Category Archives: Ramblings

Author, Blog, Bonding, Books, Laid back, Ramblings

The Books We Read

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I stated earlier this year that I run a book club in my area. A list of what we had read since the group started in the Spring of 2009 was created so there would be no duplications. We have had books from a variety of genres, age groups and topics. It has been a great experience for me personally to share the love of reading with others. Looking at the list I’m amazed and proud of the group.

Here is the list.

1-The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter- Carson McCullers

2-Graceling- Kristin Cashore

3-Illustrated Man- Ray Bradbury

4-The Art Of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein

5-Bloodwork- Michael Connelly

6-The Physick Book Of Deliverance Dane-Katherine Howe

7-The Memory Keeper’s Daughter- Kim Edwards

8-Slam-Nick Hornby

9-Lacemakers of Glenmara- Heather Barbieri

10-The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman-Bruce Robinson

11-Bastard out of North Carolina-Dorothy Allison

12-The World According to Garp-John Irving

13-My Melancholy Whore-Gabriel Garcia Marquez

14-Good Omen-Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

15-Dog on It-Spencer Quinn

16-Wicked-Gregory Maguire

17-The Thirteenth Tale-Diane Setterfield

18-Life of Pi-Yann Martel

19-American Gods-Neil Gaiman

20-A Million Little Pieces-James Frey

21-The Reader-Bernard Schlink

22-To Kill A Mockingbird-Harper Lee

23-Memoirs of a Geisha-Arthur Golden

24-The House on Mango Street-Sandra Cisneros

25-The Road-Cormac McCarthy

26-Fried Green Tomatoes-Fannie Flagg

27-Lovely Bones-Alice Sebold

28-Mother Road-Dorothy Garlock

29-The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo-Stieg Larrson

30- Holes-Louis Sachar

31-The Last Lecture-Randy Pausch

32-Grand Delusion-Matt Witten

33- One For The Money- Janet Evanovich

34- Run For Your Life-James Patterson

Author, Books, Creative Writing, Ramblings, Writing

Free Books

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Early this year I contacted a publisher. I was inquiring about pricing for their editorial services. While I could not afford the fees he and I stayed in touch through email and the like.  Last week he contacted me about an upcoming e-book he was putting together. It will be a collection of short stories from various authors. He wanted to include some of my short stories.  I maintain the copyrights.

It will be available for free to download. The publisher will be eating the entire cost for the art, editing and formating the book so no profit will be made. I won’t see a dime for this but there are still positive reasons out there. As a new author, who is trying to break out, any free publicity is a good thing. People will get to see my works, have ways to contact me and also see what is on the table as far as WIP. The book will be shared by other publishers and editors. They might see something they like or know someone who could use one of the stories. That is another win. Finally when I write my query letters at least now I can place in the body of it that I have something in print.

One person told me that if I am not getting paid it seems pointless. I am not taking that route. I have to start somewhere. Even if that means one short story at a time.

Blog, Highland games, Ramblings

Men In Kilts

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This past Saturday we went to the Highland games that is held yearly in Scotland County. We always have a blast watching the pure brute strength of these men as they do the caber toss.

This is the sheaf toss.

This is the hammer toss.

When I told my sister where I was she said “Sexy”. I told her some men yes, others not so much. But this man here I have to give him props ladies. He is color coordinated, he can lift up a car for me if a tire needs to be changed and he has 9 kids which he takes care of. Winner. The ladies who were around me did agree he would work well- plus they liked his butt.

Kudos to the men of the Highland games.