Here we are, only one more day left in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. After all my whining, I now have mixed emotions. I’m glad I’ll have that extra time back, the time I spent deciding on the featured authors and books, the time I spent writing blog posts that were supposed to be short and pithy and sometimes went on forever.
But I’m sad I haven’t even made a dent in visiting the over 2,000 worthy participants in the challenge.
And there were so many authors I wanted to tell you about but couldn’t squeeze them all in. And so many books I’ve discovered that you’d want to read if you just knew about them
Hopefully I’ll get to some of those in other blog posts as time goes on. And I’ll have many of those authors here to be my guest, especially when they have new books they want to tell us about.
Okay, so let’s get to Day Y.
Featured Author: Al Yankovic
You didn’t know that, did you?
Yes, Weird Al write books for kids.
This is his bio from amazon.com.
“Known for more than thirty years as America’s premier satirist of popular music and culture, “Weird Al” Yankovic has had almost as many careers as Billy can dream of. Advised by his father to do whatever made him happy, he has accordingly been a comedian, singer/songwriter, music producer, actor, director, and writer–often all at the same time. Mr. Yankovic has won three Grammy Awards and has sold more comedy recordings than anyone else in history. He lives with his family in Southern California.”
His kids’ books include When I Grow Up and My New Teacher and Me.
Featured Book: The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
I cried when I read the book (published in 1938. I think I read it about 1952). I cried when I saw the movie, too.
The short, short synopsis from amazon.com:
“Young Jody adopts an orphaned fawn he calls Flag and makes it a part of his family and his best friend. But life in the Florida backwoods is harsh, and so, as his family fights off wolves, bears, and even alligators, and faces failure in their tenuous subsistence farming, Jody must finally part with his dear animal friend.”
Sometimes you just need a good cry. Pick up this classic novel and you won’t be disappointed.
Word of the Day: You
You’re the reason I hang out online. You’re the reason I talk about authors and their books. You’re the reason I sometimes try to be funny, because making you laugh makes me happy.
You are wonderful Thank you for being here.
It’s been wonderful visiting your blog this month and looking forward to more. My goal for this summer is to visit so many of those I didn’t have time to during April. Cheers! 🙂
Hi Patricia
I’ll be pleased to have more time and return to normality, too.
Weird Al’s bio jolted my memory; I really must revise my biography.
I must read The Yearling. I like books to reach my emotions.
Big celebrations on Z day. How have we managed it, Patricia?
If it’s any consolation, I’ve stunk at visiting this year, too–while writing posts that are often too long. I don’t even know what I have spent all my time on. But I’ve made a few finds–like your blog–so I guess I’ve managed a bit of what it’s all about!
Rebecca at The Ninja Librarian
Stopping by from Lura’s blog and glad to find your interesting posts. “The Yearling” was a favorite of mine growing up.
I didn’t know that about Weird Al! Very cool – the guy has such an interesting brain!
I’m very proud of you. Nice job making it through A-Y and I have no doubts letter Z.
You are an inspiration.
Hi Julie, I’m blog-boggled, and more than 2,000 other participants (who did better than I did visiting new blogs) probably have eye strain. Busy month!
I’ve been woefully MIA in visiting blogs this month, but had to read about Al! I didn’t know!
Thanks, Dean! (smiling)
Lee, I admit the book and movie are tearjerkers.
Kristin, I wonder what Al’s like in real life.
Susan, the two Colorado organizations I belong to are incredible. I feel so lucky.
You are one of the reasons I keep on blogging. I only wished I lived near you and your very active writing group. The Yearling is a tearjerker.
I didn’t know Weird Al wrote a kids book. That list of careers outdoes some of my family members lists.
Had no idea Weird Al was shooting to be the next Shel Silverstein.
Never read The Yearling, but I saw the movie when I was a kid and cried my eyes out. Haven’t watched that movie since.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Patricia: I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise, buy yes, you, make me smile!
Alex — Al was a stretch, but I figured anything he wrote would be fun to check out.
Thanks, Margot. I wondered when I started this blog whether I would last and what it would mean to my life. What a wonderful surprise it has turned out to be.
Hi Madeline. Thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy the great lineup of guest authors I have for May.
Rachna, I’m gong to track down copies too. Should be interesting.
I must look for Al’s books.
I have mixed emotions, too, about the Challenge almost being over. But I am looking forward to reading your regular posts. 🙂
Pat – You’re a big part of your readers’ lives too. Thanks for being there. And thanks for the reminder of The Yearling. A classic!
Weird Al wrote a book??? I have to find it.