It seems like every book I've picked up to review has been a good one. And when I like an author I tend to buy the other books that author has written so I have a lot of new books coming in.

I am reading Innocence by David Hosp and really enjoying it. Just finished Joe Hill's Heart Shaped Box. Another good one. I have Betrayed but haven't read it so that will be next on my list.

Really enjoyed Donis Casey's The Old Buzzard Had It Coming. I love the title. I bought Hornswoggled…

Am feeling very modern today - have finally set up an account on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com) last night, so have at last entered the modern world. Mind you, I don't have many friends on it yet - 3 so far to be precise - so if anyone out there is on Facebook and prepared to take pity on me, please do. I'd be very grateful.



Meant to be very literary this morning, but have done sod all - sorry. Might do some…

by Pari Noskin Taichert

An idea is precious, more valuable than gold.

But if forced, new quickly descends into old.

The most brilliant spark can lose its glow

When edited too much, when pushed where it doesn't want to flow.

Work each day, sit at the computer.

Grab and observe like an emotional looter.

Characters demand their stories be told.

The writer transforms into mother,…

Oh, great excitement and trauma this morning! The baby swallows on Springwatch (http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch) have finally flown the nest. I was peacefully getting ready at around 8am when a great shout from the computer room brought me running to Lord H's aid, assuming he was having some kind of crisis. He wasn't - instead, the first of the swallows had fledged and the remaining four were looking…

I had a conversation this morning with a fellow writer who was in a deep dark place with his new book. Not that he had no ideas; he had plenty. And not that he has no tools, skills, talent: this is a very gifted guy. But, he said, he was feeling like when you've decided to make soup. You know just what you're going to do: heat up some broth, chop up carrots and onions, and then to be fancy put in a little dill. Except when you go to the cupboard where the pots are, there's no saucepan. And…

Well, it only took me 30 years and we won't mention how many dollars, but I've done it. As of today, I'm the proud owner of an American 1st edition of every Agatha Christie published. What started out as a nice way to read books, back in the 70s when hardcovers were only a few bucks, grew into a collection. I was probably 5 years and 25 books into the project before I even thought of it as one.

Many of my collections got my start back then. Craig Rice, Ellery Queen, my Van Dines, and…

Tuesday night I chaperoned the Mayor’s Youth Action Council (MYAC) event called “Grill-Fest.” There were more than 300 teens and young adults at one of our community parks. The MYAC kids scheduled a skateboard and BMX bicycle stunt contest at the skateboard park and five bands at the shelter. I taught them about planned spontaneity by having them set up a…

I love it, simply love it! Tell me what you think about it!

Ye gods, but I'm feeling pretty Z-list today. It's the subtitle on the Blogger version of this journal (if you're reading that one) - someone once complained about it, but I kept it as it does seem to fit. Anyway, today, I am surrounded by writers who have already done it all, or are about to do it all, and are having utterly marvellous fulfilling times. And frankly, it's shit. Sorry, but it is. I know I'm supposed to rejoice in the wonderful success of others, but hell it's bloody hard…