Journal
A Discussion with Caught Reading
November 10, 2009
Bookreporter.com held a contest where bookclubs could win a chat with me to discuss my novel The Weight of Silence. I had the opportunity to visit with the group Caught Reading from Waukesha, Wisconsin this evening, once again reaffirming my belief that members of bookclubs are the nicest people. We had a great discussion about my book, but more importantly I had the opportunity to talk to fellow booklovers and we had a chance to share our passion for books. I recommended The Help by Kathryn Stockett, now one of my all time favorites and Caught Reading recommended Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz. I look forward to some wonderful reads. Thank you Caught Reading!
Posted by: Heather
Remarkable Creatures on Third Street
September 7, 2009
I just finished an advanced reading copy of the novel REMARKABLE CREATURES by Tracy Chevalier a fictionalized account of fossil hunters Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. Mary and Elizabeth defied early nineteenth century convention when they brazenly searched the beaches of England for what were termed 'monsters.' These monsters eventually were identified as the fossils of ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.
REMARKABLE CREATURES reminded me of another wonderful book, a children's book called THE ENORMOUS EGG by Oliver Butterworth. It's the story of a hen that lay a huge egg and the family who waits patiently to see what hatches...a triceratops. This story inspired a short-lived desire to become a paleontologist. I would spend hours digging in the backyard of our home on 3rd street with a spoon from our silverware drawer looking for fossils. Most days I'd come into the house, with slumped shoulders with filthy, empty hands. But one day I found an unusual rock that I was sure was the fossilized head of a triceratops. The 'fossil' was about six inches wide and had what I believed was a perfectly horned profile of a triceratops. I carefully cleaned the specimen, wrapped it in an old hand towel, and climbed on to the school bus with the intention of sharing this remarkable find with my classmates. As I eagerly descended the steps of the bus my carefully wrapped treasure rolled out of the towel and crashed to the cement below along with my hopes to become a famous paleontologist. Thank goodness there were women like Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot who came before and more like them that came after.
Posted by: Heather
Friendship - by R. - California
August 30, 2009
Me and my best friend Paige have a special friendship because we're both totally different but we can still hang out and laugh about just about anything. I love her so much and it seems like we should hate each other but we don't we can do anything together and make it fun!
Posted by: Heather
Friendship - by Joni M. - Iowa
August 27, 2009
I didn't meet my "true" best friend until high school. In fact, we were "just friends" for a long time. When we first met, I remember him telling me I was like "one of the guys". We spent a lot of time with groups of people and just the two of us. Some times we would just talk and talk and other times we didn't have to say anything. I have been married to my "best friend' for 21 years next week. We are still best friends!
Posted by: Heather
Friendship - by Joleen W.
August 21, 2009
I had a friend that I grew up with as I grew up in a rural farm town with. She and I also were distant cousins. We were not mute or anything else, but we shared a lot like Cali and Petra. When a tornado went through her farm driving straw blades into pigs hide and sparrows threw 4x4s she and I were there for each other. She was the only girl of a family of 6 and I was the only girl of 2. Two different worlds.
Posted by: Heather
