The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares by Joyce Carol Oates

These stories will not disappoint fans of  Ms. Oates' work. All of them are gothic and live up to the subtitle. The most nuanced story is the first one, "The Corn Maiden" is the most powerful and life-affirming one. 

Ms. Oates is an expert at depicting cruelty. In "The Corn Maiden" a beautiful, learning-disabled, girl finds herself caught in a cruel trap devised by a gang of day school girls. In "Helping Hands" a vulnerable widow befriends an injured Gulf War veteran with disastrous results. An idealistic brother is pitted against a cruel twin in "Fossil-Figures" and "Death-Cup." In the final story, A delusional woman, who thinks trepanning will cure her, finds something else when she visits a plastic surgeon's office.

The Doll: The Lost Short Stories by Daphne du Maurier

The Doll: The Lost Short Stories by Daphne du Maurier

Recently, I came across this series of short stories published by HarperCollins. These stories have appeared only once in publication in mostly British literary magazines.

"The Doll" is a strange story about a woman who keeps a life-sized doll in a hidden room in her apartment in London. She's a mysterious woman and in some ways a precursor to DuMaurier's more famous Rebecca. The story falls flat, though, by contemporary standards. The woman in the story seems to be doing something illicit with the doll, named Julio, and this causes the narrator, who loves her, to go mad.

Though this is the title story the first story in the collection, "East Wind" is much more interesting. The contamination of a protected culture, the inhabitants of St. Hilda, and the resulting madness are the themes of this wonderful story. In isolation the inhabitants are purportedly happy. The East wind, however, brings a ship full of sailors of unknown origin who introduce the islanders to the world beyond the island. They bring music and drink and, most importantly, desire. DuMaurier describes the destruction that desire can bring to a repressed or isolated group.

"Piccadilly" is a dramatic monologue, a narrative technique rarely used among short story writers, but one that Du Maurier uses well. Du Maurier's affiliation with drama and theater is clearly evident in this story.

The antagonist of "Tame Cat" is possibly a thinly disguised reference to J.M. Barrie whom DuMaurier knew well. For more information on the J.M. Barrie connection, see my post on Piers Dudgeon's Neverland.

"Week-End" is a chronicle of the demise of one couple's love. Like a one-act play, we hear the intimate dialogue, the small bickerings, and witness the final dissolution.

Though "East Wind" is the most accomplished story, "Happy Valley" comes in at a close second. A woman has a strange ability to see her future even if she is unable to fully remember or change it.

Review: Chantal

Sew Iconic by Liz Gregory

Sew Iconic by Liz Gregory

Great for movie fans and for sewing enthusiasts alike, Sew Iconic is a great addition to your personal bookshelf. Gregory explains in great detail how to make a look-alike dresses from ten famous movies. For each dress Gregory lists the materials that are needed, cutting instructions, a description of the sewing techniques, and layout diagrams.

Learn how to make Julia Robert's (Pretty Woman) brown-and-white polka dot dress, Audrey Hepburn's little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Jennifer Grey's pink mambo dress (Dirty Dancing), Marilyn Monroe's ivory dress (The Seven Year Itch), Kiera Knightley's green evening gown (Atonement), Catherine Zeta Jones' black showgirl dress (Chicago), Grace Kelly's blue chiffon gown (To Catch a Thief), Rita Hayworth's black sheath (Gilda), Faye Dunaway's Fawn Coat (The Thomas Crowne Affair), and Kate Winslet's lace evening gown (Titanic).

The author gives a brief history of each dress' history like how costumer designer, Marilyn Vance, found the fabric for Julia Robert brown and white polka dot dress from Pretty Woman.

A table gives you a quick look at which sewing techniques you will need to use for each iconic dress. Some techniques (e.g. pleating) are specific to a certain dress (e.g. the Marilyn Monroe dress) while other techniques are used for all of the dresses.

Overall, the book is nicely organized, with the simplest project (Julia's dress) appearing first. While beginners will have trouble with some of these outfits, the explanation of each technique will benefit them.

Finally, Gregory describes how to get the movie star "look" in your new dress and how to modernize the dress for a new audience.

The one quibble is with the green evening dress which does not look nearly as fabulous on the model as it does on Keira Knightly. Fabric choice is important and, in this case, the green fabric does not look nearly as lustrous on the model as it did on the big screen.

As a book blogger, I had the chance to preview the galley for this title at no charge at netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review.

Your Child's Writing Life by Pam Allyn

Pam Allyn, a literacy educator and founder of LitLife and LitWorld, aims to teach parents how to develop their children's writing skills in Your Child's Writing Life.

The focus, she argues, has been on teaching kids to read when, in actuality, reading and writing go together. Writing fosters emotional growth and critical thinking in even very young children but parents often do not actively encourage the very young to write.

She offer practical, inexpensive tips for getting children of all ages to write. She gives, tips, for instance for setting up a "writing corner." While this is not essential, creating a space as well as providing writing tools (a variety of markers, pens, pencils) will encourage writers.

She offers a variety of writing prompts for each age group and lists what's developmentally appropriate for each age level.

Allyn encourage parents not to discourage their children from using "new media" tools such as internet, e-mail and ipads.

Lastly, in chapter 5 she lists 20 great books that can serve as "mentors." Children will often emulate their "mentors" until they find their own writing voice.

Allyn's book will remind parents that all children are "writers." Using her five writing "pillars," parents can help their children develop their writing skills.

VTech Hatches Switch & Go Dinos in New Toy Aisle

VTech Hatches Switch & Go Dinos in New Toy Aisle

Here's more "pink" brain and "blue" brain thinking. Why is this advertised "for boys aged 3-8" and not "for kids aged 3-8?"

Why wouldn't girls like this just as much as boys?

Hemingway

"All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know."
--Ernest Hemingway.

Recently, a former classmate from highschool passed away. She ended her own life. I wonder why so few people talk about suicide. In highschool, our literature teacher didn't want to talk about Hemingway's death because he killed himself.

I remember this former classmate of mine asking back then, "how come Hemingway was so interested in "courage" but he killed himself?"

The literature teacher refused to discuss it. It may not have made any difference one way or the other but who knows?

I think Mariel Hemingway is right. There needs to be more suicide awareness.

Time Travel Contest from Books on Tape

If you could write to yourself in the Past or Future, across Time and Space—what would that message be? Submit a postcard with a message to your future or past self to enter to win a digital camera!
Answer the question for a chance at a digital camera.

13 years and up.

Contest winners chosen by Rebecca Stead.

http://65.70.178.219:8383/PreviewMsg.aspx?SeqNum=608255864

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

LaPlante's award-winning book is cleverly narrated. The narrator, Elizabeth White, is a murder suspect who happens to have the advanced stages of dementia. She is also a former renowned hand-surgeon.

Almost like a stream-of-consciousness novel, Dr. White has many memories that surface at crucial times. Like a pendulum that swings back and forth, she has good days and bad days.

Hand imagery is present but not omnipresent. Dr. White has a beloved icon, a theotokos, that is notable for its three hands. She collects medieval icons but it is this one in particular that she loves. Amanda, the woman she is accused of murdering, has always coveted the icon.


This a psychological suspense novel at its finest. The story hinges on the killer's motivation. Several people wonder why Dr. White why she would kill her best friend--including Dr. White's son. Amanda's ex-husband, though, staunchly believes Dr. White is innocent. All of Dr. White's memories of Amanda seem pleasant enough.

Her caretaker, Magdalena, has kept careful records and has encouraged Dr. White to keep a journal. A clever police detective, however, noticed that some pages have been carefully sliced outs.

Divided into four parts, this novel is horrifying but also fascinating. Like the best thrillers, the ending comes as a surprise.  Deeply moving and affecting, this is a powerful novel.

Turn of Mind has won the Wellcome Trust Book Prize that celebrates medicine in literature.

Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

Childhood friends and sweethearts, Maddie and Gideon expect to marry and have a lifetime together. One day, however, Gideon unexpectedly breaks things off with Maddie, leaving her bereft. Will Maddie find happiness with her new boyfriend, Sol, who is solitary and likes to hunt by himself?

Though most readers know how this novel will end, The Christmas Singing, is still charming. Maddie is a bit to clumsy for my taste and Gideon is a little too perfect (even with his alleged wandering ways) yet it's easy to see them together.

Maddie keeps herself busy in another Amish town after Gideon jilts her. Her bakery, Maddie Cakes, does well until an accidental fire causes it to burn to the ground. This bit of ill luck brings Maddie back to Apple Ridge where she has a series of chance meetings with her ex-beau, Gideon. He is the carpenter who is building her cousin's house.

Gideon tries to explain why he broke up with her but Maddie refuses to let him into her heart again. She's engaged to Sol because he's a good man who will never break her heart. Convenience, safety and companionship are no reason to marry. Her heart is safe with Sol only because it is never really engaged. As her cousin astutely argues, "You can't break what you cannot touch."

Maddie's heart melts when she know the real reason why Gideon broke up with her. None of the horrible things she thought about Gideon were true. He has lied to her in order to protect her. Nonetheless, Maddie is furious that he was not more straightforward. She has already made a promise to Sol.

Will Maddie returns to Ohio to attend the Christmas Singing and reunite with Sol? Or will she reunite with her past love, Gideon?

Even though most readers can guess what will happen, this novel, like a good comic play, is enjoyable to the last line.

As a participant in the Waterbrook/Multnomah's "Blogging for Books" program, I have had a chance to view an e-version of this novel at no charge. The opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

A Sound Among The Trees by Susan Meissner

Readers will find the plot of A Sound Among the Trees intriguing. Newly transported from New Mexico, Marielle has trouble dealing with her new role as wife, stepmother, and inhabitant of the historic home, Holly Oak.

Holly Oak belonged to Carson's ex-wife's family. In fact, the oldest living Holly Oak woman, Adelaide, still lives in the house. The historic house was built before the civil war and was the setting of much sorrow. Several Fredericksburg women has stepped forward to warn Marielle that the house is haunted by a ghost.

Adelaide, the matriarch of the family, believes the house is "stuck" the same way that a needle can get stuck in a record. The house barely survived the civil war and still has a cannon ball in its walls. More recently, Sarah, Adelaide's only grandchild died from complications of child birth. All of the Holly Oak women, she believes, are all doomed to unhappy lives.

The story becomes even more interesting once Marielle finds a stash of letters belonging to Susannah Towsley, the woman who supposedly haunts Holly Oak's parlor and cellar.

Susanna helps her beloved Union soldier, Will, escape from Libby prison. The escape is orchestrated by her ingenuous Aunt, Eliza, but it is Susanna's courage that ultimately makes the breakout from Libby prison possible.

Resolution is only possible after Adelaide's estranged daugther, Caroline, returns to Holly Oak. Caroline provides the clues for understanding the elderly Susana's final words and digs up the hidden stash of letters. She presses the family into finding solutions to problems that have previously eluded them.

While I wouldn't call this page-turner, some of the characters are admirably drawn; most notably Susannah and Eliza. Pearl is delightful for comic effect and Adelaide is charming though I think she accepts and forgives Caroline too easily.

A Sound Among the Trees made me want to read more about the civil war period, especially civil war Fredericksburg.

As a member of the Waterbrook/Multnomah's "blogging-for-books" team, I received this book at no charge. I was not required to write a positive review.

Drawing From Memory

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say
Scholastic Press, September 2011. 63 pages.

Parents will want to choose this biography of Allen Say for children who may not choose this for themselves. Drawing From Memory introduces children to three important Japanese artists, Allen Say (called Kiyoi), Tokida, and Noro Shinpei who was their teacher (sensei).

Children will learn about Japanese history, Japanese culture, and cartooning, as well as the value of persistence and hard work. Sketches, drawings, and photographs illustrate the text. The title comes from Say's unique ability to draw people from memory. He draws, for instance, his teacher's first wife, Masako, who dies young. The title also has a double-meaning--to draw can also mean to pull something out from the deep well of memory.

Say, who at 13 convinces acclaimed artist Shinpei to take him as a student, has a unique story that will intrigue both young and older readers alike.

New Photography Contest

I-Shot-It

http://i-shot-it.com/competition.php?id=4e80a6043af73

Three new writing contests

John Ciardi Prize for Poetry is offered annually for the best previously unpublished book of poetry. The winner receives $1,000 and publication by BkMk Press. Deadline: January 15.

Dixon Ryan Fox Manuscript Prize is awarded annually by the New York State Historical Association for the best unpublished book-length manuscript dealing with some aspect of the history of New York state. Prize is $3,000. Deadline: January 20.

Jesse Jones Award for Fiction recognizes the best book of fiction entered into the competition. Entrants must have either been born in Texas or lived in the state for at least 2 consecutive years. First place is $6,000. Deadline: January 1.

Source: Writer's Market, www.writersmarket.com