Friday around the web: Crime and Science radio, how to start a book club for kids, and kitten food crisis

It's September! I thought this month would never get here... Here in southern Mississippi, each fall month gets us closer to humanly tolerable temps. Currently we're battling the nineties with umptienthousand percent humidity, but we're getting closer to November, when we can go outside and breathe again... :-)

But enough about the weather already. This week on the Twitterz, it was a short week with a hodge-podge of news, like that there will be a new Agatha Christie novel (not sure I'm cool with that, but I'll keep an open mind). For my fellow crime writers: Crime and Science Radio will be hosting webcasts on various crimey topics, starting Saturday with Hollywood Storytelling: Science Fact or Make Believe? This looks like a promising resource...

If you're interested in starting a book club for kids, read my author pal Caroline Starr Rose's blog for a step-by-step guide. Great advice there.

And for some Friday fun, here's a picture of kitten ChuChu, trying to get my attention when I'm editing, but the food bowl is also empty:

Happy weekend, all. Stay frosty...

Friday around the web: cake for Alfred Hitchcock, cats, crime, and Rizzoli&Isles

It's Friday, so here's my report on what's been flying by on the internet. It's been a bit of a silly week, with everyone still in summer mode, I think.

So there was Alfred Hitchcock's birthday on the 13th, in case you needed a reason for cake. Also, there was this very interesting article on cat hair tracing back to a criminal (hat tip to author pal Laura Ellen). Moral of the story: use one of those lint brushes before you commit a crime. Better yet: just stay home with your cats and read a book instead (a cat cozy mystery, maybe?).

Then there was this link to Google maps, where you can take a look inside the Tardis (for you fellow Whovians). I'm ready to go...

And for some good news: Rizzoli&Isles was renewed for a fifth season, as reported on Tess Gerritsen's site. I just discovered this show, but I'm looking forward already.

Happy weekend, all!

Friday around the web: Wimpy Kid cover reveal, summer reading, and Mumford video

It's Friday! This is where I tell you what newsy items I caught during the week, mostly from Twitter. The past week seemed to be full of fun stuff.

Like the cover reveal of the eighth Diary of a Wimpy Kid book called Hard Luck. Looking forward to this one; I always like the pure funny of this series. It's out in November, so all of America can buy it for the holidays. It's even green for color-coordination.

In other news, Publishers Weekly reported on summer reading programs all around the country. Pretty cool to hear from librarians, as always. I especially liked this quote from Lurine Carter from the Detroit Public Library's children's/teen department:
"Life is very serious, not only in Detroit but all over. We try to relieve their minds. We want the library and the reading to be a pleasant getaway.” Amen to that.

And for a last bit of humor: check out the Mumford and Sons new video, featuring a bunch of funny famous dudes.

Happy weekend, all!

Friday around the web: new Harry Potter covers, and Children's Book-a-Day Almanac

In case you missed it this week: Scholastic revealed its final new Harry Potter cover, for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (the new one is on the left, oldie on the right). I kind of like the makeover, don't you? Feels a little more contemporary, like a graphic novel, almost.

If you want to see all seven covers, new and old side-by-side, check out this feature over at Mashable.

Also, Anita Silvey did a very nice feature on her blog Children's Book-a-Day Almanac to commemorate Harry's birthday. It's all about J.K. Rowling and her journey, and a look at why we love Harry so. Her blog is one to follow if you want the story-behind-the-story.

Hope you have a great Friday, and an even better weekend!