Fierce

A thought-provoking read in the Times's T Magazine. Beautifully written, too. (Though again, I don't always agree with the writings of the author.)

My favorite line: "All the same, it is hard to imagine that flesh in all its ungainly specificity will ever be given its due so long as a woman's power continues to hinge more often than not on her beauty, and so long as beauty equals thin." (Though I would have put quotation marks around "power.")

- L'Editrice

Sharing stories

This is so cool! Give it a listen. And coincidentally, I just finished reading my first Perrotta novel, The Abstinence Teacher.

Maybe I can read the story while lounging on this communal hammock! Awesome Foundation, indeed.

- L'Editrice

Little Red Riding Hood and the Red Cross

I've got one more picture here of absolute pajama cuteness, very appropriate to kid lit . . .

. . . and then I'm going to get serious, and encourage everyone to do as I did last week--please give to the millions suffering in Pakistan. For these people, cooing over baby pajamas is a luxury that they probably wouldn't even entertain in their wildest dreams. Here are many organizations you can donate through.

- L'Editrice

From the cocoon

For some reason my hometown is only ever in the national news for bad things. (I guess because no news is good news?) Anyway, I was sad to hear about this ignorance there (and by a librarian, no less), but I hope that there's still time enough for H.I.S.D. to educate themselves and retract their stance, thus allowing Hopkins and her compatriots to go to the Teen Lit Fest in 2011. (Also, an "annual" event? How cool. We definitely never had that when I was a teen--though I guess we never had teen lit as it is today, either.)

Speaking of "emerging adults," I found this article fascinating.

- L'Editrice

2 cute

1) Although the above photos have next to nothing to do with the alleged focus of this blog (aside from the fact that they are for kids, and inspire me/make me happy), I saw these today while running some errands, and I just had to share.

Note that I do not have baby fever, I just want to buy awesome baby things for someone. Will someone have a little girl soon, please, so I can buy her one of these as a present? Normally I dislike the prissy, pink offerings for baby girls, and look to the boys' department for more gender-neutral gear when I have a baby present to buy--for boy or girl--but I was impressed by these offerings. Especially love the cars on the romper and the positive, non-stereotypical message on the T--very rare finds in baby-girl clothes! (Honestly, it's a good thing they didn't have these in adult sizes, or I would probably have come home with several pairs of novelty pajamas.)

2) This is more relevant: Saw this ad for the Sharjah International Book Fair, and it made me smile. I would love to finally visit my birth country for a reason as cool as this. (Plus my parents did live in Sharjah proper for a while.)

- L'Editrice

Blogger to blogger

One of my clients is also a blogger, and she recently blogged about revising her manuscript with my edits in mind. I thought you all would be interested in (and impressed by!) her post.

Also, if you haven't read this yet, The Times is (finally) acknowledging what the rest of us have known for so long. (Embarrassed to be seen reading YA, really?)

- L'Editrice

Marvelous "Mad"-ness

As some of you may remember from last year, I am one of the many who has fallen under the spell of the TV show "Mad Men." So I would love it if you would indulge me once again and vote for my photo (you can vote once a day, through September 17) and help me win a chance for a walk-on role on the show!

Relatedly, I thought this discussion of the show was quite interesting (though I've never been a fan of the author's).

I heard "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner on "Fresh Air" the other day, and found myself disagreeing with his assessment of the characters--characters he created, and so ostensibly knows best . . . but yet I still think it's okay that I felt I knew the "truth," because that's what's so cool about storytelling and art, that it means something different to every person.

Truly, madly, deeply,
L'Editrice

Sorry for the delay, folks . . .

. . . I am back from the old country, and busier than ever. So here are just a few links for your enjoyment:

- This should be required reading for every adult in America (as they all seem to have forgotten what they learned in school).

- A story on my new role model. We seem to have a lot in common already:
Live in Boston? Check.
Majored in political science? Check.
Contemplated career as a lawyer? Check.
Into planning elaborate theme parties? Check.
Known for good looks, engaging manner, and whimsical designs? Check--ha, just kidding.

- A cool article about my town and its library.

Literally yours,
L'Editrice