Alison Ashley Formento

Carol Parenzan Smalley: Hershey, Green Changes. Lewis & Clark

2009-11-10T12:00:00.003-05:00

Most writers are happy to have even one book out a year, but creative non-fiction author and educator Carol Parenzan Smalley has had four books released in 2009. Young readers can enjoy making their lives greener in Tell Your Parents: Green Changes You Can Make Around Your Home, all while feasting on the sweet words in Smalley's two books on Milton Hershey, Diary of a Milt and The Growing Story of The Milton Hershey School. And it's obvious that Smalley does her research in her historical reader What's So Great About Lewis and Clark?

Look for Carol Parenzan Smalley's newest title in 2010, How to Convince Your Parents You Can Care for a Hamster, a book sure please this parent who wishes her kids would remember to clean the cage.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

2009-11-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

I'm proud to own a copy of WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Judith Snyder, a talented author and a helpful critique partner, too. Her new picture book is visually fun and children will love "seeing the world in a whole new way." Take a moment to visit the contest page for WHAT DO YOU SEE? for a chance to win a copy for yourself.

OTIS

2009-09-26T13:35:00.003-04:00

Give your eyes something special. Loren Long's art never fails to bring an oooh, aaaah, or a smile when you read through one of his books. His latest, OTIS, is out now and just as pleasing as the man himself. I met Loren Long at school visit last year and he made every student, teacher and parent he met feel special. No wonder his books are so lovely.

What's Inscribed?

2009-09-08T17:17:00.000-04:00

For those that enjoy giving books as gifts, you'll love this intriguing website posting inscriptions from a variety of books. Here's one of the inscriptions:

“July 3, 1892
When in my grave I lonely sleep,
And the weeping willows o’er [me] weep,
Tis then dear friend and not before,
That I will think of thee no more.”

An 1879 copy of McGuffey’s Fifth Eclectic Reader.

Found at the Georgetown Library Book Sale in Washington, DC. April 2005.

Arthur Miller's Shoe Size

2009-08-13T13:17:00.000-04:00

With a click, we can "follow" the celeb-of-the-moment, checking what flavor of mineral water they guzzle after a workout.

I'm taking the slower route and reading ARTHUR MILLER. Christopher Bigbsy's 776-page biography follows the famous playwright and his family from pre-birth to the age of 48. I haven't finished yet, and Miller's shoe size may not be included, but Bigby's knowledge of historic and personal details have kept me reading.

Summer!

2009-07-13T22:05:00.000-04:00

Family visits

Beach days and barbecues

Vacation sights

Seeing old friends

Meeting new ones

Reading under the trees

Writing there, too

Summertime

Celestron Dreams

2009-06-21T20:30:00.001-04:00

When the rains stops, we plan to enjoy our new Celestron Telescope. Until then, we'll read the latest Lucy and Stephen Hawking adventure.

The ART of Playwriting

2009-06-08T10:21:00.000-04:00

French Playwright Yasmina Reza wins another Tony award for her brilliant play, GOD OF CARNAGE. Her first win was for ART in 1994. Both plays, translated by Christopher Hampton, feature intriguing characters and biting, thought-provoking dialogue. Stellar performances only add to a wonderful theatrical experience.

The Landmine is Me

2009-05-26T23:42:00.000-04:00

Reading an oldie, but a goodie:

ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING

by Ray Bradbury (Bantam 1990)

I have come up with a new simile to describe myself lately. It can be yours. Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces together. Now, it's your turn. Jump!

Spring Fever

2009-04-19T22:01:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year.
Even Elvis had SPRING FEVER.

Across the Universe

2009-04-04T14:28:00.001-04:00

In honor of National Poetry Month, let's not forget that songwriters are poets, too.

"Words are flowing out like

endless rain into a paper cup

They slither while they pass away

They slip across the universe."

John Lennon

Visit here to read and hear all the lyrics.

Inner Superhero!

2009-03-20T17:40:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy.

Life clicks along keeping us all on the run. I believe I've got a Superhero lurking inside, just itching to take command of the chaos.

First, I've got to find some purple tights. I hope the cape is optional.

Screenwriters Who Make You Think (maybe laugh and/or cry, too)

2009-02-25T19:50:00.001-05:00

The Oscars are over, but the original screenplays nominated this year all deserve praise, not to mention an award here and there. More than that, the films from these talented writers should be watched, studied and enjoyed.

MILK by Dustin Lance Black

FROZEN RIVER by Courtney Hunt

IN BRUGES by Martin McDonough

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY by Mike Leigh

WALL-E by Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon

1974. 1350 feet up. The artistic crime of the century.

2009-02-01T19:18:00.000-05:00

This is the tag line for MAN ON WIRE, currently nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary. Check out the DVD, along with the extras featuring additional interviews. Not that I'll be wire walking anytime soon, but the passion Phillipe Petit has for doing what he loves and how he wishes the same for everyone is invigorating and inspiring.

Do I Need to R.S.V.P.?

2009-01-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

This is one invitation that I won't toss.

Fine Just the Way It Is

2008-12-23T14:48:00.000-05:00

Not a holiday read in any way, shape or form, but Annie Proulx, the author of Brokeback Mountain, Shipping News and several other novels has done it again in this new book of short stories.

To quote the Associated Press: "Brilliant!"

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS

2008-12-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

My favorite spot to holiday shop?

BOOKSTORE!

Maya Angelou and several other authors and celebrities agree,

BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS.

Absolutely!

2008-11-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

A group of Oxford researchers have compiled a list of the top 10 most irritating expressions in the English language. The researchers kept track of "overused buzzwords" found in current books and media outlets. Take a look. Do you agree?

10. It's not rocket science.

9. 24/7

8. Shouldn't of

7. It's a nightmare

6. Absolutely

5. With all due respect

4. At this moment in time

3. I personally

2. Fairly unique

1. At the end of the day

A NEW AMERICA!

2008-11-05T01:17:00.000-05:00

Listen to Sally!

2008-10-26T21:07:00.000-04:00

Are you tired of hearing, reading and seeing coverage about the upcoming election? Me, too.

Vote on November 4th or the Great Pumpkin may come after you!

Foxtrot in Iraq

2008-09-25T17:07:00.000-04:00

Award winning journalist, Mike Kelly, of The Record in New Jersey hopes readers remember that war is personal and changes lives. He's following the Foxtrot Company, recently deployed to Iraq, as well as their families in New Jersey.

I recently interviewed Mike for an upcoming magazine piece and truly admire his passion for finding the heart of those he writes about.

Global Cooperation

2008-08-25T17:15:00.000-04:00

The Olympics exist as a tremendous example of global cooperation. I'm working on a magazine piece about Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, who has written extensively about his ideas and efforts to eradicate poverty. His Millennium Promise project is on the cusp of this achievable goal.

August Daze

2008-08-08T23:32:00.000-04:00

Whether you're vacationing or staying put in front of your television to watch the summer Olympics, enjoy the glorious month of August!

Three Songs

2008-07-20T21:54:00.001-04:00

National Public Radio is probably the only place where you'll hear the following, one after the other:

Frank Sinatra singing, "The Best is Yet to Come"
Joe Jackson blasting out "Hot Time, Summer in the City"
The gorgeous opening song (half Italian/half English) from Tony Award musical, A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

Opening Lines

2008-07-06T09:17:00.000-04:00

WORST OPENING LINES OF NOVELS

Here's a good one—

"You still have 873 pages to go."