I'm dreaming of...

the unapologetic, bold sophistication of this room ...

I could definitely dream here...

So S.S.

Paperback Upgrade

We've all heard the adage : You can't judge a book by its cover.

Well of late, that's a lot of what I find myself doing. More and more I'm giving in to the attraction of those newer type paperbacks with that vinyl-looking blend (I wish someone would tell me what it's called). Its sleek texture acts as the perfect canvas for cover designs, giving sceneries and art designs a rich and potent appearance that get the covers speaking. Look at a few, don't they just say: Pick me! Read me!



These covers in this type of paperback certainly have a modern edge that makes you want to jump on the bandwagon of being current and now. They also seem to hold out a better promise of depth and potency than the shallow fantasy of the glossy stunts. They also assure us that classics are not mere relics of the past but that the potential of literary works is alive and well and 'bests' are still to come.

So while the printed word does live on forever; like shoes, rooms, clothes, hairstyles and makeup, the quality of book covers also gets an upgrade from time to time. Paperbacks are no different.

S.S.

The Perfect Mug

The perfect mug should be the best part of your day. It's that companion you hold close, snuggle with and take to your nightstand. It sights the laughs first and of course swells a big smile of comfort on your insides. Ahhh to have the perfect mug.

I've actually been on the lookout for sometime now and believe me - have I made some choices. I've been hoping for a a really BIG one that will allow me to indulge in the teas, coffee and hot chocolate that I crave at day's end - without getting up for refills. Well like most of my 'lucky' finds, I came across this by pure chance, over the weekend.

No joking, no exaggeration, seriously it really caught my eye. It's a stainless steel mug that (would work best as a pot) was too striking to leave behind. Love the size, love the metal , it reminds me so much of those antiquated enamel mugs of the good old country days - how could I resist! But I concur, a more cuddle-friendly mug is still needed.



S.S.
I'm going home to a really stirring book,
a cup of Lasco chocolate with nutmeg; and
no housework or bad attitudes with which to contend

Ahh... suddenly I'm in heaven

Weekend Itinerary

When I’m high in the Monday blues, all I can think about is the weekend that won’t come until the next FIVE DAYS! Then by the time Friday finally shows up and tippy its toes down to 5 o’clock, I am very determined to wring out every possibility of the weekend neck.

Today is absolutely no different and I can hardly wait to free my hands and get wrapped up with another cool book. Saturday mornings are the best , I don’t worry about getting carried away with the pages. And so what if those chores don't get done or those errands stay hanging in the balance – I would have travelled to some place other than the mundane.

Last week, in a hurry I picked up three books from The Readers' Book Shop in Liguanea. I spent Friday night into Saturday morning with Joan Hohl's Cutting Through. I decided to wait a bit before meeting the new folks in Harlan Coben's Promise Me. I still have some ways to go in this one but that's all part of the thrill - as is finding a nice spot to settle the spirit and dive in.

Believe it or not, a very nice place to do the business of rolling up with a book (if but for a change) is actually the Kingston Waterfront on Ocean Boulevard, right on the edge of the renowned Kingston Harbour. Sitting on the outskirts of the hustling activity of Downtown, this new promenade makes a cool reading spot for the one who understands the workings of the city and has the simple desire to get lost in the elements of sea breeze, stretches of ocean view across from sights of distant lands (Port Royal and Portmore) and iron birds taxiing in. Albeit a daytime-only reading spot, it has a nice, clean feel of public isolation. And, if you like the parodox of decay and potential, hope and loss that are encapsulated in Downtown, you might just enjoy the rustic arbor seating, leaning against the palm trees or getting flat on the somewhat kept lawns.

Whatever plans you have for this weekend (or none), do cozy up with a nice find, in your choice location. See you on Monday.

S.S.

Notebook Remedy

People ask me sometimes: "Why do you have to stay so long in every bookstore?" and "Do you really need another notebook?" - Really now, do they need to ask?

A writer/thinker can never ever have too many notebooks. I'm constantly making scratchings on something - notebook, paper scraps, bus tickets, you name it if it has a blank space in will do in that of creative urge. Honestly, I get nervous going places without having something to jot on - one never know just when that great will come walking into my mind.

Then there are those journals and notebooks that just give your stomach the butterflies and a burst of inspiration. Since the variety we find here in local bookstores/pharmacies is so limited, I decided to scour a few sites in search of journals. So far I'm loving the range carried by Barnes and Noble - so, so, so sweet. They certainly understand the mind of the compulsive writer. Feast your eyes and yes, by all means, SHOP!

Sunday Ice Cream and BOOKENDS - The Lit Life Line

The worst thing about Sunday is that it sits right beside the dread of an early Monday morning and the freedom of Saturday just gone. But Sundays also have an up side – ice cream and of course, BOOKENDS.

BOOKENDS - a literary arts magazine carried in the weekly Sunday Observer - is an outlet in our own backyard that allows the literary artist to showcase their work to an appreciative audience outside of the conventions of scoring a publishing deal. It is also a bite of heaven for those passionate about the stories in poetry, short stories, photography, books and words in whatever form or place they may be found.

I am particularly thrilled about the access it has given poets who of all the literary artists will find it the hardest to score a publishing deal since most publishers are quicker to forge a deal with a prose writer than a poet. In fact, some publishers make it crystal clear that it's best for poets to sponsor their own works. But thankfully, BOOKENDS has made space on the pages for them too. Lucky are those who make the grade for editor Sharon Leach, they get to share the limited but treasured space alongside some outstanding, distinguished, award-winning Caribbean fellows such as Mervyn Morris, Alma Mock Yen, Earl Mckenzie and Jean Small who just might-might just give the works of the less established some consideration. And to be considered, isn't that the purpose of it all?

Above all, this access (and weekly call for submissions) is a real expression of confidence in the potential of amateurs, professionals, the hopefuls and the passionate. It is a confidence that the experience of the simple local/Jamaican/West Indian/Caribbean is worth being penned, and that the stories of their hearts and perspectives of their unique, even cast-eyes is worth being shared and can make the paper. Not to mention too, the Jamaica Observer backs up its weekly invitation with a promise to pay thereby inking and pledging their recognition of the value of the works as art.

And I believe more quiet writers are now inclined to put themselves up for public flogging knowing that the criticisms will make advances of improvement. In fact, BOOKENDS is often the first visible move for the literary artist, the first arrow pointing to the stage . Whilst primary and high schoolers are prodded to exercise their imagination and build some creative powers, there is hardly any motivation outside of passing the CXC exams that could inspire a production of a new generation of writers as a profession. Certainly, there are several openings for essay competitions but when do they get to indulge in creating works of imagination. This is where BOOKENDS steps up to the plate of possibility and gives good directions on further possible courses of action: writing workshops, literary competitions, submission possibiliities, CALABASH (19 days to go) ...

Well, for this one, BOOKENDS got me to return to a love for books and yes, the rush of blood to head that comes with reading (hence the blog). And I really do like to have it with ice cream. To be honest, I even have it in portions to ensure that there are some leftovers for sore days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the weekend seems like such a stretch.

But more specifically, I must say that when reading BOOKENDS I feel strangely connected to kindred book/word/artist/story lovers - it's like a Lit Life Line, a weekly link-up.

S.S.

CALABASH International Literary Festival 2009 will be ELECTRIFYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's finally available! The CALABASH line up of authors, performers and schedule - is finally available! And, am I impressed. Just when I thought it could not be bettered, the organisers just upped the ante and outdid even my wildest expectations. Last year, simply being able to see, hear and share a common space with Derek Walcott and Lorna Goodison - my poetic masters, revved me up enough passion and inspiration, I thought, to last me a lifetime...

.... until, I now realise that I can definitely make much more space for the likes of George Lamming and readings from E.R. Braithwaite's To Sir With Love. Oh CALABASH, you keep spoiling me with more, making me push that bar of expectation higher and higher.

Specifically, I am eager to hear Anthony Winkler's take on his Jamaica; the much crazed Junot Diaz (I am definitely going to be hitting up the pages of his book fast fast) and a free concert with Taurus Riley - for once I will become a midnight raver. I am also looking forward to hearing the lyrics of Beres Hammond dissected by Ibo Cooper, Wayne Armond, Steve Golding and Seretse Small. Step Aside Now, Beres' lyrics are now getting the literary interrogation the creative mastermind deserves after having us 'rocking away' for all these years. Electrifying! With so much creative passion transported to one place, I might even bite the bullet this year and grab that Open Mike.

After the deathblow from news that the CALABASH International Literary Festival was cancelled, many of us, like these fingers, passed on emails, begged and pleaded that we find those dollars to get the festival off the ground. We've been slowly coming back to life now that we have been told the festival is now back on. I for one, have been taking things a bit easier these days - it's not easy getting over a heart attack you know. But then ........ it's been excitement again since I got the news.

This CALABASH will definitely spike the punch of hard times. With its package so compact with creative energy, who is even thinking about that re------n? The experience being lined up is bound to jolt the barometer of economic confidence. Need I mention also that it's all for FREE. Come on people: Book that flight, book that room, save that bus fare and let's just start counting down - 21 DAYS to go!!!!!

What: CALABASH International Literary Festival 2009

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: May 22 - May 24, 2009
Where: Jake's Resort, Treasure Beach, JAMAICA

Check out the CALABASH official website http://www.calabashfestival.org/2009/ and make those plans final.

S.S. on cloud 9.