Accuracy

It's unanimous. Respondent to the latest poll all cast the same vote: they regard some blogs as accurate sources of information. Blogs are obviously not as "objective" as journalistic articles (though they, too, may be biased). As for this blog, I try to present accurate information regarding books and authors, and do research as needed. I revise and edit information that needs to be updated or corrected, because I care that the facts presented in this blog, which also contains my own stories and commentary, are as accurate as possible.

Some words of wisdom from Mma. Makutsi about accuracy from chapter eight of the book I'm nearly done reading, The Kalahari Typing School for Men:

"Do you see that?" she said to the elder apprentice, whom Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni had instructed to help her in the task of fetching the typewriters. "That motto on the notice board up there? Be accurate. That's the motto of the college."
"Yes," said the apprentice. "That's a good motto. You don't want to be inaccurate if you are a typist. Otherwise you have to do everything twice. That would be no good."
Mma. Makutsi looked at him sideways. "A good motto for every walk of life, would you not think?"
~The Kalahari Typing School for Men, Alexander McCall Smith

More about Writing and Reading

Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett arrived very quickly in the mail, and I've already picked up a few good ideas to put into practice. DeMarco-Barrett acknowledges all the demands on our time and says that even a mere 15 minutes of writing a day can change the daydream of being a writer into reality, slowly but surely. The author of this inspiring book offers a lot of encouraging words, tips, and sage advice for those who want to build a writing career, one word at a time. I read a few chapters last night before returning to the fiction I'm currently reading, The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith. I don't want to reveal too much about The Kalahari Typing School for Men (although the title obviously says a lot) but will say that it's a book filled with beauty and humor. One of things I most enjoy about reading this book (and the others in the series) is that Alexander McCall Smith shows his respect and admiration for women, while at the same time poking fun at his own sex. I'd guess that most of his fans are female, although I could be wrong. He also cares very much about the way people treat each other, about the old Botswana values where people care about the happiness of others. I find this passage particularly beautiful; it describes Mma Ramotswe's reflections after a phone call to the prison office:

"They said farewell, and Mma. Ramotswe put down the telephone with a smile. In spite of everything, in spite of all the change, with all the confusion and uncertainty which it brought; in spite of the casual disregard with which people were increasingly treating one another these days, there were still people who spoke to others with the proper courtesy, who treated others whom they did not know, in the way which was proper according to the standards of the old Botswana morality. And whenever that happened, whenever one encountered such behaviour, one was reminded that all was by no means lost."
~ The Kalahari Typing School for Men, Alexander McCall Smith

I'm nearing the end of this book, but will not mourn as I look forward to the continuation of the adventures of Mma Ramotswe and the rest of the cast of characters in the next book in the series, The Full Cupboard of Life.

Back to School: Reading, Writing, and Blogging

No surprise, I'm enjoying The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith. Mma Ramotswe and her entourage are such pleasant company. Their antics and adventures are simply wonderful! Maybe I sound like a real dork when I say that but these stories are just so much fun to read. I brought the book in my car yesterday afternoon to read there while I waited for my daughter after school. I arrived at school early to ensure myself a parking spot so I had a good half hour or so to read. It was a great use of time--I kept myself entertained with a book instead of waiting impatiently, or stressing out over the lack of last-minute parking. I'll try to get to school early to get a good spot and wait and read whenever possible. Although yesterday was stiflingly hot and humid out, I didn't notice it too much in the car, as I was thoroughly engaged in the story. This pastime will be even nicer once the weather cools off.

I am on a quest of sorts, for writing tools. Yesterday I unearthed The Observation Deck: A Tool Kit for Writers by Naomi Epel from my son's cluttered room (it was a gift I gave him but he'll never look at it), and I recently ordered a book called Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to help keep the ideas flowing, and since I compose mostly at the computer, to keep my fingers "on fire" at the keyboard. Many writers say reading a lot of books helps your writing, which I already do. (I should keep a list of everything I read but that seems too "organized". I guess in a way this blog IS my reading list anyway. I have a new account on Shelfari which features my summer reading, though unfortunately I did not know how to title the list as such. I thought about putting my shelf on this blog, but it didn't fit well.) I read some other blogs but try NOT to get too influenced by the ways and styles of others. Interestingly, when I do read other lit blogs I find, fairly often, that we are talking about the same themes, although each in our own way.

The Kalahari Typing School for Men

It's back to school for the kids and hopefully it'll be back to more reading and blogging for me!

I'm looking forward to spending time once again in the company of Mma Ramotswe and the cast of characters in the fourth book in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith. My book arrived in the mail today and I 'm eager to begin reading it. While I don't judge books by their covers--literally--I must say that these books are lovely to look at. I wish I had a decent picture of the inside cover to post. The book designer(s) use African geometric designs and contrasting colors to enhance the visual experience of these books. They are wonderful outside and inside.

Many of us think of Africa as being very poor, people starving everywhere, horribly afflicted by AIDS. While Africa does suffer greatly from poverty and an AIDS epidemic, that is only part of the picture. Alexander McCall Smith shows us another side of Africa, where people own small businesses and actually enjoy life. Far from starving, Mma Ramotswe is "traditionally built". She has her own detective agency in Botswana and forges a unique career in this series of books. An outstanding detective, Mma Ramotswe also helps her secretary in many ways (I won't spoil it by telling you too much) and is the type of employer we'd all like to work for, one who truly cares about people and their success, not just her own well-being.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, you can be pretty sure I'm happily continuing my African adventure with The Kalahari Typing School for Men.