Archive for the ‘Books & Lit’ Category

« Older Entries
No Comments

Spelling for ebooks: Austin’s annual Adult Spelling Bee


2012
05.09

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Contests, Events | No Comments »

UPDATE – MAY 11: This event has been postponed until May 17 due to rain!

I must admit I’m torn on this event, as I loathe the Chronicle, but my love for the Austin Public Library far outweighs the many beefs I have with our city’s rag of choice. So, with my blessing, please attend the annual Adult Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 10 to benefit the library’s new digital reading collection!

Deets are as follows:

This is an adults-only spelling bee, so leave the youn’uns at home. 21+ drinking types can get buzzed while the bee does, and maybe learn a thing or two about EDU-MA-CAY-SHUN and VO-CAB-A-LARRY. Study up, bro, these words will be on the test!

WHEN: Thursday, May 10 17

WHERE: Threadgill’s World HQ (aka 301 W. Riverside)

REGISTRATION runs from 4:30 to 6 PM, the first test will take place around 6:15 PM, the second around 7 PM and finals at 7:30 PM

Prizes! Minimal $3 entry fee! Booze! Ebooks for APL! Kick it with 2011 winner Geoff Thevenot! It’s all good and the price is right, so c’mon dowwwwwwwwn!

No Comments

Learn to Cook with Hilah Cooking


2011
09.23

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Recipes | No Comments »

Okay, guys and dolls, it’s Foodie Friday and guess what? Another awesome local has written a super-cool book that you need to get your hands on, stat. It’s called Learn To Cook, and it’s by Hilah Cooking‘s one and only Hilah Johnson.

For those who don’t busy themselves with all things Austin and food-related because they’ve got day jobs or whatevs, Hilah is basically Austin’s version of Martha Stewart, all jacked up on sweet tea and Breakfast Tacos. Coincidentally, breakfast tacos are also the subject of her first book, which you can get FOR FREE by clicking that link. The girl knows her breakfast tacos, and will explain exactly why breakfast burritos are not, remotely, the same thing.

After writing about all things breakfast taco-y, and presenting tons of weekly episodes of her online cooking show, Hilah decided to go for the hot sauce and write a book that would help everyone learn how to cook. That’s right, EVERYONE. That includes even the most clueless peeps who’ve never been in a kitchen in their lives, and those of you that can burn water. (True fact: an ex-boyfriend of mine once admitted his mother was able to do this; please do not try it at home, as it involves leaving a full pot of water on the stove for so long that it entirely evaporates and ruins the bottom of your pot. Bad idea.)

If you, too, have been wondering how to get started in the kitchen without burning the house down or feeling stupid because you don’t know what directions like “fold in gently” or “saute” or “julienne” mean, check out Hilah’s website and buy a copy of Learn To Cook. The best thing about this book is that there’s a totally free 17-page sample you can try before you buy, and if you totally hate it (which you won’t), she’ll even give you your money back. There’s also a super-cool option to get bonus videos with the book, so you can watch Hilah cook everything step-by-step. Sweet, right?

So screw going out on Friday night and wasting your dough on expensive meals and drinks that you can totally make at home. Hilah will teach you how to do it up right, whether you’re looking to impress a guy or gal, or just feed your own dang self. Enjoy!

No Comments

Black Heart Magazine seeks cover art


2011
09.19

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Contests | No Comments »

Calling all visual artists! Our friends at Black Heart Magazine are in search of some kick-ass cover art for their latest digital anthology, a collection of local writers on the city of Austin. Whether you draw, paint, sculpt, pound metal into outrageous shapes, take photos, create collages, stain glass or spin garbage into gold, they want YOU to show ‘em what you’ve got.

The Vibe: Austin, in all its weirdness + a literary/artistic element

Submit your best take on Austin as a literary city via their Submishmash system (in JPG or GIF formats) by September 30, 2011 and your artwork could be the next cover.

Possible Inspiration: See the cover of their NOIR Anthology by artists Brian Roe and Ronda Pattison to kickstart your creative engines.

For more info on Black Heart, check out their website at http://blackheartmagazine.com.

No Comments

Top 5 free ebooks actually worth reading


2011
09.12

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Freebies, Steals and Deals | No Comments »

I’ve got a Kindle (a much-loved birthday present from my husband, who knows how I tear through books), which never ceases to attract attention on the bus—both for its technological wow-factor and for the sheer fact that I’m the weird girl who is reading on the bus. (Seriously, we are a rare breed.) Being a broke-ass frugal type, I tend not to frivolously toss down a ten-spot for digital books, so I regularly troll the free section of Amazon’s Kindle store, in search of titles that are actually worth downloading.

Trust me: I’ve been through quite a few that, despite their totally free price-tag, weren’t even worth my time. (And lord, do I have time for reading, as my average commute takes an hour each way. Thanks, CapMetro!)

In short, I’ve made a list of the top 5 books I’ve managed to acquire for free (or cheap) through Amazon which are actually worth reading. Check it out!

  1. Cybill Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd and Aimee Lee Ball – With a subtitle like “How I survived beauty pageants, Elvis, sex, Bruce Willis, lies, marriage, motherhood, Hollywood, and the irrepressible urge to say what I think,” this book is pretty damn cheeky. Granted, it’s a celebrity memoir, and thus a bit flakily organized, but I give it 3 stars for guts. Ms. Shepherd dishes the dirt on her many and various lovers, the misogynistic boys club of Hollywood, and her quest for equal rights for all. I’d like to see more of this last bit in the future, cus there’s nothing like a loudmouthed blonde crusading for justice. HOT.
  2. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson – Yes, this is a Young Adult book, and shut up. It was actually really enjoyable, despite the main character’s persistent need to run away from the action of the book, and it made me long for a crazy artist aunt of my own who might send me on a whirlwind journey across Europe with nothing but a backpack and 13 envelopes directing me to my next destination. 4 stars; read it in an afternoon with a cup of coffee and dream of Paris. (NOTE: I was able to download a free version of this book as part of a promotion by the publisher, but the Kindle version currently available costs $7.99.)
  3. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom – If you dig the supernatural and you’re been craving a mystery involving witches, vampires and possessed bunny slippers, then here is your next read. I’m only 14% into this book so far, but I’m already recommending it. What can I say? I’m a sucker for puns, and the vamps who inspire ‘em. (NOTE: This one was also free for a limited time, but currently costs $4.61.)
  4. Outcast by Thomas Myer – Full disclosure: Tom is a writer friend of mine, so I am slightly biased. But even so, for $2.99 this little NaNoWriMo exercise-turned-novel is worth the price, and highly enjoyable. I was kind of peeved about his ending, but I still enjoyed the rest of the journey, so I only demoted him one star for this offense. And since his usual writing territory is the vast and largely soporific world of tech guides, I’d call this a welcome departure from the rest of his catalog. (Put that on your next book’s jacket, Tom, I dare you!)
  5. Make the Devil Fumble His Wine by Robert Bruce – A book of poetry that doesn’t suck? On your Kindle? WTF, right? I originally downloaded this for free from Robert’s website, and now that it’s available on Amazon, it’s only $2.99 (the magic price) and highly recommended. I particularly enjoyed “Four Foolproof Ways to Create Staggering Wealth in This World.” Check this one out, even if you hate poetry. I promise you will dig it, the way hipsters dig Bukowski.

Got any free or cheap ebooks you’d recommend?

No Comments

Cultural events for the Shoestring budget


2011
09.08

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Classes, Events, Movies | No Comments »

  • Graphic identity for Banned, Burned, Seized, and Censored exhibition (image courtesy of the Harry Ransom Center)

    The “Banned, Burned, Seized, and Censored” exhibit is on now until January 22, 2012 at the Harry Ransom Center. Entry to the Center is always free on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours until 7 PM on Thursdays, and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 PM. The opening gala is tomorrow night (September 9) from 6 to 8 PM. Tickets are $20 at the door, or free for members of the Center. And don’t miss their reading list of banned and censored books, most of which you can find at your local library!

  • The City of Austin is offering “Take it to the Next Level” free workshops for creatives, including today’s class, “Protecting Your Work: Intellectual Property Basics for Artists and Creative Types” from 3 to 5:30 PM at the Cultural Arts Division Offices (201 E. 2nd Street). Topics to be covered include legal issues of trademark, copyright, trade secrets and patents; how to enforces your right to protected work; and a guided tour of state and federal trademark applications and copyright registration. Presenter Andrea Beleno Harrington is an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid’s Legal Assistance to Microenterprises Project (LAMP). Check out the rest of their scheduled classes for 2011 at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/redevelopment/nextlevel_schedule.htm.
  • The Alamo Drafthouse’s Rolling Roadshow presents a free screening of our favorite 80′s movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, this Sunday, September 11 at 7:30 PM. There’s a $5 suggested donation for entry to the pre-show street party, and lawnchairs are recommended. Movie starts at 9 PM.
  • A free screening of the award-winning documentary DIVE! will be played at the Blanton Museum of Art as part of the Hungry in America panel discussion presented by the Capital Area Food Bank on Thursday, September 15 at 6 PM. The museum is located at 200 E. MLK Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned foods for the CAFB food drive to receive $1 off regular admission to the museum. Check out the film’s trailer online here.
No Comments

3-Day Novel Contest – Sept 3 through 5


2011
08.31

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Events, Fun | No Comments »

The 3-Day Novel Contest happens every Labor Day weekend, and this year Shoestring Austin’s editor, Laura Roberts, will be participating. In this whirlwind book-writing frenzy, hundreds–nay, thousands!–of writers crank out brand-new books in just three days, with little to no time for sleep, much less doubt or hesitation. The winner is published by 3-Day Books, and heralded as the World’s Best 3-Day Novelist for one full year of glory.

So, in case you wondered why we’re not updating this weekend (or responding to emails), that would be why.

Also, in case you want one last shot at naming a character in the World’s Greatest Pirates Vs. Ninja Story EVER, you’ve only got six more hours to make it happen! Click here for details.

2 comments

Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Austin out Thursday


2011
08.30

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Budget Travel | 2 Comments »

Speaking of culinary mysteries, does anyone know when The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Austin will be hitting shelves around town? Amazon.com says the publication date is September 1, 2011, but like good localistas, we’d love to buy a copy at one of our neighborhood booksellers, to keep the local cashflow circulating.

We’re excited about this book, mostly because we bought a copy of The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to San Francisco back in the day, and it was busting with great info on how to live the good life on a shoestring budget. Looking forward to gleaning similar tricks and tips for Austin!

This particular volume is written by Houston Chronicle writer Kristin Finan who, according to the book’s “About the Author” section, is an Austin native who divides her time between Austin and Houston. She’s also written The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Houston, so hopefully she’s been doing her homework down here in the Capital to bring us more than the usual suspects of free live music pretty much everywhere and free wine tastings at Spec’s.

6 comments

Culinary mysteries – the new trend?


2011
08.28

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit | 6 Comments »

We may be right, or we may be crazy. Could it be that the latest culinary craze is books about food?

We’re not talking about cookbooks, though those have certainly been in fashion lately. Instead, we’ve noticed quite a crop of “foodie mysteries” popping up on Amazon.com. In addition to Austin writer Robin Allen’s debut “culinary cop” book If You Can’t Stand the Heat, there are plenty more to whet your whistle — or butter your biscuits.

A random selection of pun-tastic titles:

  • Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Schulz culinary mysteries include Catering to Nobody and Tough Cookie
  • Connie Shelton’s Sweet Masterpiece claims to contain “a little romance, a little magic and a lot of chocolate”
  • The award for Best Cover surely has to go to Nancy Fairbanks for Death A L’orange (though Holy Guacamole!‘s awesome chihuahua is a close second)
  • Ellen Hart’s Dial M for Meatloaf is a title a true mystery aficionado can really sink her teeth into (rimshot)
  • Jerrilyn Farmer’s Mumbo Gumbo, despite being labelled a “catering mystery,” is definitely making me hungry, and The Flaming Luau of Death is either the best name for a cocktail that you set on fire or totally the way I want to die (if it can’t be peacefully in bed)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Separating the facts from fiction in the kitchen is Christopher Kimball’s The Kitchen Detective, solving culinary mysteries with 125 “foolproof” recipes. Written by the founder of America’s Test Kitchen and editor of Cook’s Illustrated, Kimball brings a variety of fun food facts and recipe engineering skills together to help home chefs whip up perfect dishes every time.

And, if you dig New Orleans and rowdy tales from the chefs that keep Bourbon Street buzzing, be sure to check out Poppy Z. Brite’s “Liquorverse,” starting with her novel Liquor and following up with Prime, D*U*C*K and Soul Kitchen.

Have you read any culinary mysteries?

No Comments

Kickstart the arts: 9 Austin projects you should be funding


2011
08.20

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, Groceries, Movies, Music | No Comments »

By now, I’ll assume most everybody’s heard of Kickstarter, the indie friend of artists looking to raise budgets for their latest projects, hairbrained schemes and other shots at greatness. The website is full of projects looking for monetary backers, though not all of them are necessarily worthy of your attention, much less your cash contributions. So what’s a broke-ass arts supporter to do?

Never fear! Shoestring Austin has waded through three different fundraising websites to help YOU connect with awesome arts projects worthy of your hard-earned dollars and your love. So, without further ado, here’s a list of the 9 Coolest Projects from Austin artists, compiled from the Kickstarter, IndieGoGo and United States Artists websites:

9 – El Gallo series – End of the World Mexican Tales (miniseries)

Described as “adult-oriented Mexican and Texican-tales woven carefully with the threads of magical realism,” this miniseries follows a golden rooster that grants wishes, and the many people who seek to control Sietecueros’ powers. If you dig the literary works of Borges and Hispanic culture, this is a must-fund.

8 – 101 Days Around America: West Side (web series)

American Odyssey TV wants to take you on a road trip around the American west. With weekly webisodes, follow Ken and Julie from San Diego to Montana and on to Washington, Oregon and back to California. National parks, beaches, wineries and plenty of local landmarks will be documented by your hosts. Like to travel? Back this horse, partner!

7 – Greening the Ghetto (community)

East Austin needs community gardens, and the Greening the Ghetto project wants to help. Brought to you by Project Abundant Life, this East Austin cultural center wants to build a backyard garden and set up community projects that will get everyone from youth to the elderly involved. Help purchase gardening materials, a rainwater collection system, and much more. Like home-grown fruits and veggies? This is the project for you!

6 – Lorri’s Opening a Macaron Truck (food)

Chocolate-bacon macarons (photo by Lorri Hamm)

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts grad Lorri Hamm wants to open a different kind of food truck. Instead of savory lunchables, hers will feature French-style sweets: specifically, macarons! If you dig tiny cookies in rainbow colors, you’re already a fan of macarons. Want one named after you? Donate to Lorri’s creative campaign and you can realize this culinary dream while helping out an aspiring small business owner. Sweet!

5 – Dubwerth: Journey to our Debut Album (music)

Featuring the hilarious (and occasionally vomit-inducing) ode “Four Loko Pongo,” Dubwerth combines rap with the music of the acoustic guitar. Help these two music-lovers produce their first album and say you knew them when!

4 – Clown vs. Mime (web series)

“One will win. One will die.” As we all know, clowns and mimes are sworn enemies. Only one tribe can triumph. Check out the first episode, via the link above for some classic tomfoolery.

3 – in.gredients (food)

The world’s first zero-waste, no-packaging grocery store, coming soon! If you love the environment and want a real alternative to mainstream grocery stores and their wasteful ways, in.gredients is your kind of store. Get in on the ground floor and support this awesome home-grown idea.

2 – World’s Greatest 3-Day Novel (novel)

All right, so we’re totally pimping ourselves with this one, but at least we didn’t hog the top spot. The dealio: Author Laura Roberts (and editor of this blog) is looking to raise the princely sum of $120 to write The World’s Greatest 3-Day Novel EVER. From September 3-5, over Labor Day Weekend 2011, Laura will pump out the ass-kickin’-est novel ever written about ninjas, pirates and the epic battle of good vs. evil that compels them. Those who pledge just $25 get the chance to name a character — great for revenge purposes or immortalizing yourself in print! If you love indie literature, pirates and/or ninjas, you’ll dig this project.

1 – Loves Her Gun (film)

Local blogger Hipstercrite (aka Lauren Modery) and filmmaker Geoff Marslett have teamed up to write a screenplay for their independent film “Loves Her Gun,” which follows a young woman fleeing violence in NYC to her new home in Austin, TX. Described as “a cautionary tale of transformation, crime, guns, and hipsters,” this is by far the most compelling pitch for funding I’ve seen online. Check it out and buy a little piece of the Austin film scene!

No Comments

Local publisher seeks Austin writers for new anthology


2011
08.02

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Books & Lit, News | No Comments »

Attention Austin writers! Black Heart Magazine is currently seeking contributions for their upcoming Austin Writers Anthology. Chosen works will be published in a variety of digital formats (like their awesome new NOIR anthology), and will feature both established and up-and-coming writers on the subject of “Sense of Place in Austin, Texas.”

"Austin Writers" (photo of Philosophers' Rock by Flickr user Tracy Hunter)

Anthology editor and publisher Laura Roberts (who is, indeed, also the author of this blog) is looking for writing about “the Austin you know and love, the Austin that frustrates you, the Austin where you hang out with friends and family, the Austin you most desire to see on the page or aspire to achieve in the real world,” and wants contributors to share their ideas about Austin with the world.

In addition to short fiction, nonfiction and creative nonfiction pieces of up to 1,000 words, poetry is also welcome, as are images, audio and video selections that will be featured on the Black Heart website.

The deadline for submission to this anthology is August 31, 2011, with publication tentatively slated for October 2011.

To submit your work for consideration, please see Black Heart’s Submishmash submissions system page, online at http://blackheartmagazine.submishmash.com/Submit/6436/Account.

« Older Entries