News of the Word

It's summer, and although the weather here has been less than perfection, there are still lots of literary activities that we have been, and are planning to, indulge in. Went to the Odyssey for a reading by Reif Larsen, author of the remarkable Selected Works Of T.S. Spivet, about a twelve year old cartography prodigy (that's hard to say!) who takes off across the country (riding the rails) to claim a prize awarded to him by the Smithsonian. It's not really a kid's book. At all. T.S.'s observations being rather incredibly adult. Perhaps too much so, but that's a minor quibble. It's a tremendous book, with lots of sidebar maps and drawings. And Mr. Larsen's presentation (including a very funny slideshow) is fine. If you get a chance, see him. And definitely read the book.

In July, we'll go to a few Odyssey readings. Tracy Winn and her Mrs. Somebody Somebody (Lowell millworker's and other's stories), and Jim Lynch (Border Songs, which boasts odder characters than have been seen since Annie Proulx's The Shipping News.

We are trekking to the Mark Twain House in Hartford for class on July 28, where we will tour, write, picnic and hear a concert. Weather permitting. If no picnic or concert, I guess we'll just write.

In August, we are planning at least one excursion to Edith Wharton's house in Lenox, The Mount, for another write in the garden or library, and a play (an adaptation of her great story, Xingu), and/or a reading by Lily Koppel, author of The Red Leather Diaries , based on a diary she found in an old steamer trunk in her apartment building. She found the author of the diary, then 90 years old, and wrote about her life. Very intriguing.

What I am reading this summer: said Border Songs, Mrs. Somebody Somebody, T.S Spivet, The Red Leather Diary, the Ladies #1 Detective Series(again), some Eudora Welty stories (again), some Edith Wharton stories, and books about India (research for my next book, oddly, since I really have heretofore had little interest in India, as a whole). I may re-read Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury, a great summer classic, or Stephen King's It or Bag of Bones, ditto, it seems to me. And of course, Eudors Welty's Losing Battles, the perfect August read.

I'm sure there will be other excursions and expeditions, in the moments we are not working hard to finish our books (my second should be in good shape, hopefully sending-out shape, by mid-August), and so our summer looks quite interesting. Hope your summer is a fine one, and that you might be able to join us on our adventures. Happy Writing!