Thursday, February 7, 2008

The pleasures of smorgasbord style reading

I used to never read several books at once. Now I have many going. It's great!

Anyway, I started last week reading Meljean Brook’s complex and beautiful and sometimes dark (but deliciously so) Demon Moon, and then this freak avalanche of freelance work hit. It was SIX days of demanding dawn-to-night work.

My brain got so fried so fast that I saved Demon Moon for later and picked up Evanovich’s Eleven on Top for two reasons:
  • One, when you have a good and rich book like Demon Moon, you don’t want to read it when you’re drunk right? The same goes for being mentally fried. You just don’t want to miss out.
  • Two, after all my intense mental strain, I needed something really bright and fast. Something more on the order of Cheese Doodles, that you sort of tear through, as opposed to a spicy seared tuna with mango sauce that you savor. Shit, did I just insult both authors? I didn’t mean to! I love you both!
Fact: Did you know that when Janet Evanovich is in the midst of writing one of her books, she watches only funny, uplifting shows and movies? I am so grateful to have discovered this series. I am so happy, also, as I recently pointed out to Rachael from NJ, that I have only read now FOUR of them. How many are there, like 70?

Anyway, I finished Eleven, turned in a whole bunch of stuff yesterday went to bed and dug back to Demon Moon just at the point about 60% of the way through where Colin takes Savi to his home. Let me just say that was a MAJOR TREAT of a scene. Those of you who have read this book will know exactly what I mean. I will probably blog about it later, like sycophantic fan I am.

Okay, I have reviewed my week. In the last 6 days, I:
  • Thought up 10 advertising campaign ideas for a leisure products company, followed by a session with my brainstorm partner to develop more.
  • Wrote four 60-second radio ads for that company, and supplied print and billboard concepts to go with it.
  • Conducted 12 interviews and wrote 12 separate little articles about local businesses.
  • Thought of 5 Earth Day promo campaign ideas for a major food brand, more brainstorming with my brainstorm partner. Do I sound like Darrin Stevens? No, try Gladys from next door (was that her name?) or maybe that doddering aunt.
  • Wrote three 30-second radio ads for a hotel and edited three others down to time.
  • Wrote a chunk of a website and some case study stuff for a high-tech firm.
Here is the wallpaper I had on my computer all week,
Please don't ask me why:

Here is the wallpaper I have on there now, that I just put on this morning to reflect my improved mood, partly due to a most delicious night with Demon Moon:


Okay, this is sort of an incoherent post. So PS/update to Lisabea: I haven't forgotten about the craft you won! However, I don't feel I can do a proper craft based on Demon Moon per your contest prize until I finish it. But the wheels are turning. The time is coming!

12 comments:

Enchanted by Books said...

Hey Carolyn!
Ok now I am worried...should I spill the beans and tell you what your surprise is? I'm worried that you already have it now! It's two hardcover Evanovich books that I got at a book sale for only $1 each. I'm at work so I can't remember which ones they are off the top of my head, but they're later in the series. I hope you don't already have them! I wanted to send them out today but I couldnt find my damn packing tape! So sorry it's taking me so long. I will be sending it out soon. Crossing my fingers that you dont already have them!!

Enchanted by Books said...

And to answer your question, there are 13 books in the series out so far, #14 out in June I believe. I can definetely relate to wanting to give up on a book and start something else!

Carolyn Crane said...

Hi Rachael!

How are you? The only later one I have is 11. So all I have are 1, 2, 3 and 11 ! I so hope that' 11 is not what you had for me! I won't buy anymore Evanoviches. Is that a word? .

On the switching, well, now I switched back. Gosh, I hope I didn't give the impression I abandoned DM. I think I may retitle.

Christine said...

Hi Carolyn!
You sure have been busy!?!! I don't think you gave the impression of abandoning Demon Moon. It's definitely a read worth your undivided attention... so sit down and read it when you can focus! It'll be worth it! :)

I love both of those wallpapers, by the way. Very soothing!

Wendy said...

Hi, Carolyn! I do that all the time, when I'm so stressed from school, all I want to read is funny light books so I leave the other more intense stuff for later. I haven't read any of Evanovich books (Rachael is now planning to have me assassinated) but they sound good. :)

For some reason, I like the rocks wallpaper. I guess that means I'm stressed out of my everloving mind. Great.

Wendy said...

Forgot to ask - where can I get that wallpaper?

Carolyn Crane said...

Christiine - I definitely think the rocks are less soothing than the water.

Wendy you must be stressed! The wallpaper came with my mac. Go for the water one!

Joanna Chambers said...

I'm reading Demon Moon too AND am smorgasbording (I've got 5 books on the go! Demon Moon, 2 historicals, a factual history book and a Neil Gamain)

Sarai said...

WOW what a busy few days. When I get that stressed I don't read at all in fact I'm the biggest loser out there and veg in front of the TV or play computer games. But once I snap out of it I like historical romances to tone me down. I save the fantasy and paranormal when I have my head screwed on. I hope everything pans out ;)

Sarai said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carolyn Crane said...

Sarai, Yes, TV is sometimes the only way. Computer games I suck too much at.

T - I love smorgasbording as a verb. That is my new favorite verb.

lisabea said...

I loved 9, CJ. 5-8 got a bit to silly. But in the ninth one (I've forgotten the name, 9 something or other) she's back in the game with a darker mystery. And, I believe, that's the one where the ladies fly out to Vegas. Lulu. On a plane. While on the Adkin's diet.

:)