Bookish Talk | Book Chatter

I was a bit of a mess on Friday. I organized a PTO event for the school and although the event itself was fine, the prep right before it stressed me out and I got all worked-up over it. I thrive on stress. It makes me move faster, things get done, etc. But, Saturday had me in bed with sore muscles and a headache. Which would not have been a big deal if I could have taken something for it, but more on that later.

The day was sunny, beautiful and warm but not too warm so I dragged myself out of bed to take The Girl to her first tennis lesson.

My Little Tennis Player

The class was great!! There are over 18 kids in it but she saw an old friend from her pre-school days and there is a boy from her class in there too so she was happy. Looks like a good group of kids. Should be a lot of fun.

Now, on to the medical test. I am scheduled for “the test that shall not be named” this Tuesday. Although I am not within the normal age-range for such a test, these food allergies and the problems with my esophagus have prompted the need for further testing. So, I am on a limited diet for two days and then pretty much fasting for another two days.

I am not happy and sort of miserable so I am incredibly whiny and cranky. I can’t take Motrin since it’s a blood thinner and that happens to be the only thing that gets rid of headaches for me so I must endure it. I am taking Monday and Tuesday off and will spend the day reading. That is really the only bright side to all of this.

Sunday Salon Button

On the book/reading front:

I am almost through with I’d Know You Anywhere. It’s taken a turn and I am hoping it changes direction because I am getting an uneasy feeling about where it’s all going.

Still re-reading Atonement for class. God, I love that book. I had forgotten how much until I picked it up again for this class.

I should be starting Animal, Vegetable, Miracle this Monday. How appropriate for me to read about local farming when I am starving out of my mind.

On a bookish note, I posted about the award panel that I was asked to be on. I am very excited about it and can’t wait to see which books you nominate as the best for 2010.

I am off to drink more fluids (blech) and eat more Jello (double blech). Think good thoughts for me on Tuesday. Another blogger passed out from hunger while going for the same test last week. Although I love her to death, I really do not want to follow in her footsteps.

It rocks mine.

Literary Fiction, as defined by Wikipedia:

Literary fiction is a term that has come into common usage since around 1960, principally to distinguish serious fiction (that is, work with claims to literary merit) from the many types of genre fiction and popular fiction (i.e., paraliterature). In broad terms, literary fiction focuses more on style, psychological depth, and character[1][2], the plot may or may not be important. Mainstream commercial fiction focuses more on narrative and plot.

I read other genres, but the one that I go back to again and again, is Literary Fiction. So, it’s no surprise that Wallace from Unputdownables contacted me about being a Literary Fiction judge for the Indie Lit Awards (her baby). I, along with Lyndsey, have been tasked with putting the Lit Fiction panel together. We are almost there too. As soon as we have the final panel, I will post an update. Oh, and if any of the panel members happen to be reading this, your panel button is coming soon!

Here’s a bit of info about the awards:

Independent Literary Awards are given to books that have been recommended and voted on by independent literary bloggers. Nominations are open to independent literary bloggers only, and are then voted upon by a panel of bloggers who are proficient in the genre they represent. Each panel is led by a judge(s) who oversee(s) the integrity of the process.

Since Lyndsey and I represent the Literary Fiction category, we’d be interested in your thoughts on what Literary Fiction book, published in 2010, tickled your fancy. If you’re a literary blogger and would like to submit a book for consideration right now, because you know with all your heart that the book you just read is THE book of the year, then we’d like to hear from you!

Things to remember when you nominate a book:

-You must be a literary blogger; and a link to your blog must be provided so we can verify this. (You may not be the author, publisher, or publicist of the book you are nominating).

-You may nominate a book that has already been listed (the books with the most nominations will be what we add to the Long List).

-You may nominate books in more than one genre, but only one per genre and please make one of those genres Literary Fiction (gotta plug the category).

-Nominations are open until mid-December.

But, if you’d rather wait a few months to see if a better title awaits you, then that’s fine too. Just bookmark the site and I’ll remind you about it as the end of the year approaches.

At the end of the year, we’ll have a nice list of titles to choose from and then early next year… a winner!

If you’d like to promote the event on your own blog, please use this button: