...isn't much.
Newsweek has a new issue out with Michael Jackson on the cover and a big spread inside on books. I think it is really really cool that they've devoted so many pages to summer reading and included such a diverse selection. It's really quite awesome. But then they had to go and disappoint me. There's a spread of short recommendations on a variety of subjects from a variety of people. For example, Melissa Gilbert recommends Hollywood memoirs, Bob Woodward recommends Political Scandal titles, Patricia Cornwall recommends True Crime and Fareed Zakaria recommends foreign policy titles. All makes perfect sense. But then...Jenna Bush recommends the kids books. She was selected because she was a presidential daughter (?), 6th grade teacher and, of course, wrote the book Ana's Story.
Please just kill me now.
I have to assume that every living Caldecott, Newbery and Printz winner was very busy the day they put this list together because surely - surely - Jenna Bush could not be the first choice. Absolutely pitiful and a huge disappointment. You'll just have to overlook it when you read the rest of the section. (And the bits on MJ are actually quite good as well.)
I'm off to enjoy the weekend - warm temperatures here and no sign of rain. (Although we do hope it shows up next week sometime - it's starting to get pretty darn dry.) I'm supposed to talk to my agent next week on what comes next and I have some ideas but nothing concrete. I just finished a short story that I'm happy about (need to reread it next week to be sure I'm still happy about it, but nothing major needs fixing), and I am outlining a YA novel but the big next thing will be more nonfiction and I'm just spinning when it comes to a subject. I don't now which direction is the best one. Hopefully she will have some insight; we'll see.
ETA: Amy has bloggers signing up to read and discuss the 50 books on Newsweek's list. There are only a few slots left (the remaining books do sound very interesting though - especially if you like history).
Happy 4th of July!
July 3
2009
02:26 AM
I hope your conversation with your agent leads you down new paths, and opens new doors, Colleen. Use this weekend to dream.
As for Newsweek — I loved that they devoted an entire issue to books; I love that. Sure, one hopes, always, for something deeper (and is appalled that Bad Mother, for example, is one of 50 books that must be read now). But at a time when books and authors are being threatened at every turn, I loved that Newsweek put books where I believe books must remain: front and center.