About Books & Literature: Words of Wisdom from Stephen King

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor I'm on vacation this week. Like, actual vacation. The kind with a beach and water and honest-to-goodness time to read a book or five. 'On Writing' by Stephen King As a writer, I like reading what other writers have to say about the craft. Stephen King, being moderately more successful than I am, seems like a chap worth listening to. This seems like just the sort of book I should read on vacation... a little inspiration goes a long way. 5 Must-Read Dystopian Novels But probably, instead of reading something inspirational, I will read something fun and weird. I love dystopian novels (and movies) and there are two on this list that I haven't read. Hello, lazy afternoons! Questions in Casablanca It's possible that there will be at least one rainy afternoon on my vacation, and as I'll be vacationing with older relatives, a classic movie might fit the bill. After reading this blog post, I'm desperate to re-watch Casablanca... check it out and you'll want to watch it, too. Top Stories From Comic-Con International 2010 Vacation, schmaycation... if you're a comics fan, you'll want the scoop from this past weekend's Comic-Con International. Luckily, our Guide to Comic Books, Aaron Albert, has all the juicy details ready for your reading pleasure. Books & Literature Ads Books Books on Pricing Novel Books Online Robert Ludlum Books Mystery Series Books Featured Articles 'Walden' by Henry David Thoreau Chinese Proverbs Opening Night Rituals OneManga.com to Shut Down Sappho Profile 'First Grade Stinks' by Mary Ann Rodman   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About Books & Literature: 'Ramona and Beezus' Heads to the Big Screen

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor I don't know that there's a single literary character who I relate to more than Beezus Quimby. That is, of course, because my little sister Hannah is Ramona Quimby's real-life doppelganger. I vividly remember asking my teacher what "exasperated" meant, as it was used in one of the books to describe Beezus's feelings toward Ramona. It was a good word to learn, my friends. 'Ramona and Beezus' Opening Friday Though the characters of Beezus and Ramona were unleashed on an unsuspecting populace over 50 years ago, this is the first time they've hit the big screen. Compare 'Ramona and Beezus' Movie Trailer and Books Though we still have to wait a few days for the movie, the movie trailer is available online, and it's interesting to watch. The characters in the movie don't quite look like I've imagined them all these years, but they do seem like a fun pair of sisters just the same. 'Ramona's World' Review This most recent Beverly Cleary release, from 2001, was put out well after I'd technically outgrown Ramona and poor exasperated Beezus. Luckily, I love a good early reader novel (and they only take about an hour to read), so I'm going to have to give this one a try. Beverly Cleary Biography Beverly Cleary based Beezus and Ramona's neighborhood on her own childhood street. It leaves one wondering whether Ms. Cleary was more of a "Beezus" or more of a "Ramona." Books & Literature Ads Books Ramona Beverly Cleary Natasha Wing Books Goodnight Moon Books Featured Articles Review: 'This Must Be the Place' by Kate Racculia Review: 'Insatiable' by Meg Cabot Winner Predictions: 2010 Eisner Awards Moto Hagio Coming to SDCC William Hazlitt - The Word Juggler Poems Mangled in the Move from Page to Screen   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Warming Up for San Diego Comic-Con 2010

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor San Diego Comic-Con, the biggest comics and pop culture convention of its kind, is just a week away. If you have a comic book fan in your life, you'll know that the excitement is palpable. Everything You Need to Know About Comic-Con The basics. The nitty-gritty. The who, what, where, and when. If you're planning on attending, you'll need this. If you'll be enjoying vicariously, you'll find no better way to prime yourself. Top Comic Book Panels at Comic-Con 2010 If you are going, here are the panels that you do not want to miss. This list includes all of the heavy-hitters, and a few under-the-radar panels as well. 2009 Comic-Con Photo Gallery Why should you go to a comic books convention, you ask? Because according to these pictures, it's clearly awesome. Movies Invading Comic-Con 2010 Dozens of movies are premiered or previewed at Comic-Con, including lots of upcoming comic book movies, as well as the newest installation of the Harry Potter films. Here's hoping you got your tickets in time! Books & Literature Ads Best Children Books Fiction Books Online Fantasy Literature Literature by Women Calendar in 2010 Featured Articles Reality and Walden Pond Encounters with Merwin Who is Mildred Wirt Benson? 'A Raisin in the Sun' Commentary The Lighter Side of English Spelling Shakespeare's Tragedies   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Worth a Read... 'Broken' by Lisa Jones 'The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake' by Aimee Bender 'The News Where You Are' by Catherine O'Flynn Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Taking a Staycation With Books

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Here in the Deep South, it is too hot to go anywhere. I'm quite sure that if I were to attempt to leave the house, and the central air conditioning that is keeping me alive, I would most certainly melt on the sidewalk. I must, therefore, find other ways to occupy my time. Take a Bookshelf "Staycation" Our Guide to Children's Books, Elizabeth Kennedy, offers us an excellent plan for amusing the younger set -- a bookshelf "staycation." Visit Maine with Robert McCloskey's books, stop in Florida with Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie, and so on. Let it be noted that any adult with a teensy-weensy bit of imagination should be able to keep themselves amused for days with their own literary "travels." 'The Imperfectionists' by Tom Rachman For example, you could take a literary trip to Rome, where this novel takes place. It's about an English-language newspaper and the cast of oddballs who staff it through its heyday and decline. Critical reviews are mixed, so you'll probably just have to read it for yourself. It's not like you can do anything else. Unless you have a pool, in which case, please invite me over. Summer Lovin' - Historical Romances from India Or maybe you need a little international romance, in which case a love story from India might be just the ticket. But don't stop at just one -- our Guide points us to two exceptional novels that make ideal candidates for this bookshelf staycation plan: Splendor of Silence and Beneath a Marble Sky. Meet W.S. Merwin, New U.S. Poet Laureate On a more poetic note, environmentally-themed poet W.S. Merwin has just been named the Poet Laureate of the United States. He will continue to work from his home in Hawaii (another ideal bookshelf staycation destination). Learn more about the new poetic spokesperson for the USA! Books & Literature Ads Books Famous Literature Books and Authors Novel Books Online Best Fiction Books Featured Articles Does Laughter Take Away From Drama? 12th Grade Reading List Interview With David Gallaher Manga Review: Butterflies, Flowers: Vol. 1,2,3 A Call for Artists from the RSC The Parts of Speech at Schoolhouse Rock!   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement