To Read, or Not To Read?

In my earlier post about my trip to the Midwest Booksellers’ Association in Minneapolis, I mentioned that at the dinner hosted by Penguin on the Thursday night, there had been some spirited discussion between booksellers about what made for the best author events.  Certain booksellers felt that, as a general rule, authors should never read from their books at book …

Time to Read

Last week I received a direct message via Twitter from the lovely Camille Noe Pagan, whose debut novel, THE ART OF FORGETTING, was published this week by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin (US).  Camille was putting together a blog post for the “Author’s Desk” at Penguin.com about how and when authors find time to read.  This is a topic of considerable …

Required Reading (Unfortunately)

I wrote here about how much I dislike doing research for my books.  It’s still true, but I have had to knuckle down and change my ways.  Here’s a list of books I’ve read recently, all in the name of research for my next novel: Birdmen, Batmen, and Skyflyers Please Kill Me – the Uncensored Oral History of Punk Amusement …

How to Make Books More Interesting

In a previous post I shared with you evidence of my son’s extraordinary ability to read books in the most uncomfortable positions imaginable. Well, he’s at it again.  Triumphantly, in this latest version he has succeeded in doing away with the need for a chair completely. So proud.

Oh, to be eight again.

My children are congenitally unable to sit straight in a chair.  They drape themselves in complex and anatomically improbable configurations over and across the furniture’s arms and back.  They make creative use of cushions and pillows.  You know how it is.  Anything to avoid just sitting there. Well, here’s something new.  Hallam loves to read, but of course reading tends …

Last Minute Reminder…

… about the reading at Orr Street Studios, Columbia, Missouri tonight.  Afterwards we shall be going to Cafe Berlin for wine and other good stuff.  Should be a fun night.  Do come if you can!

Orr Street Reading – November 10

A quick reminder that I will be reading from the new book, AMERICAN LOVE SONG, at Orr Street Studios on November 10, at 7.00.  I’ve chosen two never-before-heard extracts to read.  Should be a lot of fun – for me, anyway.  I’d love to see you there.

Save the Date – Reading at Orr Street Studios

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be giving a reading from the new book at Orr Street Studios on Tuesday, November 10, as part of the new “Hearing Voices” season.  I did this a couple of years ago and it was a great experience – engaged audience, warm atmosphere, and cool space.  Mark your calendars – it would be great …

Reading List

Must.  Stop.  Buying.  Books. This is getting ridiculous.  Here, in no particular order, is what is presently on my book shelf, waiting to be read: 1959 – The Year Everything Changed (Fred Kaplan) The Land Where the Blues Began (Alan Lomax) Rhythm-a-ning; Jazz Tradition and Innovation (Gary Giddins) The Great Influenza (John Barry) Fiasco (Thomas Ricks) Cobra II (Michael Gordon) …

Distractions and Prevarications, Part 6

Well, duh. Actually I’ve only read the first five of these – trying in vain to keep up with my eight year-old, who ripped through the entire series in two months.  The last one was something like 870 pages long.  Oh, the relief when it was over.