(Before I start – note to WordPress: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Last time I had problems logging in it was when they changed their main page to display cat photos.  Very pretty, but by the time someone gets to the main page, they’re probably already ready to use WordPress, so that whole main page change that affected my ability to log in for a week, so not needed.  I’m currently having to log in three times before I can actually log in, so I expect some other change is in the wings…Personally, I prefer companies that emulate Hotmail (which hardly ever changes) instead of those that emulate Facebook (which seems to change daily).)

And, now that that rant is over.  I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: To be a good writer, you must read.  Lots and lots.  And to help you in this, here is a little leg up from John Scalzi: Today’s Assignment: Recommend a New Book.

Read the comments.  Tons of great book recommendations.  I think I wrote down three or four new books – most of them non-fiction because that’s just the mood I was in.  But I would also note that PCW’s latest book was on the list, as was Jim C. Hines’.  So, a little extra shout out for both of them since I like their blogs so much.

The list probably slants a little to the SFF side, but still worth a read through.

And, because QQ is fantastic and funny, another link for you: The fact that your book is X does not necessarily mean it is also Y

My favorite of the list: “200,000 words =/= Good”

And since this is such a short post, I’ll throw in a photo.  (Once I track down my thumb drive…)  This one is from the cathedral in Christchurch – before the massive earthquake – and I’m pretty sure this view does not exist anymore.  (I haven’t been back there since.)  Just a reminder that life is constantly moving and changing and if you keep putting something off to some other day, by the time you get to it, it may not be there anymore.

Which reminds me that I need to do some traveling pretty soon.  I’m running a little low on photos to throw in here.  And it was one of my New Year’s resolutions to go to a new foreign country.  Hmmm….so many choices…