Needcoffee.com - Ten Years of Insomnia: 1998-2008!
Remind Congress That Books Are Not a Threat to Children
Posted on 03.31.09 by Widge @ 11:30 pm
Comments on this: 2 so far. Add your own.
Evil Book

When you complain about Congress and things that somebody could do with a given law--which should be often--you might find yourself hearing in response, "Oh, now, don't be ridiculous. Nobody would take the law to mean that." Well now you can use this as a perfect example of how just being a little non-specific can cause real headaches.

Reader's Digest Version: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is supposed to decrease the levels of bad stuff, especially lead, in stuff that we hand over to kids (i.e. 12 and under) to play with. Now that, on the surface, sounds like something nobody could bitch about, yes?

Well, here's the problem. Well, the problem apart from the fact that it could put a lot of crafty people out of business and make selling used clothing more trouble than it's worth, I mean. Specifically we're dealing with the books for kids part of this. Even though there's been no evidence apparently that books have been a source of worry and dismay for hurting kids (other than making them think, which is always painful for everybody involved), books are included in the affected items because nobody thought to exclude them.

But when we have a Congress that can't even be arsed to cite where in the Constitution they're getting the power to pass the laws they are passing, what else can you expect, I suppose?

Anyway, to find out what you can do to help with this nonsense, because now Congress is trying to fix the mess they've created, check the ALA notice here. Thanks to The Neil for the headsup.

Categorized as: Books
Comments: 2 Comments



Headsup: Blueberry Girl Show in NYC
Posted on 03.01.09 by Widge @ 5:22 am
Comments on this: none yet. Add your own.
Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess

The Neil twittered this earlier in the evening. Apparently at Books of Wonder in NYC this coming Saturday, March 7th, there's an appearance by both he and artist Charles Vess in support of their upcoming picture book, Blueberry Girl.

Beginning at 1pm, NEIL GAIMAN will read Blueberry Girl, after which CHARLES VESS will give a slide show presentation on the creation of the artwork for this gorgeous picture book. Then, both author and artist will answer questions from the audience. Following this, they will both sign copies of Blueberry Girl and all their other wonderful books. A portion of all sales of Blueberry Girl made at the event will go to RAINN, the nation's largest organization devoted to preventing violence against women and assisting the victims of such attacks.

Not only that, but the first one hundred people to donate $10 to RAINN will get a chance to check out the art show prior to anyone else. But, as the commercial says, wait there's more:

(more...)

Categorized as: Books
Comments: None




Here's An Alternate History Story We'd Like to See...
Posted on 02.24.09 by Widge @ 7:50 pm
Comments on this: 2 so far. Add your own.

Real Christopher Robin

So here's the real Christopher Robin--Christopher Robin Milne--with his amigo, a real bear..."Winnie" aka Winnipeg. Pic was taken back in 1926.

Some of you might look at this and think, "Awwww, that's so freaking sweet."

I look at this and think: A.A. Milne was one paw swipe away from writing in a completely different genre.

Found via and full pic at Ectoplasmosis.

(more...)

Categorized as: Books
Comments: 2 Comments



Happy 200th Birthday, Edgar Allan Poe
Posted on 01.19.09 by Widge @ 9:56 am
Comments on this: 5 so far. Add your own.
Edgar Allan Poe

Today, Edgar Allan Poe is two hundred years young. And as I've mentioned elsewhere, I have a huge affinity for Mr. Poe. He was hanging out with me before I discovered Lovecraft or Stephen King or any other horror author. And the only trouble with trying to put something together with media about Poe is that we've already done huge amounts of related material, what with all the Halloween goodness we have going on around here.

So here's a list of some of my favorite Poe bits we've posted, so you can celebrate with us.

[[ More this way... ]]

Categorized as: Books
Comments: 5 Comments



Be Thou a Good and Brave Author of Beloved Wackiness
Posted on 12.31.08 by Widge @ 6:22 pm
Comments on this: none yet. Add your own.

Sir Terry Pratchett

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Sir Terry Pratchett.

Categorized as: Books
Comments: None



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