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My Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter No. 37 (November/December 2024)

Published 10 months ago • 1 min read

Books, Blogs, and Brain Clouds

Newsletter #37 - November/December 2024

A Christmas Story

There are two Christmas stories in my as-yet-unpublished children's chapter book The Groundhogs of Linden Manor. As a gift this holiday, I thought I'd share one with you. I hope it brings you joy and comfort.

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Read "Up on a Housetop"

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Eleanor Cameron and Karen Rose

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About a year ago I got an e-mail that sent me on down a fascinating rabbit hole. Read about what happened here.

Jack Kent Rarities

Jack Kent was so prolific that I continue to find work that didn't turn up during my research. This past month I've found three items that were new to me. First is a British publication from 1974 called My ABC of Nursery Rhymes, which predates Jack Kent's Merry Mother Goose by three years. Next was a 1976 Scholastic educational sight word game called Batter Up! And finally there's Everybody's Got One! A Filmstrip on the Human Skeleton, from 1977. Now I just need a projector.

What I'm Reading

I'm excited to read Percival Everett's James, but I decided to revisit The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn first. About halfway through that, I got sidetracked by a so-so biography of musician Bill Withers, and then by Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark (Wendy and I are watching the documentary series on Max).

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Theo and I are so close to finished with The Beggar Queen. After that we'll be diving into Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Family.

The Hopefuls Song of the Month

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Vicious Vicious - "Last of the Magicians" (2024)

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Erik Appelwick is back with the first single from the 7th Vicious Vicious album (due early next year). This one melds the dancey soundscapes he's been creating for the last decade with the live band feel of his mid '00s work (catchy electric guitar and bass licks are prominent).

Bonus for the backing vocals from Bethany Parks, Appelwick's partner in Citrine.

And Finally, a Brain Cloud

(I typically don't like to explain my comics, but I will say that this one is a tribute / sequel to a beloved Far Side.)

Peace, love, and thank you for reading.

paul.allen@gmail.com
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