Killer robots and the best sentence of my week

A cool thing on Twitter is something called #SundaySentence, wherein readers share the best sentence they read all week and tag it for others to enjoy.

I had one that was kinda awesome this week for being funny, rather than the usual sentence that's plucked from the pages and shared due to beautiful construction, lovely imagery, or profound sentiment. My tendency toward anxiety led me not to tag it for #SundaySentence lest someone say it didn't fit the theme of great sentences or was offensive. I didn't want to harsh my mellow this lovely Sunday with any negativity about a funny line. 

I posted the sentence on Twitter, sans hashtag, which of course means none of the other word lovers saw it. I definitely, probably, should've tagged it. Maybe? Seriously, I would've laughed out loud if someone else had. Luckily, I have a blog and can post whatever I want here without fear of anyone but me reading it (hardy har har).

It was from Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West. The book of irreverent yet often on-the-nose movie reviews peeled back the layers of Terminator 2: Judgement Day with a fair and fabulous comment about time-travelling robots and essential details the script should include.

Here, solely for my own enjoyment, is the greatest sentence I read this week:

"Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s weird not to explain why your robot is Austrian and has a dick."

She's not wrong, y'all. Have a great week, and may you encounter many wonderful sentences on your reading journey!

Cool Stuff to Watch (and Listen to!)

I need lots of comfort viewing (or listening) lately, and can never seem to find enough good options. Luckily, I found a few things in the last week that fit the bill and thought I'd share.

Maria Bamford: Weakness is My Brand. Bamford's hilarious, offbeat style is just what I needed. I laughed a lot while watching her latest comedy special, and couldn't we all use a little more of that in our lives? If you have Amazon Prime, you can check it out for free.

Lucy Worsley Audible interview. Worsley is my favorite British academic who regularly gets TV specials with the BBC. This interview is just 12 minutes, but it's a delight, especially for fans of Jane Austen. "I don't think she was just an important writer, she was an important human being," Worsley says. Why, you may ask? For that you've got to invest 60 seconds times 12. The interview is free on Audible.

Biography: I Want My MTV. A&E's look at how MTV came to be barely scratches the surface, but it did lightly scratch an itch for this Gen Xer who loves all things '80s music and videos. For a real deep dive (and loads of stories about rock stars), pick up one of my favorite oral histories, I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution.

Author Talk with Kate Moore (The Radium Girls)

The group of women known as the Radium Girls remained voiceless and largely forgotten until one author made it her mission to reach back through the years and let their voices be heard.

Kate Moore

I was lucky enough to be in the crowd when Kate Moore discussed her book, The Radium Girls, and the emotional journey of writing it with fans at the Spencer Road branch of the county library system in St. Peters, Missouri, on Oct. 12.

"My mission in writing this book was to ensure that these important special girls were not forgotten. And it just means the world to have you come out to hear about them because I know you'll remember their tale ... . We're all collectively remembering them tonight and that's really special to me," she said.

Petition Fights Limits on eBook Sales to Libraries

On Nov. 1, Macmillan Publishers plans to implement restrictions on library ebook purchases. They'll allow a library to purchase only one ebook per title for the first eight weeks after a book's release. It doesn't matter the size of the library and its membership, large or small, libraries can only get one copy of Macmillan ebooks during the embargo period.

The publisher hopes to increase consumer sales by doing this, but they're giving library users the shaft. Not to mention that when libraries buy an ebook, they pay much more than you or I would. Libraries also have to renew an ebook's license after a certain time period or given number of checkouts. Make no mistake, publishers make more money than most people realize from library purchases. Checking out ebooks from your library does financially support publishers and authors.

My Tips to Bag eBook Bargains

I love books and I love bargains, so mingling the two gives me all the happy feels whenever I track down a deal.

The best books deals are often on ebooks, which suits me fine. I adore my Kindle tablets and Paperwhite, so saving money while increasing my personal ebook library is a treat.

You can seek out these deals several ways, most of which mean simply checking a couple of things daily. These options involve a quick click and scroll, something I enjoy doing over morning coffee. There's also a tracker you can set up for sale alerts as well as some sites you may want to check now and then that don't require a daily visit.

Here are my methods. Hopefully some of you will find them useful in getting deals on books you love as well!

10 Brilliant Book Titles

It seems I'm always reading about or looking at books. They pop up like old friends I haven't met yet in my Goodreads feed, book bloggers' tweets, and new ebook additions to my library's catalog. And lists. I can't resist new and notable, year's best, summer reads, book club favorites. You list it and I'm probably there, scrolling away and saving to wishlists or setting a library hold.

Now and then a delightful title reaches out and almost physically grabs my attention. I experience a brief joy bubble when I find one of these. The creative, irreverent, funny, saucy and badass titles always have a home in my heart and my links folder.

Getting my geek on with Star Trek and William Shatner

You ever hear something that excites your soul and celebrate that knowledge by squealing like a stuck pig? Yeah, me too. It happened only yesterday when I learned there's a new book out called The Autobiography of James T. Kirk by David A. Goodman. Sqwee, gasp, engage wishlist warp factor 10!

Let's look at a few Trekkie tomes pulled from my bookshelf below. You think the Kirk bio will fit in? Hell yes, it will! Note two of the books by William Shatner are hardback. As in, purchased immediately after release (or received as a Christmas gift shortly after publication). 'Cause yes, I used to be that level of fanatic.

Star Trek delights from my bookshelf

I even used to love a good Trek Con. This was back in the days when most conventions were one actor visiting towns large and small to talk a little Trek smack and sell some signed photos (then I discovered Atlanta's DragonCon with the access and free entry of the hallowed Media Pass, and I was in geek heaven). I never went so far as to dress up, but I did get to interview and chat with various Trek luminaries.

Book club burnout: It's OK to ditch a dud

Whenever I cast about for ways to meet new people, I start eyeing local book groups. It’s theoretically a happy blend of reading (love it) and making new friends (hopefully).

It’s hard to find that magic combo book group where the time, place, and reading material perfectly align. So I settle for coming close – if the time and place work, I’ll sign on even if a few of the book choices don’t intrigue me, as long we’re swimming in the same general literary pool. After all, a benefit of book clubs is discovering some gem I never would’ve picked up if left to my own devices, so I’m willing to roll the dice a little.

Playing the odds, I decided to try two book groups after moving to a new city a few years ago, and wound up sticking with both for a long time. One meets at the library and is presided over by a librarian; it’s fairly focused and doesn’t stray too far from the topic at hand. The second is more relaxed – it meets at a cozy coffee shop, and the informal discussion meanders away from the book before long. I like both vibes, the one of seriously discussing the book, and the other of casually having coffee with the girls.

The Little House books: It's hard out there on the prairie

Note: For an updated take on the Little House books that includes talk of Prairie Fires (a Pulitzer-winning book that digs deep into the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder), see here.

I grew up cherishing the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a child I didn’t just play house, I played Little House. I imagined living in a log cabin while pining for a piece of horehound candy and a tin mug to call my own. I craved a gingham dress even though I couldn’t pick a gingham anything out of a lineup.

The Ingalls family suffered adversity aplenty, from failed crops to dire illness, and endured many periods of barely eating enough to survive. The books resound with Laura’s wonder at the world and evocative descriptions of pioneer life to such an extent that it’s easy to overlook the underlying hardship. That’s the allure – the wide-eyed awe of the storyteller takes the sting out of the harsh bits (especially when you’re too young to fully understand).

Cool stuff to read and listen to

Cool stuff I'm enjoying online today:

Podcast: You Made it Weird interview with writer/director Judd Apatow

Blog post: Author Hugh Howey explains the best way to support your favorite authors (hint: it's not just buying their work that helps, but WHERE you buy their work that makes a difference)

It begins

Settle in, knock back a smooth draught of your favorite chocolate wine, and let’s kick this mother off. (It’s ok if you don’t like choco wine, whether you relax with pinot or a Diet Coke, just grab what gets you to your happy place). ChocoVino is my special treat, makes me feel all warm and pampered. A little goes a long way with choco wine, but it always feels so mighty fine. 

Now I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey. (If you know that’s a line from Rocky Horror Picture Show, take another sip. If not, take two sips and watch the movie stat). This blog isn’t about campy musicals in particular, but about the entertaining things we enjoy in general, sometimes with a nice chilled glass of whatever in one hand and a remote in the other. Or a book, or a tablet. It’s your hand, you pick.

I’ll comment on books, TV, movies, and anything else that strikes a chord. Welcome.