Quick Book Look: 11/22/63 by Stephen King

11/22/63 by Stephen King. Adult SF/time travel.

For people of my generation, the Boomers, the assassination of JFK was a traumatic, life-changing event. So I was looking forward to reading King's novel on the subject.

When I was looking for it at the bookstore, I had trouble finding it because the front cover--half of which is a newspaper's front page--is so busy. Also the title would have been more effective spelled out instead of using numerals. (When I finally noticed that the back cover was an alternative news story in which JFK survives his close call, I realized why the art department had done the cover that way. I still don't like it.)
I liked Jake, the protagonist, immediately. Jake steps through a time portal to a day in 1958 and lives through the years until 1963, in his attempt to prevent the assassination, probably lessen US involvement in the Vietnam War, and save thousands of lives. Despite our knowledge of history, King somehow maintains the suspense.The past, we learn, is extremely resistant to change. Also, any changes you do make have a ripple effect--sometimes good, but often disastrous.

King's time-travel historical novel is a masterpiece. This is one time you definitely shouldn't judge a book by its cover. :-)

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

When I saw this I couldn't resist taking a photo. That's Santa inside, and the rotors actually turn!

Winter Blues

Winter Blues
by Barbara Etlin


We've only just begun
to freeze
White snow and icicles
A slip--Bad luck!--
and you're on your butt
It's only begun...


And at the solstice sun, we sigh
So many icy roads
We'll start out walking then slip and slide
And winter's just begun...


And when vacation comes, we smile
Hop an airplane, farewell to gloom
We'll find a beach where the snows don't go
An end to winter's doom

Copyright 2011 Barbara Etlin, all rights reserved

Jazz Quartet Playing Stevie--in Amsterdam

This video, titled, An Afternoon In Vondel Park, has nice footage of Amsterdam on a pretty summer day. An unknown jazz quartet is playing Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life."

Stevie's music + Amsterdam = perfection

http://vimeo.com/19114980

October Leaves

                                   

Yesterday afternoon, I had to take a photo of these trees that glow in the sunshine when I see them from my terrace.

Quotes from John Lennon

...on his birthday:



"If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must
have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are
eternal."


"Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the
rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry."


"The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and
the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a
glimpse of the possibility."

-- from John Lennon Quotes in Brainy Quotes

FABULOUS NEWS FOR KELLY!

Kelly Barson, a member of the Feathered Pens, my critique group,




has just SOLD HER FIRST NOVEL!!!

Here are the details on Publisher's Marketplace:

K.A. Barson's 45 POUNDS, about a girl who doesn't fit -- not into her blended family, and certainly not into Snapz! clothes, and who is certain that if she could lose 45 pounds, her life would be perfectly normal, only to find that there is nothing perfect about normal, to Sharyn November at Viking Children's, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world).          


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQDXs75Ulo&feature=player_embedded