I Saw Circus Bird on This Weekly Link Round-Up!

Denis and I (plus four other old geezers) went to see the final Harry Potter movie this week. I hate to see them come to an end, even if I can watch them repeatedly on DVD.  Denis also cleaned out his side of the closet, as well as some shelves and drawers in the armoire, and made a sizable donation to a local charity. Each time I went in to hang up his clean clothes on laundry day, I was pleasantly shocked at the amount of the clothes rail I could see. I used to take my life in my hands trying to cram something on it. Good on ya, darlin'!

The other surprise this week occurred out in the pool. For three days, I was allowed to see something I've never before witnessed-- a bird getting a drink out of the pool. Now, that may sound like an everyday occurrence, but it's not. We have a railing at the steps leading down into the water, but only the grackles and white-winged doves have figured out how to use it to quench their thirst. The other birds just walk around the edge, stare longingly at the water, and pine away. Some of them are so thirsty that they don't notice the bird baths and fountains close by. But one little bird is a multi-tasker!

My multi-tasking feathered friend

You're going to have to click on the photo to see any of the detail at all, but here's what happened....

I was sitting in the pool reading Laura Lippman's latest when this little bird started flying at the water. Just call me Cathy Doolittle, but I talk to critters. As the little bird kept flying at the water, I said, "Don't do that. You can't swim, and I'll have to come over there and bail you out." Ha! Little did I know!

This little (unidentified) bird which has the characteristics of some sort of warbler was figuring out the logistics. With wings outstretched and tail up, it would land right on the water, beak open and head diving below the surface to get a drink. With its wings, it would then push up from the water and fly into the oleanders where it would preen and enjoy feeling cool. It would be in the water for at least three seconds each time. On the third day, I saw this little guy do this six times! How cool is that?!?

Links? What links? Oh!


Bookish News & Other Fun Stuff

• The French government recognizes 46 independent bookshops.
• A book pub for geeks in Cairo, Egypt.
• As libraries close in the UK, people are trying to figure out what to do with the books.
• How Oprah changed publishing.
• Alan Bennett (The Uncommon Reader) returns to the library-- Baffled at a Bookcase.
• Forbes publishes its list of the world's highest-paid authors.
• Edinburgh International Book Festival goers show us "the book I bought today."

Book Lists

• National Public Radio's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books.
• 10 classic books we read despite knowing how they end.
• Cool new websites every bookworm should bookmark.
• What are critics' favorite "chick lit" film adaptations?
• Lev Grossman's 10 must-read fantasy novels.

Bookshelves, Book Towers....

• Industrial pipe shelving
• Chair and bookshelves all in one!
• Several cool bookshelves to build yourself.
• A bookshelf that goads you into reading. (I don't think the designer has seen all my TBR books!)
• Take a look at this towering stack of books in Brazil.

eBook News

• Amazon to sell Android tablet for $249?
• The E-Reader of Sand: The Kindle and the inner conflict between consumer and booklover.
• How I miss poolside book snobbery.
• The printed book is doomed: here's why.
• Why it's cruel to be Kindle.

Around the Water Cooler in the Book Blogosphere

• One of my favorite book bloggers, Lesa Holstine, made the local paper.
• My Friend Amy has an interesting post wondering whether or not we like spoilers. Some of the info surprised me.

Social Media & Blogging Tips

• Is Creative Commons right for your blog?
• The simple secret to increasing your social media following.

New to My Google Reader

• Traditional Mysteries
• Pining for the West
• Geranium Cat's Bookshelf
• funny wool
• The Book Garden
• Curiosity Killed the Bookworm

That's it for this week! Don't forget to stop by next weekend when I'll have a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure!