With apologies to Colleen and Joanne…
I’m supposed to be doing research for my novel but am instead surfing the Internet, that time- and life-sucking vacuum that would be so infuriating in its vapidness if it weren’t so…interesting.
Have you discovered Bossa Ever Nova, yet? If you haven’t and are a fan of bossa nova music (in which case you are obviously an intelligent, sophisticated and sexy person, you devil you), get thee to the site. If, like me, you don’t read a lick of Portuguese, no worries. Just click on Entrar, then find the red dot on each page — it’ll take you through these beautiful block-cut B&W images while you listen to some very sultry tunes. They’ve never changed the background music, not in the 3 or so years since B. first discovered the site, but it’s still a great place to visit when you need a little pick-me-up on a hot summer day. (BTW, it’s been acting weird today, but stick with it or come back another time; it’s worth a visit.)
The writing in Dispatches from France reminds me of a chick-lit novel, but in a good way (keeping in mind my rather scathing book review from last week). Vivi’s infectious good humor brightens her postings about her life in France with the love of her life, the ever-patient Steph. (P.S. Her amusing anecdote of meeting the writer Raymond Feist at the Salon du Livre in Paris made me smile and cringe. I’m horrible — horrible – at meeting famous people. I used to work at the PBS/NPR station in Dallas and met a lot of well-known public broadcasting personalities, but could never figure out what to say other than to burble, “Hi, nice to meet you. Love your show!” Ugh. No wonder they hate us.)
Okay, this is so not related to France, and I honestly can’t remember how I came across this blog, but the lady who runs The Sexy Spanish Club in Buenos Aires sure knows how to pick a blog name. An American expat and writer, she’s been busy working on a contracted manuscript so the blog isn’t updated often, but still a fun read and a different perspective on the expat’s life.
I like reading writers’ blogs. I think I have about, oh, forty in my Google Reader, which is not good. Not when you’re a writer yourself, since obviously you can’t write and read at the same time. But it’s a grand excuse to not write, no, because you feel as if you’re doing something writing-related if you’re reading the thoughts of another writer…right? Anyway, one of my favorites is Deanna Raybourn, whose books I’ve never read but whose blog I do read and often. She’s just funny and snarky and has lots of funny, snarky things to say about her life, her writing, just about anything that catches her fancy.
Lastly — and again, this isn’t French-related, although I think she’s actually been to France — I have to give a shout-out to my very favorite contemporary Filipino writer, Jessica Zafra. She’s honestly the best, most literate, thoughtful and intelligent writer in the Philippines. She writes purely in English, as far as I can tell, penning a column for a local paper while also churning out books left and right (one of which recently went for sale in Dublin, Ireland). Maybe it’s because I can so relate to her self-declared identity as a book and film geek, the kind who never got asked out on dates but who nevertheless had a fantastic imagination to more than make up for the slight. In any case, read her blog — I dare you to tell me that she’s not a damn good writer.
Oh, and on the Daily News front, the BBC has a quick (9 minutes) analysis of Nicolas Sarkozy’s challenges presiding over France as his approval ratings plummet, the economy stumbles and his whirlwind affair with now-wife Carla Bruni cast long shadows over his administration.
Happy reading!
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{ 6 comments }
“It’s a grand excuse to not write” — what a great line!
However, I’ve found that since I’ve gotten into writing, my reading habits have gone down the drain.
So I am actually, purposefully, in a reading phase until the beginning of the summer.I just know there isn’t going to be a lot of time for writing (other than keeping up on my blogs) until I get to the USA and have my summer off — so I will check out some of the writer’s blogs you mentioned.
It’s certainly hard to do both because either one can sap the energy, but just make sure you have pen and paper nearby!
Like Betty, my reading goes down as my writing goes up. If given the choice–I would rather write than read. But I love reading, especially all my bloggy friend’s blogs.
The internet(s) are such a HUGE distraction from working. Oh, um…yeah…I’m on the internet…reading instead of what I’m supposed to be doing. Bugger.
I’m not going to hold it against you since ‘my journey’ is not part of your blog name or in the subtitle:)
I do like Bossa Nova, and no, I am not a devilish, sexy, sultry siren in Manolo heels (we’ve talked about this:). The one artist that comes to mind is Bebel Gilberto. I like her stuff. And also Cesaria Evora – but I don’t know if her music is Bossa Nova. She sings in Portuguese, too.
Betty, I can’t not read any more than I can not write. I try to do a bit of both everyday. I find that one definitely informs the other. I also believe that one can never be a great writer without also being a great reader.
I hope you’ll share your reading list! I’m always curious as to what people read.
Dear Randal, I’m making a concerted effort to focus more on reading and writing and decreasing other commitments. It’s the “necessary work,” as a great writer once said. Very true.
How’s your writing coming along? Everytime I read of a published poet in Poets & Writers, I think of you and how I look forward to seeing your name in those pages someday.
Dear LBR, I know! How I’ve missed you, by the way! So glad to see you back! I haven’t had much time to read other blogs this week, as I’ve been sick off and on and have been working on a few projects, including the aforementioned “necessary work.” I plan to catch up this weekend, though.
Dear Colleen, indeed. I used to visit coffee shops that had no wi-fi, just so I could focus on writing, but most of the time (except for Starbucks, and I will not pay for wi-fi) they were crappy places to write. Now I just need to shut down the blasted wireless connxn and get some work done.
Joanne, did you know that bossa nova has really hit the Philippines by storm of late? When I was there last fall, a bossa nova group was playing at SM City in Makati one evening, and they were awesome. I’ll have to check out those names. I love me my bossa ever nova.
Salut,
Marjorie
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