Not Dead, Merely Pining For the Fjords

Hello all!

I'm still here--I had to take some time off for numerous school/life/work related reasons, but I'm back with some exciting news to come in the next couple of days.

If you'd like to see what I've been up to in the interim, check out girls.books.food.art.love, my tumblr full of magic, wonder, books, and what is colloquially called Teh Gay. Comments are enabled, so feel free to share the love.

Avec <3,
Rie

A Real Change of Face

Hey Awesome Readers!

You've probably noticed it's gone a bit quiet round here--I've had a crazy month. (In one word? Girls. In several? Girls and grad school.)  I still love LSL and have absolutely no plans to leave it (Working on a couple of reviews as we speak, as it happens). However, I needed something fresh. That, my loves, is my No Longer Secret Other Blog:

girls. books. food. art. love.

All the wonderful, whimsical, weird content you love here in bite-size pieces throughout the day. Content's a little less sweet and a little more twentysomething over there--think The Sassy Minx (<3!) as opposed to Pink World. If you're so inclined, you can wade through the archives--I put up almost 200 photos, links, and videos in the past month.

Speaking of, don't get a Tumblr. It will eat your life.

By the by, new Francesca Lia Block interview over at my other new favorite blog, Deer Women. It's all about her new books. I also just fired off a quick email to the lady herself to see if I can find out a bit about that dating guide. (If you know me at all, you know exactly what the question was...)

Happy Second Anniversary, LSL!

1. Those who visit LSL at its blogger home have seen the new temporary header. For those none so fortunate, see above! Ain't she cute? I wish my hair looked that good

2. Leaving Shangri-L.A. celebrated its second anniversary on the 13th. I can't believe it's been two years! The very first book I reviewed was The Van Gogh Cafe; isn't it crazy how much things change, but how much they remain the same?

3. A LJ comrade and I had a chat about bloggers, and she mentioned that she does not trust blog reviews in general because they are uniformly positive as a response to free swag. As such, I thought it might be a nice idea to explain the whys and wherefores of LSL.

The reason all of my reviews are positive is simple: I only review books that I love. Work and school keep me so busy that I'd rather spend time working up a post on a book I truly adored. All titles are purchased or checked out by me--although I admit that I have a few good sources for cheap books.

Criteria for review is a little more ephemeral. The books featured at LSL are chosen for something that will appeal to a Francesca Lia Block fan, but that something will vary from book to book. Qualifying criteria can include a quirky protagonist, decadent details, art and love as powers of healing, feminism, queer friendliness, magic, wonder, and really good shoes. I can't always put a finger to it--but I know it when I see it!

Mermaid Crossing

Photo by me! Cape May, NJ.

Good day to you! Yesterday was my second day of school and work as the Slightly-Less-Competent-Than-The-Last-GA-But-Not-As-Slow-As-The-GA-Before-Her GA. (Cookies for the reference.) I am back in the world of academia, and happy to be there. However, that means that updates may be a little slower coming until I'm settled into a routine. Never fear, I'll never abandon this blog or my lovely readers.

Speaking of mermaids, I'm Here, I'm Queer, What The Hell Do I Read? (Love your blog name!) alerted me to the existence of a picture book that needs to join the rest of my collection. Ever hear about the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island? It has a reputation as rather a wild time, but has grown more family friendly in recent years while still retaining a bit of that debauchery. The illustrious Melanie Hope Greenberg has immortalized said mermaids in her latest, Mermaids on Parade. Here's what Ms. Betsy Bird (of Fuse #8, also one of my blogging heroes) has to say:

Really, one of the few parades left in the city that successfully melds that old-time wildness with the newfangled kid-friendly vibe is Coney Island's annual Mermaid Parade. Topless women and babies, that's what you'll see these days. It seems an odd parade to celebrate in the format of a picture book, but Mermaid Parade attendee and illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg is up to the challenge. With her bold colors and sense of pizzazz, Greenberg brings to life an event that continues to enthrall both children and adults alike with a love of fun, costumes, and general unavoidable weirdness.

I would have adored this book as a child--carnival atmosphere, bright colors, a theme park, mermaids, New York City happy families and a touch of genderbending, all wrapped up in one colorful package. (Just like the books I'm writing!) Can't wait to read it!

Here's Lee Wind's original post, with an interior shot.

Interview at Pink World!

Ms. Lisa Clark, head of the delightful Pink World Empire and creator of the Lola Love series, honored me with the chance to be interviewed at Pink World as an InspirOGirl. If you'd like to read about my origins as a bibliophile, my favorite NYC-inspired reads and a tour of my home city,follow the bouncing link!

As a thank you gift, I drew Ms. Lola herself. She came out pretty cute and a little bit sassy, I think.

Thinking: A Dangerous Occupation

Photo by Janetmck (So much love!)

My life has been one strange swirl of riot grrl theory, comic books, and daily writing, and the culmination of such. Dakota Lane, who is awesome, sent me a couple of books as a thank you for the writeup on BUST. It made me think of her, of Zoe Trope, and the book-lover culture online.

Why do we revere some authors and shun others? There seems to be this undertone of resentment for young authors, or ones that write a bit too close to home, like Zoe did. Instead of seeing a rich memoir, one of the first that dared to speak of post modern sexuality, readers screamed that she had the audacity to publish her LiveJournal (not true), and how could she get a book deal and not them?

The industry goes like this: hopeful author shops their book around, and if they're lucky, they get an agent. If the agent's lucky, they get a sale. If the publisher's lucky, they have a new author for the roster. If the author doesn't get enough sales, then they're out on their luck. Of course, there are other factors--who you know, what's hot, how fast they can get it out, whether you'll bargain your soul or not, and so on and so forth.

Point being, I can understand animosity when it comes to celebrity authors, but the rest of us mortal folk went through the same sweat, blood, and tears to get our babies an ISBN of their own. Don't hate your sisters and brothers in the writing world, sale or no sale--we really are all in this together, till the business model changes.

I genuinely love books and authors, and this blog is my labor of love. If I've gained so much pleasure and knowledge from the things I've read, I feel it's only fair I share that with others, so that the authors gain another devoted reader, so that bibliophiles gain a new favorite to quote on their Facebook and pass on to their best friends and giggle over an iced chai--an ourobouros of book love, if you will. It tastes like a new, delicious turn of phrase you can't stop running through your head, smells like the paperbacks of your youth, and fits easily into a messenger bag.

Embrace the book love, and support your local author. Who knows, they might do you a favor someday. :D

Baby's First Blog Award!

The illustrious Penelope Bat has gifted me with my first blog awards!




Both are passed on to blogs that are inspiring, uplifting, and all-around peachy keen. I can get behind that. Now, the official rules are that you tag seven people, and then they have to do the same--but you guys are under no obligation to follow up. Just bask in being amazing!

In alphabetical order:

Cocoa is a charm bracelet of word paintings, style tips, and beautiful images. She's also a fantastic penpal, and always quick to put in a good word for a fellow blogger, so here's mine for her. Add her now, cause then you can say you knew her when.

Bitterbutton is all-around wonderful, featuring such edibles as terrarium cupcakes, owl linzer tarts, and Superman lemon pies. Simply the most creative and unique food blog out there; may many more follow in her example.

The Ladies at BUST are turning their website into one of the must-see stops on the web for the smart and sassy pop-culture obsessed but culturally aware ladies, gents, and everyone in between. I'm so glad to have been a part of their team!

Disasterville rocks a mix of heartfelt advice, classy photography, kicky fashion editorials and little groovy bits to make your day better. Dayna's also one of the soon-to-be-famous-fabulous femmes who's helping me turn LSL into a better place on the web, so cheers to her for her patience with newbies!

Pink World is Lisa Clark's groovy little pink home on the web, featuring interviews with inspiring peeps, the latest in kitschy fashion accessories, and some pretty rockin' book reviews as well.

Treats and Treasures is tempting, colorful daily hints of my favorite artist journal. She's inspired my own journaling, with her quirky layouts and fun subject matters, not to mention her play with different kinds of media.

Ullabenulla is one of my longest-read blogs, and for good reason: each entry is like stepping into an exquisite cache of antique jewels, forgotten books, little worlds for dolls and insects, and Victorian forest animal theatres.

If You Loved...

Hey, guys!



Just letting you know that my lil' weekly feature, If You Loved, just went live on BUST Magazine's website-read it here! You, my lucky readers, will get a hint at what title will be featured on Mondays before the piece goes live on Tuesdays--this week, it passes on The Orpheus Obsession by Dakota Lane to lovers of Weetzie Bat, a natural progression. I've got about a month's worth already lined up, and matching them is very exciting--but I'd love your help, too. If you have any old literary loves that you'd like to see paired with a fresh new title, drop me a line in the comments and I'll keep it in mind when writing the next few pieces. Happy Reading!

P.S. I've reviewed The Orpheus Obsession in the past; have a peek at it.

Layout Update and Some Questions

Hail, bright spirits!

Leaving Shangri-L.A. got a little makeover, with help from Pyzam. I'm not crazy about using premade templates, so this is just temporary until I learn a little bite more about making Blogger layouts. The header image, however, is my own. It's taken from a photo of The Tarot Garden in the Tuscan countryside, one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.

While I've got your attention, I'm curious as to how many people are reading this blog. Even if you've never commented before, it would be awesome if you could drop me one here, and tell me what I've got right. Should I do more capsule reviews? More link drops? I'm not one for short articles, but I could give them a try. Would anyone be direly offended by Polyvore Phridays? Inquiring minds would love to know.

(Though I do kindly entreat you to be gentle, as the Puberty Fairy is visiting and my moods are roller-coaster like.)

And always, always feel free to email me at devilinpetticoats AT gmail DOT com with books you'd like to see reviewed.

Ciao,
Rie

The Devil in Petticoats comes slinking back...

It turns out that interning at That Famous Third-Wave Four-Letter Magazine and grad assisting at East Coast Library School (while taking two classes and editing a second draft of your first book) will eat up most of your time.

Other than that, I have no excuse, especially since I've been reading more than ever. (Long commutes will do that to a girl.) While I'm toiling away and making decisions about how I'm going to be writing reviews from here on out, why don't you enjoy some links?

*If you haven't heard, director and mixed-media artist Lori Precious has bought the film rights to Weetzie Bat, and she's posted a call for What Weetzie Bat Means to You, The Reader.

*I'm totally addicted to Suzi Blu's videos, and have no shame. She's this wonderfully vivacious, creative woman who sends out little weekly invites to get a bit messy and dance with your muse and all that fun stuff.

(You can find her on Blogspot, too.)

*If you, like me, are interning around Union Square, you may enjoy Chickpea(baked falafel and pesto hummus) and The East/West Cafe(vegetable latkes and chai lattes) as much as I have.

*
Polyvore is my love, truly. You can satisfy your inner fashionist's pleas for more frills and gaudy jewelry without breaking the bank or your dignity.

*Speaking of food, bitterbutton is my favorite
edible-things blog. Marvel at her terrarium parfaits, white spotted linzer owls, and tiny, tiny layer cakes.

*Some Girls Wander, on the other hand, is my favorite fashiony-things blog. Doily scarves! Shoes with birds on! Antique flower cuffs! So much love.

We Interrupt This Hiatus For Some Content

Never fear, loyal readers...all ten of you. New content is on its way, as your humble blogmistress is busy tapping away at new reviews and seeking out cool new links to share.

In the meanwhile, enjoy the musical stylings of this talented young individual:


Kaki King gets ten points for awesome web design, and a hundred for the whirly harp thing she does about halfway into the song.

We Interrupt this Excitement...

Apropos of nothing, the blog now has a mascot. I made this little cutie in between books. Now...what to name her?

Arrivederci, Shangri-L.A.

Why the blog title, you're probably wondering, when I'm a fan of Ms. Block?

Because when I first devoured her ouvre, I wondered where to go from there, because one needs new themes to explore, and there are so many wonderful authors out there that need the exposure.

Also? Writing's fun.

What to expect from Leaving Shangri-L.A.? Book reviews, of course. Movies too. Links to interesting arty things that Weetzie Bat would approve of, and localish (NYC tristate area) events of an odd or charming nature. Comments are more than welcome; flames will be fed to the fairies so we can watch them explode.

In short, "Loved Weetzie Bat? Here's what to read next."

Welcome.