9.13.15 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi there! Assistant Amy here once again, filling in for JT as she (tearfully, I'm sure) bids goodbye to Europe. 

How was your week? Is it cooling off in your neck of the woods. I think fall is peeking around the corner here in Nashville--the high was a glorious 69 yesterday. I can feel the crisp breezes, boots, and warm mugs of tea calling my name!

I found a bunch of fun bookish (and not-so-bookish) things this week that I think you might like:

Of course, we first have to talk about JT (hey, boss, your ears burnin' yet?). I am having all kinds of food envy while she's in Italy, and have been coveting everything on her Instagram feed. If any part of your soul loves pizza, avert your eyes, lest you be consumed with jealousy. 

Nerd alert: Game of Thrones fans, we may be in luck! The next installment of A Song of Ice and Fire, THE WINDS OF WINTER, may be due out next year—barring a meteorite crash. Sidenote: is George R. R. Martin’s brain insured by Lloyd’s of London? Because it should be. 

The Morris Book Shop in Lexington, Kentucky, has combined two of my favorite things—books and food—into one delightful experience: The Pen to Plate Dinner! Chefs cook bookshop patrons a dinner based on a book. Heaven. You should check it out if you’re closeby. 

In more book news, Barnes & Noble has just released a new Samsung Galaxy Nook. Do you think this will help Nook sales? I’m skeptical. But it’s pretty, though. 

In the midst of a crazy work/life day, how many times have you thought I’m just going to move to an island and be done with it? This guy actually did it. 

I am a sucker for a good cartoon, and Kate Beaton’s wit in Hark! A Vagrant strips have made me laugh for years. Beaton’s got a knack for satirizing your favorite characters from history and literature, and she’s dipped her toe into children’s books for the first time. I really enjoyed her Q&A with Publisher's Weekly.

Who loves to ask their friends what they’re reading? *raises hand* This map takes that question to a nationwide level—and shows the most popular library books by state.  

Why do humans do the things they do? My favorite weekly segment on NPR, Hidden Brain, explores why we make the choices we do, and the consequences of individual actions on larger society. You can imagine my excitement when I learned Hidden Brain is becoming a podcast! Like the Serial and Invisibilia podcasts before it, it’s sure not to disappoint. 

That’s all I’ve got this week, folks. JT will (finally) be back next Sunday, so I’m sure she’ll regale you on all her European-filled activities. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you.

I leave you with this Faulkner quote, which I'm making my creativity mantra for life.

See you soon!
Assistant Amy

9.6.15 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi there! Assistant Amy here, filling in once again for my fearless leader while she's busily researching and writing the next Nicholas Drummond novel. 

Did you guys have a good week? I think Fall Fever officially struck me--the leaves are ever-so-slightly turning here in Nashville, which doesn't coincide at all with the soaring 90+ temperatures. But the heat doesn't negate the fact that I want everything to be apple, pumpkin, cinnamon and clove. Oh well. Soon enough!

Let's jump in, shall we?

First of all, let’s talk about my boss’s writing perch in the Piazzo San Marco in Venice. Man. Poor, J.T. I hope she gets a better view soon. 

I’m guessing most, if not all, of you are voracious readers. How much is that is due to your parents’ influence? My reading gene comes from my mother, who devours at least three or four novels a week to this day. Ever since I can remember, Mom filled my world with books: reading with me every day until I could do it on my own, taking me to the library every Friday growing up and getting a Wendy’s Frosty afterward, always getting me books as gifts. I can’t thank her enough—which is why this article on 12 Ways Your Parents Turned You Into a Book Lover hits so close to home. 

Along with the autumn spices, fall also means breaking out belly-warming soups! You can imagine my quandary when Saveur posted this delicious Mexican Tortilla Soup this week. I don’t care if it’s 94 degrees outside. I want that soup! 

Have you guys seen the trailer for the new Macbeth movie starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard?! This. Looks. Epic.  

And the Internet basically exploded this week upon the official notice of Albus Severus Potter’s first day and sorting at Hogwarts on September 1. 

And speaking of more Harry Potter (it’s always relevant), this amazing teacher turned her classroom into the stuff of my childhood dreams. Ten points for Ravenclaw! (with that creativity, she’d have to be a Ravenclaw, right?) 

And to bring it closer to home, a new month means a new contest on JTEllison.com! Enter for your chance to win a trio of paperbacks from legal thriller author Joseph Teller. You won’t be disappointed.  

Oh, and some great news: you guys made The Lost Key paperback jump to #6 on the New York Times Best Seller List! Thanks for reading and making that happen!!

Until next week, lovely people. Your comments have made me feel so welcome, and I’ve so enjoyed interacting with all of you! Have a great week, and dream of sweater weather.

8.30.15 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi there! Amy here, J.T.’s trusty assistant (and lover of books, Mexican food, and nice dogs). While J.T.’s making her way around Europe researching the next Nicholas Dummond novel, I’m at the communications helm leading the literary dialogue. So nice to meet you!

Here are a few things J.T. and I found buzzworthy around the internets this week:

Did you hear there’s a new Alzheimer’s treatment that’s fully restoring memory function? Perhaps there's real hope for those stricken with this insidious disease.

With our busy lives and hectic schedules, sometimes it hardly seems possible to survive, let alone thrive and create amidst it all. Author and blogger Dani Shapiro hits the nail on the head with this post that will hit home for artists: On Protecting Your Instrument.   

I read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (mostly because J.T. couldn’t stop talking about it since she’s read it 9 times), and it turned out to be a FANTASTIC book. My boss might know what she’s talking about when it comes to books. Being the Outlander nerds we are, we couldn’t help but chuckle at Outlander’s TV composer Bear McCreary and his ode to one of the best instruments of all time: the bagpipe. Trust me: it’s worth a watch, even if you’ve never seen the show. (Zombie lovers: McCreary is the mastermind behind the creeptastic music in The Walking Dead!) 

My reaction to Buzzfeed’s 26 literary characters who stole your heart? Yes, yes, 1000 times yes! (Except for you, Draco Malfoy. I have no time for Slytherins.)

And speaking of Malfoy, here’s some more Buzzfeed gold: Hilarious Harry Potter Comics Show How Irresponsible Dumbledore Was. But seriously, guys. It'll make you do a double-take on your blind love for the old wizard!

Ok, I have a really important question for you: do you remember McPizza?!? I certainly don’t, which is why this Mental Floss article weirdly fascinated me: The short, strange life of McDonald’s Pizza.  

And on the Tao, we dually celebrated the imminent arrival of the latest Nicholas Drummond book, THE END GAME, and the paperback release of its predecessor, THE LOST KEY!

Alright, everybody, that’s about all we’ve got for the week. I’ll see you soon! (And seriously, tell me if you’ve ever had McPizza. I’m ridiculously curious.)

8.25.15 - THE LOST KEY, now out in paperback for $9.99!

One of the most devastating parts of summer is, bar none, the TV hiatus. 

Oh sure. As an artist, I understand the benefits of taking time away from your craft to recharge your batteries. Heck, when I'm under deadline, I read like the dickens to refill my well, so I can keep my creative juices flowing. You guys know this.

But selfishly . . . I want all the TV. All the time.

And when it's finally time to sit down and watch my favorite show (RIP, Mad Men), for the life of me, if there isn't a "Previously on Mad Men!" highlight reel at the beginning, I'm slightly lost. And a little confused. And a little ashamed, because how could I be a true fan if I forget those nitty-gritty details?!

The same holds true with books. I can't tell how how many times I've skimmed the previous book in a series to refresh my brain on storylines, so I can nerd out in the best way possible when I get my hands on the coveted new addition to the series! 

TV. Books. A nerd in one arena, and chances are, you'll be a nerd in (several) others.

And so, my chickens and Nicholas Drummond fans, THE LOST KEY goes on sale in paperback today for only $9.99 (and cheaper, at some retailers!). It's a fantastic way for you to catch up on all the action before the next book in the A Brit in the FBI series, THE END GAME, releases September 15. Pre-order your copy of THE END GAME now, so you can start on the fun as soon as retailers put it on the shelves.

Because being a nerd is hard work, y'all.

8.23.15 - Sunday Smatterings

Hello, lovelies! How are you? I came home this week after an extended work/play trip—and boy, were my kitties glad to see me (and me, them!). My first morning back, I don’t think they budged for an hour, preferring to perch on top of Mama instead of beg for breakfast. Hey, there are worse things.

Here are some things that piqued my interest this week:

First of all, did you hear about the first two women who graduated from Army Ranger School?! Tough. As. Nails. Xander would be proud.  

You want to know about the She Reads Triangle. Combine equal parts food, friends, authors, and book discussions, and you’re going to have yourself one grand bookish weekend in North Carolina!

One of my favorite writing bloggers, Steven Pressfield, always hits it out of the park. But the advice he gave this week was so simple, yet so difficult for some to swallow: the artist’s most important skill. This one I actually do know, and follow. 

An artist always needs the right tools to get the job done. WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! 

And contests still abound, folks. Don’t forget about my publisher MIRA’s Bookclubbish Summer Reading Sweepstakes! And, of course, don’t forget about my August contest! 

That's all I've got, folks. Have a great final week of August!