Poetry Even When It's Not Poetry Month

I just learned about a new (new to me, that is) form of poetry. It's called sijo. It's from Korea and is similar to haiku in that you count syllables. But in sijo each line has a specific purpose too--the first line introduces the topic, the second further develops the idea and the third contains a twist of some kind. Here's an example from Linda Sue Park's terrific book, Tap Dancing on the Roof:

Breakfast

For this meal, people like what they like, the same every morning.

Toast and coffee. Bagel and juice. Cornflakes and milk in a white bowl.

Or--warm, soft, and delicious--a few extra minutes in bed.

Book Heaven or Why I Love Trade Shows

I was just at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Tradeshow (try saying that five times fast) and came home with four (yes, FOUR!) bags full of books. You know that feeling when you can't find anything you want to read? Shouldn't be my problem for a few weeks at least.

One of the great things about PNBA is author breakfasts. You sit and eat a lovely breakfast someone else has cooked and authors entertain you. Friday morning, I introduced myself to my next door neighbor at the table and it was Liz Gallagher. Liz is awaiting the publication of her first book, The Opposite of Invisible. So as soon as the show was over, I sat down to read her book. Ooh, I loved it. Alice lives in Seattle (which for some reason the jacket copy describes as "quirky") and it is fun to recognize the places she goes--the Pike Place Market and Fremont troll, for example. Over the course of the book, she gains the confidence to be herself--to be the opposite of invisible. She gains and loses her first boyfriend, makes new friends and finds a new medium to explore artistically.

You can visit her website at http://www.lizgallagher.com/. Look for more about the books I picked up at PNBA in the next few weeks!