Friday, June 1, 2012

Reading, Procrastinating and Pets

I haven't read any mysteries for a long time and forgot how much I love them. I've been on a Blue Balliet reading marathon and all I can say is that if you've not picked up these books, do so. The characters are endearing and interesting. My son has eaten them up, but I was surprised that my daughter couldn't get excited by them. For the first time, she's more interested in reading contemporary fiction with Indian girls, not in India, but here in the US. Slim pickings. If you have titles to recommend (middle grade only please) I will be very happy to share them with her. She told me to hurry up and finish revising my book because she is ready to read it.

I do find Pooja's site helpful, but there's a serious lack of MG fiction.

I realize how important it is to be able to see your own ethnicity reflected in at least some of the stories you read. I had the luxury of reading both Indian and British literature when I was growing up so I read about people like myself and people completely different. I enjoyed both. But in my writing, I find myself almost exclusively focusing on the experiences of immigrants or the children of immigrants, with a foot in two or more cultures. But in the end, my stories are all about finding home and family, so my hope is that they will appeal to all children.

I should've spent an hour writing, but decided to catch up on downloading pictures and organizing them. I know, I know -- major procrastination. But I am determined to get the household things in order this summer so that I do not have piles and piles of things and pictures and papers, but have a home for everything. I guess this is the start of it. I find that when the living space is somewhat organized, I can concentrate on my writing.

Here are some pictures of our new family members. The fish we got for Christmas and the dwarf hamsters, just last month for my daughter. Both the dog and cat are fascinated by their antics, as are we.



13 comments:

dbp said...

Hi Vijaya,

Not the right kind of Indian, but I think Island of the Blue Dolphins is an excellent book. One of the few adventure stories with a girl as the central character.

Vijaya said...

David, I agree. Great book. But the kid has already read it, multiple times :)

Mirka Breen said...

I really like Chasing Vermeer, but haven't looked at her other books. Thank you for reminding me!

Vijaya said...

She's got a great storyteller voice, Mirka. You'll enjoy the rest of the adventures.

Faith E. Hough said...

I have to say, I'm with Dagny on this one; I couldn't get into Blue Balliet's books, either. I did read the first two and thought that her writing was quite good, but that the plotting wasn't worthy of such good writing.
I wish I had a book to recommend to Dagny! I remember being a kid and just wishing that someone would write a book about contemporary homeschoolers, because I felt very left out. Anyway, if I come across one, I'll be sure to let you know.

Vijaya said...

Faith, you'll have to write that book featuring homeschooled children yourself :)

Molly/Cece said...

I like to write about blue collar girls and caretakers... I know a book about elephants that may fit Dagny ...How about this one: Lynne Kelly's middle grade book, CHAINED. About the friendship that develops between a young boy and an elephant. Kirkus says: “Kelly’s fine debut brings the jungles of India to life.”

It has a boy at the center but maybe Dagny will like it since it has an elephant too...

Vijaya said...

Thanks for the rec. Molly. I know Lynne from the Blueboards and can't believe I forgot about her book.

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Ooooo, I love a good reading marathon. Enjoy yours!

Kelly Hashway said...

I love the Blue Balliet books. :)

Vijaya said...

Ruth, it feels like vacation on my back porch rocker, with a stack of good books and some ice tea.

Kelly, glad to see another BB fan.

Bish Denham said...

I'm not familiar with the Blue Balliet books. And I wish I had some titles for Dagny, but all I can think of are Kipling and Talbot Mundy titles!

Vijaya said...

She's read some of the oldies ... but man this kid is hungry for contemporary MG featuring a kid like her.

I've written PBs for my kids, and many of the magazine stories are *theirs*. I just may have to write a book with her as the star. LOL.