Literanista
September 23, 2009
Sometimes life sets you on path of no return – but perhaps that’s for the better, like Mitch Joel has said sometimes you just have to burn the ships and not look back..
Ironically, recently I posted about people who stop blogging then I stopped blogging, a lot of stuff has happened in my personal life and I’ve been ill and well just sad – feeling like I have nothing to say and then finally when I was ready – I felt like I didn’t know where to start. I just need to keep reminding myself just go forward one small step at a time.
Anyway, here’s a round up of stuff I wanted to share;
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and there’s tons of stuff going on. I’ve been especially enjoying the VOCES documentaries on PBS. HBG is hosting a fantastic book giveaway being offered at many sites all over the web, don’t miss your chance to grab your own set:
www.thereadingroom.com has launched a new book community. www.fictionaut.com launches next week while bookoven.com got a face lift and LibraryThing Revamped Under Amazon Pressure
I am loving, loving the Vampire Diaries, but I haven’t decided if I want to read the books yet.
Should I?
I got the chance to meet Leila Cobo, author of Tell Me Something True, this week and last week I met Uwem Akpan, whose collection of stories is Oprah’s latest book club pick. He asked me where I was from and then told me he loves Puerto Rican food. When he was speaking to us he said something that really stuck with me: He said when you choose someone to accompany you on a long journey, one where they may be quarrels or hard times you choose the person who you know will still be a friend and there for you at the end.
I haven’t had a chance to review it yet but here’s more on Irene Vilar’s IMPOSSIBLE MOTHERHOOD, www.lifenews.com.
NYC – Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican poet Lemon Andersen’s County of Kings is a one man show being presented by Spike Lee and the Culture Project. The show will begin its run at The Public Theater on Monday, October 12th, with previews starting September 29th. All tickets for preview performances (Sept 29th – Oct 11th) are specially priced at $25. (Regular price $50-$60) Tickets are available in person at 425 Lafayette Street, online at www.publictheater.org or by calling (212) 967-7555. For more information and to see the full schedule, please visit: www.countyofkingstheplay.com
Good News: from The Fresh Air Fund – “nearly 8,000 children enjoying their best summers yet. All of the wonderful folks who blogged, posted banners, tweeted, and joined our Facebook Page and Cause have just been amazing. We put together a video montage of images from the summer and some other fun stuff here to thank you: freshairfund-news.com
If you haven’t become a fan or our Facebook Page, please do – facebook.com/freshairfund and our twitter handle is @freshairfund”
If you haven’t become a fan or our Facebook Page, please do – facebook.com/freshairfund and our twitter handle is @freshairfund”
I twittered that I was watching Juanes’ Concierto para Paz in Cuba, and some folks actually thought I was in Cuba. I wish – I was watching it on TV!
You can now participate in the first public vote in the history of the National Book Awards! Visit www.nbafictionpoll.org and vote. When you register to vote, your email address will be entered for a drawing to win two tickets to the 60th National Book Awards on November 18, 2009 and two nights in the Marriott Hotel Downtown, compliments of Marriott. Voting ends at midnight on October 21st.The winner of the Best of the National Book Awards Fiction will be announced at the 60th National Book Awards Ceremony and Dinner at Cipriani New York on November 18, 2009.
The National Book Festival is this weekend in DC.
Where: The National Mall, Washington, D.C. between 7th and 14th streets
When: Saturday, September 26, 2009 • 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (rain or shine)
For those unable to attend in person, the Library of Congress has made it possible to participate in the festival online. Among its features, the website offers downloadable author podcasts, webcasts of author presentations, and a Young Readers’ Toolkit for children, parents and educators to create their own festival at home or in the classroom. For additional information: Follow the Library of Congress on Twitter (#nbf)Become a Fan on Facebook or Text “BOOK” to 61399. www.loc.gov/bookfest
NYC- Also this weekend, The Provenance of Beauty: A South Bronx Travelogue
Saturday Sep 26 (1 & 4pm) More times» at 171 E 121st St (171 E 121st St) map
price: $35
Saturday Sep 26 (1 & 4pm) More times» at 171 E 121st St (171 E 121st St) map
price: $35
“It’s an all-too-rare occasion when we view New York from a new angle. In The Provenance of Beauty, that perspective is gained in the South Bronx, where complications include the new park set beside a fertilizer plant, and the new condominiums poised to spur gentrification. Leave it to the incredibly progressive Foundry Theatre to produce a performance-bus tour of the area, opening our eyes to NYC’s overall geography, and how often we ignore these immeasurable surroundings. Board the bus in Spanish Harlem, then pop on your headphones for 90 minutes of exquisite storytelling that should take you far beyond the surface of your surroundings. -Amanda Cooper “
·Help NYC School Libraries, Win a Pair of Manolos Become a fan of the Fund for Public Schools on Facebook.The Fund for Public Schools is about to kick off its sixth Shop for Public Schools program to raise money to improve and revitalize New York City public school libraries. For one week between October 1 and 8, participating New York City merchants—including Borders, J. Crew, and Staples—will pledge a percentage of their sales or a flat donation to the Fund for Public Schools. more here
You can also help on Saturday, October 17, by joining over 8,000 volunteers to revitalize more than 100 New York City public schools. Paint murals and classrooms, add bright new line games to school playgrounds, reorganize libraries and storage closets, and so much more. I hope you can join to provide thousands of school children with cleaner, safer, and more stimulating learning environments.
Visit www.newyorkcaresday.org
Visit www.newyorkcaresday.org
“This year’s Read for the Record campaign expects to register one million readers to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar on October 8. Special events are planned for New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Presented in partnership with Pearson, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign is designed to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy and personal service. Find out how you can participate by visiting the Pearson Foundation website or the Jumpstart Read for the Record website.”
You can also celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, which will be observed this year from September 26 to October 3. For more information, visit the ALA website.
The Harry Ransom Center, part of the University of Texas at Austin, has launched an Edgar Allan Poe digital collection, available at www.hrc.utexas.edu/digitalpoe. The site has 4,000 images of more than 200 different materials.
And to end on a good note: Colombian Library Foundation Wins $1-Million Gates Award
That is a lot right there. Glad you are back on your blogging grind. You have been missed.
Welcome back to the blogging world! We missed you, but that's the neat thing about blogging — we'll always be there for you! You sure did come back with a big post though!
Hope all is better. I have also been going through some tough personal times. hang in there.
I swore you were in Cuba, what channel did you see that on? I missed it 🙁
Thanks to everyone for the support and kind words. I really do feel blessed, especially when I see everyone's comments and feedback.
I was mentally gathering these items for my blog.
The concert was on channel 41 NYC in bits and also partially shown on NY1 Noticias. It was online too. I felt silly after I tweeted that and confused people, I could see how it could be construed that way.
Gee, I am glad your back, too! And thanks for the reminder about Isabel Allende's new book!
I wish you serenity and peace in your life.
I am going through some very difficult times these days and friends are few. Know you are not alone, Gilda Radner's thoughts fit my state of mind,I thank-you for adding them to your post. I hope they help you a little as they do me.
Hang in there
((((hugs))))
Madeleine