Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Winner! and other stuff

And the winner is: Tracey, who wanted to "forget to return" the copy she checked out from the library. Tracey, email me your address, and I will get Dinner: The Playbook right in the mail. Thank you, everybody, for playing! We will be doing some more contests soon, so please stay tuned.

While I'm here, a couple other things.


I have to tell you that, since this album came out, we have listened to nothing else. Just go over and click the little clips over there and tell me you aren't dying to hear the whole thing. Seriously. So, okay, yes, Small Parade is two friends of mine, one of whom is Nicole, of Improv Sewing and Carr's Ciderhouse fame. She is also, for long-time readers, the mother of Ben's dearest friend Ava. But I would listen to this record and love it even if they were strangers. Plus, Ava did the cover art!
This is Ben and a banjo. Not a doorknob.
Did I ever tell you about this essay, over at Brain, Child, about Ben and the doorknobs? Herewith I am. Telling you.


What about the fact that I have a little game-night cameo essay in the new Unbored book? Unbored Games. It's here, it's queer, get used to it. Okay, maybe it's not queer so much as just totally awesome, because those guys are the greatest. You can only imagine my great honor at being invited to contribute! Plus the illustrator did an excellent job with my imaginary dream family of three kids and a hirsute man friend. See a great preview of the book over here. And if you don't already have the original Unbored, please be sure to get it.

Note to locals: Josh Glenn and I are doing a little Unbored Games event in South Hadley, MA on November 1st. Details here.


I also have a strange little essay in the spanking-new (spanking!) anthology, Full Grown People's Greatest Hits Volume I. Because it is edited by the brilliant Jennifer Niesslein, I can promise you it's going to be a can't-put-it-down situation. I don't actually have it in my hands yet, but I can't wait.

Next up: This stunning picture book, The Mitten String.


Yes, Jennifer Rosner is one of my dearest friends, and yes, I have known her beautiful children since they were babies, but that's not what makes this book such a treasure, I swear. I mean, just look at it, for one thing. And for another, the story is so deeply sweet and uniquely lovely that you just have to get it and see. There is wool in it! And sheep! And a deaf mother and her child connected with a piece of yarn. It is magical, and you can preorder it now and get it in just one week! Read a sample page here, if you like.

Okay, my darling friends. Thank you for your pateince. Recipes are coming soon. xo

15 comments:

  1. Cathy3:22 PM

    Until I clicked over and read that piece about Ben and doorknobs, I hadn't realized how deeply I miss reading your intimate pieces on parenting. I mean, I fully understand and support your reasons for not doing many of them, now that the kids are older--but, man, there isn't another voice just like yours. (I also fully identified with the particulars of the story, since my own older child has an intuitive approach to money and possessions I can only describe as Randian. Steam-pressing the socialism over here, too.) Anyway, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hey, thank you so much, Cathy. xo

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  2. Anonymous3:38 PM

    Just went on a spree! Music for me to write this dissertation to, and both Unbored books for the 6 year old, just in time for Diwali. Yay! Thank you!! ~k

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  3. Anonymous3:47 PM

    Oh, and I just went over the read the Brain, Child essay too and Cathy already said it. She is so right, Catherine. There is no one who writes it quite like you. When is the book coming out already? And thank you, thank you, for all that you do, for sharing it all with us. You have helped me frame my experience of parenting -- given words and texture (and food!) to its contours, and all always for the best. Does that make you feel awesome?? Because it should. I am a better, and happier, and gratefuller mother because of you. I am. ~k

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  4. I am a HUGE Unbored fan and (more importantly) so is my 9 year old ... we can't wait to meet him at an event on 11/5 in Boston (wish we could come to Hadley). xoxox

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  5. Jennifer LB5:13 PM

    oh..oh...oh!! I can't finish reading your Brain/Child article without telling you that once again we have something in common. We too, inadvertently are raising Alex P. Keaton, though ours is only 11. My only hope is that he doesn't become a Republican. His tie collection is larger than his dads...he wants an allowance to buy a tux to wear "all the time" and nearly fainted with glee when we took him to IKEA.

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  6. Thank you for Brain child because I miss your writing. The glimpses into what it might be like if I had the honor of chatting with you, your patience and understanding and genuine perceptiveness.

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  7. That article about the doorknob? Genius! I loved, loved, loved it.

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  8. Tracey11:22 PM

    Okay, just now read the whole post, since I was completely, shreikingly distracted the first time I tried to read it what with the book winner (me-weee!) being announced. Instead of reading further, I did happy dances around the living room while my kids looked on with concern. Still pinching myself over here....

    I'll add my echo what the ladies above have said...no one says it like you do. You get us, you really get us! You for sure have made me a better mom. Off to read the Brain, Child piece. It's always like opening a present that you know you'll love before you even know what it is!

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    1. Congratulations! I'll have to keep my library copy a little longer!

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  9. Oh, my. The doorknob article. Yes.

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  10. And can we all agree that the cover art by Ava is AMAZING?!? Such talent!

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  11. Catherine, m'dear! I just saw your super-kind words about the FGP anthology. Big love to ya, doll.

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  12. Thank you for the shout out, my darling. I am flattered beyond words to be shared out to your loving and awesome readers and friends!

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