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Just got back from a gorgeous week in San Francisco visiting family. Didn’t get a chance to write or read much but did get to hang out with the lovely Sophie Littlefield (click here to see us misbehaving), author of the kick-ass A Bad Day for Sorry.
I promise a full week of articles ahead but for now, because the plane was delayed and I got in late, I just have a few nerd bits for you:
- The NY Times posted the first review of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. Am I the only person in the world who hasn’t read The Da Vinci Code and doesn’t really care about Symbol? I’m WAY more interested in Jon Krakauer’s new book, Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, which also comes out Tuesday. Krakauer can make nonfiction read like the most heartstopping thrillers around.
- Tonight at 9 p.m. PST, I’ll randomly select the three winners of Phillip Done’s charming book, Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind, so get your entry in here if you haven’t already. I really enjoyed Done’s tales of the kids he’s taught and think you will, too.
- Within the next week, I’ll have another fantastic giveaway. This time, it’ll be the latest installment in a series by a huge, bestselling author. Check back to see who it is and enter because I’ll also be giving away three copies of that.
- Oscar season, as well as the new TV season, is ramping up in Hollywood, which means lots of screenings for the next few months. This week, I’ll be seeing Jane Campion’s Bright Star and some of ABC’s new shows like Cougar Town and FlashForward. I’ll report back on these events (the stars are scheduled for Q & A).
Have a mind-blowing Monday and I’ll see you on the nerd bus.
http://popculturenerd.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/giveaway-phillip-dones-close-encounters-of-the-third-grade-kind/
14 Comments
yeti9000
September 14, 2009 at 3:19 amOMG…how funny that you just got back from SF. So did we! From the looks of your amazing pic, the weather was on your side too, so, yay for you!
Can’t wait to read the upcoming posts!
Pop Culture Nerd
September 14, 2009 at 10:22 amWe had glorious weather—sunny, not too hot, a little bit of rain one night, just beautiful.
I ate at the Ferry Building like you did—loved it! The Slanted Door is awesome!
Shelley P
September 14, 2009 at 3:29 amI’m so glad you got up to mischief with Sophie Littlefield while you were there, PCN, and that’s well-earned kudos she’s given you. You’ve arrived back to a whirlwind week – looking forward to hearing more as it comes to pass!
Pop Culture Nerd
September 14, 2009 at 10:20 amThanks, Shelley. I don’t know if the kudos were well-earned or if Sophie is just a really, really generous person.
I’m looking forward to this week’s events. A couple people from your corner of the world, Jane Campion & Abbie Cornish, will be here discussing Bright Star in person, which should be interesting.
Eddy
September 14, 2009 at 7:18 amYou can skip The Da Vinci Code. It was OK, but Angels and Demons was MUCH better. (I read it before I read Da Vinci, since it is a prequel.)
Pop Culture Nerd
September 14, 2009 at 10:08 amAre you planning on reading Symbol since you didn’t love Code?
Shelley P
September 14, 2009 at 2:04 pmI preferred Angels and Demons too! Read Da Vinci first and found it a bit of a struggle but A&D was much more entertaining and easier to digest for me.
Eddy
September 14, 2009 at 11:35 amYes. I’m looking forward to it. I didn’t mean to imply that I didn’t like The Da Vinci Code. I liked it very much. I was just saying that if you aren’t all that interested in reading it, you should skip it and read Angels and Demons instead.
le0pard13
September 14, 2009 at 2:45 pmI, too, enjoyed A & D more than Da Vinci Code (but I didn’t hate it). So, The Lost Symbol I do plan on reading (the audiobook publisher is using the very good Paul Michael as the narrator for this–he did Da Vinci, too).
But PCN, I really have to thank you for pointing me to Krakauer’s examination of Tillman’s story. It’s one of the most intriguing true stories that came out of the ashes of 9/11. I’m definitely grabbing this!
Looking forward to what you have to say on the new season events you’ll be taking in. Good to have you back, though glad to hear you had a great time in S.F. Thanks.
Pop Culture Nerd
September 14, 2009 at 6:25 pmLP13,
I’m practically drooling at the thought of Krakauer’s book. Have you ever read him? He’s a brilliant investigative writer who can probably make the history of lint interesting, so his tackling of a story like Pat Tillman’s is sure to phenomenal.
We can compare notes after we finish!
le0pard13
September 14, 2009 at 7:37 pmHis past works, like Into Thin Air and Under the Banner of Heaven, are what I’m most familiar with, and I agree that having his great investigation eye look at this story has me quite excited. I don’t know how I missed that this was coming out tomorrow (and thankful for you mentioning it). I have Sean Chercover’s Trigger City on deck, but I’m bumping others out of the way and putting this one in the hole (to completely stretch the baseball metaphor at this point). Thanks, PCN.
le0pard13
September 26, 2009 at 3:20 pmI missed Ms. Littlefield the last time she was in town in August, but I’m planning checking her out at next week’s West Hollywood Book Fair. I see Gregg Hurwitz and Charlie Huston are going to be there, too. You goin’?
Pop Culture Nerd
September 26, 2009 at 8:46 pmI was going to ask you the same thing! Yes, I plan to be there. Don’t know yet how long I’ll stay or how many panels I’ll see. If you’ve never met Sophie, you’re in for a treat. She’s really fun and witty.
What are your plans for the festival?
le0pard13
September 27, 2009 at 9:36 amFor sure, I plan on being there for Sophie’s stint (1 – 1:55 PM). Huston is there at noon and Hurwitz there at 2 PM. I’ll probably get there just before noon to catch them.