Monday Book Review - Pretty Monsters

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

PRETTY MONSTERS by Kelly Link

In keeping with our fall spooktacular theme, I bring you PRETTY MONSTERS by Kelly Link. A collection of short stories that are sometimes creepy, sometimes funny, sometimes just plain imaginative and often all three. I'm not usually a short story kind of person, I often find them rather boring (sorry short story writers out there. I'm sure yours are awesome!) but these were fabulous. I was swept away with each story, always surprised and delighted.

The writing is fantastic. Kelly Link is an imaginative writer, who paints vivid stories out of pure fancy. As I said before, short stories often fail to grab my attention but these gripped me immediately. I was struck by how well they were told, the originality of the plots and the beautiful illustrations at the start of each story. They're beautiful. I adored them. I want to put them in frames and hang them around the house. 

Definitely pick this up. If you love short stories and even if you don't, try it anyway. Maybe this will do for you what it did for me. Which is restore my faith in the short story. They're the invention of a fantastically original imagination and fit perfectly with my theme for fall, where monsters and creepiness abound. To give you a little taste, here's a quote from the first page, under the illustration for the first story.

"Anyone might accidentally dig up the wrong grave."

Tell me you don't want to find out what happens next. Read it! 

Gearing Up for Fall

There's something about fall that always makes me think of new beginnings. Yes, I really should be thinking the opposite. After all, the natural world is dying, going into hibernation. It's the end of a cycle, not the beginning of one. But I've been conditioned by years of school that fall is a time for starting new academic challenges, for buying new clothes, for new pencils, notebooks and erasers and of course, for new possibilities. Which is why I've been thinking a lot about the new challenges and goals I'm setting for myself as a writer.

First of all, I've made an appointment with the new Writer in Residence. I miss last year's like crazy and I'm a little nervous about meeting with the new one, as it seems impossible for anyone to fill his shoes. But I felt that way about the Writer in Residence before him, so I guess that's natural. And I think it would be incredibly foolish to turn down the opportunity to learn from anyone as experienced and capable as the talented writers the program has come up with so far. Each new writer has something unique to teach, and I'm anxious to learn.

Secondly, I'm sending in an application for the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild Mentorship Program. In this program you work one on one with an experienced author, on issues and concerns that are personal to you. It's a tremendous opportunity and even though I have no guarantee of being accepted, I knew I had to apply. As I said before, the chance to learn from other writers, especially such talented ones, is a rare gift and not one I'm willing to turn away from.

Lastly, I'm thinking about joining a critique group. I'm not sure how to even begin going about finding an appropriate one, but I love the idea of getting together with other writers, offering and receiving constructive criticism, as well as supporting one another. It sounds like a valuable experience, especially if you find the right group. (Sometimes it's difficult to find one with members that give constructive criticism. Either they give weak feedback, or none at all. Which isn't particularly helpful.)

So, there you have it. How are you gearing up for fall? Have you set goals as well? Let me know in the comments section! (As well as if you have advice for finding a critique group.)

Looking for Something Spooky

Fall is here, with its bursts of reds and yellows and the delicious crunch of leaves underfoot. The whole world seems golden, and even though the crispness in the air signals the coming winter, I'm happy. Summer's been good to me this year (aside from the plagues) and I've decided to let it leave gracefully. I'm going to look at the bright side of things. Starting with my one of my favourite holidays: Halloween.

I know, I know, it's much too soon to start mentioning Halloween, and I'm not, really. But I am thinking ahead to October, and I've decided to throw a few macabre tales into the mix with my reading schedule. What better way to get into the mood for fall than with something spooky? I also plan to start baking a lot, now that the temperature in my house won't be a sweaty 27 degrees Celsius, but that's a lot less healthy for my waistline, whereas a good book is always good for you.

So, this is the part where I ask for your help. What's your favourite spooky, horror, mystery, thriller, etc? Do you have any suggestions that help put me (and anyone else reading this) in the mood for fall? I'll be sharing all my spectacular finds throughout October, so don't worry if you're having trouble finding something. (You can start with last Monday's book recommendation, Doll Bones.) Together, we will brave the fall and embrace all the good it can give us.

Watching Summer Fly By

Well, we're approximately half way through August, which means there's only a little bit of summer left. How much? It depends on September. We have years where September is glorious, like a bonus month of summer, and we have years where September is cold and bitter, sweeping away any warm memories of sunshine and lemonade with the last of the leaves. In the face of uncertainty I'm beginning to feel a little panicked. What if there's only a couple weeks left and then it's gone?

This week we were finally blessed with hot weather. Since the beginning of July it's been very mild, rather cool days non-stop. Which isn't awful, but it's not the kind of thing you can call up in your mind when it's minus thirty degrees Celsius and snowing outside. And it's not really shorts and a tank top weather either, which is a bit of bummer when you only get to wear that stuff for two months out of the year at the best of times. So, with this sudden gift of heat, I can't help but feel that it's entirely wasted sitting in an office (specifically, a very air conditioned one). What if it's the last we're going to get until next year?

I've been thinking I should see if I can get a day off this week, just a bonus day to run around soaking up sunshine before it's gone. It'd be even better if I knew someone with a great deck or a pool, but beggars can't be choosers. This might be my last chance to sip on a cocktail in the sunshine. Especially with being officially broke from Paris. There are no sunny destinations in my future this winter or for the next couple. I can't afford a vacation, but perhaps I can afford a day off.

Fall is Coming...

We are officially half way through August. The days are getting just a little shorter, and the temperature just a little cooler in that oh so cruel reminder that summer cannot last forever. And even though I still have the same amount of hours in the day, it still feels as though they're getting shorter too. I can't seem to get everything done. I keep running out of time. And at the end of the day I'm kicking myself over the seemingly endless list of tasks I failed to accomplish.

It's possible that I'm only feeling rushed because it's getting darker sooner. It does tend to make the days feel so much shorter. But I can't seem to shake it. Even though I get out of bed earlier and go to bed later, I'm getting less done instead of more. Despite my To Do Lists, despite my attempts at efficiency, I'm still running behind. Fall had better stay away for a little while yet, I have way too much to do.