Archive for October, 2009
For some, the wait is longer
The Nobel Prize(s) were awarded last week, four of which went to women for recognition of achievements in Literature (Herta Müeller), Medicine (Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider) and Chemistry (Ada Yonath sharing). Great stuff, record year for women, yeah, but I’m going to be sneaky and point out that it took the organisation over 40 years to recognise Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider’s work, in contrast to Barack Obama, this year’s Peace Prize winner, who’s only been heavily in the public eye for three years and who has been President for less than one.
Make of that what you will.
We coulda been first
There’s a nice yet sad story from Wired about NASA almost allowing women astronauts into space even before the first moon landing. 19 women undertook endurance tests for suitabillity with 13 scoring highly to form the largest graduating class, four women scored as high as men and some surpassed test results, but the sexist policies at the time would not allow the best person up.
In the late 1950s, the United States government contemplated training women as astronauts, and newly released medical test results show that they were just as cool and tough as the men who went to the moon.
“They were all extraordinary women and outstanding pilots and great candidates for what was proposed,” said Donald Kilgore, a doctor who evaluated both male and female space flight candidates at the Lovelace Clinic, a mid-century center of aeromedical research. “They came out better than the men in many categories.”
PDF article here.
Book read: Goldenseal by Gill McKnight
I read Goldenseal – all of it – at regular speed, no skipping. It’s a good thing too because I had to slog through the first ¼ of the book but when the action started, I couldn’t put it down.
Art, sleuthing and botany are all elements used to good effect in this book. Gill McKnight can turn on facts, making the story a richer, intellectual pursuit that keeps the reader entertained and in the game.
In Goldenseal, Amy walks right into a spider’s lair when she returns to the valley of her childhood. The people she called family and the lover who left her, are all determined that she should continue the work her indisposed aunt has been doing that is essential to the Garoul community.
As Amy is alternately coddled and wooed by the Garouls, and by one in particular, she tries to shake off the feeling that everyone is hiding something for her, while being very aware that she is being stalked by a predatory entity. By dint of devotion to her aunt and her professionalism, she stubbornly picks apart each veiled action until the truth of the Garouls and her aunt’s whereabouts are revealed. But can she do it while resisting the brooding attraction of Leone and before she herself winds up dead, or worse?
Goldenseal has action, mystery and a prickly heroine who induces serious lust in her lover. All I can say is, Woof!
After the dust settled, I jotted down these criticisms:
1) For a paranormal story, the beginning was entirely too normal. It was bland and there wasn’t anything that hinted darkly enough that something dramatic might be coming. The writing was sparse, not enough setting/background description – the valley being so beautiful I wanted more visuals. Nobody seemed interesting.
2) Lots of information repeated, and the repetitions appeared close together. I dislike being nannied so I was glad when the story moved forward faster instead of eddying.
3) The multiple threads in the storyline were handled exceptionally well.
4) Amy is too calm for her own good. For someone who knows she’s in danger, she’s just not terrified enough.
5) Leone is animalistic sexy (grunter v hottie), and unconsciously funny too, but don’t tell her that.
6) Don’t fuck with Amy.
Goldenseal is the first book in the Garoul series, published by Bold Strokes Books.
R-arrrr
Still catching up with news and stuff. I’m also being a stickybeak in the formation of a new lesbian literary guild.
But first, for your viewing pleasure, Judy Francesconi’s latest calendar is available for ordering. I’m glad this one’s more explicit.
Tempt 2010
Amazon will explode
This just in: Amazon will allow Kindle to be shipped to Australia now (and presumable worldwide later). I have a sinking feeling in my tummy.
Calling for papers on (lesbian) romance
The Popular Culture Association (American based) is calling for papers on romance – they are “looking for discussions of ANY representations of romance in popular culture, anywhere, anywhen, any media, any genre.”
The event will be held :
PCA/ACA 2010 National Conference
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
March 31 – April 3, 2010
Submissions by 30 November 2009. You must be a member to submit.
Full info at http://pcaaca.org/conference/national.php
[via TMT]
Catching up
I’ve been away from this blog-of-many-interests for a few days – cooking and sporting and reconnecting with my sweetie. I’ve some clippings coming up.
