The Month That Was August 2008

I read six books in August, which is kind of sad when you factor in that three of them were shorter Harlequins. On the other hand, six in August is a huge improvement over the measly two books I read in July, so maybe I should count my blessings. Here's a recap:

• Lifelines by C.J. Lyons - This book was a real slog for me. I just could not get into it. Personally I felt the author had "too much" going on in this story and it detracted from me "getting to know" the main players. That said, if you dig medical drama and like "big" stories, this one is worth a look. First in a series. My grade = C. Review up at TGTBTU.
  

• A Mother's Wish by Karen Templeton (SSE 1916) - I really loved this book until the epilogue, which was too precious for my blood. If it weren't for the fact that the author practically ripped my heart out over the course of this story, I might not have been as forgiving on that epilogue (it comes dangerously close to pushing one of my big hot buttons). But dang, did I mention how emotionally draining this story was? Seriously if I were the type to cry over books (and generally speaking, I'm not) this one would have had me bawling. My grade = B+. Review up at TGTBTU.
  

• Bound To Please by Hope Tarr (HB 407) - The first ever historical Blaze novel. I have a feeling this one is full of historical inaccuracies (I don't know and didn't care enough to dive into research mode), but it was short, sexy and steamy enough to keep me entertained. It didn't change my life, but I enjoyed it while I was reading it. My grade = B-. Review up at TGTBTU.
  

• What I Did On My Summer Vacation by Thea Devine, Debbi Rawlins and Samantha Hunter (HB 405) - Another one that didn't change my life, but that I enjoyed while I was reading it. Devine reins in her writing excesses here (although if it had been a full length novel it would have made my head hurt). The Rawlins story was very good, although the Big Secret wasn't that big of a deal in my opinion. The Hunter story was the hottest, but way too short given the emotional baggage of the hero. My grade = B-. Review up at TGTBTU.
  

• Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner - I really wanted to love this historical mystery, but I couldn't get behind any of the characters. Great setting though (late 19th century Paris). A more thorough review is forthcoming over at TGTBTU. My grade = C-.
  

• Velvet Glove by Emma Holly - I'm a huge Emma Holly fangirl, but this book fell flat because the heroine annoyed me. Also there were too many Help Me, Save Me, I'm Young And Cute vibes getting tossed around for my tastes. My grade = C+. Full review can be found here.

Three Bs and three Cs. Not the greatest reading month I've ever had, but certainly not dismal. Now to see what's in store for September....

American Life

I would say a good chunk of my job is sitting in my cubicle, hovering over a crystal ball, trying to predict the future. What will be hot? What will not? What books will slowly build thanks to word of mouth? And what books will sink like a stone and fade into obscurity?

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is one book currently giving me a case of the vapors.

Description: On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband’s presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House–and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, “almost in opposition to itself.”

A kind, bookish only child born in the 1940s, Alice learned the virtues of politeness early on from her stolid parents and small Wisconsin hometown. But a tragic accident when she was seventeen shattered her identity and made her understand the fragility of life and the tenuousness of luck. So more than a decade later, when she met boisterous, charismatic Charlie Blackwell, she hardly gave him a second look: She was serious and thoughtful, and he would rather crack a joke than offer a real insight; he was the wealthy son of a bastion family of the Republican party, and she was a school librarian and registered Democrat. Comfortable in her quiet and unassuming life, she felt inured to his charms. And then, much to her surprise, Alice fell for Charlie.

As Alice learns to make her way amid the clannish energy and smug confidence of the Blackwell family, navigating the strange rituals of their country club and summer estate, she remains uneasy with her newfound good fortune. And when Charlie eventually becomes President, Alice is thrust into a position she did not seek–one of power and influence, privilege and responsibility. As Charlie’s tumultuous and controversial second term in the White House wears on, Alice must face contradictions years in the making: How can she both love and fundamentally disagree with her husband? How complicit has she been in the trajectory of her own life? What should she do when her private beliefs run against her public persona?

Gee, I wonder where Sittenfeld found "inspiration" for this story?

I'm of two minds on this book. My good angel thinks people are going to want to read this because it's a fictionalized account of Laura Bush. Because no matter how polarizing a figure her husband has been, people seem to genuinely "like" her. My bad angel? Well she thinks this book will sink like a stone because after 8 years, a very unpopular war, and an economy that's sputtering along, people are really friggin' sick of the Bush family.

Now before you call me Little Miss Liberal Softy Pants, I'd feel the exact same way if someone wrote a fictionalized account of Hillary Clinton's life. I'd rather be rolled in honey and staked to a fire ant hill than read that book either.

I'm an equal opportunity political book depiser.

So where does that leave me? Obsessively monitoring the holds list, and wondering if it will jump overnight when this book lands on September 2. As usual, I think this one is going to boil down to how much media coverage the author gets. Right now our holds list is strictly in modest territory.

It's OK, I Still Love You

After a dismal reading month of July, August has proven to be quite productive. So when I started jonesin' for a "naughty" book, I immediately hit the mammoth TBR pile and unearthed Velvet Glove by Emma Holly. I know several readers who have a fondness for this book, and Lord knows I wish I could say I was joining their ranks. While this isn't "bad" by any stretch of the imagination, it ruffled a few of my Personal Preference feathers. Calm down, calm down....let me explain:

Audrey was on vacation in Florida when she met Sterling. Sterling is wealthy, older, and totally into the S&M thing. He sets about making Audrey his submissive. Lo and behold, the girl likes it. That being said, Sterling is more S&M jackass than S&M tender lover. So Audrey, taking a page from the Romance Novel Heroine Handbook, does what girls like her do - she runs away.

Off she runs back to Washington D.C. into the arms of her "best friend" Tommy. Tommy has loved her forever and ever, but she doesn't love him "like that." Still, that doesn't keep her from sending him mixed signals by putting her mouth on various parts of his anatomy. This aspect of the story annoyed the crap out of me. Fine, you don't love the guy. Tell him that! And for the love of all that is holy, stop sexing him up! In my book this makes Audrey a tease. If I want a tease heroine to drive me insane, I'll find a too-stupid-to-live romance heroine thankyouverymuch.

Anyway, Sterling is not happy that Audrey has taken off, so he calls in a favor with a senator he's got in his pocket. The senator, tired of being in said pocket, calls up his hunky, bar-owning son, Patrick. He asks Patrick to protect Audrey, and ahem show her how lovely a legitimate dominant partner can be. This being an erotic novel, Patrick is up for to the task.

Besides Audrey being a tease with Tommy, she gives off a Little Girl Lost, Please Rescue Me vibe for the majority of the story that just grates on me. The reason I read erotica is to get away from Save Me, Protect Me, Love Me damsels like this. Yeah, Audrey likes sex, and has a whole mess of it over the course of this story, but there's still that underlying thread of helpless kittenish pet that annoys the everlovin' crap out of me.

Patrick's OK. He's hot, he's hunky, he owns a bar - all things I can get behind. But honestly? The character that salvages this story for me is Basil, the cross-dressing, gay jazz singer. Yeah, I can hear you thinking that he sounds like a cartoon cliche, but there are two scenes with him - one where he's talking to Audrey alone, another where he's talking to Patrick alone - that are just fabulous. The kind of scenes I would read over and over again. They're that good people. Insightful, touching, intelligent - damn, give me a minute here....

So where does that leave me? Originally I would say this book ended up being a B- for me. Even though I had Personal Preference Issues, it's still head and shoulders above a lot of what's getting marketed as "erotica" these days. But dang, I really did not like Audrey. Help Me, Save Me, Protect Me, Love Me = Barf, Puke, Gag. I still love me some Emma Holly, but I don't think this is one I'll have the itch to reread. Now where did I leave my copy of Cooking Up A Storm? Final Grade = C+

Happiness Is Dancing Penguins

Yesterday was kind of a crap day here at the Bat Cave. Nothing serious, just filled with annoyances that, well, annoyed me.

So I need cheering up. And what cheers Wendy up?

Muppets.

Duh!

Not to mention dancing penguins and cute, geeky boys in glasses. How I lurve me some geeky boys in glasses.

Although it's kind of sad to realize that Miss Piggy has a better wardrobe than I do.

Sentimental Journey

Back in April we took the plunge, called DirecTV, and signed up for HD. Let me tell you, it was like falling in love with TV all over again. Which now explains why The Boyfriend and I have become hermits barely venturing out on the weekends.

Of course this opening of a window, also meant the closing of a door. Getting high definition television signaled the end for our 19 inch RCA television, of indiscriminate age, we once had in our bedroom.

It's funny what people get sentimental about. Letting go of that RCA got both The Boyfriend and I a bit misty. One of his sisters gave him that TV when he went off to college. When he moved to Michigan, and in with me, he was able to fit all of his worldly possessions (including me, his girlfriend) in his old, beat-up Honda Civic. I remember how excited I was that he was bringing that TV with him to Michigan. 19 inches! A huge upgrade from the tiny 13 inch TV that got me through college. (As they say, you've come a long way baby!)

That TV sat in our living room for the five years we lived in Michigan. When we moved to California, we put it on a moving truck and we promoted it to Bedroom TV. Then our apartment went condo (bastards!), we moved again, and again that RCA found itself on a moving van.

Sure the colors were starting to bleed together, but I loved that TV. However, with the wonders of a new technological age, we had to bid farewell to that RCA. Believe me, we talked about hanging on to it, but The Boyfriend was ultimately right. Why? It can't handle an HD signal, and we weren't about to buy a set of rabbit ears for it. And Lord knows, the last thing we need is one more thing cluttering up our closets. Still, I shed a tear when I dropped off that old TV at the Goodwill loading dock.

Sentimental fool that I am.

While I love the shiny, new, flat panel LCD TV we bought for our bedroom this weekend, I miss that old RCA. I can't help it. I just do.

And while getting sentimental over a TV will probably strike some of you as a bit odd, I am not alone. Admit it. Y'all got something like this lurking in the dark recesses of your past. A T-shirt, old birthday card, piece of jewelry, your first car, something. I probably get a few points for originality (A TV? Seriously Wendy?!), but I'm curious about you all.

What inanimate object do you have a sentimental connection to?

To Buy And Not To Buy

I often joke that The Boyfriend and I have nothing in common. Not entirely true. We have one very, very important thing in common - how we handle the finances. When it comes to paying the bills on time, saving money, what we buy and don't buy - 99% of the time we're on the same page. Believe me, I know how lucky I am. Lord, do I know how lucky I am. Neither one of us has to worry about the other taking the credit card or check book and going on a spending bender. I take care of the bills only because I'm massively anal retentive and would drive him insane if he did it. However, he's great when it comes to saving for the long term and investing. I know that stuff is really important, but man, it makes my head hurt.

That being said, every once in a while I get the itch to shop. My eHarlequin order has been shipped (but with the Buy One, Get One Free promotion I made out like a bandit!), and yesterday I spent a whopping $3+ on some erotica at Amazon (I had gift certificate money burning a hole in my pocket). Even when I go on a book buying bender I'm a bargain shopper. I don't know whether I kick ass or am just really pathetic.

However temptation really hit hard when I got home yesterday. Sitting in my mail box was the latest "tea porn" catalog.

I've mentioned on the blog before how much I love tea. I'm addicted. So when the latest Republic of Tea catalog shows up in my mail box, it's a happy, happy day. What should I find while browsing it? Hot Apple Cider tea. No joke. People, I'm from the Midwest. About 25% of my blood is made up of Apple Cider. The move to California has just about killed me on that front though because it's hard to drink cider in October in California when it's 100 degrees outside. Cider is a fall drink and it's kind of wrong to drink it when you're living in an area that doesn't have a fall. It just loses something in the translation. But Hot Apple Cider tea? Oh man, I'm all over that! Ack - but limited time only?! I better hurry.

In the immortal words of The Boyfriend last night: "I love you Wendy. You have three vices: books, chocolate and tea." Hey, better than $500 hand bags and shoes I say.

In other spending news, I recently received my renewal notice for Romantic Times. After some consideration, I've decided not to renew. The big reason I subscribed in the first place (a few years back) was because I'm a plot description ho. I could give a flying fig about RT's actual reviews, but oh man, do I love having all those plot descriptions in one handy place, right at my finger tips. Especially for all the Harlequin lines!

But over the years I've noticed that my buying habits have changed. While I used to read all over the Harlequin landscape, the older I get, the more set in my ways I get. Yep, even though I never used to be like this, I've turned into one of those dreaded Line Loyalty people. Also, I get something at work called Baker & Taylor Paper Clips, which should easily fill the void.

Baker & Taylor is a "jobber." Sort of like a middle man. It's where a huge chunk of our books come from once I order them. They also put out publications. Paper Clips lists damn near all of the trade and mass market paperbacks every month in every genre. Reprints included. Science fiction, mystery, romance, fantasy, even non-fiction, all in one place! And it lists plot descriptions, prices, ISBNs, and in some cases - other books in the series. No wading through stuff on "how to write." No Lady Barrow nonsense. No RT Convention stuff. Just books, just ISBNs, just pricing, just publication dates, just the facts.

The only downside to Paper Clips? No plot descriptions for Harlequin series lines. But given my newfound stick-in-the-mud Line Loyalty? Ah, eHarlequin. 'Tis a wonderful thing. Off I'll go, the first of the month, to look at the latest plot descriptions for HSR, SSE, and HH (with an occasional Blaze thrown into the mix) online.

If you're curious about Paper Clips, you can see some back issues online here. You can also apparently subscribe to the print version via Amazon. I had no idea! Too cool!

Mom, Dad, We Need To Have A Talk

Anyone who really knows me knows that I abhor drama, and I love everything to be on an even keel. I'm a girl who likes to have a game plan, stick to it, and please for the love of all that is holy, do not throw a monkey wrench into my plans! Let's take my job for instance. When you're a librarian, and you work with the general public day in and day out you cannot have a game plan. As a wise man once said - shit happens. Me? I don't like dealing with shit. I like going into work every day and knowing what lies ahead of me. That's very hard to do when you work with the public. Some librarians love that about the job. They love going into the office and not knowing what the day will hold. Me? Yeah, not so much. Give me a rut. A good, comfortable, predictable rut and I'm a happy, happy girl. I'll be honest, sitting in an office building and buying books all day is fabulous fun, but another reason I love my job? You guessed it - the rut.

I suspect I got this trait from one or both of my parents, because ever since I moved to California (four years ago now - gah!), they always fly out to visit me at the exact same time. Early September, right around Labor Day. Never fails. This year it's the week after Labor Day, September 6 - 13.

This would be fine, if not for the fact that Tess Gerritsen's publisher keeps releasing her new books right smack dab in the middle of my parents' visit. Damn them! Yep, The Keepsake, the next book in the author's Jane Rizzoli/Dr. Maura Isles series is set for September 9. For the record, Gerritsen is just about the only author I have left who is an autobuy in hard cover. And this book? Oh man, it sounds good. Really good. As in run to Borders on the 9th, call in sick to work, stay home and read all day good. Yeah, I'll be on vacation - but my parents will be here, and they're probably going to want to spend time with me and talk to me.

I know, how unreasonable can they get?

Oh well. I'm just going to have to suck it up and wait until after the folks leave on the 13th to start reading. But I'm going to get this book on the 9th even if it kills me. Because even though I won't be able to read it, y'all know I'll want to at least be able to pet it. I know, I'm sick and I need help.

Read Romance Or Perish

One of the byproducts of attending RWA is that I usually walk away with a new "girl crush." Can't help it, I just do. I hear some author give a speech or I have a private conversation, and a little piece of me falls in love.

This year it was Stephanie Laurens.

For the record, I've never read Laurens. Honestly, never. The fact that both of her series are now a gazillion books long has a little something to do with it.

But I was interested in the fact that she was the luncheon speaker for RWA's Librarian Event. For one, I know she lives on the other side of the world (Australia), so her being at the conference was a pretty big deal. All those authors that flew thousands and thousands of miles - my hats off to you! The jet-lag would have reduced me to a simpering idiot. Also, I have a coworker who adores Laurens' books, so if I could score an autographed copy of something for her it would be all good.

What I didn't plan on was how incredible her speech was or how bloody smart she is. I mean, really smart.

Not that the majority of romance authors are uneducated morons (because they aren't), but Laurens' speech was titled, "Read Romance Or Perish: A Biological Perspective On Romance Novels."

I'm dead serious here people.

And for the record? It frickin' rocked my socks.

RWA did record the librarian event panels, but podcasts aren't up yet. Lucky for us, Laurens has posted a transcript of her speech on her web site. Go forth, and let your own girl crush develop. I've had to hold myself back from rushing to the nearest Borders and buying all copies of her books currently in stock. The only reason I haven't? The Boyfriend and I have to eat. His motto is "Eat Food Or Perish."

Calling All RWA Members

I'm what RWA calls an associate member. This level of membership is designed for booksellers and librarians, features insanely reasonable membership dues, and allows us to take advantage of RWA perks like attending the conference at the same price as "full-fledged" members.

What it doesn't entitle me to, however, is receiving a hard copy of the RWR newsletter. Hey, normally this is fine. Members can read it online using their log-in and password - which is what I usually do. However in the August issue, the delightful and wonderful Sherry Thomas wrote an article about how books get into libraries. She interviewed me and everything! I've read the article online, and there are some choice Super Librarian quotes people. Including the following:

"The minute my job becomes about personal taste is the day I hope I get fired."

Seriously. How awesome am I?

Anyway, just because I can read the article online doesn't mean I can print it. I can't. If I was a smarter duck I could probably crack RWA's security, but I'm not. Oh, and I'm lazy. Mustn't forget the lazy.

My boss has expressed an interest in seeing this article, as have several of my coworkers. Plus there is the Super Librarian family. My Mom wants to hang it on the refrigerator and everything! So I'm wondering if some kind full-fledged RWA member will take pity on me? Either by sending me their copy of the newsletter (if you're going to pitch it in the garbage anyway) or by sending me a photocopy (or scan) of the article.

Pretty please? With sugar on top? If you're interested in meeting your good deed of the day quota, please e-mail me. Many thanks in advance.

Your Daily Fugly

Seriously? I'm wondering if Loretta Chase ran over someone's dog in the Avon art department. Because this is just all kinds of hideous. I normally like the old-style painted covers, but not when the job looks like it was done by my four-year-old nephew. And I'm going to go on record here as saying I've pretty much hated all the "new" painted-style covers that Avon has been trotting out in recent memory. Makes me long for the good old days when their covers featured bare-chested heroes standing outside when there's snow on the ground.

Oh, and in case you want this book so badly you don't care about the fugly cover - I'm assuming this reprint is available for purchase now. I can't scare up any other information to tell me otherwise. So glad I have the first edition buried in my TBR, that's all I'm saying.

Edited: I take that back. This hideous new cover is showing up on Amazon, but as of yet, it's not available for purchase. So let us assume that a reprint of this is in the works, fugly cover and all. I just haven't been able to scare up a release date yet. Anyone else have the scoop?

Intervention Time

The guys who work in the warehouse at my office must be backed-up, because guess what landed on my desk this morning? Yep, another package from Sandra Brown! Seriously, if you're a librarian who works at a library with any sort of foreign language collection you need to get yourself on that RWA list. Brown hasn't been the only author to shower me with freebies, and I've done particularly well in the Spanish and Japanese language departments.

In other news, I failed to mention that I got my RWA books cataloged. That's right slackers - I got my books unpacked, cataloged and on my book shelf all while I was dying from The RWA Plague (news on that front: I'm basically "all better"). Go Team Wendy!

Of course, just because I have new and shiny to distract me, doesn't mean I don't want more. Just in time to make me feel guilty about the obscene amount of books I own, eHarlequin is having a Buy One, Get One Free sale. That's right kiddies. For every book you buy, you get another book (of equal or lesser value) for free! Sweet baby Jesus. Why must they tempt me so? But you gotta hurry, because Harlequin has decided it only wants to lose it's mind until Thursday, August 14. You have no idea how desperately I want to place an order as I'm typing this - but I shall persevere! I shall not succumb!

Well....

At least until I get home. The flash drive that houses my Book Buying Wish List is currently sitting in my home office.

Way to go Wendy. You managed to resist for all of 5 minutes. A new personal best! WooHoo!

Excellent Mail Day

I just had the best mail delivery! One large box, and a small bag arrived on my desk from Sandra Brown. Yes, that Sandra Brown. Nestled inside was a letter from her assistant (who I now want to marry) and 38 foreign editions. Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean to be exact. What a lovely way to start out my Monday morning!

For those of you who are wondering why Sandra Brown's assistant is sending me foreign editions, no it's not because I'm all that famous. Several months back RWA put a notice in their Romance Sells publication. Librarians were encouraged to send in their shipping address and their "wish list" for foreign editions. Then authors who might have foreign copies of their books cluttering up their offices would have a place to donate these titles. It's really win-win for both parties. Authors clean off their bookshelves, reach a whole new set of readers, and librarians get fresh titles for our neglected-because-our-budgets-are-sad foreign language collections. It's a big, shiny, happy love-fest people!

So big fat squee to Sandra Brown and her lovely assistant! Now I'm off to write a proper thank you note.

Lil' Sis Throws Down

Disclaimer: I have not read Breaking Dawn, and if the fact that I'm currently slogging through Twilight on audio is any indication, I doubt I ever will. But my Lil' Sis, The High School English Teacher, is madly obsessed with this series. I'm surprised girlfriend hasn't rented a car, driven to Forks, bitch slapped Bella, and shown Edward how fabulous a real woman can be. But I digress.

Ring, ring

The Boyfriend: Wendy, it's your sister!

Me: Hey chica, what's up?

Lil' Sis: OMG. I had to call you. I know you don't read this series, and likely don't care, but I had to bitch to someone and knew you'd understand.

Me: Ohhhhhkay.

Lil' Sis: Stephenie Meyer has just crapped all over her legacy. I can't believe what she has done with this book. I am so glad I grabbed a copy at school and didn't spend $20 on this stinky pile of poo.

Me: Yeah, I've seen some rumblings online that people aren't happy with it.

Lil' Sis: Cripes, some of my girls are writing better fan fiction than this! I've read 500 pages and had to stop. I only have 200 to go and could slam dunk this thing before bed, but I have to take a break, that's how bad it is. She has a couple of natural endings in this story but she just keeps going on and on and on. Ugh, and the melodrama! And did I mention how terrible the writing is?

Me: Yeah, I think you might have mentioned that.

Lil' Sis: OMG, you know what this book is? It's Godfather Part III! You know how when you watch The Godfather and you think, "Damn, this is a great movie." Then you watch Godfather Part II and you think, "Damn skippy it's better! I thought the first one was great but this one is amazing!" And then you get the steaming pile of crap that is Godfather Part III. Yeah. Sophia Coppola having sex with her cousin. I don't care if your cousin is a hot piece like Andy Garcia, you do not have sex with your cousin!

Me: Can I quote you on that? I never can pass up blog fodder.

Lil' Sis: Yeah. I still have 200 pages, but Breaking Dawn is Godfather Part III. Totally.

My sister, she amuses me.

Flash Gordon!

I should have known I wouldn't turn out to be the only superhero in my family. Look what happens when you mate a woman who loves to write letters to the editor with a man who has a graphic novel addiction. You get Flash Gordon!

And how cool is my nephew? He's a superhero who has his own theme song. Granted it's from a truly horrific and terrible movie they made about his life - but nobody's perfect.

No need to thank me for the ear worm folks. Just doing my part.

In other news, I feel the need to publicly apologize to anyone who got sick while at RWA. For all of you who saw me, I felt fine! I just didn't have a voice. Then on Tuesday I woke up with a full-blown head cold. So was I incubating while at RWA? Am I Typhoid Wendy? I don't think so. But I still feel guilty as hell. Feel free to stick pins in your Little Wendy Voodoo Dolls.

I'm off work today, which means I hope I laze around and concentrate on getting healthy. Although I do have a project. I still have my collapsible crate full of books I picked up at RWA I need to do something with. The Boyfriend looked at me this morning; pointed to the crate and said, "Ya gonna do something with those?" To which I cattily replied, "Yeah, like you never leave anything lying around the apartment that I trip over."

Did I mention I morph into Psycho Bitch From Hell when I'm sick?

But he is right (don't tell him that though!). I need to get them cataloged on LibraryThing and put away properly. Which will be my project just as soon as I decide on whether or not I'm physically up to it. Lying on the couch and whining seems to be more my speed of late.

Top Five: While Wendy's Away

Part of my job is monitoring "the holds list." Those books that are popular enough to generate a waiting list amongst our library patrons. Now that most library catalogs are on computers, keeping up with "the holds list," is a lot easier than it used to be. Basically, we run a report, and the computer spits out what we need to know. I then look over the list and make the executive decision on whether or not to order more copies. Since I was gone all last week at RWA, I missed a "holds list." Looking over this week's list, I noticed several titles that jumped up in demand while I was away. Here they are:

In Bed With The Devil by Lorraine Heath - I hate to shatter the Super Librarian myth, but I do not order every single brand new romance title that is out every single month. I just don't have the budget for it. So I tend to pick and choose, then wait for any patron requests to roll in to mop up my slack. One trend I've noticed? Despite my whining about their No American Historicals policy, Avon's historicals are insanely popular among our patrons - with Eloisa James and Julia Quinn being the front runners. Now it looks like Heath is gaining some ground. Intriguing. I would have thought it would be Loretta Chase, but so far she's still in "modest" territory for us. Go figure.


Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich - Man's wife, who apparently had oodles of secrets, dies and thrusts him into the path of an assassin and international manhunt. This is a thriller, so naturally there is also a global conspiracy involved. I knew this would do well for us, and I ordered several copies of it right out of the gate. Still, I didn't expect it to take off like a rocket.






Treasures by Nora Roberts - This is a reprint featuring the stories Secret Star and Treasures Lost, Treasures Found. This came in as a patron donation at some of our branches. Yes, yes - I always order Nora. I'd lose my job pretty quickly if I didn't buy Nora's books. But I passed by this reprint because we already own the two featured stories in different anthologies. I'm chalking this up to our library patrons not realizing the stories are available elsewhere. Oh well. It happens to the best of us.




The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - Otherwise known as The Little Book That Could. It's 1946 and an author finds inspiration for her next book in her pen-pal correspondence with a native of the island of Guernsey, who tells her the story of how a book club proved to be an alibi during the German occupation. I've seen and heard buzz already on this book, and given that the story is told in the form of letters - well no shock that it's starting to pick up steam. Also, it has The Book Club Stink. This one is going to have legs folks. Take my word for it.



The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, Large Print Edition - Suffering from terminal cancer, professor Randy Pausch passed away while I was on vacation. His "last lecture" already an Internet sensation, this book has quickly become the new Tuesdays With Morrie among our library patrons. Demand for the regular print has stayed steady, but news of his passing saw holds jump for the Large Print edition.

Last Random Tid Bits About RWA

As much fun as going on a trip can be, the best part about "vacation" is coming home. It was an uneventful car trip home, although every time Rosie and I stopped to tinkle, there was a line of about 45 women waiting to do the same. I swear that's why it took us an hour longer to get home than it did for us to drive up to San Francisco. I'm so glad I carpooled with Rosie this year, because it made the drive go by that much faster. And even though we both picked up many goodies at the conference, I was able to fit all of it in my Honda Civic (my father, car packer guru, would be ever so proud of me).

Once I got home, The Boyfriend was quite happy to see me. He did a nice job of picking up after himself, so I shouldn't have too much cleaning today. Although I'm thinking of writing a screenplay called The Laundry That Ate The Librarian. Seriously. It's just the two of us. For goodness sake, how can two people generate so much laundry? Sigh

So that's what I'm going to be tackling today after I get motivated and buy some groceries.

A couple of last minute thoughts on RWA:

1) They need to hold the conference earlier in July. Why? Because the baseball trade deadline was July 31 and I can't be expected to enjoy the conference while my team completely loses it's damn mind. RWA board members - are you reading this? I think this is a perfectly reasonable suggestion and y'all must cater to my every whim.

2) I just wanted to say something about the hotel. We did have a few snafus, but the staff was helpful, courteous, and the problems were resolved in a timely, efficient manner. Hey, with that many people descending on one hotel, there are bound to be some problems. There just is. But we had very good costumer service, and I thought the staff handled the craziness well.

3) I know San Francisco is an expensive city, but I thought it was ideal for hosting a conference of this size. For one thing? I didn't feel like I was "trapped" in the hotel. It was terribly convenient to walk to a restaurant for a meal. I was able to park my car at the hotel and not move the darn thing until we left on Sunday morning.

4) I met and chatted with so many people this past week that I know I'm forgetting some. A big shout out to all the readers/bloggers I met, the local RWA chapter folks I met, and to The British Brigade of Portia Da Costa, Madelynne Ellis, and Saskia Walker. It was lovely to meet all of you ladies in person!

Because I learned my lesson after last year's conference, I took today off of work. I have laundry to do, groceries to buy, some light cleaning, and new books to pet. Tomorrow it's back to the office, where I plan to pass out goodies I picked up to coworkers. This was more of a working conference for me than in years past, so I also have to put the finishing touches on the "work stuff" I had to deal with at this year's RWA. On that score, it was a very productive trip indeed, and I hope to put some of my current projects "to bed" starting this week. Amen.

Oh The People You'll Meet

I thought it might be fun to talk about some of the awesome people I've had contact with while at RWA. When I come to this conference, it's basically the one time of year I reach deep inside myself and find that tiny little extroverted woman that I normally keep locked in a closet. This year the poor gal must have been so refreshed to be out of her cage, as evident by my still throaty, non-existent voice.

Every conference I go to (not just RWA), there seems to be this phenomenon where it doesn't matter how many hundreds of people are in attendence, I always see the same five people. This year, one of those people is Joanna Bourne. I have seen this woman e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. In line at the registration desk. Walking through the lobby. At publisher signings. She probably thinks I'm stalking her. Nice, funny, smart, and she used to work at the Library of Congress as a researcher! How cool is that?


I also finally got to meet the fabulous Megan Frampton, and her cohort in crime, the equally as fabulous Carolyn Jewel. Megan and I have the shared belief that it ain't a party until the DJ plays the Jackson 5. Seriously, it's like in the offical DJ-ing handbook or something. Carolyn has a new paranormal out now, but I made sure to tell her that I know scads of people who read one of her early historicals, Lord Ruin.

I met the delightful Kassia Krozser (from the Booksquare), and Stephanie Feagan. It was a big squee-ing fangirl moment all around. I also saw HelenKay Dimon again (who I first met at RWA Dallas 2007).

Big shout-outs to Harlequin Historical authors, Michelle Willingham and Deb Marlowe - who are just the nicest women you'll ever meet.

In news that will likely impress the hell out of my mother, I met Shari Shattuck today. For those of you not addicted to soap operas, she used to play Ashley Abbott on The Young And The Restless. She told me that she knows when she's recognized as Ashley, the person is a diehard Y&R watcher. She left the show when she had her second daughter, who is now nine!

But by far, the big treat for me this year was meeting the famous, totally kick-ass Gwen Osborne. Gwen is the expert on African-American romance novels, and I swear she just about knows every author in the universe. I've "known" Gwen online since 1999, when I started reviewing for The Romance Reader. We're both Michigan gals, and hey - the Gwens and Wendys of the world just need to stick together. Seriously. I had no clue she was coming, and she was standing in line behind me at a booksigning. I turned around and that's when I saw her name tag. I practically tackled her, but she seemed to recover from her shock quite well.

It's also great fun to watch other conference attendees meet their favorite writers. When I met Lisa Kleypas it was probably the biggest letdown in the world for her because the young woman who came before me had a total out-of-body-fan-girl moment (but in a cute way, not a creepy stalker way).

On top of all that, there were the reader/bloggers that attended this year and all the people I talked to in the course of doing "networking" for my library gig. (Lots and lots of that this year).

Tonight it's the RITA/Golden Heart ceremony and tomorrow it's off for home. So I have a long night ahead of me, followed by a long drive....oh, and no voice. It should be a grand adventure!

Blazin' Fun

Well after the full rich day that is Wednesday at RWA, Thursday at the conference marks the formal kick-off. I skipped the Opening Session and opted for sleeping in (ahhhh!) then breakfast out with Rosie, Lisabea and Katie(babs). Kristie is a girl after my own heart, and opted for a more leisurely morning decompressing in our hotel room.

After breakfast we came back to the hotel where Harlequin was hosting a signing of Blaze authors. Turn out was fantastic for this event, and I think that took them a little by surprise. I theorized with one author (I think it was Cara Summers) that it was probably because the work shops hadn't started yet and there was no "competition" for peoples' time. The highlight of the signing for me was getting a copy of the Blaze anthology, What I Did On My Summer Vacation featuring the fabulous Thea Devine. It was funny because Lisabea, Rosie and I had just been talking about Devine during breakfast, so the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Lisa and I both reminisced about our favorite Devine stories, and how - whether you like her books or not - she was a true pioneer of the genre. I mean, where the heck would all these erotic romance authors be without the ground work done by Thea, Susan Johnson, Bertrice Small and Robin Schone?

Given the long line for Blaze, we finished just in time to attend the Keynote Lunch, which featured Victoria Alexander. I've never read Alexander before, but after her very amusing speech, I plan to! I sat at a table with Kay Thomas, whose debut Harlequin Intrique title is coming out in January 2009. She had the most awesome business cards! Given that she writes suspense stories for Intrigue, her card had a "bullet hole" through them. One of the great things about attending RWA is meeting new, up and coming authors.

After lunch, Rosie, Katie and I attended the "Chat With Nora Roberts" session, which was very interesting. That's exactly what it was....a chat! The entire affair consisted of Nora taking questions from the audience. I loved hearing about her writing process, her experiences in the industry, and even "silly" things like what type of stuff can found on her desk.

After Nora, I booked it up to the room. I really wanted to get a blog post done, check my e-mail, and I had a dinner invite I needed to get ready for. As Rosie would say, I needed to "fluff and fold" my hair and slap some lip gloss on. Then it was hooking up with my roomies in the bar. That didn't last too long though, because dang - my voice isn't getting any better. More wine, and more trying to talk over the noise level hasn't helped either.

On a final note, again I apologize for the "bare-ness" of these posts. Also, for the lack of linkage. On my agenda is cleaning these up once I get home, and back on my good ol' bulky desk top computer. Seriously, I'm just not a lap top girl.