Kory M. Shrum's Blog, page 19
September 14, 2015
#Mondayblogs: #amreading The True American
This semester the college I teach for as chosen The True American by Anand Giridharadas as it's "One Book". One Book, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, is when a school or community (usually the public library) hosts a program for its members where everyone reads the same book.
As a reader, I always like to know what the book is, even if I do not always participate in the "challenge". So when researching the book, I found this Ted Talk, where the author Giridharadas, gives a passionate and articulate explanation of the book's subject and it's inspiration.
In the video alone, he had my crying by the end. If he writes HALF as well as he speaks, I think I will be blow away. So, needless to say, the book is in my queue . And for those of you, like me, who care a great deal about social justice issues, or have some kind of connection to the horrible events of 9/11, this book might be of interest to you as well.
If you've read it, I can't wait to hear what you think. But no spoilers please! I want to actually read this one for myself ;)
Kory
September 11, 2015
#Read a #poem #Friday
Prospective Immigrants Please Note
By Adrienne Rich
Either you will
go through this door
or you will not go through.If you go through
there is always the risk
of remembering your name.Things look at you doubly
and you must look back
and let them happen.If you do not go through
it is possible
to live worthilyto maintain your attitudes
to hold your position
to die bravelybut much will blind you,
much will evade you,
at what cost who knows?The door itself
makes no promises.
It is only a door.
Adrienne Rich was an amazing poet. Learn more about her here.
By Adrienne Rich
Either you will
go through this door
or you will not go through.If you go through
there is always the risk
of remembering your name.Things look at you doubly
and you must look back
and let them happen.If you do not go through
it is possible
to live worthilyto maintain your attitudes
to hold your position
to die bravelybut much will blind you,
much will evade you,
at what cost who knows?The door itself
makes no promises.
It is only a door.
Adrienne Rich was an amazing poet. Learn more about her here.
September 10, 2015
When I'm Not Writing #Writerprobs
As you may or may not know, Kim and I have recently bought a house. So, my life has been full of boxes and paint and I've pretty much scrapped paint out from under my nails every night since we moved in on the first.
But here is one result of my hard work!
I began in the kitchen:
This is the customary "before picture"
First I painted the cabinets white (after removing all the freaking hardware and the doors and then reattaching everything)
Then I painted the counters with Giani Granite (an idea from Pinterest of course). This is the White Diamond Kit.
Ta da!
It looks good together, no? I think it looks much better than before, even though I made some mistakes in the countertop painting. Oh well, I'll touch in up in a couple of months.
But here is one result of my hard work!
I began in the kitchen:
This is the customary "before picture"
First I painted the cabinets white (after removing all the freaking hardware and the doors and then reattaching everything)
Then I painted the counters with Giani Granite (an idea from Pinterest of course). This is the White Diamond Kit.
Ta da!
It looks good together, no? I think it looks much better than before, even though I made some mistakes in the countertop painting. Oh well, I'll touch in up in a couple of months.
September 4, 2015
#Read a #poem #Friday
Requiescat
by Oscar Wilde
Tread lightly, she is near
Under the snow,
Speak gently, she can hear
The daisies grow.
All her bright golden hair
Tarnished with rust,
She that was young and fair
Fallen to dust.
Lily-like, white as snow,
She hardly knew
She was a woman, so
Sweetly she grew.
Coffin-board, heavy stone,
Lie on her breast,
I vex my heart alone,
She is at rest.
Peace, Peace, she cannot hear
Lyre or sonnet,
All my life's buried here,
Heap earth upon it.
by Oscar Wilde
Tread lightly, she is near
Under the snow,
Speak gently, she can hear
The daisies grow.
All her bright golden hair
Tarnished with rust,
She that was young and fair
Fallen to dust.
Lily-like, white as snow,
She hardly knew
She was a woman, so
Sweetly she grew.
Coffin-board, heavy stone,
Lie on her breast,
I vex my heart alone,
She is at rest.
Peace, Peace, she cannot hear
Lyre or sonnet,
All my life's buried here,
Heap earth upon it.
September 2, 2015
Adventure: Reading at the Old Town Grocery Store #amreading
Sounds weird, right? A reading at a grocery store? But it actually turned out to be a delightful event! However, let me tell you, it was not easy making this happen. Let me explain...
When Dan Combs invited me to a local authors' event in my hometown, it was May and the sun was shining. There was no sign of the insanity that would be become by late summer, so I said "Yes", I'd love to give a short reading of my work, get to meet a few other creative-types in my hometown and get a better feel for the local scene, which I know absolutely nothing about.
Then about four weeks before this event, all hell broke loose (mid-July). We found out the the owners were foreclosing on the house that we were renting and we had to get out pronto. Kim and I knew they we were going to be in the area for a couple more years at least and decided that it was just better to buy.
Then began the insanity that is finding a home and closing on it before we no longer had a place to live (September 1). For anyone who has ever tried to close on a house, you know exactly what I am talking about.
To further complicate things, one of our close friends had a sort of family emergency, which meant that she and her mom and another one of our friends needed to stay with us that week in August (19-23).
Complication #3, classes started that day (August 20) and this semester alone, I am taking 3 classes and teaching 5.
Despite all of this, I somehow arrived at the grocery store, on time and in a decent mood with my book to read from and my freebook coupons. I even had a smile on my face!
Me. Smiling.The grocery store was actually one of those unique little shops that had ALL THE THINGS. I was fun to look at everything and buy some Traverse City Cherry Salsa before the event.
The grocery also had a nice little outdoor space, which is where we did the reading:
Notice the hoodie...as is common in Michigan, the weather took a sharp turn for the worse and it became a challenge to read without letting my teeth chatter.
I also got to hear other local authors read and hear some impressive talent. So even though I'd spent the day on mortgage paperwork, prepping for classes, chauferring house guest and trying to make it to the reading--I'm glad I came.
It was a nice little respite from the storm that's been this August.
When Dan Combs invited me to a local authors' event in my hometown, it was May and the sun was shining. There was no sign of the insanity that would be become by late summer, so I said "Yes", I'd love to give a short reading of my work, get to meet a few other creative-types in my hometown and get a better feel for the local scene, which I know absolutely nothing about.
Then about four weeks before this event, all hell broke loose (mid-July). We found out the the owners were foreclosing on the house that we were renting and we had to get out pronto. Kim and I knew they we were going to be in the area for a couple more years at least and decided that it was just better to buy.
Then began the insanity that is finding a home and closing on it before we no longer had a place to live (September 1). For anyone who has ever tried to close on a house, you know exactly what I am talking about.
To further complicate things, one of our close friends had a sort of family emergency, which meant that she and her mom and another one of our friends needed to stay with us that week in August (19-23).
Complication #3, classes started that day (August 20) and this semester alone, I am taking 3 classes and teaching 5.
Despite all of this, I somehow arrived at the grocery store, on time and in a decent mood with my book to read from and my freebook coupons. I even had a smile on my face!
Me. Smiling.The grocery store was actually one of those unique little shops that had ALL THE THINGS. I was fun to look at everything and buy some Traverse City Cherry Salsa before the event. The grocery also had a nice little outdoor space, which is where we did the reading:
Notice the hoodie...as is common in Michigan, the weather took a sharp turn for the worse and it became a challenge to read without letting my teeth chatter.
I also got to hear other local authors read and hear some impressive talent. So even though I'd spent the day on mortgage paperwork, prepping for classes, chauferring house guest and trying to make it to the reading--I'm glad I came.
It was a nice little respite from the storm that's been this August.
August 31, 2015
#Mondayblogs: #Audible #Audiobook #Giveaway
At long last! Dying for Her is now available on Audible. I think Hollie Jackson did an amazing job with Brinkley's voice and you're really going to love how she brought his story to life.
For those of you who are already members with extra credits, snag your copy here. For those of you who are interested but are shy about spending $17.50--here's a tip. If you download the ebook first (for $2.99) then Amazon offers you the audible audiobook for $1.99--so you get a $17.50 audiobook for $4.98. That's a good deal!
Even better, maybe you'll snag a FREE copy straight from me. :) As with all releases, I'm doing a giveway. Interact with the rafflecopter below for your chance to win 1 of 5 free audiobooks.
Also, if you missed it, book 4 of this series, Dying Light, is now available for a special preorder price of ) $0.99. It's available on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and more.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For those of you who are already members with extra credits, snag your copy here. For those of you who are interested but are shy about spending $17.50--here's a tip. If you download the ebook first (for $2.99) then Amazon offers you the audible audiobook for $1.99--so you get a $17.50 audiobook for $4.98. That's a good deal!
Even better, maybe you'll snag a FREE copy straight from me. :) As with all releases, I'm doing a giveway. Interact with the rafflecopter below for your chance to win 1 of 5 free audiobooks.
Also, if you missed it, book 4 of this series, Dying Light, is now available for a special preorder price of ) $0.99. It's available on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and more.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 28, 2015
Dying Light: A Jesse Sullivan Novel #coverreveal #amreading
Here she is folks--ain't she pretty? I'm in love with the fourth cover in my series. I think it might be our best one yet! It's thanks to John K. Addis, author and designer extraordinaire at Adventures in New Media.
This book is set to be released November 2nd, 2015. If you want to preorder now, you certainly can on Amazon and Smashwords. I'm sure it will filter out to Barnes and Nobel, Apple and all other channels within a couple of days.
The preorder price is $0.99, which will run until it's release. At that time, I'll raise the price to the standard $2.99. This is basically a deal for all the fans who've been waiting so patiently for this book.
I hope you love it as much as the first 3!
#Read a #Poem Friday #amreading
Dear GaybashersBY JILL MCDONOUGH
The night we got bashed we told Rusty howthey drove up, yelled QUEER, threw a hot dog, sped off.
Rusty: Now, is that gaybashing? Orare they just calling you queer? Good point.
Josey pitied the fools: who buys a perfectly good pack of wienersand drives around San Francisco chucking them at gays?
And who speeds off? Missing the point, the pleasure of the bash?Dear bashers, you should have seen the hot dog hit my neck,
the scarf Josey sewed from antique silk kimonos: so gay. Youmissed laughing at us, us confused, your raw hot dog on the ground.
Josey and Rusty and Bob make fun of the gaybashers, and Iwash my scarf in the sink. I use Woolite. We worry
about insurance, interest rates. Not hot dogs thrown from F-150s,homophobic freaks. After the bashing, we used the ATM
in the sex shop next to Annie's Social Club, smiled at the kindowner, his handlebar mustache. Astrud Gilberto sang tall and tan
and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema... and the dildosgleamed from the walls, a hundred cheerful colors. In San Francisco
it rains hot dogs, pity-the-fool. Ass-sized penguins, cock after cock inazure acrylic, butterscotch glass, anyone's flesh-tone, chrome.
Learn more about this amazing poet here.
The night we got bashed we told Rusty howthey drove up, yelled QUEER, threw a hot dog, sped off.
Rusty: Now, is that gaybashing? Orare they just calling you queer? Good point.
Josey pitied the fools: who buys a perfectly good pack of wienersand drives around San Francisco chucking them at gays?
And who speeds off? Missing the point, the pleasure of the bash?Dear bashers, you should have seen the hot dog hit my neck,
the scarf Josey sewed from antique silk kimonos: so gay. Youmissed laughing at us, us confused, your raw hot dog on the ground.
Josey and Rusty and Bob make fun of the gaybashers, and Iwash my scarf in the sink. I use Woolite. We worry
about insurance, interest rates. Not hot dogs thrown from F-150s,homophobic freaks. After the bashing, we used the ATM
in the sex shop next to Annie's Social Club, smiled at the kindowner, his handlebar mustache. Astrud Gilberto sang tall and tan
and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema... and the dildosgleamed from the walls, a hundred cheerful colors. In San Francisco
it rains hot dogs, pity-the-fool. Ass-sized penguins, cock after cock inazure acrylic, butterscotch glass, anyone's flesh-tone, chrome.
Learn more about this amazing poet here.
August 21, 2015
#Read a #Poem #Friday #amreading
Complete DestructionBY WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS
It was an icy day.We buried the cat,then took her boxand set fire to itin the back yard.Those fleas that escapedearth and firedied by the cold.
Learn more about this poet here.
It was an icy day.We buried the cat,then took her boxand set fire to itin the back yard.Those fleas that escapedearth and firedied by the cold.
Learn more about this poet here.
August 19, 2015
#amreading #TBR pile update
Update on the top ten of my TBR pile:
The Last Sprite by CC Ryburn
The Eaton by John K. Addis
The Lonely Wolf by Monica La Porta
Not Yet Titled Novel by writer friend Victoria Solomon
Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
The Penguin Book of Witches by Katherine Howe
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke (god I hope I can finish it at long last!)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (another I started long ago and never finished
...and a mysterious "whatever my book club picks this month" book!
What are you reading?
The Last Sprite by CC Ryburn
The Eaton by John K. Addis
The Lonely Wolf by Monica La Porta
Not Yet Titled Novel by writer friend Victoria Solomon
Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
The Penguin Book of Witches by Katherine Howe
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke (god I hope I can finish it at long last!)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (another I started long ago and never finished
...and a mysterious "whatever my book club picks this month" book!
What are you reading?
