36 hours off

[lagilman]

I'd love to say that I slept in until some decadent hour on Saturday but I'd be lying. I was up and drinking coffee by 7am. But I resisted the urge to noodle at a story, and instead got the apartment set to rights, so it looks like an average neatfreak lives there, rather than a writer in the grip of three deadlines. Then I went out to lunch, and stayed in for dinner [and a new-to-me wine from the Finger Lakes], and finally let myself read the Laurie King novel, THE LANGUAGE OF BEES. Short version: not one of her best, but new imperfect Laurie King is better than no Laurie King.

I did manage to sleep in this morning, until the weekend elephants upstairs annoyed me enough to get out of bed. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to go to the flea market (and buy more coffee) or if it's finally time to get back to work...


Also, I have learned that the University of Maryland has a memorial for Jim Henson -- Jim and Kermit on a bench. I think I need to arrange a road trip at some point.

Fozzie, er, Keith, you game?

Comments

[girasole.livejournal.com]

I thought this latest was one of her best, even though it is clearly a two-parter and I hate that. I asked her about that when I heard her speak last month, and she stoutly insisted her editor made her put in the "to be continued" and that she had tied up all the ends in this one. Not, not. But I loved it anyway.

[kradical.livejournal.com]

and that she had tied up all the ends in this one.

Uh, right. Suuuuuure she did....

trying to say this without spoilers...

[lagilman]

All the threads of THIS book were tied up. The question of how S gets back, with or without D, will be carried over into another book, as will the fate of Cousin Oliver, er, E. But the mystery itself was solved.

I can see where she feels she finished the book -- I also have sympathy for her editor, who foresaw the reader complaints...

Re: trying to say this without spoilers...

[kradical.livejournal.com]

Well, part of it is that it's less tied up than her Russell/Holmes novels usually are. I suspect that's what led her editor to insist on the tag....

[tru2myart.livejournal.com]

:raises hand: Oooh can I come? Can you guys give me 13 hours or so? I think that's as the crow flies from IL.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

It's a very sweet memorial, and not too far of a drive from Shore Leave (hint, hint).

[lagilman]

As I've said before, even if I had the finances that allowed me to add another convention to my schedule (I don't)... Shore Leave isn't my fannish or professional cuppa. Sorry.

[kradical.livejournal.com]

She right, Jeff, Shore Leave is entirely the wrong con for our host.

Though not being too far from SL also means it's not too far from Balticon.....

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but there is also my master plan to get some fresh blood into Shore Leave meet the pros, etc. The list has been stagnant for a few years fairly much..

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

But you're right, even the Vineart stuff doesn't fit exactly into their space, though i actually suspect it would be well received.

[kradical.livejournal.com]

Hell's yeah, I'm in!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'll tell you what I just told her - that's about three miles from my place if you want crash space or dinner.

[lagilman]

we may see if we can work something out this weekend, but if not, I suspect there may be a Road Trip this summer.

I wonder if we can rent a Studebaker?


(for those missing the joke: I'm Kermit. Keith's Fozzie. Much previously confusing may make sense now...)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

This weekend no, as I'll be in Michigan. Although M will be there and will take you in if you want... having me gone frees up a bed!

[lagilman]

Nyet, I was thinking since Keith and I will already be down there, for Balticon...

[neadods.livejournal.com]

That memorial is about three miles from my house, I'm just sayin'...

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

There is always something about a Muppet Road Trip that invites the chaos of magic.

I havent started the new Mary Russell, I am saving it for a good brain reward day. I find that series to be uneven, but the writing and the characters are good.

[lagilman]

Yes, as I said -- even the less than perfect books are satisfying in a way only a much-loved series can be. How she managed to take a total Mary Sue and turn it into a reinterpretation of the classic... and in this book, take on one of the major criticisms of the premise and deal with it... Talent.

(I have my gripes with how the story is told, but within those complaints, it's very well done)

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

of the previous books, I found The Moor to be the most turgid, and more of a brit lit history lesson.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

The Moor is one of my favourites, but I like Dartmoor and know a lot of the places, so I appreciated the inclusion of Sabine Gould.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I own several of Sabine Gould's books, and I find the moors fascinating with the way the land and vegitation works, but I just had to wade through that particular tale. With a lot of series I know that not every book will appeal to every reader. I still want to know what happens next tho.