Just spent my last two writing days reading the first half of book of a thousand days in my dark closet by the light of a candle. Dean, of course, gave me funny looks, trying to silently assert how absurd I am, but I found the exercise very helpful. Given what the book is about. Which I'm not going to tell you.
Max has napped the past two days! Hallelujah. And I was able to go grocery shopping yesterday and not throw up, so certainly something to celebrate around here. He's so unbelievably cute. Lately he likes to share yogurt with me. I must sit on the floor as part of the ritual and alternate spoonfuls between my mouth and his, while he wiggles around, climbs on and off my lap, turns in circles, stands on his head, and flops on the ground.
Someone just sent me a link to a librarian's review of river secrets on her blog. So exciting! This is the first official feedback I've received on the book from someone I don't know, so it's highly encouraging. And clearly she's become my new favorite librarian. (be warned if you follow the link - some very minor enna burning spoilers) I'm excessively fond of the book in a way that doesn't feel as self-indulgent as it probably sounds. I just like that Razo so much.
Wow! I just read the librarian's blog and now I am even more excited for this book to be released in September!
Reading your own story in a closet by the light of a candle is a very unique ritual. I guess it fits the mood of the story, so... not so strange.
~Lauren.
P.S. I like Razo too.
Posted by: Lauren | July 19, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Awesome cant wait to read it!
Posted by: Annie | July 19, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Thanks for the link to the librarian's blog. I'm going to enjoy reading her past reviews, too. I love finding a good blog! My daily ritual includes reading things like that while I eat breakfast in front of the computer. It's my favorite way to start a day before my kids begin wanting things from me. I'm really looking forward to knowing Razo better!
Posted by: Kim | July 19, 2006 at 07:49 PM
Wow, it sounds amazing! I can't wait to read it! Razo has always been one of my favorite characters in The Goose Girl and Enna Burning. Yay! Soon i can read it!
hmmmm..... I like the idea of the candle in the closet. Dark, but I love candlelight.
Posted by: Libby | July 20, 2006 at 02:41 AM
I recently saw a review of River Secrets by another librarian here:
http://fusenumber8.blogspot.com/2006/07/review-of-day-river-secrets.html#links
I just thought you might be interested
Posted by: Stephanie | July 20, 2006 at 06:22 AM
I really can't wait to read this! All of her books are awesome, so why wait to read the next one? I can't wait until September!
Actually, I have to try that candle-closet thing. sounds good to me!
Posted by: Na | July 20, 2006 at 08:03 AM
There's the extra added benefit of knowing that Librarian #2 a.k.a. me thinks that you, Shannon Hale, are faaaaabulous!
Posted by: Fuse #8 | July 20, 2006 at 08:28 AM
As do I! But I'm sure that I already mentioned that in my review.
Posted by: Leila | July 20, 2006 at 08:48 AM
Wow! I wish my siblings would take a nap!
That candle-in-the-closet sound EXACTLY like something I'd do! (only I don't have a closet, but a "Narnia" Wardrobe, which is fine with me!)
I've read Goose Girl, and will read Enna Burning soon! Great stuff!
Posted by: Victorai | July 20, 2006 at 09:17 AM
The wonderful librarian who wrote the review, then lent River Secrets to Me. I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Razo is my new favorite boy character.
Posted by: Erin I | July 20, 2006 at 09:36 AM
Wowzers-
PROPOSAL SCENE?!
Okay, the suspense is offically killing me now, little by little. Yepperoni, it sure feels like it! Both of those reviews were so nice, and now it explains a little more about River Secrets.
p.s. Shannon- In both of the reviews on River Secrets, they both mention 'powerful fire-speaker Enna' I thought that now BOTH Ani and Enna had equal amounts of power with wind and fire... So now Enna can talk with wind and Ani can speak with fire. Am I wrong here?
Posted by: Mads | July 20, 2006 at 12:23 PM
I am so thrilled about the release of River Secrets! From the review you pointed out, it sounds Amazing.
Posted by: Miss Erin | July 20, 2006 at 12:27 PM
K, Fuse #8 is officially my new favorite librarian.
Posted by: shannon hale | July 20, 2006 at 01:47 PM
I'm so excited to read River Secrets, too.
I would read by candlelight in my closet, if it weren't already occupied by my many childhood toys and clothes. I really need to clean it out.
Posted by: Juliet | July 20, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Juliet-
I was looking back at past blog comments, and yours abot the Writing Magic book popped out at me. The reason: I am hopefully getting an ARC of Fairest, and am now having second thoughts (because of your comment). Did you eventually get Writing Magic? What about Fairest? Thanks!
p.s. what is writing magic about?!?!?!
Posted by: Mads | July 20, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Shannon, by the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your illustrator! The covers for your book are beautiful and always show clues to events in your books. Fantastic choice.
Posted by: Juliet | July 20, 2006 at 07:22 PM
Mads- yes, I did get Writing Magic. I read it before I realized that it was an ARC. It's a book about writing, basically. Just Gail's tips and techniques she uses when she's writing. It's really good. I did not buy Fairest, and I will wait until it comes out. I don't think it's fair to the writer to buy an ARC because they don't recieve any money for it. If it's already shipped, I wouldn't worry about it.
Again, thanks Shannon for the info on ARCs!
Isn't it cute how we talk about writers using their first names?
Posted by: Juliet | July 20, 2006 at 07:28 PM
Well, I guess 'funny' would be a better word than 'cute'.
Posted by: Juliet | July 20, 2006 at 07:34 PM
Thanks Juliet! I'll probably wait now. Being one of Gail's number one fans since age eight, hearing that she was coming out with more books is awesome.
You know, one of my favorite things about this site is how easy it is to contact Shannon Hale! I remember (again I was pretty young) writing a "sequel" to Ella Enchanted and trying to send it to GCL. Guess how that turned out. Still, it is so great when authors (like Shannon) put their e-mails out, and make them available for any fans. In fact, it's mostly because of how far technology has gone these past few years. Without it, this website wouldn't even exist! Okay, I'm done my little rant.
But I love e-mail.
Posted by: Mads | July 20, 2006 at 08:01 PM
Well maybe not a 'rant' exactly...
Posted by: Mads | July 20, 2006 at 08:02 PM
I also forgot to add,
yes it is cute- I mean funny- that we write about authors using their first names. Do you think they mind? :o)
Posted by: Mads | July 20, 2006 at 08:04 PM
Fuse #8--Love the blog! I'm adding you to my list of fun things to read on the web. Also, I found out today that my local public library has finally made the audio version of Goose Girl available! Go Gwinnett County Public Libary (a NE county in the Metro Atlanta area--an awesome library system)! I put in the request a month or so ago, and they actually added it.
Posted by: Kim | July 20, 2006 at 08:13 PM
Kim: The audio version is great fun! I love the full-cast format. Although the voices don't sound quite the way they did in my head, I grew to like most of them rather well. I can't read any of the Bayern books now without "hearing" Geric from the CD. He has a very handsome voice. I'm excited for Princess Academy to be out on CD in the fall.
I don't have a snazzy blog where I can post a review of River Secrets, but I, too, adore both the book and its author. Ms. Hale (or, may I call you Shannon?), you are without a doubt the finest writer of your generation. Please don't burn yourself with candle wax or set that beautiful, red Newbery banquet dress afire. I have a feeling you'll be needing it again.
Posted by: Luli | July 20, 2006 at 09:12 PM
Aw, no. Now I feel bad. Howzabout you retain bookshelves of doom as your first favorite librarian blog and make Fuse #8 your second. I feel like I just snuck up, grabbed the attention from Leila, and high-tailed it for the hills.
Posted by: Fuse #8 | July 21, 2006 at 05:58 AM
Just finished "The Goose Girl" today! Shannon may I say, HOLY COW you are good! Moving on to Enna Burning!
P.S. Don't know much about Razo yet but what I do know is pretty cool
Posted by: Nunnya business | July 21, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Okay, truly the competition for my favorite librarian is fierce (there are, of course, my local branches valiant ladies and the entire Newbery committee to compete with) so I better just make a large pool of World's Coolest Librarians. It's getting quite large. I don't mean to sound brownnosy, but I truly prefer the company of librarians to just about anyone.
And yes, ya'll, I'd hope anyone would call me Shannon. Who the heck is Mrs. Hale?
Posted by: shannon hale | July 21, 2006 at 01:19 PM
I have an "off topic" question here for Shannon and the rest of you Fantasy genre lovers.
After reading lots about Comic Con this week, I'm interested in finding some "graphic novels" or comics for my 9 year-old son, who is a reluctant reader. Any suggestions? He likes to read his dad's "Calvin and Hobbes" books. We've been through all of the Dave Pilkey books. (Capt. Underpants!) I figure you guys are a good resource.
Posted by: Kim | July 21, 2006 at 02:25 PM
Kim,
Shredderman by Wendelin Van Draanen is very good for younger boys. While not exactly a graphic novel it grabbed and held the attention of my 7 year old brother and 10 year old cousin. I even loved it. It was really fun to read!
Posted by: Nunnya business | July 21, 2006 at 05:38 PM
Kim,
The "Bone" series by Jeff Smith is the best graphic novel series in the biz, and Scholastic is currently coming out with some truly fabulous full-color reprints of the 12-or-so part series (they only just printed #4). Also check out the amazing "American Born Chinese" by Gene Luen Yang which I consider the smartest graphic novel for kids in years and years. Captaian Underpants-lovers sometimes transfer their love to "The Time Warp Trio" series by Jon Scieszka (helped in no small part by the recent tv adaptation of the series). It's not a comic series, but the humor is definitely Dav Pilkeyesque.
Posted by: Fuse #8 | July 21, 2006 at 09:12 PM
Kim,
I asked a librarian friend for recs, so I may hear back from her soon, but in the meantime, Bone by Jeff Smith is a good start. Scholastic released a color version, which might be worth tracking down. There are a lot of volumes, so make sure you find the first one! Too bad Rapunzel's Revenge is still a year and a half away...it's so going to rock.
Posted by: shannon hale | July 21, 2006 at 09:13 PM
Thanks. I'll keep watching for more recs, and start looking for these. We started reading the Time Warp Trio books to him about 4 years ago. I found them when I was still teaching school. I love Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's books. (I especially like "Squids will be Squids," esp. the one about the Beef Snack Stick!) Shannon, I am so excited about Rapunzel! Actually, I'm just excited to read all of your books. I tell people all the time about "my new favorite author!"
Posted by: Kim | July 22, 2006 at 07:08 AM
Shannon,
I love all your book covers! They're the kind of book covers that make me want to read the book *without* looking at the author. I'm so excited to read River Secrets (and its cover). It all sounds so cool. I'm so buying it.
Posted by: Linds | July 22, 2006 at 08:31 AM
Seriously, this is too much - when am I going to be able to read this book? Good reviews don't help. Well, they do, but they make the stewing and waiting for our library to get it even worse. I cannot wait to read River Secrets.
Posted by: Jenna | July 22, 2006 at 09:01 AM
Ahhh! My hometown bookstore is going out of business! *sob* *sob* Luckly I was able to order Enna Burning before it closes for good.
P.S. The cover for River Secrets, very cool.
Posted by: Nunnya business | July 22, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Shannon,
I was wondering, where did "Princess Academy" come from?
You wrote these phenomenal Bayern books (not to say that PA isn't phenomenal) and then out pops this totally different story. Did you just have a brain blast or, what?
Posted by: Nunnya business | July 22, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Lauren,
Where do you live? I understand if you don't want to answer.
Shannon,
I just wanted to say--I love your books. (Especially goose girl, it's the best book I've ever read). And PA was great, too. Am going to read Enna Burning soon.
Posted by: Lindsey | July 23, 2006 at 01:26 PM