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May 23, 2011 Books of the Week:
I read Dispatcher with its UK cover, because its description in Publishers Lunch sounded so interesting. It’s a well-written, fast-paced book, and totally not what I expected. I thought I’d be reading a thriller, along the order of Harlan Coben’s, and what I got was more Quentin Tarantino; but I’m not saying I was disappointed. The title character, Ian, a Texas cop who’s been relegated to desk duty after being injured on the job, answers the phone one night to hear the voice of his daughter, missing for seven years. She’s asking him for help. Before the patrol car can reach the pay phone, she’s gone again. Soon we discover who has her, and why, and it’s not terribly long before Ian finds out too . . . but it’s a long and bloody trail to the end of the book. Mira Grant is the pseudonym of Seanan McGuire, a writer whose October Daye books I’ve enjoyed. It’s no surprise that Feed has been nominated for a Hugo Award. Set in a world in which a virus has rendered a percentage of the population zombies, Feed is primarily the story of adopted sibs Georgia and Shaun Mason, who belong to the new order of newspeople. The Masons and their associate Buffy are selected to join the coverage of a presidential candidate, but disaster strikes soon after the team becomes convinced that Ryman is worthy to be president. A thoughtful, convincing book about a world we’ve never seen, Feed is a must-read for both fans of McGuire and readers of apocalyptic science fiction. I think enough has been said about the Harry Potter book. I really don’t need to review Deathly Hallows. I’m reading it in preparation for the release of the last movie in the Harry Potter series. Despite the sometimes seemingly endless camping passages, this is a great book.
Blog My tour this year was as much fun as tours can get. I know I’m lucky to get the chance to tour – it’s the opportunity all writers long for – and I genuinely enjoy meeting the people who read my books. But the day to day grind of touring is not glamorous or easy, no matter how attractive your accommodations and travel arrangements may be. Airport, bookstore, hotel. Repeat until every day is used up. This time my publisher was kind enough to send a publicist with me; The Amazing Jodi took the first leg, and her associate Rosanne took the second. They were both so helpful that I wondered how I’d managed without them in the past. I met a lot of wonderful people across America, both bookstore workers and bookstore customers, and I signed a lot of books. I answered a lot of questions, too; and here with are the most frequently asked ones, along with their answers. They’ve all appeared in other places on this website, but since people keep asking them, these must bear repeating. 1) Where did the concept of Sookie come from? Her name?
2) How do you feel about the differences between the TV show and the books? How do you feel about the casting? Do you work on the scripts?
3) How long does it take you to write a book? What is your work process?
4) How has your life changed with your success? How do your children feel about their mom being famous?
There are a few more repeat questions, but I think this is the most consistent batch. If I recall more, they’ll be in my next blog. Monday I travel to NYC again to appear at BEA, this time; and I’ll be at Bryant Park on Wednesday, too, in a conversation with the very popular YA writer Melissa Marr. See you there! Charlaine Harris |
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© 2011 Charlaine Harris
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