Book Pub

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Crime Genre

I've been reading books that were written about crime cases in the news. They were:

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson by Keith Ablow, M.D.
Ablow's assessment of why Scott Peterson murdered his wife and child stems from psychological events that began in his family, even before he was born. Ablow stated that he made his assessments from utilizing information gained from sources such as: the FBI, hired private investigators and researchers, Gloria Allred, Catherine Crier, Amber Frey, Anne Bird, Scott's ex-girlfriends, LE, the Latham, Peterson and Rocha families and many others.

There were a few bits of information from family members that were new to me which I'd not read in the other books about the case, nor heard/read in other media.

She Wanted It All by Kathryn Casey
On the cover of this book Anne Rule states that Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today. This is a "do not miss book."

If you followed the case on CourtTv about Celeste Beard, who arranged for her female lover to shoot her husband Steve Beard, you will find this book interesting. Celeste Beard wanted to inherit his millions. Her two daughters testified against her in the trial. This book had more information and background than I had seen on the trial coverage by CTV.

Deadly Seduction by Wensely Clarkson
A prominent attorney, James Grund, from Indiana was murdered by his second wife, Susan Sanders. Susan's checkered past hid a heinous crime prior to her marriage to Grund. She plotted to inherit his money and property, stole her step-son's gun and then tried to implicate him in the murder of his own father.

Posted by Patsy :: 9:30 PM :: 0 comments

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Quill Award Winner Christopher Paolini

The Quill Awards presented by Random House was held in the Natural History Museum in New York City. This is the second annual ceremony of the awards. The Quills

Christopher Paolini, a young author whose books I've enjoyed very much, was not only nominated for, but won, the Young Adult Award for his book Eldest.

Paolini's reaction "It was the first black-tie event I’ve ever attended, and the first time I’ve had to stuff myself into a tuxedo. I never realized getting dressed could take so long! My suspenders did their best to strangle me, and as for my cufflinks, we are no long on speaking terms.

To my surprise, when the presenters for the young adult award announced the winner, I heard them say my name. My heart was pounding so hard as I walked up to the stage, I thought that I might keel over in front of six hundred people. I said then, and I say now, that I am incredibly grateful and honored to know that you, my readers, voted for me. Having started in this profession by hand-selling books to people who, in many cases, didn’t give a hoot for some kid wearing a medieval costume in a store, it means a great deal to me that people have enjoyed my books enough to show their support."

The winners of the Quill Awards

Among the award winners: Winning Book of the Year and winner of the Humor genre:
Don't Make a Black Woman Take off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life by Tyler Perry/Riverhead

The Variety Blockbuster Book To Film Award: The Devil wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, Anchor Books & Broadway Books by David Frankel Director, 20th Century Fox

Many of you will recognize this book as it quite recently won the 2006 Lulu Award.

Debut Author of the Year (also nominated for the Cooking genre):
Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell/Little, Brown & Company

Other authors that I've enjoyed reading were nominated in their various genres:
A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin/Bantam Books, nominated in Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror.

Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters/William Morrow, nominated in the Mystery/ Suspense/Thriller.

Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud/Miramax Books in the Children's Chapter Book/Middle Grade.

I am currently reading Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky/Alfred A. Knopf Incorporated, which was nominated in General Fiction.

Congratulations to all who were nominated, and to those who won.

Posted by Patsy :: 8:13 PM :: 2 comments