Happy 21st birthday to Celena!!!

(For those who don't know this information, that is my awesome stepdaughter. :) )
So I'll probably be out of the house most of the day. If you need me though, email!

***
While writing the "heads up" post explaining to people what to expect from the voting process, it occurred to me that I never did explain what the GREEN ROOM is about. For those who have never heard the term:

"In show business, the green room is the space in a theatre or similar venue that functions as a waiting room and lounge for performers before, during, and after a performance or show when they are not engaged on stage."

(from Wikipedia)

This is your space to relax, chat with each other. If you want to use it to bounce off ideas, feel free! (We used to have a separate Work Room but let's just start with one room and go from there to see if it's needed)

***
The new prompt has been posted and people have already started submitting entries: therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1140427.html

I'll admit that I've forgotten how satisfying that was to have a thought in MY head that I put out into the world and then start seeing what other people create with it. I didn't remember how much I'd missed it until the first couple people had posted and I started reading....

***
I've been asked by a couple people "can I sneak in?" after the sign up deadline - and I said "Yes"... because (and those who know me are aware of this) I'm going to side with having more people having the chance to play than being super strict about that aspect. That said, the last sign ups I will be accepting before it's 100% closed is the deadline for the first prompt. So if someone sees your entry and goes "WOW! I didn't know Idol had started up!" or "What is that? Can I do it too?" let them know that yes, they can. therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1138078.html
But they still need to get that first entry in by the deadline!

I do *try* to be understanding, especially since I know that the word about Idol being back has been slowly trickling out.

***

I just saw this in my email. Goodreads put out a list of "

120 Book Recommendations for (Nearly) Every Kind of Summer Reader"

www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2770
Which books are on your list to read and/or have you already read? www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2770

For me it's
Dune by Frank Herbert (read when I was a teenager)
Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (checked out from the library and currently sitting on my side table)
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (read last year)
James by Percival Everett (currently reading)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

adoptedwriter

1st!
I am reading the sequel to Wolf Hollow called My Own Lightning, by Lauren Wolk. It's not as engaging as WH, but I like her style of writing...like she's really there with you in the family roo chatting away.

From:

flipflop_diva

Happy birthday to Celena!! That is very exciting!

Tomorrow is Riker's birthday. Which is crazy. I was pregnant with him during Survivor Idol and tomorrow he will somehow be 3.

I do have a semblance of an idea for my Idol entry but I like to let it brew for a couple days before I write it, but I might start it tonight if all goes well.

I have not read any of the books on that list you linked, but I will be adding a few to my to-read list. I'm very into thrillers / suspense / mystery novels. Although right now I'm reading a Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel that's set in an alternate dimension where we get the viewpoint of all the villains. I've been rewatching the show with my friend and I am in all my feels so this book is perfect lol.

Also, hi everyone! Last week was crazy and I wasn't able to come by the Green Room to say hi to you all but hoping to be more active from here on out. So happy to see you all!!

From:

reidharriscooper

Time does not exist!

If you like Buffy alternate dimension stuff, make sure to check out SLAYERS. It was an Audible radio play with pretty much all the cast. Audible even did a huge special onsite exhibit for it at NYCC 2023. I haven't even gotten to listen to the whole thing but what I got to experience says "if you are into Buffy and special Buffy, this WAS it".

and Hi

From:

n3m3sis43

…third?

From:

n3m3sis43

happy bday to celena!!

From:

pixiebelle

Happy birthday to Celena!

I’ve started my entry on my phone and have a rough draft written, I’ll have to transfer it to my computer and clean it up a bit.

From:

murielle

I remember when you graduated from High School! Wow! I have been here a long time. Have a fantastic day of celebrating YOU!

Gary, thank you for posting another list of books I must pour over and pick through. (Sigh) It will take forever to decide what to add to my Want to Read list and I have a prompt to write! Grrrr! ;-)

From:

reidharriscooper

We are old!
(we aren't old)

From:

murielle

LOL! Well, I know I am. 😂

From:

chasing_silver

Happy birthday, Celena!

I'm just hanging around today, getting chores today, trying to integrate these ridiculous kitties ... we have an 11 week old female kitten and a 16yo boy cat. The boy HATES the little girl. It's been a lot.

Books ... I am reading the Cathy Glass foster care series for fun (read most before), but the last really good book I read was probably Liane Moriarty's "Apples Never Fall". Really fascinating, I love her books.

From:

yachiru

I'm a librarian so summer reading is a bit of a religion. :) I thoroughly enjoyed "To Shape a Dragon's Breath". Unique world building with a protagonist who takes no shit.

From:

reidharriscooper

Always jealous of folks who get to be a librarian professionally. I have looked into it and its financially unviable (not the job itself... the course work cost to become certified and hopefully get hired at a quantifiable library).

From:

yachiru

It's a fun profession in certain parts of the country (the more liberal/no censorship places). You should look into organizations that help with tuition. Many local governments will do tuition assistance once you get hired as like a CST or something, but you have to work for a few years or you have to repay it.

From:

roina_arwen

Sadly, I read far less than I used to. Some of that is likely all the reading I do for work (regarding redacting), some of it is “Netflix and chill,” some is silly iPhone games, and shortly a chunk of time will be dedicated to Idol, LOL!

I have quite a few paperbacks in the bedroom, waiting for attention, but it’s been so long I’m not sure what’s there any more.

From:

swirlsofpurple

Happy birthday to Celena, wow, cannot believe she's 21, seems impossible

That prompt is so amazing, I'm already tying myself in knots over trying to come up with something that does it justice

From:

clauderainsrm

It seriously does see weird. I met her a couple months before she turned 7.

From:

halfshellvenus

Ooh, I'm reading "Chain Gang All-Stars" right now. Really good, and a great indictment of the penal system and that segment of the population that's always ready for blood sports. I'm thinking of that awful statement Trump recently made about immigrants fighting to the death. :(

I read "Summer Sons," which has a hugely improbably number of maybe-gay characters in it. But great spookiness-- the creep factor is fantastic.

"Demon Copperhead" is in my aspirational "To Read" list, but that's about it.

I watched and enjoyed the Netflix first season of "The Three-Body Problem" and the book got great reviews. But now I CAN'T read it until the series is over.

I've got bunches of other stuff I've read or want to read, but nothing else on that list inspired me...

I'll recommend last year's (?) Pulitzer Prize winner, "Less" by Andrew Sean Greer. Dry humor, an entertaining semi-clueless main character, and just an almost entirely perfect book overall.

You might like "Sing, Unburied, Sing" by Jesmyn Ward. Lovely prose style, and the promise of ghosts is kept.

You would probably LOVE "The Final Girl Support Group" by Grady Hendrix. Rayaso and I both loved it, and neither of us are really fans of the Horror Movie genre. For that that ARE, the book would be EVEN BETTER! \o/

From:

halfshellvenus

D'OH, and Happy Birthday to Celena! I can't believe she's 21 already!

From:

clauderainsrm

I’m a Grady Hendrix fan. So you’re right, I did love that book.

From:

halfshellvenus

Hah! I think it's his best, but you should read all his others if you haven't already. God, just thinking of HorrorStor and its fake Ikea products... definitely worth it.

From:

reidharriscooper

Loved LESS!

Have read pretty much everything Grady. Luckily I actually can call him "friend" from a few in person interactions over the years. So I double down on the Grady rec.

From:

halfshellvenus

I haven't read the sequel to "Less," because the idea of it kind of ruins the original. He probably should have written a prequel instead. I've read several of Greer's other books, and definitely recommend "The Confessions of Max Tivoli."

Lucky you to have met Grady in person! I love his twisted mind, and the wonderful things he comes up with. :D

From:

clauderainsrm

First Jeffrey Lewis and now Grady Hendrix! I just need to start hanging out with you all the time and see who shows up! ;)

From:

reidharriscooper

If I name dropped the people I know who equally know me your mind might boggle. I know it boggles mine. Sometimes it helps knowing these folks and opens doors, other times, it just is what life has been by circumstance of my life.

From:

clauderainsrm

and the most famous of them is a guy named Gary!!!! Right? ;)

From:

chasing_silver

LOVE "Sing, Unburied, Sing". Such an amazing story.

From:

halfshellvenus

It took awhile to see where the author was going, especially with the shifting POVs, but I loved the result!

From:

murielle

You! You! You!

(((Hugs)))

From:

halfshellvenus

**hugs back**

From:

bleodswean

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CELENA!!!

I just finished Cormac McCarthey's last novel(s) and I cannot stop weeping. All day long like this. Unbelievable writing / ideas / goodbyes.

From:

clauderainsrm

That’s appropriate. Cormac is one of her favorites. (Her Dad introduced her).

From:

murielle

What was the last one? I read Passenger and I can never remember the name of the second one and loved them SO much I have promised myself hard copies and kindle copies because I know I will read them over and over.

I ache when I think there is a last one.

From:

bleodswean

Passenger and Stella Maris was / were the last one. So beautiful. I'm glad to hear you read them, M!

From:

murielle

Oh, E! I loved them. Honestly, the math and the physics were way over my head but I even loved them. I read them out of order because Stella Maris came first from the library, and then Passenger. It wasn't a huge deal, but I would love to read them in the order Cormac intended.

Now I want to read everything he wrote.

From:

bleodswean

I'm going to post about them shortly, M. We can discuss in detail over on my journal as to avoid spoilers here.

From:

murielle

Wonderful! Perfect! <3

From:

reidharriscooper

Celena is not 21. That is a lie. You take it back. Next you'll be telling Liz' kids are in their 30s and the ones I've taken care of are 22 and 18. LIES! ALL LIES!

I've read of this list Dune, The Honeys Honeys, SHOGUN, and Mexikid. My shelves are full of books not on here I still want to read.
Currently reading Garth Nix' next YA sci-fi which comes out in October. Coming in the mail soon is Bob Fingerman's art collection/memoir "That's Some Business You're In" as well as some comics.
There were so many books I saw at ALA in FOMO mode that I want to read coming soon.

In prompt news. I've written mine, just wanna proof read it.

From:

nicholewithanh

As a librarian, my to-be-read list is constantly growing as is my sense of despair that I'll never get around to reading all of them! I'll just gloss over a few titles.

I have How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell on my Goodreads "Want to Read" list, but I don't remember ever putting it there.

Babel by R.F. Kuang is one of my favourite recent reads. I love her and her writing style so much.

I felt like Fourth Wing was over rated. It's like it was meant to be marketed towards teens and at the last minute, they made the author throw in a bunch of spicy scenes to reach a broader audience. The tone & voice really conflict with some of the subject matter and gave me the ick! Super popular series though and I love the look of the black page edging of the second book.

From:

erulissedances

So many books, but only a few rise to the top of my pile:

Dune
Shogun (but that ends the list from the grouping you had pictured)
The Lord of the Rinds
Atlas Shrugged
The Wind in the Willows

I know there are hundreds more, but those would be my top 5

- Erulisse (one L)