As most of you know, I was an outlaw for some years and did time and stuff like that. What we call "ancient history." However, I still visit my "alma mater" occasionally (Pendleton) and when I do, I usually take a few cartons of books to donate to the prison library. It's pretty much the same as when I was there--fairly sparse and not much on the shelves. Therefore, I was delighted at two recent blogs that talked about the value of books for inmates and wanted to share what they had to say with y'all. The first is by Thomas Pluck, noir writer extraordinaire, who brought to my attention a wonderful organization that helps furnish prison libraries. You can read his post at: http://www.pluckyoutoo.com/2012/01/crime-writers-helping-crooks.html
Tom's post came out awhile back. And then, today the great Lee Lofland presented a marvelous post on his blog (The Graveyard Shift) an terrific article that really depicts honestly what books can do for inmates. Check it out at: http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/15-amazing-effects-of-prison-libraries/
For those who maybe aren't familiar with Lee, he's THE expert on police procedures and forensics and runs a police academy for writers that's unparalleled anywhere. Check out his blog. Always great and informative stuff.
And finally, I want to share a little love my friend and fellow crime writer, B.R. Stateham gave me on his blog where he reviewed THE BITCH. He made me feel guilty as I read one of his novels--A TASTE OF OLD REVENGE--awhile back and loved ir and told him I'd be posting a review of it... and haven't yet written it. I will, B.R.! I promise! It's an absolutely great book so don't wait until I review it to buy it! Anyway, here's what B.R. had to say about my novel and a couple of other really good ones at http://noirtaketurner-frank.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-reviewer-today.html
I don't know what the weather's like where you folks are, but here in Ft. Wayne today, while it's still cold and there's still snow on the ground... THE SUN IS SHINING! I had to call someone to find out what that big shiny thing in the sky was and I was told it's THE SUN! Hooray! It brought back so many memories of when I lived in New Orleans and in Texas where you see it all the time...
Have a great day and keep your powder dry!
Blue skies,
Les
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6 comments:
It's a bit chilly today here on the islands of Coastal Ga. Well, compared to the 80 degrees we experienced last weekend, it's chilly. Today we'll top out at somewhere around 70. Brrr...
I got your "Brrr" Lee! I'm sending my "associate" Gino to visit you and everyone else who is getting a tan...
Interesting post. Thank you for sharing. As for the sun, the one I see up in the sky is large, hot, and in charge. The sun of Arabia is no joke,
Best,
Rashad.
Great, Rashad! Everybody in the world is warm except me!
love the post, Les! Mid 70s all week, here in Az. Maybe someday, you'll come for a visit!!
Maegan, you guys are killin' me! I hate cold weather. Never saw snow until I was 13 and that was enough. A perfect winter to me would be it would be 95 degrees with 100 percent humidity for 364 days and then one day of winter where the temp dropped to 94 and the tips of the palm trees turned a tiny bit brown (that takes care of that "change of seasons" that people get mooney over...
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