I finished my first book, of the ones I'm reading for Oregon Literacy's March read-a-thon, last night. That's right—383 published pages, and it's not even technically the end of week one. Take that, Kate!
But I didn't come here to cheer myself on. Okay, I did, but that's not my primary purpose. Rather, I wanted to share the book I read: The Big Over Easy, a Jack Spratt Investigates book by Jasper Fforde. Now I've read one book from his Thursday Next series and one starring Spratt, and I think I like the latter better. I can't say why exactly yet (it's not a secret; I just don't quite know). But I do like both for their smartness and humor, for their good writing and for being about books, the magic of literature, and yes, sometimes it's clichés. In Fforde's books, fictional characters are alive and well (or not) among us, and no one thinks that's strange at all. In the Spratt books, the literary detectives have to be not only great investigators but also great writers, as they strive to publish their accounts and their accounts are considered real news to the general public.
Consider one of his books when you need something silly to sink your teeth into—or when you just need a reminder that fiction really is important to life.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
New Release Spotlight: Gods Behaving Badly
Gods Behaving Badly, by Marie PhillipsIt’s a tough thing, to pull off something as silly as the down-on-their-luck gods of Olympus bickering and shagging in a fraternity-like house in present-day London, as slapstick as Aphrodite working as a phone-sex operator and Artemis as a dog walker. Even if it hasn’t been done before, it feels like it has—surely that was a Saturday Night Live or Monty Python sketch, right? But in her first novel, based on those details, Marie Phillips has created a satisfying popcorn read, one that’s more fun-smart than fun-foolish.
Driven from their lives of splendor, fortune, and power because no one believes in them anymore, the Greek gods are strapped with mortal concerns—rent, housecleaning, unglamorous jobs—and new godly ones, such as, every time they use their powers, their strength diminishes with no chance of replenishment. But since they are still gods, they’re relatively immortal, so living forever in that kind of life equals torturous boredom.
One of the opening scenes, in which Apollo and Aphrodite are having sex in the bathroom—while discussing redecorating and Ares, who’s demanding to come in to shave before work—is perfect in detailing the boredom everyone feels, the routines they’ve ground themselves into. In fact, that’s the main reason this book succeeds as something more: Phillips doesn’t just leave the characters at one level. Artemis meets with a real estate agent and tries to find the good in the tenement he shows her; she also dreams of death and what that would be like for a god. Alice, the mortal and mousy cleaner who winds up keeping house for the gods, forgets for a little bit her favorite hobby, Scrabble, and her crush, Neil, to fall for Apollo’s seduction.
Considering the end of the book is full of big action, including the changing of the beliefs of the entire human race, everything falls into place unbelievably quickly. But if what started as a good comedy turns into wild action, well, that’s okay—it may be popcorn, but it’s still gourmet popcorn.
Review by Kristin Thiel, Indigo Editing, LLC
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-06762
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub date: December 2007
Hardcover: $23.99
Monday, March 03, 2008
Read-a-Thon: One Editor Plunges Forward
We recently posted about Oregon Literacy's Read-a-thon, and I for one decided to take the plunge. It's day three, and I've only read eighty-two pages. Now eighty-two pages would be a fine total—under normal circumstances. But in addition to doing my sponsors proud, I've also entered into a friendly wager with this woman. She had read ninety-one pages before dinner on the first day.
Wait a minute—what am I doing blogging? I need to get back to reading.
I'll return later this week.
Wait a minute—what am I doing blogging? I need to get back to reading.
I'll return later this week.
New Media Internship
About the Organization
B-Word is a nonprofit feminist media organization devoted to feminist
pop culture analysis and incisive media criticism. Although we're
best known for publishing Bitch | Feminist Response to Pop Culture,
we're in the process of evolving into a noncommercial, multimedia
organization. For more information, please visit the magazine's Web site and pick up a copy of the magazine at a local independent bookstore.
Internship Overview
The role of the new media intern is to support the organization's
efforts in developing a stronger online presence, creating audio and
visual supplements, incorporating social networking capabilities, and
assisting with efforts to develop new publishing ventures that build
upon the mission of feminist analysis, media criticism, and
independent publishing. The intern will also assist with outreach and
community-building efforts and general office operations.
Who should apply
Publishing/media students with a strong interest in new media
(online, audio, video, etc.). Although you need not be a long-time
reader, it's a much more valuable experience for all involved if you
are interested in feminism, pop culture, and noncommercial
publishing. We're committed to an inclusive and diverse organization
and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with development/redesign of organization's website
- Assisting with coordinating/production of podcasts and videocasts
- Strategizing ways in which online/audio/video technologies can be
incorporated into organization's work
- Assisting with reader survey efforts
- Researching innovative models of noncommercial multimedia production
- Assisting with outreach efforts
- Supporting publisher and other staff as needed
- Attending weekly staff meeting (Wednesdays at 10:00 am)
Skills
- Understanding the fundamentals of grassroots, nonprofit publishing
- Understanding the ways in which new media and print publishing
support and build upon one another.
- Familiarity with new media technologies (podcasting, videocasting,
social/organizational networking, etc.)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
Compensation
Because we're a small, under-funded nonprofit organization, this is
an unpaid position. Students are encouraged to work toward class
credit allowed by school.
Schedule
Interns are expected to come in at least one day a week (which can be
2 half days)—we can work around your schedule for the most part.
Interns must, however, be present on Wednesday morning to participate
in the weekly editorial/staff meeting.
Duration
3–6 months. Exceptions can be made if necessary and feasible.
How to Apply
Please send a detailed cover letter explaining your interests and
experience, along with a résumé to: debbie@bitchmagazine.org. Please
do not call or drop in to the office.
::
debbie rasmussen
b-word, publishers of bitch: feminist response to pop culture
nonprofit, independent, reader-supported
www.bitchmagazine.org
B-Word is a nonprofit feminist media organization devoted to feminist
pop culture analysis and incisive media criticism. Although we're
best known for publishing Bitch | Feminist Response to Pop Culture,
we're in the process of evolving into a noncommercial, multimedia
organization. For more information, please visit the magazine's Web site and pick up a copy of the magazine at a local independent bookstore.
Internship Overview
The role of the new media intern is to support the organization's
efforts in developing a stronger online presence, creating audio and
visual supplements, incorporating social networking capabilities, and
assisting with efforts to develop new publishing ventures that build
upon the mission of feminist analysis, media criticism, and
independent publishing. The intern will also assist with outreach and
community-building efforts and general office operations.
Who should apply
Publishing/media students with a strong interest in new media
(online, audio, video, etc.). Although you need not be a long-time
reader, it's a much more valuable experience for all involved if you
are interested in feminism, pop culture, and noncommercial
publishing. We're committed to an inclusive and diverse organization
and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with development/redesign of organization's website
- Assisting with coordinating/production of podcasts and videocasts
- Strategizing ways in which online/audio/video technologies can be
incorporated into organization's work
- Assisting with reader survey efforts
- Researching innovative models of noncommercial multimedia production
- Assisting with outreach efforts
- Supporting publisher and other staff as needed
- Attending weekly staff meeting (Wednesdays at 10:00 am)
Skills
- Understanding the fundamentals of grassroots, nonprofit publishing
- Understanding the ways in which new media and print publishing
support and build upon one another.
- Familiarity with new media technologies (podcasting, videocasting,
social/organizational networking, etc.)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
Compensation
Because we're a small, under-funded nonprofit organization, this is
an unpaid position. Students are encouraged to work toward class
credit allowed by school.
Schedule
Interns are expected to come in at least one day a week (which can be
2 half days)—we can work around your schedule for the most part.
Interns must, however, be present on Wednesday morning to participate
in the weekly editorial/staff meeting.
Duration
3–6 months. Exceptions can be made if necessary and feasible.
How to Apply
Please send a detailed cover letter explaining your interests and
experience, along with a résumé to: debbie@bitchmagazine.org. Please
do not call or drop in to the office.
::
debbie rasmussen
b-word, publishers of bitch: feminist response to pop culture
nonprofit, independent, reader-supported
www.bitchmagazine.org
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Portland Literary Events
Monday March 3
Tony D’Souza will read from his second novel, The Konkans
Where: Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: www.portlandmercury.com
Tuesday March 4
Local freelancer Brian Libby will be speaking about how to make a living as a freelance writer
Where: The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 general, $5 members and students
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
Margaret Jones will read from her critically acclaimed memoir, Love and Consequences.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
The Literary Arts’ Poetry Downtown series presents Eavan Boland, who will read from her latest book, New Collected Poems.
Where: Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $18
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
The first of four Tuesday classes on the poet Rumi begins, facilitated by Grace Kuhns.
Where: First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th
When: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 for four classes
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
Gin Phillips presents The Well and the Mine
Where: Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://annieblooms.com
Friday March 7
PSU's Students in Publishing and Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC) are pleased to co–host the Electronic Book Education and Outreach Event.
Where: Smith Memorial Union Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway
When: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.ooliganpress.pdx.edu/news.html
Saturday March 6
The Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a Zine Art Show open house
Where: IPRC, 917 SW Oak
When: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://iprc.org/
Tony D’Souza will read from his second novel, The Konkans
Where: Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: www.portlandmercury.com
Tuesday March 4
Local freelancer Brian Libby will be speaking about how to make a living as a freelance writer
Where: The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 general, $5 members and students
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
Margaret Jones will read from her critically acclaimed memoir, Love and Consequences.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
The Literary Arts’ Poetry Downtown series presents Eavan Boland, who will read from her latest book, New Collected Poems.
Where: Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $18
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
The first of four Tuesday classes on the poet Rumi begins, facilitated by Grace Kuhns.
Where: First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th
When: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 for four classes
For more info: http://wweek.com/words
Tuesday March 4
Gin Phillips presents The Well and the Mine
Where: Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://annieblooms.com
Friday March 7
PSU's Students in Publishing and Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC) are pleased to co–host the Electronic Book Education and Outreach Event.
Where: Smith Memorial Union Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway
When: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.ooliganpress.pdx.edu/news.html
Saturday March 6
The Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a Zine Art Show open house
Where: IPRC, 917 SW Oak
When: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://iprc.org/
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