Happy April, ya Fool!!

Happy Fool's Day, all!

If you're like me, you love the idea of the holiday, but are just never quite sure what to do with it. I like to believe that I will come up with some witty form of trickery and jokery that will have friends chuckling and slapping their knees in fond remembrance for ages to come.

The reality, however, is that I will sit back and marvel at what others do. No plastic wrapped cars for me. No snakes or Prince Albert's in cans. No cheesy, predictable lies. I will jealousy read of the keen planning, organization, and creativity of those more motivated than I.

If you're anything like me, and find joy in and happiness in letting others do all the work, then check out the Top 100 April Day Hoaxes of All Time. Seriously, no joke. ;-P

Lost forever (not like the show, where they keep coming back again, and again, and again)

Every now and again I feel the painful twinge of loss. That feeling that clasps around your heart and gives a little squeeze. I've felt it again in recent days, and I'm worried that I won't get over it this time.

My mom gave away some of my books. Not just a box of random titles that I will never remember having read and would never pick up again, anyway. This box contained my prized titles.

They were worth nothing in terms of resale value. No classic first editions, hard to find, antique books. But, these books were worth their weight in sentimentality.

There were signed copies from my favorite writing professor from college. I was so embarrassed, taking the books in and asking him if he wouldn't mind signing them for me. I felt like a band groupie, blushing and nervous. The feeling was something similar to the first time I approached a boy I liked: awkward limbs, dry mouth, and fractured sentences. Those were hard to lose.

But then there was:
*an autographed copy of my next favorite writing professor's first published book
*the books I read and studied during my study abroad stint in England
*random, influential books from my childhood

Sigh. And let's not forget that the giving/throwing away, we're not really sure what happened to these boxes, all took place several years ago. I just can't let it go! It's not my mother's fault. They were in her basement forever, giving the illusion of diminished value. The truth being that their importance was so great to me, I had chosen to leave them in a 'safe' place as I took up a nomadic lifestyle, seeking out my place in the world.

When I finally settled in where I am now, I contacted my mom, asking when I could retrieve my boxes from the basement. She paused. Thought long and hard. Then told me that she was pretty sure there was no more of my stuff in her basement. I was stunned. I repeatedly asked her to check, check, and check again! She did. They were gone. I cried.

I know I can always go repurchase the books that were lost, but those new, glossy covered tomes would not bear the same scuffs, tears, bends, and tatters of experience the other ones possessed. Sometimes the loss is overbearing, knowing they are lost to me forever.

Other times I sort of giggle as I imagine someone picking one up and asking who the 'Lisa' from the inscription is. Then I imagine that very copy, years in the future, up for auction at Christie's, the description in the catalog posturing at who the mysterious 'Lisa' was and what her significance was to the author. I know this is ridiculous thought to imagine, but it somehow helps to think that my loss was for the greater good of the future, and will serve a purpose.

Of all the titles, in all the used bookstores in the world, I wonder who's reading mine?

Have you lost a book of enormous, sentimental significance to you?

Happy 1 Year to me!!

It just occurred to me what yesterday was. Well, St. Pat's, yes. THAT I remembered! I'm 50% Irish, so if I don't actively mark the death of a British kidnap victim, turned missionary (whose name wasn't even Patrick) with a Brit inspired Irish folk tune (Danny Boy), ridiculously colored hats, socks, beads, and beer, a leprechaun will leap out of the bushes and beat me with a shillelagh.

BUT, yesterday also marked the one year anniversary of my website launch. Woo-hoo! Yup, one year ago, March 17, I launched the, now defunct, OnlinePublicist website. It was a pretty big deal for me, as it took my little freelance side work and legitimized it. It was then that I know I would be pursuing this work for the long term. It was both terrifying and exciting. And has been one of the best things I've ever done.

I loved the site. My designer did a great job and I loved Googleing it. But, while I was actively a part of the book blog world by following, reading and friending, I still felt an arm's length away from it all.

And, thus, this blog was born! While it saddens me that the original site didn't made it to the one year mark, I couldn't be more thrilled to work in, on, and for your book blogging world. Now that this milestone has come, I can challenge myself to expect bigger, better, and more for the next year! And with BEA looming in the distance, I know that it is possible.

I cant thank you enough for being my friends, reviewers, advisors, and supporters. I hope that I have, at some point, made you feel as welcome and appreciated in this crazy online world as you all have made me feel.

Much love, Big hugs, & Heartfelt thanks,
Lisa

I always get around to it...eventually

Many, many moons ago (October 8, 2008, to be exact), CherylsBookNook nominated me for this award. I was super excited to be given my very first award, but sort of bummed that I had no outlet to post it and follow through on the 'nominate others' part of it.

But now...I can! So, even though it's taken me forever to get to it, I am getting back to this to finish it up. ;-)


The Rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4) Add links to those blogs on your blog

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!

I now bequeath this award to:
http://aceandhoserblook.blogspot.com/
http://www.girlscantwhat.com/
http://sassyirishlassie.blogspot.com/
http://corinnesbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://lyndasbookblog.blogspot.com/
http://passionforthepage.blogspot.com/
http://superfastreader.com/

~*~*Have fun and pass on the love!*~*~

Coming Clean

Do you do it? Are you one of them? The they who openly and brazenly thrust their fetish on an unsuspecting public?

I do. And I am.

I'm a book sniffer. If you happen upon me in the aisles of an old, used bookstore, you will catch a glimpse of my closed eyes over the spine of a book. With nose stuffed into the open pages of a yellowed, beaten copy, I huff in...that smell. The full bodied bouquet of must, experience, wisdom, aged thoughts.

Nothing else in the world has that smell and an attempt at duplication would fail miserably. It's the sweet comforting perfume of freedom of thought, beauty in words, and unleashed imagination.

So, now that you're in a safe place, it's time to come clean with your fixation. Are you a slow sniffer, quick whiffer, or completely unmoved by the scent of a book?

BEA 2009 info for Book Bloggers

I know that there has been massive confusion in regards to book bloggers and registration for Book Expo America (BEA) 2009 in NYC.

I made some phone calls and hope I can help out everyone who would like to attend. For book bloggers who would like to attend, you must register, starting with this page. You must register as a 'Book Industry Professional'. The cost will be $295. That cost is whether you attend one day, or all three days of the convention. I know, expensive!

You may disregard the 'your name on letterhead' that is asked for verification. I was told that is only a requirement for on-site registration. Once you fill out the registration form, you print the page with your badge number and bar code and bring that with you to the convention to receive your badge.

I attempted to see if I could have folks attend as a friend of mine, but it seems that cost is the same as the industry professional: $295. They're way too hip to my attempts at trickery!

I really hope that many of you are able to attend and please contact me to let me know if you will be.

How do you follow authors?

I was emailing with a blogger friend the other day. In the course of conversation, she mentioned a particular author and the recent film based on one of his books. I told her that I hadn't seen the film, or read the book, but I would probably get around to it since I've read a couple of the author's other books and am getting around to finishing his other ones. Sound weird?

Well, I read every book by every author I read. It's true. This doesn't include books in a series! Once I pick something up something by an author, I'm compelled to read everything else they've written.

It might be something of a given that I need to somewhat enjoy the first book picked up. But if I find even one morsel of material that I like (sometimes it can be the use of words I enjoy, a witty phrase that stays with me, or good description), I'm in for the long haul with that writer.

I think it's fascinating to read a book by someone, find out what else they've done, check that out and make comparisons between present writing and earlier work. As the influences in a writer's life changes, it is reflected in their work and their writing picks up on those characteristics, telling a story beneath the one being read. The result of my interest is that my bookshelves look like a library, with multiple titles by each author, represented.

What is your reading pattern?

I've been tagged!

The ladies over at GirlsJustReading, tagged me for a meme! I'm excited since it's my first one: List 6 Things That Make Me Happy!! Life in general seems to have been stressful and tough for everyone lately, so I have to say that it feels pretty good to focus on some good! I chose to use images to help fully encompass several initial thoughts I had. And in no particular order:




The Rules are as follows: Link to the person who has tagged you. Write down six things that make you happy. Post the rules then tag six others (Bookfool, J.Danger, bethany, A Reader's Journal, Library Girl Reads, Keeper of the Snails) and let them know you did it. When your entry is complete, tell the person who tagged you.

~*~* Have fun! ~*~*

To Caribou's Mom:

You're one of the first bloggers I ever reached out and offered books to. I was such an online novice, I spent days aimlessly wandering the net, just seeing what I might stumble across.

In the beginning, I had trouble keeping everyone straight (URL's, blog names, pseudonyms, and backgrounds), but I always remembered you as the 'dog lady'. My boss raised her eyebrow at your blog name, probably thinking you had gone the way of celebrities and chosen the name for a child. I explained your story to her.

Knowing you and Caribou through this medium was my first taste of the work I would later take on. It was then that I knew I wanted to foster my new online relationships. I loved reading about Caribou's adoption as a young pup, runt, and defiant, blanket shredder. I followed along through the story of how Caribou brought you to the man who would become your husband, and her training to become a certified search and rescue dog.

Then Caribou got sick. Our little furbabies aging quicker than the years passing on the calendar. And I find myself writing a condolence post in her honor.

Caribou: your future adventures must now be imagined, but your past ones will never be forgotten.

Caribou's story is here.

Bible Illuminated Winners!!!

Happy Monday, all!

Thanks so much to all who entered the Bible Illuminated giveaway that was part of the BloggyGiveaway Carnival week. I hope everyone had fun and won lots of stuff!

So, there were 99 people who entered this giveaway. Since I don't host many giveaways and can't imagine paying for a Random.org subscription, I used one of their free options: the List Randomizer. I entered in all 99 participants, and the 5 at the top of the list are:

1. Joanne
2. robin titan
3. Shannon
4. Megret
5. Valerie

Congrats!! I have sent emails out to the 4 winners whose mailing addresses I don't have. (Lucky you, Joanne, I already have yours!) If the others do not reply with their mailing addresses by Friday, February 6, I will choose the next folks from the list.

Thanks again and have a great day!