Claire Bidwell Smith

Suddenly there’s only about a month left to go in this pregnancy and I’m getting that nesting urge, although nesting is the totally wrong word because I don’t mean cleaning the house or getting the baby stuff ready. Instead I’ve been struck with this insane burst of energy to get as much writing and work done in the time I have left before the baby arrives. This past week I literally wrote six essays and have been just busier than ever with clients and books and publishing stuff.

I think part of it is just a way to distract myself from how wildly uncomfortable and fed up I am by being pregnant, and the rest is just like I said — spawning from the knowledge that in about a month ALL my attention will be going to pretty much one thing only for a while. This morning I woke up to an email from Stephen Elliott telling me that someone saw me in LA recently and said I was the most beautiful pregnant woman they’d ever seen. I’m certain they must have been drunk, but it was still really nice to hear all the same.

Speaking of Stephen Elliott, yesterday I got some actual letters in the mail back from the one I wrote for The Rumpus that went out this week. I was astounded. The letters were so personal and heartfelt and real and such a nice alternative to the emails and Facebook messages I’m used to receiving (although I love those too).

Get this: it’s almost eight in the morning and Vera is still asleep. Of course she finally reaches this blissful stage of sleeping from 8pm to 8am *just* as we’re about to bring a newborn into our lives, but hey, it’s still great. Maybe we’re all on that final push to get as much out of this last month before the craziness hits.

This post will be kind of a mish-mash, with nothing particularly important to say, so I thought I’d push you towards others who might be more interesting.

I was quoted in the LA Times today about a few books I’m reading right now and it got me thinking that I should type up another list here since my list is currently overflowing with good stuff.

Books On My List Right Now (some I’m reading, some I intend to be reading):

A Land More Kind Than Home, Wiley Cash (Everyone is buzzing about Wiley.)

Night Swim, Jessica Keener (This novel has been at the top of my list for too long now. Thank goodness for sleepless nights coming up — they just mean more time to read.)

Bringing Up Bebe, Pamela Druckerman (Finally started reading this and am LOVING it. If you’re a parent be sure to pick it up.)

The Dangers of Proximal Alphabets, Kathleen Alcott (This novel won’t be out until the fall, but trust me, you’ll want it on your list.)

Legs Get Led Astray, Chloe Caldwell (Chloe emailed me in the spring after having discovered my book on Cheryl Strayed’s nightstand. I hear nothing but phenomenal things about Chloe’s debut and it’s hovering near the top of my Kindle list.)

Lost Saints of Tennessee, Amy Franklin-Willis (Had the pleasure of having dinner with Amy the other night and she is such an exceptional woman. I have no doubt the same is true about her book.)

Girl Unmoored, Jennifer Gooch Hummer (Got to meet Jennifer last month at my reading in Manhattan Beach and if Robby Auld says her book is great, then I believe him!)

When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron (Recommended by a client.)

Insurgent, Veronia Roth (Have to have a little YA on the list. Loved the first book in this series.)

Waiting for Birdie, Catherine Newman (Memoir about having a second kid.)

No One Here Except All of Us, Ramona Ausubel (I got to hear Ramona read at Literary Death Match the other night and she was fantastic. Afterwards I told her how, because our books came out the same week, I saw her book next to mine in every store I read in all spring, and how hers is my favorite book cover possibly EVER.)

Speaking of Literary Death Match, I went for my first time ever the other night and had a blast. I recently had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the charismatic Todd Zuniga who runs the event and he really couldn’t be more charming or more intent on making LA’s literary scene really something to be talked about. If you get a chance, you should definitely attend one of these.

Okay, and now here are some blogs I’m reading:

Book Pregnant — this is actually made up from a writers’ group I belong to. We all have books coming out right now and being part of this group has been such an amazing opportunity to have people to commiserate with, ask advice from, and support. This is a blog a few of them started all about writing and publishing.

E Tells-Tales — I recently discovered Elizabeth’s blog and am in love.

Kelly Bergin — I recently discovered Kelly’s blog as well and can’t get enough. Reminds me of my old days in LA.

Robby Auld – my favorite teen book critic writes this really smart and yet also heart-warming blog.

The White Elephant in the Room — Always love checking in with Tre.

Nothing But Bonfires — Always love whatever Holly is up to. Especially her design projects and obsession with Evan Dando.

 

Other Things:

My last events before baby:

Pen on Fire Writers Salon, Tuesday May 15 at 7pm in Laguna Beach

May 31 at 7pm, Reading & Launch Party for Wedding Cake for Breakfast at the Santa Monica Barnes & Noble

I wrote about my mother for Salon.com: Finding My Mother Again

I interviewed Robby Auld for The Huffington Post: What We Can Learn From Teen Readers

I write about Redefining the Five Stages of Grief for The Huffington Post

I write about my mother for BookReporter: On Introducing the World to my Mother

I write about caregiving for Maria Shriver’s network: The Hardest Job I’ve Ever Had

(Told you I’ve been busy this week.)

Want to buy my book? Do so at any of the above!