Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
What I didn’t do today, and why.
Today, I didn’t catch up on my chart basket. I didn’t call 15 voters in California’s 50th District, encouraging them to go out and vote for Francine Busby. I barely glanced at the Huffington Post headlines, Daily Kos, or The News Blog.
I dropped by my own blog briefly, left a couple of comments, got distracted. I stopped by Beth’s place only long enough to let her know that my weak attempt at SBD was day-old Harry Potter porn. And that’s all the blogging I did today.
Yes, I did my job, saw patients, made a few people better. But I would have shirked that responsibility too, if I could have gotten away with it. Why? Because of this book:
The Amulet of Samarkand, first book of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan Stroud, recommended by Bookseller Chick, who has my (and my wife’s) eternal gratitude. What do I love so much about this book? Stroud has the same values that I do as a writer:
- Entertainment is the top priority
- and that requires a balanced mix of drama, action, and humor
- and if you have something worthwhile to say, too, so much the better
Not only that, but Stroud is a better writer than I am*, so I can learn key craft points by reading his work. For example: all that stuff you hear about upping the ante & raising the stakes? It’s one thing to read about it in a book on craft, another thing to see someone do it. It’s a joy to see how Stroud builds empathy for his main characters, then does horrible, horrible things to them.
I will undoubtedly have more to say about this by the time I finish the trilogy, but for now: Stroud is a writer’s writer. Even if you despise fantasy, please check out this novel. And don’t be put off by the fact that it gets shelved with the kid’s lit: this is as kid-lit as Lord of the Flies.
I have a little over a hundred pages left to read, and dammit, I’m going to finish tonight.
D.
*This will only come as a surprise to those of you who know what a high opinion I have of myself.
Oh, thanks for the head’s up!!!
Huh, I have seen this shelved in the kids lit section, but there seems to be soooo many books of this genre shelved there these days that I gave it a pass. I’ll try to remember to get it next time I’m hanging out, waiting for my daughter to pick something, pick anything, just pick it now.
told ya told ya told ya!
*sigh* Like my TBR pile isn’t big enough as it is….
Okay, I trust you. It’s on my list. For June, though–I’ve already bought too many books this month, and May’s list is huge. (New stuff coming out from Emma Holly, Jim Butcher, Loretta Chase, Cheryl Sawyer, Lani Diane Rich, Barbara Metzger, Julia London, Katie MacAlister, etc., etc.–only 3 books so far on June’s list.)
I JUST got this for my daughter based on yours and Kate’s discussions about it.
What a great book. Daughter blew right through the first one and is partway through the second.
Oh, this is definitely something special, folks. I finished it last night, and I have started #2. fiveandfour, Darla, you won’t be disappointed. (Pick it up off the shelf, read the first two pages. Instant hook.)
The recorded version is great, too, read aloud by the original Arthur Dent (Simon Jones). He is the PERFECT bartimaeus.
I listen to kid-friendly stuff while I cook dinner (note: Elmore Leonard is NOT kid-friendly) and we had some fancy-ass dinners while I was listening to the first two books. I couldn’t stop cooking. . .
The last few paragraphs of the last book are wonderful ending.
Thx Doug. I ordered them for my nephew who LOVES those types of books. I may even read them myself.