I like libraries. Libraries are cool

By Steve Weddle

First, since I was here last week, I've signed the deal with Tyrus Books for COUNTRY HARDBALL. Also, they've made a cover. And there's a page. And stuff. Here, lemme get out of the way for a second so you can click this link. COUNTRY HARDBALL

OK.

There seems to be a popular conception that, with each day that goes by, more and more people have more and more access to everything on the internet.

This seems goofy.

I live in the country. Not like in a William Faulkner story or anything, but I'm in the country. The town is 15 minutes away and has a population close to 1,000. We can drive 45 minutes to see a movie, if we want. We have access to the internet through one of those little boxes that we pay too much for. Other people don't. Other people near me use the county/state services to get a bus to come near them, then deposit them places in town. Then they have to rely on the bus to come get them.

Whenever people start to talk about how everyone has access to the internet now, I'm reminded of the opening to GATSBY in which the father tells Nick to remember that not everyone has the same advantages he's had.

My mom would drop me off at the library when I was a kid. I was in summer reading clubs every year. I read books. I checked out books. I read books from my parents' shelves. I talked to the librarians about books I wanted to read. I talked to my parents about books. We lived in a papermill town when the papermill shut down, when everything was dying, and I still had access to the world.

When I was growing, libraries were indispensable. They still are.

Not everyone can afford $100 a month for smartphones or internet boxes.

And I'd prefer to live in a world in which everyone -- even those who can't afford Verizon FIOS and $25 hardbacks -- are able to access the internet, the newspapers, and books. Books. Books.

Heck, I was 12 years old and I was reading John Updike. I had no idea what the hell was going on in any of his Rabbit books, but I was reading them. And I read non-fiction about the Boer War. That was some weird stuff, I'll tell you. And, of course, I read all the Harry Harrison and Piers Anthony I could find. All the librarians could find for me. And I read. And read. Just like so many kids did then, and like so many kids still do.

Books and DVDs and internet access and meeting rooms and book clubs and newspaper archives and on and on. I can't imagine a world without libraries. It's super cool that many of us -- especially those reading this -- can access the internet at a whim. But not everyone can. Not everyone has the same advantages you and I have had.

Rita Meade (@ScrewyDecimal) has a great post up knocking down the anti-library argument.

Do yourself a favor and give it a read.

Brief thoughts of Dan Brown hate

I don't have much this week except for a couple of thoughts.

 
I'm puzzled by some of the Dan Brown hate I've seen recently. Especially from other writers. It seems to me that writers should be open to all sorts of fiction: Fiction from all of the genres; fiction that sells very well and fiction that doesn't; award winners non award winners, lowbrow, highbrow, whatever. And THIS is part of what is meant by read a lot. It also seems to me that you can learn just as much from a badly written novel as a brilliantly written one.

I think criticism of Brown's work is fair, and have linked to some of it in the past, but pointing out the flaws is easy. Reading everything and trying to find something positive, or something to learn from, maybe that's a better challenge.

Summer reading

by: Joelle Charbonneau

First off, I want to say WHOOO HOOO to Steve Weddle's news.  I am so excited that Country Hardball will be published by Tyrus Books.  It couldn't happen to a more awesome person and writer.

Second, THE TESTING launching is just over two weeks.  So if you find me chewing my nails or hiding under the bed--that's why!

Third, the weather has finally taken a turn and spring has arrived...just in time for summer to start.  Trust me when I say I'm not complaining.  As a matter of fact, the less than fabulous spring weather has made it easier for me to stay focused on the work that needed to be done.  I am thrilled to say that I am almost to the end of writing A CHORUS LINEUP and will also soon finish my first round of revisions on GRADUATION DAY.  These two events signal something pretty astonishing for me.  These are the last two WIPs that I have under contract.

I know most writers do not want to go a day without having a book under contract, but I'm pretty stoked to see the light at the end of the contract tunnel.  Oh - don't get me wrong, I've already put together a proposal for the next project that I hope to work on.  But having finished writing the books I had under contract means something very important to me.  Now I will have time to read.

That probably sounds crazy, right?  I'm a writer, so, of course, I read.  Rarely does a day go by that I have not read at least a chapter or two of a book.  But before I started writing, I used to read a book in a day.  I used to curl up in a chair with a story that gripped me and not go to bed until the story had ended.  I miss being able to do that.  So as soon as I am done with this manuscript and the revisions I have to finish, I have promised myself at least a week of doing nothing but reading.

7 days.

7 books.

Since this is a celebration of sorts, I want to make sure that every book I pick up is a fabulous read.  This is where you come in.  I need recommendations.  What books do you think should be on my celebratory to-read list?  Here is a chance to tell me about your favorite author, your favorite book or even something you've written.  The floor is yours.  What books have gripped you that you think will entertain me?