In memoriam: 2007
If you are anything like me, and I know that you are, you're enjoying the reviews that are all over the place at this time of year. The biggest movies of the year, the best selling books, the most requested songs (do people still do that?). I love those reviews - it's like the Cliff's Notes of everything that's happened in the year that slipped out of my memory moments after they happened, replaced by things to be added to my grocery list and action items to tackle at work. This year I noted the passing of one of my favorite childhood authors and it made me wish that there was a year in review of authors, presented in cool slide-show style like at the Academy Awards. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything like that. So, for you, I've created a mini-version - giving you a very partial list that includes only the names I've found along the way.
Editorial warning: This entry has absolutely no literary value, is not all-inclusive, and may make you think that I only read book jackets and TV Guide.
Sidney Sheldon- January 30, 2007. For some reason, whenever I hear Sidney Sheldon I think Shel Silverstein. Of course, these authors have probably only two things in common - 1.) Alliterative names, and 2.) "Shel" as part of their names. An author of crime fiction and thriller novels, he also wrote, directed and produced for television - including The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeanne, and Hart to Hart.
[Side note: have you been to Shel Silverstein's website? It's very cute. I think I'll check this out with the kids, I think they'll like it.]
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.- April 11, 2007. The author of Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five. I haven't read either of these books, but decided that the book was Interesting when mentioned in the movie Footloose. Unimportant and yet fascinating fact - his daughter was once married to Giraldo Rivera (I love you Wikipedia).
Madeleine L'Engle- September 6, 2007. The author of three books I loved as a child - A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. My Aunt Marcia sent me these books for Christmas one year when I was little. I read and re-read them, pouring over the story and loving the characters. I didn't know until I read that the author had died that there was a fourth book in this series, completed after I'd finished reading the set. I can't wait to read these to my kids and I'm looking forward to reading the last in the series. As an adult, I also read the story she wrote about her married life - Two Part Invention, which is a wonderful book. I was surprised to find that she's written 62 books and I've read only four - each of which I loved.
Norman Mailer- November 10, 2007. The author of many fiction and non-fiction books (including Harlot's Ghost, currently in my reading queue), he was also one of the founders of The Village Voice. Bit of trivia for you - he was married six times. Six times!
Ira Levin- November 12, 2007. The author of A Kiss Before Dying, Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives. I've never read any of these books, but have seen all the movie versions. Is that wrong? I think the answer is yes.
Editorial warning: This entry has absolutely no literary value, is not all-inclusive, and may make you think that I only read book jackets and TV Guide.
Sidney Sheldon- January 30, 2007. For some reason, whenever I hear Sidney Sheldon I think Shel Silverstein. Of course, these authors have probably only two things in common - 1.) Alliterative names, and 2.) "Shel" as part of their names. An author of crime fiction and thriller novels, he also wrote, directed and produced for television - including The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeanne, and Hart to Hart.
[Side note: have you been to Shel Silverstein's website? It's very cute. I think I'll check this out with the kids, I think they'll like it.]
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.- April 11, 2007. The author of Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five. I haven't read either of these books, but decided that the book was Interesting when mentioned in the movie Footloose. Unimportant and yet fascinating fact - his daughter was once married to Giraldo Rivera (I love you Wikipedia).
Madeleine L'Engle- September 6, 2007. The author of three books I loved as a child - A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. My Aunt Marcia sent me these books for Christmas one year when I was little. I read and re-read them, pouring over the story and loving the characters. I didn't know until I read that the author had died that there was a fourth book in this series, completed after I'd finished reading the set. I can't wait to read these to my kids and I'm looking forward to reading the last in the series. As an adult, I also read the story she wrote about her married life - Two Part Invention, which is a wonderful book. I was surprised to find that she's written 62 books and I've read only four - each of which I loved.
Norman Mailer- November 10, 2007. The author of many fiction and non-fiction books (including Harlot's Ghost, currently in my reading queue), he was also one of the founders of The Village Voice. Bit of trivia for you - he was married six times. Six times!
Ira Levin- November 12, 2007. The author of A Kiss Before Dying, Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives. I've never read any of these books, but have seen all the movie versions. Is that wrong? I think the answer is yes.
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