dis those embarrassing young adult faves now feels like snickering at the friends I had in high school and college whom I’ve “outgrown.” I loved them and needed them at the time and, for that, I’ll always be grateful to them.”
Amen to that. Books help make you who you are. If you read nothing but Sweet Valley High as a kid or if you thought you were the first person to understand Ayn Rand, that’s okay. These books touched you and are part of your life as a reader. They helped you get to where you are now in your reading life. And that rocks.
Links Galore
A few more links for the afternoon:
- Jill overheard the cutest/most inspiring conversation. My new motto: you always play your best!
- I’m going to be looking at members of my book club a bit more suspiciously now. Although our treats are so good the poison risk is worth it.
- Anyone want to buy District 12?
- Forward, preface, intro…there are a lot of ways to start your book before you start your book.
- What are some good astronomy books for kids? Awesome blog Bad Astronomy is looking for your suggestions!
Links Galore
Rounding out the week with a few more links:
- Susan Dennard talks about that novel that’s so hard to write. I can so related to that one!
- A reminder to back up your work.
- Today is the last day to submit to Pugalicious Press’s YA Timeless Anthology.
- Children’s and YA sales were way up in January!
- Pretty sure Buffy and Katniss would actually be friends.
Katniss Everbean
Probably the best Hunger Games parody I’ve seen so far:
This one might have the better fire-dress version. Well done, beanies*!
*And looking at the production list, I’m convinced that I might actually know a couple of the people involved. The internet is a small, strange world.